Chapter 2

While working in the herb garden, Aislin and Macha observed the arrival of a small party from the Keep consisting of a wagon and several mounted men. Two young Knights sworn to Lord Kelvin rode astride two large destriers. The first, dressed in their lord’s black and blue livery, was none other than the son of Lord Kelvin. The second Knight in red and gold, thought to be a distant cousin from the north, had recently joined the household last Summer.

As the group of men and horses came to a halt outside the Village Headman’s cottage, two of the castle guards quickly jumped out of the wagon to grab the bridle of the two armored warrior’s mounts.

“Take a look at those two, Nevan. Don’t they make quite the lovely pair?” The Knight in red and gold motioned with his mailed fist towards the Wise Woman’s Cottage.

Looking over his saddle, Lord Kelvin’s son nodded. “I haven’t seen the one in the green before, but I’m afraid cousin the other beauty is a boy.”

“Impossible.”

“Nevertheless, this is what I have been told by the villagers. Look at the way he is dressed.”

“So she is wearing a long tunic instead of a dress. Anyway, these villagers could be wrong, you know. The rabble isn’t usually the brightest. Remember that lot of levies we assigned to Captain Hamish last Spring? Idiots the lot of them.” The Knight laughed. “Not that it mattered. Half of them died or ran away as soon as Roderick’s heavy horse hit our lines.”

Nevan shook his head, trying to forget that battle. Those mercenaries came out of nowhere to strike their line in the flank. If it wasn’t for his Uncle’s Knights counter charge, it could have been a really bad day.

“If you insist, Miles, since mother and father are away, perhaps this evening we’ll invite the two lovely ladies back to the Keep for dinner. If they’re interested, that is.”

“Why wouldn’t they be interested? I haven’t met a wench yet that didn’t enjoy being bedded by a Knight?”

Sir Miles rubbed his hands in anticipation as he continued to admire the raven-haired beauty. He couldn’t keep his eyes off of her. Obviously, the feelings must be mutual, as all of the other villagers looked down at the ground in respect but not this one. Keeping her head held high like a Queen, she pierced his heart with those beautiful blue eyes. The Knight concluded that his friend must think he was clever, hiding his interest in the girl as well. Not one to decline a challenge, the young Knight decided that he would make this woman his own.

Nevan gave a small chuckle, knowing that his comments about the Wise Woman’s grandson were lost on his cousin. “We still have a job to do first, Miles.”

Waving his hand in acknowledgment, he turned back around and looked towards the Armsmen in annoyance. “Well, what are you standing around for, knock on the bloody door.”

Aislin frowned when Rowena’s father came out of the house, bowing and scraping before the two nobles. The three-spoke for a brief moment before the Headman suddenly ran off and began to gather some of the men from the village. Upon returning, the Knights had already mounted and were leaving the village with the wagons. The village men were instructed to follow close behind.

Moving closer, Aislin felt Macha pulling him back. “Stay still; I don’t like how that one in the red and black was looking at us.”

Before passing the end of the village, the Knight spun his horse around, looked back towards the village then wheeled his horse back into place. Although sorely tempted to follow the wagons, Aislin believed the Knight was looking directly at him.

Deciding that he didn’t want to be around when the group returned, the young man entered his grandmother’s cottage to collect more sacks. Hopefully, whatever errand the Knights had grabbed the village men for had nothing to do with the black monolith.

--0--

Spending most of the day deep inside the forest that surrounded the village, Aislin found that thankfully, he missed the return of the men of the village. What they brought back was no surprise. While instructing Macha how to remove the spikes off one of the Red Lance mushrooms he gathered, she explained that the soldiers passed back through the village with the black obelisk in the wagon.

“Everyone came home unharmed, so perhaps we are worrying for no reason.” The young girl sucked her finger, learning how to de-spike the mushroom had so far been a painful experience.

“I still don’t understand why they decided to remove the stone in the first place; most people know enough to leave them alone.” Reaching for Macha’s hand, he studied it to make sure that none of the sharp lances broke off in her finger.

Blushing, she pulled back her hand with a smile. “If you want, we can hold hands later, but I think we need to clean off the rest of these mushrooms.”

Aislin grinned then reached into his bag, dropping a dozen more of the prickly mushrooms on the small table.

“You didn’t make her remove the spikes with her bare hands, did you, Aislin?” Ina approached with a smile on her lips.

“What.” Macha gave the young man an accusatory look.

“Of course, that’s how my mother taught me.” Trying to keep from laughing, he reached into a small brown sack before putting on a pair of calf hide gloves. “Everyone learns with their bare hands; you need to know how much pressure you can place on the cap. We don’t want to harm the plant any more than necessary. Also, these spikes can damage the gloves just as easily as your hand.”

Macha made a face then nodded. “Show me.”

Starting from the gills of the mushroom, Aislin slowly moved his hand across the cap. With each move, the small spikes covering the cap fell to the ground.

“That slow?”

“That slow, any faster, and more than likely, you’re going to either shred your hands or the gloves.”

“If the mushroom didn’t have so many uses, I don’t think anyone would bother with them.” Ina looked in the bag at the assortment of other mushrooms and medicinal herbs and smiled. “I’m sorry I can’t be out there with you, Aislin.”

“Gran, there is absolutely no reason for you go into the forest anymore. I have two perfectly good legs.”

Before the three could continue further, a rider rode into the village. By the colors worn on his surcoat, he came from the castle.

“I wonder if it has something to do with the obelisk,” Ina commented as the rider was obviously making his way towards the cottage.

“I wish to speak to the one called Aislin.” The man on the horse commanded.

“Wonder what that’s all about.” Frowning, the young man walked around the side of the house to greet the messenger. “I’m Aislin.”

“You have been summoned this evening to dine with Sir Miles of Arklow. I would suggest that you wear something more femininely appropriate.”

“What…dinner? Doesn’t he know that…?”

The messenger raised his hand. “some us in the Keep understand your dilemma. The good Knight has, in fact, been told of your situation by Sir Nevan. However, he does not believe it to be true.”

Ina, upon hearing the command, stormed towards the rider. “What nonsense is this, Niles?”

“Mistress Ina.” The messenger backed up his horse nervously. “I’m sorry, but what I told your grandson is true.”

“Tell this Sir Miles that I’m sick, tell him I died.” Aislin turned to his grandmother in panic.

“Understand that this is not my decision. Mistress Ina, please see to it that he is dressed appropriately. As you know, Sir Miles can make life quite difficult for you and your family if your grandson ignores this summons.”

“Sir Miles, or whatever he calls himself, must be insane.” Aislin turned back towards the cottage; there was no way he was going to have dinner with this Knight.

Macha ran forward to stop him. “You have to do this.”

Spinning around angrily, it immediately deflated, seeing the tears in her eyes. “Why.”

“Remember, my grandmother was at one time a Court Healer. I know what the nobility is capable of.”

“Gran?”

Ina shook her head sadly. “I won’t force you, Aislin, however Macha is right.”

“Why would anyone think I’m a girl?”

Both his grandmother and her apprentice gave a small laugh.

Reaching up, Ina walked over and gently cupped Aislin’s face. “I’m sorry I laughed, but I don’t think you have much choice, sweetheart.”

“This is stupid; you know that. Fine, I’ll do it, but I won’t be happy about it. What do I need to do?”

“Niles, please tell your master that my-granddaughter will be ready. Now, if you excuse us, we have some work to do before she is presentable enough to be seen at the Keep.”

--0--

Aislin looked down, he wasn’t particularly enamored about wearing a kirtle, but he could tell the high quality of the fabric. Used to the coarse linen fabric of his daily wear, even the undergarments, a cotton chemise, and what he was told was silk, felt quite nice on his skin.

“I never realized that you had my mother’s clothes, Mistress Clar.”

Two chests had been left behind, one full of his mother’s beloved books and other personal items the second, which he hadn’t seen until today was full of clothes. While going through the outfits and other items in the trunk, the young man became quite confused.

The clothing alone confirmed that his mother’s station in life had been much higher than a simple common village wife. However already pressed for time to get ready for dinner, Aislin would have to hold off looking through the rest of the trunk for another day.

Thankful for his grandmother’s and the miller’s wife’s help, they finally finished the last layer of his outfit, belting a particularly nice dark blue sleeveless over the gown.

Noting the older women’s quiet stares, Aislin became very uncomfortable. “I look like a fool, right. I knew this wouldn’t work.”

“No.” Ina looked at Clar for support. After a good amount of complaining, and after throwing Macha outside, Aislin finally removed his clothes and submitted himself to their will. Still, at no time, did she believe this would be the end result.

“As your grandmother says, truth be told-”

“I’m coming inside even if you’re not dressed.” Macha, who had been standing at the door the entire time, burst into the room. “By the goddess Aislin, you look beautiful.”

“What?”

The two older women nodded in confirmation.

Amazed, Ina inspected her grandson’s gown. “If it weren't for the fact I changed your swaddling clothes Aislin, I wouldn’t believe you were ever a boy.”

“True, I wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t see it with my own eyes.” Clar let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. The boy was the spitting image of his mother. “Aislin, you make a very lovely woman.”

The young man frowned, not sure how to take the compliment from his mother’s old friend.

“Come back to the cottage; let me fix your hair.” Macha grabbed his hand, dragging him out of miller’s home.

“Wait, people in the village are going to see me.”

“Why does that matter now?”

“I guess it doesn’t.” Aislin came to a stop a few steps beyond the cottage. It came as no surprise that those outside already noticed his new outfit.

“Ignore them; we still have things to do.” Surprisingly enough, not a single person had a disparaging remark as they passed through the village. In fact, all of them looked upon Aislin in silence.

“How do you walk like that?”

“Like what?” Afraid to make eye contact, the young man stared nervously ahead.

“Like a woman, actually like a noblewoman.” It was as if Aislin’s natural grace had been suddenly enhanced.

“Do you remember the harvest festival? Lord Kelvin sponsored a tourney. Quite a number of noble ladies attended.”

“You were watching them enough to learn how they held themselves.”

The young man was quick enough to note the irritation in her voice. “Well, they were hard not to notice walking around in all their finery.”

Macha nodded, but the frown didn’t leave her face.

Aislin gave a small laugh, which caused the young apprentice to blush. “Sorry, truth is if I didn’t walk this way, I would have already fallen on my face. No matter how nice it feels, it’s quite difficult to move quickly with all of this fabric around one's legs.”

“The dress looks very beautiful on you.”

“Thanks, not something I expected to hear today, if ever.”

Laughing, the young girl pulled Aislin into his grandmother’s cottage to the back room. Making him take a seat, she began to braid his hair.

“Your hair needs to be a little longer for this to work properly, but we will make do.”

Aislin closed his eyes; her hands felt nice. Suddenly he felt her soft lips placed upon his. Opening his eyes, the young man found that Macha had already gone back to fixing his hair.

“Not that I’m complaining mind you, but did you kiss me for any particular reason?”

“Because you’re beautiful and because I wanted to.”

“Very nice dear,” Ina said, interrupting the two as the older women entered the cottage.

“I often helped my mother with her hair.” Standing back, the young girl smiled at her work. “One last thing.”

“Ina, what happens if Sir Miles decides that-?” Clar looked down at the boy, he might look like a girl, but she was well aware what the Knight probably had in mind for after dinner.

Aislin smiled. “Don’t worry; I will inform him I am coming down with melancholia.”

Clar stood back, shocked. What boy would think of even using the women’s affliction as an excuse?

Ina laughed at her friend’s discomfort. “Remember, my grandson, although not a healer has been assisting me since he was young. Trust me, Clar; he is quite knowledgeable about how the female body works.”

Ina’s apprentice came back into the room, holding a small bronze amulet attached to a silver chain. “This is my mother’s.” She said as she slipped it over his head.

“Macha reached over to hold Aislin’s hands. “It will bring you luck.”

Looking into her eyes, he realized the two of them would need to sit down and talk after he returned from the Keep. That is if he returned. Ina smiled at the two children warmly, but her thoughts were interrupted by a wagon pulling up outside the door. “It’s time, Aislin.”

Nodding the young man stood, only to be surrounded by the three women who fussed over him, adding one final touch, a long gray cloak to complete the outfit. Finally presentable, he stepped outside and calmly approached the wagon.

The two men in Lord Kelvin’s livery sat in shock at the sight of the beautiful woman who stepped out of the cottage. They had expected some village girl dressed in some ill-fitting feast day attire but not the lady approaching them. Without thinking, one of the men leaped from his seat to help Aislin into the wagon.

“Please come this way, Mistress.”

Thankful for the help, as there was no way he would have been able to climb into the wagon by himself, Aislin thanked the young man. Little did he realize because he was nervous, he spoke slowly, which also happened to be the mannerism of a higher station lady. “Thank you, Master?”

“My apologies, I’m Phelan, and that is Sean.”

“Nice to meet both of you.”

“Enjoy your dinner, dear.” Ina approached the wagon as it started to leave.

Rolling his eyes, which produced a giggle from Macha, Aislin waved one last time as the wagon turned around to head back to the Keep. Once again, the villagers stopped what they were doing to stare at the boy, or at least who they always thought was a boy.

This lack of reaction didn’t make him feel any better. While dressed in his mother’s clothes, Aislin half expected the villagers to turn violent. If nothing else, the usual spiteful comments, however, the lack of any reaction was a bit unnerving.

Finally relieved, as the wagon crossed over the stream on a wooden bridge that separated the Keep’s lands from the village proper, Aislin turned to appreciate the countryside. No longer barren in the clutches of winter, he studied the Orchards off in the distance where the trees were beginning to bloom.

“Mistress, I see that you are admiring the Orchards.”

Lord Kelvin’s lands were known for its apples, including the hard apple cider produced ever year. The apples were also a much-needed source of food during the harsh winters.

“Lord Kelvin’s lands had a particularly good crop of apples last year.”

“Yes, he did. Although between you and me, Mistress, I would be happy not to eat another apple for some time.”

Passing another orchard, a group of men stood up as the wagon approached with the foreman unexpectedly taking off his hat. As they continued to draw closer to their destination, Aislin became more and more nervous.

Since the messenger arrived, the whole experience had been unreal. However, the reality of meeting a Knight whose obvious intentions were much more than just a meal made him want to run home.

It was one thing to dress up in his mother’s clothes; it was quite another thing to pass himself off as a female no matter what his grandmother said.

Crossing a third and final wooden bridge, the wagon came to the edge of Loche Glas, the small lake located on Lord Kelvin’s land. On the water, off in the distance, Aislin could see the tall curtain wall, the outer defenses of the Lord Kelvin’s Castle.

“Mistress, have you been to the Keep before?”

“Yes, although I had not been invited to dinner.” Aislin gave a small nervous laugh.

“Do you have relations in the Keep?” Sean asked while turning the wagon towards the entrance of the castle.

“No, my grandmother and I met with Master Ibor while he was still alive.”

“The Alchemist.” Phelan turned in his seat.

“Yes.”

Looking impressed, the man pointed happily towards the castle. “Oh, see Mistress, we are almost there, you should be with your Sir Miles in no time at all.”

Even to the uneducated, the castle’s defenses seemed daunting. To be able to pass through the gatehouse, the wagon had first to cross a long wooden bridge, which in the threat of danger would be destroyed by the castle defenders.

The bridge continued across the lake, becoming part of the drawbridge. Although the strong wooden structure allowed entry into the castle, it could be quickly raised by long thick chains if the castle ever came under attack.
Now approaching the gatehouse, to some, it might seem welcoming, but to Aislin its appearance was like the maw of some great beast. He realized that the Keep could very well become his prison.

Deciding that there was very little he could do about it now, the young man sat back and tried to enjoy the rest of the journey.