Posted by AlOmega on May 30, 2000 at 20:15:59:
The time is 1616. The English had long chaffed under Scottish rule even though they spoke
a common language and worshipped the same God. Perhaps things might have been different
if the Irish had not allied with the Welsh. That alliance broke the back of the English
Nobles at the Battle of Cardiff. Thereafter, England no longer bothered with the country
having unity problems of their own. England had sought aid from France. But France was
fighting a civil war the resolution of which would not be until 1643. Perhaps if William of
Normandy had not succumbed to influenza in 1064 things might have been different.
Normandy would have been the victor and the civil war would have ended before 1562 and
thus able to aid the English.
Spain was no better off. Their primary gold sources had been shut off with the loss of
their expeditionary force to the Aztec Empire. It was fortunate that the Moors still
supplied tribute for that ill-fated sortie against Gibraltar. Though that action would keep
the Moors off of Spanish soil, the drain on Spain’s resources would never permit its
realization of world power. The rest of Europe was in political chaos with city-state
kingdoms scattered here and there failing to solidify into larger entities. No one state
would arise until the Russian-Austrian Pact of 1887. This would be followed by the
Scandinavian coalition with Scotland, Ireland, and France in the North Atlantic Alliance of
1888. The Spanish would be forced to side with the Kadalfi Caliphicy in 1892. History is
strange occasionally. However this is long after this story takes place. Near the English
town of Sheffield, the bucolic landscape was serene. Only an occasional bird punctuated the
air in song. It was a time of peace. That was soon to change due to a law enacted but
rarely enforced.
At the time, King William (known as Wallace) sat upon the throne in Edinburgh. Only lately
part of the nobility, he had assumed the Scottish throne when the previous Monarch had
been mysteriously assassinated. No one (alive, that is) would voice the feelings that his
death was attributable to a Black Arrow – its use being limited to that of Clan Wallace.
Such had happened in the past and would in the future.
It is in this venue that a certain couple fell in love.
Now there is nothing strange in a couple falling in love. However, this particular couple
played a large part in the developing history of this area of the world. Well, he did
and that is enough for this author.
His name was Charlez. An unremarkable boy, he found making friends and leading them in
boyish pranks was something he was good at. He also discovered a talent in swordplay and
other warlike practices. A note from his Sword Master – one called Dad or Ded Robert –
says more than I could. This excerpt is taken from Ded Robert’s journal, which (though
charred from the Great Fire of 1912) is one of three English training manuals surviving to
this day.
“He is innovative and adventurous to the extreme. In his swordplay, I have never had an
easier student to teach. Although not lightning fast, his wrists and hands move anticipating
the next stroke. He is driven to learn. Perchance this is because he watched the Scots kill
his father and kin while under a flag of truce. I venture that he could do without a shield
altogether if he wished. He can wield with either hand. If I could, I would send him to
Alfraeo at Oxford who specializes in teaching duel sword techniques. However….” Much of
the rest has been charred beyond recognition.
As a boy, he had made friends with a maid nearly a year older named Petra. Her father’s
occupation as beekeeper probably contributed to her earning the name of Petra Bee. The
two played together and were fast friends. She grew apace of him, which made her nearly a
head taller. But as he entered into manhood, he also grew. His six foot four frame didn’t
exactly tower over her but she could look him in the eye. And in her beautiful eyes, he was
lost.
It was a small step from friends to lovers – a step neither was loath to take. And their
family members knew that in a matter of time and in the next season at the latest, they
would wed.
But the Scots ruled the land and the local Laird, knowing the wedding would soon be held,
decided to invoke his seldom used privilege – that he have and use the local bride as his for
the wedding night to do with as he would. This did not go down with either Petra or Charlez.
A local druid would wed them it was decided. It was honest and secret and under the eyes
of their God. But this secret they kept from kith and kin. And that was how it remained
until near harvest time.
Now the local Laird decided that his prerogative was due and he decided on the 22nd day of
September to force his advantage. As I said, this law was seldom evoked. And that he did
so was his first mistake. That fine fall day, he rode up with his retinue and grabbed Petra
roughly by the arm. This was his second mistake as he discovered when she delivered a
stunning right cross to his face. His followers soon were holding her down. She would pay,
he thought. And pay dearly.
But it was Charlez who’s horse pushed him to the ground. Dismounting he took sword in
hand and advanced toward the surprised Laird. But a crossbow bolt drove Charles
backward. A cowardly blow from a mace brought him low. Another bolt pinned his left hand
to the earth. He lay bleeding.
Petra was not to be left out of it. In righteous anger she drove a fist into the Laird’s back.
He turned quickly, however, and planted another blow to her chest. Although he was
shorter, he also had been trained in fighting since birth. She surprised him by pulling a
creese (a small wavy bladed knife) from her boot. But his hand soon filled with a larger
hunting blade of his own. She knew the ways of the shire and forest. He knew the ways of
war. That difference showed clearly when she slipped on Charles’ blood. His maneuvering
was calculated to cause just that. She faltered and that permitted him to slash out with
his blade. But Petra’s quick reaction left only a thin bloodline three inches long just below
her left elbow. Again the two maneuvered but one of the Laird’s retainers grabbed her
from behind. She saw his evil sneer as he plunged his hunting blade between her ribs. If he
couldn’t have her, no one would. She faltered once as Charlez cried out in anguish. The
Laird picked up her fallen creese knife and plunged it once, then a second time into her
stomach. Petra felt the twisting of the knife near her navel. His last plunge was between
her breasts.
As she fell to the ground with a sigh – blood bubbling from her mouth, the Laird laughing,
mounted and rode away with his entourage. But Petra wasn’t dead – yet. She pulled herself
to her knees and lunged once toward her lover. His hand clutched frantically at hers. His
eyes caught her smile as she rested gently in his arms. He wanted so to sooth her, to make
her his once more, to return to the happiness they had had. But she was dying. He could
see that in her eyes. She so wanted him once more before she died. His blood – his tears -
mingled with hers as he kissed Petra deeply. Charlez felt the ardor leave her lips as she
died. His anguished cry soared even to the laird’s uncaring ears.
Charlez did survive and disposed of the body of his dead love, as had his Norse ancestors of
old. A burning ship marked her departure to the halls of Valhalla.
Two months later, Charlez led a small party to the laird’s estate. While his own warriors
chopped his enemy’s retainers to pieces, he was left with the sniveling Laird. It isn’t
written what occurred there but the laird’s head bereft of nose and ears was sent to King
William. Thus began the Scottish/English Wars of 1613 that devastated both sides. Sadly
Charlez survived only long enough to lead several fruitless charges into Scotland to avenge
his love. And yet he died in torment on the torture rack before the populace. Those that
knew him say he saw Petra before he died.
And the young Scottish Queen from Spain did bare a grandson to the Scottish King,
William. But his father, as DNA has recently proven, was the Englishman known as Charlez
of Stewart.
So now you know the rest of the story.
AlOmega