Historical setting: 589 C.E. At the monastery at Annegray
Thole came here because hunters brought rumors that a healer once owed to the pagans is here.
“So” I ask, “what is this urgent need the pagans have to find Anatase?”
“You’ve seen her then?”
“Why are you looking for her now? You, yourself, paid the debt.”
“You know, Ezra, Tilp, my wife, is tiny and frail but she is sweet and beloved.”
“I know. I was at your marriage ritual last winter.”
“We are planning that she will birth our child sometime in winter around the time of my own birth when my mother died. And you know that was because my father couldn’t find anyone to attend the birth. He found Auntie Eve but it was too late. She could only save me.”
“So you are afraid for the birth now, is that right, Thole?”
“Yes, of course, everyone is afraid. There’s been no baby born to our tribe in a whole generation, ever since Tilp was born. And that was a difficult birth. And they had help then. We have no midwife among us, and there are terrible dangers of having no one with the knowledge. Anatase had the very best training ever. Even as a child, blind Eve took her to be the eyes for so many births. So, Ezra, have you any idea what has become of Anatase?”
“I do know, Thole. She isn’t here at Annegray. And she escaped the pirates who kidnapped her. Then when they saw she was one bent on escape and they couldn’t sell her they raped her and beat her.”
“Where is she, Ezra?”
“She’s married now. She belongs with a husband and not to Largin’s Pagan tribe any longer. She is old enough to choose her family.”
“Well, let me find her husband then and beg him to let her come.”
“Her husband doesn’t own her. She has her own mind as you would know. You knew her. So finding her husband is pointless… as you can see clearly as you are speaking to him just now.”
“Ezra, are you saying you married Anatase?”
“It was just a blessing by the father here, and she calls herself Ana now. Come along with me to our cottage. I’m sure Ana will be surprised to see you as I was also.”
(Continues tomorrow)
Lazarus Ink 