Historical Setting, 629 C.E. Creek House in the Vosges Mts.
Vizsla is down here at the creek cottage this evening with his fleece. He told Hannah that Brandell says he can’t stay there with them any more nights. Vizsla says marriage has turned Brandell “selfish.” This Avar seems a little miffed. Apparently, he was accustomed to sharing the tent with Gaia and Brandell while they journeyed. Different tribes have different customs I know, but I can see Brandell’s side in this. So now, this little creek cottage, barely large enough for Ana and I, has Layla and the baby, Hannah and Vizsla, and Inky the kitten, all sharing the sleeping floor. Well, now Inky the kitten is sharing our bed. Ana is fine with that.
Vizsla snores. The baby cries, and Hannah stirs the fire and lights a lamp.
This won’t be forever. Well, maybe Inky’s place in our bed will be forever, but tomorrow I’ll take Layla and the baby back to the castle fields. Then Hannah and Vizsla will… Actually, it is known that Vizsla has no home and Hannah is always just here.
On the journey to the place the Avar’s had set their families while they battled with the Persians against the emperor, Vizsla learned that his mother had died and he has no other family left to return to. So actually, Vizsla is like the wandering stray and Hannah has chosen to take him in. That is a good thing all around. They do seem to belong together.
When I’m gone tomorrow, Hannah and Vishla can sharpen the axes, and prepare to cut the poles needed to build a sleeping loft in this cottage.
With the morning light, I take Layla and the baby back to the castle fields in the donkey cart.
“Layla, I wanted this time aside from your sister to ask you about something you said to Hannah.”
“What is that, Papa?”
“I think I overheard you say to your sister that she wouldn’t understand using a witch’s critter for transferring evil, because she doesn’t know what it is to be married.”
“Probably I said that. But you don’t understand it either Papa, because you and Momma don’t have any sins so you don’t even know.”
“Marriage isn’t a sin dump or a blame pit, Layla. Marriage is lots of beautiful wonderful things. Just look at Willinod there, sleeping in your arms. But if a spouse is nothing more than a receptacle for the other’s sins, then the marriage has failed.”
(Continues Tuesday, September 24)
Lazarus Ink 