by Carl E. Mullin ©2020
Tower Edward I
Almost home.
“Home.” A strange word for a place Dagny had not seen in years and years.
She breathed a deep breath. She looked around from inside her rain-soaked cab as the wheels of her horseless carriage clacked against the wet bricks of the ascending road about this great tower. Five years. Five long war-filled years.
She leaned forward on her seat to peek through the drenched windows. The rain had fallen hard on this warm summer day, a welcomed break from an almost year-long chill. Now it was clearing.
She saw a street sign. Level 47.
She sat back and relaxed to observe the passing scene. The drainage dashed down the slight decline of the street. Many narrow townhouses, three- and four-story, lined the street with their pitched roofs. Leafy trees and neat hedges raced by her. Behind the houses, the fluted columns towered past the low gray clouds like a sparse forest of massive redwood trees of the Nippon East located on the west coast of New Vinland. The columns rose to support the upper levels full of the neighborhoods like this one, bringing water and power. Projecting from the columns’ sides, vertical banners of great size snapped their soaked fabric against the rain-carrying winds. Their golden lions roared their silent roars against their crimson background. A lone hawk zigzagged between the banners, enjoying his freedom.
She envied him that aloof privilege.
Past the columns, a monstrous tower rose, bearing up the mass of the Tower Edward I. Its curving wall has a cliff-like surface, full of jutting stone blocks forming terraces, niches, and glowing windows. Here and there, cantilevered parks bloomed their dark greenery. Here and there, marble sculptures of the Gods and heroes peopled the recesses of the cliff-like wall. Three waterfalls were flowing down in graceful arches. Everywhere, birds great and small flown, drying themselves in their graceful flight.
Her reminiscences ended and she knocked on the ceiling. “Nineteen-forty-nine B, driver.”
As her cab slowed she saw someone and smiled a small smile to herself. A plump woman with a pleasant middle-aged face was already outside and putting on her canvas gardening gloves.
As Dagny stepped out onto the flagstone sidewalk, the woman was already busy talking to her plants rooting in her neatly-set sandstone brick planters. “Good afternoon, duckies! My! Wasn’t the rain torrid? So, are we feeling bright and tall today, children? You better be bright-eyed to your mamma or your mamma will be much exercised with worry. Now, let me feel your silky leaves. Come, come! Open up your eyes! Now, that’s the love, darlings.” She chuckled, “My! Aren’t your stems bright and green? Very soon you will attract many suitors in their black and gold strips. My! You are doing your darnedest to make your mamma very happy today, aren’t you?” She looked at the hedges, “My goodness! Aren’t we unkempt today? So many blushing pink leaves on your tips today, young and fresh. I warned you, little duckies, that you must keep yourselves neat and straight in the proper order or we’ll have words. Ah, but fear not, I have my trusty shears with me. Come, come, little duckies! Let your mamma get you in a good and proper shipshape way, shall we?”
Amused, Dagny stepped up behind her and said, “They are a bit unruly, aren’t they, Mrs. Bennet?”
She gasped and looked around. “My goodness! Dagny! My, I wasn’t expecting you at all, what with these lords and ladies and then some! Well! Don’t just stand then. Come and give me a kiss, my ducky! My! You should be ashamed of yourself, giving an old woman a stroke, and at your age too!”
“Not that old.”
“Oh, you!” she chortled.
“But you are correct and I shouldn’t be making a sport of you.”
“Oh, stop that. I’m just plumb pleased to see you again, is all.”
Dagny turned to the top-hatted driver, “My luggage to the second-floor flat, if you please.”
“Righty-o, Commander.”
“A commander! My! I remember when you were just a second lieutenant on that first day. Oh, but that seems ages ago. Oh, but I have prayed and prayed and poured much libations to Lord Adonis daily for your salvation. And now, here you are.” She nodded to a small standing statute of a young man with a spear and a hound at his feet sitting within her small front courtyard.
“Aphrodite’s beloved has indeed heard your petitions and he stands true, brings much happiness to your home.”
“Yes, yes he did. The hunter’s sacred blood has encouraged my duckies to grow tall and true and with as much vigor as he was in the former times. Now that you are here, our happiness is completed.”
“The Fates have favored you much.”
“And you! Young lady, I have hardly had any news from you since you went to Iberia. Not a letter. Not a call. My! I’ve a mind to give you a proper spanking the Service clearly did not give you. Mh!”
Dagny sighed, “Yes, you are quite correct as to my faults. You should, old woman.”
“Oh, but you’re a right good girl and you paid your rent timely as always. So, I can’t complain much.”
“Oh? You had the rent regularly?”
“As regular as a clock, my ducky.”
“Ah,” Dagny looked up at a large half-moon window on the second floor. “Is he here, Mrs. Bennet?”
“Oh, not in ages and ages, ducky. You’re blessed to have him, you know. And you will stay for at least a few months?”
“You’re a dear, old woman, but I cannot tarry long. I am sorry.”
Her face fell, “Oh.” Then her eyes shore bright as she pulled off her gloves, “But you’re here at least! Thanks to the good Lord, here. Well! Do come in, ducky! I’ll make ourselves a nice tea and my famous raisin cookies to mark this happy day.”
“Oh, you needn’t do that.”
“Oh, but I do! Shoo! Shoo! Do go up you go and rest those tired feet while I busy myself.” She giggled and rushed inside just as the driver exited the house.
Dagny paid the driver. As she watched him leave, she sniffed at the humid air and unattached her slick cloak as she climbed the front steps.
She paused in the foyer and looked around at the dark and warm wooden panels dressing the walls and ceiling. She climbed the straight stairs, her steps muffled by the thick runner rug held down by a series of brass bars. She paused midway to touch the cavity on the ceiling and then looked down at the deeply carved rail. This place felt comfortable and strange to her. She had this flat for years and still it felt like it was just another place to lay down her gear before muttering out. She climbed again to her flat.
She traveled the short hall and opened the unlocked door.
She stood in the living room lit by the large half-moon window and two oval windows on either side. She stepped toward the central window to look out onto London now bright and dry by the swift winds. She looked around at the draped furniture, giving a ghostly spell to the place. She slid her finger along the trim of the window. The dust was only a thin layer and she smiled. Poor Mrs. Bennet had done more than her share as a landlady, such a dear. She was a widow left behind by her Navy husband who had died decades ago in one of the wars. With no children and no interest in remarriage, she had lived off her husband’s pension and the rents from herself and an artist upstairs and a few odd jobs here and there. She should have written the old woman more.
She unbuckled her sword belt and held it up with sad eyes on its hilt. She placed it atop a covered table. As she unbuckled her duty corset she walked about, peeking into the bedrooms and the bath and the kitchen. After plunking her corset by the sword, she yanked the dropcloth off a padded chair to take her boots off. She stood up on her bare feet and sighed at the release she felt. She removed her thigh holster and unbuttoned her jacket’s flap before stretching her back in a graceful arch. Her finger played with her hair as she looked around. Where to begin?
A covered trunk caught her attention. She twisted her wavy earlock as she considered.
She uncovered the trunk and pulled it to the center of the room. She sat on her heels and unlatched the twin latches with a soft thud! thud! Then the main lock. With care, she lifted the lid and beheld a messy clutter of half-remembered items. Her hands searched through them. It should be there.
Here.
She pulled out a small rectangular velvet bag with a flat object inside and un-looped the knot. From it she pulled out a simple framed photograph shot in a landscape format. In it the four girls were grouped together with broad smiles, their gymnastic uniforms of brown leather wrapped about their skinny bodies. Young, carefree, and full of bright hope.
She touched each face with a soft sadness. If only she could… If she had the strength…
A knock on the opened door behind her. Startled, she spun her head.
“Hello, little Dagny…or should I say Lady Mark, eh?”
Her face melted into a warm smile, “Lord Bradcock.”
His white mustache curved into a smile. He held up a wine bottle wrapped in ribbons. “I hope I wasn’t interrupting anything.”
With a fluid movement she sprung from the floor to embrace him with an easy care. Then she broke off, “Forgive my too-familiar manner, my lord.”
He scoffed, “Now, now, let’s not be having any sort of this nonsense, little one. We’re family, or should be. Do call me ‘Willy’, or ‘William’ if we must be so formal.”
She shook her head. “Oh, I can’t possibly do that, my lord. Th-that would be unseemly.”
Another scoff. “You’re a Lady of the realm now, so I’m quite afraid that you must suffer some informality from now on, little one.” He set down the bottle. “And about time, too.”
“Yes…my lord.”
He waved his hand. “Oh, be stubborn if you must. You’re not so big that I can’t put you over my lap for some spanking! You need it urgently. But why the quarrel? I’ve brought some wine to celebrate your newfound happiness.”
“Not what I was seeking…” She gasped and smiled, “How good of you to pay a call, my lord. You must forgive me the dinginess of my flat for I have only just arrived. My happiness was made complete when I saw you at my knighting. I’m sorry that I couldn’t converse with you then, what with all those well-wishers, though my heart’s set on it.”
“Apologies are unnecessary but welcomed, little one. It’s your day after all and well-deserved. I know your feelings on this but I delight so in seeing my little Dagny blooming into the pretty butterfly of the hour.”
“I…shall we open the wine, my lord? Or would tea be more to your liking?”
“Willy.”
“I…William.”
“That’s the love, dear. Yes, tea is fine.”
“A tea it is then.” She took the bottle and strolled into the kitchen. “Your wine is most welcomed. Do you plan to stay in London long?”
“For a while, yes.” He sat on the uncovered chair. “Nothing to engage my attention at the manor really. Besides, you are here.”
As she checked the tin can for any usable tea, she called out, “What will you do here then, sir.”
“Lord Oakrod is reviewing quite a bit of intelligence from the late unpleasantness. He could use my old eyes to fuss out some interesting patterns, dear.”
She put down the filled kettle onto the stove. “This sounds interesting, my lord.”
“Willy.”
She shut her eyes in frustration. “William.”
“My dear child, if we ever have sufficient time to ourselves, I shall endeavor to fix that nasty habit of yours. Really, I have watched you grow to womanhood. You earned that right, Dagny.”
“I…it’s a hard habit to break, sir.”
“But not impossible, my dear. We could even do it in what little time we have.”
“What do you mean, sir?”
“That you have taken the command of Damona.”
“Lord Oakrod told you?”
“It’s on everyone’s tongue.”
“Oh.”
“There’re questions of course. But it’s the Queen’s wish so none question her.”
“She gave a direct order, my lord.” She changed the topic, “Am I to understand that you would be staying with Lord Oakrod?”
“Good heavens, no. That wife of his would never give me a moment’s peace.”
“I was given to understanding that she is a vivacious lady of society. Surely…”
“A bit too vivacious of a lady I’m afraid.”
“Two cubes of sugar and a touch of honey?”
“A spot of honey, yes.”
“Surely, you would profit from a bit of merriment. I am sure that she could make some amusing introductions to enliven your time here. She’s quite gregarious.” The kettle whistled and she shut off the heat.
“Gregarious?”
“Oh, very well, I do admit that Lady Oakrod can be a bit much-”
“ -a bit?-”
“-a bit overly familiar with some people, my lord.”
“Uncle William, let’s try that,” he advised.
She sighed, “Yes, Uncle William.”
“This old place could use a touch-up, what?”
“I suppose it does…Uncle,” she smiled as she filled two cups. “Uncle? Have you been paying the rent for this flat?”
“You were preoccupied. I was happy to bear the burden, dear.”
“Uncle, I am able and willing to bear this burden, and with a good cheer.”
“You have more important things to attend to, child.”
“You have done more than enough.”
“Tis not a burden to me.”
She thought as she stirred the tea. “My lord, is it not the time? Come, lay down your burden and do enjoy yourself. I am sure Lady Oakrod could introduce you to some gay amusements here.”
“I fear that some gay amusements would prove taxing to my constitution, my dear.”
“My lord, don’t be such an old fuss.”
“I am old, child. Have you not noticed?”
She leaned on the counter and closed her eyes. She straightened and carried the tea over to him, “Here.”
“Ah, yes, thank you, my dear.” She kneeled on the floor and watched as he tested his cup with satisfaction, “You remember.”
“I try to…Uncle.” she smiled as she felt small.
He looked down at her. “Our positions have a certain familiarity about it.”
“It is, my lord. It’s my proper place.”
“Now, child-”
“I should have been here,” she cried with a sudden force. “With you.”
“England had a greater need of you.”
“But I should have! To share your grief.”
“It couldn’t be helped, child.”
“But…I should be, my lord.”
He smiled at her. “She would be much gratified to hear that. She was very fond of you, you know.”
“I know,” she said in a hushed tone. “Your wife favored me much since that day.”
“She loved you. We all did.”
“Oh, you have lost so much. That war, that damnable war, has cost you.”
“Dagny, Elisa would not have you talk in this manner.”
“But it’s true! This late war has robbed you of everything! It broke her heart, my lord!”
“Not everything.”
She reached up to brush away some hair from his face. “You have lost so much…William.”
“Not all.” He set down his tea onto the table.
She looked down, “I could not give the Lady her heart’s desire.”
He leaned forward on his elbows, “Perhaps, you can now.” She shook her head. “Ah. Perchance another time, then.”
She looked up at him. She set down her tea onto the floor and took his left hand from his lap. She pressed his hand against her bare breast under her jacket. With bright and earnest eyes she whispered, “My lord, make me the mother of your son. To carry your name forward.”
He paused and did not pull his hand away. She saw a man’s desire in his blue eyes and opened her lips to show her willing surrender to the warm hand on her breast.
Then he withdrew his hand and, to her bewilderment, tugged her jacket straight. “No.”
“But, my lord!”
“No. It’s decided.”
“But, your name!”
“It. Is. Decided, daughter.”
She seized his hand, “But, my debt to you-”
“Enough!” he roared.
She stared at him in silent dismay.
Bradcock sighed and smiled at her. He cupped her face and kissed her forehead. “You, my child, own me nothing. It is I who do.”
She shook her head, “My lord…”
“Your gesture is noble. And kind. And I love you for what you are trying to do, and for being who you are.”
“My lord!” He stopped her with a thumb on her lips.
“Enough. I am content. And proud.” His mustache curved up in a smile. “Just humor an old man, eh?” He kissed her head and rose to leave. She gazed up with a begging look. He brushed away her hair and walked away.
She leaned on the seat of the chair and listened to the recessing footsteps, her eyes glistening. The door shut and she burst into tears.
Time streamed slow. The trees waved gentle outside. Then she lifted her head in quiet resignation with a sniffle.
A splash of water on her face over the sink and she made a stoic mask in the mirror. A roll of lipstick on her lips and she stood straight as she buttoned her flap. She tugged her hair out from her collar. As she zipped up her boots, she faced the half-moon window. Was it a dawn or a sunset, she wondered as she heard Mrs. Bennet calling her name from beyond.
“Coming!” she answered. She paused to consider the window and then left.
She climbed down the stairs, ready for what challenges might face her. She frowned when she saw a stranger in a green hood with his back to her. The stranger was standing in the foyer chatting with Mrs. Bennet. Her steps slowed to a snail’s pace. There was something familiar about this stranger.
The stranger turned. Her face rose up at her approach and Dagny froze, disbelief in her face.
The stranger smiled at her, warm and inviting.
Landing on the foyer, she stared at her. Her fingers rose to touch her face to reassure herself of the stranger’s reality. “Ziya?”
Ziya smiled wider, “Dagny Mark.”
With gasps, they clapped together in a sudden and warm friendship. “Oh, it have been ages.”
“Yes.”
They broke off and glanced at each other with glittering eyes. “Dear Ziya! How is it that you are here?”
“I walked.”
“Walk! Oh, how I missed you so!” she cried as they embraced again.
The door opened. “Rise and shine, Commander! We have the uniforms!” Hannah called out. She stopped in her feet when she saw them and a wide grin broke out on her face, “Ziya! Sister Ziya, what a surprise! Give me a kiss, kid! Oh, meet our new kid, Cadet Bell.”
“Cadet,” Ziya smiled as she shook hands.
Dagny and Ziya looked at each other again, deep affection dancing in their eyes in silence.
Mrs. Bennet clapped her hands, “My! Isn’t it wonderful to see so many duckies in a row? And just in time for my famous raisin cookies!”
––––––––––
Mrs. Bennet’s Flat
While Gwen helped Mrs. Bennet, Dagny found herself distracted by Hannah’s running talk, “Say, Sister, since when did we seen each other last?”
“Four years, I believe. Or was it three?” Ziya turned to Dagny.
“Three.”
“Three it is!” Hannah clapped. “By the Seventy Sons of El, but it’s good to see you. Damn, you look well. How did you keep your face so fresh, kid?”
“Magic,” she smiled and all laughed. They sat back as Gwen set the table with teacups and plates.
“So, Sister,” Hannah asked over the clacking of the plates, “how’s the Order of Morganna been treating you?”
“You’re with the Morganna?” Gwen gasped as she paused.
“Cadet Bell…” Dagny warned.
“Oh, sorry, sir,” she answered crestfallen.
Ziya held up her hand, “No, child. Let me answer her. Yes, I was with the sacred order.”
“Was?” Dagny frowned.
“A leave of absence, Dagny dear. Yes, I have a few things to do. That I need to do on my own. And, yes, child, the stories you have heard are true.”
“Y-you’re really with the witch-nuns?!” Gwen babbled, unable to resist her curiosity. “You learned from the Morgan La Fay?”
“King Arthur’s twin, yes,” Ziya smiled. “Indirectly. Through her student. Morgan learned her craft at the lap of Lady Hekate of the Twilight Road. And so I am the divine Lady’s handmaid, as are all in my order.”
“Gosh, aren’t you scared when you – you con..,” she gulped, ”…conjure the spirits?”
Ziya laughed lightly, “Goete. Necromancy. That is what this is called. And my main craft. Yes, you would be a fool to not feel a little fear.”
“Oh,” her small voice answered.
“You needn’t be frightened of me, child,” she smiled a gentle smile. “I am quite aware of our reputation but we are mild witch-nuns. Our oaths bade us to refrain from the passion in observance of Lord Apollo’s advice to practice temperance so that we may be a credit to our Lady.”
“So – so you speak to the dead?”
“When a need arises, child,” she answered without a smile. “Which is not often, thank the Gods. They have well-kept the gates of the Otherworld.”
“Not all the time?”
She shook her head. “Not often. Mostly, I listened to the people’s troubles. Most of the time, it’s an issue with their thinking or emotions that they are often confused with the dead or some fell spell. In such cases, I engaged as their psychotherapist.”
“Oh,” she relaxed. “Well, it’s a relief, Sister.”
“I agree.”
Dagny spoke up, “Cadet, the table.”
“Oh! Sorry, sir.” She set the table with a quick motion and rushed back to the kitchen.
Hannah chuckled as she tasted her cigar, “Works every time, Ziya.”
“Yes,” Ziya said, her eyes following the girl with interest. “Who is this girl?”
“A problem,” Dagny grumbled.
“Now, Dagny,” Hannah interrupted. “The kid’s not that bad. Naive, sure, but she has promise.”
“She has no business here, XO.”
Ziya frowned, “What business?”
“Some affairs to handle,” Dagny evaded.
Hannah leaned to Ziya, “She means the Damona.”
“Nothing to be interested in, Ziya.”
“Seedbearer Imperative,” Hannah added.
Ziya shot a look at the little blond dragon rider’s serious face. “The stars?”
“Zeus’ command has come,” she nodded.
Before Ziya could talk, Mrs. Bennet and Gwen returned with a tray of a hot teapot and a plate of cookies and breads. “Here we are, duckies! Do enjoy yourselves on this happy day!” She giggled and rushed back to the kitchen.
Hannah nodded after her, “A happy camper.”
Dagny nodded, “Very. She doesn’t get much fresh company. Our age, that is.”
“She is a sweet woman, Dagny,” Ziya said.
“She is. It has been years, Sister.”
Yes. It has.”
“I’ve often wondered how fare you.”
“Very well as you can see, though our paths have diverted. And you?”
Hannah butted in, “She ain’t gonna tell you. She just got made a commander.”
Ziya beamed and took her hand, “My dearest Dagny! The Sacred Weavers have blessed you indeed! I have seen those banners with your images on them and have wondered what great deed you have performed to merit such fame.”
Dagny shrugged, “It was nothing, Sister.”
“Ziya, don’t listen to her. Fuck me, I’ve never seen such a bashful heroine. Let Auntie Hannie fill you in on the details.”
“She’s a great heroine!” Gwen enthused. “Oh, the way she took on the enemy ships at Nicaragua, my heart thrills at her noble deeds!”
“Cadet!” Dagny warned.
“But it’s true, sir!”
“That’s quite enough! Sit down and have these cookies.”
Gwen struggled between protest and obedience. She sat down to nibble at the tasty pastries with insect-nibbles. Hannah scoffed.
Feeling disquiet, Dagny broke the silence, “What brings you to London, Ziya? Really?”
She smiled. “My Lady has directed me here. You have done a noble deed whether you like it or not.”
“Merely doing my duty, Sister.”
Hannah scoffed, “She’s too modest. And she’s crazy. A good kind of crazy, mind you.”
Gwen spoke, “Permission to speak, sir?”
Dagny looked annoyed but said, “Speak.”
“Commander, were you frightened?”
She considered her thought and surprised them with a gentle answer, “Quite, if I pause to think, cadet. However, the fever of the Lady Enyo of the Battle had overtaken me. I could hardly think, but merely react to the developing tactical situation. I should be dead and yet I have been blessed by the Gods in overcoming my sure fate. My peace was secured and I acted with a tiger-heart.” She turned to Gwen, “That was a good question. Perhaps, you may still have a career in the Service.”
Gwen beamed with delight.
“Stand up, Cadet.” She stood with a nervous look as the Commander looked over her. “They did expert work on you, Cadet. Only the Damona patch remained to be added. Well done.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“And I am watching you. Remember this well, girl.”
Cadet’s hopeful face fell. “Yes, sir.”
Ziya considered the scene. “You are taking command of the Damona?”
“The Queen’s order.”
Her jade eyes considered her. “I wish to be included, sir.”
Dagny shot a look. “No, Sister.”
“Have you a volva?”
“I-no, I have not. I have received the command only yesterday.”
“Good, then I come.”
“No, Ziya. It’s too dangerous and…”
“I remember my training, Commander,” Ziya stood up straight. “All military units of importance have their volva to watch over their spiritual and mental health. The volva communes with the Gods to determine the rightness of their path and to clean them of the pollution with proper rites. You, the war-captain, have a need of a volva to keep well her war-band in all their ways. You need a volva. I am here and ready and able.”
Dagny stood likewise, “Ziya, you do not understand what you ask of me.”
“I understand better than you think, Commander. I am well-trained in medical and psychological arts as well as magic by the highest teachers in one of the most ancient orders. You need me. Besides, a friend at your side can enable you to perform at your best, and perhaps, more.”
Dagny considered her. “You are determined to do this?”
“Yes.”
“And what of your Lady?”
“She said yes.”
“It’s risky.”
“Life is a risk. We say yes to life.”
Dagny looked at her girls. So small a change and yet something had changed. What? She wasn’t sure. Every fiber of her being rebelled against the very idea. Yet, there was a sense of rightness about this. As if some God had moved with might this day and knitted their golden fate-strings together.
She looked at Ziya and embraced her, “Welcome, Volva.”
The girls were all smiles. It could only be good luck. The Gods had favored them today they thought, Dagny realized.
And, yet, a sense of doom refused to leave her heart.