Moonroot (Part 2)
Inge brushed her tears away with the tips of her fingers. Elias’ words didn’t make sense right away. Then she nodded, “I will do so, but please do not toy with these women. They are fragile like egg shells.”
While she was gone, Elias finished his meal and considered the spell he would use to help these women. He considered changing a few rocks to gold, their wool garments into silk, or the dust at their feet into salt. The wizard took a deep breath casting aside such simple ideas. He had something better.
Inge returned with four distressed looking women one in the midst of crying. They were young and in the flower of their beauty. But before him now they looked haggard, wilted, and dying.
Elias motioned them to his table and all including Inge sat. Evening had come and the fire was the only light. It weaved the women’s darkened spirits into long shadows that glided along the wooden floor.
“Life has dealt harshly with you. The heart that warmed you and the arms that supported you have been reclaimed. I cannot take death and raise it unto life but I can offer you husbands that will meet your greatest desire. I know of men who will love you with every drop of their blood. If you will accept them, they will offer you your lives back.”
One of the widows spoke up, “How can you offer us this?”
“I have recently passed through a village that has lost many women from a harsh plague only two years ago. Many strong men survived the pestilence but their wives and children did not. I say again, if you will accept these men they will restore your hope.”
“We do not know these men. How do we know they can support us?”
The old wizard smiled. “Very well, tell me what you need and I will bring you such a man.”
The first widow, a woman named Brena, spoke first, “My husband owned a large farm and was strong. I need a man who can shoulder a plow and till the earth himself.”
“I know of such a man and once he meets you he will love you with every once of his amazing strength.”
The next widow was called Rachel. “My husband was the innkeeper. My next husband must be clever. No penny or detail can escape his notice.”
“Indeed, I have a suitor with a great deal of cunning and perception. In fact, the first thing he will notice will be your beautiful eyes.”
Trena spoke, “All I want is to be protected. My husband worked the land and protected his sheep. He let nothing threaten his family or our small home.”
“There is a man in the next village with an iron will. And yet, he will be willing to lay down his life for you.”
The last widow was named Catherine. “I want a handsome man of course! I want to look upon him with not only love but also pride. He was the mayor’s son and destined to govern this village.”
“I know of such a man. He is well proportioned and well liked but he will bow to wash your feet.”
Then Elias looked upon Inge. “And what about you? Do you not desire another husband to help warm your bed at night?”
Inge smiled but it was a thin pained look. “I want what is hardest to find. My first husband was kind above all other things. And for many years I have waited to meet another.”
Elias marveled at her. “Lady, I will search for a man worthy of your wisdom. Pray that I find one.” Then he stood and spoke to all of the widows. “I leave this very moment! I will return in only one week’s time. Go home and prepare them for new husbands.”
The wizard picked up his moonroot wand and tossed a couple of silver tokens onto the table. The women stood as he left but no one said anything or bothered him with another question. He had woven his words with such conviction and confidence that all felt certain they could believe him.
Elias wandered the woods for days. He came across a tall stag with antlers that sat on the deer’s head like a crown. The wizard pointed his wand at the stag and it instantly changed into an equally handsome man.
With another stroke of the moonroot soft birch bark was woven then transformed into fine new clothes.
They traveled together until Elias found the wide hole of a badger den. He drew the creature out and bent it into another man. This one formed his hands into fists giving Elias and the other man a wary look.
“Be at peace. You have nothing to look after here but this worthless soil. I will take you to one worth protecting.” He gave the badger clothes in the same fashion.
A day later, a fox crossed the wizard’s path. Elias pointed with the wand and another man was formed. “Your wit was keen in the forest and it shall also be so in the world of men. Come with me.”
The last animal was an ox that had somehow wandered from its owner. It stood in the forest clearing munching contently on the tall grass. Elias reworked the four hooves into hands and feet.
“Stronger than any natural man are you. And even stronger will be the love I have for you to share.”
The week had nearly expired before Elias and his men reached the woods at the village of widows. He had searched for any animal that exuded kindness and had failed.
“What man can I find that is kind or wise enough to love the older woman? Perhaps I can be Inge’s new husband? I have wasted enough of my life searching for the moonroot trees. I know they no longer exist. If she will have me, I will marry her.”
May 27th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
okay, i’m anticipating the rest of the story…. here I go to Part 3