Silence -- A Medieval Adventure

A wise king. A vengeful queen. Loving parents. A dutiful child….nothing

what it seems. Disguises, tricks. Just a little bit missing. What does it
mean to be a boy or a girl? What is natural, what is taught? Nature says to
woman, “don’t romp in the woods, it’s bad for your skin. Go to chamber,
pick up needle and thread.” Nurture says “no one in her right mind would
choose to be a woman. Being a man means freedom, power, having a
voice. Being a woman means keeping silent, learning to sew.” Which would
you choose if you had a choice?

I’m an old woman, not a scholar. There’s plenty of people, write fancy
books, tell you a story’s not just a story. You’ve got to look closer, find the
symbols. This means that. That means this. But wise people know things
are hardly ever exactly what they seem to be. Don’t need fancy books to
tell them so.

So, this, this isn’t for scholars. This is for people who know a good story
when they hear one. ‘Cause some people know what to do when someone
troubles to bring ‘em a story. They open their hands, say thank you,
proper. Others forget. There’s no use storin’ up treasure on earth. It’s
soon gone and so are they. So don’t be greedy, share your riches.

Greed is what started all this in the first place.

King Evan’s Law (1)

Once a long time ago there was a great king of England. Evan was his
name. And, if it weren’t for Arthur, Evan is the one we’d be readin’ stories
and poems about. For Evan was powerful and clever and law was law.
Under King Evan, you broke the law, he put you in jail and you didn’t get
out ‘til you was dead. That was the law!

Some say he was wise. You be the judge. He was wise enough to put his
friends in positions of power so, that when he needed them, quite by
coincidence, there they were--quite by coincidence--there they were ready
to help him.

Wise! Well, one kind of wise. He was wise enough too to know when it was
time to end a bloody war with the king of Norway. The war had raged on
and on. Cities torched, people slaughtered. What was the war even about?
No one even remembered. And, one day King Begon, Norway’s leader told
Evan--our hero so far--that if he would end the war he could have the
hand of his beautiful daughter the lovely princess Eufeme as his truly
wedded wife.

Now Evan, wise remember, but human too, had had his eye on the lovely
princess Eufeme all along and decided it was well worth declaring peace to
have this beautiful woman as his own. And, so, it was done.

music

Can you imagine the kind of wedding they had? The festivities lasted a full
year. Oh, they knew how to throw a party in those days. At sometime
during that festive year a Count came to court; a wealthy man brought
along his two daughters. His only children. Twin girls born within seconds
of each other. Two of Evans warriors married the girls, all part of the
wedding feast. And when the ceremony was done, there they stood; man
and wife, and man and wife. Each man declaring he had just married the
older twin; the one who would inherit all her father’s lands.

Well, they argued and swore and shouted and fought until mere words
weren’t weapon enough. And, they came to blows, each man so furious
they equally wounded the other and both men died. Proving themselves
right. Both dead. Neither one willing to give a little to get a little. Both
willing to give all to get all. And, so got nothing but a long dark sleep.

Well, did Evan’s other warriors learn from all this? You be the judge. They
began arguing among themselves about who was right? Who was wrong?
Who was to blame for the two men’s deaths? Oh, there’d have been more
killin’ for sure but Evan flew into a terrible rage. What loss must we suffer
on account of these women? Oh yeah, it was all the women’s fault. Wasn’t
that obvious to you.

“NO!” said Evan, “there will be no more of these arguments; for as long as
I am King, no woman is this land will ever inherit property again.”

And he made that the law of the land this wise king, pleased with himself
for such a sensible plan. It’s a wonder we hadn’t heard more about this
wise king isn’t it?

Well, one day, sometime after that, the king and his men went off on hunt
as kings did in those days. And, while they were ridin’ along chattin’ and
jokin’ a dragon charged into the middle of them. Spun round in circles
spittin’ fire and venom in every direction and killing any man who came
near. Thirty men he killed. Thirty men before takin’ a break to gobble up
the bodies while Evan and his men hid in the woods. “Oh what shall we
do” Evan said. He was known for being wise remember, not brave.

If any man will overtake the dragon and kill him I will give him a county
and any woman in the kingdom as his wife. Oh! a county and a wife just
for facing down a man eating dragon. Well, you can imagine how many
men rushed up just to take that offer. Exactly none. And no matter what
Evan promised or how he begged, his offer had no takers.

But, way in the back of that crowd of men, off in the shadows of that
lonely wood, there was one man. Cador was his name. Nobody special.
Just a fellow with heart. A heart in love with the lovely Eufemia, a beautiful
young woman at court.

Cador hears the king’s promise; cares nothing about the county, only
about the chance to ask for the hand of Eufemia in marriage. So, without
sayin' a word to anyone he slips away and does the deed; kills the dragon.
No blustery words, just bravery and a loving heart does the trick.

Cador stands there, the dead demon at his feet, dragon blood dripping
from his gleaming sword; stands there trembling not for the fearsome
creature he just faced down, but for the awful terror that lies ahead. Askin'
for the hand of the women he loves!

What if she doesn’t care for him at all? Fact is she does. She knows that. I
know that. Now you know that. But he doesn’t know that. Isn’t it always
the way.

Cador worries so about all this; by the time they get back to the castle
he’s made himself deathly ill. All for the hope and despair of loving
Eufemia. Or, maybe it’s more for the fire and venom that the dragon spit
at him during their battle. But we’ll say it’s for the love. It makes for a
better story.

Back at the castle King Evan asked Cador if he’d like his reward. And,
Cador, knees knockin’, face pale, voice tremblin’ asks for the hand of
Eufemia in marriage. The king agrees as does Eufemia’s father, a wealthy
land owner with property as far as the eye can see.

Eufemia’s father agrees that Cador can marry his only child and the two of
them will manage all his lands until it can be inherited by their son,
because no daughter, remember, could ever inherit property again.
So, the two were married. Quite happy and by and by Eufemia is great
with child. They sit together, the two lovers, now husband and wife. Sit
there in the golden gleam of the firelight talkin’ about the happy future
that awaits their much loved, well property’d son to be. And as the flames
flicker to an orange glow they sit in silence, neither one willing to speak of
the unhappy future that awaits their much loved unproperty’d daughter to
be. And, in the scarlet shadows of the last red embers they look at each
other with loving eyes and agree that if the child is a girl they’ll say it’s a
boy and their silence will protect her rightful inheritance.

Nature’s Child (2)

She was beautiful! It was as if Nature herself said “this will be my
special child. I will take this clay and shape in it more beauty than there is
in any woman on earth. I will show these humans what nature can do”.

She was beautiful! It was as if Nature went into her workshop, opened
all the drawers and cabinets, looked at all the forms and shapes that
Nature has to make one human different from another. There were shapes
tall and short, wide and round, but there was one shape, one shape that
had never been used because, it was perfect! And, Nature began to work
creating shining hair curling around perfect ears, glittering eyes, skin like
lilies and roses, strong shoulders curling into shapely arms and when
Nature was done she made a little mark, a tiny cross on one shoulder and
as if nature was signin’ her work. Then Nature said “Yes, yes, this will be
my girl”. She was beautiful!

And the day she was born, the midwife, a trusted cousin of the child’s
father Count Cador, emerged from the bed chamber of the child’s mother,
the lovely Eufemia. Walked into the hall where the father and all his
friends were assembled awaiting news of the birth. And announced
“rejoice cousin, good Sir, the Lord in Heaven has given you a most
beautiful boy”. And so, with the help of that trusted cousin, the child’s true
nature was hidden from the world from the moment it entered it.

The parents named the child Silence. It’s spelled like silence; means the
same. They gave the child to the trusted cousin and a loyal friend to raise
in the woods. Not far away, just far enough from prying eyes. The trusted
cousin, the loyal friend and the child Silence all lived in a sturdy house
with a strong gate locked with two bolts and four keys so that no one
might accidentally come upon the child and discover his secret.

Well, you can imagine how furious Nature was when she learned what they
had done with her special child. But, no matter how Nature mourned and
grieved and shook with anger, still, a year went by and the child was no
more and no less, a girl then he had been the year before.

The child prospered, grew as much in one year as some children do in

three. He learned his lessons. Learned his letters yes. But, honor and
virtue too and was soon not only as beautiful but as brave and clever and
good as a hundred children all together.

The parents were happy to see their child grow healthy and strong. But,
one day, as children do, Silence began to ask questions. And, it was clear
from the questions that Silence knew he was a girl. His father had tried to
explain to him why they had done what they had done. Why they were
raising him as they were and Silence tried to understand but couldn’t
really. And finally just said, with the faith of a child, “Father, if this is what
you think is best, this is what we’ll do and I will be your son as you wish”.

So, Silence was raised as boys were in those days, to ride and run and
wrestle and joust. He spent his days in the wind and the sun and by the
time he was 12 had so rejected women’s ways there was just a little bit
missing to make him truly a man.

Silence turned 12, an age when Nature shows her face. Silence turned 12
and Nature appeared furious. Scolding, “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? I made
you so beautiful and look at you now. You run in the wind and the
scorching sun. You’ve burnt the roses I put in your cheeks. There are a
thousand women on earth furious with me for the beauty that I lavished
on you. A thousand women in love with you. But they think there’s more
to you then there is and what they want from you; you can’t give them. I
promise you they would hate you with all their hearts if they knew you for
what you truly are. You are a WOMAN! Go to a chamber. Learn to sew.
That’s what I intended for you. That’s what Nature meant for you. What
are you doing, living this lie?”

And for the first time in his 12 years Silence began to feel wrong about the
choice his parents had made. The choice he had made. “My life a lie;
perhaps Nature is right. Perhaps no woman should live like this. Perhaps
no amount of riches or property is worth behaving this unnatural way. I’ll
no longer cut my hair short or wear boys clothing or play boys games with
arrows and bows. It’s been too hard; always afraid that I’ll be discovered.
No, I shall do as Nature says and I will live my life quietly as a woman
from now on”.

But, Nurture! Nurture was not willing to let go of her boy so easily. And
Nurture whispered “think Silence, let reason guide you. Think what you
will lose if you follow this other path”.

And Silence thought and had to admit “if I claim myself as a woman now,
the king will not make an exception for me. The king will not take pity on
me. The king will not change the law for me. And, it’s not just the riches
and the property. If I claim my place as a woman now. I will have to give
up the riding, the running, all my hopes and dreams of becoming a knight.
I’ll have to give all that up for a life of sewing. No! No, a man’s life is far
better than a woman’s. I’m on top now, why should I step down? Though,
it’s true, any man could make a fool of me in any game played under the
covers. But, out in the world I’m thought to be strong and brave. I don’t
want to lose that. I don’t want to give that up for a life that’s less. No, no,
I don’t care what Nature says, I will never betray my secret”.

And, so, Silence’s 12th winter found him strong, brave, loved by all and
divided against his own heart.

Three Minstrels (3)

There were two minstrels in the land. The best you ever heard. They
played flute and viol and harp and drum and their music was so sweet the
birds fell silent and listened to them.

These minstrels were quite the favorites. Where’d they come from? Such
sweet minstrels. And aren’t they handsome? They played wherever the
wind took them. And, at the time of our story they were just finishing up a
tour of England headin’ back over to France. They made their way to
Cornwall and were invited to stay at the home of the Count there, Count
Cador and his lovely wife Eufemia. They stayed there a full week playin’
their music and were well rewarded for their efforts and when they left
they headed for the coast across the channel back to France. But, nightfall
overtook them as they made their way down a long deserted stretch of
road that twisted and turned through gray fog. Oh! They were lost for
sure. And, they prayed out loud. “Oh, God, don’t let us be robbed. Don’t
let anyone take from us that for which we worked so hard”. And, as the
trees of the forest grew dense around them they suddenly saw a sturdy
house with a strong gate locked with two bolts and four keys. They called
out “who lives here”? And they heard the reply “the people inside, who are
you and what do you want”? “We’re minstrels. We’ll trade you a song for a
good night’s rest”. “Minstrels!” “Minstrels, yes, yes, come inside. Warm
yourselves and let your music warm this house on a bleak cold night”.
The gate creaked open and they went inside where they were welcomed
warmly. And, after a bit a food and drink—a little bit a food and a good bit
a drink—they began to play on flute and harp.

music

The man and that woman who lived in that house smiled and said “oh, it’s
so lovely. Surely God must have sent them here”. But the third person
who lived in that house; a young boy about 13, sat silently in the back of
the room the shadows o’ the firelight flickerin’ across his face. When it was
time for the hosts and their guests to head to bed Silence emerged from
the shadows and said “I’ll show them where they can sleep”.

He took the minstrels to a room at the back of the house. Brought them
cups of water. Performed these small tasks with such charm and grace
that the two minstrels could scarcely believe that a youth of such tender
years could be of so much service.

There were so many questions Silence wanted to ask but it was late, they
were tired. So, he just said “good night”. He went to bed. But couldn’t
sleep. Just lay there in the dark, thoughts swirlin’ about in his head. What
if, what if King Evan were to die and women could inherit property again?
Would I claim my place as a woman then? But, if that happened, I don’t
know how to be a woman. Don’t I need to know how to do something
other than fighting and jousting? Or, what if I continue as I am now and
become a knight and it turns out I’m a terrible knight? Well, don’t I need
some other skill like MUSIC. MUSIC, yes, that’s it! I will follow these
minstrels and learn their craft. And then, then if it turns out I’m a terrible
knight I could always be a traveling minstrel. Or, if I’m forced to be a
woman I could sit in my chamber and play the harp to make up for the
fact that I don’t know how to sew. Yes, I will be far less bored in my
captivity as a woman if at least there is something I know how to do.

And so, Silence ran away. Ran off that very night. Rubbed dried herbs on
his face to darken the skin and disguise himself. Ran two miles down to
the sea. Climbed on board a ship that was anchored there. The next
morning the two minstrels came, paid their passage, got on board. The
sailors weighed anchor and off they went to the coast of France.

And when they arrived, the two minstrels were more than surprised to see
a bright eyed boy waitin’ for them on the other side. For Silence had
scampered ashore the moment they landed. The two minstrels were
delighted that this clever youth wanted to travel with them and they
agreed that he would be their servant and their student and the three of
them headed up the road straight away so that no one could follow and
find them.

music

Can you imagine the anguish of the people back home when it was
discovered that Silence was missing? Convinced that the minstrels had
kidnapped the boy--for this happy, well bred child would never have run
away. The child’s father, Count Cador was so angry. Do ya know what he
did? He banished all minstrels forever from his lands. No minstrel, no
musician could ever venture there again. And, if any did, he would be
hanged on sight. And, anyone who could have captured a minstrel but let
him go will be hanged in his place. And, that was the law.

music

But it was a law completely unknown to three minstrels traveling together

through the French countryside.

Silence served his masters humbly and well and eagerly learned all that
they taught him. In fact, at the end of 3 years together, the musical skills
of Silence far surpassed those of his masters.

music

People said there was something different about the way he played. It was
skillful and lively yes. But it was also tender and sweet and just a little bit
sad. And those who heard it said “oh, this music haunts me so”.

Silence was well received at court. Made a good deal of money for his
masters. But, he was so well liked at court that the two master minstrels
began to be afraid, afraid that Silence might go off on his own. Afraid that
he might realize that he could out do the both of them together and they
would be left with no money and no livelihood neither.

And, they began to hate Silence. As day after day they’d arrive at court
and begin to play and after only a song or two the Lords and Barons would
say “yes, thank you. Now you boy, you play. Let’s hear some real music”.

But, no matter how much Silence was admired or praised. No matter that
he was the center, the star, the shining light wherever they went. Still, he
was their humble servant. Carryin’ their bags. Fetchin’ their water. Tuckin’
their blankets around their shoulders at night when they fell asleep in front
of the fire after drinkin’ too much wine. But, the greater the goodness of
Silence grew, the villainy of his masters grew twice as fast until a dark
power had them in its’ hold.

One day, the three minstrels arrived at the home of the Duke of Burgundy,
a magnificent palace. Home to the finest Lords and Ladies in all of France.
They were well received for their fame, well, Silence’s fame, had traveled
before them. And they stayed there 20 days and 20 nights. But, every day
it was always the same; the two master minstrels would begin to play and
only after only a song or two the Duke would say “yes, thank you, that will
do. We want to hear the boy”.

The night before the minstrels were to leave to continue their journal
through the south of France, the Duke gave a magnificent feast. Every
room in the palace blazed with light. Laughter echoed off the stone walls.
The wine flowed freely and when the last scrap of food was carried away it
was time for the concert to begin.

The two master minstrels walked to the front of the room but before they
could even pick up their instruments, the Duke said “No, not you. We want
to hear the boy”. Not a single note. They had not been allowed to play a
single note. And that night as Silence slept, the kind of sleep that healthy
young men are allowed to sleep, the two master minstrels muttered
between themselves. “What have we done? We’ve created a master out of
our servant. He’s taken our art, our reputation. Soon he’ll take all our
money too. No one will ever hire us as long as this boy lives. Well, there’s
only one way to rid ourselves of this problem”. And, they agreed that the
next day as they walked through the forest that they would kill the boy.

music

But, while they were arguing about which of them would strike the first
blow, Silence heard their voices; heard one of ‘em say “we’ll divide his
earnings and the sin of killing him equally. Let’s get started, it’s nearly
dawn. Such deeds are better done in the dark”. And, he heard the other
one say “wake up boy, you have a hard journey ahead of you”. And
Silence could not keep silent. “A hard journey indeed if you have your
way. I know the wicked thoughts in your heart. The wicked deed you have
planned. You have done much for me and for that I am grateful. You
would have done much more to me and for that I am sad. The time has
come it seems for us to go our separate ways. And, not quite the way you
planned. I shall stay here at the home of the Duke, you go on your way. I
will trouble you no longer”.
The two master minstrels knew that Silence spoke the truth. They gave
him his share of the earnings, but a bit less then a 1/3, and they
disappeared in the early morning light.

Silence stayed on at the home of the Duke. Was much admired and was
respected there. But as time went by he began to think more and more of
his mother and father and the two who had raised him and he longed to
see their faces again. He’d been gone four years.

And, so, with his hard earned coins jingling in his pocket he said goodbye
to the Duke and his friends; crossed the channel back to England and was
soon walking on his very own lands. The very property that would one day
be his. The one place on earth where everyone was looking for him and no
one could find him.

As a young man with a bit ‘o money in his pocket might do, he stopped
that first night at the finest inn money could buy. The innkeeper rushed
out to greet him but stopped when he saw what Silence carried with him.

Musical instruments! Oh, no! What sorrow and trouble I’d get with a guest
like you. Silence had never been greeted like this before. “I’ve only just
got here, what sorrow and trouble ’ave I caused you?”

The same sorrow and trouble you’ve caused yourself my friend for this is
how things are ‘round here. And the innkeeper had explained how the child
had been kidnapped years before and how, as a result of that deed, Count
Cador had issued his terrible law. “So, you see”, said the innkeeper “it’s
far less trouble for me to turn you over than to have me own neck
stretched. But you might as well get some sleep. I won’t do anything ‘til in
the mornin”.

Tomorrow morning! A whole night’s delay! Well, then let’s enjoy the life
that’s left to us no matter how long or short it is.

Silence began to play on flute and harp…. people in the streets and the
fields, and their little houses all stopped what they were doing. “What was
that! Music! They came rushing to the inn for they hadn’t heard a flute or
a song or a single note since the child had been kidnapped years before.
They all stood there and watched and listened as Silence played and then,
as if it was one voice, they all exclaimed “oh what music, oh what a man,
what a pity he’ll be with us such a short time”.

Silence played on late into the night and when finally he slept, he slept the
kind of sleep healthy young men are allowed to sleep. Now the innkeeper
passed a very bad night. Didn’t sleep a wink. Kept his eye on Silence the
whole time eager to turn him over to the Count at the very first light of
day.

Morning came. Too soon for some. Not soon enough for the innkeeper who
marched Silence straight away to the home of the Count--Silence singin’
and playin’ as he danced his way up the road. When Silence was presented
to the Count he bowed low. Count Cador did not even look the boy in the
eye. For he knew the short future in store for him.

Why Silence did not rush to his father, throw his arms around him, tell him
who he was, we’ll never know. Instead he just said “mercy Sire, if you
take my life now it will bring no pleasure or advantage to your own. I can
promise you that”.

Count Cador knew that the boy spoke the truth. He wasn’t a bad man. Just
a sorrowful one. And truth be told, at that very moment you’d be hard
pressed to say who was more lost the missing child or the grieving father.

Count Cador sent everyone else out of the room. He wanted to talk to the
boy; wanted to ask him if he’d ever seen three minstrels traveling
together. He’s looking for his son who’s standing right there in front a him.
He’s four feet away and he can’t see him.

Silence could see the pain in his father’s eyes and he could keep silent no
longer. “Father, forgive me. I can see the suffering that I’ve caused you.
But you know my nature better then anyone. You know that I’m like an
inferior bit of cloth. It looks good on the outside but isn’t really. That’s all I
am, an inferior bit of cloth”.

Then Silence showed his father the tiny cross, the little mark on his
shoulder and when Count Cador saw that he embraced the boy and kissed
him so many times; I’ve lost track of the number.

When King Evan learned that Silence had returned—you remember King
Evan from the start of our story; the wise king who started all this in the
first place—when King Evan learned that Silence had returned he was
happy for his good friend Cador. Thought he’d do him a big favor; told him
to send Silence to court he’d make him a member of the royal household.

Well, Cador was not happy at all with this news. His child had been gone
four years. He’d like to enjoy having him around a bit. But a Count can’t
do much against the wishes of a king. And so Silence went to court and
was made one of the king’s own attendants and served him well.
 The Queen Has Ideas (5)
Do You remember the queen from the start of our story? Queen Eupheme,
daughter of the King of Norway who married Evan to end a war? Well this
queen, raised as royalty, spoiled by her father prized by her husband was
very much used to getting’ her way; to gettin’ what she wanted when she
wanted it. Well this queen was enchanted by this handsome young man
newly arrived at court. She thought him the liveliest most charming thing
she’d seen in some time and she wanted him. No, no, no that’s not quite
right. No, she didn’t just want him she craved him; she yearned for him;
she lusted after him and she was not used to taking no for an answer.

One day the king and his men went off on a hunt. As kings did in those
days. Silence was to go with him. But the queen pretended she was ill,
feelin’ poorly asked if Silence might be allowed to stay behind and sooth
her by playing his harp. So Silence and his harp were summoned to the
queen’s bed chamber. The queen sent everyone else away; began to moan
and groan about how she couldn’t eat, she couldn’t sleep. She couldn’t
bare to have anyone near, only the harpist. “Only you can bring me relief”
she said. Well, she’s on the wrong track. She won’t get the kind of relief
she wants from Silence. I know that. You know that. Silence knows that.
The queen doesn’t know that. Isn’t it always the way?

Silence, always the faithful servant, began to play his harp in perfect tune
but the more perfectly he played the more tortured was the queen. Lying
there next to him. Leaning in close to him. Movin’ up against him. Her face
hot. Her eyes half closed until she snatched the harp from his hands and
began to kiss him. Once. Twice. Five times. Silence drew back but the
queen just laughed. Uh huh. Don’t by shy. I’m sure it’s startling to be
kissed by a queen but, as the queen, I can offer you an amazing rate of
exchange. You give me one kiss. I’ll give you two. Isn’t that more then
fair. “Oh yes, m’lady, more then fair” said this boy who was not a boy.

“Then kiss me” said the queen. Silence leaned forward; kissed the queen
ever so carefully on the cheek. But that was not the kind of kiss the queen
had in mind. She grabbed Silence’s face covered it with kisses one kiss
following on another. Then with her hands she began to explore his face,
his neck, his shoulders then……..

M’lady stop! M’lady I am the king’s own loyal servant. I cannot dishonor
him this way. “Dishonor, there’s no dishonor if he doesn’t know.
I shall be yours, you shall be mine. No one will blame us for no one will
know if we whisper our love only to each other. But the queen was wastin’
her breath and her kisses for Silence could think of nothing else but how to
get out of that room. Now it did occur to Silence that this might be the
very moment to mention his secret but he knew if he did that he would
lose everything that he knew and loved. And so he just kept silent; headed
for the door but before he reached it the queen laughed a harsh sharp
laugh. A good joke eh my friend. Oh, yes it was only a joke; just a little
test to see if you were truly loyal to my husband the king. I enjoy a good
joke now and then don’t you? And, I assure you friend a joke is all that it
was. For believe me had I really wanted you I would have had you. The
queen turned away and Silence left.

But a joke! No, it was hardly a joke and as much as the queen loved
Silence a moment ago, now she hated him ten times more and she vowed
that she would make him pay.

Two months went by; three; five, the queen plotting and scheming how
she would get her revenge. And Silence, for his part, just stayed away.

One day the queen saw her chance. The queen and her attendants,
Silence too, were walking along. The queen fell back next to Silence,
began to speak to him. “Silence, come, please, don’t be so cold towards
me. I see how you avoid me ever since that day months ago when I
pretended that I wanted you to make love to me. But that was only a joke
as I told you then. Just a little test. And I only did it because the king
begged me to. Begged me over and over to test you to see if you were
truly as loyal as you seemed to be. But anyone can see that you are. So
come. Let’s be friends as we were before”.

And Silence believed her. And in the weeks that followed he no longer
avoided the queen but played his harp beneath her window. Spoke
pleasantly when she passed. No longer put long hallways between himself
and her bedchamber.

One day, the king and his men went off on a hunt, as kings did in those
days. But Silence and the queen stayed behind. They were walking along
together. Walking down a long hallway towards her room and as the queen
chatted and joked, suddenly Silence found himself inside her chamber.
Heard the click of the lock as she turned the key. Silence turned towards
the door but the queen laughed again. “Why are you spoiling things for us?
I have loved you for a long time. I offered you this magnificent gift and
you have insulted me shamefully. But, I am your queen and you will make
me happy”.
M’lady! I cannot love you. I will not dishonor my Lord the King.

You refuse me again? You dare to refuse me again?

Yes, m’lady. I have no more to say.

The queen saw that Silence truly meant what he said and it occurred to
the queen that Silence might denounce her to the king. This boy who was
such a favorite at court. And so, with the devil himself as her own guide
she began to scratch at her own face. Made her own skin bleed. Rubbed
the blood all over her skirt. Tore at her dress. Ripped off her veil. Began to
scream and shout. You are a swine! My husband does not like to share his
wife with the likes of you. He will have you boiled alive when he hears how
you tried to rape me like this. Look at me. Look at how I had to resist you.
Believe me friend when my husband hears of this I would not want to be
you.

There’s the sound of horses hooves in the courtyard below. The king and
his men returning from the hunt. The queen begins to scream and shout.
The king rushes to her chamber. Pounds on the door. The lock turns. The
door opens. The king see his wife standing there. Her skirt torn. Her face
bloody. Her hair disheveled. The king demands, “who did this to you?”

The queen points. The king looks and sees, standing in the shadows, the
silent shape of his loyal servant.

“M’Lord” says the queen, her voice trembling. Eyes brimming with tears.
Oh she was a good one she was. “M’Lord this is who did this. “Look what
he did to me while your back was turn. Oh! He was mad with lust. He beat
me when I resisted him. I can’t bear to think what would have happened if
you had not returned when you did. Oh m’Lord you must have him
punished at once. You must have him hanged, or burned, or torn apart by
wild horses and you must not delay for any reason. Not for my honor but
for your own. He showed me no mercy. You must show none to him.

All this time Silence stood silent. What could he do? Call the queen a liar to
the king’s own face. And how could he call the queen a liar when he wasn’t
exactly all truth and honesty himself? Besides, Silence knew that if he
revealed the truth now, not only would he lose everything, his inheritance,
his place at court. But he would subject the queen to terrible ridicule when
it was learned that the person she said tried to rape her was a girl. And
the king would never forgive him for that.
So, Silence knew that all he could do was rely on the mercy of the king
and the grace of God. The queen was throwing a terrible fit, furious that
Silence wasn’t already swinging from the end of some rope. But King
Evan, wise remember, knew that if he punished Silence, put him to death
the whole court would have to know why and the king himself would look a
fool. Would have to know that this slip of a boy dared to imagine that he
could take such liberties with the king’s own wife. Besides, he liked the
boy it was just youthful high spirits. Nothing had happened.

So, he told Silence to go away. Said to the queen “I’ll take care of this
later in my own way”. Before the queen could protest the king said “look,
this boy is the son of important family and a good friend. Here’s what I’ll
do. The king of France is also my good friend. I’ll send Silence to him. Ask
him to do away with the boy on my behalf. He’ll do as I ask. You’ll have
your revenge and we’ll have no troublesome questions here at home”.

The king left the queen’s chamber. Went to his own. Called his Chancellor
to him. Told the Chancellor “I need you to write a letter for me. Send 500
greetings to the king of France. Tell him that he is to welcome this boy into
his court. He is to make him a member of his own household. He is to train
him and teach him and when he is ready he is to make him a knight. And
keep him there until I call him back and then he is to return the boy to
me”.

That’s exactly what the king said and exactly what the Chancellor wrote.

But, back in her chamber the queen was writing her own letter on behalf
of Evan the King. Her own letter to the king of France instructing him that
he was to behead immediately the bearer of this note and not to delay for
any reason. The queen wrote that “the boy was of such a prominent family
that King Evan did not dare do away with the boy himself. But he trusted
that his good friend would help him dispose of this unpleasant business”.

And that’s the letter that the queen wrote and folded and carried with her
to the Chancellor who was just finishing up his own letter from Evan the
King.

All innocence and curiosity the queen asked the Chancellor what he was
working on. “Oh, says the Chancellor it’s a letter that Silence is to take
with him to the court in France where he is to be welcomed and schooled
and made to be a knight.

Oh, can’t be says the queen. My husband loves Silence so much he would
never send the boy away.

No m’lady. No 'tis true. This is the note that that Silence is takin’ with him.
I’m writin’ the note and I know that’s what it says. Does not says the
queen. Does so says the Chancellor. Does not. Does so. ‘Til finally the
Chancellor hands the letter to the queen so she can see for herself exactly
what it says.

Which gives her just the opportunity she needs to palm the king’s note
and exchange it for her own which she hands back to the Chancellor with
such a pretty smile he never realizes that his drop of hot wax has just has
just sealed the wrong piece of paper and Silence’s fate.

Two Letters (5)

Silence happily went to France. He was glad to say good-bye to her
majesty. I can tell you that. When he was presented to the King of France
he made a deep bow, greeted the king with gracious words. Oh, he’d had
been in fancy courts before. He knew what was expected of him. Everyone
loved Silence from the moment they laid eyes on him. Thought him so
charming and handsome and clever.

And oh, then out comes Silence with his flute and harp and oh, there’s no
stopin’ it now. They’re all in love with him straight away. Oh, oh, before he
forgets he reaches into his pocket, pulls out the sealed letter, hands it to
the king of France who reads it. And, the party is over.

The king can’t believe what he reads. He’s supposed to behead this
charming young man. They’ve all been sittin’ here eatin’ escargot, drinking
claret, singin’ little songs together and now he’s supposed to cut off his
head. This didn’t sound like Evan. Evan didn’t ask his friends to do his dirty
work for him.

And, so, before doing anything that couldn’t be undone the king of France
wrote a letter back to Evan saying “have I got this right? You want me to
make this young man about 10 inches shorter off the top”? And for good
measure he encloses the letter that Silence brought with him so that Evan
can see if it looks familiar.

Well, it don’t look familiar to King Evan I can tell you that and he’s none
too pleased with his Chancellor who, as far as he knows, is the only one
who’s ever seen that letter.
Well, yes, the Chancellor admits. That is his official wax seal. But he’s no
idea how it got on that piece of paper that he never saw before. A letter he
never saw before. And in fact, the only person who even saw the letter he
wrote was the queen who. . . .

But as soon as the Chancellor said that, wise King Evan knew exactly what
had happened. He told the Chancellor to ‘think no more about it. Write
another letter to the King of France. Send his thanks 500 times over. So
sorry. Big mistake. A vengeful knight switched the letter because he
wanted to do Silence harm and it was only the great wisdom of his good
friend that kept a terrible mistake from being made’.

Well, this was good news in the French court for by now everyone loved
Silence. Loved him for his charm and grace, his skill with a harp and with a
horse and in a few months time, when he turned 18, Silence was officially
made a knight.

music

It was a big ceremony at the cathedral in Paris. Silence and ten other
youths were knighted that day. And when the ceremony was done they all
went out to the meadow behind for a bit of a joust. And, most of those
knights said good-bye to their horses that after noon. But, not Silence. No,
Silence won the prize for no one could even touch Silence. Shield on one
arm. Lance at the ready. Silence seemed to be born to fight.

And all those knights un-horsed that day by the humble Silence would
have been more then surprised to learn that a woman’s heart was the
source of all that courage.

Silence now had no regrets about who he was, the life he lived. For it was
a life full of music and adventure. And he loved it all. Played his harp with
the same furious joy with which he fought his battles. And, by the end of
that year all agreed Silence was a most valued and accomplished knight
who was truly a model for all the others. And word of his exploits reached
King Evan who was glad to hear of it and not the least bit surprised.

War At Home (6)

Now it happened that a terrible war broke out in England. Wicked men
rebelled against the king. And, Evan knew what he had to do.

He went to the queen, said, “I need Silence back. He is the most valiant
knight in all of France and I need his help”.
Which, was the first that the queen knew that her French pen pal had not
complied with her wishes. But, as she heard the king and others talk again
about Silence, talk of how beautiful and brave he was, it all made her want
him more then ever and she promised herself that this time she would
have him or she would destroy him.

So, Silence was sent for and he returned immediately to the service of his
king. Brought with him twenty French knights who fought as valiantly as if
they were defending their own homes.

Silence wore a golden helmet studded with jewels. Carried a jeweled

sword. He mounted his horse and when his golden spurs touched its’
flanks it leaped into the air a full fourteen feet.

The battles were bloody. Recklessly fought. Thousands of blows exchanged

on either side. Thousands of men who would never return home to tell
their children of their exploits that day.

Word came to Silence on one side of the battle that the king had been un-
horsed, on the other side of the field. That the king was surrounded’ in
danger of losing everything. So Silence immediately went to the king’s aid.
Took two of the French knights with him and they didn’t skirt the edge of
the battle but charged straight through the middle of it and made their
enemies feel the weight of their swords.
The French knights carried the king to safety while Silence fended off their
attackers, crowds of them, and finally came face to face with the rebel
leader. They went at each other so savagely soon both their shields were
shattered into bits. Hand to hand. Now one has the advantage. Now the
other. The jewels long gone from Silence’s helmet and sword.

Then, Silence saw his moment; struck with his blade so that the right arm
of his enemy flew from its body carrying its useless sword with it and
coming to rest in a field of mud and blood.

The battle was over. The rebellion done. Silence himself had saved the
king from sure defeat. Had captured four of the enemy leaders. Killed
hundreds of their men. Can you imagine the kind of hero he was when he
returned to the castle with the king?

music

That night when the banquet was done the queen managed to find a
moment alone with Silence. Began to speak again of her love. But Silence
cut her off. “M’lady your love is a dangerous love and I would rather have
God strike me dead then receive any more of what you call love”. And
Silence turned away and did not look back.

Oh the furry that burned in her heart. And that night when the king came
to her chamber the queen said “a fine friend you have in Silence. He may
have won the battle for you. But he asks too much for his service. He has
not given me one moment’s peace since his return. He cares nothing for
my honor or yours, only of his own pleasure. I fear to think what he will do
to me now. And how he will betray you.

Don’t ask me why after all that had happened, the king chose to believe
his wife. But, he did. The king was so furious he could barely speak. He
knew that if he punished Silence his own honor would have to be stained.
But the queen had a plan. Imagine that the queen had a plan.

The queen said “give Silence an impossible task and under pain of death
he can never return to the castle until he’s done it. Then we will be rid of
this troublesome boy once and for all” and the king agreed.

The Impossible Task (7)

Now it was well known that the famous sorcerer, Merlin, roamed wild in
the woods. But, it was not so well known that Merlin himself had once
bragged privately to the king that he would always roam free. For he could
only be captured by a woman’s trick.

And so the impossible task the king gave Silence was to capture Merlin;
bring him back to the castle to interpret a dream. Silence did not
understand this. He’d just saved the kingdom. Saved the king’s life. Saved
the king’s honor. Left his home in France where everyone loved him to
come back here and risk his neck. And now he was supposed to leave
again and not come back until he had captured some wild creature that
never let anyone come near him. But, those were the king’s orders. And,
so Silence left the castle more then a little convinced he had the queen to
thank for his new trouble.

Silence wandered the woods for months and months. No sign of Merlin. No
idea how to catch him. No clue why his life had taken this strange turn.

But, one night as he sat there by the fire in the middle of the forest he
heard footsteps, heard someone approach; looked up to see a tall thin
very old man with flowing white hair, and a flowing white beard. A man
who came right up to him. Looked him in the eye and said “friend, you
look like you could use some help”. Silence explained the impossible task
that would have him wandering the rest of his days. The old man stroked
his beard and said “well, I know something of Merlin. I could help you
catch him”.

The old man went off to a cave. Returned with a bit o’ fresh meat and
three containers. One of honey, one of milk, one of wine. The plan was
this:

Silence was to place the three containers on the forest path. Each a little
ways from the other. First the honey. Then the milk. Then the wine. He
was to cook the meat on a fire right there in the middle of the path and
hide himself.

The smell of the meat and the smoke of the meat would draw Merlin out of
the woods. He would eat the meat and the salt of it would make him
thirsty. He’d look about for something to drink. He’d see the honey and
he’d drink it. Then he’d see the milk a little ways off and drink that too.
Then he’d see the wine further still and he’d drink that as well. And the
food and the wine would put Merlin to sleep and Silence could capture him
with no more trouble then that.

Silence agreed and everything went according to plan. As the smell of the
meat and the smoke of the meat filled the air around him, from his hiding
place Silence could see a wild creature come crashing through the thorn
bush. A creature with wild white hair that exploded around his head. A
creature wearing rags that hung in shreds from his thin shoulders.

The wild creature went at the meat. It was so hot it burned his fingers. But
he didn’t stop. Gobbled it down. Then, sure enough looked about for
something to drink. He drank the honey and the milk and the wine and the
next thing the wild creature knew, he was waking up from a deep sleep
looking straight into the eyes of a handsome young man who said “friend,
you are coming with me”.

They were a long ways from Evan’s castle. But as they approached news
began to spread that Silence was returning with Merlin. And, by the time
they reached a hillside near the castle seven hundred people were waiting
to greet them for everyone wanted to see this sorcerer, this magician, this
trickster. Everyone but the king and the queen. Because they knew that if
Merlin was coming to the castle Silence was returning too and they had
hoped never to see his face again.

How did he do it? They had given him an impossible task. But, there they
were heading toward the castle and when they arrived they all assembled
in the great hall. The king and all his attendants. The queen and all of
hers. Silence and Merlin too who stood there looking around the room and
then began to laugh. A hearty laugh that made his thin shoulders shake.
Merlin pointed at the king. Pointed at the queen. Pointed at a nun standing
by the queen’s side. Pointed at Silence. Then pointed at himself. And said
to the king “M’Lord, I have to laugh when I see the five of us all assembled
here together. For we are all five of us tricksters. Not one of us has not
tricked at least one of the others.

You see that nun standing by the queen’s side? That is no nun but your
wife’s own lover hiding in a woman’s dress. And so have they tricked you
with borrowed clothes. And you see Silence who stands there dressed as a
man? Those too are borrowed clothes that hide the heart and soul of a
woman. And, so one woman, your wife, has dishonored you with her trick.
And another woman, Silence has saved your life and out witted me with
hers. Is it any wonder my Lord that I laugh at two such wise men as we
should be caught in the snares of women more strong then those of a
thousand men?

The king would not believe what Merlin said until he ordered the nun to
step forward and be disrobed. And, ordered Silence to come forward as
well and be undressed. And, all was “revealed” just as Merlin had said.

The hall was silent. No one dared say a word until the king ordered the
nun thrown in the dungeon and left there ‘til dead. And the queen? Oh, the
king now hated the queen with all his heart. And with the same speed and
cruelty with which she had begged him to punish Silence, he had the
queen drawn and quartered. Torn apart by wild horses. And he wasted no
time in doing it.

The king ordered Silence to dress herself and stand before him. And he
said “Silence you are the most loyal, the most valiant of my knights. No
one has served me better. But, as your king before God and all here
present, I command you, tell me, why have you done this?”

And, Silence broke her silence. Began to tell the secret of her heart. She
reminded the king of his long ago law. Told how her parents had tried to
protect what was hers. She told the king of all that had happened and
ended by saying that the truly impossible task that had been laid before
her all her life was the task of always keeping silent. Always denying her
own true nature.

The king said “Silence I thank you for your loyalty and courage. And in
return I offer you my friendship and protection and because of you I will
change the law. And women may once again inherit what is rightfully
theirs.”

Then Silence was brought a woman’s clothes. Dressed in silks and laces
and fine jewels. Nature spent three days in Silence’s room there in the
castle refinishing her body. Removing all trace of anything that had ever
been a man.

The sunburn was gone. The roses and lilies again bloomed in her cheeks.
And wise king Evan married Silence. Made her his wife. And so the brave,
adventurous, accomplished Silence became an honored and much loved
queen.

From time to time on cool spring nights the sweet haunting sounds of a
harp could be heard floating down from the castles high windows. And
though from the time she was made queen Silence never wrestled or
joisted or wielded a sword ever again. Still, in all the years that her story’s
been told I never once heard anyone say that she ever learned to sew.