I Promised You - William and Ophelia Read online

  Ophelia and William

  I Promised You

  By: Carol Colbert

  Copyright 2016 by Carol Colbert

  Published by Carol Colbert at Smashwords

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form without written permission from the author, except for brief quoted passages for review purposes.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination, or collective memories of people she has known in general, put together to form various single characters, and thus, resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, unless explicitly noted, are entirely coincidental.

  Cover by: [email protected]

  This book is dedicated to all of the sisters out there. Mine, yours and theirs.

  Chapter 1

  “William! I told you to take the horses around to the stables! Julia is looking for you inside. Why are you wasting time with these two wenches? Wir haben viel zu erledigen, bevor ich gehe, siehe, die Sie tun, was Ihnen gesagt werden! "

  Ophelia could feel the heat from the anger rising in her sister and the last thing any of them needed was another scene like the one they had in the marketplace. The sisters had been in a neighboring village to barter for food when Gertie had become angry and produced the heavy blue mist that if noticed, would label them as one of the hunted. Only this time if that would occur, none of them would survive. Ophelia took her sister’s hand and squeezed, hoping to convey the urgency of the moment.

  “Excuse me, Milord, we were merely inquiring if there were any positions that William here could help us obtain. I was wondering if he could use his influence with his cousin, the King, and be of help to us.” Gertie said and then she curtsied.

  The man laughed out loud. “William is but a servant himself, he has come to the Palace with my wife and I. My wife, Julia, is the King’s cousin.” The man then studied Gertrude a bit too long. This one is a real beauty, what a shame that I am leaving. He then shook his head and spoke again.

  “My goodwife is with child and perhaps she should have help. Come along now inside, Julia can make that decision.” Ophelia and Gertrude started to following the man through the Palace gates. “Not you.” He pointed to Ophelia. Then he motioned for Gertrude to follow him. The sisters looked at each other, fear on their faces. Ophelia nodded to Gertrude, signaling to her to follow the man.

  “So, you are not the King’s cousin.” Ophelia said to William once the man and her sister had passed through the Palace gates.

  “No, but then I never said that I was. I met Gertrude one day when I had ventured out too far and had to inquire about the way back to the Palace.”

  “But you were not sorry that she was left with that impression, aye?”

  William smiled. “That man is Mathew and he can be a bothersome fool. His wife, Julia, is a very nice person and like he said, she is with child.”

  “Is it not dangerous to travel when you are with child? Do you know when the child will be birthed?” Ophelia asked.

  “The carriage is grand and more comfortable than most. But aye, I would not wish my child to be bounced around in the mother that way.’ William said, blushing at his words. “We have come a long way from Deutschland where the Catholic, Lutheran and Reformist faiths are in conflict. And here we are at the request of your King to do his bidding with his own.” William said, sounding angry.

  William noticed the look of concern on Ophelia’s pretty face and added “Gertrude will be alright in there, would you like to walk to the stables with me? I don’t want Milord to have any reason to be displeased with me again.”

  “Might as well walk with you. Why would Mathew and his wife travel so far under these circumstances?”

  “A great deal of money has exchanged hands. We have traveled far and long. Indeed it has been hard on Julia, not that her beast of a husband notices.” William told her.

  Ophelia studied William’s face and decided that she liked this young man. He seemed honest and trustworthy. The fact that he was tall, had black hair that shinned under the sun light, and big brown eyes was a plus. “Tis nice a ‘meeting you, William.” Ophelia said, her face registering a bit of heat.

  Ophelia walked with William over to the stables. There were many rumors that there would be a purification process where people would be watched and which pitted neighbor against neighbor in an attempt to weed out what was not understood. They in the forest had also heard that the King’s cousin was to arrive at the Palace soon.

  Gertie, with her flame red long hair and beautiful face not only had assumed that William was the aforementioned cousin when she met him by chance, but that she could maneuver herself into a position within the Palace via William. She could then be privy to whatever conversations might take place that she could then warn her family about. Gertie had her mind set on winning the heart of William and thus presented to the monarchy as his girlfriend.

  Ophelia had to smile when the man who had come to the front gates informed them that it was his wife who was second cousin to the King and that William was only a servant traveling with them to help with the horses and other chores. She had to admit that Gertie’s face kept well the surprise that Ophelia knew that she must have felt.

  The sisters were extremely lucky that the actual cousin to the King was with child and that Gertie might be able to stay to help her. Ophelia also felt lucky that she had traveled to the Palace today with her sister. If she hadn’t, she would not be standing next to this very nice looking young man right now. Ophelia had been deep in her head with these thoughts and almost missed what William was now telling her.

  “We shall be here for quite some time. I have known Julia since I was a small boy and fell on hard times. It was Julia who let me help out with the chores and horses at her home. I was all alone in the world and Julia saw me one day at a market place. She took pity of my poor appearance and asked me if I would be willing to help her carry her purchases. I was happy to do so and since that day, Julia and I have been close.” William paused for a moment as if going over every detail of that day in his mind before he continued.

  “When they decided to make this trip, Julia asked me if I could accompany them. I believe it helps her to have a friendly face around her while she is with child.” William said.

  “Other than her husband’s friendly face?” Ophelia teased, remembering the scowl on the man who had just taken her sister into the Palace.

  “If your sister stays to help Julia, I shall keep a watchful eye on her. I know that Julia’s husband, Mathew, is planning to leave soon with the King and his men, but I don’t trust him around any young maiden. Your sister possesses a beauty that I have never seen before.” William stated.

  Ophelia did not comment and then William turned to her and said “Of course, all that red hair blinds you in the daylight. I rather like the shine of your hair much better. Your sister is not the only one with beauty.” He said, also finding the dirt of the stable floor very interesting all of a sudden.

  “Thank ye, William, but I would be blind not to see what a special radiance follows my sister. She shines from the inside out. She likes to have fun and tease, but that one has a heart of gold to go with all of that red hair on her head. I am proud to be her sister, and do not feel her great beauty makes me less.”

  When Gertie walked out of the Palace gates she did not see her sister, nor William. She felt a stab of fear for her sibling, but then she heard laughter.

  “There you are.” Ophelia called to her sister. “You were gone a long time. Did you get to meet the King’s cousin?” Ophelia said smiling, clearly teasing her sister for belie
ving that William was not only the King’s cousin, but also her future husband.

  “I did. Julia offered me the job and she is heavy with child.”

  “And you are to do, what, exactly? I forget Gertrude, tell me again what is it you are so qualified to do?”

  Gertie ignored her sister and instead turned to William. “William, Julia said to take one of the smaller wagons and make sure my sister gets home safely. I will be staying here.”

  “With no clothes?” Ophelia asked.

  “It should be fine, Ophelia. Tell momma I am sorry I did not get to say goodbye. William, may I have a moment alone with Ophelia?”

  “Aye, I’ll go round up the wagons. Be right back, Ophelia.” William said, smiling.

  When he was out of earshot Gertie told her sister of her conversation with Julia and how it was Julia’s husband who was one of the huntsmen, but that a much greater threat was about to ascend on them. A man known as the Great Evil was coming to the Palace and it was he who was in charge of the purification process. He whom was summoned to rid the land of their kind.

  “I am worried about you, Gertrude. Please be careful and no….” She paused to look around again just to make sure no one was within hearing range. “No blue mist, you must promise me that or I shall never sleep again so full my head will be with worry!”

  “It looks like you have made a friend in William, we could use him. Maybe he can help us by bringing you here or me back near home when we need to talk. Don’t let him take you to the house, lead him in a different direction and walk the rest of the way yourself. They already know our names and that we live in the forest. Julia seems a bit cold, but it might just be her condition.” Gertie said.

  “My bet would be on that it is because of her husband. Any guess how long he and the King should be away?”

  “Aye, he looks like he could be a beast, that one. His tongue is sharp and offensive to anyone within its reach. One bit of good news at least, I heard him tell his wife that he and the King should be gone for quite a while. Sounded like he is not returning until after the child is born.”

  “I shall leave you now, sister. Godspeed.” Ophelia said when William came around with a wagon. The sisters embraced and Gertie watched them ride off down the path for a few minutes before she then walked back through the Palace gates.

  Chapter 2

  Ophelia was enjoying her ride back to her home with William. Still, she was afraid to say too much because she did not want to put Gertrude or anyone else in harm’s way.

  “Tell me, William, do you enjoy working for the Crown?”

  “Tis hard to say, we have only just arrived. I can say that I am happy that the huntsmen and the King have decided that I am to remain in the Palace when they leave.”

  “And why is that?”

  “I have grown fond of Julia and I worry about her while she is with child. Her husband, Mathew, is not the sort of man Julia thought he was when they married.” William said, a look of disgust on his face.

  “Why do you say that, William? How would you know what Julia is thinking?”

  “Julia and I have had many talks.”

  “Was this before, or after she married Mathew?”

  “Tis was right after. I never found him to be good enough for her. He has a mean tongue and an eye that seeks out Bawd.”

  I have heard of a Bawdy Basket, is that what you mean, William?”

  “No, not a peddling woman, I mean women of a lower class.”

  “Oh, like a prostitute?” Ophelia said.

  “Ophelia, how could you know of such a term? I am greatly surprised.” William exclaimed, turning his head to look at the beautiful young lady beside him.

  “Does thou think we are so far removed from the cities that we have never heard such a term here in the forest? You would be surprised then to realize that we have all kinds of people here, just like anywhere else.” Ophelia said.

  “I am sorry if I offend, Ophelia. I only meant to convey the nature of Mathew which makes him less than a good husband for Julia.”

  “I understand, William. You can let me off here, I live just yonder and the walk is a pleasant one.” Ophelia said,

  “I don’t mind taking you all the way home.” William offered quickly. He too was enjoying their ride and hated to see it end. If the King is right, these woods are full of dangers.” William said.

  “Such as?” Ophelia challenged him.

  “Well, such as witches and sorceries, and other such evils.” William was quick to supply. “I would be very troubled if you were to come to harm from one of them on your travels back to your home.”

  “I see.” Ophelia said and then decided to tease him a bit. “And pray tell, what exactly is sorceries and what should I be watching for?”

  “Tis the art, practices, or spells of a person who is supposed to exercise supernatural powers through the aid of evil spirits; black magic; witchery.” William said as if reading from a book he knew well.

  “What would a witch look like? Just so I know.” Ophelia asked.

  “They are old and ugly with hairy lips and broken teeth. They more likely than not will be carrying around a cat.” William told her.

  “Well then, thank thee, William, for lending me thou ear. For preparing me what to watch out for. I am sure I will be just fine. Thou wilt lay eyes again. I am sure Gertrude will be coming back home soon, if only to retrieve her clothes.”

  “Until then.” William said.

  “Until then.” Ophelia answered, smiling shyly at William as he helped her down from the wagon.

  Chapter 3

  Ophelia filled her mother in on all she and Gertie had learned at the Palace. Her mother listened carefully, both to the words her daughter was speaking and the tone of her voice.

  “This William,” her mother said, “you feel that you can trust him after only meeting him one time? What power does he possess that makes you feel this way, daughter?”

  Ophelia blushed, “He seems like a good man, tis all, mother. Very kind and respectful.”

  “These are dangerous times, Ophelia. You take heed in my words, now is not the time to go soft in the head over a boy.”

  Ophelia found herself becoming angry. “Tis not like that at all, mother!”

  “Thou art a pretty, little maiden, Ophelia, I worry tis all.”

  Ophelia sat down and picked up her mother’s hand. “I don’t know what it is, mother. I cannot deny that I felt a special connection to the boy. I have never had these feelings before.”

  Her mother smiled and squeezed her daughter’s hand. “You have a good head on your, shoulders dear daughter. I trust you. I worry more about Gertrude. Such beauty belies her innocence. Did Gertrude also express interest in this William?”

  Ophelia laughed and said “Not once she found out that he was merely a stable boy, there to help out the King’s cousin.”

  “That is for the best then. This William could be of great help to us, but he could also be the source of unimaginable pain. We must be very careful. Now, pour me a smidgeon of tea and tell me more about the Palace. Dost thou knowest when we can expect to see your sister again?”

  “Gertrude could not say, but she has no clothes with her. I will wait several days and then venture back to the Palace to see if I may speak with her. I shall take some of her clothing to her then as well.” Ophelia said. “At that time I can find out what, if anything, is new that Gertrude has learned about the purification.”

  “Ophelia, superstitions run the daily lives of many people. We are able to relate to people of different times, such as these, but it's unlikely we’d ever feel a real part of these times for very long. Your modern education and upbringing will make you always feel a bit of a stranger, no matter how long we stay here. The time is coming where we will have to leave this place forever. For our own safety as well as for the safety of others. Know this, Ophelia, and promise me that you will always be prepared to flee, with or without me and even with or without Gertrude. We will
always be connected, we will always find each other again. As long as we draw breath.”