Goldach’s eyelids were burning. When he opened them the sunrise was shining through the Blessed Virgin’s body on the stained glass window. Eastern exposure, he thought. Coventina opened his door.
“Breakfast in a few moments, Goldach. Then Mungan will be taking you to see a new friend. So wash your face,” she said.
“Are you taking me to befriend Henry, the boy King? Is there any way out of this?” He asked her. She looked stunned. I finally got to slap her back. He smiled.
“How did you know, my boy? My God! You are the Merlin,” she said. She sat down next to him on the bed and put her hand on his. She looked into his eyes. “Goldach, King John has been executed. His son, Henry, will be coronated today,” she said. Goldach remained stone faced until she continued. “Myrridian will also be present,” she said.
Goldach’s face and ears got hot. His eyes turned green and Coventina arose from her place seated next to him. She looked afraid. I’m not afraid of him. He’s just a little boy. She was trying to convince herself when Goldach looked up at her.
“I’m not trying to scare you Coventina. It’s just that I met Henry in a dream. He acted like a regular spoiled child, and not much like a King. Myrridian was not present,” he said. The heat came over him again.
“Your time here at the Abbey is temporary. One day, you will have to go back to him to resume your medical training, Goldach,” she said. “You may as well make peace with him now. It’s good training for the future. Don’t you want to be a peacemaker?” she asked. The words reverberated in his mind. He thought of Abhiseleka, remembering the last moments of his dream.
“Pomdrakpa,” he said. He shook his head and looked at Coventina. “I’ll wash my face and be right out Coventina,” he said. She nodded her head and walked out, shutting the door behind her. When she reached the other side of the closed door, she covered her chest with her arms and said a prayer for him. Mother Hestia, keep this boy safe and close to your breast. Bear him as your son, alas, he is an orphan. Keep death far from him and inspire him to win all battles. In the name of the triune Goddess, So Mote It Be, she thought.
Mungan was looking at her from the kitchen table, shaking his head.
“No use praying for him, Coventina. He is well-protected. When you see Myrridian, you’ll know what I mean,” he said.
Goldach laid back down and went to sleep. He wasn’t tired, but he had to go back to Abhiseleka and warn him. He was drifting down, and then it was daylight in the Kadamba forest. The sunlight pierced through his eye into his brain, giving him a sharp pain.
“What do you want?” Asked Abhiseleka. Goldach turned around and faced him.
“You have no right to be angry with me. I came back to tell you. You must save Pomdrakpa. If you don’t all hope is lost. Tell the woman. He cannot die,” said Goldach.
Abhiseleka did not understand. “What am I supposed to do? We barely escaped with our lives. Do you want me to go back to that carriage?” He asked.
“I don’t know how you’re going to do it, but you have to save him. He is your teacher. I saw the future, Abhiseleka. It doesn’t happen without him,” said Goldach.
Abhiseleka knew that Goldach was right. He sat down where he was on the bed of feathery Kadamba petals and closed his eyes. Goldach began to pace. In another part of his mind, he heard Mungan and Coventina stirring, debating about entering the room to wake him up.
Hurry up, Abhiseleka, he thought. Goldach suffered with Pomdrakpa. There was a soft place in his heart for the man. But I don’t know why, he thought.
“I’ve got it!” Abhiseleka jumped up from his place on the forest floor. “I have just spoken with him; he is on his way,” he said.
“It will have to do,” said Goldach. “I have to go back to the world. Today is little King Henry’s Coronation,” he said.
“You remember, it doesn’t have to happen the way we saw it, Goldach. You just have to avoid antagonizing him. He’s sensitive,” said Abhiseleka. Then he laughed.
“This is no time for jokes Abhiseleka. One last thing. Do not trust that woman. She is a spy. I’m not sure who sent her though,” he said.
Abhiseleka was left standing in the forest alone. He whirled around, and behind him was Kimiya.
“Goldach, have you lost your mind? Breakfast is ready. Get out of that bed before I make you sleep outside tonight,” she said.
That’s all the incentive I need to stay right here, he thought.
“You’d better hurry, Mister, or I’ll call your bluff,” she said. She heard his thought.
I forgot she did that, he thought. He arose from his bed and stumbled towards the door. Coventina met him there with three hard slaps.
“You forgot something else. That’s to help you remember your French.” She slapped him the first time. “This is for going back to sleep when you know we are waiting for you.” She slapped him again. “This is for even considering running away from home.” She slapped him for the third time. “Now get over here and eat your breakfast,” she said.
He sat down at the table and reached for his spoon. “Bow your head, Goldach. At the palace, there will always be a prayer said before any meal. It will be required that you bow your head when they do, lest you draw attention to yourself,” she said. She put her hands together and bowed her head. Mungan was caught off guard, and when Coventina looked up, she scolded them both.
“Mungan, you’ve got to set a proper example for the boy,” she said, “Goldach, bow your head.”
They all did, with hands folded together, and she began to pray.
“Dear Lord Christ Jesus,” she began.
“Are you really going to pray to their deity?” Asked Goldach.
Coventina stood up, and it seemed like her head hit the roof.
When did she get so tall? He thought. Goldach wanted to rescind that thought. He shrunk back from her as flames appeared in her eyes. She appeared to be quite angry.
“Goldach, a comment like that will get you killed,” she said. “Don’t ever disgrace their deity. He is the Father of the World to them. He is the Green Man to them. It is the same thing. Don’t add to the ignorance. Silently be aware of what they aren’t. This is the source of your power,” she said. She sat down, apparently cooled off, and began to pray again.
“Dear Christ Jesus, please bless and keep Goldach as he begins his career in diplomacy. Help him to hold his tongue, and learn your ways. Dear Jesus, help him to always remember to speak French and befriend King Henry. In the name of the Green Man and his Bride,” Amen.
