Wulfsyarn: A Mosaic

Wulfsyarn: A Mosaic by Phillip Mann

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Authors: Phillip Mann
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discussion between them was more like a carpet sale than a betrothal. Aptagar’s wife, Rani, had been swept from the rocks by a rogue wave while gathering shellfish. This had happened a month ago. Aptagar had four children: two sons who already helped him in the boat and two daughters who were still at school. Aptagar had a house with a cellar and a loft and a sailboat that he had shaped himself from the egg-case of a Featherfin Drifter. “At night I still cry for Rani,” he said, “for we were a rare match, she and I. Hard as chemu (a fish’s tooth), sweet as poro (the roe of a sea urchin), soft as ptum (a kind of putty made from kelp). Have you a mind to be a fisherman’s wife? The life is hard but you won’t find me running away like some.” He pointed with his thumb at me. “You’ll see me every minute of the day, if you’ve a mind. You’ll be with me. Out in the boat, out in the islands, dragging in the nets. Me and the boys. Your lads too if they’ve a mind.”
    “I’ll consider it,” said Medoc. “And now will you consider this bread?”
    “I’ll consider a drink, if this is a brewing house.”
    “It is,” said Medoc. “My former husband was a finer brewer than most Tallines of either hemisphere. You may taste his beer and his wine, but I have no skills in that regard.” She poured a glass of amber liquid from a carafe on the shelf above the fire. “Nor have I any desire to stand the buffet on the deck of a ship. I am a landswoman.” “Perhaps then I’ll retire from the sea,” said Aptagar. “I’ve faced enough storms. I’ve prospered from my work. I’d not ask you to go to sea if you’d guard the home. But I won’t live away from the sea.”
    “The sea pleases me too,” said Medoc.
    And so their conversation continued.
    That night Aptagar slept on the floor.
    The next day they got tipsy and continued talking.
    On the next day another Talline came calling. He was a merchant from the towns which have grown up close to the Kithaeron monastery on the other side of the planet. He had dark curly hair and a flashing smile and he took Medoc out to dine while Aptagar sucked on his pipe and looked at his thick gnarled hands and sampled Jon Wilberfoss’s beer.
    Medoc and the merchant returned late and the merchant too slept on the floor. Both men snored and I have no doubt but that Medoc heard this.
    For myself, interesting though it was, 1 decided that I could no longer stay to watch the peculiarities of Talline courtship. I reported to Magister Tancredi and then returned to Lily’s Garden.
    Seven days afterward I heard that Medoc had locked up the house and departed. She had made her choice.
    I did not of course mention these events to Jon Wilberfoss. That man was deep into his meditation and he would have time enough to think about love and departure if he decided not to accept the Nightingale.

8 Events in Lily’s Garden
    Outside the gate leading to Lily’s Garden stands the famous statue of St. Francis Dionysos. The bull head thrusting out from the hood caught the first rays of the sun on its burnished horns. Jon Wilberfoss paused briefly before the statue and nodded to it and then passed through the gate. I followed.
    Lily was waiting for us. She closed the gate behind us and then trundled around to the front, withdrawing her dexetels into her canopy with a snap. She spoke aloud for Jon Wilberfoss’s benefit. “Call me Lily. Mmmm. Sleep room for Jon Wilberfoss is ready. Occupy now. Mmmm. You will follow Lily. Now.” She turned on the gravel path with a harsh sound and began to move away.
    She did not offer a word of welcome. Lily is a gifted nurse where the sick are concerned but she has few circuits devoted to the social graces. Jon Wilberfoss did not seem to mind. He seemed completely preoccupied, oblivious.
    Lily led us around a large wooden screen upon which is written in early Talline hieroglyphs the story of this particular garden.
    Gardens such as the one we were now

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