Chapter Three
Uninvited Guest
Martha sat in what felt like a dream. She had never been to a royal banquet before. A richly dressed servant had pointed out four seats on the side of the hall next to the musicians. The glorious chandelier at the center of the hall threw light down on the guests, bringing out the colors of both clothes and personalities. Her own deep brown eyes, rosy cheeks and missing tooth reflected back to her on each plate. Fiddle music wafted into the air.
Martha’s gaze was drawn by the fiddler in his poofy purple knickers. She caught the eye of the woman on his left who was singing sweetly. The music made Martha feel like dancing. She glanced down at the necklace and realized that it glowed and shone like the sun. Her dress, which had reflected sky blue in the dressing chambers, now reflected candlelight.
The king called for silence and gave thanks. He gave a brief toast mentioning that it was high feast day. He welcomed the guests. And then, to the astonishment of the children, everyone in the Hall opened books on the tables, turned to #212 and thunderously sang a Psalm of Thanksgiving. Prayer was made by the minister and a toast to good health. and everyone dug into the many delicious platters of food. The hallway buzzed with merriment and good conversation.
“Have you tried the red stuff,” said Mercy.
“This?” said Martha, glad to forget that people were looking at her.
“Yeff,” said Mercy with a mouth full.
Malachi was digging around in the ‘brown stuff’. You couldn’t be too sure with brown stuff. Sometimes it was stew and sometimes it might be chocolate pudding: you never did know until you tried.
The music transitioned from the Psalm to a slow quieter melody on the violin. Both girls followed the female singer with their eyes as she walked from the musical platform and bowed before the King and Queen. With a gesture toward Martha, she seemed to ask the King a question. King Titus looked up keenly at them and winked. The singer strolled calmly toward them.
“How do you think that chandelier works?” asked Martha.
“I think that the globe at the top is filled with oil. It goes through those pipes to the lamps,” said Mercy. “There must be hundreds of them!”
“You are right,” said a voice. “The oil runs down through the pipes to a wick at the end of each.” The singer unfolded a napkin and took the empty chair across from the girls. “My name is Miriam.”
“Pleased to meet you,” said Mercy, “you have a beautiful singing voice.”
“Thank you, would you girls like to dance? It’s good for digestion,” said Miriam over the music.”
When they went to the dancing area, Mercy, being a little older, was immediately asked to dance by a fine young gentleman dressed in a green doublet. Martha and Malachi twirled with Miriam.
The simple dance did not take long to learn. Most of the guests were still feasting, but Martha noticed many eyes still upon her dress.
Once the three were sufficiently out of breath, Miriam escorted them back to the table. After a few long gulps of the sweet wine, Martha said, “So… This is wonderful and all… The food is delicious, of course, but…”
“But, you want to know about that necklace and what it has to do with everything,” said Miriam.
Both Mercy and Martha looked into her eyes expectantly and nodded. Truth be told, Martha couldn’t keep herself from staring at the necklace on and off. It was so intriguing. Would it show her another vision? Gazing at it now, she felt its power and began to become dreamy.
Miriam’s gentle voice brought her back to the present. “I can begin to explain some of what we know. People have come from your world before, but it’s been hundreds of years…” She seemed to be choosing her words carefully. “…your presence here tells us that great events are near.”
“Do you know if we can get back to our world?” said Mercy. She preferred to let Martha put her foot in her mouth, but this question was really bothering her.
“The other people…went back.” said Miriam.
“Mom will be worried,” said Martha.
“Possibly,” Miriam said, “but I don’t think there is anything you could do about that.”
Both girls felt the weight of this. Martha gazed at the necklace again. Malachi had paid little attention to any of this, being amazed by the guards in armor and petting one of the dogs.
“Enjoy the food and act as casual as you can while I speak to you,” said Miriam. I must tell you important things, but you must not show alarm on your faces.”
“Everything I feel shows up on my face,” said Martha. “Mom says I’m a drama queen.”
“I understand,” said Miriam. “Let’s practice. You look at me with a calm, happy face.”
Martha looked at her calmly for a second but then broke into a laugh as she saw the affection in Miriam’s eyes.“Laughing too much won’t do either,” she said “let’s try again.”
Miriam looked at Martha in a way that insisted she calm herself. Her jaw and cheeks were relaxing…okay…maybe she really could do this.
“Just try your best–it’s part of what you might call diplomatic skills,” said Miriam. “Keep working at it. Let’s arrange this hand signal for the two of you. When Mercy makes this signal (she demonstrated a flat palm hand gesture), you remember to keep your diplomatic face, okay?”
“Dip-lo-matic?” said Martha..
“Yes, a face that doesn’t give away what you’re really thinking.” said Miraim.
“Do I need this?” said Martha.
“Yes, you do. You are here for a reason. Our world has conflict. There are enemies here– people who are not out for your good nor mine. Miriam looked directly into Martha’s eyes and gave a wry smile: “I could be your enemy!” Miriam seemed to grow taller and a dark shadow seemed to cross her face. “What would you do if I was an enemy?”
“I would r-run to the king!” stammered Martha, “he…obviously trusts you though.”
Immediately Miriam relaxed her expression, smiling. “You will have to trust someone while you’re here. That is unavoidable.”
Martha let her eyes settle on a reflection in one of the desert plates. When she lifted her head, she steadied her gaze toward Miriam. “OK, So… what does the necklace have to do with us?”
“Okay, well, you need to know that it has been sought after for over 13 years since Queen Tirzah died. Do you see how the center stone has seven facets radiating in seven directions?” said Miraim.
Martha studied it more carefully. The stone was absolutely magnificent, and large –about an inch across. “Yes, I see, seven directions. And when I looked into the center facet back in the dressing room, I saw a little movie.”
“Movie? You mean a vision?” asked Miriam.
“Yes, it played for a few minutes, and it…”
Miriam interrupted her. “Let us not speak of it here. Wait for King Titus to ask. It will become clear in time. All I can say now is that I would give my life for what that necklace stands for. But you need to realize that it does bring you into danger.”
“Danger?” The girls’ faces showed alarm again, but Miriam smiled in a way that reminded them to keep a diplomatic face. They chewed their food thoughtfully. Miraim paused, and, with practiced grace, took a few bites of vegetables. In a gentle tone, she said “let’s begin again. Where did you discover the necklace?”
“It was in the pocket of this dress.” Martha pointed to the bodice of the beautiful dress.
“Good, you remained calm too,” said Miraim.
“Hey, I did,” said Martha laughing a little bit. She was looking again at the beautiful diamond. In appreciation, Miriam was gazing at it with her and said softly, “The seven facets stand for seven days of the week. The facet at the top will turn special colors, unlike the other six. It represents a day for festivity and worship set aside from the others.”
Mercy also had been looking with them. You’d give your life to see that everyone would have a day set aside from the others?” she asked.
“Yes, I really would.” Miriam replied. People need these regular patterns, though we are prone not to think we need them. Without them, our lives become a chaotic jumble. When every day is the same as the last, there is no time to reflect. On the other hand, when we set aside time to rest and reflect, we are able to put life in perspective. When folks worship, sing and eat together, it creates a sense of community and belonging to a larger purpose.
“Okay,” said Mercy, “I get what you mean. In our world, our family does things different on Sunday. We go to church, we sing together and we rest. And we have the same problem you do because most of the people who live around us don’t go to church and some work on Sundays. But I’ve never heard of anybody willing to give their life for that.”
“Would your parents be willing to give their lives in order to be able to worship?” Asked Miriam shrewdly. “That is the key question.”
Mercy and Martha looked at each other remembering mom and dad. “Yes, they would,” they thought simultaneously. They became silent again, chewing their food, gazing at the diamond and glancing around noticing that many were discreetly looking in their direction.
“Who was Queen Tirzah?” asked Mercy.
“She was Queen before Lydia. She was beautiful and kind. She regularly wore this necklace to remind the people of the patterns.” said Miriam.
The girls glanced over at Queen Lydia. She was already regarding them. When their eyes met, the Queen’s smile broadened with warm reception. Her countenance showed stern gravity and pain, yet, her eyes seemed as eager as a young puppy. Mercy, who was naturally shy in new situations, waived pleasantly. To her delight, Queen Lydia lifted her hand in a gentle return wave.
Martha who had been reveling in the raspberry marmalade on her plate, feeling special in the dress also returned the Queen’s smile.
A huge smash came from above their heads. A window, perhaps 50 feet above them in the roof of the Hall, had been smashed to bits. A hideous black form with wings burst in. It seemed to pull the dark of night into the hall. Its eyes searched this way and that as it flew.
Glass fell in shards. Martha didn’t register what had happened until she saw the look of shock on the Queen’s face. She briefly saw King Titus stand and draw his sword. A shard of glass hit the table in front of her. Quickly, Miriam pulled her under the table. The neclace felt almost hot and somehow, Martha realized that the creature was looking for her.
“Don’t panic!” said Miriam, holding her tightly. Martha was so grateful for the security she felt in Miriam’s brave arms.
The table was knocked over with a dish shattering crash. The creature then swooped up again, and, with a few flaps of its huge wings, put out the oil-lights on the chandelier. Then it dove straight towards her. She knew it by the greater darkness that filled her field of vision.
Not really knowing what she did, Martha held up the necklace. It was like bringing a warm summer afternoon into a dark stormy night! The brightness was blinding.
Many things happened at once. A deep ‘thrumm’ followed by a ‘wisssh’ sound flew over their heads. An arrow, expertly shot, hit the creature in the chest. The scene was well lit by the light from the neclace. It gave a hideous wail as its descent was thrown off course. It crashed into the neighboring table, sending dishes flying as it cracked the solid oak table.
Now Martha could see the creature much more clearly. It looked like a demon made of stone. Its eagle beak was stuck in a wide open position. Before she could even blink, the creature had reached out a huge stone talon in a desperate grab for her.
But Miriam was faster. She actually threw Martha into Mercy’s arms, then slammed into the two girls herself, knocking them under the next table.
Despite its obvious pain from the arrow sticking in its chest, the creature leapt toward the girls. But other arrows hit the creature from different directions. One hit the side of its head, its will was broken. Four, five arrows were sticking in it now. Giving up, it labored to flap its wings and ascend. With desperate effort, it managed to get back through the broken window before giving another hideous cry echoing on the castle roof beyond.
Martha fainted.
As Malachi, who had run toward the royal table, looked, the King’s voice boomed, “Peace! Fear not!” His stature and commanding voice brouight everyone back to their senses. “Guards, allow the medicine maids through,” the King said. Heart rates slowed, and order was restored.
Mercy found herself weeping. She held a napkin tightly on Martha’s wounded arm. Broken dishes and plates of food were everywhere. One of the “medicine maids” came to relieve her. They placed Martha on a stretcher.
“Can you walk?” Miriam asked Mercy.
Mercy tried to answer, but as she did so, she swooned and fell into Miriam’s arms. When she awoke moments later, she found herself, also on a stretcher, being carried back through the main gate of the feasting hall.
highpattern 