The Totem-Maker (part eighty-six)

 

The Totem-Maker

Chapter Nine

The Recalcitrant One

(part eighty-six)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A herder of cattle there was, who lived far from the royal seat, from the city of wealth. He was free, his life was peaceful, and his name was Alchas. One day as he whiled his time plaiting a chain of daisies, he saw a company approach. Around her bearers knights in plumed helmets marched, as high on a gilt chair a beautiful princess was carried.

She beckoned, against the frowning looks of her chief courtier. Alchas descended his hill, the flowers held careless in his hand.

“Oh! I’ll have that!”

He bowed, and the courtier disdainfully placed the gift around his mistress’s neck.

“And who is this man? Corfeo, ask his name.”

Alchas bore these spoiled manners, for the joy of beauty before his eyes. In his world he had not known such, and he did not rebuke her in his heart, that paces away, she demanded her servant speak to him.

But the courtier said, “The man is nothing. A keeper of cattle.”

The princess tossed a ring, and her entourage moved on. The ring was a dull brown bronze, the stone grey…a token that, when pressed upon her by her father’s necromancer, she had despised.

Alchas placed it on his finger, and swore an oath.

“Would I were king, and she my wife! Then brought so low would be that rogue, as to beg a cattle-keeper for his life!”

Thunder boomed, making Alchas start. A voice came:

 

None can be happy in all things

For in their craft the Balancers hide

By will of Ami, his symmetry

Who charts the fates of all mankind

The tide no more does rise than fall

The gentle seasons flank the cruel

The years turn ever like a wheel

Long leagues the journey of a fool

 

Choose now, the necromancer said. Alchas looked at the lowering clouds overhead, at the forest glade behind. He listened to the stream that chattered, and the anxious lowing of his cattle.

“What choice?” he asked at last. “What devil are you?”

“Will you have all you wish, or will you be happy?”

It seemed trickery. Some laggard, hidden, eager to carry his joke to his fellows…

And what can be all one wishes for, but happiness?

“Make me king!” Alchas said, and laughed.

 

 

90

 

 

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The Recalcitrant One

The Totem-Maker (part one)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2018, Stephanie Foster)