Legacy

[Philomel]

Her name was Celandine, of no surname. According to tradition she was the daughter of one of the brothel whores, attributed to the eccentric, flighty, ginger faun called Anthea Rose. A woman who spent little time with her supposed daughter, but had given the time to be her wet nurse. Anthea Rose had made no formal claim on the young girl, but it was generally accepted by the patrons of the Sleeping Wyrd that she was. There were other children within the confines of the large complex of buildings that made up the brothel and public house, but their parentages was certain, and well documented. Celandine was unfortunate. She had no birth records, or papers.


The Matron of the Sleeping Wyrd was a human by the name of Etna. Her brother Ennis ran the pub side of things, and together they made a formidable team. Between them they had two children already, Jakob and Suzy - nobody could remember which sibling had parented which, and it was likely that they were a product of incest - and it had not taken long for Etna to take Celandine under her wing also. Thus, the young faun grew up with protection, and with love, and by the time she was four and a half years (to the day, for such things are important) this born-to-be heroine was happy, strong-willed and displaying genius-level intelligence.


Though her world was that of the Sleeping Wyrd courtyard, and connected surrounding buildings, Celandine was by no means lacking for adventure. With Jakob and Suzy as playmates, she learnt how to be independent, at times offbeat and surprisingly vocal. The patrons of the pub and brothel came to know her as 'The Sprite' for her apparent ability to be able to appear from nowhere, make some off-hand - and often-times rude - comment, then disappear just as suddenly. They did not listen to the courtesans who tried to explain that the buildings were old, and thus filled with small servants stairs, secret tunnels and hiding places for which to spy through. They simply imagined that she was a fairy child, placed in the Sleeping Wyrd to bring joy and mischief.


Joy and mischief. Two elements so often related to one another, yet so dissimilar in context.


"Darling," Etna said warmly, coming over to the young faun.


Currently Celandine was standing at the edge of the West Tower, a small upper floor in the north-east corner of the Sleeping Wyrd from which one could see the entire courtyard of the building complex. It was a single room, accessed by a spiral staircase, which had a usefully placed balcony. The room was often used for particularly opulent guests who enjoyed scenery and also appreciated privacy. A canopied bed was the only furniture, with the floors draped with cushions, rugs and blankets. When the room was not in use, Etna knew she could find Celandine here, quietly biding her time and keeping to her own thoughts.


"See," the young girl said, extending a hand and pointing down to a rather rowdy trio of men, joyfully wolf-whistling two courtesans near the courtyard's fountain. It was shaped like a goose. "They are Jerry, Huber and Malister, three men who are happy because Jerry got engaged today. Huber is from Salvar, and is happy to be here, because he doesn't like the cold of his country, and Malister is happy because he is from Fallien, where he finds it too hot. So they are all happy because of different reasons."


Etna, a large woman with darker skin and hailing originally from the island nation of Fallien herself smiled as she saw where Celandine was pointing. Indeed, one of the men had the exceptionally pale skin of a man from Salvar, and the one that the faun hailed as 'Malister' had the tanned skin. Though the men clearly were not celebrating an engagement, Etna delighted in the imaginations of the child, and found herself stroking the long blonde hair that was streaming from Celandine's head.


"I do see, darling," she replied, in the same gentle tone, "I see that they are full of happiness."


Celandine dropped her hand as she nodded. "Jerry is going to be married in the spring. His future wife thinks it is a good time to be married because of all the flowers." A couple of times she blinked, then she tilted her head upwards to Etna, a huge beam on her face. "I like flowers, did you know that?"


"I know you do," Etna said, slowly bending down to come to Celandine's level. "Because you are named after one." On 'you' she pressed over the young girl's hair, making some of the locks of her fringe fall over her shoulder, and cause Celandine to giggle.


"Aunty Etna," she giggled, "That's my hair!"


The Matron smiled warmly, sliding her hand down to the girl's arm. "I know, darling," she said, "And it is beautiful hair."


Celandine nodded, pausing and then extending her arms. She knew that Etna had come here to look for her with a purpose. And that was for dinner.


"Just like mama's," Celandine said, with determination. Causing Etna to smile.


"Just like your mama's, indeed," the Matron said quietly, picking the child gently up. Placing her near her shoulder she supported the young faun, then stood up straight. Celandine rested against Etna's side, happily smiling. "Just like your mama's."


Just as Celandine dreamed her mother's was like.