Kenneth Shumaker, A.K.A: Rusty Knight
Morgus
Written and produced by Kenneth Shumaker
Episode 013, ‘Freesia Round Doll’
Written on, September 13, 2017
Part one published on Virily on March 8, 2018.
Part two published on Virily on March 15, 2018.
Part three published on Virily on March 22, 2018.
We continue now with Morgus episode E013 part three, ‘Freesia Round Doll’ on …
Winter 19 Unicorn
Shuddering slightly from shoulders to the groin, Morgus halts and takes in this news, Larap likely remembers this too, yet he took him in. He helped back then, why?
Coming back to here, Morgus asks, “Master Fremal, I hear terrible news, you’re letting the mill go. Is this true?”
Winking his nearly blind eyes the 102-years-old Jalmal utters, “you robbed me clean and blind. What am I to do?”
Again, Morgus is set to shivering in his belly at the implications. “Can I buy your lease?”
The pampaloo shrugs. “I don’t know … can you?”
Stymied again by his grammar, Morgus corrects himself. “May I, pampaloo?”
Leaning harder on his walking staff, Fremal asks, “can you afford a year’s lease and taxes?”
Leaning in toward Fremal, Morgus asks, “how much?”
Leaning back, Fremal chuckles evilly. “With unpaid back taxes … your first payment will be 766.26 coins.”
With long negotiations, they whittle the first payment down to 620.67 coins and 492.25 on Winter 1 every year for ten years afterward.
Finished negotiating, Morgus clasps arms with Fremal. “I’ll send the coins tomorrow and expect the lease soon after. As a sign of goodwill, I’ll leave you with fifty now, and send 571.00 tomorrow.”
Extending a clawed wrinkled old hand, Fremal takes the fifty gold coins. “I’ll send my granddaughter to fetch two copies of the lease so we can sign them tomorrow night. You’ll stay as a guest, of course, tomorrow night?”
Smiling, Morgus rubs Fremal’s shoulder as he stands. “Of course, as long as my hound is welcome.”
Grinning, Fremal says, “It’ll be your place … whatever you want.”
Winter 20 Unicorn
Wearing a heavy good wool cloak made by Busia, and other tailored clothing from Busia, Morgus is dressed for the cold of the day and protected from the stiff brisk gods-breath under the clear sphere. He rides Rex into the courtyard of the lot of Westmolmot Mill finding five people waiting on benches out front in a sheltered area of the mill.
Square nonchalantly wanders up to Fremal and nuzzles his hand while wagging her tail.
Two Jalfems and two Jalmals are present.
On a table are a cask and seven ceramic tumblers and a freesia doll made from a round roll of cloth.
Dismounting, carrying the six sacks of coins and setting them on the table, Morgus motions for them to count the coins.
Shortly, the four-count out 572.00 coins. Passing the one coin overpayment back to him, Morgus suggests they recount. On recount, they find 571 instead.
Still sitting in the light of the day-gods on a bench, Fremal chuckles, then thanks Morgus for his bold honesty.
One of the Jalfems, the youngest who Fremal introduces as his fourth granddaughter, Irthera, shows Morgus the two parchment lease titles.
Both Fremal and Morgus happily sign the documents and Morgus rolls one up for himself.
Eyeing the doll, Morgus asks, “what’s with the doll?”
Irthera replies casually, “your mother made it for me when I was about five, and I was sick. A couple years before your family moved just after your father died. She said it was a gift from you, that you asked her to make it for me. I never have forgotten. When Pampaloo said it was you who was leasing the old mill, I wanted to show you I still have your freesia round doll you gave me when I was sick, as a child.”
Fremal winks at Morgus while grinning mischievously.
They seal the signing of the lease by all sharing in tumblers of wine from the cask, before going inside for the rest of the day and night.
Written by, Kenneth Shumaker.
May the words stay with you!
©2017 by Kenneth Shumaker with Inevitable Unicorn Press
www.inupress.ca inupress@inupress.ca
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Join Kenneth Shumaker (Rusty Knight) in his Dragoman Bloodgrue Volume collection anthologies. ‘Dragoman Bloodgrue, Volume I: Fare Where?’ is the first of the episodes of the Dragoman Bloodgrue serial series. Read how Bloodgrue tests the gods’ resolve. Do the gods let the brave be fools? Is Bloodgrue brave or a fool? Follow Bloodgrue to see where his life’s path leads him. In ‘Dragoman Bloodgrue, Volume I: Fare Where?’ we are introduced to Bloodgrue as he begins his journey climbing the social ranks of Mount Oryn in North Docks. Find this fine colour volume to purchase as a paperback or e-book on:
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Coming soon in 2018 to the public from InUPress, we have Kenneth’s second medieval fantasy novel, ‘Dendar: Souls of Desperation,’ this is the second book from the ‘Lost Souls’ series.
Thank you, Tasart! I appreciate your appreciation.