Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Cynehelme ❯ Chapter 1 ( Chapter 1 )

Cynehelme

by kmf

Rating: PG13

Warnings: AU

Standard Disclaimer Applies

Chapter One

On cold mornings, such as this one was promising to be, it was easy to start to hate Prime. As much as Relena enjoyed the hours of meditation that prayer afforded her during the day, getting up before the sun and having to kneel on icy cold flag stones in the middle of winter was something that she would never get used to. Her knees were beginning to ache ill protected as they were by the rough woven wool of her dress. She was sure that if she stayed in her present position much longer she would rise with arthritic knees and hobble as Sister Gertrude did.

A heartfelt sigh to her left drew her attention to Sister Dorothy. Instead of bowing her wimple encased head towards the cross that stood at the front of the chapel, Dorothy's eyes were cast up to the heavens. Not, Relena suspected, worshipping the God to whom she had so recently dedicated her life, but rather studying the high beamed ceiling of the little chapel that was attached to the nunnery. Not for the first time did Relena wonder just why Dorothy had chosen to become a nun, she really did not have the temperament nor the calling for it. Dorothy, sensing that someone was staring at her, turned her gaze towards Relena and raised one of her distinctive eyebrows as if daring Relena to tell on her to one of the senior nuns.

Relena, not wishing any sort of confrontation, bowed her head again and tried to ignore the spreading numbness in her legs and school her thoughts back to those of the God that it was her destiny to serve. Her thoughts proved too wayward for her though and instead she found herself contemplating her own forthcoming vows and whether she should take them.

She felt that she had no real calling to the church. Yes, she enjoyed the company of most of the novices and nuns and she enjoyed that she was privileged to learn things that most females would never have the chance to. She could read and write, her hand was judged most fair and she had started working on illuminations. She had even been trusted to work on copying some of the precious pages of the Book of Psalms that the order held.

All these skills would not have been hers if she had not become the ward of the order. If she had remained with her family, she would have been betrothed and married some years ago. By now she could have been a wife and mother to several children. She was grateful that this was not the case; she could not see herself as a dutiful wife no more than she could see herself as a dutiful nun. But if neither vocation was for her, then what should she do? She raised her eyes to the cross on the altar before her and prayed for guidance.

After Prime was over the sisters and novices walked to the refectory to break their fast. The fair was a simple one; coarse brown bread (softened with goats milk for those nuns who no longer had the benefit of all their teeth), porridge made from locally harvested oats and sweetened by a swirl of honey, and watered down mead. Relena wrinkled her nose as she sipped her drink. Very watered, she thought tasting the brew. There was scarcely any taste of mead in the mixture that was poured into Relena's pottery goblet.

The sisters all ate silently, bar one. Sister Sally read scriptures as they ate reminding one and all of Gods bounty. The meal was a quick one, there was much to achieve during the course of the day and meals were not to be lingered over. As soon as Sally had finished reading, it would be time for the women to undertake the chores that enabled the abbey to function. Gardens had to be tended, floors to be swept and scrubbed and food for the next meal had to be prepared. Herbs had to be gathered and made into medicines for the small infirmary that was attached to the abbey. The patients there also had to be tended, and alms distributed to the poor that came daily to beg at the gates. In the afternoon once all the essential chores were done and before the pale light of the winter day had faded it would then be the time for other less pressing duties. Wool gathered from the abbey's flock of sheep had to be spun, the yarn dyed and woven into lengths of fabric that would be sold to bring in additional revenue for the upkeep of the order. Or there would be work to be done copying the precious psalms held by the nunnery. This was what Relena would work on.

She had been little more than a baby when she had arrived at the nunnery, but as soon as she had reached an age to be of use she had been set to work. She had started by mixing pigments for the two old sisters who had worked for years copying the pages of the books. Once she had shown that she had both enthusiasm and aptitude, she had been granted the opportunity of copying text. She could not read at that point, but she had a good eye and a talent for copying the intertwined shapes that formed words. To her it was a simple matter to transfer the ink from the end of the quill to the fine creamy vellum sheets and she had been rewarded by being made apprentice to the old sisters. It was they who taught her to read what she wrote, and being a quick study she was soon able to comprehend what the beautiful shapes meant.

The Mother Superior had been concerned that her two most skilled artists were becoming aged and that only one girl, who even if she took orders was destined for a life outside the abbey, was being trained to replace them. None of the other sisters showed any flair for the work, or any inclination. It had seemed, therefore, that God had heard her prayers and answered when two new nuns had arrived who both showed aptitude. Granted, the enthusiasm had been decidedly lacking, but that was not an essential.

Sister Helen had been the first to arrive and had instantly become friends with Relena. Helen had listened well to Relena's instructions on how to mix pigments and she already knew how to read and write, although her hand was too clumsy as yet to be entrusted with the valuable vellum. She was a cheerful girl, her large blue eyes mischievous and happy. Relena could not help but feel happier when she was in the presence of Sister Helen.

The next arrival, however, was a different matter. Sister Dorothy arrived a week or so after Helen and was the complete opposite. Where Helen was tall and broad, Dorothy was short and petite. Helen's hands were large, callused from hard work and a little clumsy, Dorothy's hands were delicate and white and looked like they had never done any labour. Dorothy had learnt quickly the tasks involved in producing the beautiful vellum pages, her hand being neat enough to be entrusted to the copying, but unfortunately she found no joy in it. The only joy she had from her days of toil was to sow little seeds of doubt into her fellow apprentices' minds.

Relena knew exactly what Dorothy did, but could not help but let her soul be swayed by the prompting of the Sister. Didn't Relena want to know more about life? Didn't she want to know exactly who her family was? Didn't she want to know why she had been sent to the nunnery at such a young age? Was she born out of wedlock?

To stop Dorothy's tongue, Relena had told her that no, she was not a bastard. Her parents were Christian and had sent her to the nunnery as a baby because they were thankful that God had blessed them with a peaceful kingdom and a fine strong son to be heir. This had not stopped Dorothy's prodding, however, but only increased it. She had wanted to know more about the kingdom, its defences, it strengths. At this point Sister Helen had come to Relena's rescue and told Dorothy to leave the girl in peace or else Helen would make sure everyone in the nunnery knew exactly why Dorothy was there. Dorothy's eyes had gleamed and she had gone very quiet. All questions ceased. From that moment on Dorothy and Helen did not speak to each other.

Relena's attention was bought back to the present by those around her repeating the 'Amen' that Sister Sally had uttered. She grimaced as she realised that she had completely ignored the prayer and wondered what penance she would be given if Sally had noticed. Luck appeared to be on her side though, for the Sister walked to the head of the table, not sparing her a glance. Dorothy glared at her, Relena could see in her eyes that she thought that Relena was given favouritism. Sally cleared her throat, a little dry from the reading, and began to tell the women what their duties would be for the day.

Hoping that she would be assigned a task in the kitchen, Relena crossed her fingers under the table. It was so cold out that she would prefer to be working by the hot ovens if she could. Unfortunately, it was not to be. Relena heard her name being called along with Dorothy's; their task was to go and gather winter herbs from the snowy woods. Sister Sally looked at both young women as she gave out the duties, her eyes sparkling. Relena knew then that her inattention had been detected and that the job that she dreaded was her punishment. It was confirmed when Sally announced that she too would gather herbs. For once, Dorothy and Relena empathised with each other; they were in for a lecture.

Rising from the table, the women all scuttled to do their duties. Relena and Dorothy gathered up their warm woollen grey shawls. They were heavy and itched but were serviceable and would keep them from freezing. Their heads were already covered with wimples; Dorothy's topped with her nun's black veil and Relena in grey signifying that she had not taken vows. Sister Sally handed each girl a small wicker basket and a sharp bronze scythe to aid in the harvesting of the herbs they needed. Thus armed they left the convent in silence.

At the gates to the enclosure that surrounded the Abbey the poor had gathered. As the women emerged, instantly hands were held out begging for any scrap that they had to spare. Relena hated this. She was from a rich family and never had to want for anything, a stipend being provided to the nunnery for her upkeep. However, being in the convent meant that she had no money of her own and nothing that she could give out. She whispered her apologies as she passed through the crowd, her head lowered and ashamed that she had a full stomach whilst these poor unfortunates were hungry. Dorothy, on the other hand, pushed her way through, her gaze alternating between a haughty one and an angry one when someone got too close to her. Sister Sally promised the people that alms would be distributed very soon and asked that they could be patient. At her quiet words the crowd of people parted to allow the three women through.

Relena noticed a small child at the back of the crowd in a little ragged shift, shivering from the cold. The icy wind blew through her thin clothes, her eyes were hollow and dull. She looked like she was starving to death there on the steps of the Abbey. Relena paused and unwrapped her shawl. She bent and placed it on the child's shoulders.

"There, that will keep you warm until the Sisters bring out food." she whispered tucking it in around the child's neck, ignoring the chills that the cold wind now gave her. She had the benefit of food in her stomach and layers of good linen and wool that made up her dress. She also knew that she had funds to replace the shawl, even though she knew that she would be scolded for its loss.

The child stared up at her and made no response, but Relena expected none. Content that the child would not freeze on this day, she hurried to catch up the other two nuns. Dorothy was shaking her head in disbelief that Relena had given away her shawl on such a cold day. Sally also shook her head, but Relena saw a little smile, that gave away that Sally was happy that Relena had been charitable.

They walked on in silence through the wood that flanked the Abbey. Sally refrained from lecturing them about the evils of not listening as they walked, instead gave them a lesson on what was suitable for harvest at this time of years in a wood that looked barren. The wood itself was very quiet, wild life such as squirrels and badgers were hibernating. There was evidence that deer had been there, snow had been scraped back to reveal a few green sprouts of grass that had been nibbled by the hungry animals. No bird song lightened the day, and this Relena wondered about. Usually when they walked in the forest at least a friendly robin would accompany them with its friendly chatter. But today there was nothing. After a while, even Sally fell quiet growing uneasy by the muffled silence of the snowy winter's day.

After walking for what seemed to be for hours to Relena, her nose red and eyes watering from the icy cold wind, Sally stopped. Relena and Dorothy almost bumped into her so intent they were are just putting one foot in front of each other and dreaming of warm steamy kitchens and mulled wine. Sally was looking around, her usually cheerful eyes narrowed and considering. Relena heard what Sally had detected immediately; the crunching sound of footfall on frosted snow when they three had stopped walking.

All three were immediately on guard. Their nuns' gowns were little protection in these wild times. Slavery was rife and virgin women commanded a high price in the ports to the south. Traders from the east imported high quality pottery known as Tintagel ware and would willingly trade many pieces for a woman. Relena felt herself grip her little scythe tightly as the footsteps grew near.

Into the clearing walked Sister Helen, muffled in her shawl, her bright blue eyes cheerful and smile wide. She raised a hand in greeting as she saw the other women. Sally drew a breath of relief as she recognised the woman.

"Sister, what are you doing here?" she asked as Helen approached them.

"I had finished my duties and thought that I might be able to assist you." Helen replied, looking around the forest "I had not reckoned on you coming so far though, I thought for a moment that I would not be able to find you." A note or reproach crept into Helen's voice "These woods may not be as safe as you think."

Sally raised an eyebrow at her tone. "We had to come far to find the herbs that I require." she said coolly and Helen seemed to recall that she was talking to her superior.

"My apologies Sister Sally." Helen said, bowing her head. When she raised it she caught sight of Relena shivering now that they had stopped walking. Helen immediately pulled her own shawl off and wrapped it around the younger girl. "You look so very cold, and I am used to weather such as this." she said silencing Relena's protests "Although I cannot think what made you forget such a useful item on a day such as this."

Dorothy snorted "She gave it away to a beggar brat." she said rolling her eyes "It is lucky that she did not give away the very shoes from her feet."

Sally immediately reprimanded Dorothy "Would that everyone was as charitable; the world would be much improved for it."

"Amen to that." Helen nodded, smiling softly at the now much warmer Relena. Relena blushed at the approval of two of her three companions.

"Come, let us return. The day is cold and we are unlikely to find anything of use." Sally said starting to retrace her steps.

She was restrained by a hand on her arm and looked down to see that Helen's large hand holding her. Helen placed a finger to her own lips as Sally opened her mouth to question her actions. She then pointed through the trees. All three women followed the gesture and saw in the distance partially obscured by the trees two figures walking towards them.

As the figures approached they could see that it was two old men, both huddled in moth eaten cloaks, drawn up so that they covered their heads. One had his head tipped up so they could see that across his eyes was bound a length of dirty white cloth. His hands, one of which rested on his companions shoulder as he was guided through the snow, were also bandaged with cloth more black than white. His companion was in a better state, a cloth bound a space where once a nose would have resided, and in his hand he held a short staff that he used to help guide himself and his companion through the snow.

Dorothy hissed and drew back "Lepers!" she exclaimed in horror and disgust whilst the other three relaxed.

"Continue in this direction and you will come to our Abbey." called Sally "There you will find a place to rest a while." she glanced at Dorothy "We turn none away there." she said firmly.

The lepers made no comment, but crept closer and soon they could smell the putrid stench of rotting flesh that hung about the pair. The blind ones mouth was pulled in a large smile and he muttered his thanks repeatedly showing that though teeth that still remained in his mouth, they were almost as black as his clothes. Relena resisted the urge to step back away from the pair, even though the smell was sickening. Dorothy, however, did nothing to disguise her disgust and held her shawl up to her nose. Both men were hobbling and Relena had to wonder just how far they had come and what damage they had to their feet.

It was a complete surprise to all of them when the sighted leper sudden struck out with is staff catching Sally around the temple. Sally immediately crumpled to the ground leaving the other three to stare in amazement. Hoots and calls came from around; the attack on the nun had been a signal to the rest of the lepers group. Bandits appeared from behind trees where they had patiently been laying in wait, snow upon their shoulders and in their hair. There were eighteen or so, all lean men dressed in furs and armed with spears. In an instant they had surrounded the women.

Dorothy glared at the lepers, her little scythe held high "You will be the first I will gut." she declared. The noseless one grinned back and swung his staff again only to have it stopped by the outstretched hand of Sister Helen.

The leper grinned "You are strong for a woman!" he muttered, trying to pull the weapon back with both hands.

"And you are quick for a leper." Helen smirked back "Perhaps we have both been deceived."

With a quick wrench Helen tore the staff from the old mans hands and spun it professionally in the air. She jabbed at the man causing him to fall back, taking his blind friend with him. Helen then whirled around to face the approaching armed men. She glanced down at Relena who sat crouched beside the unconscious Sally.

"Run!" she instructed as the men came closer. Relena shook her head determined not to leave her mentor lying in the snow, but Dorothy, who had been watching Helen closely, grabbed her by her arm and pulled her to her feet.

"Do as he says!" she cried, trying to pull Relena along after her.

Relena hesitated a moment before starting to run, evading the hands that reached to stop her. Her borrowed shawl was snagged by one of the men, but Relena shrugged it off and left him standing with less of a prize than he imagined he had caught. Her progress was swifter now that the material of her shawl no longer impeded her arms. Unfortunately, those pursuing her were not impeded with narrow underskirts and their progress was still swifter. Rough hands grabbed the back of her wimple catching her hair along with cloth and pulled her back, wrestling her to the ground.

Her eyes stung with tears at the pain the sudden jarring gave her body. Her hand automatically went to the back of her wimple to reassure herself that she still had hair left after the viscous yank. The pins had come loose leaving the material gaping, but she had no time to put that to right. One of the men reached down and grabbed her by her neck of her tunic and pulled her roughly to her feet. He leered at her face.

"This is a pretty one!" He commented grinning showing an incomplete set of yellowed teeth "She'll fetch a pretty price."

Relena felt sick. Slavers she though as she was pushed down again into the snow, a spear held towards her body to stop her fleeing. Glancing to one side she saw Sister Sally being dragged towards her, her face bleeding but her eyes open and aware of her surroundings. Dorothy had also been captured, but not before inflicting damage on two of the men with her little scythe. Her face was bruised in punishment and her hands bound behind her back but she looked unrepentant. Her distinctive eyebrows frowning imperiously at her captors.

Another two men approached, one nursing what looked like a broken arm. He was being teased by the other at having been beaten by a woman. The one that had caught Relena questioned them asking where the fourth nun was. The second man grinned.

"Had to skewer her." he said "She will fetch nothing now with her breasts ruined."

Relena eyes widened in shock, and turned trying to locate her friend. She spotted the woman in the distance lying sprawled in the bloody snow. As Relena tried to get to her feet the man who had captured her pushed her to the ground.

"Where are you going my lovely?" he asked accepting a length of half cured hide, long and narrow from another in his band of men. He tied one length around her throat as if he was tying a dog, careful that it was not too tight as to make it difficult for her to breathe. "Best you keep up with us else that knot will slip tighter around your pretty little neck and you'll find yourself with your God sooner than you bargained." He pulled her to her feet and grasped her wimple. "From your grey colours you have not pledged yourself to your God yet, so you should have your hair." he peered at her closely, his breath rank and close causing her to wince and pull pack from him. Unfazed her continued "I'm guessing you are fair." he said, pulling the wimple away uncaring of the pins that scratched her skin. He smiled in satisfaction seeing that she did indeed still have long hair bound in tight plaits. "Ha! I'm right." he bent his head closer to hers and she pulled away in panic, the noose around her neck tightening.

A staff rapped over the man's knuckles causing him to drop the lead and yelp in pain. Relena blinked at her saviour and saw that the ragged noseless man stood there, his staff retrieved from Sister Helen. "Leave her alone Ulrich!" he growled. Ulrich glared, but nodded moving back showing deference to his leader. The old man nodded and Sally and Dorothy were pulled forward so that they both stood next to Relena. Their wimples had also been removed revealing close-cropped hair. Both women looked defiantly at their captor, Sally putting a protective arm around Relena.

"What? No demands of pity?" the old man chortled, his fellow leper joining in, his hand once more on the noseless ones shoulder.

"Slavers have no pity or mercy." Sally said, her eyes narrowed and fists clenched.

The old man snorted. "Bind their hands!" he demanded "And if they make any utterance, bind their mouths as well. Then we make haste away from here before we are discovered."

Relena winced as Ulrich pulled her hands forward and bound them tightly. As the band followed their apparently leprous leader, Relena could do nothing but follow like a dog on a leash.

TBC