Chapter 8

Huntress and Healer

“Ulla, I’d like you to meet my grandson, Lukaz. My youngest son Cardin’s little boy.” Laudine smiled down at the shy lad standing at her side who was nervously trying to hide behind her full skirts. Resting an affectionate, reassuring hand on his hesitant shoulder, she introduced Lukaz to the dark-haired priestess who greeted them on the doorstep of her secluded woodland cottage.

“I’ve told Lukaz you’re a skilled archer,” Laudine continued cheerfully, “and that I’ve arranged for him to have lessons with you each morning.” She smiled encouragingly into her grandson’s big blue eyes where anxiety warred with wonder. “Lukaz wants to become a castle archer, just like his father. That’s why his grandfather Esclados and I have given Lukaz his very own bow and quiver of arrows. So that he’s ready to begin his lessons.” Laudine indicated the leather case slung across her grandson’s back and displayed the weapon he carried, made from the finely crafted wood of a yew tree.

Laudine led Lukaz by the hand as she followed Ulla into the welcoming stone cottage. The wolf Vill lay watchfully on the floor in front of the hearth, eyeing the two visitors warily as he guarded his beloved mistress. “I’ve also told Lukaz about your wolf. How you healed him as an injured pup and trained him to hunt with you and your falcon Finn.”

Ulla nodded at Lukaz, her lovely face alight as she knelt on the wooden floor beside her wolf and stroked his thick grey fur. She raised her eyebrows inquisitively and extended her hand to the little boy, gesturing for him to come forward.

“Would you like to meet Vill? Ulla is offering you the chance to pet him.” Laudine grinned at her awestruck grandson. “I wonder if his fur is shaggy or soft? Would you please tell me how it feels? I’ve never had the chance to get close enough to find out. You must be very special for Ulla to let you touch him.”

His chubby cheeks dimpling in delight, Lukaz sauntered forth, exuberant yet still cautious and fearful.

Ulla patted the floor at her side, and the breathless little boy knelt down next to the prone wolf.

Lukaz allowed the young priestess to guide his small hand as he tentatively stroked Vill’s dense, wiry fur. “It’s rough on the top, Mamie ,” he cried with joyful discovery, “but very soft underneath.” Lukas scratched the top of Vill’s bristly head and behind the wolf’s pointed ears.

Vill affectionately licked Lukaz’ fascinated face.

Laudine chuckled softly. “He likes you, Little Wolf.”

Lukaz beamed proudly at Ulla as he explained the meaning of his nickname. “My father is called Basati. It means ‘savage wolf’ in the Basque language of Biarritz, where he lives . That’s why Mamie called me Little Wolf. Because I’m Basati’s son.” The youthful, effusive smile—revealing a missing front tooth—quickly disappeared as Lukaz dropped his head in shame. “But all the squires call me ‘bastard.’ They say I have no father. Because he never comes home to see me.”

Compassion and empathy shone in Ulla’s forest-green eyes as she glanced up at Laudine.

Cardin is coming home, Lukaz. You’ll finally get to meet your famous father. I pray the Goddess melts his hardened heart. And helps me to reunite the two of you at long last.

“Well, perhaps your Papa will come home soon. Maybe even for the Yuletide season.” Laudine bent down to hug Lukaz around the shoulders as he continued to pet the wolf. “I’m heading back to the castle now, to prepare my herbs. Lady Ulla will give you your first archery lesson. And bring you out to the castle stables to meet her horse, N?de. You can show her the colt Papi has chosen for you. The beautiful black Friesian. Maybe Lady Ulla will let you ride N?de with her when she goes hunting with her falcon, Finn.” Laudine searched Ulla’s face and smiled with relief when the healer nodded in confirmation.

Lukaz rose to his feet and hugged Laudine around the hips. “Thank you for bringing me here, Mamie . I like Lady Ulla and Vill.”

Laudine’s heart soared like a lark. She smiled at Ulla. “Will you please bring him back to the castle when the hunting lessons are done?”

Ulla nodded as Laudine kissed Lukaz’ smiling, dimpled cheeks.

With a fond farewell and friendly wave goodbye, Laudine left the cottage and headed back across the castle bailey toward le Chateau de Landuc.

****

Ulla observed the dark, wavy locks of the little boy’s bent head as he stroked Vill’s fur.

He longs for the father who rejected him at birth. He’s lonely and vulnerable, with few friends. His Uncle Bastien and Aunt Gabrielle have taken him into their loving home, but he’s too young to play with his older cousins, Gunnar and Haldar. And too big to play with three-year-old Vidar and the babe Ylva. Like me, Lukaz doesn’t fit in and feels closer to animals than people. Well, I’ll introduce him to mine. And perhaps help him lessen the pain.

Ulla motioned for Lukaz to follow her into the kitchen where a wild plum tarte that she’d prepared just for him sat enticingly upon the wooden counter. Laudine told me it’s his favorite dessert. We’ll have a slice later, when we come back from the hunt. She showed Lukaz the nearby bowl, which was filled with Vill’s food. Rasing her eyebrows and gesturing with her hands, she asked the delighted little boy if he’d like to feed her wolf.

“I can feed him? Merci beaucoup, Madame ! Thank you, Lady Ulla!” He gratefully accepted the heaping bowl and sniffed at the contents. “Smells like rabbit. Is that what Vill eats?”

Ulla ducked her chin and replied with a friendly smile. She whistled for her famished wolf, who leapt to his feet and dashed into the kitchen, eager for his morning meal.

Lukaz set the dish on the floor. And Vill dove right in.

Ulla walked over to the oak table where Laudine had laid the finely crafted yew bow. She lifted it up, held it at arm’s length in her left hand, and nocked one of the arrows to get the feel of Lukaz’ new weapon. Lightweight, but strong. The yew wood was supple and flexible. Perfect for a budding young archer. She handed Lukaz his weapon with a hearty nod of approval.

Pride of ownership illuminated his youthful, innocent face.

Vill, who had devoured every last bite in his now-empty dish, sat on the kitchen floor, contentedly licking his chops.

Ulla fetched her own bow and quiver of arrows, chuckling silently as Vill perked up, instantly alert . He knows we’re going outside. He can’t wait to romp in the forest.

With a whistle for Vill and a beckoning gesture for Lukaz, Ulla led them both out the back door of her cottage.

And into the dense Breton woods.

****

Ulla stood behind Lukaz, helping him stand perpendicular to the target she had made and attached to a sturdy oak about five yards away. She demonstrated how to properly hold the bow, nock the arrow, and pull the string back tautly at the level of his eye, keeping his forearm parallel to the ground.

After a few failed attempts, Lukaz released his arrow straight and true, whooping with joy and leaping into the air when it made its mark with a loud, satisfying thwack. “I did it, Lady Ulla! I hit the target!” He threw his arms around her waist, hugging her with gleeful abandon.

As she held the jubilant little boy, sharing his unbridled joy, Ulla’s spirit soared through the sky like her peregrine falcon Finn. He is so proud of himself. Archery may very well be exactly what he needs. I am delighted to teach him my skills.

When Lukaz successfully hit the target several times in a row, Ulla ended the triumphant lesson with silent, positive praise. Clasping Lukaz by the shoulders, she gave him a gentle, encouraging shake, eager nods of approval, and a hearty smile of genuine satisfaction. She then led him up the stone steps into the cottage kitchen, where they left their two bows and quivers of arrows against the wall near the back door. With a grin, she strapped her leather falconry gauntlet to her left wrist, grasped Lukaz by the hand, and dashed back outside to whistle for Vill. When the wolf came bounding through the thicket to join them, she and Lukaz scampered across the castle grounds toward the stables to fetch her Friesian, N?de.

“ Bonjour, Ulla! Argant will saddle your horse, so she’s ready to go. Is Lukaz riding with you today?” Quentin, the Master of Horse at le Chateau de Landuc, tossed his sandy hair over a shoulder with a freckled, friendly grin. He kissed her hand in greeting and tousled the boy’s thick, wavy locks.

Ulla nodded, smiled down at Lukaz, and placed a reassuring hand on his small back.

“Would you like to show the Lady Ulla your foal, Lukaz? The magnificent colt that your grandfather has chosen for you? I’m sure she’d love to see him. He’s a black Friesian, just like Nade.” Quentin chuckled at the lad’s enthusiastic response to his suggestion. To Ulla, he chortled, “Right this way. The foal is with his mare.”

Quentin led a curious Ulla, an exuberant Lukaz, and a cautious Vill to a stable where the Friesian mare nursed her young black foal. The Master of Horse puckered his lips and made reassuring sounds to comfort the mother horse.

“That’s my colt, Lady Ulla! Papi gave him to me.” Lukaz beamed up at her, pride shining in his big blue eyes as he flashed Ulla a gap-toothed grin amid dimpled, chubby cheeks.

“We’ll start training him soon, and you can help me. So he gets used to you right from the start. Then, when he’s old enough to ride, you’ll both be ready. Have you thought of a name for him?” Quentin whistled for the mare to approach, and handed a carrot for Lukas to offer her in greeting.

As she gratefully munched the carrot, Lukaz stroked the mare’s forelock and replied to Quentin’s question. “Mamie said that N?de means ‘grace’ in Lady Ulla’s language. I want to give my horse a Viking name, too.” He glanced up at Ulla, wonder burning in his bright blue eyes. “Will you please help me name him?”

She stroked the soft, wavy locks of the little boy’s dark brown hair and nodded with a delighted smile.

“Perhaps Ulla can write down a few names, and your grandmère— the Lady Laudine—can pronounce them for you. Then you can pick the one you like best.” Quentin affectionately caressed the mare’s nuzzle, and the mother horse returned to her timid foal.

Argant, the capable adolescent groom whose dark hair glistened in the morning sunlight, led a saddled N?de into the grassy clearing before them. “ Bonjour, Madame. Hello, Lukaz. Such fine weather today. Perfect for the hunt. And N?de here is eager to run.”

Quentin ducked his chin in gratitude as he accepted the reins from Argant, who waved goodbye and returned to work in the stables. The Master of Horse then helped Ulla climb into the saddle and hoisted Lukaz up to sit before her. “My wife Rozenn is thankful for the ointment you gave her. It’s eased the unbearable itch of the skin on her stomach. Thank you, my lady. We’re both very grateful.”

Ulla was immensely pleased that her knowledge of herbs and skills as a midwife had helped Quentin’s young, breeding wife. As he headed toward the stables to return to his horses, Ulla urged N?de forward with a squeeze of her thighs and a gentle nudge of her booted heels.

“See you later, Ulla. Have fun, Lukaz. Au revoir !” Quentin waved goodbye as they trotted off, Ulla’s arms wrapped securely around Lukas as she held N?de’s reins, the wolf Vill scampering along at her side.

“Did you like my horse? He’s beautiful, isn’t he? A black Friesian, just like Nade.” Lukas squirmed excitedly in her arms as he turned his torso to look back at her in the saddle. “Will you help me name him? I want him to have a Viking name. Just like your horse.”

Ulla nodded with a grin and hugged Lukas tight. His enthusiasm and youthful exuberance are contagious. And he is absolutely adorable.

Wings like those of a tiny sparrow fluttered in Ulla’s tender heart.

“Are we going to the castle mews now? To get Finn? Mamie said she’s a peregrine falcon. And that you’re allowed to have one because you’re the daughter of a Viking chieftain.” Lukas twisted in the saddle to look at her again with widened, beseeching eyes. “Could I please have a falcon, too? My Uncle Bastien is the future King of Finistère. And my Aunt Gabrielle is a princess. That makes me a noble, doesn’t it? So I could have a falcon, just like you. Do you think Lord Gauvin could help me train one? And then—when my colt is old enough—I could ride him and hunt with you and Vill and Finn?”

Another excellent means for Lukaz to acquire self-confidence and proficiency in vital skills. I’ll train him to become an expert archer. And teach him to hunt.

With bow and arrow. Snares and traps. And a peregrine falcon of his own.

Her expression hopeful yet uncertain, Ulla responded by raising her eyebrows and shrugging her shoulders as if to say, “We’ll soon find out.”

When they arrived at the wooden aviary where birds of prey were housed in the castle mews, Ulla dismounted and lowered Lukaz from the saddle. She tethered N?de’s reins to a nearby shade tree where the horse could graze under a large canopy of leaves, gesturing for Vill to remain at the Friesian’s side and await her return. With a toss of her head, she invited Lukaz to accompany her as she strode up to meet Gauvin, the castle falconer and Lord of the Mews.

“Good day, my lady! Hello, Master Lukaz. Your grandfather mentioned that Lady Ulla would be bringing you on the hunt with her today. Come, I’ll introduce you to her falcon Finn.” The grey-haired Gauvin led them inside the domed aviary where falcons, hawks, and owls perched on wooden branches at different levels inside the expansive mews. “Here she is, all ready for the hunt.”

Finn flapped her broad grey wings and tilted her dark head back and forth in joyful recognition of her mistress.

Ulla strode up to greet Finn, caressing the smooth feathers of the falcon’s compact head. As the predator clamped rapacious claws onto Ulla’s gloved left wrist, she beckoned for Lukas to come forward and meet her beloved bird.

Ulla’s soft whistle informed Finn that Lukaz was a friend, so the falcon allowed him to stroke her fine feathers.

“She does look fierce,” the little boy exclaimed with awe, his limpid blue gaze a deep pool of mystery and wonder. “ Mamie told me that’s what her name means in your Viking language.” Dark brown waves flew from his imploring face as Lukaz spun toward the castle falconer, who watched with a bemused, patient twinkle in his wise, experienced eyes. “Lord Gauvin, could I please have a falcon, too? Then—when my colt is big enough—I can hunt with Lady Ulla and Finn!”

“As a matter of fact, I do have a fledgling here. She’s a peregrine falcon, just like Finn.” Gauvin led a fascinated Lukas over to a small perch where a young falcon was tethered by leather jesses strapped around her ankles. “Here she is. Isn’t she a beauty?” He stroked the fledgling’s head and encouraged Lukaz to do the same. “Did you know the females are the best hunters? They’re much bigger than the males, who are called tercels . The females are more aggressive, too. They’re so fast—they swoop down on their prey and strike like lightning, before it can run away.” Gauvin reached for a leather falconry glove, raising his eyebrows to ask for Ulla’s permission.

She grinned and nodded eagerly, stroking the smooth feathers on Finn’s alert head.

Gauvin strapped the leather gauntlet on Lukas’ left wrist, then coaxed the young falcon onto the awestruck little boy’s extended fingers. “Give her this piece of rabbit meat, so she’ll associate you with food. Every day, when you come here, I’ll have you feed her. Once she trusts you, she’ll be ready to train. In the meantime, you can watch Lady Ulla. She’ll show you how she taught Finn. And soon, your falcon can join in the hunt.”

When the fledgling finished eating, Gauvin eased her back onto the wooden perch and removed the falconer’s glove from Lukaz’ hand. “You and Lady Ulla enjoy today’s hunt. When you bring Finn back here to the mews, I’ll have you feed your little falcon again before you leave.” He bowed his head respectfully to Ulla, who led an elated Lukaz outside to rejoin the awaiting horse and wolf.

She released Finn to soar high above, lifted Lukaz into the saddle, and climbed up behind him. With a distinctive whistle for Vill, Ulla hugged Lukaz tight and galloped off into the Forest of Brocéliande.

****

Finn’s sharp cry preceded her dizzying dive as she seized a rabbit with razor-sharp yellow talons. Vill darted ahead to fetch the prey and returned to drop the quarry at Ulla’s booted feet.

“Finn is so fast! That makes six rabbits. Mamie said you use the pelts to make warm clothes for winter. Is that enough fur for a cloak?” Lukaz watched as Ulla bent to retrieve the rabbit, adding it to the others strapped to N?de’s saddle.

Ulla nodded and motioned for Lukaz to climb onto the horse. She boosted him into the saddle, swung her leg over N?de’s muscular back, and whistled for Finn to return to her gloved wrist. She summoned Vill, nudged her horse, and rode back toward the castle mews.

Lukaz’ gleeful laughter was joyful music to her fragile, healing heart.