The Providence of Yselan - pt. 3/3
The night passed into morning, and when the castle awoke, it was Midwinter, the longest night, and the former lady had disappeared with what was promised to her.
With the solstice upon them, Lady Lulla and the women set about safeguarding the home with common practices and rituals. Protective symbols were placed above doors and on windowsills—evergreen branches and holly—and salt was placed in the four corners of the rooms. Lord Brocwulf lit a fire, and the two young men went to fetch more.[1]
Then, after the day had begun, festivities were held in the castle and across the continent.
They celebrated the shortest day of the New Year and the coming return of daylight, and they celebrated the true start of winter. Nature was quietly renewing its strength, and so were families across the continent. The world was at peace, and people could rest, reflect, and ponder the coming months.
Dinner was lively and Yselan talked herself hoarse. She and Ealhmund had become closer, but it would take time before she and Leofgyth could overcome a sense of awkwardness between them. Sigebeorht and Leofgyth’s marriage was set at the week’s end, and Ealhmund was affianced[2] to Yselan.
A weight seemed to have been taken off Lord Brocwulf’s shoulders, and Sir Petter commented to Wulfric that he had not seen his friend this happy since before he married Tephonia. And Lady Lulla and her husband felt blessed that their sons had become the men they were. And Wulfric was grateful to have witnessed an unexpected family reunion. Perhaps the Commonwealth might flourish again with young men and women like these before him.
And so, the New Year began with a reunion and merriment for all except Tephonia.
Wulfric learned much about married life, and it confirmed for him his deep-rooted disinterest in love. A woman made men lose their good sense and morality. How could Lord Brocwulf have allowed his wife to think murder was right? And how could he have allowed himself to cast away their child? Marriage locked a ball and chain around a man’s neck and removed his ability to put his foot down.
This is why the world is coming apart. Men are unwilling to put their woman in their proper place!
On that New Year’s Day, Sir Wulfric renewed his vow to never marry and shackled himself tighter to the Code. At times it was hard: on cold nights alone and on the eve of battle when death hangs over a man’s head, but he was sworn to the Code, so he would continue to lead a celibate life.
[1] https://open.substack.com/pub/memorymedieval/p/make-your-holiday-feast-more-medieval
[2] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affiance