Hidden

The saga begins

“My dear this is Timothy, Uncle’s Peter’s son.” Isabella said as she appeared on the corridor.

“Uncle peter?” The man wondered “He has a son alive?”

Now Tom got the message of the story she told him.

“I have been in the Academy for years sire.” Tom lied smoothly.

“Oh, that is great. Which Academy?”

“East Cathedral. I have not been to Fishtown in years.”

“And now he feels Salvar Stringing and Feast are infidelity. Those clergies are taking my little cousin away from tradition.”

“Is that true?” The man, Sir Wellington asked, raising his eyebrow.

“Yes, Sire. We celebrated only Christmas, Easter and Christian feast. I have never seen Salvar Stringing.”

“Salvar deserves to be honored. I thought the Bible says Give honor to whom honor is due. I can’t remember it precisely but that is the message. Salvar is a hero and we are celebrating him tonight in my house. I have guest and I will be glad if you join us for your first Salvar Stringing.”

“Give honor when honor is due: Romans  chapter thirteen Verse seven.” Tom said from an unlocked part of his memory.

“Oh, thank you.” Wellington said.” Same message so honor is due for Salvar.”

“Is my memory failing me, my dear?” Isabella said.

“What is it my dear?”

“Your clothes. This were not the clothes you wore in the morning.”

“Ohh…. I let it go because it a day of celebration. Some young kids poured mud on me and said they did not recognize me. My good friend Edwin let me have some of his clothes.”

“And yours?”

“He gave it out for laundry but I told him to keep it. I should not take back such  things even though I would have to return this.”

Tom could see the assertiveness as he lied. He would not know that she had the clothes hidden somewhere. She did not ask of the horse.

“Very well. Won’t you have lunch before…”

“No my dear. I will have the Salvar Stringing and keep my appetite for Salvar Party. The  Dukes of England, Suthaland, and Syrusis would be attending and I must have an entourage to pick them from the sea port. I better have the stringing fast before sunset approaches.”

“Very well my dear.”

“Are the servants ready?”

“The ad hoc servants are on their way but the cooks are ready.”

“Very well. I should change into my attire. Please get one for Timothy.” He said, turned at Tom, gave him him a smile and said, “welcome to Dransvalle. We shall meet at your first Salvar Stringing and what luck do you have to get your first one in my house.” He walked away/

Making sure he was gone, Isabella moved and kissed Tom.

“You are not just handsome, agile, lovely and able but smart.”

“You knew I was lying all these while.”

“He may have numerous clothes but it would be difficult for me not to recognize his clothes and horse.”

“What is going on?”

“Immediately I set my eyes on you, I knew it was time.”

“Time for what?”

“To have my revenge. Wellington has been cheating on me with an unknown woman. I tried to find out who she is but failed and each time I try to sleep with another man, I chicken  out until I saw a strange young man who swept me off my feet, dressed in my husband’s clothes and riding his horse. When you claimed to be Joseph, who was a young kid who once visited to deliver a letter to Wellington, I knew you must have stolen the clothes and what else would get Wellington naked and give you access to his whole clothes and horse? I am aware he loves going to the farms with a certain lady. I am glad we had it right on his bed, and his pool.”

Tom knew it was the wife of a friend of Wellington called John but he was not going to say that.“Now that you got your revenge, I guess it ends now, right.”

She smiled and kissed him.

“That is the perk of tasting the forbidden fruit. You gave me what I never had, darling. I can’t stop having you right now. Come on, you need to get dressed and I will be moving you to the quarters behind. That will be your place and our secret haven.”

Tom realized that the main building which could be called a castle had a very vast compound behind with smaller buildings, gardens, fields and a massive kitchen where the meals for the members of staff was cooked. There were many servants, and guards . Tom felt he must be one of the richest men around here.

He was taken to a small, beautiful cabin with a living-room , two bedrooms, a study and toilet but there was no kitchen which meant there was no need for it.

“This was my Uncle’s room. He was Wellington’s foreman and Wellington met me through him. He died three years ago so this place is like my family member’s guestroom. You deserve it now. I hope you find it comfortable. The bed will be changed because it does not fit me. Better get dressed while I go and organize the party. Wellington is bad when it comes to organization and he leans on me. See you, darling.” She kissed him again. “We will meet later, and don’t forget your name; Timothy.”

She walked out, swaying her enormous derriere.

Tom puffed out air and moved round the house. He liked it and what attracted him most was the study. He saw a lot of books and realized that he had to study to have a better idea of where he was. But the thought of how he got here and how to eave still lingered.

He removed his clothes and wore the Stringing costume. It was a long, blue colored cloak with embroidery and a big picture of a dragon behind.

There was a knock at the door. He went and opened it and saw Gaius standing with a sets of clothes.

“Madam asked me to bring this for you, sire.”

“Oh, thank you.”

Gaius came in and dropped the clothes on a sofa.

“You are indeed a special relative of Madam.” Gaius said.

“I don’t get it.”

“Madam is a woman difficult to please and even her ralatives fear her. She is their go-to woman but she really likes you.”

“She likes us all.” Tom said studying him. “Maybe because I was away for years. I have not seen her since I was a kid.”

“That is understandable.” He smiled. “I am glad you are here. I will be loyal to you.”

“Thank you.”

Gaius began to walk out then stopped.

“Sometimes, I find it difficult to make a request from her. I hope you would assist me convey some messages.”

“What do you mean?”

“Em..Sire, I m a native of a small village called Yorkshire, just a few kilometers from Syrusis. Unfortunately, my family lost lots of crops due to flood. I mean the entire village and we are suffering right now. King Pius did not respond to our request for assistance because they say we are a minority. They forget that Salvar originated  from Yorkshire but only migrated to Syrusis as Sir Fidel’s apprentice and was naturalized due his to intelligence.”

“You mean he is not from Syrusis?”

“No, sire and a lot of people did not like him. They felt intimidated by his smartness. He invented the WT.”

“What is WT?”

Gaius raised his eyebrows.

“You don’t know a WT?”

“If I knew, I would not be asking you.”

“Water puller. It is a mechanism that pulls water from the well without expending much energy. It is sold all over Europe and made Syrusis famous. He also invented a device that goes…kapoon!” He made a gesticulation that showed explosion.

“So what exactly do you want from Madam?”

“I want Sir Wellington to employ my uncle in his farm. That means coming with his family and that will help ameliorate our sufferings. A lot of people are leaving the village to seek for jobs outside to feed their families. Mt wage can’t do much.”

“What skill do your uncle have?”

“He is a very good farmer. His wife knits and he has three sons and a daughter. They would all be productive. The can build their own house and live. Very hard working people.”

They heard the sound of the bell/

“Oh my God!” Gaius said. “It is time for the stringing. I have to put on my cloak. I am proud of Salvar even if they don’t recognize Yorkshire. Thank you sire.”

He left in a hurry.

Tom went out and walked to the Salvar Stringing gown. He was happy that Isabella had established that he did not know about it so it won’t look strange now.

There were about sixteen young men and new adults there. These were the lucky ones who were privileged to have their Salvar Stringing in Sir Wellington’s house. Each year, he selected a few villagers who either won his archery completion, farming award, bravery award to participate in the Salvar Stringing in his house.

All of the boys wore the cloaks which were different from the ones the poor wore. The material was expensive and the embroidery was done in England and sawn in Syrusis. Wellington loved elegance and class.

The Salvar ground was adorned with low green grasses, bounded by colorful flowers and a well carved sculpture of a man with long hair worn in a pig tail, long thin nose and tight lips. His chest was stout and wore shirt with baggy sleeves. He was in a genuflection position, portraying a fierce warrior holding a sword stuck to the ground and a round object in his other hand.

Immediately Tom saw this image, a sudden flash dazzled his eyes and he closed them. Was that physical? It seemed he was the only one who saw the flash. No, it was not physical but something that nudged his memory. He had seen this statue before. Where did he see it?

He pictured himself in a big room with modern equipment.

Tom Richard! That was a name that rang a bell. He frowned and saw a man saying to him, “I told you that Richard is my name but for hundreds of years we have maintained the family name, Salvar. You are Tom Salvar, okay.”

That was him as a child and he accepted the name, Tom Salvar. That was his father and they had the picture of the portrait in their home. Now he remembered his father saying, “that is youe ancestor, my ancestor, Salvar Benedict The Great.”

“Did you meet him?” Young Tom had asked.

Richard and smiled and sais, “no my boy. I never met him, not my father, nor my grandfather or my great grandfather but we have always preserved history. There are some missing parts of the history that I really want to put together but I have tried all I can but to no avail.”

“Missing parts?”

“Yes. I read through history books, journals from my grandfather but could not get it. You are too young to understand this now but I hope I will put it together one day.”

“Why is he great?”

“He was revered through our Europe and was celebrated for twenty years and then something happened.”

“What happened daddy?”

“I will tell you, my son but not today.”

“Did they stop the celebration?”

Richard had sighed.

“Yes. That is what I want to sort out.”

“Why? Why was he celebrated in the first place?”

“You have not read the book by Smith Davon Titled Salvar and the Dark Dragon. It is not really a children’s story book but you will read it someday. It was about him. He killed the Dark Dragon, a beast that devoured and terrorized the people of Europe for three hundred years. Your ancestor killed it and sacrificed his life. He was considered as the greatest warrior in Europe in his days. He fought the Bavazian war and captured the rebel leader, Cane Frod. He also saved the Princess from the notorious pirate, Drud Mackfort and he was below twenty five years old then. He was born in 1470 and died in 1506. He was just thirty-six. He had three children: David, Simon and Paul. His wife was called Suzana. She was a princess and the daughter of King Pius.”

“Was she the one he saved?”

“Very good my boy. She fell in love with him and the king married her off to him. He was naturalized and became The Baron of Syrusis, the biggest kingdom then. Come on, you have to go to school. So what is your name?”

“Tom Salvar.”

“Good. I love you son.”

“I love you daddy.”

Tom Salvar! That was his name.

The loud sound of the bell brought Tom out of his thoughts. A man dressed like a priest appeared, followed by two young women. He came and stood close to the statue which was placed in front.

Gaius appeared, already dressed in his Stringing cloak. Wellington, flanked by two armed guard appeared, walking majestically as people made way for him. He commanded respect and he seemed to be enjoying every bit of it. His cloak was different. The embroidery was adorned with gold and diamond and the material was pure silk used as the inner material.

“I hope I am not late.” Another man. Also dressed in his Stringing cloak appeared. He was also flanked by two guards. He was short, chubby with a wide side burns and small rattle snake eyes. His cloak was also very expensive and seemed to command a lot of respect too.

Wellington turned and saw the man before he smiled.

“You are punctual my good old friend.” Wellington said. “I feel honored to have you here.”

“Thank you my good friend.”

They embraced.

“How is Isabella?”

“It’s all hunky-dory, John.”

John!

That was the husband of his mistress.

“I hope Rita is fine.”

John smiled and that point, Tom watched him keenly.

“Yes, my friend. She is was out for a horse ride to the farms and now preparing for the night’s party. You know women, that preparation may take hours.”

Both men laughed and the image of Wellington and Rita having s*x in the farm displayed. What a shame!

They walked forward and stood at a point marked with white paints.

“Come on, move to your point.” Gaius said to Tom.

“I don’t get it.”

“Stringing point.”

“Em.. it is my first. Being in the cathedral all my life and you know how clergy men are with certain traditions.”

“Ohhh, okay, come with me.”

He led Tom a point that was marked. The points were like two feet apart and made a semi-circle . Wellington and John took the center positions while the sixteen boys, Tom, Gauis and seven other servants  took position.

The priest was in front of the statue while the two ladies stood by his sides.

The bell jingled and everywhere went silent.

Tom remembered reading about this rite but could not remember the details.

“Hail Salvar!” He said in a deep shaky voice.

“Hail Salvar!” They chorused.

“Hail Salvar!” The priest repeated.

“Hail Salvar!”

“It is another year to remember the Great son of Syrusis!” He went on, “The Baron himself and the lion of the wildest jungle. The one who walks and the sky rumble, the ground crumble and the battleground humble. He stands firm and never stumble; the attacks the enemies with no grumble and he makes the battle field flow with blood and no fumble. The Baron of Syrusis and the warrior of Europe, he gave hope and cut the darkness’s hope. The dragon killer, the peace pillar. He is the dearer and the sealer; The Baron of Europe! He is the light and the fight. The walk and the flight. The cleaner of plight and the one with the eagle sight. We celebrate you, Salvar The Great…time to raise the flag, and stamp the tag, surely you look royal even in your battle rag and you never brag.”

Immediately he said that, many girls came out and began to share a blue flag with the picture of Salvar standing on a dragon. Tom collected his.

“You may raise your flags, please.” The priest said.

They all raised it up and they began to sing

Sal-sal-sal-sal

Sal he had to up there

Dying for us he says my dear

Sal-sal-sal-sal-salvar is rare

Dirty dragon. Oh you dark fire sputter

Now is winter

Your reign is glimmer

Sal-sal-sal-sa-sal

Here comes Salvar

The great server

Now it’s happy, happy time

Gold and diamond in my mine

Take the egg and go away

Can’t you see it is my day

Saaaaaaaaalvaarrrrr!

After the song, each man would come to the middle of the field and a lady seductively dressed would come out and use a string to tie both of his hands and drag him to the statue and he would kneel down. The lady would remove a big piece of meat from her purse and drop it on a tray. The man would eat it with his hands tied. Everyone went through this and Tom could not make any sense out of it. They believed it was spiritual. After that which they called ‘devouring the dragon’ which  the poor used vegetables instead of meat, then they would go before the statue and raise both hands before the lady would rub blue colors on his face while the priest would sprinkle wine on hi s face and the lady gives him a full glass of strong wine to drink.

The poor used locally brewed wine instead of the one Wellington used. After this ritual, the bands men began to play a war song and the men danced with the ladies joining them while they sang the Salvar anthem.

Tom found himself singing along with them and he knew he did not learn the song there but from his past life in the present world. He learnt it from history and it unlocked. After the dancing time, the ladies came in with trays of sweets, dry meat, preserved fruits and they enjoyed.

After the Stringing, Tom felt exited. He was witnessing what he read about and a part of him like shouting that he was a descendant of Salvar The Great but he dared not do that.

After the rites, Wellington gave gifts to every participant and they left. That was not part of the rite but he always loved to show his riches and made everything of his unique.

Tom went back to his room and slept off until to be awoken for the party. It was a party that would begin to unravel the mysteries that the world did not know. This was the beginning of the saga….