The Flower of Klinoch

by Anne Baker
© 2001

 

1

I lay down beside her.

Her eyes were the most beautiful hue of blue that I'd ever seen. I caressed her body, her breathing gentle, as she returned my gaze. A sudden, crackling sound behind me made her start and dart to the far end of the enclosure. She had the eyes of her mother but she could leap like her father.

"Wasting time with those rabbits of yours again Moran? You should be out tending to your fields," said Wallin, my neighbor, approaching me. "I've told you often that the winter will be a hard one and if your no' ready, you'll find yourself eating your beasties and not admiring them so."

"Fear not for me Wallin as I've enough for myself and my rabbits should we have the fiercest of winters," I said standing up and brushing the straw off my pants. "My fields may look modest but the yield shall yet surprise you."

"You'll learn young lad," he said shaking his head, "Not farming in the traditional ways shall cost you dearly. Your experimentations will leave you hungry and then you'll see the errors of your ways."

"On the contrary, venerable Wallin. My techniques shall bring prosperity and hope once more to our folk," I replied confidently.

"Ahh, young friend. That's where you are wrong. These troubled times we are living are a direct result of folk like you who turn their back on the traditions of our great past," he said in a lecturing tone. "Continue your games, for they are no more than games. I, however will seek our lost greatness where legend says it has always been."

"It's a future I want, not the past," I repeated to him for the hundredth time.

"The future comes from the past young Moran. And if you want a future you'll honor tradition. And speaking of tradition, I want to see you in a fortnight with the rest of us at the Klinoch Bush. We need to be all together as one, in hopes that it will flower this year."

With that, Wallin turned and walked away down the path towards the village, mumbling something I couldn't make out.

"Go on old man, go back to your time of conjurers and legends. I, and those like me, will build for the future." I thought to myself as I turned back my attention to the rabbits.

 

2

I don't know why it was never thought of before but it seemed so logical to me at the time.

If you want to have a rabbit that jumps far, then you mate a male and a female with like characteristics and, given enough generations, the trait you seek becomes dominant and predictable. Granted, sometimes you can have surprises along the way - like rabbits with blue eyes.

It was the same with my fields. I would choose the seeds for the next year's planting from the largest and most robust of my crops. The results were noticeable in the increase in yield.

Those who thought like me would come to my house in the evening for ale and we would share or discuss methods of planting. Take my other neighbor Jentle. He had noticed that by changing the field in which he planted his oats and other crops in from year to year seemed to improve the soil.

This was so important because although we were blessed with the most beautiful of lands, the soil was poor and our crops were difficult to raise.

Wallin however had nothing but disdain for our aspirations.

It is true we were once a great and powerful people. It is true that our kingdom reached out across the seas. But those days had ended long ago when our ability to support our power eroded like the soil. Thankfully our people did not grow and rule by terror, so when our influence waned, our neighbors never sought revenge but instead co-existence.

We saw no shame in our lot. If we were to be a peace loving people of modest power then so be it.

Those who, like Wallin, remembered the glory of our past could not so easily forget however and the beckoning of riches once known still sang in their hearts.

We sought the future. Wallin sought the past. The deep, dark past which, it is said, first gave us our strength and glory in a time long past.

Our ageing herbalist, historian, alchemist, call him what you will, was convinced that something, somewhere in our land held to key to reclaiming that power.

He enjoyed his position of counselor against ills and evils. His home was grand by our means and he had the grudging respect of all, in spite of his old ways. For when it came to ills that befell us, he often could chase them away. However, the future he could not understand.

He was also known for his solitary treks throughout the land looking for clues to our past. Old houses he would visit and scrolls he would read. He also had the largest collection of fighting shields in the land which he would show us during days of celebration.

"Look upon these shields," he would say, "For they tell of a time of strength and power that we once had and that we shall have again!" These words could not be heard without the stirring of memories and ambition once lived. This was one of the few links with our past that we permitted ourselves and no one could champion it better than Wallin.

 

3

Our other great link with our past was the Klinoch Bush. In fact our village was built around it and, it is said by those with a passion for such knowledge, that it is situated in the very center of our land.

As far as plants went it was not exactly much to behold but it was the symbol of who we were as a people. It would stay green and not lose a branch through the foulest of winters and it stood, despite its rather small size, always proud.

But what made its recent importance in our lives was that it had not flowered in many a year.

In our days of greatness, it was the most beautiful flower in existence. The flower graced our soldier's shields, its petals our new-borns and dying. It found it's way into our medicine, into our art and it defined our spirit.

But from the time the flower appeared no more, it seemed that we were sinking into a life of simple survival. No longer did we know power and expansion. No longer did we create works of wonder and awe.

We were. That was all.

We thought ourselves wise in the ways of the soil. I have already alluded to the talents I possessed and those who thought as I did. Try as we may however, we could not coax a solitary flower to appear though driven by the need to succeed.

For it was said by all, that the day the Klinoch Bush once again bloomed, we would once again be a great people. And it was also said that should someone bring forth flower from the Klinoch Bush, then that person would lead and be followed.

So in a fortnight we would all come to gather round the Klinoch Bush in solemn hope that the flowering day would come soon and that the person who would lead us would come forth.

 

4

"Wallin, thank you for your stop over." I called out. "Come to admire my crops have you?"

The old man came closer and said to me in a cheery voice. "Young Moran, it's a gift I share with you today. For tomorrow I feel that we will be blessed with hope of better days to come."

I took his offering, a small vial and said to him "Do you mean to say that tomorrow the Klinoch Bush will flower again!" I said almost breathlessly.

"Oh, people say I'm very wise. I will just say that I'm wise enough not to tempt fate," he chuckled. "I bring you a sample of my latest cider. Please taste it. I wish to know, from a man who is clever with the fruit of the earth whether I can bottle up a cider so sweet as to make the angels dance!"

I poured the contents of the vial into my mouth. A sweetness I had never tasted engulfed my mouth. "I believe dear Wallin, that the Angels will also sing as they dance. This nectar is of a sweetness and delight that I have never known."

The old man smiled, "It's what I hoped you would say my clever young friend. It's from a text of old that the recipe I did take and the words that you spoke are those the text said you would speak."

"It brings onto me a feeling of warmth in my bosom," I said still savoring the drink in my mouth. "Would it be offensive for me to ask of you for a larger vessel of this sweet drink to help me through the long winter you predict." I said with a sly wink to my old neighbor.

"I don't believe you will have the need of more," said Wallin with a noticeable change in his tone. "Just be at the Klinoch Bush with all the others tomorrow and, with a little luck, great times will return to our people.

 

5

My sleep of that night was one that I had never lived before. I felt new experiences in my mind which frightened yet soothed me. The knowledge of my being was inexplicably shifted from the known to the unknown. From the rugged to the soft. From the seed to the egg.

 

6

The next morning I started my day with little memory of my fitful sleep of the night before. However aches resided in my body as if I had done in a day, the harvest of my own fields and also that of Jentle.

It was with some difficulty that I made my way to the Village Square.

Upon my arrival I noticed things were proceeding in a manner unknown and that there was much commotion in the gathered crowd. It was to be the day where my life changed forever more.

My pains were growing as I made way to the Klinoch Bush. As I approached the crowd was almost in a frenzy. To better understand what was about, I tucked up the stairway to the home of my friend Selnan.

Selnan was from an old family - old enough to be amongst the first to realize the importance to our lives that the Klinoch Bush would have. The house they had built so long ago was such that it would always have the finest view of the Klinoch Bush.

"Pray Selnan," I cried out. "What is about that such a crowd be so thrilled? Has the Bush borne a flower?" I asked, trying to breathe normally despite the pain in my chest.

"See for yourself," said Selnan. "The answer is there."

I looked over the rail at the Klinoch Bush and the crowd around it. Then I knew what force had stirred the crowd. The flower of the Klinoch Bush was again to be seen and the proud upright pose that Wallin assumed left no doubt that it was he that folk should now follow.

Now lest ye think that the Bush had sprouted forth the long awaited growth, it was the flower which adorned our proud shield that stirred people's passion.

For encircling the Bush, Wallin had laid out his entire collection of warrior shields. The shields were overlapping one another and the image that spiraled outwards accentuated the repetitive pattern of the flower. The effect was awe-inspiring as it was only the finest of craftsmen who were permitted to reproduce the image of the Klinoch Bush and its flower.

"The message is clear!" shouted Wallin in a clear voice. "The flower will only grow again when we stop trying to redefine ourselves and when we return to our old and valiant ways. We must rebuild our armies and resume our conquests. Only then will the Klinoch Bush reward us with flower. For that is what it is. A reward for blood and sacrifice."

The crowd went wild with a newfound fervor. It was a brilliant tactic for one who wished to renew with our past.

I hated Wallin for what he was now doing but on the other hand I felt somehow that Wallin alone could only help me in the suffering that my body was now causing me.

I started to go down the stairwell to the Village Square but a great confusion overtook me and I fell into a stupor.

 

7

"Moran. Moran, can you hear me child?" The voice came through to me and I opened my eyes slowly.

"Moran, if you can hear me it is I, Wallin. You fell ill on a visit at Selnan's and he brought you here to me for comfort and treatment."

I looked around and saw I was indeed at Wallin's. The room was cluttered with volumes and reeked of potions. I seemed free of the pains which had been afflicting me but curiously different in my being.

"Don't worry dear girl, you'll be up and about by morning."

"Wallin, why did you refer to me as a girl?" I moved my hands over my body and realized that he spoke the truth.

"Of what force and with what reason have you done this to me?" I shouted with all the strength I could allow.

"Now child, you mustn't react so. Your body has undergone the greatest of changes. For your own sake stop thrashing about," he said gripping me with a hold stronger than I would have expected from an old man.

I stopped moving as per his instruction.

"You did this to me with that sweet nectar. Why did you do a thing most foul upon one who considered you a friend?" I asked still trying to understand.

"My wisdom and my instinct have guided me," he answered softly. "As we speak, men across the land are preparing to wage battle to regain the glory we once knew. My wisdom and my instinct allowed me to set the stage for such a play to act itself out. I will lead these men as I will lead our land with our glory as our reward. That glory will be the true apparition of a flower on the Klinoch Bush."

"But why have you done this to me?" I yelled out. "The glory of our land is noble and something to honor but why have you changed me to the form and sex of a maiden? How can I be of honor then?" I cried. Salty tears were streaming done my cheeks and my voice was so different to what was my custom.

"I spoke of my wisdom and my instinct," Wallin spoke to me again. "I know my vision to be the one we must follow and to secure it, I have to remove all obstacles. You, young Moran, were the one person who could stop me. You are, or should I say were, held in council for your unique views and novel ideas. That was a danger to my leadership which I could not allow."

"But you answer me not!" I shouted again. "Why this change of my body to that of a maiden?"

I could bear his discourse no longer. My hand lashed out but again I was seized by the firm grip of a man. My maiden's strength was no match for his. He then did something which completely took me aback. He kissed me. A small kiss on the forehead but a kiss just the same.

I could not speak such was the surprise so great.

"Moran, you know our laws prevent us from killing our own. I needed a way to remove your interference and to signal my strength. What better way of signaling my strength to the other men of our land than by demonstrating the power of emasculation and by taking you as my carnal vessel."

I was too horrified by what he was saying to speak.

"There is another reason. Do you know what it is?" he asked as he started to touch my body with his wrinkled hand.

I shook my head violently and restrained my urge to become physically ill.

"Your mother," he said stroking my now uncovered breast.

"My eyes had never seen so delicious a creature as her."

I sobbed as he continued, "Her beauty was beyond reproach and the one sadness I have ever known was not having made my bed with her. You have her eyes, you have her hair and now you have her body.

 

8

There was a call throughout the land for men to prepare for the battles to come. There was also word of the great powers that Wallin now demonstrated. To a man, all followed the orders laid out by Wallin.

The shame brought about me was so great that it affected my soul. Being transformed from man to maiden was something I could still not bring myself to understand or accept, but at least I was still alive and this body was now my temple.

It was the way that Wallin used this new body of mine for his own pleasure that brought me the shame I now felt. For with the disgust I felt by his actions on me, that there were also those fleeting moments of intense pleasuring that took me by surprise.

I was powerless to resist, as I had not the physical strength to defend myself. As well, Wallin insisted on a guard being at his side at all times for his protection. "From evil forces from afar or from within," was the way he described it.

By day Arla, sister of Jentle, assisted me in the ways of women. It was she that comforted me the first time I felt the ravages of the monthly curse known to all women. She made me aware of the mannerisms and customs of women when amongst themselves or in the company of men.

Needless to say my communication with the men of our village ceased altogether save for the exception of Jentle who took over the care of my lands. I retained however my rabbits and my flowering garden.

Oddly enough, I was not a prisoner in the strict sense of the word but my new social status closed many doors that were previously wide open.

I spent most days with Arla and most nights with Wallin; both making me more and more aware of my womanhood.

Arla kept badgering me in my manner of dress, "Moran, it bewilders me why you refuse the dress of a young maiden of breeding the way you do."

"I find more comfort in the clothes I wear thank you very much." I would always reply.

"But the tunic does nothing for your figure, dear Moran," she would chide me "And your skirts are as such as for working in the fields."

"Arla, my dear friend. You are so good to me but you cannot feel how I feel about all this. I am wearing the clothing of my new sex out of necessity not interest. I have no reason to dress other than I do. I would not even wear skirts were it not for the ease of dealing with the monthly bleeding."

"Ahh, but Moran, what you are missing is the delicate nature of our sex and that may help you be happier than you are now. From what you told me, Wallin cannot undo the effects of this sorcery and you will live out your life as Maid Moran rather than Master Moran. You should learn to accept the fineries that give us joy and the feelings we know as women. Besides, you may wish to attract a younger man when Wallin is no more?"

"After Wallin there will be no more," I said defiantly as I walked faster down the path towards my rose bushes.

"Has the old man come to mean something for you to say that?" asked Arla as she ran to catch up with me.

"Oh no, not at all," I answered without regret. "I shall have no other man soil me in the manner of Wallin. No one!" I dropped to my knees and started to prune the rose bush.

 

9

Two winters passed before people began to wonder if they had chosen the right path. Our land became embattled against our neighbors on two coasts. Years of peace had softened our men so much that they were no longer the fierce warriors of old. With a poor last harvest, the winter had been difficult. Wallin's insistence of returning to the old ways of tilling the soil were disastrous. My experience told me that we could not survive another winter without a famine.

No one however challenged the authority of Wallin for fear of sharing my fate.

I had learned much the last two years. The most important thing was the acceptance of myself in my new form. In my mind I knew myself to be the same Moran I had always been throughout the first 19 years of my life. I had lived those 19 years well, worked hard and been chaste. That helped I believe accept certain things that were now becoming a part of my new life.

The only carnal touches I had experienced were those felt by a woman from a man. As old and unsavory as Wallin was, he was still a man and, on the odd occasion, he did manage to elicit quite pleasurable sensations. I must admit to conversations with Arla where the touch of a younger man was often the subject.

Arla had also convinced me, over a period of time, to accept the fine feminine apparel that was available to me. Being dressed in an elegant manner, I found was a nice way to bolster my morale and I became quite enchanted with the silken articles of intimate wear. They were procured by Wallin to try and win my favor.

On joyous occasions when we used to permit the luxury of minstrels and jesters, Arla and I would regale in the wearing of intricate silken leggings and tight-waist bodices. My ample bosom was forced upwards and outwards giving a spectacle to the young men in our company. Thankfully Jentle was usually close by to protect our virtue. However at times like that, my guise also gave thought to Wallin and to my distaste, he would seek my company for his bed.

There was many a moment that I thought of escape but the only true way to be free was to rid our land of the doom that Wallin was sure to bring.

Then, on the first day of spring, I had an idea that I knew to be the only one this fair maid could give to save her land.

 

10

Arla had shown me the art of embroidery during the long winter months. Before long I had stitched the image of a pink rose and, once satisfied of the result, I proceeded to adorn all my clothing, hats and handbags with the image of this solitary pink rose against a green background.

Arla was the first to notice, "My dear Moran, I must say you've taken to the needle well. Had I known however that you would festoon your clothing with a rose as your personal symbol, I would have said you could ask for my help."

"In which way?" I asked demurely.

"Well, a pretty flower it is but it is not the perfect rose it should be," she said trying to be helpful. "With a little work, we could correct it."

"Arla," I answered, "I take kindly to your words but believe me this flower looks exactly as I intended it to look. I do not wish to change a stitch."

Soon most everyone knew that my flower was my symbol. The hardest part of my plan was yet to come however.

 

11

"Wallin, can I join you in your bed this evening?"

It sickened me to ask for I knew all too well his answer.

"Sweet maiden," he said in surprise. "You thrill me in that this is the first time you have made this approach to me. Does that signal things will be different between us from now?"

"Yes, Wallin, from this night forwards, things will be different."

At one moment during our carnal tirade later that night, I actually marveled at the old man's resilience for I was releasing myself to him as normally only a young, virile man could endure. Even the ever-present guard left the room when I began to use my mouth to satisfy the old man's raging loins.

However I did succeed in time to break the old man's strength and he floated off into a very deep sleep. I could not permit it that the old man would need my body for the rest of the night. For had he come to me in my bed again later that night, he would have found it empty.

 

12

"Moran, you're very late," whispered Jentle as I met him later that night. "Do we proceed with your plan?"

"By all means yes, Jentle. Should anyone come near me during my mission, you must hurt them with all the means you have. I must succeed as I fear we have but one chance at what I must do."

I kissed him briefly but with emotion and proceeded to the Klinoch Bush.

 

13

All had gone as well as it could and now the only thing I could do was wait until the fateful day.

 

14

Throughout the spring, I presented myself with greater assurance in the village and word began to travel that Wallin's wench, as I was known in some circles, had been taking to rebelling Wallin's dominion over me. They were correct.

It was a dangerous game for I could have been banished from the land at any moment and, if from then I would fall captive to our enemies, I would never be heard from again.

Wallin, however, was convinced that my nightly sessions in his bed meant more than they did so he chose to turn a blind eye to my indiscretions saying merely that "A little rebellious woman can only inspire me rather than harm me."

It was still a fortnight until the gathering around the Klinoch Bush but as per tradition, guards were already in place to prevent access to the symbol of our land. I was still a fortnight away from knowing whether I had saved my land or doomed it.

 

15

"Milady," said the guard, "Are you leaving early to be closest to The Bush?"

"Why yes," I answered, "I wish to be very close. See that Master Wallin leaves on time."

Selnan's words had encouraged me enough to send Jentle out in the night to ride to the position of battle to speak to our enemy's leaders. I couldn't sleep in anticipation of what could be a glorious day.

When I arrived, I noticed I wasn't the first at the gathering. People had already gathered in small groups and greeted me as I started to walk around the Bush seeking signs that my plan would work.

Things did not bode well.

The crowd thickened throughout the morning and then Wallin arrived with his men. He looked at me curiously as he approached me.

"My friends," he began after taking his place in the crowd. "I fear that we may meet with deception today for the flower is not to be seen. However, I believe that this is the beginning of a new campaign that will bring us greatness. It will bring us prosperity!"

His tone intensified in an attempt to raise the spirits of those disappointed by the lack of flowering of the Bush. "We are fighting battles now which we will win because our shields carry our symbol. The symbol we seek today is already with us in battle!"

A shriek pierced the air then a rumble started in the crowd which left Wallin at a loss for words.

"You are wrong Wallin," I shouted from the top of Selnan's stairwell. "Our cherished symbol is not far away in battle. It is here with us. NOW! Good people I invite you to look at the flower brought forth from our dear and venerable Klinoch Bush. It is the same flower you have seen adorning my apparel since the beginning of spring."

The crowd rejoiced and gave cheer as one, "MORAN, MORAN, MORAN..."

"Good people," I continued "As I speak to you, some of our finest sons are at this moment meeting with our enemies. I am sure they will convince them that the misguided leader we have had these last three years is solely responsible for the curse of warfare we are living. It is must be our sole intent to resume being the good friends we have been for so long before this tragedy befell us."

I looked over at where Wallin was with his supporters. I was not saddened when I saw his crumpled figure fall to the feet of his closet advisors, obviously a victim of his own poison.

 

16

"My Queen, the ambassador awaits your call," the courtier said.

"Tell him I will receive him when I have finished consulting with my council."

As soon as the door was closed, I continued my description of what encouraged the Klinoch Bush to finally bring forth flower after so long.

"So by taking the branch of a strong rose bush alive with buds and slicing it to expose its lifeblood, I mated it to a similarly prepared branch of the Klinoch Bush. The two stems now joined, I applied some special growth stimulant that I have found to have positive effect on my rose bushes. A simple cotton wrapping which had been soaked in tree gum made an effective splint and allowed the two branches to grow into one. It was then only a matter of waiting for the bloom of the Klinoch/Rose flower. Now that the first flower is out, the Klinoch Bush should be able to return to its natural cycle of flowering."

"Incredible."

"Amazing."

"We must pray the heavens above."

"That is all well and good, fine sirs, however we must encourage this new thinking and get to work immediately if we are to have food for the winter."

"Immediately your Majesty."

"Oh, and before you go, please have it be known that Master Jentle will join me on the throne as we shall wed as soon as can be arranged. Lady Arla will be overseeing the arrangements."

"Your Majesty brings us yet more joy." The men bowed and withdrew.

I turned to Jentle who had begun to approach me.

"Do you wish me to allow the ambassador in your Majesty?" asked the courtier once again.

"No, tell him that I will see him tomorrow at the end of the day. I have private matters for your future King."

 

The End

 

 

 

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© 2001 by Anne Baker. All Rights Reserved. These documents (including, without limitation, all articles, text, images, logos, compilation design) may printed for personal use only. No portion of these documents may be stored electronically, distributed electronically, or otherwise made available without express written consent of the copyright holder.