Raygon waited until the late spring to approach the Crewe house. Matthew was a middleâclass man, a craftsman with steady work and a home far finer than anything Raygon had grown up in. Approaching him was no small thing.
Matthew invited him inside, wiping his hands on a cloth.
âRaygon,â he greeted, cautious but not unkind. âWhat brings you here?â
Raygon swallowed, squared his shoulders, and spoke plainly.
âIâve come to ask for RaeâLynnâs hand⊠when she comes of age.â
Matthewâs brows rose. Nami, who had been tending herbs nearby, paused to listen. The air tightened with the weight of the request.
âYouâre a good lad,â Matthew said slowly, âbut your family are farmers. Hardâworking, yes, but⊠how do you plan to support a wife? My daughter deserves stability.â
Raygon noddedâhe had expected the question.
âThatâs fair,â he said. âAnd Iâve worked for it. Since coming of age, Iâve earned coin sculpting for the lords in the surrounding counties. Enough that I built a houseâsmall, but bigger than yours, Matthew.â He gave a sheepish smile. âNot to brag. Just to show I can provide.â
Matthewâs expression shifted, surprise flickering through his eyes.
Raygon continued, gaining confidence. âIâve also begun making wine. The Lord of Fledling himself has contracted me to supply the castle this summer. Itâs honest work, and it pays well.â
He reached into his satchel and pulled out a box, sealed with care.
âMy finest,â he said, offering it with both hands. âFor you to judge the quality yourself.â
Matthew accepted the bottle, turning it in his hands. Nami stepped closer, curiosity softening her features.
He reached into his satchel and pulled out a dark glass bottle, sealed with care.
âMy finest,â he said, offering it with both hands. âFor you to judge the quality yourself.â
Matthew accepted the bottle, turning it in his hands. Nami stepped closer, curiosity softening her features.
âYouâve worked hard,â he admitted. âHarder than most men your age. And youâve shown respect by coming to us first.â
After another moment of consideration, Matthew extended his hand.
âVery well. We agree to the betrothal, when she comes of age you may take her to wife.â
The ceremony was held beneath the budding branches of an old ash tree, the same tree where generations had pledged their vows. The village elder spoke the traditional words, binding their hands with a braided cord of green and gold.
RaeâLynnâs voice trembled as she said her vows, but her eyes never left Raygonâs. Raygonâs voice was steady, warm, and full of quiet devotion.
The rain ended as suddenly as it had begun, and at first the villagers of Fledling thought it a blessing. After the long, wet spring of 1315, a stretch of dry days felt like a gift.
By autumn, the truth settled over the village like a shadow:
Fledling was sinking into famine.
A few of the elderly passed in the early monthsâthose whose bodies were already frail, who had no reserves left to withstand hunger. But with them was Agustin Bloom and within a year his young wife Lara leaving there 3 children orphans.
RaeâLynn learned to stretch meals in ways she had never needed to before. A pot of stew lasted three days. Bread; while they had grain, was sliced thin enough to see light through it.
They did not complain. They did not ask for help. They endured.
More deaths followed over the next 3 years. Raygons little brother and sister; Kinzahleis (f), and Dillon died in the winter of 1315. Followed by a girl in the village Theresa (Fangmann) in the spring of 1316. Then in the fall Rena; Rae'Lynns baby sister passed. By December her mother followed.
Then the rains came that spring and summer. It was likethey were cleansing the earth. Crops sprouted and the village held its breathe. In Autumn in time for the harvest all the fields were overflowing with crops and the village released it breathe. A celebration was held and everyone showed up. Raygon broke out some of his best wine he had not sent to the castle
For Raygon however the celebration did not last. He woke up that evening with severe stomach pain. It seemed he had drank or ate some tainted food. He clenched his stomach and collapsed beside the bed. Rae'Lynn ran for the healer but it was too late. Raygon had perished without even knowing he was about to be a father.
