On the run (again)

It was another frosty night near the mountains. The conifer trees were dark and still. Owls were quiet.  Near dawnbreak, my restive sleep heard a tapping. I fully awoke under my covers and peered toward the sound. It seemed to come from my outer window pane which was mostly frosted over. The tapping persisted but I couldn't locate it.

Then shivers and horrors! A bony hand was hanging down the upper pane. A pallid, long bony fingered hand outside was tapping upside down on the frosted glass.

A feeling was rising in me. Certain dread and horror. I recognized that hand. It is from my sister, my twin-I thought we buried  her last year a thousand miles away. I am alone in the room. Others are upstairs sleeping in another part of the rock built house. Screams would not be heard through the rocks. I gulped. My body registered panic.

This is my twin coming to say hello. This will only mean I am haunted or will be. Chills find me under my covers. What do I do next? Try to be calm.

Listen. About my twin, my sibling. We were born into a royal family. We had resided in a small principality. Political stability was often fleeting. But royalty should not run.

Short years before our birth, our principality arranged to live in coexistence with a neighboring state. It was approved by our Lord and the other, an aging regent. For a while, some peacefulness, growth and trade prevailed. But their regent was aged and soon after died. The new leader, something of an upstart, was ambitious. He wanted expansion. So he soon raised an army of young men and cavalry, and and then without a note of warning invaded our borders and countryside.

Our principality is not a military state. It is arranged by politics. Shortly, after the invasion started our state found itself unprepared to offer much resistance. Our parents had to flee and have been on the run since. They could not afford to bring many personal items or royal jewelry. They sought out succor or shelter anywhere including the forests.They had a small troupe to help look out for them and scout for places and keep an eye on the pursuers.The enemy were not refined people. They were almost barbaric and not hampered by moving through the wilds.

However, it soon became apparent the queen was pregnant. No place was stable to rest at. They would have to continually keep running. Something unexpected developed. Perhaps it was due to the physical activity, but we were given birth early. Scouts had located an unused chalet and our parents repaired the party there.

By nightfall, labor was upon my mother. A few of the troupe remained to help, stand watch and be witness to the events about to unfold.

Just before midnight, the first daughter was born in frosty conditions, there was little swaddle available. In labor again, close to sunrise the second daughter was born. Then an assistant barged in and said the enemy scouts were close. They had to quickly pack up and leave.

In the haste, the mother named the first born, Brambles. The second born was named Yew.  Brambles had come out with dark brown hair and eyebrows, she had unusually large dark eyes. Her body was a bony constitution with a lot of topical blood.

Yew was a little more fuller, green eyes, wheat colored eyebrows and hair. Had occasional giggles that burbled up at times.

But as they grew up, the family as always relocating to friendly abodes if possible or stayed outdoors. Fortunately, the children seldom protested and seemed to enjoy outdoor experiences and learn from them and how to relate to creatures and plants.

Later on, a helper came and said the family will have to split in order to ensure some member would survive. The queen, the mother, told the twins before they parted that they should not expect people from here on out to address them by titles like milady or highness. This included stewards, maids, cooks, every staff and the staff or people of other locales. That they were refugees now from their land and it would be enough just to go by their names, no appellations and that would help keep them inconspicuous from those hunting for them. She told them this would be time of danger and wariness.

Nothing felt royal about this livelihood. Separated but trying to be brave, the twins were passed around to friendly families the scouts had arranged. Most families tried to help fill in their education that they would be missing. In free times, the twins liked to dress each other, play or talk about their situation in private. When situations permitted, the twins learned horseback riding.

One day Brambles was exhibiting odd airs. Brambles felt heated, usually she was cool. A family friend told Yew that the mother also had odd behavior at times. She did things through her will or mind like move objects, change local weather and streams and did some fortune telling. May be this was passed on to Brambles and perhaps Yew.  Yew opined why she could not do demonstrable things like her mother or Brambles. She was told that she could, it was just her talents lay differently than others and that she had the ability to bring calm and focus. Not the same as the others but still a passed on talent.

The twins spent time alone, not everyone could spare time to be with them. At times when people spoke to Yew she got these uncontrolled giggles. Most people didn't think much of that and thought it was cute.

The birthdays for the twins was usually quiet. Times were tense and resources for providing gifts was tight. Twins enjoyed what attention they would get and taught themselves to be tolerant and not expect much for their birthdays, despite being royal. They understood the circumstances.

A couple years later, Brambles started a rough puberty. Often in pain that she tried to hide. But she was bloody every day with some parts of her were rivulets of running blood. She at times looked miserable with her sunken cheeks and dark hair and let us know.  She often wore a tabard. We both had a host of skin diseases as we grew after our puberty.

Exasperated at her plight, Brambles, to our alarm took to holding her breath too long. Afterward, she would detail how she could hear her laboring lungs and heart. It gave her satisfaction she had influence on something. At times she would concentrate to stop the heart beating. She said after a minute she thought she could hear voices far off or dimly in her head. Eventually, she had to breathe. But she said she could make the episodes last a little longer each time when applying will power. She said she felt less and less like other people, that they did not relate to their innate abilities while she would.

It was noticed when they walked in the forests that Yew had ease in being with various creatures. With Brambles, she seemed to gain very few confidences with most encounters and they looked at her sideways. Yet there were a few species that she could make positive connections with.

Yew was affable and friendly when given an opportunity, Yet she kept close watch on Brambles who spoke less often and seemed more to be developing some inner concentration. Some offered that she might be having esoteric thoughts. Yew tried to gently pry to what Brambles thoughts were but the twin was reticent to share outright but at times described arrangements out of normal that she sensed.

Yew thought if the opportunity ever arose, Brambles should converse with a philosopher about the thoughts. At times Brambles talked with a soothsayer about the thoughts if she could locate one, she kept the conversations to herself.

At times, the twins were caught having involved discussions on life and things. Yet, Brambles tended to be emphatic that her personal experiences were almost unique. No one else talked about what she experienced. There were times when Brambles would have explosive  episodes  of anxiety. Just go on and on ranting for hours even half a day. If Yew was there, she could calm her down and Brambles would lay her head on Yew's shoulder.

One day the twins were told to join with others and ride north to a possible meeting with their parents that they have been separated from for so long. The twins were then almost twenty years of age. Those who accompanied them for the trip were armed, they noted.

After passing through several forests, they arrived at a meadow and there were told to wait. After a while another party appeared on the opposite side of the meadow. A member remarked, "that must be them".  They rode out toward the other party. 

Suddenly there was a yell from  another forest edge. Horsemen brandishing swords dashed out toward the meeting parties. The parities were all quickly enmeshed in skirmish. Then from the same trees, horsemen with bows and arrows arrived. They launched many arrows from their quivers as they rode in. Arrows were flying everywhere.

Some royal members were hastily trying to remove the twins from the melee.  Swords were flashing and arrows flying near the twins. Arrows zipped past Yew. She turned to look for Brambles. Brambles was on a slope in the midst of sword fighting. She was swiveling in every direction. Then she saw an arrow strike Brambles. Brambles responded by flinging out her arms to everyone and yelling. She did not seem to notice that she was hit. Yew, to her dismay, saw blood flinging out all over the ground. Fighters were trying to avoid being near her. Brambles  madly dashed about spitting blood  for seemingly long time. Finally, she stood  gazing about for a moment and then collapsed. The battle quickly wore down to a standstill. Not a clear outcome if one was planned except to banish the royal family.

Midday after, members with Yew rode forth to identify their members. A few came out with Yew to find Bramble's body. It was very red and she lay still. No arrow was found despite what Yew reported. Members with Yew told Yew to go back and rest up, that they would detail the burying of Brambles.

So Yew took it for granted that Brambles was attended to properly by the party.

So now here she is. Shocking and catching me totally unprepared. What do I do?

Tapping persisted at the same pace.

Taking a deep breath, I rose from my covers, the cool room added shock to the situation.  I slowly walked over to the widow and peered at the hand. I arched my neck and I could see a little more of the arm above. It appeared pale and scratched. I guess I had to make a decision, and possibly a fateful one. She is my twin I told myself.

Slowly and thoughtfully I went to the door to my room. A little nerve but I opened it and waited. First in was the cold air. Could anything be colder?

A moment later, she appeared in the night and walked on the untrodden snow toward me.

She came to the threshold and stopped. Her brown eyes stared at me. I cringed inside.

I moved aside and motioned her to enter. She did and I shut the door behind her.

It was quite cool in the room to me. I wanted to heat it but her stare seemed to hold my motion. She just stared and stared.

"Hello sister." I said.

"Hello." She quietly responded with round eyes.

"Happy to see you.", I said.

"Likewise.", she replied. "And shouldn't we always be glad to be with each other?"

I quietly swallowed. I closed the distance and gently embraced her. Could a rock feel any colder?

"You left me in the melee, my sister. It almost cost me. Why?"

"I didn't want to leave you, Brambles. Others swept me away at that instant although I had my eyes peeled to you, I could not resist them. Please understand I did not want to leave you."

"But I was left, I don't know, next I found myself under dirt. I had to struggle for a long time to break free from it. It cost me, sister. Why was I left that way?'

"We thought you were dead. I saw an arrow strike you and after a bit when we got to you, it was as if you weren't moving at all."

A short laugh. "You mistook my condition. I was merely holding my breath again. The situation seemed to warrant it to me to trick any enemy."

"Sorry Brambles, I have not gotten use to discerning that condition you bring on and we were in a hurry to quit the field. I just didn't have time to look more closely."

A long breath, "We are sisters." was all she said and let the pronounciation hang there in the air.

"Are you well? You look whole.", I offered feeling awkward.

"I may be well, but I feel it cost me dearly. I don't feel the same at the moment."

"Do you feel you could eat something?"

"I might. You are my sister.", she said and then closed in and hugged me,

I breathed, her hug felt just a little more normal. Maybe things might get better.

We wandered into a small kitchen. I started to make some paddies. There wasn't much available at that predawn hour.

While she watched, she asked, "How long have I been gone?"

"About a year." I replied.

"It was so different when I broke free. No one was around except some bodies. I had no one to talk to. No one in sight. I had no clue where to find you. But I started searching.  It was arduous. I tried to find footprints but it's hard to do on rocky soil. I was not prepared to do this but I had to find you, my twin. Over time I slept in the wild, in gullies, sheds, corrals, underbrush. I had to forage for myself. I had no training in this. I tripped over roots, rocks, holes at least in the dark. I did not know where you had repaired to, I assumed it was not back where we came from. I tried to ask some locals if they heard of you or saw a troupe roving by. A couple said they did at times but it didn't really help toward finding you. I did learn something, sister. We are not so widely known in the lands as one might think. When I offered our name, many had no idea to whom the name applied."

"Another odd thing", Brambles said, "during my stay out in the nature, at some nights I saw unexpectedly long white lines come down from the stars all the way to the horizon. I was perplexed at the sightings. And the odd thing is that it was occurring more frequently each night. And I felt I detected some kind of hum in the air seemingly all night long which ceased at each dawn break. I didn't know what to make of that. Perhaps I should consult some expert." Brambles took on a distant, thoughtful gaze for a moment.

"So, anyway" Brambles asked, "for the truncated duration of our reunion, did you get to be with our parents then or after?'

Yew replied, "No. The situation there was fluid and there could be arranged no further time. The vandals tore us asunder before we could even get in shouting distance of each other. After that fiasco, I have tried again but no hint of contact of them. I don't even know how they fare or even if they are alive. No clue has been forthcoming."

Brambles sighed heavily, "So much lost and so little time. What is to become of all of us, I wonder."

A shuffling sound came to the kitchen. It was a courtier. She said, "I smelled cooking. Rather early in the morning...!'

She stared at the back of the thin, dark woman whose back was to her.

"Brambles?  Brambles? Brambles! Your are back!", she exclaimed. She turned into

the hall to announce that but Yew with a motion silenced her. "Brambles needs a little time to readjust being back. She had a hard journey. So let's not rush her reunion for a moment."

The courtier then said, "After you eat, Brambles, we have a hot tub back further inside this building and you can go in and take a wonderful bath for as long as you like. I will try to find something the right size to fit when you are done. It looks like you lost a little weight while you were out but I will find a fit."

When the food was ready, Brambles went to a small table and sat down. The plate was brought to her and she ate with Yew.

When the breakfast was done, Yew offered Brambles a walk outside so she could acquaint herself with the present surroundings. She said that here it could snow at night and be mostly gone by midmorning. They walked out hand in hand and a little later just side by side. "Oh my!" exclaimed Brambles, "This is much more like a sculpted garden! When I came at night I thought is was just bushes encircling the house. But I see now it is almost sculpted like a maze with separated brush and rose bushes. So, whose place is this and how long have your been here?"

"This is Yaza's abode but they are gone now to another place for a while. So we are allowed to occupy it for a while. We have been here just about three months.", Yew replied.

"Hmmm, do we know them? asked Brambles.

"Not directly" replied Yew. "I gather they once knew our parents before we were born. I think one of our courtiers knew they were in this area and scouted ahead and made arrangements for us. The Yaza family had departed before we showed up. I think in regards to politics, the Yaza are not much involved with our family history, kind of just remained neutral. The Yaza family has at least three generations of occupancy at this locale their staff had informed ours. When you look around it does seem a little remote or out of the way."

"Do they own the land?', Brambles queried,

"Apparently for as long as they have been here.", Yew replied. "They have only four acres and part of it is a small orchard but they have free range of the land outside their boundaries. You will see this located in a kind of bowl, the hills rise up all around from here." 

A sudden breeze rotated between us. Coincidentally, Bramble's eyes brightened.

Brambles sighed and sauntered over to a red rose bush. She stood and stared at a rose and then plucked it. To much surprise, the rose quickly faded its color. Brambles then let the flower drop to the ground. She stared a it there. Disconcerting. Unexpected. But I have to remember she is my blood twin.

Small birds nearby started twittering up a noise. Brambles after a couple seconds turned her eyes to them and scanned. The birds quickly scattered. Furtherly disconcerting. Somehow this has to be looked into or explained. But for now let it pass, we should concentrate that we are reuniting.

A cool breeze passed between us again.

Yew was just going to direct her sister over to a bench to sit down when the air was punctuated with voices, "It's about time time for brunch." came from the house, a pause then, "Brambles! Is that you? You are back!"

Brambles slowly turned and smiled at them. Then holding the arm of Yew, they both went in and partook in the brunch of millet with butter, pine nuts, chopped chestnut, parsley,  and corn. A lot of conversation entailed, mostly with Brambles and inquires about the time she was missing. Some of the staff were wary, they had understood that Brambles was buried, dead. Brambles tried to soften some of the story of her absence so to not be too repulsive. Yew could tell some of it was edited by Brambles.

Yew. looking over Brambles, said, "Your journey has really scratched you up. I believe this house has a healing balm stored somewhere. I will ask one of the staff to bring it and you can put some on your skin." A short time after a staff member came back with the balm and gave it to Yew who in turn gave it to Brambles.

At evening Brambles was offered to have a room of her own or be with Yew. She chose to sleep with Yew in a separate bed but same room. In the night Brambles was wakened by Yew. "What is it?"

"Brambles," Yew said, "You grind your teeth. You didn't use to grind your teeth."

"I guess it's from tension of living outdoors.", Brambles replied. They tried to sleep more. 

Later, Yew awoke and found no Brambles in her bed. She got up and padded around until she was by a larger window in the downstairs. Brambles was unmoving, just staring out the window.  

"Brambles, can't you sleep?", Yew queried.

Brambles started but turned and said, "A lot of things were not regular while living in the unguarded wild.  I often had to be on alert. My normal habits are disrupted."

"Will you come back to bed?, Yew asked.

"I will stay up a while longer, maybe until dawn. It was part of survival. You go

ahead and go back to sleep, Yew."

Yew stalled a moment, "What do you see?"

A pause, Yew intuited that Brambles was thinking first and probably won' t give an answer of candor, as she has done in the past, "I don't see anything in particular, Yew, just the trees out there in the dark." No further response forthcoming, Yew returned to bed.

Morning light woke up Yew. She yawned and looked to the other bed. Brambles was there with her back to the window. Yew let her sleep more, and got up and prepared for breakfast.

Breakfast was served by the staff, so there was more to eat than yesterday. Yew checked for Brambles who finally arose. She had her join at the table. They were left alone by the staff. 

About halfway through breakfast Yew said, "You know Brambles, we both have had a less than ideal life since we have had to flee. We both had to face challenging situations big or small that shouldn't be for royals-you and I together. So, why is it that you are reticent or secretive about sharing what has occurred with you since the time we were separated?"

Brambles took a long look at her twin and let out a long sigh. "It is so different, it is hard to put in words, some of the experiences. Things happened at times that are just not expected and are hard to describe. I just can't think of the words to say right now. I feel somewhat different but can't say exactly what. Be patient, I am ruminating even now and trying to make sense of it in my mind."

Yew said, "Maybe if we talk it out then you can sort it better..."

"No," Brambles said firmly. "It will have to wait. I have to recognize what the imagery is in my mind first, then put it in order and that will take time. Enough for now, if you will excuse me, I'd like to take a walk and see more of the area." Abruptly Brambles rose and departed to the door, leaving Yew with her mouth ajar looking at her sister.

Yew just sat a little, bewildered. What could be so different with Brambles' experience. Then staff came in and fussed around cleaning up and preparing for the next meal.

Yew became restive with the bustle, made a decision and left out the door to look for Brambles.  She noted it was partly cloudy. She worked her way out of the property but as she went she really noted the place was thick with conifers. She would have a difficult time locating her twin through any distance. There was no particular footpath out there. Maybe trails that animals made, that was all. She was thinking while looking at a crest that maybe she was wasting her time when suddenly there was commotion of some birds fairly nearby. She took this as a clue as the whereabouts of Brambles and made her way through the trees to that site.

Yew caught sight of Brambles near a clearing. She walked up to her. Brambles seemed to not notice. Then quietly, Brambles turned to Yew and said, "I learned so much and so differently during my stay in the wilds. Things can be seen so differently than we usually do. It is like having a mystical experience in contrast with our daily one." Brambles then scanned the treetops for many minutes. A breeze blew down on the twins. Suddenly Brambles grabbed Yew's arm and drew her toward a certain tree. "This is you", she said soundly, "it is what you are named after. This straggly tree, the Yew. It is you."

Yew's eyes widened, at Brambles. She didn't understand where this was coming from and why now. Of course she knew what a Yew tree was and that she had its name. Why this production of proclamation now?

"Yew is your nature, sister. Your character.", Brambles continued.

Yew remained bewildered. Why would this come on now to what purpose?

At  a loss for words, Yew merely said, "We could go back now. There will be a brunch waiting."  They slowly made their way back. Brambles was sharply inspecting every feature of the forest with her eyes she could gather in as they walked.

At the house they made their way to the main dining area. Some of the staff closely looked at Brambles as they walked through. The brunch was a porridge with cardamon sprinkling, some red berries, a hot apple cider drink and a fancy roll. 

After the meal, Yew suggested that the two go to a bench outside and relax. However, Brambles rose and said she would rather take a nap. Her energy still did not feel restored. She also slept through supper.

Yet at night Yew awoke to find Brambles not in her bed. Yew threw on a shift and went to look for her. She wound up at the door and opened it. HOO HOO HOOT Whoo was the sound of an owl in the dark forest. Yew peered out and was about to close the door when her eye caught sight of an upright figure amongst the trees. 

Yew went in and put on heavier clothing and shoes then walked out toward the figure. It was cool outside but no snow. There were plenty of fallen twigs, roots, and low branches she had to navigate. She advanced toward the figure and as she neared she could make out that it was her twin.

"Don't you sleep?" Yew asked. Brambles turned toward her but did that pause. Then she said, "I changed my sleep habits while venturing. I am awake at night most of 

the time so to be aware of what is going on. It is a little ingrained with me because I had to do it so frequently."

Hoot hoo hoot  hoo seeped out from some dark conifers. Brambles turned her head to search for the source. Then she looked straight up. "It is hard to see the stars through the tree tops, there are so many that obscure vision of the sky. I only see but a few past the peaks of the tree forms. I wish there was somewhere I could get a  wider view of the sky and see more stars.", said Brambles.

"There is," said Yew. "At the oblique corner of this property there is a little clearing which was made to build horse stables." "Oh, good, I want to go there tomorrow  night.", said Brambles. Then she said, "It must be getting near dawn. Let's amble around for a little and then head in."

During the stroll Yew asked, "You really have some changes since we were last living together. Would you be able to provide a little information on how you came to these changes?"

"A little more patience, my sister." Brambles replied. "I can feel the time is getting closer now to be able to coordinate some information to tell you that you insist upon. But I feel it must be well coordinated for you to have a reasonable chance of comprehending I gather you don't see what I sense and see, so will be different. I can visualize scenarios that you apparently don't. Maybe with enough time in the future I could coach you so you could see the same."

For breakfast they were served homemade sweetmeats with barley, lettuce cups, sauteed mushrooms, crusted brown bread with honey topping and a strong, red tea.

Yew then suggested they go to the adjoining garden. Brambles asked what for, they don't garden at the old place. Yew said she thought it was making use of time to help tender the garden since that is where they obtain most of their vegetables to eat.

Brambles just stood and watched for a while. Then she wandered off toward some trees and ambled in the edge of the forest. She called back, "There are some Cedars here Blue Spruce and a couple other species, not just conifers. I will be able to see the stars more easily from here as it is not crowded out by brushy fir branches"

Brambles drew in a breath, then said, "Yew, look over here! There a circle of mushrooms growing and I see another circle. Let's look at them, maybe we can cultivate them so they can be edible in a few days. Iike the mushrooms we had. We should make more to adorn the meals.  There is also lichen . Add them to our meals." So Yew and Brambles spent free time for a week cultivating mushrooms for dishes and for soups.

One day they were walking back from the woods and they heard a clamor from the building. They slowly moved in to hear. It sounded like a staff person was discontent.

They could hear, "I am not staying around here with that thing wandering in our midst. It is uncalled for to harbor it." Other staff tried to calm the disgruntled

staff member. But it continued, "That one simply walked into our court. It is not natural, It wanders around at night hours while we are asleep and could be vulnerable to who knows what."

Other staff tried to insist nothing bad has happened since Brambles had returned. But the staff member asserted, "I have got to leave while I am well and whole, I will not be subject to that wandering thing and what it can do." The staff said they are very distant from any other property and it would be quite difficult to venture anywhere.

The disgruntled one continued, "How can you stand that thing?  You know what it is.

You said it yourselves, it was buried, it is dead. What is it doing back among the living? It is a curse. It must be an undead." The disgruntled one huffed and quickly walked off away from the others.

Yew and Brambles quietly walked back to another part of the property and found a place to sit down. " I had no clue I could be perceived as such.", said Brambles.

"I have no intention to be a source of disruption. I just want to be back with my

family.

Yew said, "You do noctambulate a lot here. It seems I hardly see in bed at night. So I can see where that draws others' attention."

Brambles tensed at that pronounciation and unconsciously started grinding her teeth.

Yew decided to change the subject a little bit. "Where did you learn how to work with the wild plants?  We did not do that when we were at our home."