the Harper

THE HARPER 1

This is the story of The Harper who came to our valley. Some I witnessed, some I heard, and some I was told by the King himself. I was Barina Kathal˙n Pot˙ncza, daughter of Baron Magas Istvan.
*
Tyaetys was a farmer. His sons started two clans, and were farmers. The clans grew, and split, and formed a small tribe of farmers. They built four small villages along a stream, and farmed their crops in peace. One year the rains were very weak, the crops were poor, and there was some hunger. The next year the rains did not come at all, the stream failed, and their neighbours began raiding, looking for food for their own bellies. 2

The small tribe of Tyaetians moved west across the plain until they found a wide, well watered valley. A few families of shepherds already lived there. There were deer in the forests to hunt, and wild grain and legumes in the meadows to keep them alive until they could raise new crops, and sheep and cheese to barter for. There they found iron and tin in the mountains. They lived at peace with their neighbours, and eventually assimilated them. 3

Later another group entered the valley. A large, strong and fierce people from the east, who extended their rule over the valley. In time they assimilated the valley farmers and shepherds into their culture, and the local language and society changed again. The new rulers built fortifications to keep the valley safe. The kingdom went through cycles of strength and weakness over the years. 4

Eventually, the tribes to the west became a united, powerful and threatening kingdom. Oppression and fear arose in the valley, but it came from within.5

***6

The road from the capital had been long, dusty and crowded. The springtime weather, with trees in blossom, emerging crops, and tender grass for his horse to eat, made it a pleasant journey though. Each night he’d entertained at a village or inn, or camped along the road with other travellers. His music was always a welcome diversion from work and business. He was in no great hurry. His name was Miklos the Harper. 7

Miklos was good at his craft, a virtuoso on both the nine-stringed harp and the cither. His instruments and voice, with a store of songs, was guaranteed to give him an audience, and some reward, wherever he went. He spoke two dialects of the kingdom’s language adequately and could converse with most of the people he met on the King’s Highway. If he stayed more than one night in a village or town, his reputation preceded him to the next. It was a good way for a young man to live.8

Miklos had two travelling companions: His packhorse, which he called ‘Broj’, and his dog, which he simply called ‘Dog’. Broj was a ‘retired’ old charger that could plod the roads endlessly, carrying the instruments, clothing, bedding, tools and utensils of a troubadour. He could ride him at need, but it was a funny sight to see the tall troubadour in a dusty cloak riding an old warhorse. Dog, about the size of a small pony, was a dun coloured mastiff. He looked predatory, an impression Marek made no attempt to lessen. The days being what they were, Miklos himself carried a short sword. Between the protective dog, the trained warhorse, and his weapon, Miklos felt relatively safe in his travels.9

This day he was nearing his objective, where the King’s Highway split. The main road carried on to the southern provincial capital, many versts distant. The road to the right led to the Vale of Grain, a wide, long valley between two mountain ranges, cut by a stream, and ending in a fortified pass leading into the next kingdom. Below the pass was the district’s main town. The vale was a major granary for the kingdom, and also an excellent highway for an invader, hence the fortresses. At the entrance to the vale a spur of the northern range cut southward, making a perfect place for a fortress. The spur, and the exiting stream, narrowed the width of the valley there. A southern fortress matched the northern one, and made a bottleneck that could be held against an invader coming in from the west. Below the fortified spur sat a small garrison town. 10

Miklos and his two companions joined the few oxcarts, and horse drawn wagons, that were heading into the valley. The stream, fed by multiple brooks coming down from mountain snowmelt, was called ‘The Bronzed’, because of the old tin and iron mines in the mountains that had once fed a metal industry. Now, only a single village produced bronze ware and iron tools, some decorative, most utilitarian. The Bronzed exited the Vale in a stepped series of small waterfalls. It then flowed east until it joined the kingdom’s central river on the great plain.11

Miklos enjoyed the winding road that rose beside the waterfalls. Not really steep, it simply delayed the first view of the vale by a few minutes. At its crest, the highway entered the valley via twin gates in the southern fortress wall, which itself continued across the valley to the edge of the stream. Beyond that there was a bridge to the northern fortress, its town, and the hillside villages and their flocks of sheep and goats. Miklos had no desire to enter the garrison town. It existed solely for the provisioning and entertainment of the troops. There would be no local population, only the human rubbish that fed off the troops.12

Instead, he carried on through the broad valley, enjoying the vistas and smells. The valley was scattered with villages, as well as large landholdings that were almost villages in their own right. It was to these local settlements that he was drawn. After an hour’s walk, he turned off the highway towards a village set off in the near distance. It was the lunch hour, and peasants were seeking shelter from the midday sun. He joined a group under some oaks, made his greetings, pulled his cither from the saddlebags, sat down in the shade and began to play. His untethered horse found grass to feed upon. The dog lay at his feet and eyed the gathering peasants.13

His first song was one of working the land, the second one of village life, the third a ballad of love. The last a joyful harvest song. The labourers joined in with this unexpected concert, singing if they knew the words, clapping in time if they didn’t. Refreshed, they dispersed back to their fields, deep in conversation or laughter. The oldest men invited Miklos to stay the night in the village, and dispatched a young girl to announce his coming.14


***15

They sat astride their horses in an orchard several versts from the fortress. Covertly they were dressed as landowners, and not as their ranks permitted.16

“At the end of summer?” queried the westerner.17

Baron Istvan responded “In the autumn. I will give your king a week’s notice that all is prepared. And his promise stands?”18

“It stands.” Drawing a small bag and a sealed parchment from his saddlebag the westerner handed them to the Baron. “And here is the proof. With it you are guaranteed the safety of our troops and a princely reign in this valley.” 19

“Or a rebel’s death.”20

“There is always that risk.”21

The westerner spurred his horse and rode further into the valley. The Baron returned to his hunting lodge and changed into his formal clothes for the ride back to the fortress. His mind was filled with the fruiting of his ambition. Many years of planning had gone into this betrayal of his king. In the autumn the aggressive western kingdom would annex this valley, and he would be installed as its prince. Eventually, when he was strong enough, he would betray his new master, and take control of the entire kingdom to which he now gave false fealty. He smiled at his perfidy as he rode into the fortress that was the seat of his power. When his daughter was old enough he would marry her off to a western noble, and extend his tendrils into that kingdom also. 22

***23

The aging Margrave was announced into the king’s presence. 24

“Greetings, sire. You requested my presence?”25

“Yes, Viktor. I have need of your talents and loyalty. Let us wander in the gardens, and talk.”26

“As you wish, my lord.”27

The two men, cousins by blood, wandered through the royal gardens and sat in a gazebo. “Viktor,” began the middle-aged king, “I fear that our western neighbours are preparing an attack upon us. They have grown more and more truculent in recent years, and now I have reports from the Vale of Grain that some treachery is building. I have several very loyal landowners there, and I have a private representative there also. I would like you to travel there, and see what all our sources can uncover.”28

“How do you wish me to undertake this journey?”29

“I will send you publicly and officially on an inspection of the Vale. Along with your own household guard I will assign a troop of my huszars to accompany you. My representative will contact you when you reach the fortress.”30

“How will I know him?”31

“That person is known to you already, but you must not disclose openly that you recognise them when you meet. When can you be ready to leave?”32

“I can be ready by the morning after next.” 33

“Very good.”34

***35


Over the next weeks Miklos crisscrossed the valley slowly, staying wherever there was welcome. He was becoming fluent in the valley dialect. In villages with local musicians he learned new songs, and taught a few. Usually he sang about village life, and glories of the wider kingdom. But mostly he listened, to local gossip, to complaints about weather and crops. In all his listening he picked up an undercurrent, a tremor of discontent and anxiety. Taxes were becoming exorbitant. The Baron’s soldier’s occasionally ransacked villages, or raped women. Strangers from the western tribes were seen frequently on the roads. Some blamed the local Baron, some the King in his distant castle. But none dared speak too openly, for fear of unnamed punishments. 36

If he were in a village with a church, he attended Mass, and was occasionally invited to sing the Agnus Dei. He was a moral man, avoided the customary perks of his profession by not encouraging the romantic attentions of village girls. This too added to the reputation that was building around him in the valley. Gradually he made his way to the main town, which was built between the fortress and the bend of the river as it came down from the mountains.37

As he had hoped, news of his talent had preceded him, and he found the innkeeper more than happy to give him preferential treatment in exchange for playing nightly in his public rooms. After a week, the inn became so crowded that people stood outside in a swelling, and often raucous, crowd to listen through the windows. Inevitably, fights broke out, and the soldiers from the fortress who were in the crowd, broke them up. Eventually garbled reports reached the captain of the city watch, and he reported to Baron Magus Istvan.38

Intrigued, the Baron ordered the harper and his instruments brought to the Fortress. Brought into the great hall at the end of the Baron’s meal, the harper was ordered to play for the noble and dinner guests. The harper played skilfully for several hours. At the end of his recital he requested his leave to return to the inn. The Baron studied the young man for several seconds, and announced, “I would prefer that you remain here as my guest. I will have need of your talents in a few days.”39

Miklos was about to object when the Baron commanded his captain “House him in the barracks, and assign a guard.” He ended with a conspiratorial wink to his fortress commander. Marek, who was wise enough to keep his mouth shut, bowed to the Baron and his family and followed the officer out of the hall after being disarmed.40

The barracks were dirty, cramped, and full of the noises of equipment, comings and goings, snoring and brawling. He was given a pallet in the corner, and a soldier to guard him. He slept fitfully; from noise and discomfort; but also from worry about his animals. 41

***42

In the morning at breakfast Barina Kathal˙n asked her father’s permission to have the harper teacher her to play the cither. “I have no objections, but Lady Alicja must be with you at all times.”43

“Thank you father”, curtsied the young teenager. The Lady Alicja was her late mother’s younger sister; and acted as tutor and chaperone to Barina Kathal˙n. After breakfast she sent a messenger to the barracks to have the harper brought to the hall.44


* * *45

The Margrave’s entourage climbed the road to the vale. Preceded by a company of Huszars flying the King’s banner, and flanked by his own household guard, it was an impressive troop that galloped through the gateway, crossed the bridge and headed for the main fortress. Signal flags waved in a panic, and the hurriedly dressed commander of the fortress had barely assembled his men to present arms by the time the Margrave’s horde arrived.46

The Margrave inspected the motley company of aged and infirm that passed for the fortress’s garrison; and then sent the commander to his own rooms under guard. The Margrave spoke with several men of the garrison, and toured the fortress from top to bottom. Then he sent a message to the other fortress to prepare for an inspection.47

After two days of interviewing officers and men, the Margrave sent a report back to the King. The gist of which was: “the eastern fortifications are undermanned, poorly led, ill prepared and generally suffering from what seems like planned neglect. They are not in any condition to defend from the west.” 48

After allowing a messenger to slip out of the fortress to warn the Baron of the Margrave’s approach, the entourage moved slowly up the valley. They stopped overnight a various landholders’ estates. At each, the Margrave interviewed the landholder at length about the condition of the vale and its populace. From most he received only praise for the Baron. From a very few, he received the truth. 49

* * *50

Miklos politely accepted the Barina’s request for tutelage on the cither. Not that he had any real choice. The request however was put sincerely, and not as the capricious demand of a spoiled child. They agreed on two hours practice daily for the length of his confinement at the castle. She would use her mother’s cither. Lady Alicja sat in on each session. In exchange, and without the Baron’s knowledge, Lady Alicja arranged for his dog, horse and belongings to be brought to the castle, and housed in the stables.51

As they were finishing a session a murmur ran through the public rooms, and a chambermaid came to Lady Alicja with news that the Margrave Viktor and a large entourage of cavalry had entered the vale, and would be coming to the western castle. As the de-facto hostess of the castle, she would have to make all the arrangements. This kept her exceedingly busy over the next two weeks. In her stead, she assigned one of the minor nobility to chaperone the lessons. That good lady was not as protective of the Barina, and allowed Miklos to speak with her conversationally during the lessons. The chaperone too was not above gossiping to Miklos, with whom she herself tried to flirt.52

In this way Miklos learned more directly how oppressive and untrustworthy Baron Istvan was. It transpired that he had rarely interacted with his teenage daughter since her mother’s death. And, that her aunt loathed the Baron, and only stayed in the castle to watch after the Barina. 53

For her part, Barina Kathal˙n began to confide more and more with the handsome and talented harper. She was very troubled by the rumours she’d heard and the whispered conversations she’d overheard; all hinting at some major treachery to happen soon. She was in turmoil, and Miklos was her safety valve.54

Baron Istvan sent for Miklos, and informed him that he would entertain at every meal from tomorrow onward, until further notice.55

* * *56

While details of the Margrave’s every move had been reported to him, the Baron was still nonplussed to see the size and strength of the entourage that came up the road the next morning, framed majestically with the sun at their backs. The Huszars unfurled the royal standard, trumpeted their approach and rode four-abreast through the gate of the fortress, of which the castle was but a part. Then came the Margrave and the captain of his guard, followed by the Margrave’s personal guard. The baggage train and spare mounts brought up the rear. The fortress garrison, though more substantial, younger and fitter than those at the other end of the vale, were intimidated by this show of force. But that was the Margrave’s intention.57

It was an obsequious Baron that met the Margrave at the entrance to the castle hall. The Baron soon saw that the Margrave’s personal guard would attend him wherever he went. Additionally, the dismounted Huszars placed guards in the stables and barracks. Other Huszars took up highly visible, but seemingly casual, places on the battlements 58

The next few days were and endless round of meals, inspections, and discussions between the Baron and the Margrave. The Margrave, much to the Baron’s consternation, was better informed about the state of the vale than he should have been. In private the Baron became highly enraged and abusive of his servants and officers. After a week of this pressure, the Baron suggested a few days at his hunting lodge in the hills. The margrave agreed, as he acknowledged that he had completed his inspection. Wisely he left the Huszars at the fortress.59

The lodge was in many ways better lodging than the fortress’s castle. With two wings with a central hall, outbuildings and stables, it was in reality an estate. The Baron and his guests occupied one entire wing. Barina Kathal˙n, Lady Alicja and their attendants occupied the other wing. Very early on the second morning of their stay, the Barina was unable to sleep, arose and went into the orchard for a walk. It was foggy, but she, after many summers’ play here, was very familiar with the landscape. She heard voices, and moved quietly closer along a parallel row of trees. 60

There were two men, one leading a horse. The other was her father.61

“Tell your master that the Margrave and his troops will be leaving in two days. They will have left the Vale two days after that. At dawn on the fifth day the western portal will be open to your master’s troops.” 62

“Five days from now, Baron, you will be the hero of our people and a prince among our nation.” 63

“Ride now, before the servants, or my guests, awaken.”64

The Barina waited until the rider led his horse away, and her father returned to the lodge. Then she went back to her own rooms. When Lady Alicja eventually came in to awaken her, she found the Barina dressed, agitated, and weeping. Told of the conversation Lady Alicja sat and wrote a note that eventually made its way by indirect means to the Margrave. The next day the Baron and his guests returned to the castle and the Margrave prepared to depart. Surreptitiously one of his guards passed a note to one of Lady Alicja’s attendants, who then passed it to her. She read, and then hid the note, and began to plan her part.65

“Baron, a boon,” the Margrave asked over dinner. 66

“Your highness?”67

“This harper. He plays so well, and I have greatly enjoyed his music. I would like him to accompany my entourage as far as the east fortress, to entertain us, and speed us on our way”68

“By your leave, Margrave, I grant your request. I will send one of my garrison to accompany him, and assist his return to me. I too value his music; and he tutors my daughter on the cither.”69

“Thank you, Baron. I am grateful.”70

On the appointed morning the Margrave’s entourage left in similar state to their arrival. The Baron gave them an elegant, and totally insincere send off. The harper and a guard rode at the end of the column with baggage and remounts. 71

When the troops camped for the night the Margrave had the harper called to his tent. The Baron’s guard accompanied him. Upon entering the tent, some of the Margrave’s household guard disarmed the hapless men, bound and gagged him, and carried him off to their own tents for safekeeping.72

The Margrave embraced the young harper, laughing. “Prince Mateusz, it has been very hard to keep a straight face these last days. The King warned me that I would recognise his spy, but he did not confide his identity to me. A harper indeed! You should be grateful your mother is such a good teacher.”73

“Indeed I am cousin, though I hope that my playing has improved greatly over the last few months. Despite the purpose, it has been an extraordinary sojourn in this lovely vale. I have made many friends.”74

“We shall have need of them very soon.”75

The Margrave called in the captain of the Huszars and the captain of his own guard, and the four of them spent the high discussing their plans. In the morning, well before dawn, several messengers rode off to contact the Harper’s friends. The entourage broke camp quietly, and walked their horses single file a few verts south to a landowner’s estate. The last rider dragged a bush along their tracks. Another rider took the few remounts they had, and led them towards the eastern fortress as a decoy in the event that the Baron had them trailed. 76

Hiding in the estate’s woodlands, the Margrave collected his forces as they came in during the day. Farmers, a few landowners, villagers had answered the call from the Harper. They came armed with axes, pitchforks, staves, a few swords, and clubs. The margrave explained the Baron’s treachery, and revealed the true identity of Miklos the Harper. The crowd was agitated, and had to be quickly quieted before some hothead went off prematurely. Mateusz went among them personally and spoke with key individuals, who then calmed others. When calm was fully restored, the Margrave explained the plan. That afternoon the small force moved off by side roads towards the castle.77

As evening descended, and true to her part, Lady Alicja and a few trusted retainers overpowered the guards at the gate and opened the fortress for the Margrave and his troops. They quickly overcame the garrison, while the Margrave and his household guards arrested the Baron on charges of treason. All the prisoners were taken to the hall. 78

In the hall, Lady Alicja pointed out those she knew to be loyal to the crown, and those who were closely aligned with the Baron. The loyal from the garrison were retained, and all others tied and placed under guard in a storeroom. No one was allowed to leave the fortress until just before dawn. Then the main gates were opened, but the portcullis sealed. A small detachment was left in the castle, while the rest of the Margrave’s band left.79

In the false dawn a detachment of riders swept out of the woods to the west of the fortress, and rode through the open gates. Swinging about they lit a torch to signal success. A regiment of foot soldiers came marching down the road and entered the vale. After their ranks had fully passed through they moved down the highway towards the major town. The walled town was several verts distant, and to the north of the highway. A forest lay to the south of the road. The bend of the river lay beyond the town to the east. 80

In the east, as light broke over the mountains, the invaders from the western kingdom saw two ranks of Huszars wheel onto the highway ahead of them, sabres drawn. The royal banner flew above them. Morning light also revealed freshly set abatis between the road and the town walls. Behind them they heard the booming sound of the gates being closed. Consternation filled the enemy’s ranks and they halted, without command, colliding and bunching up.81

A lone rider rode out from the line of huszars. “I am Mateusz, son of Leonid, King of the Kingdom of the Plain. Why have you come armed into our land? You have a choice. You may die here, or you may lay down your weapons and depart in peace.” 82

With that statement made he lifted a hand, and a horn was blown. From the woods, in silent ranks, rode the Margrave and his guard, followed by the armed populace. From behind the abatis there rose up a score of pikemen from the fortress. On the walls some townsmen stood. Some of the westerners turned to flee, only to be confronted with the shut gates, and a further score of pikemen. The only unoccupied space on the battlefield was the vegetable gardens and vineyards between the castle and the town. While the commander of the invaders pondered the possibility of a retreat and defensive stand there, the horn sounded again. 83

The Margrave’s forces began a slow march forward towards the road. Both sets of pikemen advanced slowly in order. And Mateusz and his Huszars walked their horses toward the invaders. The decision was taken out of the commander’s hands when individuals and then whole ranks began to thrown away their weapons. The total disarming took over an hour, and was carried out by the Margrave’s troopers. The Huszars held the populace and pikemen in place. The commander and his senior officers were brought to Prince Mateusz.84

To the officers he said, “Please tell your king that Baron Istvan has been arrested for treason, and will be taken to the capital for execution. All the local nobles and landowners that conspired with him will also be tried for treason. And I will take personal command of this vale and its defences.’85

To the commander he said, “You will be taken to my father the King for a private audience, and then released to return to your king with whatever message he commands. Your forces will be sent home immediately, without arms, armour, shoes, supplies or horses. Those will be distributed to the populace who stood against you this morning.”86

By noon the process was complete. The townspeople and country folk lined the road and jeered the westerners out of the valley. Then Prince Mateusz sent the Margrave and his troop to arrest members of the eastern garrison, and seal the gate to anyone trying to leave the vale. Mateusz himself took half the huszars and combed the vale to arrest landowners and merchants who supported the Baron. 87

A great feast was announced for the day of Mateusz’ return. Lady Alicja and the leading townspeople made all the arrangements, and set up trestles from the fortress gate to the town gate. Most of the population of the vale arrived; many with foodstuff of their own to contribute. The inn was filled; relatives housed family and friends, tents and bowers sprung up between the forest and the highway. Food from the feast was even shared with the prisoners in the fortress. 88

Mateusz, though tired from his beating of the vale, wandered among the feasting crowd, speaking with all and sundry. In the evening, as torches and fires were lit, those who had brought instruments joined with the Harper for hours of son. So joyous was the population that many stayed several days outside the town to recover.89

Mateusz and the Margrave met privately in the castle with Barina Kathal˙n and Lady Alicja. “Let me assure you Barina Kathal˙n, that no guilt or treachery is ascribed to you. Indeed, you and Lady Alicja are the secret heroines of this matter. It is the Margrave’s recommendation, and I concur, that you become the King’s ward until you reach your majority. Your father’s estate is forfeit to the crown; but your mother’s estate remains yours. I am certain that you and Lady Alicja will receive a reward from the King for your loyalty. To put country above family and personal advancement took great courage. You have our royal thanks.”90

Kathal˙n flushed with emotion through all of this; partly from his praise, and exoneration; but also at the pain of her father’s treachery, and the destruction of her family’s honour. The Margrave understood her angst, and said reassuringly, “You have your mother’s character and dignity, and you have the courage and wisdom taught by your aunt. Your future and your honour lie with those strengths, not with the vanity of your father’s house.”91

The next week the Barina and Lady Alicja accompanied Margrave Viktor to the capital to be presented to the King for his disposition. The Prince and his huszars remained in the vale to restore order and to root out the corruption the Baron had initiated. The king despatched a clerk to sort out the Baron’s treasury. Loyal village elders and landowners were appointed as magistrates.92

Eventually a chastened enemy commander was escorted back to the vale, and sent on foot, back to his own king. At the gate he asked for asylum, which the Prince rejected. An armed escort awaited him in the west, out of bowshot from the fortress walls.93

And thus the Vale had peace for a generation.94


* * * *95

The End96

This has been the story of how the Harper came to our valley. I, Kathal˙n Pot˙ncza Mateuszne, Patroness of the Vale of Grain, and Queen of the Kingdom of the Plain, have written it. 97