From: Dave Pearton (pearton@unpsun1.cc.unp.ac.za)
Date: Thu 04 Aug 1994 - 15:57:50 EEST
Hi there,
Following the discussion about the place of women in Hrestoli society and
the "official" adoption of St. Myshella into the saintly hosts I decided to
try and remedy in part the terrible ignorance that exists about the life of
this important saint.
This story might not be all that current but I've been to busy until now.
Please forgive me if the style is a trifle laboured, I'm in the
middle of thesis writing and still in that "scientific writing"
mode.
DISCLAIMER: Any resemblance of characters to any persons, living or dead is entirely co-incidental (YEAH RIGHT! ;)
THE TESTING OF ST. MYSHELLA Myshella was a fair and accomplished maid who lived in the lands blessed by the words of the prophet Hrestol. She was the daughter of a humble son of the soil who was content to remain and till the good earth without seeking to rise to world of the warrior, a fact that caused his goodwife no end of dissatisfaction, for in those days a woman's worth was measured by that of her husband. This worthy had only one child, his daughter Myshella, and although he loved her dearly he secretly wished for a son who could transcend the limitations of his caste, who might become a knight to defend the land with martial prowess, or even a wizard who would minister to the spiritual wellbeing of his people and most cherished of all, a lord who would lead his fellows well in the ways that had been passed down from Hrestol and Malkion.
Myshella grew up strong and fair and soon mastered the arts of the goodwife with unsurpassed skill. Her parents were delighted as they knew that such an accomplished and beautiful daughter would attract a worthy husband, perhaps catching the eye of a knight or even a lord! In those times it was expected that a women should marry and that she conform to the caste of her husband. But Myshella did not wish to become merely the wife of a great man, she wished to be appreciated for her own prowess, much to the dismay of her parents.
There were very few options available, even for one as accomplished as Myshella. Those who had mastered and transcended the limits of the farmers caste could, if they so desired, dedicate their lives to the healing arts in emulation of the beatific St. Ximela who had sacrificed her life for the health of those men who fought for the glory of the Invisible God and his prophets. They might also join the nuns who spent their lives in holy contemplation, removed from the squalor of the world, perhaps even rising to the exalted position of abbess.
Myshella was not interested in these, she wished to don the armour of a knight and take the vows to defend the faith through the martial arts. Her parents were horrified at her resolve and when she would not put aside her dreams grew wroth with her for they feared that she might be accused of heresy and be cast from the bosom of the church. But Myshella was not to be swayed from her path and she practised the ways of the warrior, in secret lest she be chastised. Such was her ability that her skills soon grew to match those of a seasoned warrior and so that she might have defeated the captain of the village militia if she had wished.
After consulting with the chaplain her parents had resolved that the only way of controlling and protecting their wayward daughter was to get her married to a strong man. Now in the retinue of the lord was a knight, Sir Alexis, a huge man, much given to loud discourse, who was justifiably proud of his knightly prowess and who had one been within a 100m of Black Hralf the weasel and only sustained minor wounds. He had seen Myshella and noted that she was beautiful and wished to take her as his wife. When he approached her parents to ask her hand they felt as if they had a foretaste of joyous solace, their prayers had been answered.
They were sure that Myshella would share their enthusiasm and put aside her unwomanly desires for Sir Alexis was not ill-favoured and she should surely be content to be the wife of such a great man. They were thus surprised when Myshella railed and shouted her displeasure at the news but they we steadfast, the union had been sanctioned by the lord and by the chaplain and thus had the blessing of God and of man. A woman must learn her place and submit to her parents and husband and those in authority over her.
This was not acceptable to Myshella and she resolved to seek her own destiny. She went to the lord, Baron Sandov the son of the great Baron Peter who had been one of the companions of Prince Siglat. She demanded that he admit her into his company of knights on her own accomplishments saying that she was the worth of any of his warriors.
Now Baron Sandov was a wise and learned man who had travelled far
and wide testing the limits of the ban, he had studied the
histories and learned that in other lands women could be highly
regarded as warriors, indeed that there were tribes of women who
rode fantastical beasts and were rightly feared by those who would
go against them. He was thus not adverse to her request, but Sir
Alexis, who was present grew wroth at the effrontery of the woman.
"A woman's place is in the home, to care for her husband and to
bear him strong sons!" he roared, "Once you are my wife I shall
soon cure you of these blasphemous yearnings."
"Never shall I be wed to such an ignorant bear as you," replied
Myshella, "if I wed it shall be to one who can accept me as an
equal in all things."
The lords chaplain also spoke out against Myshella, "If you permit this then next women will wish to become wizards and minister to the people and this must surely not be. The great prophets Hrestol and Malkion were men and how can a mere woman hope to comprehend and teach their message. I say that this must not be!"
The Baron Sandov was troubled and he sent them all away that he might consider the problem. He sought the guidance of God by consulting with the bishop, his holiness Jurgen with whom he had often discussed matters of importance in the past. Long did they muse over and discuss the problem. Baron Sandov was willing to let Myshella try to prove herself and Jurgen agreed with him saying that the teachings of Hrestol showed that all should be accepted on their own merits. Thus Baron Sandov resolved that Myshella should be allowed to prove herself, but that the testing should be harsh so that he might not be accused of partiality.
Myshella showed great skill and courage and mastered all the tasks set for her, she rode her horse through flaming obstacles, swam the foaming rapids and defeated all the lords knights that cared to challenge her in their favourite weapons. The Baron Sandov was pleased that Myshella had justified his trust in her but Sir Alexis grew angry and demanded that he be allowed to combat her, if she could defeat him, he stated with laughing arrogance, then she would be worthy.
The combat would be one of unarmed combat for Myshella had no knightly arms and Alexis was confident that he would easily overcome this puny woman with his strength and size. The fight was one worthy of legend, the huge size and overwhelming strength of Alexis was equalled by the skill, speed and stamina of Myshella. The contest lasted from the first morning light until the shadows began to lengthen toward evening with neither able to best the other. As the fight drew out Alexis, who had been openly contemptuous of Myshella's accomplishment began to realise that perhaps she was worthy and a grudging admiration was born, while Myshella began to think that Alexis was not so ill-favoured after all. At long last, as the last rays of the setting sun sank so both combatants sunk to the ground, to exhausted to continue.
Baron Sandov declared for all to here that Myshella had accomplished all the tasks set for her with honour and in a manner befitting a knight and that she would be welcomed into his household as a true and trusted knight. All looked to Alexis who hesitated for a while but bowed his acceptance of his lord's decision. A cheer rose from many of the company, but there were those whose faces were dark and vowed secretly to prevent Myshella succeeding in her new life.
I hope you enjoyed it, sorry about the length. Please feel free to comment, flame, etc. I might write more later, but I'm a tad pressed for time and am working on a few legends of the Bliss in Ignorance at the moment.
Yours,
Yak
--
Dave Pearton * ....As I was saying before I Biochemistry Dept. * was so rudely interrupted University of Natal * by one of my multiple Pietermaritzburg * personalities.... * pearton@unpsun1.cc.unp.ac.za * Naked Lunch (W.S. Burroughs) ************************************************************************ ---------------------
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