A Tinn’s tale

men.’

‘Amen,’ echoed the villagers.

‘God bless you all.’ pastor Lewis raised his hands as if they rested on the many heads that filled the church. ‘Go in peace.’ And they went, the farmers and the tailors, back to their cottages and their families. Only one girl stayed to wait for the pastor.

 

Dorus rushed out of the church and his family ran after him.

‘What’s wrong, father?’ Merle asked when they caught him up.

‘Someone’s gotta put a stop on this,’ hissed he. ‘This whole ridículous thing.’

‘But it hasn’t got to be you!’ Jantine shot him an angry look.

Robyn only sighed.

 

 

‘You gotta be careful, darling. You know what they will do to you when they discover? It’s heretic! Awful!’

‘Yes, yes,’ said Dorus wearily.

‘It’s quite a risk you take,’ Merle agreed.

‘Who says I’m taking anything!’

‘Just know that they don’t really like our opinion- and you shouldn’t tell them,’ Robyn finished their meanings.

 

 

 

‘Today you’re going to visit Anne, aren’t you Robyn?’ Luc babbled through them.

‘Indeed.’

‘Would you bring me a few apples, please, Robyn? Merrin has such sweet ones!’

Robyn laughed and petted her brother on his head. ‘Sure, little one.’

Merle thought for a moment and then said: ‘And would you ask casually if their boys already have wedding plans?’

‘Ooh, Merle, going for a noble one? Sure, girl. I’ll hear them out.’

Merle grinned. ‘Have to keep an eye open, haven’t we mum?’

 

 

Anne and Merrin den Berghe had a clothing shop and some delícious apple trees. Luc loved them. They had had two sets of twins, which one could see at Anne. She was a bit chubby. The family was once noble, but now merely merchants who lived off the clothing shop.

When Robyn approached their house, she saw the girl twins outside, tending their trees. In winter, the trees would go dormant. This would be the last time this year they’d need tending.

‘Robyn!’ Jasmine saw her and took her inside. ‘Mother’s expecting you!’

 

 

There came a big smile on Anne’s face when she saw her visitor. ‘Robyn! That’s great. How are you today?’

‘Oh I’m fine,’ Robyn replied. ‘Father’s about exploding, but we all hope he won’t. And how are you?’ she asked when Anne went to the table and brought out some beer.

 

‘I just ate!’ Robyn laughed.

‘You shouldn’t.. When you knew you were going here..’

Anne liked to care for everyone. She always acted a bit motherly towards Robyn.

‘But, how are you doing? Any nice tunics received?’

Robyn thought for a moment and then decided that one mug simple beer wouldn’t matter.

 

 

‘Yes, just yesterday. It’s a dress, actually. Very nice dress.. ‘Tis for the Earls wife. Has to be optimal, huh, for the Optima miss,’ she babbled and smiled now while she sat down.

‘Is that their name?’ Robyn asked - the last name of their Earl wasn’t common knowledge for all villagers. Anne nodded and took a bite of her beer.

 

 

‘There was a boy for me last week,’ Robyn began and unsurely twisted her mug in her hands. Anne looked interested.

‘And?’

‘He is nice..’

‘Who is it? Will you marry him?’

‘I think so.. It is Frank, from the farmer family. You know him?’

‘Yeah I do,’ Anne laughed, ‘handsome boy!’

 

 

Anne told her they were looking around for husbands and wives for their twins. Then Robyn mentioned Merle, who was searching too, she said with a wink.

Robyn stayed for the afternoon. She laughed with the girls and helped around a bit, and when she left when the sun was getting low, Anne gave her some apples.

‘These are for Luc,’ she winked. ‘I know how he loves our apples.’