The Night Before
Wintermass
A Veetu Industries Tale
A chill swept in from the
ocean, wrapping around peoples legs and lifting the hems of furs,
cloaks, and coats. But no one seemed to notice for the most magical
time of the year was upon them.
Wintermass.
The time of the year when
everyone put their cares behind them. When the hatred stopped and,
for a few glorious days, peace and love appeared to hang over the
world.
A clear sky hung above the
city of Svenfur, stars twinkling across the velveteen night. Already
a frost was beginning to brush everything with her icy fingers. Yet,
along the promenade, West Road, and pier was the most magical market
anyone had ever seen. Stalls and fairground rides lined every
possible space. Music tinkled from a number of different stages,
while the smells of freshly cooked foods filled the air. At the heart
of it, sitting at the entrance to the pier, was the centerpiece of
the entire market.
Standing as tall as the
buildings around it, the Wintermass carousel was decked in bright
lights. Garlands of fir tree, dotted with lights and decorations,
danced around the roof of the carousel while the music of a full
orchestra sang from its heart. Curls of grey smoke billowed from its
chimney and were whisked away by the wind.
But that was not what made
the carousel so spectacular.
What made it beautiful and
unique were the animals which adorned its four platforms. Standing
before the ride, Cedo stared at it, unsure of where to look first.
Like any normal carousel,
the horses rode up and down their gilded poles. Yet their limbs were
jointed, legs stretching and curling while they tossed their heads,
their manes streaming behind them. Real saddles sat on their backs
and bridles were looped around their heads. Everyone who rode it
appeared to be fall in love.
Erus stood beside him. “So
what do you think?”
Looking at his Master, Cedo
grinned. “It is amazing! What an incredible creation! I do believe
you have outdone yourself.”
Erus smiled under the bright
lights of the carousel. Cedo's approval obviously warmed the weapons
designer. “I am glad. I trust you will be riding?”
“Of course! I wish to take
several rides.” Still grinning, Cedo pressed himself against the
redhead. “Besides, I shall have to give a fair and accurate review
of it.”
Cedo looked through the
crowds for Billy. The blond man had disappeared moments before, his
hand raised in greeting to someone he had seen in the crowd. No doubt
Billy was catching up with old friends, and Cedo could not blame him.
Wintermass was the perfect time for such encounters. A chance to pass
on the greetings of the season. Earlier in the day, they had paid a
visit to his mother and left gifts and cards for herself and Billy's
sisters. It had been good to see her. Even in what seemed like the
depths of poverty, she had turned the small house into a picture of
Wintermass joy. A tree had stood in the front room, decorations and
candles adorning its boughs. In the kitchen, garlands had been placed
above the fire, a smattering of cards balanced on the fireplace.
Suddenly the crowds around
them parted and Billy, rosy cheeked from the cold, appeared. He
gripped an earthenware mug in one hand, tendrils of steam curling
from the mouth.
He grinned at Cedo. “'ave
I missed anythin'?”
Chuckling, Cedo nodded
toward the large carousel. “Only the greatest ride in the whole of
the city.”
His lover's face fell and
Billy used his free hand to hold wisps of golden-blond hair from his
face. “You 'aven't.”
“Not without you, no.”
Cedo grinned and looked at the mug. “Drink up and we shall ride.”
Billy drank whatever it was
he had brought and handed the empty vessel to a passing automaton.
The metal being nodded at them as it continued on it path through the
jostling crowds. Cedo saw the emblem of Erus' company embossed on the
machine's shoulder; an outstretched claw of with a mouse crouching in
its palm.
A burly man dressed in red furs took
the coins they offered. Stepping through a small gate, Cedo looked up
at the great machine before them. It embodied everything that
Wintermass was about. From the sparkling decorations which danced
around the roof to the jangling music to the faint smell of cinnamon
and roasted apple.
Peering closer, Cedo discovered where
the scent was coming from. Oil burners were attached to the sides
machine’s engine, allowing it to give off festive scents as opposed
to the usual acrid smell of burning coal.
His heart beat a little faster as they
climbed aboard the carousel. Turning to Billy, he asked, “Which
level would you like to ride?”
“’ow about the top ‘un? That way
we can look out over the city.”
With a smile and a nod, Cedo made his
way to gilded staircase which wound its way to the upper levels. They
passed through the first level and continued on to the top. The sight
was breathtaking. Beneath them, all of Svenfur was laid out. In the
distance they could see the shadows of the factories, plumes of grey
smoke still billowing into the dark night. Lights flickered on
streets and, beside the Terminus, they could see the city’s giant
Wintermass tree. A glowing star sat atop it and lights glittered on
its boughs. From the sea, the cool wind made its presence known
against their exposed skin.
Walking around the uppermost
level, Cedo selected a horse of red. It had a golden mane and tail
with ribbons wound into the silken strands. Its leather bridle and
saddle were also decorated in gold and stirrups hung down its sides.
Swinging himself on to the
back of the horse, Cedo gripped the reins and waited. Beside him,
Billy climbed onto a beast decked out in green and gold.
“Why do you think 'is
royal 'ighness ain't ridin'?”
Cedo chuckled. Billy had
always referred to the slightly pompous engineer with such a moniker.
“Because he believes it would not do his reputation much good to be
seen prancing around on his own creation.”
Billy looked at him and
pursed his lips. Sliding from the horse, the blond haired man leaned
over the railings.
“Oi!”
Closing his eyes, Cedo
laughed as he listened.
“Yes, you. You comin' up
'ere or are you gonna catch your death down there?”
In his minds eye, Cedo could
see how the exchange playing out. Beside him, Billy continued to
shout down to the crowd.
“I don't care what you
think. It's bloody Wintermass. Get your borin' arse up 'ere an' 'ave
some fun.” There was a pause. “I know you know 'ow to 'ave fun.
'ow about givin' it a go once in a while?”
Resting his head against the
wooden horse's wiry mane, Cedo laughed even harder.
“I don't care what your
idea of fun is! Up 'ere. Now!”
He felt Billy brush beside
him and go back to his horse. “'e's on 'is way.”
Sitting up, Cedo shook his
head and grinned. “You know he will punish you for that later, do
you not?”
Billy grinned at him. “I
do. But at least it'll be fun. 'e knows I'm messin' around. An'
secretly, deep down, 'e wants someone to tell 'im it's okay to 'ave a
bit of fun.”
Around them, people edged
their way on to horses and into carriages and gondolas, carefully
selecting their own steeds. The crowds were a mix of young and old.
All were looking for the same kind of festive magic. Behind him, Cedo
heard the gold gate open and close.
“You two will be the death
of me on of these days,” Erus' voice was filled with humour.
Looking at him, Cedo grinned
and shook his head. “Do not be laying the blame for this at my
feet.” He pointed to his lover. “You can blame that man there.”
Laughing, the red-haired man
swung his legs a white and green horse. “Well, it is Wintermass. So
we should give in and just enjoy the season.”
The music grew a little loud
and, beneath them, the carousel juddered to life and slowly began to
move. The horses rose and fell on their golden poles, their limbs
stretching and curling. As with a real horse, they raised and lowered
their heads, metal joints creaking inside their wooden bodies.
As the carousel picked up
speed, so did the icy breeze. It whipped at hair and plucked at
clothes. Beneath the riders the city and sea flashed by. The lights
of the pier danced across the sea, bobbing with the waves. They could
hear the voices of the people below, mingling with the music and
creak of the twirling ride.
Cedo felt his excitement
rise. The season of peace and goodwill to all men was upon them. For
the next few days, their worries were no more, carried away by the
cold and the snow. Back at the Witheybrooke house, a tree stood in
the study with wrapped gifts nestling at its feet. Garlands had been
wrapped around the bannisters and, from the kitchen, came the
delicious smells of cooking.
It truly was the time of the
year when his Master stopped thinking about how best to protect the
country and discovered the joys of being able to relax. Having the
redhead join them atop his own creation was just another moment for
Cedo to treasure.
They had collected trinkets
and food on their way through the market, the bags and baskets taken
from them by automatons and whisked away home. Breads made with
ginger and tree decorations sprinkled with gold. Mugs of mulled cider
and beer had been consumed, the alcohol swirling through their brains
and warming their bodies. Now it woke them, the laughter of the three
men whisked away on the cold air as the horses danced above the city
and sea.
Eventually the carousel
began to slow. The horses fell on their golden poles and people began
to leave. Sliding from his own steed, Cedo took a final look over the
sea. Below them, the waves lapped at the shore and the pier and music
whispered up to them. From his vantage point, he watched people
wander along the boards. Sometimes they stopped to look over the
railings and down to the sea. Sometimes they paused just to listen to
the music and admire the bright lights. All appeared to be at peace.
And Cedo felt the same as
they walked from the carousel. His heart sang and his feet felt
light. For once both of his lovers were at peace, their hearts
singing the same Wintermass song.
Stepping from the giant
wooden structure, Cedo turned his head to the sky. He smiled at the
stars and the full, round moon before Erus and Billy took his hands
and lead him toward their waiting carriage.
“A Merry Wintermass to
all, and to all a goodnight.”
~~~
Most of all, thank you so much for sticking with me! Thank you for all your love and support and for continuing to be there. I really do appreciate it!
