Yuletide Season
"Wherefore christian men be sure sure, wealth or rank possessing. ye who now will bless the poor shall yourselves find blessings." -Good King Wenceslas
The beautiful town of Nyohirra, amongst its mountain scene, had been made all the more celestially serene when the shroud of winter's fall had cloaked it in white. Holo tarried about all bundled up in the finest of winter attire endowed from her lover who gave hardly a care as he, and so many others, were bustling and bartering at an alarming rate.
Cloaked in a robe made from fine white fox skins she peered round her husband's shoulders to see what it was he was fighting to obtain giving her the appearance of meek snow bunny. Finally after some bickering between he and the shopkeep he finally obtained his prize.
Holo looked upon it with a generous degree of peculiarity and asked, "What is it?"
"It's a new ladle for Hana. The steel has been tempered and treated with such refinement that it will never rust or warp. I fine upgrade from the wooden ones she's been forced to use."
Lawrence's voice was unapologetically enthusiastic for a man who had just moments before appeared sternly hostile towards the seller of the object of which he sought. Yet such was the nature of merchants and men of business, they could put on and discard such fronts in an instant with the ease of a garment.
Placing the ladle in a sack, he handed it off to Holo while matching the bustle of the crowd, "Come along dear we have not a moment to lose!"
Trying to keep up while being jostled on either side she called out, "Where are we off to now?"
"To the bookseller, I'm trying to find an anthology on all the saints of the church."
"Pray tell for who?"
"For Col, who else?"
She frowned slightly, had her senses dimmed to this phenomenon that had entrapped people's mind into this cult mindset of mercantile advancement as though some rapture were soon approaching? Lawrence had already been swallowed up in the current of passer by's and coming and goers forcing Holo to recall where the location of the bookseller was if she were to reunite with him. By the time she neared the front steps Lawrence was already coming out, album in hand.
"This time of year the good Lord provides." said he with a satisfactory grin placing the book in the sack which she held oblivious to the fact that he had lost his own wife in the pursuits of monetary gains.
At the apex of frustration Holo let her displeasures known with a quick and effective inquiry using a tone attuning Lawrence's mind to her vexations, "What time of year is this exactly? Tis winter and nothing more!"
His hand pulled from his chin as he cast a backwards gaze at her, "You don't know?"
She clenched the sack forcing the veins of her hand to profoundly protrude more greatly from the dermal layers of her hands while her teeth gritted at the notion that her outburst was followed up with a question that forced her to repeat her already displayed ignorance, "No!"
Looking around with sincere confusion he addended his inquiry to the dismay of all, "Really?"
"Yes!"
"Honey,' he resumed, 'it's the season of Yuletide."
None of this justified the behavior thus observed in her mind, "What is that?"
"You don't know?"
"I married a fool!" she shouted towards the skies causing him to force her hysteria down with a waive of the arms, "I'm sorry, you already said that. Yuletide is a big season celebrated by everyone once a year towards the end of the year. It is said to be a time of year when the heavens open and angels descend upon the earth to bring us glad tidings and blessings."
"Why have I not heard of it before?!" she mulled aloud.
"Well probably because you were between festivities when you traveled and it's mainly celebrated by the church which might be why you never saw anyone in Pasloe celebrating it."
"But Nyohirra is a town of pagans as well as Pasloe." she observed less distraught and more with defeated intrigue.
"Yes but remember many nobles and higher church clergy come up here to enjoy the hot springs. Even if Nyohirra is mostly pagan it would be stupid business not to promote Yuletide, after all its very profitable for us business owners to accommodate them."
Setting her eyes down on the sack resigning its weight in her arms she asked, "What does this have to do with buying things for Col and Hana?"
"Ah,' he started, 'a big tradition of Yuletide is to buy and exchange personable gifts with friends and family. The goal is think of a gift that would benefit them the most without them telling you what they want. It's a great way of showing how much you know and care about the person."
"I see…' mused Holo, 'So what did you get me?"
"Can't tell you that until the day of exchange comes!"
"Hmph." she sulked. "So that is what has everyone wound up and springing forth,' said she, 'Is that all there is; rushing about trying to buy another's affections with gifts?" she said with a tone of ridicule only when she felt inadequately left out, of which Lawrence surely noticed.
"No that's not all,' said Lawrence, 'we also gather together and have a nice big feast."
"Oh!" snapped Holo with overtly piqued curiosity that Lawrence intentionally drew out.
"Yep, usually there's turkey, goose, ham, potatoes, gravy and hot punch."
He noticed the hems of her lower coat rustling from the activity of her tail, "Then it's all finished off with hearty desserts; cake, pie and sweetened fruits."
His devious explanations came to a fault when she snagged him by the collars with all the intensity of a lone wolf savagely seeking prey to rid itself of a famished state, " How devoutly do you plan to celebrate this Yuletide season?"
Taking her gentle but virile hands, he softly had her relinquish his collar, "I've had the orders placed, Hana and Col should be loading the wagon today. Don't think whenever a feast is planned I don't account for you."
Flipping around with her hands on her hips she replied, "Hm! It is good to know that even during the excitement of the season you do not lose sight of the more important things in life!"
She had a unique way of expressing gratitude.
The gentle caress of his hand could be felt guiding her chin towards his, "Of course I wouldn't." then softly kissed her on the lips. When finished he followed up, "You'd never let me even if I tried."
She playfully slapped his arm and giggled, "You are a fool, but an honest one."
After that was settled he encouraged for them to press on, "Shall we get going?"
"Indeed."
As they walked, Holo accustomed herself to evaluate the gifts bought for Col and Hana then suddenly brought something to his attention, "I do not think Col would benefit from a book like this." she observed.
"Why do you say that?" said Lawrence coming to a stop.
"Well I would help him with his studies and he would speak to me of the things he learned and he appears quiet knowledgable on church law and the history of the saints."
"You think that book would contain old information?"
"Yes, I think you should exchange it for one that goes into the history of the quarrels between the church and the pagans. He is always talking of ways how he wants to bring those worlds together, perhaps if he were more informed on what pulled them apart it would bette his-"
"-Knowledge and understanding." interrupted Lawrence.
"Wisdom and discernment." corrected Holo.
Lawrence nodded then said, "Wait here, I'll see if I can exchange it. I think I saw something like that while in there."
To his luck a contextualized album befitting to Holo's recommendations was found and exchanged for. Together man and wife proceeded down the streets hand in hand at an equal pace. They made good time when Holo stopped to smell the fine odors produced by nearby vendors and took a fancy to a peddler handing out sugared pecans in paper cones. All she need do was look at Lawrence and point at them for him to lose copper in one hand and gain sweets in the other.
She munched happily over the pecans when the familiar voice of Col called out to them, "Master Lawrence, Mrs. Holo, over here!" he beckoned.
He was loading flesh and fruit into the wagon with Hana sorting out the affairs. While she thus conversed with the vendor outside his shop, Holo took a moment to listen in on the conversation while Lawrence assisted with the loading. When Hana finished the transaction she was met by Holo as the vendor withdrew back into his shop.
"Is this to serve as the feast for Yuletide?" she asked excitedly.
"Yes it is. This will be my first time preparing a Yuletide feast in quite sometime and would love to be the best in all of Nyohirra for my new family!" praised Hana.
Holo became delighted and hurried to the wagon to indulge her delectable fantasies these ingredients were destined to make reality. She leaned her face over the wagon bed and heaved in a deep breath to take in all the aroma in one go. At the height of her rumination she stopped her fantasizing like a coach at a road block.
"Is something the matter Mrs. Holo?" inquired Hana with some alarm.
She came back down and started, "Before I tell you, can you tell me what expectations were set by the vendor from which you bought this fine food from?"
"Certainly,' obeyed Hana, 'The most succulent pig, the most tenderest turkey and the freshest fruit he could herald."
Holo nodded with discontent, "From what I have smelled, the pig will expire if not cooked today."
"But I do not plan to cook until tomorrow! One cannot have a day old cooked ham for Yuletide!" exacerbated Hana.
Holo continued, "The turkey was not killed properly, it's meat is full of adrenaline making it much too tough for platter."
"That will not do!" moaned Hana.
"Lastly,' said Holo with a greater degree of regret, 'though the fruit appears fresh, I can smell the infestation of worms and weevils wriggling about."
Hana cast a hand up to her forehead, "This is a disaster!' she proclaimed as though she were a physician about to administer poison when convinced it was a remedy, 'All transactions are final so despite my best efforts this will be the worst Yuletide feast ever made!"
Lawrence had overheard everything and caught worrisome glimpses from Col who then dismounted from the wagon bed and gave Hana a reassuring pat on the shoulders, "Don't worry, I'll take care of it." then went into the grocers shop to set things right with Holo following in to assist.
Together through sleight of tongue they were able to impart of a fresher more desirable load of groceries for less than half the cost. The bargain being, the grocer made better on his promise and his reputation would go unfettered. He even was so generous as to have his own laborers load their wagon without additional cost and considered it a good Yuletide gesture.
Hana could not have been more relieved to have avoided this potential disaster and pondered out loud, "Well what am I to do with ingredients of lesser quality? I suppose there is nothing more than to throw them out."
Holo suddenly felt Col tug on her cloak and point in a direction not afar off. There she beheld lonely men and women gathered round a small hearth which provided them their only means of warmth for they had no place of refuge to call there own.
Holo then asked of Hana, "Do you suppose we can make a giant cauldron of stew to impart to the less fortunate?"
Hana pondered and said, "Yes, in fact that would be most ideal to turn these faulty ingredients into a meal of fine quality." Then informed, "You will need to clear it up with Mr. Lawrence. He is the head of the house after all."
Holo smiled devilishly, "Fear not for I am the neck and can turn the head whichever way I want."
As Lawrence was situating himself in the driver's seat Holo climbed up and sat next to him addressing, "Darling would you say the season of Yuletide is one to invoke the charity from others?"
"Yes I would say that." said he while warming his fingers with the air of his mouth.
"Then would you say 'yes' to providing some food, warmth and free use of the baths to the less fortunate tonight?"
"What?" he sputtered, "But it's such short notice!"
She leaned upon him, "Fear not t'would be for one night and is it not written that he who seeks to bless the poor shall in turn find blessings?"
She nestled in closer making her all the more irresistible, "Besides,' said she while rubbing the inner of his thigh, 'when they are finished with the baths I will have use of one and you will be more than welcome to join me!"
His head fell back, he could not contend any longer, "Alright, I'll have Col spread the word that our doors will be open to the needy after sun down." his hand fell around her shoulder pulling her close, 'but it had better be a good bath."
She wriggled her face up, "Oh do not trouble yourself. It will more than likely put me in the mood for one!"
They laughed as he kissed her atop the head.
Once all affairs were in order and every party member had fulfilled their role and was situated in the wagon, it was set in motion for the bathhouse.
…
The entirety of the afternoon was dedicated to make the necessary preparations for the bathhouse to accommodate their social event. Lawrence busied himself with extracting the parameters, Col was tasked to the season decor and Hana, as it may have guessed, was preparing the stew. Holo found herself in livelier spirits and could not help but bounce around to each participant to assist them with their task.
In her aid of Lawrence she sketched down a formation the needy could follow allowing smooth and effective transition within the dinette and bathhouse. Essentially a line was to be formed where pottage was to be delved out first, bathing and washing of clothing to come after and thirdly a nice relaxing round of hot punch before given quarter. Her mind worked as an iron trap with rearranging the furniture, providing towels and bedding assuring plenty of warmth.
As she made ready to put her plans in action she discovered Col needing help hanging the tinsel in appealing fashion and quickly directed and assisted him in sprucing up the main hall in season fashion.
Soon after she rushed about placing stacks of folded towels in their correct positions, laid out the brushes and soap bars for easy assembly and accounted all sheets and sleeping matts she could muster before the main fire place. Then a final touch was to stack as many logs and kindling as she could to keep the blaze alive and well during the night.
After that her nose caught a whiff of the simmering stew in the kitchen and could tell by first impression that there were deficiencies to be corrected. Upon entering the threshold of the kitchen she spied Hana's backside churning the melting pot. Hana perceived Holo's presence and encouraged, "Come here and taste, I want to know what you think."
Taking a sample from the ladle Holo puckered a sip and reflected.
"Needs more salt and pepper,' said she whilst smacking her lips, 'tis not hearty enough either." came her conclusion.
"I feared that was the case." came Hana's remorse.
"All is not lost." encouraged Holo who bombarded the pantry, "Let us change the essence of the stew!"
She exited with full arms stuffed with a sack of flour, jugs of cream and milk, a dish of butter and a handful of eggs, "We shall make it a creamy dumpling stew!"
"If I had known that…' Hana trailed off then recollected her senses, 'I have not the means to season the stew and make dumplings at the same time without risk of burning the bottom."
"Show me how to make the dumplings." said Holo, "And we shall be on track!"
Hana gave her swift instructions to obtain their largest bowl and how to apply the ingredients to make the foundation for dumplings. Holo compiled them all and went to work on mixing them with Hana coaching, "Stir, whip, stir, whip; whip, whip, stir! Come now cooking can be fun!"
Both women laughed and reveled in the levity of their labors with Holo feeling a greater warmth than ever before felt. Once the batter was satisfactory it was plucked and rolled in little balls to be added to the stew and soon a wonderful brew was brewing closely resembling chicken gnocchi soup save a difference in fowl. Alas the meal was formulated into a serving of stew and a slice of seasoned ham. The taste surpassing Holo's expectations.
The last thing to be done was to single out the good fruit from the bad so a punch could be made. Which with the two heroines hard at work, was rallied and readied in a matter of moments.
Holo at this point found her good labors reflected adequately upon her appearance. Her braid became frizzled, strands of hair separated listlessly from her bangs as if floating in hot vapor, her face and collar drenched in sweet and her sleeves rolled up past the elbow. All this complemented by the soiled kerchief she kept tied atop her head like a due rag.
Satisfied, she quitted the kitchen to help Lawrence slide the furniture around then departed upstairs to change but stopped upon by seeing Col attempting to fasten some contraption. She entered and asked while looking upon it past over his shoulder, "What is that you are working on?"
"It's supposed to be an abacus." he said discouragingly.
"A what?"
"It's also known as a counting frame but I don't have enough material to finish it."
Holo looked on it curiously, "What need do you have for it?"
"Not me but for Master Lawrence. These devices are used to help make counting easier. I wanted it to be a gift for him but I don't have enough beads made."
"I could get you a log so you can carve more."
Col reclined in his chair ready to give up the fight, "I don't have the means to make pieces small enough to carve out. I won't have it ready by tomorrow."
Holo thought then excused herself and returned with an object she wished to present to him as an ample substitute, "Here, use this young one."
Col was stunned upon seeing it, "Mrs. Holo, that's the turtle shell comb you use to groom your tail! I can't take it and break it down, you'll never get it back!"
She knelt beside him placing a hand on his head, "If it is used to help you help Lawrence I shall cherish it forevermore."
He took it without arguing further. Holo tussled his disheveled hair then heard Lawrence calling for her. Their guests had arrived.
…
The line that had formed was sizable when considering how short of a notice it was. Many an eager soul stood bundled and motionless as they waited for the doors to open. Lawrence opened the door and beheld the way for them to pass. Meekly and mildly they filtered in expressing thanks without making too great a sound.
Holo took a glimpse from the environment they were departing from and found a white out of thick fog and ambient light swallowing them up near entirely. The night was cold and the fog so thick she could have sworn the orchestrator of the weather himself rested his very throne upon their shoulders.
Not long after, everyone was inside and gathering round the hearth of the main chamber. Hana and Col were erected behind the table dishing out bowls and plates of food, each being received graciously from frost nipped fingers chilled to the bone. Soon the den become more hospitable as bodies and souls began to warm shaking them from their hibernated state.
Stories were soon shared concerning many a thing; how some came to be homeless, travels, useful tips regarding how to survive off the scraps of the upper class, places to avoid and so on. But the most endearing were the stories of Yuletide.
One was about a great king fearing the spirit of Yuletide had been lost upon his page, but when seeing a lone peasant cutting firewood for his family from the antechamber of his castle called upon the boy to bring meat, fruit and pine logs to be delivered by them personally to the lowly man and his family. As their journey progressed the page found the rude wind's wild lament overpower his will sending him pleading for the king that he could no longer traverse the frozen terrain. Yet the king commanded his page to step in his foot steps with a promise that if he would do so he would find warmth filling the fibers of his being. So in his master's steps he trod and miraculously found the winter rage freeze his blood less coldly, and when they arrived to the peasant's house the page found his vigor re-energized and able to cook, sing and dance with the children. A lesson that those in service of their fellow man would find the blessing of strength to do so.
Most astonishing was that there were some among them who were mercenaries and soldiers currently discharged from service trying to make their way home penniless. After a few exchanges it was discovered that these men, when in the pursuit of their duties, had fought against each other only months before and were now united under one household. Gifts were exchanged between these brothers of arms, prayers were offered and psalms were read. Then side by side they lined up with bowed heads in solitude of their fallen dead. Yes it was a sight most likely never to be seen again.
Alas the chamber was filled with a common Yuletide hymn that was sung by everyone in unison some even in the tongue of their forebears.
Then at length the time to bathe and wash was agreed upon and the masses removed themselves to the hot spring. While the guests bathed to rid themselves of weeks of compiled odors, Holo was busy scrubbing each raiment up and down the washing board.
Lawrence approached her and asked while having to plug his nose, "Doesn't the smell bother you with that nose of yours?"
Holo continued to work while replying, "You know, strangely enough, it does not effect me."
Hana and Col helped with the drying by employing the rolling pins to squeeze out as much moisture as they could then hung them near the fire. By the time the guests were refreshed and finished, so too were their clothes ready for their owners.
The night was growing late and nearly everyone had retired to sleep but there was one such soul who was unable to partake of the goodness making her lamentations known in the sound of an infant cry. Holo heard it and immediately rushed to the origins of such despair and found a young woman dressed in rags rocking a newborn in her arms trying in vain to hush her down.
Holo stood before her awaiting a response when the poor young woman asked with humility, "Pardon me ma'am, have you any milk?"
Holo bowed with the greatest affection, went to the pantry and returned with a mug of warm milk and a clean rag so that it may be doused and sucked upon by the unweaned child.
The babe continued to fuss when Holo offered, "May I try?"
The young woman passed the little bundle off to the matron whose soothing touch had a greater impact on the child's peace of mind allowing her to suckle the cloth. Holo rocked the wee one with a look of endearment not seen in her before.
"Have you any yourself?" inquired the young lady taking note of her technique.
Casting her eyes back at her she said, "Oh no, well not yet at least."
"What of that boy?"
"Col? We adopted him a few years ago."
"Well, it is my wish that a wee one of your own finds its way into your arms"
Holo nodded then asked while still rocking the babe, "Tell me, how did you and this little one end up here like this?"
The young woman recalled her story with a tinge of noticeable melancholy, "I fell in love with a merchant and I conceived out of wedlock thrusting me from my parent's house. We tried to set up a new life but he made a business deal that turned sour forcing him into the salt mines and me on my own to care for our little girl until he fulfills his sentence. If he survives that is."
Again Holo nodded then held the baby closer so she could silently count her blessings knowing that could have been her reality with Lawrence had things not worked out for the better.
The young woman was soon asleep upright by the wall from exhaustion and so too was her daughter in Holo's arms. Quietly and reverently she placed the dreaming one back in the care of her mother's arms and departed in peace.
The only one awake in the den was Lawrence who, once feeling confident all had gone to sleep, arose to seek out Holo. He noticed the door to the bathhouse was ajar with a light sliding through the crack and proceeded to enter. As the door parted it revealed Holo sitting on the ledge resting her burden against a great stone with her pants hiked up past her knees to soak her legs.
He came around to have a closer look at her docile state and beheld her aloft in the arms of slumber. The private bath would have to wait.
Lovingly he gently raised her up and carried her out and up the stairs to the master bedroom to where she could be placed upon the mattress like an angel atop a cloud. The kerchief was removed allowing her ears to pop out and flex. Soon after the sheets were drawn over her and the lantern was turned out.
…
The following morning Holo had a slow awakening. She was festered with groggy hurdles and lingering after affects the late night burdens upon one's mind. The real drive forcing from bed was the illumination of the sun in her chamber, it was nearing midday. She erected herself up and looked out the window. Though the land she now called home had not changed ascetically there seemed to be joyous sense in the air on this day of Yuletide as if possessed by a special spirit.
Her mind was called to the sounds of Col, Hana and Lawrence below so she proceeded down the stairs to happen upon their happenings. She peaked past the threshold of the frame and found the three gathered in the living den ready to exchange gifts.
"Oh Holo you're up!" exclaimed Lawrence when seeing his wife then leapt forth to welcome her in.
Taking her by the shoulders they walked back in with her looking around to find it much emptier than when she last recalled, "Have they all gone then?" she asked with dejection.
"They have." said Hana, "And don't worry me and Col have cleaned all the bedding and replaced them neatly back on the shelves."
"Oh,' she sulked, 'I wished I could have helped."
"At the hour you retired?' said Lawrence, 'You were out like a light."
"I was. I only hope to have said good bye to that poor young woman and her baby."
"Who now?" asked Lawrence.
"There was a woman with a baby that needed calming by the fire place.' Holo recounted, 'I just wanted to see her properly sent off."
"Hm.' pondered Lawrence, 'must have missed her too."
They sat down so the exchange could commence.
"For Hana,' started Lawrence, 'I have this fine steel ladle."
Hana accepted it like a trophy fashioned from gold and said, "Thank you sir! No more wooden ladles that mold and go soggy with the passage of time leaving their splinters behind. Nothing but the finest meals shall be made with this!"
"And for Col,' he continued presenting the book, 'a historical account of the crusades."
The young cleric to be accepted it as if it were the fruit from the very tree of life, "Alas! With this I can see where the church had erred and better use church law to peacefully spread the word of God and avoid open conflict!"
Lawrence was relieved, "You like it then? Originally I was going to get you a history of the saints."
Col shook his head, "Oh no Master Lawrence, I am well versed on that topic but this will help further my knowledge and brighten my understanding of the world!"
Lawrence sighed with relief.
Col, upon setting it aside, presented his abacus for the master, "For you!' he exclaimed with delight, 'this will make all your accountings easier!"
Lawrence slid the beads around the slats as it rested in his hand, "Especially with the sun coin coming into circulation I can better mathematize the exchange rates." he said with a most gracious accepting of the boy's offer.
The rest of the exchange went as follows; Col had given Hana new and sturdier pairs of knitting needs and Holo a scented candle of apple cinnamon. Lawrence gave Holo a bottle of oil used specifically for the treatment of fine animal fur for her tail as was his right in the family while Hana gave everyone mittens, sweaters and socks expertly crafted by her own hand.
The gay Yuletide commenced a bit more then suddenly fell silent when everyone perceived Holo was not reveling in the spirit as everyone else. In fact she looked very depressed in contrast to her mood the eve before.
"Holo?' asked asked Lawrence, 'Sweetheart what on earth is the matter?"
"Did you not like the mittens?" asked Hana.
"Would you rather have had something edible in apple cinnamon?" asked Col.
Her eyes moistened a slight shade of red and shimmered like rubies underneath a river, "No, it is that I have not gotten any of you anything."
The air became dense.
"You are all so well prepared for this day and look at me,' she cried at her disheveled state, 'I am a mess with nothing to exchange in return!" she hid her face to try and dampen the blow of the overwhelming embarrassment and feelings of inadequacy swirling within.
The three of them looked upon one another then communicated with their eyes to have all their gifts simultaneously put away.
"Mrs. Holo." started Col invoking a glimpse from her eye, "If not for you I would not have had the abacus made in time."
"Madam,' followed Hana, 'without your keen senses the meal that was to be prepared for today would have been an unmitigated disaster."
"Honey,' finished Lawrence, 'without your insight I wouldn't have given Col a much more better gift."
"You have been the greatest gift to all of us this season."
She lifted her face up, tears careening down her cheeks like liquid pearls, "You mean it?"
Lawrence went to her side, knelt own taking her by the hand, "Absolutely. And not just us, the poor and needy we helped yesterday. If not for you those people would have gone cold and hungry this Yuletide."
"Yes,' said Hana, 'If not for your help in the kitchen I would never have made such a fine stew, in fact I have decided to make it my Yuletide tradition from here on out."
"Plus,' added Lawrence, 'this morning we were visited by noblemen who promote charity who wish to fund us next year so more goodness can be shared. The kind of revenue that will come from this kind of reputation will be off the charts. In fact Col may have to make me a bigger abacus!"
They all laughed.
"Holo,' resumed Lawrence, 'what we're trying to say is that we're sorry."
"For what?" she asked dumbfounded.
"We all got so carried away with the material things that it gave you the impression that that was all that mattered on Yuletide." stroking her knee he finished, "Everything I have ever wanted is sitting right here in this chair."
Holo's lip trembled, "You fool!" then thrust herself into an embrace crying over his shoulder with him patting her back. "I love you too."
Hana, when feeling this matter was a more private endeavor, called upon Col, "Come young master, the turkey should be done right about now."
Not long after, the feast of Yuletide was laid out before them with Hana insisting it was the best she had ever made. The portions were generous and the atmosphere heart warming and wondrous. It was all ended with a toast before they retired for the evening. A toast that whatever may come their way, they would never forget to invite this spirit within their abode come each Yuletide season.
The night silently drew itself upon the bathhouse like a tender father drawing the sheets over his child. Snow drops fell majestically from the sky like chips of heaven floating from the throne of on high bringing good tidings to wherever they landed. The frost cupped the window frames as if to cradle the inhabitants within.
The night had become silent and holy.
Lawrence sat before the fire place reclined in an easy chair with a mug of the remaining punch in his grasp. Holo strode up behind him of which he invited her to take sit beside him with an extension of the arm. She nestled in the crook of his armpit with a secondary mug offered to her as though he anticipated this very moment.
She rested peacefully in his bosom taking sips and sharing the warmth.
At length Lawrence said quietly, "So…how about that private bath?"
Holo snuggled in closer while replying, "Perhaps next season."
They both giggled and were silent after that.
Deeper into the night Holo found Lawrence sleeping peacefully and went to retrieve a wool blanket they could both share. Once she had one in her arms she noticed a figure in the window as she passed by. Stopping to have a closer look she beheld it was the poor mother standing with her baby in her arms.
Holo rushed to the door, swung it ajar stopping in the frame calling out, "Please do come in, I have this blanket and fire should you need warmth."
The woman did not speak, nor did she at all appear in any degree as miserable as she was the night before. In fact she had the peaceful look of an angel painted upon her face and her babe seemed happily at peace. In fact there seemed to be strange other worldly glow about her which Holo may have considered an effect of the white out stratus.
All the woman said was, "Blessings upon you and your family, oh fair one."
Stunned at her message Holo had dropped the blanket, she bent down only for a moment to retrieve it and when leaned back up the woman was gone nary leaving a foot print in the snow she once stood.
Holo looked up to the heavens and pondered these things in her heart.
And so it was on this evening of Yuletide.
Authors Notes
-The bit with Hana saying, 'stir, whip, stir whip etc.' was a reference to the Star Wars Holiday special. I couldn't help myself.
-The story of the king and the page is the song of Good King Wenceslas. If you have a chance to read the whole thing do so.
-The bit with the soldiers coming together in solidarity is based on the story of the Christmas truce during WWI 1914. When German and English troops had arranged a Christmas truce against orders, made their way onto no man's land, exchanged gifts, sang songs, buried their dead and held a service.
-This year of 2020 has left it's mark on all of us I'm sure. I can personally say this year has been the most trying for me both personally and spiritually. As we enter the year 2021 it is my message that the best way endure and recover is by lifting others up. Let us refrain from pointing fingers, laying accusations, shouting and brutalizing each other. Instead let us exert our efforts to forgive and understand. Walk away from causes and associations that might lead us down crooked paths. Seek not to mock but to praise, seek not to reset but to improve. If there is hatred in our hearts, sponge it, if there are breaks in our system, mend them. And if there be any who have crossed us, forgive them.
Words will never express my gratitude to those who have taken their time to read my stories review. I love you all and want you to have the merriest Christmas and Holiday season despite this year's best efforts.
Have a Happy New Year, and til we meet again, Stay tuned.