Chereads / The Dread Legacies / Chapter 5 - Chapter 5: A FUTURE MADE BY KIND CHILDREN

Chapter 5 - Chapter 5: A FUTURE MADE BY KIND CHILDREN

It is so early the sun is not up and a cold dawn fosters frost on the grass and the vapors of Victoria's breath can be seen in the air. She walks in the north just outside of the village on a dirt trail. It is a path that leads to a small school house. A tall one story large enough to hold a town gathering still its bones look to be pushing 200 years and when Victoria steps inside Susanna and Madelief push past her, stopping to hand her yellow chrysanthemum flowers. One flower each, Susanna and Madelief hand them to her one at a time. The Chrysanthemum's are an art of nature with bold yellow hues, radiant vivid textures with both flowers sharing a deep blossom. Clearly keen thought and care was put into the picking of these flowers.

With an elegance and fragility that she reserves for children, Victoria gracefully accepts the flowers and Susanna and Madelief sit at their desks. As Victoria walks to the front of class there is no other sound that can be heard in the room except for the wooden floor boards grimly moaning with creaks under her steps. There is a stern authority to her that lives within an unwritten law and unspoken vows that even though she never voices to retain control most feel an unquestionable respect for her, especially the children.

After putting the flowers in a vase, with a number of other flowers that the girls have gifted her many days prior, she turns to the class with an enthusiastic demeanor.

The youngest in the class is Madelief being the age of seven with Susanna not far offat nine. There are three other girls who are all close in age to each other ranging from ten to twelve. The two sisters, Yvonne and Zoe, are in the class as well with five teenage boys who are in close age to them. As Victoria starts to speak she is just as quickly interrupted by Yvonne, "Miss. Victoria?" Victoria takes notice that Yvonne gives other students glances and that the whole class is wide eyed giving off an anxiety that Victoria reads making her concerned.

"We… want to know… if… you could teach us…" Just then Kasper walks in with his son, Augusto, a young man of sixteen. They both stand by the door, hesitant to step further, as if they were intruding. Kasper's straw hat gripped in front of his farming smock with soil covered hands. His body bent in embarrassment, for risk of being turned away.

In a Spanish accent, Kasper interrupts the conversation, "Miss. Victoria. Is there room for my son to sit? I hope to pull him out of the fields so that he may learn under your school lessons in the mornings from now on."

"It is my wish to also be here Miss. Victoria." Augusto innocently adds. Victoria responds in Spanish, "Of course. There is plenty of room,"

"Ah, knowledgeable in language as well!" Kasper remarks with newfound confidence. "Thank you Miss. Victoria. Augusto, take a seat my son. Learn," he gently pats Augusto's cheek affectionately.

After Kasper leaves Augusto settles into a near by desk. Victoria says to Yvonne, "As I was saying, there is only one lesson a day. Let us not be too hasty, and today we shall continue with grammar." But before Victoria can continue Yvonne speaks up again, "All of us are interested in learning about…" Victoria looks over all the children in the classroom before Yvonne continues, "Well, we want to learn about trust."

"Trust?" Victoria questions with both her eye brows arching high, "I, think we can humor this for a little while. The definition of trust is not something that will take up an entire lesson."

"No," Yvonne says, "Not the definition. We want to know how to trust someone. My father deals in trade every couple of months. Men who travel from other ports come through to trade with him. I have heard their discussions of how all of the people in the Dutch republic are suspicious of each other. We live in a world of fear- the tradesmen hath voiced. They hath spoken about sisters who have come to denounce their brothers, son's their fathers and friends in all for they suspect each other of being a traitor. A traitor to the traditions of the Dutch people. The Dutch republic. A traitor for not resisting emperor Napoleon's rule. Rhode Huevals hath not seen the Agents de police or not even one French Imperial soldier in over a year. That is not to say the rest of our Dutch people are still suffering. The elites find no exclusion tis for their sons were taken from them to join the imperial army. No one trusts anyone. How do we trust?"

Victoria walks away from her desk to be closer to the students. Looking over the eyes of the children its as if they all asked why and now sit in wait for their answer.

"I see." to then spend a moment in silence with the classroom.

As she leans against her desk she addresses them,"There is no short answer in such a request. I can give many answers and I can give my answer. The one answer that holds meaning with me. Even if so, there are few in this class that will grasp my words. This is equally a profoundly important matter and a difficult one to navigate." Augusto gently speaks up and in a Spanish accent, "Well, teach us despite. The eldest of us can do our part to learn it. Therefore we can do our part to teach it to the youth of us." His classmates unanimously agree with him. Victoria is speechless to her students eagerness. She ponders intensely piecing together a strategy with her collective knowledge like a chess player planning their next four moves. She straightens up and speaks with the well versed melody of a string quartet.

"Humankind survived thus fardo to fear. Before society, before the warmth of clothes, before the safety of shelterhumankind feared the predators that were bigger and stronger. It is fear to which we eventually build shelters. We feared hunger, illness and death in the winter. It is fear that to which we began farmingand harvesting for the winter months. We feared losing water to which we then settled our homes close to the rivers and oceans. It is because of fear we can recognize what to trust. It is why we tell stories of woe. Of monsters and villains. So that our next in linage may heed the tell tale signs of what to fear. In turn crystallizing more and more of what to trust. There are folklore and books that tell of examples of poor decisions and villainy. It is more than just bedtime stories and amusement. It is a form that must be recognized to help transpire the transfer ofethical and moral lessons of humankind and the recognition of villainy. This can be found further in the study of historical documents as well. The history of kings and queens. The better you recognize poor decisions and villainous traits the better you use your fear to avoid or evade them. Fictitious characters such as the big bad wolf from Little Red Riding Hood describes untrustworthy traits to look for in what can be a villainous person. The dangers in a stranger's deception of politeness. Who here knows The Song of Lord Halewijn, or Heer Halewijn?"

All but Augusto raises their hands and Victoria continues, "A maiden hears a song in the night. The lure of lord Halewijn and becomes enchanted. She knows that all young maidens who hath sought out this enchanting lord were never to return. Still, she is swooned and wishes to seek him out. With only the permission of her brother, promising so long she keep her integrity in tact by taking a sword so she may protect herself lest misfortune should fall upon her, she then pursues the lure of lord Halewijn deep into the woods. When she finds him she cries satisfied with the man he is and the loving gentle nature he portrays. Soon they ride further into the labrynth of the woods where he leads her to a gallow field." Victoria recites a verse:

'Then they arrived at the gallows field

with many women's corpses hanging there

with many women's corpses hanging there.'

Victoria continues, "This is the importance of the story. In this moment we must recognize that no maiden hath returned to her home and family because the Lord Halewijn hath lured them all to their murder. It is here in the story that our fair maiden flourishes in her strength to stay true to her integrity and moves forward with vigor to act swiftly against her villain. She acts as so because she portrays the idol of what must be done lest we all fall victim to deception. Our maiden challenges him to death by combat and while he is distracted by her ruse she beheads Lord Halewijn with the sword she bared. Our maiden was the only maiden to return home. Many a maiden had to die so fear would happen within our maiden. T'was fear that lead her to her survival. The Song of Lord Halewijn is a lesson we sing about to remind all that the paths of curiosity can be traveled till our survival is threatened. We sing to remind us to fear not death till you foolishly temp it. We sing to remind the children whom yet to come, that there is no trust where there is harm and to see with all your integrity when your trust is in danger of deception. Fear the knight or the lord as in our fair maiden's story, fear them who enchant us with whims and loving satisfaction but with the same hands will harm others. It is with those words I wish for you to grow remembering to feed a world where truth is greater than all those who choose to deceive. If you are to be, then you will build a world of which there is less deception. There will always be fear, thus truly unnerving is a world where we must fear without rest from it. Even worse, if what we are to fear is so masked by deception that we no longer know how to recognize what should be feared; then not only will men, women, and children fall but so shall kings for you can not rule a world that can no longer survive."

Yvonne raises her hand, "Yes Yvonne?" Victoria says calling on her and Yvonne replies, "I was there yesterday when Ambroos was giving birth. Why… why did my parents trust you? Why did all the elders trust you? My mother sent me to find you, but I knew not why. I soon saw you had knowledge others've yet to gain. Is knowledge noble of trust?"

Victoria smiles at Yvonne and before she can answer, Zoe speaks up to answer Yvonne, "It's because she is the angel of life. I heard father call her that."

Turning around for only a moment, Victoria is moved almost to tears. She collects herself and represses her tears to then return to the attention of the class.

"Yvonne, I was trusted because the knowledge I convey is done with vigor. I worked with confidence which assisted in every one of the adults in the room trusting me. Understand, because I sought out Ambroos's wishes and considerate with good intent, everyone found within themselves more reason to trust me. This is most important of all… I would never have gone through with the operation t'was a void of trust in me held by Ambroos. And lest we forget, I in turn, put my trust in everyone there. We leaned into each other with a common goal to strive for."

***

Sometime later Victoria lets out the day's school session and while watching the children walk back to the village together their laughter echoes. Bernardo surprises Victoria by saying, "I'm afraid sometimes." She jumps only slightly and quickly recovers to respond to Bernardo with a little chuckle, "You! You, Mr. Bernardo. What could you be afraid of?"

"I'm afraid these children don't know pain. Without it they wont seek fantastic elements. What imagination can be made without pain? Nor will they dream so largely to affect the world. The parents here all intend to put an end to their children's pain. Shield them from the blight of Napoleon's era. Woe, for the future of imagination will suffer. For grand imagination is born from pain."

Victoria Frankenstein takes a step to the side and in a firm stance rebuttals, "No. Far from it. Mr. Bernardo, that is no way to think. I hath seen what terrible hearts and minds parented, therefore damning people to a lifelong pain. Those same people with their incurable pain are thee that history is written about. It is with enthusiasm I say, I am eager to see what will become of a world built from the imagination of kind children. It is the only world we have yet to see."

Bernardo and Victoria look on watching the children as they take the path back to town. Augusto picks up Madelief and puts her on his shoulders, her little shriek of excitement as she hangs on to his head. Victoria sympathized with the connection these children have with each other. A connection kids hold with no intention of severing the ties that bind. An unseen knit made from the yarn of innocence overlapping for them now while they are unknowing of what it feels like to be incomplete without the presence of even one of the children.

Bernardo reaches over to Victoria to hand her a yellow Chrysanthemum flower. Victoria takes notice and with a blush rising in her face she turns away while reaching to take the flower.

"By my heart, Bernardo. It is with a flustered hand I receive this token of affection, if indeed tis what you intend."

"Miss. Victoria," Bernardo replies, "It is what I intend. A small gesture I admit. Please let it carry the weight of a great gesture for this is all a poor Italian man has to offer."

With a raise of Victoria's hand she gestures towards the school, "Understand, every school day, Susanna and Madelief travel to the pond in the woods north of town because tis where a batch of Chrysanthemums grow. They pick the prettiest ones to gift me and still, your offered flower has warmed me. Both in my chest and my comfort." Bernardo leans closer and in a quiet speech he says, "With winter approaching, I can be trusted, whenever you are in need of finding warmth."

An involuntary bashful grin grows across Victoria's face as a shine of pinkness blooms over her lips. "Now that," Victoria declares, "Mr. Bernardo, is most respectful. An invite 'tis I do intend to oblige you with. Lest the cold become too overbearing."

"I long for the day… amore mio." Quickly, Bernardo straightens up , remembered something, "Ah, yes! Jacop and Geertrudia informed me a feast will be held to celebrate you. T'was meant for yesterday. What say of thy Misses for me to join in the festivities?"

"Please, Mr. Bernardo. The feast therefore would lack being called such if you are not present."

***

Later that evening the sound of joyous celebration could be heard within Jacop and Geertrudia's home. Victoria is seated to the right of Jacop, who takes his place at the head of the of the large wooden table that stretches long. It adorns a clay pot filled with soup and a ladle, a near empty tray of sliced bread and pitchers of Rhine wine. The guests sit around the table before their plates of fish that have been stripped to the bone. A weaved basket holds remnants of cabbage, potatoes, carrots and red mammoth beats. Seated beside Victoria is Bernardo, picking morsels of food out of his teeth, more than satisfied with the meal. Ignaas sitting opposite of Jacop pours another cup for Wilhelmina, seated to the left of him. Geertrudia looks on in amusement to the left of Jacop, as conversation is had. Knelis sips his wine in cheerful silence beside his sister.

There is a warmness in the house not just from the congregating guests but also in a joy that is made by the spirit of these kind people. They all know how to make the celebration about the celebrated. If there was an anger or a fear they carried they hung it up before the door frame of the house. Here in these hours was a moment to recognize that a dark time for their community was avoided because of Victoria. A grey cloud of uncertainty already lingers over the Kingdom of Holland with Napoleonic rule ever present. For the time of this meal in the company of good people they celebrate not just the lives saved, but also the genius of Victoria Frankenstein in an opportunity to forget what looms over their lives and homeland.

Geertrudia speaks up across the laughter of the table at Victoria, "And this is when you were all children? You and Jacop?" Jacop replies, "Yes! Very young children." Victoria has a laugh that is charming and unburdened in this moment. She has a freedom to her like a person who has never known the restraints of another who would be controlling, or even that of fearlessness that would never allow for it. After she lets out a laugh she responds, "Yes! Yes Jacop, we should recognize you were very young. Let that be the defense of the argument for throwing your fathers books out of the fourth story window into your mother's garden. Let it also be the defense for your misdeeds against poor Grandfather Roderic."

Jacop dead pan stares at Victoria before grabbing a pitcher of Rhine wine to refill his glass, "Oh heavens. You really do know me too well." Geertrudia questions, "You fulfilled misdeeds on your Grandfather?"

"Yes," Jacop replies, "Well you see, I had this Grandfather Roderic. Tis was often in his old age that he would be terribly forgetful. Then there came a day where in our library I was reading with young Victoria and I could not hold my bladder. Here is thy terrible misdeed, I had chosen not to relieve myself in private but instead I urinated on the library floor…" Victoria speaks up with, "Directly behind poor Grandfather Roderic's chair!" Bernardo and Ignaas erupt in laughter. Jacop continues, "When I was finished Grandfather Roderic who was too old to move about without assistance calls out to me 'Jacop my dear boy… hath thou pissed on thy floor in the library?' to which I lied by telling him 'No Grandfather Roderic. Don't you remember? You did that. Just now." Wilhelmina lets out a cackle, Ignaas proceeds to laugh. Knelis spills a bit of his drink as he bursts with amusement.

"Jacop!" Geertrudia exclaims, "How terrible!"

"Ye twas not but a child!" He says in his defense. Victoria, laughing, adds, "A very young child… of ten!"

"Jacop!" Geertrudia exclaims again over the laughter at the table.

After a moment when the laughter begins to die down Geertudia turns to Victoria, "You really have known Jacob since you were children?"

"Since childhood, yes. Jacop's father worked with my father and because women were not aloud to have an education in Britain I would join Jacop in private tutoring."

"There is more." Jacop says, "Victoria's father insisted on round the clock tutoring. She was the disciple to a many educated men. Her father saw to that. She took on lessons for hours long after our lessons together had ended. Fencing as well as sword fighting and hand to hand combat from soldiers. She learned from engineers, chemists, natural philosophers, Cultivators of science. Barbers in all their workings, doctors, surgeons. All teachers from all over the world. There is no mind like a Frankenstein's my father used to say."

"You learned from surgeons?" Geertrudia asks, "That is why you were able to save my sister and her child?"

"Yes, simply put. There is far more a depth to the knowledge of the procedure I conducted for your sister. When I was sixteen my father took me to learn hunting with a Ugandan tribe in Africa. He supplied them with seeds, food supplies and tools. In exchange they taught us their customs. There was never a moment he was not beside me in the hunts. It was there I learned that when a woman has birthing complications they perform the procedure to extract the child through the belly. The Ugandan people have been practicing this for over two-hundred years. In between hunting I would learn and eventually perform the operation."

"How many women did you save?" Wilhelmina asks. Victoria takes a pause, "How many… women? I saved… two-hundred & seventy-seven women. Ambroos is the two-hundred & seventy-eighth."

It is only the women at the table who become misty eyed. Wilhelmina involuntarily has streams run down her face. The table becomes silent, not a gasp nor a pout. Utterly moved to learn that so many lives were saved.

"But I wish it were more. I returned to Britain with an ambition to convince the British institutions of medicine to adopt these practices and they turned me away. They weren't going to listen to a woman, let alone a girl. It's this zeitgeist of dehumanizing women that has stopped us from maturing in medical practices. This procedure would have saved my mother." she says slightly dropping her head, "My mother passed in my birth."

Victoria stands with all the anxiousness of slowly erupting geyser. She pulls her hands in towards her while sliding her palms across the table. She uses her finger tips to nervously tap at her hips before running her hands down her sides.

Jacop leans forward in his seat, "Victoria? What burdens you?"

"This world Jacop." She answers. "A world of knowledge out there and still the doors are closed to giving this knowledge to the whole of humanity. Simply because it is not a man who came to discover it. I was educated by my father because there is a stronghold on the world and women are owned and what is in Rule is to deny a woman accessibility to the public streets. Living such a normal life no different from that of livestock. Products shelved for fathers and husbands. I am stricken with disgust to learn of any woman that was not allowed an education. Tutors needed to be accommodated with enough wealth to buy a village in order for me to learn about medicine. Men? The holders of rationale? Where doth we look for rational thought when my education came at the cost of a fortune. Only behind closed doors was I allowed to learn lest the world of men lay there eyes on a women equal in their capacity to be rational, self-governing and powerful. This world built a wall of men standing guard for generations to keep women from growing along side them as equals. My mother documented the witch hunts that lasted three-hundred & sixty years. A Phenomenon of accusations and convictions that saw the murder of hundreds of thousands of women. Imagine if those hands were given the same education as men. How much higher the people of the world would have grown. The world that of which could have been. The morale that would hath grown unhindered in communities everywhere for their would have been no mourning over the corpses of mothers and daughters and sisters. The helping hands that would doth be within reach for progress and support. The presence of women hath been diminished and silenced where given opportunity there would have been seen their contributions to the advancement of this world still in its adolescence. To disappointment we now suffer for it is with a pain the body can't recognize that lives in the legacies of mothers, daughters and sisters. For hath such a history never came about and a world where the minds of women and men work together, raising kind children, building communities, then the course of history would find itself in a flourishing direction today. If it was so, medicine would hath seen a better proper hygienic routine and with more minds to practice the science of medicine. My mother… my mother… may have survived giving birth to me." Victoria with all the eyes of the guests watching her with un-breaking attention thinks to herself "These people, they will find no reverence in my shunning discussion." and then she says to everyone, "I apologize. I hath run away with my thoughts. Please forgive me. Please, do not think me informal, I… I will turn in for the night." She makes her way to the stairs and with her back turned Geertrudia calls her name.

"Victoria! Do not forget, you saved the life of a mother and her child yesterday. You see a world without new medicine. For my sister… my niece… for me. You are the new medicine."

"I am no good to the world now." Victoria thinks to herself and then replies, "Your compliment is well received Geertrudia. Thank you for tonight. But I must rest now." Victoria continues up the stairs to her room where the night of festivities ends for her, she lays awake staring at the dark corner of the ceiling. She gives a withered sigh, fighting back the warm tears of anger and disappointment. "How ungrateful of me," she thinks, "to ruin the celebration with my problems. To call out on the world's flaws and how it has wronged the likes of me. I am no better than those I speak ill of, staining the night with my blackened heart. What use am I to the world, old and now indifferent to the efforts of those who truly seek enjoyment in their days. What hospitality could I possibly hope to expect by sunlight? Perhaps it would be in everyone's best interest to cast myself out – to spare kind people of an old woman's ramblings." The night grows later, as Victoria resolves to leave come morning. Her eyes flutter shut as she drifts to sleep, her heart heavy with the gravity of her emotions.

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