Siri Mitchell - Chateau of Echoes

One day, a chevalier arrived in Ys. He was clothed in red. Although Dahut smiled and spoke to him, he did not respond. As evening approached, he at last consented to speak with her. She took him as her favorite and took him to her bed, but he would not wear the mask.

A storm rose from the sea and began to batter the walls of the city. The chevalier demanded of Dahut if there was not some way to open the door of the dike. Dahut explained to him her father kept always the key around his neck. The chevalier suggested to her that as her father. King Gradlon, was asleep, she could take the key from him without trouble.

Dahut this did.

Immediately, a wave washed over the chateau and woke King Gradlon. Dahut realized that the sea had pushed over the dike and that the only escape was on the horse Morvarc’h.

The King and Dahut mounted the horse, but the sea was too violent and the horse began to sink. Dahut cried for the king to save her. At this moment there, a lightning flashed and a voice called for King Gradlon to throw Dahut to the sea.

The voice was Saint Guénolé. He told the king that Dahut was being punished for the sins she had made Ys to commit. Saint Guénolé repeated for King Gradlon to throw his daughter to the sea. The waves had almost over risen the horse Morvarc’h, so the King pushed his daughter into the sea.

Immediately the horse mounted the waves, and reached the land, and delivered the king to Quimper, the city of seven hills.

All from Ys were drowned. It is said that when the sea is calm, if you stand on the shore, you can still hear the bells of the disappeared city ringing. My lord says me that Lutèce was formed on an island in the middle of the River Seine. It is called Paris because “Par Ys” in breton means “Like Ys.” One says that when Paris is engulfed by waters, then the city of Ys will re-emerge from the sea.

I told my lord that it is better to live a life of purity than to live in a wicked but beautiful city.

I told him also my secret, that I repeat Ave Marias each day that I might bear a strong son for him. I told him if he will come at night more often, then God will see and send a child.

He looked at me then and kissed me on the cheek.

I demand of myself what did Dahut do all night with her favorites?

Is it possible that they told each other stories? My lord has told me his stories are ancient. Perhaps they are the same that Dahut was told.

one day after Ash Wednesday

I demanded of Anne this morning if she does not want a husband.

She began to cry and prayed me not to turn her out of the door.

I began to cry also and promised that I inquired only after her happiness and that I would never send her away. Only if she would want a husband for herself

I promise myself to write to my father demanding of him if there is anyone in our family who will suit Anne. And I will keep his reply against the time when Anne will want to marry.

two days after Ash Wednesday

We visited la Cohue, the shops where we found materials and friperie for new robes for Anne.

Agnès says me that I should have at least as many as Anne and one more.

I told Agnès that the robes I have do well. It is only three years since I have come to Bretagne and my robes were all new at that moment there.

She says me that if Anne has new, that I must too.

I told her that if she desires it so strongly, then she must pick the materials and have done with it. And also that a more comfortable hat would please me.

I passed from the dressmaker to the bookseller.

This evening, Agnès showed me the materials she has bought for me. They please me. There are several good silks, one of which is the color of turquoise through which gold threads are woven. Another is the color of thrift.

She has bought also a velvet of green which reminds me of spring and a second velvet the color of lavender. And the last length is of fine wool the color of a ripe peach. For these, she found some furs of sable, for which I am pleased, as these have become rare. She has also squirrel and fox, and then some lengths of gold braid and of the most delicate lace from Bruges.

Tomorrow, we quit Dinan.

three days after Saint Grégoire

My lord made a gift to me of a trunk filled with books! They have cost a fortune. I know this as I have made note in the accounts, but they will keep me for the next year. I am blessed with good chance.

To Anne he made a gift of a collar of pearls. They show well against her high color.

Agnès shook her head as she saw this and says me later that better pearls to a wife than a cousin.

I told her it should please her that my lord knows I value books more highly than jewels.

day of Easter

The mystery was performed this day. And all did well, save for one man who had inversed several of the verses. I had thought I would wish that all would know that I had written it, but in the end, it did not matter. Much more important to watch the faces of the peasants as they listened to the play. To realize that they cared not who had created it, only that it had been created. It made no difference the color of a horse, or how many oars had been broken during a storm, only that God allowed a miracle to have taken place.

But my lord says me that he has much pride in his little comtesse, that she should create such a wonderful work.

And if he is the only one who knows this, then perhaps it is the only thing that must matter.

six days before Ascension

Agnès is angry. I have received my new robes this day from the materials she bought for me in Dinan. The colors please me, but the fashions please not Agnès. She says me that they are not of the styles the most current as Anne has had made.

The styles most current have a small difference of neck and a small difference of skirt. The underskirts of Anne have broderie of flowers and vines. Anne says me that this is because I am still young.

It makes the least of things to me. I care not.

But Agnès will not be calmed. She claims Anne conspires against me.

This I cannot believe.

two days before Saint Jean-Baptiste

My form has taken shape.

Agnès says me that I am as lovely a girl as she has seen.

My hair falls still to my waist. It still is golden and curls. My eyes are still gray, but my cheeks have become more sharp. My chin has become more pointed. My chest has more at the same time my waist has less.

I wish still the high color of Anne.

My skin is pale.

At least it is clear.

And I suppose that I can pinch my cheeks for color when I have need of it.

nine days before Sainte Marie-Madeleine

Apropos of my lord: his men respect him. I know it by the way they stand near to him, always ready to hear what he commands, to respond to what he demands of them. And why should they not? He is clever, I have seen this when he plays at chess.

He is strong, I have seen this when he plays at soules.

He is wise in money, for all in his house are cared for and his table is neither that of a miser nor that of a spendthrift.

He has also a temper, though it is rare when he shows it. It is kept in control by a clenching of his square jaw, but is betrayed by a glint in his dark brown eyes. And glad I am that I have never received his harsh words, for words such as those, he chooses very carefully so they cut into the heart and leave wounds as lethal as that of a knife.

The woman of Anne watches him. But for this, he cannot be blamed, for he is tall, he stands a head above his men, and he has the grace of a lynx. And the carriage of a mastiff.

He is well-wrought and well-thought.

three days after Sainte Anne

We have come to hear that King Charles VII is dead. May God guard his soul. He is disappeared the day of Sainte Marie-Madeleine from a long maladie. One first heard news of his troubles since three years.