Theopolda's Quest. Linda Wisely

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      Theo's eighteenth birthday dawned a beautiful sunny day. The vineyards, which she could see from her balcony window, spread green and lush throughout the countryside surrounding the monastery.

      Theo thoughtfully brushed her honey colored hair which hung partway down her back, but which she had cut shorter on the sides. She remembered Fhi's consternation when she had taken the sewing scissors and whacked it off.

      "Why on earth did you cut off your beautiful hair on the sides like that?" Fhi had asked her.

      "It kept getting in my eyes when Will and I were sword fighting. I decided to cut it so I could see better," Theo had explained calmly.

      "A woman's long hair is an important asset. I would have talked to you about making such a hasty decision, if you had just asked me," Fhi continued.

      "It's okay, Fhi. I'm sure that the nuns and peasant women from the mainland won't care how I wear my hair. The monks probably won't even notice. It's really not important. Besides, I like it." Theo tossed her hair back. She was often one to act before thinking.

      "Very well. Let me at least straighten it up a little." So Fhi had taken the scissors and cut it at a more becoming angle.

      A hint of dimples could be seen when Theo smiled to herself, as she contemplated her future. She had grown into a beautiful young woman with a light complexion and striking, deep blue eyes that Fhi said were common to Italians who lived in the north. Above her eyes were delicately arching eyebrows. Her mouth was full lipped and naturally dark pink, set in a heart shaped face. But that was where the delicacy ended. She had a tanned, lean, and strong body, well-shaped but somewhat athletic. Despite her small stature, Theo could run fast, shoot an arrow straight, and sword fight with the best, thanks to Will and Sagan. Due to Brother Justus, she was better educated than most women of the day. Even though she could be considered a great beauty of her time, she was not at all aware of this, nor was it important to her.

      "Happy Birthday!" everyone chanted, as Theo came down the big stone steps into the immense dining hall. Flowers had been brought in from the monastery gardens and set in wooden bowls on the long tables where the monks and nuns had gathered for their meal.

      Theo had known that they would celebrate her birthday but was totally surprised at the extent to which they had gone.

      "This is so amazing! Thank you all." She clapped her hands with glee as she viewed the big pile of presents stacked in front of the chair at the head of the center table where Abbot Giovanni usually sat. Will and Sagan came forward, bowing comically, and escorted her to a chair. Brother Justus took the seat on her left, and Fhi was seated on her right.

      All of Theo's favorite dishes had been prepared. A boar had been roasted for the special occasion. Many quail had been baked, along with fruit pies, custards, and soup made with vegetables grown in the monastery gardens with tiny white onions floating on top. There was lemon flummery (a thick sweet custard), pickerel (a tasty fish they caught in the waters around the monastery) and sweet bank manger (a pudding made from poultry,rice, almonds, and honey). It was a grand feast.

      Each monk and nun had made Theo a small gift. Brother Justus had ordered a beautiful, leather bound prayer book. Will gave her a small rapier sword with a hand tooled leather sheath that she could wear on her girdle, and Sagan gave her a crossbow made of yew, with a shiny brass trigger, and a quiver full of arrows.

      The last gift was wrapped in purple velvet. It was a small gift that had sat at the bottom of the pile. Attached was a piece of parchment which read, "From your mother." How could this be? Theo thought. Her mother had been dead for eighteen years. It was the only sad thing about her birthday each year.

      As she slowly unwrapped the soft velvet, there, nestled in the center, was the most delicate and lovely necklace that she had ever seen. Upon closer inspection, she saw that it was a gleaming gold compass on a matching gold chain. It was very small, barely a half inch square. On the top and bottom was a tiny carved gold grape leaf and four diamonds clustered like grapes. Under the crystal at each spot where poles would normally be marked, sat four slightly larger diamonds that glowed with a deep fire. A small silver arrow floated in the center to point to the north pole.

      There was a hush all over the hall as Theo turned it in her hands, tears streaming down her cheeks. On the back was inscribed, "To My Giorgina."

      Theo looked up at Brother Justus as he stood up and came toward her, a question in her eyes.

      Brother Justus put his arm around her, and Fhi reached out beside her and squeezed her hand.

      "This was around your mother's neck when you were born. It is the only thing of value in her possession at the time of her death. We have kept it safe for you until you were old enough to take care of it."

      Theo had heard the story about her mother many times. How she had arrived on their supply ship one night, in the midst of a storm, seeking sanctuary. It soon became obvious that she was about six months pregnant. She was a beautiful woman, whom Theo greatly resembled. Though dressed as a maid, her speech, and delicate hands belied that. When asked her name, all she would volunteer was, "You may call me Gia." In exchange for sanctuary, Gia wanted to help in the kitchen. She was not able to help because as her pregnancy advanced, she continued to suffer morning sickness, which should have ended months ago. Because of this, she was not gaining very much weight. The nuns were very concerned about her and the baby. They encouraged her to rest as much as possible. So she had spent much of her time sitting in the beautiful monastery gardens, or resting in the plain but peaceful chamber she was allotted. When her time was near, the nuns went to the Abbot and asked him to call for a midwife and a wet nurse to be brought over from the mainland, fearing Gia wouldn't have any milk for the baby in her weakened state.

      After Gia's death, monks went to the mainland to inquire if anyone had been looking for a young woman named Giorgina. They felt that her family should be notified of her death. But they weren't able to find any information about her.

      Theo slipped the gold chain holding the compass around her neck. She decided in that moment that she would wear it always. She vowed to herself to find out where her mother had come from while they were on their trip to Italy.

      Chapter 4