Pawns and Queens--A 15th Century Gwynedd Story--Chapter Three

[Evie]

Previous chapter: https://www.rhemuthcastle.com/index.php/topic,3199.0.html

Chapter Three

January 16, 1464
Rhanamé Palace
Evening


Upon first arriving at the Palace, Prince Nicholas and his traveling party had been welcomed warmly, shown to their guest quarters, and given an opportunity to rest and freshen up from their travels before being formally presented at Grand Court later that same evening. Later, he had been invited to withdraw to a private chamber with King Mikhail, who was able to spare a few minutes for a brief personal introduction before promising to schedule a time to speak with him at greater length regarding his suit for the princess's hand the following day.

Afterwards, the chamberlain had escorted Nicholas to the castle's new Banqueting Hall, where sturdy carved tables of exotic dark hardwoods had been set for an evening of feasting and revelry. His Uncle Périgord had already been seated in a place of honor at the high table, and the chamberlain continued to escort Nicholas up the length of the hall to the empty seat next to his uncle before leaving both men to await their royal host. On a lower table, yet still above the salt, sat Sebastian and their small Fiannese retinue.

Musicians played a merry tune from the minstrel's gallery above as the Andelonian courtiers and various other guests took their seats and the servers came forth with their ewers of lemon scented water and basins, offering each seated nobleman or lady an opportunity to wash their hands before the shared meal. The song ended, and a trumpet fanfare announced the entrance of their host, his queen, and eldest children, the fair Catalina foremost among them.

All had risen from their seats at the beginning of the fanfare, but as King Mikhail acknowledged the show of respect with a nod and took his seat, the rest of the guests resumed theirs as well. The seat between the King and Nicholas had heretofore been empty, but now Nicholas saw that Princess Catalina was to be his dining companion for the evening feast, which was no great surprise given his reason for traveling to the Andelonian Court. Once the royal family had also been given the opportunity to wash their hands, the servers withdrew. A herald announced the various dishes to be presented for the first remove, then stepped to one side, making room for the squires to process in with the laden platters of food, processing down the central aisle of the Hall to present each dish to the King for approval and for his personal taster's inspection before beginning to serve the meal.

As all the assembled guests reached for their pouches and knife sheaths to withdraw their personal utensils for the meal to come, Prince Nicholas did the same, drawing forth his napkin, spoon, and eating knife. When he looked back up, he noticed Princess Catalina studying him with a faint smile.

"Would you prefer to converse in Andelonian or in the tongue of your native Gwynedd?" she asked him in Gwyneddan, her voice pitched a little lower than he'd expected, although far from mannish sounding, her pronunciation perfect and only lightly accented. He was relieved, having feared that he might have to decipher either mangled Gwyneddan or Andelonian spoken with such rapidity as to make translation difficult.

"I can manage in either, Su Alteza Real, though I confess it has been a few years since my Andelonian tutor left Rhemuth, so my knowledge of your tongue might be a little rusty."

"Ah. In any case, I suppose it would make more sense for me to grow more accustomed to speaking in Gwyneddan than for you to polish the rust off your Andelonian. You are hardly likely to leave the Haldane Court anytime soon to move here to Rhanamé, after all."

A squire appeared before them, offering a tray laden with a variety of Andelonian delicacies. Nicholas selected a portion of each, serving them onto the silver charger that had been supplied for him and the princess to share, careful to serve the choicest looking morsels on her side of the charger as proper etiquette demanded. When he looked back up at her again, the princess appeared amused, the slight smile tugging at the corners of her lips having reached her eyes.

"Have I served something incorrectly, my lady? I confess I am not familiar with some of this fare, although the aromas are delectable."

She laughed. "No, Your Highness, it is not that. I was just thinking that you look only a very little like your portrait. Though I promise, that is for the best." She reached into her velvet belt pouch, drawing out a miniature portrait enclosed in a locket. "This is what we received to inform us of whom we should expect to call upon our court."

Nicholas took a closer look at the painting, stifling a sudden burst of laughter as recognition dawned. Jesú, Maman, had you no other limnings of me more recent than this? He handed the locket back to the amused princess. "My sister Miranda painted that. I think she was only thirteen at the time and learning how to limn portraits. I had just turned fourteen earlier that spring. I certainly hope I have changed a fair bit since then!"

"I'm certainly glad that you have! For a moment, I wondered if the House of Haldane was sending me a prospective suitor or a boy to foster." The lurking smile blazed free, causing her expressive features to transform from mere beauty to stunning radiance. Nicholas felt a sharp tug of attraction like a swift, unexpected kick to the gut. He laughed, knowing it was the expected response, though he dropped his gaze swiftly to the meal before them, his mind tightly shuttered as he attempted to compose his conflicting emotions. Once again, he felt vaguely disloyal to Mellie, and also overly conscious of the warmth and vitality of the lady seated so closely to him. Though he was also forced to admit that if he had to wed, he would prefer to bring home a bride whose company he actually enjoyed, and these early moments of first acquaintance were not the tedious and strained attempts to get to know one another that he had first imagined.

They passed the remainder of the meal in pleasant, if somewhat superficial, conversation, the princess explaining what the various foodstuffs set before them were and which were Andelonian in origin or which others hailed from her mother the Queen's homeland in Nur Hallaj, while Nicholas informed her of the various similarities and differences he had thus far observed between her home kingdom's attractions and culture and those of Gwynedd. There had been only one moment of brief awkwardness, when small pots of broth and melted cheese had been set on a tiny brazier before them along with a platter piled with gobbets of spiced meat to be dipped in the hot liquids. Catalina had already been prepared for such an eventuality, taking up an unusual silver utensil the likes of which Nicholas had never seen, although it put him in mind of a miniature pitchfork with a jewel-adorned handle. As he pondered whether or not his dagger could be put to the purpose of skewering the bits of meat for dipping, the princess, observing his dilemma, discreetly caught the server's attention and had him bring out similar implements for himself and Périgord.

"It is a recent fashion here in Andelon to use these," she explained as the server bowed and immediately left to do as he was bid. "They serve to help keep the fingers cleaner and, more importantly, well clear of the simmering broth. Though I should warn you to use them cautiously if this is your first attempt to use a dining fork. The sharp prongs have a nasty tendency to prick your lips or cheek if you aren't careful. If you have trouble mastering the utensil, the tip of your knife ought to suffice."

"Thank you for the warning," he said. "I will certainly do my best to avoid any unintentional piercings."

#

Catalina watched as the Gwyneddan prince hefted the unfamiliar utensil experimentally before testing it on a piece of meat and dipping it in the hot broth. As he focused on the task, she surreptitiously studied his profile.

The man seated beside her had long, thick lashes framing eyes that were a hue of gray reminiscent of storm clouds. Wavy hair as dark as her own, worn nearly shoulder length in accordance with the current fashion, framed the masculine lines of his face. A shallow dent in his chin softened the angles of his clean-shaven jawline, as did the slight uptilt at the corners of his lips as he transferred the morsel of meat to the pot of melted cheese, then took an experimental bite.  He lifted a dark eyebrow, thick but nicely shaped, as he savored the unfamiliar flavors. "Hm. Perfection!"  The prince's words nearly echoed her own thoughts, though hers were less inspired by their meal than by her dining companion. Mercy, this Haldane was more handsome than she'd dared to hope!

"And you've neatly managed to avoid impaling your lip as well," she joked. "Much better done than my first attempt to use a fork!"

He grinned at her, revealing well maintained teeth, before spearing a second morsel and turning his attention back to the meal, affording her another long moment to study him more closely. His right ear was pierced, she noted, with a small loop of twisted gold strung through it. Merely decorative, or was there some significance to the earring? Might there be some sort of ritualistic meaning associated with it? She had heard rumors that the Haldanes had some form of empowerment ritual which helped to augment their power–not entirely surprising, since several other dynasties including her own had similar forms of ceremony as well–though certainly this most recent generation of Haldanes had enough Deryni heritage in their bloodline to ensure any challenge to their throne could be met with naturally inherited magical defenses even if the rumors were false or outdated.

A Deryni husband would be a definite asset. Most of the royal houses of the neighboring kingdoms had at least some Deryni heritage, though in some it was far more diluted than in others. His strong Deryni lineage in itself would be enough to cause her to give the Haldane offer more serious consideration, even if the man himself had had the misfortune to look like a malnourished horse. Gone were the days when such considerations such as "pure-blood" or "half-blood" Deryni heritage were cause to sneer at another Deryni's birth, since it had been long since proven that a half-Deryni might still carry as much arcane potential as a full Deryni, or occasionally even more, given proper training, but the simple fact remained that the stronger Deryni bloodlines tended to have longer-lived dynasties and challenges made against them were far less likely to succeed, especially when the outcome was determined within the formalities of a Duel Arcane.

Despite the lackluster initial overtures of the formal proposal, Catalina found herself beginning to warm to the idea of the match, though she would reserve her final judgment until they had an opportunity to get to know each other better in private. She liked what she saw thus far–not simply his appearance, but also his observations, the occasional flashes of wit and humor as they conversed over their meal–but in this setting he was very much the Haldane Prince on display, doing his best to be pleasant and amiable. What was this man really like at his core? Catalina hoped to find out before making her final decision rather than afterwards.

A movement at one of the entrances caught her attention, and she glanced towards it. Señor Don Riordan ibn Ronan al-Liryah, a Caballero in the Royal Household and her trusted amanuensis, stood at the doorway, waiting to catch her eye. She gave him a subtle raise of her eyebrow, and he nodded. Catalina turned back to her conversation with the Haldane Prince, satisfied that she would likely receive the answers to at least some of her questions about him later that night.

#

January 16, 1464
Rhanamé Palace
Late night


Princess Catalina sat in her private study late at night after most of the court had retired for the night, waiting for her private secretary to arrive with the information he had gathered at her request. She was accompanied by her duenna, Doña Amina bint Nasir al-Zahra, for propriety's sake. Although she utterly trusted the man who had arranged to join her here, there was a chance, however small, that others might still be awake and about despite the late hour. Therefore, the presence of her chaperone should serve to dispel any rumor that she was meeting the man privately for the purpose of a romantic tryst, or at least make such a possibility seem far less likely, however odd it might appear to others that she was choosing to meet with him so late at night, in a dark room.

A wall panel silently slid to one side, and after a brief pause her caballero, Riordan, emerged from the shadows behind it, looking around the dark room. The moon was bright overhead, shining through the windows opposite the secret passage door, making it easier for him to spot the woman he sought. He walked towards her, dropping to one knee before her to kiss her signet ring.

"Su Alteza," he quietly addressed her, his barely audible voice reverent. She briefly lowered her shields to receive the flood of information he shared with her during the brief contact. Afterwards, he rose to his feet, bowing deeply, and withdrew into the shadowed recess once more.

#

Doña Amina's dark eyes were bright with curiosity as she and the princess returned to Catalina's personal quarters, though she asked no questions until they were safely esconsed in her bedchamber. As Catalina prepared for bed, her camarera locked the door and secured the window shutters. There was no need to light a candle to illuminate the dark room, for they had left a small oil lamp lit before making their way to the nearby study for their brief assignation with the princess's amanuensis and personal intelligencer, in hopes anyone spotting the dim light through the outer window would assume that the room's occupant was still within and preparing for sleep. As the princess changed into her nightgown, Amina picked up the lamp and brought it across the room to her.

"Shall I comb and braid your hair for you now, my lady?"

"Yes, if you please."  Catalina picked up the ivory comb from her dresser and handed it to her camarera, who started at the tips of the silky raven tresses, running the comb through them carefully to unsnarl any lingering tangles and gradually working her way up the thick length of hair until she was satisfied it was sufficiently smooth and tangle-free for braiding. Her deft fingers wove it into a single braid to prevent new snarls from forming while her mistress slept.

"You are doubtless wondering why I needed to meet with Riordan secretly so late at night." Catalina smiled her thanks at her camarera as she took back her comb, returning it to the jeweled box where she normally kept it.

"I am certain if you wish to tell me, you shall do so, Señora."

"Perhaps I shall, but not tonight. I need to think carefully through what he has shared with me first, and decide what to do with the information. I imagine my walk in the garden tomorrow with the Haldane Prince will prove to be most illuminating. What he chooses to share with me will assist me with making my final decision on his proposal."

"It was not bad news Don Riordan brought to you, I hope?"

Catalina shrugged as she pulled back the bedcovers. "It was not great news. Whether it was bad news or simply an unexpected complication remains to be seen."

Amina gently tucked her mistress between the down-filled featherbeds before dousing the lamp and disrobing for the night, pulling her wheeled truckle bed across the locked entrance to further ensure no one could disturb the princess's privacy until morning.

#

Prince Nicholas lay awake, his fingers brushing experimentally across the soft texture of the bedsheets of qtun he found himself lying between. The foreign fabric had a softer and smoother feel to it than linen, but a sturdier feel than silk. He wondered what a shirt of this fabric would feel like worn next to the skin, and if it would be warm enough in Gwynedd's colder clime. Mayhap in summer, it would serve.

On the truckle bed next to his, his squire Sebastian turned to face him. "Do you need assistance with falling asleep, Your Highness?"

Nicholas chuckled. "No. I'm quite capable of putting myself in a sleep trance if it comes to that." He rolled over onto his side to regard his squire's face in the moonlight. "So what are your thoughts and discoveries on our first full day at the Andelonian Court?"

"Very impressive, my lord. The food is amazing." The lad grinned. "I imagine you are asking me about other discoveries aside from first impressions, though."

"Quite correct," the prince confirmed, "although your first impressions are also worth noting. What, for example, do you think about my mother's choice of bride for me?"

Sebastian let out a soundless whistle. "I could only wish my own mother would choose so well, should she ever decide to offer me up on the matrimonial altar! You know, if you don't want the princess, I could be persuaded to make the ultimate sacrifice," he joked. "Not that a lady so highly born would have me."

Nicholas stifled a laugh. "I'll bear that in mind. Cheeky git." His smile assured the squire that his intent was more teasing than insulting. "What else did you manage to learn tonight?"

The squire looked thoughtful. "Surprisingly, very little. Or perhaps not so surprising. The squires and servants here are as well trained as the ones at the Rhemuth Court, very careful not to disclose anything too personal about the household they serve, which is the level of discretion one would hope to find in a royal household, though a little annoying for my purposes." He gave his lord a wry smile. "I can tell you that the courtiers and servants who are closest to the Princess, and in whom she would be most likely to confide, are all either Deryni or at least very tightly shielded despite being human. Those less close to the royal inner circle only know what my father would call "marketplace information."

"Oh? What sort is that?"

Sebastian grinned. "The sort of news or rumor one can pick up if one listens carefully amongst the crowd in any local marketplace. Sometimes useful stuff, sometimes not."

"I see. And what does 'marketplace information' tell us about the princess?"

"For one, she is apparently very particular about her choice of suitors. So the fact we've made it this far ought to be some cause for hope."

That was good news, Nicholas supposed. He did not care to imagine his mother's likely reaction if he were to return home brideless.

"Also, I detected a subtle brush against my shields earlier tonight. It was very quick, too quick for me to determine if it was an attempt to probe my mind or just to ascertain whether or not I am Deryni. I didn't pick up on any hostile intent, so it might just have been a simple shields check." Sebastian shrugged. "I will keep my guard up, but to be honest, it was little more than what I might have attempted, had a foreigner I didn't know and had no reason to trust turned up at your Court, so I was half expecting such an encounter."

"Good to know. It's likely little more than that–we've been on reasonably good terms with Andelon for over a century–but just be cautious nonetheless. Also remember that we are not the only foreigners here in Rhanamé, and it's possible that some dignitaries from lands that have little cause to love Gwynedd might have less benign intentions towards a man wearing the Haldane colors. And they might be more likely to test their luck against one so young and easy to underestimate. Could you tell who was attempting to test your shields?"

Sebastian shook his head. "No. I could tell the direction the attempt came from, but he was very good at remaining undetected and disappeared into the crowd before I could move in that direction."

"And you are certain it was a man?" Nicholas asked.

His squire looked away, though not swiftly enough to prevent Nicholas from seeing that the lad was attempting to conceal a smirk. "I can normally tell the feel of a woman from a man quite easily," he quipped.

Nicholas shook his head. "Speaking of feeling women, I trust you will be on your best behavior with the fairer sex during the duration of our stay here? We don't need to leave the Andelonian Court a gift of little Arilans."

Sebastian laughed. "I'm quite capable of keeping my hosen laced, my lord. I'll not disappoint you, even if that should mean having to disappoint an Andelonian lady or two."

#

January 17, 1464
Rhanamé Palace
The Formal Gardens
Late morning


The Princess Catalina sat waiting for Nicholas on a bench at the center of a formal garden which still appeared surprisingly vibrant to Nicholas's eye, accustomed as he was to seeing the flowering growth of spring and summer die off completely in the winter months. Not that there wasn't a chill in the air here also in Andelon, but despite the mild breeze he could still feel a bit of the sun's warmth beaming down on him.

He shared a look with his squire, who recognized his signal to wander from his side and find some other place to be that was still within sight and easy summoning distance, but affording him a bit more privacy with the lady he had come here to speak with. On the other side of the garden, he could see the Princess's attendants had done the same.

It was not, Nicholas mused, the most ideal of circumstances in which to woo a lady, but then again, he had as much hope for complete privacy with the virgin daughter of a King as he had for sprouting wings and flying back home across the Southern Sea. And at the moment, despite his reluctant appreciation of the woman before him, he would liefer attempt that flight. He took a deep breath, summoning his courage and hoping none of his trepidation would leak through his shields as he approached the fair maiden on whom his family's hopes all rested.

A smile tugged at her lips as she moved slightly towards one end of the bench to allow him more room to sit. "No worries, I don't bite. Though having my full set of teeth, I will admit to being equipped for it." The hint of a smile turned into a laugh.

"I shall consider myself forewarned, my lady," Nicholas quipped back, settling beside her. "I must admit, now that I have managed to secure a private audience with you, I am not entirely certain how to proceed. I have been told a variety of things about you by others who esteem you very highly, but is there anything that you wish to tell me about yourself? And is there anything in particular about me that you wish to know, or about Gwynedd?"

"It's awkward, isn't it?" The laughter in her eyes subsided, turning into empathy. "Here we sit, expected to learn all we can about one another in the course of, what, a few hours? Maybe a day or two of short encounters? And thus to discover if we have enough in common to build a future together. And that's the upside of the situation." She shook her head. "How old are you, my lord?"

"Twenty-six.  And you, my lady?"

She studied her hands. "I have nineteen years. At the end of summer, I will have twenty. Perhaps we will find some interests in common. I like to ride, sometimes also to hunt. Mostly with a merlin–mine is named Aloïs–although I am a fair hand at archery as well. And I love music and painting, as well as drawing illuminations and reading. Did your sister continue her practice at limning?"

"Miranda? Yes, her portraiture has improved over the years. She has a fine hand at it now."

"She is Queen of Orsal and Tralia, I am given to understand?"

"She is, yes." Nicholas clasped his hands together, trying to think of what to say about himself. "Like you, I also enjoy music. I play the lute, albeit only passably, but Rhemuth's Court has several bards and minstrels of renown. Like you, I also enjoy falconry and ride to the hunt at times, though to be honest I prefer more leisurely riding, since that allows me to enjoy the sights I am riding through. Which isn't to say I can't ride to the hunt, of course. For a soldier, that is part of basic training. I enjoy board games as well, particularly games of strategy, though I am not much given to gambling." He glanced at her. "I shall have to leave painting to you, I'm afraid, especially portraiture. Had I limned that miniature my mother sent you, you'd have received a sad caricature that appeared barely human."

The princess laughed.

"The castle has a fine library, if you enjoy reading," he added, "and there is a smaller yet still respectably sized collection of books at Eirian House."

"That is your summer palace, sí?"

"It is. We usually go there from June to August to escape the worst of the summer heat. Although I assure you, even that is likely much milder than your summers here in Andelon."

"Your winters make up for that, though, I understand."

"Unfortunately. I'm afraid our winters aren't our best feature. The best I can say for them is that they are milder than Beldouria's, at least in our more southerly regions like around Rhemuth."

"Then not nearly so hellish in Rhemuth as someplace like Cassan or Kheldour. Or Nördmarcke."

"Indeed." Nicholas studied her a long moment before venturing to ask, "I take it King Torval has already offered you a permanent residence at his Winter Palace?"

She laughed. "Oh yes. Shall I accept the offer? How long do you think it shall take me to turn into an icicle?" She shook her head. "I am not in the least bit tempted, though he seeks to make me an Empress."

"I'm glad that isn't a temptation for you. I have little desire to expand Gwynedd into an empire."

"It is hardly a small Kingdom as it is, Your Highness."  She paused a long moment before continuing, "I am given to understand that the King your brother is unwell. Do the physicians still feel hopeful that he might recover?"

Nicholas pondered how he should reply, but realized the truth of Cinhil's condition would be revealed to all soon enough. "He is in failing health, I'm afraid. We don't know if he has a year left or merely a matter of months, but at this point I think anything beyond another year of life would be nothing short of a miracle."

"I see. I am very sorry to hear it. He is not much older than you, I believe?"

"Twenty-eight this past autumn."

"So young! You are close, you and your brother? In more than age, I mean."

"Very." He sighed. "We also have a younger brother. And three sisters."

"As have I," Catalina informed him. "No older brother, that is, but I have three sisters who are younger, and also a brother who is my father's heir." She plucked a leaf from the bush beside her, toying with it idly as she asked, "You are your brother's heir?"

"I am. Unless there has been some development in the past few days that I am unaware of." Nicholas very much doubted it.

"The new Queen is Alixa, born of the House of Buyenne-Furstan, formerly of Joux, is she not? Has she settled well into her new life in Gwynedd?"

Nicholas was not quite sure how to answer that. Certainly Alixa seemed happier and less shy than she had when she had first arrived on their shores to wed with Cinhil, though their present circumstances weren't exactly conducive to long term marital happiness. "I think she has. She seems to get on well with my younger sisters, although she had only a little time to get to know Miranda before Miranda's marriage to the Hort."

"And Cinhil? Do they get on well together, or does he regret his choice?"

"Not at all. She...Alixa is very quiet and rather shy. But she has a calming manner and an amazing capacity for patience. I believe my brother truly values her," Nicholas said, to his own surprise because until this moment, he had never really stopped to think all that much about his sister by marriage, yet as he spoke the words, he realized how much of an asset and comforting presence she was for his ailing brother.

"I am glad she has received a warm welcome at your family's Court," Catalina said. "I have never had the opportunity to meet her, but when I was newly sixteen, I had the opportunity to visit the palace at Trebaçeaux, where I made the brief acquaintance of her younger sister, Cécile." She looked thoughtful, her fingertips beginning to pluck at the leaf that she held. "Tell me, once Alixa is no longer Cinhil's wife, will she be permitted to remain in Gwynedd, or is it likely that she will be required to return to Joux?"

Nicholas had never given Alixa's future plans much thought either. Had she ever expressed a preference? Perhaps Camber would know.  "She is certainly welcome to stay, if she so desires. She is Cinhil's Queen, after all, and will still be a dowager Queen of Gwynedd." A troubling thought occurred to him. "Unless you are worried about the prospect of multiple queens living under the same roof. If that is of concern, she could be housed at Eirian House...."

Catalina held up one slender hand, halting him in mid-speech. "You misunderstand, Your Highness." Looking up to meet his gaze with her own steady regard, she continued. "As I said earlier, my father brought me to Joux three years ago. We were there on the Jouvian King's invitation, because he sought a match for his son Rémy, newly come of age himself. When we arrived, King Renier and Rémy were very welcoming, very cordial, but almost immediately after our arrival, my father and I could sense something was amiss in the Court of Joux. There was an undercurrent of trepidation, not simply among the servants–though that would have been bad enough–but even among the courtiers. It did not take long before we learned of troubling incidents. A lad had accidentally let one of the hounds out of the kennel, and it ended up wandering into the hall. The pup was promptly returned to its keeper unscathed, but we later found out the boy had been beaten severely and released from service. That same evening, I happened to notice bruises around Princess Cécile's wrists when we were changing clothes. She claimed to have received them by bumping her wrist carelessly against a sharp corner of furniture. But I know of no furniture, no matter how ill-designed, that leaves fingerprints the size of a man's grip, nor causes a child's voice to tremble with ill-concealed fear.  And when I told Rémy that I did not think we were well matched, while he maintained his outward courtesy, I could feel his rage pouring off him in waves. Had I been such a fool as to accept his suit, I fear our kingdoms would have been at war within a year, for had he even once dared to handle me as Cécile had been handled, Andelonia would have wiped Joux completely off the map. So mistake not my intent, my lord. If Alixa of Joux has found a safe haven within your Court, then I will not be a willing party to sending her back to face the tender mercies of her father once she is no longer under a husband's protection. Especially if they were to believe that she has failed the House of Buyenne-Furstan by not providing an heir for the House of Haldane, her life could well be forfeit if she is returned into their keeping. If you would have me as your future Queen, we must agree on this."

"We do most certainly agree," said Nicholas, stunned by the revelation and sickened to his core at the thought of sending his brother's young widow back to such a home. He had wondered about Alixa's timidity in the past, but had just assumed she had a natural inclination towards shyness. Now so much that had been a mystery to him about his sister by marriage fell into place.

"I am pleased to hear it. Enough talk about such troubling matters. You have six-and-twenty years, I believe you said?"

"Quite so, my lady."

"Old enough to have some life experience; not quite old enough to be completely decrepit."

Nicholas grinned. "Hopefully not."

Catalina angled her face up at him, giving him a considering look. "And what of your household, my lord? Have you any children?"

Caught suddenly off guard by the question, he had to take a moment to remember to breathe. "I...Yes, my lady, I do." He felt his cheeks growing warm for reasons that had nothing to do with the noonday sun shining directly overhead.

"I see. How many?" Her voice remained pleasant, as unruffled as if she had merely asked about the weather.

There was little point in evasion. She would learn the truth of the matter soon enough. "I have three, Su Alteza. My son is eight years old. He has two younger sisters."

"And their ages?"

"Six and three."

"Three little stair steps," she said, still studying him with that slight smile. "Do they live at your brother's Court?"

"They do not, although my son is about to enter the King's service as a page, and I plan to give the girls a proper education as soon as they are old enough."

"Of course. It is only right that they should be properly educated as befits the children of a prince. But they are with their mother at present?"

"They are, my lady." Nicholas didn't attempt to read the princess's mind, knowing her shields would likely be harder than diamond, but even her features were impossible for him to decipher. She continued to watch him with that same maddeningly calm expression. What was going on in that inscrutable mind of hers? Had he just forfeited his chance at winning her hand with his honesty? In truth, he could think of no other alternative; he would rather not try to build a marriage on a foundation of lies.

"And they are full siblings? Or do they each have a different mother?"

"They are full siblings, my lady."

"Ah. Then their mother is a very blessed woman indeed."

"How so?" Nicholas asked warily.

"She managed to capture and keep your heart for at least five years, possibly more, which tells me that whatever your other vices and virtues might be, at least you appear capable of fidelity and are not overly prone to having a wandering eye." Her smile widened. "I am sure you will be relieved to know I have no children, myself."

That was far less of a surprise, given how much more curtailed the freedoms of a princess were compared to those of a prince, but he summoned up a relieved chuckle that she was not too angry or upset by his revelation to make such a jest. "I am glad to hear it. I might have needed to request a larger apartment, at least if you are still willing to consider my offer."

"Nicholas–may I call you that, or do you prefer to be called by a different name?"

"Nicholas is fine if you prefer, though my family and close companions more usually call me Colin."

"Colin...."  She sounded as if she was testing the unfamiliar feel of the name on her tongue. "And the Gwyneddan form of 'Catalina' is 'Catherine,' I understand?"

"It is."

She took his hand in hers, examining the signet on his finger. "Colin, I do not yet know what your expectations are for this match, but it is only right and fair that you should know mine. I knew to expect a Haldane prince. I had no expectation of receiving a cloistered monk, so you need not worry yourself unduly on that score. Now had Prince Camber come to request my hand and I were to learn that a priest had three natural-born children, I might have received that news with greater consternation. But if we should wed, I shall expect that you will treat me with the honor due to a wife, the mother of your future heirs, and in all likelihood your future Queen. Should you decide to continue your affaire de cœur with the mother of your children, I would expect you to use the utmost discretion, and it would be my preference that you take no other women to your bed in future. Though of course I would hope I could merit your undivided attention at least long enough to conceive an heir for your House.

"I do not expect perfection from any man; however, I do require honesty. In return, I will ever treat honestly with you, returning truth for truth. I am not such an idealist as to hope that marriage to any man will lead instantly to a love match and hearts joined eternally, but I do require the respect and kind regard of the man I choose to be my mate, and I will also return that respect and regard in like kind. Are these terms that you can agree with?"

"Readily so, my lady." He turned his hand palm-upwards, capturing her hand in his, and brought her fingertips to his lips. "In truth I had not expected terms so generous."

"And what of you? What do you expect that I should bring to this match, besides my hopefully fertile womb?"

"As grateful as I will be for any children we might have together, my lady, if ever I treat you as naught more than a womb, fertile or otherwise, I expect you to use that honest tongue of yours to tell me to take the most direct route to Hell. You are not a brood mare; I am not some prize stallion in the Royal Stud. However, what I desire most from this match, in addition to heirs–which I can't deny I need–is stability. Gwynedd is anything but stable right now." He gazed at the woman beside him, so young and yet so well prepared for the role she had been born for. "I was not born to become King, but it seems I shall soon become one anyway. I had other hopes, but I accept my duty. I will need a strong partner by my side, one whose wisdom and counsel I can trust. One who can tell me those things I need to hear, even when I might not wish to hear them. I should warn you, I can be stubborn." He smiled. "I suspect you can be also."

She smiled back. "You have no idea just how stubborn I can be. Though I can be persuaded to change my mind, if you have a logical enough argument."

"Fair enough."

"Is there anything else in particular I should know about your Court?" Catalina asked.

Nicholas sighed. "Speaking of stubbornness, you have not yet met my mother."

#

January 17, 1464
Rhanamé Palace
A withdrawing room
Princess Catalina's private apartment
Early Afternoon


"You are decided then, Sultana?" Señor Don Salim ibn Yussuf al-Qarrah's dark gaze lingered on Catalina thoughtfully as briefly turned his attention away from the throwing knife that he was sharpening. Most men would not be permitted to carry a naked blade in her presence, but Salim was her weapons master, and that was her knife he was sharpening.

"I believe so," Catalina stated. "But have you any thoughts on the matter that you wish to share?" The question was not addressed solely to Salim, but also to the others in her solar. These were her three closest attendants and confidants, charged to serve and protect her ever since she left her nursery years and began her education as a princess royal and a future queen.

"I worry he is not good enough for you, Señora," said Doña Amina. "He is handsome, si, but it takes more than that to make a good husband."

"I agree. But is there anyone else in the Eleven Kingdoms–anyone at all–whom you would consider a better match for me?" Catalina smiled as, behind her, Riordan burst into laughter.

"You know there is not." Riordan said. "The man doesn't exist who could live up to Amina's exacting standards. Even If he had a halo and golden wings, she would complain he shines too brightly." As they all joined in his laughter, he walked over to the window, gazing out at the gardens where they had waited earlier that morning as the visiting prince and their princess conversed, his merriment subsiding quickly. "Though in this case, I do share some of Amina's concerns. I understand the dynastic considerations that make this, on parchment, an ideal match. But will he make you happy, Señora?"

"I do not know, Don Riordan, but I think I am unlikely to ever discover that if I simply remain here waiting for another golden opportunity that might never come." Catalina shrugged. "I do not think that Nicholas Haldane would ever deliberately seek to make me unhappy, though, and in the end, I think none of us can fully depend on another for our own happiness." She thought back on her earlier conversation with the prince. "I think I could make a good life in Gwynedd and serve both the Haldane interests and our own here in Andelonia." She looked around the room at her companions. "I shall require an entourage, of course. I am certain there will be suitable enough ladies in Gwynedd, and that the Royal Household is more than adequately supplied with guards, tutors, and other staff as well, but I plan to ask the King if I might also retain the three of you. But only if each of you are willing. I would understand if you do not wish to leave the land of our birth to follow me into a strange land."

"I do not know, Sultana. Are your eyes prepared to behold the sight of me in Northern clothing?" The Moor grinned. "It is cold in Gwynedd. But I suppose I can find the inner strength to weather such hardships."

"The ultimate sacrifice for a man of the desert realms, I am certain." She smiled at him fondly before turning her gaze to Amina.

Her camarera frowned slightly, but nodded. "But of course, Señora. You will need a lady who is already well acquainted with your personal needs and habits."

Catalina's eyes met Riordan's. "And you?"

He nodded. "Where you go, I will go, Señora. As long as you shall have need of me."

The three retainers continued to discuss what the Princess would need to bring with her on the proposed journey across the sea to Rhemuth. Catalina fell silent, listening as they discussed the necessary travel arrangements, occasionally contributing some observation or suggestion but mostly remaining silent. Now that it was all but decided, pending the King's official approval and an agreement on the final terms of the match, she felt a certain sense of tiredness, one that she could not fully put down to physical exhaustion, although her sleep the previous night had been less than ideal, frequently interrupted by periods of wakefulness, her thoughts filled with anticipation mingled with anxiousness about her upcoming meeting with the Prince.

At last Salim asked to be excused, saying he had many preparations he needed to make if they were soon to go on a long journey. Amina saw him to the entrance of the antechamber, stopping by the doorway to share a quiet word with the weapons master before his departure. Riordan waited for the other two to be out of earshot before asking quietly, "Was my information of any use, Señora?"

"It was very helpful. Gracias. I cannot say I was altogether surprised, and at least he was honest when I questioned him. It's...a complication, certainly, but I was never under any illusion that he came all the way to Andelon to meet a complete stranger so he could profess undying love."

"That would strain credulity, sí." His eyes met hers for a long moment. "You deserve more."

"We cannot always have what we want in life, Don Riordan." She smiled sadly and offered her hand in dismissal. He gallantly bowed over it and walked away.

#

January 17, 1464
Rhanamé Palace
The King's withdrawing room
Early Evening


"So, as for her dowry, my daughter will bring two hundred fifty thousand reals, to be paid in ten yearly installments of twenty-five thousand reals each, secured by the rents of Berga, Liria, and Santiago, apart from her personal movable goods and various members of her câmera as she might choose to assist her in setting up her personal household in your Kingdom's Court. That is acceptable to you?"  Mikhail looked across the desk at his prospective son-in-law.

"That is acceptable, thank you. And as for her dower, for the honor of her lineage and person, I have set aside fifty-thousand gold sovereigns for her special use, secured by all the crown estates, but taken primarily from the rents of Mollingford and Woodbridge. And for her household maintenance–what is your word for it here, her câmera?--upon my ascent to the throne, she will also receive the incomes of the towns of Desse, Baynham, and Ramos.

King Mikhail turned to his scribe. "Read the draft back to us again, Señor Miguel."

The elderly scribe cleared his throat and began reading from his notes.

"On this seventeenth day of January, established in our presence the most noble and excellent man El Rey Mikhail Da'ud Reyhan Severin Vastouni, Sovereign of Andelon and Sultan of the Bhuttayriah on one hand and the noble man The Prince Nicholas Richard Brion Alexander Haldane, Duke of Carthmoor and Heir Presumptive to the Kingdom of Gwynedd, asserted before us that once upon a time a marriage was solemnly contracted between the Prince Nicholas Haldane himself and the noble woman La Princesa Catalina Sofiana Richenda Maria Vastouni, Princess of Andelon and Sultana of the Bhuttayriah, daughter of the said Sovereign of Andelon.  For the marriage the said Mikhail of Andelon gives as a dowry two hundred fifty thousand reals secured by the rents of Berga, Liria and Santiago, to be paid forthwith over the course of ten years, in addition to certain movable goods to be listed below, with this agreement:  in the event that it should dissolve by the death of the said Catalina before she should produce live issue proven to thrive beyond the age of five years, half of the dowry should be returned to the said Mikhail of Andelon.

"The described movable dowry goods I would entrust to Catalina...."

The scribe looked up from his paper draft and picked up another sheet of paper to examine it more closely. "La Camarera de la Princesa has listed all of the household items of la princesa which she intends to bring with her as her marriage portion. Shall I read the full list, Su Majestad?"

The Andelonian king shook his head. "I'll take a closer look at the list before you make the fair copies of the contract, but Catalina is free to bring any of her household goods, clothing, jewels, or other movable goods with her when she marries. She is also requesting that three of her current household be released from my service to accompany her to Gwynedd, to help her set up her new household in Rhemuth. Have you any objection to this, Nicholas?"

"I have none. She is welcome to bring more than three, if she prefers and if you can spare their services."

Mikhail glanced at his daughter, who had heretofore remained silent, gazing in thoughtful contemplation at the betrothal ring the Prince had placed upon her finger just a few minutes before the men had begun discussing the arrangements for her future. "Three of my personal household shall be sufficient for the long term," she assured him. "If I am to be a Princess of Gwynedd, it is my intention to select more household staff among the courtiers there who are already familiar with the ways of Rhemuth and Gwynedd. However, if you are willing to spare others, I can certainly use their assistance over the shorter term while I am getting my household established, and then they can return to Andelon once I have no further need for their services."

Mikhail nodded. "You will need more ladies-in-waiting during the short term, at the very least. I will see who can be spared to escort you and remain with you for the first year." Turning back to Nicholas, Mikhail added, "I will also send a full escort of men-at-arms to see you safely back to Gwynedd." With a knowing smile, he added, "Should you find yourself in need of a few extra men-at-arms over the upcoming year, I have spoken to several who would not be opposed to remaining in your kingdom a little longer before returning to Andelon, at least if the pay is right. In case undesirable neighbors should happen to come calling."

Nicholas grinned at the unexpected jest. "I am grateful, and will certainly be willing to offer fair payment for the additional duties requested."

"I am certainly not in any way commanding or even requesting them to fight on behalf of your kingdom, mind. I am simply...willing to look the other way if they take the long way back to my Court and arrive much later than originally expected. I shall assume they are being well occupied with their assigned task of ensuring the safety of my daughter in her new kingdom."

"Understood."

#

January 18, 1464
Rhanamé Palace
A guest apartment
Morning

"So you and your men are continuing on your journey this afternoon?" Nicholas asked his Uncle Périgord.

"Yes, we are off to see a man about a horse," Périgord said. Behind him, young Sebastian looked up from polishing Nicholas' boots and met his eyes, barely holding back a laugh.

Nicholas glanced back at his uncle. "The garderobes are through yon door and down a short corridor," he quipped, waving airily towards the connecting door and causing Sebastian to lose his composure entirely. Amused crinkles appeared at the corners of Périgord's eyes as he clarified, "We are meeting a renowned horse trader in Nabat to select which of his R'Kassi stallions would be best suited for the King my brother's stables in Fianna. Alas, we will not be able to stay long enough to see you off on your own travels, so I will take this opportunity to wish you Godspeed."

"Safe travels on your journey, Oncle. And I hope our paths will cross again someday."

"Likewise, neveu. May God go with you and your lovely princesse along your way home."

#

January 20, 1464
Rhanamé Palace
La Princesa's bedchamber
Mid-morning

"That's everything, then?" Catalina took a final look at her former bedchamber, stripped bare of most of its furnishings, which had been carefully disassembled and packed into crates for the journey to Gwynedd. Here and there, items and furnishings she had decided to leave behind lay scattered. She had tried to leave them in some semblance of order, but her mother's Camarera Mayor de Palacio had instructed her to just leave those items as they were, as they would be inventoried and the rooms refurnished once Catalina left for her new homeland.

"I believe so, Alteza," said Amina, consulting a checklist in the small ledger secured to her belt. "The men are just loading the last of the containers of items we won't need immediate access to onto the cargo barge. Don Riordan has double-checked that your wardrobe and some food for the journey is on our barge, and that of El Príncipe su prometido is equally well stocked."

"I see. I suppose now you are all just waiting for me?"

"Sí, Señora. La Reina has requested a few minutes alone with you before we go down, though if you need another minute...?"

Catalina blinked away the sudden upwelling of tears, took a deep breath, and turned to face her Lady of the Bedchamber, summoning up a smile. "No, I am done here. Mi prometido is waiting to take us to our new home."



Next chapter: https://www.rhemuthcastle.com/index.php/topic,3203.0.html

[DerynifanK]

I love the interactions between Colin and Catalina. It feels like there is a good foundation on which to build a marriage and a life. I love this story. I thought I would wait to read it this evening but when I saw it posted I couldn't wait. Of course there are questions, beginning with how they will handle Soraya who will have less control, especially after Colin becomes king. And then there is Mellie, I wonder what will happen there. I know Colin will care for her, but might she find someone else to build a life with. You are a masterful writer and I can hardly wait for the next chapter. Would you ever consider publishing it? It is a wonderful and absorbing tale.

[Evie]

I love the interactions between Colin and Catalina. It feels like there is a good foundation on which to build a marriage and a life. I love this story. I thought I would wait to read it this evening but when I saw it posted I couldn't wait. Of course there are questions, beginning with how they will handle Soraya who will have less control, especially after Colin becomes king. And then there is Mellie, I wonder what will happen there. I know Colin will care for her, but might she find someone else to build a life with. You are a masterful writer and I can hardly wait for the next chapter. Would you ever consider publishing it? It is a wonderful and absorbing take.

It does appear to be a pretty good foundation to build on, doesn't it? Though as Colin's Uncle Périgord pointed out in the previous chapter, marriage is like a garden. So they might be planted in good, fertile soil, but how the garden continues to grow depends a great deal on how well it is tended. They might well still experience enough ups and downs to build a roller coaster, or had you forgotten this is an Evie story? 

As for publishing it, I legally can't, at least not without substantially rewriting it to take it out of the Eleven Kingdoms altogether, which would also mean losing some very key and very Deryni-specific scenes that the novel would not work well without. You will see what I mean when you get to those. So I would not even know how to go about revising it into a form that isn't obviously a KK/Deryni world fanfic story. But at least by posting it here (and probably on Fanfiction.net's Katherine Kurtz board in the future), I am guaranteed a reading audience that is already acquainted with the world of the Eleven Kingdoms.

[DerynifanK]

Well your stories are wonderful and I am loving this one. Question, do Colin and Catalina marry in Andelon before returning to Gwynedd? Will we see it?

[revanne]

I am so glad that Nicholas had the sense to be honest about his children.
I'm sure things won't be easy for any of them but mutual honesty - if not full disclosure-  seems a good place to start.

I'm glad to see that Don Salim has made his appearance - it just distresses me that I'm old enough to be his grandmother.

[Evie]

Well your stories are wonderful and I am loving this one. Question, do Colin and Catalina marry in Andelon before returning to Gwynedd? Will we see it?

I can tell you that you will see a wedding, since after all that was the main objective of his trip to Andelon. 

[Evie]

I am so glad that Nicholas had the sense to be honest about his children.
I'm sure things won't be easy for any of them but mutual honesty - if not full disclosure-  seems a good place to start.

Yes, that doesn't seem to be the sort of surprise to spring on her after the wedding, if one is hoping for future marital harmony!

I'm glad to see that Don Salim has made his appearance - it just distresses me that I'm old enough to be his grandmother.

Am I going to have to write a Don Salim spin-off story or two for you to fangirl over? 

(Which reminds me...I do have several spin-off short stories from this main one that I will likely be posting at various intervals as bonus content when we get to certain points in the main story where those spin-offs would be most relevant. Since I am posting the main story chapters on Mondays and Thursdays, are there any thoughts as to when might be a good day of the week to pop in those spin off stories?)

[DerynifanK]

I am thrilled anytime I see an Evie story. Maybe Weds or Fri for other side stories

[revanne]

Any time works for me. 
Don Salim in desert robes for dessert please.

[drakensis]

I imagine that if Nicholas hadn't been forthright about the three conflicts Catalina is headed into she would have been much more reluctant to do so.

[Evie]

Any time works for me.
Don Salim in desert robes for dessert please.

I think you'll find there is a queue.

[Evie]

I imagine that if Nicholas hadn't been forthright about the three conflicts Catalina is headed into she would have been much more reluctant to do so.

I'm pretty sure that would be a deal-breaker for her, since she would need to feel like she could trust her life partner to be someone who would be honest with her, and to be someone she can admire and respect, even if it's not a love match. She would not be able to admire or respect someone she knows to be deliberately trying to deceive her, at least on the scale of hiding a long-term paramour and three children. It's not quite the same thing as trying to hide that someone is planning on throwing her a surprise party for her birthday!

[Demercia]

I love the way that Catalina is concerned for Alixa, though I had to hurriedly look back to check that the obnoxious Remy didn't form part of Soraya's plans.

[Evie]

Oh, you'll soon discover that Soraya and Rémy are entirely different. Soraya genuinely loves her family, she just has extremely unhealthy ways of showing it. Rémy... might make you willing to have Prince Conall back as the lesser of two evils.... 😅

[Demercia]

Yes, I didn't mean to compare the two, but he might have seemed a good dynastic match if you didn't know the truth.  At any rate it's obvious why Alixa doesn't find Soraya such a problem.