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

[Evie]

Previous chapter: https://www.rhemuthcastle.com/index.php/topic,3222.0.html

Chapter Thirteen

February 19, 1464
Late Morning
The Port of Beldour
Beldouria

King Torval's hired ship The Spotted Pard had reached its berth at the Port of Beldour, where it would be transferring its passengers and cargo to a waiting barge that would convey them further upriver into Nördmarcke. Torval watched through the window of his cabin as the ship's captain and crew arranged for the transfer of goods between the two vessels. Here in the heart of Beldour, he preferred to keep as low a profile as possible, for even though both ship and barge were flying Beldourian colors, and despite the fact that (at least for the moment) Beldouria and Nördmarcke were not officially at war with one another, he had made little secret of his future ambitions to reunite the two halves of the once mighty Kingdom of Torenth under his own banner, and that goal would hardly have served to endear him to King Miklos of Beldouria. If Miklos were to discover Torval passing through his kingdom, especially with an allied queen, an allied prince, and a force of armed men, he might choose to make difficulties. Had their positions been switched, Torval certainly would do the same.

Prince Rémy and Queen Cécile were also watching the bustling activity outside from the privacy of his cabin, albeit seated as far apart as possible within the small confines of the space. While Rémy's health had improved markedly over the past several days, his temperament had not, especially once he had come to the realization that his despised sister now outranked him. Cécile, having come to that realization as well, used it to her advantage by making it clear to Rémy that as her husband's bride and King Torval's ally, she was entitled to the protection of two very powerful men. The level of unspoken enmity between his two new allies was palpable, and quite likely ought to cause Torval more concern, but he couldn't help but feel highly amused by it as well. Rémy, he had decided, was a toad, but he was a very useful toad, and therefore could not be alienated. At least not yet.

Cécile gazed beyond the waterfront to the city beyond it, rising above the walls which separated the port from the city itself. Everything they had passed along the way seemed to excite the little bird, from the quaint hamlets along the river's edge to Beldour's towering onion domes with their bright colors. Torval was finding himself growing increasingly fond of her despite himself, but it would not do for him to get too attached. She was just a pawn in a much larger game, and he must keep reminding himself of that.

Maybe, once she had played her part, and when the war was over, once Haakon was out of the way, he would make her his mistress. She deserved a man who would treat her well and open her eyes to the sights and wonders of the world that her young heart craved. Ingrid would likely not object too strongly if he kept a plaything on the side, so long as he was crafty enough to conceal any hand he played in her son's eventual demise, because she would certainly protest far more strenuously to that. But it was still far too early to know completely how events would unfold, so he would keep his thoughts regarding his sweet little bird entirely to himself for the moment.

Rémy, on the other hand, was an unmitigated boor. Torval was grateful for the loan of Joux's men at arms and Cécile's dowry promised in support of their shared cause, but if the young dauphin should happen to fall quite early on in the battle, his loss would be unlamented. Though perhaps the cub could be persuaded to lead an assault on Rhemuth rather than joining in the main battle at the front? Whatever the outcome of such a move might be, it could serve a valuable purpose. Either Rémy would fail, dying in the attempt, and Torval would be happily rid of him, or he would succeed, thus gaining Gwynedd's capital and ensuring that kingdom's downfall while he and Ingrid were focused on gaining the eastern side of the kingdom bordering Beldouria. Were that to happen, then once Gwynedd was fully secured, Torval would be all too happy to make Renier's most cherished dreams come true and lend him all the men and support he needed to overthrow Orsal and Tralia, and perhaps the rest of the Forcinn as well. After all, Torval stood to benefit either way.

If Rémy were dead, his sister Alixa would be heiress to Joux. If she survived the siege on Rhemuth, she would be a very valuable hostage. If she did not, Cécile would inherit Joux from her once Renier no longer took up valuable space above ground. And Cécile was already very firmly in his grasp.

It was a win-win situation either way, really, though hopefully the man-cub would at least live long enough to be useful and take down Rhemuth.

#

February 20, 1464
Rhemuth Castle
The King's bedchamber
Late morning

"Good morning, slugabed," King Cinhil teased his wife as she stretched and opened sleepy eyes to gaze drowsily up at him. "It's about time you woke up! I've already been through all my dispatches for the morning." He leaned over to kiss his wife's cheek.

Alixa sat up, giving a startled glance out the window. "Dear one, why didn't you wake me?"

Cinhil ran a strand of her tousled auburn hair through his fingers. "You were obviously very tired, love, and there was no need. Everything was well in hand."

She yawned. "I have no idea why I'm so tired lately. Colin's been securely married, the foreign delegations have come and gone, and nothing else too strenuous has come up in the meantime, aside from having to coax Maman out of her foul mood every so often, but even that seems to be abating now that she's coming to terms with Balian's presence here at Court. Catalina has been a huge help, and your sisters have been very busy at their studies or preparing for their upcoming marriages. And while you've been quite occupied with Colin and Cam preparing for the war, I've had less to do with that end of things, aside from helping take stock of our resources, so you'd think I wouldn't be so sleepy all the time!"

"Are you sufficiently awake now?" Cinhil asked, bending again to brush a strand of hair away from his wife's neck, kissing her throat and feeling her pulse quicken beneath his lips.

"I...oh, yes!" Alixa giggled. "You're obviously quite awake this morning!"

"I've been curled up beside a beautiful woman since I woke up," he said, "which is more than a little distracting to a man attempting to focus on his work. I think maybe you should make up for distracting me."

"Oh, should I?" Alixa laughed as she pulled Cinhil into her embrace. "Well, I'll do my best to atone for that."

His hand roaming down her body suddenly stilled, and he pulled back slightly, looking lost in thought. "Sweeting, when did you last have your courses?"

"Oh goodness, I don't know...." Alixa thought back. "Early December, maybe? I think it was shortly before your father died. But you know how irregular they get sometimes, especially when there's so much going on. I'm sure they'll resume any time, now that things are more settled."

"Or perhaps not," Cinhil said, cupping his hand over her abdomen. "I think maybe you should talk to our Healer, or maybe a midwife."

Alixa stared at him. "I'm sure it's fine, love! I've skipped months before."

He smiled. "Yes, but I think this time there might be another reason why you've skipped two months." He moved his hand to one side, bending to kiss the spot where it had rested before looking back up at Alixa's questioning eyes. "I think this time you might be bearing my child."

#

February 20, 1464
Rhemuth Castle
The Lower Bailey
Late afternoon

Prince Nicholas walked slowly, aimlessly, through the parklands of the Castle's lower bailey, feeling stunned. Shortly after the Queen's examination by the Royal Healer, accompanied by an experienced midwife, both had confirmed that Alixa was indeed bearing a child, and had likely been since very early December. After an hour or two of private celebration, the King had sent for him to share the happy news, although he cautioned that it was to be kept private for the time being, until it was more certain that the unborn child would continue to thrive.

Nicholas felt both elated and perplexed by the sudden revelation. On the one hand, he felt genuine joy for his brother and sister-by-marriage, because he knew that this child, whatever it might turn out to be, had been deeply longed for. The Royal Healer had informed Cinhil that it was still too early to tell for certain whether the expected child was to be the long-anticipated heir or a little princess, but that in just two or three weeks it would be easier to determine that for sure.

But another part of him felt some small bit of...consternation, perhaps? Why had it taken them this long, and of all the times such a revelation might have come, why had it waited until now? Granted, even if an heir was born that very moment, the poor little tyke would still be in for a very long regency before he would be ready to take on his birthright, and so many children failed to survive their early childhood years for one reason or another, so Nicholas supposed he should have needed to marry anyway to help keep their bloodline more secure. But just as he had never wanted to be King, he had also never wished to be forced into marriage, so for the briefest of moments before reason had returned, he had felt almost a sense of betrayal at the news, hastily suppressed.

Deep down, he realized he couldn't even truly resent his marriage anymore. His feelings for Catalina had become deeply confusing. At first he had not wanted a wife in his life at all, not unless that wife could be Melisande. Then he had become resigned to the match, but unwilling to develop any tender feelings for his proposed bride. In his mind, en route to Andelon, he had built her up as some sort of opposition, if not actually the enemy.

They say no battle plan survives contact with the opposing force. Nicholas had quickly discovered that his plan to keep his heart well fortified against his wife could not long survive against Catalina's determined siege. He had wondered more than once why the Queen was the most powerful piece on the cardounet board, when clearly it was the King who was meant to hold all the power. He laughed at the thought now. The woman had him wrapped around her bloody finger, that was why!

He found himself at the practice yard, where the pages and squires were being put through their training exercises by Duke Joscelin and Lord Salim. On the outer edges of the yard, a few other fighters had paired up to test their skills against one another. Nicholas thought he spied his squire Sebastian paired off against Cillian of Llyr at the farther end of the field, and Lord Riordan was facing down a smaller but relentless opponent of his own.

With a start, Nicholas realized he was watching his wife on the practice field. Why was his lady on the practice field? And what was that outlandish get-up she was wearing? She appeared to be wearing some sort of wrapped robe of desert origins cinched with a wide band, and visible beneath the calf-length hem he caught the occasional glimpse of what appeared to be wide-legged trousers tucked into ankle boots. She was covered from throat to toe, yet Nicholas was not at all certain he wanted anyone else besides himself seeing that much of his wife's lower anatomy! If she must play at combat games, could she not have done so in proper skirts?

The prince stared in bemusement as Catalina attempted to get under Lord Riordan's guard, her shots deftly parried by the bigger and more experienced fighter, but despite that he could tell that her aim was true and her strokes tightly controlled, her footwork nearly flawless. If she was a squire, he might have judged her close to combat-ready, but surely his duchess didn't think he was going to allow her to march off with him to war?

It made no sense. Nothing about this baffling woman made any sense. He truly did not know what to make of any of this.

A swift, sure thrust got through her opponent's defense, and he leaped back hastily, only narrowly avoiding it. Nicholas did not really want to encourage this, but he felt obscurely proud nonetheless.

The bout ended, the two opponents silently arriving at some mutual agreement. They walked towards the edge of the field, doffing helmets and arming coifs, looking almost like any other pair of tired and sweaty combatants sharing a jest and a laugh before heading off together to grab a cooling pint of ale after a practice match, except that Nicholas was certain he had never before beheld any of his soldiers and found them insanely beautiful. What in the world was wrong with him?

They stopped at the field's edge, still caught up in conversation, unlacing armor and dropping the pieces of plate into their armor bags to be cleaned and polished as soon as time permitted. Catalina, glancing up from the task, spotted some fleck of mud or debris on Lord Riordan's arming doublet and reached up to casually brush it off his chest, causing him to take a startled step back with a slight shake of his head.

The memory flooded back into Nicholas's mind in an instant: the cold chapel floor, his anguish, Catalina's comforting arms around him, holding him tight.  Oh, Colin! Sweet Jesú, I know. I know how it feels to love someone with all your heart and have to let them go. White-hot pain like the thrust of a spear shot through his heart.

He did not trust himself to speak to her at that moment. Nicholas turned and walked swiftly back towards the upper bailey of the castle.

#

February 20, 1464
Rhemuth Castle
The Queen's Tower
Late afternoon

Prince Camber stared at the Queen, unsure if he had heard correctly, although the glow of joy suffusing her features made him feel certain that his ears had not failed him. "You're with child?" He swiftly bottled up the cascade of emotions welling up within him, needing a few moments to sort through them and figure out which ones were safest to express. "That's...amazing! Does Cinhil know yet?"  What an idiot he was! Of course his brother already knew! Why would Alixa not tell her own husband first?

Alixa giggled. "He was the one who figured it out and had me call in the Healer to confirm his suspicion. If it had been up to me, I might still be wondering months from now why all my gowns were getting so snug!"

Camber strictly suppressed the instinctive urge to glance down at her abdomen. He was certain she was not far enough along to be showing yet, or surely he'd have noticed before now. "Do you know yet if it's a boy or a girl? And when is the baby due?"

"We don't know yet, though Cinhil says he has a hunch that it's going to be a girl. He says he's happy either way. I don't know whether to hope for an heir or hope that it's not one, given the complications that would ensue if that happens now." A momentary shadow crossed her features. "The Healer says the baby is due sometime in September."

Another gut punch. Camber was not at all certain Cinhil would make it through until September to see his child born. However, the birth of Cinhil's child ought to make Alixa's position in Rhemuth's court more secure. At least that should ensure her father could not force her to return to Joux, if she had fulfilled the terms of her betrothal contract. So that, at least, was more happy news, even if it raised even more conflicting feelings deep within him.

She would not need to marry him now to ensure her safety. Camber tried to tell himself that was for the best. She didn't want him anyway, and all things considered, that was certainly as it should be.

"Since anything might happen between now and then, we're not making a public announcement just yet," Alixa said, "but since you're family, I wanted you to know."

He took Alixa's hand, bowing over it to give the air above her fingertips a respectful kiss. "Please extend my congratulations to my brother."

"I will." She beamed up at him. "I'm on my way up now, so I'll let him know and let you be on your way to wherever you were going. I don't mean to keep you."

He sighed at her departing back. Yes, he was perfectly aware of that.

#

February 20, 1464
Rhemuth Castle
The King's Tower
Late afternoon


Catalina was still laughing as she entered their apartment. "¡Dios mío, I need a bath!" she said when she first spotted him. "Is Amina in? I'll see if she can have one sent up." Catalina started to cross the room towards the connecting door when she realized that her husband had not responded. Something felt wrong. "Colin?" A feeling of foreboding swept over her. "Oh, sweet Jesù...it's not the King, is it?" She stopped in her tracks, staring at his stony expression.

He folded his arms across his chest, silently regarding her. She felt a sudden chill. "Colin?"

"It's him, isn't it?" he finally responded. "How long have you been in love with Lord Riordan?"

She stared back at him, forgetting to breathe for several long moments, before carefully replying. "Why do you ask that?"

He took a step closer to her, his stormy eyes never leaving her face. "Pretend for a moment that I am Camber." Catalina was disconcerted by the sudden shift in topic, wondering what his purpose was as he took a few steps even closer. "You are speaking to me when you spot a fleck of something on my shirt. What do you do?"

She was utterly baffled. "I...I imagine I would let you know of it."

"And how would you do that?" Nicholas' voice was flat, giving her no clue of his meaning.

"I suppose I would tell you."

"Exactly." He took another step closer, standing right before her, still unsmiling. "And now imagine it was me. Now what would you do?"

"The same, I should think." Catalina stared up at him in confusion.

"No, you would not. This time, do not think, just react. I have a speck on my shirt...." He reached out to dab a spot of mud on her training robe, flicking it onto his own chest. Instinctively she reached a hand out to brush it off. He caught her wrist.

Realization dawned. She took a deep, calming breath, her mind racing beneath shields of adamant.

"You have not answered my previous question, Catherine."

"Because the question is moot, Colin. When I accepted your offer, I made a choice. I chose you."

He remained dangerously still.

"If you do not trust my faithfulness to you as your wife, then Truth-Read what I say to you now, Nicholas Haldane," she said quietly, lowering her shields slightly to better enable him to do so. "I have never, since pledging my life to you, played you false with any other man, nor did I ever do so with any other man before I met you. Nor will I ever do so.  If there was ever a time in my earlier life when I had hoped for greater freedom to share my heart and bed with another, I still freely chose not to act on my feelings because I knew my greater loyalty must lie with my future husband, even if I had no idea at the time that would be you. Tell me, my husband, having Read the truth of my words, were you equally true to me in these past ten years?" She yanked her wrist out of his suddenly slack grasp, turning away from him. "My life is in your hands, my Prince, but I'm having my bath first."

#

"¡Ay, pobrecita!"  Amina gently massaged her lady's scalp as she washed and rinsed the sweat and suds out of her lady's hair. "Did I not tell you that el principe would not approve of his princesa fighting like a common soldier? Come now, there is no use crying," she attempted to soothe Catalina, instead managing to almost completely snap her fraying patience.

"Thank you, Lady Amina. I can manage from here. I wish to be alone right now."

"But your hair!"

"I know how to dry and comb my own hair, Amina!" Catalina took a deep breath. It was not her camarera's fault that she was ignorant of the true reason for her distress, though how her former duenna had managed to remain so completely blind to the only genuine threat to her charge's chastity over the past half decade, Catalina truly had no clue. Perhaps like everything else in her life, the woman had men sorted in two completely distinct categories–the honorable sort, who perforce must live like eunuchs and never know even a momentary stray thought; or ravenous wolves seeking innocent maidens to ravish. She wondered which category Amina thought her husband fell under? On second thought, that hardly merited a moment's reflection. She had made that opinion clear enough on their wedding night!

She sighed as the door closed behind Amina, closing her eyes and sinking deeper into the hot water, letting it ease her physical aches even if it could do little for the pain inside.

She had to warn Riordan. She had no idea what Colin was likely to do in his present state of mind.

She sent out a questing tendril of thought, finding him almost instantly in his own room nearby, tending to their armor. The Prince my husband has learned of my feelings for you. He is.... Incensed? Outraged? She sent Riordan a brief flurry of images of the encounter she had just had with Colin. Perhaps it would be best if you avoid his notice for a while. I doubt that he will harm me, but I worry for your safety.

There was a long pause before he answered. I will avoid drawing undue attention to myself, then, but I'm not going to flee either. That would appear too much like an admission of guilt. A longer pause. You are quite certain you are safe?

I am rarely fully certain of anything where Nicholas is concerned, but I would be extremely surprised if he would harm a woman, at least with what little cause I have given him, and I could feel from his reaction that he registered the truth of my words. Once he has had ample time to reflect, I think he will be fair. But at the moment I do not think he is thinking so much as reacting.

A mental chuckle. You do have that effect, Señora. I knew the risks when I lost my heart to you. But I will do my best to avoid giving your man further reason to wish to kill me.

#

February 20, 1464
Rhemuth Castle
Prince Camber's apartment
Early evening

Camber sat by the fire, nursing a goblet of Vezairi port. It was not his first glass, but he hadn't bothered to count how many he had consumed already. There was still some left in the bottle, but he had consumed enough of it to achieve a comfortable level of numbness. He considered pouring himself a little more, as he had nearly reached the bottom of the goblet, but the damned cat was curled up on his lap fast asleep, and he didn't wish to disturb her.

The door flew open, but Cam was not unduly alarmed, because his senses instantly informed him the intruder was just his brother Colin. However, it was not like Colin to simply come bursting in unannounced, so that at least was enough to prompt a vague sense of curiosity as to why his brother had come.

Titivillus's amber eyes flew open. She hissed at the intruder, bounding off Camber's lap and slinking under a nearby bench. Colin ignored her presence as he stalked across the room, helping himself to some of Camber's port before falling heavily onto the settle beside him. "How in the hell have you managed to hide that cat from Maman for so long?" Colin asked him.

"Maman isn't given to bursting into private chambers without an invitation," Camber replied, "and for that matter, neither are you. What makes this night different?"

Colin was silent for so long, Camber had assumed he'd forgotten the question. "She's in love with somebody else," he finally replied.

"Maman?!"  Camber gave his brother an incredulous look.

He was certain he'd seen daggers less sharp than Colin's glare. "No, you numbskull! My wife!"

"Oh." Camber took another swallow of his wine. Yes.  That could very well be a problem. Being in love with someone else's wife was definitely a problem. Or someone's husband. Or whatever the issue was here. He dimly sensed that perhaps he was not in the best shape to keep track of this conversation, but he would give it his best shot anyway. "Has she been unfaithful to you?"

"Define 'unfaithful'! She's in love with another man!"

Camber winced as Colin's voice echoed off the walls. It was perhaps fortunate that his chambers did not directly adjoin anyone else's apartment at the moment, because that was quite likely not something Colin would wish spread around the castle like wildfire, were he in a calmer frame of mind.

"So, you are saying she's lain with him?"

"No!" Colin looked even more outraged at this slight to his lady's honor. "Even if she were minded to, when would she have had the opportunity, and where? In our bed? I would have sensed it!"

Camber held his hands up in a gesture of appeasement. "All right, well, that's good. So what is the problem?" He studied the bottom of his goblet ruefully. It was empty, but Colin had appropriated the rest of the bottle.

"She. Is. In. Love. With. Somebody. Else!" Colin spat out through gritted teeth.

"I see. So are you. Aren't we all."

Colin looked dumbfounded. "What does that have to do with anything?!"

Camber gave his brother a sidelong glance. "And you think I'm the numbskull? Colin, have you ever taken a moment to listen to the things that come out of your bloody-minded mouth?" He scrubbed his face with his hands, vaguely noticing the interesting fact that he couldn't feel the tip of his nose. "So you say she has feelings for another man, but she has never actually given herself to him. Is that correct?"

"Yes."

"Nor has she ever given herself to anyone else?"

"Of course not!"

"And therefore it stands to reason that unless she is the Blessed Virgin Mary, she has no children either."

"What is your point?"

"My point, dear senseless brother, is that you took this woman into your life apparently fully expecting that she would be reasonable enough to accept that you have been in love with another woman for ten bloody years and have three children by her, and that you were entering your marriage with no genuine desire to quit your paramour's bed in future, yet I am guessing your wife was meant to remain cloistered in a convent out of sight of any fanciable males until she reached an age to be shipped off to wedded bliss? Is that the idea you had in your head?"

"But...that's different!"

"Is it?  How?"

Colin looked confused, glaring at his wine as if that was somehow the port's fault. "Because...." He subsided into silence, staring down into the dregs at the bottom of his cup. "Because I'm an idiot."

Camber nodded. "You are. But I think she's growing fond of you anyway. At least if you can manage to nurture that sentiment rather than crushing it."

Colin closed his eyes, leaning against the back of the settle. "It's just that somehow the possibility never even occurred to me that she might still have feelings for someone else. I knew she had at one time–she let that slip once–but I guess I just figured it was some girlish fancy, long gone." He glanced at Camber, looking utterly lost. "It hurts."

Camber nodded. "Yes."

Colin gave a mirthless chuckle. "Lucky you. At least you've never been in love."

Camber, drunk as he was by now, recognized two things. The first was, his idiot brother had finally realized what he felt for his wife. The second was, his idiot brother was still blind to anything beyond his own face.

"Go home, Col."

#

February 20, 1464
Rhemuth Castle
The King's Tower
Late Evening

A slightly unsteady but not completely soused Nicholas finally returned to his apartment. All seemed quiet within. He entered his bedchamber, which was dark and empty aside from a banked fire in the fireplace. He quickly scraped away the ashes and stirred the glowing embers back into life, bringing more light and warmth into the cold room.

His bed was as empty as the room. Under the circumstances, that was no surprise.

A glance at the door to the adjoining room showed that it was shut, but the key was still on his side of the door. That, at least, was promising.

He knocked tentatively, expecting Lady Amina was most likely to answer, but when the door opened, he found his wife regarding him unsmilingly.

"Can we talk?" he asked quietly.

She made no answer, but as he stepped back, she entered the room, closing the door behind her, though she made no move to lock it as she customarily did when retiring for the night. That was fine. Given his mood when she'd last seen him, she likely felt safer that way.

"What about?" she replied, sounding tired.

She looked like she'd been crying, and her hair was a damp and tangled mess. Somehow she was still heartbreakingly beautiful.

"I went to Camber's place tonight, stole his wine, ranted in his ear a bit, and came to the conclusion that I'm an idiot. Why haven't you murdered me yet, Catalina?"

The corners of her lips lifted almost imperceptibly. "Because I was under the impression that would be high treason, but if not, there are certainly moments I would be happy to oblige."

He took her hand, uncertain what to say or do to make amends. "I was hurt. I suppose I haven't the right to be, but...the realization caught me unaware, and I reacted badly. I'm sorry."

Tears sprang into her eyes. She looked swiftly away, blinking rapidly. "I never meant to hurt you." She looked back up at him. "I was sixteen. I didn't plan to fall in love, it just happened. I didn't know you yet."

He pulled her close, enfolding her in his embrace. After a moment, she allowed herself to relax into it. "Sixteen. What is it about being sixteen and losing one's heart, I wonder?" He stroked her hair, his fingertips getting snared in a tangle. "This is going to dry badly if it's not combed through. Go get your comb and I'll sort the back for you."

She chuckled. "Do you even know how to manage long hair?"

He kissed the top of her head. "I have daughters." Colin released her.

"I'll get my comb. Just don't make even more of a mess of it, or Amina will never forgive you tomorrow when she's setting it straight."

"I'm sure she already thinks I'm Lucifer incarnate, but I'll do my best."

#

February 22, 1464
Rhemuth Castle
The Royal Library

If discretion was the better part of valor, Riordan intended to continue his work as discreetly as possible out of sight and hopefully out of mind of the Princess's upset husband, moving his customary work space from the sitting room of their shared apartment to one of the window niches in the Royal Library. It was reasonably isolated, not to mention even more conveniently located for accessing various reference books he needed to refer to during the course of the average day. The hours he spent tutoring the Haldane princesses, especially young Elisa, also took up much of his time, though it was time he considered well spent, as the youngest princess was finally beginning to make a fair amount of headway in her understanding of the Torenthi language, which she would need as Prince Alarikos' bride.

He had promised to check the library shelves for some sort of guide to Beldourian geography and culture, and while he had not yet located such a tome, he had managed to find an older yet still serviceable enough manuscript about the former Kingdom of Torenth. Some of the information in it would be out of date, but most should still be applicable. He pulled it from the shelf, intending to check with the Royal Librarian to see if he might borrow it for a fortnight or two. Instead, walking out from the narrow space between two bookcases into the larger common space of the library, he nearly walked straight into Prince Nicholas.

They regarded each other in silence. Riordan decided there was no use in tiptoeing around the topic foremost on each other's mind.

"I made my intentions known to King Mikhail when Catalina was sixteen. He refused my offer. If you think it best that I return to his service, I ask only for your leave to tell her in person."

Nicholas stood silent, watching him thoughtfully for a moment. His eyes drifted down to the book Riordan held. "I understand my sister is making excellent progress in her studies."

"She is, Your Highness."

His eyes returned to Riordan's face. "My mother will kill me if I send you back to Andelon. And I will kill you if you ever trifle with Catalina's affections. So long as we understand each other clearly, you may remain in Gwynedd."

"That sounds entirely reasonable, my lord."

Nicholas glanced back at the book.  "Very well. Carry on."  He turned and exited the library.

#

February 25, 1464
Beyond the City walls
City of Rhemuth, Gwynedd

Sebastian Arilan and Banfhlaith Saoirse, disguised as traveling peddlers for this first length of their journey, exited the Bishop's Gate on the northeastern end of the City of Rhemuth, heading up the Via Rûmana in the general direction of Ramos. From there, they would continue onwards, passing through Valoret and then continuing northeastward until they ended up in Eastmarch or possibly even beyond Gwynedd's borders. As advance scouts, they would be traveling light, but with eyes and ears wide open to any signs and rumors of King Torval's movements on the other side of the border, as well as keeping a wary eye out for any signs his own scouts might have already made their way into Gwynedd, of which the two intelligencers had little doubt. After all, Cinhil had had a few intelligencers just across the border for a few months now, although they had only been able to send back occasional reports ever since the snows had sealed the mountain passes, but fortunately the rivers were still flowing, if sometimes those were also treacherous to navigate, so a few pieces of useful information had still managed to get back to the capital. King Miklos had also managed to send back some reports from his own intelligencers via one of Prince Alarikos's visits to his bride-to-be, Princess Elisa, and it was by such a report that the news came back to Rhemuth that King Torval had at last been spotted, not with the rest of his levies making ready for the battle ahead, but stepping off a barge somewhere in Truvorsk, having apparently made his way upriver through the very heart of Beldouria undetected before the vessel berthed on his own kingdom's riverbank. Miklos was none too pleased at having discovered this intrusion far too late to prevent it, and even less pleased to find out that the barge had been carrying armed passengers from some unknown origin, who had been swiftly supplied with fresh horses and who had disappeared from sight again before Miklos' man could manage to follow along behind them. He had attempted to track them once it was safer for him to do so, but by then the trail had grown cold despite their numbers, and he'd lost it within a day of their landing. The scout was certain that King Torval, anticipating someone might attempt to follow their trail, had used some magical means to prevent this.

But at least this reasonably fresh intelligence, collected and returned to Beldouria approximately three days earlier and then sent off to Rhemuth with all possible haste via Alarikos's Portal visit, gave Sebastian and Saoirse a general bearing to follow. Torval had last been seen in Truvorsk heading roughly northwestward towards Tigre, which was not only the part of Nördmarcke directly adjoining Gwynedd's northeastern border, it was also where the majority of his troops were believed to be mustering. Therefore, they also would head in that general direction to see if they could discover any useful intelligence to report back to the King and Prince Nicholas.


Pawns and Queens spin-off #3: https://www.rhemuthcastle.com/index.php/topic,3224.0.html

Next chapter: https://www.rhemuthcastle.com/index.php/topic,3225.0.html

[DerynifanK]

Tangle upon tangle. Wonderful news for Cinhil but oh my, another twist. Love is unpredictable and is certainly contributing to the confusion of all. I love the talk between Camber and Nicholas. He does tend to react first and think later Hope that will improve but he is fair once he gets past his initial reaction. He had better work on that before he goes to war. It could be fatal.

[DerynifanK]

Funny, the heart never seems to follow the best laid plans of men, or women.

[revanne]

What a roller coaster of emotions. Thank you for such a powerful chapter Evie.

I feel sorry for Camber having to deal with his idiot brother while trying to manage his own conflicting emotions. But though I agree with Nicholas's own assessment that he can be an idiot, I am growing to like him more and more. He might need things pointing out but he makes a real attempt to see things from others' points of view and he didn't expect to be blindsided by falling in love with Catalina. When I read this, the song "Torn between two lovers" kept playing through my head.

I just wish that I trusted Torval with Cecile. He can do what he likes with Remy - I suppose it's wrong to hope that it's slow and painful.

[Evie]

Tangle upon tangle. Wonderful news for Cinhil but oh my, another twist. Love is unpredictable and is certainly contributing to the confusion of all. I love the talk between Camber and Nicholas. He does tend to react first and think later Hope that will improve but he is fair once he gets past his initial reaction. He had better work on that before he goes to war. It could be fatal.

I have to admit that scene between Camber and Nicholas was one of my favorites to write. For one thing, when I originally planned it, I didn't realize Camber was going to be drunk at the time, but once I realized what Camber's reaction to Alixa's revelation was likely to be, I thought, "Welp, this is going to be fun!" 😂 I do kind of wonder how much of that conversation Camber is going to remember the next day. Vezairi port is strong stuff!

Funny, the heart never seems to follow the best laid plans of men, or women.

The story never quite follows the original plan of their author either, so why should my characters have it any easier? 😄

Fun fact: the Camber/Alixa subplot was absolutely nowhere in my original plans for this story. Camber sprang that one on me after Soraya's little matchmaking scene early on, and at first I was like "What? You're joking, right? Nah," but upon thinking of how some later developments in the story might affect world events, that changed to "Hm...OK, maybe that's not such a bad idea to run with and see how it all plays out."

What a roller coaster of emotions. Thank you for such a powerful chapter Evie.

I feel sorry for Camber having to deal with his idiot brother while trying to manage his own conflicting emotions. But though I agree with Nicholas's own assessment that he can be an idiot, I am growing to like him more and more. He might need things pointing out but he makes a real attempt to see things from others' points of view and he didn't expect to be blindsided by falling in love with Catalina. When I read this, the song "Torn between two lovers" kept playing through my head.

I just wish that I trusted Torval with Cecile. He can do what he likes with Remy - I suppose it's wrong to hope that it's slow and painful.

When you first suggested this theme song for Nicholas, I might have laughed to actual tears...😂

If I were going to trust Cécile with any of my cast of villains, it would definitely be Torval. That said, he's not exactly good husband or even protector material either, just a good sight preferable to the alternatives.

[Demercia]

What a roller coaster of emotions. Thank you for such a powerful chapter Evie.

I feel sorry for Camber having to deal with his idiot brother while trying to manage his own conflicting emotions. But though I agree with Nicholas's own assessment that he can be an idiot, I am growing to like him more and more. He might need things pointing out but he makes a real attempt to see things from others' points of view and he didn't expect to be blindsided by falling in love with Catalina. When I read this, the song "Torn between two lovers" kept playing through my head.

I just wish that I trusted Torval with Cecile. He can do what he likes with Remy - I suppose it's wrong to hope that it's slow and painful.

I'm much more worried about what Ingrid may have in mind for her

[Evie]

I'm much more worried about what Ingrid may have in mind for her

That's a very valid reason for concern.

[DerynifanK]

I feel for Camber. Everyone goes to him for help with their problems but who can he go to, who helps him deal with his issues?

[Evie]

I feel for Camber. Everyone goes to him for help with their problems but who can he go to, who helps him deal with his issues?

I'm certain Camber has some very patient and long-suffering confessor he is able to confide in without the additional worry of possibly being reported for at least borderline treason, which any genuine attempt to court Alixa while Cinhil is still alive would absolutely be, though if Cinhil ever finds out about Camber's brief descent into babbling idiocy at the top of the Queen's Tower when Camber was attempting to reassure Alixa he would do whatever it takes to prevent her from being deported, he might be inclined to give his brother a free pass under such extenuating circumstances. Once.

As far as confiding in others goes, that would be a hard No. Because see above re: any tender feelings for the Queen being likely to be seen as at least borderline treason with strict boundaries he doesn't dare be perceived as even wanting to cross, even though Camber is devoted to his eldest brother and King and has no wish to betray him.

[drakensis]

If I were going to trust Cécile with any of my cast of villains, it would definitely be Torval. That said, he's not exactly good husband or even protector material either, just a good sight preferable to the alternatives.

At least Torval seems to think Cécile is likely to survive.

Of course, his understanding of seiðr magic seems pretty limited and some their practises are rather bloody...

Looking at the prophecy made earlier on, we have the following:

"Behold, the Man of Blood comes, and Stag will mate with Eagle.
The Bride of Fire will be wed for the sake of the land,
and the Lion will suffer grievous wounds on the day of reckoning.
In the den of the Lioness, what is held most dear will be lost."


It's hard to say who the Man of Blood is at this point, but Torval is probably right that the Stag and Eagle are he and Ingrid. Which suggests he isn't any of the other named parties.

Bride of Fire is probably not Cécile - she isn't marrying for the sake of any land, no one involved in arranging the marriage seems to care for any land just for themselves. (even Cécile, although it's hard to blame her). Red hair is a weak link to begin with.

Alixa would have a stronger case, same red hair and if her father and brother face a higher judge in the future, her marriage or remarriage would be rather important to the future of Joux. If she and Cinhil have a son, that would be a potential heir to Gwynedd AND Joux. If they have a daughter, or (heaven forbid) loses the child then Alixa is heiress of Joux and any remarriage would be consequential. I doubt she wishes to remarry (sorry, Camber) but she may feel obligated to do so.
(as an aside, any child she bears would mean not returning to her father since she only had to return if Cinhil dies without issue).

And by temperament, the fiery Catalina is of course a very logical candidate. She's already married for the sake of Andelon and for the sake of Gwynedd.

The third line refers to a day of reckoning, potentially a battle or duel (arcane) but simply some other key step in the conflict. Grievious wounds to the lion don't confirm that the Lion - a Haldane or possibly the House as a whole - fails, just that they will pay a high price.

The final line reinforces that, but the identity of the Lioness is unclear. It could very well be Soraya (does she have any Haldane ancestry of her own?) or either of her daughters-in-law. It almost certainly means tragedy in Rhemuth, but while Torval and Ingrid may consider 'what is held most dear' in political terms (which says much for them), that would hinge on the Haldane's values and it seems far more likely to be a personal loss.

The most likely, of course, is for it to be Cinhil. Losing him would indeed be a grievous wound to House Haldane - for all his faltering health he is clearly not only a wise king but also the heart of the family, one that all of them love and trust without some of the reservations between each other.

The grievous wound could be someone or something else - Nicholas being wounded on the field of battle would be both dangerous for him and for House Haldane.

It could also bode ill for Melli and her children. I hope not, but none of the likely losses and wounds are going to be easy reading.

[Evie]

If I were going to trust Cécile with any of my cast of villains, it would definitely be Torval. That said, he's not exactly good husband or even protector material either, just a good sight preferable to the alternatives.

At least Torval seems to think Cécile is likely to survive.

Of course, his understanding of seiðr magic seems pretty limited and some their practises are rather bloody...

Looking at the prophecy made earlier on, we have the following:

"Behold, the Man of Blood comes, and Stag will mate with Eagle.
The Bride of Fire will be wed for the sake of the land,
and the Lion will suffer grievous wounds on the day of reckoning.
In the den of the Lioness, what is held most dear will be lost."


It's hard to say who the Man of Blood is at this point, but Torval is probably right that the Stag and Eagle are he and Ingrid. Which suggests he isn't any of the other named parties.

Bride of Fire is probably not Cécile - she isn't marrying for the sake of any land, no one involved in arranging the marriage seems to care for any land just for themselves. (even Cécile, although it's hard to blame her). Red hair is a weak link to begin with.

Alixa would have a stronger case, same red hair and if her father and brother face a higher judge in the future, her marriage or remarriage would be rather important to the future of Joux. If she and Cinhil have a son, that would be a potential heir to Gwynedd AND Joux. If they have a daughter, or (heaven forbid) loses the child then Alixa is heiress of Joux and any remarriage would be consequential. I doubt she wishes to remarry (sorry, Camber) but she may feel obligated to do so.
(as an aside, any child she bears would mean not returning to her father since she only had to return if Cinhil dies without issue).

And by temperament, the fiery Catalina is of course a very logical candidate. She's already married for the sake of Andelon and for the sake of Gwynedd.

The third line refers to a day of reckoning, potentially a battle or duel (arcane) but simply some other key step in the conflict. Grievious wounds to the lion don't confirm that the Lion - a Haldane or possibly the House as a whole - fails, just that they will pay a high price.

The final line reinforces that, but the identity of the Lioness is unclear. It could very well be Soraya (does she have any Haldane ancestry of her own?) or either of her daughters-in-law. It almost certainly means tragedy in Rhemuth, but while Torval and Ingrid may consider 'what is held most dear' in political terms (which says much for them), that would hinge on the Haldane's values and it seems far more likely to be a personal loss.

The most likely, of course, is for it to be Cinhil. Losing him would indeed be a grievous wound to House Haldane - for all his faltering health he is clearly not only a wise king but also the heart of the family, one that all of them love and trust without some of the reservations between each other.

The grievous wound could be someone or something else - Nicholas being wounded on the field of battle would be both dangerous for him and for House Haldane.

It could also bode ill for Melli and her children. I hope not, but none of the likely losses and wounds are going to be easy reading.

Oh, very, VERY well done! You are definitely on the right track with several of these guesses! I was just wondering if anyone still remembered that prophecy and had formed any guesses about it yet!

I'm of course not going to spoil anything, but I will say there is a line or two in the prophecy that might possibly be applicable to more that one event or person in the story. Prophecies can sometimes be vague, slippery things, after all.

[revanne]

It's odd how you can read things differently coming to them afresh.

When I had previously read Nicholas's warning to Riordan about not trifling with Catalina's affections I had assumed it was the Prince warning Riordan off his territory. However, it now occurs to me that it reads much more like Nicholas warning him against causing Catalina hurt. Especially since he refers to her as Catalina, earlier when he is angry and jealous he calls her Catherine.

[Demercia]

It's odd how you can read things differently coming to them afresh.

When I had previously read Nicholas's warning to Riordan about not trifling with Catalina's affections I had assumed it was the Prince warning Riordan off his territory. However, it now occurs to me that it reads much more like Nicholas warning him against causing Catalina hurt. Especially since he refers to her as Catalina, earlier when he is angry and jealous he calls her Catherine.

I read it as the latter.  It struck me as particularly ironic, given that Riordan could quite reasonably say the same to Nicholas.  Except he has far too much sense, and probably too much respect for what is due to royalty.

[Demercia]

If I were going to trust Cécile with any of my cast of villains, it would definitely be Torval. That said, he's not exactly good husband or even protector material either, just a good sight preferable to the alternatives.

At least Torval seems to think Cécile is likely to survive.

Of course, his understanding of seiðr magic seems pretty limited and some their practises are rather bloody...

Looking at the prophecy made earlier on, we have the following:

"Behold, the Man of Blood comes, and Stag will mate with Eagle.
The Bride of Fire will be wed for the sake of the land,
and the Lion will suffer grievous wounds on the day of reckoning.
In the den of the Lioness, what is held most dear will be lost."


It's hard to say who the Man of Blood is at this point, but Torval is probably right that the Stag and Eagle are he and Ingrid. Which suggests he isn't any of the other named parties.

Bride of Fire is probably not Cécile - she isn't marrying for the sake of any land, no one involved in arranging the marriage seems to care for any land just for themselves. (even Cécile, although it's hard to blame her). Red hair is a weak link to begin with.

Alixa would have a stronger case, same red hair and if her father and brother face a higher judge in the future, her marriage or remarriage would be rather important to the future of Joux. If she and Cinhil have a son, that would be a potential heir to Gwynedd AND Joux. If they have a daughter, or (heaven forbid) loses the child then Alixa is heiress of Joux and any remarriage would be consequential. I doubt she wishes to remarry (sorry, Camber) but she may feel obligated to do so.
(as an aside, any child she bears would mean not returning to her father since she only had to return if Cinhil dies without issue).

And by temperament, the fiery Catalina is of course a very logical candidate. She's already married for the sake of Andelon and for the sake of Gwynedd.

The third line refers to a day of reckoning, potentially a battle or duel (arcane) but simply some other key step in the conflict. Grievious wounds to the lion don't confirm that the Lion - a Haldane or possibly the House as a whole - fails, just that they will pay a high price.

The final line reinforces that, but the identity of the Lioness is unclear. It could very well be Soraya (does she have any Haldane ancestry of her own?) or either of her daughters-in-law. It almost certainly means tragedy in Rhemuth, but while Torval and Ingrid may consider 'what is held most dear' in political terms (which says much for them), that would hinge on the Haldane's values and it seems far more likely to be a personal loss.

The most likely, of course, is for it to be Cinhil. Losing him would indeed be a grievous wound to House Haldane - for all his faltering health he is clearly not only a wise king but also the heart of the family, one that all of them love and trust without some of the reservations between each other.

The grievous wound could be someone or something else - Nicholas being wounded on the field of battle would be both dangerous for him and for House Haldane.

It could also bode ill for Melli and her children. I hope not, but none of the likely losses and wounds are going to be easy reading.

I really hope you are right about Cecile, I have bad feelings what married for the sake of the land might mean.

[Evie]

If I were going to trust Cécile with any of my cast of villains, it would definitely be Torval. That said, he's not exactly good husband or even protector material either, just a good sight preferable to the alternatives.

At least Torval seems to think Cécile is likely to survive.

Of course, his understanding of seiðr magic seems pretty limited and some their practises are rather bloody...

Looking at the prophecy made earlier on, we have the following:

"Behold, the Man of Blood comes, and Stag will mate with Eagle.
The Bride of Fire will be wed for the sake of the land,
and the Lion will suffer grievous wounds on the day of reckoning.
In the den of the Lioness, what is held most dear will be lost."



Bride of Fire is probably not Cécile - she isn't marrying for the sake of any land, no one involved in arranging the marriage seems to care for any land just for themselves. (even Cécile, although it's hard to blame her). Red hair is a weak link to begin with.

I really hope you are right about Cecile, I have bad feelings what married for the sake of the land might mean.

Did some judicious trimming, but I have hopefully retained all the relevant quotes. You might well have those bad feelings about what all this might mean for Cécile, because regardless of whether she is the true Bride of Fire referred to in the prophecy or not, it's very clear that Ingrid believes that she is. And while Ingrid and Torval might not care for the land in the same way that the Haldanes do (caring for their kingdom and their subjects), they very much do care about the land in the sense of acquiring more territory in a prosperous and fertile neighboring kingdom. Both see their acquisition of at least a large chunk or two of Gwynedd as a means to an end. Torval ultimately wishes to unite the two halves of what used to be Torenth, plus add to it if he can. Ingrid wants to avenge her late husband, but she would certainly not be opposed to acquiring more territory in a part of the world with more fertile soil and a longer growing season, not to mention easier access to other kingdoms that they might raid or trade with in future. So she would see her plans for Cécile as very much being "for the sake of the land"... hopefully for helping her gain her future land that she will pass on to Haakon and any future sons someday!