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

[Evie]

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


Chapter Fifteen

March 7, 1464
The Royal Chapel
Rhemuth Castle
Midnight

The candles had been lit and the space before the altar ritually cleansed, although daily use had imbued the sanctuary with such an aura of sanctity that the ritual exorcism with salt and water was hardly required. Still, no steps would be left out of a working of such key importance, so Father Camber had seen to that step of the process as well. Now he and Princess Catalina further prepared the space, Catalina asperging with holy water and Camber censing with heady incense as he quoted a Psalm, their steps taking them in a sort of dance around the ritual circle as their movements mirrored each other, censing and asperging the other participants and defining the ritual space as they continued their sunwise spiral until the sweet fragrance of the incense permeated the entire nave.

Prince Nicholas sat on a lush Kheldish carpet a few feet before the altar, settling into a light trance to help calm his nerves, though still well enough aware of his surroundings that he missed no detail of what was happening around him. Camber's steps halted in front of him and Nicholas rose to his feet, allowing Camber to cense him with the thurible he held then taking it so he could cense Camber in turn before the priest set the thurible aside on a small table within the circle that had been placed there for the purpose. As Camber put away the thurible, Catalina stopped before Nicholas with the aspergillum, sprinkling him with holy water and allowing him to sprinkle her in turn before also returning the aspergillum to the table.

The preparations finalized, Camber and Catalina rejoined the others, Camber taking the position of Saint Raphael to the East and Catalina taking Saint Gabriel's place at the West. The King's Champion, standing at the South of the circle, stood in for Saint Michael, and Lord Geoffrey Arilan was in the customary place reserved for Saint Uriel in the North. Behind each participant in the ritual circle, a tall candle burned, each in the symbolic color of the saint it represented. The circle was now nearly complete.

Lord Geoffrey took up the chalice of wine that had also been sitting on the table, bringing it to his Prince. "Take this and drink. There is a sedative in the cup, but you will still remain conscious throughout the working." Nicholas took the chalice from him and drank from it deeply. Geoffrey took the chalice back from him and returned it to its place.

Duke Joscelin took up Cinhil's Sword of State, walking into the circle. Gazing at the gold candle behind Father Camber, he saluted the East with the blade before allowing the sword's tip to touch the floor. "Saint Raphael, Healer, Guardian of wind and tempest, grant us your protection and healing in body, soul, mind, and spirit on this night." The gold candle flickered as if touched by a light breeze.

Moving to the South, he again saluted and continued, "Saint Michael, Defender, Guardian of the Gates of Eden, defend us in our hour of need." The red candle flared brightly before subsiding to its usual steady flame.

Continuing to the West, the Duke saluted again. "Saint Gabriel, Herald of Heaven, convey our prayers of supplication to Our Lady." The flame from the blue candle arose with a gentle swirl.

The King's Champion moved to face the North, saluting one more time. "Saint Uriel, Dark Angel, come gently if you must, and let all fear die here within this place." The green candle guttered briefly then burned more brightly than before.

Duke Joscelin moved to stand at the center of the circle, bowing before the altar as he prepared to invoke the Presence of that King of Kings whose power and might surpassed all mere earthly rulers. "We stand outside time in a place not of earth. As our ancestors before us bade, we join together and are One. By Thy blessed Apostles, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; by all Powers of Light and Shadow, we call Thee to guard and defend us from all perils, O Most High. Thus it is and has always been, thus it will be for all times to come. Per omnia saecula saeculorum."

All around the circle signed themselves with the Cross and said "Amen."

The King's Champion set down the sword, resuming his place at the South of the circle. Father Camber stepped into the center once more, "I'll need the Ring now," he told his brother in a hushed whisper.

Nicholas handed him the Ring of Fire, which Camber in turn handed over to Lord Geoffrey, who presented him with a dagger Nicholas recognized as King Cinhil's favorite, a gift from their father when Cinhil had been younger and more whole. Catalina stepped forward, pulling a small white pottery goblet of water out from under the small table holding the other ritual items and setting it on the table top. Reaching back under the table, she withdrew a small piece of parchment and approached Nicholas and Camber.

Taking the parchment from Nicholas's lady, Father Camber read aloud, "I will declare the decree. The Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son: This day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." Looking back up at his brother, he added "Nicholas Richard Brion Alexander Haldane, Heir to Gwynedd and Duke of Carthmoor, be consecrated to the service of thy people."

With the King's dagger, he stabbed Nicholas's thumb with the tip of the blade, which ought to have stung more than it did, but his senses were well numbed by this point in the ritual, so he merely watched with distant fascination as his blood dripped down his flesh. Camber rolled the rubies on the Ring of Fire through the blood, touching it briefly to his new earring before handing it back to his brother with a whispered instruction to not put it on yet, then pressed the bleeding thumb onto the parchment, handing that back to Catalina, who laid it on the still smoldering thurible to burn. She returned with a strip of linen to bind the wound. "You may wish to have this more properly Healed later," she whispered.

Camber took up the ash left behind by the burned parchment and sifted it over the bowl of water. "Give the king Thy judgments, O God, and Thy righteousness unto the king's son."

Nicholas felt a twinge of guilt as he heard the words quoted from Scripture. He was not the King--not yet, at least--though he was a king's son, and it seemed certain now that this bitter cup would not pass from him, no matter how much he might wish it to.

Bringing the goblet of water and ash before Nicholas, Camber took the Ring of Fire back which his brother still held in his uninjured hand. He slipped the blood-covered ring into the water. Nicholas watched as swirls of crimson began to permeate the clear depths of the water in the white goblet. The pattern of the blood intermingling with the water, diffusing and gradually staining it throughout, was hypnotic, drawing him in.

Lifting the goblet and turning to the East, Camber spoke again. "O Lord, Thou art holy indeed; the fountain of all holiness. In trembling and humility we come before Thee with our supplications, asking Thy blessing and protection on what we do this night. Send now Thy holy Archangel Raphael, O Lord, to breathe upon this water and make it holy, that they who drink of it may justly command the element of Air. Amen."

As Camber lowered the goblet so that Nicholas could once more see its contents, a breeze emanating from the East quarter caused the surface of the water to ripple, passing over it and then swirling throughout the circle, the rising force of it stirring the hair and robes of all contained within the protective wards.

As the wind died down, Camber turned towards the South, placing his hand across the mouth of the vessel he held in a familiar gesture of blessing. "O Lord, thou art holy indeed: the fountain of holiness. We pray Thee now send Thy holy Archangel of Fire, the Blessed Michael, to instill this water with the fire of Thy love and make it holy. So may all who drink of it command the element of Fire. Amen."

He cupped his hand as if to create handfire, but a swirl of flame emanating from the red candle in the South quarter crossed the space between candle and hand, hovering above Camber's flesh as slowly he tilted his palm as if to tip the small ball of flame into the water. It slowly floated downward, causing steam to hiss and rise above the vessel.

Turning towards the West, Camber continued, "O Lord, Thou art holy indeed: the fountain of all holiness. Let now Thine Archangel Gabriel, who rules the stormy waters, instill this cup with the rain of Thy wisdom, that they who shall drink hereof may justly command the element of Water. Amen."

A clap of thunder filled the room, and lightning crackled above the mouth of the vessel as a small cloud arose over it and began to sprinkle rain into the cup and over the sides, a few stray drops sprinkling Camber's hands and Nicholas's upturned face.

Facing the North, the priest continued, "O Lord, Thou art holy indeed: the fountain of all holiness. Let Uriel, Thy messenger of darkness and of death, instill this cup with all the strength and secrets of the earth, that they who drink hereof may justly command the element of Earth. Amen."

The stones beneath their feet seemed to tremble, causing the candlesticks to rattle, though by now Nicholas was far too drugged to feel any strong sense of alarm. Judging from the expressions of the others gathered around the circle, they had the wariness natural to being in the presence of great power, yet showed no particular fear that the tremors would bring the Chapel down around them. The shaking soon subsided, though for the briefest of instants Nicholas thought he saw the figure of the late King his father standing to the North, who regarded him with stern approval. Whether it was a true visitation from the afterlife or mere illusion, Nicholas couldn't say, though he felt shaken to the core in a way that the earthquake had not accomplished.

"Nicholas, son of Uthyr, drink this cup that has been prepared for you," said Father Camber. "By this mystery shall you come to the power that is your Divine Right, as heir to this realm and the King that Shall Be; and even so shall you instruct your own sons, if that should someday come to pass."

Nicholas took a deep breath, and taking the goblet in his shaking hands, drained the cup, leaving nothing within save the Ring of Fire, tumbling against the pottery side of the vessel. Camber swiftly took the goblet from him, setting it down and moving behind his brother to support him, for Nicholas had begun to sway.

Lifting his gaze, Nicholas stared transfixed as a ghostly gray-cowled figure with silver-gilt hair appeared before him, laying his hands on the kneeling Prince's bare head in blessing. A sudden jolt of power coursed through Nicholas then, his body bucking and growing rigid under the force of it as his knees buckled and his eyes rolled back into their sockets. Camber supported him from behind, bracing his brother so he would not fall to the floor, also staring up at the apparition before them all.

The gray-cowled figure raised his hand as if in benediction and then vanished as Nicholas's body went limp in Camber's arms. Camber glanced around the circle to see if the others had also seen the figure, and judging from their awed expressions, it appeared that he and Nicholas had not been alone in seeing the visitation.

Nicholas slowly began to stir, his wife gazing down on him in concern, though maintaining her place in the circle. As he opened his eyes and straightened, she breathed a quiet sigh of relief, and Camber loosened his hold on his brother. "Steady," he whispered. "Are you all right now? We're nearly done."

"Was that Blessed Saint Camber?" breathed Prince Nicholas, his voice emerging as a shaky whisper.

"I believe it was," his brother responded in equally awed tones. Moving to face his kneeling brother once again, Camber picked up the empty goblet, plucking out the Ring of Fire. The priest placed the ring on the tip of the ring finger of his brother's left hand.

He looked into Prince Nicholas's eyes, raising his eyebrows in wordless question. At Nicholas's equally wordless nod, Camber slid the ring onto his finger, driving it home.

#

For the briefest of moments, it seemed like nothing had happened. But then suddenly, Nicholas's mind was filled with knowledge that he had not possessed until that moment.

He blinked, gazing around the room at the shimmering wards encircling him, seeing shadowy figures standing behind the more familiar faces in the room. He felt awed by their presence, yet he was not afraid.

Nicholas stood to mediate the circle, grounding the energies into the earth beneath them until the buildup of power had been dispersed before bowing to the powers at each quarter to express his gratitude as he dismissed each in turn. He took up the Sword of State to conclude the ritual, symbolically cutting the circle at each quarter and saluting the East a final time before returning the sword to the King's Champion, staggering slightly as a wave of weariness overtook him.

Catalina stepped forward quickly to help support him. "Careful, love," he said quietly, "I'm quite light-headed and might still pass out." Despite his words of caution, he had no objection to the arm she slipped around him as she assisted him to the fauldstool Lord Geoffrey swiftly brought forward for his use. Nicholas sat, briefly leaning forward with his head between his knees until the light-headedness began to pass. "I think I'm going to sleep for a week," he muttered with a weary chuckle.

"Let's get you to bed," Catalina said, "before you succumb to that urge, because I certainly don't want to be the one who has to carry you up the stairs."

Nicholas laughed at the sudden mental image of his petite wife determinedly lugging his inert body up the several flights of stairs to their apartment. She would somehow manage it too, of that he had little doubt.

"Well, that was intense!" Camber said as he stepped up to support his brother from his other side.

"Yes, it was." Nicholas favored his brother with a feral grin. "And tomorrow it will be your turn." He smiled at the faint look of trepidation that crossed the youngest Haldane prince's face.

With his wife's and Camber's assistance, Prince Nicholas made it back across the lower bailey and to his waiting bed in the King's Tower.

#

March 9, 1464
Rhemuth Castle
The King's Tower
The Duke of Carthmoor's apartment
Early evening

On the night following Prince Nicholas's Empowerment, a similar ritual had been held for his brother, that second one primarily led by Catalina and Lord Geoffrey, who had divided up the roles Prince Camber had previously performed for his brother between them, and had further adapted them for the smaller and less complex ritual required for an endowment of a smaller and more temporary share of power to an heir of the blood royal. Catalina, being more familiar with the ritual as it was practiced in Andelon, had taken over the lion's share of this second magical working, which had turned out to be as much of a success as the first, although in this second Empowerment ritual no ghostly figure of a saint had put in an appearance, unless his were the hands of benediction that Prince Camber had briefly sensed upon his head at the climactic moment of receiving his smaller share of the Haldane power. Like Nicholas, Camber only had vague memories of that moment after the fact.

Afterwards, they had all returned to their various apartments once again, weary from the night's work yet filled with relief that it had been concluded just in time, for Cinhil's Coronation was scheduled for the very next day, and the day after that, Prince Nicholas would be headed off to war with the troops mustered at Rhemuth.

Cinhil and Alixa's Coronation had ended up being a simple affair, as such ceremonies went, due to the need to keep it brief for the sake of the King's health. Despite that, the Royal Couple had been ceremonially processed through the grounds of Rhemuth Castle to their awaiting carriage, Cinhil in his wheeled chair, and then conveyed by means of that carriage down the King's Way to the Cathedral, where they had been met by the King's Champion. With his Champion's discreet assistance, he had been able to manage the small number of steps up to the Cathedral entrance, where another wheeled chair awaited just inside the door to convey him the rest of the way to his Coronation seat, Alixa following behind him to her own.

The presentation and acclamation had followed, then Cinhil had sworn the traditional oaths to uphold the Law and the Church. Following that, the monarch had been anointed with holy oil, invested with the traditional regalia of the Haldane Kings, and crowned before receiving the homage of his lords, a great number now present because the levies would be marching off to war the following day. Following the homage, the Queen had been anointed and crowned as well, and after both had received the Sacrament, the service had ended with the carriage procession back to the Castle amidst the cheers of the throngs of people gathered to watch the carriages pass along the King's Way before dispersing to continue their celebrations elsewhere. For many of the King's common folk, it would also be an occasion for leavetaking, since it would not simply be the great lords of Gwynedd marching out behind the Haldane banner the following day.

Later that evening, once the King had been safely settled back into his bed, Prince Nicholas was spending a few precious moments alone with his bride for what might be the last time for a while, though maybe not so long as he had initially feared.

"Camber has had an idea, and I think it might work, but I told him I would check with you first to see what you think about it," Nicholas said as he combed through his wife's thick black hair. Somehow this job had fallen to him in the days since he'd returned home to make his amends, after their last argument and his emotional rant in Camber's chambers. That felt like years rather than mere days ago now. As he returned the ivory comb to Catalina, he realized he would miss this small domestic duty he had taken upon himself, though Lady Amina would doubtless be quite ready and willing to take charge over the task again.

"I don't know why you take such care to get all the tangles out, when I've a feeling you're just going to get it all mussed up again, since you don't like me braiding it up properly before bedtime," Catalina joked as she turned to face him. "What sort of idea does Camber have?"

"Speaking of the word 'bedtime'...."  He drew her into his embrace, kissing her lightly. "Given that it's been only just over a month since our wedding, and that hasn't been much time for us to work on getting an heir–though we've both certainly been giving that our best effort–Camber has had an idea on how I might be able to return home for a few brief hours on the days when he is sent up to the front to deliver messages from Cinhil and bring reports back."

"I am certainly open to hearing it," Catalina said, "though won't that be risky? What if the enemy should launch some sudden attack in your absence? And how would that even work? Can you really afford the expenditure of power it would take to build a new Portal every time you move camp?"

"No, that would be a bit much. I would want to keep my energy levels at full strength as much as possible while on the move. But there are a number of places along the way where we would have access to known Portal locations, and those are the ones Camber plans to take advantage of when he is traveling back and forth serving as Cinhil's courier. So assuming he arrives on a day or evening when it doesn't look like there is a high likelihood of an imminent attack, he could remain with the troops to take charge of them if necessary while I return here for brief visits. Hopefully just long enough to catch up on news and keep trying for that heir." He stroked a strand of hair out of his wife's face. "Perhaps not the most romantic of circumstances, but better than nothing, especially since the alternative is waiting for the end of the war–whenever that might come–before we can try again."

Catalina nodded. "I suppose it's a chance worth taking, especially in light of Alixa's news this morning." At Colin's questioning look, she added, "The baby is a little girl."

He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "All right. In a way, that's for the best, but it does put a bit more pressure on us, unless you think you can put your womanly wiles to good use in persuading Camber to marry and start pumping out babies for God and Kingdom also." He chuckled at the thought of how that conversation might go if his very determined wife were to get it into her head to do just that.

She laughed. "I think I'd rather not scare him off the idea of marriage altogether by coming at him that strongly. Besides, who did you have in mind to throw at him?"

"I don't know," he protested, not having carried the jest out in his mind quite that far. "Lady Gabrielle Morgan, maybe? She's certainly well suited enough, and if he finds her unattractive, he's a blind man. But I was merely joking, sweeting!"

"Oh, I know, I'm just enjoying imagining that conversation," she teased. "And Lady Gabrielle won't do at all, at least not while she's still all dreamy-eyed around my weapons master." At Colin's startled look, she added, "I'm sure it's just a girlish tendresse, no cause for genuine worry. And Lord Salim is far too much of a gentleman to take advantage of a maiden's affections, at least if she's highborn and the King Champion's sister. The fathers of Rhemuth's barmaids might have more cause for worry."

"Good. I don't want to return some evening to find a Duel Arcane between Duke Joscelin and Lord Salim taking place on the practice field."

"That would be difficult, husband, since you are planning on taking Duke Joscelin to war with you."

A discreet knock on the door caught their attention, and Colin, still more fully dressed than Catalina, moved to answer it, waiting until his wife had thrown a cloak over her nightgown before opening the door. Young Oisin MacArdry, Colin's junior squire, stood just outside. "Your mother the Dowager Queen has brought up something for you, Your Highness," he said quietly.

Startled, Colin peeked beyond his squire cautiously, surprised to see his mother standing just inside the entrance to his apartment, carrying a large lidded basket. He couldn't remember the last time she had set foot into his living area, either in this apartment or the previous one he'd occasionally slept in during his brief visits to Rhemuth before his marriage, much less delivered any sort of goods to his door herself. Warily, he stepped into his antechamber. "Good evening, Maman. What brings you by at this hour?"

"I'm sorry, I realize it's fairly late, so I shan't keep you." To his surprise, his mother sounded somewhat nervous. "I found these while I was going through some old chests," she said, putting down the basket and lifting the lid. "They're a few old tunics and surcoats that used to belong to you." She shrugged. "I imagine they're quite out of fashion now, but perhaps Catherine can see if they might be altered."

Nicholas pulled the top garment out of the basket, unfolding it. He was even more baffled. "I thank you, but these are far too small for me now."

"Of course they are," his mother said, sounding unusually subdued. "But I thought they might work for your son."

He stared at her, his eyes growing damp as the meaning of her words dawned. He took a closer look at the tunic he held, nodding as he swallowed hard. "Yes. I think this could work for Balian." His voice sounded huskier than usual, and he cleared his throat. "Thank you, Maman."

"When is it that you will be leaving tomorrow?" Queen Soraya asked.

"Around noon," Colin answered, "after the Archbishop's general absolution and the blessing of the troops."

She nodded. "I won't keep you, then. I know you will wish to spend this final evening with your wife." She reached up to brush the hair away from his ear, giving his new ruby earring a steady look before stepping back. "Be careful out there, Nicholas. Be very certain you have taken Torval's measure before you engage. You can do this; you're Uthyr's son."

The Queen Mother turned and walked away, her son turning to his wife in amazement as the door quietly closed behind her.

#

March 10, 1464
The City of Rhemuth
The Cathedral of St. George
Noon

The people of Rhemuth were once again gathered around the King's Way and Saint George's Square outside the entrance to the Cathedral close, this time to witness the Church's blessing on the troops marching off to war. Inside the Cathedral, the Eucharist was offered, and the soldiers who had not already done so queued up to receive absolution from the clergy who had made themselves available to hear their confessions. At high noon, the Archbishop appeared to pronounce a general absolution, followed by the blessing, for certainly God in His justice would favor Gwynedd, the defender in this conflict being unjustly threatened by their neighbor Nördmarcke, and God in His mercy must certainly bless the efforts of those men who answered their King's call in time of need.

Prince Nicholas, Duke of Carthmoor, then led the army up the northern end of the King's Way and through the Bishop's Gate leading to the Via Rûmana, his squire Oisin proudly carrying the Haldane banner aloft beside him and the Rhemuth and other assembled southern levies following in his wake.

His Duchess, having had a more private leavetaking with her husband earlier that morning, knelt at a prie-dieu in the Royal Chapel as the army left Rhemuth, joining her fervent prayers to those of the Archbishop. As she finished, she rose from the kneeler, crossing herself and turning to see Prince Camber approaching to do the same.

"So it begins," he said somberly.

Catalina sighed heavily. "So it does."


Next chapter: https://www.rhemuthcastle.com/index.php/topic,3230.0.html

[DerynifanK]

Well done as always Evie. Wishing them Godspeed and success in the coming battles.

[Evie]

Well done as always Evie. Wishing them Godspeed and success in the coming battles.

"Godspeed and Success" sounds like a better spin-off story than "Wounds and Maggots," I suppose.... 😂

I'm sure there will be a lot of ups and downs in the chapters ahead, since no battle plan survives contact with the enemy.

[DerynifanK]

Very concerned about what lies ahead for them. Hoping for good outcomes but this is an Evie story so there will definitely be ups and downs, just hoping to avoid any big losses for Gwynedd and our heroes. Now Renier and Remy are another story.

[Evie]

Very concerned about what lies ahead for them. Hoping for good outcomes but this is an Evie story so there will definitely be ups and downs, just hoping to avoid any big losses for Gwynedd and our heroes. Now Renier and Remy are another story.

After this Thursday's chapter, Prince Nicholas should have a better idea of what he's up against.

[Jerusha]

Very concerned about what lies ahead for them. Hoping for good outcomes but this is an Evie story so there will definitely be ups and downs, just hoping to avoid any big losses for Gwynedd and our heroes. Now Renier and Remy are another story.

After this Thursday's chapter, Prince Nicholas should have a better idea of what he's up against.

OK, leave me waiting on the edge of my chair.... 

[Evie]

Very concerned about what lies ahead for them. Hoping for good outcomes but this is an Evie story so there will definitely be ups and downs, just hoping to avoid any big losses for Gwynedd and our heroes. Now Renier and Remy are another story.

After this Thursday's chapter, Prince Nicholas should have a better idea of what he's up against.

OK, leave me waiting on the edge of my chair.... 

Well, in the meantime while we wait, let's just review what we know about the situation on the ground vs. what Nicholas (and/or anyone else in Rhemuth) knows about the situation on the ground....

We (the author and readers) know:

1. Joux has aspirations to overthrow the Hort's suzerainty, and their latest move to that end has been to enter an alliance with both Eistenmarcke and Nordmarche, lending their fighting forces to Torval's and Ingrid's causes in exchange for ships and the promise of Eistenmarcke and Nordmarche reciprocating the military support.

2. Torval has gone to Joux to escort Princess Cecile--now the Queen of Eistenmarcke due to her marriage to Haakon--as well as Prince Remy and a Jouvian fighting force back to Nordmarcke.

3. Torval has married Ingrid of Eistenmarcke, who is supplying him with ships, troops, and her own special brand of Norse magic.

4. Therefore, there are three different allied kingdoms on the verge of invading Gwynedd.

OK, so far so good? Did I leave anything important out?  Now let's see what Nicholas knows thus far....

1. Joux has aspirations to overthrow the Hort's suzerainty and they've hired some mercs to help with this goal.

2. (Learned via a letter to Alixa, so may or may not be known to Nicholas, but let's assume at least Camber realized it was significant enough to mention) Cecile of Joux recently married the young King of Eistenmarcke, which seems a bit odd.

3. Torval is almost certainly going to invade via the mountain passes, as most of his ships were destroyed in a winter storm two years ago, and Nordmarcke hasn't had time to rebuild enough of them to pose a significant threat.

4. Torval appears to have fallen off the face of the earth for a few weeks, no one knows why or where he went, but just a few days ago he was finally spotted stepping off a barge on the Beldour River along with a force of fighting men of unknown origin.

Pretty sure that's it. That's all Nicholas or anyone else on our side knows about the situation facing them thus far, unless some of those scouts sent into Nordmarcke have managed to find out more but just haven't managed to get the intel back to Rhemuth yet due to the winter snows not having thawed yet.

Unfortunately, you don't know what you don't know. But fortunately (?) they should be learning a lot more very soon.

[DerynifanK]

Well Gwynedd also has support from Lyr and from Orsal and I hope from others. Also there is the possibility that infighting among the three opposing kingdoms will affect their ability to focus on Gwynedd.

[DerynifanK]

Thursday seems a long way off and waiting is hard. Working on my patience which needs it.

[Evie]

Well Gwynedd also has support from Lyr and from Orsal and I hope from others. Also there is the possibility that infighting among the three opposing kingdoms will affect their ability to focus on Gwynedd.

True! The alliance with Llyr goes back several centuries, and will likely continue at least through the current generation, at least if Aoife of Llyr has a say in the matter (and as Llyr's Banoidhre, I would think she'd have a considerable amount of influence). Miranda Haldane is married to the Hort of Orsal, so even if he drags his feet on getting involved, she can light a fire under his butt if need be. (I think learning Joux is involved would increase his motivation, but right now that's not known to our allies.) And there are the brand new marriage alliances with Beldouria (which also has a vested interest of its own in keeping Torval in check) and Bremagne, as well as Andelon. So they are not without allies. That said, if everyone is only expecting an attack from Torval/Nordmarcke, but isn't aware there is a lot bigger force than that awaiting them, then there might be a bit of catch-up required once the full picture becomes known, and delayed responses can be a problem when faced with a situation that is constantly changing.

Thursday seems a long way off and waiting is hard. Working on my patience which needs it.

If waiting from Monday to Thursday is hard, I might need to go into hiding once Thursday's chapter drops, because I don't know if I want you turning up on my doorstep on Saturday morning threatening me with bodily harm if I wait two more days to drop the next one! 

[DerynifanK]

I am working on my patience. Not planning to show up on your doorstep, at least not yet.

[DerynifanK]

Hoping the blessing from St Camber during Nicholas' empowerment is a good omen both for him and for Gwynedd.

[Evie]

Hoping the blessing from St Camber during Nicholas' empowerment is a good omen both for him and for Gwynedd.

Hopefully so. He certainly didn't seem all that pleased at Conall's empowerment, and look how that reign turned out!

[Shiral]

Hoping the blessing from St Camber during Nicholas' empowerment is a good omen both for him and for Gwynedd.

Hopefully so. He certainly didn't seem all that pleased at Conall's empowerment, and look how that reign turned out!

Well no....But Conall was being a VERY naughty boy! Nicholas by contrast, is standing loyally by his older brother the King, doing what both he and Cinhil have agreed is necessary, since Cinhil's poor health prevents him from doing what he would do as King if he were strong enough.

[revanne]

Yes, if by some miracle Cinhil was healed and could be fully empowered himself I'm sure that Colin would only too gratefully give his power back, if only he could.