by Kara Griffin
“Will you not speak with me?”
Rhyder rose from his chair and ambled to the overlook. The evening breeze brought a chill to the air, but he felt it not. Silence prevailed over the hamlet and cliffs. There was no sighting of Shrisy. The sun’s last rays licked the horizon and darkness crept forward. As much as he wanted to rest, Rhyder wouldn’t get a moment of slumber this night.
Sawyer joined him and set a hand on his shoulder. “Is Milady, Katriona, harmed? I heard what happened in the courtyard.”
“She is resting. I sent for Olor.”
“When Alun sent for me, I came right away. I would’ve stopped the hamlet from attacking Milady. But Shrisy already had. I was shocked that Careen would accuse your queen of heresy.”
“Our queen, Sawyer. She is our queen.” Rhyder gripped the rail and realized he’d have to take a side. His followers’ or his wife’s. The thing was, he appreciated Katy’s beliefs. Besides, who were they to tell her it was wrong to believe in her Gods? Likewise, his followers feared the church and their punishment by going against their god. The situation called for diplomacy of which he’d never been tested before.
“My friend, she has caused you nothing but grief since her arrival. Perhaps you should—”
“Aye, Careen needs to be sent from our land. I’ll see to it on the morrow.”
Sawyer gripped his shoulder and shook his head. “Nay, I was speaking of your wife. She is the root of your problems. Shrisy’s strange behavior began when the Baldach lass was on her way to your lands. Your wife brings nothing but strife. She should be returned…”
Anger rose and burned in his eyes. Rhyder gripped Sawyer’s tunic and forced him back against the rail. “You know nothing of my troubles or my wife’s.”
“For the first time in our lives, I don’t. Because you speak not to me of anything…not the hamlet…the mysterious missives you’ve received. Next, you’ll tell me she knows what best for our people and you. Why are you acting like this? Is she of more import than me? You’ve been secretive and elusive since she came.”
Rhyder kept hold of Sawyer’s tunic and he was angry enough to toss him over the rail. “Mayhap there’s a reason for that.”
“Aye? Are you saying you don’t trust me? What reasons give you misgivings?”
Rhyder pulled his friend away from the rail and shoved him toward the opening of his chamber. “What am I doing?” he said to himself.
Rhyder groaned at the skeptical thoughts that forced him to go against the one person who he trusted the most. He faced his longtime friend and maintained and unaffected mien. To himself, he said, “I don’t know who to trust.”
“I cannot force you to trust me, Your Grace, but I am always here whether you need someone to listen or if you need action.” Sawyer nodded as if to accentuate his devotion.
“What should I do? Banish my wife because she reveres the old ways? If I send her back to her family, I risk our peril. It would start a war we are not ready to face when we might need Baldach’s aid in another war.”
“What other war?” Sawyer asked with a fierce scowl.
He quickly explained his meeting with Wulfar. “Why would he lie? What he said makes sense. We have a spy here in our hamlet, one who is killing my men, and leading others to follow our enemy.”
“None of the soldiers have been absent that I know of.”
Rhyder pressed his eyes as the weight of the problem exhausted him. “But you have, haven’t you? You’ve been absent. Did you kill my men? Are you my enemy?”
Sawyer’s mouth hung open. He glowered and hastily shook his head. “Rhyder, you’ve known me your entire life, since we were wee. That you would accuse me of going against you… I am your uncle’s son. This is nonsense.”
“You were not born to my uncle. Perhaps you have jealousy within you and covet what you cannot have…the kingdom? Aye, do you wish to rule, Sawyer? Is that what this is about?” Rhyder couldn’t look at him as he proclaimed his assumptions.
His comrade glared and his breath heavy. “I may not be my father’s son by blood, but you know more than any how much I loved my father. And I covet nothing but your friendship as I always have. I don’t want the kingdom, Rhyder. My only need is to belong.”
“Then explain where you’ve been? Why when I needed you, none could find you? Where were you?”
“I won’t explain myself to you.”
Rhyder gripped his tunic again and shook him. He wanted to land his fist on him but resisted. “I am your king, your lord, and you will explain yourself. Are you with Cenwahl against me? Tell me the fucking truth.”
“Nay, I am not in league with Cenwahl and I’m not against you,” Sawyer said in a clear unabated voice. “You need to trust that I am not.”
“Trust you? I did but now I am not certain.” Rhyder released him, took a step back, and tried to reason all the motives of why he didn’t trust his friend.
“I wouldn’t go against you, Your Grace, for any reason. If I’ve been absent it’s only because you’ve kept your distance from me. And I have my reasons for staying away. None of which has anything to do with the murders of our soldiers or with being a spy for our enemies.”
Rhyder sighed as the contention confused him. He cared for his friend. Sawyer couldn’t be the spy, could he? Until he had proof, he couldn’t condemn him. “I will let this go for now. But I vow if I find out you are the culprit I seek or if you had anything to do with my enemies, I will fucking kill you.”
“And I vow to you, Your Grace, that you have my complete fealty.” Sawyer pressed his tunic and remedied his garment’s appearance.
“Why did you come?”
“The hamlet is afeared of your dragon. You should call a gathering and console them. Explain they have nothing to fear from the beast or they might seek to harm her. It’s the first time Shrisy ever showed herself to them. Only I’ve been privy to her visits. They won’t believe me, which is why you should tell them of her. Your words will allay them.”
Rhyder considered it to keep Shrisy safe. His followers hadn’t seen the dragon even though they’d heard of her lore. Tales had been told for years of the Pendragon’s pet dragons. People tended to be closeminded and of course, they never asked him directly if there was any truth to the tales. Shrisy did well in hiding and mostly sought him at night or when he approached the cliffs. He often sighted her when he was on the overlook of his solar. None could see her from any vantage point within the hamlet. If only she hadn’t come into the hamlet, she’d be safe.
He couldn’t put his followers off and needed to pacify them. “I will address them. Set a gathering for tomorrow evening. Anything else?”
“Your new dwelling is ready. You can occupy it whenever you wish.”
Rhyder nodded and returned to his table. He turned his back to his friend. “I need to be alone.”
Before Sawyer left, he leaned his hands on the table. “Rhyder, Your Grace, I don’t like this strife between us. I meant what I said about the queen. Since she has come there’s been a wedge between us. I am doing my best to remedy this. There’s no reason for you not to trust me.”
When Rhyder turned to retort, his friend was gone. Finally alone, he picked up the quill and set a parchment in front of him. He needed to get a missive written to Cenwahl. If he could put off his enemy for a time, he might figure out a way to thwart him.
The council’s sons would deliver his missive and whilst he waited for his apparent enemy’s reply, he had to figure out what to do about Shrisy and Katy.
A knock came at his door and he opened it.
Lloyd bowled his head. “Your Grace, Olor is here.”
“Good. Have Merrion fetched. It is time to vacate this house.”
Chapter FOURTEEN
Katriona swirled the tub water with her toe. She’d taken too long at the bath and Merrion waited to help her dry. The warm water soothed her and being cleaned cleared her head. She beheld a dragon, of that she had no doubt. Her visions came to life and one
way or another, she would find out why the dragon came to the hamlet.
“Come, we should get you settled in bed.”
She glanced at Merrion and nodded. “You saw it, didn’t you?”
“Saw what?” Merrion wrapped her in the drying cloth and proceeded to rummage through her garments for something to dress her in.
“The dragon.”
“Ye speak nonsense, Katy. Dress now and I’ll have someone come and take away the bath water.” Merrion handed her an underdress and took the drying cloth from her.
“I speak the truth. Why won’t anyone believe me? The dragon frightened all those in the hamlet. I wasn’t the only one who witnessed it. You were there.”
“What I beheld was Careen’s spectacle. She’ll probably be punished harshly for speaking the way she did to you. Rhyder is sure to banish her. Here,” she said and pulled the frock over her head.
Katriona decided it would do no good to press Merrion further. A knock came, and she opened the door to find Lloyd standing beyond.
“Miladies…His Grace wishes your presence, Merrion, when you’re through. And the lads are here to remove the tub.” He waved a hand to the lads beyond him and they entered.
Katriona grasped Merrion’s hand before she could leave. “Be strong and tell him you don’t wish to leave our home. He’ll listen.”
Merrion blushed and nodded before she pulled away and quickly left. Katriona thought it odd that her friend would become coy in front of Lloyd. But she didn’t have time to consider Merrion’s peculiar behavior. Her current problem outweighed all others. Somehow, she had to get Rhyder to confess his knowledge of the great woe.
Lloyd motioned to the lads to get moving, and a call came from below. “That must be Olor. He’ll see to you, Milady.”
Katriona paced beside the bed waiting for the elder man to come. She needed to speak with him and hoped he would help her make sense of this farfetched day.
Olor arrived and stepped inside her chamber. “Fairy, you have need of me? It is night and I don’t like leaving my cottage this time of day.”
“I’m pleased you are here. I’m sorry you were called out in the dark.” She practically shoved Lloyd from the chamber and closed the door. “I need to speak with you.”
“Are ye ailing?”
Katriona motioned for him to sit in the chair near the window casement. “I’m well and only had a fright that caused me to faint.”
He patted his cloak’s pockets and retrieved a pale yellow flower. “To give ye courage, fairy, a primrose to keep in your bosom near your heart.” Olor handed it to her and bid her to place it in her bodice.
She held it and her eyes widened at the sentimentality of it. But who was she to question the wise elder man? Katriona placed the small flower within her bodice. “I saw the great woe.”
“Did you now? It’s a mighty contention for the lord. He hasn’t a fathom of how to proceed.”
“I beheld the dragon with my own eyes and yet Rhyder wouldn’t discuss it with me. It’s as if he avoids the subject so I won’t speak of it.”
“There are very few who know of the beast’s existence. But the dragon brings fortune to the lord and his lands. If the dragon is harmed or…killed, misfortune would bestow itself.”
“I wouldn’t bring harm to the dragon or to Rhyder. Is that why he wouldn’t speak of it? I deem the dragon was trying to protect me. Olor, is that possible?”
“Mayhap the fierce beast sensed your power. Dragons are known to draw close to those blessed by the Gods and Goddesses.”
She firmed her lips and thought that had to be the reason the dragon hadn’t harmed her. “It was as if the beast flung all away and then gave protection by encircling me. When the hamlet’s people came and accused me…I didn’t know what to do.”
“Aye, so she guarded ye, protected ye well?”
“It seemed so. She? The dragon is a she?” Katriona clasped her hands and paced the chamber in her excitement to be discussing the dragon with him.
“Her name, fairy, is Shrisy. She has lived on this land longer than those that came to settle the land. Och, your husband should be telling you this, not I.”
“Rhyder is aware of her then?” A whirlwind of thoughts rushed to her mind. She patted Wynn’s head. “He did say he was good with animals.” A nervous laugh came to her.
“It is more than that, fairy. The dragon is the lord’s pet. He cares greatly for the beast and the beast for him. Yet lately…”
“Why didn’t he tell me of her?” Katriona sat wearily on the bedding. “He doesn’t trust me. I wouldn’t harm her.”
“He protects her from all and there is another thing… You might be able to aid him with your special gift. Your awen is of great value and if you divulge it to the lord, he will be appeased.”
She pulled a cover across her lap, becoming chilled by their conversation. “I cannot tell Rhyder about my gift, not now. Even if I might help him, I must do so without bringing my gifts to his knowledge. His followers are dismayed at who they think I am. Imagine if they knew what my gift could do? They called me a heathen, a sorceress when they viewed my cloak. Nay, I must keep my ability a secret.”
Olor tapped his staff on the floor as though he was irritated. “You must be who you are. Hide not all you can do.”
Panic seized her and she wouldn’t sit still. Her hands shook and she couldn’t maintain any reasonable thought. “There must be a way to convince them I am not a heretic. I want Rhyder’s people’s acceptance, not their disdain. I shall refute my abilities and speak with Father Matthew. Aye, perhaps he can give me guidance in gaining my husband’s trust.”
Olor grimaced and banged his staff again. “I cannot tell ye what to do, fairy, but you cannot hide your gift from your husband. Nor can you abandon what the Gods have given you. And the priest cannot counsel ye. Only you know what to do and how to aid your husband. Your awen is needed to bring you together.”
“So far it has only torn us apart. I must repudiate my gifts if I want to be Rhyder’s wife. I should do what best for both of us.” As much as refuting the awen unsettled her, Katriona didn’t want to lose her husband. She cared for him and was on the path to love, or at least she suspected she was.
Olor closed his eyes and grumbled. “If you forsake your awen, your awen will forsake ye. You will lose your gift and be unable to appease the Gods. The lord needs your abilities if he is to figure out what’s ailing—”
A knock interrupted them and Katriona left the bed.
Lloyd bowed his head and smiled. “You’re to gather your possessions.”
She didn’t know what to make of that demand. “Why?”
“His Grace did not say, only that you should gather your things. You’re to leave in the morning.” Lloyd pulled the door closed.
Alone again with Olor, she turned away from him so he wouldn’t see how distressed she was. Her heart ached and despair swarmed her. She stepped back until she fell back upon the bedding. She folded her hands and gripped them tightly. “There it is then. That settles the matter.”
“There is what, fairy?”
“He is sending me away. I feared Rhyder wouldn’t understand.” She gained her feet and pulled the satchel from under the bed. After opening it wide, she stuffed it with her garments. The last item, the pouch of her herbs and medicinals placed on top.
“Mayhap this journey will give you the answers you seek, fairy.”
Katriona didn’t believe that was so. “My cloak…it’s still in the courtyard. I must fetch it.”
Olor vacated the chair and stood next to her. “You’re distraught, fairy. Go and speak to your husband. Find out what he means before you do something you will regret.”
“You heard Lloyd. He said I’m to leave in the morning. I cannot speak to Rhyder for he detests me. I shall leave so he won’t have to speak the words.”
Olor struck the floor forcibly with his staff. “You’re being foolhardy and need to hear your husband—”
&n
bsp; “I won’t speak with him. It is too distressing. I thank you for your guidance and kindness Olor.” She grabbed her satchel and opened the door. “Come, Wynn.” She snapped her fingers and her dog heeled beside her.
“Until we meet again, fairy.”
She nodded and closed the door. It was unlikely she’d ever see Olor again. How that saddened her. Meeting another person like she, one who was touched by the Gods, probably wouldn’t happen again. Heartache forced tears to her eyes. The anguish of leaving Rhyder, Merrion, and others she’d come to care for brought a sob to her throat. She rushed past Lloyd without giving him a glance.
“Milady, where are you off to?”
Katriona couldn’t bring herself to say anything to Lloyd. She fled down the hall and steps until she reached the threshold of the building. Wynn kept up with her stride. A lump the size of an apple lodged in her throat. She kept walking until she reached the courtyard and searched for her cloak. It lay upon the ground near the water well. She hastily picked it up and fled toward the gate. Fortunately, the watch was occupied and in discussion with several men and didn’t take notice of her.
Once through the gate, Katriona ran and wept. She trotted as fast as she could and kept moving faster when she reached the gravel road. Wynn whined but continued to heel beside her.
Lloyd reached her side within minutes and rasped with heavy breath. “You cannot traipse into the night, Milady. Where are you going?”
“Home. I am not afeared of the dark. Besides, the sky is clear and the moon bright.” She daren’t look at him and kept her gaze ahead.
“I don’t understand, Milady, why you’re leaving. Come and return. You shouldn’t and cannot travel alone in the wilds. What am I to tell His Grace? He’ll be sure to miss you.”