Morwenna wondered about Seth too. Maybe he wasn't as bad as his father. Or maybe he was, who knew. She wondered if she should just leave the outlaws' hideout and try to get back to Tower Castle. She could hide in her rooms or find someone to protect her at her father's castle...
Her musings and wandering took her too close to the main road at the bottom of the valley. A patrol saw her and stopped her. She pretended to be lost, but being a woman in men's clothes meant they didn't believe her.
"We shall take you to the castle for questioning," the patrol leader said with a smirk.
***
"Look who's here, Lady Morwenna of Tower Castle," Yann said, looking the female prisoner up and down. "I'll immediately alert Seth that you're here and tomorrow we'll celebrate the wedding, what do you say?"
Morwenna pursed her lips and glared.
"I don't think the silent tactic is the best," Yann continued, sarcastic.
"I have nothing to say," she retorted. "Leave me alone."
"Leave you alone? So you can join that crazy Wolfshead again? Forget it, my dear! Seth will be very happy to keep an eye on you for the rest of his life!"
May you be damned, Morwenna thought, furious.
As they dressed her for the ceremony, she thought she saw Isobel among the maids. The Wolfling had probably entered the castle through the secret passage like Morwenna herself had done with Wolfshead when they'd come to save Isobel and Kennoch.
Seth came to see her, but didn't stay long. He was anxious to marry her.
As soon as he left, Cinder, disguised as a guard with a big mustache, killed her partner while Isobel pulled out a dagger and threatened the maids to keepthem quiet. Morwenna smiled, relieved, recognizing both of them – Cinder the warrior woman and Isobel disguised as a peasant woman.
Soon the three young women were free again, running in the woods towards the cave.
"Thanks, girls, I really thought I was done," Morwenna said.
"It was a pleasure," Isobel answered cheerfully. "We came in through the front door – nobody gave us a second glance. Cinder wore her mustache and pulled up her hood and they thought she was a man."
"The sentinels didn't recognize me," Cinder added. "The rest was easy."
"Isobel, how come Wolfshead let you come?" Morwenna asked, amused.
"Because he knew I'd come anyway," Isobel replied. "And you tell me – how come Seth is so in love with you?"
"I don't know." Morwenna's smile vanished as they approached the shelter. "He requested me."
"He likes you." Cinder winked. "But he likes Isobel too... I'm sure he'll do his best to get at least one of you..."
***
Seth was furious. For the second time in less than a year he'd searched the forest and couldn't find the outlaws. He'd gone through all the villages, but there was no trace of the outlaws, or Morwenna.
"There's only one place where we never dared to go," he said, determined. "Maybe that's the place where our enemy is hiding."
"Where?" Yann asked, puzzled.
"The Sacred Woods! Nobody ever comes back from there!"
"Seth, no!"
Yann couldn't stop his son. The young man entered the Sacred Woods, an area of the forest so filled with magic nobody ever went there. The witch living there protected her land and kept any visitor who dared breaking in prisoner for eternity.
Seth wandered for a long time in a foggy atmosphere, unable to find his way back, until he reached a clearing. There sat a woman with a strawberry-blond mane that reached the leaf-covered ground. She had pointed ears and wore a dress in the colors of autumn that made her blend with her surroundings.
ousing thoughts will not leave."
Her intense green eyes pierced him knowingly and Seth felt his heart melt.
"I only want someone to love me," he whined, falling to his knees. "Why does everybody hate me?"
"Because your father is a bloodthirsty power-hungry man, and he passed on those faults to you," she answered. "Unless you change the course of your life – like your sister did. She fell in love with her enemy, unknowingly, and that changed her."
"But all the women I'm attracted to run away from me! Can you put a spell on them so they won't leave?"
She smiled. "Seth, you're being childish. You must give love to earn it. Let's examine your life together, shall we?"
***
"Cinder!" Yann called, desperate. "This is your fault! Help me bring back your brother!"
His screams sounded through the forest and Cinder heard him. She rose and went to the closed "door" of the cave.
"Where are you going?" Kennoch asked from his pallet. He felt better, but couldn't stand up yet.
"I'll hear what he wants," she answered. "He's my father."
"Take that." He pointed at a shield.
There were only two in the cave, one on the wall, with leaves, a rampant wolf and a tower – Wolf Castle. The other usually sat in a corner, facing the wall. Cinder took it and saw another tower, a sort of red fish, a sword and yellow and blue stripes.
"It's mine," Kennoch said. "Sword Castle shall protect you."
Cinder took it without hesitation. She still wore her sword-belt and swiftly slipped out of the cave, following her father's tracks.
"What do you want?" she asked him, appearing in front of him as if by magic.
"Seth went to the Sacred Woods," Yann snapped. "It's your fault, you took Morwenna from him, go find him!"
Cinder obeyed. It was believed that women faced less dangers in the Sacred Woods, and that some wise women visited the witch for help and advice.
It didn't look foggy or huge to her, and she quickly found the witch and her brother.
"Why do you carry weapons if you mean no harm?" the pointed-eared woman chided.
"They're not to protect myself from you, but from my father," Cinder assured. "He sent me to retrieve my dear brother."
Seth sat hanging his head, seemingly oblivious of her presence.
"What have you done to him?"
"I'm helping him to make up his mind and become a better man."
"What kind of witch are you?"
"I'm not a witch, I'm a Genn healer, although you don't like us much around here. That's why I protect my land from harm and hide from Humans."
"Are you keeping my brother against his will?"
"No. He's not under a spell. He hasn't found the strength to leave yet, though. I made him see what his father is doing..."
Cinder scoffed. "What about what he's doing? His lust and haughtiness and..."
"That too." The Genn smiled a very sweet smile and turned to Seth. "Time to grow up, young man."
Seth sighed and slowly looked up at his sister.
"I miss my mother," he whispered.
"You never met her," she answered gravely. "I guess this Genn has been very motherly to you."
"My name is Goldensky. And yes, I gave him some love. So should you. You know he's not completely lost to your father's ways..."
Cinder grinned. "Thank you, Goldensky. Come, Seth, our father wants you back. And then you'll have to make your own decisions..."
Seth reluctantly got to his feet. "Are you with Morwenna and Isobel?" he asked.
"Yes. Morwenna is in love with someone else, but I'm sure if you spent some time with Isobel showing your sweet side instead of the bastard, she might learn to like you and then who knows..."
Seth nodded, thoughtful.
"Thank you, Goldensky," he told the Genn who bowed her head and shooed him away.
Seth followed Cinder out of the wood, silent for the first time in years. Cinder began to hope her sweet little brother – buried under his father's harsh training – was coming back.
She took him to her father who glared at her, obviously unhappy with Seth's subdued demeanor.
"Where are the outlaws, Cinder?" Yann demanded.
"I'd rather die than tell you, and you know it," she replied.
He knew. She was his daughter, and he'd raise
d her to be that tough. He let her go and took his men back to the castle. Cinder sighed and went back to the cave.
"What was the problem?" Isobel asked her as soon as she got in, frowning with worry.
"Seth had gone to the Sacred Woods."
"Is he mad?" Morwenna protested. "Is he sick of living?"
"Actually, I think he just got saved," Cinder said with a smile. "For the first time in years I saw the real him – the sweet baby brother I used to love and hug. He lacked female figures in his life, so he doesn't know how to deal with women."
"He has a sister!" Isobel said, shocked.
"Who was raised as a boy," Cinder reminded her. "And didn't care about womanly things until she met your brother."
"Oh." Isobel blushed. "So you think Seth is not as bad as he seems?"
"He can be very sweet," Cinder assured her.
"Why don't you bring him here?" Morwenna asked. "He might forget me and show Isobel how nice he can be..."
"And my father?"
"He stole our castles!" Isobel said. "Kennoch's castle, and Ewald's. You can't keep fighting for him!"
"And I'm not. But Seth is a young man after all... Until he decides what to do with his life, it's no use bringing him here..."
***
Seth stared out of the window with quiet desperation. He had no desire to keep fighting along with his father, struggling to keep castles where he didn't belong, chasing outlaws who had nobler blood than his. He felt empty and lonely and only wanted to curl up and cry – like he'd been forbidden to do in his childhood.
"Seth." Cinder's voice startled him.
His sister came forward, silent as a cat.
"Do you want to go back to the Sacred Woods and enjoy some motherly love from a non-Human being?" she asked, stopping next to him.
"I only want a woman who loves me!" Seth replied, frustrated. "Someone who doesn't care who my father is or what I bring to the table – I don't have castles or lands, but I do have a big heart!"
"I know you do." Cinder grinned. "But you buried it to prove to our father you were tougher than you are. He molded you into his image, but do you want to be like him for the rest of your life?"
Seth hung his head. "No. He is the most hated man in the world. I don't want to be hated or feared, I want to be loved."
"And you shall be loved," she promised, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Come with me. I'd like you to meet the true owners of these lands..."
Seth's heart started filling with hope as he followed his sister from Wolf Castle and into the forest. He sent a prayer of thanks to Goldensky who had healed his soul in the Sacred Woods. He could be himself now.
***
Yann stared into space, gloomy. His son had deserted him. His daughter had fallen in love with his enemies. There was no future for him. Wolfshead had sent a challenge to meet him and settle things for good.
On one side he was curious to meet his almost invisible foe. On the other side he felt old and tired. He'd fought all his life to give his children lands and castles, and they'd turned against him.
With a sigh, Yann donned his chainmail, mounted his horse and went to meet his destiny.
Wolfshead waited for him at the edge of the forest in front of Wolf Castle. The wolf's head shone on his forehead and he held the shield of Wolf Castle.
"Wolfshead," Yann said with contempt. "Are you claiming what is mine?"
"Wolf Castle belongs to me by birthright," Wolfshead replied. "I'm Winfred, firstborn and legitimate heir of the castle you stole."
A flash of admiration crossed Yann's face.
"I should have known," he said. "When I discovered my daughter had fallen in love with your cousin... This will be a duel to the last man standing, Wolfshead, and you could be defeated."
"I have a brother who will take my place," the young man answered.
Ewald came forward with Isobel, followed by Morwenna and Kennoch. Cinder and Seth remained by the tree-line.
"The Wolflings," Yann commented with a scoff. "Young but with good fangs. On your guard, Wolfshead!"
He spurred his horse forward. Wolfshead was on foot, but managed to dodge the swinging sword and soon knocked the older man off his saddle. They fought on the grass under the eyes of Yann's men and the Wolflings.
***
Cinder hid her face against Kennoch's torso when her father fell, and Seth looked away. He'd have preferred a different outcome, but he knew Yann had let Wolfshead kill him so he wouldn't have to surrender to a younger man.
A small hand slid into his. Startled, Seth met Isobel's serious stare. Kennoch was holding Cinder tight and Isobel seemed to say, "You can cry too, I understand." Except Isabel was so short next to him, he'd have to bend in two to cry on her shoulder. He gulped down the lump in his throat and squeezed her hand, unable to talk.
***
"Winfred." Morwenna wore female gowns now and Wolfshead was finally dressed as his rank required. "The castle is yours again, what will you do now?"
"Many years ago your father promised mine that one day we would marry," he answered, thoughtful. "Remember? We were children and we played together a whole afternoon while our parents talked."
"Yes." Morwenna smiled. "You were the most chivalrous child I had ever met. You behaved as if you had plenty of sisters, even though you had none."
"True. I didn't even have Isobel living with us at the time. I seem to understand you'd be willing to follow our fathers' wish."
"Only if you want it too." Her smile vanished. "My father would be happy to know I married you, but if you don't want me, he'll find somebody else."
"And what excuse could I offer my brother Ewald as lord of Tower Castle?" he asked with a slight smile.
"You are not that ambitious," she said, a little uncertain. "Or did our fathers discuss that as well?"
He grinned. "I have no idea. We can ask your father when he takes you to the altar. I'm honored you are happy with the deal our fathers made so long ago."
"But have you considered somebody else?" she asked coyly.
"No. I have you. You're beautiful, sweet, courageous and obviously love me, what else can I ask for?" He went down on one knee and took her hand. "Morwenna of Tower Castle, will you marry me?"
"Yes," she answered, giggling and blushing at the same time. "Oh, yes, Winfred!"
He rose and took her in his arms to kiss her.
"You learned quickly to call me by my real name," he told her among butterfly kisses.
"I looked forward to it," she replied before closing his mouth with hers.
***
"A year ago I went to the Sacred Woods," Seth said, holding Isobel tight as they stood in the clearing in front of the cave that had been Wolfshead's shelter for five years. "My life has changed in so many ways since..."
Isobel giggled. "I think you changed – a lot! And I still can't believe you know my father's castle better than me!"
"I lived there for fifteen years, until the Wolflings started biting at my father's ankles and we moved to Wolf Castle..."
"You could have ended up at Tower Castle, if you'd managed to marry Morwenna..."
Winfred had married Morwenna of Tower Castle in the spring, and a couple of weeks later Kennoch, now rightful lord of Sword Castle, had married Cinder. During the summer, the lord of Tower Castle passed away, naming Ewald his heir. Now the new lord of Tower Castle had married the youngest daughter of the lord of Hawk Castle and Seth had taken Isobel back to the forest for a serious talk away from their siblings' ears.
Their love had blossomed within the walls of Sword Castle – Kennoch's inheritance, but also Cinder and Seth's home for many years.
"Morwenna was already set on Winfred," Seth said with a sigh. "She never gave me a second glance. Unlike you."
He lightly kissed her lips, making her giggle again.
"Cinder told me you could be sweet," she said squeezing him. "And Ewald is my first cousin, I don't know why I even considered marrying him... I guess I didn't see
an alternative – until I got to know you better."
"So, will you marry me, even if I don't have a castle, or lands?" he asked. "Or will your brother find you a suitable noble husband – like at Hawk Castle?"
"I believe we already have a marriage alliance with Hawk Castle, besides, Kennoch married a non-noble himself!" She grinned. "I'm sure he'll happily give me to you, and both he and Cinder will allow us to stay at Sword Castle..."
"Good." He kissed her. "Did I mention I love you?"
"Love you too, Seth. Let's go back so we can announce our betrothal and plan the wedding..."
About the Author
Barbara G.Tarn had an intense life in the Middle Ages that stuck with her through the centuries. She prefers swords to guns, long gowns to mini-skirts, and even though she buried the warrior woman, she deplores the death of knights in shining chainmail. She likes to think her condo apartment is a medieval castle, unfortunately lacking a dungeon to throw noisy neighbors and naughty colleagues in. Also known as the Lady with the Unicorns, these days she prefers to add a touch of fantasy to all her stories, past and present – when she’s not wandering in her fantasy world of Silvery Earth or in her Star Minds futuristic universe. She’s a writer, sometimes artist, mostly a world-creator and story-teller – stories comprise shorts, novels and graphic novels. Her novella “The Hooded Man” has received an Honorable Mention at the Writers of the Future contest. Used to multiple projects (a graphic novel is always on the side of the prose), she writes, draws, ignores her day job and blogs every other day.
For more info on the series or other titles of Unicorn Productions join the mailing list and receive the bi-monthly newsletter to be notified of new releases, sales and other author's news and the exclusive opportunity to get free stories or discounts on Barbara G.Tarn's works.
Did you love Tales of the Northern Kingdoms volume 2? Then you should read Tales of the Northern Kingdoms volume 1 by Barbara G.Tarn!
The Moren Empire is no more and the northern lands are a scatter of fiefs, small kingdoms and city-states.
"Colors"
White as snow, as Nerian's skin and pure heart.
Tales of the Northern Kingdoms volume 2 Page 27