by J W Murison
The wizard arrived with a remedy that was quite effective, his headache began to clear fast. ‘Can you tell if magic has been used on someone a spell,’ he asked the wizard.
‘Yes Sire certainly.’
‘Has anyone used magic on me?’
The wizard frowned, ‘I thought it had no effect on you Highlanders.’
‘So did I, check me will you.’
The wizard performed a simple spell, ‘nothing Sire, not even a single spark. Tell me what’s wrong, has something happened.’
Gareth briefly explained. The wizard thought it over for a few minutes while he packed away his potions. ‘You say the last thing you remember was going to bed. You had a drink before you went to bed yes.’
‘A small amount of Amber,’ Gareth flushed, ‘maybe a half bottle.’
‘Is it a regular thing Sire, drinking before you got to bed.’
‘It isn’t very strong.’
‘It is very addictive and over indulgence can have serious side effects, regardless of how it makes you feel. It wouldn’t be the first time I have talked to a man who got up in the night to take another drink of the stuff without even wakening up. He would deny it but many a wife has sat and watched him. Amber should only be drank once a week Sire.’
‘Shit, why didn't anyone tell me?’
‘After the man they have been serving all their lives; few here but your own friends would dare try and tell the King what to do Sire or advise them out of turn. There is also something else you need to consider Sire.’
‘What’s that?’
‘The pressure you are under.’
‘Explain the pressure I am under.’
‘You are under a great deal of stress Sire, which can cause a man to act in strange ways. Most Kings are trained from birth to rule, you sit with a permanent frown on your face. It shows everyone how much of a strain it really is.’
‘Am I supposed to smile?’
‘To be quite frank Sire, yes, it helps. A smiling King projects confidence to his subjects, makes them feel secure. He also delegates tasks to his subordinates and doesn’t take everything on his own shoulders. You were but a simple sword master a couple of years ago and now you are trying to rule the biggest Kingdom on this world all by yourself. If you don’t stop sooner or later you will go insane. This could be the first sign of something going wrong.’
Gareth felt a cold chill go through me, ‘you’re actually saying I could have gotten up in the middle of the night half asleep, downed half a bottle of whiskey then gone and ... did what I did.’
‘Do you have any memory at all of the night’s events Sire?’
‘The odd little snippet.’
The wizard pulled a face, ‘snippets, say, like you were blind drunk snippets.’
Gareth put his head in his hands, ‘yeah, just like that.’
‘Then I suggest Sire the terrific strain you are under along with an addiction to Amber brought you half awake in the middle of the night. Unable to find anymore you proceeded to drink the next best thing.’
‘A bottle of Glen Grant,’ Gareth groaned.
‘As for your indiscretion Sire, well, it could be that some pressure you were under made you act out something burning at the back of your mind.’
By the time the wizard left Gareth was convinced he was guilty. He went through to visit Melina trembling with guilt. She was still sleeping with her head tucked under her wing. He sat there for a long time waiting for her to stir. Eventually she did with a ruffle of feathers and settled down to watch him.
‘I'm sorry,’ was as much as he could manage.
‘Oh Gareth what were you doing!’
‘You know?’
‘You woke me in the middle of the night with your raving.’
‘My raving, I don’t remember.’
‘You were drunk, beyond drunk; I have never seen you like that before. I couldn’t get through to you, that poor girl.’
Gareth burned with embarrassment, ‘I'm sorry, so sorry, I didn't know, you have to believe me.’
‘Gareth my love,’ her voice was gentle, soothing, ‘I don’t know why but I feel partially to blame, I have been putting you under so much pressure, but to do it like that. You stole her virginity Gareth, what are you going to do about it.’
Gareth's will collapsed, ‘her father found us this morning, it would seem I have little choice.’
‘Then do it right my loved one.’
‘You mean you really don’t mind?’
‘I don’t like the way you did it but I don’t blame you, I think there is more to blame than just you.’
He got up, ‘I feel truly bad about this and so confused.’
‘I think you need a rest.’
‘I think you are right.’
He left Melina and found his head steward, ‘yes Sire.’
‘I want every bottle of Amber removed from the palace today.’
‘May I ask why Sire.’
‘No you may not, just have it removed.’
He found Graun a short while later and told him what transpired. Graun studied his guilt-ridden friend’s face, ‘wow this is going to be an interesting twist in the book.’
‘It’s not funny Graun.’ Gareth snapped.
‘Not to you,’ he barked a laugh, ‘but joking apart it just doesn't sound like you Gareth. I don’t care what kind of pressure you are under.’
‘I know but what other explanation is there.’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Oh by the way, it looks like I'm going to need a best man.’
Graun nodded, ‘well Stan’s here, so you should be all right there.’
‘I wasn’t thinking of Stan dickhead.’
Graun was shocked, ‘you mean me, truly.’
‘Truly.’
‘I don’t know what to say Gareth, I would be honoured.’
‘Right, let’s go face the music shall we.’
‘Want me to come with you?’
‘Oh aye, on this day of all days I need the support.’
The meeting with the King was a cold affair. Later that day he and his party returned to Clover lands to make the arrangements. It was decided there and then, to hold the ceremony within a fortnight just in case. Two weeks later Gareth turned up at Clover castle to a great deal of pageantry. The Highlanders revelled in the cool air while Aswari and his guard shivered and complained, but the dark skinned men became a fast favourite of the local women. The master of ceremonies was a frequent visitor over the next few days and Gareth came to hate the man.
It seemed like half the country had turned up for the wedding, by far the smallest contingent was the Highlanders and it was made up mainly of Ogilvie's and Grants. The Beast was there with his new axe and had a special place in the ceremony. He was given the task of asking anyone if they had any objections just before the wedding took place, he was a fearsome sight and as you might expect no one made a challenge.
Graun gave Gareth a nudge just before the ceremony, ‘man you have to be the most miserable groom I have ever met in my life. You are about to get married to the most beautiful woman in the whole Kingdom cheer up for fucks sake or at least try and fake a smile.’ Gareth grimaced in an attempt. ‘Graun shook his head, ‘forget it; that just makes you look hideous.’
‘Fuck you too.’
Graun roared with laughter and Gareth actually managed a weak smile and to keep it on his face for the duration of the ceremony. A great feast was held where Gareth met the King of Moray.
‘You stole my bride to be you Highland bastard,’ he accused.
Catherine shivered and moved close to Gareth who took an instant dislike to the cruel faced man. ‘Fight you for her,’ Gareth offered casually.
The King took a step back his face going white, ‘I was only joking lad, wasn’t serious, a bit of light friendly banter between Kings.’
Gareth smiled his eyes cold, ‘I know, just fucking with you.’
The King of Moray roared with laughter and sla
pped Gareth on the shoulder, ‘good one, good one.’ He soon made himself scarce though.
Catherine took Gareth's arm and leaned against his arm for support, ‘thank you, that man frightens me. If nothing good ever comes out of our marriage I will always remember you saved me from that beast.’
With Gareth's protective instincts aroused, he was far more relaxed the rest of the evening although he avoided any strong drink.
They eventually left the reception to a great roar of approval. The wedding night wasn’t as bad as Gareth had expected, Catherine was a beautiful woman and a willing partner; it wasn’t long before she was screaming in ecstasy. Afterwards she draped herself across his chest, ‘that was much better,’ she murmured. Gareth was too embarrassed to ask and soon fell asleep.
The following morning she demanded more and Gareth found himself more than willing. There was one more indignity he had to suffer at the hands of the master of ceremonies. At midday they were forced to rise. The master of ceremonies inspected the bed sheet and with a tut cut his finger and made a small circle of blood on the sheet. He then diluted it with some white wine and let it spread before hanging the sheet out of the window. To Gareth's surprise there was a great roar of approval from below. It seemed half the city had gathered to witness the moment. They roared again at the sight of Gareth head looking out the window. He gave a brief wave then Catherine made an appearance and gave them a huge smile and a wave. They loved it and the party continued for the better part of a week.
At the end of the week a messenger arrived from the King of the Eagles and duty called once more. Catherine refused to go to the city of Eagles and returned home to the Sea Kingdom to arrange her apartments next to Gareth's.
She was immediately invited into see Melina. Melina wanted to hear everything that had happened and most of all if Gareth had gotten over his reluctance. Catherine assured her he had and that she was very happy. She had also taken her handmaidens with her, and quickly settled in to her new apartments to await the return of her husband.
CHAPTER 18
Gareth strode up the steps of the Eagle palace with Graun at his side and his royal guard behind. He was immediately shown into the King who hesitated when he saw Graun but then invited him into the private garden with Gareth.
‘I hear congratulations are in order, I received your invitation but thought it improper for myself or any of my family to attend. I want to reassure you that our refusal to attend wasn’t a snub and that we approve whole heartedly of your choice of second wife.’
‘I suppose you do, after all it was your suggestion.’
The King grinned, ‘yes but I believe I wasn’t the first to suggest it.’
‘Maybe, but it makes my life a damn more complicated than it was.’
‘Ah, you refer to your great council. I have a meeting with them in an hour and I would like both of you to attend.’
Gareth scratched his head, ‘are they still here, I thought you were going to let them go after a fortnight.’
‘When I heard of your ah, plight, shall we say, I decided to keep them here and out of your way for as long as necessary.’
‘Aye, they would probably have objected.’
‘Oh they did when they heard, most violently, they rushed the palace with about twenty others. We heard about it and Lord Malcolm surrounded them in the palace courtyard with two hundred Highlanders of our guard. They rest in a dungeon, all except Deacon who refused to take part. He is at this time under house arrest in the palace.’
‘For god’s sake! Oh this isn’t good,’ he turned to Graun, ‘is this going to put us on a war footing with the Eagle people?’
Graun shrugged, ‘it depends how your father in law handles it from here on in, what is the punishment for the crime.’
‘Death of course.’
‘The death of a single council member brings the highest penalty in our society,’ Graun warned.
‘None have been harmed. I will admit their accommodation is the worst I could find and we have been keeping them hungry,’ he grinned. ‘I think they are more likely to listen to reason now. I wonder if you two could do me a little favour.’
‘I don’t like the sound of this,’ Gareth growled.
‘Trust me my son,’ he was still smiling.
A few hours later the great council was dragged in chains before the Eagle King. Deacon was allowed to act as council for their defence and put up a spirited defence however he found them guilty and sentenced them to immediate execution. Before they could be dragged away Gareth and Graun strode boldly into the audience chamber. His roar of defiance brought every guard to their feet.
Malcolm Grant who was standing at the Kings right hand released his axe and stood in front of Gareth. ‘Not another step forward Gareth or I will strike you down.’
‘I am unarmed Malcolm.’
‘You do not need arms to strike a man down Gareth, all know that.’
‘I give my word that my intentions are not hostile.’
The Eagle King interrupted, ‘please Lord Malcolm, Gareth is my son-in-law and I believe he will do me no harm.’ Malcolm reluctantly lowered his axe and stood once more at the Kings side. ‘Have you come to speak on behalf of your council Gareth?’
‘No, I come to warn you father, if you execute these men then I will have to raise the whole of the Highlands and return here at war.’
‘It would take you years to be able to get your army here.’
‘No matter father, I would return and when I did I would be forced to level this city and all in it. I would also call on every Highlander to bear witness and all would have to obey even Malcolm here.
‘Is this true lord Malcolm.’
‘I did warn you of this possibility Sire, if I did not respond then my family would be held responsible for my crimes against the Highland nation.’
‘I see, then this puts us all in a bit of a quandary. Do you have a suggestion Gareth?’
‘Other than you let them go, no father.’
‘They took up arms against me; will they be punished under your laws?’
‘No father, they are the law.’
‘I see, so they can please themselves and to hell with everyone else. I am not a Highlander I am a King, my power is absolute, it is a lesson you Highlanders must learn. Deacon of course will be free to go as he took no hand in this crime but the others must be punished, I would have it so.’
‘Then you put your nation in harm’s way, is that what Kings are for. You told me yourself once that a Kings pride must come second to the needs of his people and executing them would put your people in a worse position than they were in captivity.’
‘Would you kill your own wife Gareth, your own children when they are born, they will be as much Eagle, if not more Eagle than human?’
‘I realise that father, would you be willing to some form of compromise for their lives, some form of compensation.’
The King thought it over for a moment, ‘is that how you do it in the Highlands?’
‘In some cases father, if the accused could offer more to the aggrieved than his death would.’
‘A compromise, would I not lose face.’
‘Depends on the terms of the compromise father.’
‘Are they willing to talk compromise Gareth?’
‘I don’t know father.’
‘I would not have you talk on their behalf, you are my family, who would they be willing to accept as mediator, not Deacon he represents them in law. Let them choose.’
Deacon had a quick word with the men, ‘they would choose Graun Grant as mediator Sire.’
‘Graun Grant is also related to me to through Gareth's brother.’
There was another whispered discussion, ‘we accept that Sire, all of us trust Graun with our lives.’
‘That is exactly what you are doing. Guards return these men to their cells and bring up the next lot. I will give you a couple of days to think things over, Graun will you come and see me this evening; we w
ill dine and discuss things. I will also wish a couple of days to think things over.’
The next lot were the men who backed the great council members, their defence was easy, they were obeying the great council, all of them were men who had been visiting the Eagle city when he had forbidden movement. Deacon had been removed and this time Gareth made a passionate plea on their behalf.
These men had been looked after better than the council members but were still heavily chained. The King came down off his throne and stood before them. Each man looked his straight in the eye.
‘I have already sentenced all of your council members to death; however they have proved willing to compromise for their lives as they have much to offer, or so I'm told.’ He paced back and forth before the men then stopped before one man, ‘why didn't you leave when you had the chance.’
‘I have a relation who is married to one of your women I had sent word to him for assistance and was sure it would come.’
‘It didn't.’
The man shrugged, ‘it would have sooner or later, I was happy to wait.’
‘Then you decided not to.’
The man flushed, ‘when the full council orders then we obey, simple, whether I meet my death in battle or under your executioners axe I care not a jot, I did my duty to my people and my council.’
The King raised a finger, ‘but your full council did not order this, one abstained, the one called Deacon.’
There was an angry murmur from the gathered men, ‘you lie,’ the man spat the words at the King.
‘No he doesn’t,’ Gareth informed him, ‘Deacon was arrested as a preventative measure only he has been kept under guard in the palace here, I talked to him myself.’
‘Then I would talk to him, that's not what we were told.’
The King thought it over, ‘I will permit that.’
Deacon was duly returned and stood before the gathered men, ‘I'm sorry,’ he told them, ‘you were lied to.’
‘By the council,’ the same man spat at him, ‘how can this be Deacon?’
‘I'm sorry, I can’t explain.’
‘No but I can,’ the Eagle King interrupted, ‘your exulted council, apart from Deacon here were keen to return to the Kingdom of the Sea King where they were going to tell Gareth to stand down as the Sea King. Then they were going to take over from him. There was also word of assassination, as a matter of fact Deacon the other members of the council were also considering assassinating you as well. You were curbing their style I believe.’