The Queen

by Suzanna Lynn

  Baylin nodded. “If you’re sure, then I will take my leave.”

  “Wait,” the King rasped, reaching out his hand to the Prince. “I would ask something of you.”

  “Anything, Father,” Baylin said, taking his father’s hand.

  “Send a bird to your uncle,” Ashmur pleaded. “Write to him and ask him to return home.”

  Baylin wanted to be angry, but seeing his frail father made the resentment die before it could surface. “If that is what you wish, Father. But know that he will not be allowed into the Kingdom without a dozen of my guards on him at all times.”

  “Spoken like a true King,” Ashmur murmured as sleep finally took him.

  Chapter Three

  Baylin returned to his chamber to find Luana awake holding their son. The sun shone through the window, the light creating a halo as it reflected off her silvery hair. He smiled as her face lit up at the sight of him coming through the door.

  Ferric stood inside the door, keeping watch over them. “Baylin, back already?”

  The Prince shut the door behind him. “Ferric, thank you for keeping watch. I refuse to take Cadman’s threat lightly.”

  Ferric pulled in close to Baylin. “Any news on Mirstone?”

  “Yes. Gather all the men and have them meet in the great hall,” Baylin instructed. “I will be there within the hour.”

  Ferric nodded and opened the door to leave but then turned back toward the Prince. “Oh, and Baylin?”

  “Yes?”

  “He’s perfect.” Ferric smiled. “Well done.”

  The Prince reached out and embraced him in a firm hug. “Thank you, my friend. Now our job is to protect him and this Kingdom.”

  “Understood,” Ferric said, turning and leaving the room.

  Baylin shut the door behind Ferric, turning his attention back to Luana at the bed.

  “Your Grace,” the handmaid Meg said with a curtsey as Baylin crossed the room to the bed. “The young miss just woke not but a few moments before you arrived. I urged her to rest but she wanted to hold the baby.”

  The Prince turned to the young handmaid. “That is perfectly fine. Your service is greatly appreciated. You are a credit to us, Meg.”

  The young girl blushed at his compliment. “Thank you, Your Grace. You are too kind.”

  “It is true,” Luana spoke, causing the little bundle in her arms to wiggle and coo. “I truly believe I would not have survived without you, my dear.” She smiled at the girl, who continued to blush.

  “Meg, would you mind drawing a bath for Luana?” Baylin asked. “I would have her cleaned and made comfortable. Also, once she is recovered and feels able, I would ask you to attend her as she makes her way through the castle.”

  “Through the castle?” Luana asked, her brow furrowed with confusion.

  Baylin sat down on the bed next to her, putting his arms around her gently. “Yes, I’m certain you will want to give our son a proper tour of his home.”

  “Your Grace, is it true?” Meg piped up. “Do you mean to say the Bed Wife Law has been overturned?”

  The Prince frowned. “It has not been overturned yet, but I am resending the requirement that she be confined to her chambers. She is the mother of my child, and in time, I believe she will be the Queen of Grasmere.”

  Luana’s mouth dropped open in shock, worry etched on her face. “Your father? He’s not…”

  “No, he is still with us,” Baylin soothed. “Though, to be honest, I am unsure of how long that will be. I have made this decision as presiding Regent, whether Father approves or not. This nonsense must stop, and I begin with you, my love.”

  *****

  By the time Baylin walked into the great hall, every general, captain and soldier stood waiting on him. As he made his way to the front of the gathering, he could see the anxiety and worry in their faces. Many of them had recently returned from Mirstone, having escaped the clutches of his treacherous uncle, Lord Cadman. Had his men not been there to defend him, the Prince was certain he would still be held captive by the Mirstone royal family.

  As he ascended the stairs toward the throne, an anxiety gripped his stomach. They look to me as though I am already their King, yet I am not. I am going to command them to go against the orders of their true King. This was not the kind of ruler I wanted to be.

  “Men,” he called out. “We have important matters to see to. I do apologize for not allowing the much-needed rest that so many of you deserve after returning from Mirstone.”

  “Your Grace,” called out a soldier. “May we all extend our congratulations on the birth of your son?”

  The room echoed with the cries and applause as the men shouted, “Long may he reign,” as was custom to any new Prince or Princess born to the Kingdoms.

  “Your sentiment warms my heart. Long may he reign, indeed.” The Prince smiled, nodding. He raised his hands to quiet the men. “However, we must move to the matter at hand; there will be time for celebrations later. As many of you who attended me in Mirstone are aware, Lord Cadman has betrayed the Kingdom.”

  The room erupted in murmurs and hisses at the sound of the name.

  “I have relayed this information to the King, and he has requested that I send for Lord Cadman,” Baylin continued.

  “Cadman is a traitor!” shouted one man.

  “Bring us his head!” shouted another.

  The men erupted in shouts and curses, sounding bloodthirsty in their cries.

  Baylin raised his hands, attempting to calm the murderous crowd. “There will be time for a trial soon enough, however the King wishes to simply talk with Lord Cadman. He is to be apprehended unharmed.”

  “Unharmed?” Ferric voiced. “Your Grace, with all due respect, he was ready to murder you. To murder all of us!”

  Baylin sighed. He agreed with his men’s anger, with their feelings of betrayal. He felt no one could possibly want to see his uncle dead more than him. Especially after threatening the life of not only Luana, but my son. However, diplomacy is required if I hope to, at the very least, delay the attack of Mirstone.

  “I understand you all feel betrayed and are untrusting of the man,” Baylin bellowed, quieting the loud room. “But your King wishes to question him. If you kill him there will be no chance to stopping the attack from Mirstone.”

  “Let them come!” called out a soldier.

  “We outnumber them!” cried another.

  “Enough!” the Prince boomed. “Should he arrive on our borders, he is to remain unharmed. Is this understood?”

  All the men lowered their heads, bowing and showing respect for their Prince.

  “I will send a bird to Mirstone, requesting an audience with Cadman. He is to come through Fagin Forest and be brought to the castle,” Baylin instructed. “After the King has spoken with him, I have promised that he will be kept safe and will have free will to return to Mirstone should he choose. I would ask that you men keep me a man of my word.” Baylin swallowed hard, his heart racing in his chest. “Any man found disobeying this order will be hanged for treason.”

  He could see the surprise forming on the faces in the room; although none was more apparent than that of Ferric. Yet, no man dared to argue. Baylin felt as though he had betrayed all his men with one sentence. They deserve vengeance; they deserve to be rid of that vile creature.

  “Your Grace,” Ferric asked. “If you wish, I will create a rotation for a group of men to be camped at the road on the border of Fagin Forrest. When Lord Cadman arrives, they can escort him— safely—to the castle.”

  “Yes, that would be good.” Baylin nodded.

  “I will see to it today, Your Grace,” Ferric said with a bow.

  “Men, before I dismiss you, I must inform you of one other matter,” Baylin called out. His heart raced in his chest knowing he was going against not only his father’s wishes, but hundreds of years of tradition. “My bed wife, Luana, as well as the other bed wives in the castle, will be given the freedom to walk the castle.”
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  The quiet that followed caused Baylin’s ears to buzz. It was an eerie calm that suggested a storm was soon to follow.

  “Your Grace, are you saying that the King has overthrown the Bed Wife Law?” asked one of his captains.

  And here comes the storm. Baylin took a deep breath. “No, he has not. Not yet at least. However, as your Prince, and acting Regent, I am enforcing this new action.”

  The room erupted with noise. Some excited, some angry, others confused.

  “My Lord, you cannot possibly mean that we should defy the law?” called an old general.

  “Only the King can pass such a motion,” called another.

  The Prince felt the stab of pain in his head as the noise and stress, along with the extreme lack of sleep, caught up with him. There will be no silencing this now.

  “My good men…” Ferric called out, trying to assist his friend. But the commotion continued.

  Suddenly, all the men fell silent, their eyes falling on something behind Baylin. He turned and saw his mother standing next to her throne, holding his son in her arms. His face flushed warm. She knows that Father is against turning the law. Though he knew she supported Luana, he feared she would not be proud that he was going against his father’s command.

  “Mother, I—” the Prince breathed.

  “My Lords,” called the Queen. “Soldiers of Grasmere. Your duty is to the Kingdom and the royal family. Your Prince has asked that you respect and accept the mother of his child; the mother of the future heir to the throne of Grasmere.”

  Baylin released a breath he did not realize he had been holding as relief flooded over him. He turned to see the men bowing to him—their Prince—their future King.

  Chapter Four

  During the next couple days, Baylin waited for word from his uncle in Mirstone while he readied his men to defend the Kingdom should there be a surprise attack. He spent a large portion of his time in the war room studying maps, or out in the Kingdom, strengthening numbers and trying to put the villagers at ease.

  It was early when the Prince made his way through the castle, planning to ride with some of his men to Rivermouth to fortify the ports. Suddenly, he heard a crashing commotion coming from the Great Hall.

  He took off at a run, rounding the corner to find the room filled with flowers and banners. Several young maids stood over a pile of metal trays on the floor, quickly picking them up.

  “Never mind about those,” said the Queen to the girls. “Have them sent back to the kitchen to be cleaned and start bringing in the candles.

  “Mother?” Baylin asked, striding toward her. “What is all this?”

  “Have you already forgotten?” she laughed. “The celebration? To honor Luana and your son?”

  He studied the room. The large columns, adorned with their own unique sculptures in the stone, were wrapped in beautiful garlands of fir tree branches and berries. Tables were lined up, being prepared to hold large quantities of food. Understanding came over him. “The celebration, yes, of course. Apologies, Mother, I have been… preoccupied.”

  “Of course you have. Your duty is to protect the Kingdom,” the Queen replied, pulling a rose from an arrangement as a steward carried it by. “My duty is to the morale of the Kingdom. Hence why you’re riding off to the villages and I am planning a celebration. It will take several more days to get everything in order.”

  Baylin sighed. “Are you sure this is the best plan?” He stepped closer to her, so the servants would not overhear their conversation. “Mirstone could attack at any moment.”

  “I refuse to hide like a frightened child,” Valasca snapped. “This celebration is not only for Luana, the baby, or even you. It is for all of Grasmere. We owe it to the people! Besides, it’s not every day that a future King is born in this castle.”

  He could see the joy in his mother’s eyes. “Well, at least I know I am leaving it in your capable hands.” He leaned over and kissed his mother on the forehead. “I’m off to Rivermouth. I hope to be back before dark.”

  He turned, leaving the hall at a quick pace. He had reached the stables when a steward came running up, holding a parchment in his hand. “Your Grace! A bird arrived from Mirstone; Lord Cadman is coming to Grasmere!”

  Baylin grabbed the parchment from the boy’s outstretched hand. Breaking the red wax seal of Mirstone, he read the letter.

  My dearest nephew,

  It warms my heart to know that you

  arrived safely in Grasmere. It has been my

  utmost hope to return home to my family. I

  do so miss my dear brother.

  Thank you for extending such a generous

  invitation. I will leave Mirstone at once and

  should arrive shortly after you receive my bird.

  Isla sends her love.

  Your devoted uncle,

  Cadman

  Baylin clenched his teeth so hard they began to ache from the pressure. “Venomous snake.”

  “What has he said?” asked Valasca, her brow furrowed in worry.

  Baylin handed her the parchment. “See for yourself.”

  As his mother read the letter, he turned to the steward. “Send for Ferric at once. There isn’t a moment to lose.” He turned back to his mother, who finished reading the note and wore an expression of anger and nausea. “We can only hope that we still have time to enforce the guard at Fagin Forest. He’s mocking us and this letter shows it.”

  “What does he have to gain from coming? Really?” Valasca asked, crumpling the note in her hand. “He must know that everyone here wishes him dead.”

  “Exactly,” Baylin growled. “He wouldn’t come unless he felt it benefitted him in some way. Even with his close relationship with Father, he knows his life is in danger. This visit is a benefit to him in some way. A chance to set a plan in motion, I’m sure of it.”

  “If that is the case,” Valasca whispered, “why not kill him on sight?”

  “No, Mother,” Baylin spat. “As much as I would like to be rid of him, I gave him my word he would not be harmed as long as he did not give provocation.”

  “His presence is provocation enough!” Valasca cried.

  The servants in the Great Hall all stopped and turned to look at the pair. Baylin smiled and nodded at a nearby maid, faking interest in her flower arrangement. He gently put his arm around his mother and guided her from the room.

  “Mother,” he whispered. “We do not know if he has spies in the castle. It is best that we assume that anyone could be in league with him, and therefore we must keep this information as quiet as possible. Even the steward that brought the letter could have connections with him.”

  “They wouldn’t dare!” Valasca said, shocked. “Most of our servants have been with us for years.”

  “Mother, please, you must calm yourself,” Baylin soothed. “I do agree that most of them have been very loyal. But as a child even my riding master was swayed by Cadman. He has a silver tongue when it comes to getting what he wants. Besides, we had a handful of new kitchen staff and maids come in after the bed wife ceremony, remember? Any one of them could be influenced by him.”

  “But how do we protect ourselves if we don’t know who to trust?” Valasca asked, startling as a steward walked by toward the Great Hall.

  “We hold close to those we can trust,” Baylin said. “Like you said, we can’t hide like children. We must keep moving forward until there is reason to pause.”

  “Perhaps, though, it might be prudent to make a list of all the new staff?” Valasca asked. “We could make sure only those who have been with us a very long time have access to the King and Luana… and you and I, for that matter.”

  “I think that is an excellent idea, Mother,” Baylin said as Ferric sauntered up.

  Baylin kissed his mother on the cheek. “I must get moving to Fagin. I will be back as soon as I can.”

  “Be careful, my son,” she said, turning and walking back to the Great Hall.

  “What’s a g
ood idea?” Ferric asked as he and Baylin turned, walking swiftly to the gate.

  “I’ll fill you in on the ride,” Baylin said. “Right now we must get to Fagin before my treacherous uncle does.”

  Chapter Five

  Luana was beginning to feel like herself again. The birth of the baby had been much harder on her than she expected. Being in labor for so many long hours took a toll on her.

  The sky was still dark when Luana stirred from a deep slumber. Her hand searched beneath the fur blanket, searching for Baylin’s muscled body. When her hand found empty space, her eyes fluttered open. She sat up in the bed and saw Baylin sitting on the settee near the hearth. He was dressed in his tunic and trousers for the day, surrounded by piles of maps and books.

  “Are you unwell? Why do you not sleep?” Luana asked, rising from the bed and crossing the room to him.

  “No, my love, I am not ill. I could not sleep. I decided to go over a few things.” He pulled his eyes away from the parchments to look up at her. “I fear we are spread too thin. When Cadman arrives, he will know exactly just how thin.”

  “You’ve hardly slept since you returned from Mirstone.” Luana took the maps from his hand and placed them beside him on the settee. She took his hands in hers and pulled him to his feet. “You’ve spent so much time going over maps and attending war councils, you’ve barely had time to even eat.”

  “I suppose you’re right,” he said, pulling her into his arms. “There is so much I need to do. The Kingdom is counting on me to protect them.”

  “You will be no good to anyone if you are exhausted and half starved should a war erupt,” she said, raising a disapproving eyebrow at him. “You need your strength.”

  He laughed softly, stroking her cheek with his thumb. “You are my strength. There’s a fire in you that keeps me going.” He leaned in and kissed her. “But you are right. I believe I need a distraction. How would you like a proper tour of the castle?”