The Queen

by Suzanna Lynn

  The steward smiled. “Well, lucky we have her then.” He turned and hurried from the room.

  Yes, lucky indeed. Baylin smiled to himself.

  Baylin’s heart swelled as he thought of the maids and stewards discussing how Luana found the traitor and healed the King. Her plan to save King Ashmur not only succeeded, but he was actually well on the mend.

  Baylin continued to make battle plans for another half hour in the war room. He felt like he had not seen his bed in months. I should be holding my son, not studying maps.

  “Still at it, I see?” King Ashmur’s voice broke the deafening silence in the room.

  “Father?” Baylin jumped to his feet and crossed the room to the door. “Should you be up and moving about already? Does Master Keon think it wise?”

  “Stop your fussing, boy,” Ashmur said, waving away his words. “I’ve been through worse than this.”

  Always so strong, even when he knows everyone knows he lies. Baylin laughed to himself. “Of course, Father.”

  The King seated himself in front of a map. “Tell me where we’re at. What defenses have you implemented?”

  Baylin told his father of the guards at Rivermouth and Fagin Forest, how he ordered the villagers be moved into the mountain and the harvest taken early.

  “To bring the harvest in early will be a risk,” Ashmur said. “Much of the wheat and grain will not be ready.”

  “We will have to make due,” Baylin said. “Otherwise, not only do we have nothing to keep in our stores, we would be handing fields ripe for the taking over to Mirstone and Kardell soldiers.”

  “Have you had any word from Ranhold or Strathen?” the King asked. “Are they with us?”

  “Strathen is with us,” Baylin replied. “They are sending men and much-needed supplies. Ranhold, it would seem, has chosen to not choose a side.”

  “King Lars has always been a bit pitiable,” Ashmur remarked. “He was only given the crown because he was the only son. A boy raised by three sisters will never prove to be a strong man. If only his father had been around to show him how to be a man.”

  “I sent word that if he turns his back on us now, he will not have our blessing when we arise victorious,” Baylin spat, thinking of the pathetic King. “He will not be allowed to reap the rewards when he refused to help fight the battle.”

  “You sound like a King already, my son,” Ashmur observed with a smile. “You are a credit to the Kingdom, truly. And I don’t just say this because you’re my son. You have everything it takes to be a great King. You’re not only brave and honorable, you understand duty and tradition.”

  “Tradition?” Baylin whispered. “Like the tradition that dictates Luana is a bed wife?”

  “Well, yes, that is one of the many traditions we have kept over the years,” Ashmur said.

  Baylin clenched his teeth, staying his temper. “I’m sure you have heard how many would like the law overturned. She saved your life, Father.”

  Ashmur sighed. “That she did.”

  “I know you’re tired of hearing about it,” Baylin pleaded. “But I refuse to give up on this. Luana—”

  “Enough, my son,” Ashmur said, reaching out a hand, patting him on the shoulder. “She saved my life, and perhaps this Kingdom. I am not so blind as to overlook her value.”

  Baylin’s eyebrows rose. “What does this mean? Are you—”

  “I’m willing to bend the law,” Ashmur said. “Mind you, don’t get yourself excited. She is still a bed wife and must adhere to the law. However, I do not see the harm in allowing her and the other bed wives to walk freely in the castle.”

  “Thank you, Father!” Baylin reached out and embraced him. Usually, he would have been embarrassed to show such a display of affection to his father, but he couldn’t contain his pleasure. It is a move in the right direction. Soon I will be able to show him we have no more need for the law, and I can make Luana my Queen.

  “I will expect you to keep a close eye on her and all the others,” Ashmur instructed. “Everyone in the Kingdom is under enough stress as it is. These young women need to make themselves useful.”

  “We must all do our part to survive,” Baylin uttered.

  Ashmur nodded. “Now more than ever.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Luana was in the bedchamber nursing the baby when Baylin came to tell her the news of the King giving his blessing for her to have freedom within the castle.

  Though Baylin’s excitement caused her to smile, she still felt a slight sting of pain. No matter what freedoms the King gives me, I am still a slave.

  “He said you can help in the preparations for moving in the villagers,” Baylin said.

  “Perhaps I should speak with Master Keon,” she said. “I’m sure with so many people in the castle, he will need help.”

  “Won’t that be slightly dangerous?” Baylin asked. “You could be subjected to sickness.”

  “Healing is what I know,” she argued. “Master Keon knows this. He will see the benefit in it.”

  “If you wish, just please be careful,” he begged.

  *****

  Luana sought out Master Keon and followed his instruction on where he would like to set up a temporary medicos chamber for the villagers.

  The mountain was so vast, it housed abundant catacombs that branched off into halls leading to large and small areas to provide shelter for the numerous villagers who would be staying in the castle over the winter.

  Master Keon had chosen one of the larger areas to set up for the sick and injured.

  When Luana arrived, several maids were busy sweeping and dusting, which could not have been an easy task. The catacombs had been dug as a precaution, but in all the years, they had not been used for much more than storage, if for anything at all. Centuries passed without so much as a mouse setting foot in them, and it showed in the accumulation of dust.

  “Ah, Luana,” Master Keon greeted as she walked in. “I’m glad to see you. I need your assistance setting up an area to house all my elixirs, and I thought since you’re so knowledgeable in herbs, you would be so kind as to make a list of items we might need.”

  “Of course.” She smiled at the old man. It wasn’t a year ago when he seemed to despise me. Now he says he’s glad to see me and compliments me on my knowledge of healing and herbs. Maybe Baylin’s right. Maybe people are beginning to overlook the Bed Wife Law. Maybe there is hope.

  She moved jars around, putting them in order according to use. All the while, Master Keon mumbled and worried over the whole situation.

  “Everyone in the Kingdom pushed together like this,” he grumbled to himself. “Don’t they know it only takes one case of illness to cause an epidemic?”

  Luana smiled to herself as she listened to the old man’s complaints. It must be hard for him to move from his medical chamber to the catacombs.

  “Master Keon,” called a steward from the door. “We have the beds you asked for. How would you like them set up?”

  “Oh, um…” Master Keon mumbled, looking around the large empty room. “Well, I suppose… Luana, dear, what do you think?”

  “How about we set up the beds on the far side of the room,” she said, pointing toward the long wall at the end. “We can put the herbs, elixirs and instruments here, near the front of the room. We would need to make partitions for the more serious cases, in case they need to be quarantined.” Everyone stared at her in awe. She blushed. “At least, that is what I would do.”

  Master Keon gave her a smile. He waved his hand at the steward. “You heard the young lady. Get to work. Luana, would you please oversee this while I head to my chamber to get my books?”

  “Of course,” Luana replied.

  She set to work instructing the stewards where to put beds and chairs, cabinets and tables. She had the maids gather clean linens and rags. For the first time in a long while, she felt a sense of purpose again. It was something she had greatly missed. Even as a goat herder, she felt pride in her flock. Now
her flock consisted of people who looked to her to make things right.

  She was organizing the supply cabinet when several soldiers came in assisting some men and a woman. “Where would you like them?”

  “Excuse me?” Luana asked. “Who are they?”

  “They’re from the villages. We have started moving the people inside,” said one of the soldiers. “These were under the care of their town physician. I guess that puts them under your care now.”

  Luana directed them where to set the people down on beds and went to taking down information and trying to diagnose ailments. One of the old men merely had a case of drunkenness. Luana gave him some herbal tea for his head and sent him on his way.

  As time went on, the room began to fill with more and more patients. She put the maids to work, making sure there was a parchment on each patient with their name, their village and their ailment.

  “Make sure if you administer anything, it is written down on the parchment. Try to keep track of when it was given so we do not give too much or too little,” Luana instructed. She was suddenly understanding Master Keon’s anxiety. With this many people in the room, we could be exposed to a plague and wouldn’t know it until it was too late.

  Master Keon finally returned, followed by two stewards carrying books and rolled parchments.

  “So it begins,” the old physician mumbled.

  “Don’t worry, I have things under control,” Luana soothed. “I’ve already taken care of several patients and sent them on their way.”

  “Very good,” Master Keon said, waving her off as he turned toward the bookshelf in the corner.

  Luana walked the aisle between the beds, making sure everyone had been seen to when she spotted a familiar face. “Awen?”

  “Luana? Is that really you?” Awen called. “I thought I’d never see you again!” The girl was covered by bloody scrapes and blue bruises, her brown flowing hair tangled with grass and dirt.

  “What’s wrong? Are you hurt?” Luana said, sitting down on the edge of the girl’s bed. Awen was a year younger than Luana. She also grew up in Open Shaw and they spent their days playing as children. Once Luana took over the goat farm, she had little time to play and rarely saw her.

  “You know me, always playing about,” Awen laughed. “Really, though, I got busted up during the mob.”

  “The mob?” Luana asked, taking a damp rag and cleaning a scrape on the girl’s forehead.

  “When they came into town and announced that everyone would be moved into the castle, it turned to chaos,” Awen said. “People were certain the war had already begun. Some went to their homes to gather their things, others went mad with fear and tore off running down the road toward the castle.”

  “Didn’t the guards explain?” Luana asked, pulling grass from the girl’s tangled mess of hair.

  “They tried, but it was too late by then,” Awen said. “When it happened, I was going back to the house and I got caught up in the crowd. I tried to push through them but they carried me on. When I fell, no one even stopped to help. I was able to roll to the side for most of it, but not before I got stomped several times.”

  Luana’s thoughts wandered to that of her own family. “My parents and sister… Did you…?”

  “No, they moved to Black Hallows,” Awen replied.

  “Black Hallows? Why?” Luana gasped. “What about the farm?”

  “When you were chosen as the Prince’s bed wife, the Kingdom paid them a great sum,” she explained. “They sold the farm and bought a shop in Black Hallows selling bread, crops and meats. It’s a right fine shop. You’d be proud of them.”

  “A shop,” Luana whispered to herself. “I can’t believe it.”

  “My mum told me, last she heard, your family was planning on staying behind,” Awen continued. “Something about not wanting to leave their shop to vandals.”

  “You mean they haven’t come to the castle?” Luana stood up.

  “They might have changed their minds, but I haven’t seen them,” the girl said. “Do you remember the old blacksmith shop near Fagin Forest? Old Man Finbar’s son took it over.”

  “Yes,” Luana said.

  “You might find him,” the girl instructed. “He knows your family and would be able to tell you.”

  A maid brought over a bowl of water and a rag to clean the girl up. “Milady, would you like to care for the girl?”

  “I’m sorry, Awen,” Luana said. “I have to go find my parents.” She turned on her heel and tore through the doorway before Master Keon could stop her.

  Luana ducked through the crowd of people who had begun to gather in the halls as they moved to the catacombs. Families with young children, their faces tight with worry. Old couples with everything they owned kept in a single satchel. The sight was heartbreaking to Luana, but her goal was to find her family.

  She turned to go into the main corridor of the castle and smashed hard into Baylin’s friend Ferric, knocking her to the ground. Pain seared up her hip as she made contact with the stone floor.

  “Luana!” he cried, pulling her up to her feet. “Are you hurt? I’m so sorry.”

  “I’m fine,” she murmured, dusting herself off. She felt heat travel to her cheeks with a blush. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

  “Is something wrong?” Ferric asked.

  “Oh no. Not at all. Everything is fine,” she said, avoiding his gaze. “I was just…” She feared he would see the lie in her eyes. “Just headed back to my chamber.”

  He cocked one eyebrow, causing his forehead to wrinkle. “Are you sure all is well?”

  “Yes, quite well.” She smiled. “I should be on my way.”

  She gave a slight curtsey and turned to go around him, but he caught her by the arm. “Luana?” His stare bore through her. “What secrets are you keeping?”

  Her body tensed, but she held his gaze. “I’m not keeping secrets, Ferric. I just… I…” Her body relaxed as she admitted defeat. “I was looking for a man who knows about my family. I’ve had word they are in Black Hallows and plan to try and hold up in their shop.”

  Ferric released her arm, his brow furrowed. “Why would they do that? Certainly they know how dangerous it would be, especially so close to Fagin Forest.”

  “I don’t understand it either,” Luana sighed. “But you must see that I have to go to them to convince them they need to come to the castle.”

  “It’s too dangerous,” Ferric said. “Baylin would never allow it.”

  “This is my family, Ferric,” she cried.

  He looked down at her with a sympathetic gaze, as a brother would look at his little sister when he wanted to protect her. “Let me send a group of men. You don’t even know if they did, in fact, decide to stay. If they did, my men will bring them back.”

  His plan made sense. While his men are out, I can check here in the castle to be sure they aren’t here already. She looked up at Ferric. “How soon could you get there?”

  “It is late. We could make it to Black Hallows before sundown, but it would not be safe to ride back at night,” Ferric said, looking up at a window. “We will go at first light.”

  Luana sighed. “What if Mirstone attacks in the morning, or even tonight? My family—”

  “Will be fine,” Ferric interrupted. “We have time, Luana, I promise.”

  She nodded to him.

  “Why don’t you go to your chamber and rest,” Ferric suggested. “I’m sure your son would be happy for his mother’s company.”

  “I suppose you’re right,” she agreed.

  She walked toward the stairwell to the royal chambers, not looking back until she reached the foot of the stairs. Ferric was gone. I will not wait to see if my family can make it through the night. I am going to get them out of Black Hallows—tonight.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Luana’s dress billowed behind her as the stead galloped down the dusty road. Strands of silvery hair fell loose from her braid and whipped at her face.<
br />
  Commandeering a horse had been much simpler than she hoped. With so many people being moved into the castle, the stables were overflowing. The stable boys were a little confused as to which horse belonged to whom. She managed to snatch a big beautiful mare tied to a fencepost beside the stables, without anyone noticing.

  The horse’s black coat glistened with sweat in the late afternoon sunlight as they pounded toward Black Hallows. Luana swallowed hard, trying to choke back the dust floating through the air.

  She took the fastest road, through Hillsford. Most days, one could plan to meet many travelers along the road, however, it was eerily quiet.

  The sun had gone down enough that the towering trees cast dark, ominous shadows over Luana as she rode. When she approached Black Hallows, she slowed the horse to a trot. The only sounds on the air were of the wind and her horse’s clomping hooves. Houses were left abandoned; not a sign of life around but for a few stray cats chasing mice.

  She stopped the mare in front of the blacksmith’s abandoned shop, dismounted and tied up the horse. The shop, which usually resounded with the clamor of hammers and blowing bellows, was silent as the grave. It’s abandoned. She looked at the surrounding shops. They appeared to be abandoned too. Many had boarded up their windows in an attempt to stop potential vandals. She slowly walked down the quiet road, looking for the shop Awen had described to her.

  Luana located a building matching the description. However, instead of great bins of fruit and vegetables out front, there were birds scavenging rotting produce left behind and stepped on. They’ve gone. They must have gone to the castle after all.

  Her curiosity sparked. I wonder what the shop looks like. There was a small window at the top of the door that she thought she could get a peek through. She stepped up onto the rickety step, cringing at the squeak the loose boards made. She looked over her shoulder at her horse down the road, it happily grazed on a small patch of grass at its feet.