by Kira Freitas
Bruce smiled at Lowenna in an embarrassing way. My mother was a very elegant and wise woman. She kept her family always with a democratic response, never allowing her husband to cross the line between being king and being a father.
- My mother, did I get it right or is there going to be a party tonight? - I asked, changing the subject abruptly.
She smiled at me.
- Well, there will be a feast, in fact, in your honor. I must confess, there's another reason behind this. - she sighed as she picked up our arm and led us to the salon. - No matter what you hear today, I want you to act diplomatically, not angrily. Remember that, as a future sovereign, you must make sacrifices for your people.
Those words put my senses on alert and I could already imagine what was coming next.
- Mom, what's my dad up to? - I asked.
My mother smiled before she stopped and kissed my forehead.
- Just remember my words.
Without understanding, I followed my mother to the main hall. It was a vast hall with a huge fireplace on the central wall with armchairs in front of it. A large oak table was in the centre and that was where we did most of our meals. In the right corner, next to the fireplace, my father played chess with my brother. By his countenance, Alec was losing the game. That wouldn't be much of a novelty, because Alec was terrible at chess or pretended to be on purpose.
Brice MacCalister was a fair, brave, firm man. He reigned wisely and was able to hold the clans together. He was about five feet tall. The hair was black, almost gray. His posture was that of a knight and his blue eyes sparkled with perspicacity. I looked in the direction of my brother and smiled. He paid attention to the chess game without even blinking. He was extremely tense about the situation. The black hair was shorter and stubbornly dropping over the blue eyes causing Alec to blow it away. I approached them slowly. My brother immediately stood up for a long, warm hug. Although Alec was two years younger than me, he was as tall as our father. He was about 1.90 feet tall. At the height of his twenty-six years, Alec had never participated in a battle.
- Welcome back, my brother!
- Thank you! Thank you!
My father had told me that he was returning from his study trip. I didn't expect to meet him so soon in Dunhill, but it was nice to see my brother.
- When did you get here?
- Two days ago. - he said smiling.
His smile died giving way to a serious face. I noticed that he was staring at Bruce and nodded when our cousin smiled in greeting. I was surprised at how serious he got, but I ignored him.
I looked at the game board and made a face when I saw the position of Alec's remaining pieces. There wasn't much to do and if he stayed in that game, he'd certainly lose.
- Your game is horrible! - he said, making a face. - Whose turn is it?
- From our father! - Alec whispered. - I have no idea what to do next. Do you believe you can do anything?
- I doubt it very much! - said my father without taking his eyes off the board.
I smiled at Alec and then I signalled him to stay away.
- Excuse me! Let me show you how to play.
Alec gave me the place and then I sat facing my father, who bowed his eyebrows and smiled. Without thinking, and looking into my eyes, he grabbed the bishop with the black line and positioned a few houses in front.
- Check! - said Brice with a dry voice and then took a sip of his wine. - You took your time. We were expecting you to arrive yesterday morning. Trouble?
- No big deal! - I said while I was thinking about a strategy. - My new commander took a while to get to the camp to join the men. She had problems getting to the camp because she was attacked on the way and took longer than she had intended.
- Her? - Alec asked surprised.
- Yes. - I answered. - She's an excellent warrior who joined the army almost three years ago. She knows a lot about herbs and was initially part of the militia led by Keilan Sinclair as a nurse, but she managed to make a name for herself on the battlefield.
- I didn't know we still had female warriors. - Alec said as she folded her arms. - I thought you didn't like women picking up guns.
- I don't really like it, but we need all the trained people available and she was very well recommended by Sinclair. - I smiled, putting my hand on my chin. - She was intercepted by some mercenaries paid by Roy, but managed to escape. She arrived badly wounded, but she assured me she would command the men as promised.
Alec laughed debaucherously and shrugged.
- She must be awful to have joined the army! - he debated. - Maybe she got kicked out of the house.
- On this point I must disagree! - Bruce came up to me chewing an apple. - I had the opportunity to see her in action with the sword and I must say that, besides being skillful, that redhead is beautiful. Not only does he seem to have fire-colored hair, but he also has it running through his veins.
- I agree! She has an attitude, and although she doesn't have as much grace as the clan ladies, she'd make a great wife. - concludes with a serious look while moving another piece. - Checkmate!
- Oh! Damn it! - my father snapped his fingers. - It's always been cowardly to play against you!
Standing up he gave me a hug with a few pats on the shoulders.
- Welcome back, my son!
- Thank you! Thank you!
He then smiled at Bruce and nodded to him for a tight hug.
- I'm glad you're back! - he said turning to us. - We will have a banquet tonight in honor of both of them with the presence of the heads of all the clans. Why don't you guys take a shower and get some rest? As you can see, everyone is very busy.
- Dad, there was no need to invite the clans to dinner! - I reprimanded him. - It's an exaggerated celebration. You know I don't like MacBride. Besides, we won't be staying that long.
My father sighed.
- My son, we have to celebrate that you're back. - he replied. - Besides, we'll have a lot to do from tonight on.
He took a break picking up the glass of wine.
- As for MacBride, rest assured, because Loch gave an excuse and can not come to the banquet.
- New! - I whispered with irony.
I stared at him suspiciously and made a face by folding my arms.
- Dad, what are you up to?
- Nothing! - he responded with the look of innocence. - It's just dinner.
- Hey, Dad! - I insisted. - Just tell me the real reason for this banquet.
My father sighed, passing his hands through his hair and went away to fill the glass with wine. Signalling to my brother and cousin to leave the room, he turned to face me.
- Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey! Stop it! - he said, causing them to turn around. - I want you to stay.
They looked at our father, who nodded, then came back and approached him, standing next to me. My father sighed and then he started talking. I had a bad feeling before he even explained anything.
- Listen, I'm not a rodeo man, so I'll be brief. I am very worried about the extent of this war and I decided to draw up a plan to end it soon.
- Oh, great! - I shrugged. - I don't know what that has to do with that banquet, but keep going.
- The banquet is a way of making my statement on the conclusion I have reached.
- All right! All right! Explain that better!
Curious about what he had to say, I sat in a nearby chair waiting for him to continue.
- Well, you know that the MacBride clan has English descent, although Ravenna lost the title a long time ago for reasons I'm not interested in knowing.
- Yes. - I answered. - Although, different from the Lord, I am curious to know how Loch managed to become a Scottish lord, but returning to the subject, this makes his daughters very precious to him.
- Exactly!
Franzi's forehead and even though I already knew where that would lead us, I decided to risk a different answer.
- And why is that relevant?
My father sighed in
silence for a few moments as he walked from one side of the hall to the other. I was apprehensive, but I kept my cool.
- I have decided to assert the rights of our ancestors and have proposed an alliance. - he took a break. - You will marry the oldest of the MacBride, Annabel, in a few days.
- What's it like? - my hatred boiling in my veins, made my eyes pop. - Have you gone mad?
With peace of mind he stared at me with a firm eye.
- Alistair, do you think I don't know what's going on in my kingdom? - my father exploded. - I know Roy's strategy of keeping our armies distracted until he gets the English reinforcements he craves. We can't let Phillipe turn against us.
My dad took a break scratching his chin.
- I know you don't like Loch as much as I do, but our best strategy now is for you to marry the older one and generate an heir. - he smiled at me. - Having a noble of English blood on the line of succession to both thrones, Phillipe will not need to enter into an unnecessary war for power, and who knows, we might even count on his help.
- Dad, that's impossible! - I fired in a desperate voice. - I have an army to command. A marriage at that point would keep me away from the battlefields. I'll have to stay here in the castle.
- Not to mention the bride's a witch! - Alec has completed.
- Who said that? - my father asked.
- Everyone who knows the family says that they are horrendous witches, so they live isolated. - Alec had a face. - They even say the eldest was sent to a convent because she was so ugly that Ravenna was afraid of her.
My dad had a laugh.
- Witches don't exist! - ...my dad said firm.
- Yes, there are! - Alec returned it with conviction.
I took a deep breath to contain my anger.
- You two want to stop this story? - said dry. - Whether witches or not, a marriage is out of the question. The Lord enjoys great health and there is no need to put one of us on the throne. Besides, we're at war!
I walked to the door. My father knew very well that that war was not the only reason that kept me on the front line. It was not only the victory of our clans that interested me, I also wanted Roy's blood and head on a silver platter.
- Alistair? Alistair come back here! - my father ordered. - I'm very sick and I need you here! I have to go to Dunlock and treat myself.
- Really? - I retracted. - I'm sick of this lame, lying excuse of yours.
- Alistair, I'm serious this time! - he insisted, but I kept walking. - You'll be married tomorrow at sunset!
- Is that so? - I turned around with a debauched smile and stared at him. - Who will replace me on the front line? Despite being a good leader, Bree will not be able to stay ahead of a battalion camped out forever. Not even Keilan. Someone has to strategize, command men, make decisions. That's the work of a prince or a king. Who do you intend to send to replace me?
- Alec! - my father said.
I stopped frowning.
- What's that? What's that? - Alec fired a surprise shot.
- Alec? - I let out a cold laugh. - Alec isn't ready for what's to come. My brother's a good negotiator, but never this one in front of a battalion. He can barely think of the strategies of a game. How will you be able to lead some men?
- I'm with you. - said Bruce in an evasive tone.
- Hey! I'm here, you know? - Alec grumbled looking at me from Bruce.
Despite those comments, I could feel that there was something between Bruce and Alec that I couldn't see. What were they hiding from me?
- Oh, great! This will be a good opportunity for him to learn! - my father stated adamantly.
I was amazed at that, because that was an attitude my mother would disapprove of. I took a deep breath remembering my mother's words and tried to dissuade him from that stupid idea.
- I thought we had a deal and that Alec would replace me as king if necessary.
My father sighed, filling the glass again.
- Alistair, I'm old and I intend...
- Here you come with that story again. - I rolled my eyes.
- I'm serious, boy! - my father resounded. - Like I said, I'm sick and I need to rest. I decided to live in Dunnlock with your mother, so I intend to pass the crown to you and marry you before then.
He breathed near me.
- It would leave me more relaxed knowing that there is someone taking care of our people with a lot of responsibility and discipline. - he said. - Besides, our tradition tells the firstborn to take over.
- Dad, listen... - I paused in a desperate voice. - That's too hasty. It may take years for me to have an heir.
- Three months! - he fired.
- What's that? What's that?
- You have exactly three months to get your wife pregnant.
Unbelievable, I let out a laugh.
- You're crazy, right? - I ironized. - It's technically impossible! What do we do if she's not fertile?
- Ravenna had three daughters. I doubt very much that they're infertile. - he smiled. - Besides, they're witches, aren't they?
I looked down on him, but my father kept smiling.
- Anyway, the news of the wedding will already leave Roy destabilized. He can still architect so that Alistair doesn't have an heir. - Bruce said in a thoughtful tone.
- You're not helping, Bruce! - my father said disapprovingly.
I closed my eyes and fists hard.
- It's okay! It's okay! I agree to let Alec go into battle, so he puts into practice everything he has learned. But getting married? With a MacBride? Not that! - I fired furiously. - It's insane! Like Alec said, they're witches!
My father rolled his eyes.
- I told you there's no such thing as a witch!
I snorted angrily. That conversation was already going too far and I no longer had any arguments. Although I agree that the idea of uniting Loch MacBride's despicable clan with ours was perfect... The problem was, I didn't want to marry any of them. I just didn't want to get married!
- It's okay! It's okay! - ...I hit it in a furious voice. - Make me king then! When the time is right, I will choose my queen and marry her. Simple as that!
- When the time comes, maybe you're dead! - my father returned it. - I want to make sure you have heirs and preferably by uniting those two houses.
- Dad, please!
- It's already decided! - my father's voice resounded loudly. - Tonight you will be engaged to the chosen one and at sunset tomorrow you will be married in the village chapel.
- Wait! Tonight? You said the MacBride weren't coming to the banquet. - I retracted. - What happened to "in a few days"?
- I lied! - he said smiling with disdain.
With a roar I left the hall for my quarters, slamming the door as soon as I entered the room. I loved my father, but I didn't want to commit myself to anyone before the end of this war. So far, I've managed to delay this fateful day as much as possible, and I knew that an hour would come.
- If there was anything I could do to stop it. - I whispered leaning on the chair where I sat with my hands joined in a prayer. - Sir, give me a light!
The door opened softly and I looked up to face my mother. I laughed inside, because she looked very much like an angel, but I doubted she would help me.
- May I come in? - she asked in a soft voice.
- Yes. - I answered. - Of course you can! You're always welcome in my quarters!
- Does that indicate that your father didn't?
I sighed, leaning back on the chair and closing my eyes.
- You've never been fated to pray.
- Yeah, but this time I really need a miracle. - I ran my hand over my face. - Why didn't you tell me before?
- Anything in advance?
- No. - I confessed without enthusiasm. - I certainly wouldn't have come back if I knew I had to get married.
She smiled at me and touched my face.
- Alistair, I didn't raise my children to be cowards. - she said taking my hands. - You're not a coward and b
eing married is not the end of the world.
- Have you come to cheer me up or tell me you're standing next to my father?
- I came to tell you to take a long hot bath and try to digest the information. Then come down to the banquet. I'll be by your side, whatever your choice.
My mother winked with a smile and walked away towards the door. I kept looking at the door for a few moments trying to understand his words. I knew that there was an enigma behind his words that would help me solve the problem. I just had to decipher it.
- Give me strength, sir! - I whispered. - Give me strength!
Chapter 02
Aideen
The rain was falling low on the horizon. From my bedroom window I contemplated the green vastness of the hill around Inverness Castle. My father was one of the lords who served King Brice of the MacCalister clan. His ancestors fought tirelessly against the invasions of the peoples of the north and then against the advance of the English dominion, which once made us a colony.
I never quite understood why my mother prevented my father from collaborating with the campaigns, which I heard from the servants were going very well. Fearless prince Alistair won battles after battles and kept Lord MacGregor's legions away from the Highlands. Although he was very brave and had a huge success, he still depended on a miracle to put an end to the siege of my uncle, who had a great advantage in his hands. As a descendant of an English bloodline, he was always trying to start a negotiation to get support from the English crown. Although he tried hard, I heard that his efforts were always compelled by Alistair's men. Nothing went in or out of that fortress. Anyone who tried, was either killed or captured. Roy wanted Brice's crown and didn't care about our people. His intention was to gain power. Just like my mother, who dreamed of returning to the English court with her title of nobility, whose identity I did not know.
I took a deep, frustrated breath when the cold wind blew my hair away. He hated to arrest them, because it was a lot of work to gather all those clusters in one braid. My mother used to say that a girl who was descended and submissive to her husband should keep her appearance impeccable. That meant that my hair should always be neat and braided. I didn't care, because I knew I'd never get married. I wasn't sure if it was good or bad, but if there was a way out of Inverness that didn't put my life at risk, I'd gladly accept it.