Matilyn swallowed again. She closed her eyes and tried to will herself to be stronger. She ignored the man at her feet, pleading.
"Let's go help," Janice suggested.
"Right," Matilyn said. She brushed past the man on the ground, heading towards one of the meat carts with Janice. Together, they began to load up one of the wagons with fresh meat. It would be enough to feed her troops for a few weeks, she thought.
It was the rice and grains that really mattered though. There was plenty of that, and it would stretch far in the troops. It wouldn't be pleasant eating so much rice, but it was better than starving to death.
Matilyn blinked back the tears that had suddenly formed in her eyes. She continued to load the wagon, wishing all the while that she had never been promoted to Commander in the first place.
THIRTY-NINE
With Strained Pride
"MORE TEA?" ROBERT ASKED PENNY. THEY WERE having lunch together. Most days, they didn't have the time, but this was a special occasion. It marked the tenth day since Penny had decided to change her life.
When Kenneth had left her, Penny had realized he was right. She was selfish, and she was self-centered. She also realized she'd spent most of her life that way. It wasn't a pretty realization. She'd gone to Robert's house, and drank enough to wine to make even her mother proud.
The next morning, she'd poured all of the wine her brother's home out--except for the few precious vintages he'd managed to hide.
There were several times during the talk where she wanted to lie, or she wanted to gloss over the uglier aspects of the last few months. She didn't want to tell Robert how unsupportive she'd been, or how she'd refused to help, or how cruel she'd been to Joanna, how unsympathetic. She knew if she wanted to change, she had to be honest.
"Yes, please," Penny said. Robert poured the tea.
"So," he said, "Do you want him back?"
Penny considered for a moment. She'd given it a lot of thought over the last ten days. She raised her tea, took a sip, and then shook her head, "No, I don't think so."
Robert nodded. He looked confused though, "Wasn't that sort of the point, though? Didn't you want to change, so you could get him back?"
"No," Penny said. "Is that what I said? Well, maybe it was. But Robert - no, I don't want him back. I don't love Kenneth, and he certainly doesn't love me. The most we could ever have been was friends. I know that now. I knew that then."
Robert nodded.
"Maybe I'll join the resistance though," Penny said with a slight smile. "That would be poetic, wouldn't it? I join it after Kenneth and I are through. You think he'd let me?"
"Yes," Robert said, "I think he would. Are you sure that's what you want to do it though?"
"No," Penny admitted. "I don't know what I want to do yet, Robert. I might join it. I might just continue in the Chapel. I could do a lot of good there too, you know."
"Well," Robert said, "Can you figure out what you're doing with your living space at least? As fun as it's been having you here, it's starting to get a bit crowded."
Penny looked around and then laughed. Robert's home was nearly as spacious as the estate that she'd shared with her husband. "Are you serious? We could walk the halls for weeks without running into each other."
Robert rolled his eyes.
"I'm working on it," Penny said. "I'll figure it out by the end of the week, alright? I just don't want to go back to living with mother and father."
"Are you sure?" Robert teased, "I hear that mother needs a new partner in wine drinking. You could give her a run for her money."
Penny wrinkled her nose. "Please, Robert. Have some candor."
"I try," Robert said, "but it's not easy for me. I just want to be myself, Pen. Can't you understand that?"
This time she rolled her eyes. She started to formulate what she hoped would be a witty comeback, but a knock on the door interrupted her.
One of the servants went to answer the door. Robert stood, preparing. Both he and Penny were surprised when the servant led in Joanna Whitetree.
"I was told that you could be found here," Joanna said, looking at Penny.
Robert glanced at his sister. Penny was shocked to see Joanna, but she was even more shocked to see that the other woman had been crying. "Please leave us, Robert," Penny said.
"Are you sure?" Robert asked. When Penny nodded, he accompanied his servant into the adjacent room.
"What are you doing here?" Penny asked, taking a step closer to Joanna. Despite how much she wanted to change, she couldn't bring herself to fully trust the woman or her intents. Still, she couldn't ignore the woman's obvious pain, "What's wrong?"
Joanna stared at Penny for a full minute that seemed to drag into forever, before speaking. "He's dead, Penny."
"What?" Penny said. The words didn't seem to make any sense.
"Kenneth is dead," Joanna clarified. "The resistance is over. We're finished."
"What are you talking about?" Penny demanded. "This can't be right. Joanna, what happened?"
Joanna took a step forward. "After the two of you separated, he came to the next meeting full of vigor. He kept saying that he was tired of planning, that he wanted to act. Ryan tried to stop him, but he was so certain. He had a plan to kill Peter Sterling."
Penny covered her mouth with her hand.
Joanna continued, "He wanted to take him out. He thought it would do something. I don't know what. We told him it was foolish. I told him to reconsider. He wouldn't though. It was a foolish plan, and not well thought out. Before he even got close, they caught him."
"No," Penny said.
"Yes," Joanna said, "And they tried him for treason, and found him guilty. They beheaded him. It just happened this morning."
"No," Penny said again, "Why didn't anyone tell me? Why wasn't I notified?"
Joanna shook her head, "I don't know. Perhaps someone will come soon and inform you. But I wanted you to hear it from me first."
Penny stared at her. She couldn't believe the other woman would have done something so thoughtful. She was sure that Joanna had hated her. She realized then that the other woman was crying. It wasn't dramatic sobs, just simple tracks of tears running down her cheeks.
"I am so sorry," Penny whispered, "for your loss." Then she stepped forward, and hugged her. And when Joanna collapsed into her arms, she held her up, and stroked her hair, and told her that everything would be alright.
FORTY
I Have O'erheard a Plot
SULLIVAN AND ERIC SAT ACROSS FROM EACH other. Sullivan let out a low sigh. "I drafted the proposal. I'm not sure they'll accept."
"They don't want to put their kingdom through another war," Eric said, "They'll accept if they know what the alternative is."
"Right," Sullivan said, "But there's Catherine to consider."
"You are considering her," Eric said, "She needs this as much as Lamonte does. I love the princess dearly, as though she were my own, but I can see her behavior becoming more and more erratic."
Sullivan let out another sigh, "I know. That's one of the reasons I agreed to try out this proposition. It doesn't mean that I like the ramifications, though. She's going to hate me. If she doesn't already."
"She doesn't hate you," Eric said, "I'm sure of that. She's just misguided, that's all. With how much traveling and work you have to do with this war, she's not getting the structure she needs. A betrothal will allow for that. She could go spend time in the Terifille court. It would remove her from danger at the same time."
"I don't like the idea of sending my daughter away," Sullivan admitted. "She may have her problems, but I love her."
"Of course you do," Eric said, "I never meant to suggest otherwise. But in the Terifille court, she'll be busy. She'll have all their customs to learn, their traditions, their holidays, and history. It will busy her schedule so she has less time to wander around aimlessly here."
Sullivan nodded, "But couldn't we do something here to help her more? I'd prefer for her
to stay close, even after a betrothal if there's any reasonable alternative."
"We could try and busy her here more," Eric said, "But I fear it's a lost cause. Many of the guardsmen and private tutors are too afraid to stand up to her for fear of her retaliation. So she walks out of lessons and doles out unnecessary punishments to those who she feels have wronged her in some way."
"I have a kingdom to run, and a war to win, and I can't even control my teenage daughter," Sullivan said, "This is turning into a nightmare."
Eric nodded, "I understand, your Majesty. That's why the betrothal and the visit to Terifille seem like such a good solution to me. There, she has no power. She can learn humility and the ways of the court there at the same time. With an alliance between the two kingdoms--gods' willing they accept--someday, she could oversee both kingdoms as queen. She needs something."
Sullivan nodded. He picked up a quill and added his name to the bottom of the parchment. He waited for the ink to dry, then rolled it up, and stamped it with the royal seal.
"This is our proposition," he told Eric, "I suggest that since they are unwilling to ally themselves with us, then we must consider them a threat. Then I suggest the easiest way to resolve the tensions between the kingdoms is a marriage between our children."
"They will accept," Eric said.
Sullivan nodded. "Now, bring Catherine in."
Eric nodded, and stood up, "Yes sir." He stepped out of the room and returned a few minutes later with Catherine in tow.
"Father," she greeted demurely, curtseying a little.
Sullivan folded his arms and observed her silently for a moment, "I've heard rumors that you have a girl locked down in the cells, Catherine."
"Where did you hear that?" Catherine demanded, immediately dropping her demure act and crossing her own arms over her chest. She looked livid.
"It matters little where I heard it," Sullivan said, "What matters is the truth to the statement. Do you deny it?"
Catherine was silent for a moment and then said, "She stole from me, so I had her arrested."
Sullivan leaned back a little, "I see."
"She deserved it," Catherine said.
"You willfully kept this from me," Sullivan said, "It does not lend much credibility to anything you have to say on the matter, Catherine. If it is simply theft, why is the girl still locked in the cells?"
"I hadn't decided on a punishment yet," Catherine said.
Sullivan sighed.
"Perhaps," Eric said, "Perhaps I could see to it, Your Majesty. I would make sure the girl is punished justly for her theft, of course."
"No," Catherine said, "She is my responsibility, is she not?"
Sullivan looked between the two, "Is this the same girl from the kennels?"
"No," Catherine said, "Father, why would you ask that? Do you think I'm some sort of monster? No, this is a different girl. I took her shopping with me in the village and in return she stole my jewelry. It was one of my mother's pieces. I wear them sometimes, to try and honor and remember her more."
Sullivan didn't look entirely satisfied with the answer, "And you bear no personal ill will towards this girl aside from the theft?"
"None," Catherine said.
"Then you will handle this problem immediately," Sullivan said, "I have already ordered the guards to follow your command. You will mete out appropriate justice and you will get that girl out of the cells. You're not setting a very good example of what we do here in the castle. Do you understand?"
"Yes sir," Catherine said. She curtseyed again, but she couldn't quite capture her previous look. She still looked as though she were trying not to scream.
"Go on then," Sullivan said.
Catherine let herself out.
"Do you think that's wise?" Eric asked.
"Likely not," Sullivan said, "But let us use this as a test, Daniels. We'll see how Catherine handles the situation and that will tell us much of her character and whether she belongs in my court, or the Terifille one, assuming they agree to the proposal."
Eric nodded, "Yes sir. I can see how that makes sense."
Sullivan sighed, "It's been a long day, Daniels. Get that proposal sent though before it gets much longer."
Eric nodded, "Yes sir."
Sullivan watched him leave. Once he was gone, he poured himself a drink, and worried.
Catherine felt another surge of anger rush through her. She had no idea where her father was getting his information, but it bothered her. He was supposed to be busy, and out of her business.
She needed eyes and ears around the castle. She needed people she could trust, people that would help her. She needed her own loyal guardsmen that would tell her father nothing.
She needed to recruit.
Catherine was pleased to see that it was Kyle on duty. The same guard she'd spoken with before; the same guard she'd entertained before. Her smile returned.
"Good afternoon, Princess." Kyle greeted. His cheeks turned a rosy red and he offered a shy smile.
"Hello Kyle," Catherine said, "I'm glad to finally see you again. Did you get any of my messages?"
"Messages?" Kyle asked, "No. No, I didn't."
"I wanted to see you again," Catherine said, "I thought you were ignoring me. That maybe you didn't have a good time with me the other night."
Kyle shook his head emphatically, "No, that's not the case at all. I didn't receive any messages. I had plenty of fun with you, Catherine."
"Good," Catherine said. "Now, did my father speak with you?"
"Yes," Kyle said, "He said you're to see to the sentencing of one of the prisoners in the cells."
Catherine nodded, "That's right," she said, "Now, I have a question. Who's in charge of administering the punishments? Is it you?"
"It's not usually me," Kyle said, "I'm usually just the guy who guards this door."
"Well, can it be you?" Catherine asked, "It'd be nice to spend some time together, even through this unsavory task."
Kyle considered, "I don't know," he said.
"Please," Catherine asked.
"Alright," Kyle conceded, "I don't see why not. There are no rules forbidding it. I just haven't administered any justice myself yet. I can though, I'm a full guardsman."
"You're a very important guardsman," Catherine said, "At least to me. Come on, let's go below."
Kyle unlocked the door and led Catherine down the steps into the cells. She made a point of avoiding the accusatory stares directed at her from each cell they passed.
Emily was at end of the left row. "Catherine?"
"Emily."
"Have you come to release me?" Emily asked.
Catherine stared at her for a moment. The other girl looked terrible; she was still in the dress she'd been brought down in, and her hair was a mess. She looked hungry, and dirty, and scared. For a moment, Catherine considered feeling sorry for her. Then she remembered Garrett and his pleas.
"Not exactly," Catherine said. "I'm here to decide your sentence."
"Catherine, I never stole the bracelet," Emily said. "I swear, I didn't."
"You've already been found guilty of the crime," Catherine said, "It is not up to me to decide your innocence. I'm only here to decide what punishment you'll have for the theft."
"Catherine," Emily pleaded, "We've known each other since we were girls."
"And you don't take what's not yours," Catherine said coldly. "You should have learned that a long time ago. I'm sorry, Emily. I brought along a guardsman to carry out the task."
She turned back to Kyle, "The bracelet she stole, it was very important to me. It was my mother's, one of the last she wore before her death. It was the last piece of jewelry I remember seeing her in. The punishment needs to be severe. I want her beheaded."
Kyle gasped as Emily let out a wail of protest.
"Princess, are you sure?" Kyle asked, looking uncertain about the situation. He glanced around but there were no other guards present.
"I'm positive," Catherine sa
id, "My father put me in charge of this situation and you said you would carry out my orders. Now is time to prove your loyalty to me. Will you do it?"
Kyle hesitated still.
"Kyle," Catherine said, "People who are loyal to me, they're going to have a very important place, very soon. Those who aren't, won't. Choose now."
"I'll do it," Kyle said.
"Good," Catherine said, "Take her to the executioners' block. I don't want to watch."
Kyle nodded, and unlocked the cell door. Emily fell to her knees, pleading with him. He grabbed her arm and hauled her to her feet, "Don't make this more difficult than it has to be," he said, "The Princess has ruled on the matter. You're to come with me."
"I'll see you after," Catherine called out to Kyle as they started away.
Once the two of them had begun to climb the steps, Catherine smiled once more. She looked up and down the cells till she found the one she wanted.
Catherine approached Will's cell. Her hair was down today, and she wore a red dress with a plunging neckline. She looked very beautiful, and very regal. She also looked very cruel.
"You truly thought my father would release you?" She asked through the bars, "You thought you'd be given a comfortable room to sleep in and you'd continue to share our meals?"
Will didn't speak. He didn't want to give her the satisfaction. He tried to pretend she wasn't there. He was cold, and ill. He'd caught himself sneezing several times, and he knew his temperature was high.
Catherine tapped her long nails against the bars of the cell, "Poor, poor Prince William. You're all alone down here. Just you, and the rats."
His eyes were wide and frantic. The rats had been getting bigger, coming more often. He thought he could hear them at night, talking, plotting. He felt as though he'd gone mad.
"That's right. I know everything that goes on down here," Catherine whispered, "I know. But you're just a boy, aren't you William? You're just a fragile, little child."
Will shook his head, "I'm not much younger than you," he said. He tried to make himself stand straighter, to look more princely, but there were tears in his eyes. "I'm not a child."
The Warriors of Valishna (Cartharia Book 1) Page 44