by Diana Flame
“Yes, my lord.”
“Get one of the lesser born from one of the villages - preferably not of Frogsgrave – to tend to her as a maid. She should never know whom Catrain is. The maid must believe she is a noble – a royal even. Make sure she wants for nothing.”
“Yes, Minister.”
“One more thing,” Cronus said. “Swear the maid to silence or you both shall face the consequences.”
With a slight bow, he spun around and started heading to the door when he paused. Cronus raised his head and cocked a brow as he turned.
“My lord, what do you mean ‘she is the key to the kingdom’?”
“The time will come when all will be revealed. You must follow my orders with utmost discretion. No one can know of this, swear on your sword,” Prime Minister Cronus commanded.
Frederick was now confused as dread filled him. He’d originally thought that the minister had wanted to bed the girl. He even thought he would offer her to the soldiers. Now he learned that she was ‘the key to the kingdom’, he knew that his lordship was up to something sinister. This was not a part of the deal when he agreed to serve the Minister. He was under the impression that the minister was a loyal servant of the king. Now he was uncertain of this.
It took him a day and a half to find a girl from a village several miles away from Frogsgrave. When he felt certain he made the right choice, he offered the girl gold and fine clothing for her silence. The girl was fair to look at and he found himself taken with her, although he had completely fallen for the prisoner in the castle.
* * *
Travelling along the corridor of the ministers’ building, Ulrich moved within the shadows of the giant pillars. It was near midnight and his master had sent him to hand the second minister a letter from the captain of the guard. He was returning from Aldridge’s chambers when footsteps approached from the east end of the building. Ulrich withdrew into the deeper shadows of the columns.
Two women and a soldier appeared, pausing a moment outside the chamber next to the Prime Minister’s. Recalling his master’s words, Ulrich peered closely at the group and noticed that one of the women’s face was covered with a black cloth. She moved slowly, slightly hunched as though she wasn’t keeping well. The other woman’s arm was around her shoulder.
Ulrich tried to get a better view but he could only make out one thing that stood out. Her hair glistened in the light of the lamp on the wall. Golden hair such as he’d never seen reached her midsection. The other woman was a netherbred and the soldier was one he’d seen before. As they entered the room and closed the door, Ulrich hurried away.
When he slipped into his Rulf’s room, the master was standing by his window staring into the night. Rulf slightly turned his head when Ulrich approached.
“You move like a ghost, Ulrich!”
“Pray pardon, my lord.”
“Tell me, did you give the letter to the second minister?”
Ulrich nodded, “Yes, sire.”
“Very well, you can retire for the night.”
“Sire,” Ulrich said. “I have something to tell you.”
Rulf twisted his head to look at Ulrich. “Tell me already.”
“My lord, I saw two women enter the chamber next to Prime Minister Cronus’ quarters.”
“Why are you telling me this, Ulrich?” Rulf’s impatiently asked.
“One of the women had long golden hair that glistened in the light of the lamps.” Ulrich watched Rulf twist to face him, his face enlivened. “But sire, I could not see her face. My lord, her face was covered.”
A spark lit in Rulf’s eyes that Ulrich had never seen before, not with any of the many women his master had taken. What was special about this lesser born? Ulrich was curious to see the woman for himself.
“What else can you tell me?”
“The soldier Frederick was with them my lord,” Ulrich replied. “Sire, there was something about how she moved, as though she was not keeping well.”
Rulf’s jaw tightened as he stepped closer to Ulrich that the manservant knew his master was upset. He stood his ground and waited for Rulf to speak.
“The other woman, who was she?” Rulf asked.
“My lord, I have never seen her before. She is new to the castle.”
“Find out what you can about both women.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“And Ulrich, find out what they did to her.”
As Ulrich left Rulf that night, he pondered the knight’s reaction to the information. He then recalled an incident about a month ago, that made him think twice about Rulf’s response.
Rulf had returned from a long journey and seemed quite upset. He’d mumbled and shouted at nothing in particular. Ulrich had been concerned that the Gerdanians were creating problems but now that he remembered well, the master had been disgruntled about a netherbred.
“She is a netherbred, a lesser!” Rulf had shouted that day. Now Ulrich was sure of whom Rulf was referring. Who was this netherbred woman and why was she important to him?
* * *
Rulf had to be careful. He had to make sure that the woman Ulrich saw was Catrain. A million questions crossed his mind. Why would Prime Minister Cronus hold Catrain prisoner? Did the nobleman want to make Catrain his concubine?
Sleep failed him that night as thoughts of the wretched minister touching Catrain penetrated his thoughts. Swinging his legs from the bed, he jumped to his feet and grabbed for his robe.
“What am I doing?” he muttered.
Careful was what he needed to be. For a second he’d had the crazy thought of going to Cronus’ chamber to demand an explanation. Even if he was to find them cohabiting, how would he explain his interference? No knight would question a minister about whom he bedded. In fact, no one questioned any man about whom he slept with unless it was that man’s woman.
Rulf tossed the robe aside and returned to his bed. Tension curled within his loins at the thought of her. It’s been some time since he’d released himself and he knew quite a number of his companions were eagerly awaiting him to call for them. However, since Merek told him of Catrain’s disappearance he hadn’t the desire to call for anyone.
Perhaps tonight was the right time. His need for female attention was too great. Sliding from the bed, he strode to the wardrobe and pulled out a casual outfit, ignoring his knight’s uniforms. He hadn’t worn something like this in many moons. A strange feeling enveloped him as he finished dressing. Without consciously thinking about it, Rulf pulled on a feathered hat and robe. He looked completely different – like a minister.
Not certain of his exact moves or which female to conquer that night, he slipped from his chambers and headed east. He hadn’t given the directions much thought until he was close to the ministers’ lodgings.
“Good evening minister,” a young soldier greeted.
Rulf gave a slight nod and continued on his way. The halls were quiet as many of the ministers and soldiers had already bedded down for the night. He continued, walking as though he was out for a night stroll.
As he approached the Prime Minister’s area, he heard voices. Rulf shrunk into the shadows of the columns, thinking that Ulrich the ghost walker might have done the same. The Prime Minister was speaking to several soldiers. Rulf cruised the area and his eyes caught the door next to Cronus dwelling. Guarding it were two soldiers, one of which was the traitor Frederick.
* * *
Catrain curled on the large bed with satin sheets. She’d have refused to take the bed if she wasn’t in so much pain. A young maid hovered like a mother hen spoke ludicrously to her.
“My lady, you must eat,” the woman said.
Catrain would have corrected her if another shot of pain hadn’t rendered her immobile. When they had taken her from the cell the night before, the girl had bathed her and dressed her in fine raiment such as she’d never hope to wear. She had been too weak to protest or even figure out what was going on.
The girl was given a bed in the sam
e chamber as she and it seemed she as to attend to her needs. Or at least she was to coerce her into eating. Did the girl think she was a noblite?
In the midst of her pain, all she could think about was how worried her father must be. Her escape plans were thwarted as she knew not where they had taken her. It must be somewhere on the main palace, but since she had never been inside, it was difficult to figure out which chamber they were keeping her.
“Princess, you must eat or you will become very ill.”
“I … ahhh!” she screamed, closing her eyes against the pain.
She thinks I’m a princess? Her thought process was fine, it was her body that was in turmoil. I must flee this godforsaken place! As she thought of her escape, a knock came at the door and the girl ran to open it.
“My lord, she’s in pain.”
Catrain forced her eyes open to see a man in scarlet and gold robe enter the room. One look at him told her he was a minister.
“I am Prime Minister Cronus, why won’t you eat my dear child?” he asked her.
Forcing herself to sit up, ignoring the pain in her abdomen, she gritted her teeth.
“Set me free, ahh,” she groaned between her words. “… and I shall be happy to enjoy food once more.”
“I cannot do that Catrain, you are too important,” he told her waving the maid away.
The girl quickly departed the room as Catrain bit down another spurt of pain. The pain was coming in waves now as nausea also threatened to make her vomit.
“What importance,” she breathed, her voice thin “… could a netherbred be?”
“All will be revealed in due time,” he said and pleaded with her once more to take bread.
He stared down at her as she tried to figure out the meaning of his words. Was it her jewel? Her father’s warning about her entering the place and never returning came back to her. He’d said that no one should see her pendant. Recalling the conversation, she closed her eyes.
“You must never enter the city gates,” Merek had told her.
“Why pa?”
He sighed. “If you do they will never allow you to return home.”
“But Pa how is that so when no nether can reside or work there?”
“It’s more complicated than that, Catrain.”
“Oh Pa, you speak in riddles. Will a gallant knight snatch me and make me his wife?” she’d joked.
Her father’s face had remained grim. Now she wondered what he was hiding from her and why his fear had materialized. Why was the Prime Minister holding her prisoner in a noblite bedchamber? What did she possess that he wanted?
Catrain leant back on the pillows. What did all this mean? If they knew she possessed the fire aranitite, why didn’t they just take it? Should she offer it? It then occurred to her that perhaps the Minister was not interested in making her his drabbelier or offering her to the soldiers. This was something different.
“Take meat, and I promise no harm will befall you,” he reiterated.
As she opened her mouth to answer, the door burst open. The chambermaid rushed in, slamming the door behind her. “My lord, my lord, Frederick has been wounded!”
“How so?” The minister rushed from the bedside and headed to the door.
“There were swords drawn, my lord.”
The chamber door opened, banging against the wall. Catrain’s eyes bulged as Rulf made an entrance. Swiftly, he advanced on the Prime Minister. Cronus stepped back as the blade of the sword met his neck.
“Well, well, well. What have we here?” Cronus chuckled. “The mighty Fire Knight has come to rescue a netherbred?”
“Set her free,” Rulf ordered.
Cronus scoffed. “Or else, what do you intend to do?”
“I will have great pleasure on passing this blade through your neck.”
“Ha-ha,” Cronus’ sinister laugh resonated in the room. “Is she your drabbelier? I don’t blame you she does make a good drab…”
“Shut your mouth!” Rulf hissed. “Catrain is no one’s whore!”
“Oh, I see you do know each other,” Cronus laughed. “What is it between you two?”
“That is not your business,” Rulf grated.
“Then perhaps the king has sent you?”
Rulf seemed puzzled. “The king. What has the king to do with a nether?”
Cronus laughed again. “Then I take it you are indeed smitten with her. She is quite fair - much fairer than the noblite women here.”
“Catrain, come. We will depart this place and I will take you back to your father.”
A few soldiers dashed into the room, their weapons at the ready. The one at the forefront braked as he saw the knight.
“Sir Knight … Minister?”
The soldier seemed confused as he looked from one to the other. The others behind him looked equally confounded as what to do.
“You will do no such thing,” Cronus said, then turned ordered his soldiers. “Take the Fire Knight.”
As the soldiers moved to apprehend Rulf he snapped, “Come closer and your Prime Minister dies.”
With the blade at his throat, Cronus didn’t seem perturbed by it. By his smug expression, it was obvious he had something up his sleeves.
“I am unharmed, sheath your sword or she dies,” Cronus said. “My soldiers have orders to ravage and kill her if anything should happen to me.”
“Prime Minister, by the time your soldiers should get to her, I will have killed them all,” Rulf said, his eyes settling on Catrain.
“What about your precious king?” if you take her, the king dies. He is under my guard as we speak.”
Pushing herself up, she stepped off the bad and stood. The attendant rushed to her side.
“Take him, he’s a traitor!” the minister bellowed then lowered his tone. It was obvious this was intended for Rulf’s ears only, but Catrain heard it. “She dies, but not before a hundred or more men have their way with her. the king also dies.”
Rulf eyed Catrain, a flicker crossing his face.
“Don’t do it Rulf!” Catrain yelled. “Don’t … ahh … do not lower your sword.”
Pain caused her stomach to tighten and she slumped back unto the bed.
“My lady,” the maid hastened to help her.
Rulf lowered his sword and strode to the bed. “Catrain, are you ill?”
“What a lovely couple,” Cronus derided. “But I cannot allow either of you to thwart my plans.”
The Prime Minister beckoned to the soldiers who sprang into action and disarmed Rulf. Catrain was certain that he allowed them to do so on her behalf. She itched to slap some sense into him. Kneeling beside the bed, he took her hand as she tried to communicate her anger at him for obeying the minister.
“You should never… grimace … have lowered … groan … your sword.”
“Don’t talk,” Rulf calmly instructed her before bellowing to the minister. “Get her a physician this instant!”
“You are in no position to make demands, my dear boy.”
“She in unwell!”
The minister turned to the soldiers. A few more had entered and he gave orders. “Guard them, be careful of that one he is the Fire Knight. Don’t let him near you or you are dead. Use your sword or dagger if you have to. I’ll be back shortly.”
The Minister left and several soldiers lingered inside the room, their swords in hand. Catrain knew that others also guarded the outside. Still kneeling beside the bed, Rulf touched her cheek.
“You look pallid. What have they done to you?”
“My lord?” it was the handmaid. “The Princess refuses to eat.”
“I am not…,” Catrain started to say, but Rulf placed a hand on her mouth and shook his head.
The handmaid continued, “They said she hasn’t eaten in days and she has not taken meat since I was assigned to her as well.”
“Go fetch fare for the lady,” Rulf instructed. “Go quickly.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“No…,” Catra
in whispered.
As the chambermaid left the room Rulf turned back to Catrain. “You must eat if you wish to live.”
“I would rather die than eat their food or be their slave.”
“Don’t you wish to see your father again?”
Her eyes flicked to his and they held his gaze.
“Catrain,” Rulf spoke in an undertone that only she could hear. “If you want to escape these walls, you must regain your strength and fight.”
“Fight?”
“You handle yourself well with the sword. Would you like to fight alongside the Fire Knight?”
“With you?”
“Hmm,” nodded. “The king’s life was also threatened. We must fight to be free.”
Catrain grimaced as another wave of pain assailed her. “Why did you stop me from telling her the truth?”
“We must first find the minister’s motive,” he said. “The attendant believes you are a noblite or royalite – let her continue to believe so. The Prime Minister must have a reason why he has assigned you a maid and given you this chamber.”
“I thought the same,” she replied. “But isn’t it against the law for a nether to work in the palace?”
“No, it’s an unspoken rule but was never put in writing.”
“Oh.”
“Now promise you will eat and get better so that we can find the reason behind all this.”
Giving the matter some thought, she finally acquiesced, “I promise.”
Curiosity killed the crolouth. That’s what she’d been taught since her childhood. Guinevere was never one to quench her curiosity. Therefore, if she was the crolouth, she’d perhaps used all fifteen lives a long time ago.
The Petarian kingdom’s hierarchy was the same as Cronada – royalites at the head and derges as the dregs. Guinevere learned that the king’s lover was the queen’s most trusted chambermaid – which meant she was a hala. The rumor among the staff was that the woman poisoned the queen in order to get the king to marry her. Since the wedlock laws were abolished in Petaria, it was possible that the king could marry her especially if she was with child.