by Clark, Lydia
She hadn’t seen him much since he took over the kingdom, not having any excuses to visit the castle. There were no heirs to kidnap to hold for ransom. That was now a thing of the past. To bad too. She wished she could hire that heir one last time or go sneaking into the grain cellar with him.
Outside the Tavern, the street was lined with people waiting to be allowed entrance. All these people had been invited just like herself. Half the town had to be there.
From where she stood with her Pop, she could see the stable area behind the Tavern. It too was cleaned up. There were long wooden table arranged there as well. Maybe her and her Pop would be forced to remain outside. Maybe she wouldn’t get a chance to see Dale. She never did get a chance to tell him how she felt about him.
Had she missed her chance?
It wasn’t like she’d been that nice to him in the beginning. She did hold him captive for ransom. Would he pick another?
The line slowly moved along. Some people were ushered into the back by the stables while others were seated at the long tables inside the tavern. Dale was nowhere to be seen. Would the new king make a grand entrance? Maybe he wouldn’t be attending at all.
Captain Pellesi handed over their invitation and followed the waitress to be seated at the front of the room. Salty Skip sat across from the Captain. Girdy was their waitress.
It made Treea laugh to see her Pop flirt with the goblin. But then, she didn’t know what to make of it when she plopped herself down in his lap and placed a big kiss on his lips. That took her by surprise.
Minstrels played in a corner of the room while food was brought out to the tables. It was more food than any of the guests had ever seen in their lifetimes, even Treea. Where was the King?
Were they supposed to eat without him?
Decanters of wine were set about each table to refill goblets as needed. The kegs of ale were set aside for later in the evening. Whispers fluttered from one table to the next. Talk about the new King and what kind of woman would be the best suit for him. Many of the women knew him in more ways than one, bringing giggles with the whispers of un-lady like talk.
Some of this talk bothered Treea. Jealousy? How could she feel such a thing? She barely knew him. But yet all the women talking about him in such ways made her flushed and troubled.
Loud voices, laughter, came to an abrupt silence when Dale entered the hall with his mother at his side. Wearing a robe of the former kings along with the crown he didn’t want to wear. He’d only worn it at his mother’s request.
“Thank you, all for coming.” He said while he walked about the room as though in search of someone. “As you can tell, our coffers are adequately full and should hold us for the future year. Please except this meal in celebration of our prosperous year.” Dale stopped beside Treea’s table. “Taxes won’t be raised nor lowered, but this feast is to honor all of your hard work.”
Murmurs whispered about the tables while Dale took a seat next to Treea. Goose bumps crawled up her arm with him sitting so close to her. She could feel the heat of his body and reminded her of their last night together alone in the root cellar of this tavern.
His hand touched hers gently and gave it a little squeeze. She half expected, half wanted, him to lead her away from the table and back down those stairs to the cellar. Instead, he retrieved a pouch from his waist to open before her eyes. Out of it he withdrew a ring. The clear stone cut in such a way that the sides of it caught the light from the torches lighting the room above. It sparkled as though it were made up of many brilliant stars.
Dale took hold of Treea’s hand and held it before him. Again the room fell silent. “Treea, with this ring, would you wed me?”
Her face grew hot. Was she flushed? Treea’s hand began to tremble. She never expected. Did he not once look at any other woman seated about them?
Treea was aware of all the eyes focused upon her. She couldn’t find her voice. Was this actually happening? After her holding him captive?
“Me? You want to marry me?”
“I do.”
“But I held you captive.”
Dale smiled boldly. “You still do, even though you let me walk away, I’m still held captive to this day. The only way I could ever be free is to have you at my side for the rest of my life. Treea, marry me and let us be free to love each other.” He slid the ring upon her finger and continued to hold her hand before him, not waiting for an answer.
If she said no, would he take the ring back and banish her and her pop from the Kingdom? Even though she had no reason to say no, she still thought about what his reaction would be if she were to reject his proposal.
Reject, no that wouldn’t and couldn’t happen. She was as much in love with him as he was with her.
“I will marry you Dale.”
Had he been holding his breath waiting for her answer?
A cheer rose around the room. Decanters raised, glasses filled and toasts were made to the newly engaged couple, along with a wink from her Pop. A knowing wink. Had he known about the proposal the whole time?
The wedding was grand. Grander than the banquet that was given at the tavern six months prior when Dale proposed to Treea. Winter snow melt had been replaced by the green growth of the grass, leaves on the trees and the flowers in the royal garden in full bloom.
It was held in the castle garden. Girdy accompanied her Pop along with all the mates from her Pop’s new ship. A present from the new King.
Unfortunately, the Captain would be leaving on one last voyage. He was in search of more cocoa beans from the Norbese Clan. It was a trip that only he could make. Salty Skip was accompanying him to establish a new connection with the people. Open trade was going well. With this next voyage, a flood of goods was expected. Not just cocoa beans. There would be silks and exotic fruits too.
Treea wasn’t happy with her Pop leaving her behind as he was. Dale promised to keep her busy while her Pop was away. There was a lot to do before his return. Other bordering lands needed to learn about the goods that would be arriving in the coming year.
After the ceremony, Treea had one question she needed to know before her Pop set sail.
“Is there something I should know about Girdy?”
Her Pop smiled. “Aye, there is and I’ve been reluctant to tell you. Maybe you should have a seat before I tell ye.” He waited.
Treea looked at him expecting him to tell her how Girdy was a spy or how he was a spy. What he told her was not really what she wanted to hear.
He took her hand in his and held it gently. “Two months ago, I made her your step-mother. You’re going to be a big sister soon. I want you to be there to help her if she needs help. Can you do that for me?”
She wasn’t sure if the news repulsed her or made her happy. But if Girdy were the one to make her Pop happy, then happy was what he deserved. If only he had felt right enough to tell her in the first place instead of hiding his feelings. This reminded her of Hurley. How the two of them had hid.
Should she tell him about her and Hurley? Nay, the man had been through enough.
Treea didn’t know what to say. Girdy had been the one to come to her rescue, hadn’t she? How long had they known each other? Many years…
“I can do that for you Pop. Just promise me you will hurry back home.”
“Aye, I will my child. I’ll be home before you know it.”
Girdy appeared beside the Captain. “May the Goddess watch over him as she watches over all of us.”
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Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
> Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37