Dominic was looking for someone he possibly knew, maybe a Crimson Guard soldier patrolling the docks. They made their way through the crowds and to the port gates that led into the New City District of Derancross.
He had donned his military dress garb with his cloak, tabard and hat, a status symbol of his rank. As they walked through the huge arch of the gate, he saw soldiers that he had worked with before. Though he didn't know their names he approached them. “Soldiers,” he said walking to their position.
The two soldiers came to attention recognizing his rank. “My Lord.”
Dominic looked at them, stunned for a moment, and then brushed it off. “Sir, are there any horses available in the Guard outpost?” he asked. He knew that they could travel on public transportation but it would be faster and easier to use horses of the Crimson Guard.
“Yes, there are. Please make yourself welcome. My Lord, we have been awaiting your return. King Jayden requests your presence as soon as possible,” the guard said as they made their way to the guard post.
“King Jayden? And why did they keep calling you ‘Lord’?” Allan asked as he picked up his pack and followed Dominic.
“Yes, King Liam's health had been failing for some time now. We knew death was soon; we just didn't know how soon. But these guards sometimes never know who is who, probably just a misunderstanding,” he replied as they walked up a muddy hill leading to the guard post.
“Could this mean that some of Aiden's concerns could be undone and a quicker way to sorting this mess out could be possible?” Mariella asked, stepping in a large pile of mud and feces. “Shit,” she said, quickly covering her mouth and blushing.
Dominic had to smile. It wasn't every day that a woman let a curse word slip.
Allan replied to her question. “No, Aiden has no love for Jayden. He has always felt that any of the people connected to the crown are corrupt.”
“I wish I knew more about what made Aiden feel this way. Maybe if I could find the root of this problem, I could fix it quicker,” Dominic said as they found the stables and found three suitable horses.
The horses were already saddled. Dominic took Mariella's pack and loaded it on the back of her horse then helped her up into the saddle.
“Whatever happens now, I will stay here,” Allan said. “My home is now here, Dom, do you think the Crimson Guard would take me?” He asked as they started moving through the city.
“Yes, your skills don't need to be honed. You could make a great leader here.” Dominic said trying not to trample some of the commoners at the port looking for work.
“What if I would have come with you?” Allan asked. “Remember, you asked me?”
Dominic did remember. He wanted Allan to come when he left seven years before. Allan had chosen to stay where he thought he belonged, until now. “Then we would probably be right here doing this same thing, the only difference would have been who would have saved us?”
They made their way up the main street between the port district and the New City until they found a small alley that Dominic knew would lead them across to the Silver Road, the road in front of the King's District and the Temple District.
The alley was narrow and dirty. Wild cats ran free, starving dogs, and homeless children raided the trash. “This is awful.” Mariella said as she looked at the filth around her.
“The Commons are worse,” Dominic said as he rode and dodged trash, children and animals.
“When we arrive at the Palace, remember you are in the presence of a King. A new King. Yes, he is my friend but now I must look past that. I don't want him to know about me and Aiden. Leave that to me for a later time.” Dominic said as they rode. “I have ordered my men to do the same. This is not the time or place. Remember, you are now in my world.”
They acknowledged as much, and Dominic knew they understood. He was afraid of what Jayden might say or do if he learned of what happened. They made their way out of the small alley, onto the Silver Road. In front of them was the high wall of the original city and the Castle beyond, its six great spires towering over the rest of the city, the flags of House Tiernan flying high in the winds.
XXI
Jayden had gotten the news; Dominic was back in the city. He had spread the word throughout the Crimson Guard to tell Dominic he was needed at the palace as soon as he arrived.
Guards from the port had made haste to tell him that the new Earl was back home and that he would be there within the hour. Jayden waited on the steps leading into the great hall looking out over the courtyard in front of him.
Crimson Guards along with some of House Sandrin’s men at arms patrolled the courtyard. The portcullis leading into the courtyard was closed and guarded on both sides by two or three soldiers. The second Dominic arrived; he would be able to see him through the iron grate.
It was late in the morning, almost high sun, when he saw the horses arrive in front of the Castle. He recognized Dominic immediately, but he was not familiar with the other two riders with him.
He told the guards to open the gate and let them in. He watched as they came closer to him. The female with them was more beautiful than any he had seen there in the city. He felt entranced by her as he watched her figure sway on the mare under her.
The other male with them was also strange to him. He was approximately Dominic’s age, maybe younger. He wore clothes that looked like they had been bought from a port merchant. He could tell that this other man with Dominic had seen battle before, maybe not a lot but he had seen it.
They approached the base of the steps, and they dismounted from their respected steeds and made their way up the twenty steps of the castle - Dominic with his dress attire, the lady in a long evening gown, and the other man in the clothes he apparently purchased on the river.
When they reached the top, they each bowed on one knee before Dominic addressed him. “Your Majesty, Dominic Carlye reporting as ordered. May I present my companions, Allan Southerlin, a soldier of the north who wishes to serve the Crimson Guard and his sister, the Lady Mariella.”
“Rise, Lord Carlye, Southerlin, My Lady,” He said taking Mariella’s hand and kissing it.
He could tell by the look on Dominic’s face that he didn’t know the news yet. He knew it would be a shock to him when found out. “Yes, Lord. You have been granted a great gift by my father. I hope you accept it on behalf of the house Tiernan. Shall we?” he said as he gestured toward the entrance of the Castle.
Inside they found their way to his chambers where this business would be conducted. Jayden still felt out of place in this room; he still felt that his father should be sitting behind the desk, not he.
Dominic had changed slightly in his absence from the city. “How was your journey?” He asked hoping that Dominic would elaborate on the rumors of the situation that happened in the north
“Well. Enjoyable, and bittersweet,” he said. He was being short about it. Jayden didn’t know if he would come full circle and tell him the truth of what happened. Maybe I should give him time.
He didn’t want to go over that issue now; it would be addressed at the next city meeting. “I have a gift for you,” he said taking the orders of his father from the drawer in the desk. He read them as Dominic listened, his face turning to a look of surprise.
When he finished, he waited for Dominic’s response. There was silence and a look of shock on his friend’s face. “Lord Carlye?” he asked, looking at Dominic. It was as if he was in a trance; his face had gone expressionless.
“Yes your majesty,” he said as he came out of his trance. “Yes, I am…”
“Dominic, by the laws of our land and the request of my father I declare you this day, Lord Dominic of the House Carlye, Earl of Easterway,” he said as he handed a rolled parchment to him.
Dominic broke the wax seal and unrolled the parchment. He read through it, his eyes moving side to side as he read each line carefully. “This says that I am receiving control of Easterway and the Commons. It also states
that I will have a full estate staff along with a thousand men at arms.” He looked back at Jayden.
“Yes. I have requested the other Earls to offer voluntary service to their men to serve you. I have also given you the leeway to choose men from the Crimson Guard and Crimson Army to serve you.” He knew that it would be hard for him to choose men from his own house with the tension going on. I need to get to the bottom of that.
“Your majesty I am honored. Every part of me wants to refuse but I know that is not an option. I will serve and honor,” Dominic said.
“Good. I know you will thrive. You now have direct control over the Commons and Easterway. Use your knowledge well, Lord Carlye, as you know your tax to the crown is due at the beginning of each moon. As per request you have been granted five thousand gold crowns to start your life in Easterway. It is now your responsibility to tax your merchants and homes appropriately so you can pay your men and keep our dues in order.” He wanted Dominic to thrive but he didn’t want him to fall into a pit where his dues could not be paid.
“I will, your Majesty,” he replied.
“So now that business is over, tell me of Lady Mariella. She is lovely.” very “I can see she is important to you?” he asked.
“She is, Your Majesty, I wish to have her as my wife.” Dominic said.
“When do you wish to marry?” Jayden asked him.
“When the time is right.” Dominic replied.
Jayden’s mind was still on her. She was too beautiful and as much as he wished he could have her for himself he had to respect the friendship they had. Dominic would be my ally where all others may not, he thought as he waited for a response.
“Then I say the time is right when she decides. I will be the one to marry my friend and introduce officially Lord and Lady Carlye, when the time is right of course” he said. His mind was twisting; it was like someone was forcing his thoughts to a dark place. I will, yes I will marry you, If she won’t have me first.
“Very well, Your Majesty; I would be honored,” Dominic said.
“Then it is done. I have other things that must be attended to now,” he said as he stood. Dominic bowed and was let from the room by the guard stationed outside. “Guard, find me Idris.”
XXII
She didn't like the way the King had looked at her, his eyes wandering all over her body. If he had been any other man, I would be afraid, she though as he looked at her. “My Lady, Lord Dominic loves you with all of his heart, will you have him as your husband? All good Lords need a lady at their side,” the King said as he sat in a chair in the royal garden.
“Your Majesty, I love Dom- Lord Carlye and I want him as my husband, but- “
“Marrying him will give you everything, power, money, you will be seen as the Countess of Easterway, part of House Carlye.” He said with a devious smirk on his face.
Yes. She did want to marry Dominic, not for the money or the title, but for love of him. As much as she tried to hate him she couldn’t, “I will marry him Your Majesty, when will the wedding be?” she asked.
“It can be soon, but My Lady you know, marrying a King will be much more rewarding. He was smirking again. She hated it, is he proposing to me? She thought, “Your majesty, if you are prosing marriage, I must politely decline, I love Lord Carlye, and I must follow my heart.” She said.
“Well then My Lady, I hate to hear that, your wedding will be soon.”
She had not realized how much she loved Dominic and wanted him as her husband. When he left to join the Crimson Guard she felt that she would never have the chance to tell him what she really wanted, but now she could, and this estate was far from what she imagined.
At one time in her life she imagined they would be Duke and Duchess of Denoi, but those were the dreams of a little girl. She knew that dream was gone, but this was better. It would not be the life of a Duke, not as much responsibility, more or less just a title and an estate. It was the more simple life she now wanted.
As she walked the halls, more and more Jayden's way of peering and words haunted her mind. There was something about him that she didn't trust, even though her betrothed and he were friends.
She turned down a long hall that led to the north wing of the estate, complete with ten rooms, reserved for guests and their servants. So far, as she made her way through, she had visited three wings. The south wing was separated from the main estates and had enough barracks to hold one thousand soldiers. The west wing had fifteen rooms reserved for the Earl and his family, along with his servants.
The east wing was the only wing she had not explored. It was the wing that housed the great hall, the main entrance and Dominic's private chambers. The day-to-day business of the Easterway and Common's District would be held in that wing, and Dominic was already conducting meetings.
In the four days she had lived there, the estate had grown. Dominic had made Allan his first aide and elevated him to the title of Baron. Allan had received private chambers in the west wing along with work chambers in the south wing.
Allan’s primary responsibility was to train and command the one thousand soldiers that Dominic now had. Some of them had retired from the Crimson Guard to join him; others were free knights who were looking for a new post, and some had come from other Earls in the city.
Nevertheless, they were now Dominic's men. Quartermasters from all reaches of the city had come today to begin preparing the uniforms and attire for the new soldiers. The uniforms were a simple white, with golden armor, with the Carlye fir tree as the crest.
She had been concerned with his using the family crest, but he was insistent on it. “I do not fear my heritage, I chose the crest of my father and the colors of purity and sovereignty,” he had told her.
It was true. He didn't deny who he was as he started anew. Eventually, he would, by law, have to report to Aiden, by law Aiden had claim to Easterway. Dominic had chosen to take the time he needed to make Easterway and the Commons thrive before he invited the envoy from Denoi. It would take time. The work that had to be done was immense but Mariella knew in her heart that it would be done.
The bells on the temple rang through the city streets as she walked and explored the Estate. “I'm late,” she said stopping in her tracks.
She had a meeting. The wedding was in eight days, and her dress wasn't even started yet. Madam Estelle is going to kill me, she thought as she turned back and started making her way back to the west wing of the estate where her seamstress would be waiting.
She came to an intersection in the hall and turned left, or did she go right? She had forgotten which way she needed to go. Oh No I'm lost. She ran it back through her mind as she stepped back to the intersection. Left, left, right, left, right, right, right. So going back it would be right, right, left, right, left, left, left.
She began. Turning exactly opposite to the way she came. It seemed to take hours, but this way looked right. It had to be right. As she neared what she hoped was the hall leading back to the west wing, she heard Dominic's voice through the halls.
She wondered why he was there, but it didn't matter. A minute of his day to see her would last a lifetime for her. She turned the last left.
She had found it, but not the hall she wanted. Somehow she had made her way back to the grand foyer. Dominic was there; so was Allan. Both of them now wore the new colors of the Easterway District. Dominic looked handsome as ever in his clean, white tabard and cloak, and jet black trousers with highly polished boots. His shoulder length brown hair had been trimmed, groomed and pulled back into a tight pony tail. I have never seen him so... He does look like a lord now, she thought as she walked toward him.
He and Allan had been conversing about something. “My dear,” he said as she approached.
“My Lord.” she replied.
“I will never get used to that,” he said
“One day you will. Has Madame Estelle come yet?” she asked nervously.
“Yes she has; she is waiting for you.”
; “Then I need to be going.”
“Before you go, tonight Lord Candrin and his Lady will be joining us. Are you up for it?”
“By all means, I will be,” she said. She had to make her way and start the dress fitting. It was going to be a long afternoon.
“Mariella, I love you,” she heard Dominic say from behind her. Her face was on fire as she turned. “I love you.”
XXIII
Idris prepared himself for his private meeting with Jayden. The king had not had a meeting of Earls in some time due to ever growing frustration of the higher taxes in the city, and now to the outlying Dukes and their regions.
House Wakefield controlled by Duke Wakefield of Sunvale had responded that higher taxation would cause the collapse of Agantia's economic situation. Along with House Wakefield, Sandrin and Walters announced displeasure. Jayden was becoming more and more loose in his tongue, and Idris now feared that he would lose the support of his houses sooner, rather than later.
Jayden had changed since he took the throne. His spending was becoming reckless. He had spent almost ten thousand gold crowns to upgrade the Crimson Guards weapons, five thousand to pay for a lavish reception after his coronation and three thousand to a group of mercenaries and free knights to, “buy their allegiance.”
The spending was out of control and with the Dukes now opposing the taxes; it would be only a matter of time before the crown was bankrupt. What happens then? Idris thought to himself.
He had only a short time before the King arrived and this meeting would be the most important meeting of the young King's reign. Jayden had become more and more involved with the situation between the Carlye brothers. He wanted more and more information on the situation and had even dispatched people to investigate it.
Idris had done his share of investigating, hoping that the accusations were not true and that a peaceful way could be found to end the fuss.
The Coming Of Shadows (The Shadow Tide Book 1) Page 9