MorningStar's Kitten

When they arrived, Cade helped Keira down and they went inside. Kelly told them he had had lunch set out for them in the back garden and Keira hugged him in thanks. They ate a quiet lunch and talked about the shops they would go to after they ate. Keira started to question Cade about his family and he assured her they would all love her. As they finished eating, Kelly came out and told Cade everyone had arrived for the ‘meeting’. Cade told Kelly to bring the girls out to the garden and then explained to Keira that she had to choose her lady’s maids and a woman to teach her about the Court. A few minutes later Kelly returned with five older women and eight young girls. Kelly told Keira that all the girls came from the finest training house in the city. Cade immediately dismissed two of the girls without explanation, and then told Keira to choose two or three. Keira looked up at Cade, an unhappy look upon her face.

“What’s wrong, Kia?” he asked
“I’m not comfortable with this, Cade. There were no slaves in my village. I knew they existed, but never saw any. Never mind had one.”
“You simply need to choose girls you think you’ll be comfortable with.”
“Can Danae help me?” Keira asked, after thinking for a moment.
“Of course.”

He turned and rang a small bell on the table and when Leah appeared, he told her to send Danae out to him. It was only a few minutes and Danae hurried out to them. She went straight to Keira, who explained she needed Danae’s help and why. Danae nodded and asked if she could question the girls. Keira looked up at Cade who nodded and a few minutes later Danae told Keira which ones she thought were best for her.

“Why those, Danae?” Cade asked
“Kaylin has the most training in make-up and the elaborate hairstyles of the Court, Maeve is smart and funny and will be good company, Fiona is young but all the girls agree she’s the best with fashion.” Danae explained.
“And why Rosheen to be the one to teach me?” Keira asked
“I know she belonged to Lady Ailleen before her death.” Danae said “and all know how obsessive she was about Court manners and protocol, so Rosheen is well trained there. She’s also sweet and gentle.”
“Excellent choices, Danae.” Cade said, “What do you think, Kia?”
“I agree.” Keira said.
“Uncle, can you send for their things and find room for the night?” Cade asked Kelly.
“Aye laddie, I’ll send the others back.” Kelly said.

The women and girls all followed Kelly back inside. Cade told Keira and Danae that the carriage should be waiting and they should go. Keira took his arm and they went through the inn out to the carriage. Cade told the driver their destination and they set off. He told Keira they were making one unscheduled stop since he had realized Keira did not have a proper cloak. She nodded and the stop for the cloak turned into a small shopping spree although a quick one. Keira picked out two simple ones for travelling and every day, a formal one for balls and parties and a heavy fur lined one for the approaching winter. Cade also bought Danae a new simple one and one for winter as well. They got back into the carriage and Cade told the next shop.
The afternoon passed quickly and smoothly. Keira easily choosing the gowns and fabrics with Danae’s help. The two girls became fast friends and were soon making jokes at Cade’s expense. He was mildly annoyed at Danae for being so familiar, but Keira was smiling, happy and relaxed. Cade felt that simple fact was far more important. As they started back to the inn, Keira asked Cade if they could stop in the marketplace, as she wanted to get presents for his Aunt and cousins. Cade told her it wasn’t necessary but she insisted. Cade sighed and told the driver to stop at the marketplace, causing Keira to kiss him on the cheek and bounce happily in her seat.
The driver stopped at the edge of the marketplace and Cade lifted Keira down. Danae hurried down and walked behind Keira as they wandered past the various stalls and venders. Keira had never seen anything like it and was enthralled by the sights, smells and sounds. She stopped at a stall selling silk scarves and asked Danae to help her pick out ones for Cade’s family since she knew them well. It didn’t take them long to recruit Cade to hold the various scarves that caught their eyes. As Keira draped one around Cade’s neck, he protested. Keira looked up at him and pouted as a deep chuckle came from behind Keira.

“I’m not sure any of those are your color, MorningStar.” The man chuckled “but your girl looks amused.”
“My wife is amused by a great many things, Arlen.” Cade snapped, throwing the scarves at Danae.
“Your wife.” Arlen asked, eying Keira “so my old woman wasn’t just chattering again.”
“Not this time.” Cade said “Arlen this is Keira. Kia, Lord Arlen is one of my oldest friends.”
“Pleased to meet you, M’lord.” Keira said softly.
“The pleasure is all mine, M’lady,” Arlen said, making a small bow. “You’re even more beautiful than my wife complained you were.”
“No doubt,” Cade said “She still mad I wasn’t interested in her sister?”
“Of course.” Arlen said, “Have you sent word to Regan yet?”
“I sent a message with Donell this morning.”
“Poor Donell,” Keira muttered, “you sent him all over today.”
“He’s used to it.” Cade laughed, “Besides, he and the King always end up playing chess and discussing battle strategies.”
“You refer to the King by his first name?” Keira asked stunned.
“When you’ve side by side and kept each other alive a dozen times a day formalities tend to become unimportant.”
“I suppose. Cade, can Danae and I finish our shopping while you talk?”
“Of course, my pet.” Cade said kissing her gently “but stay close.”

Keira and Danae returned to their shopping after Cade gave Keira a small pouch of gold. They purchased the scarves they had chosen and started to browse the other stands. The Keira bought some candied fruit for the children and a small-carved wooden box for her mother. She and Danae were looking at bright colored hand-blown glass vials and perfume bottles, trying to pick one for Cade’s mother. Several of the city soldiers, who had obviously had a liquid lunch stopped next to them and ogled Keira and Danae. One grabbed Keira pulled her into his arms and tried to kiss her. Keira tried to push him away and screamed for Cade as another soldier grabbed Danae, who screamed as well.
Cade had turned at Keira’s scream but could not see her or Danae. He and Arlen headed towards where they had last seen them and as they came around one of the stands saw the girls being manhandled by the soldiers. The soldiers saw Cade approaching and the infuriated look on his face and pushed Keira and Danae away from them. Cade moved past Keira and started to pummel the soldier who had held her. The man was too drunk to fight back and quickly went down. Cade moved to attack again, but Arlen held him back.

“Cade, your wife needs you.” He said quietly.

Cade turned to find Danae sitting on the ground, Keira half in her lap and sobbing hysterically. He rushed over and swept Keira up in his arms, murmuring reassurances and apologies into her hair. She wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder. Danae stood and gently rubbed Keira’s back as her sobs eased. Cade watched as other guards arrived and started asking questions. Iain appeared, demanding to know what had happened and Cade strode over, still carrying Keira.

“Commander.” He said with a growl, “Several of your men attacked my wife and her maid.”
“We thought they were some lady’s wenches.” One tried to explain. “Thought they might like some company and a bit of coin for their time.”
“You’re drunk enough that you thought Lady MorningStar was a slave?” Iain fumed.

Iain ordered the drunken men to be taken to the stockade and he assured Cade and Keira they would be severely punished. Arlen told Cade he would inform Regan of the incident himself and hurried off. Cade was so angry he was shaking as he walked back to the carriage with Danae following. Several of Cade’s men had been in the market and heard what happened and were waiting at the carriage. Cade placed Keira into the carriage, lifted Danae next to her and turned towards his men.

“M’lord, we heard what happened.” One said, “We thought Lady Keira might feel safer if we accompanied you back to the inn.”
“I gave you the day off.” Cade said.
“Aye, sir.” Another said. “But we all agreed Lady Keira is more important.”

Cade nodded and ordered two of the men up with the driver and the other three on the seat opposite Keira. Danae moved next to her as Cade climbed up and pulled Keira into his lap. As the carriage started to move, a young boy ran up carrying the packages Danae had dropped. The boy explained his Master owned the glass stand and had sent a package in apology. He felt badly that such a thing had happened while Lady Keira was looking at his items. Cade told the boy to send his thanks and assurance they would return. The boy ran off and Cade told the driver to return to the inn.