Kingdom Born

Chapter 22: Lord Bezer & Captain Longsword

The Great Hall of the Stronghold was lit with hundreds of torches so the interior of the room was almost as bright as midday. There were seven long tables filled with the lesser nobility and their wives or sons. Servants, draped in Lord Sander's crimson tunics, stood at ready behind the head table were we were destined to sit.

"You look nervous, Phara...You weren't concerned when were storming Righthander's Arena." Matthais spoke up holding Merric's hand on his arm. "Then again, you weren't wearing such a becoming gown."

"Matthais, keep quiet. Phara feels uncomfortable in it as it is." Merric returned her eyes beaming her approval as her gaze ran over my ensemble. I was in a crimson gown, the colour of blood from a vein, that exposed more of my chest than I liked, still my gown was more conservative than Merric's. A deep breath should rip the delicate lacing that held her bodice front together. She named it the attention grabber and it worked. Matthais's eyes never strayed from his wife.

When I found Merric and told her what I wanted she dragged me off her seamstress. The woman had nearly swooned when I undressed and she saw all the crisscrossed scars on my arms, legs and the long diagonal one from my left shoulder to my left breast. She had clucked and draped the cloth around me, adjusting here and there, and frowning when a hint of scar showed up. My shoulders and arms and backs of my hands were covered with cloth but to make up for that, my bodice was cut lower. The seamstress had nearly fainted when Merric told her that she wanted the dress done by the feast tonight. The woman screamed about time then shouted for her apprentices and they got to work.

The dress was delivered as the last rays of the sun faded from the sky. Merric trailed in, already dressed for the evening right behind it. She tied up in a tight corset that thrust up my breasts and cut painfully into my hips then helped me slide into the gown and she laced up the back. She asked me to sit still as she fussed with pots of paints, applying colour to my eyes, eyes and lips. I reached for a mirror but then she hurried over to the bed and pulled open a box she had brought with her.

"Matthais gave this to me just incase you decided to change your mind and wear a dress." She held up a gold clip sprinkled with diamond dust and a beribboned long red braid of hair. It was mine. She read the question in my eyes. "When the crew brought your trunks ashore, they found this braid. As soon as Matthais saw it he knew that it was yours. He had it made into a topknot. If you drape a rail around your head and pin this on, it will look like you have long hair. It must have been hard to cut it."

"It was necessary." I reached out and touched it. Edna should have burnt it. Just having it would have sent her family to gaol.

"Do you want to wear it?"

"Yes." In honour of Edna and Dirk who risked so much.

"Keep still, I don't want to pin you accidently." Merric fiddled with my head for a long while then she pressed a mirror into my hand. "You are a beautiful woman, Phara."

I didn't know who was staring into the mirror. Huge green eyes dominated a sun tanned face followed by dark orange tinged lips. A pale green metallic silk hung from the back of my head and the long braid was draped over the top of my left shoulder. "Just one more touch." Merric clipped a small rectangle of silk the same colour as my veil to the sides of my face. All you could see were whispers of red tendrils and huge green eyes.

"What do you think?"

I wanted to get up and rub this paint off my face but all I could do was sit and stare.

"Do you like it?" Merric's face was bright with expectation.

"This is what women wear?" I returned keeping my disdain under control.

"To parties anyway. Do you like it?"

"It will take getting used to." I returned truthfully not wanting to hurt her feelings when she was only helping me.

"If Matthais can't keep his eyes off you, I'll have to scratch your eyes out." Merric returned only half teasingly.

I glanced over at her exposed cleavage, "I don't think Matthias will even see me. I just hope that the War Thane finds me acceptable." I returned setting the mirror aside not daring to spend another second looking at the painted creature in the reflection.

The guards snapped to attention as the Lord and Lady Sander swept into the small antechamber, their glittering gowns sparkled brightly in the torchlight. Lord Sander stared openly at me, "I am glad that you have decided to embrace some of our customs, Lady Longsword. You are extremely charming."

Lady Margaret's eyes flicked over me then sent a slight bow.

"Now, if my nephew would get here, we could make our entrance and begging to eat. Matty, did you see him?" Lord Sander returned

"He was getting dressed. I was just telling Merric how lovely Phara looked."

"What about Phara?" Karl asked as he stepped into the room. We caught sight of each other at the same time. He had pulled his hair back into a ponytail and tied it with a gold ribbon. He wore a fitted jacket of deep purple, embellished with gold threads in scrollwork, a gold silk tunic and black breeches and boots. A gold sash wrapped around his waist but the thing that caught my attention was the short sword hanging at his waist.

"What did you do to your face?"

"You're wearing a sword!"

Our words clashed at the same time. Lady Margaret spoke clearly through our small silence, "Our guests are waiting. Announce us."

Sanderson pushed Karl and pulled me into line behind them. "First impressions are important here. Any sign of weakness or discord will linger with these dogs for your entire lifetime."

A messenger pulled open the doors then stepped through first. All conversation in the Great Hall died off and everyone climbed to their feet. "Lord Sander and Lady Margaret of our beloved Northern Stronghold!"

Lord and Lady Sander stepped into the Great Hall as the rest of the hall bowed their heads in respect. They walked toward the Head table at the far end of the hall.

"Lord Matthais and Lady Merric, heirs to the Stronghold holding!"

Sanderson and Merric descended the staircase and followed after their parents. All heads remained bowed.

"Lord Karlen Bezer, heir to Winfield holding and Lady Longsword, Captain of the Guard of Sandshore!" Karl offered his arm. I touched him and we stared down the stairs. The heads that were bowed suddenly snapped up peering at us as we walked by. I could feel their eyes boring into us, searching for weakness. The walk felt like it would never end. Then we were taking our assigned places at the head table.

Lord Sander picked up his goblet, "I propose a toast to my long lost nephew, returned from the land of the spirits and the woman who risked her life to bring him home."

Glasses were raised and the toast was carried out. "Be seated."

The dinner was uncomfortable. Whispers, exclamations and even laughter filtered up to us. Some comments were veiled, most were loud enough to be heard as their speakers had intended. Underneath the table, Karl caught my hand and squeezed it supportively. I turned toward him. His grey eyes were watching me but they were not familiar. He was distant. I felt like I was sitting in front of the Hall...alone.

The dinner grew worse. My veil got in my way as I tried to eat. Each dish presented to me tasted of dust or old leather and caught in my throat. The wine that they kept before me was sweet and cloying. I sipped on it slowly. A passing steward filled my goblet again but before I could raise it to my lips Karl caught the cup and pulled it from my hands. "Bring her milk."

"Milk?" Merric leaned closer towards us, "This is a party!"

"Phara's pregnant." Karl returned handing the goblet to the server. "Bring her milk."

Merric screeched and jumped out of her chair. Her small arms hugged me close then kissed me on my face. "I couldn't tell."

Sanderson stared over at me searchingly before he raised his goblet to him, "Congratulations Karl!"

A large tankard of fresh milk was brought to the table. Karl lifted his own goblet and held it high, "I propose a toast to the mother-to-be. May the Goddess bless you with a healthy child."

"The whole Hall should toast you!" Merric returned.

"No!" I grabbed for her and missed.

Merric bounded out of her chair again, "Gentles, please rise, fill your glasses and join in a toast to my cousin and his lady as they welcome the start of a new life in their family. Best Wishes!"
The words were echoed throughout the hall but I knew that they were not heart felt. Karl urged me to my feet to stand by his side but he never once looked at me. The toast was made and we sat down. He pulled his hand away quickly.

"Karl..." I started but my words died off as a dust coated messenger entered the hall. He was blocked momentarily by the armed men stationed around the perimeter, he whispered something urgently to the head guard, they nodded together briefly, disarmed the messenger and allowed him to approach.

The intense whispers between Lord Sander and the messenger were too low to be heard but the way the pale eyes of our host centred on Karl told me everything I needed to know. War Thane Bezer was coming here, now.

Lord Sander rose to his fullest height. All sound ended. Only the loud crackles of the fire dared to compete with the lord of this household. "Good gentles, I have invited you tonight to be witness to a monumental occasion. Lord Karlen Bezer has been missing for fifteen years but tonight he has come home...to the Kingdom and his father," I don't know how Lord Sander had timed his words so well but the War Thane arrived just as the speech ended, "the King's War Thane, Kaleb Bezer."

A tall lean man, still clad in his battle armour and grimy with his fast travel stomped into the feasting hall. The War Thane was Karl's image aged by twenty years. I felt Karl push himself to his feet. Where Karl's face was lined with laughter, his father's was deeply etched with strain and pain of hard living. The War Thane's skin was almost a burnished copper colour from his campaigns under the harsh sun. His eyes were narrowed hoods from staring across sun-washed expanses but they were the same haunting grey of my husband.

The court dogs at the feasting tables leaned forward hoping for a scrap, for bloodshed. The food I had eaten sat heavily in my stomach.

"Father." Karl's soft spoken word echoed through the still hall.

"My god..." The War Thane's face was full of recognition, "Karlen..?"

"Lords Bezer...I have a chamber that you would find comfortable." Thane Sander stepped away from the table holding his arms wide to enfold both of them. The War Thane stomped off in the direction Lord Sander motioned. Karl set his fork down and wiped his mouth with his napkin.

"Karl?"

"Stay here." Karl touched my shoulder gently then moved to follow Lord Sander and his father to the sequestered room. I stared after them. My hands tightened into fists. I drained my milk and pushed my food around the plate again. The noise of the Hall was going louder.

"Can't be real red hair. Since when have you seen a bright red like that?"

"Her breasts are almost hanging out, doesn't she have any shame?"

"I wonder who the father is..."

"Excuse me, I'm not feeling well." I stood up feeling my face flush with embarrassment.

"There is a passage behind our table. Just go through the curtains and follow it. You'll come out at the upper balcony." Lady Margaret offered.

"Thank you."

She touched my arm as I passed her, "I am sorry."

I bowed toward her and stepped toward the heavy silk curtains. A Guard pulled it back to expose a dimly lit corridor. I can't remember how I got to my room, sheer memory must have lead me there.

I stared into the mirror at the creature who looked like me. What had I been thinking? I ripped the veil off my face and rubbed at the paints discolouring my skin. The Goddess made me what I was. I had served her well by upholding her laws. Just being as I was I had gotten Karl's heart. Now, I was willing to change to keep it? And if I didn't keep him, a sharp jolt pained my chest, then what would I have left? A jar of paints, reams of useless material and no integrity.

I struggled out of the kingdom gown, cut the lacings at the front when I couldn't loosen them and cold water washed the colour and perfume from my body. Jerking an oversized tunic on, I climbed onto my bed the laid a protective hand on my stomach. The Goddess had blessed me with new life. I closed my eyes and laid back. Kyle was a sweet blessing. What was he doing now? Probably sneaking off to go fishing with Moray or mooning after that girl...I couldn't remember her name. I should though. Kyle was my son and I should know what was important in his life. I think he would like his new sister. I must have fallen asleep because suddenly there was a loud rap on the door. A woman's voice called through the closed door, "Lady Bezer!"

"What?" I struggled to wipe the sleep out of my eyes. It was still pitch black.

"Lord Bezer requests your presence, immediately!"

I felt my body tense with anger. Never had I ordered Karl around like this.

"Bezer!"

"All right!" The apathy that had sent me to bed was gone. I stumbled to a wardrobe and pulled out a pair of breeches. I jerked them on, slid my feet into my soft leather boots then started for the door.

"Bezer, do you hear me?"

I paused, then reached in and pulled out my swordbelt. I rested my hand on my sword hilt as I stepped to the door and threw it open. The woman standing there was barely standing at all. I wrinkled my nose as the smell of wine wafted from her. She was drunk. "There you are...he wasn't happy when he found you gone."

"Where is he ?"

"At the end of the hall. Can't you hear him? The guards won't let him pass..." She hung onto the door jam and pointed backwards into the darkness beyond.

"Get to bed before you fall down." I advised closing the door behind me to keep her from crawling into my bed.

"Of course...." She turned and began to wobble down the corridor, holding out her hands to brace herself against the smooth immovable walls.

I wiped the remaining sleep from my eyes before I stared down the corridor. An ornate metal gate locked the women away from the rest of the household, in the name of protection, I could see that it was still closed and the two guards assigned outside of it had their hands full holding a man back from the gate.

"Lord Bezer...please...!"

"Get out of my way!" The words were wine induced and slurred.

"Lord Bezer you can't go in there."

I stopped at the gate and watched War Thane Bezer struggle drunkenly with the two guards who were trying their best to fulfil their duties without harming the older man.

"I want to see her."

"Which her are you referring to?" I asked lowly keeping my palm on the hilt of my short sword.
The War Thane shook the hands of the guards off and stared at me. There was a clear gleam in his eye that didn't aline itself with the actions of a drunken man, unease cut at me but I hid it behind a face of pleasantries. "Lady Longsword, I presume."

"War Thane Bezer." I bowed low at the waist showing him the honour of his years. "Your messenger did not tell me that it was you who called."

"Give me leave to see my own daughter by marriage." He returned slurring his words. "Walk with me." I nodded and the guard unlatched the gate and swung it open. He caught my elbow firmly in his fingers. To the guards he only looked like he stumbled and grabbed onto me for support. I would have to jerk by arm away to free myself from his grip but then I wouldn't find out the meaning for this subterfuge.

"Lady? Do you need help?" The closest guard queried.

"No. I have nothing to fear from Lord Bezer."

"You heard her men..." The War Thane gestured for me to walk down a corridor which lead toward the men's quarters. Once we were out of view of the guards, I wrenched my arm free.

"There is no need for you to continue with your charade, Lord Bezer." I spoke coolly keeping my hand comfortably on the hilt of my sword.

His voice held a tone of unwanted respect, "My boy told me that you were quick."

He reached for my again, but I stepped out of his way, "Where's Karl?"

"I would rather not air our discussion in such an open place. What we have to say to each other need not be overheard. Follow me." He started off not once looking back to see if I was following his lead. I debated silently for a moment. If I wanted to find out what past between Karl and this man, I would have to follow him. I touched my sword hilt and complied with his wishes.