by Rachel James
“Did you want to go yet?”
“Not you as well...Teagen has left early too. Poor girl, she seemed upset.”
“I wonder if I should go check on her.”
“I believe her maid has gone. Now come on, it’s Christmas Eve. Find yourself a partner and have a good time.”
“To be honest, Sherwin, I’m rather tired. I think I’ll call it a night.”
Sherwin eyed him speculatively. “Very well. Seeing as we’ve to be up for the service tomorrow, and early morrows are not your strong point.”
Ryce frowned. “What service?”
“Hadn’t I mentioned? A Christmas service. Not sure what goes on, but it’s the least we can do to go. We don’t want to offend anybody.”
“Nay, I guess not.”
“Good, well, I’ll see you anon.”
When Ryce walked in for breakfast the next morrow, the place was deserted. Had nobody arisen? The hall had not been cleared yet from the feast the night before. Food littered the floor, and mice pecked away at leftovers sprawled on the tables.
He popped his head around the kitchen door.
Nobody.
Not a single cook preparing for the midday meal. How strange. He walked outside into the courtyard and spotted Sherwin coming from the barracks.
“Oh good, Ryce. I meant to tell you last night we were to go straight to the chapel this morrow.”
“Why? Are they serving food?”
“Nay, there’s a Christmas service.”
“Before breakfast?” Ryce heard the shock in his own voice.
Sherwin laughed. “Not everything is about nourishment. Come, I think we’re late.”
Ryce, not at all convinced, followed Sherwin into the small chapel. Only the royals had seats at the front. All others were crammed in together, standing room only.
Niall motioned for silence. “Merry Christmas, everyone!”
The congregation replied in various greetings.
Niall cleared his throat and continued. “Today, we celebrate the birth of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, who knew not sin, but became sin so that we might be saved and have eternal life with the Father. A time to be thankful, joyful, and to remember.”
Niall gave Teagen a nod, who on cue stood with parchment in hand, and faced the congregation.
“I have been busy translating parts of the Old Wealdic Bible into Holmorran. The king has asked me today to read to you the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke.”
Ryce sat dumbstruck. He hadn’t expected Teagen to speak. He witnessed a new side of her. Today she was a leader. One that captivated an audience with purely her voice. She spoke with eloquence, sincerity, and meaning.
The service concluded with a song he did not recognize, but the tune was familiar. He caught a glimpse of Sherwin, who had a tear in his eye.
By the gods, man, pull it together!
He glanced around. Teagen had her eyes closed, and Niall even had his arms raised. What was that all about?
Relief filled him when the morrow meeting finished. Perchance now he would be able to get something to eat.
Finally, by midday, the hall had been cleaned and prepared for the main Christmas celebration. Teagen had helped Cinnia make Christmas gifts and put one on each place setting.
“You’re quiet this morrow,” said Cinnia.
“Am I?” Teagen pulled a strand of hair back from her face that kept falling in front of her eyes. “This is my first Christmas since...seems strange somehow...’twas so long ago, you’d think I’d stop missing him by now, wouldn’t you?”
“Were you and your father close?”
“I adored him. I would follow him everywhere, but I had not a mother so—”
Cinnia paused. “I miss my papa too, although he didn’t die in such tragic circumstances. He was just old.”
“What age were you when he passed?”
“Oh, I was a grown woman. My only regret is that he died without seeing me marry, or have children.”
Teagen perched at the end of the table. “You fear you are barren?”
“Nay. I’m able to conceive, only...” Cinnia buried her head to compose herself.
“Cinnia?”
“I get a little emotional now and again. You see, it seems I cannot carry a child.”
“Did you miscarry?”
“Aye. Three times in a year.”
“Oh, Cinnia, I’m so sorry. Niall never said.”
“Well, nay, he wouldn’t. I’m not sure he can cope with me. My emotions are everywhere.”
She drew in closer, placing a hand on Cinnia’s arm. “Mayhap now that Sherwin is here with us, there might be more of a chance.”
“I doubt it. I think he’s used to dealing with injuries of men, not women in the family way.” A tear dropped down the side of her cheek. “Besides, doesn’t seem so much of an urgency now. Niall found an heir the morrow you came along.”
Teagen leaned over and embraced her. No wonder Cinnia had been standoffish with her. She had been a threat, albeit unintentional.
“I’m only second in-line to the throne. I’ll keep praying for you. You've still plenty of time to provide Niall with a baby,” Teagen said, squeezing Cinnia’s hand.
The women pried apart as people started to arrive for the Christmas meal.
“Everything well?” asked Niall as he entered the room.
Cinnia’s eyes were red.
“We’re grand,” said Teagen, patting her brother’s arm. “Absolutely fine.”
“Good, well, you ladies seemed to have done an excellent job. This room is transformed.”
The hall soon filled. Ryce entered with his shoulders slumped, a scowl formed on his face.
“What’s wrong?” Teagen mouthed to Sherwin across the hall.
Sherwin held an amused expression and pointed to Ryce’s stomach. “Missed breakfast.”
Teagen laughed. She’d forgotten how much Shieldok men loved their food. They wouldn’t have skipped a meal back in Dyrah.
The atmosphere was a pleasant one, and although no music played, there was plenty of conversation. The long midday banquet followed with an afternoon of festive activities. The soldiers in particular enjoyed the more competitive pursuits, “Shields” being one of them.
“I don’t think I am familiar with this one,” Teagen said to her brother as the men formed a circuit around the hall.
“They hold their shields above their heads. Then two opponents step from one shield to the other without falling off.”
Teagen raised her eyebrow. “That’s all?”
“Aye, and the soldiers love it.”
Sure enough they did, and she had to give credit where it was due. The game was entertaining to watch, even if a little trivial.
The rest of the morrow led on from there. More feasting, more activities, and although Teagen’s leg limited her to what she could partake in, Christmas had been a marvellous day.
She leaned back in her chair and stared across at her brother. “Do you ever think about Papa?”
Niall rubbed his neck. “Every day. Why do you bid?”
“You never talk of him.”
“I wasn’t sure how mentioning him would affect you.”
Teagen played with her goblet.
“I find it hard to forgive myself for leaving you that night.”
Teagen grabbed his hand. “Nay, Niall, you cannot blame yourself. You did what you could.”
“I was scared. ’Twas selfish of me. I am aware of that now. I ran. I told myself, as the next heir, my life needed preserving...I was convinced you were dead, and I should not search for you.”
Teagen stared at her brother. She understood why he acted the way he did. But it still hurt to be left and forgotten about.
“You were only sixteen, Niall.”
“I should have protected you.”
“Nay. God watched over me. All of this has happened for a reason. There is little use in getting caught up about the what-ifs and mayhaps.”
“You turned out well.”
She rested her chin on her hands. “I’m still trying to find my way and discover whom I am.”
“Perchance you ought to stop knocking that precious head of yours. It’ll do you no good to keep losing your memory.”
Teagen gave Niall a playful shove. “One thing I do recall—”
“Aye?”
“You’ve a ticklish spot on the side of your ribs, and I can take you down in an instant!”
Niall bolted from his chair to the other part of the room. He glanced over his shoulder and cast her a cheeky grin.
Just wait until her leg brace came off—then she’d run as fast and catch him.
Chapter Fourteen
“Right. Hold still,” Sherwin instructed. “Lunet, grip her foot for me, please.”
Teagen flinched in anticipation. Finally, after twelve long weeks, the splint was coming off.
She gasped as bandage was cut, and her limb was exposed to the air.
“I thought my leg would be healed.”
“You took a bad fall, Teagen, and you’re fortunate to be alive.” Teagen closed her eyes in relief as Lunet cleaned her leg with a warm, wet sponge, the limb’s itchiness fading away.
“Now, your leg needs some time to be used again. I’ve prepped Ryce on the particulars, and he will start with your exercise this afternoon.”
“My what?”
“You need to teach your leg how to walk again. Ryce is experienced in this. I can’t tell you the number of broken limbs you encounter when working with warriors.”
“I can well imagine.”
“Don’t despair, Princess. You’ll be fully functioning soon if you stick to your regime. Start slacking, so will your leg.”
Teagen nodded. If he was setting her a challenge, she wouldn’t cower from it. “Can I walk at all?”
“Oh aye, but you’ll still be reliant upon your walking stick for a week or two. We have finished here. I’ll leave you with Lunet.”
Sherwin moved on to the rest of the people in the infirmary.
Teagen leaned across and whispered to her maid. “I think Sherwin is becoming quite dependent on you, Lunet. Am I to lose my favourite maid to the physician?”
“Of course not, Princess. Although I must confess, I do enjoy assisting him in his various procedures. Don’t you find this fascinating?”
“Nay, and the sight of blood does strange things to my senses. Now, did you know anything about this exercise?”
Lunet gazed down. “Not exactly, but I did overhear something yesterday.”
“Mmmm. As I suspected. Well, you could’ve given me the heads-up.”
“What, and miss seeing that priceless reaction of yours? Never.”
Teagen stifled a giggle. “I can tell I’ll not be getting any sympathy from the likes of you.” She leaned back. Might as well rest while she still had the chance. By the sound of things, her training with Ryce was not over.
“Oh, Teagen?”
She glanced across at Sherwin.
“You’ll need to wear hose and a short tunic. You won’t be able to work on your leg wearing a long skirt.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You want me to dress in men’s clothing?”
“Call it what you will. You’ll be wearing them either way. Physician’s orders. Can I leave the matter in your capable hands, Lunet?”
Teagen glared at her maid.
Lunet shrugged. “Just following instructions.”
“So am I, apparently.”
“Come on, m’lady. I’ll help you back to your room, and we can talk about this in private.”
“Aye, sounds like a good idea.”
Her leg felt so light without the heavy brace weighing her down, and even though she didn’t have full usage, it was still heavenly in comparison. Getting up the steps would be the tricky bit.
“Do you want me to carry you?”
Teagen burst out into laughter. “Nay, you’re even smaller than me, but thank you for offering.” She chuckled again. “I managed to do it with a brace, and it can’t be much different now.”
Despite her enthusiasm, she soon discovered she lacked control over her leg. “You know what? I think I’ll shuffle backward on my behind.”
“Pardon me?”
“You heard me, now look around the corner. I don’t want anyone seeing me in a compromising position.”
Lunet hesitated. “Perchance I should bid one of the guards to lift you?”
“Nay, don’t be silly. I can do this fine by myself, now go check.”
Her maid was reluctant, but as requested, she peered around the corner, glancing up the steps into the fort.
It took Teagen a while as her long skirts caught in her feet. Perchance wearing a shorter tunic would be preferable.
“Princess? Is everything all right?”
Her cheeks grew hot at the sound of Ryce’s voice. She’d been discovered. She attempted to get off the floor, remaining casual. “Of course. We’re perfectly fine, are we not, Lunet?”
Lunet glanced from a comical Ryce to an embarrassed Teagen. “Oh, aye.”
“Do you often ride the steps from a sitting position?”
“I can’t say I make a habit of it.”
“Would you like a hand?”
“Nay, thank you.”
“You’re sure?
With sudden strength, she stood on one leg while hitching her skirt. “As you can see, I can manage by myself, although I appreciate your concern.”
“Very well. I look forward to seeing you after lunch.”
Teagen forced a smile. She wasn’t excited about the concept, but she would be ready for the challenge.
Ryce stood outside the bathhouse after midday waiting for Teagen. When he’d bid her to meet him, she didn’t seem to make the connection that the bathhouse was the place for their first session.
He hoped Sherwin had remembered to inform her to wear a short tunic and hose. It would prove awkward for both of them to attempt this in a full robe. He needn’t have worried. A rather sheepish-looking Teagen hobbled her way down, avoiding eye contact with him.
She’s embarrassed.
Well, she could certainly pull off wearing men’s attire. “Ready?”
Teagen nodded.
“Good, let’s get started.”
As he entered building, the intense heat hit him. He’d never experienced anything like it in his life before coming to Angularem. Not that he’d ever ventured to distant lands. Shieldoks tended to stay clear of all things to do with Wealdfolk.
The first room was a heat chamber, where the men sweated out the dirt of the day. Walking further through they came to the pool, which wasn’t gigantic, although large enough for them to do their exercises in.
When they stopped next to the water, Teagen dropped her jaw. “You mean for us to get in?” The hysteria rose in her voice. “Together?”
“Aye. What else did you think we would be doing in the bathhouse?”
“Naught. I presumed we’d meet here and be going elsewhere.”
“Well, let me tell it to you straight, Princess. The best place for you to strengthen your leg without straining is in the water. Now we could use this ideal warm bathhouse, or climb down into the valley and go in the cold river, which, to my knowledge, is icing over. The sea is another possibility, but the winds are high...”
“Oh, pfft. If you’d told me before, I would have brought Lunet with me. This is highly improper.”
“You forget you’re talking to a Shieldok. Where I come from, we’ve no use for the word.”
“You’re telling me,” she said under her breath.
Ryce helped Teagen sit by the water’s edge. “Can you manage your shoes, or—”
“Nay, I’ve got them, thank you.”
Ryce nodded, kicked off his own, and jumped into the pool. They weren’t supposed to use the baths dressed in outdoor clothing, but under the circumstances...
Ryce helped her slide in, holding her arms
for added reinforcement. “We’re going to squat together, by bending the knees…good.”
Her face was red, but he couldn’t tell if it was from the heat of the pool, or the close intimacy they now found themselves in.
He stared into her big, blue eyes—innocent and earnest. She bit her lip in concentration, every now and again looking into the water to check her posture.
“There’s more to you than meets the eye,” said Teagen as she settled into the routine.
“Do you compliment me, Princess?”
She smiled, a slight dimple on one side of her cheek appearing. “Take it as you will. I am merely trying to understand your character.”
“Oh?”
“Aye, I must confess I find you puzzling.”
“We’re not so different, you and I. We’ve both lost our mother and father, and had to work for people against our will.”
“Mayhap, but our personalities differ entirely.”
“How so?”
“Very well, we’ll start with interests. What would your leisure of choice be?”
“Easy. Chess.”
“Chess. Truly?”
Ryce laughed. “Aye, what’s so strange about that?”
“Oh, you know this image you portray of a brave warrior. I picture you jesting with the other soldiers, perchance drinking a few too many.”
“The best warriors are the ones with a strategy. Chess is all about strategy.”
“Aye, but aren’t you supposed to unwind when finished with work? Chess involves far too much thinking, if you ask me.” She screwed her eyes in a comical fashion.
“Very well, Princess, your turn.”
Her face lit up. “I like to dance. Always seems to lift my spirits, and ice-skating in the winter months, or horse riding, or even tree-climbing...”
“All right, I get the picture—anything physically exhausting. Well, we’ll have you hunting soon—seems to be your kind of sport.”
Teagen’s eyes grew bigger. “I can’t wait, although I’m not too sure Niall will approve. He encourages the more genteel side of me. If I didn’t know him better, I’d think he was preparing me for marriage.”
“Don’t you want to get married?”
Teagen faltered. “I believe I do, at some point, but a princess is likely to be shipped off to an unknown monarch in an arranged alliance. Doesn’t speak of the happily ever after one is led to presume will happen as a child.”
