Lunamae

by April Sadowski

  “There isn’t anything ‘constructive’ to do. Can’t I just pine away?” Lunamae begged. I gave a great long sigh and looked at her lovingly, almost motherly I thought as I caught myself.

  “I suppose it couldn’t hurt. Pining away does have the tendency to produce needles in your heart, especially if you are pining for something you can’t have,” I told her honestly.

  “But we do have something. He loves me and I love him. What if the emissary tells me he has gone to marry another and I’ll be all left alone and married off to a stranger?”

  “You most likely will be married to a stranger. You really think Angharad would allow you to marry Marcus?” I asked her.

  “Stop telling me that!” Lunamae pouted away as I just shook my head. I really didn’t need the added stress. Theron had told me he had to monitor me because the “ingredients” inside me weren’t in perfect balance and there wasn’t anything he could do directly. He could heal me, sure, but then somehow I would revert to my previous state. He said it was a miracle enough that I conceived. His presence together with me must have changed me long enough for the miracle to occur. I thank the Creator daily for giving me such a precious gift and I was so curious to know what the child would look like. As long as it was healthy I would be happy, of that I was sure.

  I turned to Lunamae and wrapped my arms around her. “Perhaps we could wait on the last two days to see the emissary arrive. Then we might be able to find out about Marcus before the chief dame comes from the keep.”

  Lunamae shook her head happily and I brushed an errant hair away from her face. Eclipse wandered back in and plopped his furriness in between us. Lunamae started to cuddle him.

  “I would like to,” she said to me softly.

  “Shall we resume our needlework together?” I asked. She nodded, although it seemed a bit reluctant. “Perhaps also some riding later?”

  I was probably a little more excited than her about that prospect as I could tell from her face as she nodded slowly. Recently, due to the attack on Talfrin years ago and the desire that her daughter learn basic horse riding skills, Angharad had contracted several towers to be built, primitive as they were, to scout for would-be attackers. This allowed us to go outside the constraints of the keep and immediate crossing of the Humble Bridge. Since we had started so late with her, Lunamae was a bit daunted at the size of the horse, and her emotions were very clear when she was actually upon one. The horse always sensed it and reacted. It really was important for her to continue learning, so obviously she was even more evasive towards it. She would rather play, although I’m not certain how one does such a thing at her age.

  I walked my horse out, donned in full winter apparel. I knew Theron would probably be furious with me for even attempting to ride in my pregnancy, but I’d seen plenty of other women ride while pregnant. I didn’t see it as being any different than sitting in a carriage. Walking was much better for me than what I was going to teach Lunamae with, and I wasn’t going to teach her from my saddle anyway.

  We began with the trot. Since the gait can be easily done over long distances, it was the most important to learn. Lunamae had issues with balance as the horse’s body dropped and would tousle her a bit. We started out slow without the bouncing and worked our way up once I felt Lunamae was comfortable enough.

  Then the alarm sounded. I saw riders on the horizon and my stomach flipped in fear and my mind went back to when I was sixteen. I wanted to dart back to the safety of the keep, but I knew better. I couldn’t, in my state, travel that fast.

  Suddenly I was pushed and looked over to see Lunamae next to me. I didn’t even realize she had ridden over to me and had been talking to me. “Are you all right?” she asked.

  “Yes. I’m fine. We need to get to the keep now,” I told her.

  “You don’t see the banners from here?” she wondered, putting her hand over her forehead to block out the solis. “Most definitely they are banners.”

  “It’s too soon for the emissary to be here, isn’t it?” I asked her, knowing full well she wouldn’t be able to answer such a question.

  “You don’t suppose the messenger was dawdling?” she asked me from the seat of her horse.

  “It’s entirely possible,” I admitted with a gentle sigh. There were a variety of things that could detain a messenger, and I wasn’t about to go into detail with Lunamae. Generally, as long as they were ahead of the event in the message, it was all right. We’d only had a day.

  “Still, let’s get back to the keep.”

  “But Muirenn,” Lunamae started. “You said we’d ask the emissary about Marcus.”

  “It’s not safe,” I said to her.

  “They are riding so fast.”

  I know. I didn’t want to tell her. We wouldn’t make it to the keep with my walking. But why would an emissary travel so fast? My eyes started to tear as I wondered if these would be the last minutes spent of my life and I’d never be able to see the face of my unborn child. I shuddered at the thought. I braced myself as the rider came within sight. He was obviously Kyrian, but in more than just plain robes. He was armored. Why? Perhaps to brace himself in case he came into contact with the Wuriven?

  “Milady’s,” the rider said as he came within earshot. He halted his horse next to us and for a second I thought I recognized him.

  I looked over to Lunamae who had dismounted and started to run over to the rider. “What are you doing?” I called out to her, but she completely ignored me. Instead, she grasped at the rider. A wave of astonishment rushed over me and I realized this was someone I knew—for five years.

  “Marcus,” Lunamae said breathlessly. It had been nearly two years since we had seen him and he had changed so dramatically. His shoulders were broad and his arms were sculpted in muscle. He was also darker and I realized of course he would be, not being trapped in a cell.

  “It is good to see you,” he said to her, reaching down to place a hand over her hair, stroking it gently.

  “You’re the emissary?” she asked. All the meanwhile, the way they looked at each other, it was as though I didn’t exist. Marcus dismounted, put the banner in the rest on the horse’s saddle, and brought Lunamae close—enough to kiss.

  “I couldn’t let just anyone come here.”

  “Are you an ambassador now?” she wondered softly, gazing into his eyes. “Is that why you are alone?”

  “I’m alone because I don’t trust your mother,” he admitted. Lunamae shrugged, knowing full well how her mother was. “I’m still in training to be an ambassador, although my father has been pressuring me to be a Dominar. I hoped I would meet you before her. My eyes have been longing for you.”

  Right before they kissed, which I sensed they were about to, I interrupted. “We need to get to the keep. Especially before anyone sees you two … together.”

  “You’ve been so good at keeping our secret,” Lunamae whined.

  “I, yes, but the guards who are more likely on their way here are not. Their loyalty is to your mother. My loyalty is to my husband. Fanarion first and foremost now,” I told her, pulling her away from the arms of Marcus. She reached out for him, but quickly retracted her hand as she saw the guards approaching from the bridge.

  I decided to address the guards. “Our emissary from Kyrie has arrived.” I turned to Marcus and motioned for him to join the guards along with his horse. This week should prove more than interesting.

  Chapter 14

  Coming to Pass

  Marcus stayed for more than a week. He stayed even through Mawth, and partly due to a massive snowstorm that erupted in Fwyfer. Angharad left for Bexweth, Alta, Felyn, Pinor, and Moir Awin in an attempt to try to unite the clans. She was hesitant to bring up the marriage of her daughter to a Kyrian, but her time with Marcus had made her softer, especially when she learned he knew a Dominar quite well. I could only suppose it was Marcus’ father, but I couldn’t be sure who he meant.

  It was rather empty in the keep these days. My father was act
ing chieftain while Angharad was away. I would have thought Lunamae would be upset, but she was hardly old enough to rule. She didn’t mind at all, she considered it an opportunity to spend more time with Marcus. All the while, I or Theron stayed close by as a chaperone. Sometimes we spent the time together as two pairs. I always had to warn them to keep their displays of affection minimal. Entwined arms were about as much of a touch as I would allow. I didn’t want any rumors to spread back to the chief dame that the emissary was being less than respectful towards her daughter.

  We weren’t sure how long Angharad would be gone, so we prepared ourselves for at least a few months. The clans weren’t so heavily dispersed or populated, but you could never be sure how long they each thought it proper for a guest to stay. Offending a clan was something Angharad wouldn’t want to do.

  Presently, I was in my home resting. I only had three more months until I would give birth and I was experiencing some discomfort which was mostly isolated to my back and ankles. I did notice an increase in head pain with the changing weather. Theron was off with Lunamae and Marcus and I didn’t want to bother him to make me feel better.

  During times like these, I wished I had my own copy of the Text of Illumination. I knew it would take some time for the monks to prepare a copy for me and it was not a simple request. The Text require much funding for preparation of inks, paper, gold leaf, and the time the monks would need to dedicate to it instead of other tasks required of the Creator.

  As I was strewn haphazardly in bed, one leg over the side, and my head propped up with a pillow, I heard a knock on the door. I pulled myself up from the bed and went over to it. It was not a long walk, even though our home was quite large given Theron’s status. It was a two-story house complete with thatched roofs and a wooden floor (which I delighted in as it was so much easier to clean). As our living quarters were on the second floor, I had requested he move the bed down one level so I could be closer to the eating area. Theron wasn’t too pleased with the thought of sleeping downstairs, so we came to an agreement. He made me what he called a “day” bed, which looked more like a one-person bed, with arm rests on each side and a wooden back. It was comfortable enough for the day. When he came home, he’d hold my hand which seemed to ease the pain from my back and we would walk up the stairs to our room together.

  I pulled my shawl around my shoulders and opened the door. There, standing before me, was Angharad. I gulped, wondering why she was back so quickly and without any type of announcement from the guards. Was this a deceptive work from a mage? Magic was only practiced in the southern regions where the reach of the Creator had not touched. Some women, like those who guard Harper Wood, use a sort of magic, channeled through prayer to the Creator. Miracles are what come of this magic.

  “A word, if I may?” Angharad asked me, welcoming herself inside the home. I bowed slightly, though I kept my head up a little. I was skeptical. “Do not fear niece, I am truly your aunt.”

  “There was no mention of your arrival. No sounds from the watchers,” I said to her, taking a seat on the day bed. Typically women always stood until the chief dame sat, except in cases of pregnancy or status. I qualified under both now.

  “It was not hard to send some merchants back into the city and give the guards notice of my return. I wanted to speak to you specifically and alone. I am not entirely sure of my daughter at present. I did not want her to see me with you,” the chief dame said, sitting down next to me. “You see, the journey did not take long because all of the clans had heard about it, that rhyme, and came to meet with me all at once. They are unified, or will be, if I set Lunamae to be wed. I do not take marriage lightly. I do not like using it for power or greatness. It was the way of the original kings and queens of Aelisonia, you know, when Orinda was one.” I looked at her with a puzzled expression on my face. I didn’t know what she seemed to be getting at. She seemed to understand my puzzlement from the look on my face. “My point, dear niece, is that Lunamae shall be wed. She shall be wed to a Kyrian, to one of the families in the Dominar Delegate. I want you to tell her. You’ve been more of a mother to her at times, and I think she would take the news better if it came from you. I know she has been increasingly in the company of the Kyrian emissary, but that relationship must end. It wouldn’t be proper for a bride. I have talked to the clans and Oydfyr seems to be the perfect time for the unity of our peoples. Hopefully Lunamae will have enough time to recover.”

  “Is that all?” I asked Angharad. Truthfully, I didn’t want to tell Lunamae and break her heart. It was my own fault for allowing her affections for Marcus to continue unchecked. I knew she wouldn’t take kindly to the news.

  “There is one more thing.” Angharad nodded as she stood, walking to the door. “We shall present Lunamae and her groom to each other in the arranged tradition. She shall not know who he is until he lifts the veil from her face during the ceremony. I do not wish to spend the next several months hearing my daughter complain about an ugly or old husband. She will marry as it pleases the populace. Safety and the people come first.”

  Angharad let herself out and my heart dropped. Can I imagine how I would feel in her shoes? No, I can’t. Lunamae would most assuredly gripe in fear and trembling. I decided I would let Lunamae leave the rest of her fifteen years in peace and I would tell her on the eve of her sixteenth birthday. Much preparation would be required, and they would need to begin in advance. Who would manage it all?

  I knew I would need Theron. He was my rock and could always assist with sound advice when needed. I would just have to wait until he returned home. Eclipse managed to calm my nerves down as I sat in wait, springing forward the moment he walked in the door.

  I think Eclipse had a fondness for Theron that surpassed his love for me even. Perhaps it was because Theron was a healer. The cat stretched and put its paws up on Theron’s leg, begging for a little cuddle. Theron picked him up and petted him as he walked over to me.

  “Hello, my love,” he said as he sat down and addressed me, putting the cat on his lap. I’m sure Eclipse loved that Theron actually had a lap, unlike me. “How was your day? Did you get enough rest?”

  “I tried,” I started, about to tell him about the encounter with the chief dame. I wasn’t sure whether it would be a good idea to let Theron know. Then again, I didn’t think Angharad would mind. Theron and I had no secrets between us anymore. The two secrets he did keep from me were plenty enough to last for a lifetime. “Theron, I have something important to tell you.”

  “What is it?” he asked, his eyebrows wrenched together in concern. “Is there something wrong?”

  “Not wrong, exactly,” I told him, gulping nervously. “The chief dame came to me today.”

  “She’s back?” Theron wondered in surprise. “Why were there no announcement?”

  “I am well aware. She told me her reasons,” I explained. “The issue is she wants Lunamae to be married to someone in one of the Dominar families. I don’t know whether or not she has arranged who the union will be to. I’m supposed to tell Lunamae she can’t be seen with Marcus anymore. You know how much that would devastate her. She has grown increasingly fond of him.”

  Theron lowered his head. Of course he knew how the two felt about each other. He’d been chaperoning them long enough. You’d have to be completely blind to not notice. “How are you … when will you?”

  “I think sooner rather than later would be for the best. I thought waiting until after her sixteenth birthday would be appropriate. The wedding will not take place until Oydfyr. There would be a lot of planning involved.”

  “Don’t stress yourself out with it,” Theron soothed, allowing me to rest my head on his chest as he moved Eclipse off, much to the little cat’s dismay. Theron put a shoulder around me and I calmed at his touch. “What will be, will be.”

  “I suppose it’s all up to the will of the Creator,” I said with a yawn as my eyes became increasingly more burdened. After that, to be honest, I’m not sure if Theron said any
thing else. The next time I opened my eyes it was morning and I was in my bed on the second floor, alone.

  I waddled down the stairs after waking up and getting dressed in a maternity shift. The babe I was carrying was most definitely growing outwards like one of the balls of string or yarn the children play with to make bigger and bigger. I yawned and rubbed my eyes. The smells woke me up. I could definitely tell someone was cooking below. As I got closer, I heard the clang of eating equipment and my face brightened at the sight of Theron attempting to make breakfast.

  “Oh no, you’re not supposed to be up,” he said, turning around to catch my eye and blushing. “I was going to give this to you in bed.”

  “It’s the thought that counts,” I said with a smile. He was crouched over the fireplace, a cast iron skillet was on the spit, and I could see some eggs on it along with sliced potatoes. I sniffed the air once again. Not only did my stomach growl in anticipation, but I felt the babe within move. “Our addition seems to like what you’re doing.”

  “I hope you will like it,” Theron told me as he stirred the contents around in the pan. “I added some garlic to it for your heart’s health, and a little pepper. The pepper I bought off a Chalosian merchant. I wish we could grow it up here, but it’s too cold. Maybe I can talk to my father about trying to grow it in Fanarion. The sea air might have some effect on it.”

  “You’re rambling,” I said, giggling. Theron sighed as he gathered two plates and scooped out the contents of the skillet onto each and I sat down at the table.

  “You know, if you wanted to come downstairs you should have said something to me. I would have been happy to help you down.” He handed me a laden plate and offered me a utensil. I took it and prodded the food hesitantly. It smelled good, but garlic and pepper? It was a combination I had never considered experimenting with. Then again, Theron was the apothecary. It served him well to experiment with different concoctions.