by P. C. Cast
The abbot's spine straightened at CC's words, and his pale cheeks flushed suddenly red, reflecting the crimson of his robe.
"They are gifts from my benefactor, and though I would be comfortable with less opulent furnishings, it would be rude to refuse them."
"Benefactor?" CC's brows came together in confusion. "I understood that this monastery belonged to Sir Andras's mother, so wouldn't that make her a benefactress?"
The knight spoke up quickly. "The monastery belonged to my mother's family and passed through her to my father at the time of their marriage." His handsome face twisted into a superior sneer. "Women cannot own property. What is a wife's is, by right and by law, always her husband's."
"How very convenient for the husband," CC said without glancing at Andras.
"We are not here to discuss the role of husbands and wives, no matter how badly you are in need of such instruction." Abbot William's voice was sharp. "We are here to solve the problem of your behavior, Princess Undine."
"Then this will be a short visit. I know of no problem with my behavior." CC inclined her head regally. "I hope you have a nice day, Abbot William."
But before she could turn to leave the abbot's voice shot out. The hatred in it chilled CC's blood.
"You will not leave until you have my permission to do so!"
CC froze, her eyes riveted on the abbot's florid face. She thought she could actually see the veins at his temples throbbing in anger. When he continued to speak, he did so through clenched teeth.
"Your behavior has been indiscreet and inappropriate. I believe evidence will come to light that you are a danger to this monastery and to those within it."
"How could that be? By your own standards, I am nothing more than a woman, and even though I am a princess, my function ultimately will be to belong to a man. What possible danger could I represent?" CC spoke quickly, her heart hammering so loudly that she was sure everyone could hear it.
The abbot smiled slyly, like she had just unknowingly stepped into the loop of a trap.
"You are correct that alone a woman is a helpless creature, fashioned only to serve man and to bear his body and his children. But it is that very weak and seductive nature that man must guard against. Remember, it was Eve's original sin that destroyed the paradise that God had created for man!" His voice had risen until the wordman came out as a shriek. The monks at his side began to glance nervously around the room, as if looking for an escape or a hiding place. Andras was nodding his head in agreement, completely ignoring his mentor's crazed tone.
The outrage that had been simmering inside of CC for days finally boiled, and she slipped the noose of cordiality, allowing herself to truly speak her mind.
"Where I come from many of us look a little deeper into that particular Biblical story. If I remember correctly, Lucifer, who was described as God's most beautiful creation, tempted Eve. She resisted, but eventually gave in." CC shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly, but her eyes challenged the priest. "I think even the strongest among us has something by which he can be tempted, don't you Abbot? Anyway, Eve gave in to Lucifer's temptation. Then she went to Adam and offered him the fruit. And Adam basically said, 'Okay!' He chose the forbidden—no supernatural temptation, and not much resistance; he just automatically did what a woman told him to do. When you look at it logically, as I would think a man would, you come up with a much different conclusion about who committed the greater sin. At least I think most—"
"Silence!" The priest's shriek echoed off the disfigured stone walls. This time the monks literally cringed, and even Andras's eyes widened in surprise at the abbot's loss of control.
"You will not dare to speak such blasphemy in my presence. Your words are proof that you are in league with the Evil One. Since you first passed through our gates, you have brought darkness within. You shall be purged from this holy place, and by thus purging you from our midst, evil will be defeated once more." He pointed a shaking finger at the squire who hovered behind her. 'Take her to her room to await her punishment."
Terror turned her stomach, but she held her chin high and in her most imperious voice she spoke for the first time directly to the knight.
"Sir Andras, please explain to the abbot that harming me would not be your most profitable course of action."
When the abbot started to speak, Andras lay a calming hand on his arm.
"Father," he soothed. "Let us hear her out."
"I have remembered my birthright. Harm me and know that you trifle with the only daughter of King Canute, conqueror and Lord of Vikings." Her voice was strong and filled with pride.
At her proclamation, Andras's body went very still, and the florid color of the abbot's face drained away like dripping wax.
CC's smile was arrogant. "I have already sent my own message to him. The fishermen were right in part of their reports; it's too bad that they were so clouded by superstition that they did not recognize that what they sighted were my people searching for the daughter of their beloved king. Last night they found me, and it was then that my memory returned. You know yourself that you accosted me as I finished my climb from the beach." Her laughter was sharp. "Why else would I be so drawn to the waters? They are my birthright. Soon my father will come for me." The anger in CC's voice filled the room. "If you harm me, he will loose his Berserkirs and they will destroy you."
The room was silent. Andras and the abbot exchanged furtive glances.
"If your father is King Canute and his men did come for you last night, why is it you remain here?" Andras shot the question at her.
CC scoffed indignantly. "A Viking princess does not steal away in the night like a lowly servant. I sent word to my father that I had been rescued and was uninjured. I knew he would want to come for me himself so that he could reward those who treated me well."
And punish those who did not…
The unspoken words seemed to hang powerfully in the electric air around CC.
"If you don't believe me your solution is simple. Just wait. If I'm telling the truth, my father will appear to claim me, and you will be rewarded. If I'm lying, and I don't have a powerful family, no one will come for me and you can punish me to your heart's content." CC raised one eyebrow at the knight. "And something tells me that you very much need my father's reward money."
The knight and the abbot exchanged another look, and CC was relieved to observe that the priest seemed to have brought himself under control.
"We would, of course, not wish to harm the daughter of a king," Abbot William said. He glanced again at Sir Andras, who nodded briefly. "We will continue to provide you sanctuary for the amount of time it should require your father to come for you."
"No more than a fortnight," Sir Andras added.
The abbot nodded solemnly. "A fortnight it is. If King Canute has not claimed you as his own within that time, I will have no choice but to put you on trial for heresy and witchcraft."
"I agree," CC retorted.
"Until King Canute comes to Caldei, you will remain in your chamber under guard. We must be certain that no harm befalls such a valuable lady," the priest said.
CC felt panic like a brand. She was going to be locked in her room? Her heart skittered in her chest.
She met the abbot's reptilian gaze. "I am a Viking princess—I demand more freedom than that. If you lock me in my room I will tell my father that you treated me like a prisoner and not a guest. He does not reward jailers."
"Undine." Andras's tone had lost its anger and had returned to being patronizing. "Surely you will agree that your safety is of the utmost concern to us, especially in light of the proclamation of your noble blood."
"Yes—"
Andras cut her off: "Good. Then you will understand that if you choose to leave your chamber you will be accompanied at all times by an armed guard."
CC raised her chin. "Am I so dangerous?"
"You are so protected."
"Oh, do not think that I'm without protection." She narrowed her eye
s to slits and was pleased to see Andras's eyes widen in response.
"Enough, witch!" the priest spat. "We may have to tolerate your presence until your heathen father claims you, but we will not tolerate your blasphemous threats."
CC shook her head slowly side to side and gave the abbot a pitying look. "Why do you automatically assume a strong woman is evil? What happened to you to twist you into this?"
Abbot William held up a shaking hand, palm forward like he could ward off her words. "Escort the princess back to her chamber. Now!" he snarled.
Without waiting for the squire, CC turned and strode across the room. As she neared the door, Isabel made a spectacular show of cringing away from her and crossing herself. CC scoffed and made a dismissive wave in her direction. As the squire closed the door behind them, CC could hear Isabel's distinctive voice croaking, "Evil! I knew it from the first day I laid eyes on her! Evil!"
Isabel's performance made CC bite the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing as the nervous young squire led the way back to her chamber.
Chapter 24
CC wrenched open her door, startling the squire who stood guard outside.
"I want to go to the chapel, and I need help changing my clothes. Get that old servant, whatever her name is."
The squire blinked balefully at her, suddenly reminding her of a calf. She sighed. "Now! I don't have all the rest of the day to waste!" She slammed the door in his face.
"This princess stuff just gets easier and easier," she muttered to herself. His boots clinked smartly against the stone floor as he hurried down the hall, rushing to obey her command.
She paced while she waited for Isabel. She had been back in her room for hours, alone, under guard, with absolutely nothing to do except worry. She couldn't stand it anymore. Maybe if she spent time cleaning the chapel she could work off some of her tension, and if she got really lucky Gaea might even show up. The goddess certainly had been quiet lately, which was making CC more than a little uneasy.
Two theatrically hesitant knocks sounded on her door.
"Come in!" CC didn't have to pretend the frustration in her voice.
"You summoned me, Princess?" Isabel said as she limped with obvious reluctance into the room.
"Yes, yes, yes," CC said. "Hurry up and close the door. I'm going to go work in the chapel, and I need help changing."
CC saw the old woman give the squire a frightened looked before she closed the door.
As soon as they were alone Isabel hurried over to her and the women embraced.
"You were spectacular!" Isabel spoke into CC's ear as she worked loose the intricate set of laces at the back of CC's outer garment.
"You weren't half bad yourself," CC whispered back, and the two women shared a grin. "But I can't sit here any longer. I have to stay busy, and cleaning the chapel will definitely keep me busy."
"I will bring your food to the chapel. It is well past midday." Isabel shook CC's shoulders. "You have missed another meal. How will you stay strong for your lover if you do not eat?"
"You're always so wise," CC said.
"And well it is that you remember it," Isabel scolded her fondly.
"What happened after I left?" CC whispered.
Isabel's hands stilled for a moment as she collected her thoughts. "The abbot wants to destroy you. That has not changed," she spoke grimly. "It is only the knight's influence, and the fear of retribution from the Vikings that keeps him from harming you."
"It seemed like Andras believed my story."
CC could feel the old woman's nod. "He covets King Canute's money, and he still desires you, but he is not a fool. He is sending for reinforcements from Caer Llion. He worries that even if you are returned safely to the Vikings, the king will decide to sack the monastery."
"Doesn't seem that there's much here to sack," CC muttered.
"Oh, you are wrong, Undine. The monks are well known for their fine wool and their fat, tasty lamb. Also, Abbot
William has several ancient manuscripts that Brothers, specially chosen by him, meticulously copy."
"I didn't realize all that," CC said thoughtfully.
"The knight is acting wisely."
"Well, I never thought Andras was stupid, just narrow-minded."
"I agree with you," Isabel said.
"It's about time."
The old woman snorted.
''Do you have to follow me into the chapel, too!" CC asked the guard, who was walking a little behind her, carrying two buckets brimming with clean water. "I'm going to be in there working."
"I must stay with you at all times, Princess," the squire said mechanically.
"While I work I like to pray. Your presence will be interfering with my prayer time." She shot him a knowing look. "Are you married?"
Caught off guard by her question, he was too surprised not to answer. "Yes."
"Do you have any children?"
"Not yet, Princess."
"Well, in my country there is a belief that the Holy Mother can gift couples with children and can make men especially potent." She paused pointedly and let her glance drift briefly down his body before continuing. "If they please her. And, of course, she can do the opposite if they don't. I can't believe that the Holy Mother will be very pleased by you interrupting my prayer time."
"I would never want to interfere with the piety of one so devout. I will await you outside this door." The squire suddenly looked very pale.
"Thank you. I'm sure your sensitivity will be rewarded," CC said sweetly. Taking the buckets from him, she entered the dim sanctuary and breathed a sigh of relief when the door closed firmly behind her.
The laughter of the goddess greeted her.
"Oh, Daughter! Threatening that poor man with impotency. Really, I think that was somewhat harsh."
Gaea lounged on the floor in front of her statue, looking radiant in a long gown of sheer, sparkling silk the color of ripe green olives. Her hair curled around her waist and seemed to pool in a glistening carpet all around her.
The enormous sense of relief CC felt at the sight of the goddess didn't stop the sharp edge in her voice.
"I'm tired of being followed and watched and kept under guard."
Instantly, the weight of the buckets disappeared as invisible hands took them from her. They floated inches off the floor until they came to rest just where CC would have placed them herself. She smiled her gratitude at Gaea and felt her mood lighten, too.
"Thank you, Mother. That helps. And I'm sorry I snapped at you."
"It is understandable, young one," Gaea said indulgently. "So the abbot has you under guard? What has happened?"
Quickly, CC brought Gaea up-to-date on the events of the day. By the time she finished speaking the goddess's eyes were glowing with pride.
"You have done well, Daughter. You have found your way by using your own wits. I am pleased with you."
CC felt a wonderful rush of warmth at the goddess's praise.
"And I have news for you. Lir will be in these waters on the third night. There he will hear your petition and render judgment."
"But how did he sound? Did you tell him about Sarpedon and Dylan?"
"I have not spoken with the God of the Seas." Gaea tossed her hair back in irritation. "He is still embroiled in the problems of the Hawaiian deities."
"Then how do you know he's coming?" CC asked.
"I sent my messenger to him with my request that he come to us. His own messenger brought his reply just this morning." A shadow passed over the goddess's face, clouding her lovely features.
"But something's bothering you. Are you worried about what he'll decide?" CC asked nervously.
"No," Gaea said quickly. "I do not fear his judgment. Lir's wish has always been for Undine to love the waters and for her to choose to live there happily. Now he will have his wish. I do not believe that your rejection of Sarpedon's suit will change his feelings, especially after he understands that you have my full support."
"So you th
ink Lir will keep Sarpedon from going after Dylan?"
Gaea patted her hand reassuringly. "Lir knows Dylan. He knows that the merman is honorable and kind. I believe that he will honor your choice. It will, undeniably, be an uncomfortable scene when he explains to Sarpedon that you have chosen another, but the word of the God of the Seas will be obeyed—and there are many willing nymphs from which young Sarpedon may choose."
"Then why the worried look?" CC pushed.
"You begin to know me too well, Daughter," Gaea said affectionately. Then she squinted her eyes thoughtfully. "Lir's choice of messenger was unusual. I have never known him to use any messenger but one of his handpicked dolphins or selkies, and this time he chose to send a sea eel. The creature did not even appear to be very intelligent." Gaea shrugged her shoulders. "Perhaps the trouble with those barbarous island gods has been more of a strain on him than I imagined."
"So it wasn't meant as a slight to us or a sign that he's mad or anything?"
"The Lord of the Seas would not slight the Mother of the Earth or her daughter." Gaea's eyes sparkled.
"I should have known better," CC said, giving the goddess a knowing look.
"Yes, you should have." Gaea winked back at her. Then her voice sobered. "In two days this part of your life will be over, and you will forever be a creature of the sea, mated with a merman. I will only ask you once more, Daughter. Are you certain of your choice? You need not think that the only human from which you have to choose is the knight. If you ask me to intercede, I will send forth a call that many men will answer. You could have your pick of them."
CC spoke slowly when she answered the goddess, but her words were firm and her decision was clear. "I know it should seem scary to me to leave the land forever, but the water calls me, Gaea. And, yes, I know that a lot of that is because this body's true form is not human, so it continually longs for the water." CC gazed steadily into Gaea's eyes, willing her to understand. "But I don't want to give that up. I love who and what I am when I'm a mermaid. And I love Dylan. It's like I've finally found the perfect mixture of magic in my life." CC pointed in the direction of the sea. "And it's out there."
