“Oh, Blanche, I’m sorry,” Anna said. Blanche stepped back as Anna drew closer.
“I don’t want your pity,” she said. “I’m just telling you how things work in the real world.”
“And is what you are doing any better?”
“Don’t be so naïve, Anna. I am just aligning myself with the winning side. Rupert will get what he wants, and by helping him, I secure my own position.”
“How can you be so cruel?”
“Cruel? The world is a cruel place. I look out for myself and no one else.”
Anna took a step away. “I’m sorry for all the terrible things you have endured, Blanche, but you are wrong about the world. Not all people are cruel. But you will never know that if you do not allow kindness into your life.” She walked over to the door that led to the bed chambers, but paused before opening it and turned to look at Blanche. “I do pity you,” she said, “but not because of the things you have endured. I pity you because you will not allow the light to shine into your dark, miserable world.”
Chapter 26
The queen was in a state of agitated excitement the following morning. She had received word from her brother that he was coming to the palace. She had not seen him since she was sent away to marry Prince Alfred, twelve years earlier. She had been a princess in her own right, coming from the land beyond the mountains, the youngest of six royal children. The previous king had died three years before, in the prime of his life, from a festering wound caused in a hunting accident, and his death had plunged the country into turmoil. He had expected to live for many more years and had not bothered to name a successor. His son, Prince Roderick, the only son to survive to adulthood, was not popular amongst the nobles of the land, who instead threw their support behind another contender. Prince Roderick’s cousin Terran was far more to the liking of the nobles – tall, swarthy and robust. He was clever, but not too clever. Ambitious, but with a sense of justice and an ear for the people. And so Terran’s supporters had taken advantage of Roderick’s grief to imprison him in his hunting lodge, until Roderick finally escaped through a window at night. He had found a ship to carry him along the coast, away from his kingdom, and ever since had been drumming up support and funds for his cause. And now he had arrived at Matilda’s court, having sent a note to his sister to meet him in the hall at eleven o’clock.
Matilda bustled around excitedly, urging her ladies to make haste with her toilette. Finally she was ready, and she set off at a brisk pace in the direction of the hall, her ladies trailing behind along the passages. She paused for a moment as they reached the hall, peeking in through the door as she smoothed her gown and patted down her hair, before entering with stately grace. Facing the entrance was a company of around fifty men, and when one of them stepped forward, his hands outstretched, Anna looked at him curiously. Prince Roderick was a small, slight man, pale and wan. His legs were thin and slightly bowed. His outstretched hands were long, with the slender fingers of an artist or musician. Anna knew he was only a few years older than Matilda, but his face was care-worn, with deep lines around his eyes and mouth. He smiled as he moved forward, his hands grasping his sister’s arms as he looked into her face.
“Matty,” he said with a smile. “It is good to see you again, my dear one.”
“Roddy.” They smiled at each other for a long moment, until Matilda turned and indicated some cushioned chairs, placed facing each other near the huge fireplace. “Let’s sit,” she said.
They sat together for a long while. Roderick told of their father and his last days. He spoke of his escape from the hunting lodge, and the storms he had endured as he traveled by sea along the coast. He talked about the foreign courts he had visited, and the route he had traversed to finally reach his sister. He spoke of his plans to regain his throne and overthrow their cousin, the usurper to the throne. He had amassed a small army, a number of whom had joined him in his journey to Alfred and Matilda’s court and now stood arrayed around the hall, listening in silence. He had been promised funds and given gold and jewels to enable his fight. And he had asked for the blessing of God and the church on his mission.
As they talked, Alfred entered the room. He had met Roderick once before, when Roderick served as an emissary to Alfred’s court, and he gave him a friendly greeting now. Matilda rose to her feet, and with a smile at her brother, gestured for her ladies to follow her from the room.
Anna trailed behind them in silence. She had slept very little the previous night and was tired. She was already a few paces back when she rounded a corner and saw Rupert coming her way. His gaze fell on her, and his eyes narrowed. She dropped her head and turned away, but he grabbed her arm as she walked past. “What game do you think you are playing?” he said, his voice low and angry. His hand was tight on her arm, and he glared down at her as he spoke.
“I’m not the one playing a game,” she said. She tugged at her arm, and his grip tightened, making her wince.
“I elevated you, then singled you out for preferment. But what do you do? Scorn what I offer and throw it in my face. Any other woman in this palace would be honored to be so noticed. But you? A commoner? You seek to destroy me.”
“What?”
“You went running to Max Brant, and he spoke to my brother this morning. The king has threatened to exile me if I come near you again.” She drew in a breath as he bent his mouth close to her ear. “Mark my words, Anna. I will not be mocked. You will reap the rewards of this treachery.” He pulled back and glared at her for a moment, before thrusting her away and marching off. There were marks on Anna’s arm where he had grabbed her, and she rubbed them distractedly as she considered Rupert’s words. Max had spoken to the king! Why had he done that?
The other women had already disappeared from view, and Anna hurried to catch up. The queen’s apartments lay in a different wing of the palace, past the exit to the courtyard and up the grand staircase. She was nearing the stairs when a voice made her glance around. Max was in the midst of a small group of women, Jane among them, laughing at some joke. Changing direction, she headed his way.
“Master Brant, I would have a word with you,” she said, stopping behind Max’s back. She saw one of the women raise her eyebrows, while another whispered something to Jane. Max stared at Jane for a long moment, before turning slowly from the group and looking Anna up and down. He turned back to the women.
“Ladies,” he said, “will you please excuse me. It would appear that I am wanted.” He grinned at Anna, who scowled back. He followed her as she walked away from the group, pausing when she stopped and turned to face him.
“Did you speak to the king?” she demanded.
Max’s smile vanished as he glanced at the group of women watching them curiously. Taking Anna by the arm, he led her to the far wall.
“I did,” he said.
“Why?”
“Why? Because the prince wants you in his bed, and will coerce you into accepting. How did you think he would react when you didn’t show up in his apartments this evening? Do you really think Rupert is the kind of man to take no for an answer? He would have forced you to do his will one way or another.”
“I would not have allowed him to! I would have made sure I was never alone with him.”
“Anna,” Max said, a note of impatience creeping into his voice, “You live under the same roof as him. Would you have avoided the hall? And the passages? You enjoy roaming the gardens and the wilderness. Would you have been content to remain indoors? And even if you did manage to avoid seeing him, there are plenty of people at the palace prepared to do his bidding. Your lack of willingness to do as he wished would only have added to the thrill of the chase.”
“Well, now he intends to make me pay. The king threatened him with exile, and he is not happy.”
“Exile, hmm? The king must have a lot of respect – or fear – for Aaron if he is willing to go that far.” Anna lifted her eyebrows in unspoken question. “I reminded him that you are under Aaron’s protec
tion, and it might be in his best interests to keep his brother’s behavior in check.”
“You should have left it alone,” she said. “Your interference has made things worse.” Max leaned closer, and she could smell the fire emanating from him.
“My interference,” he said through clenched teeth, “has saved you the anguish of being forced against your will.”
“You are so arrogant,” she hissed. “I never asked for your protection. You should have left well alone.”
“I’m being arrogant? You haven’t changed at all, Anna! Still the same foolish little girl you always were. I have saved you more times than I can remember, and you continue to look at me with disdain.” He glared down at her, and she could see the flames growing at the back of his eyes. With a low growl, he pushed himself away from the wall, and turning his back to her, he strode away, flinging open the door to the courtyard with a hand clenched into a fist.
Chapter 27
War! The word spread through the palace like wildfire. Alfred was going to the kingdom beyond the mountains to wage war against Terran, usurper to the crown and enemy to King Alfred, and reclaim the throne for the true heir to the throne, King Roderick. The fact that Terran bore no love for King Alfred and had imposed tariffs on goods coming from his kingdom only gave further weight to the case for war. Even so, Alfred, known for his caution, had not agreed easily – it had taken Roderick all of the Christmas season to convince him to join his cause. In the meantime he enjoyed Alfred’s hospitality, feasting in his hall and enjoying his entertainments. When Alfred finally agreed to lend his support to Roderick’s cause, Matilda had been thrilled. Roderick left the following morning, traveling to other realms to raise further support.
Word of the war quickly spread to the distant corners of the kingdom. Through the cold and dismal weeks of January, knights of the realm, trained soldiers with decades of fighting experience, had started gathering in the city; and in the sodden countryside beyond the palace walls, peasant soldiers and commoners were congregating, eager to share in the spoils of war.
Rupert had been dispatched to organize the inspection of the volunteers and the signing up of new recruits. Men poured into Civitas each day, and were put through their paces before being accepted into the king’s forces. Men too old to handle a sword were sent home, while boys as young as twelve were given the tasks of cleaning armor, digging latrines and running messages. Most of the new recruits had little experience with war, being farmers or craftsmen, and were assigned to the infantry – the division that led the charge into battle. They were also the division that would suffer the most losses – the pawns of the battlefield. A few brightly colored tents were erected for those fortunate enough to merit such distinction, but most of the new soldiers made makeshift shelters on the ground with branches, or whatever other materials were at hand. Meat, grains and vegetables were distributed amongst the men each day, which they prepared over fires that sent trails of smoke into the sky day and night, extending the pall that hung over the city. When darkness fell the men huddled in groups around their small fires, trying to find a little warmth in the winter chill.
Smiths set up forges within the camp, sharpening swords and axes for a small price, and making armor for those able to afford such extravagancies. The most popular items were helmets, with a red feather plume so soldiers could identify their compatriots, and something to protect the chest. Chain mail was the more sought-after option, being light and more flexible than the solid and heavy plate armor, but was also more expensive. And so each man supplied for himself what he was able. When he could not afford metal armor, leather armor would have to do; made with a thick padding beneath a layer of boiled leather, it could protect a man from an otherwise fatal blow. When a man was not practicing with his weapons, he spent his time making new ones – long pikes for the infantry; swords for the cavalry; and arrows, with metal tips and feathered ends for the archers.
A war council was convened, led by the king. Prince Rupert was appointed Army Commander, second only to the king, while a team of advisors were selected to serve on the council. Roderick had a seat on the council too, of course, along with Lord Wetherton and Lord Eastwich. Wetherton, the king’s cousin, was known as a fearless man who had served well in many battles. He had been injured in his last foray against the enemy, and was unable to fight any longer, but his military knowledge was indisputable. Eastwich, brother to the old king and uncle to the new, was a cantankerous, impatient and indecisive man; a man that Rupert regarded with barely concealed loathing. Council discussions were held in secret, for fear of a spy leaking information from the palace to the enemy, but closed doors did not stop the rumors: Eastwich had given Rupert a dressing down before the rest of the council; Rupert had called his uncle a miserable, old fool; Alfred was reluctant to push the untrained troops too soon; Wetherton was urging him to march on Terran as soon as possible. The palace was rife with speculation, but concrete plans were not forthcoming. Despite this, an air of victory pervaded the palace. For how else could it be than that Alfred’s army would defeat the foe, and return home victorious?
With each passing day, new word reached the palace of the despicable and cowardly actions of Terran. How could they not take action, people asked themselves, when Terran taxed his poor people to death? And only the hardest-hearted could fail to be moved when news of his debauchery and orgies reached the delicate ears of the civilized people at court. And when the story spread through the palace that he had given his own daughter to a dragon to feed on, no one doubted the righteous mission they were set upon. They would be failing in their Christian duty if they did not act against such an evil man.
Anna wondered what the dragons thought of the business. She had not seen Max at court since their angry exchange, but his words still smarted. He had called her a little girl, and she couldn’t blame him. She had sent him away – again – and what for? Because she was too proud to admit she needed help? Or because she was angry at the helplessness of her situation? She didn’t even know. What she did know was that, once again, she had made Max leave.
“I’ve asked the king if we may dine with him this evening,” Matilda said one afternoon. “I expect you all to accompany me.”
“Of course, my lady,” Elizabeth said.
Anna looked at the queen speculatively. She never sought out Alfred’s company unless she wanted something. Did she need a larger allowance? Anna didn’t think so. But it must be of some import for her to insist her ladies attend as well.
The king’s apartments were larger than Matilda’s, but just as lavish. A dining room led from the formal parlor, with a table that could easily seat twenty people. When the queen arrived with her ladies, they were ushered straight to the table, where footmen stood ready with jugs of wine. The queen took a seat at one end, while the ladies took places on either side. By the time the king made his appearance, followed by the chamberlain, Anna had already finished her second glass of wine. The queen looked at her husband as he entered the room, but made no comment on his tardiness.
“My lady,” he said, nodding in her direction. “This is a rare pleasure indeed.”
“Thank you, my lord,” she replied graciously, bowing her head.
“What is this about, Matty?”
“Perhaps I wished to spend an evening with My Lord Husband,” she said with a smile.
“With your ladies in attendance?” he said. The doors opened as two footmen brought in a tray of soup.
“How go the plans for the war?” she asked when the first course was removed.
The king nodded. “Well enough.”
“Will you be ready to march when the spring thaws come?”
“Yes. We already have four thousand assembled in the city, with more arriving each day. And I have been promised another two thousand by our fine noblemen. And with Roderick adding the men he has gathered, we will be a formidable force.”
“Then our chances of victory are good?”
“My dear Lady
,” he said, “victory will be ours. The astrologers say our timing is fortuitous, and the bishop has offered prayers for our success. I am quite assured that Roderick will be back on the throne before the spring is out.”
The next course was brought in, and the conversation lulled as the diners tucked into the succulent meats and tasty tarts.
“I want to accompany the army when you march,” Matilda said as she delicately wiped her mouth with a napkin. Alfred glanced at her in disbelief.
“Have you lost your mind?” he said.
Matilda looked at him steadily. “I have as much interest in reclaiming the crown for Roderick as you do,” she said, “and we both know I will be a much stronger rallying point for the people. They will fight for the sake of their princess, but perhaps not as much for a disposed or a foreign king.”
“You are crazy if you think I will allow you to come, no matter how persuasive your arguments might be,” he said.
Matilda smiled. “I think you will see the sense of what I am saying.” She glanced at the chamberlain. “What say you, My Lord Chamberlain?” she said.
He glanced between Alfred and the queen. “A lady does not belong on the battlefield,” he said.
Matilda laughed. “Oh, I don’t mean to fight! Good heavens! I just wish to observe.”
“I will lock you in the tower,” Alfred said. Matilda’s smile vanished as she leaned forward across the table.
“It would behoove you to remember whose cause you are fighting for, my lord,” she said. “What will Roderick say if he hears you have locked his sister away?”
“Do you think I care?”
“Will you care when he has regained his throne and is writing his foreign policies? You may be marching into battle with him, but you are not the only king to give him your support.”
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