The Serf and the Soldier

by Holly Law

  “An interesting twist?” Elara asked confused as he led her inside.

  “I suspect Rushal intendeds to claim her—take her as his bride. That could be the only reason for his insistence I decide what to do with her.”

  “But he barely knows her!” Elara objected.

  “You forget what I had told you before. Rushal knows what he is doing.” Corden gestured her into his room. “There is a dress waiting for you in the closet, but as before I suspect you wish to bathe first. I will send for Justi to have her help you when you are finished.”

  Elara felt uncomfortably beautiful in the dress Corden provided for her. She was consciously aware that Justi was taking more care with her appearance than she had the last time. Elara suspected the reason, but didn't work up the courage to ask until her hair was mostly done. “Why such the fuss?” Elara asked her.

  “You're not accustomed to the Corscans yet. Corden didn't mention it I suspect because he didn't want to frighten you. He means to marry you tonight,” Justi told her with a grin. “The soldiers have been in a buzz all day about it. The feast afterwards is going to be the most spectacular thing I've ever seen.”

  “He certainly moves fast,” Elara commented, feeling very nervous. “How did he manage this?”

  “He sent a soldier ahead when you met up with them. The dress was ordered before you left though. He had some very interesting orders concerning you in place I hear.”

  “What orders?”

  “I believe he left orders that when your village was brought under Corscan control you were to be brought to him as a prisoner—as his intended bride by previous claim—even if he had already returned to Corsca. He never voiced the thought aloud, but it was a widely held opinion that he intended to marry you even if it violated Corscan culture.”

  “But he told me he wouldn't do that.”

  “I don't know Corscans inside and out yet, but I suspect it was something he couldn't voice aloud for fear of repercussions. He had to keep his intentions silent.”

  “When is this wedding supposed to take place?”

  “Not for another two hours. Just enough time to get you and him ready.”

  The process of getting her ready continued and Justi worked tirelessly. It was in the last hour of preparation when Lady Elisa joined them. She looked pale and her eyes were slightly wide. She was dressed finely however, and there was no hint in her appearance that she had ever spent time as a prisoner.

  “Are you alright, my lady?” Elara asked her at once.

  “I…I was sent to help you get ready,” Lady Elisa informed her. “And yes, I am alright.”

  “I'm just putting the finishing touches on her,” Justi told her. “Fix anything that you see needs fixing.” Justi laughed as Elara watched Elisa confused. “Someone was just married and didn't know it was coming.”

  Lady Elisa flushed in embarrassment. “Yes,” Lady Elisa muttered.

  “To Rushal?” Elara asked. Lady Elisa nodded silently. “When did that happen? Last I knew, Corden still needed to talk to you first.”

  “About an hour ago,” Lady Elisa informed her.

  “That didn't take long,” Elara blinked surprised.

  “The fate of the prisoner bride,” Justi said rolling her eyes. “The weddings are quick and simple in those cases. If the bride adjusts well there is another, more lengthy ceremony when the soldier returns to Corsca that removes the prisoner status. Don't worry, Elisa, you will find your husband to be a very considerate, well respected man. Not quite as much as Elara's soon to be husband, but undoubtedly a better catch than you could have caught on your own.”

  Lady Elisa said nothing as she helped them. She looked a bit unsteady as she worked and not necessarily happy. Elara wondered if she would have looked the same way if she hadn't initially escaped from Corden. She wondered if she would have been as happy with him if it hadn't been her choice. The thought of marrying a man she didn't know at all was a frightening one. She was still glad she had escaped from Corden, even if that had not changed her fate.

  Elara only had a few nervous minutes to wait before a knock came on the door. Justi opened it and a soldier in brightly polished armor stood on the other side. He bowed to Elara respectfully. “My lady, all is ready if your preparations are finished,” the soldier informed her. He was an older man with graying hair.

  “I am,” Elara told him and was suddenly all the more frightened. She didn't know what sort of undoable mess she was getting herself into. She couldn't understand how Corden could possibly intend to actually marry her. She still didn't understand his choice.

  “Then please come with me, my lady,” the soldier replied politely. “I am to be part of your escort to the ceremony.” The soldier led her down the stairs and outside into the street. Four more soldiers wait outside. All of them were dressed in armor that had been polished until the sun was almost blinding against it. The soldiers escorted her down several streets, their eyes were alert and some of them seemed almost nervous.

  “Why are you so nervous?” Elara asked them feeling concerned.

  The soldier who had initially gotten her answered, “There is no known threat to your safety, my lady. One of your soon to be rank is simply not normally found outside of Corsca. Lord Daliscas may travel freely throughout the world without such fear from his soldiers, but his wife, by custom, stays within the safety of Corsca. You simply do not have the protection we would like you to have out here and that violation of custom is what makes us uneasy. We wish nothing to happen to you. Be at peace, it is our custom and does not effect you.”

  Justi rolled her eyes. “Corscans and their customs,” Justi said with mock exasperation. “It's amazing they can even blow their own noses some times.” Even Lady Elisa smiled a bit at that one and one of the soldiers let out a short laugh.

  Elara found herself brought to the main government building in the city. It seemed that every Corscan soldier in the town waited outside, all their armor polished brightly. They stood in ridged lines and Elara felt intimidated by them, even with their helmets at their waists. She was led down the middle of them and into the large stone building. Elara soon found herself in a large room lined with high ranking soldiers. Rushal and another man Elara didn't recognize were waiting by the door. They held their arms out and silently Lady Elisa and Justi abandoned her to their husbands who promptly took their positions near the front of the room.

  “It is Corscan custom,” one of the soldiers escorting her informed her softly, “that the bride walk to her husband to show her willingness in the marriage and that she is willing to take the necessary steps to make their marriage successful. Go to him, my lady.”

  Elara hesitantly walked down the cleared aisle towards Corden, who she had not noticed earlier. Corden was dressed in armor, but it was not his usual armor. Instead it was far more decorative and formal seeming. It was a gleaming mix of white and silver that was duplicated nowhere else in the crowd. Corden smiled at her and he seemed genuinely happy. Elara felt even more nervous.

  As Elara approached, she noted that the designs on Corden's white clothes were a very deliberate pattern of interlocking swirls. She suspected they would have meant something to someone who was Corscan, but to her they were just another way to make her feel even less than earlier. It was not until she was standing in front of Corden that she could make herself meet his eyes.

  When she finally reached him Corden took her hand and helped her the last few steps with gentle pressure. His own appearance had not been neglected in anyway. The stubble that had begun to grow during the ride to the city had been cleanly shaved and his hair trimmed. Nothing was out of place on him. He looked perfect.

  The ceremony that followed seemed to last forever and yet took no time at all. An authoritative man in official looking robes spoke through the words of the Corscan ceremony. Elara didn't know the ceremony as a Corscan woman clearly would have and Corden occasionally had to whisper instructions to her that she was thankful no one else could h
ear. She felt embarrassed by her lack of knowledge.

  Their vows were not simple and it was the only time Elara had openly heard anyone acknowledge Corden's identity. Elara had to promise not only to honor Corden, but also had to make promises to serve Corsca. The words were very foreign and at times Elara didn't know what she truly promised. The man accepted the vows and then informed Corden they were married and he may kiss her.

  Elara hadn't been entirely prepared for that moment. Corden did not hesitate and Elara blushed fiercely at the touch of his lips against hers. She was not deaf to the cheering that followed and was even more embarrassed because of it.

  Corden showed her down the aisle then and the rest of the room seemed to follow. “You look beautiful,” Corden murmured in her ear and kissed her cheek. Elara blushed again and Corden smiled at her. “I hope you don't mind that I intend to put some more meat on those ribs of yours.”

  “You mean I'll be eating a lot?”

  “Until you're full or more,” Corden grinned at her. Soon they were outside and the soldiers applauded them. Elara would have rather hid than be the center of so much attention. Corden wasn't affected by it in the least. He led her through the rows of soldiers and soon the soldiers joined the rest who were following them. “Your brother arrived about half an hour ago.”

  “He did?” Elara asked startled. “That was fast.”

  “Apparently he didn't feel safe falling asleep near Viora so he kept moving. He's exhausted but he will celebrate with us tonight.”

  After a few minutes of walking, they arrived in the town center. In the time since Elara had passed through it on her way to the wedding, it had been transformed. Fall flowers hung from the buildings by colorful ribbons. Tables filled the empty spaces and most were crammed full of chairs. Corden led her to the table with the least number of chairs and sat her down.

  The tables were all quickly filled with people who were laughing and talking. Before people began to eat a series of toasts happened. Elara wanted to hide all the more. Corden grinned at some of them, his soldiers clearly knew him well. Rushal tried to embarrass him a bit and Corden only laughed.

  Corden whispered in her ear as he sat down, “Relax, it is done. Enjoy yourself, Elara Daliscas.”

  “Easier said than done,” Elara replied.

  “Undoubtedly, but I would like to see you enjoy yourself. We do not normally make such a big deal of weddings outside of Corsca, but I arranged it for your sake.”

  Large plates of food were carried out and placed on the tables before everyone. Elara found that Corden and her were served first. Corden began filling his own plate and Elara could only look at the food. She had never seen so much food before in her life and, on top of that, she didn't recognize any of it. She could smell the unusual combinations of spices and herbs, but could not place them.

  “Eat, Elara,” Corden urged her. “There is plenty and you will want to enjoy it while it is still hot.”

  “I don't even recognize what this food is, Corden.”

  Corden laughed then. “How thoughtless! I should have ordered a few local dishes for your sake. Here, let me give you a few bits to try.” Corden took her plate and filled it with a bit of everything before placing it in front of her once more. He pointed to an interesting looking cut of beef. “That is one of my favorites. Try it and tell me what you think.”

  Elara hesitantly took a bite of the foreign tasting beef. She had had anything quite like it before, but thinking about it, she had rarely had any beef at all in her life. The seasonings were amazing and she had never imagine food could taste so good. Corden watched her with an amused look. “Well?” he asked her.

  “I think it is the best thing I have ever tasted.”

  Corden grinned. “Then at least I know I can feed you one thing you will like.”

  Elara tried something else and found it equally as good. “I don't think you'll have to worry about feeding me,” she assured him.

  “That's good, and I won't even mind if you plump up a bit.”

  “And I don't have to cook?”

  “You never have to cook again.”

  “You're sure?”

  Corden kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear. “Elara, back home there is a kitchen more than three times the size of your house that is filled with cooks and their helpers. You don't have to cook and you do not have to clean.”

  “Why would you have so many cooks?” Elara asked confused.

  “I have many guests and many servants. They all need to be fed and they do not have time to cook for themselves.”

  “How odd.”

  “You'll get used to it. Now eat so you have the energy to dance afterwards.”

  Elara did not argue and ate more of the wonderful food. Everything was better than the last. She thought it was a good thing Corden did not mind if she became a bit more plump because with food like he was serving her it was guaranteed. Corden briefly apologized for the lack of wine and explained it was better when they were on the move and near battles to not have his soldiers' senses dulled by drink. She assured him she was fine and was enjoying the many exotic fruit juices placed before her. He thought her too easily pleased.

  Eventually, everyone had eaten their fill and some of the soldiers pulled out instruments of every kind. After a few tentative bars they took up a lively air. She found Corden pulling her out to an area cleared for dancing instantly. It was a familiar air that was commonly played in her village at weddings. She knew the steps almost without thought and was glad to find Corden could dance the spirited steps with ease. She laughed as they spun and danced the quick steps together. When that dance ended Corden insisted on another that was just as lively, but a bit different. Elara lost track of how many times they danced together, but she found she had never had so much fun in her life. They sat down briefly to rest and a few minutes later a soldier asked for permission to dance with her. Corden granted him permission at once and sent her out to dance.

  Elara danced and laughed all night. Once she even found herself dancing with her brother, whom the soldiers seemed to have accepted instantly. “The soldiers are being good to you, Lairk?” Elara asked as they danced.

  “They're being wonderful to me. They're a very friendly lot—when they're not trying to kill you. Some are trying to convince me to join up.”

  “I don't think you'd be a very good soldier.”

  “I don't know. They seem to be trained well enough before they get to see any combat.”

  “Is mother here?”

  “No,” Lairk informed her, making a face. “She hasn't made it to town yet.” The dance ended and Elara felt a light touch on her arm from behind.

  “Elara?” Corden said lightly from behind her. Elara looked back at him. He smiled. “It's late. We should retire. Tomorrow will be busy enough without being up much later tonight.” Corden looked at Lairk then and inclined his head politely. “I've been told you've been making yourself useful and welcome around town. I will want to speak with you in the morning. But you will have to excuse us for now.”

  Without another word Corden wrapped his arm around her waist and escorted her back through the tents. Elara's previous nervousness returned instantly when she realized precisely why Corden wished to retire so much earlier than everyone else.

  The Argument

  Elara opened her sleepy eyes as sunlight spilled across them. She yawned and rolled over. Soft, warm sheets of fur and cotton made her feel completely comfortable. She almost drifted back off to sleep. But movement caught her eye at once. Corden stood not far away pulling on a fresh shirt. He stretched briefly after it was on before he began pulling on his boots.

  “You're an earlier riser?” Elara asked, thinking it couldn't have been too late into the morning yet. There was not that much sun coming in through the windows.

  “Out of necessity. Too much to do,” Corden told her giving her a smile. “I suggest you get yourself dressed. We have a long journey ahead of us.”

  “We
do?” Elara asked confused.

  “Yes, we head to Corsca today with a couple of soldiers for company and protection. My time as a soldier is finished. I wish to be home.”

  “Shouldn't it have been up before now?”

  “I have been free to go home for nearly a month,” Corden agreed. “But I had my mind set on taking a wife before I returned home.”

  Elara sat up holding the warm blankets against her as she became aware of the chilly late autumn air. “Where is my dress?” she asked, glancing around for it.

  Corden went to a trunk and pulled out a new dress. “Here, I have others for you.” Elara took the dress and pulled it on, very much aware of Corden's presence. She blushed at his attention. Corden found warm socks and a pair of winter boots for her. “These should help in the weather.”

  Elara had never seen finer boots and the warm, soft inside was welcome. She pulled them on fast and Corden threw a cloak for her over a chair before he started brushing his teeth. Elara had never brushed her teeth before the previous day and still found it peculiar. But it was even more peculiar when Corden told her she would find everything she would require for herself in a box near the washbasin.

  He gestured to an ornate carved box with flowers curling around the outside. Corden had clearly used the time between their meetings to prepare for her. Elara curiously explored the box and found that inside the lid was a mirror. She quickly discovered the wonderful effort that had been put into her hair was no longer evident. She carefully took out the delicate clips that kept her hair back.

  It took very little searching in that box to find the hairbrush. It was made of brightly polished metal and inlaid in the back was the material the girls the night before had identified as ivory. The bristles were soft and looked much more inviting than the hard teeth of the ivory comb the night before—which was also in the box. Elara awkwardly worked the brush through her hair. Then almost without thought she pulled her hair back into a braid.

  Corden look at her a bit oddly. “Why do you wear your hair so plainly when there are so many beautiful things provided for you?” he asked her.