The Serf and the Soldier

by Holly Law

  “Corden mentioned this man to me before,” Turbek growled. “The boy was never fond of him. Said he looked forward to Koldre making a mistake when he was king so he could get rid of him. Never fully trusted him, I think. Rumors even suggest Koldre had something to do with the last king's death. Planted the poison Princess Viora provided.”

  “No one ever found any truth in those rumors,” Arik reminded him at once.

  “No, but I know Corden suspected.”

  “Then I hope he makes a mistake soon,” Elara said vehemently.

  “There is…one other part to the rumor about you which I must ask if it is true,” Arik asked, sounding hesitant. “Rumor states you were pregnant when captured. Is that true?”

  Elara flushed. “I had discussed that with Corden, yes. But it's not certain. Not fully. I would lean towards yes, but it's too early to fully tell.”

  “What a mess this is!” Turbek said growled and banged his fist on the counter. “He's not only keeping Corden's wife from him, but potentially his child as well! She could carry the heir to the throne and that piece of filth is leaving her out here without protection.”

  “Not entirely without protection,” Arik disagreed, straightening. “It isn't our primary duty, but I will make sure there is always a soldier or two in the neighborhood to keep an eye out for her and her child, if her suspicions are true. While she is not technically royalty yet, whatever child she bares is. I would not have a prince or princess here without protection. I will make the other posts aware of her presence and the situation. We'll keep an eye out.”

  “That's very kind of you,” Vasi said, still holding Elara. Elara barely felt the arms around her. Everything was a nightmare. It couldn't be happening. It simply could not be happening. “She's welcome to stay here. At least there is always some chance Corden might get the chance to visit.”

  “That is something,” Arik agreed. “Take good care of her. If we learn anything that might help we'll pass it on.”

  “Thank you,” Turbek said. The two soldiers left looking even more grim. The others helped Elara upstairs. Elara went to her small room and cried for the rest of the day.

  Elara found the next few months to be very trying. She found little reason to enjoy herself despite the best efforts of Turbek and Vasi. Their two children often made a great deal of effort to make her smile again. She discovered quickly they all had fond memories of Corden and wished her only the best. That made things a little easier. She almost felt like she was surrounded by his family at times and she knew they felt they were. That softened some of the blow of finding out she was indeed pregnant.

  Vasi made every effort to make her enjoy that fact despite the circumstances. Elara found it hard and tried to distract herself with work. Turbek and Vasi did not allow that. They lightened her workload, and when she protested that she wasn't earning her keep they did not care. Elara knew she could not have found a better or more welcoming home and was thankful for them. Arik and Eren came by frequently to check on her, but never carried any reports that would give her hope. At least, not until near the end of her pregnancy.

  Arik came barging into the house and called for Elara at once. Elara came down the stairs as quickly as she could given her state. Elara looked at him anxiously. “Corden is in the Merchants' City. He's just wandering to see conditions of things, but I know the general area he's in,” Arik told her at once.

  “Corden is here?” Elara's eyes brightened. “Show me where!”

  “Easy,” Turbek said at once. “You shouldn't be wandering so far right now. Let me go and talk to him.”

  “I'm going,” Elara said, stubbornly. “Show me where, Arik.”

  Arik bowed to her slightly. “As you command.” Elara followed after him at a rushed waddle. Turbek came with her determined not to let her get herself in trouble. They walked several very tiring miles very quickly. Then Elara saw Corden or, more precisely, she saw Scratch first. Corden was not too far away holding the reigns of his horse while he spoke with a merchant. She barely recognized him. He was dressed in such finery that he was unfamiliar to her. Any hint of the soldier she had known was gone. He carried himself in the aloof manner of all nobility. She could not see his face, but she had no doubt it was him.

  Elara instantly moved towards him. Her path was blocked within three steps by a high ranking lord and several guards. Elara was confused at first as she looked into the unfamiliar face of the lord. He had sharp features and solid gray hair. His eyes carried authority that was not meant to be questioned. And yet Elara knew at once who it must be. “You would be Lord Koldre,” Elara said with confidence.

  “And you would be Elara,” the lord said with smile that was not false. His eyes danced with delight. “I would speak with you in private.”

  “I want to see Corden.”

  “That is completely out of the question,” Lord Koldre said, snapping his fingers. Elara found herself, Arik, and Turbek forced off the street and into an unpleasant alley. Lord Koldre looked very smug and pleased. “It would be in the best interest of all if you were to stay away from the king.”

  “Why?” Elara demanded. She had never felt so angry.

  Lord Koldre smiled at her calmly. “My dear little serf, he is a king. His marrying you was complete folly. He needs to be married to a lady who can better serve him as queen. A serf has no knowledge or talent for being such. You are beneath him. His judgment in battle was poor. He regrets it and has made no effort to find you. Do what is best for all and stay out of his sight. In a few years, you can be declared officially dead and he can remarry happily to the sort of woman he should have married in the first place.”

  “You are a liar,” Elara snapped, glaring at him.

  “And why would you think that? Have you had the misfortune to listen to the rumors that float around about me? I assure you I only have the king's best interests in mind. Those do not include you.”

  “I know you lie. He does not have poor judgment and he did not regret it.”

  “He had a moment's decision and he had to make the best of things. You do not think that's possible?”

  “I do not, particularly since we knew each other for months before he married me. He had just over three months to think about the decision. Hardly the decision of a moment. And I do listen to rumors, and I do know you block every attempt he has made to find me. You are keeping me from my husband.”

  Lord Koldre considered her for a moment. “I was unaware of your extended acquaintance. How interesting. Do yourself a favor and stay away from him or things could get messy very, very quickly.”

  “You dare to threaten the king's wife while she carries his heir?” Arik glared at the lord. “That is treason if I have ever heard it.”

  “Indeed, but how will you report it, captain?”

  “If he ever finds out you did so you'll be dead.”

  “But he won't. If you try to tell him, I'll have you killed. It's as simple as that. Do you understand?”

  “I understand you, traitor,” Arik spat at his feet.

  “Careful, captain, no one would question an order to get rid of a disrespectful captain. Now I suggest you go on your way.”

  They were left with no choice, but to leave through the other half of the alley. They walked further and further away from Corden. Elara felt worse with every step. She couldn't believe Lord Koldre would go so far. When they were out of earshot Arik and Turbek expressed similar thoughts.

  “If ever there was a man destined for the executioner's block, it's that one. When the king finds out that piece of filth will be dead and horribly so,” Arik growled.

  “I hope the boy comes to visit. I'd like to tell him a thing or two about his advisor. There must be some way around that piece of filth.”

  “There must,” Arik agreed. “Maybe a servant?”

  “They'd have to be willing to take a risk and speak out of turn.”

  “I'll have to see who I can get in touch with.”

  “Just stop,�
�� Elara said with a sob. “It's pointless. It won't happen. Corden will never know I'm alive. There is just no point.”

  “Elara…”Turbek began sounding sympathetic.

  “You can't change this, Turbek. No one can.”

  “You can't just give up like this,” Arik told her firmly. “People like Koldre don't stay in power forever. And it sounds like the king is keeping an eye on him.”

  “Things won't change. And if they do it will be long after he has remarried and won't care about me.”

  Elara said little to anyone over the next few days and ate little. That concerned everyone and Vasi even had the local midwife come to talk to her. It mattered little it turned out because only moments after the midwife left Elara found herself in labor. It wasn't a very pleasant experience, but Vasi and Turbek were there for her. The midwife came back immediately. She was assured things went smoothly, but she had always thought Corden would be there. Even in some small obscure corner of her mind she still hoped for that. After spending half the day in labor, the child was finally born.

  Feeling completely drained and exhausted, her son was placed in her arms. By the time he arrived there he too was completely exhausted and was sound asleep. He had wispy curls of black hair and a very pink complexion. He was not a small baby by any means, but he was a handsome boy. No one could have convinced Elara otherwise. She held him and cried. It was a mixture of joy and grief that completely overwhelmed her.

  “What are you going to name him?” Vasi asked her gently.

  “I don't know. Do you know if there are any names common in Corden's family? Or if there are any names he would prefer?”

  Turbek frowned from nearby. “I don't know. Corden's name is fairly common in his family, but that sort of thing gets old. I think he'd be happy with anything you decided on, but a Corscan name would probably be best. He is our prince and future king after all.”

  “I know few Corscan names. Would you name him Turbek?”

  “I would be honored, Elara,” Turbek said looking surprised, but flattered by the request. Turbek thought for several very long minutes before he spoke. “Corden used to tell Corilee and Marilee a fairy tale of sorts when they were younger. It was a story about a young boy who was separated from his family by a war. The young man struggled for years and years to find his family with never any sign or whisper of them. One day while he was searching he fell very ill with fever and was left for dead in a ditch. A local woman took him in and cared for him until he was better. The young man fell in love with the woman and desired to marry her. He told her that and she felt the same. But he could not marry her until he had found his family and had earned some money to support them. The young woman understood and promised to wait for him. The young man searched for years and years until his hair had begun to gray. Finally he found proof his family was dead. He wept for the truth and made his way back to the woman he loved empty handed. He expected that she had long given up hope. It had been more than a few years after all. But when he approached the door he found her waiting. They quickly embraced and we married soon after. The woman had remained loyal and faithful to him.”

  “A familiar story,” Elara confessed. “We told a similar one in my family, though it was a bit more personal.”

  “I thought our little prince here would deserve the name of that young man. I suspect he will search for his father most of his life, but will find happiness ultimately. The young man in the story was named Lairk. A fitting name don't you think?”

  Elara laughed lightly. Turbek looked confused by the laughter. “That's not a Corscan name. It's a Brogden name. That's my brother's name.” Turbek looked surprised by that news. “As I said we tell a similar version in my family only to us it is about my father's great grandparents. If the girl in your story is named Elara then it is the same.”

  “She was,” Turbek confessed. “This truly happened to your family?”

  “Oh yes, I spoke with my grandmother when I was a little girl. She was a very old woman by then and had briefly known them. It was a very true story and a very popular one. It was also the reason my family became serfs. Neither started as serfs, but after he had searched so long for his family he had nothing left. They were forced into it and the family remained bound ever since.”

  “What an amazing thing!” Turbek laughed. “Then I think the name is doubly appropriate for the little prince. It would have meaning to both you and Corden. He would be pleased. Devotion to duty and family was always important to Corden. Both characters embodied that to him. Though I think he always hoped to meet a girl like the one in the story. One so loyal to the one she loved and never thought of betraying him. I don't doubt why that was so important now. He is so surrounded by betrayal the thought of one so honest and trust worthy must appeal to him.”

  “Do you think knowing my name effected his choice in battle?” Elara asked frowning in thought. Her mind wandered to the first time Corden had grabbed her. She could hear her brother calling her name. She wondered if that was what had drawn Corden's attention and made up his mind to take her. That he might have thought of that story and hoped for a wife so unwaveringly loyal.

  “It might have,” Vasi confessed. “He always loved the story. And given the circumstances you probably did show some traits that would indicate similarities. He probably clung to that hope. Yes, it is a possibility.”

  “I always wondered how he could have made up his mind so fast,” Elara confessed.

  “Corden does read people well,” Turbek told her. “He was great at business. I gained many customers while he was here. He could charm the money out of a stodgy spinster with little effort. He knew what people were like in an instant and he knew whether he could trust them or not. He knew who would pay and who would try to swindle me. He could read anyone in a split second. And in such an emotionally charged situation he would be able to read you like a book.”

  Hope

  Time passed as it tended to do and Elara found herself growing used to her situation. She knew there was little to no chance she would ever get to meet Corden again. Arik continued to try to get someone near Corden when he was in the city, but Koldre stopped them every time. Once they had even sent Corilee and Marilee to Corden. Elara had watched from a distance as the two ran unconsciously up to Corden and hugged him.

  Corden had been speaking with a merchant and hadn't noticed them until their strong arms wrapped around his legs. His face had been clearly startled at first, but he laughed when he saw them. He knelt down and gave them both a hug. He spoke with them only briefly before Koldre managed to distract him from the two as guards escorted them away. Corden had looked disappointed when he looked back for the two and found they were gone. The twins hadn't gotten the chance to mention Elara to him before they were taken away and they didn't dare try it again.

  It was just a little past Lairk's second birthday when long expected news reached them. Elara had been officially pronounced dead at Koldre's urgings. Corden was free to marry again. Elara was wounded by the news, but did not cry. She did not even blink when the news was presented. She simply went back to work. She knew it would happen eventually. The next couple of years that followed were full of news of him courting various ladies. None of which lasted long.

  It was when Lairk was five years old that Elara saw a familiar face wandering the city. Elara had been shopping in the city and had been completely unprepared for the encounter. The face she saw she never expected to see again. Wandering the city arm in arm with a man whose face she couldn't see was Lady Elisa.

  “Lady Elisa!” Elara called at once in shock.

  The same shock that was in Elara's voice was clear on Lady's Elisa's face. Lady Elisa had aged only a little in the past five years and was still very much the same. Even her clothes showed that her status had not lowered. She was dressed in a fine silk dress that spoke much of her rank, as did the jewels she wore. “Elara!” Lady Elisa gasped and pulled away from the man on her arm who had turned just as startled. El
ara recognized Rushal instantly.

  Lady Elisa rushed over to Elara at once. Elara hadn't expected what followed at all. Lady Elisa caught her in a tight hug. “It is you! Oh! I can't believe it! After all these years! Rushal, can you believe who we have the good fortune to see again? Elara! Can you believe that?”

  Rushal smiled at her and the joy on his face was as genuine as the expression on Elisa's face. “You are a sight for sore eyes, Elara. Where have you been all this time? My cousin was beside himself with grief! Have you tried to contact him? Have you just arrived in the city?”

  “I have tried to contact him—for years honestly,” Elara said, shortly. “None of my efforts work. Lord Koldre blocks all my attempts and has quite bluntly told me that if I try to go near Corden he'll kill me and my son.”

  Rushal grimaced. “That does sound a bit like Lord Koldre's reputation.”

  “A bit?” Lady Elisa sniffed. “It has that snake's name written all over it. You poor dear, I wish I had known two days ago. We just visited with the king yesterday. I would have gladly carried the news to him. And your brother…oh, I wish I had known! We won't see them again for months now.”

  “And Koldre will most likely know of this conversation before we're home,” Rushal said in clear frustration.

  “Most likely,” Elara agreed.

  “But we have to try something to help,” Lady Elisa insisted. “I mean, Corden will be miserable if we don't. He's considering marrying Lady Orelia, after all, and I know he isn't that fond of her.”

  “He's thinking of marrying?” Elara faltered. She had known that news would come eventually, but she hadn't been prepared for it at that moment. Unbidden tears came to her eyes at once.

  “Oh!” Lady Elisa said at once and hugged her. “I'm sorry, Elara, I thought you would have heard.”

  “I hadn't,” Elara said with her lip trembling. “I knew it would happen someday, but…”

  “Corden always wondered,” Rushal mused sadly “if you loved him or were even fond of him. I guess you did.”