by Laura Abudo
Pearl frowned, knowing what that meant. Darius, she had to get to him. When she tried to go toward the other door he stopped.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“I need to find someone.”
“No.”
“But I…”
“Pearl,” he said, no longer the kind, mischievous look in his eye he usually held on her. “I need you. In the meeting.”
Slowly, she followed him down the dark corridor. It brightened slightly as the door to the library swayed. The page in front of the King opened the door into the war room where everyone else was waiting. A guard came to attention at the other side of the door. The entire room stood as the King entered. Pearl followed, scanning the room.
Captain Amias and Coral were over on the right with Pat, who looked distressed. Although they were no longer considered her guardians since she came of age, they were expected to be there as they had a stake in her past and future. Krisa’s father was also present. Five Siri stood to the left, Sennta and two couples, most likely the leaders of the two clans represented. Pearl had learned that the clans were those of Krisa’s mother along with the clan that had brought her to them through the outpost. Other Marshalls and guards, scribes and pages smattered the room.
Pearl stood at her usual place, behind Fredrick to his side. She stood as she normally did, emotionless, watching Fredrick and looking at people in the room. She locked eyes with Coral.
Fredrick cleared his throat and the guards at the main doors swung them shut.
“Thank you for coming, everyone. I’m sorry to say we haven’t located our shy Krisa yet, but I’m assured she is quite adept at taking care of herself.
“In our shared tradition girls come of age at fifteen years. They are free to marry. In the Siri tradition a woman has a year to make the decision whether to marry right away or join the military. After the year, the Siri elders have the responsibility to choose for her. Krisa, at sixteen, has not chosen a mate. According to the Siri she has not yet lived among them long enough to join their military. They have put forth a proposal that she marry Sennta of her mother’s clan.
“I have a contract drawn up that would solidify a bond between the nations of Danycia and Siri with the marriage of Krisa to Sennta, including a defense treaty that gives both lands security against others. We have had a strong allegiance in the past and hope to continue.”
Fredrick paused to look at Pearl. She stared at him emotionlessly. His eyes seemed to plead with her. He needed a decision. He still hadn’t made it. In that moment Pearl realized how much power she had. It was real power. Over a man who controlled everyone else. She locked eyes with Coral again. She saw in the woman’s face the recognition of the same thing.
From down the corridor ran a set of boots. Small boots. They skidded to a stop and a fist pounded on the doors. Fredrick rolled his eyes at Pearl and she grinned. He waved the guard to open the door for Darius, who then ran in shouting, “Mama, Papa!”
Fredrick pointed over to where his parents stood. Pearl’s braid was yanked back and she felt the cold sharp edge of a blade against her neck. She froze. Her heart felt like it spun out of control. Fredrick stared at the dark figure standing behind her as tears welled up in Pearl’s eyes at the pain of her hair being pulled so hard. The sound of metal swords being drawn rang throughout the room. Fredrick’s guards rushed forward but he waved them back. He didn’t move from Pearl’s side.
Next to her ear she heard a whisper, “Help me,” and tears fell onto Pearl’s shoulder. They ran inside her robe and over her breast.
Krisa. Pearl searched the people in front of her. Coral had turned Darius away from the scene. The Siri were all on their feet. Pat had come forward a few steps, pleading with Krisa silently to release Pearl. Amias.
“Captain,” she called out.
Fredrick beckoned Amias forward. He stood, fearful. Two of the people he loved most dearly in the world were at the brink of a tragedy. Krisa could not harm Pearl, she just couldn’t.
“Captain Amias Natan Filbar Doran,” Pearl said, staring him in the eyes. “Do you believe Krisa Tei Riva Sunn has strong military skills, after having bypassed guardsmen of the castle, entered the war room of the King undetected and assaulted the King’s councilor, in a room full of people?”
“Yes,” Amias said.
“And do you feel she has performed loyally toward the King, yourself and her family beyond expectations since you have known her.”
“Yes.”
“Do you feel she has the knowledge and experience required of a Danycian Marshall.”
“Yes,” he said slowly. Pearl saw the look in his eyes as he realized what she was doing. “Yes! She trained with my men for a short time, she has had six years of training with the best warriors known, and I believe she has more skill than necessary.”
“Fredrick Pol Stener Curden, King of Danycia, do you recognize that in your history with Krisa Tei Riva Sunn she has acted valiantly, skillfully and with utmost respect for you and your citizens?”
“Besides holding a knife to your throat?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said, trying to sound emotionless, but that mischievous look was back in his eyes.
“She has,” he stated, standing. “But she has a knife to your throat.”
He reached out to Krisa’s arm and pushed it down so the machete wasn’t against Pearl’s skin any longer. He took it from her.
“Captain!” the King called out. “Take Krisa Tei Riva Sunn into custody.”
“No!” Pearl cried.
Amias paused, looking at his King who nodded him forward. The last time Amias had disobeyed an order by Fredrick he was threatened with a beheading and it was a serious threat. He put his hand on Krisa’s arm and took two steps toward the main doors.
Pearl stared into the eyes of Fredrick. She said loudly, “Would it be acceptable to the Siri to take another noble daughter as the betrothed of Sennta. Would the contract still be binding?”
One of the Siri stepped forward to say, “Yes, but Krisa is part Siri, we welcome her home to her people to forge the bond.”
“It is undeniable that there is a bond between the two lands,” she told everyone, still staring into the eyes of the King. “A Siri child beheaded an evil god of the Kusira. The Siri army came to the aid of Danycia. Danycia would do the same without hesitation. The heart of Krisa Tei Riva Sunn is Siri, but it belongs to another.”
There was a murmur around the room. The Siri leader said, “We can choose another if Krisa is taking another to wed.”
“There are several young women who have come of age recently from among the nobles currently at court. I’m sure we can set up meetings with families,” she suggested. And more to Fredrick than to anyone else in the hall she added, “I would offer my own hand to Sennta in Krisa’s stead but I am no longer available.”
Fredrick studied her face thoughtfully then with that same mischievous twinkle in his eye he called out, “Captain, take her away.”
“What?” she demanded.
“On your way down to the jail take Krisa to get her new Marshall uniform. And outfit a horse for her. Leave her in a cell for a few hours so she can have some time to decide which she wants to choose.”
Krisa was led out of the war room by Amias. She stared back at Pearl until she went through the doors. Coral stepped forward. Pearl met her eyes once more. The woman turned and left, taking Darius with her. Pat stood leaning against the wall, clearly shaken.
The King cocked his head at her as though he didn’t understand what she had just told him. She turned on her heel and headed toward the dark hallway that led back to the library. She looked back at him to say, “I really want a puppy.”
Chapter 3
Decision and Indecision
When Amias returned to their suite Coral wasn’t there. The trunks weren’t there but Darius was. He was in bed. Amias breathed a sigh of relief. He had feared she left. Glory was preparing for bed also. She had heard the rumor
s circulating the castle but did not come to the Captain to question him. He looked tired.
“Where is she?” he whispered.
“She went to see them,” she said.
That wasn’t good. She tended to go only when troubled, usually about the girls. He sighed and steadied himself. He pushed himself through to the grey world as figures appeared before him. Coral stood face to face with the soothing voiced goddess. She turned to see him arrive.
“Talk to your husband,” the woman told her with a smile.
“You were right,” she told him. “They aren’t children anymore.”
He shook his head. “It kills me as much as it does you.”
“They were such sweet little girls,” she told him, tears welling up in her eyes.
“They are still. They just have adult responsibilities now.”
“Did you see what Pearl did? Did you see her sacrifice her life for Krisa?”
“Did you see Krisa almost sacrifice her life for Pat?”
Coral nodded, tears spilling over and falling into his arms. To the goddess she said, “Pearl, she’s given herself to the King to save her friend.”
She nodded serenely. “You have to trust. Pearl is wise.”
“Too wise,” Coral told her. “Always has been.”
“She had to be,” the goddess told her.
“Are they going to be okay? Really?” she asked everyone and no one in particular.
“Coral, you will always be there for them. You are family now. They hold you in their hearts forever. But you don’t have to protect them any longer.”
“They can do that themselves,” Amias told her with a nod from the goddess.
“I worry about Pearl,” Coral said. “She knows. She knows what power she has.”
“We need to trust her,” Amias told her.
“I asked before. How do I protect them from the power they’ve been given.”
The goddess smiled at her encouragingly. “The power she possesses has not been given by the Well,” she stated. “The power she has is that of being a woman.”
Coral nodded and Amias hugged her tightly. They slid back and to the side as they returned home to the castle.
From the haze around her Vunn materialized. “Why are you so damned nice to them?”
“I have no reason not to be,” she said. “They are mine.”
“They will end us.”
“You are paranoid. They want no such thing.”
“I don’t trust it.”
“You don’t trust me.”
“No, I never have,” he told her.
She ran a finger down his chest to his stomach, slipping a finger into the waistband of his stained wrap. “You hate me.”
“Yes, I do,” Vunn told Caris.
“I hate you too,” she told him, leaning close. She started to kiss him but then bit his lip painfully.
He pulled away, glowering at her. She moved off into the grey haze chuckling to herself about the power of women. Vunn followed.
Sennta had his choice of eight young women. He soon became overjoyed with one. She was so unlike Siri that it was an unlikely pairing but he grew to adore her quickly and she was swept off her feet by his charms. She was short, somewhat plump and had bright copper hair and green eyes. Her parents were thrilled. Their daughter did them a great honor to marry a Siri! Her father was a very wealthy landowner from the central region of Danycia. Her dowry was impressive and acceptable. Word was sent to Krisa still sitting in the jail after twelve hours asking if she would release Sennta from their previous contract so he could wed another. She agreed.
Pat was permitted to visit the jail. Krisa sat on a stool but didn’t look at him. And he didn’t know what to say. Finally, she said to him, “Can you send Coral to me, please.”
“Yes,” and he left to find Lady Doran.
Lady Doran was found in the gardens with Darius. They were both surprised and happy to see him.
“Krisa has asked for you,” he told her.
“Where is she?”
“In jail.”
“Still? What is she doing there?” she demanded.
“Hasn’t made a decision.”
“Why not?” she blurted. “What is wrong with that girl?”
“Can you find out?” he asked, obviously upset.
She nodded. She left Darius with Pat promising to come back for him as soon as she was done. The jail guard didn’t want to admit Coral. She was a Lady and this was no place for a Lady, but she raised a fuss and he thought better of the idea. Krisa sat on the stool in the cell. Coral ordered them to open the door and she went in.
“What’s going on?” she asked Krisa softly as she took the stool and Krisa sat cross legged on her bedroll. The girl was getting so tall their faces were almost level.
Her eyes were full of tears and she shook her head. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Well one of your options has gone away,” she told her. “Sennta has taken another. The Siri are happy and the treaty still stands. The Siri are leaving in a few days to return home. What else is bothering you?”
“Pat.”
“You love Pat.”
“Yes.”
“So what is wrong?”
“I am forced to choose between Pat and the Marshalls now,” she told her, crying more. “That is even worse.”
And she was right. From the day she hopped up on the back of a Marshall’s horse in the mud and rain, from the time she fell for Pat and had the protection of sixteen strong, good men she could look up to, she was a Marshall too. They trained her, they loved her. Kel had asked if they could train her. He knew she was meant to be a Marshall, Coral realized. But Coral knew she was meant to be with Pat. She had the visions.
“Why can’t you have both?” Coral asked.
“I am a warrior. I have no business with a big belly and little ones running around my feet.”
“He hasn’t touched you.”
Krisa shook her head and lowered it. “I’m scared.”
Coral’s heart warmed. This young woman was still a little girl. And she was afraid just like every girl is, of the unknown. And Pat, though he was a grown man, had always waited for her. Her own tears welled up at the tenderness he must have shown her.
“When there is love between a man and woman, it is natural to be together like that. It is sharing love and making the other person happy, not only physically but it loves the heart and the mind and spirit. When a man and woman truly love each other it is very special.”
“But being a wife and mother. I can’t do that.”
“Not right now,” she told her. “But later. I know you are a warrior. You are a Marshall in your heart. But you are also Pat’s life mate. You need to take him.”
The girl looked up at Coral quickly. “Take him?”
“Yes,” she laughed. “Take him! He is so unsure of himself right now he’s spinning.”
“But I can’t.”
“What would Pearl tell you to do?” Coral asked.
After a moment Krisa smiled and said, “She would tell me to grab him by the knockers and make him do what I want.”
“Exactly.”
“Did Pearl really give herself to the King for me?” she asked in a whisper. “To save me?”
“I think so.”
“She is the best sister in the world.”
Coral put her hand on Krisa’s face gently and said, “There are ways to not be a mother. But you can’t help but be a woman. You can please each other without the risk of a big belly.”
Krisa nodded. “But we aren’t married. They won’t allow me to be Marshall if I’m married.”
“Stupid rule. A man can be married,” Coral spat. She stood and called for the guard. “Please send for Marshall Pat and Pearl Doran.”
“Coral?”
“Is Pat your life mate?” she demanded.
“Yes.”
“Then we will make this happen. You get both of your choices,” she said. Then under he
r breath she grumbled, “You are a god-smiter. You have earned the right to be happy.”
It wasn’t long before Pat, wide-eyed with nervousness and Pearl, in a plain green dress, entered the jail corridor. Everyone looked at Pearl.
“Why are you in a dress?” Coral asked her.
The girl waved away the question. “Krisa, what are you still doing down here?”
“I needed time to make a decision,” she told them, blushing.
“And that’s where you come in, Pearl,” Coral said, seeing the confusion in Pearl’s face.
Krisa stood up, taller than either of the women, eye to eye with Pat. She said, “Pat, I chose you for my life-mate when I was ten years old. I didn’t ask for your heart when I came of age because I knew I already had it. But I was torn because I...I’m a god-smiter like Pearl. I am a Marshall, like you. If I marry I can’t be the warrior. I’d be a mother and a wife.”
“I won’t force you to do that,” he told her softly.
“The world is forcing her to do that,” Coral told him, then nudged Pearl. “Marry them.”
“What?” both Pearl and Pat asked turning to her.
“Wed them. No paper, no word to anyone. Just marry them. I wish you’d worn your robes.”
Krisa laughed. She was happier than Coral had seen her in a very long time.
“In the jail?” Pearl demanded.
“I wish…” Krisa started then looked around. “Where is Darius?”
“Oh, Darius!” Pearl cried out.
“He’s with the guard, I didn’t want to leave him in the gardens by himself,” Pat told them.
The boy was brought in. Pearl knelt in front of him. “Darius, it’s time we shared our secret. Can you take us all?”
He looked at Coral with guilt in his eyes. “Yes.”
The familiar feeling of losing her footing as she was dragged through to another world pulled at Coral then she stopped and steadied herself. She was home. At the Doran estate. The vineyards, the hill, the ocean. But it was different. There was no well; things seemed less defined, full of colour. There was no wind.
“Where are we?” she demanded.
