Weaving Man: Book One of The Prophecy Series

by Tove Foss Ford

  Love,

  Katrin

  Overly Excited Royal Princess Person

  Heigh Ho, Royal Princess Person!

  Yes I’ve heard about the planned trip, and think it’s a great idea! I can’t wait to get started. What say we spend some time looking up things to do and places to see? It’ll help make the year pass quickly anyway. And not just museums and art galleries, please. I hear there’s a very extravagant Changing of the Guard at the Palace in Surelia, as well as their famous armaments museum. Now that is something I would like to see, instead of a bunch of old paintings (unless they have naked ladies in them.) I think our trip shall be the grandest ever.

  On a more serious note, yes I know the gun you speak of. Menders showed it to me one day, saying that it would be suitable for your use. Much more practical than the big pistol I carry, which Menders laughingly refers to as ‘Hand Artillery’. But once you own a gun, there’s the question of using it.

  Should the need arise I believe I would do as a soldier must and that I would fulfill my duties and obligations like a soldier should. I like to think my training would count for something towards my behavior under fire.

  I know that if your life was threatened I would do anything to protect you, killing without hesitation if need be. The same goes for any of the others who are close to me. I don’t know that I could ever do what Menders and his lot did. Compared to the thugs they call assassins nowadays, he was a craftsman, a true artisan, and always had the ability to separate himself from his emotions – so I’m told. I think I’m more the reactive type and not cut out for such things. I don’t know that I could ‘remove’ someone in that way, even someone I knew to be an enemy. I need a more obvious and immediate threat, I think. But enough of serious subjects.

  Here it’s all tiresome, marching and drilling and lectures and teaching lower classmen and more marching. We’ve had only one bright spot, quite a festival here at the term opening exercises. Villison decided it would be droll to bring a snake into temple and turn it loose during the ceremonies. There was a great riot, including Ufronia Vildsteen flapping about like a milchcow gone mad. I thought her guhzonkers were going to fly loose again and got a fit of the giggles. I ducked down quietly to snicker to my heart’s content.

  Sir strode up to where the poor little snake had wiggled, trying to get away from everyone rampaging about as if their karzis were on fire, picked it up by the tail and handed it to me to take outside, knowing I’m a hearty old country fellow and not about to scream and faint at the sight of a six inch long garter snake. Then he grabbed Villison by the neck and marched him out, while the priest, who is a million years old, deaf and blind, kept droning some awful prayer to Grahl. The little cadets from my tactics class giggled themselves sick. Am I ever glad that Menders never bothered with religious doings for either of us! What a bore.

  Villison has been sent down for several weeks. How he’s ever going to graduate, I don’t know unless Sir pushes him through just to be rid of him. His mamma is in despair, because he’s now at home and causing no end of mischief. We’re going to have to have him in your Guard because nobody else will ever employ him and the Army would just march him out and shoot him dead after a week.

  I’m ready to come home to The Shadows and get on with life. When this year is over, I’ll be Captain Hemmett and ready to defend you against all contenders.

  Meanwhile we can plan what to do abroad. Some of the fellows have already been to the places we’re going to go, and I’ll get them to recommend some things. Villison has been to Artreya and says the Three Elks Tavern is definitely one to take in.

  Write back soon, I’m tired of school!

  Love,

  Soon To Be Captain Bumpy

  ***

  “So what do you think?” Eiren asked, looking intently at Menders.

  “I think it’s a good idea and the opportunity has presented itself,” he answered. “I will miss you terribly, my love, but it’s not forever. There are vacations, and since you can go by boat, you won’t be hours on the train or unable to get back here in the winter. If this is what you wish, let’s arrange things so that you can do it.”

  Eiren sighed, not looking happy. He knew why. She was torn.

  Eiren desperately wanted her school to become accredited, which meant one of the faculty had to complete an additional year of advanced schooling. Eiren had been on the waiting list for the course, but had expected another couple of years to pass before her turn came around. She had just received a letter announcing that a last minute vacancy at the Royal Teacher’s College in Erdahn.

  Eiren had worked diligently to make her school successful and this was the logical next step. Many enquiries from potential students came to nothing because the school was not accredited. With accreditation, graduates of her school would be able to enter any university without having to go through a grueling examination process. Eiren’s ambition to accept more charity pupils depended on the school attracting students who could pay tuition.

  “Concentrate on the time you’ll be here, not the time you’ll be away,” Menders urged. “It will be a wrench for Katrin, Borsen and me, but we’ll write often and love you from afar. If you put it off until after we return from traveling, it will be two more years before you could even begin.”

  “That’s true…”

  “The sooner you go, the sooner you’ll be back,” Menders continued, repressing a terrible temptation to persuade her not to go. He didn’t want to be without her, not for so much as a day.

  Eiren breathed a sigh of relief and sat back against the headboard of her bed.

  “I’ll send my letter of acceptance.”

  “Good,” Menders replied, making himself sound hearty.

  “I know you don’t want me to go.”

  “I want you to go, but I also want you here,” he smiled, lying beside her. “But it isn’t forever, Little Bird - and you can keep an eye on Hemmett.”

  Eiren laughed. No-one needed to keep an eye on Hemmett. He was starting his final year at military school, was very much at home in Erdahn and quite a man of the world.

  “Well then, he can keep an eye on you,” Menders grinned, putting his arms around her.

  ***

  Menders took Eiren to the dock on the day she left for Erdahn. Katrin stayed behind at The Shadows. Genuinely upset, she couldn’t face a formal good-bye. It would be the first time Eiren and Katrin were separated since Eiren had come to live at the Shadows.

  “Now then, Little Bird,” Menders whispered, putting his arms around Eiren, “this isn’t goodbye, you know. Don’t find yourself a handsome suitor over there.”

  “Never!” she whispered in his ear. “You’re worth waiting for.”

  “Seems I’ve heard that before,” Menders joked bravely. “So it must be true.”

  His embrace lifted her from the ground. Then he escorted her up the gangplank, kissed her a last time on deck and hurried back ashore before he became emotional and upset her further. He waited until the boat was out of sight.

  Feeling at a loss, he drove slowly back to The Shadows.

  Lately, dissatisfaction with a recent colonial war with Artreya had led to several factions once again working to remove the Queen and her Heiresses. Menders’ network had uncovered a serious plot against Katrin’s life. Most of the schemers had been found and eliminated, but the plot was the most advanced and sophisticated Menders’ Men had exposed to date. It had involved a counterfeit summons to Court which Menders only just recognized as bogus. The intention had been to lure him to Erdahn with Katrin, so she could be murdered there.

  The plot originated with the faction that had formed around Aidelia, so eliminating all the conspirators was impossible, as that would involve eliminating Aidelia herself – something Menders didn’t dare risk. Removing Aidelia would make Katrin the Crown Princess, while costing Menders his life.

  That meant he had to live with the knowledge that Aidelia wanted Katrin dead and was working toward that
goal. As the Crown Princess, she could recruit sycophants to her cause. Taking Katrin to Erdahn at present was unthinkable and he would not leave her at The Shadows, no matter how well guarded, to go himself. At times like this, he silently raged at his inability to handle the situation in a way that would settle things, once and for all.

  Leaving the horse and phaeton at the stables, he strolled around The Shadows’ grounds. Katrin was working in the soapmaking shed, carefully ladling creamy liquid soap into large wooden molds.

  Chores and physical activity had made Katrin strong and graceful, something Menders was happy for, as tall women could often be ungainly and awkward. He had trained her to control her body since she was a tiny girl by teaching her dancing and deportment from toddlerhood. Her posture was magnificent.

  She looked up at him and smiled. Her face had matured considerably in the last year. She greatly resembled her handsome father, though the cast of her mother and grandmother, both of whom had been beautiful women before becoming coarsened by excesses, was also on her features. Her expression was usually contented but lately there was an increasing tendency to pensiveness and sometimes sadness. The realities of her life weighed on her, despite her work on the estate and at the school.

  “Are you done for the day?” Menders asked.

  “I think so. I decided to stop moping and make myself busy,” she answered. Her smile was tremulous.

  “I know,” Menders replied.

  “What I hate is that it’s my fault that you can’t just go with her!” Katrin burst out. “You’re stuck here because of me.” She turned away and glared out over the gardens.

  “Princess,” Menders responded, touching her shoulder, “that is my choice. I’m not bound here because you’re here. Most guardians of royal children don’t even live at the residences. They have their own homes on the estates or elsewhere, and hire nurses, tutors and governesses to raise the child. I chose to live with you as your father and I continue to do so. Please don’t take this on yourself.”

  “I didn’t know that,” Katrin said, turning back to him. Her face was pink with distress.

  “It is the truth. Yes, it will be very hard with Eiren being away…” He stopped, as his voice was shaking. He swallowed and then went on. “But that isn’t forever, and it won’t be long before she and Hemmett are home for Winterfest. I wish we all could have gone to Erdahn, but it simply isn’t safe for you,” he said.

  He stopped abruptly, wishing he’d bitten off his tongue.

  Katrin looked at him.

  “You mean it isn’t safe because people want to kill me,” she said bluntly.

  “Yes.”

  “Is it my family?” she asked.

  “I believe your sister may be involved. There is always some kind of plotting going on in Court circles, always some intrigue or another. We’ve kept you safe so far.”

  Katrin nodded, but tension showed in the line of her jaw. She sat down on a wooden bench.

  “Why? What have I done? I swear… I will never understand such people!” Her voice was thick with anger. “Why should people want to kill me, people I’ve done nothing to?”

  “It’s hard to make sense of such stupidity,” Menders responded after a moment. “And I know it’s small compensation to realize it’s not so much you personally, as the political threat you represent, because – “

  “I know, I know…” She covered her face with her hands and struggled to control her breathing.

  He had no words of comfort for her and that galled him. He could only wait patiently while Katrin worked through her anger. After a while she shook herself and stood, managing a small smile.

  “I’m sulking when we should be trying to make the best of things without Eiren here. For you, I mean.”

  “For all of us,” Menders corrected her.

  “I’m glad you’re here,” Katrin said suddenly.

  “And I’m glad you’re here. Now, let’s go decide how we’re going to withstand this particular drought.” He walked her toward the house.

  (47)

  Snakes in the Cellar

  My darling,

  I’m settled in and because I can’t sleep, am writing to you.

  The trip over was fine. Hemmett met me at the docks and escorted me to my lodgings. He seemed to think that he was showing me around the big city. He must forget that I lived here for three years! He promised to call for me on our mutual rest day so that he can take me around. It should be infinitely amusing and perhaps edifying.

  I hope you are well and not missing me too much.

  Why even write such a silly thing? I miss you, Katrin and Borsen terribly and I haven’t even been gone for an entire day! I know you feel the same way.

  I happened upon some of my old classmates from my years here at college. They are also studying for additional accreditation. We talked about our lives and at first I was very excited to tell them about everything. Then I remembered what I have heard you say many times: ‘Our business here is our business only.’ Despite my pride in you and Katrin and all we’ve achieved, I chose to downplay it and even gave out deliberate misinformation. No mention of Princesses, or where the Shadows really is. I think my urge for subterfuge is due to the mood here in Erdhan.

  The city seems different, not like the place I knew. The most noticeable change is the increase in industry. There are many new factories and the older ones have been converted to steam generated power. The air is heavy with sooty smoke from many boilers and furnaces.

  All this business has brought a great number of people to the city. Some neighborhoods are jammed with jobseekers and those employed at menial labor, particularly City Thrun. The affluence of the new mechanized age has not filtered down to the lower classes. Many areas are overcrowded, the people dirty and poor. The mood of the city itself has changed too. It is somber and possibly malevolent.

  I have heard open talk of dissatisfaction with the Royal Family, particularly regarding Princess Aidelia but also the Queen. There have always been dark mutterings, of course, but hearing people speaking so openly and with such hostility is disturbing. I shall busy myself with my studies and avoid all political discussion. I hope to finish as soon as possible so I can be home to you and all I love.

  I will write to Katrin tomorrow. I just wanted to talk to you a little bit.

  I love you so much.

  Your Eiren

  Dearest Little Bird,

  I was so glad to have your letter, even though you were unhappy when you wrote it. What’s this nonsense about hoping that I am not missing you? I miss you terribly, you miss me, and that’s how it should be. We’ve been so close for eleven years now.

  You have learned the art of secrecy well and I am proud that you chose to be cautious regarding what you disclose to others. I would dearly love for you to be able to proclaim your many achievements here, but you are right to be wary, considering the mood you sensed in Erdahn. Other reports I’ve received bear out the same thing.

  The growing anti-royal sentiment is worrisome, and something that can no longer be hidden from Katrin. I’ve had to make her aware of the ongoing danger of attempted assassination. It’s an end to innocence that is difficult to see and it has taken some of her bloom away.

  My contacts in Erdahn tell me that someone is ‘stirring the soup’ there, causing the mood you find so widespread. We must be diligent but cautious in our investigations, so this mystery person won’t vanish before being identified. It is damnably frustrating to do this at a remove, through other people. You may be one of my best sources of information there, my love, my other eyes and ears as it were. I know I can trust you to be cautious.

  We are trying to settle into a new routine without you, but it isn’t easy. I’ve moved back into my bedroom, as I cannot get used to being alone in your bed. Borsen and Katrin miss you so much!

  I will busy myself with the autumn estate work and with some new things for Katrin to read and do. She is very restless at present and needs occupation. Any
suggestions from you will be very welcome, because for the first time I feel somewhat at a loss to help her.

  I have put your pillow on my bed. Your perfume still clings to it. I miss you so much, my love.

  Your lover, your brother, your friend, your husband,

  Menders

  ***

  Dear Sir,

  Be aware that the matter you had seen to earlier in the year seems to have recurred. At present, we are working to contain and eliminate it, but I thought it best that you be informed, in case you wished to give further directives.

  Your other two matters are prospering. I enquired after them personally just this afternoon and was most pleased with their progress.

  Your servant,

  Ramschav

  “Damn!” Menders roared. Kaymar’s note indicated that the most recent plot against Katrin, originating in Aidelia’s shadow Court, had resurfaced. Months of work by the combined forces of Bartan’s assassins and Menders’ Men had been completely negated.

  A moment later, Franz looked round the door.

  “Trouble, my young friend?” he grinned. The grin faded as he saw Menders’ face. He came in, easing the door shut.

  “Snakes in the bloody cellar!” Menders snapped, flinging himself back in his chair.

  “Eh?”

  “That damned plot has come up again,” Menders explained as Franz settled into the chair opposite his. “It’s like snakes in the cellar. You think you get them all, but oh no, some have laid eggs and new ones hatch. We keep finding people supporting this plot and removing them, but it simply will not fade away.”