The Dragons Egg: X : My Lord: Sebeen : Draft

X

My Lord

Sebeen

                                                                                         

“Brice! Caomh!” Sebeen cried out as she dragged her mare through the forest of Meerethe, her green eyes scouring the nearby trees for any signs of her two small cousins; their high voices carrying through the forest alongside the swift clashes of their play swords.

“Come on cousin!” Caomh cried out with laughter.

“This is not funny boys! Your mother will roast me when we return home!”

“Why are you such a stuff?” Brice asked as he sprang out behind a tall ferrow tree, his green eyes, large and bright with mischief.

“I am not a stuff!” Sebeen said with arched brows and hurt eyes. “I am very liberal and considerate of our play time cousin.”

“Well then do stop groaning and come and play with us,” Brice said with square shoulders, his angular face and pointed nose in the air as he tried to master the portrayal of a confident man, an image that reminded Sebeen of her older brother, Lord Ada; the new Lord of Drae, the further most northern city of Meer, located within the great kingdom of Fiar. Brice reminded Sebeen of her brother when he was a young boy, his shoulders without burden and his eyes without worry. He was always trying to mirror his father, wishing adulthood to hurry up and claim him so that he could become a man, who like her father garnered great respect and high reverence. And yet where Ada saw greatness, Sebeen witnessed a heavy burden which hung upon her father’s shoulders like a cloak, weaved with the endless streams of duty. It saddened her to see the young and feisty Brice yearn so much to be a man, instead of enjoying his time as a child, without the burdens of adulthood or the terrible disillusion that it brought. She knew herself all too well, the disappointment faced when suddenly you are thrust into the world of reality and how the magical image of your future is so painstakingly ripped away from you, to reveal the true depths and colours of the world and its people.  Sebeen had been too keen as a young child, her eyes too driven and focused, that she found it impossible to live behind a rose tinted imagination. At the age of eleven she was betrothed the young prince Loaki of whom she had never met in her life and from that day onwards, she had been subjected to the intense programme of grooming, so that when she finally became a woman upon her name day, she would be educated in not only the required subjects of any royal person, but of the required protocol of being a wife and future mother to a family of children who may one day rule over the vast and diverse kingdoms of Meer.

Sebeen stopped wandering through the woods as she found her two small cousins playing upon the shore of Lake Meerethe. With a troubled smile, she tied up Gileth and patted down her golden mane with caring hands.

“There, rest a while,” she said under her breathe as she took out a large apple from her leather satchel and planted it down upon the moist ground below. Walking away she heard her horse munch loudly on her treat and smiled as she wrapped her thick fur cloak about her short frame. Brice and Caomh were now investigating the sandy shoreline, using the tips of their wooden swords to prick at suspicious looking objects, mainly limtim worms, which curled about under the sand beautifully. With her eyes shut lightly, Sebeen lifted her round face to the cool sun and simply stood for a brief moment, her ears alert and her hands open wide. She revelled in her mornings with her cousins, of whom she was in charge of during the day as their parents spent their time at court. She had always looked forward to the prospect of baring children with Loaki, despite his lack of attention and time. With a groan she sat down beneath a ferrow tree and leaned her back against the trunk. She had only spoken with her betrothed twice in all the years that they had been bound to one another by contract, and yet she had loved him unequivocally since their first encounter, at his mother’s burial, six years previous. He spoke only a few words to her that day, when the north mourned its Queen and with a small smile she brought forth her first memory of him. Thousands of subjects had encircled the great burial ground of Rilactha, all of them quiet and subdue as small pellets of rain fell from the grey clouds above. Sebeen had just turned twelve and Loaki who shared a birthday in the same month of Arna had just turned fifty eight moons, which at first when she had been told of their betrothal had shocked Sebeen- however when her father had explained to her that those of royal descent lived twice or sometimes three times as long as their subjects, her fears and reservations eased slightly, never truly dissipating- just existing within the realm of her psyche, sometimes hurling to the forefront of her mind when she found herself alone and deep in thought. But as she stood huddled against her own mother, Sebeen observed not a young man like her older brother Ada, but a grown up man, whose pale blue eyes where wiser and older than he. He was tall and against his elder two brothers, who both looked formidable and strong, he stood gentle and soft. She fell in love with him and still remembered the moment; a delicate bud of rain fell upon the tip of her nose; her tense hands lifted themselves and reached out to the forlorn prince; her heart thudded so rapidly that she felt the tremor ripple around her body, touching the tips of her fingers and toes; and she stood taller, sending a promise to the gods above- that she would forever stand by the prince and love him eternally.

Looking back now, Sebeen wondered if she had deceived herself into loving her betrothed simply because she had no choice, or had she truly and without taint, given herself to him with all the innocence and naivety that a young woman bore. Feeling her body lean back against a tall ferrow tree, Sebeen summoned their first conversation from her memory and blocked out the external noise of her cousins who were now skimming stones across the waters of the lake. The fires of Rilactha had been stirred to life and a great and ancient song of mourning came forth from the mouths of those who stood beside her. It was beautiful, sad and haunting. She remembered the words as though they had been carved upon her soul that day, when her life had changed in the gentlest way.

Tra lu beath, na span la nath,

Tree of life, sprung from the earth,

Dun for lei un ga thun barr,

Brings forth light and gives birth,

Tu la murring sta un la gillars mun.

To the morning star and the gillars moon.

Surtha rip un ban na gla,

Softly ripen and burst with glee,

A fa tu greand fur la leave un tra.

A fall to grand for the leaf and tree.

Na ray lu warth un dearr mar ban geur,

With rays of warmth and beams so bright,

Er creath tu lu lyrac lu la raeth sagin.

I sway to the lyrics of the seasons delight.

Tull la dai nuthan un la nacht burthan,

Till the days shorten and the nights lengthen,

Un la goth lu la nath auld a falhb.

And the winds of the north herald me forth.

Er cadear tu la stas un tu la beath;

I whisper to the stars and to the trees;

Thut er hall dialurch cur er ne calth tu tha.

That I shall return whence I am called to thee. 

A sudden silence fell upon the crowd as the song drew to an end. Quiet and in contemplation, the Meerin subjects gathered into a civilised queue, each of them offering the royal family their condolences, with a simply nod and firm grasp of hand. Sebeen stood behind her father and brother and awaited her turn patiently, whilst untying her small necklace from about her neck. It wasn’t much, just a small golden chain decorated with a simple green leaf, given to her as a present upon her birth day. When finally she had unchained the necklace from her neck, she grasped it in her small hand and drew courage. When at last, she and her family came before the royal family, she stood quietly as her parents and brother spoke with the princes kindly. Standing, her feet wet and her body shivering, she gazed at her betrothed, who stood away from his family, simply gazing upon the circular tomb stone before him.  With a vivid wave of courage, she stepped away from her mother and came to stand behind him, his tall form clad in a heavy cloak. Agony and frustration bite at her as she tried to summon words from her mouth, but found to her great shame that she had none. All previous thoughts and imaginative conversations simply vanished from her mind and she was left with an aching need to simply disappear. Her head falling, she turned about to leave.

“My lady?” came a quiet voice, light and gentle. Sebeen stopped in her tracks and turned her bright green eyes to Loaki; her lips shaking with fear.

“My…my lord,” Sebeen burst out, as she fell into a royal bow before him. With her eyes glued to the muddy ground below, she knew not what to do with her mouth and body and felt all of her still. Then a cold hand fell upon her chin and drew her head up and she was struck by the pain in his ice blue eyes; a pain not hidden like his brothers, instead his eyes seemed to be drowning in unspoken misery. Without a thought she stepped forward and felt her brows arch with pity as her head fell to the side slightly, her eyes searching his sullen face.

“You seem to have fallen out of place with the rest of your family…” Loaki said with a kindly smile.

“No my lord, I…I came over to seek you out,” Sebeen stuttered pathetically, large drops of rain soaking her plain face and running down her neck like an uncontrollable river that refused to soften. With a shaking left hand, she quickly rubbed at her face and eyes in particular.

“You wished to seek me out?” Loaki replied with one raised brow, slightly taken back by her words.

“I wanted to give you this as a token of my friendship,” Sebeen said as she held out her right hand and gently drew her bent fingers from her palm, revealing to a confused Loaki, her small necklace which glimmered despite the lack of sunlight.

“Why ever for?” Loaki said suddenly with concern.

“So that it may bring you comfort when you feel pain,” Sebeen whispered, her hand now raised higher and her eyes gently pleading with him to accept her small and insignificant gift. “It is supposed to represent a leaf from the tree of life. My mother told me that we are to wear such a leaf, so that our spirits and hearts are protected from pain.” She could feel him observe her keenly as she stood before him, small and naive, a mere child in his eyes. With a ray of warmth, Loaki grasped her small hand within his own strong hands and bent down before her, his knees falling upon the muddy ground. Sebeen now looked directly into his face, gently shielded by his hooded cloak, strands of his blonde locks flittering about in the wind. She suddenly felt small and silly as he drew her hand back towards her chest kindly.

“I would rather you wear such a pendant, for it would bring me such a comfort, knowing that your kind heart will be forever protected from the pains of this life,” Loaki said softly, his hands still woven about her own. Sebeen opened her mouth to speak but stopped as he shook his head. “Can you do that for me?”

“But I wish to ease your pain my lord,” Sebeen said quietly, her small hand shivering within his.

“Don’t you see,” Loaki smiled, the lines about his eyes lifting in a gentle curve. “As you wish to ease my sufferings, I wish to ease your own my lady. And knowing that you would wear such a pendant on behalf of my wishes will act as not only assurance of your comfort but as a shield against my own discomfort.”

“Truly my lord?”

“Truly my lady.” Loaki returned with a firm nod as he steadily rose to his full height once more. Sebeen felt her eyelashes quickly bounce against her skin as she tried to find meaning beneath his words. “Now come, I will return you to your mother before she becomes distressed.” With a stirred heart, Sebeen allowed her betrothed to return her to her mother and was surprised when the prince kissed her forehead kindly, before turning and walking away.

Drawing in the sweet crisp air about her, Sebeen opened her eyes and cherished the thought once again before storing it away safely within the chambers of her heart. She shuffled about slightly, her legs a little numb against the roots of the tree. Content that her two young cousins where safely positioned away from the water’s edge, she allowed her eyes to close once again, her mind traveling to the second memory of her betrothed. She let her hands fall upon her stomach and teased the memory forward. It had been during the festival of light that she had been introduced to the court of Meer, but a year ago, under the care of her cousin Lady Ailsa with much preparation going into her first appearance.

“When you were but a child, how soft and elegant your features where,” her cousin had sighed pitifully as she decorated Sebeen’s hair with finely jewelled flowers, stopping to gaze into the mirror before them, her head shaking slowly as though with misery. “I suppose if one is too look keenly, then they may still find traces of your soft features, buried beneath your freckles and large eyes.” Such comments were common to Sebeen and were they should have hurt, she found that they no longer did. She had been a beautiful child, but as she grew and changed, her looks had faded, leaving her plain and small in height. Such issues of image had not phased her parents who had thought her beautiful, but when they died, so did the illusion of beauty and the confidence the illusion had brought with it. Bequeathed into the hands of her cousin whilst her brother took up his new role, Sebeen had been subjected to countless conversations and comments on how plainly featured she was and how such plainness could lead to a break in her betrothal to the prince. For some time, Sebeen had suffered greatly under her cousin’s gaze and the gazes of other ladies who frowned upon her with pity in their eyes. Acutely aware of how disappointed her cousin was, Sebeen found herself unable to integrate with fellow young ladies of the court and to her cousin’s unspoken relief, stayed away from the court and the ladies and lived a quiet and isolated life, spending her time alone exploring the island of Meerin and forging a deep friendship with the animals of the island, in particular the birds of which she found loved her without judgment, despite her lack of physical beauty.

When she had entered the great hall of the palace, gowned in a red dress which to her discomfort stuck to the contours of her body, the heavy wave of conversations ceased and all eyes fell upon her and she had felt as though a thousand cleanly sharpened daggers had been directed at her, piercing and penetrating her wall of protection. Where she had secretly seen men look upon the young ladies with envy and lust, she saw only pity and discomfort in the eyes of those around her. With a strong hand upon her back, her cousin forced her through the hall until she stood before the High King.  With shaking legs and trembling hands, she bent elegantly before Ballour and awaited his response.

“My lady, welcome to my court.” Ballour said grandly as he took to his feet and came before her. “You may rise now.” Sebeen lifted her anxious gaze and instead of finding disappointment in the High King’s deep blue eyes, she found kindness and warmth. “Come, wash away your worries,” Ballour said with a generous smile as he laid his hands upon her shoulders, his thick dark brows arched with sympathy. Leaning forward closely, his thick dark hair falling about his shoulders and arms and his eyes sparkling, he said under his breathe, “We should mourn those who cannot see beneath the skin of themselves and their kindred. How sad it is that they will never witness true beauty, which lies deeply hidden. It is their lust for physical beauty that separates them from us, do not you think?”

Sebeen felt her skin flush under his gaze, feelings her cousins presence suddenly sharpen and still as thought bitten by Ballour’s comments. For herself, Sebeen had always thought the King to be distant and somewhat uncaring of the court, and so she felt for the first time in years, a sudden appreciation for his words of comfort, whether he truly meant them or not, she cared little, it was a small victory that he had given to her and she would be forever thankful. With a small smile upon her thin, pale lips she looked up into his strong face.

“Thank you my lord for your kind words.”

“Remember them when you feel cornered and outnumbered,” Ballour said with a serious tone. “Not all of my subjects are shallow, but those who are believe themselves above the rest and that is there greatest misfortune- for I see all.” Sebeen felt her lips straighten at his words and wondered what they meant, for his gaze lifted away from her and sought another. Quietly, she turned her head and followed his gaze to the large wooden doors of the hall. With her hands gently clasped before her, Sebeen found herself gazing upon Prince Galean, his betrothed- Lady Murtha and Prince Loaki, who stood behind his brother, his eyes solemn and dull. He was dressed in an elegant gown of dark blue that was beautifully decorated with silver stars. His thick ice blonde hair was gently brushed away from his face and upon his head he wore a crown of copper leaves. Lord Galean, who stood a head taller than his younger brother, was robed in a fine green gown, which was intricately stitched with golden thread. His own vivid and deep blue eyes where upon her, and his gentle smile which soothed his strong features and angular face. Upon his own thick, golden hair was a crown of golden leaves. Sebeen quickly drew her eyes away from the prince and found them settling upon the ethereal and almost unearthly looking, Lady Murtha. Lady Sebeen knew her to be a kind, gracious and warm woman, who spent a great deal of time away from court and helping vulnerable orphans in her own city of Tavan, the only city in Meer that lay beneath the earth. Tavan was called the jewel, for it was hidden within the great sea caves of the northern coast, where great jewels and diamonds adorned the walls, creating a great and beautiful light. Sebeen had as a child been told of the great caves by her father and had yearned so dearly to visit them for herself. She felt the warmth of Lady Murtha radiate from her and touch her own heart. She was tall, elegant and to Sebeen’s surprise, shy. She wore a sea green gown of the softest fabric, which gently danced about her silver clad feet. Her long, pale neck was decorated with small jewels, which sparkled and rose from her neck to her delicate face. The star encrusted jewels were cast over her beautifully arched, thin brows, only emphasising her incredibly vivid sea green eyes. Her thick, dark hair was brought back from her face and softly weaved down her back. Sebeen had seen a great many beauties within the court of Meer in the last twelve months, but never had she seen beauty as rare and precious as she had that night.

After the trumpeters had announced the arrival of the princes, they dropped their instruments and stood away. Sebeen watched on as they slowly made their way forward, bobbing their heads in the direction of the courtiers. With a rough grasp, she felt her cousin bring her away from the throne. She watched as the princes and Lady Murtha bowed before Ballour. With grace, the High King touched the foreheads of the new arrivals with his own as was custom and bade them to take their seats beside him. With a wave of his hand, the music began to play once more and the courtiers burst into conversation and dance. Feeling a little uncomfortable just standing idly upon the fringe of the dancing, Sebeen turned to her cousin.

“What happens now?” she asked in desperation. “Must we stay?”

“Of course we must stay!” Lady Ailsa whispered hotly under her breathe. “Your duty is to entice your betrothed now.”

“But how can I do that, when he barely recognised me?” Sebeen argued quietly, her eyes upon the aloof Loaki, whose own eyes were upon Lady Murtha and Lord Galean.

“You must make him notice you,” Ailsa said quickly, her quickly scanning the hall.

“How can I do that?” Sebeen said with a groan, suddenly aware now that her cousin was looking for a dance partner. “Please Ailsa, I do not dance well.”

“Well then you must practice,” Ailsa said before releasing her hand from Sebeen’s arm and waving over a young man, who had his keen eyes on Sebeen. Sebeen felt her skin burn with shame as the young lord came bounding across the hall. “Lord Gaylish, how pleasant to see you here on such an evening. I believe you have not yet made the acquaintance of my young cousin, Lady Sebeen?” The young man who had thick, red hair snorted loudly, beads of sweat forming upon his forehead as he ran his eyes over Sebeen, from head to toe, his tongue perpetrating from his mouth, wetting his dry lips. Sebeen felt nauseated to the pit of her stomach as she stood like an animal that had been brought to the market for auction.

“I…don’t believe I have had the joy my lady,” Lord Gaylish said quickly, taking Sebeen’s right hand and kissing her knuckles venomously, leaving behind a film of wet saliva, which reeked of laman. Taking back her hand quickly and rubbing away the remains of his tongue upon her gown, Sebeen searched the hall for anyone who could possibly take Lord Gaylish’s place.

“My Lady Sebeen,” a strong voice interrupted her thoughts. With wide eyes and flushed cheeks, Sebeen swung about on her feet and found herself crashing against a heavy chest. Embarrassed and in need of air, she quickly stepped back and looked up into the face of Lord Galean.

“My lord,” she said quickly, thrusting her body into an elegant if not somewhat rushed bow.

“How you have grown since we last met, all those years ago,” Lord Galean said with a pleasant smile, his blue eyes warm and understanding. “When I first laid my eyes upon you I could not hide my surprise.”

“Surprise?” Sebeen replied with a confused expression. He must have meant his surprise in finding that all her beauty had faded and left behind nothing of what had been, not a single trace of her once beautiful face.

“I find you greatly changed,” Lord Galean said as he took up her left hand and gently kissed it, leaving behind now film of saliva.

“You mean my lack of looks and stunted growth in height?” Sebeen said without thinking. Behind her she heard a gasp and instantly regretted her rash choice of words. Galean however looked down into her face and frowned, before casting his stern gaze at Lady Ailsa.

“No that was not what I was thinking, but I must inform you that I am aggrieved to know that you think of yourself in such a manner my lady,” Galean said with a serious tone. “That was not the woman with whom I set my eyes upon this night.”

“It is alright my lord, I am quite used to it now,” Sebeen said with a sympathetic smile.

“Well you must forgive me if I find myself unable to be content with your comfort in believing yourself so lacking in beauty,” Lord Galean argued as he led Sebeen away from Lady Ailsa and Lord Gaylish. “Shall we dance?”

“I am not a very good dancer my Lord, it is one of the many flaws I bare,” Sebeen said with a roll of her eyes. For some strange and irrational reason, she found herself at ease in the company of Lord Galean and found also with great surprise, that her tongue and mind had now relaxed.

“I will admit that I am not a very good dancer either my lady, but my father bids me to dance with you.”

“So you have been forced to take my hand?”

“Initially,” Galean smiled as they now joined the rest of the dancers. “But I found that out of all the young ladies here present this night that I would only wish to dance with you.”

“Are you feeling well my lord?” Sebeen enquired quickly, as she began to dance about his tall frame.

“Quite well,” Galean laughed as he clapped loudly, his eyes following her about the floor.

“Then I must admit that I find myself surprised at your words,” Sebeen said with a quick smile as she swung about and changed direction.

“I think from our little contact, that you must be without the company of good friends. Am I right?”

“I have little time for the company of the young ladies of this court my Lord,” Sebeen answered honestly, stopping at once and watching as the Lord Galean now danced about her small body.

“May I ask how it is that you spend your time?” Galean enquired as he sharply turned about.

“I like to explore the island and document the birds that live upon it,” Sebeen answered as she clapped loudly, her feet tapping against the ground to the beats of the music.

“So you are a bird watcher? How interesting.”

“You must think that I am a bore,” Sebeen said loudly as the music grew louder.

“No, in fact I think you quite the opposite. I am a great lover of birds myself.”

“Really?” Sebeen said with a surprised smile as she and the lord Galean now took one another’s hands and turned about together.

“Really, I have not much time or patience for matters of court, truth be told I find it boring,” Galean said with a smirk. “And so when I am not locked up in my library reading or writing letters, I also like to explore the island and of course my own kingdom.” As the couple slowed into a gentle dance, Sebeen caught a glimpse of the thrones and found Prince Loaki and Lady Murtha to be missing. Her heart suddenly pained, she let out a sigh. “My lady, are you alright?”

“Yes.”

“Then why do you frown?”

“It is nothing my lord,” Sebeen said with a forced smile. “I was just wondering if the black tip can also be seen in Dulthe during the winter months.”

“I saw a black tip a few years ago, it was sitting perched upon my window,” Galean said with a glazed gaze. “I thought myself so very lucky to have been so close to a bird so rare that only a handful of bird watchers have ever witnessed one.”

“How incredible!” Sebeen gushed furiously. “I have always wished to see a black tip, but have only ever laid my eyes upon small paintings of them in books.”

“I am sure that you will see one someday,” Galean said with a glint of kindness in his eyes as the dance drew to an end. “Shall we walk a while in the gardens?”

“Yes please, it is quite stifling in here and warm, despite it being winter,” Sebeen returned as she allowed Galean to bring her arm into his own.

“Good, I wish to show you something that I collected a few years ago,” Lord Galean returned as he directed them away from the hall and towards the great glass doors which led out onto the expansive palace gardens. “If you would like?”

“Now I am too curious to refuse,” Sebeen laughed as she followed Galean through the beautiful arched doors and out onto the gardens, now alight with great torches of fire.

“Wait here a moment, whilst I find you a cloak to keep you warm,” Galean said quickly as he released his arm from her own and turned upon his feet. With her hands, hidden within the pockets of her gown, she found her necklace and clasped it within her right hand and found her feet moving onwards, despite her rationale mind protesting against such curiosity. The palace gardens were grand and beautiful, wild and untouched. The once beautiful flowers had now fallen away and what remained where the great trees of Meer, thought to be hundreds of moons old. With the clear, star filled sky above her, Sebeen felt her heart lighten, now being away from the harsh gazes of the court and out among nature, where she felt at ease. From the corners of her eyes she spotted a few couples, huddled together behind trees and smiled. A soft wind blew at the fringes of her gown and her thick locks of brown hair. Without much thought she found herself walking along a thin path, the light of the great moon guiding her steps. With her left hand she skimmed the cold leaves of the winter bushes and with her right she clutched at her necklace, her memory filled with the image of her betrothed. As she walked she heard soft voices nearby and recognised the deeper of the two as Loaki’s. With a sharp thud of her heart she stood still, her skin layered with goose bumps.

“It wasn’t my choice and neither was it yours,” he said, his soft voice laced with distress. Sebeen found her feet moving once more, this time slowly.

“It is our duty to oblige our fathers, we have always known that this day would come,” came a soft reply. Sebeen stopped moving when she found her eyes settling upon a couple, who were standing upon the edge of the great river, which wound its way about the palace gardens. Suddenly the coldness of the wind grappled at her body as she struggled to draw breathe.

“I cannot marry a woman I do not care for, let alone love,” Loaki went on, his hands upon Lady Murtha’s face, their foreheads inching closer to one another.

“Loaki, we have been blessed to have had these years together, and she is not like the other women, she is a worthy winner of your hand,” Lady Murtha murmured, hr tears glistening against the flooding light of the moon, which reflected against the tiny jewel encrusted stars upon her neck and face. “If I could choose any woman for you to marry it would be her. She is gentle and patient, and does not see the world with the same eyes as most other young ladies of the court. She will make you happy.”

“I don’t want to marry a child!” Loaki thundered, causing Sebeen to shake, never thus before seeing her betrothed in such a temper. “Her head is filled with naive assumptions of our betrothal, she is no different to the other women, only in that she has no friends and lacks in beauty.”

“I cannot believe I am hearing such words come forth from your mouth!” Murtha said hotly, pulling herself away from the prince and turning her body away from him. Sebeen felt the illusion that she had carried with her from their first meeting fall away, revealing a dark and unyielding world, filled with lies, treachery and betrayal. “Beauty cannot only be found in our physical make up, it lies deep beneath the skin. By your assumption I can assume that you love me because I am beautiful?”

“That it not what I mean Murtha,” Loaki pleaded as he reached out to the lady. “I only mean that one should love their wife both physically and mentally. I know that may sound shallow to your ears, but you know it is the truth. How can I lie with a woman that I find dull and without charm? How can I bare children with her when she means nothing to me?”

“She is beautiful Loaki, I have watched her from afar since she has come to court and she sees beauty in this world that many are blinded too,” Murtha said quietly, her head bent. “You would be the most blessed of husbands to have her as your wife and companion. She is not lustful for power or position, she is lustful for all that surrounds us. Even I envy her and the women of this court envy her too, which is why they are so hateful towards her.”

“But she is not you…when I wake up next to her, I will wake up without you…”

“Loaki, we cannot undo what has been forged between our families,” Murtha said as she turned and took a hold of Loaki’s hands. “I must marry your brother and you Lady Sebeen and we must make do with our lot in this life and be content in knowing that we had these years together. We must be thankful that we have known love and that love has graced us, where it rarely graces other beings. The kingdoms of Meer are in peril, there are those within the court that plot behind your fathers back and so we must be strong and we must stand united against a wave of uncertainty that is soon to hit us. Our duty is too our people and King; we must set aside our selfish wishes and be glad in knowing that those we are betrothed too are good people with whom I am sure we will be both come to love in a way.”

Sebeen felt Murtha’s words slip away into the night, leaving behind Loaki’s words of truth.

How can I bare children with her, when she means nothing to me?

She felt her right hand open and felt as though time itself had slowed as her necklace fell from her hand and whistled through the icy air, landing upon the hard ground below. Without care she turned on her heel and ran through the trees, caring not for her cousin or the prince and caring even less on where she ended up. She meant nothing to him and the illusion of their future had been stripped from her and the truth had been revealed. She was an animal which had been auctioned off as a child without a care for her own happiness, and only a care for political position and duty. As she ran, she felt the hot tears fall from her eyes. She hated her family and she hated him.

*

“Cousin?” a light voice called out, bringing Sebeen back from her memory. “Why do you cry cousin?” Brice asked, standing before Sebeen with a confused expression upon his face. Sebeen sat up and felt the tears upon her cheeks and quickly wiped them away.

“I’m not crying dear, it is the cold air that is all,” she lied as she brought herself to her feet and smoothed out her skirts.

“Mama cries all the time when she is alone,” Brice said with a shrug.

“She does?” Sebeen asked in surprise as she walked over to Caomh, picking up several pebbles from the shore.

“Yes.”

“Why ever for?”

“Something about papa never being home,” Brice said as he plunged his wooden sword into the sand and took a few pebbles from Sebeen’s hand, skimming them across the waters.

“Oh,” Sebeen whispered as she brought Caomh to her side and handed him two pebbles.

“Why are all those great ships sailing south do you think?” Brice asked regally, his index finger pointing to a great fleet of a dozen ships, all baring the royal flag of Meer.

“I should think they are sailing south to act as a wall of defence between the island and Galgor,” Sebeen answered honestly, knowing it was futile to lie to the clever child, who took a great interest in the details of war.

“Then war is coming, yes?”

“I believe we are preparing for war yes,” Sebeen said, bringing Caomh up into her arms, his small head falling upon her shoulder in slumber.

“We will be leaving the island and journeying home to Drae?”

“I don’t know,” Sebeen answered thoughtfully, her green eyes upon the ships, her mind digesting the possibility of war within the next year. “But I think your father and my brother will wish us to return home, where we may be safe from the perils that war brings.”

“I wish I could fight like a warrior!” Brice said with a naive smile.

“I am glad you shall not be fighting,” Sebeen answered sternly. “Your life is too precious. I would not have you discard it so willingly, not unless the cause is worthy.”

“But the cause is worthy cousin, this will be a great and terrible war my father said,” Brice replied with his nose in the air. “Our kingdoms will change.”

“There is still hope,” Sebeen whisper under her breathe as she swung her heavy cloak over Caomh’s body.

“Father said that we are beyond hope and that the Gods have forsaken us.”

“I do not believe that they have,” Sebeen answered firmly, turning her eyes down to Brice. “And I would not have you believe in such nonsense.”

“You have to say that, you’re a woman.”

“And what is that supposed to mean?” Sebeen said, biting down on her bottom lip.

“Women are supposed to be the bearers of hope, they are supposed to wave away their men with the hope of return,” Brice answered bluntly, his eyes proud and unmoving. “Mama said that that is the duty of wife’s and mothers.”

“She is wrong,” Sebeen said angrily. “We women were not put upon the earth to simply act as blankets for men. We are more than beacons of encouragement, we are as important to this war as any man.”

“How?”

“It is not the men that ensure the fields draw crops when they are away fighting; tis not the men that nurture the children of future generations, it is us women. The Gods gave us a great responsibility and without us, men would return from war and find themselves at sea; lost and without hope.”

“Men are brave; men save women and fight wars in order to protect the future generations.”

“You know what Brice, you are just too stubborn and clever to admit to defeat,” Sebeen smiled, hiding her annoyance. “Come we must return before the sun sets.”

“But I don’t want to go home yet,” Brice groaned, his childish ways coming to the forefront once more, a comfort of which Sebeen wished would never fade.

“I don’t make the rules, your mother does. Now come.”

Together, the trio, all saddled upon the one horse made their way back through the forest and followed the great river north until they laid their eyes on the great river houses of Meer. The houses were gifted to the noble families of the court and were each of varying shape and design, mostly being round houses or tree houses of great proportions that wound there way about the great and ancient ferrow trees. Several beautiful and old bridges lined the wide river, enabling Sebeen and her cousins to cross over onto the eastern shore, where the great roundhouse of her cousins lay, close to the palace which could be seen, standing tall and prominent upon a great hill; the palace gardens winding their way around the hill, meeting with the river beneath. The sun was beginning to set over the trees and elongated rays of red, pink and orange skimmed the forest and warmed the river houses, bathing them gently and warming the skin of those who stood outside. It did not take long for Sebeen to find the house of her cousin and when she entered the private gardens, she slowed her mare down until she came to the stables. A servant ran out to meet her, holding a torch within his left hand.

“Help me to handle them down from the horse would you?” she asked Lankin kindly. The old servant smiled and set down the torch upon the ground and helped Sebeen with the children. “Is all well within?”

“Your brother has come and awaits your presence my lady,” Lankin answered as she carried Caomh in his arms, following Sebeen and Brice as they made for the side door into the kitchens.

“I wonder what he wants…” Sebeen muttered to herself as she entered the round kitchen, a great wave of heat hitting her almost instantly from the great fire that crackled loudly. When she had handed Brice and Caomh over to Lady Ailsa, she made her way through the large roundhouse until she came to the great meeting room, of which she found her elder brother and cousin in deep discussion.

“Ada, you wished to see me?” she said aloud as she glided across the room, another great fire filling the space with a warm light and strong heat.

“Sister, good you have returned!” Ada said with a smile as he stood up from the round table and took his sister into his embrace.

“Is something amiss?” Sebeen quizzed Ada, who stood a foot taller than she; garbed in a dark navy gown, his dark black hair roughly brushed off his face. Sebeen looked up into his dark brown eyes and searched them.

“I have come baring news from the King,” Ada announced, taking his sisters hands into his own.

“Oh? Has war been declared?” Sebeen returned with a frown. “Are we to pack and ready for leaving?”

“War is certainly nearing that much is correct, but no you shall not be leaving just yet. You are in fact to prepare yourself for your name day,” Ada said with smiling eyes. “You and Loaki are to be married within the next six weeks and your union will be blessed as is custom a month before the wedding ceremony.”

“I am to be married in six weeks?” Sebeen said quietly, her hands falling away from her brother.

“This displeases you?” Ada asked with a concerned glance. Sebeen turned away from Ada and made for the fire, clasping her hands before her as she thought about her brother’s news.

“Why so soon?”

“As you know Galean has not awoken for some weeks now and the throne is in peril, what with war brewing in the west,” Ada returned with a strong voice, sharing a confused look with Lord Brennus. “As harsh as this may sound, the King is in need of an heir.”

“But he has two heirs,” Sebeen returned, her face now sweltering under the heat of the flames.

“That isn’t what I mean,” Ada said gently. “He needs to ensure that the line proceeds his sons generation and that is why you and Loaki are to be married soon.”

“So I will not be returning with you and my cousins to Drae?”

“You will when the wedding has been conducted and you are…” Ada stopped speaking, his skin flushed with embarrassment.

“And I am with child yes?” Sebeen said quietly, her eyes closed tightly.

“Yes.”

“And we are to be married here in the palace?”

“No actually, we will be travelling to Tavan for the wedding,” Ada said as he came to Sebeen and laid a hand upon her shoulder. “The high council and the King have decided that it is too dangerous to conduct matters in plain sight and therefore we should meet in secret, where the threat of being attacked is dramatically reduced. We will be moving Lord Galean too, with the plan to create the illusion that he has awoken, therefore sending Beon’s spies back to Galgor in the hope that he will hold off on declaring war, knowing that Galean is the dragon lord.”

“You think the threat of dragons will hold Beon and his allies back from declaring war?” Sebeen said quickly, turning her green eyes to Ada. “Have we not under estimated his strength enough?”

“It is the only hope that we have in being able to create more time in which to plan our defence,” Ada said with confidence. “It may not hold him off forever, but we are still not ready for an attack.”

“So that is why you have sent a fleet of ships south?”

“Yes.”

“And what if Galean should never awaken?”

“Then Loaki will be the sole heir to Meer and that is why it is important that you both be married and that you provide him with an heir,” Ada said, his brows furrowing together. “Sebeen I know that what I am saying and how it is being portrayed does not sit well with you. It places myself and the council in poor light; but there is no other option. We have exhausted all other avenues.”

“I understand brother,” Sebeen said without emotion. “I shall fulfil my duty to father and our King.”

“If there was any other way…”

“There is none,” Sebeen said with a forced smile.

“My lord Loaki is a good man, he will serve you well as a husband,” Ada lied, his brown eyes betraying his true thoughts.

“He is in love with another and thinks me dull and without beauty, so much so that the very thought of sharing a bed with me makes him feel nauseous…”

“Sebeen what you over heard…” Ada began. Sebeen lifted a hand and silenced her brother with a hardened stare.

“Shall my children be auctioned off to the highest bidder too?”

“Sebeen don’t say such things…”

“Why? It is a statement of truth is it not?”

“Take my word for it, you have done well in your match. Most women end up marrying monsters for husbands and live the rest of their lives in misery.” Ada said firmly, taking his sister by the arm. “I know that your love for Loaki is unrequited, and I am sorry for that; but take a look around you when you next go to court and you will see that behind the jealous stares of the young women, lies pain and sadness. You are one of the lucky ones Sebeen, do not forget it.”

“That is easy for you to say, you who are a man, you who can marry whomever you choose,” Sebeen said hotly as she hurled her arm out of her brother’s grasp. “What do men know of hardships beyond the field of battle and court? You sell your daughters off like sheep to the slaughter and believe you are driven by duty; when you know that it is not care or duty for your daughter that drives you, but position and power. Great shall be the day when women suddenly grow angry with contempt; great shall be the day when we stand united against submission and slavery. Men greatly underestimate our power and strength brother and so you should listen well to my words.”

“I think you are tired sister,” Ada said with kindness. “We can talk about this in the morning when you are feeling better.”

“I am not tired and I wish to talk about this now!” Sebeen shouted, her hands moulded into fists of anger.

“Sebeen, I would counsel you to phrase your next sentence very carefully,” Ada whispered under his breathe. “I will not have you speak to me thus in the presence of Brennus. Now go before I say something unkind.”

“You need not say anything unkind brother; your actions speak louder than any words that could come forth from your mouth.” Sebeen said under her breathe, her heart beating wildly with contempt. Never had she and Ada spoken so to one another; they had been close as siblings and still closer yet, despite their age and difference in lives. But she could not allow Ada to think herself submissive to his request or the request of the King, not now that she knew her betrothed’s true feelings. With a cry, she turned abruptly from the room and fled to her own, passing Ailsa, who had been glued to the door, eavesdropping. With a disgusted look upon her face, Sebeen turned from Ailsa and ran along the corridor until finally she came to her room. Entering it, she slammed the door behind her and fell upon her bed in tears. What had been once a great dream of hers; to marry the handsome and gentle prince, had now turned into a nightmare; a nightmare of which she could never free herself from and a nightmare that she could never forgive her father for, nor her brother. The truth of the matter was that she knew he was right and as yet her stomach churned with disgust and nausea, she knew that there was no way out; her fate had been sealed against her will and could not be undone.

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