The Dragons Egg: XV : Shadow of Deceit : Sebeen : Preview

XV

Shadow of Deceit

 Sebeen

“The lady Murtha has arrived this day,” Lady Ailsa said as she worked at the hem of Sebeen’s dress, which was to be worn at the blessing ceremony which was to take place in a weeks’ time.

“I know,” Sebeen said under her breathe. Standing tall, with her long hair tied back, Sebeen felt the sickness in her stomach deepen as she again was awash with anxiety and anger. Lord Ada had left court and returned north on business, leaving Sebeen alone with her cousins, one of whom had grown rigid with her since her outburst against her brother, and the other who had grown sad for her.

“Seeing as though you have no friends within the court,” Lady Ailsa stopped her needle work and looked up at Sebeen with a sarcastic glance. “I have sought out two young ladies of the court to be your dress bearers.”

“How fortunate I am,” Sebeen replied dryly.

“Sometimes I look at you and see a young women, bright and intelligent and am comforted that I have done as your parents wished and brought you up to be an example of what a lady of the court should be, and then…” Lady Ailsa stood up, a pin in her mouth, her eyes dark and angry. “I find myself ashamed in your conduct and outlook. We have all put ourselves and our own lives on the line so that we can cater to your needs and the needs of your brother, and here you stand unmoving despite the work that I have put in to make you at least pretty and social and you care not?”

“You could lather my body in the finest jewels and still no one would look my way aunt,” Sebeen said, her body arching away from her aunt, fearful of how she may proceed.

“If you were still a child, I would have you wiped,” Lady Ailsa said darkly. “However my husband has grown fond of you and would have me killed if I so much as touched you with a whip. And so I caution you to be wise and to think yourself fortunate, for if he were not here, I would care little as to your future.”

“Do not worry aunt, the scars of the whips you so carefully punctured my skin with still burn,” Sebeen said without emotion. “I am sure my parents would be content and comforted to know that my body is now submitted to your anger for life. As to my bethrothed….well if he should deign to lower himself to touch my bare skin, he may find himself surprised by what he sees…wouldn’t you agree?”

“All young ladies are punished, I was horse whipped by my father in front of his men and look how I turned out,” Lady Ailsa said bitterly. Sebeen lifted the hem of her dress and turned from Lady Ailsa, making for the door. Opening the thick oak door, she turned her head slightly.

“My point exactly.”

Sebeen closed the door softly and ran down the corridor to her room. Once inside she slipped her body out of the lavender dress and fell upon the floor in frustration. Hot tears fell from her eyes as she lifted them to the long mirror before her. Choking back on her tears she stood up quietly and made her way to the mirror. Tears falling silently down her reddened face, Sebeen untied her underdress at her shoulders and closed her eyes as it fell from her body onto the floor, warming her feet, the rest of her naked body now encaged by the cold air. Turning, she stood with her back to the mirror and slowly opened her eyes, turning her head about so that she could see her reflection. Her long back was arched against the cold air, and with her brown eyes, she scanned the deep and protruding marks of whip lashes she had received as a young girl and woman. With her right hand, she wound it about her side until her fingers touched her marked skin. Still it hurt to touch and as she ran her fingers over her back her memory was clouded with the dark memories of the evenings in which she was subjected to the horrific punishments her aunt had prepared for her. Quickly she brought her fingers away from her back and wiped her tear stained face, bending so as to draw up her dress once more, tying the ribbons at her shoulders tightly. With haste, Sebeen went to her large travelling box and picked out a brown dress and threw it on over her. With determined hands, she untied her long hair and picked up her brush, combing the long tresses until she was satisfied. By her bed was a small table, laden with books, scrolls, ink pots and feathered quills. Picking up her satchel bag, Sebeen filled it with books, ink pots, quills and scrolls. Wiping her face once more, she lifted her cloak from her writing chair and flung it about her, tying it loosely beneath her chin. Gathering her satchel she swung it over her back and made to exit her room. It didn’t take long to find the kitchen and fill the rest of her leather bag with food and water and when she was ready she made for the stables and readied her mare, Gileth before jumping up onto her back and kicking her into a fierce gallop.

The day was bright and unusually warm as Sebeen sped through the dense forest of Meer island, the great castle in view, with a great many flags swaying gently against the soft breeze. Artfully guiding Gileth through the forest, it didn’t take long for Sebeen to find the place in which she needed to seek not only to reminisce in but to find the little comfort for which she needed. The tombs of Rilactha stood quiet, all adorned with beautiful white, blue and purple corbells, many of which were now in the process of dying as the winds of winter swept over the north. Slowing Gileth down, Sebeen sat quietly and observed the beautiful and ancient site, now bathed in a golden light. This had been the first place in which she had met her bethrothed and how far she had come since that moment. The hood of her cloak swayed about her long neck as she led Gileth into the great circle of tombs, stopping to jump down onto the mossy ground below. Her trust in her mare deep, Sebeen let go of the reins and walked away, allowing her mare to roam freely. All about her she could hear the gentle swaying of the great and ancient trees and the beautiful songs that came forth from the Meerin birds. Her heart now rising and her mood lightening, she looked about until she found a spot in which she could sit and observe nature quietly. Finding a rock close to one of the tombs, Sebeen sat down and untied her cloak, laying it beneath her. Sweeping her thick hair away from her face she opened her satchel and brought forth her books and tools, along with her small packages of foods and a small satchel of water. For a brief moment, she simply kept herself still and allowed herself to bask in the immeasurable light that feed her spirit and warmed her limbs. Feeling free and unbound from the world of the court, Sebeen drew forth a small, green, leather bound book filled with all the birds in which she had spotted since childhood and opened it carefully. Sifting through the pages, she came to a blank page and turned the book about until it sat still upon her knees. Carefully she brought out a small quill and pot of ink and turned the lid, dipping the sharp nib of the quill into it, before setting the pot down by her feet. Her eyes keen, she scoured the open air for any signs of the rare Meerin birds she so loved to document. As she sat still she heard a soft tweet from nearby and turned her head, darting her eyes across the great stones of the tombs, until the fell upon a small bird, whose wings were of the finest reds and oranges, its beak a ferocious red, its tiny feet elegant and elongated. Sebeen bent forward and quickly with her quill began to paint the outline of the beautiful bird, so small and round, a delicate red quiff upon its head.

“A carnial,” she said with a smile as she drew, her eyes never leaving the bird as it hopped about the great stone, its beak pecking at the moss, sourcing food and devouring it quickly before raising its head and singing once more. As the dainty bird sang out another carnial flew down from a nearby tree and came to perch itself close to the other, both of them now calling out to each other. The newcomer’s feathers were of a different colour, being both a cool red and white, its beak a soft orange and its quiff of feathered hair, stained red at the tips. “Could it be a female?” she asked aloud, now turning her page and dipping the nib of her quill into the ink pot before getting to work on the second carnial. Feeling that her fortune was indeed growing, Sebeen lost herself in her work, so much so that she did not see hear the distant hoofs, her eyes incredibly focused and her hears only attune to the songs of the carnial’s as they danced with one another. Flecks of paint spotted her red cheeks, but she cared not as the sun warmed her back and the birds warmed her heart. Bent low, the feather of her quill tickling her throat, Sebeen stopped painting as the sound of voices and hoofs filled her ears. Lifting herself up she turned and quickly set down her book and quill and ran over to Gileth, taking the reins and bringing the mare over to where she was seated. Standing close to Gileth, Sebeen watched on as four riders came forth from the forest, entering Rilactha, their steeds coming to a rapid stop. Nervous, Sebeen held onto Gileth as the riders jumped down from the horses.

“Who goes there?” a high pitched female’s voice called out. Her head still behind Gileth’s thick neck, Sebeen looked over her mare’s mane and found the source of the voice. Instantly she recognised the beautiful young woman, Lady Eithne, the eldest daughter of Lord Adgaer of Dulthe. She known among the court to be the most beautiful of women and breaker of hearts, with many rumours of infidelity placed at her feet, whether true or not, Sebeen had always been in awe of the young woman, who hid not her opinions and desires but played to them both, so that she was the most prized of all courtiers. All wanted to be her and those like Sebeen quietly wished that her gaze would fall upon them. “Step forward, there is no need to be frightened child!” Sebeen obediently stepped forward, her hands clasped together before her. She was dressed in a fine navy cloak that was beautifully decorated with silver flowers, which seemed to bring out her amazingly silver, blue eyes that contrasted perfectly with her silver blonde locks, perfectly styled about her long and tall frame. Behind her a male courtier, Sebeen recognised as being her older brother, Lord Logmar. He was as handsome and as beautifully spoken as his youngest sister, and his eyes as blue pierced her. “Lady Sebeen, is that you?” Lady Eithne said with a flawless smile, which betrayed her complicated gaze. Sebeen, her back arched simply nodded her head as the tall lady and her brother came to stand before her, their eyes judgmental and keen.

“My lady,” Sebeen said quietly as she dropped into a curtesy.

“How strange, that we should meet when I have just been invited by your dear aunt no less to be one of your dress bearers!” Lady Eithne said with a clap of her hands. Lady Sebeen, struck by her words looked up into the angelic face of Eithne and simply groaned.

“How…”

“Your aunt is very persuasive when she wants to be,” Eithne said, her cold hands taking Sebeen’s instantly, bringing them to her chest. “Of course I told her that it would be a privilege to be a dress bearer to you, as you are to be the wife of our beloved prince, Loaki.”

“I…” Sebeen stammered quickly, her cheeks red with shame.

“No need to thank me child, you have done me a great favour and I should hope that we may become great friends,” Eithne said with a chuckle, turning her cool eyes to her brother who simply smiled.

“Eithne, she is no child,” Lord Logmar said sweetly as he encircled Sebeen, his wandering eyes assessing her. Coming to stand before her, Logmar placed a gloved index finger upon her chin and lifted it slightly so that her eyes connected with his own. “She is clearly a woman now.”

“Brother, keep your hands to yourself you oaf!” Eithne said teasingly as she thumped her brother lightly. “You don’t want to scare her off now do you?”

“You have paint on your face, do you know that?” Logmar asked Sebeen, his long lashes fluttering as his index finger roamed over her face. “Shall I wipe them away?”

“I…no I…,” Sebeen stammered once more, instantly stepping away from the Lord, who tutted at her.

“Why you do have paint on your face, have you been painting?” Eithne asked as she lowered her hood fully, the rays of light only illuminating her beauty further, making Sebeen feel grubby and unacceptable ugly.

“I paint birds,” she said, holding her small leather book firmly in her hand, which was now behind her back. Seeing her eyes twitch, Logmar quickly snapped the book away from her and opened it.

“My my, look at this sister,” he said aloud, his face serious as he scanned the pages of the book. “How beautifully you capture nature.”

“How beautifully indeed,” Eithne said, her words somewhat deep and resounding. Her eyebrows raised, Sebeen wished that the ground below would open so that she could aimlessly fall through and disappear. Yet fate and destiny were not her friends this day and as she willed herself to stay quiet another figure emerged from behind. Sebeen knew her instantly and fell before the Lady Murtha, her head bent and her eyes upon the grass.

“Logmar give my sister back her book and think twice before stealing her personal items,” Lady Murtha said, her words as warm as honey. “Do not be frightened, come lift your eyes.” Sebeen lifted her head and found herself drowning in the warmth of Lady Murtha’s green eyes. She was if not more so beautiful than the cool Lady Eithne. Lady Murtha was warm, assuring and calm and Sebeen found herself calming in her presence. Fluttering her eyes, Sebeen stood tall, despite being a head smaller than both female companions. “How you have grown,” Murtha smiled as she took Sebeen’s hands in her own. “And how beautiful you are.”

“I was just about to compliment the young lady on her looks,” Lady Eithne intervened quickly.

“I’m sure you were friend,” Lady Murtha said with a serious expression.

“I remember that you like to paint and draw from nature, so does my younger brother,” Lady Murtha said gently as she held out a free hand in Logmar’s direction. Without a word the young lord placed the small leather book into her hand. “You shall be able to document the great sea birds of Tavan when you come. I am sure my brother will gladly show you some of the rare treats we are accustomed to seeing, especially the Tivler.”

“There are tivlers at Tavan?” Sebeen asked with a smile, unable to dislike her opponent.

“Many come to our coastline during the winter, you shall be all a flutter when you see them, and they are a particular favourite of mine.”

“I have always wanted to glimpse a Tivler.”

“Well you shall,” Lady Murtha smiled gently, letting Sebeen’s hands go. “Tell me how do your plans for the wedding go?” Sebeen’s smile fell away as she saw the flicker of pain cross Murtha’s eyes.

“I would hardly know, my aunt is in firm control of the plans, I merely stand each day as she fixes my dress,” Sebeen said in return. Lady Murtha walked away from Sebeen until she stood before the tomb of Loaki’s mother.

“I am sure you will please the prince as always.”

Sebeen didn’t know how to answer and so merely stood watching the beautiful lady as she stood in contemplative silence, her head lowered and her hands clasped together.

“Shall you be at court this evening?” Lady Eithne asked as she stood beside Sebeen.

“I was going to stay at home this evening and look after my aunts children.”

“Oh say you shall come, I wish us to be friends,” Lady Eithne said with a dramatic scowl upon her face. It was impossible for the beauty to look anything other than beautiful, even when scowling.

“I don’t know, I never really do anything when I attend court,” Sebeen said with a shrug.

“Not anymore,” Lady Eithne said with a hearty laugh as she wound her arm through Sebeen’s. “You shall be my protégé and my brother will dance with you, won’t you Logmar?”

“Why of course I shall,” Logmar said with a flirtatious wink. Sebeen feeling uncomfortable smiled in return, before turning her eyes away from the man’s stare and settling them upon the Lady Murtha, dressed in a fine green gown that was trimmed with a golden thread.

“Lady Murtha shall be attending too,” Eithne said with merriment. “Say you’ll come?”

“I suppose I could leave the boys with the servants for the evening,” Sebeen said with red stained cheeks.

“Good! I shall show you off to my friends!” Lady Eithne said with a grand smile, her arm tightening about Sebeen.

“Come let us leave the lady in peace so that she may return to her painting,” came the voice of Lady Murtha, who now had turned away from the tomb and walked back to the group, her eyes upon Sebeen’s arm lock with Eithne. Sebeen saw the troubled look in her eyes and wondered what it was that made her visibly uncomfortable.

“Of course we shall!”

Lady Eithne drew her arm away and found her brothers instead, and both siblings turned after bowing and curtseying and returned to their horses, leaving Lady Murtha behind. A little blown away, Sebeen’s brows drew together with confusion.

“They are a little heavy at times, don’t you think?” Lady Murtha asked Sebeen gently.

“I am not used to such attention,” Sebeen said with a flicker of her eyes.

“I think we both are not accustomed to the attentions of the court,” Lady Murtha said with a resigned sigh, again another flicker of sadness passing over her. “The ladies of the court are like children when they find a new toy to play with.”

“Oh,” Sebeen said, her mouth moulded into an o shape as surprise took a hold of her.

“Do not get me wrong, there are many lovely ladies at court, but I am more comfortable at home with my people.”

“But you will be Queen one day, your life will be played out in the eyes of the court.”

“I suppose it shall,” Murtha said with a slight smile. “Don’t listen to me, go have fun this evening and be filled with mirth, Lady Eithne will take good care of you. But I would caution you to keep your eyes open.”

“What do you mean?” Sebeen returned with a frown.

“Some of the most beautiful birds can deceive you with their beauty, can they not?” Lady Murtha said with a serious expression, her head bent close to Sebeen.

“Some yes, but I do not understand you?”

“Just be careful and do not fall prey to the illusion that some in the court may wear,” Lady Murtha returned before stepping back and turning away with a wave of her hand. “But what do I know?”

“I shall heed your words my lady,” Sebeen said quickly as she stepped forward.

“Good,” Lady Murtha said quietly before walking away and re-joining her company. “You shall make Loaki a fine wife.”

“Thank you my lady,” Sebeen said loudly as the company now made themselves ready. “I pray the Lord Galean shall be revived and come back to us well.”

“You are kind,” Murtha acknowledge with a nod before turning her mare around and galloping off.

“I shall see you tonight then Sebeen?” Lady Eithne asked as she raised her hood over her head.

“Yes,” Sebeen answered, aware that the eyes of Lord Logmar were on her.

“Remember to clean your face my lady,” Logmar said with a laugh as he kicked his stallion into a gallop, followed closely by his sister. Sebeen stumbled backwards, what had just happened? Turning to Gileth she bade her to come over, wrapping her arms about her neck.

“Come we should head back if I am to go to court this evening.”



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