The Dragons Egg : XV : Shadows of Deceit : Lady Sebeen : Draft

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, 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 betrothed….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 betrothed 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 now interlocked 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 curtsying 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.”

*

The large doors of the great hall were open, the frame and entrance filled with courtiers. Standing quite still in her finest gown, Sebeen felt her body tremble with terror. She despised large crowds, but tonight it was not the crowds that distilled fear within her, it was the unknown events that would occur when she entered. Taking in a deep breath and fixing her gown, she lifted her nose into the air and strode forward, entering the great hall which was filled and brimming with heat. Her eyes wide and her ears ever alert, she scanned the great hall, her gaze taking in the enormous great log fire which stood within the heart of the hall. The High King Ballour sat upon his throne quietly, his eyes upon the cold ground below and beside him upon a smaller throne sat the High Prince Loaki, whose green eyes were upon a woman who stood close to him, talking with a group of elderly ladies. Sebeen let her eyes fall upon the beautiful and always ethereal Murtha, her eyes warm and kind, her smile gentle and content. For the briefest of seconds, Sebeen watched as the young lady lifted her gaze to the prince and smiled tenderly, his own face changing abruptly, now filled with love and warmth.

“My lady, your eyes grow weary,” a silky voice spoke. Sebeen quickly lowered her gaze as the form of Logmar encircled her slowly, his index finger stroking the skin upon her hands. “Are you distressed?”

“No my Lord,” Sebeen whispered roughly, his touch causing her to feel hot and uncomfortable.

“Then why are you so sad…why are you so distant? Does the dancing and feasting not tempt you to feel joy, when the world is so cold and fickle outside?”

“I am tired my Lord and do not like large gatherings,” Sebeen said as she lifted her brown eyes to his face. He was handsome and yet as she looked into his glassy eyes which sparkled intensely, she found him cold and suspicious.

“You cannot hide from the world and live amongst the birds forever,” Logmar whispered into her ear. “You must take flight and show off your colourful wings and sapphire eyes.”

“My eyes are brown my Lord, and my wings without colour,” Sebeen said cautiously, her hands clenched by her side.

“Not to me,” Logmar said with a faint smile upon his thin lips. “I believe a thousand such birds would fly at your side if you commanded them.”

“Then they would be without eyes.”

Logmar stopped walking and stood before Sebeen, his head tilted to one side and his face still. Sebeen could feel his gaze penetrate her skin and felt herself exposed and vulnerable.

“For such a quiet woman, you have a tongue of metal,” he said coldly. “A terrible fire rages within, if one were to touch you here….” Logmar lifted a hand and rested it over her heart. “I am afraid they would be set aflame.”

“Then you should be careful as to where you rest your hand my Lord,” a strong voice hissed from behind. Sebeen stepped back quickly from Logmar and feel into a curtesy before her betrothed, seeing from the corner of her eyes the shock in Logmar’s face as he bowed.

“My Lord.”

“My Lady Sebeen, how glad I am that you have joined us for the evening,” the prince said, his face unmoving as he claimed her hand within his own. “Come, my Lady Murtha has asked me to bring you to her.” Sebeen rose from her curtesy and felt her heart sink at his words, he had not come to her rescue as she supposed, but to the rescue of his true love, who now stood before the thrones awaiting her. Taking the princes hand, she looked back at Logmar hotly. With an emotionless smile upon his face, he bowed before turning on his feet and losing himself within the thick crowds. Her heart racing, Lady Sebeen was soon presented to the beautiful Lady Murtha.

“My Lady Sebeen, I see you have been uncomfortably accosted by the ever mischievous charms of Logmar once again,” Lady Murtha said as she took Sebeen’s hand from the prince and brought her away from the thrones. “He is very direct don’t you think?”

“I believe your words are too kind, mischievous is not the term of which I would use,” Sebeen returned wearily as she and Lady Murtha found themselves now away from the bustling crowds.

“He is a young man, whose arrogance proceeds him I am afraid, but do not worry I intend to keep you close to my side, we are sisters are we not?” Lady Murtha asked as she turned to Sebeen, her eyes as always sincere and kind.

“Soon to be sisters.”

“Then we are confidents are we not? We may speak freely to one another as those bound by blood can?” Lady Murtha said with a look of desperation in her eyes.

“Yes, of course we can,” Sebeen returned quickly, a small bud of pity forming within her soul, for the beautiful lady before her was sad and her eyes, once filled with life were now without shine and without poetry. “Does something worry you?”

“I miss my home and my family that is all,” Lady Murtha said, her grasp of Sebeen’s hands tightening a little. “As I am sure you do too?”

“I miss the sea if I am honest, but my brother and I did not part on good terms I am afraid,” Sebeen said honestly.

“Why ever not, Lord Ada is a most pleasing man?”

“Siblings quarrel and at times vary in opinions.”

“They do,” Lady Murtha said with a smile. “I am sure that you and your brother will make friends once more before your wedding.” Sebeen looked away from Lady Murtha, the one person of whom stood between herself and her prospective husband. A wave of anger surged through her, she wished that she could hate the woman who had claimed the love of her betrothed, but she could not. Lady Murtha was not spiteful or malicious, she was kind and warm and it was impossible for Sebeen to hate her and for that she hated herself. “Sebeen?”

“How is Prince Galean?” Sebeen enquired, turning her eyes once more to Murtha, this time forcing his lips to curl into a smile. Lady Murtha frowned, her brows furrowed as she observed the sudden change in Sebeen’s demeanour.

“He is still unmoving,” Murtha replied with a sigh. “The King spends all of his free time sitting by his side. It is a sad and worrying time.”

“It seems wrong that the courtiers dance and sing, whilst the royal family is in turmoil,” Sebeen said kindly. “I find it a little displeasing if truth be told.”

“I agree,” Murtha said seriously. “The burdens our king bares are truly testing. His eldest lies dying whilst his second son wages war on him.”

“The country is now silent with anticipation, awaiting the rising sun of tomorrow,” Sebeen said as she folded her arms before her. “I awake each day wondering whether the gauntlet has been thrown to the ground.”

“The gauntlet has indeed been thrown,” Murtha replied tensely. “Now we are awaiting the first strike.”

“When I walk among the forest, it feels as though it too is holding its breathe, afraid to draw air.”

“Sometimes…” Lady Murtha turned her eyes from Sebeen. “I wish that someone would strike first. I know it is terrible to say such things, but we shall soon fall prey to suffocation.”

“You speak truth,” Sebeen said with a shrug. “I am afraid though that if our prince does not survive that we will be in trouble.”

“Galean will overcome and his eyes will open, he must search for the source of life if he is to return to us,” Murtha said quietly.

“I wish he found find it soon, the air changes and even here among the court I can feel the unspoken tensions of the Lords rise,” Sebeen said cautiously. “Snakes slither amongst us, can you not feel it too?”

“I do my Lady, I do.”

Lady Murtha took one of Sebeen’s hands and brought her closer to her, her eyes wide and afraid.

“My Lady I must warn you…,” Lady Murtha spoke deeply, her lips trembling.

“Yes?” Sebeen whispered nervously.

“You must…” before she could speak further, a high pitched voice called out to Sebeen from behind, forcing Lady Murtha to turn away, her hands unclasping Sebeen’s. “Lady Eithne.”

“Lady Murtha, Lady Sebeen, I have been looking for your everywhere!” Lady Eithne declared as she took Sebeen’s hands into her own and kissed them lightly. “My brother came to me and told me that you had indeed fulfilled your oath to attend court this evening, and I have been searching for you these past ten minutes.”

“Well now you have found her,” Lady Murtha said quietly, her lips unmoving. Sebeen felt herself torn away from Lady Murtha side.

“Come I wish to introduce you to my friends!” Lady Eithne declared joylessly. “And my brother wishes to dance with you, can you imagine? I mean all the young women of the court throw themselves at his feet just for a dance, and yet he has chosen you over them?”

“I was speaking with Lady Murtha,” Sebeen argued as she turned her eyes from Eithne and looked behind her.

“Go and be merry, we can speak later,” Lady Murtha said with a kind smile and a wave of her hand.

“But you wished to tell me something important?” Sebeen replied with haste.

“Oh, has something happened?” Lady Eithne asked with a concerned gaze. Lady Murtha’s eyes traveled from Sebeen to Eithne momentarily.

“Nothing of consequence,” Lady Murtha said, her eyes betraying her smile.

“Well then can I take Lady Sebeen from you for a while?”

“Of course, go and dance, we can speak again soon,” Lady Murtha returned with a nod of her head. Sebeen opened her mouth to speak but was whisked away by Lady Eithne. Sebeen’s hand ached as Eithne’s nails dug into her skin. Passing through the loud crowds, Sebeen soon found herself in the corner of the hall amongst a small group of young women and men, including the ever quiet and observant Logmar, who was sipping on his laman, his eyes dark and still.

“See brother I found our new little bird!” Eithne said with a laugh. “Now you can ask her to dance with you.” About her the young ladies giggled under their breathes, some gazing across at Sebeen with judgmental eyes. Feeling trapped and unable to run away from the presence of Logmar, Sebeen resigned herself to the evening’s fate.

“My lady, shall we dance?” Logmar asked as he gave his goblet of laman to a young man, who Sebeen knew to be Lord Freda. She saw the pair of Lords wink at each other before Logmar turned to Sebeen, his hand outstretched. Sebeen, her cheeks aflame, placed her hand upon the Lords and allowed him to guide her into the thick crowd of dancing pairs.

“I should warn you my lord, I am no great dancer,” Sebeen said aloud as she took her place opposite Logmar.

“Just follow my lead,” Logmar said as the lutes began to play. Swirling in and out of Logmar’s hold, Sebeen caught the dancing figures of Lady Murtha and the Prince Loaki and felt herself instantly weak. Joining with the young Lord once more, she feigned a smile. “It must be gut wrenchingly awful to watch your betrothed dance with the Lady Murtha.”

“Excuse me?”

“I should’nt dare speak of such things of course, but I feel we understand each other my Lady,” Logmar said with a teasing smile. “And may yet find ourselves understanding one another more…intimately?”

“My Lord Loaki can dance with whomever he pleases, it bothers me not,” Sebeen lied, her legs shaking.

“Still you are a woman, you must find yourself angry with the Lady Murtha and the prince, for they clearly are on intimate terms themselves and have been for some years, do you not feel slighted?”

“Can you point me out one couple within the hall that have married for love and not power my Lord?” Sebeen said with a challenging gaze, her anger indeed rising. Logmar let his head fall back, his golden curls bouncing against his lean shoulders.

“I love how direct and piercing you are my little bird!”

Sebeen with disgust turned her eyes away from her dancing partner and once more allowed them to fall upon her betrothed, who with accusing eyes looked across the hall at her, shaking his head with disapproval.

“He should take more care with whom he chooses to spend time with,” Logmar said coldly.

“You sound bitter my lord, do you not like the prince?” Sebeen asked curiously as she danced around Logmar, clapping her hands to the music.

“Let us say that our fathers do not agree on all matters of policy,” Logmar said, his eyes now upon Sebeen, the coldness defusing and his eyes softening. “But that is all my Lady. We barely know each other, I growing up in Dulthe and him here among the court.”

“He must be greatly burdened at this time, so I am pleased that he finds comfort with Lady Murtha, she is good and warm,” Sebeen said with a flicker of her eyelashes. Logmar found her waist and looked down into her tear stained eyes.

“You are too rare a bird to simply cast aside, I would never do such a thing my Lady,” Logmar whispered heavily. “If it is comfort you seek then look to me and you shall find it.”

“I am not in need of comfort my lord, but I thank you for your kind words,” Sebeen said as Logmar’s fingers tightened.

“How glad I am that we have finally met, it is as though the stars of fate have aligned and all is as planned,” Logmar said with a smile. “Such is my luck.”

“I don’t understand you my Lord?”

“I believe the Gods have anointed me with their blessing this day,” Logmar went on, his eyes intense and direct, causing Sebeen to feel anxious and afraid. She knew not what he spoke off but could see something sinister behind his smile. Suddenly the music stopped playing and Sebeen forced her body away from Logmar, quickly curtsying before him.

“My lord.”

Soon Sebeen was in the company of Lady Eithne and her friends and for some time, simply stood and listened to the flowing conversations that mainly consisted of court rumours.

“I hope my brother did not frighten you?” Lady Eithne said as she enfolded Sebeen’s arm within her own, guiding her out of the great hall.

“No my lady,” Sebeen lied as she felt the heaviness of the hall slip away from her with every step.

“He is a little intense at first when he sets his eyes upon a rare treasure, but I assure you his intentions are honourable and true, it is a rare thing that a woman of the court should attract his attention, how lucky you are!”

“But my Lady I am betrothed to be married in a weeks’ time, surely your brother knows this?” Sebeen asked quickly, her eyes turning up to Eithne’s face.

“Bound by a contract, not by love, am I right?” Eithne asked with confidence. “Come most marriages of the court are only legal oaths, surely you must know that the ladies and lords find pleasure elsewhere? I mean does not the prince find pleasure elsewhere?”

“What the prince wishes to do for pleasure is none of my business, but I am determined to serve him as an honourable wife,” Sebeen said with authority as she and Eithne now walked down a narrow corridor, only faintly lit by beacons.

“Does it not anger you to know that the prince lies with another? Surely you cannot be that numb or unemotional to such deceit?” Lady Eithne said with shining eyes as they both stopped.

“I am not without feeling my Lady, but I have long ago resigned myself to the fact that my betrothed has found love elsewhere, and I am glad it is with a woman worthy of his devotion, for that gives me some reassurance,” Lady Sebeen said thoughtfully.

“You are too kind and too forgiving, for if my husband was to find pleasure elsewhere with another woman, I would gauge out her eyes!”

“But what if he should seek pleasure elsewhere? Would you gauge out all the eyes of those that lie with him?” Sebeen enquired carefully, her heart beating wildly.

“I should never tire of such a deed,” Lady Eithne. “I was not born into the world so that I may be cast aside.”

“Most of us are born into this world without rights, we are submissive to the rights of our masters and those who oppose the masters will be cast aside,” Sebeen said with a groan. “I envy your confidence and determination, but we are not all so direct and without fear. The role of women has yet to change and evolve and until such a time comes, we are destined to be forever in chains.”

“You see there you are wrong little bird,” Lady Eithne smiled down at Sebeen. “We women hold the greatest weapon of all, our bodies.”

“We are not all as beautiful as you my lady, men look at you and see magnificence and strength,” Sebeen said with raised brows. “But for women such as myself, we do not arouse such feelings of lust, instead we only arouse feelings of displeasure and so our bodies are weapons used not against others but against ourselves.”

“But you have captured the gaze of my brother, a gaze that so seldom settles upon one woman,” Lady Eithne said, taking Sebeen’s hands into her own.

“As to your brother, I am not entirely sure of his intentions. Long have I been among the court, and many times have I passed him by without notice,” Sebeen said with wide eyes. “Why his gaze has suddenly fallen upon me I do not know. Maybe it is my position that causes him to see me in a different light? Would he be so attentive, if I were merely betrothed to a lord and not a prince?”

“When my brother sets his sights upon something, he is sure to acquire it,” Eithne whispered intensely. “In time.”

“I am already taken my Lady,” Sebeen said with a nervous smile. “He should set his eyes upon another.”

“Time friend, in time he will have you,” Eithne said with an air of severity. “He will call for you and you will answer.”

“My Lady…” Sebeen whispered, taking a step backwards. Lady Eithne held her gaze, her terrifying eyes holding Sebeen in suspense. After a moment the young lady shook her head and released her hands, laughing heartily.

“Come now friend, I was only jesting!”

Sebeen found she could not reply, the sudden change in Eithne’s demeanor causing her to feel confused.

“Shall I walk you back to your house? It is dark after all and you never know who hides within the shadows…”

Sebeen and Lady Eithne held one another’s gaze, the string of rigid confusion tightening.

“Of course, how kind of you,” Sebeen said kindly.




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