The Dragon's Egg: XX : The Letter : Sebeen : Draft

XX

The Letter

Sebeen

Sebeen leaned over the wide the elegantly curved rowing boat and observed her dismal reflection and sighed. In two days she and her betrothed would take part in the ancient blessing, in which they would be bound together by blood and feasting. It would be haunting, beautiful and ethereal, except for the fact that Sebeen felt anything but. She was about to enter into a politically motivated marriage based on nothing but alliance and security, and if that were not bad enough, Meerin laws of old that still applied to the refreshed legal system still required the wife and husband to fornicate in front of the inner council to ensure an heir. It was this intimate yet public display which she feared the most. She could say her vows and mean then, yet the daunting prospect of having to sleep with the prince was filling her with such anxiety that she felt physically ill. Worse still was that she was deemed plain, her body being too round, her looks too plain and her height too small. If she were as confident and as beautiful as the Lady Eithne, her new found friend and companion, then she would fear nothing. Still looking down at her reflection she gulped back the mouthful of vomit that seeped up her throat like a snake.

“Sebeen get up now! Raged her demanding cousin, Lady Aisla who was ordering about her dress bearers. Lifting her head away from the water, Sebeen turned to the women.

“Yes?”

“You are meant to be sitting regally upon the bench!” Aisla said with fierce eyes as she made her way from the top of the very long rowboat to where Sebeen sat, pale faced and in need of some time alone. With rough hands, Aisla forced Sebeen to her feet, much to the astonishment of the young ladies who looked frightened. The top of her arm burning with pain, Sebeen was guided back to her seat and shoved downwards. “Sit!” Aisla said with a hiss before moving away.

“Are you alright?” Lady Eithne enquired with a straight face, her eyes untelling of the emotions she felt.

“It’s freezing and we have been at this for days!” Sebeen returned as another lady laid a blanket across her knees with a small smile upon her pristinely flawed face.

“The pain we ladies go through for men,” Eithne said with a small shake of her head. “They in turn have to go through none of this, they simply show up and get drunk on laman, whilst we sit patiently in our tight fitting gowns and square shoes, trying to shield our pain with looks of contentment upon our innocent faces.”

“Exactly,” Sebeen returned with a pained expression, her large eyes upon the great palace ahead. The river has undergone a magnificent transformation in the last week, with great canopies of flowers dangling from one side to the other, the boats lined up upon the edges being transformed into works of art, large beacons lining the edges, the necks of pike beautifully curved so that they looked like swans necks and the great wooden bridges, beautifully garnered and ready for the blessing.

“Tell me have you spoken with your aunt about you know…” Eithne leaned over to Sebeen and moved her eyes in a strange way.

“I have been over my vows so many times, I think I can say with certainty that I will not fail either myself or my cousin,” Sebeen returned with a roll of her eyes.

“No that is not what I meant,” Eithne said with a cold laugh. “No I mean about your wedding night.”

“Well that is weeks away,” Sebeen said nervously as her ladies in waiting now all leaned in with curious gazes.

“Still, you do know what happens, yes?”

“Yes, I am very aware of what goes on between and man and a women,” Sebeen said with flushed cheeks.

“My mother told me that it is very painful,” Lady Isbael said with wide green eyes.

“That is what my mother told me too,” Lady Nula said, her own small brown eyes fluttering with anxiety.

“Well ladies it isn’t always so bad,” Eithne said grandly, her eyes knowing and her lips upturned into a smile. “If your husband displeases you then you may seek pleasure elsewhere as many women of the court do.”

“But Eithne it is wrong to be disloyal to your husband is it not?” the naive Nula retorted with a nod of her head.

“But I ask you, is it fair that our husbands go and seek pleasure elsewhere and we are forbidden to only ever lie with them?” Eithne said seriously.

“Well…” Isbael whispered aloud. “But maybe we are doing it the wrong way?”

“Please,” Eithne said with a wave of her hand. “We lie back and open our legs and all is done.” The young ladies drew in a grasp of alarm, including Sebeen who was caught off guard by Eithne’s comments.

“You sound as though you have had experience,” the quietly withdrawn Lady Buan said with convicting eyes.

“I, experience?” Eithne said with a dramatic gesture. “No, I am unmarried. But if one leans in a little when at court they will hear things that would make your ears burn.”

“Last I heard, you were attending to Lord Guthall’s needs,” Buan said bitterly. Sebeen’s eyes felt as though they would pop as she sat between the now bickering young ladies who were documented to hate each other.

“Why you little leech!” Eithne said with a maddening glare upon her fair face. It was the first time in which she had seen her new friend angered, and instead of feeling anxious, Sebeen felt somewhat relieved. She had realised with confusion that the Lady Eithne had about her a heavy aura, one she never quite understood. Being around her made Sebeen feel vulnerable and so to actually see her new friend unleash what to Sebeen felt like oppressed rage, made her in turn feel relief, hoping that her heavy aura would lighten slightly. As the young ladies descended into a quarrel, Sebeen noticed a familiar figure upon the nearest bridge.

“Sister! How glad I am to see you take your duties seriously” the young and yet stressed looking Lord Ada cried out with open arms. As soon as the words had left his lips, the women became silent and their once angry faces now faded away into faces so innocent, Sebeen had to suppress a smile.

“Now I wouldn’t mind opening my legs for him,” Lady Buan said under her breathe, causing Sebeen to turn around in astonishment. “But I shall keep them closed.”

“Too right you will, that’s my brother you’re talking about!” Sebeen said sharply. “What has happened to the young ladies of the court this moon year? You have all gone mad!”

“The world has turned mad,” Lady Buan said with a raised brow.

“Clearly,” Sebeen said quietly as the long boat was guided over to a nearby dock. Getting to her feet, Sebeen turned to her cousin with determined eyes. “I am off to see my brother for the next few hours.” And with that she jumped off the long boat and ran as fast as she could to the bridge, happy to be rid of her new friends.

“Sister! After our last encounter I would have thought you hesitant to see me?” Ada said with curious eyes.

“Do you know what I have realised this day brother?” Sebeen said as she placed her hands upon her hips.

“That you are indeed getting married soon?” Ada said with a brotherly shrug as they walked away from the bridge together, making for the palace gardens.

“No, I have always known that this marriage would occur,” Sebeen said sourly.

“Then what is it?” Ada asked with a frustrating sigh.

“I should have been born a man, for I hate the company of women, they drive me up the walls!”

“Ah I see our cousin has enlisted the aid of some young ladies huh?” Ada said with a beam of a smile.

“Laugh and smile as you will brother, but I fear I may indeed go mad soon!”

“It will be over in the blink of an eye sister,” Ada said as they turned off onto a narrow pathway.

“I thought you were gone north?”

“I have been away north,” Ada said seriously, his once teasing eyes now grey and still.

“And, what is happening?”

“There is great unrest among the people, and there have been outbreaks of quiet fatal fights,” Ada said with a troubled brow.

“But why?” Sebeen asked, puzzled and alarmed.

“Wolves have been sighted and the famine worsens with the crops failing again this year,” Ada said as he picked up a loose flower and handed it to his sister. “I sent out four groups of scouts to follow the packs, they brought back one of the dead beasts.”

“But wolves have not been sighted in the north for over twenty moon years!” Sebeen said with fear laced words.

“These are no ordinary wolves,” Ada said as he stopped walking and turned to his sister, locks of his unwashed brown hair falling over his distressed brown eyes. “They are much bigger than any wolf I have every ready about and their eyes are red.”

“But where could they have come from?”

“Last year, a village near to Fiar city in the West sent word to the King that a wolf pack had massacred their farmlands and killed their animals,” Ada said with trembling lips. “We did not believe them and though it a hoax, but more and more stories alike in features are now starting to prop up everywhere in the north. I believe Beon has somehow found a way of not only reviving the wolfs of the north but enhancing them so that they are in a way a weapon.”

“And they are as far north as Drae?” Sebeen quizzed her brother, her hands upon his own.

“No they haven’t reached the city yet, but they have been sighted near Galna and Dra,” Ada replied darkly. “I have put the city on watch and sent out groups of soldiers to roam the lands and take guard over the towns and hamlets.”

“And that is all that is happening?”

“The famine is spreading and many of the neighbouring hamlets have taken to stealing crops and stores of reserved food,” Ada said with a disproving glance. “Hunger does strange things to the starving and it has indeed ignited a certain madness.”

“This is will be a tough winter,” Sebeen said with a sigh as the siblings turned about and began to walk once again under the ancient trees.

“Worse than last year and that’s not all.”

“You are worried about the war that is brewing?”

“Yes. Beon has us exactly where he needs us to be, starving, vulnerable and almost at breaking point,” Ada said with a groan. “If we are to fight, the men must be strong and united but with most of the local soldiers starving and fighting amongst themselves, I am afraid that we are nowhere near ready to march south.”

“Can we not find reserves?” Sebeen said as she curled her arm within her brothers and let her eyes roam about the now flowerless gardens.

“Yes, but they come at a price.”

“As all things do,” Sebeen said with a sarcastic smile. “Surely with Beon on the loose our allies and trade partners can at least come to some arrangement?”

“Well that is why I am,” Ada said as he turned his brown eyes down to his sister. “As well as being here for you. The high council will be meeting this afternoon to discuss the famine and food reserves, hopefully we can come to some agreement, but the rebelling in the East is holding matters back.”

“Because our gold lies within the vaults of Ballor city, which is currently under siege by Lord Leir?”

“Exactly.”

“How dim our prospects are brother, I mean surely those in charge of our money would be wise enough to store it in several secure locations?”

“That is a shared thought sister, but the vaults of the Meer bank lie safely under the Meerin Mountains and my Lord Leir has not yet found the keys or the key holders who are as we speak making their way to Dulthe city for security,” Ada said.

“Then there is hope?”

“There is always hope dear sister, always!”

Above them the birds cried out in unison as though in acknowledgement to the pair.

“You will be surprised to know that I have struck up a friendship with Lady Murtha,” Sebeen said with a small smile and downturned eyes.

“You have? How strange…”

“Just because she happens to be in love with my betrothed does not mean she is a bitter woman, I happen to value her parting words of wisdom and friendship, even if the courtiers find it baffling.”

“Is it not awkward?”

“It should be, but for some reason we seem to understand one another,” Sebeen said with a flick of her hand. “It is unusual I grant you, but I find myself so isolated here and without true friends. It is nice to speak with someone who is caring and kind, when it is hard to find both kindness and compassion.”

“I care for you sister,” Ada said with a hurt expression.

“I know you do, but you’re so driven by the logic of politics and you would willingly walk into a fire if the King ordered it,” Sebeen said with a small smile. “It isn’t that I do not admire your loyalty brother… I am very proud of who you have become and you cannot change or alter to contract drawn up by father. It’s just…I’m not like these women. They are so grand, so beautiful and so very complicated, I believe brother they are actually more complicated than the political game you play with your enemies.”

“I wouldn’t doubt your word for a minute!” Ada laughed. “Women within the court of Meer are like fighting bulls!”

“I miss my home and my people. I long for the sea and I long to be with my dogs and birds!”

“When you have married Loaki, you will be free to return to Drae until the war is over,” Ada said with compassion. “And I know that our people miss you greatly.”

“I am counting down the days,” Sebeen said with gladness. “You know when I speak of my upcoming nuptials to Lady Murtha, her eyes become so sad and withdrawn, I honestly feel her pain.”

“Despite the circumstances surrounding her pain? “Despite everything,” Sebeen said as she tightened her fingers slightly in return. “She is impossible to loath.”

“Indeed she is sister, and one must remember that if my Lord Galean awakes from his sleep, that she is too marry him, imagine how messed up that is!”

“I do not envy her future, I think I may be able to deal with my own, but I truly feel for her. Galean is an honourable and handsome man, and really you could not ask for a better husband, but yes it is all a very strange and twisted affair.”

The siblings came to a bridge and when upon it, turned to each other.

“I am sorry for how I treated you,” Ada said with an apologetic look. “I was harsh and unfeeling towards you. I know the sacrifice you are making and I feel your anger and hurt towards father, but I want you to know that I will always protect and care for you even when you are married, and if that means that I should draw swords with Loaki, then so be it, even if he happens to be my best friend.”

“You would?”

“Of course I would, you are blood!”

“Then you must accept my apologies too, I was hard and brittle and a little angered towards my aunt,” Sebeen said truthfully. “And towards father.”

“Our parents would be so proud of you sister,” Ada said as he took her hands and brought them to his lips, kissing them warmly. “I cannot say that I am much pleased with their own behaviour towards you as a child, especially in relation to Aisla, but I will never allow her to touch you again.”

“I will be glad to see the back of her if truth be told,” Sebeen said shyly. “I am worried though…”

“About what?” Ada asked as he leaned his head in a little, searching her eyes.

“It’s embarrassing really…”

“You can tell me, come on what is worrying you?”

Sebeen gently withdrew her hands and turned away from her brother, her cheeks warming rapidly against the freezing air.

“My back…he won’t want me when he looks at my back.”

“What do you mean your back?” Ada said quietly, taking a step towards Sebeen.

“It’s ruined,” Sebeen said with a deep sigh, her eyes closing briefly. “With the wounds of the whip.”

“You mean they haven’t healed?” Ada asked, his tone angry and deep.

“No, they have just grown alongside me, leaving their marks still.”

“Sebeen listen to me seriously for a moment please,” Ada said in desperation as he walked before his sister, forcing her to lift her gaze so that it met his own. “I have known Loaki for most of my adult life, and I know for a fact that your back will not move him in the way you think it will. He is not shallow nor is he ignorant of Lady Ailsa’s ways, I mean most of the court despise her. He is understanding and would never hurt you, ever.”

“But he giving up everything and look at what he is receiving in return? Wasted goods.”

“You are nothing of the sort!” Ada said loudly, his eyes stern and fierce. “Never ever let me hear such words come forth from those lips again! You are the smartest woman I know, you’re kind, compassionate and you have a real gift for seeing a world about you that many are blind too. Loaki may not love you in the way you wish, but he is no bully nor is he like many of the men here. He will honour you and treat you with respect, he knows that if he ever fails you, he will be answerable to me, and I happen to be better with a sword than he is.”

“Yes but if he is disgusted by my body,” Sebeen whispered with shaking hands.

“You think that because the woman of the court are beautiful physically that that makes a man want them more? It doesn’t believe me, I have …” Ada went red slightly. “Bedded many a beautiful woman and have for the most part found it highly disappointing, their bodies are pleasing but their eyes are without emotion or feeling. I am not saying that all young ladies are the same! No I have met many an intelligent young woman, both beautiful and plain. But beauty should not be determined by your physical self, true beauty lies within, it is a beauty that does not wither with time but only blossoms and deepens as the lines on your hands and face become more prominent. You my sister are one of the most beautiful woman this court has ever had the great honour of receiving.”

“Truly?” Sebeen said with an awkward smile.

“Truly!” Ada said as he brought her into a warm embrace. “If you are referring to Lady Eithne and her crowd of pleasure seeking snakes, then trust me when I say you are a million times more meaningful than she ever will be and trust me when I say that the men of the court see straight through her.”

“She isn’t that bad brother, there is depth to her, even if she comes across as cold and unfeeling,” Sebeen acknowledge kindly as she and Ada began to make their way back to their cousin’s home.

“I can only dream!” Ada said with a laugh.

*

Sebeen and Ada both entered the hall of their cousin’s home and with one last embrace parted ways. Tired and in need of a nap, Sebeen made her way to her chamber. As she untied her hair, a maid ran along the corridor puffing heavily.

“My lady, a letter has arrived for you,” she said with a curtsey.

“Oh, who delivered it Bess?” Sebeen asked with surprise as she took the roll of parchment.

“A servant from the palace my lady,” Bess said with a smile.

“Oh, it must be from the King…”

“Well my lady if guess you will, I would look at the seal first,” Bess said as she walked alongside Sebeen, her short index finger pointing down to the seal upon the parchment.

“Oh you are right Bess, it is the seal of Loaki,” Sebeen said, her surprise deepening further. “I have never before received a letter from the prince, I wonder what it could be?”

“I know not my lady,” Bess said with a shrug as they came to stand before Sebeen’s chamber.

“Bess do not speak of this to anyone, promise?” Sebeen said with fierce eyes.

“Of course my lady, I have always been your loyal servant,” Bess said with a severe nod.

“Good, now go and fetch me some warm ginger water and some bread, I am famished!” Sebeen said with a wave of her hand. Bess turned on her feet and scrambled down the corridor, vanishing from view. Sebeen entered her cool chambers and closed the heavy door behind her before making for her writing table and sitting down. With shaking fingers, she opened the seal and rolled out the parchment carefully before her.

My lady Sebeen,

I feel it only right that I should write to you before the ceremony which will take place two days hence. It saddens me yet does not surprise me that we have not spent much time together, and for that I am truly sorry. However, I am not without insight in terms of your character and grace, for your brother and I are very well acquainted and have been friends for ten moons. I wished to write to you in order to reassure your anxious worries, worries my close friend, Lady Murtha has explained to me that all young ladies feel when on the eve of their wedding. I wish you not to worry about your future or the man with whom you are to marry. I will as the vows explain, honour you and care for you. If it is pleasing to you, I wish that after our ceremony, that we both spend some time together in order to better acquaint ourselves. As the ceremony shall take place at the stroke of mid night, I propose that we meet by the sacred bridge at the stroke of two, when the feasting is high and sunrise nigh.

I hope that we may become firm friends and hope that our future together be one of happiness and good fortune. Until our meeting, I wish you well.

Your friend and guardian,

Loaki.

Sebeen’s brows were deeply furrowed as she laid the letter down upon the table and lifted her eyes to the grey stoned wall before her. How strange, how very strange indeed that the prince would wish to meet with her in secret. Yet, despite her initial shock and caution, a smiler swept over her face. He had been in counsel with the Lady Murtha and perhaps they had come to an arrangement, she and the Lady now firm friends. Perhaps there was hope after all? Perhaps the dream she had so firmly clung onto for so many years would make itself known to her? Sebeen rolled up the letter and put it away within her writing table carefully. Getting up onto her feet she walked over to the arched window and looked up at the great palace with a faint smile upon her face. Her heart beat wildly and her skin was covered in a light sweat from the anxious nerves that were eating away at her. He cared enough to write to her, and even if he were pushed by the Lady Murtha, he was at least trying to prove himself to her. A knock at the door alerted Sebeen to Bess, who entered with a tray and a cocked brow.

“Well?” she asked aloud as she set down the tray and came to stand before Sebeen.

“What a strange day it is Bess,” Sebeen whispered to her old friend.

“Is it bad news my lady?” Bess asked with blinking eyes.

“No Bess…no it is indeed good news, the prince wishes to meet with me privately upon the night of our ceremony.”

“Why that is good news,” Bess said with a smile.

“Strange though yes?” Sebeen said with a worried look as she turned to the young maid.

“How long have you waited for the prince to look your way?” Bess said as she settled her hands upon her mistresses. “And now he has, well of course you are going to feel strange about it.”

“Stranger still, the thought that our union could prove fruitful indeed.”

“He would be a terrible soul if he was not enchanted by you my lady,” Bess said with firm loyalty. Sebeen clutched at Bess’s hands and allowed her smile to broaden and deepen for the first time in many a day.

“Yes Bess…he may not be enchanted but he may very well be accepting of me,” Sebeen said as she turned her eyes once more to the palace.





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