I already don’t like Vellam. He watches me a bit too closely, and that business at the wedding feast with his so-called toast. I almost wish he were Fey. We’re outside of Ellisar’s jurisdiction. I may not be able to duel in Fey lands, but I’d call him out in a trice here. I may yet, even though he wouldn’t be much of a challenge. Part of the problem is Kenric’s lower status. As a viscount, they see me as a viscountess. If I were human, that might be true, but I am not. My court doesn’t care who I marry because my status is my own.
I think they need to start to see me as a power in my own right. It’s time to begin disabusing them of their all-too-human ideas and replace them with a very solid Fey reality. I have stood in the center of Fey politics for seven centuries. I don’t plan to yield to these screeching, hairless monkeys Oskar calls his court. I realize Kenric is in that number, but he’s nothing like these men. Neither is Torsten, Ulrick, nor his other sons. The men that Oskar chooses to surround himself with tell me much about him.
He's insecure and likes to be flattered. He feels the need to debase others because he’s fearful that someone will snatch his special chair and headgear. Strong kings never need all the pomp and ceremonies. Weak kings, who are barely hanging on to their throne, thrive on it. Strong kings don’t demand bowing and scraping. Weak kings can’t do without the genuflecting. Strong kings demand loyalty. Weak kings beg for loyalty. Strong kings own their power. Weak kings let others steal their power. That’s how they end up as weak kings.
Oskar has let the dukes run the kingdom for far too long. He’s allowed them to nibble away at his power until there’s almost nothing left of it. It’s time for him to take some of it back. I’m going to help him with this. For now. He’s weak and looking to start a war with someone to keep his dukes occupied. Unfortunately for him, he’s chosen the wrong king to pick a fight with. Ellisar won’t fight Oskar. Ellisar will send the other human kings here to deal with Oskar.
Melina shoves a pack into my hands, “Here. I packed some food and water for you. We’ll come as quickly as we can.”
I hug Melina and smile. I can tell she’s afraid. “Don’t worry too much. I’ll handle them one way or another.”
Melina smirks and nods, “I’d tell you to be careful, but you’re not at your best when you’re cautious. Go in there and pin their ears back. You’re the most powerful woman I’ve ever met. Don’t let them run over you.”
“They’ve given me the perfect excuse to cut their legs from under them,” I smirk.
Melina gives me a small smile, and I pat her on the arm. “It’s not nearly as bad as all that. It will mean propping Oskar up, but he’ll help us. Not because he wants to, but because he has to. I do have some experience in dealing with unfriendly kings.”
Melina ducks her head and gives me a better smile.
I nod and point to the trunk with the midwinter gifts in it. “Just make sure the contents of that chest get to Dobile in one piece.”
Melina nods, “We’ll see to it. I hope I say this right. Nai cuitalm? anda vanwa cothlma.”
I laugh and hug her again, “All of us will outlive all of them. I will do my best to ensure that this happens. My contingencies have contingency plans. I suppose Kenric told you what it means.”
Melina nods, “It might not be a conventional battlefield with swords and armor, but going to court has to be a lot like going to war.”
I give her quick grin, “My clothing, my jewelry, are my armor. My wits and will are my sword and shield. A wise general once said, ‘No plan of operations extends with any certainty beyond the first encounter with the main enemy forces.’ It’s no less true for going to face these dukes and this king.”
We prepare the horses, and Ulrick asks, “Why take one of my men?”
I chuckle, “When we change horses at the coaching station, he can return to you with the ones you’ve so kindly loaned us. See to it that Luka gets to Herrenstein as quickly as possible. Preferably before Vellam or Doerr can.”
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“He’s leaving first thing in the morning,” Ulrick says, “Papa told him he’d have to go now if Duke Jellema sent a messenger to warn you.”
I nod, “We’ll send a bird once the dust settles. I mean to kick up some dust of my own, though. When I’m done, these dukes will be struggling to breathe.”
“Take care of my cousin,” Ulrick says, before pulling me into a bone-crushing hug. I hug him back, genuinely liking Kenric’s family. “Stay safe, half-pint. I want a rematch later.”
I laugh as I mount up, “You’re on.”
We ride hard until we reach the coaching inn. I head into the stables to find more horses. I don’t care if they’re coach horses. My honor guard can’t continue on their destriers with us. The horses that Ulrick loaned us are exhausted. Kenric is grimacing at the expense, but he’s not paying this time.
I find a few unappreciated nags that I can heal, and we buy some of the coach horses. They’re not happy about the saddles, but they’re docile enough. Just not as fast as I’d like. I pay for a night at the inn for Ulrick’s man so that the horses can rest before he returns with them. I’m busy negotiating with the innkeeper for the replacement of our horses and meals for everyone. The innkeeper doesn’t want to do business with me, despite the fact that Kenric is outside with most of my honor guard.
I send Nasu out to fetch Kenric, “Go and fetch my husband before I lose my temper with this insolent wretch.”
Yoshida looks the innkeeper over coldly, “The only hand holding gold you should be concerned about is your own. You should sell her what she wants. Lord Kenric won’t be pleased about this interruption.”
“Damn foreigners,” the innkeeper grouses, “It’s the law here in Centis. Women aren’t allowed to buy anything.”
Yoshida holds out his hand, and I put the coins into it. Yoshida slaps them down on the counter, “I’m a man. I paid you. We’re taking the horses, and we’d like our food.”
The innkeeper starts to say something else, but Yoshida’s posture shifts suddenly. I can smell the impending violence, and Yoshida’s hand twitches toward his sword.
Just then, Kenric comes in, “What’s the problem, my love?”
I point to the innkeeper. “He’s refusing to sell me anything. I think Yoshida’s about to take his head. Can you get him to agree to a reasonable price for the horses and the food?”
The innkeeper swallows hard and bows deferentially to Kenric, “My apologies. I was unaware that the lady was travelling with her husband. Let’s take a look at the horses you’ve picked out. I’m certain we can agree on a price.”
He follows Kenric back outside while I control my anger. Yoshida nudges me, “Don’t fret. Frowning isn’t pretty.”
I burst out laughing, “Thank you. I needed that. Gods! I’m surprised you remembered that story.”
Yoshida snorts, “These men look down on you. Why do you waste your time on them?”
“Kenric insists that we must remain in this place, so here I am. Surrounded by chittering monkeys,” I reply darkly.
Yoshida snorts again and smirks. “An apt description. Even rats can be dangerous in large numbers, though.”
I consider this for a moment and heave a huge sigh. Yoshida is correct. There are far more of them than men who are willing to accept that I am something outside their experience. I have to be more careful, but in my defense, I’m anxious to get back to Dobile.
I need to see precisely what Doerr and Vellam have cooked up. They’re both married. Divorce isn’t permitted here. Neither are second wives. It’s not like they could ever marry me. Not that I’d have either one of them. Even if they came gift-wrapped on a solid gold platter and covered in chocolate, I’d still pass. Kenric comes back in, looking pleased, followed by the innkeeper, who hustles off to bring us our food. We mount up, and I’m riding the sorriest-looking black horse.
He's said that his name is Anvindr. Kenric’s sorrel says that her name is Alarix. Inaba is mounted on a coach horse, much to Falke’s dismay. Once we’re out of sight of the inn, we pull into some trees so I can heal Anvindr, Alarix, and the other horses. I have a chat with Falke, and he calms down. The coach horses are taking to being ridden better than I’d hoped. This is easier for them than pulling the coaches. They’re doing their best, so we push on. It’s early afternoon when we reach Dobile.
We stop at The Violet Rose. Rekke is delighted to see us again. I tell her we need a few rooms for a few hours to get cleaned up and make ourselves presentable for court. Doustan takes the horses while Rekke starts drawing a bath for everyone. We’re dusty and tired, but they can’t see us like this. Here in the privacy of the inn, I can work a bit of magic. I clean up my honor guard’s armor while they’re bathing.
I look at Kenric, “Fey or not?”
Kenric shakes his head, “Not.”
I whip up some clothing for him. It’s not unlike his wedding attire, but in a deep, forest green this time.
I create a dress for myself in shades of teal. The underskirt is the lightest and bedecked with pearls. The inner dress is slightly darker and covered with shimmering beads. The outer dress is a rich, dark brocade. I make myself some jewelry and spin my hair up before popping a tiara on it. The tiara is pearls and teal tourmalines. The rest of my jewelry is more of the same. When Kenric and I step out, Rekke has set out lunch.
We stop to eat, and as always, her food is delicious. Rekke stops and asks why we’re back in Dobile.
I frown, “The dukes are playing games. We’d been given leave to visit Kenric’s family and had to cut that short to come back here to deal with this nonsense.”
Rekke frowns, “You go to court and deal with whatever this is. I’ll bundle up your travel clothes and have one of the boys deliver them when they take horses to the palace.”
I thank her and tuck back into the lovely lunch.
- If this chapter were a meme, what would the caption be?