The New Terra Sagas

Chapter 10: Returning with Secrets

It was a two day ride back to the castle for Katreena. Thertson, a trusted guard, greeted her at the back entrance. Riding through the main gate would require riding through the village and market in commoner's attire, which was not considered an acceptable act by any member of the royal court. Therefore taking the old path around the hill and to the back gate was much more discreet.

Thertson was the only guard on duty at the back gate which was how he liked it. There was no need for a perfectly kept uniform there and no one to bother him while he composed his poetry. The royal family liked having him on duty there because he had always been the most discreet of protectors as well as the largest. At seven foot two he was an imposing figure, and since no living soul had ever dared to cross him, he had never had the need to raise his voice or use an ill tone. He had served the royal family since before Katreena was born and was very protective of her. As she rode by, he gave her a subtle nod and the briefest of smiles. She wished everyone in the castle would be as discreet but knew there was little chance of that.

Katreena stabled Juniper and quietly made her way to her room. After changing into appropriate attire, she made her way to the main hall to speak with her aunt and uncle, the King and Queen. The immediate task was clear to her as the memory of her father's words echoed in her mind. He had always told her that to take control of a situation was to not avoid one; so instead of waiting for someone to ask her about her trip, she thought it best to simply go to them and tell them everything. That was, everything she wanted them to know, which was very little. The panels in the wood roof of the main hall had been opened to let in the midday light as the King and Queen had set aside the day to receive all those who had business with the court.

As Katreena entered the hall, there were a number of people waiting for an audience. She kept to the back by the far wall to wait for the room to thin out. A farmer and his grown son stood before the King making their case.

The modest, old farmer stood before them in his best attire, with only a few stitched up rips in the sleeves and his son, a tall, ginger-haired man, who kept one hand under his father's elbow to help him balance. "My son will be taking a wife soon and wishes to build a house next to mine so he can continue to work the land with his brothers and me. The house he wants to build won't take more than a quarter acre, and his bride will be a great assistance to my wife who is not getting around as well as she used to."

"Whom does he plan to marry?" the Queen asked.

"Aola Branner, Your Highness." the farmer's son answered proudly, and then remembered his place as one that did not speak to royals unless spoken to first.

The Queen could not help but smile a little at the young man's enthusiasm but was also gratified that he understood his error. Looking directly at the old man she asked, "How does the young lady's family feel about her moving to your family's land and caring for your wife?"

"Her father died during the dark year, and her mother passed on last fall. It's just her and her younger brother who already works on our farm as one of our hands." the old man answered.

The King then spoke. "If memory serves your land is next to the O'Gadder farm that his widow has not been able to keep up."

"Yes, Your Highness." The old farmer answered. "We share what we can with her, but she doesn't like to take charity and is determined to provide for herself."

"Yes, we have heard the same from your other neighbors as well." the King said. "The facts are she simply cannot work that land alone, and the community needs that land to provide crops. Plus the Fiken's field had an infestation that will require it to go fallow for at least two years. The loss of both farms will bring the food stores dangerously low." The King thought for a moment. "Would you be willing to take on Fiken's three sons as farm hands to work both your farm and the O'Gradder farm? The kingdom will pay the widow O'Gradder five gold pieces for the use of her land, plus she can keep a tenth of each harvest. Your son can build his house on your land, and you will be able to keep a tenth of the harvest from the neighboring farmland. You will pay the Fiken boys the same wage you are paying your other farm hands plus a tenth of the harvest from the O'Gradder's farm. The rest of the Harvest from the O'Gradder's farm will go to the community food stores for the winter reserves. Is this agreeable?"

"Yes, Your Highness." the farmer answered.

The King turned to the court's senior advisor who penned everything that is agreed on and said: "Then let it be done." Prepared as always Kilne, the advisor quickly finished the King's copy of the contract, attached the royal seal and handed it to the scribe at the small table to the left to have the document copied and noted for the citizen.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." the old farmer said as he bowed and guided his son out knowing that once one's business was done with the court, one quickly returned to the gallery. The court's minister was about to call the next citizen up when Queen Alison spotted Katreena standing in the back of the room. "Katreena, oh do please come forward."

The galley quickly parted as they all turned to see Katreena, a member of the royal court, and bowed their heads as they made a clear path for her. It was the very attention she was hoping to avoid, as she was the topic of considerable speculation throughout the kingdom. Would she remarry? Was she able to have children? Could she live up to her parent's legacy? All was the center of whispers around the castle and less subtle conversation through the villages.

Katreena stepped up to the middle of the room. The silence in the room was deafening as all waited to witness the statement from the princess who had been absent from all of her duties for the past week. The King was not blind to that fact and addressed the people. "Would everyone please excuse us? We would like to speak to our niece in private." With that, the room quickly cleared.

Once the room was empty, and the doors firmly closed he leaned back on the throne and said "You are looking well. Did you enjoy your travels?" His tone was a stern one, as he had not been pleased with her taking off to an unknown location for a week.

"Yes Uncle," she said keeping her eyes at his feet, which was the custom when a lady was speaking directly to a King while he sat upon the throne. "It served me well."

"How so?" the King asked. He loved his niece but had been concerned that she had been so morose for so long and had not voiced any interest in courting a new husband.

"I retraced the journey I had taken with my father many times before. It gave me the opportunity to say goodbye, and now I am ready to move forward with my duties," she said knowing that was what he had wanted from her.

A smile snuck onto his face. "I'm pleased to hear you say that. The Duke of New Wall has agreed to meet with you in three days time."

"Three days?" Katreena was a little surprised at the immediacy of the meeting. She knew her uncle was already making inquiries but did not think it would happen so quickly.

"Is there a problem with that?" the King asked not expecting to be questioned over it.

"No Your Highness. I will be ready to receive him," she said obediently.

"Very good," the King said having heard exactly what he expected to hear.

The Queen reached over and put her hand on her husband's hand to indicate that she wished to speak. There was something in Katreena that she could see that he had not picked up on. "Did anything eventful happen on your trip?" she asked with a motherly tone.

"No," Katreena answered, her face a little flushed.

"Are you sure?" the Queen asked. She had cared for Katreena ever since her mother had died and knew when she was trying to hide something.

"Nothing," Katreena answered. Her aunt had a way of making her feel like a little girl when she pushed for answers. She knew her aunt could see right through her and she needed to think of something to say. She thought for a moment and then said, "Well, I think I may have heard the song of the Night Sparrow."

"Really?" the Queen said. "Then good fortune should soon follow."

"A good omen indeed," The King said.

"Anything else?" The Queen asked.

"No, Your Highness," Katreena answered, praying she wouldn't push for more.

The Queen could tell there was something else but reminded herself that Katreena was a grown woman who should be allowed a confidence or two. She smiled and said, "I'm very happy it was a worthwhile trip."

"Thank you, Your Highness," was all she said in reply.

The King, satisfied that Katreena was behaving appropriately saw no need for any further discussion and dismissed her. "You may continue to your duties."

"Yes, Your Highness," Katreena said, followed by a curtsy and then a direct exit out the main door.

The Queen patted her husband's hand and gave him a supportive smile not sharing her true concerns with him. There was a secret within her niece that she could not see, but could sense it was bigger than her niece truly realized.

~~~

Returning to her room, Katreena changed into a plain grey dress and went to the citizen's infirmary. It was a room set aside for people in the kingdom to come for healing. Most people were capable of caring for their simple ailments like a cut or minor pains with herbs and homemade bandages, but whenever they were especially ill or seriously injured, they would seek out a healer. Healers were those who had the gift to make the healing stones work. Only a few were born each generation who had the gift, and they were always women of royal blood. There were only three alive in her kingdom, herself, her aunt and her Great Aunt Urata. They would each spend a few afternoons a week seeing those who would come to the castle for help. Her aunts had covered her time for her, but now that she was back it was expected that she would go directly back to her duties. Urata was out attending to an ill woman who could not make the trip to the castle. Marlue and Jennu, their assistants, were at the castle tending to those who were waiting to see a healer, keeping them comfortable and doing what little they could until the ailing could be seen.

As soon as Katreena arrived, she went to work. She first saw an old man who was suffering from pains in his bones. A quick application of the stone on both shoulders brought a smile back to his face. Next was a little girl who had fallen and hit her head. She was having headaches, feeling dizzy and throwing up. It didn't take Katreena long to sense where the injury was and administer a healing that allowed the little girl to go home happy and healthy. Next was a man who had broken his arm and then an old woman who was nearing the end of life and simply needed to relieve some of the pain so she could find some joy in her final days. Katreena felt it had been a fortunate day for her as she was able to help everyone she had seen. Her last patient was Tauten, a young woman who had been trying to have a baby and would come in once a month to see if she was pregnant. Katreena had grown fond of her and hoped that this time she would have good news.

"Hello, Tauten. How are you feeling today?" Katreena asked in the uplifting manner she used to keep all of her patients at ease.

"I am well Your Highness," Tauten answered in the appropriate humble tone.

"Now remember all good things come with time and faith," Katreena said. "Some of the most blessed children I have known had been years in coming. Alright?"

Tauten nodded, and they sat across from each other with a small round table between them. Katreena put three crystals in front of Tauten. If all three gave off a glow, then they would know that she was with child.

"Now, just like last time," Katreena said.

She had Tauten place her hand on the crystals for a few moments and then removed them. The reaction was immediate. One glowed blue, one red and the third green. Tauten knew that was a positive answer and was so excited she screamed.

"Oh, my Heavens!" Tauten blurted out. "Oh, my Heavens! Oh, my Heavens!" she hugged Katreena and said, "I need to tell my husband." She then hugged Katreena again and ran out the door.

Katreena was so happy for her and was glad that was how she got to end her day. The blessing of a new child is that of new hope and new beginnings; something that brought joy to any house. It was something she longed for herself, but also took great pleasure in being a small part of it when it happened for one of her people. She picked up the crystals to put them away when something unexpected happened. They glowed again. Startled she dropped them, and they went back to being cold and dark. Grabbing a cloth to cover the stones, she scooped them up and quickly moved to another room where her assistants could not see. She placed the crystals on a shelf and then held her hands over them. Taking a deep breath, she placed her hands on them, counted to five and pulled her hands away. They glowed bright and true. "Oh my Heavens," Katreena whispered in horror; for she was with child.