Chapter Six
The next morning the castle buzzed with activity. The General and company were expected in a few days time and everything had to be cleaned, the food prepared and the rooms made ready for their arrival.
Raliena helped in any way she could; dressing in the plainest clothes she had and tying up her hair under one of the hats the stable workers preferred to wear. She did not want to be recognised by any of the servants or Dergen, who highly disapproved of her doing common chores that were meant for ‘low class vermin’, as he called them.
Araman were one of the highest ranks in the Kingdom; second only to royalty, but Raliena found the simple life the servants had, pleasantly hard work. It was good not to have to worry about how she presented herself, holding to a higher image than everyone else. It was a relief to be normal every once in a while, also she thought it was better to be busy than to dwell on the consequences of what might happen if the General recognised her. Even if he didn’t remember that it had been her that healed him, the fact that she had been there at all would be difficult to explain.
However, she was confident that it was possible to use his illness to hide anything he might say on the matter. Such illnesses could leave a person delusional and it could be completely coincidental if he mistook her for someone he thought he had seen in his room more than a week ago.
The next day was particularly uneventful and come noon time on the day the General was to arrive Raliena sat to enjoy lunch in the kitchens and listen to the gossip of the servants.
“I don’t see why Baynil couldn’t just marry off someone to this General. That has to be an easier option than knighting him.” A large lady called Nagrat said to a smaller and slightly younger one while they washed up and dried the dishes from breakfast.
“Well, neither King wants to lose any of their land to the other. Whoever marries off the husband will of course have the most power in the alliance. This way it’s a mutual agreement simply symbolized by the knighting.” The smaller woman, Beana, clearly had much knowledge of the politics of Fardonmeria. In a fair society she would be a valuable person to have in the King’s court. But that would only happen if Beana was born to it and if she was a male.
“Who would the King marry off anyway?” Pitched in a third person named Afren, a man who had been turning the charred wood under the stove and now came to lean against the side where the ladies were.
Afren asked this question because Verxia had no rightful heir. The Queen had died long ago, even before Raliena was born, while giving birth, leaving the King heartbroken. He had not taken another wife and chose instead to surround himself with people he considered friends, Raliena being one of them. She was almost a daughter to him, as she herself had lost her mother when she was only a baby and had never known her father. In a way she considered Baynil to be a father figure and had spent much time with him in her childhood. This bond had helped King Baynil out of his grief so that he could continue to rule and Verxia did not fall into ruin through his absence of mind.
“What about Araman Raliena?” Nagrat said causing Raliena to duck her head lower over her food. “Don’t Araman usually marry the knights in the end?”
“I can’t see Sa Raliena agreeing to that, can you?” Beana replied. “She has very much a mind of her own.”
“And a beautiful one at that.” Afren added, the others hummed in agreement. Raliena blushed under the shadow of her hat. She had never known people thought of her that way.
“I suppose you’re right in any case. Set marriages don’t usually work out.” Nagrat said. “I knew someone who had an arranged marriage forced on her by her brother. That ended in death!”
The conversation went on like that for a while and Raliena was loath to finish her lunch to wash and change for the arrival of the General.
She washed quickly and dressed in a warm winter gown that was the traditional lilac colour of an Araman. It also had the usual gold details on the collar and sleeves and a gold ribbon that tightened at the back, accentuating her slim feminine hips.
Altogether, she liked how it looked; despite how uncomfortable she felt, but knew it would please the King to see her dressed so appropriately.
After brushing her hair and braiding it at the sides to hold stray hairs back from her face, Raliena made her way to one of the high towers that gave her a view of the road leading to the castle.
The roof of the tower was deserted as it was not a common place for people to visit and they were all still busy with the preparations. Raliena pushed open the long window, disturbing the birds nesting there who squawked indignantly at her intrusion.
In the solitude she found the air cleared her head. She watched the breeze play across the distant trees, enjoying the chill of the afternoon and listened to the flags on each pointed roof crack and roll in the wind. The risk of catching a fever didn’t worry her as her body healed itself naturally. She still had to act as if she got ill from cold like everyone else sometimes, so as not to cause suspicion. It was also helpful when she needed to sneak out the castle, as she had done to help the General.
The courtyard far below was clean and decorated with the colours of Verxia. The vines that grew up its walls were planted with blue flowers and fashioned with golden sashes. The dominating outside wall had additional guards patrolling along it to parade Verxia’s defences. The strong wall was the only thing that was defensive about the castle and even that was made to look as grand and beautiful as the rest of it. The stone that it was made from had been specially chosen for its bright silvery colour, to match the white castle, and the blue of the roofs shone brilliantly in the frost that blanketed the Kingdom.
It was not long before the trumpets sounded at the arrival of Verxia’s special guests. Raliena could see them coming down the much travelled road leading to the castle. It was a direct route to the main gate but did not pass through the village to the right where a barrier of trees separated the two features.
The party from Attashar was small; from this distance she could see only one cart and a carriage with only a few riders and people on foot she assumed would be the servants. It was impossible to tell from so high if the General rode on horseback or in the carriage.
Raliena’s stomach lurched at the thought of what was to come. Not just in the close future, when she would have to face the General and spend a lot of time with both him and Dergen, but also when she would have to leave for the forests of Canah and murder a creature so full of innocence it would walk into a trap set for its own death.
But the absence of this alliance would mean war and that war would bring more death and destruction to many innocent people than this one creature of nature. At least Raliena hoped she was doing the right thing.
She pulled her cloak closer around her, closed the window and made her way through the castle’s cold corridors, down the side stairs and out onto the courtyard, trying not to think again of the time she had seen a Unisayan carelessly mutilated and had vowed she would find a way to stop the cruel sport of Verxian tradition.
The trumpets ceased their announcement meaning the party had entered the castle before Raliena had time to reach them. The King would be welcoming them with open arms, eager to commence the next few weeks’ of entertainment and, for Raliena, hardships.
Calming herself, Raliena straightened her back and walked into the courtyard, watching as Kassen greeted the King and presented Lady Nanerter back to him; who was looking very snooty and self important.
Kassen was looking much healthier, as if he had not been close to death only a few days before. Raliena still felt somewhat awed by what she could do and was ashamed at herself for once again thinking about how handsome the General really was, especially dressed in the formal burgundy attire of Attashar. He also wore dark brown breeches and black boots for riding, which suggested he had not travelled in the carriage that came with the party.
The s
ingle carriage was plainly decorated and uncomfortable looking, led by two brown horses. A second cart came behind the carriage, plainer still with a cover pulled taut over the baggage inside. This was led by two more brown horses that nickered impatiently to the final three being led towards the stables, Raliena presumed these were the General and his two guards’ mounts. Only a few servants had been brought with them, all whom looked like they could also fight if they had been attacked on the journey.
Raliena kicked a stone by accident. It skidded across to where they were all standing.
Kassen looked up first. A strange expression crossed his face. It was a mixture of surprise and pleasure before he composed himself and a polite smile played across his face. Raliena prayed it was simply from him recognising her as Araman and not as his healing visitor.
“Ah, General Kassen, I would like you to meet our Araman, Sa Raliena.” King Baynil smiled at him and beckoned Raliena forward. “She will be the one to catch your Unisayan for you.”
Raliena half smiled and stepped forward. She thought she saw a glint of recognition in the General’s eyes as he took her hand and kissed it gently.
“We meet at last.” He said, maybe too softly than was expected. Then looking back at the King, Kassen softly squeezed Raliena’s hand as he said, “thank you...”
Raliena knew it was meant for her. She pulled her hand away and avoided the General’s eyes. She had naively misread the look he had given her. He knew her face and she would just have to wait to see if he revealed her.
“...For welcoming me into your tradition." Kassen continued, "and for healing me, I look forward to spending time with Lady Raliena in the Canah. It shall be a new experience for me.”
“And an enjoyable one I hope.” The King replied enthusiastically. Raliena suppressed a grimace. Her heart was pounding as she studied the General carefully, but he was composed and showed no signs of wanting to announce he knew her.
“Later I shall get Sa Raliena to show you around the castle, but first we will eat.” The King continued, distracting Raliena. “Come, my servants will take your things to your room while we have some food and drink. You must be famished after your long journey.” Baynil signalled for the servants, waiting patiently behind him, to begin unloading the carriage.
“Indeed, I…”
"General Kassen?” Derio interrupted from the back of the cart that was piled high with cases and bags. All looked towards the two guards, Sitnen grinning widely and Derio looking confused into the cart, scratching his head.
“I think we have a problem…” He called over.
“Problem!?” Came another small but commanding voice from beneath the bags that lurched and rolled off the cart, causing Kassen to groan and walk swiftly towards them.
Raliena thought she recognised the voice and judging by the surprised expressions of the guards, she soon realised that they had an unexpected visitor.
“You know how much trouble this is going to get me in?” Kassen replied quietly to the mysterious voice who retorted.
“No more than you can handle I am sure.” This made Raliena giggle quietly, but not quiet enough to be missed by the King who gave her a questioning look. She had not realised she was the only person able to hear the exchange with her heightened sense of hearing.
“If I am not mistaken, I believe they have found a stowaway.” She whispered to Baynil and the healer.
Nanerter looked on in disapproval but the King, like Raliena, found it quite amusing.
Finally, after much muttered quarrelling from the cart, Kassen walked back towards the group, joined by a small and dejected looking girl.
Raliena recognised her as the maid she had used to find the General’s room and panic gripped her again, but their attention was on the girl and Kassen who said.
“I apologise for the interruption but I’m afraid we have been rather impulsively joined by the…”
"The Princess Sherin, your highness,” the girl cut in. “Who…”
“Who is to be sent home to Attashar, with my guard Sitnen, as soon as we are settled.”
The Princess Sherin looked as if she was about to stamp her feet in protest but instead crossed her arms and held her chin high.
Princess? Raliena thought, alarmed.
If she recognised Raliena now she would no doubt be in a very difficult situation. A Princess would be listened to, especially by the General who was her half brother, and who she was already sure had recognised her.
Thinking fast she thought it would be best to try to ask the girl to keep it secret, if only until she could talk to her properly. After all she was only young and despite being royalty, children always enjoyed knowing what adults do not.
“It is a pleasure to meet you Princess, if not only briefly.” Raliena said curtsying to Sherin, who looked at Raliena properly for the first time and recognised her face immediately.
Letting her hair drop lightly over her shoulder, so it concealed her face from the others view, Raliena placed one finger to her lips and winked at Sherin who stopped looking confused and smiled back.
“And you.” She replied, a hint of wonder in her tone. Only the General appeared to notice the discrepancy and studied Raliena and Sherin carefully.
“You are welcome in the castle at any time your Highness. We are honoured to have you in our presence.” The King said loudly raising his arms out as if to embrace the entire gathering.
“And sorry to see you leaving so soon.” Finished Nanerter, spite in every word.
The Princess gave her a mean look and scrunched up her fists.
“Could she not stay and join in the celebrations?” Raliena asked, breaking the tension between the two. It would be easier to find the time to talk to the girl then and she found she liked Princess Sherin, despite only meeting her twice.
“I wish that could be so, but Attashar will be missing their Princess, not knowing she is here.” Kassen replied shattering Sherin’s brightened face.
“Could you not send a message by bird?”
“My dear Raliena that is a splendid idea.” King Baynil announced. “And of course you are more than welcome, your Highness.”
Princess Sherin smiled and looked up at Kassen, her watery brown eyes pleading with him.
Who of course, gave in.
“Very well. I will have one sent immediately, but your father will not be pleased with you, Princess.”
“He is your father too, General.” She muttered back, but it went unnoticed by the rest of the group as the King ushered everyone into the castle and set servants to bring in the things from the carriage.
The King took the healer’s arm and walked towards the great doors of the castle. Lady Nanerter muttering, “she should not have hidden away in the first place.” To which Sherin poked out her tongue and followed them into the castle.
The Princess clung onto Sitnen’s arm and Derio followed on the other side.
Kassen held his arm out for Raliena but she pretended not to notice and followed the King and company into the castle, all the while wondering on the consequences if either royal child decided to tell someone about her mysterious appearance in Attashar.
And if both of them concurred, Raliena did not think it likely she could diminish the sighting.