Year 493 of the Emperor, Phoenix 00|11, Second year
Three young crows swept low over the drowsy sea, their wings barely touching before they lifted into the air, streaking up over the rocks and past the high windows where the young lady Amena watched, her face pressed against the glass. Her eyes widened with amazement before she ran along the glass corridor of Castle Tremaine and out the large doors into the inner garden. On all sides, buidlings and parrapets towered over her, but she knew this was a safe place to run and fly with the crows. As she watched, two of the crows darted over the garden high above her, two dark specs in the brilliant blue sky. She ran beneath them, watching them closely before her foot missed the last step, letting her topple over the short drop toward the small pond. As she screamed, a large hand gripped her and swept her upright, placing her gently on the ground. She giggled as she looked up at Eion, the gardener of twenty-one who tended the many scenic areas of Tremaine. His large hand patted her head and she continued to giggle.
"Careful now, little lady," he growled, his voice low but gentle. "We wouldn't want you gettin' hurt in your own back garden now would we?" She nodded, curtsying gratefully.
"Thank you, Eion." She smiled. "But I don't need to worry about hurting myself, because you will always be here to catch me, won't you?"
"That's right," he smiled. "I will always be here to catch you, my Lady." He bowed, almost mockingly. She giggled as she took his arm.
"C'mon! I wanna see the water again!"
"My Lady, you know you're not supposed to go outside the Castle." He warned.
"But I wanna see the water!" She pouted. As she did so, two guards marched down the path and across the bridge toward them. Eion straightened his back, turning from her and proceeding to rake the leaves from the ground, averting his gaze. The soldiers took no notice of either of them and proceeded out the gate to the short pier. As they disappeared Eion turned back to her.
"I cannot take you out there now."
"But I wanna see the water again!" She held her hands behind her back and swayed them, his face turned down. Eion took a deep breath and released it slowly. Then he placed the rake against the stone wall and walked past the gate toward the store room beneath the guest quarters.
"This way my lady," Excited, Amena hurried after him. They entered the low-ceilinged room and Eion quickly checked to make sure the room was empty, before moving behind the quarter master's desk and knocking a stone brick. The stone gave way and beside Amena the wall shifted. A hidden redstone machine had moved the wall away, revealing a short tunnel that twisted out of sight. Eion took the little girl's hand and together they moved through the narrow doorway and rounded the corner. A set of roughly chiselled steps led between large peaks of stone the girl could not see over and they walked down the slope. She could smell the salt of Loche Aberdeene and hear the calling of sea birds, but as she looked up, it looked as if she were in a vast cavern. Finally the rocks broke and they paused to looked out.
They stood in the centre of a wide cavern. Above them, and overhang supporting the main halls of the castle and four solid pillars of diorite dove into the water beneath them. Beside the pillars, a waterfall fed the sea and from this angle she could see a small gap in the rock behind the water.
"Wow," She gasped, taking it all in at once. "What is this?"
"A secret exit," Eion explained. "What your grandfather Ferris built the west wing of the castle, the mountain was supported by this overhang. In order to make it safe they had to build those four pillars, however beneath the mountain there was a natural tunnel. Ferris knew it was too great and opportunity to pass up and so he built this secret passage. Very few know about it."
"What does it lead to?" She asked. Eion proceeded down the steps and into another cave, this own looked less natural and she could see the rough, unfinished walls were marked with chips from the pickaxes the workers had used to carve away teh stone. The ground was moist and slippery, and as they rounded the corner she was met by a veyr small bay. It led out to the waterfall, and chained to a post by the edge of the short pier was a boat. It was old, very old, but still in working order. It could hold perhaps four people, no more, but it would be enough to get the Duke and their family to safety if the castle were attacked.
"This boat was built by Ferris himself." Eion explained. "It has remained here, and the staff of the castle are tasked with it's upkeep."
"Who is it for?" The little girl asked, astonished.
"You," Eion explained. "If the castle were to be attacked, we would get you and your mother and your little sister here with one man to row the boat."
"But what about you?" She asked. "And the rest of the staff?" He shrugged.
"We'd be okay," he said simply. "What's important is that you would be safe." They remained by the water's edge for a moment before returning to the store
room. As they entered the room, the door opened and the Quarter master, Mister Peregrin, and the Duke Brandon walked in. Everyone froze as the Duke and quartermaster took in the scene; the gardened, holding the hand of the duke's daughter, behind them the doorway leading into darkness. Brandon's eyes widened with fury and Mister Peregrin's face fell, his eyes closing in exasperation. He opened them again and looked at Eion with pity and sadness before Brandon spoke calmly.
"Amena, to your room." He spoke quietly.
"But I wanna play outside," she said simply.
"Guards!" Brandon yelled, turning and throwing open the door. "Guards! Take her to her room at once!" Two large men rushed into the room, taking Amena by the arms and leading her out of the room. "And as for you," he turned back to Eion. "Kidnapping my daughter! How dare you! Arrest him!" More soldiers marched in and took the gardener by the arms. Eion did not resist, but let them lead him from the room as Mister Peregrin leaned heavily against his desk.
***
Geoffrey massaged his head with his fingers, the skin travelling over his hair where it now stood grey at the temples. His beard too was tinged with grey and his eyes looked tired as he listened to his son rant about the gradener stealing his daughter. Eion had been taken to the dungeon beneath the fort in the centre of Tremaine and Brandon was determined to have his head. Geoffrey himself had spoken with him and believed his story; the gardened had been showing the young lady the secret passage beneath the castle in case of danger. Geoffrey had known Eion his entire life, the man was not cruel, in fact he was once a good friend of Duchess Morganna when they were younger. He did not believe he had intended any harm to Amena.
"Have you considered he might be telling the truth?" Geoffrey asked, looking up at Brandon. The young man stopped pacing and turned to him.
"That is even worse!" He spat. "He's interfering with my...family." There was restraint in his voice as he turned back to the window. "That passage is for me to show to my heirs, not a gardener."
"Amena is your heir," Geoffrey offered.
"She is not my son." Brandon corrected him. The older man sighed. His son had never learned the true strength of women. His contempt was rivalled only by his desire to father a son, an objective he had sought for many years. It had only been Geoffrey that had stopped him from killing Amena when she was first born, and only Geoffrey that stopped him from bedding Morganna on their wedding night when she was only thirteen. Geoffrey deeply regretted the marriage now; he had burdened the young, sweet lady Morganna with his worst son, a man bent on conquest and with no compassion for women. He was determined to keep her safe as long as he could. "I will not have an heir until Morganna bears me a son!" He slammed a fist against the table and Geoffrey stared at him.
"And until then, will she remain in the castle?" Geoffrey asked.
"Always," Brandon spat. "It's not her place to go out and deal with Tremaine's matters; she'd only screw it up more than it is already!"
"Taxing the people into poverty? Hording food reserves for the castle's wealth?" Geoffrey asked. "This is your idea of fixing Tremaine?"
"It's for their own good!" Brandon spat. "They wouldn't know what to do with their money! And don't tell me how to run my own city!" Geoffrey was about to raise his vocie when there was a knock at the door. They both turned to the door and Brandon called for them to enter. It was Morganna, wearing a long gown of blue and white, her hair tied back behind her ears. She swallowed as she looked at Geoffrey.
"My Lord," She bowed her head.
"Duchess," He replied. She turned to Brandon. "I wish to see Eion." She ordered.
"No," Brandon said simply.
"I wish to see him." She repeated, ehr vocie stern.
"No one is going near him!" Brandon yelled, turning to her. "He will hang by his neck in the morning and that will be the end of it!"
"He did nothing wrong," Morganna objected.
"How would you know?" He asked.
"I talked to Amena!" Morganna frowned, she was unacustomed to comflict, but she was determined to have her way in this instance. "Our daughter! She told me what had happened. She claims it was her fault, that she made him show her the loche!"
"Eion did say he was only showing her the..." Geoffrey began, but Brandon cut him off.
"Enough! You are not going to see him."
"But I..."
"No!" He turned, raising a hand and nearly striking Morganna. She stumbled, her hand reaching for the table behind her for support. Geoffrey had stood, his hand clenched around Brandon's wrist, holding him back.
"Enough," Geoffrey breathed. Brandon lowered his hand.
"Lord Greoffrey," Morganna pressed, fighting to keep her cool. "Did Eion say why he went to the store room?"
"He was showing Lady Amena the secret passage," he explained.
"Passage?" Morganna asked. "What passage?" She did not know of any secret in the castle.
"There is a secret passage in the store room," Geoffrey continued. "It leads to a cave beneath the mountain which has a boat. It was built by your father to protect the Duke and Duchess of Tremaine. I had thought you knew..." His voice trailed away. He had told BRandon about it years ago adn expected he would tell Morganna. Apparently he had not.
"Is this true?" She asked, turning to Brandon.
"There is a passage," he admitted. "I wanted to keep it secret, to ensure it would remain safe. I would only had told you and the kids if we needed to use it." He said simply. His voice sounded gentle, but he did not look at her. SHe watched his back, still tense and his shoulder high. He was lying. She knew it. Geoffrey leaned toward his son to mutter something and Morganna turned, her eyes alighting on the desk. She had never been in Brandon's office before. Now, as she looked, she could see several letters, some bearing her name. Without knowing why, she took one and folded it carefully, concealing it within the folds of her dress. She turned back to see Brandon relent beneath his father's words. He turned to her.
"You may speak with the gardener." He said simply. Her heart soared, but still Brandon refused to look at her. Geoffrey smiled and she thanked them both, then left the room. As the door closed behind her she leaned agaisnt the wall. Before entering, she had overheard teh conversation about Amena. She could barely believe Brandon's words. Her hand moved over her dress. It had been two moons since she last bled, and she was beginning to show symptoms again of pregancy. She leane dher head back, resting it against the stone. She had two daughters, Amena, now five, and Britta, now two, adn she loved them both, but if Brandon's words were true, the only reason he was amrried to her was so she could bear him a son. Silently, she prayed the babe she carried now would not be a son, though she was unsure if she simply wanted to continue her life as it was, with Brandon by her side, fearful that if she gave him a son he would cast her aside, or if she simply wished to hurt him. She could not tell, so instead of worrying she brushed her hands over her dress and made her way down the corridor to see Eion.
***
It had been three days since Eion had been arrested, and in that time Morganna had managed to argue his case, granting him a trial instead of a simple hanging. Brandon reluctantly allowed it, and she had been grateful. Now, as she walked through teh garden, she made her way to the store room. She opened the door and was met by the quarter master, who looked up as she entered.
"My lady," he smiled, standing. "This is unexpected. How may I help you?"
"I wish to see the passage," she said simply.
"Passage?" Mister Peregrin asked, confused. He was an elderly man, which short white hair and a clean shaven face.
"The secret passage that leads to the boats." She said simply, knwoing he was aware of the passage. His eyes shone with recognition and he bowed.
"Of course. I was not aware you knew of it's existence, this way," he offered, pressing the stone brick in the wall and the wall beside Morganna moved back. She had expected it, both Amena and Eion had explained how it worked, but seeing it herself she was stunned into silence.
All her life she had lived in the castle, how had she never known this was here, and what other secret did she not know. Mister Peregrin led her through the passage, a torch in hand, and offered her his other arm to support her. The floor was slippery and unfinished, and she accepted it. They moved down the steps and the view caught her breath. She had never seen anything like it, not even from the north tower. The tide was in and they could not reach the boat without wading through the water, but Morganna had seen enough. Mister Peregrin took her back and as she left the store room, she allowed herself a moment alone. She fell against the wall, gasping as she took in the truth.
The passage was real, and Eion had known of it. Brandon had known, but not told her. She understood why Eion had not; he had been ordered by Brandon never to speak of it, but at the same time she felt hurt he had kept it from her. Her thoughts turned to Brandon, keeping the secret from her, and the lie he ahd told when he said he would have told her if they'd needed it.
"Do not trust my cousin, or any Carnoustie." Sterenn's voice returned to her. It had been two years since her cousin Korneli had visited with his wife, but her words had shaken her, and now she was beginning to understand the depth of their meaning. Brandon wanted a son, and he had only married Morganna to get that and her title of Duke. He had kept this secret from her so that, if the castle had fallen, he could have escaped with his son and left her and the girls to die.
She shook her head, unbelieving. What other lies had he told her. She reached into the folds of her dress and drew the letter she had stolen from Brandon's office. It was from Korneli, invited Morganna to a ball in Glas Claddach in three weeks time. She took a steadying breath, then released it slowly, clenching the letter in her hand.
"You are of House Felandrison, and only we are your true allies," Sterenn's words again entered her mind and she knew what she had to do.
***
Morganna sat in her room, an embroidery hoop in her hand as she pulled the needle through the fabric, creating the likeness of a dog upon an island. By her feet, her younger daughter Britta played and in the opposite chair, Amena embroidered her own pattern. There was a knock at teh dtrap door to teh tower and she called for them to enter. It was her wet nurse, who bowed as she entered.
"My lady, the court has met and the verdict has passed. Eion is guilty." Morganna nodded, she had guessed as much.
"What is the punishment?" She asked.
"Brandon called for his head, but the court ruled ten years imprisonment." Morganna sighed with relief, then stood.
"Nurse, pack our bags."
"Of course," the wet nurse nodded, already knowing the Duchess' plans. Morganna placed the embroidery upon the chair and stood. She had not told BRandon of her pregnancy and now, as she ordered her daughters to prepare for travel, she made her own way to his office. As she reache dit he was rounding teh corner as well, following by Geoffrey and two other councilmen. They were debating teh trial and Morganna stood silently, patiently waiting. AS they neared the door, they stopped talking as they noticed her.
"My darling," Brandon smiled, uncertainly. "Do you have business with us?"
"Does a wife need business to visit her husband?" She asked simply.
"No, but this isn't a very good time," he argued, keeping his vocie calm.
"Well, I simply wanted to let you know before I left," she said simply, smiling as she held out the letter. "I received an invite to Glas Claddach. I'm taking Amena and Britta to visit their relatives." Brandon took the letter, frowning as he read it. She held her breath, anticipating his recognition. he must not had read the letter before she took it, for he did not show any signes of recognizing it.
"My lady," Geoffrey said, stepping forward and smiling warmly. "It is such a delight to hear you wishing to visit your family, however may I offer my assistance; the roads can be dangerous and I'd hate to let any evil befall you,"
"That is not necessary," Morganna said, she had known he would offer this. Remembering Sterenn's warnings, she would not allow him to accompany her. "I have arranged for a guard to accompany us. Perth's finest."
"Then allow me to join you," Brandon offered, fighting to keep the smile on his face from slipping. "I would love to see Glas Claddach,"
"It is simply a social visit," she objected, "And I know how hard you work; I'd hate to take you from your office." Just then, the wet nurse appeared with two young boys who carried several bags. Amena and Britta stood beside her, holding each tohers hands and smiling up at Morganna.
"Are we going on an adventure mummy?" Amena asked excitedly.
"Yes my dear," Morganna nodded. "And we're leaving at once." She bowed to Brandon and the other lords. "My lords," They all bwoed in return, except Brandon whose smile had faded. He stared blankly into space as she stepped around them, leading the small party down the corridor and out of the castle.
_________________ Ainmire Sera-Blodh of House Flenadrison, second of his name, King in the South, Ruler of Carrickshire, and slayer of false Kings. "The Crippled King" "Flanders"
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