Chapter 12 - I see you...

Chapter 12 – I see you…

“Tell me what you see, sister!” Oswald yelled. Frieda sat stone-faced. There was a time when she had feared her brother, but she had learned that he needed her, and that there was no way he could rule without her.

“What do you want to know, brother.” She droned. There was no love there, only a need to survive. She was the daughter of the king, but had no real rights. The only thing keeping her safe was Oswald, and the only thing Oswald wanted from her was her gift.

“I want to know where Katharine is now. My men tell me she is in Charland, preparing to marry Dane, but you said that they would not be wed this week, you said that they did not want to wed! Now tell me, sister, what do you see?” He pounded his fist on the table, his face a bright red. Frieda gazed into the pool of water and concentrated. She could see faces, and suddenly she was lost in a swirl of liquid light, as if she were underwater looking up at the world. She concentrated harder, and the world became clear again.

“I see Katharine and Dane, together, but… They don’t know each other. They are on horseback, on a picnic? Alone. It is the countryside…” She trailed off. She looked around, but did not recognize the land. She had never seen it before. “There is a small village in the distance. It does not look familiar. They are laughing… “ She stopped. They looked like they were in love. Katharine touched Dane’s arm, like her mother used to touch the King. Frieda wanted someone to look at her the way that Dane looked at Katharine. Frieda did not want her brother to know that they were in love. He would hold off his plan if he thought that they were not going to be wed.

“Inconceivable!” Oswald hollered. “If they are not at Charland Castle than who is? And where are they?” His hollered and stomping about broke her concentration, and she was thrust back through the swirling liquid into her own sad reality. She blinked at the dimness of the room. “Where would a prince and a princess go to hide?” He asked no one. His eyebrows, once furrowed, now raised, and he looked almost excited. “Perhaps… Yes! That has to be it!” He dropped a bag on the table and left the room, without another word.

She wondered how much he had left her this time. She spilled the contents of the bag onto the table. She sighed. The gold and silver coins were scarcely more than what her cook made in a moon, but hardly enough for what she was planning. She needed to get away from Oswald, to somewhere safe. If he kept giving her a mere pittance, than she would never be able to save enough… She wondered if he knew she was planning to run away, to meet the handsome man in her visions. The one who helped King Edward. He was a strong beautiful man, with such kindness in his eyes…

Katharine and Dane - Chapter 10– Katharine meets Dane

“Lady Anne!” Dane enthused, “You look lovelier than ever!” Anne hugged the young Prince. She had always adored the boy. She was sad to hear that he did not want to marry Katharine.

He looked around. Not much had changed since the last time that he had visited. The only thing that was really different this time was that there was not as much pomp and circumstance at his arrival. Not being the prince for a week or so could be fun.

“Duke! It is so nice to see you.” Lady Anne winked at him. “Please let me show you to your rooms!” She led him and his few servants to the rooms that had been prepared for them.

“Now,” She said, “Elizabeth will be here soon, and I really want you to meet her. She would be a good catch for a man like you. She’s sweet, kind, a little sheltered, though. Rarely gets out of the castle, but that’s to be expected y’know.” She smiled, “I think you will really like her.”

He wondered if this sweet, sheltered handmaiden was pretty…not that he was all that interested. After all this week he was Duke! Duke didn’t hang around just one woman, he wasn’t tied down. He was free! He could have any woman he wanted, and some that he didn’t want too… Yes, he would really enjoy this week.

He looked around and saw that the servants had already finished unpacking his things. He wondered if there was time to clean up before he met this Elizabeth.

He heard the announcement that someone had arrived, and ventured toward the main entryway. It was some old noble man from Moscovia, no one of great interest. He wandered out the back and into the garden, toward the stable, he loved to ride horses.

“I wonder if Elizabeth likes horses…” He asked aloud to no one in particular. “Well, I guess I’ll find out.” He decided. Then he wandered back inside, past the library, and the small reception area. He was surprised at the lack of young women about. He had remembered Anne’s retreat always having a number of young ladies, usually the daughters of nobility.

“Duke!” He heard one of his servants bellow. “Lady Anne has requested your presence at the Main Entrance.” He quickened his pace.

“Thank you George” Dane patted the man on the back. Good old George, he was a loyal servant, always willing to do a little extra.

“Duke, there you are. You just wandered off…” Anne shook her head at him. He smiled. “Elizabeth is arriving… Straighten your shirt.” He did as he was told. He looked down at his pants to make sure that there was no visible dirt, and as he looked up, she entered.

She was not at all what he had expected. This was a handmaiden? She was slim, pale, with long brown hair. She wore a blue riding gown, that brought out her sparkling blue eyes. Her skin was so milky, and looked quite soft, belying pampering – not hard work. She smiled at Anne, and he melted a little. Her voice was like a songbird…her voice…Oh! She was talking! Had she said something to him? No, he blinked, almost back to reality, she was embracing Anne, and the two women were chatting.

“Duke of Cardborough,” Anne said, holding Katharine’s hand, “This is Elizabeth, handmaiden to the Princess of Moscovia.” Katharine curtsied, and Dane bowed.

“I am quite pleased to meet you.” Dane said taking her hand. He gently kissed the back of her hand, and Katharine felt electricity run up her spine.

“And I you, m’Lord” She said, almost breathless. This Duke was young, and very handsome. His build was muscular, but not bulky. His hair was dark, and thick. He was dressed well. His eyes were so dark they were almost black. She felt she would get lost in them if he held her gaze much longer.

“Come Elizabeth.” Lady Anne interjected. “We need to get you to your rooms. You will need to get ready for dinner.” Yes, rooms, dinner, of course. Katharine collected herself.

“Thank you.” She desperately wanted to get away from this man before she forgot everything she had been taught about propriety. His very presence unnerved her so, that she just wanted to run and hide. His smell was still with her as they reached her rooms. Anne hugged her niece again, and left her with the servants. She had a few words for Dane.

“Young man!” She hissed at him. “How could you look at that young woman that way? Can I trust you with her this week?” She was not as sure as her sister was that this man should be left alone with Katharine. Prince or no, Anne had seen the look in his eyes, and she knew what men could be capable of.

“I am no monster madam!” Dane was hurt, and a little shocked that he was so transparent. He had been thinking of terribly inappropriate things. “She will be perfectly safe with me.” Anne looked at him. If it had been the real Duke standing there, she would have put an end to the nonsense then and there, but Dane was not the rogue his best friend was, no matter what the rumors said. She sighed.

“She is completely innocent, and I expect that she will leave the same way!” Anne stated. “See to it.” She said, leaving in a huff.

Perhaps being Duke was not so great…Especially when he was not in his own kingdom. He really wanted to see Elizabeth again. He wondered what she had thought of him.

Katharine and Dane - Chapter 6 – Douglas and Rebecca's deception

“Douglas, do you think it’s right?” Lamented Queen Rebecca, “Lying to our only child?” Poor sweet innocent Katharine, she thought to herself.

“It would seem we have no choice. Besides, maybe she will learn to love him this way. Just like I learned to love you.” He loved to watch Rebecca blush.

“Alright, alright. So what are we supposed to tell her?” A smile played on Douglas’ lips.


“Father” She said slowly, “What are you saying? Elizabeth marries the Prince? And I go to Aunt Anne’s? I must say I am a little confused.” Katharine sat on her bed.

“Well, my child, Dane needs a bride, and we promised Edward and Christine… Since you wouldn’t marry him, Elizabeth agreed to go in your stead.” Douglas felt a little bad lying to her, but he was hopeful it would all turn out for the best. “It wouldn’t be appropriate for you to be there, and we cant have you here so close to the marriage deadline. Besides the Duke of Cardborough will be at Aunt Anne’s house, and he should be excellent company. He could be a good match…”

“I don’t know Father. Isn’t he one of Dane’s friends?” Katharine eyed her parents warily.

“Give the man a sporting chance, and it’s only for a week.” Rebecca interjected. Katharine shrugged.

“What could it hurt. I suppose I will pack for the trip.” She felt some relief, a little bit of triumph. Though there was a twang of guilt. Her reluctance to marry had forced her best friend into a marriage. Now she was being sent away, essentially to hide out from Oswald.

She hated this, all of it. The having to grow up, be an adult, but still not able to make her own decisions. She had to marry someone, but she didn’t really like men, they were rude and mean. Men killed other men over stupid things… They lied, and cheated. There were some men like her father who were kind and just, but she had never met anyone else like that, though Kind Edward was a nice enough man, the few times that she had met him.

She packed, while she thought about her future husband. She just wanted someone kind, gentle, and fair. Who didn’t want to rule the world, just wanted the best for his subjects.

She would see of this Duke fellow was worth her time… what precious little time she had left…

Character Intro - Katharine and Elizabeth

Katharine - Second born to Queen Rebecca and King Douglas. Almost 16 years of age when the story begins. Her older Brother Brendon died when she was very young, it has affected every part of her life.

Elizabeth - handmaiden, and best friend of Princess Katharine. She is fiercely loyal, fond of boys, and very impressionable. She thinks she knows a lot about men, but doesn't.