Kaewyn found himself in his own bed for the first time in months. Despite being back in his chambers and no longer forced to sleep in a tent, he found the night to be particularly cold and harsh. The chill surprised him and he struggled to sleep with just his furs to keep him warm. It was then that his mind recalled how warm it had been when he had shared his furs with Camilla the night that they became intimate for the first time, after which he found that he struggled to sleep for an entirely different reason. Eventually, he called for a servant to fetch some fuel to stoke the fire and warm up the room, and soon the sleep he craved managed to find him.
When he woke, he saw the morning sun shining into his room through the window and onto his desk. His collections of rare books beckoned him. One, in particular, had caught his eye. It was called History and Lineages of the Kingdoms, and from memory, Kaewyn believed it focused on the pre-empire period before the rise of the Founding Emperor and his conquests. It had been so long since he had just spent a day enjoying a book. He felt that familiar urge rising in the back of his mind to avoid his responsibilities and shut himself away in his chambers all day. It would have been an easy decision a year ago, but now he was the Lord, and everyone would be waiting for him at court.
Kaewyn sighed.
He climbed out of bed and yawned, stretching out until he felt that satisfying click of relieved pressure in his arms and legs. He then stood, made his way over to the desk, and pawed at the book he so desperately wanted to read. It was an older book, and rare enough that despite his search, he hadn’t found a copy within all of Greystone Province. He’d ordered it through a merchant who frequently visited Xu Castle. He remembered the merchant saying that he hailed from SIlvershore Province to the northwest, a land famed for its wealth, trade and access to rare commodities. Kaewyn supposed that was where he got his books from. He hadn’t seen the merchant since his father left to join the Coalition of Lords to remove the Great Traitor from power and he found himself wondering if he would ever see him visit again.
Kaewyn then turned his attention away from books and to the business of the day. As he intended to hold court, he figured he should dress for the occasion. The dirty clothes he wore under his armour for the campaign wouldn’t suffice for a lord to wear at court, so instead, he called for a servant to assist him in getting properly dressed. The servant brought him a selection of clothes he hadn’t seen or worn for many years. His body had changed since these clothes had been made for him. His height hadn’t changed, nor had his frame, but he certainly weighed less now after his experience in the military. His arms and legs were toned and more muscular, his shoulders ever so slightly broader. Most of the clothes the servant helped him with were loose in some places and tight in others. He found the entire process altogether frustrating and tiresome. After a good ten minutes of rummaging through his old clothes, he eventually found something suitable that fit him.
Kaewyn left his chambers wearing a grey robe patterned with small swirls with a striking white trim. Over his robe, he wore a surcoat made of cloth which was of similar design and colour that covered him down to his knees. The Edderfield family crest was emblazoned proudly upon the chest of the surcoat and the robe could be seen underneath through very large holes for his arms. A black and gold belt sat comfortably around his midriff and kept the surcoat in place and preventing it from sagging. For his bottom half, he wore simple breeches. With the surcoat covering most of his legs, he figured he could get away with something simple and comfortable rather than opting for something more fanciful. After all, he considered that he may be stuck in court for some time and wanted to be comfortable if that was the case. He was also wearing a velvet cap of a deep, dark red, but opted to do without at the last minute, tossing it back inside his chambers haphazardly, much to the chagrin of his servant. Now looking the part of one at court, he dismissed the helpful servant and set out toward the great hall, but before he had made three steps, Yohren appeared at the far end of the hallway. His retainer looked tired and frustrated and called to him in a tone that supported his theory.
Yohren had been busy. His retainer explained that he had been tasked by General Alaric to find Lady Eliya but he had struggled to find her anywhere. Kaewyn asked if he had checked the guest rooms to which Yohren groaned in frustration and said that he had. He also explained that he had walked the walls of the castle and explored practically everywhere else within the castle, but the lady was nowhere to be found. Kaewyn then suggested that perhaps she and his brother had gone for a ride or were visiting Oakerton together, but Yohren quickly cut him short and told him that he had already checked with the gate captain. No one had left Xu Castle since midnight.
“Well, then there is only one other place she could be,” Kaewyn said, shaking his head and chuckling to himself. My brother’s chambers, no doubt.
“Where?” Yohren replied. “I’ve looked everywhere.”
“Follow me,” He gestured with his hand. “And we will find out if my suspicion proves correct.”
“All right, but I hope we find her soon.”
“What is this all about anyway?” He asked.
“Well, General Alaric told me that he wishes to have our troops train with the Edheren warriors while they are here. He seemed very serious about having it organised as soon as possible.” Yohren replied. “He also wanted me to inform Lady Eliya that a wagon of supplies is ready to be sent to her men camped outside of the town to help feed them on their return journey, but hopes that they can train first.”
“Hmm. The General certainly places a lot of value on training. Our soldiers are only just back from a long campaign. You would think he would allow them to rest.”
“Apparently not.” Yohren chuckled. “I am glad I am not a soldier.”
“We are all soldiers, Yohren. When it comes down to it.” He mumbled. “Anyway, I think I know where to find your missing Lady, Yohren. Follow me.”
Yohren nodded and followed Kaewyn through the hallways that made up the private area of the castle. To walk these hallways and enter these rooms was forbidden to all except those of the Edderfield family and their closest servants and retainers. This section of the castle was designed so that the hallways resembled the shape of an H on its side. There were two hallways with a smaller one connecting them both in the middle. Each hallway was named for its location relative to the castle itself. There was the southern hallway, the northern hallway and the smaller, connecting hallway. The southern and northern hallways had three rooms that were used as the private chambers of each family member, except for the Lord and Lady of the castle who had a larger room for themselves. The Lord and Lady’s room could be entered via the smaller, connecting hallway that joined the southern and northern together in the middle, and was far larger than the standard rooms like the one Kaewyn called his own. Directly across from his parent’s chambers in the smaller, connecting hallway, was the castle’s solar which faced East. In total, the family area of the castle boasted a total of eight rooms, with two larger ones being the solar and Lord and Lady’s chambers and the remaining six for their children or other family living in Xu Castle. At the far western side of each hallway there was also a stairway that led down into the great hall and the rest of the castle. As this stair connected the private area to the rest of the castle, it was usually guarded by the very best guardsmen in all of Xu Castle.
Kaewyn passed by two of the rooms next to his own in his southern hallway. Since his birth, that and one other room in the northern hallway had always been empty. His father told him a long time ago that Kaewyn’s uncles used to live in those rooms but they had been empty since their untimely deaths. Continuing on, he turned right and walked through the smaller, connecting hallway and passed by the Solar and his parent’s chambers. Though he was now the lord, he did not feel comfortable taking his parent’s room just yet. With his mother unaccounted for, the idea simply didn’t feel right with him. Until he knew her fate or until she returned home, he would not consider taking the larger room for himself, even if that was the custom expected of him.
Yohren tapped him on the shoulder and then paused a moment and looked at him quizzically. “Kaewyn, since we are sharing supplies with Lady Eliya’s soldiers, I was wondering… are we doing the same with the Ralerai? And couldn’t General Alaric invite their warriors to train with them as well?”
Kaewyn tilted his head in thought. “I hadn’t considered that and… I certainly did not expect you to consider the Ralerai.”
“I didn’t.” Yohren stammered. “I’m not. It’s just… fair is fair, no? No disrespect to the Edheren warriors, but they didn’t get a chance to help us fight the barbarian invasion. The Ralerai did, so who’s looking after them?”
“You make a fair point, Yohren,” Kaewyn said. “I do not know if any arrangements have already been made. As far as I am aware, the Ralerai have camped some distance from Oakerton. Perhaps you could follow up with the General on this? I am sure Sir Darius would appreciate it.”
“I’m sure he would,” Yohren said with a quiet sigh. “…I still need to talk to him. About my mother.”
“You should,” Kaewyn said firmly. “When you are ready. It may help you come terms with your past.”
Yohren nodded his head and the pair continued down the shorter, connecting hallway until they reached the northern hallway. The room directly ahead of them was empty and had been since his earliest recollection. The room on the left, however, still bore painful memories for him. Those chambers once belonged to his late older sister, Alyssa. The thought of her still hurt, but some of the good memories allowed him to smile every now and then as well. He remembered as a young boy waiting outside her room impatiently for her to emerge to play with him in the courtyard. Though he guessed now that his older sister always had better things to do at the time, Alyssa always made time for him. The thought of it brought a brief smile.
As Kaewyn turned his attention to the last of the three rooms in the northern hallway, doing his best not to let thoughts of his late sister bring down his mood, a sudden thump and crash echoed down from within the room. Suddenly, the door ahead swung open and the woman they were looking for almost fell out into the hallway. Kaewyn used his right hand to gently bring Yohren back with him as he ducked back around the corner. No longer able to see Eliya, Kaewyn waited for the sound of the chamber door shutting before then pushing Yohren forward and walking back into the northern hallway. He stepped forward with a feigned look of surprise as he announced his and Yohren’s presence with a tactical and deliberate cough.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
The Lady of Edheren Province looked over at them in surprise but the moment only lasted a second before she regained her composure. Eliya flicked her black hair over her shoulder and smirked, then walked toward them as confidently as she always was. Yohren gulped nervously and looked at Kaewyn expectantly, only to receive a shake of the head and a smile in return.
“Lord Kaewyn!” She exclaimed. “I am so glad you found me. I appear to have gotten lost and cannot find my way back to the great hall.”
“How unfortunate.” He said sarcastically, playing along with her game. “This area of the castle is restricted and no one but a member of the Edderfield family or their servants and retainers are permitted here.”
“Oh, I was unaware.” Said Eliya with a grin that told him more than words ever could. She knew she wasn’t permitted to be here. “Will you forgive me?”
Kaewyn nodded his head and gestured toward the stairs at the far end of the hallway. “Make your way to the stairs and you will find the great hall.”
“Oh thank you Lord Kaewyn,” She said as she eyed him up and down. “How can I ever make it up to you?”
“Not prolonging this conversation is thanks enough, my lady.” He said.
“Very well then,” Eliya winked at him and then bowed low, so low in fact that he was sure she was deliberately overdoing it just for his sake. “I hope I can find the stairs all by myself and not get lost again.”
“It is a straight hallway.” He said flatly. “You could not get lost even if you intended to do so.”
When Eliya did not respond, Kaewyn turned his head to Yohren and gestured with a flick of the head for him to accompany her. Yohren looked scared, and Kaewyn did not blame him for being so, but his retainer needed to speak with her anyway.
“Then allow my retainer, Yohren, to escort you. I believe he has business with you regarding General Alaric and a matter of supplies for your men.”
Suddenly, Eliya’s demeanour changed, as if she’d had enough of the game they were playing. Her eyes locked in on Yohren like a bird of prey and her words no longer sounded sarcastic or playful.
“Come then, tell me what the General has to say and be quick about it.”
“Y-yes, milady.”
Lady Eliya and Yohren soon disappeared at the far end of the northern hallway and left Kaewyn standing alone outside of Rahim’s chambers. For a moment, he considered going back to his own chambers and possibly reading that book before it came time for court, but he had also missed his brother greatly. Therefore, he approached the chamber door, knocked three times, and waited, hoping Rahim was in a fit state to greet him after Eliya’s departure.
After a short while, the chamber door creaked open. Standing before him stood Rahim, bare-chested with only his token of Ohnix hanging loosely around his neck, and an ashamed look on his face.
“Kaewyn…” Rahim said. “So it was you I heard speaking with Eliya.”
Kaewyn nodded. “May I come in?”
Rahim stepped back and gestured for him to enter, closing the door behind him after he had stepped through. Rahim’s chambers were much the same as his own in terms of size and layout, but where Kaewyn had bookshelves, Rahim had racks of armour and weapons. He figured some items were purely ceremonial as many were fixed to walls in display. These items seemed to him to be older in design and rather ornate and quite possibly, he believed, to be from as far back as the founding of the Revaryn Empire. Other items, however, bore signs of heavy use and were scratched and worn. He didn’t know whether Rahim kept them for use in practical reasons such as training and practice or whether for sentimental reasons, but the contrast between the old and worn and the clean and ornate was fascinating to him.
“Is this the part where my beloved cousin lectures me about bringing Eliya to my chambers?” Rahim chuckled.
“Do not call yourself my cousin, Rahim!” Kaewyn snapped. “You are as much my brother as Alyssa was our sister.”
Rahim did not respond. He only sighed and lowered his head.
“You could at least be more subtle,” Kaewyn said. “Did you have to bring her to your chambers? Could you not have rather gone to her in the guest rooms instead?”
“I wasn’t aware that there was one rule for me and another for you, brother.” Rahim said snidely.
Kaewyn narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean by that?”
“Are you going to stand there and tell me that when Camilla was here, she didn’t find herself in your chambers?”
“Who told you that?” He said annoyedly.
“It’s not much of a secret, Kaewyn,” Rahim said with a cheeky smile. “I’ve also heard she was in your tent at Taneby.”
Kaewyn sighed.
“I cannot believe you took her to a battlefield!” Rahim laughed.
“I did no such thing!” He protested. “As far as I knew, she was safe and here in Xu Castle. Then I found her suddenly in my tent.”
“Then she must really like you, brother.” Rahim teased. “So, uhh, have you… breached her castle?”
Kaewyn looked at Rahim with a blank stare and sighed.
“Has she… polished your sword?”
Kaewyn sighed again.
“Given her a green gown?”
“I do not… understand that one.”
“Green stains from laying together in the grass and…” Rahim explained. “You learn many references to the deed when you spend time with soldiers on campaign.”
“I spent plenty of time with them but I never heard talk of such things.” He said.
“Then you didn’t spend time with the right soldiers.” Rahim laughed. “And you have yet to answer my question.”
Kaewyn shook his head angrily. “It isn’t any of your business!”
Rahim’s eyes widened. “You have!”
He felt an incredible surge of embarrassment. Even though Rahim was laughing, he could barely look him in the eyes without having to look away. He didn’t like being judged for his actions, even if the judgement wasn’t necessarily a negative one.
“You have turned red, brother,” Rahim said. “Why are you so embarrassed? It is nothing to be ashamed about.”
“Says the one sneaking a woman into his chambers?”
“Sneaking? Hardly.” Rahim said. “If I were overly worried, I would have done as you said and gone to her in the guest rooms. But never mind that, I am happy for you Kaewyn. It is about time you got out there and experienced new things other than books for a change.”
“It’s more than just that with Camilla.” He said. “When I am with her, I feel… different. Like I want to be a better person. Is that how you feel when you are with Eliya?”
Rahim shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t really know. Truth be told, when I am alone with Eliya she isn’t much of a talker. Her focus is on… other things.”
“Well, do you love her?”
“By Ohnix, Kaewyn! I don’t know. It’s too soon for me to say.” Said Rahim in astonishment. “I know she enjoys my company, and I hers, but I have no idea how she truly feels about me. Maybe I am just a convenience for her? We are allies of convenience and necessity, who’s to say what would happen between us if that were no longer the case.” Rahim paused. “What about you and Camilla? Do you love her?”
Kaewyn hesitated before he answered, not because he doubted his feelings for Camilla, but because openly declaring how he felt about her somehow made it feel more real to him.
“I do.” He finally said with conviction. “I do love her.”
Rahim stared at him quizzically. “Then why isn’t she here with us now? You left her back in Vinum Province?”
“I did not choose to leave her there. In fact, we planned to for her come back with me.”
“You planned?”
“Once the barbarian invasion was dealt with, our plan was for her to accompany me back to Xu Castle and for her to live here with me, but…”
“I’m guessing this has something to do with Rhys?” Rahim guessed.
“In more ways than one, yes.” He replied. “We knew Rhys was angry with us after he found Camilla in my tent outside of Taneby and we didn’t expect him to look upon our request favourably. So we decided together that we would wait until after the barbarian invasion was dealt with, hoping Rhys would be more accepting of our plan to be together once he had less to stress him. He was under a lot of pressure with Varde under siege and Alina being pregnant.”
“Alina is pregnant?” Rahim said.
Kaewyn nodded. “Yes, so you can understand why Rhys was on edge. With his wife trapped in a castle surrounded by thousands of barbarian warriors and his land ravaged for the second time in less than a year, Rhys had become incredibly hostile, to Camilla especially.”
“Hostile?”
“He hit her, Rahim. That is when I lost it. I found him in camp before the final battle and struck him. I had to be pulled away by several men or I would have pummelled him into the ground for what he did.”
“By Ohnix, Kaewyn. You and Rhys used to be fast friends. Has he truly become so unhinged as to hit his own sister?” Rahim said with a shake of his head. “If this is true, then all the more reason why she should be here with us and not in Vinum with Rhys.”
“That was our plan, but Camilla chose to stay after Rhys was wounded. With her brother badly wounded and in no shape to do much of anything, as well as the fact Alina needed someone to be there for her, well, she didn’t feel that she could leave her family in such a state. Not without feeling an immense amount of guilt.”
“I don’t like it.” Rahim said. “You should have insisted on bringing her here.”
“I couldn’t, and you obviously do not remember how stubborn Camilla is when she wants to do something.” He said with a chuckle. “Besides, who am I to tell her to choose me over her own family?”
“You are her lover, are you not?” Rahim said. “I don’t think you should have let her stay with Rhys after what he did.”
Kaewyn sighed and lowered his head. He didn’t know what else to say. He agreed with Rahim, but in the end, he didn’t feel it was his place to tell Camilla what to do no matter how he felt about the situation. All he could do was say how he felt, but he believed the rest was her decision to make.
“Well, what’s your plan now then?” Rahim asked. “You cannot be happy with her staying in Vinum forever.”
“When everything settles down and Alina has her child, and if Rhys recovers from his wounds… maybe then she come to Xu Castle.”
Rahim scoffed. “Tch, you cannot be serious, Kaewyn. You are smarter than that. This is about as settled as things are ever going to get. A storm is coming. I know you don’t like storms, but this one is coming our way regardless, and it’s going to be huge. Lord Valehran will turn his eyes to Edheren, to Greystone, and to Vinum, eventually. Until he is dealt with, this is about as settled as things will ever be.”
“You may be right,” He admitted.
“If I were you, I’d saddle up that nice new horse you got and ride to Vinum right now and bring her home.” Rahim said adamantly. “By Ohnix, I’d even ride with you if you asked. Let them try and stop us!”
“As much as I agree with you Rahim, I have to respect her decision to stay.”
His brother shrugged his shoulders and sat on the edge of his bed. “If you say so, Kaewyn. But if I knew that the woman I loved was out there, I wouldn’t be hesitating to ride out and get her. More so if I knew she was with her ass of a brother.”
Kaewyn sighed. “Speaking of women we love, have you spoken to Eliya about when you plan to return to Edheren Province?”
Rahim rolled his eyes, but otherwise, he let the verbal jab go unanswered. “Yes, Eliya wants to leave in a week. She is anxious to be back in Edheren.”
“Then can I count on your support in court today?” He asked. “At least until you set out with Eliya.”
Rahim grumbled under his breath. “I prefer to leave that sort of thing to you, brother, but since I am here and you ask it of me, I will be there to support you.”
“Thank you, Rahim.” He said. “I’m going to go and find the others and prepare. I am sure there is a myriad of issues to discuss and work out, but I must say that it was good to speak with you again. I have missed having you here.”
“It was good to speak with you again too, Kaewyn,” Rahim said warmly.
Kaewyn embraced his brother in a hug and said his farewells, then departed Rahim’s chambers and headed toward the great hall in search of whomever he could find. This session of court was bound to set the agenda for the entirety of Greystone province for the foreseeable future. He hoped that the coming storm Rahim spoke about was still a way off just yet and that they had enough time to prepare for it.