Cadfael

I sat in my personal council chamber with my advisors, minor lords that helped me rule over North Hold. Despite Bran's urging I had decided to hold today's meeting in the chamber instead of my bedroom. I was sick of my empty bed and the maids fussing over me, the crowded feeling of my personal chambers as my advisors vied for the best chair closest to my bed.

Merely having Bran relay my thoughts and orders to them was not effective, so I had sacrificed my privacy until it was too much for me to bear.

My eyes shifted to the corner where one of my maids waited dutifully for my orders. She had been watching me surreptitiously from under her lashes when I focused on her. She jerked her head and trembled under my gaze while focusing on her feet.

I raised my hand and Bran rushed to my side. "Yes, my lord?" he whispered in my ear.

"Have that maid wait outside. She's a distraction," I said coldly.

"As you wish."

The lord who had been talking paused and waited for me to finish speaking to Bran. He watched the interaction between the maid and Bran before looking back to me. "My Lord Cadfael, if I may ask a question?"

"Proceed, Kin Cals."

"Due to your recent injuries, the council is worried that the Hold would be left leaderless. We think it's time to declare an heir."

Hearing Cals's words caused a sharp pain to bolt through my chest. I felt my ribs throbbing even though I had swallowed a foul concoction to dull the pain. I ground my teeth while silently watching the men before me. Some looked nervous, and others excited.

As an only child I did not need to compete for my father's lordship, but if I died before naming an heir my cousins and Hold Kin would fight ruthlessly for control of the Hold. Some of them had backers from other Holds willing to exchange riches for a stake in our military might. I did not focus on these men too closely lest they became aware that I knew of their infidelity.

"My Kin, I would like to name my son Aurelio as my heir."

There was a sharp intake of breath in the silence that followed my words.

"Lord Cadfael, you can't be serious. Excusing my words, but your son is a bastard!"

I ground my teeth and hardened my gaze as I glared at Cals. "My son was conceived during my marriage to Lady Amaya so he should be considered a legitimate candidate."

"My Lord, you didn't know that you had a son until almost a year ago. How do you know that he isn't Lord Gideon's offspring?" Lord Helio piped.

"Not to mention the rumors about Lady Ai's...liasons," Lord Raoul added.

"In short, my lord, Lord Aur's lineage and relation to you cannot be confirmed. We can't be sure that the other Hold Kin will accept him," Lord Cals said.

I shifted uncomfortably on my pillows as I pondered my situation. My Hold Kin would not willingly accept Aur as my heir and I had no other children. Sol did not want children, and after struggling so many times to conceive an heir with Ai, I was afraid of losing another child to the halls of the Bone God.

I covered my eyes as sorrow pressed down on my head anew. If even one of them had survived I would not have to deal with this now. Why did my misfortune have to continue to harm me?

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"Lord Cadfael, is it possible to conceive an heir with Lady Sol?"

"Don't be foolish, Kin Raoul. We don't even know if she's still alive! We must wait for word from Illustrius Lasaro."

I held my tongue as I listened to them bicker. How could I tell them that my wife desired no children? How could I tell them that I agreed?

"My Kin, I assure you that I will name an heir after careful consideration."

"We cannot wait too long, especially with the recent attacks by the Landwalkers," Lord Cals said. "Would you consider my son as a possible candidate? He's currently a major on the Clays outpost." My advisors began to grumble as Cals shamelessly promoted his son.

Lord Helio cleared his throat. "It'd be better for Lady Sol to bear him an heir. We have the other Holds to consider. Can your son support our alliance with East Hold? We're already on shaky ground with Middle Hold after the divorce to their daughter."

"Not to mention they also kidnapped and assaulted Lady Sol."

"What's worse is I heard that Lady Ai paid them to do it," I heard one of the lords whisper to another. I felt my face burning with anger. If what was said was true, Gideon would have a lot to answer to. There was no way he did not know what his wife was plotting. Was this a larger scheme to weaken my influence in North Hold?

I did not have a legitimate heir, my wife had been kidnapped and beaten before and was now missing, while I was nearly bedridden from injuries she had given me while possessed. What god had I angered to be subjected to such misfortune? Did I offend the Bone God or the Moon God? Should I pray to the Gentle God for more protection?

The throbbing in my chest intensified as it creeped up my neck and into my head. Suddenly the lights felt too bright as if I stared into the blazing sun.

My advisors continued to bicker as my pain grew. "We're done," I growled.

"My lord?"

I lifted my head from my hand. Bran must have noticed the murderous look in my eyes because he immediately approached the table. "My lords, Lord Cadfael needs to rest. His injuries still need a few weeks to heal."

The lords bowed to me and left quickly. "They wouldn't dare to talk to me like that if I was in good health," I growled sullenly. "Maybe I should name you as my heir. That'd plunge them into the abyss."

"As much as I love this Hold, I have no desire to rule it." He began reviewing his notes beside me.

"They've never grumbled so loudly about an heir."

"Maybe they feel that they no longer need to be as sensitive to your fatherhood woes after so many years."

I shook my head gingerly, my blood roaring in my ears. "They're just upset that I didn't marry a lady with political backing."

"I'm sure that divine backing trumps some gray haired lord," Bran said as he wrote something down. "My Lord, have you thought of what you plan to do when Lady Sol returns?"

I covered my eyes and gritted my teeth. "She's my wife; I know she wouldn't hurt me on purpose."

"Do the other lords know that? How can you be sure that she's not possessed once more? And what of the Prince's order to have her live in the capital?"

I picked up a cup from the table before me and sipped on the stale water. How many hours had I been in my conference room? Three? Five? I sighed and turned my attention back to Bran.

"Can I guarantee that you won't be possessed and try to strangle me in my sleep?" I asked with a raised brow. Bran replied with a snort and produced an amulet from around his throat.

"That will be very unlikely, Sir."

"We'll do as the Prince wishes. I do not wish to be added to his long execution list. I'm just worried that having her move there will spur rumors of her being a monster or that she's lost favor with me." I rubbed my eyes with my hands and wished that the throbbing would stop. "Help me to my chambers. I don't want to be disturbed by anyone, my head is in agony."

Bran bowed and lifted me to my feet carefully. He offered me his arm and then led me out into the corridor where we were met with my guards. Since the mercenary attack on my home, they had not been far from my side. I struggled to remember this pair's names, but the pain in my head caused my thoughts to slip away from me quickly.

Soon most of my weight was being supported by Bran and he stumbled, nearly sending me to the floor. I heard my maids gasp behind me. My guards hesitated to touch me. "You, help me to my chambers," I snapped at the one on my right. Gingerly he hooked my arm around his neck and began to match Bran's pace as he continued to support me from my left side. "You know you could have asked for help," I whispered to Bran. "Stubborn old man."

He chuckled.

We soon reached my bed chambers and Bran lowered me onto the bed. My maids immediately stepped forward and bowed. "My lord, do you wish us to warm up your covers or provide you with food or drink?"

"I need none of that. I wish to rest undisturbed except for any emergencies or news of my wife," I said as I tried to find a position to relax that didn't aggravate my wounds. The maids bowed and scurried from the room. "Bran, I leave you in charge for now."

"Thank you, My Lord." He bowed and closed the door after himself.