Lunamae (14 page)

There was only a midday meal on the feast
day. We stopped at the keep entrance and put our wrapped gifts
under the large tree. When we approached the feasting hall I was
overcome by the decorations. It wasn’t my first feast in there as I
had attended plenty in years past. This year was different; the
chieftain from Alta was here. They overdid themselves with
decorations. The ceiling had red and green silk streamers hanging
down with alternating bows and pine boughs. There were pine
garlands all over the room and an upside-down tree in the center of
the room. The tables were all around the tree. The tree was much
like the one in the entrance of the keep but slightly smaller so we
could all see each other. We were seated near the chief dame. The
chieftain would sit next to her and my family on her other side
since they were the closest relation next to Lunamae who sat
directly next to her there. The monks and Barri were seated next to
Enrik so they could be close enough to converse.

Angharad turned to meet the eyes of Enrik.
“So what is so important to require you both here during feast
time, and involves my daughter but not her marriage?” the chief
dame asked. The chieftain shifted uncomfortably next to her.

“Have you heard of the rhymester tale of the
woman born under a full luna on the fifth day of the fifth month?”
Chieftain Enrik inquired.

“The tale spoken of by the Kyrians?” she
said, still facing the chieftain. Her expression was serious and
her teeth clenched.

“That is the one,” the chieftain
concluded.

“What about it?” Angharad said.

The chieftain started, “We believe that it is
your daughter they speak of. As you know, Kyrie is often at war
with the clans to the north—clans like Feyln, which is how we heard
of the tale. It is very hard to keep the peace, especially since we
are all separated. The Feyln people are telling all the other
clans. They think that if Lunamae were to marry a Kyrian, then
perhaps they would agree to peace … assuming of course that all the
clans united under one rule as well.”

“Would you be willing to give up your power
in the clan?” Angharad asked with interest.

“I would. Not only that, but Barri would also
build a chapel here, assuming Feyris is the location for that one
rule,” Enrik affirmed. Angharad put her hand on her chin in
thought. I wondered what she would be thinking. I knew it wouldn’t
bode well with the Kyrians if they found out she was hiding
prisoners in the dungeon. She would have to release them before any
discussion of marriage between them could occur.

“I would have to spend some time to consider
this. It’s certainly something that I wouldn’t do with only a light
thought. Lunamae is my only child and heir. I am still waiting to
hear back from Fanarion,” the chief dame told him. He nodded in
understanding, and then didn’t continue on the conversation, but
instead allowed Barri to speak.

“We do think that the chapel would be helpful
in meeting the needs of many, and some clans might merge into this
village. That is why we have agreed to it,” the friar said,
scratching his tonsure for a second. “As I had mentioned, I would
be willing to lead the congregation here. There is already a chapel
in Moir Awin so we would have greater reach this way. It would be
the best way to spread the word of the Teacher and Creator.” I was
surprised he spoke so eloquently. Then again, we rarely had any
clergy visit. It was nice to hear faith talked about with such
passion. I wondered what Theron would do if he came here. While
believing in the Creator is not a requirement, I think he’d be
looked down on if he did not follow with us.

The chief dame remained silent, only nodding
her head. I realized suddenly that Lunamae was in the room. Being a
maiden, I had completely forgotten about my family there as well. I
took a look at Lunamae who looked utterly despondent. She didn’t
want to marry just anyone from Kyrie, she wanted Marcus. If Marcus
went back to Kyrie, I wonder if he would reveal the imprisonment. I
then thought how they would explain their disappearance without
lying. Perhaps the thought of peace would overcome the anger they
might have.

The conversation was then transformed into a
lighter tone when one of the village women complimented the chief
dame on her dress choice for the day. Then we had some minstrels
come in and jugglers to perform, although the jugglers had some
difficulty with the tree. It lent itself to be quite comical. After
the entertainment, we were allowed to participate in dancing. We
rarely had dancing, but this was a special occasion. I took the
time to run up to Lunamae and see how she was doing. She shoved me
away. She didn’t want to be messed with.

“How about we go visit your friend?” I asked
her. Her eyes instantly lit up like those of a candle wick. “I
don’t think anyone will notice me gone, especially your mother
since she will need to keep the chieftain entertained.” Lunamae
followed me out of the hall and down the stairs to the dungeons. We
didn’t have any food to give, but that time had long past. We had
been issuing servants to do it for us, especially since Lunamae was
in the care of another and I was a maiden now.

“Come to say hello?” the guardsmen said.
“He’s been asking for you, Lunamae.” The guards were also quite
jovial, having been used to our routine for so many years. They had
also grown sympathetic. I suppose the Winter Feast helped as well,
putting everyone in a lighter mood. Lunamae skipped past him and
clung to the cell that Marcus was in. A few of the prisoners had
been separated, most likely to allow more breathing room in the
cells. There was no reason to keep them cramped together.

“Marcus?” she called out and one of the
shadows in the back of the cell came forward into the light, his
hands holding the bars of the cell.

“Yes, my dear?” he answered back.

“I think you will be out of here soon!” she
said, uncontrollable excitement in her voice. “The chieftain and
Barri said that if I got married to a Kyrian, they would unite.
There isn’t any way we could keep your presence here a secret. You
would have to go home!”

“You would have to marry a Kyrian?” he asked
with curiosity.

“Yes.” She paused, not sure how to continue
on.

“Not me,” he said, his voice lowered in
sadness. “She would most likely address the delegate before I
returned, before we were freed. My father would think me dead by
now. He wouldn’t have an available son.”

“I know,” she said, taking his hands off the
cell and holding them. “But you will be free. Perhaps you’ll find
some nice Kyrian woman and you can live your life in peace.”

“I don’t care about peace. I want you,” he
said sternly.

“Peace is the reason we came here,” I heard
Gaius from the back of the cell. “You cannot simply toss it to the
wind. If the chief dame is serious about the union, then it is
important we do as she commands. If she wants us to go home we will
go home. Marcus, I do not want you engaging in anything rash that
might damage those chances.” Marcus shook his head in defiance.

“Don’t treat me like a child!” he told the
ambassador, turning to address him face-to-face. “I’m fifteen,
nearly sixteen. I’m old enough to engage in battle. I’m old enough
to be a delegate.”

“You haven’t learned much in here then,”
Gaius said, sighing heavily.

“I’ve learned love. Isn’t that important
too?” Marcus retorted.

“Love?” Lunamae wondered with eyes full of
tears. Apparently he had never told her that before, not even in
their letters while she and I were in Fanarion.

Marcus looked back at Lunamae. “Yes. I think
I do love you. I can’t imagine a day without you. You’ve brought
joy to every single one I’ve had.”

“We should get back,” I said, aware of the
time that had passed. We needed to return in time to exchange
gifts.

“You are quite right,” Lunamae admitted. She
said her farewells to Marcus and then joined me to continue up to
the main level. Luckily the group hadn’t entered the keep entrance
yet, so we were able to dodge back into the crowd in the feasting
hall. My mother grabbed me as I entered. My hair flew violently
around.

“Where were you?” she demanded. Lunamae saw
that I was getting reprimanded for something so she wandered off
where she would be away from the confrontation.

“I went with Lunamae to see Marcus, she was
—” I started but my mother cut me off.

“How
dare
you leave the chief dame!
That is not appropriate behavior. If you want to go somewhere, you
have to ask her permission. Otherwise, you need to be at her side
at all times,” my mother said forcefully. She calmed down and
released her grip on me. “I am sorry, Muirenn. You were never told
the rules were you?”

“No. I didn’t know there were any other than
to be with her when she needs me to be there,” I said
tentatively.

“She needs you all the time unless noted,” my
mother said.

“I’ll try to remember that,” I said.

“Go back to the chief dame before she notices
you were gone. Thank goodness the chieftain of Alta is here,
otherwise there would be so much more trouble in store for you,” my
mother warned.

I did as was asked, all the while wondering
if I had made the right choice to become a maiden. I liked to be
able to roam as I willed. This was all strange and new. I didn’t
know if I liked it so much. I didn’t know how much I could
take.

It was spring finally and the snow had melted
away. The month of Mawth was nearing the end and the rains of Ebril
would be following. I was learning my role as a maiden in the keep.
I had finally been granted a small apartment that I shared with
Brynna. Brynna had been given leave to marry Logan and be released,
so I would be getting another person to share the room with in the
coming months. I assumed the chief dame would find another maiden
to replace her. There were a few, younger than I, who could be
given positions.

The last month, Fwyfer, Angharad had sent out
an embassy to Kyrie, stating her interest in marrying Lunamae to
one of the delegates or their sons. She wanted someone that was
younger than her, just so the transition for Lunamae would be
easier. Angharad, using her conniving tactics, told the embassy to
tell the Kyrians that their kinsman had been spotted.

Because of the new ties Angharad was willing
to make, the monks of Bexweth had been overseeing the new chapel’s
creation. The foundation was laid and they were starting on the
stone work.

Presently, I was in the sewing room of the
keep, diligently crafting a tapestry of my own. I intended to hang
it in my own home, if I ever got one. It had taken me a few months
to craft a couple inches so I knew it would be a great work when
finished.

Angharad had me stay with her after the other
women were dismissed for the day. She urged me to follow her so I
did—into the depths of the keep, and not exactly sure what she had
planned on doing down there.

We entered the dungeons and were greeted by
the guardsmen. Angharad dismissed them as well, taking their keys
and allowing us to be the sole watch over the prisoners.

“This is quite an unexpected surprise,”
Ambassador Gaius said, addressing the chief dame. He had stood up
at the sound of the guards leaving.

“It is a surprise for me too. It took me five
years to recognize my ignorance,” Angharad said. “I apologize for
keeping you here. Since the monks of Bexweth have been here
overseeing the construction of the chapel I have learned that my
cold heart has been contrary to the teachings set in the Text of
Illumination. I have been selfish and stubborn. I will not get my
husband back through tormenting you. I can’t blame his death on
you. I also recall the Guardian of Harper Wood telling me about
this. Will you forgive me?”

“Does that mean we are free to go?” Gaius
said, his words hopeful.

“Yes,” she said simply.

“I forgive you,” the man said. “We also
follow the Text of Illumination. That is why we came. The Dominar
Delegate had thrown out the ones that did not—the ones that
followed the Destroyer and only wanted chaos and war.” Angharad
drew out the key and used it to unlock all the cells and then
turned to leave. I was half-expecting them to try to kill her but
they were complacent. Marcus looked at me, pain in his eyes.

“Might I be dismissed?” I asked the chief
dame. I was never sure what to call her. “Aunt” seemed too informal
and “chief dame” the opposite.

“Yes, you may,” Angharad answered me. I
followed the group of Kyrians up the stairs and told Marcus to wait
by the bridge. Angharad told them all to enter the keep for a wash
and fresh traveling clothes.

I had to find Lunamae before he left.
Otherwise she would never get to say goodbye. If she knew I had
been down there, who would know how long it would take for her to
forgive me for not telling her.