The King & The Prince

Northwood Mansion

Northwood Mansion

  The winds were picking up outside making the sleet seem even bitterer than it truly was. The halls were busy with maids adding logs to the fireplaces in an attempt to warm the icy halls of the mansion. Snow would fall by morning Lord Harlow was sure of it as he stared at the body of his friend lying under layers and layers of fur unconscious, his body barely alive save for the faint heartbeat in his chest and the rattling breaths he took. Samuel was the retired General of the Royal Army, he had moved to Northwood years ago to train recruits from every village in the realm. Northwood was larger than the others and could house more trainees so Samuel made it his home, and trained soldiers for the royal army. The two men were more like brothers they had fought side by side for years until Lord Harlow lost his leg to a spear. He now walked with a peg leg and a cane, all the more reason Samuel was needed in Northwood to train the recruits.  A small freckled hand held onto the old general’s hand squeezing it ever so gently when his breath would hitch, it wouldn’t be long now before his old friend would stop breathing all together.  Harlow approached his daughter and began to wipe the tears from her freckled face.

“Hush now child Samuel would not have you weep for him, he trained you to be fearless Evy so now you must be strong.”I whispered to her.

“I… I’m not sure if I am ready father…” her voice was barely a whisper.

“Evelyn you are a fighter, a fearless yet compassionate woman, your determination burns like a fire within your soul. Sam saw that light in you darling, he wants you to take over his position you have earned it.” It was the truth, he had told me of his plan to speak with King Roland and Prince Kane and make them understand that even though Evelyn was a woman she was capable of the position.

  I had been against it at first hell she was a little girl when he asked to begin training her to fight. Girls belonged in the kitchens cooking or in her case learning proper etiquette and knitting to become the perfect wife of a nobleman, but my second born daughter proved me wrong.  It started when she began to spend her days with the blacksmith Arwick; she would spend hours watching him forge swords for the recruits. Evelyn and Paul, Arwick’s son were close in age and had become the best of friends, the children helped his father with repairing dented armor and shoeing horses. Evy would come in every evening covered in soot with a huge grin on her face. It was the first time he had seen her happy since her mother died. So when Samuel asked to begin her training for the second time I had to agree, Evelyn was no regular little girl.

“I will make him proud father I promise.”Evelyn spoke after a long silence had fallen in the room. Her voice not as confident as it normally was but she was consumed with grief for her dying mentor. I offered her a smile, I had four daughters and no sons but I knew my legacy and General Samuel’s would live on through my second born child.

“You already have Evy, you already have. I received a raven from Bellicus, Prince Kane should arrive in a day or so he and Sam were close he wishes to see him rested in peace. I will speak to him of the General’s last wishes.” With that I left her so that she may comfort her confidant.

I made my way to my own chambers but was stopped by my eldest daughter before I could enter.

“Father how is she?” Carissa was concerned about her little sister, the two women were never really close but they did love and worry for one another as sisters should.

“Evy should be fine sweetheart, she is strong but she will need our support in the next few days.” That seemed to ease her mind as she smiled.

“Good! Is it true that Prince Kane is coming to Northwood?” she squealed unable to hide her excitement. I frowned at her distasteful question how in the bloody hell had she been concerned mere moments ago now excited at the Princes arrival.

“You should not concern yourself with Prince Kane’s arrival when you are betrothed to King Roland Carissa!” I scolded her. Her smile faded at my words.

“Sorry father I was just curious.” And she made her way down the dim lit hall to her own chambers.

“Carissa, Evelyn will not be available this evening please check on the twins in her stead make sure they are ready for bed.” I hollered at her.

“Of course father.”  I could hear the disdain in her voice.

 Carissa hated tending to her younger sisters unlike Evy who adored the twins just as much as they adored her. They would be upset that she wasn’t the one to read them a story tonight but they were old enough now to understand why.  I closed my door and made my way to the window to check the guard towers were filled, just as I expected they were all manned by two guards each, now time to let the darkness take me, I would need all the strength I could muster to speak to Prince Kane about Evelyn. Sam had been confident that Kane would accept Evelyn as commander of the troops but without his persuasion I was unsure of how the Prince would take the news of a woman training the royal forces.

Evelyn

   I was awakened by my father’s whispers along with Mary’s the head maid of the Northwood Mansion, I was still sitting in the chair holding on to Sam’s hand but I couldn’t fell his pulse, his chest did not rise and fall and his skin had turned a pale blue.

“Mary what’s happening? Is… is he? No! Not yet!” the tears falling freely and I unable to stop them. Mary gathered me in her arms just as she had done when mother died and I knew then General Samuel was gone. It had taken three weeks for the infection to kill him but it felt like only hours had passed since he was injured.

“SSHHH Evy, it will be alright child, he is with God now.” She was stroking my hair as she whispered the same words over and over. “It will be alright, I promise it will be alright my sweet girl.” The elderly woman had been a second mother to us since birth but more so after the death of our mother. I glanced at my father his cheeks were stained with faint tears; he had also lost his dear friend. He hid the pain in his voice well.

“The priests will be here shortly to prepare his body child; I have some of the soldiers preparing his burial pyre, Prince Kane is half a day’s ride out from Northwood see to it that you and your sisters are dressed well for his arrival.”

“Yes father.” But before I could leave to my chamber Mary pulled me to the side so father wouldn’t hear.

“Evelyn go and grab one of Lady Carissa’s dresses and bring it to the maids’ quarters I will wash it before you have wear it.” I didn’t miss her wink at me.

 It was well known to everyone who actually paid attention that Carissa’s beautiful gowns had spent more time on the army barracks floors than on her own body. I nodded at her, I didn’t have a choice in the matter as I did not own a single gown, and I couldn’t wear my trousers and peasant top to meet the Prince of Bellicus. Not yet anyway. So I began walking up the stairway to Carissa’s room, she opened the door before I could even knock. She was still in her sleeping robes her golden hair in disarray.

“Evelyn? Is everything alright? What are you doing here so early?” she was panicked nervously looking down the hall both directions.

“General Sam passed in the night Carissa, father said the Prince would be here by midday and I need a gown.” I watched her face calm slightly.

“I am truly sorry Evy, I know how much you loved Sam. Come in I will let you choose a gown.” She stepped to the side and I made my way into her room.

I sat on her feathered bed and looked around, it had been a while since I had been in here, it smelled of her lavender oil and a manly smell I hadn’t noticed at the door. It was strongest on her bed; I glanced to her washroom only to see a very handsome man coming out of it. He was scrambling to finish tying his boot laces in a rush to leave before my father came down the hall no doubt.  His eyes grew wide when he saw me sitting on the bed all I could do was look down, this wasn’t the first man I had caught red handed in Carissa’s room and he certainly wouldn’t be the last.

“Benjamin you have to go now before father catches you!” Carissa was ushering him towards the door.  Benjamin ran out of the room scared I would be the one to tell father of their little affair. My sister turned to face me her cheeks now a bright pink smiling like a fool.

“Evelyn what color gown would you like? I think a pink or purple maybe silver?” She asked ad she was skimming through the assortment of dresses avoiding the subject of Benjamin.

“Carissa have you no shame? The Prince is on his way here! What would you have me tell him if he had caught Benjamin fleeing your chambers in the early hours of the damn morning? That he came by to throw logs onto your fire!” I whisper yelled.

“It won’t happen again Evy I promise you. I just needed to have one last bout of fun before Prince Kane’s arrival, I can’t have him telling King Roland scandalous rumors about me.” She was as calm as could be, speaking of her treasonous act as if it were nothing.

“It’s not a rumor if it is TRUE! He could have your head for this! Have you thought of how this could impact the rest of Northwood? You are betrothed to the King!! That means your body belongs to him and him alone until his choice is made!!”

“He is betrothed to three other women! Do you think he has not touched them or saved his body for me? No, he is a man with s****l needs, should I save myself just because that is what is expected of me as a woman Evelyn? You of all people have no right to judge me! We may have different activities but they are both frowned upon by society!” she argued. We had been through this same argument before and I had all but given up on making her see my point. 

“FINE! Just don’t put me in a position to commit treason by lying on your behalf. You are my sister and I love you but I will not have my head on a spike for you Carissa! What other color dresses do you have?” this was going to be a horrible day. She went on like what I had just said had no affect on her in anyway.

“How about a dark green to match your eyes?” she was getting excited she loved fashion and today against my will I was at her mercy.

“Sure can I have it so I can go wash and get ready for Prince Kane’s arrival?” she handed me a silky green gown it really was beautiful even to a girl like me who preferred my collection of armor over fancy dresses.

“Leave your hair down Evy! I can have Sarah come brush it for you if you’d like.” She was trying hard to play the doting older sister now instead of the w***e down the hall.

“I will leave it down Carissa, but I am more than capable of brushing it myself thank you.” And I made my way to the maids’ quarters so Mary could clean this beautiful gown I was being forced to wear. Mary told me she would have Amy one of the younger handmaidens bring me the gown by the time I was done bathing so I made my way back upstairs to my chambers.

    Mary had already ordered someone to fill my tub it was barely warm so she must have had them do it earlier while I was in Carissa’s room. I stripped my clothes and sank down into the water and began to scrub away everything that had happened this morning from General Sam dying to finding my sister running her own personal brothel from her bed chamber. Hopefully she will stick to her promise and not indulge in her s****l escapades while the Prince was visiting Northwood. He would have all of their heads on a spike, God how could she be so stupid and selfish? By the time I finished scrubbing my skin raw Amy had already laid the gown on my bed, I dried my hair as well as I could in the cool air of my room and began trying to squeeze into a dress one size too small for me. Mary had let it out a little in the top and around the hips for me but it still clung to me like a second skin. I felt so exposed, if someone stood close enough they could count the freckles covering my chest. I hadn’t noticed Carissa and Sarah walk in.

“You look beautiful Evy! I told you green was a great color for you!” Carissa beamed in delight, she looked like a princess in her deep purple silk gown she had her wavy hair framing her perfectly round face. My older sister was a true beauty even if it was only on the outside.

“Thank you, it feels so strange to be this exposed I don’t know how you wear these things all day long.” I breathed out while trying to shove my breasts down into the tight bodice.

“Well it would be rude to welcome Prince Kane in your trousers and boots now wouldn’t it? I have heard he is even sexier than King Roland himself.” She cooed and Sarah giggled. As if I wasn’t uncomfortable enough now she’s speaking of what very well may be her brother by law like he could be her next conquest.

“Damnit Carissa you cannot go around saying things like that!” anger evident in my tone she was going to have us both killed.

“We are the only ones in the room and Sarah is sworn to silence aren’t you Sarah?” the handmaiden only nodded still grinning ear to ear.

“Are Bethany and Bridgette dressed for the day?” the twins had their own maids but I needed to get away from these two women as soon as possible before I killed Carissa myself.

“Yes my Lady, Mary had Amy make sure they were cleaned then she took them to the dining hall for breakfast.” It was Sarah who answered.

“Well I should go and see if father needs me for anything, if you will excuse me.” Finally I escaped the two gossip winches and made my way downstairs.

There were servants everywhere preparing the great hall for the funeral service later today. The aroma of smoked meats and stew filled my nose the cooks were preparing such an elaborate feast for the Prince. Bethany and Bridgette sat at the far end of one of the dining tables giggling while they ate their morning usual porridge. Even though they were twins the girls looked totally different Bethany had golden hair, blue eyes and a round face like Carissa but Bridgette was brown headed, blue eyed and had more of an oval face shaped like father and I. Everyone in Northwood loved the girls they brought joy to what was once a dull place to live after mother died giving birth to them, they were constantly playing tricks on anyone they could especially poor Mary. She had taken the brunt of their pestering ways, her once jet black hair was now a dull gray. All because of them and Carissa as well if I am being honest, s**t I may have some gray hairs under this red mane of mine because of her.

“Good morning Evy we are so sorry to hear of Sam’s passing. You look beautiful!” Bethany spoke for them both as she did most days. To only be eleven they certainly knew their manners, Mary had made sure of that. Table etiquette however was not their strong point judging by the amount of porridge coming out of a still giggling Bridgette’s mouth.

“Good morning girls, thank you I am certainly going to miss him.” I tried to hide my sadness so I wouldn’t ruin their joyous mood.

I took my seat across from them; everyone must have eaten already because the tables were nearly empty. Everyone who worked in the mansion ate alongside the noble family for every meal they were treated well unlike in the other villages where they were forbidden to speak to the noble family which is ridiculous. I spotted Paul speaking with Amy, trying to flirt I am sure; he has been infatuated with her ever since she came here from the capitol. Amy was a sweet young woman; she had curly brown hair and big brown doe eyes but I don’t think Paul was her idea of prince charming. He was an extremely large burly man with an outgoing personality while she was quiet and reserved but who knows they were probably soul mates.

“Evy I am so sorry to hear of Sam’s passing, if there is anything I can do let me know.” Paul’s words touched my soul; he was such a gentle giant. He has been my best friend for years, he knew and helped me with my training especially sword fighting.

“Thank you Paul, I may need you to go to General Sam’s cottage and retrieve my armor and swords before the Prince arrives, can you hide the trunk in the stables?” I didn’t need Prince Kane to find out about me being his apprentice before my father could speak with him.

“Of course I can, and Ev I’m serious you don’t have to hide your emotions I know you loved him just as he loved you.” He whispered the last part and patted my back like always. Paul knew me better than my own sister did.

“I hardly recognized you in that dress Ev! You look so fancy!” he shouted over his shoulder when he was almost out of the door.

“Thank you Paul I’ll see you later.” I finished my breakfast and headed towards the great hall to see of anyone needed assistance with the service preparations.

    Mary stood near the General’s cleaned body, my feet walked towards him even though I didn’t wish to see him like this again, I could smell the clove oil they had rubbed him down in. Mary was giving out instructions to the herds of people bustling about but all I could do was hug his body one last time. Out of the corner of my eye I saw that benches were being brought in and lined in rows for the audience to sit whilst the priest would speak of his heartaches and achievements he had in the sixty years he was with us.  I promised myself not to cry anymore he could not stand to see me cry ‘A soldier shows no emotions Evy’ his words played over and over in my head, I had to be strong the next few days could make or break my future as a commander. If Prince Kane saw me as a weak little girl that would cut any chance I had to earn his approval if I had a chance at all, being a woman was certainly against me. Not once in history had a woman been a soldier much less a commander of the army, it was forbidden. Yet at the age of twenty one I had surpassed every level of combat General Sam threw at me, short sword, hand to hand, archery, the lance(I will admit I’m not great at this one), the long sword I fought with Paul, Liam and Porter a few other soldiers that Sam trusted to keep our secret.

 It took years for my confidence to grow even after I started winning more and more fights I couldn’t see myself as a warrior. Until about six months ago when Sam brought in a new recruit from Lakeview, Talon, he was as strong as an ox and at least a foot taller than me. The spar started off like others I had come to expect, the man thinking he just had to overpower me and make me yield, but just like I had so many times before I matched him blow for blow. My sword clashing right along with his, over and over until he was out of breath and stumbling around so I kicked his knees out from under him but before he could hit the ground I pulled my knife from my back and pressed it to his neck. Talon yielded and since that fateful day I now truly knew who I was meant to be… Lady Evelyn of Northwood commander of the royal army recruits for the Kingdom of Bellicus. All thanks to this man I was clinging to for dear life with one last kiss on his forehead I made my way back to my chambers.