The Red Witch

Chapter 18

In the blink of an eye, it seemed, time had flown and Christmas was almost upon them. Masons, carpenters, weavers and artisans worked around the clock to refurbish the castle and grounds for the King’s visit, costing Ferrydean more than ten thousand gold pieces in the end. It almost bankrupted the family but the work had to be done and when it finally was, the entire place looked like a brand new pin. Not a single stone was left untouched and it looked more akin to a palace than an ancient castle. There was a new livery for the staff, sporting the Ferrydean crest proudly on each collar and even Bane and Trick, Ferrydean’s finally named wolverine, had new collars sporting the same and actual wooden crafted beds to sleep in by the fire. Bane seemed the most grateful but then, his old wounds were giving him a lot of grief lately, it was obvious. Tailors and seamstresses came with the latest fashions from the capitol and while Ferrydean was happy to prance about in it all, Greyson point blank refused and when a barber came to crop the braid, Greyson sent him away again with a black eye and two teeth in his pocket. Karin did much the same with a seamstress that was intent on strapping her into a bodice and demanded that all her new clothes were to be made with room to grow. And grow she did. She took to wearing high belts to accentuate her ‘bump’ and held her head high with pride every time she entered a room.

With the eve of Christmas quickly approaching, the final touches were put into place and Karin went about making her final checks. Everything was perfect and everything was ready. Everyone rose early that day with great anticipation. The shout came through that the royal banners were spotted and the castle went into a gallop almost. The family began to gather outside to welcome the King and his entourage. Karin was last out and quickly nudged Greyson to kick a lump of mud from the bottom step. He did so and then wiped his boot clean. The castle gates opened and the caravan entered. At the kitchen door, Betty and her staff eagerly watched on, hoping to grab a glance at the King and like most, they looked to the main carriage. They would be disappointed. Riding a large white horse, the King made his less grand entrance while the carriage was revealed to contain two Bishops and a handful of burgesses. The carriage behind carried the royal mistress and her handmaids. As the King dismounted with an unusual bounce, Ferrydean dipped his head and bowed low before moving to him. “My King.” He said with deep respect. “Welcome to Castle Ferrydean.”

“You’ve grown old, Steven.” Dane replied with a smirk. “What happened?” Ferrydean laughed respectfully and then smiled as he waved Greyson forward.

“My son.” He said with great pride. “Greyson.” Greyson came forward and offered the same low bow as his father.

“My King.” He said with respect before straightening up again. Even as tall as the King was, Greyson still stood his entire head over and twice the girth and it was noted.

“Good God!” Dane yelped with that same smirk. “The rumours were true! When you said the men in this valley were brutes, you weren’t lying! How under the Lord Almighty did I not see you at court?” Greyson blushed a little and bowed his head again.

“Thank you Sire.” He offered and then stepped back. “Please.” He offered, holding his hand to the open door. “You must be exhausted and cold.”

“Yes!” Dane chirped and all but danced into the house. As he passed, Karin dropped into a low curtsy and Grace behind her with Faith, even lower.

After following at a decent distance, Dane entered the main hall and looked around with a smile. “You’ve done well Steven.” He said, “You’ve clearly made some improvements here. I like it.”

“Thank you Sire.” Ferrydean replied with pride. “Only the best for my King.” He bowed again and then stepped to one side as Dane flicked his cloak back and easily sat in Ferrydean’s favourite chair. “The holly on the mantel is a nice touch.” He then waved his hand for Ferrydean to sit and the old man did. “Now, let me get a proper look at Greyson.” Greyson immediately stepped forward and bowed again. Dane laughed and clapped his hands. “I must know the secret.” He demanded. “How is this possible? He’s bigger than my horse!”

“Good God fearing stock Sire.” Greyson offered, “And a strong mother to carry me.”

“Ha!” Dane said with a snort of laughter. “He has a sense of humour as well! This is delightful!” His gaze moved from Greyson to Karin and Grace and he beckoned them forward. As the women curtsied again, Faith escaped Grace’s clutches and toddled over to Dane and looked up at him with a smile. “And who is this?” Dane said with bemusement. “You’re a grandfather?”

“Pardon Sire.” Greyson said and quickly gathered up the toddler and handed her back to Grace. “This is my baby sister, Faith.” Dane turned his head and raised his brow at Ferrydean.

“You sly old dog!” He said with another snort of laughter and then turned his attention purely on Karin. “This has to be the rumoured witch, yes?” He asked. Karin flinched and gritted her teeth but remained low and silent.

“In rumour only Sire.” Greyson said quickly.

“I can see why.” Dane stated. “Beauty like that is never well received. Stand and let me look at you.” Karin obeyed and stood upright again. She kept her eyes low in respect and gently clasped her hands over her belly.

“May I present Lady Karin Ferrydean, my beloved wife.” Greyson offered proudly.

“Indeed you may.” Dane replied with a wide smile. “And what a lady too. Are you sure she isn’t a witch?” Karin flinched again and it was noted this time. “Have I offended you Lady Ferrydean?”

“Sire… I.” She stammered, making Dane laugh heartily.

“I jest!” He told her. “I can see clearly you are nothing but what you are.” He leaned in a little and grinned at her with yellow teeth. “But should I ever grow tired of my current lover, I may well have to steal you away.” He winked as Karin gave him a wide eyed look of horror and clasped her hands tightly. He then stepped away and grinned at Greyson. “Worry not, young Greyson.” He said, “I shall refrain at least until she has finished nursing your heir.” He winked again as Greyson balled his fists but then bowed his head in respect.

“Then, if you will pardon my arrogance Sire.” Greyson replied smartly but politely, “I shall endeavour to keep her rounded as often as possible.”

“Ha!” Dane shouted happily, “Wit and humour! I like it!” he turned about and sat back in the chair, putting his feet out on the fur rug. “Wine!” He called. “I am parched!”

“Should I ever grow tired of my current lover…..” Karin mocked as she thumped her pillow. “I swear that man thinks himself akin to God! Ugh! He’s vile!”

“He’s the king.” Greyson replied. “He can say and do what he chooses, regardless of us.”

“If he thinks I would ever….” She thumped her pillow again before lifting her slip and she crawled into the bed. “I shudder at the mere thought of it!”

“Would it make you feel better if I said I would cut his hands off if he so much as touched you?” Greyson asked as he pulled her under him and then shifted down the bed to kiss her swelling belly.

“Much.” Karin replied smartly as she stroked his hair. She smiled as he kissed her belly again and then grabbed him by the braid, pulling his head back up sharply. “And I’ll hold you to it.” She said before pulling his head down and she kissed him tenderly.

“I should hope you do.” He replied and then moved from her, letting her turn on her side and he settled at her back with his hand resting gently on her belly. He closed his eyes and relaxed fully and she did the same.

After the so-called pleasantries of the day before, the following was much more relaxed. Dane and Ferrydean spent much time in the main hall talking while Greyson went about his usual work as best possible with the extra people in the house. Grace kept Faith as much out of the way as she could and with Betty busier than ever feeding them all, Karin was left almost entirely to her own company. Well, at least until Dane’s mistress made her presence known. While taking her usual walk along the walls, Karin was confronted by the woman. Lady Gwen was her name and she reeked of high status. Her thin blonde hair was braided tightly to her head and dressed with berries and flowers to bulk it out and her aqua eyes held all the haughtiness of her station. That was before one even considered the sheer weight of gold draped over her. Karin made to move to one side and allow her and her two handmaids to pass by. Gwen, it seemed, had other ideas. “I beg your pardon, my lady.” Karin offered as she found her path blocked. She moved the other way and again, Gwen stopped her. Karin tried to smile. “Forgive me but I’d like to get by?”

“You are Lady Ferrydean, yes?” Gwen asked in a courteous tone.

“I am, my lady.” Karin replied with a bow of her head.

“Do you know who I am?”

Karin nodded, “I do.” She then watched as Gwen waved her maids away and then quite brazenly, grabbed Karin’s arm.

“Walk with me.” She demanded, pulling Karin along the walkway. “I would enjoy some intelligent company.”

“I’d be honoured, my lady!” Karin yelped as she tried not to trip on her skirts. She found her pace again quickly and levelled up with the other woman.

“Tell me.” Gwen said cheerily, “How is that you can survive in this wretched valley? I myself much prefer city life.”

“I’ve lived here all my life.” Karin said quickly.

“You poor thing!” Gwen smarted. “I must educate you in the ways of proper society.”

“Uh..” Karin stammered for a moment and then found her spine again. “I thank you for the offer but I’m happy to remain as I am. I couldn’t stand to be in a place so crowded and I’ve heard the city is suffering another plague.”

“Only the peasants.” Gwen said matter of fact. “They are not important.”

“I beg your pardon?” Karin asked sharply, actually stopped dead in her tracks. “Forgive me Mistress but I must disagree.”

“You do?” Gwen asked, somewhat shocked to be disagreed with.

“I most certainly do.” Karin said firmly. “Those peasants are the reason you can walk this very wall and wear the fine clothes you do and the leather on your feet. They supply your tables and keep your fires burning and your bedsheets clean.” She politely removed Gwen’s hand from her arm and backed up a step.

“I apologise!” Gwen offered quickly. “I didn’t realise you valued them so highly. But I suppose in such a small community as this, it would be impossible not to be around them constantly.” She smiled again and hooked her hand over Karin’s arm once more. “Let us not fight.” She said.

“Would you say that if I was one?” Karin asked. “Born a peasant, I mean. Would you do this if I were such a creature?”

“But you are not.” Gwen said in her courteous tone again. “You are Lady Ferrydean.” Karin shook her head and laughed emptily. Gwen furrowed her brow a little. “Did I say something you find amusing?”

“Come with me.” Karin said, pulling Gwen along this time. “I wish to show you something.”

“Very well.” Gwen followed Karin further long the wall to the South tower and climbed up the steps with her. Once at the top, she looked out over the valley with wide eyes. “Goodness!” She exclaimed with a smile. “It’s actually quite beautiful, isn’t it.”

“Look to the treeline just to the East.” Karin told her.

“What am I looking for?” Gwen asked as she turned about and started looking. “I see a waterlogged valley with a few trees in the distance.”

“Just in front of the treeline.” Karin told her. Gwen lifted her hand to shield her eyes a little from the sunlight. “Can you see it?” She asked. “A small stone house and a small paddock and field next to it.”

“Yes.” Gwen said, “I can see it. It looks like one of those tenant farms my father owns.” She smiled and looked at Karin again. “He owns many, much like Lord Greyson does. Is it important?”

Karin lifted an eyebrow. “It’s mine.” She said with pride.

“You own land?” Gwen asked with surprise. “Goodness me! Lord Greyson must be a very generous husband to gift you such a thing.”

“You misunderstand me.” Karin explained carefully. “It belongs to my family.” The penny still hadn’t dropped yet and Karin grew somewhat impatient. “My father toiled that field with my brothers and his father before him. I was born in that house.”

“You jest!” Gwen said with a laugh but Karin became stoic and Gwen stopped laughing. The penny dropped. In fact, an entire purse of them and Gwen began to back up, wiping her gloved hands down her fur cape.

“You can run back to your maids now, Lady Gwen.” Karin told her, “And tell them how the Lady of Castle Ferrydean was born a peasant.” She smiled dryly and turned about to lean on the wall. The woman did just that and Karin smiled again as she looked over the wall to that old house.

“Just what the hell is she playing at?” Ferrydean snapped as he paced the floor before his son. “Insulting the King’s mistress like that!”

“I heard it was the other way around.” Greyson replied dryly.

“Dane won’t care about that!” Ferrydean quipped. “And he certainly won’t believe a minor lord like me over his trusted mistress.”

“He is your friend, is he not?” Greyson asked. Ferrydean half nodded. “Then he should have no reason to doubt you. I’m sure he can be reasonable about this.”

“I pray!” Ferrydean said, clasping his hands in prayer at the ceiling. “Or we’re all done for.” As if on cue, the King himself entered the hall. Greyson immediately got to his feet and bowed. Ferrydean copied quickly. “Sire!” He yelped. “I can explain.” Dane held up his hand and made himself comfortable in Ferrydean’s chair. He then took Greyson’s chair and Greyson remained standing. He’d already broken two high-backed benches this year.

“My beloved mistress, Lady Gwen has come to me with a disturbing accusation.” He began, eyeing the two men carefully.

“I can explain.” Ferrydean repeated quickly.

“She accuses Lady Karin of deceiving her.” Dane continued. “And insulting her honour. Is this true?”

“Sire, I’m sure….” Ferrydean began.

“It is a lie.” Greyson interrupted quickly and he lifted his chin.

“So your wife is not a peasant?” Dane asked, “The daughter of a tenant farmer?”

“Sire please.” Ferrydean said quickly, “If you would allow me to explain.”

“No.” Dane said. “I would hear it from Greyson.” Ferrydean instantly clamped his mouth shut. “Well? Is it true?”

“Karin’s father was a tenant farmer.” Greyson admitted, “But she is not, nor has she ever been a peasant. Karin’s mother, Faith Menoda was a renowned and well respected Lady, famed for her skills in weaving and tapestry. In fact, Sire, with all due respect, you probably have her work hanging in your own home and do not realise it, or do not care to.”

“Greyson!” Ferrydean snapped quietly.

“No.” Dane said with some bemusement. “Continue my Lord. I’d like to hear your thoughts on the matter.”

Greyson firmed his jaw and then squared his shoulders. “Karin has never, nor would ever be deceitful in any way and if your mistress claims otherwise, then I shall call her a liar. As I believe it, Lady Gwen made a comment about the poor not being of worth. Having been poor, Karin felt insulted and kindly corrected the lady. As for insulting her honour, I believe the opposite to be true. High society in the capitol may have its perks Sire, but out here, there is no such pretence. Out here, those peasants are the only reason we survive and I was proud to marry Karin. I turned away the fine Lady Ashworth because she did not belong here. Karin does and I respect that. She understands the life they lead and how hard they toil for our benefit. For your benefit Sire. If that makes her a peasant, then so be it and I for one believe she should be proud of it.”

“Are you finished?” Dane asked.

“Do you wish me to be?” Greyson asked back. Ferrydean could only whimper quietly as he imagined his life fade away under the executioner’s blade.

“I think I will retire to think on this.” Dane said at length. “I shall return with my verdict by the evening bell.” He then got to his feet and casually sauntered away.

“I never thought I would ever say this to you, Greyson.” Ferrydean said after the King had gone. “You have just ruined this house. I hope you are happy.”