The Red Witch

Chapter 19

The evening bell rang and the family gathered in the main hall to eat. The food was served but they couldn’t touch it until Dane did and as yet, he remained elsewhere. Ferrydean paced nervously from one end of the room to the other while Greyson perched on the end of the table. Faith fussed and cried on his hip, expecting her dinner. Karin stood silently by the fire, petting Bane. After nearly ten minutes, Greyson shook his head and turned about, stealing a lump of potato and he chewed it quickly before giving it to Faith. Twice more he did this before movement was spotted at the top of the stairs. Greyson stood up again and Ferrydean stopped his pacing. Karin looked up but didn’t move from her spot.

Dane came down the stairs, freshly attired for dinner and he looked from Greyson to Ferrydean and back before he moved to the head of the table. Lady Gwen arrived soon after and took her place at his side. Greyson and Ferrydean moved also and waited for him to sit. He did, so they did. Karin remained by the fire still. While Dane sat comfortably, Gwen looked decidedly uncomfortable and nervous. Ferrydean looked nervously at Greyson but his son didn’t look back. He bounced Faith on his knee and fed her small lumps from his plate. “Please forgive my son.” Ferrydean pleaded with Dane. “He takes his sister more seriously than he does Your Grace.” Dane nodded and watched openly.

“Why is your wife not at the table, Lord Greyson?” Dane asked. “Does she not wish to eat?”

“I believe the choice is hers, Sire.” Greyson offered respectfully. “Or perhaps she feels Your Grace and Lady Gwen would be insulted to eat with a peasant?” Gwen began to fidget nervously.

“I see.” Dane said with a nod. He picked up his wine cup and sipped it. “Lady Ferrydean.” He said loudly. “Your King requests your presence at the table. The bell has rung and I am hungry.”

“As you wish, Sire.” Karin replied quietly and moved from the fire. She came to the table and sat down next to Greyson. She kept her head down.

“Would you kindly offer a prayer for this fine meal?” Dane asked.

“As you wish, Sire.” Karin said again and closed her hands on the table. “We give thanks to our Lord for this bounty we are about to receive and ask your blessing on this, the eve of the birth of your son, our saviour.”

“Well said.” Dane offered with a small applause. “But I think you missed something.”

“I did?” Karin asked, then looked around the table quickly.

“You forgot to ask forgiveness for those less kind and humble.” Dane told her and again, Gwen fidgeted nervously. “And to enlighten the ignorant and callous.”

“Sire?” Greyson asked with confusion.

Dane smiled and picked up his knife before pointing it at Gwen. “Sit down there.” He told her quietly but firmly. “Sit with Lady Karin and share her plate. Perhaps she might teach you some humility.” Across the table, Ferrydean’s shoulders immediately dropped in relief while Greyson could only stare at the King in shock. Karin never moved a muscle. Slowly, Gwen rose and moved away with a bow of her head. She went to Karin and sat down again in silence, her head down and her hands tight to her front. “Good!” Dane chimed happily. “Let us eat!”

After dinner, the men retired to another room to drink and talk. The women were left in the main hall. Faith was fussing as she didn’t want to leave Karin. She smiled at her baby sister and took her into her arms. Faith cuddled in and clawed at Karin’s dress and she happily obliged. Gwen blinked in shock and turned her head away at first but her curiosity forced her to look back again and stare at Karin. “You nurse her?” She asked, confused.

“No.” Karin replied as she let Faith latch onto her and then settled back. “My milk hasn’t come in yet, but she finds comfort in it and it gives Grace some relief.”

“How odd!” Gwen exclaimed.

“I’ll add it to the list of things you find odd here.” Karin said a little sharply. “Anything else?” She eyed Gwen cautiously. “Or do you find insult in that too?”

“I…” The woman began but then shut her mouth and looked into the fire. “I apologise for my behaviour today.” She said eventually. “It was cruel of me and I’m sorry.”

“Are you sorry?” Karin asked, “Or are you simply obeying your king?” Gwen looked at Karin sharply and flapped her pale lips a little and Karin shook her head and looked down at Faith. “I thought as much.” She said without remorse. “Let me tell you something Gwen.” She gave the woman a pointed look. “You may be from high society in your fine tower with your fine clothes and jewels and you may have the heart of the king but out here, that counts for absolutely nothing. God cares nothing for status and wealth. His only son, born into poverty and lived the life of a simple carpenter. Beyond your rose coloured glass and your finery, life is harsh, sometimes cruel and we can only do what we must to survive. We are grateful for what we have and we mourn for what we lose.” She sighed softly as she thought of her mother and then looked down at Faith again. “We take comfort where we find it.” She continued, “Like this child in my arms. She doesn’t care that I’m not her mother. She only cares that I am there when she needs me. That is what life is here and you need to understand that. I may be the mistress of this valley but I hold no illusion that it belongs to me. I belong to it. Where do you belong, Lady Gwen?” She fell silent then and gently rocked side to side as Faith snuffled and suckled on her.

After a while, Faith began to doze off and Karin carefully got to her feet. She moved around Gwen and started towards the stairs. For some reason, Gwen got up and began to follow her. The pair went upstairs and Karin quietly entered the nursery. Grace was already there to give Faith her last feed for the night. She smiled and bowed her head to the women before she carefully took Faith into her arms and went to her chair. Karin smiled and left again as quietly as she arrived. Only after she closed the door was the silence broken. “I misjudged you Karin.” Gwen offered quietly.

“You did.” Karin returned as she made back for the stairs. She lifted her dress and covered up again.

“Do you think we could we start again?” Gwen asked. She seemed to have gained a new perspective and Karin considered this carefully before nodding. “Thank you.” She said and smiled properly.

Karin sipped her hot milk and honey with a warm smile and a sigh of contentment. Gwen did the same but her cup was soon empty. Karin was happy to pour some more from the ewer and then settled back, her hand gently rubbing her growing belly as she stared into the fire. It was nice to be at peace again after the chaos of before and she looked forward to the morrow. This would be her first real Christmas in the castle. No doubt Betty would amaze them all with her food and she looked forward to hearing the children singing in the chapel.

“How long have you to go?” Gwen asked as she watched her new friend.

“About four months, give or take.” Karin answered with a smile.

“Your first?” Gwen asked. Karin nodded. “I remember my first.” Gwen told her with a distant smile. “I was terrified but so very excited. My husband could barely contain himself when my time drew near.” Her smile dropped then and she sipped more of her hot milk.

“You were married?” Karin asked. “I thought….” She shifted in her chair a little.

“I am.” Gwen said, finishing her milk. She put her cup down. “My husband is Lord Filton.” Karin recognised the name from before and offered a nervous smile.

“I should thank you for the gift.” She said. “The bassinet. It’s very beautiful.”

Gwen smiled but shook her head. “That would be my younger sister, Adele.” She said. “Dane felt it was best.”

“I’m sorry.” Karin offered.

“I am content.” Gwen replied smoothly. “Lord Filton was not a good match really.”

“What about your child?” Karin asked.

“I hear he is a fine young man now.” Gwen said. “Set to become an officer in the royal guard, the first noble do manage it since Dane became King.”

“Does the King allow you to see him?” Karin asked.

“No.” Gwen said but smiled. “He doesn’t remember me. I often watch him but I have never spoken to him.”

“I couldn’t imagine not being able to be with my child.” Karin said as she touched her belly again. “I’d rather die than be taken from him like that.”

“I am content with it.” Gwen said with a distant smile. “And I have my other children.”

“How many?” Karin asked. “Are they the King’s?”

“I have three more.” Gwen confirmed and then nodded, “Arthur, Fredrick and Anna. They are in the capitol with their nannies. The Prince and Queen are on the South Coast. Young Dane is a fine boy and no doubt will make a fine King like his father.”

Karin smiled softly then, “I’m sure of it.” She said.

“And no doubt you shall provide him with many children also.” Gwen added. “Dane, I mean. He likes you and I shall soon be too old. I see the way he has looked at you.”

“The King shall be disappointed.” Karin told her flatly as she finished her milk. “Greyson has already refused him and will continue to do so.”

“Your husband is very brave and honourable.” Gwen said, “But no-one can refuse the King. I’m sure he will allow Lord Greyson his heir first of course but after that, I think he will claim you. Do you not have a sibling he can take instead?”

Karin shook her head, “I was the only daughter.” She replied. “And Dane can, by the grace of God, kiss my arse for Greyson will not and nor shall I, ever allow it. If Greyson has to put a babe in me every year until I die, then so be it.” Gwen gave her a look of shock and some horror before her lips cracked into a broad smile. “I’m glad you agree, Lady Gwen.” She said with a chuckle.