Fire and Ice

CHAPTER 15

When they entered the castle Joselyn walked to her chambers to get ready. Marcus watched her walk to her room down the hall then he entered his room to freshen up as well. It didn’t take Marcus long to get ready. A bath had already been prepared for him. It seemed like the maids know what and when to do it depending on Joselyn’s events during the day. Marcus looked himself over in the mirror and then walked down the stairs for dinner. He was shocked when he saw Joselyn already sitting at the table with Rowan. She looked beautiful as always. Somehow she managed to always take his breath when he laid eyes on her after just a short time apart. Marcus took his seat next to Joselyn and across from Rowan. He had also managed to freshen up and get to the table before Marcus. “We have been waiting for you” Joselyn said. “Yes I can see that. How did you two manage to get ready so quickly?” Marcus asked. “A hungry stomach” Rowan said flatly. The maids immediately began bringing out dinner when Marcus sat down. They all three began eating when Rowan spoke, “Joselyn, I am going to have several thousand men under my control on the day of the war. It’s not going to be easy especially if any of them don’t want me to command them.” Joselyn listened and could hear the concern in his voice. “Rowan, you will have each ally giving a direct order for them to follow your orders. However, in the event a soldier goes against your orders he is going against his Kings orders as well, and that’s treason. Slit his throat. I will have my allies reiterate that their soldiers follow your commands while you are present.” Marcus didn’t know what to think when Joselyn told Rowan to slit a soldiers throat. He knew they were going to fight a war, but killing a soldier that is helping to fight baffled him. So he asked, “Joselyn, why would you kill a soldier who is helping to fight your war?” Joselyn and Rowan looked at Marcus as if he were ignorant. “Well Marcus, Joselyn began, Rowan is the commander of my army and every soldier respects and obeys him. A soldier from another Kingdom may feel he should not be fighting in the war and refuse to take orders from my commander. If nothing is done immediately there will be other soldiers who will follow his lead. If that happens, Rowans battle plans will be destroyed because we will be fighting amongst ourselves. This leaves us vulnerable to an attack that we won’t be prepared for and we will all be fighting blind. Does that answer your question?” Marcus didn’t realize that his mouth was open when he said, “Yes, yes it does. I must admit I never thought of it from that angle. You are more skilled in battle plans than I am. I would have never considered that scenario.” Joselyn replied “I only know what Rowan has taught me. He is the Commander of his men.” Rowan laughed, “Don’t let her fool you Marcus, she was taught by her father from an early age about battle. She knows just as much if not more than I do.” “Is that why I let you boss me around with your training, because I know more than you.” Joselyn teased Rowan. Marcus took this opportunity to ask a question he had from earlier today, “Yes I noticed you ordered Joselyn about like a regular soldier, and treated her as one also. That’s not normally how a soldier treats his Queen.” Rowan stopped eating and looked at Marcus. Joselyn decided not to speak and let Rowan handle his own conversation. Rowan pierced Marcus with his eyes and slowly said, “It is if you are ordered to do so by the Queen. I protect Joselyn to the best of my abilities. She wanted to learn how to fight and she gave me the order not only to teach her, but to treat her as I would one of my soldiers. My orders were to teach her how to protect herself, and that is what I do. Joselyn is a Queen and a soldier; she can protect herself but as my queen I do my best to protect her.” Marcus listened and could hear the intensity in Rowans voice. He had his answer but Marcus wasn’t finished with his questions to Rowan. “I understand you were given orders by your Queen, but as a soldier why do you speak to Joselyn on an informal basis occasionally and sit at the same table to dine?” This time Joselyn chose to answer for Rowan. She placed her hand on Rowans and said “Marcus, I have one man in my Kingdom that I trust and that is Rowan. He is not just a soldier. He is not just the Commander of a large army, he listens to me, gives me advice, and follows my orders. But Rowan is the best friend that I have. He knows everything about me, and he does his best to protect me. Yes he will try and tell me what to do when it comes to my safety. Whether I listen or not is up to me. Furthermore, Rowan is respected not only by me, but your father as well. You are not aware of this, but Rowan is always present in our private meetings such as the one I had with our allies. Lastly, Rowan will always have a seat at this table and he does not need an invitation.” Marcus could tell he went to far. He didn’t realize Rowan was so important to Joselyn. “Rowan, Joselyn, I meant no disrespect. I only know how one Kingdom works and that is the one I am from. The only reason I ask these questions is to try and understand how this Kingdom is ran. Please forgive me for any offense” Rowan nodded in his acceptance of Marcus’s apology. Joselyn said, “I understand you are not aware of how I run my Kingdom. If you have questions in the future that may be offensive ask me privately.” “I understand” Marcus said. “Well, you may get a better idea of how Joselyn runs the Kingdom. She is going into town tomorrow unless she changes her mind.” Rowan said. “I still plan on going” Joselyn reaffirmed. Rowan continued, “Marcus you will see that in a public setting I do not behave informally because I am working to ensure she is safe. However you will get to see a side of Joselyn I’m sure you’ve never seen.” The tension in the air cleared and Marcus said, “Now that is something I’m looking forward to see.” Dinner was almost over when Joselyn asked, “Rowan do you have any battle plans set in place yet?” “I have been putting different ones together. I figured it was best to have back up plans in case something goes wrong. But I do have our main battle strategy in place.” Rowan said. “Good to hear.” Joselyn then looked at Marcus and continued, “That’s why all of my allies placed their soldiers with Commander Rowan.” Marcus gave her an understanding smile. “Well men, I am going to retire for the night.” Marcus immediately said, “Let me walk you to your room, I’m finished eating too.” “Ok, Joselyn said… “Goodnight Rowan.” “Goodnight Joselyn” Rowan said as she and Marcus walked up the stairs and down the long hallway. They were making their way to Joselyn’s room when Marcus said, “Joselyn, you told me to ask you in private if it was something that could be offensive. Well I want to ask you something. Are you romantically involved with Rowan?” Joselyn stopped walking and turned to face Marcus. “No I’m not, and why would you ask such a question.” Marcus tried to find the right words before he spoke, “You were so protective over him, he is your confidant, and you and he seem so relaxed around one another. I didn’t know if that was the reason you never married.” Joselyn could see Marcus was embarrassed by his question but he also had general concern. “Marcus, Rowan has taught me everything I know, and like I said he is the only man I trust with my life in this Kingdom. I am not the type of person who takes that for granted. I barely know you yet you have the right to sit and dine with me. Why wouldn’t I let a man who has protected me my entire life. The reason I have never married is because I have never fell in love with anyone. I know the way I do things is much different than what you’re use to. I rule my Kingdom the way I see fit. I don’t place myself higher than anyone who has my best interest at heart. And if you must know, Rowan is excited to go to town because he enjoys visiting the brothel.” Marcus felt foolish and he could feel his face turning red. “I apologize Joselyn.” “Marcus it’s fine. The reason you’re here is to learn more about me and I you. If there is ever a question you want to ask, then ask me. Now I will say goodnight.” Joselyn turned and walked the rest of the way to her room alone.

Marcus and Rowan were at the stables waiting for Joselyn the next morning. Rowan had already saddled up her horse so as not to waste time. He was eager to get to town and visit the brothel. Joselyn walked into the stables and before a word was spoken she climbed on her horse. She then said, “Good morning gentlemen, shall we be on our way?” Rowan waved a hand in the air signaling for the other guards to take their places around Joselyn and Marcus as they started their ride into town. There was an awkward silence between Joselyn and Marcus. He knew the way he spoke about Rowan last night was out of line. Joselyn didn’t seem angry as they rode, however the lack of conversation wasn’t doing him any favors. Marcus mustered up the courage to address the issue and said, “Joselyn, I hope you will not look on me differently by the content of my questioning regarding Rowan. In my Kingdom we treat our servants and guards very well and make sure they are taken care of. However, I have never sat down to a meal with one.” Joselyn listened to Marcus talk and she smiled a bit. She could tell from his explanation he didn’t spend much time with his father, King Leon. “Marcus, I don’t look at you differently. I do however look at you as a Prince who has much to learn about becoming a King.” Marcus looked puzzled and said, “I don’t understand Joselyn.” She smiled at him and gave him the explanation he was looking for. “I have known King Leon all my life and I have dined with him at his castle.” Before she could continue Marcus interrupted, “You have been to my Kingdom as a guest of my Father?” Joselyn looked at Marcus then continued, “Yes. A couple of times in fact. You were always gone riding or having some type of disagreement with King Leon which is why we never met. If you hadn’t been acting like a child you would have dined with us, as well as your mother’s ladies maid, your father’s blacksmith, and Rowan.” Joselyn tried to read Marcus’s face for any type of emotion. All she could see was confusion. “Marcus, King Leon’s best friend is his blacksmith. Your mother’s best friend is her lady’s maid. Would you sneer your best friend because they worked for you?” Marcus still had a confused look on his face, but he responded to Joselyn’s question. “You know more about my parents than I do. My father and I haven’t eaten at the same table in years. I automatically assumed he didn’t dine with servants.” Marcus sat quiet for a moment then continued, “Is that why you said you look up to my father and hoped to be more like him?” Joselyn looked at Marcus and said, “That is a big reason, yes. I admire King Leon for treating his servants like people. He doesn’t place himself above anyone, and neither do I. King Leon once said to me, “Joselyn, the foundation of a Kingdom is its people, and without them the only one left is you, not a Kingdom. I try my best to adhere to that philosophy.” Joselyn could clearly read Marcus’s face now. It was a mixture of everything going through his head. Marcus was shocked that King Leon dined with commoners, surprised his father was so much like Joselyn, and ashamed that he didn’t know. “I don’t know what to say” Marcus began. “You know more about what goes on in my kingdom than I do. You’re right, I have done nothing except act like a child.” Joselyn respected Marcus for admitting his faults, not many men would do that. “Well Marcus, you now have the knowledge, it is up to you to decide what to do with it.” Marcus looked at Joselyn and smiled at her with a new found admiration and respect. He could never be the ruler she or her father is. As if reading his thoughts Joselyn said, “Don’t worry Marcus. A good King rules with his heart and his head. You have a good heart and you are smart. You will be a good King.” Marcus smiled gratefully at Joselyn as the village entered view.