Chapter 13

Maica closed her chamber doors and waited for Algwad who arrived shortly after she sent for him. Her long black hair flowed down her back, straight and free and she ran her hands through it as she pondered what to do.

She was troubled by the arrival of the girl and her father. She did not believe in coincidences and knew she had to act fast. She could not have the girl and her father killed or even thrown in the dungeon without news getting to Mayle. He would most likely delay the wedding if it came to his attention. Anything which might suggest that the wedding could be disrupted or was not secure would make him delay the wedding. Royalty from surrounding kingdoms would attend the wedding and Mayle needed to be able to assure them of their safety. If anything happened which placed the guests in danger the kingdom would possibly be faced with war and Mayle would do all he could to avoid such a situation from occurring.

Maica needed the wedding to proceed and decided she would visit the king after she spoke with Algwad, and give him her version of the news of the visitors before he heard any other version from anyone else.

By the time Algwad entered Maica’s chambers, she had decided on a course of action.

She ignored the formalities when Algwad entered and spoke before he had even risen from his bow. “Are you aware of my betrothed’s son’s visitors?”

“I had heard that he brought two strangers into the keep last night. One is wounded and the other is his daughter. I am sure they will be on their way soon enough.”

Algwad moved forward reaching out to Maica to take her in his arms but she turned away.

Maica was irritated by Algwad’s lackadaisical attitude. “Do you think it a coincidence that at this point in our plans two strangers should arrive? I met the girl this morning and saw her father. Her father is unconscious. But the girl. She knows me. At least she thinks she does. I could not understand how at first, but then it dawned on me. She believes I am her mother.”

Algwad opened his mouth as if to speak then paused pondering his response.

“Yes. Her mother.” Maica emphasized. “She called me Mother!”

Maica paced as she spoke, “It leads me to believe that the woman I saw in the dungeon is her real mother. Is the woman still alive?”

Algwad decided not to lie. “Yes, she is. I have tortured her badly and believe she will talk eventually although she has given me nothing as yet.”

“I beg to differ Alg. But perhaps it is fortunate that she still lives. We may be able to use her for leverage. Luckily the girl is very confused and cannot understand what has changed her mother so. Meaning me. We need to change the plan. Everything must happen at the wedding feast. I have already determined the plan and you simply need to see that it is carried out. Perfectly. every …step….of…. the….way.”

“Very well my Lady. Please do tell.”

Algwad listened as Maica outlined her plan. Algwad was surprised at the detail of the plan considering that Maica had so little time to think it through. He commented here and there checking details but for the most part, it was airtight. A masterstroke of genius he thought. He was glad he was on Maica’s side although he would make his move once she had removed the main opponents from the board so to speak.

He was concerned too at the arrival of the man and the girl. He had not expected that they would cross over into Ethlerry, much less cross paths with Prince Fiere. It told him that they had another book and had crossed over after his attack in their home the night before. He could not understand the foolishness but was satisfied that Maica’s plan would put an end to them soon enough saving him the need to do something about it himself.

Algwad left Maica’s chambers feeling excited at the tasks that lay ahead. He had not told Maica about his crossing and capture of Josh. He decided that it had nothing to do with her. He believed that she would not understand and that it would complicate matters at this point. He stopped by his chambers and penned two messages on paper. He sealed the messages with wax and crossed to cages in which carrier pigeons rested. He removed the pigeons from the cages and walked over to the window. He opened the window and let the pigeons go. He watched as they disappeared into the sky.

He spoke as he watched them fly “Carry word, my friends. Deliver your messages safely and quickly. Send the army in return.”

Then he went to see about putting the rest of Maica’s plans in place. He made a slight adjustment to include Josh in the plan. It was not a change but merely an addition to the plan which would see him achieve his objectives as well.

Maica entered King Mayle’s chambers. King Mayle looked up from his writing desk where he penned a message and smiled broadly. Maica could see where Fiere got his good looks and smile from. When either of them smiled she could just as well have been looking at the other. Mayle’s green eyes sparkled like emeralds and practically glowed with mischief and the love of life. Mayle’s voice was naturally loud and happy.

“Ah, my lady. As beautiful as ever.”

Maica returned his smile as genuinely as she could and kissed him on the cheek as she stopped next to him.

“Thank you, my dear.”

“I did not expect to see you today.”

“I could not possibly stay away my love. I have some news which will make our celebration even happier. There are some other matters I thought it best to inform you of too, although you might have heard some gossip already.”

Maica maintained her best smile setting Mayle at ease.

“What news is this that could make our wedding day even happier?” Mayle asked with eyebrows raised.

“I am with your child, my Lord,” Maica whispered into his ear.

Mayle was overjoyed. “That is truly wonderful news, my queen! We shall have a wedding, a coronation, and announce our child!”

“I knew you would be so happy, dear. It is my wedding gift for you though you shall have to wait for it.”

“I shall wait and listen as it grows inside you every day.” Mayle beamed with joy.

“Oh, you may my love.” Satisfied that Mayle was happy she broke the other news to him.

“Fiere happened on a man and a woman in the forest last night. Being as goodnatured as he is, he brought them with him into the keep and they are resting in chambers. The man was wounded, stabbed in fact. Meerde has seen to him though and he will recover well it seems. The girl is distraught but fine. I invited them to the wedding.”

Mayle’s smile diminished. “Fiere informed me about the strangers but he did not say anything about them attending the wedding. Do you think that is wise? I am truly concerned about security for our wedding and I do not wish to be blindsided by an lbar.”

Ibar were black and white striped creatures resembling horses. There was a folk tale that stated that when people first saw an Ibar, they began to deliberate and quarrel among themselves about whether the Ibar had black stripes on white skin or white stripes on black skin. While they did so, the rest of the Ibar herd decimated the village’s crops leaving the soil barren and the people to starve. The Ibar was thus considered to represent deceit which would end in the deceived losing everything.

“My dear. We have stepped up the guard already. Besides Fiere is taken with the girl so she can sit with him. I have no doubt she will be closely watched.”

Mayle laughed at the implications of what Maica said. “Indeed. You know my son well.”

“Meerde has seen to her father and I doubt Meerde would err in his diagnosis. He believes her father will recover from his wound.”

Mayle nodded his agreement. “You are right there. I agree my dear. You are so adept at understanding circumstances and making decisions. I am blessed to have you as my queen.”

“You flatter me, my love.” Maica blushed thinking of Mayle’s comment about the Ibar. How appropriate. She smiled. The only thing more confusing than one Ibar was two. Or more. She endured Mayle’s affection a while longer before excusing herself, satisfied that Mayle was looking at the wrong Ibar.

Maica left Mayle as he sent a messenger to find his son and ask him to come to his chambers. Maica smiled as she thought of Fiere’s reaction when he heard the news of her pregnancy. It was early stages yet and her pregnancy was not yet obvious.