Book 2, Chapter 25: Day Ten: Morning Through The Garden

Morning tea was delightfully private. Mainly because it was brought up to our rooms. Warm enough that we didn’t need fire, but we ate in front of the fireplace anyways. Eggs, sausages, bacon, ham, bread, cheese, two different teas, and apples.

A knock at the door, a young boy with a letter addressed to me. “It’s from my uncle, see? This is his seal,” Brin showed me the letter after dismissing the boy.

“Oh, how lovely.”

She opened it in front of me while I blinked in amazement. Not something we did where I came from, opening other people’s mail. But then, I knew what cola tasted like and these primitives never would. Ok, I was grumpy. Morning. “What is it, Brin?”

“He’s inviting you for a midmorning stroll in the gardens. We have to get you properly dressed!”

“Damn. Really? Ok.” The three stages of grumpy morning grief at the world’s demands: anger, questioning, resignation. I further resigned myself to being brutalized by four girls as they tore off my clothing, forcing me into something monstrously cute and colorful, then against my wishes, tugged at my hair until it was all done up and mashed make-up into my face, strangling my neck with jewelry and perfume until I was pretty and inviting. After breakfast.

After all that was said and done, an escort appeared at our door and took me to the waiting duke, my cute girl-torturers respectfully a few paces behind us, out of earshot, chattering and giggling away.

He was dressed in his usual red and black, loose shirt but form fitting suede, hugging his shoulders and narrowing near his waist, a perfect V-shape, pants that reached just past his knees and leggings the rest of the way. I was getting used to the outfits and no longer snickered inwardly. The funny thing, to me, was that the men sporting the latest in cute hose and lace could very easily beat the tar out of the vast majority of rough jean-wearing men back where I came from. I guess I just hadn’t figured out masculinity yet. I’d still bet on the guy in denim, sigh, maybe just because I wanted some.

“Your Grace, you look lovely,” curtsy.

“Lovely? I was reserving that word for you, Princess Cayce. Brighten my morning and walk with me.” He held out his arm and I slid mine in.

“I must admit, I’m grumpy in the morning.”

“Oh?”

“I’m afraid so. It’s the food we eat after waking up. No, no, I can see you calculating – do not change my breakfasts! My morning teas, I mean. I like them. But supper foods, aren’t they much better? Steaming, juicy meats, salty gravy and potatoes and,” I smiled devilishly, “the drinks of darkness are considerably more entertaining than those of the waking sun.”

“I can have ale, wine and mead sent along with your breakfast if it pleases you.”

“No, no, not at all! I’m not unhappy with morning tea, I’m just-”

“-contrasting the two. Effectively, too. It makes sense. And aren’t sights more romantic at night, too? Like the fired pipes upon our first meeting.”

“Those were truly amazing.”

“Though, this garden is more interesting and perhaps beautiful in the morning. These flowers,” he said, holding white petals in the shape of a daisy but on the body of a dandelion, “only open in the sun. You’d miss them in the darkness.”

“That is true. I guess I will just have to suffer through mornings and everyone around suffer through me.”

He picked one of the flowers and carefully positioned it in my hair. “There, a nice contrast. White petals against your dark braids.”

I almost blushed. No one has ever put a flower into my hair. “Thank you.”

Taking my hand, he placed my arm within his and we continued on, through his garden. Varying shades of green in the leaves, both short and fat, long and slim, of the many trees, shrubs and bushes, broken by all manner of flowers, white to red to orange. Their perfume mixed into the air and I breathed deeply, grumpiness fading away.

“What did you think of the Yohstone boys?”

“Uh, they were alright. A bit young.”

“You mean immature. Yes. Not entirely their fault, they didn’t receive the education that Brin and you had.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“Their father was, I shouldn’t say this, but a bit more savage than a regular lord. Not necessarily a bad trait to have in your bannermen, to be fair. Perhaps even something desired in them.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, you see if your children have the best education and you govern your populace in the best manner, then your bannermen will remain your bannermen and not, as what’s become of the Barclays, your rivals.”

I felt a bit stupid for him saying that. “That makes sense. I really did make a mess of it.”

“It’s nothing we can’t handle.”

“We?”

“Listen, I believe the Barclays are up to something else entirely.”

“What do you mean? Brin thinks they’ll be sending their oldest boy here as a suitor.”

“Hmm. They may. I suspect that they’ll treat with the Laemacians, though. Perhaps even use your gold to increase their army, then head this way to force us to redraw the map.”

“That is a problem. Uh, I’m at a loss here.” I hated admitting this, but I felt as if I’d reached the end of my rope. Enemies to the west, north and east, an army not large enough to retake our holdings to the south, let alone defend itself. If he was serious about putting the, ah, formalities of marriage off for four years, it might be worth taking. Who knows, perhaps I’d figure out a way to solve this simulation or this situation by then.

“I may have a solution, but I don’t want to share it just yet. I heard that you were considering altering your military’s weaponry. Would you mind explaining that? I’d love to know what you, how shall I say this, are bringing to the table.”

“Oh?” I stopped and faced him, taking his hands in mine, “I need to know something first.”

“Yes?”

“Even if we don’t get married, will your forces still aid mine? We could reverse the order, hit the Barclays first. You’d still hold the river against the Ketzillians with your bannermen and-”

“Cayce, Cayce. I told you, I’m still considering whether marriage is a good idea for myself. I’m not convinced it is. I don’t, please don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t feel the same way toward women that other men do. I’ve never been motivated by romance.”

“What a relief!” blurted out from me without thinking, then covered my mouth with my left hand. “I mean, I’m sorry, I can’t believe I said that out loud. Uhm, me too! Romance is something I’d like to actively avoid if I can be honest with you.”

“I see. Well, that’s excellent news then. We are a matching set.” We began walking, arm in arm again, passed some red and white roses. He pushed them out of the way for me, and I ducked a bit to avoid the thorns, “Now, if you could, describe your ideas about reforming your military.”

Ecstatic as I was that, were we to get married, it’d be a platonic one of mutual benefits, he’d get his power and I’d survive untouched, I hesitated. I did, however, need his army and needed to show him that I did bring something to the table other than my soldiers.

“Albian, have you heard of the sarissa?” He, as expected, did not. I explained.

His eyes brightened as I did, “That seems so obvious! What about their shields? Won’t they be in greater danger of enemy missiles?”

“It seems that way, but not especially. As long as they have proper armor, keep in formation, and you have cavalry and peltasts keeping ranged and cavalry away from them. With the, uh, sarissa up, archers don’t have clear targets unless they’re quite near.”

“We shall have the smithies produce a few hundred, get some phalanx troops practicing and see how they do against regular phalanx.”

“That sounds great. I have to say, I expected more push-back against my idea here.” Well, an idea stolen from Phillip the Second. Cheers, Phil! I’m sure he’d be happy to know his invention was about to be put to, if not good use, then similar use. Murdering, enslaving and pillaging, all that glory. I guess if I were in a farming game, I’d probably be bored. But I still wasn’t leaving the devs off the hook and they were still getting a beating when I got out. If there is an out.

“I suppose, Cayce, if I thought of you as a normal girl, I’d be more reticent to your ideas. But we both know you are no ordinary girl.”

I felt that first rush of adrenaline that opens your pores, makes you itchy, ready to run. “What? I’m sorry, what do you mean?”

“You’ve only been on the battlefield this one week? If I had only one tenth your imagination why, I’d conquer the entire continent, from the Northern Barbarians to the Ketzillian sea. Where did you develop such an insight for warfare?”

“It, uh, it just kinda came to me.”

“Tell me truly, you’re more than you seem.”

“I think perhaps we all are.”

“You are being coy.” He held onto my arm more tightly, “No, don’t run away and play at being a child. I won’t expose you.”

I couldn’t help but wonder if he, presumably an NPC in a game scenario, somehow knew that I was a player character, a PC. How to ask? “Expose me for . . . ?”

“The ‘sarissa,’ where’d you get the name for it?”

“Uhm, I, ah . . . “

“Do you have any other suggestions for improvement?”

I didn’t feel comfortable putting all my cards on the table. “I may. I’m still working on them.”

He relaxed his grip on my arm. “I presume you’ll invent new names for them, as well?”

I tried to smile and pretend this was going well, “Almost certainly!”

“Or borrow names from where you first learned them?”

My jaw dropped. I didn’t know what to say.

He continued, “I trust you’ll consult me when you’re ready. Otherwise, and I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve taken the liberty of integrating your men into the castle watch. We’re low on troops as they’re guarding the bridge.”

“That sounds great.” But, odd. Morry told me he was the one who’d done the integrating. No wonder their captain had been so agreeable with Morry’s suggestion. Yet, I couldn’t see Bechalle’s angle here, unless it was to slowly install himself as leader of my troops. “As long as they can maintain their practice.”

“They can certainly practice. Both integrated with my troops and on their own. To maintain your leadership structure.”

“That sounds good.”

“This is a yew,” he pointed at an enormous tree that looked as if it were made from several, smaller trees that all clumped together, merging. “It’s used for bows, but you already know that. What should the sarissa be made out of?”

I placed my left palm on the yew, feeling its rough bark. “I don’t actually know. The same wood that pikes are made out of, I’d imagine, plus a few extras.”

“Extras?”

“A bronze spike on the end of the sarissa, so it can be planted in the ground against cavalry. It’ll, uhm, protect the wood from damage.”

“And perhaps also act as a counterbalance. The problem will be the weight of the staff. It’ll need to be heavier if it’s to be longer . . . but, we’ll let the smithies work that out.”

“About training. I’d like to resume my sword and spear practice.”

“I’d heard you were training as a soldier. I genuinely do not understand why. You, of all people, certainly don’t need to use weapons.”

“They’ve honestly come in handy. I mean, so far weapons have kept me alive.”

He slightly narrowed his eyes. “Hmm. If you can hold off training for a while. It’s unseemingly to other men. We have to at least make a play at hosting suitors, if only to gain their allegiance in the coming war.”

“Wait. I’m confused.”

“Oh?”

“I’d thought . . . excuse me, but weren’t you suggesting that we get married and, uhm, keep it platonic?”

“Oh, it’s one of many possibilities. Regardless, you should be hosting suitors at your age and station if only to make acquaintances, develop relationships.” He stopped us, faced me, “if you are to be a queen, you must have supporters. You can’t marry too quickly, or you reduce this avenue of making supporters. You see what I mean?”

“I think so.”

“No, you do understand. It’s only that the girl’s role is tiresome and bores you. Come, let me show you the foreign fruit trees in our orchard.”

I didn’t respond to that, too close to the mark. He smiled, we strolled arm in arm through the large garden. He had a vast knowledge of plants, flowers and herbs, led me around discussing these. I smiled, gave praise, oohed and awed, all the while intensely disturbed by his suggestions about my person.

***

Back at the apartments, brooding over what the duke meant – did he know I was a PC or a person from another reality? Perhaps he could give me the answer, the only answer that I desperately yearned to know, of whether I was in a game or new reality. But how would I ask him, ask anyone, such a thing?

“Cayce, you’re pacing. And brooding again! I’ve seen old men, veterans of brutal wars, more relaxed than you.”

I stopped, looked at Brin, “Yeah, I’m sorry. It’s just . . .”

She hurried up to me, taking my hands in hers, “Most girls are happy about the prospect of marriage. Some, even excited. Why are you so scared?”

“Uh, well . . . your uncle seems nice on the outside, but remember, he ordered the slaughter of countless unarmed men, women and children. He’s-”

“Oh, that was war. What’s he going to do, resettle the enemy on our farms? Your father, he conquered entire towns, selling their populace into slavery.”

“Right, yeah. That means I should marry your uncle because that makes everything ok.”

“You’re not a child anymore. War is brutal. Anyways, let’s not talk about marriage anymore! My mother has arranged for us to all go for a ride in the fields. There are fields of lilies and marigolds of all kinds I want to show you!”

“If you promise not to talk of marriage, then count me in.”

“Great! We’ll get you dressed properly.”

“I am dressed.”

“Not for riding, not for an excursion.”

“Huh. Why didn’t you dress me for riding before today? We just spent more than a week on the march.”

“You insisted on wearing that armor.”

“Oh, right. Can I-”

“No, Cayce, you cannot.”

I slumped a little. Trapped by girls and forced to wear age-inappropriate dresses. “Ok, fine. But I have to see Morry before we go.”

“Why? He’s got watch duties and I’m sure is very, very busy.”

“I’m not going to win anything with you, hey?” She smiled sweetly, showing off her perfect teeth. I smiled back, “Ok, you go prepare the riding clothing and I’ll, uhm, relive myself . . . alone.”

“You and your private peeing! I swear, you are so odd.” She headed to the room our clothing was stored in.

Meanwhile, I opened the front door as quietly as possible, quickly snuck out, closing it carefully, then headed off down the hallway to find Morry. I don’t know why. I didn’t have anything I could confess to him, but I really needed to see him just now.

“Princess Cayce! What a pleasure to find you about the castle. May I interest you in an afternoon tea?”

Maitlan. Dressed in court fineries, with his pants reaching just past his knees, brown hose beyond. He didn’t look comical, at least, but I was disappointed to see he didn’t have a large, absurd hat.

“Ah, no, I’m sorry but I must decline. I’m in a hurry.” I looked over my shoulder, making sure Brin wasn’t following me, screaming. Couldn’t hear anything. I dashed down the steps.

Annoyingly, Maitlan followed down. “Where are you off to in such a hurry?”

“To visit my captains. I need a word with them.”

“Oh? Why? Do you have a say in running the castle watch?”

I turned to him, “Listen. I’m the Princess. You’re an earl. My business is none of yours.”

He smiled warmly, sliding his arm into mine, “Well, Princess, I will gladly escort you to your captains, happy to learn none of the details, just to get a moment of your time.”

I probably rolled my eyes, but gave in. Then I realized I needed him. “Uhm, alright. Please take me to my men.” I had no idea where they were staying, and it was a large castle.

“Yes, my lady.” He led us down the hallway, passed the ballroom or dining room or whatever it was called, where we had supper, and said, “The great hall, where we met.”

“Last night, I remember.”

“Do you? You manage your drinks as well as any man I’ve seen.”

“Uh, thanks. Probably too much practice.”

“What do you like to do for fun? Activities?”

“We’re going riding later, us ladies.”

“Riding? In these clothes?”

I sighed. “My ladies in waiting were just about to dress me when I snuck off.”

He brightened at that, “Oh, that is lovely! I can take you to places where we can hide from them. Make a game of it, or just talk.”

He knew of hiding places? Might be something I should learn, given my circumstances. “You know, that does sound interesting, but perhaps another time? I really need to speak with Captain Morrentz.”

“We’re almost there. So, wine. You like wine.”

“I guess so.”

“From any particular region?”

“Honestly, I prefer ale to wine. Especially if the wine is sweetened.”

“Ale! But you didn’t like Duke Bechalle’s alejack. Too manly for you?”

“You know I wear armor into battle and-”

He laughed, “I know, Cayce, I’m just ribbing you. You’re the toughest person around! I heard you rode straight into mages – mages! Who does that? And slaughtered the bunch of them. Wow, I wish I could have seen that. The way your men talk about it, it’s godlike.”

“Godlike?”

“Yes, they hold you in high praise.”

That bothered me. If these were NPCs, they were frighteningly close to figuring out who the actual player character was. What would a game AI do if it became self-aware? I shuddered. It was the first time I truly wished, even though I was now a child, that this was real.

“Are you cold?”

“No. No, it’s the . . . well, battle isn’t fun. It was horrifying killing those people, their blood washing over me.”

“You see, you are a girl in there, under all that armor. Soft and caring. Men enjoy the fight, the thrill of battle!”

I sighed. Stopped us, pulled away, facing him. Crossed my arms.

“No, I mean it nicely. You have a kind heart, a girl’s heart. Plus, you’re very beautiful. I bet you look striking in armor.”

“Just stop. Stop. You can’t dig up.” I began walking again, at a brisk pace, he caught up and linked his arm into mine again.

“Dig up? I’m trying to compliment you here, get to know you better.”

“I’m going to need a lot more than tea to get to know you better.”

“Well, I’ll arrange for the finest ale, then. We can have a nice conversation in my quarters, or perhaps in the library – do you like books?”

That shocked me. Drinking in the library seemed like a really bad idea. His quarters would be worse, though. “I hate to admit this, but you piqued my curiosity. I think I might enjoy a trip to the library with you. Drunk, I mean. Drunk.”

“Brilliant! Then it’s settled. Just you and I, no need for all those annoying ladies in waiting, we’ll head over to the library, and talk.”

We’d turned a corner, left, and were heading down a hallway. “Where does this lead?”

“To the keep. Well, one of them. I expect it’s where your captains are.”

“Then I’m fine, thank you for escorting me. I can find the rest of the way myself.”

“Oh, no, not at all. I cannot permit a young lady to wander these halls alone. It is my sacred duty to bring you to your captains.”

“And what’s your sacred duty when you get me alone in the library?” Why, I thought to myself, why did I just ask that? He was growing irritating.

He lowered his voice as best he could, “What are you suggesting, fair princess?”

We’d come to a large door framed by the castle stones. “Are we here? Is this the keep?”

He faced me, holding my right hand in both of his, his left fingers lightly caressing mine. “You didn’t say.” His eyes were fixed on my lips, “what you wanted to do in the library.”

I banged on the door with my left. It opened, Morry was standing there.

“Princess?”

“Morry!” I extricated myself from the young earl’s grasp and turned to the big man, placing my left hand against him. In this foreign land and castle of confusion, he made me feel safe. “Uh, I was looking for you. How . . . how are you?”

“Princess. Are you well?”

“Ah, you must be the princess’s captain! I am Earl Yohstone, and we were just coming to see you. Afterward, we are heading to the library, to-”

“Morry, scare the boy away.”

He picked me up, setting me down to his left inside the room, and then advanced on Maitlan, folding his arms, giving the boy such a glare, nearly indistinguishable from resting kill face.

“I, ah, I’ll take my leave of you,” he started backing up, “I’m off. Come find me later, Princess Cayce!” I didn’t look, but his fading footsteps were hurried.

“Oh, thank you. That young man, wow. I couldn’t take much more of him.”

“You better get used to it.”

“What?”

“From what I hear, you’ll be receiving suitors soon.”

“Oh god, that sucks. How’d you hear of it?”

“Captains talk. Are you alright, Princess?” He led me over to a bench, and we sat down.

I put my face into my hands. “Oh! I am. I am, but it’s complicated. Frustrating.” I looked at him, wanting to tell him the truth, blurt it all out, ask for advice. Maybe get him to take me back to my troops, anything, I didn’t know. My voice lowered, almost to a whisper, “Morry, he knows. God, the duke somehow knows!”

“Knows what?”

My brain caught up to my mouth and I panicked. I couldn’t tell him, not that! “I, uh, I, oh I stupidly blurted out my plans for the sarissa.” I forced myself to calm down, “He doesn’t want to marry me. I don’t think, anyways. So, I told him to improve my chances! My standing, I mean. In his eyes. That I could contribute something, more than just the troops. Oh, damnit, I feel so stupid now.”

“Princess,” his posture dropped just a touch, “do what you have to do to save the kingdom. To save your life. If he’s not going to kill you, the duke is the obvious choice. Is he pressing for children? Have you discussed these things?”

“Huh? Children?”

“In royal marriages, such are discussed prior to the engagement. Heirs are important, but in your case, dangerous, perhaps even deadly for you. Has he talked about heirs?”

“No, in fact he said-”

“Cayce!” Brin shouted, entering the room, “There you are! What are you doing? Everyone is waiting on you!” She stomped over, stood in front of me with her hands on her hips.

“Everyone’s waiting on me?”

“Yes! I told you, mother rounded up the girls for a ride! Oh, come with me.” She took me by the hand, pulled me up. Brin finally gave the big man notice, “Lovely to see you, Captain Morrentz. Congratulations on the promotion.”

“I’m sorry, Morry, looks like I have to go.”

He stood. “Lady Brin. Take care of yourself, Princess. Remember our conversation and ask those questions.”

Brin pulled me along quickly, “What was that all about?”

“Nothing, it’s just that I wanted to see him.”

“Whatever for? He’s busy now in his new role. And you’re well protected here. Come on, we still have to dress you. My word, Cayce, the impression you’re giving mother.”