Snippet #1929552

James took the goblet and downed its contents in two very quick gulps welcoming the slight warmness it left in his stomach. He refilled the goblet but this time simply sipped it as he knew he could not afford to get drunk right then. He stared at the goblet in his hand for a long moment turning it slightly in his hand so that the light caught the surface and illuminated the patterns on its surface. Though he sat there in body his mind was far away lost in memories that refused to be ignored. He was remembering a simpler time when he, his brother and Rivera had nothing more to think on than who would win their latest race or who would be able to climb the tallest tree on the grounds. Rivera had always been the one who would insist on trying everything and oftentimes would beat Lelinus or James at whatever activity she was involved in.
As they had gotten older he and Rivera had grown apart somewhat with him being focussed on learning what was required for Kingship and she equally focussed on training to be a knight. Yet even though they were far from the close friends they had been in childhood James had never believed she would be capable of betraying him. Yet Christine’s words were compelling and the evidence if accurate was in itself quite damning. James forced himself to consider the possibility that Rivera was indeed guilty and therefore the decision he would be forced to make. The standard sentence for treason was death and James doubted he could offer a lesser sentence without inviting the ire of the nobles that supported him. Of course he was unsure how he felt about it, if she had indeed betrayed him then surely death was only what she deserved. Yet ordering her to her death caused a sick feeling in his stomach.

He tore his eyes away from the goblet and pushed his memories to the back of his mind, he could not afford to get lost in sentimentality not when so much rested on this. As much as he wished he could deny it, this was about far more than a knight accused of treason. The political ramifications of this trial and consequent decision would have far reaching implications for his role as King. This was his first major decision as King, and he was well aware that everyone was watching to see how he would handle it. If he handled it badly or upset too many with the outcome he had no doubt that he could lose valuable support for his throne. The last thing he needed, what with being so newly crowned, was more people doubting if he was right for the monarchy.

He looked at Emmanuel and sighed. “What do you think Em, is she guilty?”


Katherine leaned back in the large tub and sighed in pleasure, her muscles were warm and relaxed, and for a moment considered staying there all evening. But only for a moment as she had too much to do. With a resigned sigh she stood and stepped out of the bath and onto the thickly carpeted floor, her maid hurried forward with a silk dressing robe and Katherine belted it around her waist. She seated herself at her mirrored dressing table and allowed her maid to begin brushing out her long thick hair. As the maid gently teased out the tangles Katherine’s thoughts turned to the man that Nathanial had installed in one of the guest rooms.
Who was he? How had he ended up outside their door in such a condition? He was at present an unknown quantity and Katherine did not like people present in their home whom she knew next to nothing about. Katherine prided herself on knowing the secrets all her staff and guests kept hidden from the world, she did nothing with this information but knowing what motivated people had proved useful to her in the past. She also knew which members of her household spied for others, every noble house had their own fair share of spies working for others, and because she knew she ensured they all passed on false information with only grains of truth. Yet this man was a complete mystery to her and that was something she intended to rectify.

Her maid finished brushing out her hair and picked up one of the comfortable gowns Katherine wore when at home, it was a simple blue gown made of wool with long sleeves. Its only adornment was lighter blue stitching at the waist, hem and cuffs. Katherine left her long hair loose as she doubted anyone would object to this on the day she arrived home from a journey. She was just putting on soft slippers when there was a knock at the door. Her maid answered it and spoke briefly with the servant at the door.

“My Lady, His Grace requests your presence.” Her maid informed her.

“Thank you Millie, I will go and see him now.”

She left her rooms and began walking down corridors though in the opposite direction to her brothers rooms, she had informed Nathanial earlier that she would visit this mysterious man after she had changed and she intended to do just that. She walked quickly down the stairs to the floor the guest rooms were on and saw Nathanial approaching from the other direction.

“My Lady.” He greeted her. “ You’re here to see our unnamed visitor?”

At Katherine’s nod Nathanial led her to the guest room where the man was and opened the door, Katherine walked past him and entered the room. She could clearly see that the room had been used for someone injured from the bandages on the side and the smell of the room. But what was also clearly apparent was that the man was not here, there was only a female servant asleep in the chair. Katherine turned on her heel and walked out meeting Nathanial’s questioning gaze.

“He is not here.” She said. “ He managed to leave without waking his…minder.”

Nathanial frowned. “I apologize my lady, I will she is appropriately punished.”

“See to it and have the guards search the house, I want this man found. When they do bring him to the Duke’s dining room. I think it about time my brother and I spoke with our guest.”

Katherine walked away without waiting for a reply confident that her steward would do as she ordered. She walked to their personal dining room concentrating on removing the feeling of irritation she felt as it was a waste of energy. The man would be found and no harm would be done she assured herself. The guard standing outside her brothers door bowed when he saw her, knocked once on the door and then opened it. She walked in and smiled warmly when she saw Henry no worse for wear after his journey.

“Brother.” She greeted him warmly.