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ladyknightjacqueline · 6 years ago

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Not Yet Knight ~ 1

“My lady, the horns are blasting!” Scream a young teen boy as he raced into the back rooms of the building. “Someone’s requesting shelter; I think it’s the Kings Own or the Riders.”

“The Riders never announce their approach.” A woman’s voice called out from under a pile of blankets on a tarnished cot. Slowly she made herself visible, moving to straighten her wholly tunic and leggings to look more proper. “Send the reply and take two others to go and bring them in. I will help start the preparations.”

“Yes’am,” grinning he turned to run.

“And Palt,” She called out.

“Yes Lady Cae?” Leaning back in the door way.

“Send back a count of their number as soon as you get there.” Sternly Cae’s crisp amber eyes started intently into face, “First thing when you get there, the total number.”

“Yes’am” Sheepish he answered before running off to do his errands.

Quickly, she grabbed her tall wooden staff and walked towards the main section of the building. The return call telling their guest they were welcome had sent other who lived with in her boundaries into a flurry of activity. Very few of residents were adults; mostly they were children and teens as young as a few months to the age of sixteen. Both boys as girls worked to set up the stables designed to be expanded in case of guests or emergences against the far wall of the fort under the watchful eye of the head groomsmen. The old temple was transformed from classrooms into bunks by the oldest girls while they kept an eye on the infants.

Cook Lynette had some children working hard in the kitchen, filling pots of water to boil, washing dishes, and peeling vegetables. Walking from the main building to the adjacent corridor, Cae admired Roran’s infirmary as he refreshed the spells as those he was training checked the empty beds for any dirt or evidence of old illness. He smiled and nodded to her as she passed by walking into the largest meeting room. The cleaning of this room as a daily chore, the large walnut wood table shone with a faded sheen.

The sound of Palt’s horn drew her from the room to listen. The signal was clear, unmistakable, and sickening to her ears. Taking several deep breathes she readied herself for the flood of excited panic that would be overcoming her people.

“My Lady!” Called Arton, current head of the stables. “Did I really just hear the right? 100 men and royalty?”

“That’s what I heard,” She took another long breathe and looked at the eager young man. “Double out stable length and send Arah to come find me.”

Without replying he ran smiling like a fool to obey. Not much later Arah’s blonde hair could be seen fighting its braid as she ran to Cae.

“You heard the call?” Cae questioned to nodding young woman. “We will need to move the Youngers to the classrooms and make their rooms appropriate for such honored guests.”

“All three rooms?” Arah’s eyes growing large as she tried to process moving 27 youngsters into two small rooms with no help.

“Gather any who can be spared to help you on my order.” Smiling, Cae sent her away.

As the last of the stable was secured into place, Cae heard the call to the walls. Her guards, armed boys and girls, stood at attention waiting for her permission to open the gates to their guests. Chain mail glistened through the trees as they approached. Roran soon stood beside her in his mage robes assuring her that it was indeed their majesties and the Third Company of the King’s Own. Palt rode with them, the image of loyal servant, blowing the request to open the gate. The old gates squealed at the pressure of being opened wide for such a large group as Cae descended the steps from the wall. Within a few moments, King Jonathan of Conte, Queen Thayet, and Lord Raul handed off there mounts to those who was in their charge as walking towards her.

Smiling, Cae knelt on one knee in the mud before them.

Palt spoke, bowing to their majesties, “May I present our leader, Caetry, keeper of Salen.”

“Please stand,” King Jonathan’s voice was a pleasant tenor as he spoke to her. “We are very thankful for your hospitality.”

“We are honored to serve you your majesties.” Keeping her head down as she rose, she looked out of the corner of her vision she could not help but be swayed by their majestic looks alone to like them.

“Buri had told me about this little gem the last time we had come this way,” Thayet smiled curiously at the woman in front of her. “Do you have any students who are ready for the riders?”

“Three who wish to join the riders and four determined to join the King’s Own your highness,” stealing a glance, Cae added shaking her head, “I’m convinced they are just trying to cost me our entire savings so they can accomplish all their visions of grandeur but I will not hold them back.”

“Lady Caetry!” A tall man of bazir descent called out as he rushed towards them. Bowing hastily he swooped her up in a hug before the amused royals. “I have saved up coin so I may adopt one of the next batch! Whom shall I take?”

“Matre,” Raul smiled, surprised at this reserved man’s show of eager affection. “Are you leaving the company? What’s this about adopting?”

“Forgive me my Lord,” This time he bowed properly to them, his bright smile a contrast to his dark skin, “Lady Cae raised me and several others of the Own and Riders. She works hard to make sure those in her care are protected, fed, and trained for many different tasks. Several of us agreed when we were accepted into the Own that we would save money out of what we earn to help pay for those who were to come after us.”

“Excuse, Majesties, but shall we go into the mess hall? Matre I will introduce you to the next batch later.” Curtsying Cae turned sharp eyes towards Matre, which he ignored, before leading the way. “My students will show your men to the stables and rest areas, My Lord Raoul.”

Opening the door she allowed their majesties guest to be greeted by the group of the Kings Own who were already resting within at the long tables. Raul leaned against the door frame near her as she watched them carefully before turning to him, “Something to say my Lord?”

“Buri told me to tell you if she find out you’ve been skipping meals again she’ll beat you,” Grinning as Cae nodded knowingly as he added, “you know you’ll have to answer for that Lady comment don’t you?”

“Don’t worry about me, my Lord,” Grinning over she shoulder at his friendly black eyes. “I have my tale to tell when they ask and if Buri is planning on beating me… well, I may never have to tell it.”

“It isn’t wise to lie to their Majesties,” Concern overcame his features as he watched her playful grin. “Jon is well enough as Kings go but he can tell if you are truly lying to him.

“They will prefer the lie to the truth, my friend. I can promise you that with ease.” Cae’s smile turned sad before she walked away to check on the younger tenants. The Hall of Children was abuzz with life and noise as anyone too young for work played, learned, and listened to stories. To her joy, one of the nine year old girls was practicing bowing and curtsies with the eager group of four and five year olds. If it was any other monarch she would have laughed off there shenanigans as pointless but with these? They had a reputation of loving and showing kindness to children.

Smiling Caetry went and spoke with the older girls, saw the arrangements they had mad for everyone to sleep, and checked what food they had stored up. All but the last task was satisfactory, Cae knew she was going to have to send out some of her older children to work. The fields needed tending but that could wait until sunrise tomorrow.

“My Lady?” Arah called down the corridor, interrupting Caetry’s concentration on the calculations she was working on. To her surprise Arah was holding a limp toddler in her arms. “My Lady, there majesties are requesting a word with you and Torni won’t wake up.”

“Give’er here,” Cae took the small child on her hip knowing she was not used to this many people and so much noise. “Torni, sweet one, you are ok. Wake up now.” Feeling Torni’s back with her hand she realized that she was much too warm. Remembering the fever that had already taken two infants panic crashed over her as she calmly fought to keep the fear out of her voice, “Arah, will you go get Master Roran? Quick as you can?”

The younger woman left through the mess hall at a run. Walking up to the edges of the make shift throne room, worry overcame her features for the child in her arms. Everything about how Torni was behaving was wrong. The almost two year old only twitched in her mothers’ arms as Cae was torn between going to the throne and taking the child to the infirmary herself. Roran was taking far too long and their Majesties had taken notice of her. Keeping an eye on the door, Cae watched as Raul bent to speak quietly with the King and Queen before nodding permission for her silent plea. She ran as fast as she could with the little ones still body.

“Roran!” She bellowed, finding Arah sobbing as she banged against the think, locked door. Caetry was no longer afraid of waking the still child.

“What?” The mage yelled at his leader, his gift radiating around him, clothes drenched in sweat. “I was in the middle of assisting with a surgery! What in the god’s names is so import…ant?” Reaching out his hand, he felt Torni’s head as his anger faded into sorrow.

“She is gone, Roran,” Cae whispered coldly, blue-black power radiating from around her. “I called for you half a bell ago and you did not come and we lost another one.” Gulping she looked up into his overly bright eyes. “We lost mine.”

“Cae, Cae I’m sorry,” reaching to touch her arm her was thrown into the open doorway by her dark gift. Taking deep breaths she forced herself to have control and her power faded. She noticed the healer Roran had been assisting, Sir Nealen or Neal, frowning at the child in her arms. Holding out his arms Roran couldn’t meet her disappointed eyes as he spoke, “I will prepare her for burial… my Lady.”

Cae hesitated looking down at her mini self. Same nearly black hair, amber eyes, and mouth always prepared to smile.

“My Lady,” Arah whispered as tears flood her cheeks. “Their Majesties are still waiting for you and I have to… I have to tell the others about Torni… that the Black God sings her lullabies.”

“I envy him.” Trying on a smile, Cae failed, although she didn’t dare to cry. “I will go before their Majesties and return to kiss her good night.” Without another word she walked all the way to the door of the mess hall. Standing there for a moment she summoned in her mind the person she wanted them to see: calm, respected, in control. Carefully she forced herself to smile and refreshed the image of her clothing for them to see; only those who knew her well would not be fooled by such a weak mask. Pushing through the door several hopeful glances sought her face only for her to look down in avoidance.

“Caetry, are you ready to speak with their majesties or do you need to stay with the little one?” Speaking quietly Raoul hunched down closer to her head as he offered her his hand.

“I am ready to meet with their majesties, My Lord.” Placing a trembling hand on his, she added in a whisper, “The Black God cares for her now as he cares for all those we’ve lost this fall.”

Startled Raul’s brows pulled close together as he led her to curtsy before the monarchs. Speaking loudly he address them, “May I present Caetry, Leader of this Fort and Keeper of Orphans?”

“Trainer of the Queen’s Rider and the King’s Own,” The King replied smiling as if he sat on his golden throne and not a worn out stuffed chair. Handsome as he is, he could make any area appear as a place. “Her Majesty and I thank you, Caetry, for your hospitality.”

“It is an honor to serve you, your Majesties,” She bowed once again, smiling as she fought to acknowledge the queens’ beauty instead of her own sorrow.

“Commander Buri mentioned that if we were to ever come here you would have a request of us,” Words fell easily from the queens ruby lips. “You have showed his Majesty, myself, and many of our people kindness. What would you request of us?”

“Commander Buri is far too kind for thinking of me to you, Majesty,” Smiling, she force away her angry tears, she wanted her daughter back but not even the king could or should do that. Instead she spoke the answer that Buri would have expected from her. “I would be honored if those in my care may assist your people while there are here. Any advice that can be given them before they begin their training for the Riders and the Own would be greatly appreciated by us all.”

“Knight Commander,” The king turned towards Raul speaking in a drowl, royal way. “I would imagine you could assist in seeing this request fulfilled?”

“Of course, your Majesty,” He bowed before tilting his head like an innocent child. “I could meet with those closest to joining the Own? If you have what is required I may be able to take them sooner.”

The tempest of emotions raged inside her as she kept her face calm and kind. He doesn’t know that I lost my child and he is asking to take my others, he has no idea of my pain, I must be in control. “You are all kindness my Lord, we currently have the ability to send two of the four.”

“How long do you think until you’d be able to send the other two?” Baiting her with a grin to match Raul’s the King chimed in.

“After the harvest I will have enough for the third,” Cae’s pleasant façade slipped with her concentration. “If I spoke to Baron Cooper and Lady Alanna, they may be willing to sponsor a student again and allow me to pay them back throughout the year, your Highness.”

“George and Alanna have sponsored your students before?” Surprise was plain on Raul’s handsome face.

“They have only sponsored my Riders so far my Lord, but they may be willing to trade work,” grinning at the knight, Cae turned back to their Majesties. “Excuse me, please, your majesties. Your and my lord’s rooms are prepared if you would care to rest before supper.”

“Thank you, Cae,” Her Majesty gracefully set her hand on her husband’s arm as he went to question her further. Thayet’s lavender gown fluttered like butterflies as she walked up to kiss Cae’s cheek and whispered. “We can finish this discussion later. Is the little one you took out earlier well?”

“She is well in the Black god’s care, highness,” Dropping her mask for just a moment that the queen could see her sadness before pulling in pack into place with a smile. With a curtsy she pulled away and looked down until the twins, Arah and Arton, had led then back towards their chambers.

The men of the Own greeted her with smiles, thanks, and offers to help anywhere needed. Her own people waited huddled away from the new comers, mourning. It wasn’t until Cae had joined them that Matre noticed the crowd and pulled the others who had been raised there to hear the news. She lied to them of course, telling them that she hadn’t realized the severity of the illness and had taken Torni to Roran too late for him to call her back.

Cae allowed them a few minutes of apologies and prayers before she sent her people back to work reminding them that harvest would begin in the morning. The men of the own asked others which tasks to begin. Cae was pulled to the door as Cook pressed a dark crimson rose bud into her hand before she too returned to work. All of those who belonged to Salen help overbright eyes as she nodded each to go back to work. Everyone who saw her put a fist by their heart and bowed, a sign of respect and mourning. ‘Our sorrow for your sorrow,’ they whispered.

Holding the rose carefully in her hand, Cae walked into Roran’s domain. Nodding to the healers and those in training who were working she went into the small morgue where her little girl lay as if she was sleeping peacefully. Someone had followed her into the room but she didn’t turn to look as she brushed through the child’s hair with her fingers. Drops slipped from her eyes as Cae bent down to kiss her forehead. Gently she placed her little arms to hold the rose across her chest like the princess in her favorite stories. A light hand rested on her shoulder, to her surprise, Cae looked up into the face of the Queen of Tortall.

“She looks a lot like you,” Thayet whispered, smiling sadly at the sad young mother. “The black god takes wonderful care of our little ones.”

“The Black god sings her lullabies,” Cae’s sad smile did not deceive the queen but she had to be strong. Desperate to change the subject she looked back to the busy room, “It seems that quite a few of your people are injured.”

“They were a group scouting the area; we came to rescue them from the bandits.” Frowning towards where the injured were cared for, “Thanks to your people, we lost none to the Black god’s mercy.”

#Tortall TamoraPierce Knight

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