Sinnath sat back in his seat with arms crossed and a frown on his face. He had remained silent while Argost spoke. Now he leaned forward with the deliberate posture of a man about to make a formal speech.
“Friends.” He paused and met the eyes of first Janest and then Argost. “You know me to be a traditional man. I am the one who advises caution, who argues for the known ways ahead of the untried. What you both say has merit. Gaelen is our rightful lord. Therefore we owe him our allegiance. That is the way it ought to be, the way it has worked for hundreds of years. And so I pledge to obey my liege lord. If, at some time in the future, that is shown to be dangerous to our people, I might be persuaded to reconsider. At the current time, to disobey my liege lord would make me traitor, a decision I am unwilling to even consider. Yet this proposal to wed Cataniast’s daughter does not sit well with me in the least. It goes against proven wisdom, and I fear it may be our undoing.”
“We are agreed then to support Gaelen for now?” Argost drew the meeting to a close. When the others nodded agreement, he suggested they return to their encampment to sleep. “Tomorrow will be another long day, my friends,” he said as he stood to leave.
~9~
HONOURED PRISONER
As luck would have it, the room chosen for her had been her own … was it only yesterday? Then she had been free to move about as she pleased. No one would have dared question where she went or what she did. She had been the lord’s daughter. Yesterday, Marja had been the one giving orders. She had had ladies to wait on her.
She wondered how young, innocent Brensa, and cheerful Nellis who expected her first child, had fared. Had they escaped? Had they been raped or killed … or both? She shuddered suddenly at that thought. Was Nellis’ man alive and still able to care for her? She could only hope they had found safety and remained well.
Now, she entered her own chamber as a captive. The irony was not lost on Marja. It almost made her weep. No fine clothes, no bath, no one to dress her hair or exclaim over her gown. No one to keep her company, laugh at her jokes or serve her tea and cakes. A prisoner behind a locked door. Forbidden to speak to anyone. Alone.
When the door shut behind her and the bar slid into the lock, Marja took stock. She could find not so much as a needle to use for embroidery to pass the time. Gaelen had scoured the room before he left to make sure there were no sharp objects and no possible means of escape. She recognized the bed as her own, but the pillows and blankets had been cobbled together from various sources. They smelled of smoke and were smeared with soot and grime, but they would serve their purpose. The mattress was straw, not the featherbed she was accustomed to. No hangings remained on the walls or draperies over the window slit. But a comfortable chair had been found, and a table stood in one corner. On it waited a tray holding a pitcher of fresh water and more bread and cheese, also a handful of dried apple slices and some butter and honey.
On a stand in the other corner a wash basin held a ewer of tepid water. There was even a sliver of soap. She picked it up idly to smell it … rosemary. She also found a brush for her hair but no polished silver disc to view herself in. Two cloths hung on a hook on the wall beside the basin, a small one for washing and a larger for drying off with. They had even laid a fairly clean nightshift across the foot of the bed. Someone had gone to a good deal of trouble under difficult circumstances to see to her comfort. She hoped to Earth it was a good omen.
When she opened her old chest at the foot of the bed, she was surprised to see that the looters had missed one of her old gowns. It lay crumpled in the bottom corner. While it smelled of smoke, like everything else, it looked clean. She would be able to make herself presentable tomorrow. That would help her appear stronger when Gaelen returned for her decision.
Suddenly the events of the day caught up with her. She felt weary beyond thinking. The bed seemed to call out to her. She knew she should be considering what Gaelen had told her, but her mind could not hold a coherent thought. To be able to think clearly, she needed at least a few spans sleep. She tried to remember … had he said he would return this afternoon or not until tomorrow? After all, it had been almost dawn when he brought her here. Surely he meant tomorrow. He had said he needed to rest, too. Yes, that must be what he meant. She could afford a few spans sleep.
She forced herself to strip down, wash, put on the nightdress and brush as much of the grime and dust from her hair as possible. It was a small attempt at control, to stave off complete despair. Then she lay down on the bed and fell quickly into a restless sleep. Her dreams were filled with blood, screams and fire. And of Gaelen trying to kiss her, then turning into a demon with hungry, leering eyes, attempting to devour her.
~10~
ROUGH JUSTICE
Sinnath faced the distasteful duty of punishing those soldiers who had raped or injured women and young girls. Discipline had broken, and now it fell to him to decide who would be punished and what form that would take. The most difficult part would be determining who was guilty. Men would be loath to inform on their mates. Victims would hesitate to come forward with what they would consider their ultimate shame and degradation. Mothers would cover their daughters’ reputations as much as possible. Or go to the opposite extreme of making false accusations, especially if their loved one had been killed or maimed. Sinnath knew that disciplinary action needed to be swift and decisive, both to reinforce the laws within the army and to demonstrate to Catanians they would be treated fairly.
He decided that each soldier found guilty of rape would receive five lashes in the public square. One captain argued for leniency, claiming battle frenzy as an explanation. Sinnath quickly silenced him with the reply that others had not succumbed to battle frenzy, and that he had failed in his duty to maintain discipline in his men. He informed captains that they must round up the accused and advise them of their sentences. A captain’s non-compliance meant demotion to regular foot soldier … or dismissal.
“First, request that victims come forward and point out the guilty.” He looked at Mesor, the captain who had protested, and gave him the names of the two men he had himself witnessed raping a young woman. “You will take these men, strip them to the waist, and tie the first to the post. The other will await his turn under guard. All soldiers not on patrol must gather in the square to watch. I want no further incidents of this nature.”
Mesor stiffened with anger but said nothing.
“Now, Mesor!”
Sinnath eyed the other two as a scowling Mesor strode off. “If either of you know of others who are guilty, tell me now. Failure to do so will show me you are unfit to command. You will be demoted and take the lashes yourselves when it is found out … and it will be found out. These acts shame Bargia; they shame us all.”
Both men shuffled from one foot to the other.
Larn cleared his throat. “There was one Glash in my company, sir. I have already dismissed him without pay. He is no longer here.”
“I see.” Sinnath waited a moment longer. “Since you have no further names, go among the Catanians and see if you can find any willing to come forward. Understand that I do not intend to believe every accusation. When we have gathered all the accused in the square, I will make it plain that each accuser must convince me of their claim. If I discover a soldier has been lashed on the basis of a false accusation, that soldier will be given the right to mete out the same punishment to his accuser.”
He stood and regarded the two men again thoughtfully. “I find this as distasteful as you. But discipline must be upheld … I will see you in the square in two spans.” He turned on his heels and strode away before they could protest. Inwardly, he sighed. Leadership could be a heavy burden.
When he returned to the square two spans later, a small crowd had gathered, Catanians on one side, soldiers on the other. Next to the post stood a group of eight guarded men, stripped to the waist, eyes on the one already tied to it.
Sinnath approached, lash in hand. Its grip was two hands long and
made of tightly woven leather. From it sprouted five thongs the length of a man with knots tied into them at random spaces. Each stroke would both gash the skin and leave deep bruises.
The waiting miscreants eyed it, then quickly looked away and back at the first in line, no doubt imagining the lash on their own backs.
Sinnath considered. Who would he choose to administer it? He found Mesor, the captain who had protested, now studiously avoiding his gaze. “Mesor, take the lash from me.”
Mesor took it, eyes blazing with suppressed fury. Sinnath added in a voice only Mesor could hear, “You will use proper force if you wish to retain your position. I will not tolerate disobedience, from you or any other soldier of Bargia.” Then he looked out over the crowd, as Mesor, still glowering, took his place next to the whipping post.
“Hear me, people of Catania and Bargia. Your new lord, Lord Gaelen, like his father before him, has no taste for wanton cruelty. Even in times of war, Bargian law forbids misusing women and children. To those of you who have been ill used, Lord Gaelen sends his most sincere regrets. I am here to represent him in seeing justice done.”
Sinnath went on to explain what he had told the captains, then continued, “These nine men you see before you stand accused of rape. Two I myself witnessed in the act. They will be the first to feel the lash. Seven have been accused by you. Is there anyone among you who wishes to retract their accusation? You know the punishment for lying. Speak now and no more will be said of it.”
He watched one man shuffle forward fearfully. “Sir, my daughter knows not if ye got the right ’un. But she be used and still canna’ walk. She lies abed. She be ruined.” His voice rose as he became emboldened. “How can she be avenged if she canna’ name the beast? Where be her justice, and mine?” Loud murmurs of agreement rose from the crowd.
Sinnath had his words ready. “People, I have offered all the opportunity to come forward. I am certain that no act went unwitnessed. If any man remains free who should stand among these accused, you must look to yourselves for that failure.”
That brought more murmurs, more subdued this time.
He turned to the man and asked, “Do you wish to retract your accusation?”
The man blanched, let his chin fall to his chest, nodded his head, and mumbled ‘no bloody justice’ as he backed away into the crowd.
Sinnath nodded to Mesor to begin. The crowd remained uncharacteristically subdued for such a spectacle. Only two of the accused cried out. One had adamantly maintained his innocence, even after he had finished. Sinnath ordered his accuser to come forward. The older woman broke from the crowd and started to run away. She was quickly brought back and made to stand before Sinnath, facing the man who claimed he had done no wrong.
Sinnath turned to the woman. “You have accused this man of rape. He has received the lash based on your words. Convince me that justice has been done.”
The woman apparently decided to brazen it out, seeing that there was no escape. She turned to Sinnath defiantly and shouted, “Yer soldiers be all the same. They all look the same. How can I tell? My daughter took ’er own life. She be attacked by three men. How can I tell if he be one of ’em? My daughter be dead and someone mus’ pay. I got no one left. What do you care fer an old woman? What did yer men care fer my girl? Whip me if ye like. It willna bring her back. I care not anymore.” With that, she spat at Sinnath before the guard could grab her.
The crowd seemed to hold its breath as Sinnath wiped off the spittle. He eyed the woman. After careful consideration he turned to the man who had suffered the lash. “Kars. You have been unjustly accused and punished. It is now your right to take from this woman what she took from you. The decision is yours. What is your wish?”
The woman continued to glare at Kars as he considered his decision.
Finally, Kars spoke. “Missus, I am truly sorry for the loss of your daughter.” He turned to Sinnath. “Sir, I will not die of my injuries. This woman has suffered more than I. I give up my right to restitution.” Then he squared his shoulders, failing to hide a wince, and once more faced the woman, who stood gaping in astonishment.
Sinnath smiled to himself. This ordinary soldier had done much to repair trust among the Catanians. He turned to the woman. “You may go. But if I hear you speak ill of my men I will mete out the punishment myself.”
The woman’s head bobbed convulsively in agreement as she hurried away into the crowd.
Sinnath turned back to the soldier. “You will receive an extra eightday’s pay and may rest for two days to heal your back. You have acted with wisdom and compassion. I will commend you to your captain.”
~11~
MY LADY LIVES!
Marja had been escorted to the castle in darkness. Despite this, a few saw and recognized her. News that she lived spread like floodwaters and, as rumours will, grew to ridiculous proportions. Some had her in heavy chains, some near death from injuries. Others thought she was being tortured to get information and wanted to rescue her. A few even accused her of having plotted with Bargia to set up the invasion. When she did not reappear it was said she had been secretly killed. The tales grew with each span.
Brensa heard some of these rumours almost as soon as she and Nellis arrived at the castle. She was elated. It appeared their lady and friend lived! When Brensa had settled Nellis on her cot and could leave her for a few moments, she determined to find out what she could. Familiar with the layout of the castle, it did not take long to figure out that someone important was being held in Marja’s old chamber. Two formidable looking soldiers guarded the door. They refused to answer any questions. So Brensa explained her relationship to Marja and begged the guards to tell Lord Gaelen. Just as she started to turn away in frustration at their stubborn silence, she spied Gaelen striding toward the room with three other men. Brensa gathered all her courage and fell to her knees in front of him. The guards immediately grabbed her from behind and pulled her roughly away.
Brensa cried out in panic. “My lord. Does my lady live? Please, I must know. I was her lady’s maid. If she lives, she needs me. Please, my lord, I beg you.”
Gaelen held up a hand to forestall the guards. “What is your name, miss?”
“It is Brensa, my lord … and her other maid, Nellis, is also here.” She blurted as an afterthought.
“Brensa, your loyalty and courage do you credit.” Nodding to the guards, he said, “Let her go. She will not harm me.” He turned back to Brensa and studied her silently for a moment as if to make up his mind. “Brensa, your lady does indeed live and is unharmed. You have my leave to share that news.”
As Brensa watched him turn to the door she curtsied deeply, relief almost buckling her knees. “Thank you, my lord. Will you tell my lady that Nellis and her husband also live?”
But Gaelen had already entered the room. The guards once more took up their positions. The three who had accompanied Gaelen waited outside the door.
Brensa turned and hurried to share the wonderful news with Nellis. Then, as Nellis urged her to do, she went back and waited in the hall several paces away for Gaelen to re-emerge. Frightened though she was, nothing would stop her from begging to see Marja. The wait felt interminable. But she would not fail her lady. Marja needed her.
At first the guards watched her closely. As time passed and she had not moved or spoken they relaxed and finally ignored her altogether. Eventually, the men who had arrived with Gaelen were invited into the room.
After two spans, but what felt like much longer, the three men emerged and marched off, one soldier holding a rolled leather document. The one who did not wear Bargia’s colours looked decidedly forbidding. Brensa’s worry increased at this. Had something gone wrong? What was happening to her lady? But the men did not even acknowledge her and strode in the opposite direction toward the castle entrance.
Waiting even longer for Gaelen to emerge was agony for Brensa. As time passed without any sign of him, she imagined all sorts of scenarios in which Marja was in
danger, each one more dire than the last. The guards continued to ignore her. Then, just as she was trying to decide if she had the courage to approach the door, it opened, and Gaelen stepped out. Brensa almost fainted with tension.
Gaelen immediately noticed her still there. His mouth gave a small quirk, and he said, “Your lady waits inside. She has need of the services of an attendant. Go to her.”
Brensa stammered, totally unprepared for this good fortune. She remembered Nellis also needed her, and would not know what had happened. Why she blurted out her question she would never know. It was outrageous, unthinkable even, to press Gaelen’s good will even further. It just popped out.
“My Lord, what of Nellis? She is near her time and needs me too. May I go tell her first?” When she realized what she had done, her hands flew over her mouth in terror. He would think her disloyal. He would take back his invitation. Oh Earth, what had she done?
Gaelen turned back to her with a stern look. “Brensa, your duty is to your lady. If you are unable to perform your duty, I will find someone else.” Then he saw the consternation on her face and relented. “Brensa, Nellis will be told of events. Is she having pains at present?”
“No, my lord.” Brensa sobbed uncontrollably now. “Forgive me.”
“Go to your lady. I will send word to Nellis. Loyalty to a friend is commendable, but remember in the future that your first allegiance is to your lord and your lady.” Then, as Brensa nodded vigorously through tears of relief, he dropped the stern facade and broke into a grin. She thought it the most beautiful vision she had ever seen. In that instant, he gained her loyalty for life.
Before she rushed in to see her lady, she caught a glimpse of Gaelen as he turned and strode away with a smile on his lips.
~12~
SINNATH FACES A DILEMMA
Sinnath had already left for Bargia, with Janest and two companies of men, to prepare for Gaelen’s return and for the transfer of power. Their task lay largely in persuading Bargians to accept Gaelen’s strategies for Catania, his joining to Marja and the reforms that both would bring. A tall order indeed.