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DerynifanK

March 17, 2024, 03:48:44 PM
Happy St Patrick's Day. Enjoy the one day of the year when the whole world is Irish.

A Gryphon by the Tail Chapter 12

Started by Alkari, July 27, 2010, 07:02:04 AM

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Alkari

Previous chapter:  http://www.rhemuthcastle.com/index.php?topic=518.0

Chapter 12.

"Please Joan, that's enough."    Richenda's tone stopped the woman in mid-comment.

"Of course, m'lady."  Joan's expression conveyed a mixture of apology and surprise.  

Richenda took a deep breath: Brendan had been so happy when they'd returned to their apartments yesterday afternoon, chattering away about riding a pony and 'the big grey horse Mama rode', about crowns and coronets, knights and swords - and about Duke Alaric.  Joan had tried to hide her dismay, hardly saying a word as Sir Knight had galloped around the table during supper on another adventure 'like the duke'.  Nothing more had been said to Brendan over breakfast, but now that Lily had taken him off to the schoolroom, Joan was once more voicing opinions about the dangers of associating with a known Deryni.

"The Duke has been very kind to both of us, and I don't wish to hear any more against him," said Richenda gently but firmly.  "Brendan had a lovely time yesterday, so please don't spoil it for him.  "

"No, m'lady." Joan murmured, putting folded garments into a chest.  "It's only that the Duke is Deryni, and - and ..."

"And what?"

"Well, your husband ... the Duke was one of them that killed him!"   The words finally uttered, Joan clutched one of Brendan's tunics against her, her expression a mixture of apology and defiance.   Richenda steadied herself, willing her voice to remain calm but firm.

"Joan, you know my husband was a traitor.  For whatever reason, he decided to support Wencit of Torenth and turn against his lawful king.   There was a magical battle, and His Majesty King Kelson and three of his loyal subjects defeated them.   Perhaps you should be very thankful for that.  Would you rather have lived under the sorcerer Wencit's rule?"

"No, m'lady!  Oh no!"

"Then please stop saying unkind things about the Duke of Corwyn.  Alaric Morgan didn't break his oath to the King, did he?  Nor did Father McLain or Bishop Arilan.  Do you think I shouldn't talk to the King, or to the Bishop, or to Father McLain, just because they were part of that battle?"

"No, m'lady"

"Then it's the same for Duke Alaric.   So we'll hear no more about it please.  Ever again."    A horrible thought struck her.  "Joan, you haven't mentioned this to Brendan, have you?"

"M'lady?"

There was a block of ice forming in Richenda's stomach.  "Look at me, Joan.  LOOK AT ME."   Reluctantly, the woman raised her eyes to Richenda's face.  

"Have you said anything to Brendan - about the Duke killing Bran?  Answer me truthfully."

"I – I don't think so," whispered the now frightened woman.  Richenda stared at her.  She had never before Truth-read a servant or any of her ladies, but this – this was too important.  If she's said anything to Brendan ...

"No, I don't think you have.  And you will never mention it to him.  Do you hear me?  Never.   And that goes for Lily too.  Now let this be an end to it.  You may go."

Joan almost ran from the room.  Richenda sighed, picked up her small sewing basket and left the apartment without a backwards glance.   Feeling thoroughly unsettled, she paused at the top of the stairs.  She didn't really feel like joining the ladies in the solar this morning ...

The library was a welcome refuge, and there was no sign of Master Donagal.  Instead, a young clerk was sitting at the desk, carefully copying items from a parchment into a large leather-bound volume.  They exchanged smiles and brief greetings; she found a small table near one of the windows and went to browse the shelves.  Perhaps some poetry would settle her.

She returned to her apartments to have the midday meal with Brendan.  Joan seemed a little subdued, but resumed her normal motherly fussing when Richenda admitted to a slight headache and asked her to make some chamomile tea.   She decided to have a short sleep while Brendan had his afternoon nap, and woke feeling refreshed.  Lily helped her into her gown again and she made her way to the solar.  

"We missed you this morning.  Where were you?" Kathryn greeted her.

"In the library, reading poetry," smiled Richenda, pulling a chair closer and taking out her sewing.  

"Reading poetry?  Not having another, er "meeting" with the Duke of Corwyn," inquired Lady Lyndall Paige archly, raising one finely plucked eyebrow.    

"A meeting with the Duke of Corwyn?"   Richenda stared her.  "Hardly.  And certainly not today.  His Majesty and the Duke are undoubtedly attending the Synod, given that the former Archbishop Loris is on trial."

"Ah – so you even know where the Duke is," smiled Kathryn.  

"There's nothing secret about that, surely.  Archbishop Loris led forces against the Duke in Corwyn, and refused to help the King against Wencit.  Of course they will be attending the Synod to see how the Curia deals with him."

Kathryn and Lyndall exchanged glances.  "But the Duke is certainly interested in you," said Kathryn softly.  "I mean – he danced with you three times at the feast. Couldn't take his eyes off you."  

"It's said he never dances with the same woman more than twice," added Lyndall.  "Well, not on the same evening."

"Yes, we danced.  I danced with quite a few other people at the feast, as you know.   The Duke was quite charming and I enjoyed his company."   Richenda kept her tone light and dismissive.  

"But how can you dance with him - you, of all people?"

"Me?"

"Yes."  Kathryn took a deep breath.  "Richenda, the Duke of Corwyn helped kill your husband!   How can you possibly be nice to him?  How can you even bear to speak to him?  What are you thinking of?"

I don't believe it.  First Joan, now these two.  And since when has Kathryn become good friends with Lyndall Paige?   Richenda took several deep breaths, biting back the words she longed to say.

"Kathryn, my husband was a traitor.  He chose to fight against the king.  He lost.   The Duke stood by the King, as he has always done.  His Majesty won."

"Well, yes.  But – but – Bran Coris was your husband."

"I'm aware of that."

Kathryn stared at her.  "I don't understand you, Richenda.  Didn't you love your husband?"

"Love?  What does love have to do with it?  You know perfectly well that my parents arranged my marriage to Bran.   My feelings certainly didn't enter into it.  No matter what we used to dream of as young girls."  She sighed, keeping her voice low.  "Oh Kathryn, you know how these things go – sometimes they work out, and sometimes they don't.  Some people fall in love later, or at least they end up good friends.  I certainly wasn't 'in love' with Bran.   But I tried to be a good wife to him, and we mostly managed to work things out between us.  I did my best to honour him as my husband and as Brendan's father, so I suppose our marriage was no better or worse than many others that are arranged for reasons of money or other convenience."

"Well yes.  And I must admit I am very lucky with Peter.   But to look as though you are enjoying the attentions of one of the men who killed your husband – it's just not ... " Kathryn trailed off uncertainly.

"One of the men.  You seem to forget that there were two others with the King – Bishop Arilan and Father McLain.  Why do you concentrate on Alaric Morgan?  If it's so wrong for me to speak to him, perhaps I should also refuse to speak to them – and even the King himself."

"Well, you can hardly refuse to speak to the King!"   Lyndall looked shocked.

"So why should I refuse to speak to the others, all of whom sit on the King's Council? Morgan is the King's Champion."

Kathryn and Lyndall exchanged glances.   "It's not the same, though," said Kathryn, looking troubled.

"You seem to forget my position," Richenda went on, a touch of anger in her voice now.  "My family has always been loyal to the Crown of Gwynedd and my brothers and I were raised thus.  But now through no fault of my own I find myself the widow of a traitor, and I have his son.  Don't you know how the law normally treats traitors' wives and families?  The best I could normally expect would be to have my lands and income taken away from me, and get sent to a convent for the rest of my life.  Or perhaps I'd be quickly married off to some grateful young sprat with no prospects, but who'd be glad of me in his bed to do with me what he wished. Or maybe some elderly lord who'd just like some young thing to keep him warm at night."  She paused.  

"And my son would be taken away from me, and I'd probably never see him again.  He's four years old!    What does he know about all of this?   If he were lucky, he'd be sent off to a monastery to be raised for the Church.   Otherwise, he'd be fostered out to some minor noble, probably beaten and abused and looked down on – because his name is 'Coris' and because he's the son of a traitor."

"Richenda, I didn't mean ..."

"I don't care what you didn't mean!   Instead of being pushed off to a convent or a hasty marriage, I've been treated with the utmost generosity.  I've been left with my dower lands, I've been welcomed here at court, and His Majesty has made it clear that he wishes Brendan to become the Earl of Marley.   My husband's men butchered the army of the Duke of Cassan, but Father McLain - who's now the Duke of course - has been the soul of kindness."

"And I suppose you are just 'being polite' to Alaric Morgan when you accept his horse for the hunt, and you ride beside him, and dance with him at the feast?"  Lyndall said cuttingly.  

"I'm hardly going to refuse him, am I?  Maybe you're just jealous."  The look on Lyndall's face showed this arrow had flown true.

Kathryn sighed.  "I know he's been kind to you, but Richenda - he's the Duke of Corwyn.  You know - the Alaric Morgan.  He's – he's Deryni."  

"Yes, I know that.  I didn't ask whether he had cloven hooves inside his boots."

"You know what I mean."

"No, I don't."  

"You don't see what's wrong with being Deryni?  And openly using his powers?"  Lyndall stared at her.  Kathryn looked completely shocked, and Richenda realised that several other ladies had moved closer to listen to the conversation.  She closed her eyes briefly: they were still there when she opened them, a little group waiting avidly, poised like crows to hear what she said about Alaric Morgan and his use of Deryni magic.  Well, perhaps they need to hear the truth.

"I think that you and everyone else in Gwynedd should get down on your knees at night and give thanks to Almighty God that Alaric Morgan has used his powers."   There were horrified gasps. "It seems to me that Gwynedd owes him two kings – or perhaps you'd forgotten the Marluk?"

She looked around, suddenly icy calm.  "That's right, isn't it?  King Brion – he was only a young man then – and Morgan was his squire.  Without Morgan using his magic to help King Brion, we might have now been ruled by the Marluk, or his daughter Charissa.   No Brion, and certainly no King Kelson.  Did you ever stop to think about that?  

"And if Morgan hadn't come rushing back to use his powers before King Kelson's coronation, we wouldn't have King Kelson either – we'd have Charissa.  Or perhaps even Wencit of Torenth.  Is that what you all wanted?  To be ruled by those people?   Didn't you hear what Wencit did to his prisoners?    

"The Church can rail against magic all it likes, but apart from this last campaign, I haven't seen them leaping out to defend either King Brion or Kelson when it was most needed.  If Brion or Kelson had been defeated, I doubt that Charissa or Wencit would have been very tolerant towards bishops and archbishops who preached against the use of magic.  So before you condemn the Duke of Corwyn and his supposedly evil powers, perhaps you should stop and think what it might have been like without him."

There was dead silence.  Richenda looked at them all, suddenly tired: she folded her sewing, stood up and left the room with head held high.  

____________

Next chapter:http://www.rhemuthcastle.com/index.php?topic=520.0.








AnnieUK

ouch!  She's not having a good day, is she?

And if I have "What's love got to do with it" going though my head all day, I'll blame you!

Evie

Quote from: AnnieUK on July 27, 2010, 08:08:05 AM
ouch!  She's not having a good day, is she?

And if I have "What's love got to do with it" going though my head all day, I'll blame you!

LOL @ Richenda channeling Tina Turner...  :D

I do not want to ever tangle with the Countess of Marley, no no no!  Not after reading this scene!  As Kipling wrote, the female of the species is more deadly than the male!   ;D
"In necessariis unitas, in non-necessariis libertas, in utrisque caritas."

--WARNING!!!--
I have a vocabulary in excess of 75,000 words, and I'm not afraid to use it!

Elkhound

As angry as she was, I'm a little surprised that she didn't loose control and brighten her shields.  THAT would have put the cat among the pidgeons, wouldn't it have?

Evie

Yes, I think it's going to be an interesting day in the ladies' solar once some of those ladies discover that they've been dissing Deryni to one's face.   Even if Richenda is completely gracious about it, hopefully the women in question will be mortified.  :D
"In necessariis unitas, in non-necessariis libertas, in utrisque caritas."

--WARNING!!!--
I have a vocabulary in excess of 75,000 words, and I'm not afraid to use it!

Elkhound

Quote from: Evie on July 27, 2010, 12:50:45 PM
Yes, I think it's going to be an interesting day in the ladies' solar once some of those ladies discover that they've been dissing Deryni to one's face.   Even if Richenda is completely gracious about it, hopefully the women in question will be mortified.  :D

Perhaps she should conjur handfire, or brighten her shields, or use Truth-Reading to pull up some particularly embarassing secret from one of the nastier b***es' mind.  If they think she might turn them all into frogs or something they might be a little more polite.

Evie

"Let them hate, so long as they fear?"  I don't think it's exactly Richenda's way.   :)
"In necessariis unitas, in non-necessariis libertas, in utrisque caritas."

--WARNING!!!--
I have a vocabulary in excess of 75,000 words, and I'm not afraid to use it!

Alkari

Quote from: Evie on July 27, 2010, 01:18:40 PM
"Let them hate, so long as they fear?"  I don't think it's exactly Richenda's way.   :)
No, it's not.  The ladies were probably unlucky in that they caught her on a bad day, when she'd already had to deal with Joan, although as we see at several points in the books, Richenda does have a flash of temper occasionally.  As for revealing she is Deryni - well, until she actually has the status of 'being betrothed to the Duke', she's not going to risk that.  And Duke Ewan may be an even more interesting prospect than the ladies!  After all, even though Kelson himself can approve her marriage with Alaric, they'll have to tell the Council about the 'slight change' in arrangements for Marley and Marley's heir ...

Elkhound

Quote from: Evie on July 27, 2010, 01:18:40 PM
"Let them hate, so long as they fear?"  I don't think it's exactly Richenda's way.   :)

It's worked nicely for Alaric.

Alkari

Quote from: Elkhound on July 27, 2010, 02:21:48 PM
Quote from: Evie on July 27, 2010, 01:18:40 PM
"Let them hate, so long as they fear?"  I don't think it's exactly Richenda's way.   :)

It's worked nicely for Alaric.
Yes, his 'darkling phase' has been very much a matter of self-protection - but unlike Richenda, Alaric could never hide what or 'who' he is because his parentage was well-known.  It wouldn't have mattered how benign he appeared, or whether he'd actually used his powers, he'd have still been a target for men such as Loris.  And once he had used his powers at age 13 to help Brion, there was no going back.   

Richenda and her family have chosen a different route, protection via blending in and keeping their identity secret.  And in some cases, marriage to a human, especially one of suitable rank which may serve as partial protection. 

AnnieUK

And he ended up excommunicated and nearly burned at the stake, which would be the downside to the openness approach. ;)

Evie

Quote from: Elkhound on July 27, 2010, 02:21:48 PM
Quote from: Evie on July 27, 2010, 01:18:40 PM
"Let them hate, so long as they fear?"  I don't think it's exactly Richenda's way.   :)

It's worked nicely for Alaric.

Yes, but see, most ladies like having friends. We're weird that way.   ;)
"In necessariis unitas, in non-necessariis libertas, in utrisque caritas."

--WARNING!!!--
I have a vocabulary in excess of 75,000 words, and I'm not afraid to use it!

Elkhound

Quote from: Evie on July 27, 2010, 03:20:07 PM
Yes, but see, most ladies like having friends. We're weird that way.   ;)

If they're real friends, they won't mind that she's Deryni.  If not, then she's better off knowing that they aren't.

Alkari

#13
Quote from: Elkhound on July 27, 2010, 03:51:42 PM
Quote from: Evie on July 27, 2010, 03:20:07 PM
Yes, but see, most ladies like having friends. We're weird that way.   ;)

If they're real friends, they won't mind that she's Deryni.  If not, then she's better off knowing that they aren't.
She'd know with a little Truth-reading if she needed to!  And without them necessarily being aware that she was doing it.  Joan didn't know she was being Truth-read: she just knew that her mistress was one very angry lady and Joan had 'better' tell the truth  :)

And while Richenda enjoys having friends and acquaintances to talk to and for general socialising, she'd much rather have one or two good friends - as Meraude is about to become.  At the moment of course, some of the women 'can' gang up on her because her status is unclear.  Yes, she is Dowager Countess of Marley, but she is also a traitor's widow who has (unjustly in some jealous eyes) been welcomed to court by the King and his senior nobles.  That status is very different to being Duchess of Corwyn and married to the King's right-hand man, not to mention being great friends with Her Highness the Duchess Meraude.  It'll take her a while to suss out particular friends, but she won't lack for general female conversation - most women aren't stupid enough to openly offend such a woman (or Meraude) by being nasty to her!  

kirienne (RIP)

Poor Richenda, no wonder she got angry! Those ladies were simply ... horrid, lets hope Alaric does not hear of how horribly they behaved to her.
I continue to love this story, but must confess I am eagerly awaiting the "proposal and engagement" chapters ...as well as the wedding chapter of course. :-)