Cathaoir's Journey Chapter Three

Equine Pride and Royal Pardons

As the Patrol headed back to Marmoreal, Cathaoir could not help but observe the interaction between his Master and Lady Stayne. He noticed that they walked close together, their hands linked together almost casually, and Cathaoir smiled to himself. He knew his Master well, even after all these years, and he knew that he had always been extremely averse to being touched. Stayne had told Cathaoir of his childhood, and while he had rarely been physically abused by his parents, he still could not recall a time where they touched him in any loving manner.

Cathaoir let his mind go back to the first time that Stayne had told him about being forced to become Iracebeth's lover...

Stayne came staggering into the stalls, eye wide with revulsion and terror, his skin raw. He made it three steps before vomiting. Cathaoir, surprise and concern on his face, addressed him.

"Master? What is the matter?"

Stayne took a deep, shuddering breath, then spoke in a trembling voice. "I…she…made me…Queen….bed…that….creature touched me!" He vomited again, and then began to frantically wipe his hands on his shirt, muttering under his breath.

"Touch, touch, no, no, no, foul, slimy, dirty, unclean, unclean, unclean…"

"Master! Calm yourself!" Cathaoir was alarmed. Stayne looked positively mad. "Calm down. It can't be as bad as all that."

Stayne looked at him, a mad grin of revulsion and terror on his face. "Oh, can't it? I despise the Queen, Cathaoir, and now-I'm forced to become her consort! Apparently, I'm the only one that can satisfy that bitch. Isn't that just wonderful? As if my life here wasn't hellacious enough!" He gave a high, loon like laugh. "I'm to report to her chambers every night."

Cathaoir gave a soft whinny of sympathy. "Is there any way you could avoid her?"

Stayne giggled insanely. "Why, yes, there is. I could go to the Court Physician and ask him to give me poison. But even that wouldn't work-the Bitch Queen would simply have me nursed back to health. I'm stuck!"

Cathaoir sighed in remembrance. Stayne would come to the stalls almost every night, his skin raw from scrubbing and revulsion etched into his face. Once in the stalls, he would wildly pace back and forth in front of Cathaoir's stall, and mindlessly babble on about every subject he could think of while Cathaoir listened and occasionally interjected a thought. This was Stayne's defense mechanism, he knew-if he was babbling about everything and nothing, he wasn't being forced to remember what had just occurred only a few moments before. But, like all defense mechanisms, it could break down-and when it did, Stayne would stand stock still, trembling in horrified remembrance until a firm nudge from Cathaoir brought him back.

Now he watched as Stayne bent down to whisper in Alannah's ear. She nodded, and then gave him a kiss before unlinking their hands and walking over to Cathaoir.

"Ilosovic says I should get to know you a bit better. What do you think?"

Cathaoir gazed at her. She didn't look too formidable, he thought. She was tall, and her body showed signs of hard living, but her eyes were a brilliant green and she had a sunny, open countenance. It was easy to tell why his Master had fallen in love with her-she was genuine. "My Lady, I would be honored to get to know the woman that re awoke my Master's heart."

Alannah laughed, and then fell into step beside him. "Well, I suppose my first question is when did you become his horse?"

"Shortly after he was assigned to the Card Guards. I was a present from Captain Bierce, as a matter of fact. I was only three years old, but already I could tell that my new Master was a good one, and I was quite right. He took great care of me, kept me fed, groomed, and watered, and stayed with me when I was ill. After he lost his eye, we became even closer. I became his confidant. He knew I would never reveal anything he told me, so I would listen while he talked."

Stayne listened as Cathaoir and Alannah talked, and let his mind go back to when Cathaoir had been stricken with colic. Stayne had been terrified of losing the only friend he had, and had stayed with him in his stall all night. He had faced the consequences the next morning…

Iracebeth was absolutely furious. She had waited all night for her Knave to show up, and he never had! She felt humiliated, but above all she was angry. What could Stayne possibly have to do that was more important than pleasing her? He should count himself lucky, she thought. She was according him a great honor, after all. To be Royal Consort to the Queen was not something to sneeze at!

She glared at Stayne as he walked into her chambers, a contrite smile on his face. "You sent for me, Highness?"

"Stayne, I am not a patient monarch, and last night you sorely tried what little patience I have. Now, did I not order you to come to me every night?"

Stayne took a breath before replying. "Yes, Majesty, but…"

"BUT? But what? Stayne, when I give you an order I expect you to obey it to the letter! Is that perfectly clear?" Iracebeth shrieked, and Stayne glared at her.

"Cathaoir was sick, Majesty. I stayed with him to make sure he was comfortable."

Iracebeth drew in a harsh breath, then suddenly slapped Stayne for all she was worth.

"You stayed with a horse instead of coming to your Queen? I have never been so humiliated in all my life! OFF WITH YOUR…."

"OH, SHUT UP!" Stayne grinned in triumph as Iracebeth gaped at him in shock. "You don't dare to have my head cut off, Majesty. I'm far too valuable for that. I'm the head of your Army, your assassin. I do all the work while you just sit on the throne."

Iracebeth glared at him. She knew he was right. He was of far too much value. She nodded. "Well, I suppose I can forgive you this one time, Stayne. But don't let it happen again."

Stayne gave a sweeping bow, and spoke in a voice laced with honeyed venom. "Of course not, Majesty. I take great pleasure in our sessions together."

Iracebeth, who as usual had completely failed to notice his tone of voice, gave him a simpering grin. Stayne rolled his eye in exasperation. Some things never changed.

Stayne walked back to where Cathaoir and Alannah were, and spoke quietly. "We're nearly to Marmoreal. Cathaoir, when we get there I'm going to ask Mirana to come and speak to you. Please, try to avoid being your usual snarky self for just a bit. I don't relish the thought of losing you on the same day I found you. So can you behave?"

Cathaoir nodded solemnly. "Of course I can, Master. I also do not wish to be separated again."

Stayne patted his flank. "Good." He took a deep breath, and then started up the road to the palace. Cathaoir watched him go, nervously twitching his tail. Alannah stroked his neck. "Stay calm, Cathaoir. I'm sure Mirana will forgive you."

Stayne entered the Throne Room and bowed deeply. "Majesty, I have something rather interesting to tell you. I ran into an old and dear friend while on Patrol, and he has accompanied us back here. He's a bit afraid because he was one of the few…citizens…to willingly serve the Red. But he never hurt anyone or committed any great crimes. Would you be willing to speak with him?"

Mirana nodded. "Most willing. Does this old and dear friend have a name?"

Stayne nodded. "Cathaoir."

Mirana's eyes widened in surprise. "Your old horse?" At Stayne's nod, she beamed. "The horse and his master reunited after all these years. I would be happy to speak with him."

Stayne sighed in relief. "Thank you, Mirana. He's promised to behave himself."

Mirana laughed, and then followed Stayne to where Alannah and Cathaoir stood waiting. Cathaoir bowed his head in respect to the Queen, and spoke in a humble voice. "Majesty, I am honored to see you once again. It has been years. I hope and trust your Rule is going well?"

Mirana smiled at him. "Thank you, Cathaoir. My Rule has been going well, and it is good to see you again. It is too bad that the last time we saw each other was on Horrendevush Day, but your Master has told me the true reason for his theft of the Vorpal Sword. Now, on to more serious matters. You willingly served my sister, and no doubt helped your Master conduct many unpleasant tasks. You allowed him to lie to Bayard, because, as you once said-Dogs will believe anything. You could easily be seen by many as a traitor to the Queen, and some would insist that I punish you for your crimes."

Stayne was about to speak up in angry protest when Mirana continued, her voice soft and soothing. "But…I am not one of those people. Cathaoir, if there is one thing I have learned while Queen, it is that nobody is who they seem to be, and redemption is possible for even the gravest offender. You may remain in Marmoreal for as long as you please, and I hope you serve your Master as well now as you did then."

Cathaoir whinnied in joy, kicking up his heels, and then turned to Grey Star, who bowed his head in respect and loyalty. "I will be proud to share Master Stayne with you, Cathaoir. I hope you are happy here at Marmoreal."

Cathaoir smiled. "I'm sure I will be."

Author's Note: There is probably going to be just one more chapter and an epilogue after this one. Also, for reasons only known to my Jabberwock Muse, Tarrant, Alice, Katarina and Michael will probably not make an appearance in this story. Note the 'probably'-I could change my mind. But for now, they're on the sidelines.