Disclaimer: I own nothing
Characters:-
Dolen (Don), Olethia (Olivia), Ellard (Elliot), Miron (Munch), Fatin (Fin), Ailis (Alex), A'ishah (Abbie), Stina (Serena), Caci (Casey) Zafirah (Essentially Mrs Cabot), Treton (Trevor), Lonyn (Liz), Kelifa (Kathy), Gair (George), Majida (Melinda), Jaecar (Jack).
Tanton's:-
Demophan (Dolen's), Oria (Olethia's), Eneas (Ellard's), Medus (Miron's) and Fedor (Fatin's)
Thanks for the wonderful reviews. Keep it up.
Going on holidays, this may be the last chapter until I come back. If you are lucky you may get one more but I seriously need to pack. See you on the other side.
It took a while, people didn't want to get mixed up in others peoples business but they trusted her. She spent a lot of her childhood running away from Royal Guards and playing in the stalls with the village children. Eventually she found an old woman who remembered her from those times and made her way around to the back of the woman's stall, out of sight of disapproving eyes.
She found out the location of the boys house and that the likely culprit was his father, a giant of a man with a temper and sadistic ways. He beat his wife and all his children on a regular basis. He was a drunk, evicted from the mines he forced his children to thieve so he could eat. The rest of the family shared his scraps, if there was any.
Olethia was sickened but it did not surprise her. Though she had never personally seen it herself she was aware that spousal and child abuse happened and that her father dealt with similar cases in his bi weekly court sessions.
Once she had obtained all the information she could Olethia located 4 guards roaming the market place and instructed them to follow her. They marched quickly to the house in question, people jumping out of their way, seeing by the look on the Princess's face she was on a mission.
She sent two Royal guards to the rear of the house in case he decided to bolt, giving them time to move into position before knocking on the door.
"Royal guards, open up" she ordered and hearing a crash from inside and a male yelling she opened the door. Her eyes went as wide as saucers in surprise a split second before she was hit by a 6 and a half foot battering ram. She heard a crack and a sharp pain radiated through her ribs. God dammit, another cracked rib. Oria was gonna kill her.
She clung to her sword, determined not to drop the only weapon she had as she hit the ground hard and rolled. Ignoring the pain in her side, wondering absently how many ribs she had cracked, she sprung to her feet and turned in time to see the giant man shove one guard to the ground, the guard crying out as he fell awkwardly. She winced when she heard the crack, knowing something was broken before the enraged man turned and hit the other square in the face, causing him to sink to the floor.
He turned to her then, his eyes bloodshot, his big ham fists up ready to do damage and Olethia was surprised he had not killed his son by the size of him. She pointed her sword at him, just as the two other guards raced through from the rear, their swords drawn too.
"You sir, are under arrest. Get down on your knees and put your hands on your head" she ordered.
"Make me" the man sneered just as the guard with the apparent broken arm snuck up behind him and smashed a pottered vase over his head. The big man's eyes rolled back in his head and he slumped to the ground, out for the count.
"Is everyone alright? Besides the obvious" Olethia asked and looked around. Of everyone the two guards that went around the back faired the better, they only had the wife throw a few things at them. Of the Guards that were with her, the one that was pushed to the ground definitely had a broken wrist by the looks of it and was a bit pale as he cradled it close to his chest. The other looked like he had a broken jaw, holding it tightly in place with his hands. She knew from experience she had at least one cracked rib maybe two. "Well he was a big sod wasn't he?" she chuckled, then groaned and reached for her ribs. Ouch, that was going to hurt for a while.
"Are you ok your highness?" A guard asked and she nodded reassuringly
"I've had worse injuries when I was learning to ride Oria" she chuckled then turned to look at the large boorish man "Tie him up, I don't want his hands free if he comes to. Get him back to the caves any way you can, drag him by his feet if you have to, he deserves it." she ordered then looked around at the milling people. "Go home" she called while looking the men in the eye "Treat your women and children with respect or I will be back for you next" she ordered and they scattered like mice. No doubt they knew what had been happening in the house. To know they had not reported it or tried to intervene sickened her.
Turning she marched back to the house, ducking through what was left of the door and turning in time to wear a wooden spoon in the face. Her temper spiked as she looked over at the wife who was searching for something else to throw.
"Enough unless you want to join your husband in prison" she roared and the woman's eyes widened and she dropped the bowl of sugar before bowing deeply. She was a slip of a woman Olethia realised, barely over 5 foot.
"Your Highness" she begged "Forgive me, I thought you were a Royal Guard"
"Why would you be throwing things at them for?" Olethia questioned while she rubbed her tender cheek.
"They were chasing after my husband for no reason" the woman murmured tentatively while throwing a look at the door and Olethia had to stop herself from sneering as she looked around the derelict one room house, at several underweight and dirty children, younger than their brother it appeared, huddling on a bed in a corner and then back at the wife. Pale, with a face covered in bruises, she too was reed thin and Olethia realised she was a classic beaten wife. Afraid of her husband but more afraid what he might do if she did not obey or try and protect him.
"Your son was caught stealing. Upon his capture I found he has been beaten and tortured. Your husband is under arrest. He will not see the light of day for many years." She told the wife and watched as the woman collapsed, hands to her face and started to cry. She hoped it was in relief. She hardened her heart and told the woman "Your son is being treated by the Royal doctor. Once we know the extent of his injuries we will know what to charge your husband with. You will be required to come with me now, your children too. If I find you in any way assisted your husband in these beatings, other than being too scared to stop it or get help, I will gladly send you to prison to rot myself"
"Never, I never helped him" the woman cried, which started up the children in the corner "I was usually unconscious myself by the time he started on the boy"
"That boy is your son!" Olethia roared, "You could have told someone, reported him"
"I couldn't, he watched me every minute of every day, he never left the house. I have to leave the kids with him and report to him if I wish to leave the house myself" the woman begged and some of Olethia's ire drained. The woman better be telling the truth.
"Pull yourself together, get the children organised" she sighed "If you are telling the truth I will get you help. If not, I hate to think what my father will do to you" she turned towards the children in the corner, noticed they were watching her with wide frightened eyes and sighed. Raised voices were not going to help her cause.
"Hello there" she crouched down in front of them "It's alright, don't be afraid, your father has gone"
"Bad man gone away?" one asked with a sniff, while wiping his nose with the back of his hand.
"Yes, bad man gone" she nodded, "He won't ever come back. I promise. Now, how would you like to come with me to my place. Your mummy is coming too" she assured.
"Your place?" the oldest asked, a little girl, maybe 6 or 7. Olethia smiled at her and gave her a nod "Where is it?" the girl asked next.
"I live in the mountain itself" Olethia told her gently.
"The castle cave?" the girl asked wide eyed "Where the princess lives?"
Er? What to say to that? She turned as she felt the mother approach, surprised to see she was so young, maybe only Ailis's age. She must have married very young, as soon as she was legally able. She shuddered at the idea and for the woman's lost childhood. Her anger at her suddenly dissipating.
"Sweetheart" the woman spoke gently and Olethia knew as she opened her arms and the children ran to her readily that she had done everything she could to protect them from her husband. Olethia remembered now that her anger had cooled, that she said she was often knocked unconscious herself. "This is the princess. Princess Olethia, remember I told you she is a Warrior and defends us against bad guys" Like your father went unsaid.
"Are you really the princess?" the young girl asked awed while the other children looked at her with wide eyes and she had to chuckle.
"Yes I really am" Olethia told them and stayed still as the oldest girl took a hesitant step towards her and gently poked her arm, before turning wide eyed to her mother and nodding. Well it confirmed it, she was real. Olethia looked at the mother and told her seriously "I believe you, when you say you tried to protect them. Now do you want anything at all? If not we can leave."
"I'll get a few things to last us a few days until we come back" the woman stood but Olethia grabbed her arm, releasing her quickly when she turned terror filled eyes towards her.
"Easy" she soothed "I won't hurt you. I just wanted to tell you that you won't be returning. You'll be staying at the caves now, given a job. You won't have to return here"
"We stay with you?" a little boy asked wide eyed
"Near me" Olethia told him with a gentle smile before turning back to the mother "Just get some clothes and any personal belongings, everything else will be provided"
"But what can I do? I have no skills. I can cook a basic meal but nothing extravagant" the mother started and Olethia shrugged
"We have cooks"
"I can't sew either, I mean I can stitch up holes but..." the woman started next.
"Stop, we will find something for you even if it is looking after the other servant's children while they work or you can be my servant" Olethia didn't require one but knew the woman would be stubborn otherwise and refuse any offer of help, damn pride.
"Yes mummy, please." the girl begged "We get to see the princess then". The children all turned pleading eyes on their mother who sighed, outnumbered and gave in with a nod.
"That's settled then" Olethia chuckled and rose to her full height, wincing when her rib protested.
"You're hurt!" the woman cried, standing also but Olethia waved her away. "I am sorry" she apologised for her husband.
"Not your fault" Olethia smiled "Hurry, I need to get back to see the princess and assure her I am OK"
"There's another princess?" the girl asked as the woman hurried around to gather clothes, Olethia looking at the rags, making note to send Tresa to buy them more suitable clothes. She turned to the girl and smiled.
"Yes there is, visiting from the forest clan. She is very beautiful. I was with her when I saw your brother" Olethia flushed not missing the knowing grin from the child's mother.
"Bad man hurt him badly" the girl said of her brother, sad eyes looking up at her and Olethia nodded sadly herself.
"I know poppet, but he will be fine. A doctor is looking at him as we speak" she looked up to find the mother standing there with worried eyes and assured her too "I promise, the Royal doctor is seeing to him personally"
"I was never allowed to tend to him, not allowed to reassure him. He was the oldest and I was babying him. He is only 8 years old" the mother seemed truly distressed.
"Yes, I can believe it" Olethia stood and offered the two oldest ones her hand "Come. Let's go now" She looked over at the mother who was carrying a small sack with one hand, the youngest, maybe 12 months with the other and with the 3 year old clinging to her dress. She led the family out to the street, sighing in relief when she saw a squad of Royal Guards waiting. That would sure make the task of walking back to the Mountain easier.
Ailis was sitting with the King and her mother in the meeting room. They had finished discussing how she and her friend's would stay as Ambassadors to the Mountain Tribe while the Warriors would be welcomed by the forest tribe while conducting their patrols.
This way it allowed time for Olethia to court Ailis and when the time, if the time, eventuated that it progressed to marriage then the Queen would return. They were still discussing ideas freely when there were shouts from the tunnel and Ailis startled when the door banged open and a red faced, harried guard stood there.
"Beg your pardon your Highness" the guard bowed deeply "We have the beaten boy's father. Princess Olethia said you wanted to deal with him immediately and ordered we bring him here. He has not been co operative"
"Where is Olethia?" the King asked and the guard winced when there was a crash outside and more yelling could be heard.
"She stayed back to assist the mother and a few other children" the guard informed just as two other guards came into view pulling a thick rope.
"Let me go, I'll kill all of you" came the deep roar as a giant of a man, bulging with muscles and fists the size of boulders was dragged into the room. Another two guards pushing him while dodging his kicks. Good Lord, he was an ugly beast too, scarred down one side of his face, shaved head, half his teeth missing and a crazed look in his eye. Ailis could sense he was a drunk too.
"ENOUGH" the King roared and the fighting stopped as the hulking man turned to look at him. Upon recognising him he sneered. "You have been accused of beating your son, how do you plead?"
Ailis shuddered as the man turned his evil eyes towards her and looked her up and down. She did not flinch when he licked his lips. Revolting man. She wanted to do serious damage to his manhood.
"Your Highness if I may. It's believed he also beat his wife and 4 other children" a guard added and Ailis gasped, sickened by the accusations but the next words had her horrified "In the process of his arrest he broke one guards jaw, anothers wrist and cracked at least one of the Princess's ribs". Oh my God, Olethia! It was all Ailis could do to sit still as the King ordered the man be thrown in gaol for the duration while he decided if he should be banished or do a life sentence of hard labour in the mines.
The man was dragged out screaming they were his wife and children and he'd treat them as he pleased. Ailis took that as a confession and admission of guilt. He also told the King to watch his back, his friends would come get him and when they did he'd come after him.
"Double the guards" the King took the threat seriously "Make sure he gets food and water twice a day but no one is to go alone. If he tries to break out..." the King paused and the guard nodded. Ailis did not want to think what they would do to the man but he would undoubtedly deserve it.
Ailis stood once they were alone again and turned to her mother and the King.
"I'm afraid this morning's excitement has tired me out. I will retire to my rooms for an afternoon nap" she advised and without waiting for a reply hurried to the door, aware that Tresa had seen her departure and would soon be behind her. She had no intention of going to her room though as Tresa hurried after her into the tunnel and closed the door behind her.
"Take me to the cave" she instructed "I want to be there when Olethia arrives. I need to see if she is alright." Tresa nodded and headed off, Ailis scampering to keep up.
The King and Queen shared an amused knowing look. Going to retire to her room? Hardly. More likely she was going to wait for her intended and check for herself that Olethia was alright.
Olethia held onto the young girl and boy as they took the last lift up to the cave. They were a couple of Magpies, talking nonstop, asking questions and Olethia delighted over them.
As they came to a halt, the children jumped up excitedly while Olethia grit her teeth against the pain and hauled herself to her feet. Once standing she offered her hand to her new servant, who she found out was called Eshe, helping her rise to her feet.
Once Eshe was standing she let go of her hand and had them immediately occupied by her children instead. Chuckling she followed them off the lift and out into the cave. She paused as there was a roar to her right and turned to see Oria sitting curled up watching, a beautiful blonde seated beside her and waiting. Ailis!
As she watched Ailis shot to her feet, gave Oria a last pat and hurried over. The children moved closer to her as Ailis approached, almost hiding behind her legs like they were using her as a shield. Ailis sensing their fear, hesitated and Olethia nodded at her in approval before crouching to speak to the children.
"It's ok, she won't hurt you. Remember I told you about the other princess?" she told them and they nodded, shyly stepping out to look at the blonde woman. Ailis smiled and walked towards them slowly, nodding at Eshe before crouching in front of Olethia.
"Princess Olethia, I heard you had sustained an injury." She advised Olethia as to why she was there "I wanted to see if you were alright"
"I am fine, I had worse from when Oria used to throw me" Olethia chuckled while Oria gave out a groan as if to say it was a long time ago. Ailis turned and looked at an embarrassed Oria.
"I'll take that up with her later" she teased the beast and received a humph as Oria turned away from them, curling up again to sleep. Ailis turned back to the children who were staring at her in awe. "Hello"
"Hello princess" the oldest girl replied shyly while the boy waved. Ailis chuckled and waved back before standing, reaching out to hold Olethia's arm as she groaned while straightening.
"We need to get you to a doctor" she stated concerned but Olethia shook her head stubbornly.
"No, Eshe needs to see her son and get settled in her rooms" Olethia looked around "I need to speak to Tresa, she will need to show Eshe the ropes. I have given her a job as my servant." She paused as Ailis gave the woman a look as if sizing her up as competition. Olethia smiled and leant in to whisper in the blonde's ear "No one holds a candle to you Ailis, I had to offer her something, she is too proud and would have stayed in the one room, rat infested, run down shack otherwise"
Ailis nodded while a shiver passed over her at the thought of where these people had lived. Assured she took a step back. She was surprised when the little boy broke free from Olethia and came over to her, gently slipping his hand into hers. He was grubby and smelt like he hadn't washed in weeks, which he probably hadn't she realised, but she was humbled none the less when he gave his sister a toothy smile and declared.
"I have my own princess" making the adults laugh.
Tresa soon appeared and led them through a maze of tunnels until they came to a door which she knocked on and a female voice bid them to enter. Ailis stepped in and found a large room with several beds along the wall, one of which was closest to a roaring fire, was occupied by the boy from earlier. A tall slender dark woman sat watching him. Through an arch in the stone to the right she could see a smaller room with a large bed and beyond that was their bath.
Olethia turned to Eshe as she let out a cry and hurried forward only to be stopped by the dark woman.
"Easy, he is sleeping peacefully, I have tendered to his wounds, put some salves on his infections and given him some herbs to help him sleep and ward off further infection." The two women shared a look before the dark woman continued "I am Majida, the Royal Doctor, your son will be better in a week. Until then he must stay in bed and I will see him twice a day"
"Thank you" Eshe grabbed her hands in her own "You have no idea what this means"
"I do, for the boy, he was in a lot of pain. Your husband is a brute" Majida was disgusted and let it show. Olethia stepped forward and lay a hand on the doctor's shoulders to calm her "Eshe has her own injuries, can you see to them? She informed me her husband turned to her son only when she had been beaten unconscious"
Ailis gasped, horrified at the news and stared at the young woman who's shoulders had slumped, dejected. The poor woman, imagine having to protect your children routinely with everything you had, until your own pain caused you to lose consciousness. Knowing as you did that the bastard you had married would be turning to your defenceless children next. She must have been panicked every time she woke up, wondering if this was the time one of her babies would be dead. Ailis wasn't sure she would be strong enough to survive it and her heart bled for the woman.
Majida's own attitude softened and she turned to Eshe. "Do you or the children have any open wounds?" she asked "Any burns?"
"Not the children, but I have a burn on my back" Eshe admitted embarrassed and Olethia groaned, she hadn't known that and had used a hand on Eshe's back to guide her a few times. She had felt Eshe stiffen but thought it was due to her not wanting to be touched. She should have known the woman would have her own injuries.
Majida turned to Tresa and ordered a bath be drawn in the bathroom so the children could bathe. Eshe was going to have to sponge bathe until her wound healed.
Before Olethia and Ailis knew it they were helping Tresa bath 4 children who at first screamed at the idea of getting into the water. Eshe had to coax them in gently. They had only bathed in the river before, a hardy experience as the water was icy cold. They relaxed when they realised the water was warm.
They needed to change the water once, it had turned almost a deep dank brown immediately upon giving the children a scrub. Eshe had apologised again, embarrassed but they had waved her away, told her to worry about herself for a few minutes while Majida saw to a large burn that ran diagonally across her back. From a fire poker they found out. Olethia was livid. She was busy cataloguing all the incidents and injuries to tell her father.
Hair washing was next on the list of the children and they were surprised to find out they had beautiful mops of wheat blonde hair. Their skin was pale, Olethia remembered they weren't let out of the house unless it was to steal, and were covered in bruises, even the youngest ones. She shared a look of distress with Ailis but said nothing. Eshe did not need to hear it, she was already embarrassed and overwhelmed enough.
By the time Tresa finally arrived back with the packages she had sent her for, both she and Ailis had been saturated by the children's splashing. Tresa laid a package beside Eshe who was laid out on the master bed letting the cooling salve do its job on her burn before Majida would bandage it and she too could bathe, careful not to wet the wounds.
Tresa came to the bathroom with the other packages, placing them aside and helping with drying the children. Eshe cried when she realised that the new packages were clothes, cheaply made compared to the ones that Olethia and Ailis wore but so much better than the rags they had been wearing. The children were excited an honoured and promised not to get them dirty.
It wasn't 5 minutes before all the children started to yawn. Olethia realised they probably survived on little sleep with the terror of their father hanging over their heads. Soon they were tucked into their own beds for an afternoon nap and Olethia and Ailis said their goodbyes.
Olethia requested Majida come to her chambers once she was finished to tend to her cracked ribs. Majida just sighed and tried not to roll her eyes, she was always tending to the Princess.
Ailis and Olethia walked the tunnels quietly arm in arm, heading back to their rooms. Ailis would get ready for the evening meal, maybe wear a new dress and cloak, while Olethia waited to have her ribs seen to and also prepare for the evening. She needed to go see Oria too, assure her that she was fit and healthy.
Walking Ailis to her door she paused and raised the hand she held to her lips, kissing the knuckles gently, causing Ailis to suck in a shocked breath and lock her knees to prevent herself from swooning.
"If I may, I will collect you for the evening meal" Olethia requested and Ailis smiled shyly and nodded. Olethia rewarded her with her own smile, stepping back and watching as Ailis entered her chamber before heading to her own rooms.
