Author's Note: I would like to give a shout out to Kara...you give the best in depth reviews. You analyze every line and sum it up beautifully. You really read this and take the time to formulate the questions, that I am trying to leave open. Thank you for paying such close attention.

This chapter was going to be so different, but when I wrote it, it came out like this. I think it shows that David really is the one that needs to learn. I wanted a period piece, but I think this is turning into an epic

The Benevolent Leader

Maria turned around nervously, checking to make sure that the carriage still followed. Though she could not see what happened inside, she felt safe knowing that it was there. She tried to still her breathing, so that she could hear the hooves of the horse that trotted at a different pace than her own, she leaned her head to the window and prayed that Mickie was still behind her.

"Your sister is safe. You need not check for her. She rides in comfort with Lady Torrie." David's voice was low and unaffected as he looked out of his window.

Maria folded her hands in her lap and lifted her chin as she spoke. "I wish to know why my sister could not ride in this carriage."

"Your sister is not of my court. This is my carriage, only those who I invite, or members of the Royal Family are allowed to ride within. Tis the way it has always been done." David closed the curtain on his side of the car and looked over at Maria. "Do you see the formation in which we ride? Two scouts are sent out miles before us, to check that the path is clear. Knights ride in front, servants behind them, royalty follows, then nobility, and the Paladin and his army brings up the rear. All of this is to ensure a safe travel."

She had no idea just how guarded his life was. "Will it be the same for this child? Will he never be able to travel just as himself?" She lowered her head at the thought. There would never be a moment's peace for her baby.

"Royalty must be protected at all costs." David leaned his head back against cushions of the chair.

Maria's brows knitted. "Why then does Lord Hunter travel with such a small party? Only he and few riders take reigns throughout the country."

David laughed; he had almost forgotten she was but a peasant. "He but nobility." There was arrogance to the way he answered her. He could see from her face that she did not understand. "Royalty is handed down through bloodlines. Royals are the children and family of the Kings. Nobility, are but common people, who have been granted station by royalty; they are nothing more than note worthy…there is no special blood within in their veins."

"Than what am I?" She asked sarcastically. "I carry your child, a royal child. Yet, I have no land and none of those to govern and I am not noble."

"You are to be a dowager. The mother of a ruler. Your position will not change until my son becomes King. Even then, you will have no power and no claim to the Thrown."

Maria pursed her lips. David's arrogance bothered her. "It seems he shall have no power either. Not the power to come and go as he pleases, nor the power to be by himself without guards following his every step. Do you think this life is better than that of those people who work your fields? They know more freedom than you will ever see."

David closed his eyes. He had no wish to start another verbal battle with Maria. Yet her determination was something admirable. He wondered if his child would too be so defiant.

Maria looked out the window to make sure that Mickie still followed. Her eyes grew wide with amazement. She had never seen anything as beautiful as the sight from her window. The thickness of the forest gave way to lush field of tall grass and rolling hills, there were small cottages all lined perfectly in a circle with steam billowing from each chimney. The Inter-Continental Mountains provided a backdrop as the fresh water from the melted snowcaps rushed down its side into the bluest stream she had ever seen.

"What is this place?" She asked with wonderment.

David sat up un-amused. "This is the village of Cena. Tis the home of Sr. Jonathan and Lady Torrie." He sat back in his seat and closed his eyes. "Have you never been to Cena? Tis a beautiful country."

Maria shook her head and watched as the children ran along the caravan. Waving to them, she remembered when she and her sisters would greet the royal family the same way as a child. "I have never traveled outside of Nitro." She spoke in a far away voice. "Since I took sleep in your palace, I have never left the grounds. McMahon is a world unknown to me."

David could not believe that she had lived in this country all of her life and never ventured outside of her village. Her naïveté captivated him; she was so innocent to the world around her. "McMahon will be my son's playground. All of this country will be his."

"Such a vast playground for a child." Her eyes returned to beautiful countryside now leaving her view. "I wish only for a small part of land where he can run and play, and know those around him love him. No need for an entire country…just a home."

"We still dwell within Northumberland; we will travel until nightfall heading east to Enigma. Not until we have visited Hardy and Helmsley will we travel outside of the land I rule."

"Enigma, Earl Jeffrey's home?" Maria asked looking at David.

"Aye. Tis one day's journey to reach his keep. The ride is long, yet the countryside's are peaceful. There is a lot to show you, about the country our son shall rule."

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The company stopped just outside a small village. The smell of fires burning in the hearth was thick in the air. Off the distance, the sounds of laughter and the haste of the marketplace was unmistakable. Maria tried to look around to see if she could tell where the sounds came from, to see if she could find people like her…poor and common. But the distance, from which they stood, nothing could be seen.

"Why have we stopped?" Maria accepted David's hand as he helped her from the carriage. She looked around desperately and let her breath escape when she saw that Mickie too had been brought from her carriage.

David straightened his cloak and looked around. "The horses need break and fresh water. The company needs rest and food. We will take a meal and have time to rest before the journey continues." He angled his arm toward Maria. "Come. A lavish meal awaits."

David and Maria walked in the center of the company. Knights carrying his flag surrounded them on all sides. As they reached the marketplace, heads turned and bodies bowed. She felt like she was on display, like she was nothing more than statue. No one met her eyes, no one dared to speak to her. She looked at David, who strolled through the mass of people with his eyes held high and the exuberance of royalty.

Maria turned her head and locked eyes with a woman who could not be any older than she. She nodded her head in the direction of the woman and smiled. The woman smiled back and then quickly turned from the crowd.

They were escorted into a lavish dining hall in the center of the town. Servants seated them and brought them a meal of roasted duck, fresh potatoes, snow peas and breads. The finest wine was poured into their goblets and all sat in silence, with the Arch Duke at the main table. All eyes were on him, waiting for his permission. There were at least twenty other people beside their party waiting to dine with the Duke. Maria felt more out of place because Mickie was forced to eat in the kitchen with the rest of the help.

David stood and addressed his audience. "People of Kendrick, tis a great honor to have me in your presence." Maria was disgusted by how amerced in his station David truly was. "Not often do I make it to this part of the country, but know that it is most hospitable. My company travels to find champions for the Fall Brawl. I am sure you will not disappoint your King when you offer your finest." David raised his goblet. "For my entertainment, I wish to see who you have selected to represent our country. I grant you all a good feast."

The room roared at David's permission and quickly the champions were ushered in. A tournament of sword play was to David's amusement. He watched as the two men, attacked each other until one had the other on the ground, with the blade at his throat. "Lord Duke, here is your champion, Sir Brian of Kendrick. He will be the finest swordsmen that McMahon has to offer. Take him as symbol of Kendrick's devotion to the King."

David stood and looked at Brian. "Is this how you were taught as a champion to fight? You are no winner, for the other man still breathes. The Fall Brawl is no game, no match for pure sport. Tis a chance to show neighboring countries that McMahon will stop at nothing to be dominate." He motioned for Brian to come closer. "Under my training you will become a warrior. Within weeks, you will be ready for battle."

As he sat the hall cheered, for Kendrick would be represented, David looked around and noticed that Maria was no longer sitting at his side. He snapped his finger and Sir Jonathan accompanied him out into the village.

Maria stood only a few feet from the hall's doors. Amongst her were common people, who croweded her and stared at her gown. She wore a flowing yellow garment, a royal color, trimmed with silver ribbons and a silver comb ornamenting her head. The wages from her attire were enough to feed an entire family for the fall and most of the winter. She had never felt like more of an imposter than she did at that moment.

A hand touched hers and she looked up. There stood the woman that she had smiled at hours before. "My lady?" The woman knelt at Maria's feet. "I am poor and my children are hungry. Please…a crust of bread, a piece of fruit…anything, my lady."

The tears in her eyes broke Maria's spirit. How could she let her child rule over a place that served the royalty so well, but held no care for its people? "I have nothing to give you." She was so sad, if Maria could have given her the garments off her back she would have. But when she saw the small face of the blonde child that ran to his mother's arms, she knew she had to try.

Maria reached up and pulled the silver comb from her hair. As she knelt to the woman's side, she smiled at the child. "This will fetch you a fine price in the marketplace. Take it…by food and provide for your family."

The woman accepted the comb and kissed Maria's hand. "You are too kind, my lady."

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As the company made its way back to the caravan, Maria heard the commotion approaching them. The Marshal of Kendrick, a man called Edge, known for his cunning and quick eye, stopped the party from advancing.

"My lord," Edge bowed and threw a woman at David's feet. "This peasant was caught stealing." Edge pried open her fingers and retrieved the silver comb. "What do you wish me to do with her?"

David looked at the two small children held by the Marshal's men, then down to the woman. "You dare to steal from the Arch Duke?" David looked as more of the village came to see what was happening. "Do you know, what happens to thieves?"

"My lord, I did not steal. I only wished for food for my children." She begged at his feet. "The Lady gave this to me, to trade for food. I am not a thief."

David laughed incredulously. "Do you think this royal house to be foolish? You stole this trinket from Lady Maria and now you will pay." David reached over and grabbed the sword from Edge's belt. "Let this be a lesson to you all. Thievery will not be tolerated in any part of Northumberland."

As he raised his sword, he heard Maria's cry. "My lord, please." The fresh tears on her face made him halt his position. She stepped in front of the woman, so if the blade hit, it would strike her first. "She is but a poor woman. You mean to kill her for trying to feed her family?"

David hardened his eyes. It was one thing to battle him in the confines of her chamber, but not in front of the village of Kendrick. "My lady forgets her place. Tis advised that you stand back and watch."

"Tis advised that you be a ruler, my lord." She challenged causing a gasp from those who watched.

Mickie was immediately brought forward and David nodded his head. The head rider, Sr. William of Regal, brought forth the whip, made for the horses and in one swift motion; he split open Mickie's back.

Maria's head turned around and glared at David. "Do not think that will still my tongue, my lord? She did not steal from me, I gave her the comb. Mayhaps if Lord David took better care of his people instead of collecting concubines, his people would not go hungry. Your castle has lavish meals and fine garments, yet the people you rule do not have warm furs for their backs or enough food for their bellies. Is this what you will teach my son? Is this the kind ruler you wish him to be? If it is, tell me now and you will no longer need to worry about an heir."

David could hardly contain his rage. He brazenly snatched the whip from Sr. William's hand and struck Mickie again. "The next outburst from you will result not in your sister's blood, but in yours instead."

"I care not for what you do to me, but you will not harm this woman. She has done nothing wrong." Maria clenched her teeth and refused to back down. She knelt to the ground and picked the woman up. "Take this and find food for your family." She returned the comb and also gave her the necklace she was wearing. "This should be enough for you throughout the winter."

Maria stood and turned back to face David. "Go ahead, my lord. Punish me, split my skin as though I were nothing more than an animal; I care not. But what I do care about are these people who look to you as their protector and provider. But what have you provided them? Nothing but fear. If this is the price of station, let me never learn my place."

David lowered his hand when he heard the cheers from the crowd. Maria defied him, yet the people loved her. And their cheers were different; they were not the cheers of adoration that he gained for winning battles, these were cheers of devotion for she cared for their well-being.

Maria felt herself yanked roughly and pulled into the carriage. As the soon as the door closed, the curtain was drawn. "You will never overstep these bounds again. Do not think that I will not end your life at the blink of an eye." David was close enough to her face that he could feel her breath as she choked back her sob. "You think because I feel gentleness toward you that I will not live up to my duty? How wrong you are."

Maria nodded. "Wrong I might be, but sparing her life was the first act of nobility I have ever seen from you. The man that let her live, is the man I wish to know." She felt the tears roll from her eyes. "I want to believe there is something good in you, so that I can see that in my child. Your people need you, your son needs you. Do not disappoint them."

David reached out and touched her tear tracked cheek. What was he thinking? This woman before him would never learn her station, she did not know what being royalty meant; and by God, he hoped that she never would.