Shuffling into bed room Mare sat on the foot of the bed knowing Cal would follow if for no better reason than to hear what had happen yesterday while he was away. Hearing the door close she let her eyes open and saw him not coming a step closer. "This does not need the king to be involved. This is a family matter that will be solved by the end of the day. If not sooner."
"I will not tolerate anyone pushing you to the point where half of the electricity in the castle starts to flicker."
"Just so we're clear it was not half of the palace it was only a few rooms."
Not according to Both Shade and the guards who had been stationed at varicose points of the castle. Then again it may be possible that she didn't know. "That makes it sound so much better."
Patting the seat next to her she waited until he was comfortably sitting next to her. "Until yesterday I didn't know my brother thought when he came home he was going to sweep Mari off her feet."
"In my opinion Mari is not best suited for either of your brother's."
"I know. Which Shade can explain far better than anyone else."
"In that case I will agree that as King I will not kill him. I make no promises about pummeling him."
"As long as you don't let him get close enough to touch I think you'll be fine."
For a moment he looked at her. Just looked. "Is that what happen to the table?"
"Actually my mother did that. Though I don't think she knew she was capable of that since she squealed when it broke. But it did give me the breath I needed before I killed my brother which I was about one breath away from doing." Taking a breath she sighed, "Looking back it should have never gotten to that point. He was just pissing and moaning and I was already pissed off with Maven for not telling you he was sick before you left."
"So nothing more than words were exchanged."
"Nothing happened. My brother may have rocks for brains but he would never do anything to harm me."
Shuffling down the hall with Gisa Mare stopped, "You still mad with me?"
"I had time to think since last night. Maven hates people watching sleep. More so when he's not feeling well. SO I understand why he wanted me to work in my shops yesterday."
"Actually he wanted you work in them so once he's feeling better you have some idea on what he can help with that doesn't look like he's there just so you can watch him breath."
Gisa covered her mouth, "He said that?"
"He grumbled about it since he has no practical reason on actually being in a shop that will cater to ladies."
"You did remind him that I don't expect him there once it's open."
"Of course not. Let him sweat a little that way once he realizes it he can be relived."
They passed several corridors before Gisa said, "Is that part of castle politics?"
"No. It's family politics that I'm making us as I see fit. It's good to keep our husbands on their toes. And keeps us from being overly predictable."
"Cal is going to love that should he figure it out."
"He has. His response was rolling his eyes. Apparently it will keep things interesting without …"
"Causing harm to anyone."
"Exactly." Mare paused "I think Kyle works down this way."
We should have the residence made …" Gisa paused then shook her head…" … never mind from an attack standpoint it would be a bad idea to have the royal apartment over the common part of the palace."
"Actually since the throne room is in the center of the palace an attack from any of the outer walls would result in the upper floor being vulnerable. "
Lucas coughed loudly trying not laugh that the queen who did not grow up in the palace was figuring out things that no one had really thought of before.
"Lucas?"
"Are you worried about something that I or the general need to be made aware of?"
Mare paused, and then nodded deciding to speak her mind then later she would discuss it with Cal. "The way I see it… The high houses are less then pleased with me being Queen. The reds are happy to have one of their own in the palace however they don't trust the king. And no one is happy with the treaty that ended the war. Too many would rather see war then peace. So yes I'm looking at what would give the palace enough time to take care of a problem before it reaches the residence where this baby will be." She paused again then asked so sweetly, "Unless you think I'm being completely ridiculous?"
"I'll discuss it with the general between us can explain things to the king. Hopefully with him wanting to kill the majority of the high houses."
A few minutes later Mare found the door that she had been looking for. Two voices coming from inside. One Kyle clearing trying not to yell and the other female sounding more than a little ruffled. A quick rap on the door then she opened it. Standing leaning over the desk was Cally. Her dress something a maid should wear and her eyes… her eyes were those of Cal when he was enraged. Kyle on the other hand was one word from exploding. "Kyle? Is everything alright?"
"I appreciate the reason Cal has sent me someone who knows these laws better then myself… However … I will not debate laws that are now archaic and have no use with someone who has not as of yet comprehended the war has ended."
Cally slammed her hands down on the desk "The war might have ended but the peoples opinion won't change this quickly. You cannot change every law that they have lived by and expect them to just do as they are told. You sir, would start a bigger war then the one you so clearly stated just ended."
"Enough!" Mare shouted. "Enough, both of you." She waited until they both were looking at her and not at each other, "Kyle, please have you list ready by weeks end with an explanation of both why the law needs to stay and why it needs to be rewritten." Then she looked at Cally, "And you are coming with me. If you're going to work with Kyle I assume taking the part of why the law must stay… then you need to look like you belong here."
"But…"
"Cally, I know why Cal brought you here… Fighting with Kyle is not going to do any good. Now you both need to calm down and you need to come with me. My sister is just outside."
Closing her yes Cally nodded, "Of course your grace."
"Mare not your grace. I have no intention of being called a formal title by anyone who has constant access to me or my family." Or who is family. But she couldn't say that right now.
Once outside the room Cally gave Gisa a small smile but said nothing.
"Cally right?" With her nod she continued, "I think I have something that should fit in my room. But it will take me a few days to complete a proper wardrobe."
" I really don't to be a bother."
Linking her arm with Cally's, Gisa smiled brightly, "Oh this no trouble. Trouble is keeping my husband in bed where the healers tell to stay. Trying to get my shop ready for the spring when it should be open."
"His majesty said you hired people to help you with your shop."
"Yes well… What Cal fails to realize is that I still have to make samples of dresses, gloves and other items to sell. Not mention order the fabric which is wickedly expensive until the people realize who they are speaking to." Then to Mare, "Which is something I would like for the queen to look into. Setting prices for everyone. Not one price for reds and one for silver merchants and another for silver's who have more coin then they know what to do with it."
Mare rolled her eyes. "We'll add it to the list of things that need my attention."
"Maven, dear deep breath I need a good look at this side."
Maven gave the healer Annis a sideways glance. A deep breath would hurt. Her touching his side far more. Yet he understood why she needed to look. She wasn't just looking at the skin but what laid beneath it. He closed his eyes and took as deep of a breath as he could, while trying to ignore the pain the simple task was causing.
The moment her fingers barely touched his side he whimpered. A sound she ignored pressing gently against his rib. The feeling of something pushing outward from inside forced a scream.
He hadn't meant to. Hadn't meant to push her away. Really hadn't meant to curl up into a tight ball. Still the pain wasn't stopping. And Cal wasn't there to tell the healer to stop.
Entering the hall to where their apartment were Mare froze. The sound of someone screaming. Crying. She looked at Gisa and gasped, "Maven."
It was all Gisa needed to run toward the sound. Mare right on her heals. She flung the door open to see Maven's face and body covered in sweat. He was curled up. Annis was trying to tell him something … trying to calm him. Dr. Cavry Putting some clear liquid into Maven's iv. Slowly Maven began to calm. His breath slowly leveling out. Once they did Gisa hissed, "What is going on in here?"
Annis closed her eyes, "It's my fault. I thought he was well enough to be awake while I push some of the infection out. I failed to realize his tolerance for pain is already more than he can tolerate. It will not happen again."
Mare slid into the room, "He's asleep now?"
"Sedated yes." The doctor nodded. "We'll wake him in an hour or so after Annis does what she needs. If when he starts to wake he looks in pain I can always increase the pain medicine."
With a nod Mare spoke, "Gisa and I will be across the hall."
Annis nodded. "When I'm finished I'll be able to tell you more about the wound."
Feeling a warm blanket around him and fingers combing his hair Maven slowly opened his eyes. Not Gisa. Not someone he knew. In hoarse whisper he asked, "Who are you?"
The woman blinked then blushed, "Cally. Your wife said you relax when people comb your hair. She and rest of your family are across the hall. Would you like me to get them?"
Cally? Obviously no one bothered to tell her anything useful. "No. Since I'm sure once they know I'm awake I'll have at least two of them watching every breath I make."
"The queen doesn't seem like the kind to watch people sleeping."
"I wasn't referring to her." Slowly he tried to sit finding his side much to sore to move he just pulled the cover back around his shoulder. "My brother is of the opinion that he can leave her in charge of the country until I'm completely well."
Cally's eyes widened, "Oh do hope not."
"Oh?"
"I mean no disrespect but she is little qualified to run matter of the country. She actually may cause a war within our own boarders."
"Actually she's the one who negotiated the treaty to end the war. The one binding the families of Montfort and Ciron to our family. Creating a stronger alliance. Came up with the plan to revoke Elra from power. And I'm sure half a dozen other things that my brother should have thought of but hadn't had the understanding of the people involved to do so."
"She did all of that?"
"Mare is quite capable of figuring out the most complex of problems." He closed his eyes trying not to get into some great debate over who was more capable of ruling since his bet was on Mare far more then on his brother. "Cal said he brought you from the library to help Kyle."
"I would rather clean the library from top to bottom then help the little …" She took a deep breath, "I'm sorry. I forget to watch my mouth. When I'm home I only have the historian to speak to so what I say matter little."
"No need for you watch what you say. Neither Mare nor Gisa hold back when they have something to say. I suspect you'll come around to their way of thinking soon enough."
"But I'm only…"
"My dear you are here because my brother wants you here. Your staying because Mare wants you here. So no matter what you say no one is going to censor you. And I pity the poor soul who tries."
Cally tilted her head in question, "Why would either of them…"
"I could explain it but I think having Mare take on that task is much safer."
"Oh."
The disappointment in her voice shocked him, "Cally, Look at me. Do you have any question that I'm my father's son?"
What an odd question. "None. I him in your eyes."
A smile twitched on his lips. "Will you do me a favor?"
"Ok." She relied hesitantly.
"In the other room You will find a hand mirror and a picture of Cal's mother can you bring both to me?"
Without question she brought back the requested items just as Maven sat up in the bed. "Here?"
He held the picture next to the mirror knowing to had the same necklace as Cally was now wearing. "What do you see?"
