A/N: For those of you who haven't read my previous stories, Kendall is king and he has a son named Kamden who married a Scanran princess.
Brilliant Crescent Star- Eh, you decided if it's a good cliffie or a bad one. Here you go then, wait no longer. Thanks so much!!
Cherrychica- Thanks, luv. And look at that. You're almost at the top. Cool, huh?
CrystalLili- Dangit! Ok, thank you. I'll have to fix that…when I find time. *looks for time*
Anastazia Sliverwind- Yes, it is coming along rather nicely, isn't it. Thanks!
Macko- No, Rahlei and her family are just part of the average working class people of Tortall. They are neither rich nor poor but are able to live a moderately comfortable life provided they work hard for a living. I do believe the new character you will meet in this chapter is somewhat better off money-wise than Rahlei.
Black Jaguar12- I know, same here. You get so attached to them. I'm glad you like it so much. Thanks!
Gabriyalle Kylie Burman- Could you have possibly made your name any longer? I rather preferred just Eris…easier to remember. Ah well, that's cool though. Thanks for the review!
Alexis of the Westlands- Well, the thing is, Yelda didn't see it as abuse. The way she saw it was men were above women and you do as they say or you suffer the consequences. Matthew isn't really a mean spirited man, he just takes his place in life very seriously and demands respect from all. That's how Yelda had been raised so she didn't really know any better. That help? Thanks for reviewing, I'm glad you like it.
Rahlei of Her Own Destiny
Chapter Four
Silence Before the Storm
Matthew came out of the bedroom that morning looking halfway decent for the first time in over a month.
He accepted breakfast without question and ate every bit. Rahlei knew something was amiss. She tiptoed carefully through the day so as not to set him off, hoping that whatever was going through his head wouldn't affect her. How wrong she was.
"May want to change your clothes before dinner," Matthew commented as Rahlei began preparing the meal.
"Why?" she asked, unable to hide her suspicion.
"Because, I said so, that's why. You forget your place," he added with a growl.
She bowed her head slightly and went back to peeling the carrots.
"We're having company," he finally stated.
"Who?"
She received nothing but a glare in reply.
Rahlei cooked up a nice meal, something her mother would have been proud of. She had the table set and the food laid out, when there was a knock at the door. She wiped her hands on her apron and went to answer it.
A young man around the age of twenty stood on the doorstep.
"I assume you are the company?" she asked, looking behind her shoulder to see where her father was.
"Matthew invited me to dinner, if that's what you mean," he said, almost too cheerfully.
She beckoned him in and showed him to the washbasin.
"Ah, there you are, Ethan," Matthew said, sounding for all the world to be positively delighted. "I see you met Rahlei," he commented, motioning towards a chair.
"Yes sir," Ethan said.
"Ethan owns the acreage across from us on the other side of the Great Road South," Matthew told Rahlei, buttering himself a piece of bread.
"I see. How interesting," Rahlei murmured, managing a smile.
The rest of dinner continued much in the same way. Matthew and Ethan discussing all manner of things from the weather, to farming, to King Kendall's declining health.
"Mark my words, when Kendall goes, Scanra will have a clear shot to the throne. What with Kamden marrying that princess of theirs," Matthew remarked pompously, as though he had an insider's view of things.
Dinner was done and desert had finished. Ethan took his leave, but not without and slight nod and a wink in Rahlei's direction.
Matthew went to bed shortly thereafter, giving Rahlei no explanation for his sudden change in attitude.
The next morning, Matthew was still in his good mood.
"So, what did you think of Ethan?" he inquired through a bite of pancakes.
"What do you mean?" Rahlei asked, confused.
"I mean just what I said, girl. What did you think of him?"
"Well, he seemed nice," she said cautiously.
"Good." Matthew took a swig of his coffee. "You're marrying him."
Rahlei had never understood what people meant by "seeing their life flash before their eyes." She did now.
She was speechless and her entire world that she had tried so hard to reconstruct and hold together was threatening to fall apart once more.
"I beg your pardon?" she gasped.
"Oh, don't play stupid with me," Matthew said, rolling his eyes. "It's all arranged. Ethan's mother is going further south to stay with an aunt. Her health has been degenerating and the healers feel that the warmer weather would do her good. His father died five years ago. With his mother gone, he'll have no one to cook or clean. That's where you come in."
"Who will cook and clean for you?" She knew it was a stupid question. His welfare didn't really matter at the moment but she couldn't think of anything else to say.
"I met a sweet little lass the other night at the pub. I'll be taking her as my second wife." He leaned back on his chair's back legs. "Perhaps she could give me a proper son," he mused, scratching his chin.
"Gods have mercy on her," Rahlei muttered.
Matthew glared daggers at her but didn't address her comment.
"Ethan's mother is leaving the day after tomorrow. You'll marry him the day after that. Understood?"
Rahlei was about to say 'yes.' She was on the very brink of becoming that obedient and meek little woman that her mother had strived so hard to make her. Her mother. Look where being meek and obedient had gotten her: An early appointment to tea with the Graveyard Hag.
"No."
"Hmm?"
"I said no. I will not marry him."
Matthew's face purpled slightly. "Rahlei, do you really want to get into this with me? I can guarantee that you will not come out on top in the end," he warned, his voice edging into a dangerous whisper. "Now be a good lass for once and do what you're told."
"I will not stand by while you rule my life!" she practically screamed.
"Don't you dare talk to me like that!" he shouted, rising from his chair so abruptly, the chair fell backwards.
"I'm not going to marry him. You can't make me."
"I can make you do whatever the hell I want. I'm your father and I know what's best for you, and you're marrying Ethan whether you like it or not. And that's final!"
She glared fiercely at him. What could she do? She didn't want to stay here, but being under the command of a man she knew was better than being under the command of one she didn't. The thought of running away crossed her mind.
Where to, though? The logical part of her asked. She had no extraordinary talents. She would be lucky to get a job in the kitchen of a pub. But that was better than nothing, wasn't it? Maybe she could make enough money and then what? She felt trapped no matter how she looked at it. She was going to be married to a complete stranger at the age of fifteen.
"Why me?" she wondered desperately.
Why not you? That logical voice said again. What makes you think you're so good that you don't deserve a little hardship in life?
"What indeed?" she thought. There was no one else around that was more convenient for these circumstances to happen too. Might as well be her.
Three days later, Rahlei found herself standing at an alter in one of the city's temples, dressed in her best, reciting vows to a man she had only met once.
He seemed nice enough. And he was handsome. But she knew her father could be the perfect image of kindness when he thought it to be in his best interest and even he was good looking - for a man of his age anyway.
When it came time for the kiss, Rahlei glowered so angrily at Ethan that he actually hesitated before leaning forward and kissing her very lightly, for a very brief moment.
Her first kiss. She could have cried. It wasn't supposed to happen like this.
How was it supposed to happen? And they lived happily ever after? Is that what you were hoping for?
Grow up, Rahlei.
She would have killed that little inner voice of logic, if she knew of a way.
The few people that had gathered left shortly thereafter. Matthew met them at the door.
"Good luck, Ethan. Don't be afraid to smack her around if she forgets her place. She's used to it." He winked and strode away.
Ethan looked slightly surprised at the suggestion and wrinkled his nose at Matthew's retreating back. At any other moment, Rahlei might have laughed at the expression on his face. She didn't, though.
"Well, I guess we should get back to the house. I'm afraid my mother left in a bit of a hurry so there's some work to be done," he said apologetically.
Rahlei nodded stiffly, without answering.
He led her to a wagon and moved to help her up. She jerked her arm away from his touch and clambered into the wagon without his assistance, succeeding in ripping her dress on the wheel.
She didn't care.
She gazed up at the palace as they drove past. There, she thought. That's how it should be. Everyone should be able to live like a noble.
You're father's right. You do forget your place. Accept who you are and live with it.
She buried her face in her hands, wondering for a fleeting moment if she could suffocate herself.
"I'm sorry," came a quiet voice.
Her thoughts of attempted suicide vanished and she looked up.
"What?"
"I'm sorry you have to do this," Ethan explained. "I know you're against it."
She gave an unladylike snort. "That's an understatement."
He sighed. "I just want you to know that I'll help you in any way I can to be happy."
She was almost moved by his tone of sincerity. Almost.
"Don't waste your time," she said bitterly. "I will never be happy in this world."
~*Kayden~Eidyak*~