Chapter Two: Life Without Security
The sky was clear and the wind blew hot, but that did not stop Serena from practicing with her broad sward. She had lost her mother to the gods twelve years ago, and life had never been the same since. Her father had hardly stayed home, but when he did she was always punished for the smallest of things. From not talking properly to lashing out at her father. She always believed that he punished her because he thought that she was the cause of her mother's death.
She knew that she could not have prevented it any more than he had. She had learned from her mother the old ways of life and had used that magic that she poised to keep herself and others from harm. However, there were times when she was unable to do so. Her mother's nursemaid Molly, had stayed on a while to care for her, and when confronted with the truth the maid finally confessed that her mother was with child when she passed. Soon after Serena's father lashed the women one hundred times before sending her away. It was then that Serena became wary of her father.
Through the years she had learned more than what would ever be taught to a woman when it came to swordplay. She had become in her own right a sword master. Her teacher Alan was proud to have such a fine student. Serena's dearest friend Marcus had given her the sword with which she fought. He had also helped her hide her secret from her father. Soon however, her life would change for the worst, and she would not know it.
"Good, you are doing excellent!" Alan told her.
"Thank you Master Alan. I do say though these lessons are getting to be a bit tiring. Don't you have anything new to teach me?" Serena asked as she wiped the sweat from her brow.
"Me dear child, I have taught you all I know and more. You are the first student that I have taught all my secrets to, and no other. Please child tell me why you still insist on calling master, when it is I who should be calling you by such a name. You have beaten me twice at each and every sword game we play." He chuckled as he noticed how late in the day it was. "Dear girl you might want to go to your room and fast, your father is just now rounding the bend and I believe that he has caught sight of you." He looked up to see her face just as it went pale. "Don't worry lass he has not seen you at play. Go now before we are both punished for such small things. Hurry Child."
Serena ran with all her might wondering why her father had arrived so abruptly. She knew something was out of place and was scared to find out. Her father always announced his comings and goings. She got to her room and tried with all of her will to be dressed before her father arrived.
"Lady, your father commands your presence at once. He demanded that you be dressed properly." The voice behind the door belonged to her maid and dearest friend Mina. She pushed the door open a little bit and put her head through, "I think that he saw you while at practice." She paused before coming in and scolding her. "I should think that he is quite furious with you. Here put this on, the lashing will not hurt as much. I should know." Mina glanced down at the cloth in her hands.
Serena remembered the day when her friend refused to please her employer. It only happened just that once, for Serena had taken her place in order to save her the pain. Mina stayed on because Serena begged her father to let her stay, and he obliged only after she was punished with fifty lashes more for disobedience.
*Why is he here...? * She thought.
"Mother, why must I host this ball? It will only be drab and all the ladies there all do the same thing. Flutter the eyes and giggle non-stop. Please don't make me do this." Darien complained once again.
"You must! That is final, you are one and twenty years of age. It is time that you are married to a lady of rank, and of good name. I have tried to make it so that you could fall in love with the lady of your choice. I do not want you to marry because I have forced you into it. Please my son you must understand, you were born into privilege and with that comes specific obligations." She finished quite sternly, not bending to his will as easily as she use to. "I tell you if your father, gods rest his soul, was here he would make you marry under some kind of contract. At least Darien, for my sake take this as a blessing in disguise. Who knows maybe you'll meet a lady that you can at least get along with, if not love? Now let us end this on a happy note please!" She had the pleading look in her eye again.
Darien not being able to resist a wish from his mother finally agreed. "All right, if it will make you happy I will go through with it. However, I warn you I will not be extremely happy about it. I will put on a smile and nod, and if I do find a lady that interests me I shall be the first to let you know." He finally gave in. Not once in his entire life had he done anything that would displease his mother. For he was not scared of her, but he loved her too much to let anything between them be diminished by his stupidity in the matter.
"Now that's a good child. Well, go on your way you do have a ball to prepare for. For it is within the next two weeks and you must have suitable attire." She shoed him off, just as a maidservant came in.
"Highness." She said while performing a curtsied as Darien walked past her and continued out the door. "Majesty, all invitations have been replied to, except one. Shall I set up quarters for the Lord Holborne? In case he should arrive late. He is normally away at this time of year."
"Yes, Molly that would be fine. I should rather hope that he decides to bring his daughter along as well. Molly, how does the child fare dear? I hear that you two still write each other. Has she kept up with her sward and combat training? I would like to see her try and beat my boy." The queen smiled as she watched the emotions of curiosity run across the girl's face.
"Yes, my queen I still write to her and she to me. She wishes dearly to see me, but other than her missing me, she says she is doing fine. Her father is not home most often and when he's gone she continues to practice with her sword. Master Alan says that she has even bested him quite a few times." Molly tried not to smile, but she was extremely proud of her younger friend and hoped the best for her.
"If she does come to the festivities I shall be sure to give you time off. You need a few friends and what little you have you must keep. You may leave now, tell Lita that I have given you the rest of the day off." The queen said as she turned her back to Molly.
"Yes Majesty."
Serena slowly entered her father's study sensing that it would be wise. Indeed it was for the moment that she saw her father's face she knew that he had seen her in britches and a shirt. She also knew the punishment for wearing such clothing in his household.
"Father, you requested to speak with me?" Serena said in the lightest tone available to her at the time.
"Yes, daughter I did. I will excuse the manner of your dress in the past minutes, which has disturbed me and discuss things of a greater matter. Read this!" He commanded as he handed her a piece of parchment. He never asked nor did he ever accept refusal. This he knew and used with all his might.
As Serena read the note he poured himself a drink and waited for her to finish the note.
To the Lord Stephen Holborne and the Lady Serena,
You are hereby invited to attend the Galla thrown by His Majesty Prince Darien of Ireland. In celebration of His Highness's coronation and his one and twentieth birthday celebration. Please send reply immediately.
Festivities begin within two fortnights hence.
"Father I do not understand." Serena said as she handed back the letter.
"Of course you wouldn't. Why should it concern you, your probably wondering. Well it does, you are eighteen years of age and it is time that you have a husband. I am not asking you to find one or be courted by one such man, I am commanding it." His stern voice rang out.
"I will not marry unless it is for love! You may force your will upon others, but with me you will not! I am not some piece of property that can be bought or sold. I will not bend to your will anymore. After mother died you have been uncaring of my feelings and I cannot allow you to run my life." She paused upon seeing her father's face. He was seething with anger yet she continued, "I know I will be punished for the way that I have spoken to you and I accept that. But I am your daughter, and I have a will of my own and you cannot control me forever." Serena finished just as her father grabbed her wrist.
"You will marry and I do not care for what! Yes, you are my daughter and property and I will do with you as I please." His eyes looked to be almost white with rage and there was no telling what he would do. "My instructions will be followed. You will marry a man of your rank, no higher no less. If you disobey me you will certainly regret it."
He tightened his hand so hard around Serena's wrist that she had to cry out in pain, "AHhhh!" And tears began to run down her face. She knew that her wrist would be bruised by the end of the day.
"As for punishment, you will receive five lashings. Your wrist and back should have you in pain for a least two weeks, and that is just time." He reached for her other wrist as she tried to draw back in panic, but he was quicker.
He then proceeded to drag her to a ring on the wall and tie her arms up. The punishment did not last but five minutes before he undid her bonds. "Go and tend to your wrist and back, do not cross me again girl for next time I will break your wrist." He waved his hand in dismissal and she quickly left.
When Serena reached her room she sat on her bed and began to cry. For the first time in her life she cried for fear and despair. She held her wrist as her torn gown began to slowly seep with blood, she waited for Mina to come tend to her injured wrist and back and help her pack for the dreadful Galla.