Johan got no explanation when he arrived. The King was nowhere to be seen, only guards who were as confused as he was. The castle was still bustling with activity as festival guests departed for their homes. Few took notice as he was led to a cell in the inner keep and locked in. He did not protest or try to slip away. This was all a mistake. And if it wasn't, well, he would get to the bottom of things, just as he always had. Peewit was still on his way, he wouldn't stand to see his friend arrested and locked away on false charges.
The hours passed, and no one came for him, not even Peewit. Darkness fell, and the cold night air drifted in. Johan shivered and began to think of everything he could possibly have done to warrant a charge of treason. He'd infuriated Lord Fulk, but Fulk was no ally of the King, and he had some explaining of his own to do after ordering a vassal to double-cross King Gerard. Did this have something to do with his cousins, involved in piracy with no desire to leave that lifestyle? Could it be someone found out about his affair with Sabina? He sat on the wooden bench of the cell and wrapped his arms around himself, horrified by the thought. He had always known that if their secret became known it would mean serious trouble, but treason?
"Treason? Johan? Uncle, are you sure?" Gerard walked into the King's private chambers. He had been in the courtyard briefing his servants before they left for home when Count Tremaine arrived with Johan, both looking as if they were on their way to a funeral. Something was wrong, he could sense it.
He called off leaving just yet, looking for answers but finding nothing but confusion until he found the two semi-human outcasts, Maenad and Peewit, whispering in a courtyard.
"Who told you it was treason?" The king was looking out his window at nothing in particular.
"Isn't that the charge, then?" Gerard became hopeful; Peewit could have been confused, and Maenad still had not earned his trust entirely…
"It is the charge. I didn't want to do it. I didn't want to believe it; he's like a son to me."
"Believe what? Uncle, what has happened?" Gerard stood next to his uncle and laid a hand on his shoulder. This was so unlike him.
"Sabina and Johan have been carrying on an…indecent affair."
"What?" He had never thought his friend and cousin would plunge their family into scandal like this. Had that been going on under his nose when they were together in the marshes? Once again he's been hoodwinked. He didn't know whether to be angry or sympathetic.
"Peewit confirmed they were lovers, even he knew!" Peewit had confessed in tears while begging for mercy after the King cornered him for questioning.
"It will certainly take some explaining to Prince Andrew when the time comes for he and Sabina to wed, but treason is such a serious charge…"
"I sent a messenger to Prince Andrew and I have yet to hear from him, but I'm afraid there isn't going to be any wedding. Sabina is…with child. She told me with whom just this morning."
"Oh…dear…" Gerard moved to a plush chair and sat down. This was serious. As sole heir of the kingdom, any child Sabina bore would also be an heir to the throne. Ideally, this would occur within the confines of marriage to a politically-connected prince, one who absolutely wanted to see his own children inherit the throne.
"Now do you see why I'm so upset, and why I had to do what I did? They've thrown the whole alliance into jeopardy, and they lied to me, deceived me…I can handle angry princes more than I think I can handle that."
"It's not the end of the world, Uncle…we'll figure something out. I'll let Princess Francesca and my people know we'll be staying here a little longer and I'll help you sort this out." He had no idea how. This was so far out of his experience…the kind of thing he'd only heard about in troubadour's songs. And even then, he found stories like that of Lancelot and Guinevere more depressing than romantic.
"Not the end of the world? You explain to Dame Barbara what's happened and then we'll talk about what's bad."
The next day dawned and Johan was awoken by the shuffle of footsteps outside. He peered through the small window at the top of the door and saw the King descending the stairs. At last, some answers. The king produced a key, unlocked the door and went into the cell.
"Johan, do you know why you're here?" the king asked in a clipped voice.
"No, Sire, I don't."
"No idea at all. Please, be honest with me, for once. I don't take any joy in this."
"It has something to do with Princess Sabina…doesn't it?"
"Yes. It does."
Johan sighed sat on a rough wooden bench. The King sat down next to his protégé.
"How could you, Johan? I've always trusted you, depended on you, more than any of my men. You know that. You've disobeyed my orders before, but this…"
"I love her, Sire. With all my heart. I know that doesn't make it right."
"I know. She told me. But you're correct, that does not excuse this. She was promised to another, and there are rules and consequences that I know you're both aware of. I'd have one of you sent away, but there's a…a complication."
"Is she dying?" Was that why she confessed to their affair?
"No, Johan. She's carrying your child." The young knight simply stared at the king, mouth open, speechless. He would have been less in shock if he's been told the princess was on her death-bed.
You asked for Sabina and Johan to be together! Lo, your pleas have been answered! Sort of. What's that? Oh, you don't expect "The Hip Death Goddess" to be a completely benevolent deity about it, now do you? Where's the fun in writing that?