Part 10
Caitlin walked into the dinning room early to find only Queen Nora reading some papers and drinking coffee. She bit her lip. She was unsure of if she should say something or not. When her mother was reading through papers for her work she did not want anyone even her family to speak to her. So not knowing Nora she didn't know how to approach this situation. Luckily Nora looked up and gave her a warm smile.
"Good morning Caitlin. Please sit down. Do you drink coffee? Or would you rather have tea?" said Nora
"Good morning. Tea would be great." Said Caitlin taking a seat.
A server brought her a cup of fresh tea a long with a small service that held lemon, honey and milk. Caitlin added both honey and lemon to her tea and took a sip of the hot liquid. She smiled as the tea made it's way down her throat. She always favored hot drinks over cold ones. Well unless it was a really hot day.
"Did you sleep well?" asked Nora
"Yes thank you. My room is beautiful."
"Thank you. But my sister Joan is the one that had it decorated."
"She did a good job. It reminds me a little of home."
"Only there is no view of mountains from anywhere in the palace here."
"My room back home over looks the gardens."
"If I remember the gardens of the Snow Palace would just be starting to show life of the spring flowers, though the winter ones should still have some bloom left."
"They are. This has always been my favorite time of the year."
"It may take a little longer for the flowers to start to bloom here. The ones here like it a little warmer."
"Most flowers do."
"Very true. I don't know if my son told you or not but we are going to help you even if you and Barry don't decide to marry. Zoom is a threat to all of us. He may start with the Snow Kingdom but he won't stop there."
"I know. Barry told me that your husband is going to send two regiments back with my father."
"I am. Caitlin, your father plans to return home at the end of the week. But asked that you and Lady Patricia remain until at least you have to be home for your brother's wedding. Barry is going to be our family representative at the wedding." Said Henry entering with Thomas.
"It is for your safety. Caity, Zoom wants you and I am not going to let him near you." Said Thomas
"Dad, I had already expected that. It will also give me time to get to know Barry. But could you make arrangements to have Frost brought here? I know Cisco can exercise her. But I would like to ride my own horse." Said Caitlin
"Of course. I think the stable hands would be glad to be rid of that temperamental beast for a while." Said Thomas with a chuckle.
"She is fine as long as they don't try to ride her. Don't forget you took her from that rancher that was abusing her when she was only a year old. He beat her." Said Caitlin
"I remember. You were the first to calm her." Said Thomas
"I know that is why she trusts me."
"Our son has a horse that has yet let anyone other than Barry touch him without throwing a fuss. I believe that Flash only stays calm when being fed and watered." Said Nora
"Some how I think Flash will like Caitlin. In fact I told her we could go for a ride today." Said Barry entering
"Best go this morning. I want you in the meetings this afternoon. You need to know what Thomas and I discuss." Said Henry
"That was my plan. So Caitlin after breakfast what do you say we take a ride. I can show you this lake that we have on the grounds of the palace." Said Barry
"Sounds nice." Said Caitlin
"Then we can go for a ride. Maybe if you like I can have a picnic lunch packed for us."
"That would be wonderful."
Barry smiled. He was really looking forward to getting to know Caitlin.
Zoom drove his sward through the chest of the mayor of the town his army had come to after leaving Winter Haven. He watched his men kill nearly everyone they came across. Zoom knew that it was not worth trying to add to his army from. This town was know to be where a number of scholars and historians had come from in the past. Not even in his true identity of Lord Hunter Zolomon had he ever had any need for these book types. He was always a warrior and when he took the thrown that is what this kingdom would become. Nothing but warriors and their women. The women were only good for taking care of men and children. Well and baring strong sons to take over when their fathers died.
"My Lord we might have to do something about a couple of the newbies. They were puking at the sight of all the blood." Said Mardon
"They will learn to deal with it or their blood will be spilled." Said Zoom
"When we leave in the morning burn this place to the ground. Leave any children alive to clean up the rubble."
"Do we keep any of the girls old enough to be used for our needs?"
"If you and the men want any of them take them. I am good with the one I brought with us from the last town."
"You really enjoying that one?"
"It helps I am the only man she has ever known or will. Once she bares my son that will be trained to lead my army she will die just like her father did on the end of my sward."
"Didn't you gut him like a fish?"
"Yes that is the only fitting death for any holier than thou preacher. Him telling me that we will all burn in the hell fire."
"Don't blame you. Never liked those kind of people."
"Rest up Mardon we move on in the morning. My plan is to reach the palace by the time of the Prince's wedding after we have ravaged much of the kingdom."
Mardon smiled. He could not wait until he had the chance to run his sward through the head of the Royal Guard that had him expelled from training.
