King Dom Comes (6 page)

"King
Malkai sought you out and chose to be a part of your life. King Domitri did
not. His letters are poisoned with resentment about this arrangement. I tell
you this not to distress you, but to protect you. Do not trust him until he has
earned that trust, Shannon. Please."

"Perhaps
that dream was a vision of warning," Shannon sighed. She straightened
herself upon the edge of the bed and repositioned the candle on the floor.
"Let me try this again. Without the birch."

"Very
well. But then you must prepare to leave. Your carriage will be arriving at any
time after the sun rises."

"I
will miss you," Shannon said quietly, facing the floor.

"I
will miss you as well. But we all have our destinies to fulfill. Now, stretch
the flame. I have faith in your abilities. You must have them too. Good
girl…"

Shannon
stared across the yard at the Abbey, memorizing every detail of the old stone
walls and trampled paths. Her long red hair blew loosely in the breeze, simply
adorned with the ivory comb that held a single golden chain draped across her
forehead. Her tresses were lifted off her bared shoulders, as though a lover
sought the sweetness of her swan-like neck. As the gentle wind kissed her pale
flesh, the long, fine linen skirt of her kirtle flapped around her
stocking-covered legs. She had refused to wear the green velvet surcote and the
stiff, broad hat, complaining that the extra layers of clothing made her feel
claustrophobic. To the dismay of the Grand Dame, the men's braies also remained
beneath her elegant attire, hidden under the exceedingly long and impractical
skirt.

"Shannon!
Shannon McCleary! Where have you gone off to?"

Shannon
sighed, and carefully balanced her beaded ivory satin slippers over the rocks
and grasses, making her way in the direction of the summons.

"Where
have you been? The carriage has arrived," the Grand Dame said, clucking
over her appearance. "You are a lady now. No more running into the bogs or
playing in the mud, child."

"I
do not know why I must dress in this gown. Why not allow me to wear more
comfortable clothing? These shoes pinch my feet and my legs are entangled in
all of this hideous cloth."

"You
frown like a surly old lady," the Grand Dame chuckled. "You are being
transported to your future husband as a gift. He sent these clothes for you to
wear and you shall do so. You must don your surcote and hat."

"I
will not. They are too restricting, and I already dread traveling within a
carriage."

"You
will appreciate a carriage keeping you dry and warm during the rain. It is
rather large, as well. In fact," the Grand Dame's eyes twinkled, "I
heard tell that the ship's captain complained about it taking up the room of a
dozen men."

"I
would much rather be permitted to ride upon the back of a horse. Like a
man." Shannon scowled. "The carriage is an unnecessary burden. I
loathe being confined within four walls without fresh air or the sound of the
breeze."

"This
stubborn nature of yours must be tamed, my dear. King Malkai sent you to us to
teach you the control of your gifts, and to provide a generous education well
beyond that of the average noblewoman. Your knowledge of the subjects of
science and maths alone will be difficult for most men to accept, but your
insistence of exhibiting manly behavior will not be tolerated. You must
exercise restraint, Shannon. I beg of you."

"How
can one exercise restraint when they are being suffocated by society's
expectations? You are asking me to walk into a cage and learn to be
content!"

"I
am telling you that your future has already been decided for you, and that you
must find a means to accept it with grace and dignity."

"This
all feels wrong to me. I was not born to be some man's mindless
showpiece." An owl hooted above them and Shannon spun around at the sound.
"See? That was an omen. I am not to go on this journey."

"That,
dear child, was an owl. You have no choice. Your destiny has been written.
Come. Put the mask of a queen upon your face and present yourself to your
escort with pride and dignity."

Shannon
scowled in a most unregal manner as she was wrestled into the heavy brocade
over-dress, and offered an unqueenly whine as the hat was pinned to her tightly
braided hair. After being warned to neither remove the items, nor make any
attempts to set them aflame, Shannon was helped into a garishly opulent
carriage decorated with mahogany carvings, gold leaf inlays and large red
wheels. The mother-of-pearl image of a large, white stork clutching a spear in
its claws graced the door. A set of perfectly matched black horses bore equally
ornate harnesses, including tiny silver bells braided into their long, plaited
manes. Yards of red velvet hung from the windows and padded the overstuffed
cushions inside.

"What
a pretty prison," Shannon grumbled under her breath. "Am I being
permitted to travel alone and without an escort?" she asked the Grand Dame
from the door.

The
old women frowned. "Your escort is the kings' men. I am told that, besides
the four here, there are another six awaiting you on the mainland."

"But,
should I not have a woman with me to safeguard my virtue?"

The
Grand Dame chuckled. "I have no doubt about your ability to guard your own
virtue, child. As for companionship, my old bones cannot make the journey, and
the other sisters refused."

"They
are afraid of me, aren't they?" Shannon asked, both with sadness and
relief. She truly didn't want company, nor could she blame the gentle woman for
not wishing to make the horrendous journey with her. Away from the ruin-covered
walls of the abbey, they had no protection from her temper, or her gift.

"They
fear your lack of self-control once you are gone from here. Only a few of them
share the bloodlines that shields them completely from your screams, but even
they cannot handle your temper when you are riled. The symbols of protection do
not guard any of us from the headaches you bring."

Shannon
wrinkled her nose. "I do apologize for those. How is it that you are
immune to my cries? Other than my mother and King Malkai, I have not met
another."

"A
banshee attached herself to my family, as one did yours. To the world,"
the woman said in a hushed tone, "I am a faithful follower of the good
Lord. Indeed, I love and honor His words and His sacrifices. But, as the sun
sinks in the horizon, I lift my face to the moon and worship with the druids.
That is where I receive my peace and my power."

"Will
the moon shine as brightly in this new land?" Shannon asked mournfully.

"It
will burn brighter than a candle. Do you remember the dances of your
mother?"

"They
are as part of me as breathing. Why do you ask?"

"When
you feel frightened, weak or uncertain, find a meadow where you can hide from
sight. Dance under the moon. It will strengthen your spirit."

"I
shall do just that. Thank you for all you have done." Shannon took the
withered old hand and kissed it.

The
Grand Dame handed her a green velvet travel bag, unsuccessfully hiding the
moisture in her ancient eyes. "Accept this gift as a token of my love and
prayers. I have placed all your items in it, including a pouch of medicines.
Have a blessed life, my child. Send a raven when you arrive."

Shannon
hugged the old woman warmly, and started away. The Grand Dame snatched her by
the wrist and pulled back, putting Shannon's ear to her mouth. "One final
word, child. If doubt comes to you, look for the spark."

"What?"

"You
will know when you see it. Be gone with you, my little darling."

Shannon
sat back against the soft seat of the carriage and watched as the driver closed
the door. Her heart ached as she recalled the pain in the old woman's eyes. The
love she and the Grand Dame shared was special, but not in the same manner as
that she had had with her mother or King Malkai. No one could give, and nothing
could replace, that type of love.

There
was no turning back. Her journey to this new land had begun and she could not
deny the warm trickle of excitement that quivered through her bones. She
glanced at the wrapped portrait of her mother and spoke to her spirit. "It
seems that King Malkai got his wish, Mama. We are both on our way to Moldavia.
What grand adventures we will share. But first, these horrid garments are
coming off. I cannot breathe in such contraptions!"

***

"'Tis
bad luck to have a woman aboard a vessel," the one-legged captain
grumbled, within Shannon's hearing. "To take on this beast of a carriage,
horses, and the king's men is bad enough, but a woman?"

"A
woman dressed in white with hair the color of fire, no less," the first
mate shuddered. "It is said that she be of banshee blood and the daughter
of the king's witch."

"King
Malkai was a good man," the captain snapped. "He was a holy and
righteous man. He would not be taken with a witch, nor would his son."

"Pardon
me." Shannon lifted her chin and stood regally before the two. "It is
rude to discuss a lady within her earshot. If you have something to say to, or
about me, you may cease being cowards and do so to my face."

The
first mate blushed and shimmied away, leaving Shannon to stare directly into
the single eye of Captain Barton. "I'm waiting," she said, hands on
her hips.

"And
you will keep waiting, my lady," the gnarled, bearded man said
sarcastically with a deep bow.

Shannon
pushed down her anger. "I have plenty of patience," she said.
"What direction are we heading?"

"The
king has ordered us to take the northern route and deliver you to his
representative in Denmark. From there you will travel by carriage."

Shannon
looked alarmed. "Is that safe? The feuds and political unrest are said to
be great."

"King
Malkai had many strong allies that have outlasted the petty feuds. What allies
he did not acquire, King Domitri has. It is said that he has a gift of
persuasion, and few exist who can deny him his desires. He will not accept the
word 'no' from anyone when he wants something."

"He
sounds like a spoiled, arrogant child," Shannon huffed.

"He
is your king and your lord, woman. Speak not against him."

Shannon
narrowed her eyes. "I will speak in any way I desire. If he is threatened
by my words, then he can be man enough to say so."

"The
very first thing he should do is thrash your bottom and teach you
submission."

"I
will remind you, Captain," Shannon stared directly at him from a stately
height of five feet six inches, "that while he is your king, I will also
be your queen. Take care of your behavior around me."

The
man laughed in her face. "I have tried for fifty years to get myself
executed so that I might die in honor. The threats of a girl child do not make
me tremble. Now you must leave to perform woman's work, while I get my ship
underway."

Shannon
fumed as the man limped away from her. She gripped her braid in both hands,
summoning the image of the flame and the birch before she acted upon the desire
to set his peg-leg ablaze. She turned and collided with a tall, broad-chested
man dressed in black breeches and a billowing, ivory colored shirt. Stepping
back, Shannon took in the sight of the dark layer of chest hair, a slender
waist, long shapely calves and bare feet.

"I
beg your pardon," she said snippily

Dark
eyes stared back at her boldly.

"I
said, beg pardon. Do you not understand me?"

"I
understand you perfectly well, madam." His voice was deep and thickly
accented. "As did our good captain. Do you make a habit of putting on airs
before those you do not know?"

"What
I do, Sir," she said, as she contemptuously eyed him from head to foot,
"is not of your concern."

"I
will make anything I desire my concern."

"Not
when it involves me. You may step aside," Shannon said, her heart pounding
as she boldly stared back into the menacing eyes of the man.

He
nodded and stepped to the left, making an exaggerated bow to mock her. "My
lady. Please forgive the ignorant ramblings of a peasant. I am not worthy to be
in your glorious presence."

"No,
you are not," Shannon snapped. She lifted her chin, and her skirts, and
began to stomp away. She turned as he laughed at her. "What do you find so
amusing?"

"A
well-bred lady never lifts the hems of her skirts. Nor does she clomp around
like a horse with a flea in his ear. For one who is to be queen, you lack any
courtly manners."

"And
how exactly would you know what a well-bred lady does?"

"Because
I keep my eyes open and my mouth shut. You would benefit from practicing the
same. Your future husband dislikes ignorance, arrogance and falsehood. He might
be taken with your beauty, but he will be soured by your disposition."