Born of Blood (The Valdir Chronicles Book 3) Page 8

  Kalina bid her guests’ goodnight after another excruciating hour sitting around sipping cups of black tea and politely discussing politics. Each of them was careful not to step on anyone’s toes but it was clear that Wostrad was only looking to absorb Ethea, not help make it stronger. As queen, she would oblige the delegation to stay in the castle until their parting date later that week but she knew the answer she would be sending to their king was a resounding ‘no.’

  Chapter 14

  The Ablen delegation didn’t arrive as planned. Their ship had been delayed due to a storm that cropped up on the Cressport Straits and they had to wait an extra two days to sail. This left Kalina with an unexpected day to herself. She decided to spend her morning in the practice yard training with the Queen’s Guard.

  A young and eager Valdir named Asa had come to join her, along with Hilde. Another, older Valdir named Gyda had also joined them. The four silver-haired ladies paired off, Kalina with Hilde, and Asa with Gyda, each with their weapon of choice in their hands. Kalina withdrew her two twin axes, twirling them in her palms to settle them in her grip. It had been weeks since she’d practiced with them since Leif had been avoiding her and she’d had no one else to spar with.

  As she and Hilde exchanged slow and deliberate blows, axes ringing against sword, Kalina’s mind was able to wander and think about the Wostrad delegation and Leif. Thoughts flitted through her mind. Would Wostrad still be interested in trade and perhaps even an alliance if she formally turned down their king’s proposal? Would Leif speak to her again if she did? She desperately missed her friend, her confidant. But she also missed his comfort and care. A part of her felt betrayed by him, but a larger part of her understood his putting distance between them. If she was going to marry someone else, he had to move on. He couldn’t keep waiting for her, and she shouldn’t be trying to kindle a romance when the probability of her marrying for political reasons grew ever more likely.

  Hilde’s sword slicing her wrist brought her crashing back to reality as blood dripped onto the hard-packed dirt of the arena.

  “Your Majesty! I am so sorry!”

  Hilde’s normally stolid face had blanched white and there was genuine fear in her eyes. Kalina hissed in a breath at the pain that lanced up her arm. She slid her axes into their sheaths and then cradled her bloody arm.

  “It’s fine, Hilde. I wasn’t paying attention. It was an accident.” She gestured towards the open barracks. “Do you have wound care supplies in there?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  Hilde put her sword away, the urgency of the moment finally making her move. She led Kalina into the quiet darkness of the barracks, where Kalina paused in the doorway, surveying the space. It was build in a longhouse style, with no walls or rooms, only beds on either side stretching from door to door. It looked like the dormitory she and Delisa had grown up in at Hywell Abbey. She smiled softly before following Hilde, who now sat on a nearby bed, pulling ointment and clean bandages from a small chest.

  Kalina sat down opposite her, strangely aware that this was someone’s bed, that these blankets belonged to someone who was willing to lay down their life for hers. It was a surreal feeling, and for a moment, she felt as though the roles should be reversed. She felt like a nobody, just a simple orphan girl. It should be her in these barracks fighting for a more deserving queen, not the other way around.

  Hilde reached out and began to clean and then wrap Kalina’s arm. Kalina watched the woman’s face and realized there was a faint, almost silver scar that started on Hilde’s forehead and stretched into her hair. The woman’s battle braids were so intricate that they followed the scar, making it almost invisible.

  “Are you happy here, Hilde?” Kalina asked. She knew Hilde was married to Skaldrik, who made weapons for the Valdir, and she wondered where the scar had come from and if the woman was living in these barracks to get away from something unpleasant at home.

  “Yes, your Majesty.”

  “Please, call me Kalina. Most of the Valdir do.”

  Hilde looked up at her, searching Kalina’s face for any deception. Kalina wondered what hell this woman had walked through.

  “Yes, Kalina. I am happy here.”

  “I noticed you have a scar,” Kalina pointed out gently, not wanting to force the subject.

  Hilde’s hand flew up to brush the silvering puckered skin. Kalina gave her a soft smile and touched her own scar on her cheek in empathy. She knew what it was like to have a scar on your face, to wonder if you were beautiful if anyone would or could ever love you looking like that. Hilde gave her a faint smile back.

  “It was years ago,” Hilde began, focusing back on Kalina’s wrist and wrapping it in the gauze. “I was just a girl, no older than you. I fancied myself in love with a man. We got married rather quickly, and soon, I realized he was not a man, but a monster. But by that point, I was trapped.” She looked up into Kalina’s understanding eyes. “Things got worse and worse until one night he threw me against a wall, splitting my head open. I don’t remember much, but I am told Skaldrik was passing by and heard me scream. When I woke, Eira told me that Skaldrik had killed my husband.”

  She finished bandaging Kalina’s wrist and patted her hand, smiling.

  “It took a few years, but Skaldrik won me over. He is a good man and has always given me my freedom. When I told him I wanted to join your guard, he wholeheartedly agreed. I spend two days a week with him, and the rest of the nights I sleep here.” She put a hand on her small cot.

  “I’m so sorry for what you went through, Hilde. But I am grateful you are here. I couldn’t ask for someone better by my side.” Impulsively, she reached out and grabbed the woman’s hand, squeezing. “Now, let’s go outside. Asa and Gyda will be worried about us and think we’ve fallen asleep!”

  The Ablen delegation arrived with little fanfare. Kalina was summoned from a nap in the library, where she was curled up with Moose the cat, to meet them in the throne room. She hastily donned a light pink dress, her least favorite, and entered the chamber. Leif was standing by her throne as usual, and as she ascended the steps she tried to catch his eye. He briefly made eye contact, nodded with a tight smile, and then turned back to face the newcomers. Kalina let out a sigh before she turned and sat on her throne.

  The three courtiers before her could not have been more different than the Wostradians. They were all fair-haired and light-eyed, with pale skin. Despite this difference, they looked the most like her native Etheans. She watched them expectantly until a tall willowy female stepped forward and gave a deep curtsey, her fellows behind her following suit.

  “Your Majesty Queen Kalina Stanchon. My name is Lady Dafina. This is Lady Ina and Lord Pierce. We come with greetings on behalf of our King and Queen. They wish to welcome you to your throne, and offer you these gifts as a gesture of goodwill.” She gestured to her side where a small display had been set up. She walked over and began explaining. Kalina stood and walked down the stairs to the throne room floor so she could get a better look. Kari and Leif followed close behind.

  “This is salt that we have extracted from seawater.” She took a handful of black salt and poured it back into a small pouch. “This is barley from our many farms. These are our most common spices, and I hope your cooks will find a use for them in your kitchens. We have brought with us our own cook who is willing to teach yours a few Ablen dishes for you to try.” Kalina nodded gratefully. “And these are samples of the textiles our country produces.” They came in a rainbow of colors, many of them intertwining to create intricate patterns on the cloth. Kalina fingered the soft wool. It would be perfect for colder winters. She wondered if Calla could make her a cloak from the material.

  “These are all lovely and precious gifts. Thank you.” Kalina turned and returned to her throne. “Now, I would very much like to hear your King and Queen’s proposal.”

  “Our King and Queen send their regards, and their condolences on your recent losses, your Majesty. However, they do not wish
to extend a marriage proposal at this time for either of their sons. Instead, they wish to establish trade rights, which have been so cut off in recent years.” King Terric hadn’t been keen on trading with any but his father’s kingdom, and it had resulted in widespread famine and poverty all over Ethea. Kalina was determined to rectify that.

  “Their proposal is one I can happily accept. Ethea would be honored to re-establish trading rights with Ablen.”

  Lady Dafina smiled serenely at her.

  “Then perhaps we could discuss this further over dinner.”

  Kalina graciously agreed and bade them go and relax. She would see them soon enough. The Alben delegation filed out, their servants following. She sat on her throne as the room emptied. Finally, as Leif turned to leave she called after him.

  “Leif, please. Wait.”

  He paused, turning back to her. Hope fluttered in her chest before she saw his stony expression. Her heart clenched painfully in her chest.

  “Why are you avoiding me?”

  Leif seemed taken aback at her forthrightness. She watched as his hands clenched and unclenched.

  “You are a Queen, your Majesty.”

  Kalina sat back. His unexpected formal address making her feel cold and alone, but she waited, hoping he had a good explanation for his strange aloofness.

  “It is foolish of me to continue to lead you along when you are going to marry for political reasons. I can’t continue to be a distraction for you if you are going to make the right choice for this country.”

  She wanted to ask him why it was so easy to walk away, why he hadn’t spoken to her about it first, why she suddenly felt like a day old biscuit he’d tossed in the rubbish bin. She tore her eyes away from his hardened grey ones. She didn’t want him to see her cry.

  “Thank you for explaining it to me, Commander.”

  She stood, and swept by him, hoping she could make it to the privacy of her rooms before she began to sob. She couldn’t understand how he could be so cruel, so distant. She felt like the last year had been just a lie. Had he not really felt feelings for her? Were all the private touches and kisses just a joke? She couldn’t even figure out when things had changed, his behavior seemed to have taken a complete turnaround overnight.

  Hot tears spilled down her cheeks, darkening the collar of her pink dress as she walked swiftly down the halls, Kari and Hilde following behind her throwing each other worried glances. Neither woman spoke and they let her slam her door in their faces when she arrived at her rooms. That’s when the tears came in earnest.

  Chapter 15

  The Ablen delegation left a week later, after the Wostradians. Kalina had spent hours in the council chambers trying to smooth things over with Lord Galtero after she declined his king’s offer of marriage. Then she had spent another few hours negotiating trade deals with Lady Dafina, Lord Pierce, and Lady Ina. Lady Ina agreed to return and become the trade ambassador for Ablen, and Kalina had promised to identify an ambassador among her own courtiers to represent their interests at the Ablen court.

  They parted ways with a temporary agreement of peace, trade, and alliance in place. Despite her half-brother’s disappearance, the threat from Askor, and Leif being so distant, Kalina was beginning to feel a bit more optimistic about the future of her kingdom as a whole.

  One spring night she was sitting on her bed, bundled in a blanket and reading a book, when Delisa came bustling in. Kalina brushed her hand over the grey tabby cat Moose’s fur and watched her friend curiously. Delisa sat on the edge of her bed and looked Kalina over.

  “You look terrible.”

  “Oh, thanks so much.” Kalina rolled her eyes.

  “You look exhausted. I want you to sleep in tomorrow. No more meetings or plans.” Delisa looked at her queen sternly. Kalina chuckled at her friend’s admonitions. “And tonight, we’re going to have a girls night.”

  Kalina raised an eyebrow and put her book down.

  “What exactly is a girls night? We never did that in the abbey.”

  “That’s because we were constantly surrounded by girls. And we were kids with no control over our schedule. But now, I’m in control of your schedule and I’m clearing it.” Delisa stood and walked to the door with purpose. “I’ll be back in a bit. You just sit and enjoy your book.” Kalina shook her head bemusedly and returned to her book and her lightly snoring kitten.

  An hour later her doors burst open and in came a literal horde of people. Kalina dropped her book and climbed out of bed, confused about what a girls night included but she was excited to find out. Delisa was followed by Calla and a bundled up baby Issa, a scowling Kari, Hilde, and even Margy. Margy carried a large basket and a few maids followed her inside with trays piled with sweets and bite-sized foods in all varieties. When Kalina stared openmouthed at the food, Margy winked at her.

  “Can’t have a girls night without something to munch!”

  Her table was cleared of maps and papers and piled instead with cakes and fruit and a variety of chilled fruit juices and a sweet wine from Wostrad that Kalina had taken a liking to since coming to Ravenhelm. Luckily, there was a small hoard of the wine deep in the castle cellars that Margy saved just for her. She joined the other ladies at the table and everyone helped themselves as the maidservants left them alone.

  “Let’s play a game!” Delisa announced. She leaned against Kari, who responded by wrapping her arm around the dark-haired beauty, a faint smile playing across both their lips. Kalina grinned into her cup of wine, finally happy that her suspicions of the two women’s’ relationship were confirmed. It made her heart happy to see her cousin and her best friend so happy together, and it seemed that their personalities perfectly complemented one another. Kari was sharp-tongued and extremely loyal, but she was also very solitary and preferred all things that had to do with fighting. Delisa was soft and feminine, and her outgoing nature helped to bring Kari out of her comfort zone. They challenged each other constantly, and from what Kalina had noticed, her cousin would do anything for Delisa.

  “I hate games,” Kari muttered. Delisa frowned at her partner.

  “I bet you’ll like this one once we start playing.”

  “What is it?” Kalina asked, curious. Beside her, Calla handed baby Issa over and Kalina began to bounce the baby on her knees.

  Delisa grinned and pulled out a set of playing cards and began handing them out. Kalina swapped Issa to one arm in order to hold her cards.

  “It’s fairly simple. The goal is to get rid of the cards in your hands. You might have to lie in order to get rid of the cards but you can’t let others know you are lying.”

  “I’m confused,” Calla said. “How do we get rid of them?”

  “So if I say I have two commanders, you can then put down two dukes, or three if you have that many, and then the next person can put down however many ladies they have, and so on. The trick is, what if it’s your turn to put down a duke and you don’t have any? Well, then you lie! You pretend you have one and hope no one catches you. But if I have three in my hand, I know you have none so then I’ll call you out by saying ‘liar!’”

  “Okay, I think I’ve got it.” Kalina shuffled through her cards. “Are we starting with dragons low or high?”

  “High. In honor of the Valdir.” Delisa grinned and Kari rolled her eyes behind her.

  “Okay, I have two soldiers.” Kalina placed her two cards face down.

  Delisa eyed her but nodded and put down one card.

  “I have one piker.”

  Kari put down two cards. “Two horsemen.”

  Hilde shuffled through her cards. She had been quiet since they’d all joined and Kalina wondered if the woman felt out of place playing cards with nobility and royalty. But she raised one eyebrow at Kari and then spoke.

  “Liar, Captain.”

  Kari sat up straighter.

  “No, I’m not!” She was quite offended.

  “Well prove it then,” Delisa said cheerfully. She reached forward to the pil
e of cards and flipped the top two over. One was a horseman, the other a piker. Kari scowled even deeper and laid back against a pillow.

  “Fine. What now?”

  “You take the whole pile and we start fresh.” Delisa handed Kari the stack of cards and then turned back to Hilde. “Now you can start back at soldier.”

  The game went on for hours, each round getting more and more ridiculous the more they drank. Kalina found herself letting go of month’s worth of anxiety and stress and began to feel lighter and freer. These women were her family, and she wouldn’t trade that feeling for the world. They stayed up until the early hours of the morning until each of them fell asleep in a pile of pillows. Kalina let Calla have the bed with Issa and she curled up on the window seat, the sound of rain pattering against the window panes. She felt comfortable for the first time in months, all her worries about her brother and Leif pushed to the back of her mind, and the wine made her head feel slightly dizzy, her body light. It was a pleasant sensation and she fell asleep without a thought in her head.

  The next day Kalina woke alone in her room. She sat up from the window seat she’d been curled on and peered outside, where the rain hammered on the window panes, the sky a dark grey. It was a gloomy day, but at least someone had cleared the mess from the night before.

  Her head pounded slightly and her mouth was dry as a bone. She disentangled herself from her blankets and went to her bathroom. The stone chamber was slightly slanted to a drain in the center, and it didn’t really help that she felt slightly unsteady on her feet already. A large tub stood in the center of the room. It wasn’t until she had become queen that she’d realized the castle had hot running water. Working in the kitchens and as a scribe, all she’d had access to was cold running water, but the royal chambers were equipped with hot water from pipes that ran through the fireplaces down in the kitchens.