Disclaimer: This is a work in progress as part of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). You are reading the work product of a first draft writing session and not a finished product. Comments are welcome, but bear the first draft nature of the work in mind. Thank you and enjoy!
Chapter 4
Cori stayed up much of the night formulating her plan to run off and join the Legion. She knew the law and knew that if she took the oath of enlistment, at sixteen she could not be forced to renounce that oath. She did not think her father would overrule that part of the law and tradition. The Legion of Solon had long been a place of redemption on the northern frontiers of the Kingdom of Rhodes. It had long been held that anyone who completed their enlistment in good standing would be pardoned for any but the most serious of crimes. The Legion was a haven for those who wished to prove themselves in the harsh northern forests and mountains where the Krator tribes of barbarians threatened the settlers who pushed out into the frontier to scratch out a living. If she could make it to an enlistment point during the coming weeks and take the oath, she must be allowed to complete her service and then she would show all of them what she was made of.
The challenge for her was to get out from under the watchful eyes of her parents and the guardsmen of the castle. She would never be allowed just to leave the castle and run away. Too many people in the surrounding town of Westgate and the farm holds nearby knew her on sight and would report it as unusual to see her traveling unattended. She thought about her options because many of the soldiers and rangers of the north might recognize her as well because of her travels with Lord Radnor, her father, on his many excursions around the province to inspect the land and meet the people of his demesne. That would be something she would have to consider later, but first she must escape the constricting confines of Castle Westgate. She must get them to let her travel to somewhere safe that would allow her to leave unwatched once she was there. Cori thought she had the perfect solution after a bit of thought and put that part of the plan into action with her breakfast with the family the next morning.
———
“Mother, Father,” Cori said over the breakfast table around which sat the assembled members of the Westgate family. “I wished to apologize for my outburst last night. I was petulant and selfish, and I should have kept the best interests of the family and the Kingdom in mind.” She hoped she wasn’t overdoing it, but she had to get this just right for them to let her go on with the rest of her plan. Cori continued as her parents smiled and looked up at her from their plates. “I still feel the need to do something in the coming war. I don’t feel that it is right that my brothers serve openly where all can see them, and I am kept here safe and protected from the ravages that will face others.”
Lady Elena started to object, but Lord Radner cut her off. “Let Cori finish what she has to say, Elena. She has apologized for last night’s words. Let us listen to what our nearly grown daughter wants to tell us.”
“Thank you, Father,” Cori said. “As I said, I don’t wish to be seen as staying here protected from the war’s effects. I think that the people deserve to see all of us serving the Kingdom in some way during the coming conflict. I think that is very important to maintaining peace and stability here at home.”
“I agree, Cori,” her father said. “Service from the Nobility to the land and the people is something that sets us apart from the rulers of places like the Empire. What did you have in mind?”
“Well, Father, Mother, with your blessing, I would like to travel to learn the healing arts from the Sisters of the Lake. That way I may care for our wounded when they return from the conflict abroad and help them as they come back to their families.” This was an important part of the plan because the Sisters of the Lake were renowned for their healing arts and magic, second only to the monks of Llorenc like her brother, Jonathan. They were also situated on a lake in the northern half of the province that would take her closer to her ultimate goal of getting to an enlistment party traveling the outer villages and towns where she might not be instantly recognized. Cori looked from her father to her mother and then around to her brothers Logan and Jonathan, also seated at the table. They all stared back at her for a moment.
“Corinne, dear, I am so glad you see that we don’t want you to go off to war,” her mother said with tears in her eyes. “It was never our intention to hold you back from your potential, only to see you kept safe. This is just the type of thing I hoped you would embrace. While it is not what I envisioned when I saw you and I working together her on the home front in Westgate, I believe it is exactly what our family needs to be seen doing and sets a fine example for other daughters of noble and high birth.”
Her father spoke up as well. “I’m proud of you, daughter. You have embraced the things we have taught you about service and selflessness to the people we lead. This is not what we thought you would say, but it also shows you have considered things to determine your own path in the world and that is important.”
“The Sisters of the Lake are excellent healers, Cori,” Jonathan added. “You will learn much from them. We will have to compare notes once your training with them is completed. There are things they do that we at the monastery don’t fully understand, but their results speak for themselves.”
“When did you think of leaving to undertake this calling, Corinne?” Lady Elena asked.
“Logan and Jonathan head out on their journeys tomorrow,” Cori replied. “I thought I could join them on their way north. It is only a short diversion to the Sisters’ chapter house. I know it is very soon, but I wish to begin this journey and start my learning as quickly as possible.”
“I see,” Lady Elena responded. “Well, we have much to do to prepare you for your trip. I hope you will let me help you pack and prepare?”
“So it is ‘yes?’” Cori said, hope shining in her eyes.
“Yes,” her father, Lord Radnor said. He smiled at her as he continued. “You make us very proud of your wish to serve in this way. I will think of you helping the wounded and broken soldiers I send back here to heal from the battlefield. It will bring me warmth and happiness to know you are both safe and taking care of our people at home.”
Cori’s heart swelled with joy and hope that her plans were starting off so successfully, and yet there was a sadness lurking in the background that she was forced to deceive her father and mother in such a way. It bothered her a little to lie to them, but she knew they would see how right she was when the time came that her ultimate plans were revealed, and they couldn’t make her turn back. She must be allowed to join her brothers in their march to war. It was her right and duty to do so, just as it was with them.
———
The rest of the day was spent packing her things and gathering the additional necessary items her mother thought should be sent along as donations to the Sisters from the manor to help them in the coming war. Since Cori was representing the family there, it was important that the Lord and Lady of the province support them in an open way and prepare them for the return of the wounded for whom they would care. The biggest challenge for Cori was finding a way to pack her hunting leathers, cloak, and weapons in the travel trunk without her mother noticing. The opportunity presented itself when a servant from the kitchen found them in Cori’s chambers and needed assistance with some matter of accounting for purchase of food stuffs for the pantry. While her mother left to attend to that, Cori wrapped her weapons belt with her long knife and tomahawk in her forest riding cloak and placed it in the bottom of the chest under some dresses already packed. Her hunting leathers went in there as well. Then she resumed packing while she tried to think of a way she could take her recurve bow and arrows as well. They would not fit in the trunk, and her mother would notice if she tried to hide them somewhere. She decided to add them to the pile of things she would leave out openly to travel. If asked, she would say that she wished to continue to practice with the bow while at the chapter house. She hoped that request would not give away her ultimate intention. She didn’t know of another way to bring the bow along, and she needed the bow for the second half of her journey when she ultimately slipped away from the convent’s chapter house.
Cori’s mother returned from handling the kitchen situation as Cori had almost finished packing the trunk. She noticed Lady Elena notice the bow and quiver set out on the bed next to her riding dress and the outfit planned for the beginning of the trip the next day. “Mother, I thought that I could have them with me on the trip.”
Lady Elena smiled at her daughter. “Corinne, dear, I know how important it is for you to practice with the bow. Perhaps you and your brothers can have one last hunt on the trip to the chapter house.” She held her hands out for an embrace, and Cori rushed in to return the hug in relief that she had overcome another hurdle in her plans. It was all going so well, she was nearly ecstatic and wanted to dance around the room in joy. She had to maintain a level of decorum at the seriousness of her false undertaking for her mother’s sake. They held the embrace for a moment longer as her mother stroked her long brown locks of hair. That too would be part of the change to come, a further rebellion against her mother’s control over her.
With the packing finished and the plans for her to accompany her brothers on their journey north from the provincial seat in Westgate completed, the family had one last dinner together. They talked over their supper about the wish that their missing brothers, Rad, and Hartwell could be there, too. Being in the direct service of the King in the capital, both of them had their own duties to attend to. Letters had arrived from both of them talking about the preparations for war in the city of Rhodes and the surrounding countryside. They had a few weeks advanced notice, being among the first to find out of the invasion of Verona to the east. They also reminisced about times in the past when they were all present, and the children were younger. It was a time of melancholy sweetness for them all. Each knew that it might be the last such dinner for some of them. Lady Elena kept them focusing on happier times, though, and the dinner wrapped up with a rare dessert of iced cream, berries, and fresh chocolate cake. While ice was never in short supply here in the north, chocolate came from the lands of the Empire. It would be one of the last times they had the opportunity to enjoy the delicacy for some time to come. The time came to retire for the night, and they all went off to their chambers. They each would say their goodbyes in the morning as the party prepared to leave on the journey. Cori went to her bed filled with anticipation and excitement as her plans continued to bear fruit.
———
The following morning, after saying goodbye to their parents and the other well-wishers who came to see them off, Cori, Logan, Jonathan and a small group of the Westgate Guard left to begin the journey north. They would angle a bit to the east first to drop Cori off at the Chapter House of the Sisters of the Lake, and then Logan and Jonathan would head north to begin assembling the Legion platoons from the individual towns on the frontier. The journey to the Sisters’ Chapter House would take a day and a half, during which time, Cori sorely wished she could be more comfortable, but it was all part of the plan. She was traveling in a noblewoman’s riding dress with divided skirts for riding on horseback. She wore an appropriate headdress that made her hairline itch but would keep up appearances of a young noblewoman traveling. Her mother was pleased with her choice of travel gear and commented several times on how grown up she looked. Cori had to show up at the convent holding all appearances of being a woman of high birth intent on training. They must see the outfit and not the girl underneath. It was essential to her plan to slip away unseen by the members of the cloister there. So she put up with the uncomfortable attire and gave thanks that her mother had not been suspicious of her failing to argue about the clothes she set out for her daughter to wear.
The early part of the trip as they left the confines of the valley near the coast where the town and castle of Westgate lay was uneventful, and her brothers kept up the casual banter she expected from them when they traveled. As they stopped for a luncheon on the side of the road through the eastern forest, Logan looked up from his bread and cheese to stare at his sister. He had a puzzled look on his face. She noticed the attention and finally stopped her eating to ask him why he was looking at her.
“I’m just puzzled, little sister, that’s all.” He continued as he took a bite of cheese. “I’ve never seen you give in to Mother so quickly about anything. You two never see eye to eye on things and when you stormed off after dinner, we all expected you to try and run off and join the army on your own. Father set an extra guard that night and gave them an extra silver crown each to watch carefully for you, in particular, trying to get out of the castle.”
“You’ve been away for months, Logan,” She answered. “I’ve grown up in that time and now is not the time to be a frivolous girl. The Kingdom is at war, and I must do my part, as each of you do. You did not decide on where you were assigned to serve and neither should I. I will learn to heal and be ready to serve as the opportunity presents itself.”
“I’ve been home and close by the whole time, Cori,” Jonathan chimed in. “Your ‘growing-up’ happened awfully quickly from what I could see.” He chuckled. “I’m not complaining, mind you. No one likes it when you and Mother fight. We all steer clear of that storm when we can.”
“I just decided to do what you all wanted, and that’s all,” she said. She didn’t like the attention, and she was afraid she would lose her temper or say something that would give away her plan. “I thought you’d be happy for me that I wanted to contribute and do something so close to what you chose as your calling.”
“Oh, I’m pleased, and the Sisters will teach you so much,” Jonathan replied. “I’m just joining Logan in voicing my surprise.”
They became quiet again for a time while they finished eating, and then the group continued their journey. They stopped at a roadside inn near later afternoon and took rooms while the rest of the troop of guards stayed in the stables. Early the next day, after a nice breakfast supplied by the innkeeper, overjoyed at the prospect of hosting members of the noble family. The three Westgates gave their thanks for the kind hospitality and then continued their journey. They arrived at the Sisters of the Lake Chapter House just after noon. It sat situated above a small village with a mill, a smithy, and a small tavern. There were several farms that could be seen dotting the hillsides around the community. The Abbess came down to greet them personally on their arrival. She had received word the day before of Cori’s intention of studying there and assured them that everything was ready for their guest to join their cloister and learn their ways.
“Corinne, dear,” the Abbess said. “Your mother’s message arrived yesterday, and we are so pleased that you seek to become a healer in this time of war. We will endeavor to make your studies with us as fruitful as possible so that you may continue your service to the Kingdom in years to come.”
Cori curtsied and offered her greeting and thanks. “I’m glad of the hospitality you offer, Abbess. I look forward to learning all you and your fellow Sisters of the Lake have to teach me.”
The Abbess offered the hospitality of the Chapter House to her brothers and the accompanying guardsmen, but Logan begged off politely. “I thank you for the offer, Madame, but I have been long enough from my duties to the north and must try and make up ground now that my sister is in your care. Perhaps my brother and I can take you up on that offer again in the future.”
“Certainly,” the Abbess replied. “I understand. The Chapter House is at your service whenever you return from your journeying. We will add you, your brother and your men to our evening prayers tonight so that you may be kept safe in the coming conflict. It will be our continuing wish that you do not need our services in the future.”
“We’ll have my brother and some of his brothers of Llorenc along to tend to us but is heartens both my men and me that you and the Sisters are here at home waiting to tend to us should we need it on our return.” Logan bowed and returned to his mount, climbing into the saddle as his brother and the rest of the group did the same. He looked at Cori. “Stay safe, little sister. I will make sure that we send word to you and Mother as often as we can so that you may know that we are well.” He waved to the men and the small column of soldiers turned and headed up the northern road, away from the small farming community and the Chapter House of the Sisters of the Lake. Cori watched them go until a touch on her arm caused to turn and look at the Abbess.
“They will be safe, young Corinne,” she said to Cori. The older woman took Cori by the hand and led her through the Chapter’s gate into the courtyard. “Let’s see to getting you settled into your rooms here. Your mother sent a nice donation of supplies according to the list your brother gave me. After you’re settled, you may help us unpack those and put them away. It will be a good way to learn a little more about what we do here and will also serve to keep your mind off of worrying about your brothers.” She smiled at Cori and took her inside, joined by the other Sisters who had come outside to greet the visitors.
Cori was nervous as the porter started to unload her chest from the pack horse, along with her other bundles. Now she was on her own. She had never been without a family member close by in her entire life. There were no guardsmen, no brothers, no parents. Her plan had worked, and she was apprehensive about taking the next steps in her plan. It would take a day or two to get the lay of the land and to understand the routine here at the Chapter House. She could not hope to slip away unseen until she had that routine in her mind. Cori settled into playing the part of the dutiful nobleman’s daughter on a quest for learning. Her real quest would have to wait just a few more days.
—-
Disclaimer: This is a work in progress as part of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). You are reading the work product of a first draft writing session and not a finished product. Comments are welcome, but bear the first draft nature of the work in mind. Thank you and enjoy!