Sins of the Fathers: Chapter 2

The train was traveling through Quazypoor at the usual time with the usual criminals, drunks and dealers riding, but it was different somehow. There were four new passengers beside the usual rough crew of ex-convicts, murderers, and warlocks. The weirdest thing was that three of them were children, twin girls, who looked about four, with blond, curly hair and scared blue eyes, and boy who looked younger with black hair and big brown eyes. The last was a cloaked figures no one saw his face; it was covered in shadow.

It was only a matter of time; someone would make a move on the children. Sure enough a drunken man with clothes that spoke of disrepair and misuse walked toward them, but as his hand shot out toward one of the girls. He found a dagger at his throat and another one tickling his back.

“They’re with me,” a husky voice came out of the cloak.

The man laughed nervously, “I was only Joking.”

“Good,” said the cloaked figure pushing the drunk away from him.

About a half hour later another man walked toward the children. This man wasn’t in the drunken stupor even if he looked just as disheveled. His name was Gus and he had some respect as a fighter among the others. The cloaked figure stood up, placing himself between Gus and the three children. Gus pulled a knife and tried to stab it in the chest of the cloaked figure, but the knife stabbed air. Gus found a dagger aimed at his throat, but he was quick. Gus ducked and tried to ram the cloaked figure. He whirled and slashed blindly at the charging man. Gus stopped running at the pain in his shoulder and clammed a hand on to stop the blood. That gave the cloaked figure the second he needed and a dagger was at Gus’s throat. Gus dropped his knife but as the dagger lowered Gus ripped the hood off. Long dark ringlets of hair fell to frame a beautiful face and large brown eyes. Every head on the train turned and soon men, taunting, laughing, had surrounded her.

Nathan had watched the whole thing, silently rooting for the cloaked figure. He was the king of the train. He had gained respect and power by being the toughest, fastest, and strongest and because he didn’t show weakness by leaving those who challenged him alive. But there were few who challenged him now; people were scared. There were many dark rumors about his past. Some said wolves raised him and others said he had come from the lands across the sea. Nathan laughed at these stories. The only people who knew his true past were long dead. Some thought it odd that he never took up with harlots, of which there were a multitude in Quazypoor, but none dared ask him why.

He watched as the men crowded around the girl. He knew too well what was next, rape and murder for the girl, worse for the children. This girl made him remember his own daughter, Kendra. But she was long dead. She had tried to save the akbo children. Akbo children were usually a product of an affair or abandoned by their parents who didn’t want the trouble. The children were left near a small volcano to starve or be burned up by the mini eruptions. Kendra had been able to get one girl out of the country but she had chosen the wrong child. The girl she saved was a daughter of the king but not of the Queen. She had been taken because she had been seen with the child. Kendra wouldn’t tell where the girl was so she was executed the next day.

Suddenly Nathan knew where the children in the train came from. He suddenly knew that this strangely calm girl in the middle of a horde of angry men was doing the same thing that his daughter had given her life for. He couldn’t let this happen, not again. He suddenly knew what he had to do. Nathan jumped in the circle of men.

“They’re with me.” He said with quiet command.

The men hesitated for a second, torn between their dark passion and the fear for their lives. Finally they all turned and went back to their seats.

“Thank you,” said the girl quietly.

“What’s your name?” asked Nathan.

“Kendra,” she said in a soft voice.

Kendra saw his eye fill with surprise and…was it pain?

“Those are akbo children.” He said.

It was a statement not a question. Kendra nodded.

“Never do this again!”

Kendra was surprised at the vehemence in his voice, but she said firmly. “As long as I am alive and there are children dying I will not stop.”

“You could die,”

“If I do it will be but a small sacrifice for the lives of so many children.” Said Kendra.

“How can you say that?” Asked Nathan, shocked at her disregard of her safety.

“The Maker is strong enough to protect me if he wishes.”

Nathan snorted, “The maker is a fairy-tale, don’t put your trust in nothingness. My daughter did and now she’s dead.”

“I’m sorry,” said Kendra softly. “But I have to do this. I was an akbo child. Condemned to die even though I had done nothing wrong. A girl saved me she got me over the border but when she went back she was killed.”

“ What was her name?” Nathan’s voice was horse. He wondered if it could be or if it was too crazy.

“I was name after her,” said Kendra wondering why he seemed so agitated.

Nathan sighed shakily, “I’ve wondered for eighteen years what I would do if I ever met you.”

“What do you mean?” asked Kendra very confused.

“Kendra was my daughter,” said Nathan bitterly. “At first I planned to kill you. I held you responsible for her death. Now? Now I think it would be a shame to make her death worthless.”

“I’m sorry, but she knew where she was going.” Kendra said softly.

That brought a flash of anger, “You wanna give me pointless platitudes? People hope; they never know.” There was hopelessness in Nathan’s voice. “It was your father that…”

“You know who my parents are?” though she knew her parents had abandoned her she had a hard time keeping the eagerness out of her voice.

“You don’t want to know,” said Nathan.

Kendra desperately did wanted to know but she had seen the looks of fear on the rough faces of the men on the train and did not question him further. The train rushed through the desolate scenery, towards safety for the fugitives. Slowly the other passengers on the train got off at different dilapidated station platform on their own devious business. Finally they reached the border of Lafini; they got off at the first station over the border.

            As Kendra began leading the children off the platform she looked back a Nathan’s troubled face.

            “Thank you,” She said quietly and then turned and walked down the steps.

*          *          *

            Katharine stared at the rain-splattered window she was washing; it was another gray day. But then every day was gray in Quazypoor’s dismal and imposing castle. Her trained eyes searched the room for something that needed cleaning. There was the rich carpet. She use to shudder at the design; it was a black dragon on a green black ground with a silver serpent for a crown. This was the crest of Quazypoor and was engraved on every shield, every banner, and it seemed every other place that could be found.  Not only was it was painted on the ceiling of this room and there was a tapestry that featured it on the wall and it was even woven into the bedspread.

Katharine finally saw something that needed cleaning; the green curtains with silver snakes were very dusty and probably hadn’t been cleaned in a month. She started to take down the rods. Half way through the first one she heard footsteps in the corridor and she tried to go at it faster. Not fast enough; Prince Edles walked into his private chamber. Katherine’s only thought was to get out before he could make a move on her. She yanked the curtains down and started for the door. To late, his hand closed vice like over her wrist.

“Now which one is this?” He asked as he started to pull her veil off.

She dropped the curtains and grabbed the veil and tried to keep it on. His strength won out and the veil fell to the floor.

“You’re one I’ve never seen.” He mused.

She had seen him plenty of times but then she had never come close enough for him to take her veil.

“I’ve been needing a distraction. Let’s test your stuff.”

“Please no,” she pleaded her green eyes full of fear.

Edles’s brow furrowed “Any other maid would think it an honor to entertain me.”

Katharine closed her eyes. Would he rape her?

His dark eyes searched her for a moment. “I’ve never raped a woman, but then again I’ve never been refused.”

Katharine kept her eyes down hoping that he would let go of her wrist. He didn’t; using his free hand he lifted up her chin and looked into her eyes. She noticed, almost against her will, that his face was handsome framed with dark hair.

“Why won’t you entertain me?” He asked.

“I’ll keep my honor.” She answered as firmly as she could.

He uttered a cold laugh. “Honor, I can’t think of one person in this whole castle who has even a shred of honor left.” He looked at her again. “Go! Go before I change my mind.”

She picked up the curtains and started out of the room. At the door she paused and turned.

“My Lord.”

Edles looked at her his dark eyes narrowing.

“You have a some,”

“Some what?”

“Honor,” and she was gone.

Edles moodily through himself onto the bed.

“My lord?” said a gruff voice.

Edles jumped and looked at his bodyguard. He had forgotten that Shadrik would show up eventually.

“She refused me.” Said Edles half to himself.

“My Lord?” asked Shadrak, confused.

“She was nothing more than a maid and she still refused me.”

“You can have any woman you want, my lord.”

“hmmmmm,” said Edles.

“I could tell your sister and the maid would be dead by morning.” Suggested Shadrik.

“No!” said Edles sitting up quickly, “No,” he said more quietly as he lay back down.

“I could call for another maid.” Suggested Shadrik helpfully.

“No,” said Edles quietly. “Leave me. I want to sleep”

Shadrik did leave, but Edles did not sleep. He spent a long time staring at the black dragon on the ceiling.

*          *          *

By the time Katharine got to the washroom she was sobbing. She kept crying as she scrubbed the curtains. Soon she heard footsteps at the door and spun around. It was Cera.

“Child what’s da matda?” she asked. Suddenly understanding filled her face. “Oh Child were ya?”

She left the sentence unfinished, but thy both knew what she meant. “No, but it was close, so close.”

Cera look very relived and she let Katharine cry for a few minutes before speaking. “Ya know wha I di.” She said simply.

Katharine’s eyes flicked up to Cera face; the left half was badly scared. The Iron that she had held to her face had done its work well.

“We live in a den o lions; a woman mus choose betwin her beauty an her honor.”

“I wish I had your courage.” Said Katharine twisting a lock of long light brown hair.

“Ya will find yar courage.”

*          *          *

Cassie looked wildly around as the doorknob turned; at the last moment she dived under the bed. The space was very dusty but otherwise empty. Cassie heard footsteps coming in and saw four sets of feet come through the door.

“You weren’t in there for very long. How did it go?” Came Lady Gonda’s shrill voice.

“As well as can be expected. The queen, of, course poses a significant threat to our plans but I am confident that she can be over come.” The duke was speaking, contempt in his voice.

“I want something made clear,” Sir Rogus’ blustering voice said. “Who exactly is paying us for this? You told me we would be well paid but by who.”

“By the queen of Quazypoor.” It was Sir Belgun.

The effect of the words was immediate. Lady Gonda gasped and dropped her glass, Duke Gonda’s feet that had been resting on a stool crashed to the floor, and Lord Rogus spit out his wine.

“How could you have contact with her?” Asked Gonda in a small voice.

“I never had contact with the current queen but with her mother.” Said Sir Belgun with cold disregard for the nerve his words had struck. “She spoke with me on several occasions, but the last time was different. She said that a time was coming, coming very soon that the crown of all three nations would be up for grabs and that the only country with an obvious heir was Lafni. She told me that she would leave instructions to her daughter, who would claim the queenship and if Cassandra married Fredrick then I would be well rewarded.”

“She knew?” said Lady Gonda, shocked.

“Has it occurred to you that she only wanted Fredrick king so it would be easier for her daughter to conquer Goianda. Is it not possible that she has left no such instructions to her daughter or that Sapphira will not honor them.” Asked the duke astutely, at least for him it was astute.

“Of course I have, but with Fredrick on the throne and the lady Cassandra tied up controlling his more vile behaviors, the channel will be open for us to assume control.” Said Belgun coldly.

Cassie wanted to cry. She realized that her father had sheltered her from the malicious intents of his nobles. Her father had always been in complete control but with him gone there was an open line of fire and she was the bull’s eye. Cassie realized that if she wanted to keep her freedom she had to get out of this castle. There were only three people in the castle she was sure she could trust. When she left her mother needed to be able to truthfully say that she did not know where Cassie was, and her old nurse was almost deaf and couldn’t walk farther than a few meters. The only person to go to was Zeth.

The first thing to do was to get out of this room. Cassie looked desperately around. Suddenly she almost laughed out loud; this was the room her old tutor had lived in for the short time he had taught her. He had been incredibly superstitious, not to mention boring. She had convinced that the palace was haunted and at night crawled into the secret passage under his bed to make bumping noises. Cassie’s fingers felt the woodwork for the latch. There! She unlocked it as quietly as she could and slowly lifted the trap door.

“Dear, do you hear anything?” asked Lady Gonda.

“Mice probably.” Said the Duke, sounding discussed.

Cassie inched into the tunnel. She slowly closed the door and crawled, leaving the talk of mice far behind.

*          *          *

Sam’s headache was back. After more than a few hours of debates, speeches, and a lot of fists banging on the table Sam had realized that many of his nobles very little about war. His most valuable lords were the ones who care enough about their individual regions to actually do the hands on ruling, and that meant that they did not live in his castle. The meeting had finally ended.

“What do you want written?”

“What?” Sam turned irritable toward the servant at his elbow.

“On your father’s tomb, what do you want written?”

“Like what?”

“Beloved husband and father?” suggested the servant rather timidly.

“Write: He was a great King.”

“What about…”

Sam cut him off, “Just do it!”

“Yes sir.” The servant walked away quickly.

Sam needed to talk to his father’s general; Henry had fought for Sam’s grandfather and Sam wanted his advice. After some searching Sam saw him heading out of the room. Sam quickly followed him and had soon caught him up.

“Henry, I wanted to talk to you.” Said Sam as soon as they were astride.

“Oh, Sam, I’m sorry but I need to see if Kendra is back.” Said Henry glancing worriedly at Sam.

“Back? Don’t tell me she went to Quazypoor again.” Said Sam.

Henry nodded. “She was going to get back before the funeral.”

The pain in Sam’s head seemed to double.

“Walk with me. Well we have a bout a hundred men garrisoned here and we could have twice that number in three days.” Henry said distractedly.

“Too few,” Sam said half to himself.

“We could have another hundred in two weeks, but we don’t have that long.” Henry replied.

“She has twice those numbers.”

“Yes but we have these walls. We must hold her back and out last her.”

They finally reached Henry’s Apartments. As they walked in Henry sigh deeply.

“What?” Asked Sam confused.

Henry pointed at a dark cloak hanging on the silver stand. Sam understood; it was Kendra’s cloak. She was home. They walked into the sitting room. There was Kendra, talking animatedly with her shocked looking adoptive mother. As soon as she saw them she jumped up and hugged her Father.

“She took the train.” Said Henry’s wife in a weak voice.

Henry and Sam gave discussed sighs and Sam rested his aching head in his hand.

“The coach from Goianda didn’t come. So what else could I do?” Said Kendra defensively.

“Walk!” Said Sam.

“Wait for the coach, even if it takes weeks!” Said Henry.

“I’ll be sure to do that tomorrow.” Said Kendra, smiling.

“Tomorrow?” Asked Henry and Sam together.

“I’m going back.” Kendra replied.

Sam looked like he wanted to say something but he simple shook he head and mumbled something about it being late as he began to walk out. Kendra followed him to the hall.

“Sam?”

Sam turned around “I have so much to worry about, why do you have to add to it?”

“Sam, ple…”

“If war breaks out while you ‘re there what then? Have you though about that? I can do nothing if you are caught after the diplomats are pulled out. What do y…”

“Sam, I go there and I see little people being killed. They’re bodies might be a little smaller than ours, their brains a little less developed, but does that make them any less human? They’re people, Sam. They’re people and they’re dying every day.”

“Kendra.” Sam looked hard at her.

“Sam, remember what happened when your great grand father was king? Remember how the king of Quazypoor was killing all the people that came from Atual? Remember how your great grandfather stopped it, and how the people cheered “never again”? But it always happens again. It’s happening now, under a different veil, under a different name, but it’s happening. Well,” Kendra sighed. “You need sleep, it’s been a long day.”  She half turned. “Oh, and Sam, I’m sorry I wasn’t there this morning.”

Sam slowly rubbed his neck as he walked towards his room. Kendra was leaving the next day and he, king of an entire country, could do nothing to keep her safe. But that was Kendra, hard headed, Idealistic, always going on about some injustice, and beautiful, so beautiful. He wanted to put his fist through a wall. Finally he reached the room he had used for his entire life. This would be his last night there. Noises came from inside his room. Idly he wondered if a maid was cleaning. He opened the door; there was Ana. On the bed were three children, probably children of servants. Ana was always playing with their babies.

“Ana, Kendra went to Qazypoor.” Said Sam.

Ana just nodded.

“You knew? Why didn’t you tell me?” his eyes swept the blonde twins and dark haired boy. The realization of who they were stuck him forcefully.

“I didn’t want you to worry.”

Sam rolled his eyes.

“Hey!” Said Sam. The little boy had started banging two model boats together. “Those are expensive!”

Ana smiled. “You broke enough when you were his age, and father had them all fixed.”

There was a slight catch in her face when she said father and in a second she was in tears as memories flooded back. In a few strides Sam was there, holding her, giving her strength.

“Anny, wha’s wong?” Said a little blonde girl, her eyes wide.

“I have to go.” Said Ana looking at Sam. She picked up the little girl and beckoning to the others.

When she was gone Sam blew out the candles. He lay down, one last time, on his bed, and gave in to the tears that he had held back that whole horrible day.

The next day Kendra was really gone. Sam’s day was filled with more war meetings and was only marked by the moving of his things to his parent’s old room and the departure of the Quazypoor diplomats. Sam hated to do it with Kendra still gone but concern for their safety led him to bring back his own diplomats from Quazypoor.

That morning Ana woke up and wondered how she would be strong enough to care for the children. But as she helped the kids who had lost their parents too, she found she could smile and even laugh again. And though they could not take her pain away, when she was with them it seemed less, and slowly, slowly she began to heal.