A Traitor's Daughter

Chapter 3

I didn't sleep the whole night. By the time the sun was up, I was beyond exhausted, but mother was alive. Later on, a different guard came in along with sir Gillebeart. I quickly stood up as I held my breath. 

"Get your mother and siblings up. The king is awaiting you all in the throne room," sir Gillebeart coldly stated. 

"Please, sir Gillebeart. My mother is gravely ill. She needs a healer. For the sake of her and her child's health, I beseech you," I begged. 

"You can discuss that with the king, but your siblings must come at once. Your mother may stay." I held back my tears as I woke up Tomas and Floraidh. I took them both by the hand and we walked to the throne room. 

"When we approach the king remember to bow and keep hold of my hand, okay," I told them both. They nodded and took my hand. 

When we entered the chamber, I noticed the royal privy council and the king sitting at his throne. I bowed along with Tomas and Floraidh and we waited for the king to speak. 

"Bring the traitors in!" the king instructed and the chamber doors opened revealing my father and my elder brother. I dared not move, but longingly looked at my father, who was covered in bruises. The king waved his hand and a guard motioned us to the side as father and brother were brought before the king. 

"Lord Moireach, you and your eldest son have been found guilty of high treason against the crown and found fault of the lost battle against the kingdom of Eblana and the death of the late King Asgall. For this, you and your son have sentenced to death. Your lands and title will be stripped from your remaining children and wife," one of the councilmen said. My eyes grew big as my eyes went to the king, who I now realized was actually the late king's eldest son, Faolan. The king's son stood up from his throne and walked towards my father, who was looking at the ground. 

"Do you have nothing to say, dear uncle," King Faolan said. He walked around father. "No begging for mercy. No denial of the crimes against you." When father didn't respond, the king came around the front of father and grabbed him by the throat. "For the actions of you and your pathetic son, I should have your throat slit here and now! But no that would not be enough for what you have done. Not only will you die, but I will punish your family as well!" The king turned me and my siblings and then looked back at my father as he threw him to the ground. "Come forward MacAra family!" Still holding my siblings hands, we walked up to the king. 

"Young Tomas. For your father's crime, you will be taken to live and be trained as a soldier until the end of your days. Young Floraidh, you will be taken as a handmaiden to my one of the princesses and serve them till the end of your days. Take them both." My heart stopped and squeezed tightly to my siblings. 

"No, my king please!" I begged as two guards came to pull them out from my grasp. 

"No! Let go of me! Catriona!" they both cried as they were torn from me. 

"Tomas! Floraidh!" I turned back to the king and dropped to my knees. "Please, my king. They are only eight! I know my father must die for his crimes, but my siblings are innocent. Please, if you must punish anyone, then punish me." 

"Your begging will get you nowhere, but I do hear that your mother is gravely ill. I promise to send a healer and have her get better accommodations if you do as I say," the king sternly said. I bowed my head and agreed, "Yes, I'll do whatever you want." 

"Your father cost us the war with Eblana, and due this we are at their mercy and we lost our beloved king; my father. They have asked to take one my sisters as a bride for their newly crowned king, but as you know they are but children and cannot allow what is left of my house to be taken from me. So you will travel there and take their place and you will do so without complaint and I do swear that I'll look after your mother and your siblings. This is all I can give you. Do you agree to my terms?" I stood up strong and answered, "Yes, I will be the replacement." 

"Good. Take the lady Catriona back to her mother. This will be my only gift to you."  I looked over at my father one last time with such hurt and betrayal. How could he do this to me to our family? After bowing and thanking the king, I left. That was the time I got to see father or my elder brother again. I walked out of the chamber with single tear going down my freckled cheek. This was my life now. Father and elder brother being killed for their crimes. Separated from Tomas and Floraidh. My poor sickly mother held captive in the tower. And me being sent as a sacrifice to marry a man I did not know. My country's sworn enemy who I was now at the mercy of. I truly hated winter.