An Irish Flower (Medieval Romance/Adventure Story)

Chapter 13: Preparations

 I made a slight change in the story, Kaie is 13 instead of 11, it made more sense with the direction I took in this chapter. :) It's now changed in Chapter 1.

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Chapter 13

Maeve couldn't help the excitement and fear that both rose inside her at Weylin's decision. She knew that he was right; it was obvious that she could not bear him a child, and if they stayed much longer his father would take her himself. Neither of them could bear the thought of that. But she feared Camlin's wrath if he were to find out their plans. “But what if we are caught? What would he do to us?” His frown told her enough. “We won't get caught. We can't... I won't let it happen.” He kissed her hands. “We can't let anyone know. We'll take only what we need so we won't arouse suspicion. We'll escape tonight. My father requested my help with something at sunset; as soon as I have finished and the castle is asleep, we will escape.” Her heart pounded at the thought.

Throughout that day they both slowly gathered the few essential things they would need. Weylin had told her about a secret tunnel he had found when he was a boy, he was sure no one else knew about it. They wouldn't be able to take a horse without being noticed so they would have to travel on foot. “Maeve, get one of your sewing bags. We'll put what we need in there and put some fabric and needles on top so no one find find it.” She nodded and retrieved a sewing bag. They ordered lunch in that afternoon, carefully wrapping the bread, cheese, and fruit and placing it in the sewing bag. He always carried a knife on him, so they would have at least one weapon, but he managed to slip another small knife in the bag just in case. He added a flint for making a fire and a bag of gold coins his father had given him to buy a new horse next month. Since the bag was small and they couldn't fit much in without attracting attention, they would have to bring only what they wore on their backs for clothes. They would each wear a warm suit of clothing and a long cloak for warmth that would double as blankets.

Weylin looked at Maeve and sighed, a worry line etched across his forehead. She stroked his face with her hand; he reached up and grabbed it with his own, bringing her fingers to his lips. “I can't bear the thought of anything happening to you if we fail.” She looked him straight in the eyes and said, “Then we cannot fail. We both know what will happen if we get caught.” He nodded. His father would take his revenge on both of them by abusing Maeve in the most despicable of ways. He shuddered; once Camlin had caught a servant girl stealing. He raped her, then gave her to his guards to abuse all night. Weylin was only 15 and had been out on patrol that night, but had head the story when he returned. The girl's eyes had been so empty; the shame of what her captors had done to her had completely consumed her. Not long after the attack, she hung herself in her quarters.

They had to get out- and they couldn't get caught. The consequences would be unbearable. But the consequences of staying would soon become unbearable too; his father's rage knew no bounds when he felt he was being denied something he deserved, and since he wanted this child so badly there was no telling how far he would go to punish her when he realized that she had failed him so miserably.

Sunset was coming, and Weylin prepared to meet his father. He wasn't sure what he wanted, but he put on a strong face and walked out to the courtyard where he had seen his father out of the window. His father stood facing the moon, his hands clasped behind him. The Camlin started to speak. “Your wife is without a child.” Weylin froze. “Yes, she is without child. But it is not for a lack of trying, my father.” Camlin uttered a dry laugh. “Yes, well the servants can attest to that. They can hear you every night.” Embarrassed, but yet relieved that his father believe him, he managed a smile. “She is a very beautiful woman."

He turned to face Weylin, his face hardened in anger. “But beauty doesn't solve our problem. We need an heir from her bloodline and ours.” His face softened. “However, I am not as cruel as you think I am. While I am still tempted to take her myself to make sure the job has been done right, I know you would hate me forever if I did. My threats were more for her benefit, to be sure she did not deny you.” Weylin stood in shock. Was Maeve in no actual danger after all? “Since she cannot bear you a child, you will marry her younger sister instead.” Weylin's heart froze. “But I am already married, and her sister is just a child!” Camlin's face became as stone. “She is old enough; my spies tell me she has had her courses. She will bear your children.” Weylin started to speak but his father cut him short. “If you refuse to take the girl and make her bear your child, I will lose the small amount of leniency I have for Maeve. Since she is of no use to me barren, she will be punished most severely and then executed, and you will marry her sister anyways. I am giving you the option of keeping your wife and merely impregnating the younger girl."

Camlin continued, ignoring the look of horror on his son's face. “The child will be raised as through it was conceived between you and Maeve. If you refuse, your wife will die a horrible death and you will marry the sister. Either way, I will have my heir. Which do you choose?” It took every ounce of strength in Weylin's body to not strangle his father right there on the spot; but he knew the archers on the wall would kill him in a moment, and his father would carry out the plan himself. He knew his only hope was to pretend to submit, then escape with Maeve and warn her family before his father kidnapped Kaie too. Gritting his teeth and clenching his fists, he muttered “My wife must live. I will do what you ask.” Camlin's mouth smiled, but his eyes stayed hard. “Good. I will send for her on the next full moon during the harvest celebration. I expect a child in her womb soon after she arrives.”

Weylin turned on his heels and stormed back into the castle. His mind was going a mile a minute; escape was no longer their only priority. If they were to escape and somehow make it to Maeve's family in time to warn Kaie, they would never make it on foot; they needed horses. Weylin had already devised a plan by the time he reached Maeve in their quarters. Hurriedly he explained the situation, holding her close at the horror that crossed her face. “We need horses, Maeve- horses to get us to your family in time.” She nodded, firm resolve replacing the worry on her face. She was a strong woman; she would risk anything to protect the people she loved. “But how will we get the horses out of the castle without being seen?” He smiled for the first time in days.

“We're going to make a diversion.”

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