Betrothed

Chapter Twenty-Four: Swords & Daggers

As evening came, Balen set up a crude bed for Henry in the hay barn. Olivia supplied a heavy quilt to keep him warm, and Balen made a mattress of hay, with a pillowcase stuffed with straw for the prince to sleep on.

For Audrianna, Olivia made up a bed that was kept in a spare room. The bed had fluffy sheets, a fluffy pillow, and a thick, warm comforter over the top. The princess commented that it was the nicest bed she'd ever slept in. Olivia tucked the little girl into bed, and kissed her on the forehead.

"Hmm," the young princess hummed out loud.

"What's wrong?" Olivia asked.

"Nothing," Audrianna answered. "I just haven't been kissed since the night before my parents were killed."

"How long ago did they die," Olivia asked.

"Almost six months ago," the princess answered, "and I dream about them every night."

"And that makes you sad?"

"Not really," Audrianna replied. "I look forward to seeing them in my dreams. Almost like they've come to visit me."

"Do you think they are?" Olivia asked.

"Are what?" Audrianna questioned.

"Do you think when you dream of them, it's your parents coming to visit you?" Olivia asked.

"Of course not, silly," Audrianna answered. "They're dead. But I do miss them. And I enjoy thinking about them." The princess smiled at Olivia. "You remind me of my mama."

"Well," Olivia remarked, "I will take that as a precious compliment. But, for tonight, you go to sleep, and in the morning, I will cook you a special breakfast like you've never seen before."

Olivia kissed Audrianna on the forehead again, then lowered the light from the lamp on the nearby table. Leaving the princess in darkness, Olivia closed the door to the room. Her heart was moved with the thought that Audrianna saw her as a mother. She had always hoped to have a child.

The next morning, Olivia woke everyone, just before the sun peeked its light above the Andjety mountains. Again, she assigned each member in the house a chore to fulfill as she prepared the morning meal. Since Henry was already outside in the barn, Balen went out and showed him how to milk the cow. Audrianna was fearful she would be assigned the task of fetching water again. Instead, Olivia handed her a broom and instructed her to sweep out the house. This she did rather excitedly, since it was a task that seemed to fit her age, height, and strength.

After every task was completed, Olivia presented a simple, yet appetizing meal. The meal included, sour dough bread, fruit breads, croissant bread, and rye bread. There also was a spread of various cheeses including Brie, Glouscester, and Parmesan. Both Henry and Audrianna looked enthusiastically at the food, as it was more to their eating choices.

As they sat around the table, Balen gave the usual blessing over the food. "Merciful God, we have worked hard for the food set before us. You gave us land. You gave us food. For that, we are eternally thankful. Amen."

Henry and Audrianna helped themselves to a portion of every bread and every cheese. The two ate and ate until they couldn't possibly take another crumb of food into their stomachs. Olivia also sat warm milk on the table in a metal pitcher, of which everyone poured a hearty amount into their respective wooden cups. Whatever room remained in their bellies from breakfast was topped off with the milk.

As Olivia began the task of cleaning the kitchen from breakfast, Balen led the two guests outside behind the barn, where a large clearing sat. On the backside of the barn, a large rack was nailed to the wooden exterior, upon which a multitude of weapons hung. Swords of different sizes, battle axes, spears, daggers, crossbows, all hung in an organized fashion along the rack. Henry and Audrianna stood in the middle of the clearing as Balen stood facing the two of them.