The Early Chronicles Book Four: The Queen and the General

Chapter 3

Swanwhite breathed in the refreshing scent of roses as she stood in her garden.  Swanwhite's garden was on a large balcony that backed up to her chambers that very few were privileged to see.  The garden was a gift from her parents and the only other castle occupants who had been allowed to see it were Cygnus and Rufus on rare occasions.  Swanwhite liked having the garden hidden away where she could escape for several precious moments without fear of being interrupted.  Since Swanwhite and Genevieve were the only ones admitted to Swanwhite's royal chambers, there weren't many that even knew the private balcony existed.  It was large enough for several flower boxes and large lattices where flowers were free to grow up and down to create a wall.  The centerpiece of the garden was a large arched tunnel that was covered in ivy to create a private green tunnel.  Today Swanwhite's mind was occupied with thoughts of Laurel and Thasian who were given several days to travel on a holiday to spend time together.  She was already working on finding a suitable piece of land for them to settle on and raise their family, but the process was a weary one.  She would miss having their company and seeing them as often as she used to.  Not to mention her friendship with Laurel would be different now that she couldn't visit with Laurel by herself.  She sighed and plucked a loose petal from a nearby rose and let it float down from the balcony onto the stone wall below.  She leaned on the balcony railing and rested her chin on her hand.  Her duties now were becoming dull.  Finding land, bestowing titles, and continuing trade were tedious and exhausting.  

She then noticed a horse and rider galloping away out of the castle grounds.  She squinted and thought she saw that the rider had a white turban.  Mekau must have gone for a ride.  Perhaps it would do him good, but where was he going in such a hurry?  She pushed the concern from her mind, convinced she was still tired from the festivities of the last few days.  Leaving the cool fresh air for the castle interior, she went to speak with Captain Rufus.

"It's no good.  That land hasn't been suitable for crops in years!"  Rufus argued as he, the general, and the queen poured over maps and sketched outlines of property for Laurel and Thasian.

"It's a rather large property, and it is very close to the Devonte estate.  Laurel will want to be close to her parents."  Swanwhite commented.

"I still don't think the boy is deserving of a lordship."  Rufus crossed his arms.  The Minotaur was becoming grumpy in his older years and the grey streaks were showing through his dark red Minotaur fur.

"He saved Laurel's life and has proved himself many times over."  Swanwhite answered in a calm voice.  Goran crossed his arms as well.

"Wouldn't the land farther inland be more suitable for farming?"  He put in.

"I have many land lords occupying territory inland already, it would be much less land than by the sea."

"But wouldn't it be better for them to have less land but better land?"

Swanwhite pondered.  She measured the distances in her mind.  "I suppose.  This area will still be in reasonable distance from her parents."  Swanwhite outlined a space on the map with her finger.  She didn't say it, but she would have preferred Laurel be on the sea as it would be closer and easier distance to Chateau Kent, but she knew she had to think what was best for Laurel and Thasian.

"I think that is reasonable."  Goran said.  Rufus grunted in agreement.

"Very well.  We inform Thasian he shall be a land lord of Estate Emberwood as soon as he and his wife return."  She announced.  

"Wonderful!  Now if you'll excuse me, Sir Kauffman and I have a game of chess this afternoon."  The old Minotaur exited the library hastily, leaving Swanwhite and Goran to roll up the maps.  It was silent between them for some time.  The silence was growing uncomfortable and Swanwhite felt she had to break it.

"Are you angry with me?"  She asked without meeting his gaze.

"No, of course not."  He scratched out some writing on a piece of parchment before rolling it up.  Swanwhite began stacking her maps in a cupboard on a bookshelf.

"There's no use denying it, you aren't happy I allowed Mekau to stay."

"I will admit, it makes me uneasy."

"He's had a hard life, can't we show him some kindness?"

"What if he means harm to us?"  Goran's forehead began to wrinkle and his face began to cloud, though his eyes did not meet hers.

"Not every Calormen we come across is like my uncle."

"No, but this one seems suspicious to me."  Goran's voice had the hint of a growl in it.

"Can't you refrain from assuming the worst in someone just this once?"  Swanwhite heard the exasperation in her voice even though she tried to hinder it.  Goran looked at her with a dark expression.

"It is my duty to keep you safe.  If you've seen some of the things I have-"

"I understand, and I appreciate your devotion to duty."  Swanwhite put a hand on her hip.  "But I have seen terrible things as well.  You are not many years older than I."

"No, I am not.  But I should think you would show more caution if you have such wisdom as you claim."

Swanwhite bristled.  "I do not claim to have great wisdom!  Have you not noticed how much I ask you questions about everything?"  Her voice had risen.  Goran sighed and rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.

"You're right, perhaps that was unfair of me."  He looked into her eyes now.  "All I ask is that you take care, I've noticed things about this man that don't make sense.  He is in perfect health, wears undamaged Calormen clothing, and claims to have stayed in Faun houses where there are none.  Have you noticed these things?"

Swanwhite checked herself.  She had noticed that Mekau seemed terribly well put together to have been abused by a slave owner and traveled many miles.  She looked at Goran's softening blue eyes.  "I suppose I have, but I can't be a queen and be afraid of every stranger in need of help, you understand why I feel I must help him?"  She prayed he would understand her words.  His jaw tightened, but he didn't seem angry.

"I understand.  Just take care and keep him at arm's length.  Find him a place to go quickly."  He bowed and turned to leave, but something made Swanwhite grab his arm.

"Please, are we still friends?"  She asked, blushing when she felt how solid his arm was.  He looked at her hand and then looked her in the eyes.

"Of course, my lady.  Always."  He gently took her hand off of his arm, brought it to his lips very lightly, then left.  Swanwhite felt a strange and warm sensation on her hand and up her arm when he kissed her hand.  Not for the first time, his touch had an effect on her.  She pushed the strange feelings from her mind, but deep down she knew she had to confront them sooner or later.