Chapter 19

It was a cold, long ride to the southern part of the kingdom, but at least it wasn’t snowing. As the sun set, they rode as long as they could in the darkness, relying on lanterns and the moon to guide them. They finally stopped for the night in a small village about a half day’s ride from their destination. Maddoc stayed outside with several guards as Matthias and another guard went into the small inn in town to arrange safe lodging.

Maddoc had stayed there before, and he knew it was a decent place though the beds were not very comfortable. It did not matter much as he knew he would have a hard time sleeping on the finest bed without Anwen. He felt uneasy leaving her even if it did seem necessary. The idea that she was without him amongst those he did not trust made him want to turn around and ride back to Quinlan that instant.

Instead, he took a deep breath as Matthias returned to let him know rooms were secured. Maddoc grabbed a bag off his horse as an inn worker took the beast by the bridle to bring him into a shelter. He followed Matthias to the inn, entering to find the bottom floor half full of people eating supper or having a drink.

Matthias stayed close to Maddoc as the other guards moved to the front and back of him. Maddoc was aware the room had gotten quieter, as several had stopped talking to look at the king and his guards.

“The innkeeper will bring food to your room, your majesty. As well as some water to wash. If you need anything else, you can let me know, and I will see that you have it,” said Matthias as they got to the stairs.

“Are there rooms enough for you and your men?” asked Maddoc as they started climbing to the second floor.

“There are if we double up. I will have the guards take turns patrolling all night to keep watch.”

“Do you think that is necessary in a place like this?”

Matthias nodded. “If there is a potential revolt just south of here, it could spread quickly. I would not have anyone try to harm or take you, your majesty. I will feel better if you are guarded at all times.”

“Very well, though I hope your men will all get some sleep. I don’t plan to stay long when we reach our destination. I want everyone ready to ride north at a moment's notice. I do not like being away from Quinlan at this time.”

“I can imagine not, your majesty. You have many important guests in your palace for the Winter Festival.”

“I do, and one I am very sorry to be apart from. I also worry about her safety. You told your guards to watch her better this time, didn’t you?”

“I told my two most trusted to keep an eye on her whenever she is downstairs. I know how important Princess Anwen is to you and will soon be to the kingdom, I imagine.” They stopped by a door that was to be Maddoc’s room.

“Yes, nothing must happen to her. She is the future of Calumbria in many ways. Now, will you join me for supper tonight, Matthias? I would not like to eat alone.”

“I will, your majesty. Let me settle into a room and give my men instructions. I will be back soon.”

Maddoc waited for Matthias by settling into his room. A fire was already burning, so he sat down in the chair next to it after taking off his cloak. It felt good to be off a horse for a few hours. His body was tired, but his mind was wide awake. He worried about what he would face the next day. If the people were about to revolt, then things must have deteriorated quickly from when he was last there.

He thought he had fixed it all after putting pressure on the southern lords. He had made it very clear he would have no problems taking their lands and titles if they did not start behaving as they should towards their tenants. Those on the lands should have adequate housing without outrageous prices. They saw to the food that was grown for the kingdom and were important to Calumbria. Without their hard work and sacrifices, the kingdom would fall.

Maddoc had thought more about the common folk the past few months than he had his whole life. He had never felt any disgust or anger towards them only apathy. He did not understand how important they were to the kingdom as no one had ever explained it to him until his journey with Anwen. She told him how a kingdom rose or fell due to all its people. It was why she spent much time with her mother traveling around Lucidala. They would check in with small villages and farmers. They would make sure their lords were properly caring for their tenants.

He sat back and thought about Anwen. She had changed his life. If he had never been attacked just outside her palace, he wondered what he would be like. He supposed he would have gone on like he had, bedding women, drinking too much, and ignoring his kingdom. He would like to think eventually he would have wised up, but it probably would have been too late. He would have married Princess Meira and lived a horrid life trying to make up for his mistakes while he tried to endure a wife he could not stand.

He thanked the three gods for Anwen. Her lessons and harsh, truthful words had woken him up. He smiled a little. He admitted to himself that it helped that he found her so beautiful. He remembered some of their exchanges when she had gotten angry at him. Her eyes would become bright and her cheeks rosy. As angry as he had gotten back at her, he still noticed how wonderfully and frighteningly beautiful she was in the moment. He was sure much of it was what fueled his dreams of her on that journey.

Now he knew what it was to love her, and he would not go back. Her love made him want to be the king she thought he could be. It made him want to make her proud to be his queen someday. With her by his side, he would not fail. He might falter at times and make mistakes, but with her help, he would try again anew each day.

His thoughts were interrupted as there was a knock at the door. He got up to answer it to find Matthias and the innkeeper who held a tray with food. The innkeeper brought the food to a small table in the room as Maddoc and Matthias brought chairs over to eat.

“How are things here in this part of the kingdom?” asked Maddoc as he put some food on his plate.

“Quiet, for the most part, your majesty. I’m not complaining as it means no trouble, but a bit more ruckus would cause more business,” the innkeeper replied.

“What of the things happening just south of here? Has that not caused any new people to come this way looking for shelter?” asked Matthias.

“I am not sure what you mean, sir. I have heard nothing of anything happening anywhere close to here. Things tend to settle down in the winter as people shelter in to await the spring planting.”

Maddoc and Matthias shared a look before Maddoc looked at the innkeeper. “You have heard no talk of any unrest just to the south? There have been no people coming this way due to inadequate housing or fear of revolt?”

“No, your majesty, I have not. Granted, I don’t know everything, but my oldest son lives almost a three-hour ride south of here, and he has not left his home to come here. The last I heard of him, things were fine in his small town.”

“Curious,” said Maddoc wondering how the reports he had received had not had a large effect on the region, but perhaps things were not as bad as that yet.

“I will have some water brought in soon. Is there anything else you need, your majesty?” asked the innkeeper.

“No, thank you. This meal is very good, and you are, as always, a very good host. I thank you for keeping such a comfortable inn.”

The man bowed and left the room as Matthias turned to Maddoc. “Do you find it odd that no one this close to the situation has heard anything?”

“I do. I would think if the people are almost in revolt then some would have fled north. I thought we would find a full inn and have to travel on or set up camp in the woods,” replied Maddoc.

“I wonder what we shall find when we get to our destination.”

“I do as well. It makes me think the lords I sent have overestimated the situation. I can tell you, I will not be in a good mood if we took this journey for no reason. If this was something they could have handled, then they will how much I do not appreciate their summoning me for no reason.”

“I do not blame you. They know you are at the end of the Winter Festival in Quinlan. If things aren’t as bad as to cause disruption here, they should have waited until later to contact you.”

“I suppose all we can do is ride on and see what we find. We will leave at first light, Matthias. If I find no reason to stay tomorrow, I will want to leave directly.”

“I understand, your majesty,” said Matthias.

They ate their food quickly, Matthias excusing himself so Maddoc could have an early night. He didn’t say it, but Maddoc wouldn’t have minded the company of his head guard. Though he should go to sleep in order to be refreshed early in the morning, he did not look forward to lying in the bed.

He knew as soon as he pulled back the covers to lay down his ache for Anwen would double. He already missed her pretty smiles and lively conversation. He wished she was there to help him work out his thoughts. If only he could have brought her along to help him when he dealt with the people and his southern lords. He had no doubt, she would be helpful.

Soon it would be as it should. She would be his queen and able to attend to such things with him. With that comforting thought, he decided he should try to sleep. Slipping off his boots and shirt, he climbed into the bed. He lay there and thought of Anwen wondering what she was doing, and if she missed him as much as he missed her. He wasn’t sure it was possible, but he did hope she was thinking of him. As he drifted off to sleep, his thoughts were all of her. He hoped it would lead to sweet dreams. Instead, he slipped into a troubled sleep, full of dark dreams and worried thoughts.