The Heiress of Baylin

I awoke one morning, a couple of weeks after the camp formed outside of our cottage. My eyes fluttered open in response to the sound of children playing outside. The bed was empty. Brandon must have already woken up to work on something. I noticed that the crib was missing from its spot next to our bed so he probably took it outdoors to finish its construction where he wouldn’t wake me up. I dressed into one of the outfits given to me by the rebel men. It was far simpler than the dresses I had worn back at the castle. It was shapeless like the dresses I grew up with and fastened at the waist by a girdle. Its coloring was an off-white. I made sure not to tie the girdle too tight around my forming bulge. The larger my belly was growing, the more frightened I became at the thought of giving birth. Motherhood was scary enough without also being a form of fugitive queen.

I stepped outside to the sight of everyone at ease. The men had started fires in various pits to cook their breakfast. The children, all small boys, ran around chasing each other in a game. Everyone greeted me with a respectful bow and a friendly smile as I took a stroll through the camp. Even though I still missed the simple life of just Brandon and I, there was a certain charm accompanying this life as well. I put a hand to my belly and thought about how my child would have all these children to play with. We were part of a community now.

I spotted the boy who had seen me on that day in the woods. He was the one who had told on me. I saw him standing next to his little brother, holding his hand. The younger brother looked to be a toddler, very young. His mother must have been one of the latest to die during the epidemic. I approached him, kneeling down to be at eye level with the little one. He was shy, hiding behind his older brother.

“It’s alright,” I said softly, holding out a hand to him.

“He’s not used to girls,” the older boy explained.

“That’s alright,” I said with a light chuckle. “You’re a very handsome, young man,” I cooed to the infant. The little boy seemed to like the sound of my voice just then because he emerged from his brother’s side. I smiled widely to him as he approached me with a hug. I wrapped my arms around the small child, my maternal instincts kicking in. “I guess he likes me now,” I noted.

“Maybe he thinks you’re our mom,” the boy’s brother reasoned. I guessed that, in a way, I was. As the only woman, I guessed that I would be filling the role as every boy’s mom. The heaviness of the responsibility hit me pretty hard in that second but the boy’s embrace made me feel warmer about it. I stood up, lifting him to hold him in my arms. So this was what it would be like to hold my child, I considered. The boy clung to me urgently as though he had long been craving a mother’s affections. I hummed a soothing tune to him as he started to fall asleep.

“Where’s your father?” I asked his older brother. He shrugged.

“He’s gone,” he answered simply.

“Gone?” I wondered sadly.

“After mom died he left…”

My heart felt sore in that moment. The boy had been looking after his little brother by himself. That was a tough burden to place on a child’s shoulders. I wondered what kind of broken man their father must have been to abandon his two boys when they needed him the most.

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered, a tear escaping my eye. Knowledge of this helped me understand why the boy had probably told on me. He probably joined this group of rebels in order to survive. He informed them of my whereabouts because I provided them all with hope. Again I was faced with the reality of how the situation was greater than myself, greater than my happiness alone.

I felt a pair of familiar eyes on me through my peripheral view. I turned my focus and found Brandon who was, as predicted, working on perfecting the crib by a quiet spot within the trees. He saw me holding the toddler and smiled widely, probably imagining me with our own child. I returned his smile. It was a warm exchange.

Later that day I decided to visit the church. It had been a few days since I had seen the friar and I wanted to check to see how he was coping. Sadly, the inside of his church was deserted. Even the small room within it was stripped. The blanket on his tiny bed and his cloaks had all vanished. It felt ghostly, as though he had never been there. The only object left of him was a letter that was left on one of the aisle seats in the abandoned chapel. The letter was addressed to Brandon and I.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Bennett,

Due to the recent circumstances, I have decided to retire to a new location. Though I honor you and any other man who wishes to fight for the Baylin cause, I regret that I find the burden of it too heavy to hold. I am but a simple, old man who desires to live the remainder of my life in peace from these trying political matters. I will continue my service to God and God alone. My allegiance does not tie to any Earthly king. I will pray everyday for the vitality and health of your beautiful, new family. Your love for each other is one of the strongest that I have seen in a long time. It was an honor to unite you in holy matrimony.

With love,

Father Brian.

A tear of disbelief escaped my eye upon reading the letter. He was gone. The addition of rebels to our peaceful part of the woods drove him away. He probably feared the punishments that would inevitably come from the Estrian king upon discovery. His departure both saddened and frightened me. It seemed to serve as a warning, I considered darkly.

I took the friar’s letter to Brandon who seemed slightly concerned and speechless after reading it. He was seated on the ground beside the crib that was almost fully completed. I took a seat beside him, clutching his arm and leaning my head upon his shoulder.

“It’s okay,” Brandon soothed. “He’s just a paranoid, frightened, old man. We’re going to be safe.”

I hoped that he was right. While together in our loving embrace, I noticed Brandon’s eyes looking towards the camp. I followed his gaze to find that Edward was staring at us. I could feel Brandon’s body tense beside me.

“What do you think he wants?” I wondered out loud.

“Probably a rematch,” he uttered through gritted teeth.

“Please don’t,” I pleaded as Edward sauntered toward us.

“Hello again,” he greeted with his approach. His eyes flickered to me. “You’re looking very beautiful today, Mary.”

“Thanks,” I said uncomfortably, clinging tighter to Brandon.

“What do you want?” Brandon growled.

“I just thought I would come to challenge you to a joust. The men around camp were talking about holding a tournament to help pass the time. They’re restless from being idle for so long,” he explained.

“It’s too dangerous. Don’t,” I whispered into Brandon’s ear.

“Sure,” he accepted despite my protest against it.

“Good. Grab a horse and I’ll see you soon,” Edward confirmed before turning on his heel to strut away.

“Why did you accept?” I snapped. “I told you not to.”

“Because it’s the perfect way to put him in his place,” Brandon answered, glaring after Edward. “Don’t worry, Mary, I jousted all the time while working under the Baylin king. I have a talent for it. Edward has no chance against me. He is but a simple man.” He seemed so confident about this but I still felt uneasy. I didn’t quite understand the need of men to engage in such frivolous competitions.

A space was cleared in the center of camp where there was a clearing. Men were dressed suited in armor, holding lances while stationed on top of their horses. One of these men was Brandon. He waited his turn and I watched from my seat as two knights darted toward one another, galloping at full speed with their lances faced forward. While wearing their visors, I could not see their faces so it was difficult to determine who they were. I only identified Brandon from the horse he had chosen, a speckled draft.

I sat on a special seat created solely for me. It was wooden with a pillow upon it for my comfort. A crowd surrounded the field, watching the tournament. Excitement and adrenaline fueled the air.

“My lady,” spoke a random man. “Er, – I apologize. I mean to say, my queen,” he corrected. This man’s presence annoyed me since I was trying to focus on the tournament, worried for my husband who was soon to step up.

“What is it?” I questioned, wanting him to get on with it and leave me.

“Well, I apologize for saying this but I don’t think it advisable for you to be present with all this exhilaration. Think of the child in your belly.”

I turned to him, infuriated. I didn’t like this stranger butting into my personal business as though it were his concern.

“Leave me at once! I’m going to watch my husband compete. Nothing can keep me from here.”

“Yes, your majesty. My sincerest apologies…” He bowed respectfully before scampering away. I felt irritated with the way that everyone seemed to presume that my pregnancy was a shared concern. My exasperation was pushed to the side when my husband rode his mighty horse towards me. He pulled up his visor so that I could see his face.

“My lady,” he said to me. As per tradition, I stood from my seat to tie a ribbon around his lance for good fortune.

“Be careful,” I said to him.

“I will,” he mouthed, smiling at me before sealing his visor shut over his face. I watched as he took off in a furious gallop, circling the arena to show off in front of his opponent. The other man on a horse ready to compete must have been Edward, I presumed. Something was off about this man’s figure however. He didn’t look as thick in muscle as Edward. That’s when the real Edward suddenly appeared at my side, taking a seat beside me.

“Why are you here and not competing with my husband?” I asked angrily. I examined his clothing. He was not even dressed to joust, as though he never had any intention of competing against Brandon. “Where is your armor? Suit up at once. It’s your turn,” I told him. He simply laughed.

“It was never my intention to spar with your husband. I just wanted a moment alone with you.”

I watched the first round as Brandon charged furiously on his horse towards the man he mistakenly believed to be Edward. Everyone else was so engrossed in watching the performance that they also didn’t notice Edward beside me now. Brandon’s lance struck the poor man with incredible force, knocking him to the ground effortlessly. Brandon was right when he had told me that he possessed a talent for jousting. He was very good, I observed.

“I’m not foolish enough to compete in a joust with a man who was a member of the royal guard. That would be insane,” Edward confided.

“You’re a coward,” I insulted him.

“No,” he explained, looking to me intently. I tried to ignore his gaze, my eyes focused forward on the tournament. “I’m just a man who is in love with a woman who already has a husband,” he admitted.

“Love? No, you only seek to have me because there are no others,” I accused, continuing to avoid his gaze. Brandon was riding around in a circle around the clearing again, laughing victoriously. I applauded along with everyone else. The opponent gathered himself back to his feet and mounted back onto his horse for a second round. He never lifted his visor so Brandon still thought he was competing against Edward.

“What can I do to prove the legitimacy of my affections for you?” He asked me.

“You could leave me alone,” I told him.

“Oh no, that is not possible! I need you to put me out of my misery. Be with me.”

“I will not!” I asserted.

“You’re so loyal to him,” Edward deliberated. “Has it ever occurred to you that he would go with another if your roles were reversed?”

“He wouldn’t,” I stated though part of me was uncertain.

Brandon won the second round, proving to be a highly talented horseman indeed.

“I understand that Brandon is a worthy husband to you but consider that I might be just as worthy. I can take care of you just as well as he can,” Edward made his case.

“Why would I trade one worthy man for another when I can simply keep the one I already possess?” I questioned, cocking one eyebrow while looking to him now. He smiled, happy that I was finally showing him eye contact. He lifted his brows, considering his answer before speaking it.

“Because you like me. You just won’t admit it.”

My reaction to his words took me by surprise. My heart pounded wildly and my palms were sweating. If he were to have leaned in and kissed me now, I might not have rejected the advance right away. I shook my head. I shouldn’t feel this way, I urged myself. After Brandon won the third round, it was time for him to dismount so that another pair could compete.

“You must go,” I said to Edward. I didn’t want Brandon to see him next to me and know that he hadn’t been competing with the man he thought he was jousting against. I knew that this knowledge would wound his vanity.

“Alright, I’ll go and allow your husband the satisfaction of thinking he defeated me in this competition. I only urge you to consider my proposition.”

“Go,” I demanded.

“Say that you will,” he pushed stubbornly.

“Fine,” I spat just so that he would leave. He took off happily and disappeared into the crowd just in time before Brandon rejoined me. I smiled at Brandon’s glowing face as he pulled off his helmet. His cheeks were covered in dirt from the inside of his visor but his eyes were smiling brightly with glory. He took a seat next to me where Edward had been.

“Did you see my performance? What did you think?”

“That was incredible,” I praised. He lifted my hand to his lips to kiss it.

“Oh, my love, I pray you tell me who the better man is! Who else can joust like I can? Did I not do you proud?”

“No one, sweetheart. You are the best. You joust with such talent that I have never seen before,” I boosted him. “I am fiercely proud.”

“Surely you can attest that I made a boy of Edward today.”

“Indeed,” I agreed. I felt a twinge of guilt for allowing him to believe that he defeated Edward in the joust. I just wanted to see Brandon happy. I suppose I viewed my lie as something that stemmed out of love, a compassionate gesture.

In the following weeks, more loyal Baylinian men flocked to our camp, ready to join in the rebel cause against the Estrian threat and keep me surrounded with additional protection. I guessed there was some kind of hidden, underground messaging system encouraging the people to resist the Estrian king’s rule. The addition of more tents expanded. The camp now extended far passed the friar’s abandoned church. Some sought to utilize the small building as shelter and made residence inside. With the bulge of my stomach increasing in size, I took to the cottage for a nap during one rainy day. Brandon rested beside me. We embraced each other warmly. That’s when we received a knock at our door that interrupted us. Brandon arose to answer it. It was Henry.

“I am sorry to disturb you,” he said, his face solemn.

“Hello, Henry. What’s wrong? You look unwell,” Brandon inquired.

“I am unwell,” he admitted, turning to me. “I just received word that knowledge of your delicate condition has spread to the Estrian king. He is furious apparently.”

Brandon flocked to my side defensively.

“Does he know where we are?” he asked. That was the first priority question.

Henry shook his head in response.

“No, not yet thank God,” he answered to our relief, “but he has his soldiers searching the land for you, Mary. He ordered them to double their efforts on this.”

“But what does it matter?” I wondered out loud. “Forgive me. What I mean is, I’m already married with child. What does he want with me now? Obviously I can’t be his bride. I can’t be anyone’s bride.” My thoughts briefly flickered to an image of Edward, a man I would have rather possessed than the Estrian king. I had to shake away the image, replace the thought in my head to that of Brandon, my lawful husband.

Henry frowned, seeming reluctant to tell me something. He sighed heavily, his brow thick over his grim eyes.

“What is it?” I pushed. Brandon fell into a deep silence, almost as if he was reading Henry’s unspoken thoughts.

“What?” I repeated, perturbed by the amount of time it was taking him to speak it.

“His plan,” Henry explained to me with hesitation, “is to have your husband executed so that you are free to marry and have your next child with him.”

This news was horrifying. To threaten Brandon’s life was to have my worst nightmare manifested to the surface of my subconscious. Brandon clutched his arms around me. I sunk into his arms, turning to burry my face into his chest. He held me tightly and with a sense of urgency, not wanting to ever let me go.

“No!” I cried and the sound must have been muffled since I was screaming it while pressed firmly into his chest.

“It’s going to be okay,” Brandon said to me. “I won’t let that happen. I’m here.”

“It’s more imperative now than ever that you consider leading the rebellion,” Henry explained. “This tyrant Estrian king must be stripped from the Baylinian throne. It may need to be done sooner rather than later.”

“I will do it,” I said. Brandon looked to me, protesting with his eyes. “But can we hold off until after I deliver my child?”

“Leave us,” Brandon barked at Henry before he could reply to me. “I need to speak to my wife alone.”

“Yes, forgive me,” he spoke, nodding to us respectfully before taking his leave, shutting the door behind him.

“Mary, have you gone mad?” Brandon asked once we were alone. “You can’t lead the rebellion. I won’t let you. It’s too dangerous. It’s dangerous for our family.” He placed a hand over my belly to remind me of what was at stake.

“But you’re in danger,” I reminded him. “I can’t lose you,” I cried.

“You won’t lose me. They don’t even know where we are being kept. We are safe and hidden now but if we lead a rebellion and willingly go after them, then we would be entering directly into the conflict.”

“I guess you’re right.”

“Besides, Mary, you and I are both still very young. I don’t know about you but I definitely don’t know how to lead a rebel army. And, you’re a woman… Do you really want to take on such a heavy, daunting task?” His eyes wrinkled with worry.

“I will if your life is threatened,” I stated, determined not to lose him. “If anything happened to you I would lead the fleet dressed in armor and I would attack, as God as my witness. I don’t care if I’m a woman. I am not losing my husband.”

He pulled himself from our embrace so that he could examine my expression. He gazed at me admiringly, chuckling a little.

“What?” I wondered. “I’m serious!”

“I know, my love. I’m just impressed. You never fail to surprise me with your unselfishness and your bravery.”

“I’m not brave,” I admitted. “I’m really frightened.”

“That’s okay. I am too.”

“No… I mean, I’m actually a very big coward because, I’m more frightened about having this baby than I am about the idea of leading a rebellion into war.”

“Really?” Brandon was surprised. “Why?”

“Because I’ve never been with child before, I don’t have any women to talk to about what giving birth feels like and… I’m afraid of being a bad mother.”

Brandon put a comforting hand to my face, stroking softly with his thumb. He flashed a lopsided smile, his dark hair falling gently over his kind eyes.

“My love, these are normal fears. I’m afraid of being a bad father.”

“Also,” I added, “what if I produce a boy? Everyone has been pressuring me to have a girl. What if I disappoint them? What if I can’t deliver the baby at all?”

He put an index finger to my lips.

“Hush, my love. First, it doesn’t matter what they think. This baby is about you and I, no one else. I will love this baby no matter what it is. Heck, I already love it because it comes from within you. If it’s a boy, I’ll love him just as much as I would a girl.” He dropped his finger from my mouth, placing his hand to intertwine his fingers through mine. “Second, giving birth is a natural process. You’re strong enough.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Honest. Mary, you are my life. You and our child are all that matter to me now in this realm.” He started laughing at some thought that entered his head.

“What is it?” I wondered, curious.

“Oh, I’m just thinking about how silly the whole situation is. Since we are the only ones actually continuing humanity, we could actually choose to make our own version of Baylin. After time passes, many of the men of this world will die off naturally and, since no one else can reproduce, there won’t be an Estria. If you think about it, it doesn’t actually matter what is happening outside of our circle as long as we continue living and teaching the next generation – our children –the values that we follow. They can grumble all they want but at the end of the day, we’re in control.”

I had never thought this through but Brandon was right. My mind felt a lot clearer with this new perspective. Then I considered that, although this would be the case years from now, right now we were still under threat. People still clung to their kingdom ties. That’s why the men of Estria still desired to conquer for their country and why the rebels still wished to take back Baylin. It didn’t seem to matter that they were facing extinction.

“But the threat is real,” I pointed out.

“It is,” he agreed. “But if we manage to stay away long enough, the Estrian king will eventually die with no heirs to his throne. That’s why I don’t think we need to lead the rebels just yet. Let’s just wait. There’s no need to rush into danger if we don’t have to.”

“Yeah, I suppose you’re right,” I reasoned.

“Of course I’m right,” he joked, making me laugh a little. I loved how Brandon was able to change my mindset, calm me down after Henry’s disturbing news. He tickled me then and we rolled around on the bed together in laughter. We were making rather merry until there was a knock at the door once again. Brandon stood up to answer it. It was Henry again.

“What is it this time?” he asked sharply.

“Forgive me for disturbing you once again but some of the men have captured a small group of royal Estrian guards. We have them tied down for questioning. One of them claims to know you, Mary.”

“Who?” I asked from my sitting position on the bed.

“He says his name is Thomas.”