The Heiress of Baylin

Henry led me to the area where the Estrian captives were being kept.

“Thomas!” I shouted when I saw him. He was tied to a tree next to two others dressed in the familiar yet ominous red and black, Estrian uniforms. He looked terrible, battered and bruised. When I approached him he was being hounded by one of the rebel Baylinian men.

“Mary!” he called to me. “Help me.”

One of the rebel men held a dagger to Thomas’s throat, threateningly questioning him.

“What do you intend on doing, little man? Did you think you could leave us to inform your king of our whereabouts? You are pathetic.”

“Please, stop,” I ordered. “Don’t hurt Thomas!”

“But he’s one of them,” the man argued.

“No he’s not,” I barked. I then flashed Henry a pleading look. He commanded the man to step aside and allow me access to the captive. At once I flocked to poor Thomas but, before I could release him, I had to make sure he hadn’t changed allegiances.

“Thank God, Mary. Please, release me,” he pleaded.

“Why are you wearing the Estrian uniform?” I had to ask even though I knew he was most likely innocent and had been forced into wearing it.

“I had to. The king threatened to have anyone executed who did not demonstrate loyalty to his command. I didn’t want to put it on but I was afraid...”

“Do you work for them?”

“Yes, they needed additional guards so I was drafted. I didn’t want to. I prefer being a server.” I thought for a moment about the questionable state of the Estrian rule. If they were so eager for guards to recruit feeble men like Thomas, they must have been lacking protection. Perhaps many of their protectors had been wiped out during the battle against our golden king. It was possible that they were not as secure on the throne as they were leading Baylin citizens to believe.

“What cause do you sympathize with? Theirs or ours?” I asked him to make sure.

“Mary, we’re friends, remember? Don’t you believe me?”

“Yes but I need you to say it. I can’t release you unless you do.”

“I’m obviously Baylinian. You know that. I worked for the late Baylin king and queen before they died. I was more than happy to serve this kingdom.”

“I know but I worry that time with the Estrians might have swayed you to the other side,” I explained. Though I felt sympathy for Thomas, I had to be cautious for sake of my people’s safety and for my husband’s. I could not afford to take any chances if Thomas decided to run back to the castle to inform the Estrian king of my whereabouts.

“My loyalties are to Baylin,” Thomas swore and in his eyes there was truth.

“Traitor,” snapped the Estrian guard tied next to him.

“No,” I argued. “He is not a traitor. He has always been Baylinian from the beginning.” I gestured for the rebel standing beside me to release him. With one quick swipe he cut the rope to free my friend. Thomas ran into me, giving me a hug while thanking me repeatedly. Since the other two Estrian guards could not be trusted to keep my whereabouts a secret, the only logical option was to execute them. Once Thomas was safe, I nodded to Henry to proceed. He gestured to the rebels to perform the act. Thomas clung to me and we watched as two Baylin men approached each one of the captives with a dagger. The slicing of their throats was swift. Thomas flinched at the scene, knowing that he had narrowly escaped becoming one of the victims. He seemed more than grateful that I had rescued him.

“Change out of those clothes immediately,” I ordered him at once. He hastily obliged when Henry directed him into a tent where he could change.

I was happy to have been informed of Thomas’s presence so that I could save him. It was incredibly fortunate that Henry had been resolved to investigate whether he was correct in his claim that he knew me. I looked to him as he approached me from the tent, dressed anew in Baylin colors.

I was glad to have Thomas back as my friend. We ate lunch around a fire pit together that afternoon, catching up. It was almost like reliving my days in the castle with him when we used to share gossip and tales with one another. He was indeed the closest I had to a female companion.

“I am not surprised that you chose to marry Brandon,” he said to me.

“Oh yea?” I laughed.

“You two were constantly looking at each other such as I had never seen before. It was obvious to me that you were both in love with one another. Pray, are you both quite content now?” I considered the situation with Edward, how Brandon was often jealous and how I often, involuntarily thought of him. I decided not to share this information, not wanting to surface my unconscious desires for Edward.

“Yes, we are fully content,” I answered, feigning happiness.

“And judging by your belly I can see that you are with child! I guess the rumors were true after all. That is wonderful!” Thomas enthused. “Brandon must be so delighted.”

“He is.”

After our friendly chat was over, I began fishing for information. “Tell me, what has been happening at the castle? How strong is the Estrian king’s army?”

“I can assure you, my lady, that many of the people working for the Estrian cause in the castle are Baylin sympathizers,” Thomas told me. “The Estrian king may have gained the throne but he lost a great deal of soldiers in the battle. His claim is not fully secure. He is desperate to marry you in order to unite the two countries so that the people will see his rule as legitimate.”

“Go on,” I pressed for more.

“He also grieves heavily for the loss of his son, the prince. He is eager to produce a new heir to his throne to keep his kingdom alive. He is in bad form, increasingly growing agitated with desperation. Some say he is going insane.”

“Why does he bother?” I wondered thoughtfully.

“He’s mad,” Thomas shrugged. “And despite the inevitable extinction that they all face, the people of Estria continue to follow him, some out of loyalty and others out of fear. They are desperate to keep their country alive.”

“What about William?” I asked curiously, remembering the man.

“He sympathizes with the Baylin cause but works under the new king now. It seems that he only sides with the winner.”

“This is very useful information, Thomas. Thank you.” I would inform Henry of this. These weaknesses in the Estrian rule would be valuable for the rebels to learn.

“Of course, my lady.” He then grabbed my shoulders to pull them back. “You still slouch,” he joked. I laughed at his continued attempt to shape me into the image of royalty.

Brandon and I rested together in the soft grass later that evening, gazing up at the night sky. We were on a hilltop clearing, a far hiking distance away from the cottage. It was nice to get away and escape the campsite. The sound of the rebel men was silent with the distance so Brandon and I were left to our own devices. There was nothing but the sweet song of crickets, reminiscent of our short life in solitude together.

“Do you really think Thomas can be trusted?” Brandon desired to make sure.

“Yes,” I answered without hesitation. “His allegiance has always been to Baylin. I’m certain of it.”

“Okay, I trust your word. I just wanted to make sure. I know he was your friend back at the castle.”

“I understand,” I dropped, wanting to avoid Brandon growing any form of added suspicion against Thomas. Thomas was definitely not a threat to Brandon but, nevertheless, I didn’t want to plant a seed in Brandon’s mind. During a moment of silence, I focused on the stars. They were shining so brightly across the night sky, dazzling like a million diamonds. “Sweetheart?” I started, pondering. I considered what Edward had told me during the jousting tournament. He mentioned that if our roles were reversed, Brandon might seek to have another woman.

“What, my love?”

“If I were not the only woman, would you have taken a mistress now?”

“Of course not! Why do you ask, my love?”

“Because while I am with child, you cannot enjoy your conjugal rights.”

Brandon sat up to lean over me so that he could see my face.

“Do you think me unhappy?” he wondered. I shrugged in response, unsure. He hadn’t seemed happy lately, consumed with jealousy. “Mary, I can assure you that you have made me most content just by choosing me as your husband and you do me honor now by carrying my child. I just hope that I have been a good husband and that I please you sufficiently enough…”

He rested his head back down to the grass and I rolled on top of him.

“Brandon,” I said to him, placing a gentle hand upon his cheek. “You make me more happy than any man ever could. You have my undying love and devotion. Forever.”

He placed a hand to the back of my head and pulled me to him so that my lips touched his. We spent the rest of that evening kissing under the stars.

After some time passed and my belly grew swollen and big, I was told that I had to remain in confinement until it was time to deliver. I was kept inside the cottage and told that I could not leave my bed. Additionally, the window was now covered by a heavy, dark curtain, which blocked out the sunlight. Often, I couldn’t tell whether it was day or night. I could only hear the muffled sounds coming from outside of the men’s commotion outside. This captivity was almost reminiscent of my day in the tower all those months ago.

Though I had Thomas’s company as my servant, I was constantly eager for Brandon’s visits. To add to the displeasure, the temperature outside was dropping for the onset of winter. A flame was kept running in the new fireplace that had been built for me. It radiated a lot of heat and I was kept under thick blankets but I still felt a slight chill. I would have been better off in the castle during this time where the thicker limestone walls would have kept me warmer.

Though it was supposed to be peaceful, my time in confinement was anything but. I kept hearing arguing of various kinds, causing me to wonder what was happening out there. On one occasion, I heard a shrill scream and jumped up in my bed. Brandon entered into the cottage to check on me, sealing the door shut behind him to prevent as much light from entering as possible.

“What is happening out there?” I asked eagerly once he was inside.

“Oh, some man is getting executed,” he answered nonchalantly.

“What?! Why?”

“Because he was making jokes publicly about wanting to rape you, which is a treasonable offense against you, the queen.”

“My God! What are they doing to him? I hear him screaming!”

“He’s just whining because he’s about to have his head cut off. They haven’t even touched him yet.”

That’s when we heard a loud, “THWACK!” followed by a low sounding thud. I flinched. The screaming was abruptly replaced by an eerie silence.

“Well, now I guess he’s dead,” Brandon announced the obvious. “Anyway, I came to check on you to see how you are coping.”

“The baby and I are fine,” I explained. I could feel movement inside and I grabbed Brandon’s hand to place it over my stomach. He let out a loud laugh at the feeling as the baby kicked under his touch.

“She’s kicking,” he said elatedly.

“She’s happy that you’re here,” I explained. He smiled widely, flashing his teeth.

“I can’t wait to see her.”

“Neither can I. Mainly because I want her out of me now. I don’t want to be pregnant anymore. I don’t like being in confinement,” I whined. “It’s so dark and dull in here…”

“You’ll be alright, my love. Be patient.”

“But I also look down at my massive belly and I know that this child has to come out at some point. That frightens me too…”

“It’s a natural process, my love. Many women have gone through it in the past.”

“Before she comes out, I have a confession to make. Only because I don’t want any secrets between us when she’s here.” I don’t know why but I had felt a twinge of guilt ever since I let Brandon believe he had defeated Edward during the jousting tournament. It was frivolous and I wasn’t sure why but I felt compelled now to tell him the truth about it. Perhaps this was brought on by the fluctuation of my emotions that accompanied the pregnancy.

“You mean to say that it wasn’t Edward that I defeated on the field?” Brandon clarified after I explained.

I nodded in response.

“Who was it then?” he wondered.

“I don’t know. Some random guy I guess…”

“Where was Edward then? Hiding like a coward?” he picked up an icy tone whenever he used Edward’s name.

“He was sitting by me,” I immediately regretted saying this.

“What?! Why the hell was he sitting by you, Mary?”

“It’s not a big deal. I’m loyal to you, sweetheart. Honest. I didn’t welcome his advance.” The last word was another slip of the tongue.

“His advance?! Why didn’t you tell me?” he demanded angrily. “I must have seemed like such a fool, gloating about my victory against him. All the while he was making a move with you behind my back!”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I didn’t want to hurt you…”

“Well how do you think I’m feeling now?”

“Please don’t be mad…” I pleaded.

“I’m not mad,” he declared but the blood boiling under his skin said otherwise. He stood up from our bed, his hands clenched into tight fists.

“What are you doing?” I asked, worried.

“Nothing that concerns you. I’m just going to have a little word with Edward.”

“Don’t! You’re too hot!” I beseeched him but he was out the door in a flash. I placed my palms over my face, wondering what dispute I had just caused.

“GAHHH!!!” a shrilled screech escaped my breath. The pain was excruciating. I felt as though a shock had shot through my spine. The pressure was almost similar to a menstrual cramp but way more unbearable than I ever thought possible. Thomas ran outside to inform everyone that it was time. My water had broken and the baby was coming.

Henry was the first to arrive at the scene. He stepped inside and saw my pain stricken face. Droplets of sweat were dripping down my forehead, my face burning red with the pain. Once he was able to confirm that I was indeed in labor with child, he darted outside to announce it a second time. I heard the roaring cheer of the men around the camp. Nice to know that they are content while I am in agony, I thought with sarcasm.

Thomas returned back inside, flocking to my side. He dabbed my forehead with a wet cloth and propped me up with pillows.

“Hold on, my lady,” he tried to sooth. I gripped at his wrist and pulled him close. The torment made it difficult to speak so I pulled his ear to my lips.

“Where is my husband?” I croaked.

“I don’t know, my lady.”

“AHH!!!” I screamed – another contraction. “Find him now!” I yelped. He nodded, darting back outside. My breathing was quickening, uneven. My entire body felt tense. No one had warned me about how much being in labor with child would hurt. Henry returned inside the cottage with another man. They had a pail of water and some cloths with them.

“Have you ever done this before?” I heard Henry ask him.

“I helped deliver a foal once but never this…” the man admitted, looking to me with a concerned expression. That was definitely not comforting to hear.

“Is there anyone who can be of assistance? Find a physician. Quick! For God’s sake, man!” Henry ordered in a barking tone. The man ran outside and I heard his voice call out as he asked if anyone around camp was a physician. When there was no response, I worried. Oh my God, I thought, I’m going to die. With how I was feeling, part of me wanted to die. It was too agonizingly painful.

“Where’s Brandon?” my voice came out in a shrilled squeal. Just then I heard the sound of a woman hollering and then realized that the piercing sound was emerging from my own lungs. With Henry as the only person in the room with me now, I asked him again for Brandon.

“I don’t know, my lady, we’re doing everything we can to find him and help you. Please hold on!” easy for him to say. He wasn’t the one pushing a child out from his womb. The pain seemed to drag on for ages. The tears rushed down my cheeks.

“GAHH!!!” I hollered again. I felt as though a thousand daggers were stabbing into my abdomen and through my back. Henry had exited, replaced by a group of men dabbing wet cloths to my face. One of them was holding my hand, encouraging me to push. But his presence was of no comfort. I didn’t want this stranger here. I didn’t want any of these men here. I wanted only my husband and perhaps even Edward.

The torment went on, never ceasing to become any less painful. My vision grew blurry, darkness covering part of my sight. I could feel the perspiration falling like water down my forehead. That’s when I heard Thomas’s voice outside. He was talking with Henry in a hushed tone but still audible through these thin walls.

“I can’t find Brandon anywhere. He and Edward have been noted missing. Should I inform the lady?” Oh, no. I worried for the worst. What if Estrian soldiers captured them? Brandon would surely be killed. Oh, God!

“No. We should not tell her,” Henry answered him, not realizing that I could hear the whole conversation. “Not until she’s had the child.”

“She’s still in labor with child?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, God help us!” Thomas worried. After their exchange, he entered back inside to take the strange man’s place by my side.

“Brandon’s gone!” I screamed with horror.

“Hush, my lady. Hold on and keep pushing,” Thomas encouraged.

“I can’t do this!” I cried. “I can’t do it!”

“Yes you can!” Thomas pushed. Each minute felt like it dragged on for hours. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could tolerate the pain. Henry was gathered with others in the corner of the room. One held some kind of sharp tool in hand. This provoked fear in my eyes. Don’t you dare approach me with that thing, I thought. They were murmuring worriedly to one another. Though they spoke mostly in a hushed whisper, I was able to make out the gist of some of what they were saying.

“May need to cut open Mary’s belly to release the child,” a voice suggested.

“That might kill her. What if the child is a boy? Then all will be lost.”

“AHH!” I cried, terrified. I closed my eyes, murmuring a silent prayer to myself, pushing through the pain. Finally, to my enormous relief, Thomas was replaced by a familiar presence – a presence that I desired and loved more than any other.

“It’s okay, my love. I’m here now.” He grabbed my hand, wrapped it in both of his. His touch was cool from having been outside in the frosty air. I looked to his face. He had a scratch along his cheek like he had been involved in a conflict of some kind. I couldn’t bring myself to worry about that now. I was just glad to have him with me.

“Brandon!” I rejoiced, my eyes swelling with tears of alleviation.

“Yes, I’m here. You’re doing great! Keep pushing,” he said, pulling a hand from his grip to place it over my forehead instead. His chilled touch felt unbelievably refreshing against my hot, flushed skin. My stress washed away now that he was here with me.

“Do not approach my wife with that knife,” Brandon barked at the man who had been speaking with Henry. “Leave us! Everybody out! Now!” he asserted to my great relief. It was almost as though Brandon could read my unspoken wishes. The room was empty now except for the two of us.

“Thank you,” I breathed.

“You’re doing so great, my love. Keep breathing.”

“I love you,” I told him.

“Oh, Mary, I love you too. We’re about to have our baby, our lovely, little baby,” he enthused. “Oh, you’re so beautiful, Mary. You’re so breathtakingly beautiful! Keep pushing, my love. You can do this.” I felt my body finally relax. I focused on keeping my breathing even. Brandon positioned himself between my legs. I was so glad that I was going through this with him and not any other.

“I can see the head! You’re doing it. Keep going, my love!” I gritted my teeth to fight through the sting and pushed again. I felt an excruciating tearing sensation as the baby started ripping out from within me.

“GAHHH!” I screamed once more before hearing the shrieking squeal of the baby’s cry as it was finally released. I collapsed in my bed, my body trembling from the trauma of it all. At least the pain was finally beginning to fade away.

“Oh my God!” Brandon cheered, holding the baby that was drenched in my blood. “Oh, Mary! Well done, my love!” The smile sprawled across his face was enough to put the light of the sun to shame.

“What is it?” I asked, sitting up in my bed. Was it a boy or a girl? Brandon was too breathless with joy to answer right away. As soon as the infant’s cry could be heard, Henry could be counted on to run back inside.

“Well? It is done? What is it?” he inquired to Brandon anxiously. Everyone was probably on edge, apprehensive while awaiting the news. The birth was, after all, a major event. Everything hung on the balance. The fate of humanity depended on my successful delivery of a girl.

“You can inform the others,” Brandon announced proudly, “that the queen, Mary of Baylin, has done a great service and has delivered of a healthy girl!”

I breathed a heavy sigh of relief, sinking into my pillows.

“Oh, thank be to God! We’re saved!” cheered Henry excitedly before he ran back outside to make the announcement known. His broadcast was followed by the loudest explosion of exuberance that I had ever heard from the crowd before.

“Let me hold her,” I said to Brandon, propping myself up in my bed. He brought her to me, taking a seat beside me. I held my daughter in my arms and a natural instinct kicked in. I cradled her, feeling an overwhelming sensation of warmth. “She’s beautiful.”

“What shall we call her, my love?”

“I like the name Jane.”

“Jane? But isn’t that kind of common?” Brandon wondered. “We should name her something more unique, don’t you think? Something that greater symbolizes the rebirth of humanity perhaps?”

“Jane was the name of my mother,” I explained. “Besides, it’s not a common name anymore, is it?” I challenged.

“That’s true,” Brandon agreed. “Jane it is then.”

“I guess I’m not the only female anymore. Baylin has two girls now. Do you think she’ll survive the plague too?”

“Definitely,” Brandon explained, “she has the immunity in her blood.”

I suddenly remembered that Brandon had been missing for a while during my labor.

“Where were you before?” I questioned him. His eyes flashed away from me, looking guilty.

“I’m sorry, my love. I acted on impulse. I was rash and I am ashamed of my actions because it caused me to be absent while you needed me.”

“What did you do?” I urged.

“I was with Edward and we were arguing. I challenged him to a dual and then we took the horses far deep into the forest,” he paused to examine my expression, worried that I might be angry with him. I remained attentive, waiting for him to continue with his explanation. “We engaged in a sword fight.”

“Are you hurt?” I worried, looking to his face.

“No, I’m fine. It’s just a scratch.”

“What about Edward?” I wondered. Brandon’s eyes narrowed, hinting an expression that I could not quite read. I guessed that he did not like me inquiring after Edward’s well being.

“He’s unharmed,” Brandon said almost disappointedly. After a brief moment he added, “unfortunately.”

“Please don’t fight with him again,” I urged.

“I cannot promise that while he intends to try and take you from me. He disgraces me publicly by telling people of his intentions of doing so. He may very well have to cry mercy if he does not speedily hold his tongue,” Brandon threatened.

“Please, not in front of the baby,” I begged as I felt her stir uneasily in my arms.

“Oh, of course. I’m sorry, my sweet Jane,” he cooed.

“My dear, husband, you have nothing to fear. I love only you.”

He pressed his lips to my forehead in a tender kiss.

I had trouble trying to settle Jane. Thomas took her from me, cradling her in his arms. I hated that he was able to sooth her. Why couldn’t I do that? I felt like a failure in my womanly duties.

“It’s ok,” Thomas said to me when he saw my concerned expression. “You’re a new mom. You’ll learn.”

“How are you so good at this?” I wondered.

“I helped raise the princesses in the castle before the plague took them, remember?” It had felt so long ago when he had told me of this. I had almost forgotten.

“I’m sorry,” I said as a feeble attempt to comfort him.

“It is what it is,” he shrugged. “At least my efforts with them weren’t all in vain. My skills are put to good use now.”

“Yes but you must still feel their loss.”

“I will always mourn their loss. That will never change.”

Henry intruded back into our room a couple of hours after the announcement of my daughter’s birth. Brandon and I were huddled around Thomas while he held our little Jane. Somehow it felt that our family consisted of the four of us instead of just the three of us.

We were watching as she slept peacefully in his arms and then continued to do so when Thomas draped her in a blanket. He placed her gently into the crib that Brandon had built for her. I gaped at my daughter admiringly. She had sprouts of golden curls across her head, hair like mine. Sometimes when the corner of her lower lip upturned across her small, innocent face, I could see a hint of Brandon’s peaceful expression. She was truly a mixture of the two of us.

“Your majesty,” Henry said to me, interrupting my reverie. “We are so pleased by the delivery of the Baylinian princess. I came to inform you that tomorrow she is to be baptized.”

“Is that all?” Brandon inquired when Henry didn’t leave.

“Er, no. I also must inform your majesty that the safe production of another daughter from your womb is equally imperative. We must have two princesses for the sake of mankind and in case the first princess should die…”

“Leave us,” Brandon demanded and Henry ducked out. I sighed with irritation. I had literally just undergone the pain of labor that day and now he was already pushing for me to become pregnant again. On top of that, he brought up the possible risk of Jane’s death, adding insult to injury. “Ignore him, my love,” Brandon said to me softly. “Don’t let anyone pressure you. We will have another child once we are ready. For the time being, you just rest and recuperate.”

“Thank you,” I whimpered to him with gratitude.

In the night Brandon and the baby were asleep with Thomas sleeping on the floor beside us. I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. My breathing was restrained. It was too stuffy in here. After being in confinement for so long, I was eager to step outside for a breath of fresh air. Carefully, I crept out of bed and toed lightly across the squeaky wooden floor of the cottage. I didn’t want to wake anyone. I slid on a heavy coat over my nightgown and placed my feet into a pair of Brandon’s boots. I stepped outside, closing the door silently behind me so as not to stir my family.

It was the first time I had seen the snow of this year. It was sticking to the ground. Though it was dark, a full moon illuminated the sky and the snow reflected its light. Not a single man was out of his tent nor a single lantern lit. Everyone was dead in sleep except for me. I took a stroll, thinking the walk might tire me enough to return to bed. The air was frosty but felt alleviating against my skin after being cooped up in the cottage for too long.

I strolled to a nearby hillside, focusing on the peace. The crickets weren’t out during winter so the air was still, silent. I came to a halt on top of the hill, not wanting to drift too far from camp. I heard the grunt from a couple of deer and saw the sight of them subtly through the trees. They were digging through the snow in search of the grass underneath. They stopped to graze when they came across a few blades.

I took a deep breath, inhaling the cool, night air. When I had enough, I was prepared to turn around and return to the cottage. That’s when I caught sight of a figure that made my heart stop. It was the dark silhouette of a man dressed in black. He was standing ominously within the trees. His stance was so still that not even the deer seemed to be reacting to his presence. As my eyes adjusted, I saw a faint red color within the fabric of his clothing. He was Estrian. I didn’t know whether I should run. My instincts commanded me to remain frozen in place. After a moment, the stranger took off in a dart, sprinting in the opposite direction from where I stood. I rushed back to the site of camp to inform someone as quickly as possible.