In the Shadow of Thrones

Apprehensively, the handmaid paced across the flagstone. Her worry furrowed brow made other servants balk as they passed her, but she paid them no heed. Thoughts of her mistress took the forefront of her mind. She fiddled with the edge of her long apron and watched the door to her mistress's rooms. Lady Amalina entered the suite with her husband and child only an hour or two ago, and now nothing could be heard except the occasional squeal of joy or anger from the toddler. The handmaid knew her mistress would need her assistance soon but couldn't bring herself to wait in the servant's hall for the bell.

It seemed an age when the door finally opened and Lady Amalina beckoned her inside. She scurried in and closed the door gently behind her. In the corner of the opulent room, Lord Ervig calmly watched over their small daughter as she played in her crib. The girl, almost a year old, babbled and smiled at the three. The Lord dressed in his military uniform while the lady adorned herself in blue velvet and silver. The child, however, had clothes fit more for a farmer's child than a daughter of nobility.

"What do you need of me, my lady," asked the handmaid, her eyes fixed upon the child.

Lady Amalina lovingly viewed her daughter then turn to the maid. "I have a grave request of you, Heva. It may be very dangerous and the last request I will ever make of you." Her voice almost broke at the last words. She gently took Heva's hand in her own. Heva switched her gaze between the Lord and Lady, bewildered.

"My Lady?"

Lord Ervig shook his head and said, "I apologize, my dear, but we haven't much time." The Lady nodded and gently took Heva's shoulders.

"My beloved Heva, you have been a dear friend to me since we were girls, and I must ask you to do this for me. Please take her away. As far as you can go," Lady Amalina begged.

Heva, shocked at this, whispered, "My Lady, I cannot do this."

"You must," sobbed Lady Amalina. "Please, you must."

Lord Ervig approached and pressed a pouch into Heva's hand. "We would not ask you to do this if we did not trust you fully. Please. This should be enough to buy passage by boat or carriage wherever you wish to go along with food and clothing."

The maid started to cry, and the little girl did too.

"Please, my Lady, you can't ask me to do this. I don't understand," she exclaimed.

Lady Amalina embraced her, tears flowing freely down her face as well. "Oh my Heva, you must. If she stays," she paused and turned to her daughter. The little girl's reddened face called the Lady over. She picked up her daughter and kissed her cheeks wiping away tears. Lady Amalina approached Heva and handed her the child.

"If anyone asks," Lord Ervig choked. "She is staying with her grandmother and needs new clothes for the journey." He broke down and took his child in his arms, gripping her tightly. The child, unknowing of the situation, returned the embrace. Lady Amalina wrapped her arms around her husband and daughter. Drying her eyes, Heva tucked the pouch away and quickly turned to the door. Outside she heard the shout of a guardsman.

"My Lady," she asked worriedly.

The couple kissed their daughter for the last time, tears flowing freely. "My sweet daughter," sobbed Lord Ervig. "We shall see you in another life, my love," cooed Lady Amalina, and they handed her to Heva.

Lord Ervig braced the door with a chair while Lady Amalina rushed to a tapestry on the wall and ushered Heva through it. The little girl drowsily pushed her head into Heva's shoulder, seemingly unaware of the panic around her.

"You know your way out of here, yes." More statement than question, Lady Amalina voiced shook little. Heva nodded. She hoisted the child onto her hip, the little girl falling asleep in her arms. Lady Amalina almost pushed her down the servants passage. Darkness overtook Heva as the tapestry was put back in place. She rushed down the narrow hallway and could hear angry voices from behind her. Not stopping to listen, she ran.

She managed to narrowly escape the Castle Tharnham before the guards locked down the gates to the city. The walls shrank behind her as the wagon she hired tumbled its way down the road to the coast. The small girl slept soundly in her arms. Her gentle face reminded Heva of Lady Amalina as a young girl. The farmer driving the cart turned back and asked, "Where was you headin' again?" With her last view of Tharnham, the home of her family and families they served, she replied.

"To the sea."