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Chessa nodded slowly.
“That’s good. Sometimes I forget and the king looks at me suspiciously. I see you don’t understand any of this. Kerek told you nothing?”
“Nothing. Last night you acted like the king was half-witted, that Ragnor was a fool, which he is, and that you deigned not to deal with them. I thought you were half-witted as well. You acted as oddly as the king and Ragnor.”
The queen patted her hand. “Actually, Kerek convinced me that you are the salvation of the Danelaw. I wondered how that was possible. You are just a young girl, after all. Then I saw you last night. At first I thought you stupid in your silly bravery. You took chances that I would never dream of taking, all to see what would happen, all to test the people who were holding you. And you saved Kerek, a man you should want to kill. He has done you in twice, yet you stuck your knife in Ragnor’s hand to get him off Kerek. I heard that you let the king touch you. You didn’t flinch or shudder and he is a repellent old toad. You again wanted to judge the way he thought, the way he would behave. You were wise. You saw that the king is the one who is dangerous, or he can be, just less and less now that he grows older. He forgets his grievances more and more now. It is a relief. Ragnor is just a sulky little boy. It’s strange, but even Ragnor sometimes shows flashes of brilliance, of charm and intelligence.”
“You saw what you wanted to see in me, my lady. I am just that young girl, after all, no more, no less. I love another man. I don’t want to be here. I won’t marry Ragnor. I’ve seen these flashes in him but they never last very long.”
The queen merely smiled at her.
“My lady,” Chessa said slowly, “who is the true ruler of the Danelaw?”
“You met him last night. A toothless, foul-breathed, utterly ruthless old man.”
“Why are there guards at your chamber door? Why are these walls so high? I have been looking for a gate but I haven’t seen one.”
“I’m a prisoner.”
Chessa could only stare at her.
“It’s true that I’m from the House of Tur in the Bulgar. When my father sold me to King Guntrum, who wanted me for his brother, Olric, I fought him with all my will, all my strength, but it did no good. When Olric saw that I hated him, that I would never be submissive, he was infuriated. He raped me repeatedly. After I gave birth to Ragnor, he imprisoned me and thus it has remained. My babe was taken from me and for twenty-one years now I’ve been a prisoner in this chamber and this garden. It was a latrine then and smelled foul. I changed it. I had all the time it required. Over time, I was allowed more and more freedom, but still the guards follow me everywhere.”
“But you swept into the dining chamber like the queen you are. You insulted the king, your son, and you took charge. I don’t understand. Actually, you acted quite mad.”
Turella laughed softly. “I told you, Chessa, that Olric
is easily led by anyone stronger than he. I am stronger. It is one of the concessions I have gained. At mealtimes I am free to go where I wish, my guards trailing me always, as I said. I ceased eating my evening meal with him when he lost all his teeth and demanded that I chew his food for him. That was all the truth.
“Inside my high stone walls, I function in this court as best I can. Kerek is my eyes and ears. He is in everyone’s confidence. The king himself depends on him utterly. Kerek told me that you and I were alike, that you would control Ragnor with ease. After all, I am a prisoner, my chamber is locked, and there are always guards there.”
Chessa looked about the garden. The sun was bright and the air was sweet, becoming sweeter by the minute as the sun soaked into the blooms. There were two bees dipping into a purple hydrangea. She saw the truth clearly and marveled at the fluency of the woman seated next to her. She looked at Turella and said, “You’re lying to me. Those guards are there to give you warning if someone comes. Those guards are there to hold off people you don’t wish to see. Those guards are there to protect you from the king. Those guards would die for you. You rule here, not that profane old man.”
“By all the gods,” Turella said. She laughed, a soft deep laugh, then louder, dropping the beautiful rose on the moss-covered ground. “Kerek was indeed right.”
“No, no, I take it all back. I was wrong. You’re indeed a prisoner and you have no thoughts about anything except your wretched flowers.”
The queen laughed louder. “By Freya’s power, you’re good, but not good enough, my girl. You can’t correct your mistake so easily. You’re quite right, I do rule the Danelaw, but I rule by stealth and guile. It is difficult and many things slip by me. When the king is dead, you will have an easier time of it. Ragnor needs flattery and more flattery but then he is content. You will do it well. I will help you. Kerek will help you. You must sleep with him to beget a child, but then you can provide him with concubines as I’ve done the king. Weren’t the two young girls last night quite lovely? They’re mute, born that way, thank the gods, and they seem quite happy to do anything the old man wants. They both desire beautiful gowns. I make certain their clothing is envied by all the ladies of the court. Aye, even their loyalty is to me.
“Ah, here is Kerek. She knows now, my friend.”
“Princess,” Kerek said. “I couldn’t tell you before, surely you realize that. I would never place her in such danger.”
“It makes no difference. I won’t wed Ragnor. You, my lady, once the king dies, you will rule through your son. Pick him a wife who will flatter him and let him breed a boy child off her. I won’t do it.”
“I cannot live forever. I must train someone to take my place. The Danelaw mustn’t fall to the Saxons and it surely will if nothing is done.”
“As far as I’m concerned, my lady, the Danelaw can rot. If you cannot control your own land, then you deserve to lose the rule.”
“If I have to force you,” Turella said calmly, smelling that incredible red rose, “I will.”
Chessa just smiled. “And what will you do with my first child?”
“I will rejoice, as will all the people.”
“Ah, but the first child won’t be Ragnor’s.”
Kerek gave a start and then began shaking his head back and forth. “You’ve done this before, Princess. It won’t work twice.”
