Homelands
Chapter Thirty One: The Snowy North
Part 2
Prelude:
Duke Lammekinus Arassun shev Godwinæs áv Kærjá ruled one of the largest duchies in the Empire from the city of Jelgava. He was both Duke of Courland (Prussian:
kærjá) and Duke of Livonia (Pr:
livonijá), two of the oldest titles in the Empire and two of the most respected. His family had ruled both titles since the mid XII Century, when the Dukes of Livonia died out and their titles were given to the Dukes of Courland through marriage. Unlike many feudal Dukes, the Dukes of Courland-Livonia did not give out much of their land in fiefs, instead they controlled much of it themselves. They were descended, through proper blood, from Harold Godwinson, the last Saxon King of England. After Prussia became a Duchy, Aethelweard invited many Saxon nobles to take refuge in Prussia, the sons of Harold were amongst the first invited and the first to accept. Despite the promise of riches in the new lands, many Saxon nobles had declined the offer; instead choosing to flee into neighboring Kingdoms to await a chance to regain the throne, or joined the ranks of the Anglo-Normans. Harold's sons through Aldith, Harold and Ulf, eventually made their way from England to Denmark and from Denmark to Prussia. Harold was made Count (Pr:
laof) of Zemgale (Pr:
zæmgal) in 1106 and Ulf Count of Selija (Pr:
selijá) in 1108. Ulf died shortly after in 1109 and Harold gained his lands. In 1111 King Aethelweard crowned Harold Duke (Pr:
hærkog) of Courland, a title held by his descendents.
The lands of Lammekinus áv Kærjá.
May 4th, 1299
Ziedás sat at her desk reading a letter that had been sent to her specifically from the King. She was one of few women in Jelgava that could read, a result of her work with the nobles in and around her father's court. He hopes, though, were slightly dashed. The letter marked that it was about a wedding, but when it wasn't her own, she found it hard to go on. Kiten's youngest daughter was to be wed to King Håkon of Norway. People of the Royal family were invited to join in a send-off in June, bidding her luck on her journey and in her new life across the Baltic Sea. She put the letter down without so much as finishing it, she knew what the King was proposing, but she didn't like it, it felt too easy.
"
Æs bin ad thum lepns in," Ziedás turned and saw her mother, smiling kindly. She hugged her daughter tightly, a tear slipping down her face as the two looked into each other's eyes.
"
Mátæ, I am confused. It feels hollow. I should be happy, but I am not," Ziedás said. Her mother's face scrunched to one side, she didn't know what to say. "Vishly is nearly a man, and his father is interested in seeing his son wed. I want to be with Vishly, but..."
"Ah, silence childe! You are lucky. Love is fleeting, and it is fragile. But it is also weak. You cannot marry for love, you must think of your father and yourself. Few are so lucky to be wed to the one they want to be with." This was not the answer Ziedás wanted. Her eyes welled over and she sobbed, running to her desk and burying her head in her arms.
The Duke walked into the room and upon seeing his daughter distraught and his wife pacing, he asked his wife, "What news could be so terrible as to do this?" he asked.
"Lord Kiten has requested our daughter join his son at the sending away. He has all but suggested that the two be wed."
Limmekinus's face turned from a frown to a glowing smile, "This is a great day! Why are we all grey and fretting? Our daughter has been given a great opportunity! What is wrong?" He asked, turning from woman to woman looking for some response.
"Your daughter is worried that is all, she shall come together soon and we shall send her off in time for her to arrive and be received as the Prince's guest of honor," the Duchess said. She placed a hand on her husband's shoulder and he nodded quickly.
"Amazing! This is such an honor! I am so proud of you, Ziedás!"
His daughter picked her head up and tried to smile, "I am happy, too father. It is just such a shock to come out of nowhere. I promise I will represent you well in Memelgrád."
"I know you will. I have great faith in you." He walked over and kissed her forehead before leaving.
Mother and daughter shared one more glance as Ziedás nodded, "You are right mother, I should be happy... and I am."
May 10th, 1299
Vishly sat waiting in the palace. He was nervous and paced back and forth as Oleksander watched. His elder brother did not have a guest with him. Actually many things confused Vishly about his brother. His hair was blonde, despite the dark curly hair of the royal family, he was older but didn't get the same education as him. So many things and it forced pity into Vishly's heart. He didn't understand it, but he didn't question it. One day he would have to, he thought, but that day was not today. It had taken a while to convince his father to let him invite Ziedás to the send away, and Kiten was still completely clueless of his son's ability to forge his signature. But the King was generally happy with Vishly's choice of partner so he let his son be. There was the sound of approaching carriages so Vishly ran to a well-thought out position in the room. But when the door opened it was not Ziedás and her entourage, it was Nomedas. He looked at Vishly, "Your guest has arrived," he said. Vishly picked up that his voice was full of conflicting emotion.
"Thank you, Nomedas," Vishly said. His voice remained calm and flat, but soon his cousin would be moved out of the picture. They were competing now for the same job. Vishly knew he had what it took to keep the Empire safe, Nomedas did not anymore. He was getting old and Vishly was getting ambitious. Vishly stepped outside into the sun light, a rare sight in Memelgrád during spring. Ziedás was helped down from her carriage by her servants. The young Prince went forth to meet them. "Welcome," he said, "back to Memelgrád."
"Thank you, my lord," Ziedás said. With her feet on solid ground, Vishly led her back into the palace. "Your father's letter made it seem that the festivities would have already begun by now? Has something gone wrong?" Vishly reflected on every word in his letter and realized he had miswrote the date. Ziedás stopped and looked at him as he hid his panic under a cool face.
"O? He must have made an error. Things have been planned for the eleventh for quite some time. My father grows old, these errors must be expected. I bet if you mentioned the letter he wouldn't even remember it!" Vishly laughed.
"Really? I am sorry to hear that your father is in such a condition."
"It is nothing, really. Forgetful, yes... but any less energetic he is not." Vishly smiled to show his good intentions. From behind Ziedás Nomedas scowled at his protégé. Vishly locked eyes with him and for a brief second he could see confusion and fear in the master's eyes. But it was over in a second as Vishly continued walking with Ziedás to the throne room where his father sat waiting for both of them.
Nomedas's face moved about as his different reactions fought in his head. But when he realized that the bastard was watching he turned around and headed up the stairs, his cape swishing as he did. The dark corners were already seeming darker, the curtains more suspicious. In his room he saw a small parcel on his desk. It was marked like any other of the gifts for the guests of the seeing off. He undid the bow and saw a few small cakes and a bottle in it. He opened the bottle and sniffed it. Nothing. He took a drink. Nothing. He shrugged and finished the bottle. Nothing. "Just being paranoid," he tried to convince himself. He sat down opened his shades. Outside in the inner courtyard the King toured with Vishly and Ziedás. Nomedas took one of the cakes and started eating it and watched. Vishly was lost. His heart had been won by another. Stupid boy, the spy master thought. Stupid, stupid boy.