Schwan (2 An Unpleasant Visit)

The Fuzz hopes someone might have enjoyed Chapter 1.

Well, here is some more.  The Fuzz hopes to get the whole story up here eventually.  He'll also add each chapter to the "Schwan" page, that can be found in the side bar.

Enjoy.

Schwan

2  An Unpleasant Visit

The official time of mourning for the King was passed.  One of the first things needing to be addressed was a request from the Duke of Morlana, for his son and heir, Rathard, to pay his respects to the new King.

In times past, Morlana had been the historical enemy of Midmont, and even now, there was a certain amount of rivalry.  Morlana had been the only force ever to lay siege to the castle at Waterton.  The siege had lasted for several months, but ultimately failed.  The castle on the lake had been resupplied by boat, at night.

And although the invaders had ravaged the countryside, they had never entered the city.  When they finally withdrew, the archers of Midmont, harassed them along the mountain pass, all the way to the border.  More men were lost in the retreat than during the entire siege.  The end was a stinging defeat for Morlana.

The Rangers of Midmont had been formed in response to this.  It was felt that the invasion could have been easily repulsed at the pass in the narrow gorge, if there had been an adequate warning.

But all this was history now.  Trade had been increasing between the countries.  The main road from Waterton led to the Morlanian border, and from there to the river port of St. Petersbridge.  There, the road crossed the river on the old Roman bridge, at the town beneath the Duke's Castle.

The only other road out of Midmont lead though a difficult pass, south into Solland, the Queen's homeland.  It was little more than a trail, suitable only for pack animals.  It was impassible in the winter.

And while Midmont was largely self sufficient, some contact with the outside world was necessary.

In short, good relations with Morlana were important.  This had been no doubt Fredrik's Father's object in considering a marriage between the two neighbors.

Fredrik, himself, loathed politics.  But now he would be forced to deal with these things.  He had met Rathard once.  He did not like him, and doubted that much had changed.  But in council, it was decided that the invitation should be extended.

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Duke Richard, of Morlana, was pleased to hear of his son's invitation to visit to Waterton.  The old King had been beyond his influence.  That was why he had been removed.  If a marriage could be arranged between Rathard, and Princess Lillian, the Duke would have a foothold in the Kingdom.  And what if the new King should have an accident in the future?  There were a lot of possibilities here, if Rathard would only play his part. 

Princess Lillian was not happy with the news.  She feared it was an attempt to arrange a marriage for her.  Fredrik, of course, denied it, but even Rolf was uneasy.  Fredrik was keeping his own council in this matter.

✠

Rathard, and his attendants were not impressed with their reception at Waterton.  The population was uninterested for the most part, and simply went about their affairs with an occasional curious glance.

As they were escorted across the drawbridge and into the main courtyard, the Castle Guard was turned out to salute them.  But they were not allowed to see any more of the castle's defenses than necessary.

Rathard took this as a slight.  And then, the Princess herself, was decidedly cool to him.  And while she was pretty enough, she seemed a bit rustic to Rathard.  He preferred the more sophisticated women who frequented his Father's court.

As a result of it all, it was pretty well established in Waterton; that Lord Rathard was an arrogant pig.  His hunting party trampled crops, and his distain for the villagers was manifest in multiple ways.  His men drank too much, and the local women had to stay out of reach to avoid being groped.

Everyone was glad when they left after a fortnight.  It had seemed like a month.  Fredrik more than anyone.  He publicly thanked the populace for their forbearance.

It had been quite a contrast to their own Royal Family who had never tried to put themselves above the common people.  King Fredrik's own grandmother had been a village girl from the western mountains.  And he had been close to her throughout his childhood.

And the House of Midmont had always enjoyed mingling with the people, incognito.  Many a man, or woman, had been suddenly surprised, to realize, that their drinking companion at an inn, was in fact a Prince... or even the King himself.

And so, if the other noble houses might regard Midmont with suspicion, there was no lack of good will among their own people.

✠

It was with little enthusiasm, that Fredrik received the invitation to visit the Duke of Morlana in return, at his castle at St. Petersbridge.

The Duke had not been happy with his son's visit to Midmont and King Fredrik.  He realized that the poor reception had been largely due to Rathard's own arrogance.  While it was true that Morlana was more wealthy and powerful than the Kingdom of Midmont, it was still also true that Morlana was only a Grand Duchy.

The Duke was not a king.  But his son could marry into a royal family.  Or he could have, if he had not been such a fool.  But then perhaps the young Fredrik could still be won over.

Now, as they sat at table, he watched Rathard and his two daughters.  There was no hope for for Rathard he concluded.  But the girls were another story.

Juliet, the eldest at 18, had blossomed into an attractive young lady; the kind that might tempt any man.  Her younger sister, Marianne, showed promise as well.  It was not unthinkable that Fredrik might be persuaded to marry one or the other.  

There was more a stake here than just a title.  Midmont controlled the southern pass into Solland.  At the present, this was little used, other than for some local trade.  The road was only suitable for pack animals in good weather.

But the Duke had with him, a man, recently come from Florence, familiar with the schools of engineering practiced in the south.  He had crossed through this pass on his way to the Duke's court.  He was of the opinion that the road though the gap could be improved.  And improved enough to carry wagons.

If this were done, this pass would be the shortest route from the south to the river traffic at St. Petersbridge.  And more trade would mean more tariffs.

It was rumored that King Fredrik was not an intelligent man.  In Paris, he had earned the reputation of a carouser.  And he was young.  If these reports were true, one or the other of the girls, may be able to draw the young King in.  And to control Fredrik; would be to control Midmont.

Lady Juliet was aware of her father's gaze, as the servant girl poured her wine.  It was not difficult to guess his mind.  Ever since her brother had returned from Waterton, the Duke had been dropping hints of his intentions.  Now she wondered what the young King was like.  Despite what she had heard, surely, he could be no worse than her own brother.

And what if he were?  Most men were pigs at best.  But they were also fools.  A woman could- if she understood these things- pull the strings from behind the scenes, and have her way in this world.

And she would have her way.  And if the Duke didn't like it?… Well, he was only a man as well.  To her own father, she was only a commodity, to be traded for his benefit.

Lady Juliet was suddenly aware that the servant girl was looking at her.  Their eyes met for one brief moment before the girl looked quickly away.

She had barely noticed this girl before, working in the kitchen.  Now she watched as the girl waited on Marianne, and then her Father.

The servant girl was about Juliet's own age, perhaps a year younger, if that.  And she might have been pretty if she were cleaned up.  But that was unlikely.  This girl did not normally wait on them.  She was nothing.

Yet Juliet could not shake the feeling that there was a connection between her thoughts of King Fredrik, and this girl, pouring the wine.  But that was an absurd thought.  She put it out of her mind.

✠

As Elise made her way back down to the kitchen, she was thinking of Lady Juliet.  The rumors were, that since Lord Rathard was not to wed the Princess of Midmont; Juliet would likely marry the King.  After all, wasn't it was only natural?

Elise had only wanted a closer look at this woman, who was destined to become the Queen of Midmont.  But then, just when she had dared to have that look, Juliet had suddenly turned on her.  It was if Lady Juliet had known her thoughts.  What had possessed her to do such a thing?

Elise went quickly back to her work.  After all, what did she have to do with the King and Queen of Midmont?  These things were not her concern.  She had acted like a fool.  It was always best, for a servant like herself, to remain unnoticed.

✠

But the Duke had made up his mind.  Since Fredrik had the reputation of a man who liked "good times";  The Duke would invite him to St. Petersbridge, and provide them.  Then it would be up to Juliet, as the bait, to pull him in.