Chapter 52: Chapter Eleven

ADA

Myrna met me outside in the large garden adjacent to the castle. The land was safe enough to walk alone, secured by the guards.

The guards greeted me as I stepped out into the sun for the first time in the past two weeks. The sunlight and breeze off of the ocean held a healing power.

It was good for Cay to be outside as well, for only sickness came from staying inside all day. Sometime later, I had walked almost to the edge of the castle’s land.

There was a bench placed in front of a pond where I made myself comfortable. I could feel that it was almost time for the baby’s next feeding.

“There you are, lass,” Myrna said, walking up to me. She untied her apron. “Here, let me hold up a cover for you.”

“Have you heard the king’s news?” I asked, attempting to keep myself composed.

“I don’t know, what news did he share with you?”

“That Cayden and his brother, Sayer, were both killed in the clan wars. I knew he was going to say something like that, and that it must be a lie.

“But how could he know their names without some truth behind it? Do you really believe my husband is dead?”

“Not for a second. I told you from the beginning that King Toren is unpredictable. He was able to find you almost on the other side of Ireland.

“I would not put it past him to find out information about your home. Remember, he knew enough of where Cayden was from. Finding out the rest would be easy for him.”

“I did tell him we lived in Dundalk. Anyone who knew the town would know exactly who was in charge there,” I said with a little more confidence.

She stroked my hair tenderly, giving me an encouraging look. “As much as I love having you here, it is time.”

“Time for what?”

“To either accept your fate here or make your way back to him.”

It did not take me long to decide. I could not stay here in Oranmore any longer. Myrna was right: my son was safely delivered, it was time.

“My fate lies with Cayden. I ~will~ find a way to leave.”

***

The conversation with Myrna gave me the boost I needed to build up my strength again. I started walking every day with the baby.

I was only able to walk a short distance the first few weeks, but as they carried on, I found myself walking most of the afternoon.

I brought a stick in from outside and used it to practice my sword-skill on the furniture in my room.

Even though it was incomparable to the real thing, at least I was attempting to practice my footwork.

On the outside, it appeared as though I was settling into my new role as a mother, as the king’s daughter, and as a resident of Oranmore.

Even with my plan in motion, I felt myself forgetting it every once in a while and finding some enjoyment in my life here.

Once a week, King Toren invited me to have a special meal together, just the two of us and the baby. He asked me advice on different issues in the kingdom or shared stories about my mother.

His approach and interactions with me always seemed so genuine, it was hard to believe he was the same man using me for his own gain.

On other days, Lady Brynlee taught me trivial things about being a woman in the royal court, like how to serve a proper tea to visitors.

It was something I thought I would never need to know, but it passed the time. In the evenings, Sable and I, usually with Myrna, spent our time painting, sewing, or sharing in the latest gossip.

The only person who ever reminded me of why I hated this place was Silas. Our interactions were almost always negative, as he made it his purpose to undermine my every word.

Time quickly passed, and before I knew it, Cay was already two months old. It was September, and I admired the leaves beginning to change during one of my daily strolls.

The guards greeted me as I circled back toward the castle. I noticed Ciaran, Silas’s right-hand man, training a few new soldiers in fighting.

We had only seen each other on certain occasions, usually when there was a banquet or festival in the castle; he was always conversing with one of the female servants.

He noticed me watching and called me over to where they were.

“Lady Ada, will you and Cay join us?” he said, picking up his shirt to wipe off the sweat on his face. Even though he was older, I took notice of his very muscular physique.

“I do not wish to impose on your training.”

“It is not an imposition at all, my lady. Please join us for a few moments,” he insisted. I walked over and one of the guards nearby laid out a blanket from his horse for me to sit on.

Ciaran carried on with his lesson with the new soldiers. He spoke of Viking fighting techniques and possible ways to defeat them.

My face must have given away how much I disagreed with him, because he looked at me and started to laugh. I felt myself blush as he turned to address me.

“Milady, do you have an issue with my instructions?”

“I do not.”

“I am open to any suggestions you may have.”

King Toren had insisted I keep my husband’s identity a secret while at the castle. He told me it would only upset the kingdom, which I received more as a threat than warning.

But I did not dare to test his theory, especially with my child’s life at risk. In this moment, I feared my knowledge of fighting would draw attention to what I was trying so hard to hide.

“Please, lady. Come join me up here.”

I placed Cay gently on the blanket and called one of the servants nearby to watch him. The man hurried over and hovered over my sleeping child. I stood up and joined Ciaran in front of the other men.

“Well, if you must ask, I noticed you tell the men to swing their sword this way.” Taking the sword out of his hand, I repeated the same move with one of the trainees standing by.

“What you forget is many of the Vikings will expect that move. If you swing this way, you are putting all your might to one side, which in turn exposes the other half of your body.

“There is no way for you to quickly bring yourself back in time to protect yourself. If I was one of these Northmen, I would most likely counter your move like this…,” I said.

I hit the man’s sword down and turned around so my imaginary dagger hit his side. I took a step back and looked at Ciaran. His eyes moved up my body to meet my face with complete amazement.

“Lady Ada, you are a woman of many talents. I am quite impressed.”

“It is just as well. I’m sure you would have noticed it from where I was sitting.”

“Do you know how to fight with a sword?”

“Enough to defend myself.”

He handed me a sword as if to challenge me. I thought about taking the sword, but I could not leave Cay out in the sun. I smiled at him and took my place by the blanket.

“I am not properly dressed to fight with you, and I think it is about time I got Cay inside.”

“Then tomorrow, if you are up to it.”

“We shall see.”