Time passed in a flurry of activity at the House in preparation for the arrival of the King. Emissary Zarn and Lord Ulrich were both losing patience with me over my refusal to return to the service of Lord Ulrich immediately. my reply was always that i would await the out come of the King's official inquiry into the matter. There was no way that i was willingly going to return to Lord Ulrich's service. i had much dislike for that man.
Sir Kern kept me company as much as he could and gave me news of Lord Elrik. The dungeon thankfully was not making Him ill and His spirits were still up despite having been imprisoned as He was. A bed at least was made and put into His cell so that He would not have to sleep upon the floor. That brought a blush to my face at the thought. i had a few wonderful memories of that very cell.
Each night, Sir Kern and i talked about the things i was learning about my people in the book that he had returned to me. i was amazed at how much information was contained in the book and paid particular attention to the laws that were contained inside. We planned a bit of strategy from its information as well. Sir Kern was quickly becoming one of my best friends and the powers that be knew i needed someone looking after me.
The most distressing part that i found was that the laws of my people did not allow me the status of an adult until two things occurred for women. i would either have to be married or be with child but preference was given to both since marriage among my people was not declared official until a child was conceived. The laws did state that a woman could be forced to marry the Father of her child if the woman's guardian demanded it. The laws had many loopholes though and Sir Kern was helping me to see through them.
i could not marry as i was not in a position in which Lord Ulrich would give his blessing and permission for it. Lord Ulrich was my appointed guardian according to the laws of my people. Emissary Zarn kept pressing that detail upon me and that i should obey the laws regarding that. my position was that Lord Ulrich wasn't acting like a guardian but rather a slaver.
There was nothing in the book that addressed the issue of being a slave but there was some for being held captive. Sir Kern helped me work an angle on that might prove helpful in my case. It was dependant on whether or not the King had knowledge of who my parents were. Royal captives were in a different light than non royals. Whether or not my parents had ever married or if my Father had claimed me as his had no bearing upon my birth rights according to my people's laws.
i had a place in my chambers that i hid the book and the letter that no one knew about. i didn't want to trust that knowledge to anyone. Sir Kern did not even know where i kept them. He did know that i did not keep there where any one could stumble upon them. It had been his idea to hide them in the first place.
Tara became a frequent visitor to my chambers. She told me about the latest gossip. All things over heard in the dinning hall. She did tell me that meals were tense between the three groups. None of them wanted to trust the other. It saddened me that things had come to this but there was no way that i was willingly going back to being Lord Ulrich's slave knowing what i knew now. i would sooner die.
Sir Kern came up with an interesting way that i might be able to appeal to the King and have Lord Ulrich removed as my appointed guardian. It would mean appealing to the King's sense of honor when it came to protecting family bloodlines. First cousin's was too close as far as this King thought according to information Lord Elrik supplied to Sir Kern. Since Lord Ulrich wasn't acting as my Guardian which many of the household staff could attest to then the King might see fit to remove the Guardianship.
Sir Kern helped me write a letter in appeal to the King. i would have the note delivered by Tara shortly after his arrival at the House. i hoped that the King would listen to me about the truth of who i was and what my true status was in Lord Ulrich's House. It wasn't a station by choice and it was one that insulted my family actually according to my people's laws. The laws didn't allow for royal blood to be treated in such a manner if they didn't choose that path.
Sir Kern tutored me a bit on how to act and speak around the King and it was much like speaking to one's Master. i was even shown how to dance. i felt a little silly being shown these things simply for this but i was assured by many that Lord Elrik would hold for the King would hold at least one formal dinner with dancing. If i was to pull the station card then i would need to know how to properly act. i only knew the things that Lord Ulrich had taught me and that wasn't exactly meant for public.
The night before the King's arrival Lord Elrik was returned to His chambers but under heavy guard. Sir Kern showed up at my door with a cloak and bid me to put it on, and carefully tuck my tail up into the cloak and to cover my head fully. He was taking me to see Lord Elrik and that was my disguise. Lord Elrik was being permitted a luxury – a woman.
"Please don't ask questions at the moment zara. Simply do as I instruct and follow my lead. They are allowing Lord Elrik a woman, and she is to arrive hidden by this cloak. I was charged with her delivery. I am taking you to Him now. Please use what ever charms you have to make Him forget these last two weeks."
