Child of the Kindred, page 42
part #2 of The Rienfield Chronicles Series
Laurel looked at her with visible exasperation, the Queen looking on with concern seeing that Laurel was at an end with her patience. Marina merely lowered her eyes when Oriel continued her arguing with Laurel. Oriel had become restless and frustrated, with yet another change in plans. Imagin was asked by her mother, to remain home the rest of the week, seeing that Owain and Tulla had just returned from their honeymoon in Ardara. Adele wished to introduce her new daughter-in-law to the women of her village, by way of she and Ealish making Tulla a luncheon and inviting the women of the small community in Tipperary to dine. So once again, Oriel felt slighted and disappointed with these changes, and still continued to challenge anything she was told.
“I have already explained this to you, and it is growing quite tiresome to explain it again. Caleb told you when he and Aiden are finished with the things they need to do, they will take you to practice your bow,” Laurel said, not hiding her annoyance.
“But I want to go now. I am tired of waiting. Why can he not take me this afternoon?” Oriel asked, her whine even more pronounced.
Laurel narrowed her eyes in irritation, as Queen Alana smiled at Oriel sadly, with Marina and Jamison looking at both Oriel and Laurel, watching the game of wills with concern.
“Very well then Oriel. Go to the study, and ask Caleb, if he will take you this afternoon,” Laurel replied, with a frustrated but resolute tone.
“Ah Laurel…do you feel that is wise, dear?” the Queen asked Laurel knowingly.
“Yes, Mother, I do. Caleb has already explained to Oriel about the meeting today, but if she still feels the need to question him further, then, by all means, let her do so,” Laurel answered, looking at Oriel again with a cross expression.
Oriel looked at Laurel with an indignant pout, then standing up and taking Jamison’s hand, began to walk out of the sitting room.
“Where are we going?” Jamison asked, looking a bit worried.
“To the study, to ask Caleb if he will take us to the Sentinel Headquarters to practice my bow,” Oriel answered, pulling him along with her.
Jamison suddenly stopped walking, letting go of Oriel’s hand.
“I do not want to go in the study. Caleb told us not to interrupt him while he was in there talking,” Jamison protested, stepping back slightly.
“You have to come, you want to go as badly as I do, you just will not say anything. So if I have to ask, then you have to come with me,” Oriel demanded, taking his hand once again, making their way down the corridor.
When they approached the study, they hesitated for a moment, listening to the voices behind the door. Oriel knocked quietly, waiting for a reply and when hearing none, she knocked once again louder this time. Suddenly the talking ceased.
“Come in,” King Fergus’s voice could be heard, sounding impatient.
Oriel opened the door slowly, then both of them peeked around it and looked over at the large table on the far side of the room. King Fergus smiled in amusement, then looked over at Caleb, who was now frowning and shaking his head. Aiden and Cahir both grinned broadly, as everyone else gave Caleb amused smiles.
“What is it Oriel?” Caleb asked in a low voice, sitting back in the chair, his annoyance more than apparent.
“Well…I wanted to ask you a question. I shall come back later,” Oriel countered back quickly, turning towards the door and beginning to push Jamison out.
“No, stop right there,” Caleb replied, as Oriel stopped walking and turned around to look back at him. “You came in here after I told you not to do so because apparently, you have something rather pressing to ask me. Now, ask me your question,” Caleb directed, keeping his tone low and even.
“I was just going to ask…um…I wanted to know if maybe you would take us to practice my bow this afternoon,” Oriel asked, after pausing for a moment.
Everyone either chuckled quietly or lowered their heads smiling, with Tarron reaching over and hitting Caleb’s arm, laughing softly. Caleb’s expression, however, was not one of amusement. Aiden looked over at Wendell, who was watching the scene with wide eyes, wondering what the outcome would be. Aiden leant over, speaking in a quiet voice to Wendell, smiling at him wryly.
“You see that face Caleb is making? When we were children, if he made that face at us, we would be running in the other direction by this time. Orrie does not know any better, yet,” Aiden mentioned with a smirk.
“Come here…no, by yourself. It is clear that you dragged your brother in here with you,” Caleb told Oriel, as she attempted to bring Jamison over with her.
Oriel looked at Caleb with a sad pout, not moving at first, until he gestured again for her to walk over to him. Pulling out his chair and turning it around, away from the end of the table, Caleb sat back down as Oriel walked over to stand in front of him. He leant forward, placing his hands on her arms, drawing her closer.
“What did I tell you at breakfast this morning?” Caleb asked her, in the same low tone.
“You said that you would be busy, and…and not to interrupt the meeting,” Oriel answered, her voice barely heard.
“And yet you still did. I will not be taking you to practice your bow this afternoon, and neither will anyone else. If you continue to pester me about it, you will not be going at all. I am not going to give you another chance. I told you we were going to be very busy discussing some important things, and that I would spend time with you and your brother later today. Now, I want you and Jamison to go to your room, and to stay there until I come for you,” Caleb admonished her sternly, though still using the same low tone.
“But…but I was tired of waiting. That is why I came to ask you. Marina told me to ask Laurel and you again. Then Laurel told me to ask you,” Oriel said, beginning to cry and whimper, her lips trembling.
“I have no doubt Laurel said that because you were most likely pestering her about it as well. Do not try and shift the blame for your actions on anyone else, mo daor. Stop your fussing and let us go to your room. You have plenty of books and toys to amuse you both until later this afternoon. Now come with me,” Caleb replied, standing up and walking her to the door, leading both children out into the corridor.
“I…I do not want to go to our room,” Oriel began to protest tearfully, as Caleb took her and Jamison by the hand, making their way towards the sitting room.
“You should have thought of that before you came in and interrupted the meeting,” Caleb remarked, his patience becoming thinner with each protest, as the children then began to argue who was at fault.
“I did not want to interrupt the meeting! Orrie made me go!” Jamison yelled out in frustration, beginning to cry as well.
“You did too! You kept telling me to ask Marina and Laurel, they just did not see you,” Oriel yelled back at him, reaching over and pushing him, as they continued walking.
“Stop pushing me!” Jamison countered back, attempting to reach over and push her back.
Caleb stopped in front of the sitting room door, looking at them in complete disbelief and frustration, as they continued to bicker and reach around him to push the other. The raucous they were making caused Queen Alana, Laurel and Marina, to stop talking and look towards the doorway, seeing only a glimpse as they were not in full view.
“Alright! I have had quite enough of this nonsense!” Caleb could be heard saying scoldingly, then to the children’s surprise, he gave them both a sharp swat on their backsides. “Now go to your room this instant. No, I am not talking to either of you any longer. Go to your room,” Caleb said as he pointed down the corridor, the children continuing their tearful protest. “Oriel! Do not push your brother again,” Caleb called out, watching them until he could no longer see or hear them.
Walking into the sitting room with a look of complete exasperation, looking over at the very surprised faces of the three of them. Caleb stopped in front of the couch that Laurel and Marina were sitting on, placing his hands on his hips and looking at Marina.
“What do you think we are doing in the study?” Caleb asked Marina in a very stern, but subdued voice.
“You…you said you were having a meeting,” Marina answered, her voice trembling slightly.
“We are discussing events that will affect the lives of everyone here and in Gwenlais, not just having a social function. The children will stay in their room until I go and see them myself. And you will not go in there, is that understood?” Caleb asked her in a reprimanding manner, knowing she would likely give in to them and bring them back to the sitting room.
“Yes, Caleb,” Marina replied, in a soft, shy voice.
“Good, see that you do understand this time. I will no longer tolerate you undermining my authority, which you have done for the past week. By sneaking them in sweets, when I have told them they have had enough. When you go into their room after Laurel, and I have put them to bed, and play more games with them. That is a blatant show of disrespect on your part, each time you do this. They will not respect me as their guardian if you do not. When Oriel becomes insistent and demanding, it would be helpful if you too, told her to stop doing so. I have seen and heard you scold her when she is irritating you about something. I completely explained to all of you, how important this meeting was, and how no one was to interrupt us for any reason. Did you tell Oriel to ask Laurel and me again, about taking them this afternoon?” Caleb questioned her, his voice clearly indicating his displeasure with her.
“I…um…I thought if she asked you both once more, you might change your mind,” Marina answered, her eyes filling with tears as Laurel looked at her with a sad smile, then back at Caleb.
“I do not give in to the demands of spoilt and disrespectful children. I have had enough of not just their disrespect, but yours also. Being the oldest, I expect you to set the right example for them to follow. You, however, are not so old that I will not teach you a lesson as well. If you undermine me once more, you will be punished for it, by being restricted to your room for two days and not having your monthly allowance from either me or Aiden. Do we have an understanding?” Caleb asked, his voice still quiet, but stern and scolding.
“Yes sir,” Marina whispered back tearfully, as she wiped her eyes with the back of hands.
“Good. This is the last time I will warn you, see that you heed it,” Caleb replied, looking at her sternly then turned and made his way back to the study.
Marina sniffed back tears a few times, looking over at Laurel questioningly.
“Yes, he will,” Laurel answered her unspoken query, softly.
As Oriel and Jamison walked into their room, Oriel angrily slammed the door behind her. She walked over to her bed, sitting on the edge and folding her arms, her face in a sullen pout. Jamison walked over to the small table and began to work on a puzzle they had started that morning. Oriel watched him for a few moments, her eyes filled with tears of frustration and irritation. Though Caleb had not raised his voice in the study, his scolding her in front of the others had left her feeling embarrassed and self-conscious. Her bottom still stinging slightly from Caleb swatting her in the corridor, made her angry, as she had never been punished or made to hold her behaviour to account. Oriel stood up and walked over to the large closet, as Jamison looked up, watching her curiously. He was surprised to see Oriel pull on a heavy wool sweater over her dress, then take out her bow and quiver, which held four arrows. She also took out a sweater for Jamison and walked over to him wearing a very determined expression.
“What are you doing?” Jamison asked with more than a bit of concern as she handed him the sweater.
“I am tired of waiting, so we will go and practice my bow ourselves. Hurry and put your sweater on so we can leave,” Oriel answered, in a bossy, impatient tone.
“But you heard Caleb; He said we had to stay in our room until he comes in to see us. What if he comes in and we are not here? We are going to get in big trouble,” Jamison replied with a worried expression, pulling the sweater over his head.
“We will be back before he is done with his silly meeting. Then we will no longer be pestering him,” Oriel remarked in an insolent tone.
“I do not think we should go Orrie,” Jamison replied hesitating by the table, absently moving the puzzle pieces about.
“Do you not want to have an adventure? It will be like one of the stories that Caleb reads to us,” Oriel mentioned, her voice now sounding animated, as she took Jamison’s hand and led him out of the room.
They opened the door walking out into the corridor quietly, making their way to the balcony. They looked over, stopping for a moment by the stairway as two serving girls from the kitchen came from the sitting room with trays after serving tea. They both smiled and said hello to the children as they walked past them, making their way back to the kitchen. Oriel and Jamison both looked at each other in relief. Walking down the staircase as quickly as they could, then continued to look around until they walked out of the Lodge. The children stood on the large open entryway of the Great Lodge, watching the Sentries talking together and looking about the front grounds.
“This way Jamison,” Oriel directed quietly, as she led Jamison off the entryway steps and then towards the front grounds.
The Sentries glancing over at the children with little concern, as they were growing more accustomed to their presence, the children often being seen playing by the entrance. Oriel and Jamison then walked as quickly as they could down the small hill towards the main roadway. They then turned off the road and walked into the forest, looking behind them before disappearing into the thick brush. Oriel found herself having to stop and sometimes help Jamison up, from stumbling over tree roots and undergrowth. When they reached the deeper part of the forest, most of the undergrowth was thinner and sparser, as the trees were shielding the sunlight. The smell of damp earth seemed more noticeable. Oriel stopped and began to pick large conifer trees as targets, she and Jamison would laugh as they went further into the forest, retrieving the arrows.
Before too long the children found themselves disoriented, as the forest no longer showed the distinction of where it bordered the main roadway.
“Come this way, Jamison. I think the road is over here,” Oriel directed, her voice sounding doubting and anxious, as Jamison took her hand looking about with a worried expression.
“Orrie, I do not think this is the right way,” Jamison said with a trembling voice as they walked further into the forest, the sunlight becoming more veiled and shaded by the ancient trees.
“We will go just a little further, then if it still does not look to be the way, we will turn around,” Orrie said, trying to sound reassuring though she was feeling unsure herself.
“Your Highness, I have brought in the midday meal for the children as you requested, but they are not in their room,” a young kitchen maid declared as she walked into the sitting room.
Queen Alana, Laurel and Marina had just been served their meal in the casual comfort of the sitting room, when the maid suddenly walked in. Queen Alana glanced over with a smile, as Laurel and Marina both let out exasperated sighs.
“Thank you, Millie, will you please inform Lucas to have Neave and some of the chamber maids, look into the other rooms up here for the children. Most likely, they are just wandering about the rest of the rooms, having a lovely make-believe adventure,” the Queen directed with an amused smile, picturing the curious children walking about the spacious wing of the Lodge.
“Yes, Your Highness,” the maid answered, giving a curtsey before leaving the room.
It was shortly after they had finished their meal that the Queen, Laurel and Marina once again found themselves visited by not only Neave but Stella and Mauve as well, all wearing concerned expressions.
“What is it ladies, that has you looking so troubled? Are the children alright?” the Queen asked, as Laurel and Marina looked at each other worriedly.
“That is what has us so concerned, my Lady. Stella and I heard that Neave and a few of the maids were looking for the little ones, so we took it upon ourselves to help in finding them. We cannot seem to locate them anywhere,” Mauve replied, wringing her hands together anxiously.
“We informed Lucas, and so far, the staff has been unable to find them downstairs as well. One of the kitchen maids mentioned she saw them well over two hours ago, on the balcony by the staircase, but no one has seen them since,” Stella explained, as she glanced over at Laurel and Marina, who was now holding Laurel’s hand looking overwhelmed.
“I shall go and inform Caleb. This is most unusual, and I feel concerned not knowing where they have gone off to,” Laurel spoke up as she stood and made her way to the study.
“So gentlemen, let us say the meeting is now concluded and we shall go to the dining room to enjoy a hearty midday meal,” King Fergus said smiling, then turning with everyone else, as a small knock could be heard from the door.
Caleb’s expression turned from one of annoyance to surprise, as Laurel entered the room with a worried bearing.
“Please excuse me, but I have some rather upsetting news to relate,” Laurel expressed, glancing at everyone, her gaze resting lastly on Caleb as she walked towards the table.
“What is it dearest? We have just concluded the meeting,” Caleb asked as he stood up, and walked over to her taking her hand.
“The children are missing, and it seems they cannot be found anywhere. Lucas still has the staff looking about the main floor chambers, yet still, there has been no sign of them for well over two hours. They were last seen, on the balcony by the staircase,” Laurel explained, as Caleb’s face looked impatient once again.
“Is that so? Even after I told the little urchins to stay in their room? Have Marina go and look in their closet to see if Oriel’s bow and quiver are still in there,” Caleb suggested, as Aiden and Cahir walked up to them, both wearing wry grins.
“I did not think they would be so bold as to venture outside,” Laurel remarked with a slightly startled look on her face.
