Child of the Kindred, page 49
part #2 of The Rienfield Chronicles Series
“I am happy to hear how your parents did not allow that horrid instructor to get away with it. But why was he allowed to still teach?” Laurel asked with a frown, as she tied the front of her gown.
“In spite of his disposition, he is brilliant. He not only can read maps, even the ancient ones in the archives, he can also make them. His knowledge of the various territories throughout Rienfield is extraordinary. That indeed, is the only reason he was allowed to keep his position. So with that being said, I just helped Oriel finish her letter. Again it is more for her benefit than Master Alby’s that I had her write it,” Caleb answered with a smile, as he began to lead Laurel out of the room.
“How so Caleb? I feel if he made her that angry, he does not deserve an apology,” Laurel remarked with a slight indignant air.
“Of course you do dearest,” Caleb chuckled. “Look at it this way, however. If Oriel grows up thinking she can say or act any way that she pleases, because of who she is, she will be impossible to deal with. No one will respect her, and she will most assuredly never become a Sentinel if she develops that way of thinking. So, for now, she will just concentrate on her lessons with Aiden and Ione. I do wish though, she was more interested in learning to read maps. It is an important skill and I know she is more than bright enough to understand the fundamentals,” Caleb reflected, as they walked casually to the dining room.
“I know who could help her with this. Wendell. He loves maps and is always looking at them in the Library. The children adore Wendell, and he enjoys spending time with them. I am sure he would be happy to help Oriel with this skill,” Laurel said with a sweet smile.
“Well then, we shall talk to him about this in a day or so. Let us just relax and enjoy supper now,” Caleb smiled back at her, as he kissed her forehead tenderly.
They walked into the dining room and found Aiden frowning at Oriel and Jamison, as Marina looked at them sadly. The King and Queen looked on with sad smiles, as Oriel and Jamison were pouting and looking at each other angrily. Caleb h elped Laurel sit down at the table, then took his owe seat. Caleb looked over at the children and then Aiden.
“So, what is causing such angry faces at the table this evening?” Caleb asked, looking at Aiden with a smirk and raised eyebrows.
“Well is seems, a particular little girl is in a very quarrelsome mood, and her brother is enjoying arguing with her. I just told them both to stop it, or they would be sent to their room, and you would not put up with it as well,” Aiden replied, still frowning at them.
“You have both had a very long day. Just relax now, eat your supper, and do not bother each other any longer. Aiden is correct in saying I will not put up with any nonsense, especially at the table,” Caleb addressed both of the children, calmly but sternly.
“Jamison is annoying me. He keeps singing that song, and I told him I did not want to hear it anymore,” Oriel said with a whiny tone.
“I do not hear him singing it now, so never mind, and eat your supper,” Caleb told her, beginning to become impatient.
Soon everyone was eating quietly, passing bread and butter around the table when there was the sound of someone humming softly. Oriel looked over at Jamison with narrowed eyes, as everyone looked over at the children with different expressions. The King and Queen were clearly amused, Marina looked concerned as she knew what was about to ensue. Laurel smiled knowingly, as she looked over at both Caleb and Aiden who were becoming irritated.
“Jamison, you are doing it again!” Oriel yelled at her brother clearly frustrated.
“I am not singing. You said not to sing. I am humming,” Jamison said smugly, as he began to hum once again.
Oriel narrowed her eyes, even more, her face becoming flush with her rising temper. Caleb looked up, but before he could say anything, Oriel turned in her seat slightly and kicked Jamison under the table.
“Ouch! She kicked me!” Jamison yelled out, as he then turned and kicked his sister back.
“Ouch! Stop it!” Oriel yelled back at him.
“Both of you stop this nonsense right now!” Caleb said with a raised voice. “You will both go to your room without your supper if I have to tell you again,” Caleb scolded them.
“They would do this almost every night at Gwenlais,” Laurel murmured, as she leant in to talk to Caleb, still wearing the same smile.
“Well they are not going to do it here,” Caleb grumbled, not lowering his voice.
“Marina dear. Aiden tells me he took you to our little tea shop. It is the only one here in Heathwin, without having to go all the way to Welstone. Did you enjoy it?” Queen Alana suddenly spoke up, in an attempt to ease the tension in the room.
“Yes, I did Mother, it was quite charming,” Marina answered, slightly distracted as she looked over and saw Oriel and Jamison begin to fidget once again.
Caleb noticed them as well, and looked at them intently, watching for what they would do.
“Stop it. Stop touching me,” Oriel hissed in a whisper, as she glared at her brother.
“You stop touching me,” he hissed back.
“Stop it. Stop it. You are touching me again,” Oriel whispered again, then kicked him once more.
“Ouch! She kicked me again,” Jamison said, with a loud whine, kicking Oriel back.
“Because he will not stop touching me!” Oriel yelled out in frustration.
“Alright, I have had enough of this. Both of you get up this instant,” Caleb growled, as he stood up and pulled their chairs out, taking them by the arms and making them stand up, leading them to the doorway.
“Now go to your room. You will not behave like this at the table. No, it too late, I have already warned you. Go to your room, now,” Caleb angrily replied to their tearful protests, as they sobbed pitifully walking down the corridor.
Caleb sat down with a heavy sigh and attempted to resume eating his dinner when suddenly, the sound of someone crying softly could be heard. All eyes looked over at Marina, her head bowed slightly, her hand to her mouth.
“What is it, love?” Aiden asked her quietly, as he placed his hand on her shoulder.
“Excuse me please,” she replied with a muffled tearful voice, as she stood up and quickly left the room, with Aiden following her close behind.
Caleb sighed once again, putting his hand on his temples, and leaning with his elbow on the table, as Laurel comfortingly rubbed his shoulder, smiling sadly at the King and Queen.
“This is a time of adjustment for all of them Caleb. For everyone really. You, for taking on the role of adoptive father, Aiden, the older brother, and caring for Marina as they begin their courtship. Laurel, you have become in many ways, mother and older sister. Of course, the children are learning to live a life completely foreign to them,” King Fergus spoke in a kind and benevolent voice.
“So was I wrong to make the little hooligans go their room?” Caleb asked in exasperation.
“Not at all, Caleb. It goes without saying, the little ones were never made to behave themselves. They have to learn what is, and what is not acceptable behaviour. They need to feel safe and secure in their new home. If they are allowed to do as they please, it will only add to their feelings of insecurity. They have all suffered a great trauma. They need consistent and loving, but firm guidance. They will adjust. It will just take a bit of time,” King Fergus replied reassuringly.
“All things heal with time Caleb, you know this, from personal experience,” the Queen mentioned, with a warm smile.
A few moments later Aiden walked back into the room, with a concerned expression.
“Caleb, will you please come with me into the study, to talk with Marina? I am unable to console her myself,” Aiden requested, clearly distraught.
“Yes of course,” Caleb answered in a tired voice, as he stood up and followed Aiden to the study.
Upon entering the room, Caleb saw Marina sitting on the small couch and crying with shuddering sobs, as she held her hands over her face. He knelt down beside her, as Aiden placed his arms around her from behind, leaning his face against her cheek.
“Come now dearest. Tell me what is wrong. Tell me why you are so upset,” Caleb requested in a soft, low voice, as he gently took her hands from her face and lifted her chin to look at him.
Her beautiful emerald green eyes, were now all swollen and tear-filled, as she looked at him with tears still streaming down her lovely face. He reached up to wipe the tears from her cheeks.
“It is just, I…I feel I have been neglecting them. I have been…the only one to care for them…aside from my mother, their whole lives. I am not accustomed to having anyone…do this much. Jamison acts like he no longer needs me, now that…he…he has his new teacher. Oriel hates her teacher, and she….has been so unruly lately. She does not listen to me like she used to. I was the one who taught them to read and write and count. And now I feel so…so useless,” Marina explained, causing her to sob even more emotionally.
“Dearest you are most certainly not useless. As Father told me just before I came in here, this is a time of adjustment, for everyone. Jamison needs you as much as he ever did. He is just enjoying the attention from others. Oriel is just testing everyone right now. She does not listen to anyone. Marina, she just told the most feared teacher in the entire early training program to “go suck eggs”. The child is fearless, and she is testing her boundaries. Look how she will argue with me. As far as your feeling that you are neglecting them, nothing could be further from the truth. Tell me, when did you start caring for Oriel?” Caleb asked, trying to draw her out.
“Shortly after she was born,” Marina answered, sniffing back tears.
“And how old is she now?” Caleb asked, smiling at her.
“She is ten seasons,” Marina answered in a small voice.
“Which means, since you were eight seasons old, which is Jamison’s age, you have been taking care of her and shortly after that, Jamison also. So mo daor, do you not feel, now that I have made you all my wards, and with all of us here, that now it is time for you to take a rest and start living your own life?” Caleb asked her gently, as Aiden kissed the side of her face.
“I…yes I suppose so,” Marina answered, still sounding unsure.
“There are so many things you could do here dearest. You and Aiden are just beginning your courtship. Next month, you will meet the entire family at the Family Gathering once again. Aiden has not had the opportunity to introduce you to the wives and betroths of the other Sentinels as yet. We have a meeting in a fortnight, I will have Laurel bring you when the other ladies come, and then Aiden can introduce you to everyone. Tomorrow, you will have your first official function with Mother and Laurel when you attend the luncheon with the Chieftains’ and village elders’ wives,” Caleb mentioned, trying to sound enthused.
“Yes, love. That will give you an opportunity to get to know others. The rest of the winter, Caleb and I will be home most of the time. So we can spend time together, and get to know each other better, and find new interests together as well,” Aiden replied, then kissing the side of her face again.
“That does sound very nice. May I make one request please, concerning the children?” Marina asked shyly.
“Of course dear what is it?” Caleb asked her, wondering what she would want to do.
“May I please still tutor them two days out of the week? I feel Orrie still needs me to do this, and I still need to do this for Jamison,” she requested, with wide, sad eyes.
“I think that is a very reasonable request. I also feel it will help Orrie as well. And if you need this for yourself, as far as Jamison is concerned, I understand. When the heavy snows come, the schools will be closed the rest of the winter. Laurel and I will be requesting some help from Wendell also, to help Orrie with her distaste for maps. I think Wendell will make it an enjoyable experience for her. Perhaps he can do this on one of the days you are tutoring them,” Caleb suggested.
“Yes, that sounds like it might actually be fun, for all of us,” Marina replied, smiling brightly as she began to relax.
“Well if anyone can make map reading into a game, it would be Wendell,” Aiden smiled when he thought about Wendell, being animated with the children as he told them stories of old historical events.
“One thing we do need to discuss dearest, I know it upsets you when I get after the children to make them behave. That is something you are going to have to accept. I have named you all my wards. In the eyes of the laws of Heathwin, I am very much their father, and yours as well. As you are now family members of our Clann, I am responsible for all of you. Well, at least until you and Aiden are betrothed of course, but I will still be responsible much longer for Oriel and Jamison. I need you to understand that. I will be fair and compassionate with them, but I will also expect them to behave themselves and do as they are told. I did not spank them for their little adventure they had a fortnight ago. But that does not mean it will not happen at some point. If it does, I do not wish for you to become upset. I will never do anything out of meanness. Our Father was strict with us but fair and never harsh, and I will follow his example. You have nothing to worry for any longer. Do you understand?” Caleb asked, looking at her thoughtfully, watching her expressions.
“Yes Caleb, I do, and you are right. I will have to adjust as well. I am sure that I will, that we all will. Heathwin is our home now, and I am most grateful and happy that you brought us here to live,” Marina replied, as she leant over and hugged Caleb warmly. “Thank you for taking care of us,” she said softly.
“You are most welcome dearest,” Caleb answered back, embracing her warmly as he looked over at Aiden who reached out and gripped Caleb’s shoulder thankfully.
“Now, let us go back to the dining room and have some dessert. You may bring some back to the little hooligans later if you wish. I know they have had a long week and are tired. We do not need them crying and fussing all night,” Caleb said with a knowing grin, as he stood up and walked back to the dining room with them.
“There he is,” the young Sentinel Seamus whispered to Cian, the Guard with him.
“He seems to be talking to a woman. I have not yet seen her face yet, only her hands. Let us wait for a moment, maybe she will remove her hood,” Cian replied in a whisper, as they watched Tramaine and the mysterious figure he met in the middle of the forest.
They were both soon rewarded for their patience, as the woman did indeed lower her hood as she leant her face upward to give Tramaine a kiss.
“By the Maker,” Seamus hissed, with surprise and contempt. “It is that Ollam.”
“We have seen enough for now,” Cian replied, “we need to get back and report this right away to Commander Deaglan and to Sir Phineas.”
The next morning was a bright and sunny day, even though it was quite chilly and a heavy frost covered the ground. The family was busy going about their morning activities. Imagin would be spending the day with the children, as Queen Alana, Laurel, and Marina would be attending a luncheon with the wives of the village Elders and the Chieftains. It took place twice a season, at the Planting Season and the early winter time. It was a chance for the ladies to talk about concerns, current topics, and of course a bit of gossip. This would be the first time for Laurel and Marina, and the Queen was pleased to be able to take them. She sometimes found these luncheons boring and tedious, especially in the winter when Marvina could not attend. Queen Alana was very fond of her and found her honesty and candour amusing and refreshing. Maiwen was also quite intimidated by Marvina, as she had no issue telling Maiwen that she drank too much. So when Marvina was at these events, Maiwen was very subdued. The luncheon took place in a small, elegant dining hall at the Sentinel Headquarters. Seeing how King Fergus, Caleb and Aiden, would also be attending a meeting with the Chieftains at the Headquarters, they would all be leaving together. Imagin had planned a lovely tea party with the children in their room, with the usual accompaniments. Marina’s maidservant Neave was also invited to attend, and happily helped Imagin bring trays of delicious treats up from the kitchen. Oriel and Jamison were so excited, they hardly noticed as everyone began to depart for the Sentinel Headquarters.
“Come along my dears,” the Queen called out happily to Laurel and Marina as they followed her down the stairs.
They reached the stables, with the men already there and waiting for them. As everyone then mounted up, they rode at a leisurely pace, Caleb insisting Laurel not be rushed. They arrived at the beautifully built Headquarters, in a little less than half an hour. It shone in the bright sun like a sparkling jewel, from all the windows in the front of the building. Marina was impressed by its design, surprised again by the beautiful buildings she continued to see in Heathwin. Her homesickness for Gwenlais was becoming less intense every day. She did however, still miss her mother immensely, though she very seldom spoke of it, even when Laurel would ask her out of concern.
“No Laurel, really I am fine,” she would always say.
Laurel would speak to Caleb concerning this.
“I fear that something will happen one day and cause her to lose control, so that she will do something erratic or just unlike her usual self. She refuses to talk about her mother at all,” Laurel told him one night, as they lay in bed.
“You cannot necessarily force her mo stor. When she is ready, or if something like you described happens, then we will help her to deal with it,” Caleb reassured her.
They all walked into the building together, and after their kisses goodbye, they split up and went their separate ways to begin the afternoon’s activities.
After a couple of hours had passed, and the meeting with the Chieftains had ended, Aiden went into his private study to look over some reports and schedules that he needed to finish. Suddenly, he was surprised to hear a commotion and yelling out in the hall. He stood up to go and find out what was going on, and nearly crashed into Caleb as he was walking in.
