Fic: Complications (1/4)

[melyanna]

Title: Complications
Authors: angelqueen04, miera_c, and melyanna
Rating: PG
Summary: With the help of the Sodan, the people of Cheyenne prepare for winter. Cameron contends with the problems inside the city and out of it, while unexpected visitors bring a variety of challenges.
Notes: This story marks angelqueen04's last appearance as a regular contributor to this series. Kim has been integral to the development of the AU, and we're grateful for all her hard work with us in the last few years. :)


In the days after the Goa'uld left Caldora, Cameron remembered thinking to himself that the worst was over. That was before they learned of the attack on Cheyenne, of course, but still, Cameron thought ruefully that he ought to have known better.

He stood nearly at the farthest end of Cheyenne, close to the point where the two rivers met. Looking northward, he could see the tower of the keep midway up the peninsula. The ancient stone building loomed protectively over the manor house, the seat of the ruling family of Cheyenne for generations.

Within the last two weeks, a change had been wrought on the landscape. Where a tumble of dilapidated homes had once been, the land had been cleared and brick and stone were being painstakingly assembled into a hall. The design of the structure was Asgard, and the men of Cheyenne were laboring alongside the Sodan to hasten its completion. The weather was turning colder, and people in Cheyenne were still sleeping in the streets. Rather than attempt to rebuild enough individual dwellings to shelter the people, Master Hermiod had advised the building of a structure large enough to shelter everyone for the time being.

He would have been happier spending his days in manual labor along with the other men, but John's absence meant that Cameron's attention was required in several places at once. Thankfully, the visible progress on the hall had settled some of the tension in Cheyenne. When the Sodan had arrived with Cameron, anger had flared through the city as the rumors regarding John's decision spread. Many of the people were wary of outsiders, given what had just happened with the Goa'uld. Others resented giving away land that belonged to Sheppard by right to foreigners.

The Sodan, for their part, worked with their customary intensity and remained aloof from the people around them. Cameron could not blame them for it.

Unfortunately, that was only one of his problems. Food was still painfully scarce in the city, and the time was coming where the first of the potato crop must be harvested. Some livestock had arrived from the hill country, but Cameron still needed to communicate with the masters of the flocks that grazed on the slopes of the Talas mountains. There was no time to travel right now, though. He couldn't leave Cheyenne while John was still gone.

Meanwhile, supplies for the rebuilding of the city were arriving in haphazard fashion, which had stalled progress on the hall and other improvements several times. Cameron had never been in charge of building anything in his life, and if not for the advice of Lady Gairwyn, he would have been utterly lost as to what was required. Some in the city were still grumbling about the new map, including several allies of Lord Malchus. Cameron did his best to ignore those comments.

What he could not ignore was Malchus' opinion on the giving of land to the Sodan. The lord had been vehement in his complaints both about the dividing of the province and also the potential for more refugees appearing in Cheyenne, having been displaced by the Sodan settlements. Cameron had no idea what would become of the small population of farmers who had still been living in the southern valley. There was no easy place for them to relocate to anywhere in Sheppard, even with the concession of territory Lord David Dixon had made.

Hovering before him was also the specter of having to summon the militia. There were rumors that some of the farmers in the valley were intending to remain. Cameron did not enjoy the idea of having armed men forcibly turn the people of Sheppard out of their homes. He could only hope reason would prevail in time.

Or that John would return and take this weight from his shoulders.

The sun was sinking in the west as the day began to draw to a close. Cameron spoke to Caleb, the man overseeing the work on the hall, obtaining a list of supplies that would soon be needed. Master Hermiod was pleased with the progress on the building thus far, apparently. If they were very lucky, the roof could be completed before the first frost arrived.

Cameron restrained himself from commenting on the quality of his recent luck.

With the list firmly in mind to pass to Lady Gairwyn, Cameron went in search of his squire. Because the day's work was ending, he suspected where he would find Nicholas and indeed, as he entered the kitchen of the manor, a tell-tall laugh had him poking his head around a wall.

Nicholas was there, and as expected, so was Cassie. What Cameron had not anticipated was that they were not exactly talking.

He drew back with jerk, but it was too late. He heard Cassie let out a startled noise and a few minutes later, the two of them appeared, both rather red in the face. Cassie slipped away with a rather wicked look at Nicholas, who was doing everything to avoid his master's gaze.

Cameron could not find it in him to do more than pull a long face at Nicholas' behavior. True, it wasn't exactly proper for the two young lovers to be so familiar with each other in such a public place, but they were about the only two people Cameron knew at this point who were enjoying themselves. He had not the heart to scold them.

Besides, he was certain Janet was doing all the scolding necessary with both of them.

Nicholas, with an evident desire to avoid a lecture, nodded. "Did you need something, my lord?"

Cameron sighed. "Yes. Find Lady Gairwyn and ask her if she will dine with me this evening. I have need of her advice." Nicholas bowed his head but Cameron could not resist. "If you can tear yourself away from the kitchen here, that is."

If possible, Nicholas' ears turned an even brighter red, but he departed without comment. Before Cameron could do anything else, though, a messenger appeared. "My lord, a party approaches from the east, bearing the royal insignia."

Cameron resisted the urge to curse. The last thing he needed at the moment was to wait hand and foot upon King Henry for days. "Make arrangements for his Majesty's comfort."

"Begging your pardon, my lord, but I believe it is Princess Carolyn who arrives."

Cameron went still as stone for a moment. The princess was here? Again? He'd had no notion of her coming, and he could not conjure any reason for her to be in Cheyenne. He found his voice. "Very well, but my order still stands."

With a small smile, the messenger bowed. Cameron looked down at his clothes. He'd been tramping all over the city all day and he was filthy. He could not appear before Princess Carolyn so attired. He headed for the staircase, hoping he would have time to change before his guest arrived.

The trip from Redwater to Cheyenne was lovely. Carolyn couldn't remember the last time the weather had been so pleasant for so many days in a row. As her party followed the road west, they could see the rare stands of trees beginning to change color, while the grass had faded to a golden hue. Autumn had come to Caldora at last, but the beauty of the days meant that the nights were growing colder, and the potential for a new crisis was looming over Cheyenne yet again.

"This must be a familiar vantage for you, Highness," Paul Davis said on her right as they crested a rise. Before them was the city, surrounded by the two rivers which stretched back up towards the Talas mountains in the distance.

"Not so familiar," she replied. "I have been here only once before."

"More familiar than I, then. I have never seen this place."

"I wish I had seen it before the Goa'uld came," Carolyn mused. "This must have been a sight to behold."

"Indeed."

Davis fell silent then, as the convoy was tightening up for the approach to the gates. Carolyn waved to the guards, though she suspected that the royal banners that adorned the wagons had more to do with the speed with which they were ushered into the city. The place was looking better, she had to admit. Nearly a month had passed since the most adept builders among the Sodan had left Redwater with Lord Mitchell. They had been doing good work in that time. Carolyn could see the silhouette of a large building, in the southern end of the city, which had not existed on her last visit.

"That should be a great help soon," Carolyn remarked to Davis, who was still riding beside her. Along the way people were beginning to notice her presence, but she tried not to seem as though she was looking for the bows and curtsies appropriate for her appearance.

Davis nodded and agreed with her, but Carolyn's attention was fixed on the arrival of a handful of young guards from Cheyenne's militia. The convoy came to a halt, and the guards bowed, somewhat awkwardly. Carolyn nodded in return. "Gentlemen, good day to you."

"Welcome back to Cheyenne, Princess," said one, obviously the oldest of the group. "Lord Mitchell sends his greetings and invites you to go up to the keep. He will join you there as quickly as he can." Carolyn let out a breath she had not realized she'd been holding. Lord Mitchell was receiving her, which meant his cousin had not yet returned.

"We bring with us a shipment of food and supplies for the reconstruction," she said.

"My men and I can escort the wagons," the guard replied.

"Very well. I thank you for your assistance."

The man bowed again, and his fellows followed suit a moment later. With a glance at Davis, she whipped the reins lightly and they started off again, this time veering toward the old stone keep that dominated the middle of the city.

Inside a handful of servants took the horses away, and the steward of the keep was there to show them to their rooms. Carolyn, though, was in the same place she had occupied the last time, so she went on ahead of the others, knowing where she was to go. Unaccompanied, she headed up a narrow, dark stair to the next floor and turned to the right, toward her chambers.

Immediately she nearly collided into someone, and a moment later she realized that it was Lord Mitchell. A moment after that, her cheeks heated as she blushed, seeing him half undressed.

"Princess," he said, reaching out to steady her as though on instinct.

"My lord," she managed, averting her eyes. She had seen him thus unattired before, but he had been wounded then and mostly covered in bandages. There was no such excuse now.

"Forgive me for my state," Cameron said, rushing through his words. "I was coming up here to clean up so I could receive you properly, and I had no idea that I would meet anyone in this corridor."

"Do not trouble yourself on my account," Carolyn replied, almost automatically. "I am the intruder here."

"I would not have you think of yourself thus," he contradicted and she met his eyes briefly, relieved at the welcome she saw there, beneath his embarrassment.

"Thank you," she replied.

Cameron stepped aside, letting Carolyn flee the scene. Yet a few moments after they had passed each other, she succumbed to temptation and turned. Cameron was walking away, and she was afforded a view of him more unguarded than any she had had before, and she watched the muscles in his shoulders move as he swung his arms. He had always seemed slim to her, but he was clearly very strong.

Though none were there to catch her, Carolyn blushed again and turned away, hurrying to her own chambers. There she found a basin of water to wash the dust of the road from her face while she waited for her belongings to be brought up, but more importantly she found privacy, which she had been sorely lacking for quite some time.

When she had washed and dried her face, she sat near the empty fireplace and sighed. It was something of a relief to know that John was not back yet. They had not spoken since the night she had offered to make him king someday, and she was not eager to relive the moment. The next day, after the assembly in which he had sacrificed part of his own province to the Sodan, he had mysteriously and hastily departed. Eventually word came out that a messenger from Atalan had arrived. The details of that message were probably known to Lord Mitchell, but he had told no one in Redwater, and the secrecy concerning it had sparked all manner of rumors.

Then later they had heard of the illness in the north, which had struck even Queen Elizabeth and made the woman dreadfully sick. Carolyn could not help but wonder if some lady dear to Lord John had been ill, for that would explain both the manner of his departing and his rejection of her offer.

Carolyn would not begrudge him that, certainly. She was embarrassed by what had last passed between them, but nothing more. Truthfully she was still rather amazed by her own audacity, both in proposing marriage and in kissing him. The move had been strategic on her part, but while she felt John of Sheppard would make a good king, he had to be willing to serve first.

It had been a nice change, to think of marriage with something other than weariness and dread, but John had been definite. And Carolyn was left, again, nearly out of options.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts, and she went to answer it with relief, for these same thoughts had been chasing about her head non-stop in Redwater, driving her to visit Cheyenne even though her presence was not strictly necessary. In the corridor was Lord Mitchell, this time fully clothed. "Good day, Princess," he said with a slight bow, obviously keen to forget that they had already encountered each other since her arrival. "How was your journey?"

"It was not unpleasant, but I am glad to have arrived," she replied, stepping out of her chambers and closing the door behind her. "I trust you are well."

Uncertainty flickered across his face, but he said, "I'm well enough." He offered his arm, and they began walking toward the staircase where they had come upon each other earlier. "I was surprised to hear that you had come."

She trusted Cameron's friendship for her enough to confide in him. "I wanted to be out of Redwater for a little while, and to be somewhere where I could be useful." Carolyn repressed a sigh. "I hope that will be true of this place."

"Believe me, I will put you to work if I can. There is much to be done, and I know you are capable," Cameron replied. Carolyn could not help the slight flush that came to her cheeks, especially when he glanced at her. "You seemed so comfortable in Redwater," he said when they came to the top of the stairs. "I would not have thought that you would come here just to get away."

Carolyn had to smile a little at that, for he still lacked much in his knowledge of life at court, but at the same time he never seemed to consider his ignorance to be a point of shame. Instead, he always seemed earnest to fill the gaps in his information. "There is coming a time when I shall not often have the chance to leave Redwater," she explained. "Despite the rumors, I am not opposed to the idea of marriage and family, but I know that when the time comes there will be things I will not be able to do as readily as I do now."

They started down the stairs, Cameron frowning. "There are rumors that you do not wish to marry?"

"I am almost twenty years old, Lord Mitchell. Some women in the court think I am an old woman already."

"I am more than five years your senior. Am I on death's door?"

"No, my lord, you are a young pup. And an eligible one at that. I heard there was more than one young lady in Redwater who tried to catch your attention."

Cameron rolled his eyes. "Do not remind me."

At that Carolyn had to laugh. "And it is that kind of attitude, my lord, that started the rumors about my maiden pride. Be careful, or you shall be painted in some similarly unflattering light."

He looked at her sheepishly. "Hopefully I would have you there to save me from such a fate, my lady."

There could have been a double meaning to his words, but Carolyn doubted he had intended the implication. That kind of artfulness was not like him.

They reached the foot of the stairs and the conversation turned then to rather mundane matters, the reconstruction work and the problems still plaguing citizens and refugees alike. In the course of their walk to the area where Lord Davis and the others were staying, two things became clear to Carolyn. She would certainly be of use here in Cheyenne, and Lord Mitchell was deeply grateful to have her help.

After leaving Nicholas to face his master alone, Cassie went to the building site. She had learned in the last month that her free time was well spent bringing water to the workers. Even the Sodan, as distant as they were with the people, were glad to see her come by with a bucket of water and a ladle to drink from. This had endeared her somewhat to the few Sodan women who had come with the builders.

When the Sodan first rode into Cheyenne, Cassie had not understood at first why the women would come. She could not imagine any woman, of any breeding, climbing timbers to lay down a roof or hauling stone for the walls. But soon the reason for the small group of women became apparent. One of them was with child, and her husband had felt compelled to contribute to the deal that had secured their new homeland. Lord Mitchell had convinced them both to come to Cheyenne where the lady in question could be cared for by a midwife he knew. The other ladies were friends and family members who came so that she would not be so utterly alone while her husband was busy working.

Mother, of course, had had no trouble in convincing the Sodan women to trust her. She had an uncanny ability to walk into a room and take charge of it, no matter who was there. It had not been until rather recently that Cassie had realized how much she envied her mother that gift. It was a skill she needed to learn, too, if she were to carry on her mother's profession one day.

The thought of one day doing this on her own had always been a little intimidating, but now there were new complications in the picture. Two months ago Nicholas had saved her from that brute in the courtyard and then knelt down and held her hands and everything had gotten remarkably confusing. After all, the whole reason she'd ended up in that predicament was that she was upset that Lord Mitchell's attentions seemed firmly fixed on Princess Carolyn instead of on her. Nicholas' actions that night had blindsided her, as had her own reaction to him.

For his part, Nicholas had seemed tongue-tied and clumsy for several days, until they found themselves alone one morning. The stilted conversation had died an abrupt death when he leaned down and pressed his lips against hers for a moment.

That had cleared the situation up quickly. Particularly after another, longer kiss.

Since then, Nicholas had been as quietly earnest as he had ever been, but now it was directed at her in a far different way, one that somehow now made her heart beat fast and her stomach fill with butterflies. Though not all that much had changed outwardly - they both still had work to fill their time - the stolen moments they managed during the days made them seem to pass swiftly.

In the evenings, at least before Lord Mitchell had returned, they sat together as usual, except now they sought out-of-the-way spots that might afford them more privacy.

Mother, to be sure, never left them alone for very long. Cassie had never learned the art of spying without being seen, but her mother had, so it had taken barely two days after that first kiss before Janet had walked in upon Cassie and Nicholas kissing enthusiastically in a normally deserted corridor of the manor. Cassie had never wished for the ground to open up at her feet more than while standing there, her face afire, while Nicholas was no less embarrassed but stubbornly clung to her hand even when she would have withdrawn it.

Mother said nothing, though, save a pointed look and a later, private reminder to consider the consequences of her actions. Eventually, many hours later when the worst of the squirming feeling had passed, Cassie had been able to laugh, a little.

The warning was unnecessary, though. Cassie had far too much first-hand testimony as to what happened when passion seized a man and a woman to take stupid risks. Not to mention, half the time Nicholas was almost shy with her, as if he could not quite comprehend what was happening.

Of course, at other times, the intent, ardent young man she had first seen in the courtyard returned. Her hand idly rubbed her shoulder, where her dress had slipped down a few days ago, and her skin bore a fading mark Nicholas had left on her.

It was exciting. And terrifying. In the songs and stories she'd heard, falling in love seemed so predictable, so obvious. This was different - strange and new. She wished there was someone she could talk with about it, but she could hardly confide in Nicholas, or Lord Mitchell, and definitely not in her mother.

The Sodan were finishing their labor for the day, as the sun was nearly down. Cassie collected herself and began to walk back towards the manor. There was noise on the main street and she recognized the bleating of sheep. Another herd had arrived from the mountains and was being ushered through the road. Not a moment too soon, either, for supplies of meat were running low, along with everything else. Cassie hastened forward, but a piercing shriek halted her in alarm.

Someone came flying at her and she nearly dropped the water pail in shock as she was seized in an embrace that squeezed the air from her lungs. "Valencia!"

Heedless of the water, she hugged her friend back for a long moment before they separated. "How did you come to be here?"

"A shipment of lumber, coming from Madrona," Valencia said, beaming. "Ramus and I traveled with the wagons. It was the first chance since we got your mother's note."

Cassie froze. "Mother wrote to you?"

Her friend looked puzzled. "Yes. She said she expected to remain here in Cheyenne for now, and it was time we joined you. Did she not tell you she wrote?"

No, Cassie thought with a rueful smile. Mother hadn't said anything. She had just seen that Cassie needed her best friend, and made it come about. She seized Valencia's hand. "No, but it is no matter. Come, I have so much to tell you."

Lady Gairwyn had been able to observe the future queen of Caldora during her previous visit to Cheyenne. At the time she had concluded the princess was a sensible, capable young woman with a strong head on her shoulders. That favorable opinion was reinforced when Gairwyn learned the royal party from Redwater had arrived today bearing their own provisions along with relief supplies. Cheyenne might not be in the desperate straits that had gripped the city following the attack, but every grain was precious as they attempted to prepare for winter. There was nothing to spare, even for royalty.

Gairwyn's invitation to dine with Lord Mitchell had crossed paths with news of the princess' arrival, but she suspected her presence would have been requested in any case. The sun had set when they sat to table in a small chamber off the kitchen. The dining hall was still in use as temporary quarters, so this was the most privacy the manor afforded for the moment.

Cameron arrived with the princess on his arm and several others trailing behind them. The introductions were barely concluded when a loud noise in the kitchen caught their attention. Cassie approached the door with another young woman whom Gairwyn did not know. It was apparent, though, that the girl knew Cameron, for she pelted forward with a cry before noticing the others in the room and stopping abruptly.

She dropped a stiff curtsey, looking nervously at the nobles arrayed around the room. "Lord Mitchell."

For his part, though, Cameron laughed even as he bowed his head, "Valencia." Then he swept the girl up into his arms in a bear hug that made her shriek. "Where is your troublesome little brother? I assume you could not detach yourself from him."

"Janet - Mistress Janet took him, my lord," Valencia stammered. "I wanted to see Cassie."

No sooner had the words come out when Janet appeared through another door, a small boy in tow behind her who dropped her hand and ran for Cameron with a bellowing roar. The lord of the manor caught the child and lifted him high in the air to his screaming delight.

Gairwyn glanced about the room curiously. A few of the people who had come with the princess were watching in distaste. It was evident from the clothing and the manners of this Valencia that she was a commoner and not practiced at dealing with her betters. Their opinion of Lord Mitchell's easy interaction with the youngsters was etched in the disapproval on their faces. But Gairwyn turned her eyes to the princess.

Carolyn looked a little startled at the noise, but her eyes were amused and warm as she watched Cameron tussle with the boy for a moment, asking eager questions of the girls and Janet.

An audible whisper caught Carolyn's attention, though, and Gairwyn watched silently as Carolyn's eyes darted across the room and then she resolutely stepped forward, drawing the gaze of everyone in the room. "Mistress Janet, Cassie, it is pleasant to see you again," she said graciously. Janet and Cassie curtsied to her. Carolyn turned to Cameron. "Lord Mitchell, perhaps you would introduce me to these friends as well?"

Cameron stared in surprise at Carolyn for a moment before introducing Valencia and her brother Ramus.

Gairwyn caught Janet's eye for a moment. They shared a quiet smile, then Janet suggested the young people would like to clean up and eat together in the kitchens, subtly guiding them away from the room, though Cameron asked her to return and join them for supper once the others were settled. The princess joined him in this, and when Janet had retreated, the young woman flashed a look around the room.

Any whispers that had been going on were now silent.

A servant came in and Cameron guided Carolyn to a seat as Lord Malchus and Lord Elrad arrived to take their places, having been summoned, no doubt, as soon as the princess had arrived. Gairwyn was seated by a Lord Davis, who took a place on her left, while a chair was left for Janet on her right. The rest of the chairs were soon filled, but something nagged at her for a moment.

The Sodan, she realized. No one had thought to send for Lord Haikon or any of his men to join the meal.

It was on the tip of her tongue to speak, but she checked herself. To point this out now would only embarrass Cameron and probably also the princess and cause a disruption. She would wait and bring it up another time.

Cameron was dreaming that he was in Redwater again, watching the assembly of peers argue over what time supper should be served, when he was abruptly awakened. "My lord," an urgent voice was saying, "my lord, you're needed downstairs."

He lifted his face from his pillow and glared at Nicholas, who looked apologetic. "What's going on?"

"The potato fields," Nicholas said. "Someone's been in them."

Cameron didn't have to be told twice. He got out of bed and dressed himself quickly, then followed Nicholas down to the armory, something which alarmed him more than a little before he remembered that it was very early and most of the areas of the keep more appropriate for this were being used to board the homeless. Right now, the kitchens would be far too busy for them to seek privacy there.

"How bad is it?" he asked, without preamble.

"We think they took about two bushels," said Elrad, the city's governor. "It could have been much worse."

"But every morsel of food is of dire importance, my lord," said Lord Malchus, addressing Elrad more than Cameron. "Surely I do not have to remind you of this."

"No, sir, you do not," Elrad replied, with more patience than Cameron might have. "Lord Mitchell, with your leave I would ask the royal guards in the city to assist us in finding the miscreants. The princess rarely ventures out with more than one or two of them accompanying her, even when she goes into the city."

"I will ask Princess Carolyn myself," Cameron told him. "I doubt she will object."

He paused too long, and Malchus jumped at the opportunity. "Perhaps the royal guards would be better suited to dealing with the refugees."

Cameron resisted the urge to roll his eyes. In the last few days, people from the southern basin of Sheppard had begun to arrive in Cheyenne, following the marquis' order to evacuate so that the Sodan could take possession of their new land. There was a great deal of bitterness, which Cameron understood. He could not fathom what it would be like to be told to move his entire life to another place. But the Sodan had saved them. They owed a debt. This was the least they could do.

"The refugees are doing well enough," Cameron said. "It was never going to be easy for them, but there is land enough for herds, for those who wish to keep them. We have found places for all of them to sleep, and we can take a few more before we are filled to overflowing. There is no need for Princess Carolyn's guards to deal with them."

"I do not mean the people who have already arrived in the city," Malchus replied. "Have you not heard? There are some in the basin who are threatening to stay where they are, king's orders be damned."

Cameron narrowed his eyes, wondering what to say to the veiled insult. He had not heard that, in fact, but he would not put it past Malchus to have done his best to keep that information from Cameron to undermine his authority. "That is a matter for the king," he said, carefully keeping his tone level. "That land is no longer part of Sheppard. It is not under my authority."

When the men had nothing else to add, Cameron left, heading for Princess Carolyn's chambers even though it was still quite early. But when he knocked on her door, she answered it, already fully dressed though her hair was down. She looked even prettier that way, and he had to remind himself not to stare. "Lord Mitchell," she said. "Is something the matter?"

"May I come in?" he asked.

She stepped aside to let him in, and before closing the door she asked the maid in the room to bring breakfast up for both of them. When they were alone, she sat down at the small table and looked up at him expectantly. "What is wrong, my lord?"

He hesitated, and Carolyn gestured to the other chair at the table. He sat across from her and sighed. "The governor came to me this morning with news that someone has stolen from the potato fields," he said. "He would like to know if you will allow your guards to assist him in apprehending the thieves."

"Of course. I will speak to the lieutenant," she replied. "How long until the harvest?"

"Only a few days."

"Perhaps some of them ought to be stationed to guard the fields as well," she said. "I imagine this will not be the last attempt."

Cameron nodded. After a moment he blurted out, "I almost hope we do not catch the persons responsible."

Carolyn gave him an understanding look. It was likely that the thief had a reason, but Cameron knew that he could not simply let the responsible parties go, or others would follow suit.

Before more could be said on the subject, the maid returned with breakfast, and Carolyn sent the girl to get something to eat herself. "So how do you know those children who arrived yesterday?" she asked as they began to eat.

"Well, first I would say that Valencia is nearly your age, my lady," Cameron said. "Though I will admit that she is rather wild in comparison."

Carolyn smiled at that. "I imagine she and Cassandra are good friends."

"They are. Valencia's mother died giving birth to Ramus, I understand, and their father was never good for much." Cameron tore off a piece of bread. "My uncle removed from Cheyenne almost a year ago. His health had been failing for some time, and Mistress Janet suggested that a quieter setting might improve his spirits, if nothing else. We settled in a little village south of Madrona called Briar Bank. We met Valencia and Ramus there." He shifted in his seat, remembering the behavior of the others at supper the previous night. "There was not much reason to maintain any sort of distinction of rank there," he explained awkwardly. "If I had kept myself from the commoners I would have had no company but my uncle's."

"Yes, my traveling companions were somewhat obnoxious last night," she replied, with obvious irritation. "Some of them have spent too long in court to remember that most of the world is nothing like court."

He smiled a little. "I'm glad you were not offended."

"Not in the least. But there was something else about last night that I wanted to say." Cameron looked at her curiously, and she gave him an apologetic look. "My lord, did you not think to invite any of the Sodan to dine with us?"

He had his glass halfway to his mouth when he froze. The answer must have been plainly written upon his face, and Carolyn mercifully did not make him give voice to it. "I imagine there is not enough room at that table for many more," she said. "I would invite the Sodan more often than those of us from Redwater. They are foreign dignitaries, after all, and you are leaps and bounds ahead of most of the country in your relationship with them. It would perhaps be prudent for you to maintain that while they are here."

He nodded. "I understand." A few moments later, he added, "I wish I could bring Lord Malchus to dine with the Sodan. He might find a way to hold his tongue in Lord Haikon's presence."

Carolyn smiled mischievously. "Sadly I doubt it," she replied. "Is he causing trouble again?"

Cameron had to pause a moment to remember that Carolyn had been there when Malchus had tried to get John to redraw the map of Cheyenne in his favor. "He is expressing an unprecedented concern for the people south of Cheyenne. Apparently some are refusing to leave their homes, and he thinks I ought to send your guards to help with that instead of keeping them here to deal with food."

Carolyn merely rolled her eyes. "Perhaps you would be best to ignore him, my lord."

"I wish it were possible." He sighed. "At least my cousin will be back soon."

For a moment he thought that the princess was blushing. "You have heard from the marquis?"

"He wrote to me when he arrived in Atlantis," Cameron replied. "He told me he would leave after a week. We may expect him as early as tomorrow."

Carolyn nodded. "He left Redwater very suddenly. Father was rather irritated with him for it," she said. "I do not suppose you have leave to tell me what prompted his departure."

Cameron hesitated. "Someone very dear to him was ill," he said, unwilling to say that it was the queen herself whose illness had led John to abandon the capital. "All is well now, but the news he received that day was dire."

"Yes, we heard of the illness in the north," she replied. "I know Father was rather relieved to hear that Queen Elizabeth survived it."

"It would have been disastrous for Atalan if she had died without issue," Cameron agreed.

"Indeed." Carolyn turned her attention back to her food, though not for long. "I suppose this lady must be quite special, for Lord John to drop everything like that and go to her."

"Yes, I believe she -" Cameron stopped himself short. "I did not say he left because of a woman."

The princess gave him a look, half amused and half admonishing. "Your choice of words was very careful, my lord."

He grumbled and poked at his breakfast. "I get myself in more trouble that way."