Free The Queen by Suzanna Lynn Page B

King seated himself in front of a map.
“Tell me where we’re at. What defenses have you implemented?”
    Baylin told his father of the guards at
Rivermouth and Fagin Forest, how he ordered the villagers be moved
into the mountain and the harvest taken early.
    “To bring the harvest in early will be a
risk,” Ashmur said. “Much of the wheat and grain will not be
ready.”
    “We will have to make due,” Baylin said.
“Otherwise, not only do we have nothing to keep in our stores, we
would be handing fields ripe for the taking over to Mirstone and
Kardell soldiers.”
    “Have you had any word from Ranhold or
Strathen?” the King asked. “Are they with us?”
    “Strathen is with us,” Baylin replied. “They
are sending men and much-needed supplies. Ranhold, it would seem,
has chosen to not choose a side.”
    “King Lars has always been a bit pitiable,”
Ashmur remarked. “He was only given the crown because he was the
only son. A boy raised by three sisters will never prove to be a
strong man. If only his father had been around to show him how to
be a man.”
    “I sent word that if he turns his back on us
now, he will not have our blessing when we arise victorious,”
Baylin spat, thinking of the pathetic King. “He will not be allowed
to reap the rewards when he refused to help fight the battle.”
    “You sound like a King already, my son,”
Ashmur observed with a smile. “You are a credit to the Kingdom,
truly. And I don’t just say this because you’re my son. You have
everything it takes to be a great King. You’re not only brave and
honorable, you understand duty and tradition.”
    “Tradition?” Baylin whispered. “Like the
tradition that dictates Luana is a bed wife?”
    “Well, yes, that is one of the many
traditions we have kept over the years,” Ashmur said.
    Baylin clenched his teeth, staying his
temper. “I’m sure you have heard how many would like the law
overturned. She saved your life, Father.”
    Ashmur sighed. “That she did.”
    “I know you’re tired of hearing about it,”
Baylin pleaded. “But I refuse to give up on this. Luana—”
    “Enough, my son,” Ashmur said, reaching out
a hand, patting him on the shoulder. “She saved my life, and
perhaps this Kingdom. I am not so blind as to overlook her
value.”
    Baylin’s eyebrows rose. “What does this
mean? Are you—”
    “I’m willing to bend the law,” Ashmur said.
“Mind you, don’t get yourself excited. She is still a bed wife and
must adhere to the law. However, I do not see the harm in allowing
her and the other bed wives to walk freely in the castle.”
    “Thank you, Father!” Baylin reached out and
embraced him. Usually, he would have been embarrassed to show such
a display of affection to his father, but he couldn’t contain his
pleasure. It is a move in the right direction. Soon I will be
able to show him we have no more need for the law, and I can make
Luana my Queen.
    “I will expect you to keep a close eye on
her and all the others,” Ashmur instructed. “Everyone in the
Kingdom is under enough stress as it is. These young women need to
make themselves useful.”
    “We must all do our part to survive,” Baylin
uttered.
    Ashmur nodded. “Now more than ever.”

Chapter Fourteen

    Luana was in the bedchamber nursing the baby
when Baylin came to tell her the news of the King giving his
blessing for her to have freedom within the castle.
    Though Baylin’s excitement caused her to
smile, she still felt a slight sting of pain. No matter what
freedoms the King gives me, I am still a slave.
    “He said you can help in the preparations
for moving in the villagers,” Baylin said.
    “Perhaps I should speak with Master Keon,”
she said. “I’m sure with so many people in the castle, he will need
help.”
    “Won’t that be slightly dangerous?” Baylin
asked. “You could be subjected to sickness.”
    “Healing is what I know,” she argued.
“Master Keon knows this. He will see the benefit in