Free Noble Beginnings by D.W. Jackson

women trained in combat admission into the
King's latest muster," she said with a straight face and calm voice
but Dorran could see the pleading look in her wavering eyes.
    Thea's face was blank, giving no clue as to
what her thoughts were on the request. Dorran could tell it
unnerved Edith slightly but if he was being honest he was just as
worried about the answer to the question himself. "Go on."
    Dorran recognized this reaction as a signal
of Thea's disapproval, but still she listened, fascinated, as Edith
continued. "Farlan is poor in men already, my lady," she said
resolutely. "The women I have in mind have already mastered the
basics of combat, and show a strong dedication to completing their
training. I am confident that women in their prime could prove more
valuable to the king than male fighters that are too young or too
old, that we must add just to meet the numbers he had
requested."
    "What of tradition?" Thea asked smoothly.
"How do you think a band of women would fare in a largely male
army?"
    "With respect, my lady, I have heard reports
of several other duchies resorting to sending women soldiers in the
past few years. Moreover, I am confident that the women of Farlan
could look after themselves. We are more than capable in a larger
army, especially with a suitable female leader heading the
force."
    "And do you have any particular woman in mind
to head this proposed force?" Thea asked.
    "I know several female fighters who I believe
would be well-suited to the task," Edith answered. "However, many
of these are less experienced or less familiar with the ways of
armies and command than I, so I would list myself among possible
candidates for my lady's consideration. Needless to say, we would
all be more than happy to follow any leader that you saw fit to
appoint."
    "I see." Thea sat back in her chair, eyes
hard. "Hear me well, Edith, while I understand times are changing I
will not have the daughters of Farlan added to the growing list of
the dead. I am denying this petition. Moreover, if I find any
movement to smuggle women into the muster, I will take full
disciplinary measures. Am I understood?"
    Edith's composure broke for one second. "My
lady…."
    Thea cut her off, her voice as sharp as a
bared blade. "Farlan has already lost too many good men to the war;
I will not allow her to lose her best and brightest women as well.
I have made my decision, you are dismissed."
    Edith swallowed hard, bowed, and departed.
Dorran could see the tears beginning to crawl from the corner of
Edith’s eyes. He wanted to chase after her but he knew he was the
last person she would want to talk to at the moment. As she left
the audience chamber she left behind a highly strung silence in her
wake.
    Dorran was perplexed. He thought that the
idea of sending female soldiers was actually an excellent one
especially considering the fact that they were lacking the number
of male soldiers the king was requesting by a large number. Why had
she dismissed it out of hand? Looking around the table, he could
see he was not alone in his confusion; several of the other nobles
looked as though they wanted to talk amongst themselves, though the
stillness of the room forbade it.
    After a long moment, Thea continued her voice
still carrying the sharpness she had used against Edith causing
many people in the room to jump. "Next petitioner, step
forward."
    The rest of the day’s petitioners seemed to
float by none of them catching his attention. His mind was fully
fixed on thoughts of Edith. When the last person left the hall
Dorran shuffled out of the hall wishing he had the leisure to go
look for his friend but with the new guests staying at the castle
he knew that he wouldn’t be afforded any free time for quite a
while.
    As Thea had promised, the dinner that evening
was more of a feast. All of Thea's family was there, of course, as
was most of the council and a handful of servants; put together,
nearly two dozen people sat together at table, with