“He would have wanted it anyway, Crown or no,” said Jaki. “The position itself is alluring.”
“True. I suppose the rule for Iceland splitting stands. If Reesing planned to take East Forest so food would be shipped in to feed us, he could have blamed his taking another Kingdom for the decline. We’ll never really know because we’ve never been divided before.”
It was said Rinder had been told not to expand his territory.
“Stay here for a second. We need to return the Crown, and we’ll need the High Mage for that.” Jaki approached the Mage.
The workers were standing around, staring at the words and talking with each other. Lumi hadn’t bothered with his hood, and no one seemed to think anything was odd about his appearance. The poem was far more interesting.
Lumi noticed the High Mage kept glancing at the lump in Jaki’s sling. It would be quite odd for the Crown Prince to be carrying someone’s baby if it weren’t his.
***
Jacqueline had a fresh nappy, and Jaki had grabbed something to eat since they’d stopped at the Castle. It was dark when they came to Mary’s house with the High Mage following on a horse. A guard had come too. Since it was night, Jaki had wanted to bring protection. Hopefully, the light in the window meant the midwife had returned.
She had. Mary let them in, although she kept staring at both of their faces. Jaki asked the High Mage and the guard to remain outside for a moment.
“I thought you had a court physician,” said Mary.
“We’re not ill,” said Jaki. “We need something, and I’ll get to the point. I’m assuming the original baby Tivar is still in your herb garden?”
Mary’s face immediately closed off. “Huh?”
“You’re not in trouble. You were only doing what Reesing said, and we wish to take him and ensure he’s buried in the tombwith the rest of the family when we can. He should be there with them, and we have the High Mage waiting. I’ve told him what he needs to do. He’ll dig up the boy and keep his remains safe in the Temple until he can be taken to the tomb. If a body can’t be buried right away, they’re supposed to wait in the Temple. This should have been done already, so he’s not alone in the dirt.”
Mary, standing by a chair at the table in front of her fireplace, twisted a corner of her shawl. “He is there. I had no choice…”
“I know. Elswere told me everything, and we know you couldn’t have refused the King.”
“All right.” She bit her lip and pushed away a strand of greying hair before she glanced at Lumi who had his hood up. “I’d like to tell you something beforehand since you’ll likely want to leave with baby Tivar’s body as soon as he’s dug up. If you want to send him out...”
“You can say anything in front of Lumi.”
“It’s very specific about you, Your Majesty. It might be shocking.”
“I don’t care what it is. He can hear anything.”
She glanced at Lumi and hesitated. “I know the story about you.”
“Hm?” Jaki squinted.
“About how Preti was a recluse after her first baby died so quickly, and she remained that way until you came.” She looked him in the eye. “I was ordered to the Castle to attend a servant’s birth. That was unusual enough, and then…you slid out into my hands with your little white ears and tail, just like King Reesing. I knew why then he’d wanted me to deliver you and why it was in secret. You’ve got your Mother’s eyes. You’re not Elswere’s son.”
Jaki let out a slight laugh even though it sounded strained. “I know I’m a bastard, and who actually fathered me. Elswere never kept it a secret from me.”
“Oh.” She blinked. “Well, I wasn’t sure, and I thought you should know.”
Jaki took a deep breath. “Reesing told Elswere he’d had an affair, and the woman had nowhere to go. If she left her job, she would have been homeless, and Reesing wanted me to be cared for. He couldn’t keep me around and tell Aisi the truth. I had to stay a secret, so they agreed Elswere would take me. No one would have known Preti hadn’t been pregnant. Elswere never saw my real Mother, and Reesing did mention her eyes were pink once. That’s it.”
“Do you know her name?” Lumi asked in a low voice.
Jaki shook his head. “Reesing never told Elswere. He didn’t want to say much about her. He was ashamed…”
“It was Meela,” Mary said quietly.
Something flickered in Jaki’s eyes, and he hesitated. “Do…do you know where she is now?”
“I think she might live on the coast now in Bering. A friend of mine said her cousin was marrying a woman named Meela who used to work at the Castle. I’m sure it’s the same woman since Meela’s not a common name. It was before the war. I fell out of touch with that friend, but I could write. Meela might still live in Bering. I know she wouldn’t have dared to contact you because if you didn’t know your origins, it would be a shock. Since you know now, if you wanted to…”
