The Duchess and The Warlock Read online

  The Duchess

  and

  The Warlock

  Michael O’Gara

  Copyright 2016 - Michael O’Gara

  eBook Edition

  1st Release 2017

  This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This is a fictional work coming from the author’s imagination. Any similarity to actual persons, events, or places is purely coincidental.

  Published by Heartland Indie Publishing LLC

  This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 1

  Patrice is just like everyone else, hurrying. The difference is that she is not in a panic. Patrice knows these are dangerous times but she thinks that one should not let fear take control of one’s mind. She struggles to appear calm though her emotions want to run rampant. She must not give in; her father has given her the important task of seeing that the household silver is packed and loaded. Patrice knows she needs to act as a person in authority though she does not feel like one.

  At fifteen, Patrice has the form of a woman, but she realizes she does not have the experience to go with her appearance. Once again, as she had several times on this day, Patrice gathers her courage and says in a commanding voice, “That’s the last of it. Take this box to the wagon.”

  Two servant men obey Patrice without hesitation and hurry to see the order carried out. The servants obey because she is the Baron’s daughter. They also think that the baron’s daughter seems to have one foot in the other world and the fact strikes fear into the household staff. It is seldom talked about and then only in private and in hushed tones. One does not toy with those who have influence in the spirit world.

  After her mother’s death, Patrice was sent faraway to live with her uncle and his wife. She has only recently returned and few of the current servants know her. The people here are very superstitious and they fear Patrice in spite of her youth. They know of Patrice’s mother and her special powers, so Patrice’s strange ways play on their fears. It is whispered that she performs magic when she goes into the little room next to her bedroom. It is there that she spends hours alone. Some believe her to be a witch. None will say it aloud and only a few even dare whisper it to a friend.

  Patrice hurries to fetch the most important thing she owns. It is hanging in its place of honor on the wall of her room. It is her connection to her mother’s family’s past. In reality, other than for her clothes, her inherited parchments, and her mother’s bow, it is the only thing that is solely hers and valuable. Everything else she has access to is her father’s. Patrice knows she has no choice. She does not believe the stories about it nor the rumored powers it has for the family member who wields it. She knows only one being who has the power to curse or give power to a person. She also knows that she is safe in that regard.

  Patrice gets a foot stool and stands on it. She takes the sword in its scabbard down off the wall. The scabbard is extremely dusty, an unusual occurrence in the small manor house that is otherwise very clean. None of the servants dare touch it because of the stories surrounding it. It is said the sword is under a spell.

  Patrice holds the sword’s scabbard in both hands because the weapon is precious to her. She hurries into the kitchen where she grabs a rag. She wipes the scabbard off as well as the hilt of the sword, but she does not draw the blade. When it is cleaned, Patrice puts her head and left shoulder through the long strap so it rides on her back with the hilt just over her right shoulder. It seems to Patrice the surest and easiest way to keep it by her. It is the first time she has actually worn it.

  Patrice does not know that act will have consequences. It feels comfortable on her back, as though it belongs there. Patrice smiles at the thought that the sword has adopted her. It occurs to her that the thought is fanciful, or is it? Patrice puts the thought out of her mind; they must escape and that means leaving quickly.

  Patrice glances around for anything she’d missed as she makes for the front door. The servants are lined up and ready to go. There is only one wagon for the manor goods and only the most valuable things are going with them. The other two wagons are loaded with food. There is only enough time to take that which was most precious and useful. Patrice goes to the wagon loaded with her father’s treasure chest and other valuables. She climbs up on the seat and takes the reins. Patrice is no spoiled lady. She works the farm with her father and his few servants and tenants.

  Patrice knows her father is a minor baron and his estate, in relation to others, is neither large nor rich. It is, however, enough. Here, everyone works. Patrice gladly threw herself into whatever work needed doing, including field work. She is used to hard labor having worked in her uncle’s garden, not out of obedience to an order but her own internal need to be productive. Her uncle on her father’s side is a knighted second son of a count and her mother was the fourth daughter of a duke. Both of her family lines have a long history of being warriors. It was through war and feats of valor that her father became a baron. He saved Duke Consar’s life on the battlefield. Regardless of her father’s rank, Patrice feels content here and happy to be reunited with her father.

  Patrice’s father rides up on his war horse. He smiles sadly and asks, “Ready?”

  “Yes, father.”

  Baron Williston smiles, nods, and rides ahead. Patrice thinks her father looks grand on his war horse and wearing his iron scale-armor. Patrice knows her father’s armor is as good as or better than any that the higher nobles wear. His eleven knights ride behind him and their squires behind them. The soldiers march behind the knights and squires, their swords hanging from their waists. The soldiers are carrying their spears and shields.

  Patrice falls into line behind her father’s men. As she drives, Patrice thinks of her older brother who had died in the defense of the king’s castle. The castle had been overcome by treachery and not by force of arms. Even so, it had been a close thing and the reports of those few who escaped with the king told of a valiant defense inside the castle.

  Two young servant girls walk behind the wagon Patrice is driving. Betsa, the older, nods toward Patrice and says, in almost a whisper, “I have never seen a woman wear a sword.”

  Her companion, Virgie, says, “Hush. She might hear you.”

  Betsa says, “She can’t hear me.” Betsa was not certain and talks in almost a whisper.

  Virgie says quietly, “Witches have special powers.”

  Betsa nods and goes quiet.

  After a few minutes, Virgie asks, “Do you think it would have been safer to have been left at the village like the others?”

  Betsa answers, “If soldiers come, they will use any womenfolk harshly. The villagers will hide in the woods to avoid killing, pillage, and rape. Many will be found out. I will feel safer behind stout walls.”

  Virgie just nods
. She supposes Betsa knows about such things; she is wrong. They start talking about Duke Consar’s castle. They have never been outside the estate on which they were born. They are excited to experience something new. Talking of it keeps their minds off the danger.

  If the circumstances were different, Patrice would take more enjoyment from the travel. Still, she is used to spending hours alone in silence and does not mind driving the wagon. The countryside is beautiful and full of springtime greenery. The sky is a clear pale blue and without clouds. Patrice can smell the wild flowers in bloom along the road they are travelling.

  Tomas, the castle’s tomcat, jumps up from the back of the wagon and sits beside her. Tomas is half wild but he has bonded, as much as any cat will, to Patrice. Patrice pets his clean pure black coat a little and Tomas purrs. Patrice is happy to have Tomas with her. He is an excellent hunter and where he is there are no mice or rats around. Tomas seems to take pride in being well groomed. Patrice thinks that it is as though he knows that he is of a noble household. She smiles at the thought. She is content in the moment.

  At dusk, her father stops the little caravan by a quiet brook to make camp.

  Patrice gets down off the wagon and says to Betsa and Virgie, “Block the wagon wheels.”

  Betsa and Virgie get the wooden wedges and put them by the wagon wheels to keep the wagon from rolling.

  Patrice starts taking the harness off the wagon team. She says, “Betsa, collect wood for a fire. Virgie, start preparing food.”

  Patrice is seeing to the horses as Betsa and Virgie, being house servants, have little experience with animals. Soon Betsa and Virgie have a fire going and food cooking.

  Patrice is sitting on the wagon drinking some water when her father comes. Patrice smiles and says, “Good evening, father.”

  Baron Williston leans against the wagon, “We made a good distance today.”

  “We did.”

  Williston says, “I see you wear your grandfather’s sword.”

  “Yes, father.”

  Williston says, “I’m glad you are with me, though I would have the circumstances be other than they are.”

  Patrice smiles, “I am content to be with you.”

  Williston smiles and says, “You cheer me, daughter.”

  “I am glad of that, father.”

  Virgie comes and says, “My Lord and Lady, the food is ready.”

  Williston offers his arm and Patrice gets up. She puts her hand on his arm to walk with him. Patrice knows it is a sign of affection from her father. It is the kind of simple thing that Patrice takes great pleasure in.

  Chapter 2

  Patrice is quite excited as they approach the duke’s castle after the three day journey. She is feeling anxious. She has never been at court and the king is here. Her life has been a simple one and, though she had been instructed how to act, she has no practical experience around royals. She feels as though her stomach is full of butterflies. As they approach the castle, Patrice notices that the gates are closed. It causes her a moment of fear.

  Patrice applies logic to her thoughts. She reasons that they are probably among the last to arrive as they had so far to come. Her father’s barony is the farthest from his duke’s castle. When they get close, the gates open. Williston leads his group into the castle courtyard.

  Patrice looks around as she gets off the wagon. A castle servant comes with her father’s man, Alston, to take charge of her wagon. Two of her father’s men take the locked treasure chest off the wagon. She looks to her father who nods. Patrice gives up the wagon and goes to where her father is.

  Williston offers his arm and says, “Come, daughter.”

  Patrice takes her father’s arm and he leads her toward the entryway to the main building. They are following a castle official. They are led into a room where a man is talking to some senior officials. The man looks up and Patrice’s father bows. Patrice follows her father’s lead and curtsies.

  The man says, “Welcome, Baron Williston.”

  Williston says, “Thank you, Your Grace.”

  The man says, “Who is this lovely lady with you?”

  “My Lord Duke Consar, this is my daughter, Patrice.”

  Consar smiles, “She is a beauty, Williston.”

  “It is as you say, sir.”

  Consar asks, “Does your daughter always go about armed?”

  “Sir, it is a family heirloom and my daughter’s inheritance.”

  Consar says, “Let me see it.”

  Patrice reluctantly takes the scabbard off and hands it to the duke. He tries to pull the sword out and cannot.

  He hands the scabbard to Patrice saying, “It seems it is rusted into the throat of the scabbard.”

  Patrice puts the scabbard back over her shoulder. She thinks it is not rusted. Perhaps the family stories are true. Perhaps it cannot be drawn until it yields to the person who was meant to use it.

  Consar says, “You may leave us Patrice. Your father and I have business.”

  Patrice curtsies deeply. She leaves the room and a man closes the door behind her. Patrice feels a moment of panic. She does not know what to do. She goes outside to find her father’s wagon has been moved. She goes looking for it. She finds it in a busy and broad alley off the courtyard. A man is snooping in it.

  Patrice shouts, “What are you doing on my father’s wagon!”

  The man says angrily, “Go away wench.”

  Patrice is furious. She reaches for her sword and it seems to leap in her hand. Patrice shouts in a voice so loud that it sounds as though it comes from a person of great authority and not out of a young woman’s body. It is so commanding that everyone nearby stops what they are doing and looks. Patrice is pointing with her sword’s tip and loudly calling out, “Guards, guards, thief!”

  The man stands speechless. It is obvious he wants to run, but he hesitates for he saw Patrice deftly draw the sword. Two of the duke’s soldiers come running

  Patrice says with an air of authority, “Arrest this man. He was trying to steal my father’s goods.”

  The senior soldier asks, “Who is your father?”

  “Baron Williston.”

  The senior gives a head bow and says, “My Lady, we will take charge of the man.”

  They pull the would-be thief down off the wagon and arrest him. Patrice sheaths her sword as though with practiced efficiency and without thought. .

  Patrice sees one of her father’s soldiers come at the run. She says angrily, “Alston, you were to stay with the wagon. You failed in your duty!”

  “My Lady, forgive me. I just went to relieve myself.”

  Patrice says in a low but firm voice, “If my father’s goods had been taken, your life would have been forfeit.”

  Alston goes white as snow. He says, “Please, Lady, have mercy.”

  Patrice nods and says firmly, “I will not tell my father for he has enough on his mind. Do not fail him again.”

  Alston nods. Patrice hears clapping and turns. A young man is applauding her.

  He says, “Well done, noble lady, lovely lady.”

  Patrice says, “Who might you be?”

  “I am called William. How are you called?”

  Patrice smiles and says, “You are a cheeky fellow.”

  “You did not answer my question.”

  Patrice examines the man. He is very well dressed as one would expect of a man of status. He is not handsome, but he is pleasant in appearance and seems to have a very athletic build.

  Patrice smiles and says, “You are correct.”

  William laughs. He turns to Alston and asks, “What is your lady’s name?”

  Alston answers, “My Lord, she is Lady Patrice, daughter of Baron Williston.”

  Patrice looks at Alston and says with a smile, “So this is how you repay my kindness, Alston?”

  Alston stifles a laugh and gives a head bow. Patrice leaves, walking toward the castle. She becomes aware that many had been standing around watching the encounters. Patr
ice thinks she might be the subject of some gossip. It occurs to Patrice that this was not the most lady-like way to enter castle life. She had drawn a sword on a man and it would be a scandal.

  On the way to the main door, she passes her father’s soldiers who seem to be heading to the wagon. Patrice sees Betsa coming hurriedly.

  Betsa meets Patrice and curtsies. “My Lady, your father wishes your company.”

  Patrice smiles at Betsa. She is relieved for she has no idea what she would have done if Betsa had not come for her. She knows neither the castle nor anyone here. Betsa brings Patrice to her father.

  Williston greets her with, “Patrice, we have been invited to the king’s banquet tonight. Bathe and put on your best clothes. This is an opportunity for me to find you a husband who may advance you in status.”

  Patrice smiles, “As you command, father.”

  Williston returns her smile, “Don’t worry. I’ll find you a pleasant husband.” He walks his daughter to her room where a soldier stands guard.

  Patrice asks, “Is that necessary?”

  Williston leans over and whispers in Patrice’s ear, “Even if my goods were not stored in your chamber, you are most precious to me.”

  Patrice smiles and whispers back, “And potential thieves will think he is there to guard only my person and that your goods are locked in your chamber.”

  Williston smiles and says, “There is that.”

  Later that evening, Patrice enters the banquet hall on her father’s arm. They go to a table that is close to the table where the king will sit. Three men are already on either side of the king’s place.

  Patrice asked, “Who are the nobles with Duke Consar?”

  Williston leans toward his daughter, “The one next to Consar is Duke Dunstar. He does not have the most honorable reputation. The one to his right is Duke Wyles, a man not to be trusted. Consar on the other hand is an honorable man. He has three sons and all are single.” Williston looks at his daughter. Patrice says nothing, so he continues, “The other on the right is the king’s chief advisor, Duke Delmoz. He is wise and the most honorable of all the nobles.”