Ghis (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"They want to eliminate me." Kate said simply, knowing what their game was. "They know that if they take care of me, Scotland and Inverness will fall together. I know that the rest of my life will be like this as well. It's exhausting for me, especially, but I know Kell thinks about it constantly."

Kate sighed and finally moved her hand from her dagger, dragging it through her messy red curls. "I simply ask that you both continue to support Kell no matter what happens. He can't survive losing someone he loves a second time."

 

[KieranSoares]

"We have long agreed that our purpose is to support our families. Khelt made that clear from the start. But hopefully, we can find you two some peace before long." She stepped back then. "Rest well, milady."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate gave Lyra a nod a sigh she backed away, allowing Kate to enter her room. Kate was exhausted as she closed the door behind her, leaning against it for a long moment before she set to drawing herself a bath. She didn’t like bothering the staff of the keep, especially as it was known that the lord wasnot a fan of Scots.

The moment that she had the basin full of steaming water, she stripped and sank into the water with a long sigh. She finally relaxed as she closed her eyes, simply letting herself drift.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kate was left alone to relax and nap as long as she liked. When she did wake, a tray had been left on the nightstand for her with some simple snacks and drinks, the typical offering left by Kell when he checked on her and she was busy or asleep. There was also a small note left in his handwriting that simply said 'Come find me when you're ready.'

 

[heartofcourage]

When Kate woke, it felt as if she had been asleep for ages. After her long bath, she had gotten dressed in a nightgown and slipped beneath the sheets of her bed. She had only woken once when she heard the door open, but had quickly fallen back asleep. That must have been when Kell had come in with the tray that she was staring at as she woke fully.

After she had eaten something and changed her clothing, she felt slightly better. She knew her husband had shouldered all of her responsibility for that time, taking the burden away so that she could calm herself and recharge. He was a man full of surprises.

She exited the room and went to find him, a silent guard falling in step beside her to make sure that she was never alone, especially in hostile territory.

 

[KieranSoares]

When Kate found Kell after an officer directed her to the first floor, she found him sitting in a parlor with one of the castle servants. He had a notepad in hand and was questioning the young woman about things she'd heard between Lord Rothbury, his wife, and Alba.

"-didn't seem to trust the Baron at first, but I heard the Lady trying to convince him to let Lord Alba and his men stay-" she paused as Kate entered, and immediately stood to bow to her. "Your Majesty."

"You may want to hear this, milady," Kell spoke as he stood as well, nodding to Kate's guardian as they stepped back out and shut the door. "May I introduce Miss Marian Harley, one of the housekeepers for the noble family. Miss Harley, Her Majesty Katherine Aleister, High Queen of Scotland." The young woman bowed once more in respect.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Please take your seat.” Kate said softly after Kell had made his introductions. “There’s no need to bow. Especially here.”

Kate took her own seat and watched the woman carefully before glancing to Kell to gauge what the situation was.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Miss Harley has been telling me about what she heard and saw around the castle while Alba was here. I had noticed she seemed to be one of Lord and Lady Rothbury's favorite staff members, so I decided to ask. And what she's told me thus far has been... Interesting. Please continue."

"Well, sir, madame... As I had said, the Lord didn't want to let Baron Alba stay after that army showed up with him. But the Lady spoke on the Baron's behalf. I believe they must be close. And she managed to convince the Lord, and he let the Baron stay on the condition that Rothbury would not be involved in any border skirmishes or rebellion. And over the three days the Baron was here, the Lady treated him as if he were visiting royalty, though the children seemed frightened of him. And... Well, hearing from some of my friends in the staff, I certainly know why..."

"Explain, please," Kell murmured, sitting forward slightly.

"He... You see, the Lord assigns a number of staff specifically to guests when they visit. Three of the other girls and two of the men were assigned to the Baron so he'd have a dedicated servant day and night, alongside his own. This way he wouldn't have to wait to get or do anything he wanted. But... He treated the girls like animals, sir. He forced them to work day and night without food or sleep. Thankfully it wasn't a long time, and the Lord took pity when he found out what happened, but... All three of them say the Baron... Violated them. Repeatedly."

Kell let out a quiet, calm sigh. "I see... And what did Lady Rothbury think of this?"

"She called them liars or whores, said they had thrown themselves at the Baron. But before the Lord could really investigate, Baron Alba was tipped off that you all were coming for him, and he fled. The head housekeeper, Mr. Forsythe, told me the Lady had warned him."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate sat quietly as the story was relayed to them, the woman sounding very earnest in her assessment of what had happened when Alba had come to Rothbury. “Forgive me for asking this, but you are sure of these facts? This is not something that we can afford to take lightly and if this is simply gossip among staff members, it would be very unfortunate to include innocent individuals.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"What I haven't seen or heard myself all came from the three girls and Mr. Forsythe," she said with a nod. "I've seen the bruises on the girls, broken fingers, even one with a broken wrist. And even if they exaggerate what happened, he still abused them, Your Majesty, to the point that Mr. Forsythe said he found Amalie unconscious on the second day in the Baron's private parlor. And I've never known Mr. Forsythe to lie. He won't even stretch the truth, he's very no-nonsense. He told me he heard the Baron abusing the girls every day, but he was told by Lady Rothbury not to intervene."

"I see... I'd like to talk to these four. Their names, please?" Kell met the woman's eyes and she suddenly grew nervous.

"You... Lord Protector, you won't tell anyone I said any of this... will you?" She asked softly.

"You may remain anonymous outside this room if you prefer. May I ask why?" Kell tilted his head slightly as she began to wring her hands nervously.

"I... I asked Lord Rothbury if I could tell you what I saw of the Baron, during the visit you allowed between the Lord and Lady earlier. The Lady overheard and threatened to have me arrested and flogged publicly. Her exact words were, 'If you tell such lies about that sweet man, I'll have you hounded and beaten through the streets.' But... after she left, the Lord secretly asked me to speak to you. I think he saw his wife's true colors then."

Kell's gaze darkened as he looked down at his book and wrote in several more notes. "... In that case, I can promise you Lady Rothbury won't know a thing about your involvement. If she asks where you were, you were asked by King Brogan Ghis to help bring meals to our men."

"Yes, sir."

"Now... the names?"

"Amalie Birch, her sister Ophelia, and Henrietta Grove. She's usually called Henny, and we're all maids and general servants. And Mr. Stanley Forsythe, he's the head housekeeper."

Kell noted down the names and nodded before looking to Kate. "Do you have any questions before I let Miss Harley go, milady?"

 

[heartofcourage]

“No.” Kate said softly as the maid was dismissed and quietly left the room.

She stood from her seat and paced the room, pausing only when she got to the window. She hated the idea that they had been played by the woman of the manor. She had been a willing participant in Alba’s scheme the entire time.

“I want to speak to Rothbury in private.” Kate said softly, looking over her shoulder at Kell. “Now.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell was up instantly at her command, disappearing out the door. He was gone only five minutes, before the door opened and he came in holding Lord Rothbury by the arm, but had left his hands free.

Kell brought him before Kate and stopped, letting his arm go. Rothbury met Kate's eyes fearlessly despite his bedraggled appearance and the bruises visible on his hands and face from the fight.

With barely-veiled venom, he growled, "... Your Majesty."

 

[heartofcourage]

“You can be a short angry at me as you wish, my lord. However, I believe we both know that this situation is not of my doing.” Kate said as she glanced at Kell and then back at Rothbury. “We have much to talk about, but only if we can be civil to one another. Can we agree to that?”

 

[KieranSoares]

At Kate's insistence that she needed his cooperation, Rothbury began to straighten and his gaze grew less malicious, putting on a mask of nobility and indifference. "... Fine." Kell stepped back, offering the Lord a seat. Kell would look on silently unless asked by Kate to join.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate took her own seat and looked over Rothbury for a long moment. She knew that he had been put through the wringer, injured by the Axemen in an attempt to subdue him. He had a right to be incredibly angry with her, but she hope that between herself and Kell, they could get some serious answers from him.

"I am not your Queen, nor do you owe me any loyalty. However, I do hope that we can have an honest conversation about Alba." Kate began, looking at him with a clear and open gaze. "How does your wife fit into this scheme? Is she related to Alba?"

 

[KieranSoares]

As soon as Kate mentioned his wife, Lord Rothbury straightened further. "Cousins, actually. That was how I met him, at our wedding. We were fast friends and he visited often."

 

[heartofcourage]

“As a Scot, I understand family loyalty, sir. However, in light of other things that’s have come up in conversations of those loyal to you, it seems as if your wife is the one that we have been looking for in this matter.” Kate said bluntly, daring Rothbury to contradict her.

 

[KieranSoares]

Rather than argue, Rothbury remained silent, his expression cautious, even suspicious. "... Do you, now? Am I allowed to know any of this information?"

"Not yet, sir," Kell spoke up. "But by your expression, I think I can safely assume you don't entirely doubt Her Majesty."

"I'm reserving judgement for now."

"Perhaps you'll tell us why you aren't giving your wife the benefit of the doubt?"

"... I have had my suspicions of her these past few years... But nothing solid."

 

[heartofcourage]

“From what we know, there are very serious allegations against her. Of course, we will not act rashly until we have the entire story, but I do suggest that you think very hard on what you wish to happen. You can hang with her, or you can be the strength that your children need.” Kate said in all seriousness.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I will not die for something I didn't do. I have voiced complaints against the King in the past, that I will admit, but I have never raised hand nor blade against him or his causes til my own home was stormed and captured."

"Then this will be easier and you will receive the justice as well as the damages you deserve if you are honest. But what suspicions do you have about the Lady?"

"I believe she has been unfaithful to me... With her cousin."

Kell glanced to Kate at that, an easy motive to start with.

 

[heartofcourage]

It was not unusual for cousins to marry one another, especially in the nobility, but something about the way that Rothbury confessed that his wife had been unfaithful with her cousin made Kate disgusted. It was clear from the way that the maid spoke that told her that the lady of the keep was a harsh, demanding, and perhaps even evil, soul.

"If what you say is true, then nothing will happen to you. As I have told Henry, Scotland will pay whatever sum you require to help those effect by this raid." Kate said as diplomatically as possible. "And, with the help of my husband, I would like to offer you a retreat for yourself and your children until this all blows over. You will be protected and it will give you all time to heal...as the issue with your wife is being resolved."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I would rather be present to deal with her, but I would like my children sent to my brother in Manchester." He sighed and finally seemed to relax slightly. "I don't much care for voicing my problems to others, but my wife and I have only been on civil terms since after our youngest was born. I was away to Normandy for the King when he was born and I don't think she ever forgave me for it. But it snowballed from there. That little bit of resentment turned into... A lot of unfriendliness. Small slights here and there, even moving to her own chambers eventually. And then I started hearing the staff gossip about her welcoming gentlemen callers, and apparently she tried to seduce one of my officers and my head housekeeper. But Alba is the one I'm certain she's infatuated with."

 

[heartofcourage]

“We will make sure the children are safely delivered to Manchester and protected from her there.” Kate said, looking over at Kell as if to tell him to make it happen and she would foot the bill. “What Alba did to that family, how brutally they were treated before they were murdered...I would air on the side of caution.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I heard some talk about it... And while I can't claim any deep love for the Scottish nobility.in my heart, that kind of torture and murder is unforgivable. I wouldn't wish it on the worst criminal. It's inhuman. But I didn't know of it til he was about to leave. I told him never to return."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Us Scots are no different then yourself, my lord.” Kate said, standing from her seat and extending her hand out towards him. “And always remember that I, myself, am half English. Chester is my ancestral home. I will do what I can for those now on the border and keep my Lord’s from outright hostility.”