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Tova's Four Kingdoms Safe
TOVA I had braced myself for the first lash of the whip. My torturer barely used his arm, instead flicking his wrist to have the tails of the whip dance across my back. I involuntarily screamed, the pain feeling like hellfire had been poured on to my back. He pulled back and whipped again and again, flicking his wrist into a morbid movement of pain and blood. He was right; my blood spattered around the room with each strike of the whip. After the tenth stroke I was standing in a puddle of my own blood, bits of my flesh on the ground around me. My knees were wobbly, my throat was sore from screaming and my vision swam. I thought I heard voices over the thundering rain, but I couldn’t concentrate on anything but the pain. “Get on with it!” I heard Sala scream. I saw the man cock back his arm, this time ready to put his weight behind the stroke and I closed my eyes turning to the pillar with a sob. I knew I would not survive this. The stroke hit with as much force as I had im
Tova's Four Kingdoms Brother
ERIK I watched Tova drift off to sleep. Birgir went to the fire and gathered a bunch of herbs, tying them together in a bundle. He lit the end on fire and then blew out the flame, creating a smudge. He wrapped a stiff piece of bark around the bundle, making a little cornucopia with the smoking end at the large end of the cone. He sat in front of Tova, holding the smudge in front of her face. Her breathing deepened as she drifted into a deeper sleep. Satisfied, he stubbed out the smudge on the dirt floor and then went back to the pot that was boiling on the fire, the herbs and roots inside turning the water to a noxious shade of green. I watched him dip strips of linen into the water and pull them out, letting them cool slightly in the air before bringing them to Tova’s sleeping form. I braced myself for what I was going to see. He removed the light sheet that was covering her body and gently pulled off the used strips of linen, setting them aside to be cleaned and used again
Tova's Four Kingdoms Punishment
ERIK I paused before I went back into the cave, knowing that my arrival with the needle and tendon was just going to cause Tova more pain. I smiled to myself ruefully. If she had been any of my men, I would have sewn it up myself and judged them for making any sort of noise. I did have to give her credit. She has barely made a sound even though the pain must be intense. I went into the cave and saw Birgir bending over the fire, tending another pot that was starting to smell delicious. I realized he was making a soup to feed the girl and probably ourselves. I silently handed him the items he requested and then left the cave again. I began walking towards the village and I was soundlessly joined by two of my guards. Once on the outskirts of the town, I pulled the hood of my cloak up over my face. I had left my seal skin cloak back at the cave and was wearing a very modest cloak made of wool that would easily pass for one of the villagers. I looked at my guards and they unders
Tova's Four Kingdoms Rumors
TOVAWe spent a week in the cave. Erik came and went, speaking quietly with his guards, but Birgir never left my side. He was an excellent nurse, even helping me with my personal business and cleaning me afterwards. I never knew what King Erik talked about with his guards; he gave Birgir the updates after I had gone to sleep.After a week my back was scabbed, but nothing was bleeding and I wasn’t in an undo amount of pain. I was starting to get restless and said as much to Birgir when the opportunity arose.“How much danger is King Erik in?” I asked. Birgir looked up from his concoction of herbs that he was boiling. “King Erik can take care of himself. There are many that are loyal to him that will help keep him safe.” He looked at me curiously. “Why do you ask, my lady?”“Are we here, then, on my account?” I didn’t understand why we were hiding in a cave instead of trying to figure out who the traitor was and hunting him down. “Yes,” he admitted. “When King Erik realized t
Tova's Four Kingdoms Wash
TOVAErik came back a few hours later bearing packages. He tossed a parcel at Birgir and then put a larger one on the pallet that I slept on. I looked at him questioningly. “A dress, cloak, and some toiletries. We are returning home in style.”“Thank you,” I said, fingering the package. He inclined his head and spoke to me softly.“I would be honored, my queen, to help you get ready.” He chuckled softly. “I am no lady in waiting, but I can help.”I looked at Birgir with a little bit of alarm, but he refused to meet my eyes, busying himself with the package that he was given. “Oh, okay,” I said in the silence. Birgir tried to hide his smile of amusement and I let out the breath I was holding, looking Erik in the face. “I would like that, your grace. I am moving slowly and raising my arms is still a little hard.”Erik suddenly got serious. “When we return to the castle you will move into my chamber and only Birgir and I will attend to you. I do not trust anyone there right n
Tova's Four Kingdoms Cloak
TOVAFirst light brought Erik to the cave entrance, looking nervous. Birgir threw both of us an amused look and then disappeared, all of his things packed into a knapsack that he threw over his shoulder.I pushed myself up off my pallet, trying not to wince as the new skin pulled on my back. I was still wearing my undergarments and I could see that the king was a little confused and perhaps hurt.“I was eager to wash,” I explained with a smile. “The soap you brought was scented beautifully and I felt putrid in comparison. It took a long time, but I was able to get clean.”He smiled back at me, an expression I was not quite used to. “I am sorry I was not here to assist,” he stated, reaching for my gown.I turned around and held my hands over my head like a child and he slipped it on, tying the stays and rearranging the fabric around the corset area. His hands splayed on my waist, resting on my hips for longer than was necessary, but it felt nice. I leaned a little bit back into
Tova's Four Kingdoms Plan Change
TOVAThe forest was thick but one of the guards had commandeered a horse from a nearby farm. I was lifted up on to its bareback, sitting sideway. King Erik walked beside me, hand on the horse’s neck. Another guard led him by the rope through his halter.We trekked through the forest for about three miles before it began to thin, and we saw the beginnings of a few farms and pasture lands. The nine of us were silent; the guards were too well trained to chatter and I’m beginning to notice that King Erik prefers silence. Birgir and I had nothing to say so we went along in the quiet.I noticed that some of the villagers were coming out of their huts, standing at their doors, watching us walk into town. No one said anything, but all the men and young boys were saluting the king and the women would curtsy as we passed by. Erik moved his hand to my leg underneath the cloak and he would occasionally give my calf a light squeeze. I was confused as to what that meant.We passed through t
Tova's Four Kingdoms King's Chambers
TOVAI miserably followed Erik down the hallways to his wing in the castle. We were followed by servants who were trying to anticipate his wants. For his part, he strode down the drafty halls without looking back, shedding his cloak and kicking off his boots while walking. Servants scrambled to remove the offending items and took them to be cleaned.He reached the door to his chambers and flung open the door, not looking back to see if I was following. I took a deep breath and gave the woman next to me a tentative smile. She looked at me sympathetically and looked away. I entered the chamber behind Erik and shut the door.I turned to survey the room. I had never been in here and I was surprised at how spacious the suite was. We were in the anteroom. There were six comfortable chairs with footstools spaced around a two-sided fireplace that a small fire had been built in to ward off the springtime chill. Erik tossed his tunic into a chair and continued further into the suite.
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Tova's Four Kingdoms Greatest Warriors
TOVALater that night Erik was helping me take off my ornate dress. I had my back to him, my hair lifted up and he was untying the lacing.“Why do they tie these so tightly when you’re obviously with child? Of course you won’t have a waist,” Erik complained, picking at the knots. I shrugged.“Fashion, I guess,” I replied. He finally got the knot untied and spun me around, lifting the heavy dress off from me. I gave a sigh of relief and collapsed on the couch. He sat beside me and lifted my feet into his lap, idly rubbing them.“She will tame the Lion,” Erik mused. “You know who the Lion is, right?”I sighed again. “Yes. And I hope HE isn’t who that prophesy is about.”“The king of the Minot Realm does have a fearsome reputation,” Erik acknowledged. “But so did I.”“She is only six,” I commented. “That’s the same age I was when Birgir came and got me from my parents. I’m not letting Greta go if he comes knocking.”Erik nodded. “I agree. I will fight to keep Greta here unti
Tova's Four Kingdoms Prophesies
TEN YEARS LATERTOVAI was on my knees in the nursery trying to finish braiding six-year-old Greta’s curly red hair. It was normally a mess and I normally let it be a mess, but today was the day she was going to get her prophesy. Her brother, Leif, had gotten his years ago and the seers were finally back in the area. It was a tradition that all the children of the realm participated in. Even Erik had gotten a prophesy at one time.I clumsily climbed to my feet, again big with child. The midwives were convinced I was carrying twins this time. I had another easy birth when I birthed Greta and I was hoping this pregnancy would not be any different. “My lady, can I help?” One of the maids came forward to help me with Greta’s hair. I smiled at her. “Please try, Berta. I can not do a thing with it.” I handed over the brush and ribbons and then looked for my son. I found Leif sitting in the rocking chair near the window, reading a book. I smiled at him. At age ten he looked
Tova's Four Kingdoms Baby
TOVAI woke up in the middle of the night with a start, unsure what had woken me. I felt achy all over and decided to take a bath in the morning. I would ask the medicine man for some herbs to put into the water to soothe my muscles.I rolled over and snuggled into Erik. He rolled slightly in his sleep, pressing further into me. I dozed back to sleep when I woke again. This time I knew what had caused it.I carefully rolled away, hoping not to wake Erik. I felt a horrific pressure in my low back and sharp pains were shooting down my leg. I got up and carefully put on a dressing gown over my hugely swollen body, tying the straps in the front. I began pacing up and down the room, hoping to alleviate some of the pressure in my low back. I was in labor.I knew from my lessons with the midwives that the baby could take hours, or even days to come. I wasn’t prepared for this amount of pain, though. The pressure made me feel like my body was going to drop out of my bottom and the
Tova's Four Kingdoms Dining Room
ERIKI rode Troi into the stable at a run. It had been a long time since she got to go out and ride hard like that. Tova was too large and too far along in her pregnancy to ride, but she still came down to the stable to pet and talk to Bo. He wouldn’t allow anyone else to ride him, including me, so he had to stay when I went out with Troi. I gave the reins to one of the stable boys and then went into Bo’s stall, patting him. “She’s doing okay, boy,” I murmured to him. “It’s just too cold for her to come down and see you.” The new year had come in with a bang, the snow falling enough to cover the first story windows in the castle. After the snow came the winds, biting and freezing everything into a glossy, slippery mess. Tova was large with child and clumsy, so venturing outside wasn’t a good idea. She was going stir-crazy inside the castle. She recently began rearranging the baby’s room for the third time.I dropped a handful of oats into Bo’s feed bucket and carefully made
Tova's Four Kingdoms Dangerous Traditions
TOVAThe days of the celebration passed. It took a week for the castle to become back to normal. Our guests spent a day or two recovering from the merriment of the day before heading back to their lives. Birgir and Ulka stayed a few more days, working out some of the details of their new acquisition. “I’m too old to have kids,” Ulka said, abruptly one night at dinner. Erik choked on his soup and Birgir had to pound him on his back. I started laughing and couldn’t stop.“What on earth brought on this conversation?” Erik asked, horrified. “What are we going to do about an heir?” Ulka said. “Birgir and I aren’t exactly young. We probably have fifteen to twenty good years left to rule, but what will be do after that?”I tipped my head to the side. “Exactly how old are you, my lady?” I asked, curious. Erik gave a shout of laughter. “Good luck getting that information from her. It’s a closely guarded secret.” I threw my wadded up napkin at his head and he ducked. Birgir grinn
Tova's Four Kingdoms Celebration
TOVAI thought my knees would buckle under me but Erik’s steadying hand on my elbow and waist helped. One by one the kings and queens stood. The king of Skaldik stepped forward and dropped to his knee.“Kings and Queens of the Four Kingdoms. I, King Olgir, pledge my alliance to each and every one of you. I pledge to work together, to contribute to the well-being of all of our people.”The remaining kings and queens stomped their feet, pounding out their acceptance. And one by one, each of the royalty took to their knee and made the same pledge.Then it was my turn. I wasn’t sure if Erik had intended on participating, but I knew I needed to. I dropped to my knee and bowed to them.“Kings and Queens of the Four Kingdoms. I, High Queen Tova, pledge my alliance to each and every one of you. I pledge that we will work together and contribute to the well being of all people, regardless of where they dwell.”Erik fell to his knee beside me and repeated the oath. We stood together a
Tova's Four Kingdoms Unite
TOVAI stood in front of the crowd, nervous. I looked out, shocked at how many people were there. Every flat surface that could be used as a table and every stool, step and chair had been brought from the castle and were filled. Furs from the beds were placed on the ground with cushions for those who arrived too late to find a seat. As far as I could see there was a sea of people, and they were all looking at me.I cleared my throat and began speaking. I spoke loud, partly to control the shaking in my voice, and partly because I wanted all to hear what I had to say.“Men and Women of Oremgoth. I am speaking to you now as a sister from Nidavelle and as your High Queen. Hear my words.Oremgoth is a realm that is made up of four specific kingdoms. Because of location, each of these kingdoms has a specific gift that is from nature, herself.”I turned to the king of Skaldik and inclined my head before turning back to the people. “Skaldik is to the north. Their people are hardwork
Tova's Four Kingdoms New Royalty
ERIKI stood on the podium in the pavilion and looked out on to the field. More people than expected had shown up to the ceremony and that pleased me. Some of the guests didn’t look too pleased and some looked uncomfortable, but my mother was down there doing her best to stop the muttering.The muttering was happening because Tova insisted on mixing the perceived social ranks. Peasants were seated at the table with noblemen. Children from all classes ran around together, playing games and enjoying each other’s company. And those who did not send a response saying that they would be attending, regardless of status, were seated on furs and cushions that were placed out last minute. I knew that the only reason no one had left in a huff is because they were curious about what was going on. I stepped out and raised my hand, garnering the attention of everyone. The hum of conversations slowed and then finally stopped, the only noise made from the servants clanking silver together in
Tova's Four Kingdoms Beautiful
TOVAI was happy to see that the servants had filled my bath with lightly scented water. I climbed in and let the warm water relax my body before quickly washing and coating my hair with oils. I climbed out, wrapping myself in my robe and wandering back to the bedroom where my chambermaid had laid out my gown for the evening.Instead of the chambermaid, Erik was sitting on the couch, shirtless. I looked at him and breathed in, hard. I knew the look in his eyes.“Come here,” he said, widening his legs. I stepped forward until I was standing within arm’s reach of him. “Take off the robe,” he said, eyes smoldering. I obediently untied the sash and let the robe drop to my feet. He hissed his approval through his teeth when he saw my body, still glistening with the oils I had used. He lowered his head and started sucking on my nipple and I threw my head back and moaned. “You know we only have a few minutes,” Erik whispered, his mouth full of my breast. “No, we don’t. Take your
