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Chapter 11:- Courage
A week before, Elsbeth would have quailed before that gaze. Managing the household was her mother’s provenance, as Lady Garland, and Elsbeth, as a daughter rather than a son, fell strictly within that tightly-held domain. Now she thought of her warrior ancestors, standing against the might of Otto Tyrannus, who had conquered the sixteen northern kingdoms, forged them into his empire of Valenna, and had meant to add Elbany to it. If they could look across the mountains at the gathered armies of Otto’s Valenna and stand, she could face her mother.
A week before, Elsbeth would have quailed before that gaze. Managing the household was her mother’s provenance, as Lady Garland, and Elsbeth, as a daughter rather than a son, fell strictly within that tightly-held domain. Now she thought of her warrior ancestors, standing against the might of Otto Tyrannus, who had conquered the sixteen northern kingdoms, forged them into his empire of Valenna, and had meant to add Elbany to it. If they could look across the mountains at the gathered armies of Otto’s Valenna and stand, she could face her mother.
“My lady, before the betrothal ceremony, I had not met Douglas of Roth,” Elsbeth began. “Now that I have, I find there are…concerns.”
The lifted brow did not lower. “Oh?”
“From his behavior, I have reservations about his abilities — to lead his father’s men and ultimately, to lead Elbany.”
The eyebrow descended half an inch. Elsbeth felt encouraged. “He was nervous,” she continued. “Some jitters might be expected, I grant, but he scarcely looked at me. When I looked at him, he shied like a spooked horse. He held my hand as if it were thorned. If he can’t face his bride, what chance has he to face the lords of Elbany?”
“There is a difference between them,” her mother observed dryly.
“Yes,” Elsbeth pounced. “They are more fearsome.”
Lady Garland waved a hand. “It is unsurprising that a young man might be uneasy at his betrothal. Lord Douglas’ courage is unquestioned.”
“But his following his father as Roth may be.”
Elsbeth knew from her mother’s sudden stillness that she had her attention in earnest. “What do you mean? What have you heard?”
“The Roth’s younger son, lord Edwy,” Elsbeth said. “He is said to have performed astonishingly well in our recent border conflict, especially given his age.”
Lady Garland’s stiffness ebbed. “Oh. Edwy.” Her tone was dismissive.
Elsbeth wondered suddenly what her mother had heard and had worried that Elsbeth had as well. Was there some further objection to be made to a match with Douglas that her mother knew but she did not?
But how could that be? Her mother would not approve a marriage that was anything less than advantageous for Garland any more than her father would, nor one where a scandal lurked that might also besmirch Garland.
“Edwy,” Lady Garland said again. “The lords will not choose Edwy over Douglas.”
“The reports say he is already the most formidable martial strategist of our age,” Elsbeth said, exaggerating the rumors.
“He may well be,” her mother said coolly. “But battle plans are only part of leading a country. Edwy will serve his brother, not supplant him.”
“I do not like him,” Elsbeth said, emboldened in her desperation. “I do not wish to marry him.”
“That is unfortunate.” Lady Garland’s unblinking gaze caught her own. “But you will.”
