Chained (Chained Trilogy) by Elise Marion

Author:Elise Marion [Marion, Elise]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Marion Press
Published: 2014-07-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Gwen awakened early the next morning and dressed for the temple. She’d had Lynet lay out her garments and dress her in the neighboring chamber to preserve her modesty. The Daleraian watched her too closely as it was; Gwen had no desire to dress and undress in front of him as well. It was something she hadn’t thought of when having him chained to the wall of her bedchamber, but there was nothing to be done for it now.

“So much ceremony and spectacle for a couple of stone statues,” Caden muttered as she and Lynet carefully covered their faces with their veils. Lynet gasped at the knight’s blasphemy, but Gwen was hardly surprised.

“Your faithlessness does not shock me,” Gwen said, linking arms with Lynet. “You Daleraians have always been a godless people. Do not ridicule me for my faith, Sir, for daring to believe in something bigger than myself.”

“Yes, those stone statues are rather large, aren’t they? I have only one god, wench, and it is made of steel. Perhaps someday you will witness how I choose to honor it by offering the blood of my enemies as tribute.”

Gwen turned her back on him and went to exit her chambers. “I pity you, Sir, to put your faith in only what you can see and feel. I, for one, find much comfort in knowing there is something more to put my trust in.”

He did not respond, leaving Gwen and Lynet to adjourn to the temple in peace. The morning and afternoon passed her by in a blur. She visited the temple and met the poor beggars at the castle gates before joining her mother for breakfast. It was a strained affair, and neither of them spoke much as they broke their fast on cod and boiled quail eggs. Gwen barely had time to finish her meal before it was time to change her gown and join Espan in the great hall. Though it had only been a fortnight since she’d sent men in search of her brothers, each day she dared to hope that someone would bring word. Today was the same as any other day—the mundane matters of vassals and villeins alike were brought before her, and the messengers sent back from her knights and men-at-arms said no trace of her brothers had yet to be found. Gwen tended them all, only adjourning for a quarter of an hour for a bite of bread and sip of wine before returning.

In the evening, before dinner, Gwen visited with her father. Because he was so fragile, Gwen dared not burden him with talk of the Daleraian. He had trusted her to keep Seahaven safe until Evrain’s return, and that is what she would do. She need not bother him with every little trifle. An unruly prisoner was hardly his concern. She did write Orrick, though, as she trusted his council more than she did Espan’s. She’d told him all, and hoped that he would write back with wise council, or even journey to Seahaven once Freyvale’s defenses and stores had been seen to.

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