Medieval Love and War

Terry Mott-Bellin

Description

Medieval Love and War is a gripping tale of romance and mysticism with compelling characters and historical references of feudal times.

Shep and Hanna, both servants in the castle’s kitchen, fall in love, but one is unaware the other is keeping a dark secret. An unsuccessful suicide attempt brings forgiveness. The couple risks death as they decide their future.

Sir Rylan secretly courts the cloistered Princess Eden. With the help of her trusted servants, he connives a romantic tryst. The brave knight must prove himself in battle before seeking her hand in marriage.

Zaccai, the king’s narcissistic scholar joins forces with the enemy, Calibor, to kidnap the princess. The potion used to sedate her causes amnesia. She escapes to the home of the blacksmith and his son, David, who take her in. David and the maiden, now called Angel, eventually wed.

David must leave his pregnant bride to go to war. Calibor finds the princess, but leaves her to live as a peasant, believing she is not worthy of him. The evil titan allows King Matthew to believe he is holding her captive, hoping to incite the eruption of a long-dormant war.

Calibor is brought to the brink of insanity and Sir Rylan to the edge of despair. King Matthew and David risk their very lives. Who will die for the exquisite maiden they all love?

Sujets

• Romance historique
• Fiction
• Romance
• Historical

Informations

• Publié par: Outskirts Press
• Date de parution: 13 juin 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781977256140
• Langue: English

Extrait

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Medieval Love and War All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2022 Terry Mott-Bellin v2.0
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.
This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Outskirts Press, Inc. http://www.outskirtspress.com
ISBN: 978-1-9772-5614-0
Cover Photo © 2022 www.gettyimages.com . All rights reserved - used with permission.
Outskirts Press and the "OP" logo are trademarks belonging to Outskirts Press, Inc.
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Dedicated to my sis: Diane D. Mott September 20, 1956, to July 13, 2011. We had a long history but a short past.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROLOGUE
PART ONE
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
NINE
TEN
ELEVEN
TWELVE
THIRTEEN
PART TWO
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
NINE
TEN
ELEVEN
TWELVE
THIRTEEN
FOURTEEN
FIFTEEN
SIXTEEN
SEVENTEEN
EIGHTEEN
NINETEEN
TWENTY
PART THREE
TWO YEARS LATER
PROLOGUE
Sir Rylan and his men-at-arms were homebound, galloping across the meadow toward the safety of the Great Sea Kingdom. Every time King Matthew sent them on a mission to negotiate with Calibor, their foe to the east, they found themselves anxious to escape the raw evil their adversary seemed to radiate. Sir Rylan became the negotiator and messenger between the two rivals, who were in constant struggle for land and power.
The king’s mediator ignored the harsh wind on his face as he spurred his horse to run at breakneck speed across the King’s River Bridge. He knew Calibor jealously coveted the kingdom’s coffers and sought to wage war and expand his empire. The negotiator was frustrated, knowing the malevolent titan acted compliant to his suggestions of peace, yet continued to plan a bloody conquest. The king had the power, but Calibor had the hunger.
The sounds and smells of the town alerted the men it was approaching fast. Echoes of merriment ahead reminded them it was the Springtide Festival, and the townsfolk would be enjoying plenty of food and drinks, courtesy of the benevolent King Matthew. They could hear lively melodies played by the traveling musicians on their cornetts and lutes, while delicious aromas teased their empty stomachs.
Sir Rylan was eager to forget the sight of Calibor’s starving slaves with their vacant eyes and missing fingers. He finally pulled on the reins and slowed his stallion, breathing a sigh of relief at the feel of home close by. Unbeknownst to him and his men, evil followed them. Calibor and his henchmen were not far behind.
PART ONE
ONE
One hundred years erstwhile, the Duke of the Great Sea Duchy left a proud legacy. His great-great grandson Spencer was the current duke of the same duchy and fulfilled all the responsibilities of his birthright. The estate was just beyond King Matthew’s castle, where the kingdom and the sea began.
Sir Rylan, the son of Duke Spencer, was only one-and-twenty years old but already had the wisdom and responsibility of someone much older. His father mentored him well.
Nevertheless, the two would sometimes come to harsh words over their continued standoff with Calibor. They had a row just before the duke’s son left on his most recent mission to negotiate with their enemy.
"Father, don’t you think it would be preferable to launch a crusade against the rogue and end this protracted and bitter dispute once and for all?"
"My young and impatient son, you know His Majesty prefers to wait until he is fully prepared and sure to triumph in the ensuing battle. He does not want to see his knights die and his subjects suffer."
Duke Spencer placed his hand upon his son’s shoulder and continued. "King Matthew has promised his people that they are under the safeguard of the crown. Now, go about your duties to the king; negotiate the peace and return safely."
Father and son had realized some royal advisors felt their ruler was weak for trying to keep the peace. The king chose to stay on the course of diplomatic negotiations, giving up much of his fortune from the sea to bribe Calibor. He attempted to pacify his tyrannical foe’s thirst for plunder and deter the threat of a takeover. Their leader would play the part of a peacemaker until he was fully prepared for battle and victory.
King Matthew had a great devotion to his people and possessed an innate generosity of spirit. His divers brought in an abundance of pearls, which were traded to help provide the villagers’ children with food and clothing. On royal holidays, the youngsters were treated to honey from the castle apiary as well as a nourishing feast with fresh fruit from the royal orchards. The people loved their king.
Despite the good monarch’s efforts to keep his people safe, he could not prevent the death of divers in the Great Sea. Many men chose the life of glory and some lost their lungs searching for bountiful treasures. King Matthew promised to care for the grieving families, recognizing their menfolk’s bravery. He was powerless to return their loved ones but he soothed their wounds by providing them some worldly comforts. Their dead and beloved sons, fathers, husbands, and brothers could rest in peace, knowing their munificent ruler sustained their kin.

Princess Eden, was the king’s only child and heir, and she was one summer short of marriage age. She was to dance at the town’s Springtide Festival, which signaled the end of winter. Women and menfolk alike would rustle and hustle to get a good standing spot close to the stage. It was a rare chance to feast their eyes on the perfection of the woman-child.
After much pleading, the king allowed his precious daughter to perform at the festival under the close watch of several guards and servants. Zaccai, her teacher and mentor, would oversee her safety. The king felt secure knowing the royal scholar would not leave her side.
Eden had bright and wavy hair of auburn brown. Her long locks framed a dainty face with large amber eyes and lips the color of beetroot. Her body was often compared to the voluptuous Greek Goddess Aphrodite, with flawless oyster-white skin all men yearned to touch. Aphrodite was her celestial patron as the goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation.
Eden had a passion for the stories of Greek mythology, which just added to the depth of her mystique. The townsfolk, however, would show no concern about the beauty within. They were much too entranced by the beauty of the flesh.
On the night of the festival, the air was cool, so the populace dressed in woolen over-tunics and hides, while small fires were lit about the grounds. The yearly event was a grand celebration for all the good king’s subjects, and celebrants came from the surrounding countryside to spend the day. The elderly were furnished with straw mats to sit upon while their grandchildren brought them food and drinks from the abundance of offerings. Families gathered together and were thankful to their king. The days of celebration were enjoyed by all those who were about to embark on the long, backbreaking planting season.
The princess and her party parked their carriage on the edge of the festival grounds and approached the stage with several servants and guards in tow.
"Now, Zaccai," she declared with a mischievous glint in her eye, "my father has granted me but one wish, which is nigh. I am allowed to perform the Spring Moon Dance for our people at the festival. You may escort me, but you may not cavort with me!"
She giggled at the thought of her staunch tutor prancing delicately around the stage to the music of fifes and piccolos. Zaccai’s face flushed as he tried to reason with the impetuous princess.
"I do not know why you seek to chide me. I am only fulfilling the king’s behest. I must stay close."
"So be it. You may stand down front with my lady-in-waiting and help her collect a few gifts from my admirers. My personal guard will assist you."
Eden did not realize a new admirer in attendance would soon connect with her heart.

The Springtide Festival was well under way as Sir Rylan and his men returned from their mission and brought their horses to the stables for grooming and a feed. The messenger noticed a crowd of peasants surrounding a festooned platform in the center of the bazaar. Out of curiosity, he strode toward the gathering and left his men behind. There, he observed a beautiful maiden dancing center stage, commanding everyone’s attention.
Eden moved with all the grace of a feather in the gentle wind and danced like a butterfly. All eyes were upon her as she skipped and pirouetted with abandon. Her silky, diaphanous dress of jade green floated in the breeze and showed just enough of her perfect features to stop hearts. There was a freckle here and a freckle there.
The minstrels played a merry melody, and children squealed with delight while running capriciously back and forth in front of the stage. The parents kept a wary eye upon them, lest they topple a lit torch pole. Other than that, they did not discipline their offspring, hoping they would tire and go to sleep early. There was a Mystery Play to follow, and the parents wished for the children to lay quietly upon their mats.
The beautiful damsel on the platform continued to hold everyone’s gaze with each whirl and twirl as the crowd tapped t