A Stolen Woman

January 9 

I wish I had more time to write. I apologize for such a long delay in writing again. Ardythe has kept us at a run since I returned with the list of potential families. The very next day the fastest ship in port was sent to Mallawi with Ardythe's letter. Let us pray it makes it there in safety and that they accept our request.

But that has not been the only drain on my time. In just a few days Ardythe had acquired a ship and hired Haddock as the captain. I confess I felt it necessary to suggest my brother-in-law. I cannot deny it was partially due to familial partiality, but that is not my only reason. Haddock is a discrete man, and he will keep his crew in line.

During these few days, I arranged all the provisions needed. Much to my surprise, a day before setting sail, I discovered Ardythe intended me to accompany him. This is the first time I have sailed and by far the farthest I will have ever traveled.

Let me first begin by saying I do not like sailing. My stomach likes it even less. I will not go into details. I am told we are experiencing calm seas. I cannot imagine what rough seas must be like.

Before I continue, I must tell you a little about the Island nation so that you might understand our journey. The main island is called Cathan and why our nation does not use that name, I do not know. Cathan is the shape of a large 'c', with the opening facing west, towards Odrar. Within the inside of the 'c' is another, smaller island with three large cities on it. Other islands are scattered around Cathan in a haphazard way. We will be traveling all the way around Cathan, making numerous stops to visit the nobles on Haddock's list.

I do not know why the king insists on my accompanying him on this journey. Perhaps it is the fact that there are so few people who truly understand what we are doing here beyond him, Jehan, Haddock and myself. Alek knows, understands even, but does not fully support our mission. Still, like the other crew members, he has agreed to remain silent. I just hope they do, for their sakes. Ardythe is a violently ill-tempered man.

Our first stop was in Pervil, a small city less than a days' sail from Bathum, but it was fruitless. The family there was small and most of their children were too young for marriage. The only one old enough was red haired and freckled. Though I saw hope for the young girl, who was eager to join in our 'adventure,' as she called it, Ardythe insisted she was too ugly. We left the girl crying in her mother's arms. The mother was also weeping, but I believe that was due to a sense of solace than grief. No doubt she was happy we would not be taking her child from her.

We quickly moved on from there and arrived in Guildforth late that same day. Osim has smiled on us and hastened our boat and filled our sails with his great breath.

In Guildforth we came upon a refreshing sight—a beautiful noble woman.

Her name is Rownet. She is tall, rounded, and sensual—perhaps a little old for our mission at the age of twenty-four, but it is hard to say with these foreigners. They may not have the standards we do.

Sadly, the meeting with her family did not go as smoothly as I had hoped.

What am I saying? It was a disaster.

Rownet's parents, the lord and lady of Guildforth greeted us warmly and welcomed us into their home. Ardythe did not give them long to play host. He got right down to business. Jehan and I chose to keep our mouths shut. Haddock chose to stay on the ship.

“I will not waste your valuable time. I need Lady Rownet to accompany me.”

“Excuse me?” asked her father. “For what?”

“That is not for you to know. It is enough for you to know that you will never see her again and that you must pretend that you never had a daughter in the first place.”

At this I glanced at the mother, who's eyes were reddening with unshed tears. Unlike her husband, she knew the danger of the moment; she knew who was really in charge.

“You cannot take her. She is about to be wed. This very week, in fact.”

“Her country needs her!” demanded the king.

“Perhaps we should chose another,” I whispered in Ardythe's ear. He shoved me away violently and I held my tongue.

“This nation is in danger. Her assistance could save of us from war.”

“Do not lie to me! King of the Island, as you call yourself! I know the truth. You simply want another pretty woman to warm your bed! You cannot have my daughter.”

Ardythe was on his feet in an instant, his wide face flushed with anger. I scooted my chair away and spotted the wife doing the same.

“If I simply needed another whore, do you think I would have traveled all this way. Here are the plain facts. She will be coming with me,” at this the king glanced at the young woman who now had tears streaming down her porcelain cheeks. “And if she so much as thinks about running away, I will send my army to destroy your pathetic village and they will bring you back to me so that she can see you die. Do I make myself clear?”

I couldn't breath. What was he saying?

I knew our need for these young people was great. I even thought our idea to trick the Mallawi was a good one, but not if it meant threatening and disheartening our own people. How could they ever trust Ardythe again if he threatened anyone who apposed him. Couldn't he just explain their plan?

But the king never explained anything, not even to me or Jehan. We simply followed him blindly and hoped he didn't lead us into the fires of Neraka.

“Have I made myself clear?” he asked again, snapping each word.

Rownet, brave girl that she is, rose from her seat and stepped forward. “Yes, my lord. You make yourself clear. I will go and have my maidservants pack me a trunk.”

“No!” shrieked her distraught mother, who lunged forward to grab her daughter. At the same instant the father, in his fright, charged at the king. Ardythe's guards, who are well skilled, had the old man on the floor in moments.

I suppose the one thing we can be thankful for is that they did not kill Rownet's father. I doubt she would have been so compliant had that happened.

I will not retell the rest our visit at Guildforth. It would dishearten me too deeply. Rownet and all her family cried and said their last goodbyes, never to see each other.

I am disgusted by what we just did, sickened to the point of actual nausea. We've stolen a young woman from the very brink of marriage, only to be thrust into a world she does not know or understand, and soon to be forced to marry a foreigner.

And she is only the first.

What demons have we become?

Marcys