Helen's Captain

[Lady Edfeil]

't was nae a secret that there was turmoil in the princess' homeland. It was why she had been sent to Windstorm, yet ever since arriving here naught of that turmoil seemed to have followed her. Windstorm had provided the safety she needed, most likely because nae one knew she was here.
Was that about to change? She nae knew exactly the reason, but it was a fact that the captain of Helen's private guards had been found riffling through her correspondence, breaking seals even of private letters given to her by her father in case there was trouble.

She had him confined to the guard's quarters but Dieter's worry was such that the man had been brought to the dungeons. The idea that a man who had given his oath, had been sworn to a liege and vowed to protect his daughter would act thus had shaken her. And then there was of course the chance that he had been paid to do so. And iffen he was paid, someone was very eager to find out more about the princess. It did nae bid well.

[Lady Edfeil]

((Gah, I just made a very long post summarizing last eve and it got eaten! Short version: Edie's bridal glow when she descended into the hall after the wedding night was quickly dimmed by King Leo's demand that his daughter return to him and that the Captain would be delivered to die a traitor's death. Gregor was not pleased of his bride having to face this and Sithicus was considering both lawful and unlawful means of taking care of the problem. *grumbles as it was some of my best writing lately*))

[Lady Edfeil]

To the end of her days, she would nae understand men. They'd delayed the Byzantian crew to allow her time to think on what to do, the consequences of a deception and the measuring of a man's life against the risks to Windstorm iffen such was ever discovered, especially since she could nae lie worth a ha'penny.
Yet on the second day when plans were starting to form and outline within her mind, more had come to light. The trial would be in form of a fight, a Lord's judgement... and in such the Captain would prove his innocence or guilt by win or defeat. The man was willing, nae eager to take such upon him. He was skilled and felt his honour demanded naught less than to take up the blade even iffen such were to cost him his life. She nae understood, but she knew she could nae.. gainsay him. To risk the value of Windstorm's word on a man nae willing to be sheltered would go against her oath as sovereign to it's safety.
And thus the last evening of drinking would be celebrated in the harbour as she herself prepared to say her farewells to Princess Helen and find a post for young Grace who would nae be able to return to Byzantium because of her father's deeds.