Lien the Fifth

                               Rachel's Revenge

                               

       Delia had been truly loved and admired throughout the Kingdom; one and all mourned her passing. However it didn't take a great deal of intellect for those Nobles of the fairer gender to notice a fatalistic pattern emerging. When the memorial month had passed (remarkably without more than the usual amount of senseless violence on the part of Good King Venrihet (V)), word was sent forth that the king would entertain those young ladies who had hopes of becoming his newest prospective spouse. Lord Chambly was somewhat taken aback when the invitation failed to garner a single response.

       Lien was perplexed and more than a little perturbed that his magnanimous offer should be ignored. He and Lord Chambly joined together to create a list of the ten most appetizing young ladies who by virtue of rank and birth would make a proper Queen. These luckless lasses were summoned to the Royal Court and suffered a thorough and most degrading examination by both Lien and the Royal Physician. You might imagine Lien's surprise to find that not a one of these fine young ladies had maintained her maidenly virtue. The process was repeated with another ten Ladies of the court but with identical results.

       The Royal Physician was then sent forth, cold speculum in hand, to search the Kingdom for a virtuous and maidenly Noble Lady. The initial results were anything but encouraging. It seemed at first glance that during the previous fortnight every young Noblewoman of a marriageable age had offered herself to just about any willing male, the exact reasons for this extraordinary coincidence remained unclear. The Royal Physician was near despair as the investigation continued.

       Now Lord Chambly was a widower who doted upon his only child, a daughter named Rachel. She was a winsome lass of some 20 years, a bit tall, a touch thin. Some of her more snippety rivals went so far as to call her gaunt, though never to her face. She had lustrous raven hair that fell past her shoulders in soft full curls. She had wide-set eyes that were sharp, quick, and bottomless. More than one hapless suitor had become lost staring into their depths. She was taller than most of the woman-folk of the Kingdom, and as tall or taller than a fair number of the men (Lien among them). Her father had educated her far beyond what was temperate for one of the fair sex, her quick wit and sharp tongue kept most men and boys at bay. She was however betrothed to a lad named Jacob Renswurt the son of a wealthy merchant and destined to become the Lord of some minor Barony in the eastern regions of the Kingdom.

       When a large portion of the landed gentry had fled the Kingdom, Lord Chambly had come up with a rather clever plan to repopulate the ranks of the Nobility and fatten the treasury all in one brilliant stroke. The plan allowed some of those with sufficient wealth to purchase a Noble title and the associated estates. Those gentlemen who benefited from such a transaction were given a quick course in chivalrous behavior, and thus properly equipped were sent out to earn their Noble reputation. The object of such quests was to vanquish a few scalawags and ruffians, rescue a maiden in distress if possible, and slay any spare dragons you might come across. If you hired a bard to accompany you the tales of your heroic deeds would circulate and your reputation could be fixed in myth in a year or two. Then the brand new Noble could retire to his estate, oversee his peasant's labor, send in his royal tithe, and get down to the serious business of begetting an heir or two.

It was an enlightened and progressive plan to be sure, though, of course, those more established in their Nobility vehemently opposed it.

       Lord Chambly was the most important Noble in the Kingdom, second only to the King himself. A marriage to his most eligible daughter would be a boon to any family that managed to arrange such a coup. Naturally Lord Chambly dreamed of a union with any of a half dozen lads from the more powerful families of the Kingdom. Such a bonding would help tighten his control over the Kingdom, and it's impetuous ruler.

       Children always seem to have a way of taking ones nobler impulses and throwing them back in your face at the most inopportune times. Thus it was with Lord Chambly, while he championed the cause of the Nouveau Nobility he had created, he had not in his wildest nightmares imagined his own daughter would sink to the depths of marrying one of those ingrates.

       She was unshakable in her desire. He begged, pleaded, reasoned, and threatened all to no avail. The worst part of it was the lad she had set her sights upon. Jacob was a tall gangly lad with a tangled mop of bright red hair. His huge ears stood out to the side and seemed ready to flap in the wind, an idiot's grin was always on his face. He looked a fool and acted the part as well, a nice enough fool perhaps, but totally unschooled in the arts of intrigue and unskilled in deceit or deception. The boy possessed a charming innocence that Rachel adored, but it left him a helpless babe before any conniving jackal who could smile pleasantly as he robbed the boy blind. It was a dangerous failure for any noble but more so in this particular kingdom, where life and health were as much at risk as mere wealth. This young man's ineptitude could endanger his daughter. Yet in the face of foolish and youthful love Lord Chambly the most powerful man in the Kingdom was completely powerless.

  

Rachel and Jacob had sworn fealty to each other and He had set off upon his quest. He felt it somewhat disingenuous to hire a bard to sing ones own praises and perhaps a bit unmanly as well. Thus he was currently starting into the third year of his adventure and by the most optimistic predictions might have a few more years to go (barring a confirmed dragon slaying of course). At first Lord Chambly had been relieved by this respite but he was now resigned to the fact that Rachel was determined to wed this young dullard and she was at least as stubborn as the King himself.

         The Royal Physician was no nitwit. He knew the dangers he courted as his search for a Noble virgin ascended the rungs of power within the Kingdom. Rachel was the very last of the Noblewomen to be tested and the good doctor suffered numerous scratches about the head and shoulders, nearly losing his good right eye in the process. Regrettably for all concerned Rachel was indeed the last virginal Noblewoman to be found in Keltoi.

       Lien was somewhat relived by the discovery, but less than enthused; Rachel and her Father were summoned for an audience with the King. He cheerfully informed her that he had chosen her to be his next Queen despite her ungainly height and scrawny appearance. Naturally his manner did nothing to ingratiate himself to Rachel who informed Lien in no uncertain terms that she was betrothed, and would remain faithful to her love until death did they part. In any event she would never consider marrying Lien until ice skates were being issued to the denizens of Hades. 

Lien greeted this news with a crooked grin. It was always so convenient when people helped clear a path for the plans he had already had set in motion. Young Jacob Renswurt was recalled to the capital and he arrived within the week. His disposition was as blissfully ignorant as ever when he strode into the Royal audience chamber. He suspected some aspect of his quest for glory had come to the Kings attention and he was to be ennobled in a timelier manner than he had ever dared hope. He became a bit confused when he found his tearful beloved and her glum looking father already sequestered in the Royal audience chamber. He rushed to embrace Rachel only to be restrained by armed guards. Lord Chambly, Rachel, and Jacob all listened numbly to the king's proposal.

It was within Liens purview to simply take Rachel by force of law and hold her until he was done with her. The crafty Lord Chambly wisely pointed out that without the sanctification of marriage any offspring would have to contend with all the other Royal bastards for the throne.

Lord Chambly had no wish to see his daughter wed young Renswurt. The lad was both helpless and uncompromisingly innocent. In the entire world there might be one person who was less suitable for the hand of his daughter. That would of course be Lien himself.

Lien in his more reflective moments realized he needed his Chancellor, or at the very least the insights and guidance of Lord Chambly made Liens life far less complicated. He was dimly aware that it would indeed be best if he could gain the cooperation of the elder in this venture for Rachel's hand in marriage.

A straightforward plan of bribery and blackmail seemed the simplest approach. Lien bribed his chancellor with an ironclad promise that his daughter would be used strictly for breeding purposes and would otherwise remain under guard neither touched nor tormented by the good King. Lord Chambly and the King himself would jointly control access to his daughter. Lord Chambly could have her examined by a physician to assure that she was not otherwise abused. Details of the frequency of sexual congress would be worked out between the two men but they would be limited to sexual unions for procreative purposes only. Should she bear a son within a year she would live out her life in the relative comfort of her bedchamber and never be bothered by Lien again. Should the couple fail to produce a son she would simply be beheaded and the matter would be laid to rest.

It was perhaps the best bargain that could be forged under the circumstances. Lord Chambly hemmed and hawed but in the end could do nothing but acquiesce. Rachel however was another matter.

Lien knew that blackmail could work wonders when bribery failed. This was the sole reason young Renswurt was still breathing. While Rachel listened stone faced, Lien explained in gleeful detail exactly what might befall her true love should she be unwilling to marry her King. Jacob was a stalwart lad and begged his beloved to be true to her desires but as it turned out it was Rachel's desire that Jacob live a bit longer.

The wedding was a civil ceremony, which took place immediately. It was presided over by a judge and witnessed by Renswurt and the assembled guards. Lord Chambly remained dry eyed and stoic throughout the service though he seemed to be grinding his teeth. The bride and her former betrothed were each secured within locked rooms after the ceremony though the accommodations were starkly different.

Rachel took up residence in the Royal bedchamber. Two female servants and her own handmaiden attended her every need save one. Her true love had been placed forever beyond her reach. Marian, a lady in waiting, had been Rachel's companion and friend for as long as either remembered. Though she herself was the daughter of a minor Noble she was pleased to serve as Rachel's handmaiden and was fiercely loyal to her friend. The four women settled into a pleasant enough existence that was interrupted only by the too frequent invasions of the Mad King.

Lien was unable to torture the object of his matrimonial duties because of the agreement he had struck with her father. This turned out to be a major problem. Lien seemed to suffer from a rare and somewhat embarrassing debilitation. He was in fact totally dysfunctional as a man unless he could hear the wail of a tormented female's voice and observe the writhing body of a lass twisting and squirming under the lash. While Rachel's first instinct might well have been to laugh at this absurd situation she wisely refrained. Without a performing Lien any hope of living past their first anniversary was moot. It was the lovely Maid Marian who led the couple to a practical compromise.

She had been listening at the doorway on the occasion of Lien's first visit. As his dilemma became obvious taunts and accusations were bandied between the young couple. Despite his best efforts there was no way he could become stiff enough to force his way through the virginal portal. True to his nature he blamed Rachel for his failings complaining bitterly of her ungainly height, scrawny figure, overly protective father, and even the inclement weather, all of which were conspiring to undo him.

The maiden Marian, realizing the true cause of Liens predicament, stripped herself bare, entered the royal bedchamber, and positioned herself against the headboard facing the wall with her tempting pale rump in plain view of the mad king. A puzzled Rachel lying below looked up at her nude friend in time to see Lien attack her wagging bottom with a handy belt. The King grew stiff and hard as he walloped away at Marian's squirming buttocks and when the young maiden wailed in anguish Lien was at last able to ravish his waiting bride. This most memorable event lasted but a few seconds ending with a grunt and a groan. Rachel's disgust was thinly disguised as Lien went soft once more between her thighs. Marian sobbed quietly above the entangled couple having shared in this regal befouling of her best friend.  

Gratitude may not have been Rachel's precise emotional response, but it will be sufficient to say she appreciated the sacrifice Marian had made. While the result may have been distasteful, Rachel realized it was required. Lien strutted about the room like a proud peacock having accomplished his goal. His gratitude for the fair maiden's assistance extended far enough to allow for her to leave the chamber and seek a medicinal unguent for her freshly striped rear.

Lien left shortly after performing his marital duties. Rachel was thankful she was spared the need for polite conversation with the man who would eventually kill her true love and probably herself as well. Marian took full advantage of her freedom and didn't return until shortly before dawn. The two women commiserated over the cruelty of fate and as the sun rose they began to make plans for their future.

Lien might not have found Rachel particularly attractive, and he bemoaned his inability to torment her in a physical sense, however the intricacies of their arrangement and the obvious disgust of both the women for their roles excited and fascinated him. Soon he was visiting his new wife's bedchamber four or more times a week. Marian was always bound nude between the canopy posts while her friend Rachel would lie waiting below. Lien would waste little time immediately attacking the maiden with whip or crop until both women were wailing and begging for his mercy.

Once he had become properly stimulated he would fall upon his bride and within a few short moments the deed would be complete. Off he would strut leaving it to Rachel to release the bound and bruised Marian from her bonds. Marian was then allowed some freedom to roam beyond the confines of the Queen's bedchamber. Indeed within a week Marian had found her way into the dungeon and had made the acquaintance of Clive, Edward, and William. She had ulterior motives of course and was most persuasive with these three gentlemen. Let there be no misunderstanding here: we are talking of only one gentleman at a time for she was a Lady, and only with her mouth for she was saving herself for… well more on that later.

On her third visit the three agreed to allow her to visit alone with the prisoner.  Edward was forced to search her most thoroughly and for reasons of dungeon security she was divested of her garments before being allowed to enter the prisoner's cell.

Jacob was startled from a deep sleep by the vision of a nude angel descending into his personal hell. It took a few moments to ascertain Marian's identity for he had never seen this much of her nor had he ever imagined her stripped, striped, and bruised. Marian knelt before young Jacob Renswurt as he languished chained to the wall.

"My mistress begs your forgiveness good sir for she is the true cause of your present position." Marian began. Jacob tried to protest but she hurried on, silencing him with a finger laid across his lips.

"Rachel refuses to allow you to die a virgin and so she has sent me in her stead."

Now Jacob wasn't the brightest of lads but he was smart enough to realize he should not under these circumstances assure this young maiden that he was no virgin. His silence was rewarded with a coy smile as Marian stripped the rags from his waist. He worried a bit about appearing too eager but there was little he could do but respond to her kisses and caresses. While his chains prevented him from lying down with her she was more than willing to accommodate him on her hands and knees pressing back against his manacled body and filling herself with his rampant manhood.

The three warders, while aware of what was transpiring, did nothing to interfere. The lady had properly bribed them with her gilded tongue, the prisoner was a pleasant enough chap, and Lien had specifically ordered he not be tormented or abused for the time being. In truth the three didn't even indulge in any voyeuristic urges. Well maybe Edward peeked, but only to assure that no escape attempt was being fomented. Of course Lien was informed of the encounter, but that happened much later.

When the couple had consummated their coupling young Renswurt was in tears. He begged Marian's forgiveness for his boorish lust, and he begged Rachel's forgiveness for the weakness of his flesh. Marian kissed away his tears holding him to her as he sobbed and shook. She reassured him that Rachel wanted this and all would be well between them. She departed with a promise to return if all went well.

In fact during the next two months Marian did visit young Renswurt almost a dozen times. Lien could not help but inform Rachel of this betrayal by her lover and her own handmaiden but Rachel's reaction was a disappointment to the Mad Monarch. She professed that she no longer had any interest in Jacob and claimed to be pleased Marian was able to comfort the poor lad. Lien felt a need to whip Marian's bottom with greater enthusiasm on that particular visit but neither Rachel nor Marian showed any signs of acrimony over the affair with the prisoner.

Lien ordered that the visits cease. It was less than a week later that the Royal physician confirmed that Rachel was impregnated. Lien was actually relieved that the entire affair with the Chancellor's daughter was now in the hands of fate. He could go back to tormenting peasant wenches who were much less demanding. That pleasant diversion would keep him entertained while awaiting the appearance of Rachel's offspring. Should luck bless them with a male progeny she could live, otherwise… well he might have to search outside the kingdom for his next bride.  There was of course a minor detail that needed attending to and Lien issued the necessary orders.

Lien was entertaining a set of triplets at the time and they were actively contesting to see which of them would be allowed to make it out of the castle alive. Their enthusiasm was most charming as they bathed him with their tongues, so he had no time or interest in observing a simple execution.

In theory Rachel should never have been told about the execution, as Lien was unsure of her reaction.

William was assigned to do the deed for without Lien's attendance there was no particular reason to inflict prolonged pain. Why William informed the Maiden Marian is unknown. Her eager applications of those very persuasive lips were the only reason he allowed her to attend the event. In a hurried whisper Marian assured young Renswurt that his death would be avenged and in a very real way he would outlast the Mad King. He stared at her in puzzlement, feeling in these final moments that his entire world had gone quite mad.

Jacob was garroted in his cell. It was done neither quickly nor slowly, but with a deliberateness that all true professionals strive for. Marian on her knees before the poor lad offered what comfort she could in his final moments, and it can be reported that he died with a smile upon his face. Some wags claim that Marian ran from the execution chamber to Rachel's bedside, her jaws clenched shut as she transported Jacob's seed to the only woman with an honest claim to it. That is of course the stuff of myth and legend for the Mad King had defiantly already impregnated Rachel; such an exercise would have been pointless (and a doubtful biologically possibility in the best of circumstances).

The women remained sequestered within the Royal bedchamber. The only visitors were the Royal Physician and Lord Chambly himself. Lien had other interests to entertain him and Rachel was left in peace. Within a few weeks the two servant women were let go and replaced by an aging nurse who had attended Rachel in her childhood. The nurse was also well schooled at midwifery. Marian had also conceived but this remained a well-guarded secret.

Within a few months, actually about the time Marian was beginning to show, Lord Chambly reached the conclusion that the Royal Physician could not be trusted and so he was also barred from the Queens chambers. Lien was unconcerned with this change, and on those rare occasions when he did visit his wife Marian remained out of sight. The two women had no doubt conceived nearly simultaneously. A fact made more probable by the propensity of women who live communally to eventually synchronize their monthly flows and therefore one would presume their periods of fertility. Indeed the two women grew closer as they jointly experienced the joys and tribulations of their gravid state.

The months passed too slowly for them and too quickly for their keepers. None to this day will say whose child was first born. It matters little for they each bore a son over a 12-hour period. Events that occurred beyond that point are cast in a haze of confusion. Marion took the child she would claim and fled the castle. Rachel and her child were seen by Lord Chambly and the Royal Physician who declared them both fit, ascertained the masculinity of the babe, and made some uncalled for comment about the child's length, enormous ears, and unusual hair color.

Lord Chambly had the good doctor arrested for sedition and thrown in the dungeon.

   

Thus it was that on the eve of February twenty-ninth (coincidentally eight months to the day after young Jacob's death) Lord Chambly announced to the court that King Lien Venrihet (V) had a son. Lien was of course overjoyed for the line of succession was now assured. The celebration lasted into the evening. Perhaps King Lien (V) used this period to contemplate his own mortality and his place in history, who really can say. In any event a number of witnesses confirmed the fact that he was slightly inebriated when he undertook the climb to his wife's chambers to meet his newborn son. Lord Chambly accompanied his liege for this momentous meeting.

Both Chancellor and wife would later attest to a joyous acknowledgement by Good King Lien of his son and heir. In a strange break from tradition Lien insisted his son be named Jacob. The Queen herself would later bear witness to this radical departure from convention.

It was during Liens return to the banquet hall that the tragedy occurred. Whether from poor lighting, slippery stone steps, or an over indulgence in alcohol, a terrible accident befell poor Lien. Before Lord Chambly could react Lien had tumbled backward down four flights of the tower stairs. In the process he somehow managed to impale himself upon three separate crossbow bolts that had been carelessly left upturned on the stone stairways. He lay twitching and gasping in a growing pool of blood at the bottom of the stairwell while shocked servants gathered around to stare.

The Queen and Chancellor arrived with all due haste and organized search parties of servants issuing detailed instructions on possible locations in which the doctor might be located. The Queen would occasionally poke the groaning monarch with her booted toe to make sure he was still alive. Shortly after Lien stopped responding to these jabs Lord Chambly Remembered that the King's doctor had been relocated to the dungeon and swiftly sent word that he was needed. Despite the best efforts of Lord Chambly and Queen the Royal Physician failed to arrive in time, and so alas poor Lien's soul fled this life for warmer climes.

Lord Chambly himself led the investigation. It was determined that the Royal Physician's negligence was mostly responsible, though the Chef having served Tiramisu, Champaign, Brandy, and Absinthe at the natal celebration may well have contributed to the monarch's mishap. The Chef and Physician were promptly executed and the matter was laid to rest. After these two executions the Chancellor dismissed Edward, William and Clive with a handsome severance, as the Kingdom would have little use for their skills in the future. All three had no difficulty finding gainful employment on the continent.

 

It was most fortuitous that Lien had acknowledged a legitimate heir before his untimely demise. Over the next 16 years Lord Chambly and his Daughter Queen Rachel served as regents for Prince Jacob Venrihet (I). The lad grew tall and lanky, He was a well-tempered soul with a head of startling red hair and enormous ears which everyone politely ignored.

Fate was not so kind to Lady Marion's child. Lien (for she had named him after the late king) was a slight child, dark haired and of dour disposition. No doubt being constantly hailed as Lady Marion's bastard son did nothing to improve his temperament. Even when Lady Marion married the Duke of Winfrey the lad was not spared. The eventual appearance of half siblings only made him grow bitterer. Had he been of a larger stature he might well have become a bully but instead he spent his youth in a constant state of frustration.

In later years he did find a niche within the kingdom. He cut a dashing, if demure, figure as a cavalry officer in the kings army. Even at his young age he was a respected tactician known for stealth and guile. Unfortunately he was cut down during a strategic redeployment along a disputed border on the northern frontier. Capt. Lien died on his birthday, by strange coincidence cut down by three crossbow bolts 25 years to the day after his namesake perished in that tragic accident at the castle.

 

Prince Jacob grew wise beyond his years. He was well schooled in diplomacy and governance by his wise Grandfather and loving Mother. When he came of age his coronation was a tasteful and moving ceremony and by all accounts his reign was relatively peaceful and enormously prosperous. His physical appearance was often disarming to both friend and foe but behind his amiable charm lurked a shrewd, thorough, and honest mind. He was beloved by his people who prospered under his long and peaceful reign. 

The End….

                                                                            

An Epilogue                                        

Well maybe every little bitsy detail didn't turn out exactly like that. I know that niggling know-it-all sitting next to you is fairly bouncing out of his chair eager to tell you of those few minor details I might have glossed over.

Yes, it's true that when Jacob reached maturity he sought the hand of Lady Marion's eldest daughter, Penelope, in marriage.

Indeed it is a fact that both Queen Rachel and Lady Marion vehemently opposed that union.

Eventually Lady Marion told her daughter the true nature of Jacob's paternity shattering the young lovers hopes and dreams.

Once such a secret is revealed it inevitably spreads like oil across the surface of a millpond.

Those very rumors about King Jacob's legitimacy were a major cause for the decades long altercation that would later come to be known as "The War of the Pond Lilies". The dreadful ending of that tragic misunderstanding is known to all.

Jacob lost his head  (though it was nothing like the orgy of Regicide that would sweep the continent in later years) and the Isle of Keltoi was shattered into the three kingdoms that exist there to this day.

On the brighter side of things Jacob's son (Jacob Venrihet (II)) did reclaim the throne of the largest of these kingdoms a few years later.

So much for what history teaches, and I say good riddance to it. I think we can all agree my ending was the way things were supposed to turn out.

© Mad Lews