Royal Twins Shalin & Esme Book 7 A Marriage Proposal

By Dory Lee Maske

With warmer weather, the ice on Cold Lake begins to thaw. The annual ice breakup is all anyone in Helsop talks about. As Shalin and Delphi ride out to the lake to have a look at the ice, Princess Shalin sees two strangers approaching the lakefront. One of the strangers wears the robes of the Silent Men. The other could be a trader or a seafaring man.
Shalin soon learns that the Silent Man has come to seek help for his village from the one person he feels certain is able to help them if she is willing – Shalin’s sister, Princess Esme. The Silent Men still believe Esme to be their reincarnated goddess.
When Esme learns that the Silent Men, who live far away on a hilltop sanctuary, are dying from mysterious disease, she wants to go to their aid. After all, she is a full-fledged physician now and can surely save them.
But convincing her family that she should journey to the land of her former kidnappers may not be easy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dory Lee Maske
• Release date: Mar 27, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005802943

Dory Lee Maske

I've always been a reader--loved fairy tales when I was young. I started writing when I had children of my own. My husband, Bob Maske, does all the art work for my stories. He did all the book covers and the animations that accompany each story.I try to keep at least half of my stories and books free and would love to receive feedback from my readers. You can contact me at [e-mail] or at [e-mail] Thanks to all you readers out there for your support.

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Book 7 A Marriage Proposal

Chapter 1

Village of Helsop

It seemed as though the village of Helsop had awakened from a long sleep. The past winter had started early and remained severe, claiming lives among the elderly. News of the ice breakup on Cold Lake produced a ripple of activity among the residents of the small village.

Did you hear? Electra asked the twins at breakfast.

Of the ice breakup? Esme asked to be sure that was the news Electra was speaking about.

Yes, of course, the ice breakup, Electra said.

Yes, Dag came by the clinic this morning on his way to the lake, Esme said. The men are anxious to get the boats out to go fishing.

Electra nodded. We are almost out of food for the village. Dag and Maki bagged another deer two days ago, but that was only venison enough to flavor a stew for so many.

Old Joki died during the night at the clinic, Esme reported. And Dorian the Master Sword maker came by last evening for a tincture. His arthritis is bothering him and he says it is affecting his work.

I knew Joki’s time was close. What did you give Dorian? Electra asked.

I gave him willow bark and a ginger tea, Esme said. He has begun spending more time at the inn where Tandor and his wife can see to his meals.

The willow bark should ease the pain, Electra said as she stirred through the large cauldron of porridge that hung from the fireplace.

Shalin sat listening as she brushed Delphi’s hair. She had taken over most of Delphi’s care, freeing Electra to concentrate on her students and those in the village who needed help. Delphi called her ‘Alin and usually looked to her when she needed comforting.

Dagon came through the kitchen door stamping the snow from his boots at the threshold. The boats are in, but we are staying close to shore until the ice stops heaving. He looked at Esme. I heard Joki died during the night.

Yes, he was tired and gave up the fight to stay alive, Esme said. He asked me to say farewell to all before he breathed his last.

He was a good man, Dagon said sadly. I will miss him.

As will I, Esme said. He always had a joke for me. She smiled. His jokes were appalling!

Yes, he was noted for his bad jokes that usually made no sense, Dagon agreed.

Will there be a funeral? Esme asked.

Of course, Dagon said. As soon as the ice clears, we will send him off on a burning raft. He was a warrior and a craftsman.

The porridge is ready, Electra announced. We still have a bit of last year’s honey to sweeten it.

Everyone scooped up their own bowls of porridge as two sleepy boys came into the kitchen.

Did you sleep well? Electra asked her sons.

Gregor kept stealing all the blankets, Soren complained.

The fishing boats are in and the ice has broken, Dagon told his sons, before an argument could gather momentum.

May we go fishing? Gregor asked.

Yes, after you have your breakfast, Dagon said.

Delphi go? Delphi asked from where she sat at the table, attempting to feed herself a spoonful of porridge.

Dagon laughed. No, Delphi, you are too young. Do you even know what fishing is?

Delphi was quick to put a thought into Shalin’s mind. Do I know?

Shalin smiled. Fishing is when you lower a net into the water and hope when you bring it out of the water you have captured some fish you can cook and eat.

Shalin could see that Delphi was still unclear about the concept, but she did not want to miss out on any adventure. Delphi had the heart of a lion.

Perhaps later I could bundle Delphi up and we could ride to Cold Lake and watch you fish from shore, Shalin said to Dagon.

Bundle up good, Dagon warned. There is still a cold wind coming off the lake.

Delphi signaled her keenness for the idea by banging her spoon against her bowl.

Your daughter would make a good replacement for you as head of the militia, Electra noted.

Perhaps you have something to do with her disposition, Dagon said, being in charge of so many students.

Electra laughed and put a bowl of porridge in front of each of her sons.

After breakfast, Esme said she was going to get some sleep. She had been awake all night at the clinic and was having trouble keeping her eyes open.

Shalin helped Electra clean up the kitchen and then set about finding some warm clothes for herself and Delphi.

We will not stay long at Cold Lake, Shalin promised Electra. I will bring Delphi to the school of medicine when we return.

Good, Electra said. I am doing a lecture on poisonous plants today that you will not want to miss.

No, we will both want to hear that, right Delphi? she asked, looking at her small cousin.

Delphi slammed her spoon against the table by way of answer.

At the stable, Shalin chose a gentle horse to saddle for the trip to Cold Lake. She settled Delphi in a patchwork of leather strips with buckles that she pulled tight around her waist and shoulders before mounting her horse.

All right. We are ready to go and see what fishing is all about.

Delphi go, the small girl said with great authority.

Shalin smiled as she thought about Electra’s comment. Being head of Helsop’s militia was not a big enough command for her young charge. Head of the Mongol army was likely a more fitting goal.

As they set out at a leisurely pace, Delphi hammered on Shalin’s back. Go fast, she ordered.

Shalin pressed her knees against the horse’s flanks and gave a flip to her reins. The horse picked up speed and settled in to a trot.

When they reached the lake, the men on the boats just offshore were hauling up their net. The net was not full but it looked as though there were a few fish weighing down the bottom.

Some great chunks of ice were still moving on the lake and their movement hid the presence of two men walking along the north shore until they were close at hand. One of the men was waving, trying to draw someone’s attention on the fishing boats, but the fishermen were all too involved in their work to notice.

Shalin waved back and directed her horse toward the two men. They were not from the village. One wore a saffron-colored long tunic beneath his heavy for coat. He looked Oriental. The other man had a long beard and wore a heavy coat that looked to be made of bearskin. He could have been one of the Hammer Haven men, but Shalin did not recognize him as such.

The bearded man smiled and spoke to the man beside him in a foreign tongue, then

nodded at his companion’s reply and addressed Shalin. My friend is so thankful to have found you at last. His people are dying and he says you, their goddess, are the only one who can save them.

Shalin looked at the two men for a moment before saying, You had best come with me to the school of medicine.

Chapter 2

Village of Helsop

Shalin walked back to the village from Cold Lake leading her horse and carrying Delphi on her back. The two visiting strangers walked beside her. The man who spoke English was a trader named Gerd who had learned the language of the Silent Men from his father, who was also a trader. They were only silent when their goddess was absent, Gerd told her.

I am not their goddess, Shalin assured Gerd. Nor is my twin sister, though they believe her to be. But I am taking you to speak to her. Her name is Esme. If the men of his village are dying, she may be able to help. She is a physician.

A physician may be more helpful than a goddess just now, Gerd said. I buy honey and wool from them. It’s terrible to see them dropping one after another and no reason for it.

We have a school of medicine here in the village. Many physicians. I am sure they will be able to help, Shalin said.

But you are not a physician? Gerd asked.

No, I am a new student. I still have much to learn, Shalin said.

They entered the school of medicine and found Electra and Esme setting out poisonous plants for the day’s lecture. You are back sooner than I expected, Electra said to Shalin. And who have you brought with you?

This is Gerd the Trader, Shalin said, and his friend, one of the Silent Men. They have come seeking help. The whole village of Silent Men seems to be in danger of dying.

The Silent Man was now speaking rapidly to Gerd and pointing to Esme.

Esme stepped forward and put her hand on the arm of the Silent Man. Ask him if he is sick as well, she said to Gerd.

Gerd spoke to the man and translated his answer. He says he tires easily, but has felt better since leaving his sanctuary on the mountain.

Esme thought back to her time at the sanctuary. She remembered the evil feel of the clay statue her mother had brought to replace her as an object of devotion. Her mother and Electra and Lars the Trader had come to rescue her after the Silent Men had kidnapped her, believing a three-year-old Esme to be their reincarnated goddess. They had been kind to Esme, giving her wolf pups for pets, but Serafina hated the kidnappers with a passion.

Electra had stopped her work with the poisonous plants to pay attention to the Silent Man’s story. Ask him what the symptoms are among those dying, she ordered.

Gerd asked the man and translated his words, They become lethargic with no appetite. Some begin to vomit and then they die.

Both Esme and Shalin glanced at the table strewn with poisonous plants.

Do you remember the clay statue my mother brought to leave with them? Esme asked Electra.

A slight shiver ran through Electra’s features as she thought back to the day they had rescued Esme. You were only three years old. How can you remember that?

The clay statue felt evil to me, Esme said. I put a thought in the minds of the Silent Men to take it far away and throw it into the deepest part of the river.

Electra nodded. It was meant to kill them all by releasing noxious fumes when the sand timer turned over. It must have deteriorated and released its poison into their water.

I need to go and set this right, Esme said.

I am also responsible, Electra said. I did nothing to stop your mother. They did kidnap you, after all. I felt she was justified in wanting revenge

Esme shook her head. They believed they had the right – that I was their goddess.

We must speak to Dagon, Electra said. Someone needs to go and pull that statue from the river.

I will go, Esme said. I made a promise long ago. I told them in their minds that I would return.

Electra frowned You were three years old and they kidnapped you. That is not a promise you should feel bound by.

But I do, Esme said. I made the promise in good faith. I have been planning to go back for some time now.

Back to stay? Electra asked.

No, of course not, Esme said. I need to convince them that I am not their goddess.

Electra gave a protective glance at Delphi who was looking over Shalin’s shoulder, taking everything in while she clutched her doll tightly. You need to convince them that this whole idea of a goddess is fantasy before they kidnap another child.

Who is to say they are wrong? Esme asked. Their previous goddess stayed her whole life with them. Perhaps she really was their goddess.

Surely you do not believe that, Electra said.

No, I do not, but the point is, they do believe it. Beliefs can be a terrible thing, Esme said.

So can poison, Electra said. We need to speak to Dagon at once.

They are still out fishing, Shalin said. I could go back to the lake and ask him to come here.

The students were beginning to amble into the dining area, ready for the morning’s lecture. A few were looking over the plants.

Please do not touch anything on the table, Electra called out. All of those plants are poisonous.

I will go out and speak to Dagon, Esme said. You go ahead with your lecture. And Shalin, you need to stay and hear the lecture too. This is something I must set right in any case. Esme turned to Gerd. We think we know what is making the Silent Men sick. I am going to speak to our headman to see if I can go back to the sanctuary with you. In the meantime, I will take you to our inn where you can have a meal and wait.

This is most kind of you, Gerd said. You may be saving many lives.

Esme walked to the inn beside Gerd and the Silent Man. You need to advise the Silent Man that I am not the one they seek. I may be able to help because I am a physician, but I am not their goddess. I have certain other gifts, but I would know if I were their goddess. I am not.

Gerd nodded and spoke to the man beside him, then listened to his reply. He says you may not know it, but if you can save them, you must be their goddess.

Esme took a deep breath. Tell him I will not help him unless he acknowledges that I am a physician, not a goddess.

Gerd shrugged. After a brief conversation, he said, They will do as you order. If you order them to believe you are not their goddess, then that is what they will believe.

Esme narrowed her eyes suspiciously at the Silent Man, then said. All right, I suppose that will have to do.

After leaving the two men in Tandor’s care, Esme stopped at the stable and chose a fast horse. She rode at a gallop all the way to Cold Lake and arrived as the men were tossing their caught fish ashore to be cleaned and put into barrels of brine.

She found Dagon talking to Deimos about the day’s catch.

Esme, Dagon said. What brings you out to the lake?

I need to go to the Silent Men’s sanctuary. And I probably need a guide. The last time I went there I was only three years old.

Dagon appeared dumbfounded for a second. What has precipitated this sudden decision?

They are dying from poison my mother left there.

Dagon turned to Deimos. Are we done here?

Deimos nodded, staring at Esme.

Let’s ride back to the village while you fill in a few details, Dagon said to Esme.

Chapter 3

Kingdom of Henge

King Blackwell sent a message by land to be sent on to King Gundar of Sandovia by ship from Lands End. In the message he informed King Gundar that he was holding Gundar’s son, Prince Oswald, captive in Henge’s dungeon until such time as a ransom was agreed upon. The ransom he demanded was the ship, King Gundar. The fact that he was already in possession of the great ship was a significant bargaining chip.

Blackwell did not expect to hear back from King Gundar immediately, but he was ready, should King Gundar decide to attack Henge in lieu of bargaining for his son’s release. The sea was now free of ice and spring travel had resumed. Surely, some response on King Gundar’s part would soon arrive.

At breakfast with his wife and his brother Phinn’s family, King Blackwell had an idea. I believe I will have Prince Oswald brought up from the dungeon to join us for breakfast.

Is he to be our guest now, rather than our prisoner? Phinn asked.

He may have an idea as to how his father will react to our demand for ransom. After a winter spent in our dungeon, I imagine he will be starved both for good food and conversation. Perhaps in an improved situation he will let some clue escape that will help us to prepare.

So we are to treat him civilly? Serafina asked, We will not mention his attempt to steal our secrets, commandeer our cargo of guano and take our workers captive?

Yes, we will treat him as a royal guest, King Blackwell said. He stood up from the table, walked through the kitchen, much to Cook’s surprise, and called down to Keys, the dungeon guard.

Bring up our prisoner to the dining room. Tell him he is invited to breakfast.

King Blackwell took his seat at the dining table and waited.

A few minutes later, Keys brought up a thin man with long unkempt hair and beard in tattered clothes and chains.

Ah, Prince Oswald, please join us for breakfast, Blackwell said.

Keys unshackled Prince Oswald’s hands but left the chains on his feet.

Prince Oswald blinked in the light and looked around in a dazed fashion. He began eating quickly as soon as a plate was put in front of him.

I thought you would be interested to know we have sent a message to your father demanding a ransom for your return to Sandovia, King Blackwell said.

Prince Oswald continued to center all his attention on the eggs and biscuits in front of him.

I regret to say we have had no reply as yet, King Blackwell continued.

Prince Oswald looked at King Blackwell briefly as a bit of color came into his pale face. May I have some of that bacon?

Of course, King Blackwell said. Phinn, could you pass the bacon down?

Prince Oswald shoveled most of the bacon left onto his plate and began chewing..

I suppose I could send another message in case the first message went astray somehow. What do you think, Prince Oswald?

Prince Oswald looked at his captor with a detached expression as he surveyed the table for more food. I believe my father will murder you in your sleep. I am surprised you are still alive.

I see, King Blackwell said. We should not detain you further. I am sure you are anxious to get back to your residence. He motioned to Keys.

Prince Oswald grabbed one more biscuit and stuffed it into his mouth before Keys had time to put shackles around his wrist.

As soon as Oswald was taken back through the kitchen, Blackwell turned to Serafina. It appears Oswald agrees with my thinking. King Gundar is more likely to attack than negotiate. We should probably tighten up our defenses here in Henge and warn King Geoffrey of a possible raid on King’s Lake.

With most of the food gone, their breakfast appeared to be finished. Phinn, would you like to join me for an inspection of our defenses down at the wharf?

Phinn shrugged. I doubt I would have any worthwhile suggestions, but I will go along for the company if you like.

You have imagination and that is a good start, King Blackwell said. Put your imagination to work on what means King Gundar might employ in a surprise attack on our port.

Phinn smiled. That I can do, he agreed.

As they walked to the harbor, King Blackwell continued to strategize. Between the two possible targets, his son here in our dungeon and his ship anchored at King’s Lake in Fernland, I believe the ship would be the more attractive target, but the release of his son the more possible of the two. King Gundar has likely send out spies to gather information, so he will know by now where both his ship and his son are being held.

Yes, that seems a reasonable assumption. Phinn appeared thoughtful for a moment. Does King Gundar’s wife hold much sway over him? Or might his daughter in Sandovia?

I do not believe he pays much mind to his wife, King Blackwell said, remembering a quiet, subservient woman who was once a guest of King Geoffrey. I am not so sure about his daughter. Why do you ask?

I imagine they must both be quite distraught over the loss of their son and brother and would champion his cause above that of the ship, Phinn said.

Yes, very likely, Blackwell said. So you think that might push him to lean more toward an attack on Henge?

"If it were my son, I know which way I would lean, but King Gundar seems to have different priorities. Even so, if he values his daughter’s affection, it might