Emerald's Rogue (Part 4)

Chapter Seven

It was June 1st, when Emerald’s father and twelve of his guard arrived at her school. Rogue’s ship was due in the next day. His father and twelve of his guard were also there.

Everyone was on a nervous high because there was talk of war with the Shadow Knights. A group of warriors and dishonored knights that worshiped the dark Gods and Goddesses like Bol’dar and Havkaria. Anyone that was not with them was their enemy. They particularly hate the Elves. It was rumored that the Dragons, Amazon’s and Harpies where also involved.

Emerald had heard all the girls talking about it but never really paid it any mind until she saw her father and Lord Hawkington dressed in armor.

"Will there really be war father?" She asked as the walked in the garden at her school.

"It looks that way my dear. Your poor mother is so worried. If war does come about all of your sisters and sister by marriage shall be at Whitington. It is a sheer fortress and you shall all be safe there. Lord Hawkington is doing the same for his family." Emerald thought about it.

"But if I am married am I not to be in my husband’s home?" She asked, hoping her father would reassure her that she would be at home with her mother.

"You will be safe wherever Rogue decides you are to be." He stated not really thinking about it. Emerald lost her temper.

" He will decide! Have I no say in where I shall go if war does break out? Am I property to be handed from one to another like a horse? Damn all you men!" She screamed and ran from her father to her room. He almost went after her then decided it best to leave her be. She was much like her mother and even more like himself when she lost her temper. He had to finally admit that.

Rogue arrived at dawn the next morning. His father was at the docks to greet him. Rogue actually felt a bit of disappointment that Emerald was not there as well but then he chided himself. She is still asleep you idiot.

In fact, Emerald was not asleep. She was in the herb chamber collecting a great quantity of herbs that would keep her from getting pregnant and that would start her menstrual flow if she thought she was pregnant. She also took a small vial of pennyroyal, which would cause an abortion, if Rogue did get her with child. She was determined to never have his children.

That afternoon all four had lunch together in a private garden. Emerald was the perfect hostess, pretending to care what the men had to say and she even smiled at Rogue a time or two.

He was delighted to see her taking her roll more seriously. If he only knew how much she hated him at that moment, it would have shocked him and the two older men at the table.

On the way home she was allowed to ride her horse for a few hours each day. In the early morning and later in the afternoon, when the sun was not too hot at either time. She pretended to be grateful to Rogue for his kindness, when she was hoping he would fall off his horse and land on his arse so she could laugh full in his face.

But no such luck came her way, nor did Justin swoop down to save her at any time.