The Medieval Marine - Cauldron Simmering
Copyright© 2025 by somethin fishy
Chapter 7: A Hard Lesson
“Take nothing on its looks; take everything on evidence. There’s no better rule.” – Charles Dickens.
York, Great Britain. September 1078
“MACKENZIE! Where were you today!” Marion yelled in fury when she entered.
Mackenzie had been ordered to accompany Marion to the office to begin her education regarding her future duties as queen. Whether she liked it or not, Mackenzie was next in line for the throne, and the people expected her to take on her responsibilities. Fred, Carl, Becky, and Tom had all shown up in Marion’s office to begin their test education in being rulers, but Mackenzie skipped.
“MUM!! I have no interest in becoming a queen.” Mackenzie whined.
“Whether you like it or not, you are next in line for the throne, and I expect you to begin learning about your future role.”
“But Mum...”
“Don’t, “but mum” me.” Marion stopped and took a breath. “If you do not show up tomorrow morning ready to learn, you will be spanked until you cannot sit for a week.”
Mackenzie paled. It wouldn’t be the first time she had her butt tanned, and she knew her mum would follow through on that threat. Worse, Marion would be the one to deliver it. Marion had a slightly sadistic side to her and made her children pick what method by which their punishment would be delivered. The less each swat hurt, the more swats were delivered. If her father had been home, Mackenzie knew he wouldn’t tolerate her mother’s behavior. His absence made her so angry at times that she struggled to think straight.
“Okay, mum. I’ll be there.” Mackenzie sighed in resignation.
The rest of the night was quiet in the apartment as Mackenzie sulked, and the women relaxed after another challenging day. Gabby sat in Kukka’s lap while Alice and Marion sat together. Sensing the mood, the rest of the children were quiet as they finished their homework and went about their lives.
After their morning run, Marion watched Mackenzie to ensure she went to the office. Nevertheless, Marion was surprised when Mackenzie showed up for her first class on how to rule. Before Mackenzie settled in, Gabriella briefed her on what she could say about her training and what she couldn’t. There were things she would hear during her time in her mother’s office that couldn’t leave the office.
As usual, the first item on the agenda was Gretchen’s spook news, and to Mackenzie’s disappointment, there was still no news of her daddy. What surprised Mackenzie was the state of almost constant warfare in Europe. For the first time in her young life, Mackenzie began to understand how difficult her mother’s job was.
After all the intelligence reports were digested, it was time for Marion to hear judicial cases. It was one of Marion’s least favorite parts of the job, but it needed to be done. With the size of the British Empire, there was no chance that Marion would hear all the cases; she only heard the difficult ones. Her first case was of a woman who had been accused of murdering her husband, brothers, and father, but the evidence was thin.
Mackenzie listened with interest as the evidence was presented against the woman and her defense. It didn’t take Mackenzie long to figure out that while the woman had been abused, it was still no excuse for murder, especially since she had alternatives. Therefore, Mackenzie wasn’t surprised when the woman was pronounced guilty and sentenced to hard labor for the rest of her life.
The woman was led away sobbing; it was one of those cases in which people wished there had been some evidence of innocence. After the woman left, Marion looked at her daughter.
“Well, what are your thoughts?”
“You made the correct judgment,” Mackenzie said with absolute confidence. Her mother looked at her and signaled for her to continue. “Even though that poor woman was horribly abused, it was no excuse for murder. Now her children will grow up orphans, and her brother’s children will grow up without a father.”
“And did you learn anything?”
“Yes. A person should be judged by their actions without regard to any other circumstances.”
“Why?”
“Because the only person responsible for their actions is them.”
“That’s right. Now, why did I not have her executed.” Mackenzie thought for a moment.
“If she had been executed, she wouldn’t have been able to give anything else to society. By forcing her to work, at least she will still be productive, and since she murdered three men, their labor will no longer be part of society. She will be able to make up some of the difference.” Marion smiled at her daughter.
“The next case should be easy, and I would like you to take it.”
“WAIT! WHAT?”
“You heard me, Mac. I’ll be right here, but I’d like you to handle the next case. I think you are more than capable of doing this.” Marion nodded to her guard for the next case.
The case was one of espionage. One of the employees of the armory was caught trying to sell advanced British guns to the German rebels.
“I will not have my case heard by a mere child! I am innocent and demand to be released!” The man protested when told Mackenzie would be the judge. Marion was getting ready to speak when Mackenzie spoke up softly.
“You are still innocent. After all, that is the point of innocent until proven guilty. Now, the government will lay out its case, and you will lay out yours. Show me where the government evidence is faulty, and maintain your innocence. My mother has already promised that she will abide by My ruling.” Marion looked at Mackenzie. Nothing of the sort had been discussed, but she decided to go along with it. After all, she had allowed Mackenzie to judge the case.
Mackenzie started by asking for an opening statement from the accused, and when he refused, she reminded him that failing to follow simple instructions would not reflect favorably on him. The man gave an inflammatory opening statement before Mackenzie turned to the prosecutor for their statement. The prosecutor was impressed with Mackenzie and gave the best opening statement he could think of since opening statements were usually not part of the proceeding. Since the queen wasn’t protesting, the prosecutor shrugged and went with the flow.
Instead of having the accused take the stand, Mackenzie had all the evidence presented first and asked several very pointed questions. Both sides struggled to answer some of the questions. With every question Mackenzie asked, Marion became prouder of her oldest daughter. When the man finally took the stand, he was furious. Mackenzie’s questions had destroyed his defense.
“Why should this court be corrupted by the thinking of a stupid young girl?” the man demanded. Mackenzie looked straight into his eyes and said calmly.
“Because I am next in line for the throne. Furthermore, I do not care what your opinion of me is. It would be one thing if I asked your opinion of my clothes or where you thought I could improve my life, but I haven’t. I asked you if you had any further statements regarding your case. I gave you one last chance to convince me that you are innocent, and not taking it shows me that you know you are guilty. Since you are too dangerous to be sentenced to life in prison, you will be executed by beheading. Your head will then be mounted above the entrance to the armory, thus showing the others what happens to those who attempt espionage. Additionally, all your property is forfeited to the Crown. Your family will be kicked out with only the clothes on their backs.”
The man stood looking at Mackenzie with his jaw sitting on the ground. Seeing the look in Marion’s eyes, she was surprised by the sentence but wasn’t going to interfere. Finally, the man was led out to be beheaded. Once the man was out, Marion turned to Mackenzie with only one question.
“Why?”
“That man did what he did solely out of greed. He already had a good job, and his wife brought plenty of money when they married, so neither needed money. Not only that, but the people he was trying to sell to are opposed to us, and if they got that technology, we would eventually face it on the battlefield.”
“What’s not to say they won’t develop the technology on their own?”
“That is the state of technology. As long as we don’t give them the answers, then there’s nothing more we can do other than ensure our technology stays ahead of theirs.” Marion looked at her daughter and nodded.
“You impressed me, deary. Not only did you not back down when that man criticized you, but you didn’t back down from me. Once you learn to control your temper, I believe you will make a great queen.”
“I still do not want to be queen.”
“I know. I never wanted to be queen either, but your father is a crafty devil. He maneuvered me onto the road to becoming queen without anyone realizing it. By the time I figured it out, it was already too late. You will have the opportunity to learn from my mistakes before becoming queen. That way, you will not make the same mistakes I made.”
“But still, mum. Why can I not be what I want to be?”
“And what is that?”
“I do not know yet.”
“Let me tell you something. All the best kings and queens in history did not really want to rule. Remember what your father always said, “those who seek power can be counted on to abuse it, but those who have had power thrust upon them can be trusted to guard it.”
Mackenzie looked at her mother, and a tear escaped her eye. The thought of her father still guiding her hit her hard.
“I am so sorry, mother.” Marion cocked her head at her daughter.
“Sorry? What are you sorry for?”
“I am so sorry that we haven’t found Daddy yet. Everyone knows how much you love him, and yet here I am, being a pain in your arse. You and he built this empire side by side, fighting for your lives every step of the way while protecting me. Yet I take everything for granted even though I have seen many children of poor families in class. Families that do not have the advantages that Daddy and you gave me. Gave all us children.” The tears were flowing down her cheeks. “I want you to know something, Mum. No matter what I say or do, I will always love you.”
Now Marion was crying while holding Mackenzie in her arms. Gabriella came up and put her arms around mother and daughter as tears ran down her face.
“Oh, Mac. I couldn’t have begged for a better daughter. I know that sometimes I can be rough on you, but I’m only trying to teach you lessons that you’ll need. I freely admit that I have no clue how to be a good parent. My mother died when I was born, and my father never had time for me. Additionally, my older sister was always getting me in trouble, even when I wasn’t doing anything bad.”
“Mum, I know about Aunt Cecilia. Mummy Gabby told me all about her years ago.” Marion looked at Gabby with a raised eyebrow.
“Really?”
“Yes. She told all us children about how your sister tortured and extorted from the population. She told us how your sister forced many women and girls into sexual slavery to make a few coins, and she told us how you killed her to protect not only us but everyone in York after they tried to kill you, Mummy Gabby, Mummy Alice, and Aunt Polly.”
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