Katherine, Beloved Queen. Part Two.

"Fools!" hissed Dona Elvira, now finding herself with two girls braced against her. "Must they find every hole in the road! Surely they have eyes to see! Wait 'till I speak to the one who calls himself leader of this progress! If he cannot assure a competent driver I will make sure of it myself!"

Trying her best to help Dona Catalina regain her balance while continuing to cradle her royal charge, Donna Elvira reassured the princess, "We'll be soon at Santiago de Compostela, my Lady Grace."

Nodding to Dona Catalina to resume fanning, this time Donna Elvira mopped her own forehead.

For many long weeks, slow day had replaced slow day, each summer day hotter than the last - days becoming weeks and weeks snail crawling into months, so much time travelled through while Catalina journeyed to her young husband's faraway kingdom. Now - only one more week ahead- the most dangerous part loomed. In a royal ship now awaiting their arrival in Corunna, the princess and her companions would brave the treacherous seas dividing the land of her birth from the country that Catalina's parents had prepared their daughter- since the tender age of three- to die in.

Within less than two hours, the hottest part of the day would be upon them. Already conditions in the litter came close to being unbearable. But, there was only a little more time before Catalina's progress grinded to a halt, just as they had done each day of the journey, beginning at first light and stopping before heat peaked relentlessly in the afternoon. Today they expected to arrive at Santiago de Compostela. Looking at her princess - the too white face, pulse beating rapidly in neck and quick, shallow breath - Dona Elvira thought they could not arrive soon enough.

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