Beauty's Quest

by C. S. Johnson

  “Well, tonight’s the exception.”

  “You’re lucky I got you out.”

  “Yes, I am. Thanks,” Lannister said in a slurred voice, before he went limp. His eyes were bleary and listless. “I thought that I was going to die.”

  “You might have, if you didn’t get out,” Theo told him, as he hoisted his disheveled form up onto his shoulder once more, as he headed to the stables. “Come on, move!”

  “Hello?” An older man’s voice called out from the far corner of the barn.

  “Felise.” Theo looked up at him and squinted. “Are you okay?”

  “He’s okay,” Sophia called from the other side of the room. “I’ve got Virtue packed up, too, and Mary’s out here as well.”

  “Mary?” Theo called.

  “Here,” Mary replied. There was a small yawn in her voice and Theo wondered if she had been sleeping when the fire started.

  “Where’s Captain Locke?” Theo asked.

  “He is fine, as am I,” the old man stuttered. “Captain Locke is just out front, helping to direct the people away from the fire.”

  “Oh. Good.” Theo nodded. “That’ll help.”

  Felise remained unmoved by the good news. “They burned my hotel,” he moaned.

  “At least we’ll live to see better days. The Abbess might not be so lucky.”

  “Did Marsor really attack the Abbess?” Felise asked.

  Theo forced his voice past the lump in his throat. “Yes.”

  Felise balled his wrinkled fingers into a fist. “I had a feeling he was telling the truth about that.”

  “The Abbess has her sisters attending her. She said that you would know what to do.”

  “Marsor’s on the loose,” Felise said. “That means there’s a boat at the docks you and the Princess can use to cross to the mainland.”

  “We’re allowed to use his passage?” Theo asked.

  Felise nodded. “The city council will see to Marsor for his actions tonight.”

  “You know where it is?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Let’s go find Rose then. Stay close to us.”

  “I’ve no intention of doing anything else,” Felise promised. “The Abbess has always commanded me to provide for my guests.”

  *18*

  ҉

  ROSE GAVE PHILIP A smug look as the last notes of Penelope and Ethan’s song fell silent inside the tavern and cheers erupted in its place. “See? I told you she’d be a good player.”

  “I’ll admit, you were right about that,” Philip said, as he stood and applauded. “I still think you got lucky about that, though.”

  Rose laughed. “Hopefully, I’ll get lucky again and you’ll relinquish any offer for her to play in your court.”

  “We should probably let her chose.”

  “You’re just saying that because you know she’ll want to come to Rhone.”

  “Hey, I’m just trying to be fair to her. Although, if you did get her to go with you, it would give me an excuse to come visit more often,” Philip remarked thoughtfully.

  “Rose!” Ethan called. “Did you see? We won!”

  “I had no doubts,” Rose assured him, giving him a congratulatory hug. “I loved your encore, too.” She turned to Penelope. “You both did great.”

  Penelope’s young face flushed with modest pride. “Thank you very much,” she murmured.

  “We’ve decided you’re welcome in either of our courts,” Philip assured her gallantly, making Rose grin and getting a beaming smile from Ethan.

  “Thank you!” Penelope cheered. “I can’t wait to tell my parents. They’re going to be so happy—”

  A crash! broke through the remnant of applause. Rose glanced over her shoulder to see what had happened. At once, her eyes narrowed in fury as Marsor stepped through the broken doorway.

  Curiosity turned into rage. “Philip, get your sword ready,” Rose ordered. “It looks like you’re going to have a warm-up before tomorrow’s competition.”

  Philip nodded. “I was hoping to get some more practice,” he said as he drew his sword.

  “Where’s the Princess of Rhone?” Marsor bellowed into the crowd. “I was told she was here.”

  Rose felt her heart squeeze. “Right here,” she called.

  Marsor’s gaze found her. “I have a score to settle with you.”

  “Really? I’m pretty sure we settled it earlier, when we found out you were using Magdust and cheating at your events.”

  “Listen to this princess!” Marsor raged. “What does a privileged little girl like this know about fighting?”

  The crowds were now staring at the two of them, uncertain of how to respond. Some began to shift out of the paths of the two warriors. Rose watched as Philip tried to motion several out of the way; she noticed many of them had fixed their eyes on her.

  She sighed to herself in frustration before forcing herself to push past it. She wondered if there was a way she could buy Philip time to get the people out to safety. Recalling the gossip about her the last time she’d fought Marsor, it was hard to say if that would be possible.

  “I’m only privileged if you have never had the chance to learn how to fight fairly,” Rose finally retorted. “And I’m pretty sure you have had the opportunity, considering Maltia has always had rules for those who enter the tournament games.”

  “You would never beat me in an unfair fight,” Marsor challenged.

  “It might surprise you to know I’ve had a lot of unfair fights,” Rose assured him as she drew out her sword. She motioned to Philip to guard Ethan and Penelope.

  “Then prepare for another one!” Marsor bellowed.

  “It would be my pleasure,” Rose muttered back, as he ran toward her, knocking over chairs and pushing people over.

  Rose never missed a beat as he slashed his sword down on hers. She ducked and lashed out a leg, causing Marsor to stumble.

  At his fast pace, Marsor flipped over and found himself on the cold, hard floor. Rose smashed her sword against his while he was on the floor, knocking the weapon out of his hands.

  He growled angrily, but Rose kicked his blade back from him before turning back to the others.

  “Get out!” Rose called, as she hurried to block the others from Marsor’s revenge. “Everyone, get out!”

  Marsor struggled to get up. His lip was already bloody from the fight.

  “Rose!”

  Rose glanced over at the door briefly. She saw Philip waving at her. “We need to go,” he called out.

  “What happened to Ethan and Penelope?” Rose asked, suddenly concerned.

  “They’re outside, helping Theo and Sophia with the supplies.”

  “I’ve got him taken care of,” Rose insisted, pointing down at Marsor. “Come here and help me bind him up, so the authorities can take him back to his cell.”

  “He has supporters—”

  “Attack!” Marsor cried out.

  Rose waited, straining her ears against the crowd. For a moment, there was nothing.

  And then, she heard it.

  Outside, she could hear the tramp of footsteps, as clanging swords were drawn and battle cries called out into the rioting night.

  Well, this is going to be pleasant. Rose shook her head. If the fighting didn’t stop quickly, many people would likely be in danger.

  “You’re mine!” One of Marsor’s allies flaunted his sword over his head as he charged at Rose; she momentarily recognized him as one of the knights she’d jousted the day before.

  “Not today!” Rose responded, grounding her feet as she blocked the blow. She slashed out in retaliation, only allowing herself briefly to take her eyes off her competition in order to make sure Marsor was still down.

  “Ha!” She whacked the sword out of his hand and pushed him away, just in time to face another attacker.

  She ducked and dodged, twisted and turned, and finally managed to break through the doorway. She slammed it behind her.

  “Here, Rose,” P
hilip called. He dug a fallen sword into the bolster. “That’ll hold them.”

  “Through the door, anyway,” Rose said, as she looked up to see others crawling out of the second story windows.

  Philip grinned. “You got me there.”

  “Rose,” Sophia called. “We’re over here.”

  Rose turned to see her squire and several members of her company tucked into an alleyway nearby.

  She made her way to them, Philip close behind, occasionally engaging in quick battles with the drunken rioters joining in.

  “Tempers are flaring,” Ethan said warily, as Rose finally made it over to them.

  “Okay. Tell me what’s going on,” Rose said. “Obviously, Marsor escaped.”

  “The cathedral has been attacked,” Theo spoke up. “Along with the Abbess.”

  “Is she okay?” Mary gasped. Her shocked expression was quickly replaced by concern. “She was such a kind lady; I hope she wasn’t hurt.”

  “She’s worthy of her title and power, to be sure,” Theo agreed. “I don’t know what will happen to her.” He turned away as he explained, “She was bleeding when I left.”

  “Why did you leave?” Rose asked. “You could have stayed and helped her.”

  At Theo’s expression, Rose immediately regretted her pragmatic tone.

  “She told me to go. She told me Marsor escaped, and he was coming after you.”

  Felise spoke up, surprising Rose. “I have been instructed to protect you, Lady Princess,” he said. “There is safe passage for you at the docks. We must hurry and get you aboard.”

  “What?” Rose shook her head. “I won’t leave these people while Marsor is attacking them.”

  “He is likely doing it in order to provoke you to battle,” Theo warned her. “Removing you from the island might help the city.”

  “The only other alternative is besting him and his followers in battle,” Philip spoke up. “And before we’re done with that, it is possible a lot of others will pay the price.”

  “We look to you, My Lady,” Sophia assured her.

  A moment passed as Rose heard more people running away and screaming. Rose grimaced; there were always so many uncertain things about battles and wars, she thought. It was impossible to act with complete assurance.

  She was still the one who would make the call. The blood of the guilty and the innocent would be on her.

  Rose finally decided. “All right. Here’s what we’re going to do. Lannister and Captain Locke, find some horses and ride around the city, telling people to hide in their homes or find shelter till morning. Make haste around the city and head toward the docks; see if you can help the city guards. Once you’re at the docks, find the ship and join us.”

  “Yes, My Lady,” Captain Locke said.

  Theo elbowed Lannister. “Are you capable of this, sir?” he asked.

  “Yes,” Lannister mumbled, his eyes awake and sober at the surrounding cries.

  “Good.” Rose turned to Felise. “The rest of us will split up and take different routes to get to the docks.”

  “The church has a detained port,” Felise said. “It’s on the far side of the marina, close to the edge of the bay.”

  “How long till the crew can get prepared to sail?”

  “It’s a bigger crew, since it’s for a prison transport that was going to happen in the morning,” Felise considered. “It should be ready to set sail once the order is given.”

  Rose turned to Captain Locke and Lannister. “We will all be there in an hour, or we will sail without you.”

  “Understood,” the captain assured her, before they took off, Lannister stumbling behind his leader’s forceful stride.

  “Now, Sophia and Ethan, you find the most direct route and tell the captain to start getting ready to ship out,” Rose ordered. “Theo, you and Roderick go back to the church on your way to the ship. See if the Abbess will take Lightning for us, as a gesture of goodwill for her hospitality.”

  “Aw,” Sophia moaned. “I was hoping we could take her.”

  “The ship likely doesn’t have the supplies for a horse,” Rose reminded her. “She’ll be in good hands if the church can take her in. Right, Theo?”

  “Yes,” he agreed.

  “What if they can’t?” Sophia pressed.

  Felise spoke up. “I’ll take the horse to the church stables myself, Princess. The Abbess will not refuse a gift from me.”

  “Call me Rose, please,” Rose insisted. “The last thing we need is for people to believe I am a princess. I would not want to bring vengeance or shame upon my people.”

  “Understood, My Lady.”

  “That’s probably why there is so much activity,” Penelope spoke up. “Many fear another ruler on Maltia. The island does not wish to be conquered anymore, even though we celebrate our history’s cycle of conquest and freedom.”

  Rose nodded politely before she turned to Roderick and Theo. “I think it would be best if Theo and Roderick protect you on the way there, Felise. Can you manage on your own afterward?”

  “Of course,” he assured her. He took her hand, briefly. “It has been my pleasure to serve you, My Lady.”

  Rose bowed her head, quickly acknowledging his graciousness. But then she leaned up and gave the old man a quick kiss on the cheek. “Should you ever come to Rhone, you will be most welcome,” she promised.

  “Thank you.” He took Lightning’s reins from a reluctant Sophia. Rose almost smiled as she heard Sophia warning Felise to watch her injured side, as Mary had only had a few moments to heal it.

  Rose turned to Theo. “Philip and I will take the long route,” she said. “But we’ll be sure to be there in an hour.”

  “We cannot leave without you,” Theo reminded her.

  “It’s still for the best we hurry,” Rose murmured. “Let’s go, Philip.”

  But she faltered, watching as Sophia and Ethan hurried off, followed by Penelope. “I should have told them to escort her home.”

  “It’s fine, Rose,” Philip said. “They’ll watch over her, and we can trust the guards at the marina to see her home when it is safe.”

  “Good idea. Are you ready to fight some more?”

  “I’m all healed up,” Philip assured her. “I’m going to release Virtue with our letters before we start.”

  Rose sighed and tried not to roll her eyes noticeably. “Okay.”

  As Virtue took to the sky, and Felise had Lightning secured under his lead, Roderick waited patiently, guarding the alleyway.

  Rose turned to Theo. Now is the time to say anything, if you’re going to.

  Before she could open her mouth, he cut her off.

  “I’ll see you at the ship, Rose,” Theo said. “Be careful.”

  Even in the dark evening light, with the moon hiding behind a veil of clouds, the crystal green clarity of his eyes gave her encouragement. “You, too.”

  Rose watched as he hurried off, grabbing Roderick on the shoulder, and beginning to cover Felise from the various fighters and other frightened figures running around in the streets.

  “Rose.”

  Philip’s voice forced her to refocus. “Yes?” she asked.

  “Are you ready to go?”

  “Oh ... yes. We need to find Marsor,” Rose said, “and see if we can’t draw him down to the docks. There’s no point in getting him to cease his behavior if he doesn’t believe we’re out of his reach.”

  “Sounds like a good idea,” Philip agreed. The cool steel of his sword flashed as they headed out from the alley.

  *19*

  ҉

  BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVED at the marina, Rose was secretly relieved Marsor was nowhere in sight. As she stood up on her tiptoes to see where Philip had gone, Rose had to wonder if Marsor would even be able to see her among all the crowds. Though there were various fires burning brightly around Maltia City’s port, it was hard to see him through the plush of people.

  “Rose,” Philip called out.

  “Over here,” s
he replied.

  He came over to her, jostling through the people on the dock. “We’re close to the port. One of the ship’s captains told me we need that one,” Philip said, pointing to the small ship buoying calmly in the waters, near the end of the bay.

  “Right where Felise told us it was,” Rose noticed. “Good.”

  “I think I see some of the others.” He squinted and a moment later, let out a happy shout. “Yes, there’s Ethan and Sophia,” he said. “And I do see Captain Locke already aboard.”

  “Excellent.”

  “We might get through this without finding Marsor,” Philip observed, “but at least we will be on our way, and the people will be safer.”

  “Do you really think they will be?” Rose asked. The hesitation was clear in her voice.

  “He was fighting you,” Philip reminded her.

  “I’d rather let him.”

  “Never one to take the easy route, are you?”

  “It’s never been given to me to take,” Rose replied. She looked down at her hands, her fingers. She clenched them tight. “At least, not without greater cost.”

  “Many people would have trouble recognizing that.”

  “I think more likely many would prefer not to.”

  Philip laughed and slowed down to a fast walk beside her. “You will be a great queen one day, Rose.”

  “Well, I certainly hope so—”

  “There’s Theo and Roderick,” Philip exclaimed. “They’re coming our way, and quickly, too. That should be everyone, right?”

  “Yes. Run on ahead to the boat, and tell them to begin preparing to ship out. I’ll wait for Theo and Roderick.”

  Philip nodded and jumped ahead, while Rose allowed herself to slow to a stop.

  The instant she did, a shadow lunged out from behind her, throwing a thick arm around her throat. Her hands reached up to hold off the onslaught, causing her to drop her sword.

  “Marsor,” Rose spat out as she gasped for air.

  “Princess,” he greeted. “You might have escaped me before, but this time you’ll be finished.”

  Rose managed to wriggle out of his grasp, surprising him. She ducked away and circled him carefully, weaponless but still watchful.