The Maze

by Trudie Collins

  “Ellen,” Tor asked, incredulously.

  “Who else do you think would speak to you like that?” she snapped, before giving them both a small smile. “Sorry,” she said, handing them each a cup. “I had better get going.”

  “Good luck. Do not take any risks,” Tor warned as he followed her to the door, closing it behind her. She almost ran as she made her way back to the kitchen which was, thankfully, now empty. She slipped out of the back door and found herself in the courtyard. Suddenly her skin began to tingle all over. Reaching up to feel her face, she found herself touching her own nose and cheeks; the magic had worn off. In a slight panic, she scanned about her for somewhere to hide. The courtyard was mostly empty, containing only a few small trees and a couple of benches. Apart from the path which led down to the garden, it was completely surrounded by the walls of the palace. A number of windows looked out onto it and she would be clearly visible in the moonlight should anyone look out of one. Her only option was to return to the kitchen and hope it remained empty for a while longer. Once inside the building again, she decided the safest thing for her to do would be to eat something. If anyone happened to pass by and see her, they would hopefully not find anything strange about one of the servants sneaking a quick meal while nobody was around to tell her off.

  She soon found some bread and ham and settled herself at the table. When her meal was complete and her plate and knife cleared away, she began hunting through cupboards until she found what she needed to make coffee. Judging the time was right, she set some water to boil. When the coffee was ready she poured it into two cups and added sugar and cream. Next she took the small bottle out of her skirt pocket, removed the stopper and poured the contents into the two steaming cups. After swirling them round to make sure they were well mixed, she sniffed. Detecting no smell other than coffee, she smiled to herself and quietly slipped out of the kitchen. Following the directions Janine had given her, she carefully made her way across the dark courtyard towards the Queen’s private garden. As she approached, she could hear the murmured voices of the two soldiers who were guarding the entrance. They stopped talking as soon as they noticed her and drew their swords.

  “Who are you?” one of them demanded gruffly.

  “I was sent to give you some hot coffee.” she replied as meekly as she could.

  Smiling, the two men sheathed their swords and gratefully took the offered drinks. Ellen waited until they had downed the entire contents, and then retrieved the empty cups.

  “Thank you miss.” Ellen smiled sweetly then turned her back on them and returned to the kitchen. Breathing a sigh of relief that it was still empty, she quickly rinsed out the dirty cups and returned them to the cabinet from which she had taken them. She needed to give the drugs a good half an hour to get into the soldier’s systems, so she sat down to wait. She was still biding her time when she heard the sound of approaching footsteps. She slipped out of the door which led to the outside, quietly closing it behind her. The inner door to the kitchen was opened and the head cook strode in, her eyes instantly falling upon the coffee pot that still stood on the table.

  “Bloody men,” she swore loudly. “If they have to invade my kitchen during the night, I wish they would clean up after themselves.” Her ear to the door, Ellen heard every word and began to relax. Someone, probably the guards, must have helped themselves to coffee in the past and the cook assumed the same thing had happened tonight. She did not suspect an intruder, so Ellen was safe for a while longer.

  Judging that the drug would have had enough time to take effect, Ellen made her way towards the garden as silently as she could. As soon as she spotted the guards she started to whisper a spell that Bellak had taught her. She continued saying it as she walked right up to, and then past, the two guards. They looked straight at her, but showed no sign of having seen her. The small garden gate creaked as she opened it, but the guards did not react. She closed it behind her then went in search of the flower Tor needed. Dawn was still a few hours away, but it was a clear night and the moon provided her enough light to see by. It did not take her long to find the flower she needed; the shape of the petals was distinctive, even in the moonlight. However, she would need to see it once the sun had risen to be certain that it was the right one, as it would change colour as soon as sunlight hit it.

  She was now at a loss as to what to do. She had been expecting to spend a few hours searching and was almost disappointed that she had found her quarry so quickly. It was a pleasant night so she decided to wander round the garden, which was truly beautiful. She recognised many of the different plants and longed to see them in the daylight, when their flowers would bloom and their enticing perfume would be released. The Queen’s collection of exotic plants was astounding. They were all laid out in intricate patterns and the gardeners had done a very good job of making sure complimenting colours were planted close together while those that clashed were kept well apart. It was, indeed, an extremely well kept garden.

  She was still busy trying to identify all of the different plants and bushes when the sun began to rise, washing the garden with its orange glow. Ellen was sitting near one corner, trying to work out what was planted there, but was unable to see it clearly in the darkness. As soon as the sun lit it up, she gasped. It was a young pergast, the most deadly plant on the planet. It lived off the putrefied remains of animals, including humans, after first killing them. Able to sense when prey was approaching by the vibrations in the earth, it would lash out with it poisonous tendrils, grabbing hold of the nearest animal and dragging it to its base. The vines were so strong the struggles of the victim would just ensnare them more. There was no possibility of escape without outside help. The poison was deadly; there was no known cure. Within an hour of being caught, the prey would be dead, their body slowly dissolving. The putrefied remains would slowly sink into the earth to be absorbed by the roots of the plants. It would be a very unpleasant and painful way to die. Ellen wondered if the Queen realised what she had growing in her garden, or how deadly it would become when it got bigger. It would not become poisonous until it reached full maturity, which would not be for a few more years.

  Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a noise behind her. She spun round and found herself facing a plain looking woman, dressed in old clothes, the grass stains on the knees betraying their purpose. She did not seem angry at finding an intruder in the garden; her expression was more curious than displeased. Then she spoke, her voice full of authority.

  “Who are you and what are you doing in my garden?”

  Chapter 25

  Ellen stared at the woman in front of her, completely lost for words. She had just said ‘my garden.’ She was short and slim and her long black hair was tied back behind her head. She looked far too young to be the head gardener and none of the other gardeners would dare to refer to the garden as theirs. There was nobody else it could be except.... “Queen Tibia?” she asked tentatively.

  “Well of course I am,” she snapped. “Now tell me who you are before I call the guards.” Ellen knew this was an idle threat as Tibia would never allow males into her garden, but this knowledge did nothing to ease her nerves. She curtsied deeply.

  “Please accept my apologies, but I did not expect to see anyone at such an early hour and you are not exactly dressed as a Queen.”

  Much to Ellen’s relief, Tibia released a short, light laugh. “This is the only way I get to spend any time working in my garden,” she explained. “Once my advisors are up and about, I never have time to myself. Also, I think a number of them would suffer heart attacks if they saw me dressed like this.” She looked Ellen up and down, appraising her. “You are not from Tennel are you?”

  Ellen relaxed; she liked this woman. All trace of nervousness gone, she explained how she had obtained access to the garden, being careful not to mention Janine by name, and why she was there. Tibia had heard about Tor’s quest and was more than happy to help. Pleased to see she had not been mistaken in the moonlight
, Ellen picked the flower she needed and placed a preservation spell on it before placing it in her pocket. Her hand touched the now empty bottle that had contained the potion she had used on the guards and a feeling of guilt crept over her. She was not supposed to have told the Queen about how she snuck past the guards and was now worried that they would be punished. She expressed her concerns, but Tibia brushed them aside. The guards had been tricked; it was not their fault. She agreed not even to mention it to them.

  Noticing the position of the sun, Tibia cursed under her breath. She had been talking with Ellen longer than she had realised and would have to hurry if she wished to be back in her room before her maid arrived with breakfast. She had taken to eating in her room as much as possible as she did not enjoy socialising with her aunt and the Duke. While she was happy to discuss the running of the country with them and was grateful for all of their help and advice, she despised them as people and wanted to spend as little of her free time with them as she could.

  “I must go,” she said to Ellen in an apologetic tone. “Now that you have what you came for, do you need me to see you out of the palace grounds?”

  Ellen bit her lip. It was now or never. “Actually your Majesty, there is something else I would like to discuss with you.”

  “Join me for breakfast then. It is not often I get to talk to anyone without all of my advisors knowing. If you walk behind me, everyone in the palace will assume you are my servant. Get changed into some of my mother’s old clothes as soon as we reach my suite and the servants will think you are my guest.”

  Ellen did as requested. This young queen had a good head on her shoulders and was quick thinking. She was the sort of Queen the country needed. Ellen’s hopes of being able to persuade her that the Duke was trying to take over were increasing rapidly.

  They managed to make it to the Queen’s suite without being seen and Ellen was ushered into the dressing room. Tibia had kept all of her mother’s dresses, even though they were too long for her, and quickly selected a few for Ellen to try on. While Ellen was getting changed, Tibia’s maid arrived and was given instructions to bring breakfast for two. The maid did not ask why, but the question was evident on her face. She curtsied and left the room, heading straight to the Duke’s suite.

  He was still in his bed when she knocked on his door and was annoyed at being disturbed. He quickly dismissed the maids concern. Other than Tor and Cirren, which Tibia could know nothing about, there were no guests staying in the palace whom he had not personally vetted so the Queen breakfasting with someone was of no consequence to him. He did not voice any of this, but thanked the maid for informing him and instructed her to go straight to the kitchen with the Queen’s orders. When she was gone, he rolled over and went back to sleep, much to the relief of the young stableboy he had chosen to spend the night with him.

  Ellen and Tibia were seated at a table, chatting like two old friends, when their breakfast arrived. The maid did not recognise Tibia’s dining companion, but the Duke had not asked her to report back to him, so she gave it no further consideration. Tibia dismissed her, instructing her to not return until she was summoned. The two ladies began eating their breakfast, paying no attention to the maid until they heard the door close.

  “Sorry about the secrecy,” Ellen said, once she had made sure the maid really had left. “But I fear there are a number of spies in your palace and I wish our conversation to go no further for the time being.”

  “Spies?” Tibia asked, concerned.

  “Let me explain,” Ellen said gently and went on to give Tibia full details of what was really going on in Auxland. While she spoke, Ellen studied the Queen’s face. She was betraying no reaction at all to what she was hearing. Did she already know or did she not believe any of it, Ellen began to wonder.

  “So why should I believe anything you have just told me?” Tibia asked when Ellen went quiet. Ellen’s heart dropped. What could she possibly do to convince the Queen that she at least needed to investigate her claims?

  “I cannot prove anything, but maybe you will believe Prince Tor and Prince Cirren. I can take you to them if you like.”

  Tibia jumped up, knocking the table. A glass of water fell over, its contents running off the table and onto the floor, but neither lady took any notice. “Tor and Cirren are here?” she asked, excitedly. “In Tennel?”

  “They are staying in the palace, your Majesty.”

  “What?” she demanded, her excitement turning from schoolgirl excitement to extreme anger. “Why was I not informed? The Duke had better have a good explanation.”

  Ellen too leapt to her feet. “Wait, your Majesty,” she called out, stopping Tibia before she could open the door. “Please, speak to Tor first before confronting the Duke. If you see for yourself that he is here and the Duke then denies it, you will know that I am telling the truth.”

  Tibia removed her hand from the door and looked at Ellen. “Very well. Take me to see him immediately.”

  Ellen rushed the Queen to the visitors’ wing of the palace, thankful that they saw nobody on their way. It was still too early for most people to be out of their rooms and the few servants that could be heard moving about did not happen to be in the same corridors as Ellen and Tibia. Tibia had neglected to call for her maid to remove the breakfast things from her suite so she knew she had a while before her absence would be noticed. She hoped to confront the Duke before he could find out that she had already met with the visiting Princes.

  Both Tor and Cirren were out of bed and dressed when Ellen strode into the room, without bothering to knock. She almost pushed Tibia through the door and closed it firmly, quietly locking it behind her. Tor and Cirren opened their mouths to protest at the intrusion, but Ellen forestalled them by giving a quick, informal introduction.

  “Tor, Cirren, this is Queen Tibia.”

  The two men were speechless. Tibia curtsied to the two Princes, despite the fact that she outranked them. Tor was the first to recover from his surprise, bowing deeply. Cirren soon followed his example.

  “Your Majesty,” Tor said, walking up to the Queen and formally kissing her hand. “Please forgive my ill manners. I was not expecting to meet you so informally.” The look he shot at Ellen let her know that he would be discussing this further with her when they were alone.

  Tibia waved off his apology and made herself comfortable on a couch. “Ellen has been telling me some disturbing stories about what has been happening to my country outside the capital. Are they true?”

  Between them, Cirren and Tor told her all they had heard and seen, confirming everything Ellen had said. They assured her that the Queen’s Guards fully supported her and if she wished to remove the Duke, they would be of assistance.

  Tibia began to pace the room, extremely disturbed by what she had heard. Finally she stopped and addressed Tor and Cirren. “While I do not doubt what you are saying, I cannot have the Duke executed just on your word. He has the right to defend himself.”

  Nobody spoke. She was thinking out loud and did not expect a response. She sat down, tapping her fingernails against her teeth as her mind worked over the problem. She turned her attention to Ellen. “Can you get back to the Queen’s Guards’ compound and deliver some instructions for me? I plan to confront the Duke about Tor and Cirren’s presence in the palace and I would like a large number of swords present to defend me if it turns out he is a traitor, as you three are claiming.”

  “Of course,” Ellen replied. “Though I may need you to escort me out.”

  “That will not be a problem.” Queen Tibia rose and walked towards the door, pausing on the threshold to return her gaze to Tor. “I should warn you, however, that if the Duke has a plausible explanation for not revealing your presence to me, I will have you and all of your people arrested for trying to promote a civil war. The penalty for that is hanging, even if you are a Prince.”

  Tor simply nodded his understanding. It would take more than just words to win her trust, but he was confident
that the Duke would deny even having seen him, yet alone met with him. Once Tibia and Ellen had left the room, Cirren collapsed onto a sofa. “What happens if the Duke manages to convince her that we are not to be believed?” he asked nervously.

  Tor shrugged. “All we can do is hope that he does not.”

  He rang a bell in the corner of the room and a servant soon appeared. He wanted to speak with Bellak, Dal and Seth so he sent the young boy off in search of them. It was still early in the morning. Despite all that had happened so far, many of the nobles had yet to rise and the servants quarters were still busy with people getting dressed or grabbing a quick bite to eat. The serving boy soon returned to Tor’s suite, Bellak, Seth and Dal close behind him, and was dispatched to the kitchen to get breakfast for the two Princes.

  “We have already eaten, but thank you for asking,” Seth said sarcastically. Tor ignored him. The three new arrivals were quickly brought up to date with the morning’s developments. They had nothing really important to add, other than the fact that they thought the majority of the servants would support the Queen rather than the Duke if forced to make a choice.

  “They may soon have to,” Tor informed them gravely.

  They were disturbed by a knock at the door. Lady Kira waltzed in, asking about the Prince’s plans for the day. Tor pointed out that they had yet to eat breakfast and quickly got rid of her, promising to inform her as soon as they were ready to continue their sightseeing. It was a promise he had no intention of keeping.

  Once back in her suite, Tibia made her way to her writing desk and wrote a hasty note to the Commander of the Queen’s Guards. She sealed it with her personal seal and handed it to Ellen, who was dressed as a servant once more. With the letter hidden under her outer tunic, Ellen followed Tibia through the palace to the servants’ door, playing the part of personal maid. Very few people were in the corridors and Ellen managed to make her escape without being questioned.