by K. C. Herbel
They continued their walk along the battlements in silence. While the prince’s company helped take Billy’s mind off Lady Myrredith and Sir Hugh, his thoughts were seldom far from Ergyfel. Billy tried to decipher what Ergyfel hoped to achieve by murdering the king. Was he the man who killed the queen? If he wanted the throne—Princess Kathryn was now the heir apparent and would be crowned in mere days—the throne was out of his reach, unless . . .
He couldn’t be planning to kill her too! thought Billy. There’s no way he could get away with it . . . is there?
Ambassador Snegaddrick appeared and pulled Prince Gaelyn aside. The snobbish statesman glared down his nose at Billy, at last cocking his “get lost” eyebrow as a warning. Billy bowed to the prince then left to wander and ponder alone.
As Billy mulled over the horrible possibilities of Ergyfel’s plans, a servant he had marked as one of the magister’s informants approached him. Billy had only seen the man speaking with the First Counselor and the other servants, and so he was caught completely off guard when the man spoke to him.
“Why so glum, Jester?” asked the servant.
“What?” asked Billy, in shock.
“Why so glum?” repeated the man.
“Oh, um . . . I’m just worried about the king,” answered Billy.
“Then you’ve heard?” whispered the servant.
“Heard what?”
“About the poisonin’,” hissed the servant. “Some says it was spies from Gwyddea. But don’t you worry none,” continued the gossiping servant, “it’s probably just rumor.”
“Aye . . .” said Billy, “a rumor.”
“Besides, Lord Ergyfel just told me he’d be lookin’ into it.”
Billy was again completely shocked. Finding out when Ergyfel had heard the rumor was supposed to be the hard part of his plan.
“Well, gotta run,” said the servant walking away.
“Wait,” said Billy scurrying after him. “Did ya hear anything more?”
The servant continued to walk as he chatted to Billy. “Naw . . . I only just heard meself . . . Bodach says he saw a demon fly in the king’s window night before last, but everyone knowed Bodach visits the king’s wine cellar much too often.”
“Who started the rumor?”
“Who knows?” said the servant with a shrug. “Nobody really knows who starts a rumor. That’s what makes it a rumor now, don’t it? The juicy ones anyhow. Well, like to work me jaw all day, but I don’t have time now.” The man stepped up his pace and left Billy behind.
Billy stopped by the kitchen to give Dana and Gryff an update and tell them to prepare for the next stage. The sky was darkening with storm clouds as he returned to the donjon in search of Lady Maeven.
Billy located Maeven amongst the same giggling, gossiping gaggle of ladies he had seen her with his first day in Castle Orgulous. Their constant chatter and giggling reminded Billy of spooked chickens.
“Lady Maeven?” said Billy from a timid distance.
The ladies all turned and stared at him. Then amid hushed whispers and giggles, the lady was prodded from their midst by the others.
“I am Maeven,” she said with a nod, “daughter of Sir Feolaghe.”
Billy bowed to her, and the giggling increased.
“What do you want, Jester?” asked Maeven.
Billy bit back his pride and continued. “Might I speak to you privately?” he asked.
Maeven looked back at her snickering friends before warily stepping away from them. Billy kept his distance until they were well out of the hearing range of the others.
“Well?” she demanded.
“I have some very important information that must reach the King’s First Counselor.”
“Why not tell him yourself?”
“He doesn’t like me.”
“And you think he’ll like me?”
Billy didn’t answer.
“Why ask me?”
“I know you . . . have an eye for the magister.”
“Who said that??” insisted Maeven, her face turning red.
“I have eyes too, milady. I have noticed the way you look at him.”
Maeven blushed even more. She turned away from Billy, attempting to hide her face.
“If I am wrong, milady,” added Billy, “I am most sorry.”
Maeven was quiet, and Billy thought that he might have lost her.
“You are very perceptive,” she said at last. Then, without turning back to Billy she asked, “What is this information?”
Billy calculated his next words very carefully. He knew that if he seemed too eager she might not trust him.
“Are you sure?” Billy asked.
“Yes.”
“It’s just that, now I’m not so sure you’re the right one.”
“Go ahead,” said Maeven, “I will tell Ergyfel.”
“Very well,” began Billy, nervously scanning the ward. “The king . . . has been poisoned.”
“What?” exclaimed Maeven, turning around to face Billy. “You think that’s news? You fool! You jester! Is this a joke? I heard that rumor two days ago, from my maid!”
“Ah,” said Billy apologetically. “Then you already know about Dhwen and everything?”
“Dhwen? The physician?”
“Aye.”
“What about him?” asked the lady.
“Ya probably already heard.”
“Heard what?”
“That Dhwen knows who did it.”
Maeven was suddenly silent, and uncharacteristically so for a long while. Billy waited for her response.
“Who?” she asked at last.
“Who?” repeated Billy.
“Who did it, you fool?”
“I don’t know,” said Billy scornfully. “I only heard that Dhwen knows.”
“And why hasn’t he done something?”
“How should I know? Maybe he’s scared or somethin’.”
“Of what?”
“Look,” said Billy, “I don’t know, but I’m getting a little scared myself. Good day, milady.”
Billy turned and hurried away from Maeven. As he rounded the corner, he looked over his shoulder to watch her. Maeven’s friends called to her, but she paid them no heed. Instead, she straightened her dress and walked in a direction Billy felt sure she would find Ergyfel.
* * *
Billy knocked on the door to the chambers of the prince and princess. The door opened, and Gwyn stuck her head out into the hallway.
“Oh, it’s you,” she declared. “I suppose you’ll be wantin’ to see Prince Gaelyn then?”
“Yes, please,” said Billy.
“Very well,” said Gwyn grudgingly.
Billy slipped by her as she opened the door. “Thank ya, mum,” he offered.
“Well, at least you’ve got some manners,” she muttered.
“Thank ya, mum.”
Billy found Prince Gaelyn sitting on his balcony. The newlywed seemed preoccupied with a stack of letters that covered the small table near his side.
“Good afternoon,” said Billy.
“Good afternoon,” answered the prince, without looking up.
“I’m sorry to disturb you, Your Highness . . .” started Billy.
Gaelyn glanced up to Billy and then back to his papers. “What is it, William?” he said at last.
Billy had never seen the prince so serious. Since the beginning of their friendship, Prince Gaelyn had always greeted Billy with a smile. “Is there a problem, Your Highness?” Billy asked earnestly.
“No. Not a problem,” said the prince. “Snegaddrick just delivered these letters from Father.”
“I don’t like that man,” said Billy, half to himself.
“My father?” exclaimed Gaelyn.
“No,” said Billy, “I’ve never met him. It’s ambassador Snegaddrick I don’t care for.”
“Aye, he can be a bit paughty.”
“Is everything well in Gwyddea, Your Highness?”
“Yes, y
es,” answered Gaelyn. “My father just wishes to seal the treaty between our two nations.”
“That’s great! Isn’t it?”
“Yes, of course,” said Gaelyn with a laugh. “Ya know, William, I envy you.”
“Me?” exclaimed Billy.
“Yes, my friend. Ya really haven’t any idea about these things, have ya?”
“What things?”
“Exactly!”
Prince Gaelyn let out another laugh. Billy liked the sound of his laughter. He never laughed at cruelty or misfortune and rarely, if ever, held back. He was in Billy’s words, “an honest laugher.”
At that moment, Princess Kathryn appeared behind Billy. “William, I knew it had to be you,” she said grinning.
“What?” said Billy, turning to face her. “Your Highness. What had to be me?”
“I heard my husband laughing, and I knew that you had arrived.”
“Tis true enough, William,” said the prince. “My dear wife has been trying to make me laugh all morning . . .”
“After you received those letters,” amended Kathryn.
“And now,” continued the prince, “you have succeeded where she could not.”
“That doesn’t surprise me,” said the princess.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness,” said Billy with a bow.
Both royals laughed again.
“William,” said the princess, between laughs, “you really are a treasure! Now, what can we do for you?”
“Did ya come to brighten up this dismal day with a song?” asked the prince.
“Or dazzle us with another juggling trick?” asked Kathryn.
“Or batter me in another rousing game of gwyddbwyll?”
“Oh no, Your Highnesses,” said Billy apologetically. “I’m sorry, but I only came to ask Prince Gaelyn if he would meet me later this evening.”
“Meet ya?” asked the prince curiously.
“Aye,” answered Billy. “I want to show ya somethin’.”
“What?” asked Gaelyn.
“Um . . . It’s a surprise,” said Billy.
“Can I see it too?” asked Kathryn.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness,” said Billy, “but this is—um—men stuff.”
“Men stuff?” said Princess Kathryn laughing again. “Very well, men. After the surprise, I will expect you here for dinner.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” said Billy bowing his head. He then turned and started to leave. “I’ll bring my lute for ya then.”
“Wonderful!” said the princess.
“What about Ergyfel’s feast?” asked Gaelyn.
Kathryn gave her husband a surprised expression. “I didn’t think you were interested in going,” she said. Then she quickly added, “He’s only hosting a feast to draw attention away from our coronation. What’s more, he only invited us because he knew I wouldn’t accept.”
“Maybe we should spoil his fun and go anyway,” quipped Gaelyn.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” riposted his smiling wife. “If the magister has invited everyone to a feast, at his expense, you can bet he’s up to no good. I only hope he doesn’t poison them all.”
Prince Gaelyn and Princess Kathryn laughed, but with what he knew, Billy didn’t find it at all humorous. He smiled to cover his apprehension.
“At any rate,” continued Kathryn, “I have planned a splendid feast for us in a more private dining hall.”
“Sounds great,” said her husband.
“Aye,” agreed Billy as he turned to leave.
“Where shall I meet ya, William?” asked the prince.
“Hunh?” said Billy facing him.
“The surprise . . . ?” said Gaelyn. “Remember?”
“Oh, I almost forgot!” said Billy turning pale. “It’s very important ya meet me on the curtain wall, near the repairs, just before dusk.”
“Oo-oo-oo” mouthed the prince. “Sounds mysterious and intriguing. I look forward to an interesting surprise.”
“I promise,” said Billy solemnly, “you won’t be disappointed.”
Billy left and went immediately to the curtain wall to check on his preparations. Over the last two days he had managed to set up a small hiding place amid the construction materials on the wall. There, Prince Gaelyn and he would stay hidden from sight, to witness what transpired between the King’s First Counselor and the king’s physician. If everything went according to plan, Prince Gaelyn would have Ergyfel placed under arrest that night.
Billy arrived at the curtain wall but felt strangely, as if someone was watching him. He scanned the inner ward and outer walls, but hardly a soul was present. A light drizzle had driven most everyone indoors. Only a few servants and guards scurried about or stood watch, and none of them paid him any attention.
A flash of movement caught Billy’s eye, and he followed it to the high hill just south of Castle Orgulous. Large dark boulders sprouted from the top of the hill, standing in a circle where some long forgotten people had placed them. To Billy, they looked like a band of knights warming themselves around a fire.
Suddenly a pale horse roamed into view between the rocks and then disappeared again. Billy focused on the distant hilltop, trying to catch another glimpse of the creature in the dismal light. He was rewarded with a flash of white between the dark stones, and then another. A moment later, the beast appeared in whole beside the ancient monument, wrapped in black barding and carrying a black-clad rider on its back. Billy’s heart skipped a beat. It was the same woman he had seen at Cyndyn Hall—it was the Night Queen! There was no mistaking that strange black armor and owl-like helm.
As she had done at Cyndyn Hall, the Night Queen froze and stared at Billy. Even from her distant perch, he could feel her alien purple eyes beating down on him. Her spirited horse strutted in a tight circle before she reined it back to face Orgulous. Then, without warning, she turned her mount and disappeared into the large standing stones.
Billy scanned the hilltop for several minutes, but the Night Queen never emerged again. Suddenly he remembered why he was on the curtain wall and quickly returned to his preparations.
After some last minute adjustments to his hiding place, Billy hopped into an empty barrel and waited for Prince Gaelyn. The heavy black thunderclouds overhead, which had thus far only delivered a light sprinkle, began to make good on their threat.
What if Dhwen or Ergyfel doesn’t show up? thought Billy, as he pulled a tarp over the top of his barrel. This stupid rain could ruin everything! And seeing the Night Queen here is surely a bad omen.
The dark clouds made it difficult to tell what time it was, but Billy knew that it was nearing dusk. The critical time for Billy’s plan would soon be upon him, and still there was no sign of Prince Gaelyn.
“Where could he be?” said Billy, thinking aloud. “He should have been here by now!”
There was a crash of thunder and then another. The storm was worsening. In the next flash of lightning, Billy saw the lone figure of Dhwen climbing the steps at the far end of the curtain wall. He wore an oiled leather cloak wrapped tightly around him and carried his black bag.
Where is Gaelyn? thought Billy.
Slowly the healer crossed the wall, squinting and wiping the rain from his face. He stopped and set down his bag on the jagged stones of the broken wall. Billy could see him clearly as he was now a mere fifteen feet away. Dhwen pulled his cloak closer around himself; there was another stroke of lightning, and suddenly a dark figure appeared in front of him. The old man stumbled back in surprise.
Billy’s breath caught in his chest.
“Magister?” exclaimed Dhwen.
“Yes, Dhwen,” said the dark figure, “it is I.”
Billy recognized Ergyfel’s sonorous voice and wanted to scream. Half of his instincts urged him to leap out of the barrel, while the other half held him fast. It was sheer torture. The prince hadn’t shown, and now it was too late!
What should I do? shouted Billy’s mind.
“Magister,” continued th
e physician, his voice quaking. “What can I do for you?”
“Why are you shaking, Dhwen?”
“It’s cold.”
“I think you’re frightened, Dhwen. Are you frightened?”
“I-I . . .”
Billy watched as the grey-bearded doctor cowered before the younger man, who was the king’s cousin. He looked like a repentant younger sibling preparing to receive a beating.
“Are you hiding something from me, Dhwen?”
“Hiding?” repeated Dhwen. “Good heavens no, Magister! I would never hide anything from you.”
“Is that so?”
Dhwen’s eyes darted around. “How is the king?” he asked, desperate to change the subject.
“Why don’t you tell me?” said Ergyfel accusingly.
“The king is sick,” said Dhwen quickly. “He’s been sick for a long time now.”
“But I hear you’ve been saying something . . . more.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Come now, Doctor, no need to lie about it. You know that eventually I hear everything.”
“I’m not lying,” insisted Dhwen, taking a step back from Ergyfel. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You were the only one who knew about the poison, Dhwen. What I don’t understand is how you managed to break my spell.”
“Poison?” said Dhwen. “Spell?”
Like the lightning, Ergyfel’s hand snapped out and grabbed the elderly physician by his throat. “Was it the faerie?” he demanded, pushing Dhwen closer to the edge of the crumbling wall.
Billy felt a surge of adrenaline, but it only made his chest muscles tighten unbearably. Dhwen grabbed the magister’s wrist with both hands and tried to pry his hand away. His eyes became feral as he looked at the ground far below his precarious footing.
“I’ll repeat my question,” said Ergyfel, forcing Dhwen further over the precipice. “Was it the faerie? Was it Billy?”
“Stop!” croaked Dhwen. “Please!”
“Have it your way,” said Ergyfel calmly. “Your secret dies with you.”
Without hesitation, Ergyfel extended his arm and pushed Dhwen off the wall. Billy exploded from the barrel as the old man plunged downward. Instantly there came the sound of tearing cloth and breaking timber as Ergyfel was dragged over the edge by his victim.
