The King's Treasure

by Carol M. Vaughn

  Servants stepped forward, pulling the chairs out and seating the nobility. The moment everyone was seated, more servants appeared seemingly from nowhere, platters of roast duck and roasted vegetables and pitchers of wine in their hands. They served the plates, the king first, and backed away, only appearing before a need could be made known. Arianwyn caught the eye of one of the servants, intending to thank them. A quick shake of the head stopped the words before they could leave her mouth. She took a deep breath and glanced at the other nobility.

  Most of the nobles were chatting with each other, completely ignoring the servants hovering just behind them. Arianwyn closely watched them, realizing how little servants were really noticed. She had nearly made a mistake in conversing with them. She did not want to make a mistake with her eating habits. “You must be the dragon Bonded servant. My name is Alyssa. Father says that I am the ideal wife for the king,” the person next to her said suddenly.

  Arianwyn looked to her left and blinked in surprise. The tiny girl appeared to be no more than seven or eight years old. She had mousy brown hair and large brown eyes. She was very pale, with dark smudges under her eyes, and seemed on the verge of collapsing at any moment. “My name is Arianwyn. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She wondered if she should offer her hand. When the girl continued to eat, Arianwyn followed suit.

  “I have been preparing to be queen since the day I was born. What were you preparing to be?”

  Arianwyn blinked, a bit taken aback by the question. “I don’t know,” she answered honestly. “There isn’t much that a peasant girl can aspire to be.”

  “Well, I’ve been learning all the latest dances and I speak three different languages. Father says when I’m a year older, he’ll have my tutors begin teaching me the different trade agreements and alliances of the kingdom. What can you do?”

  Arianwyn smiled wryly. “I can clean a room the size of the Western Suites in less than an hour and scrub pots until they gleam. His Majesty says that I’ll be learning the latest dances this afternoon along with reading, writing, and arithmetic. I think I’ll be learning court functions tomorrow.”

  Alyssa giggled. “You’re funny! But you know, you shouldn’t answer the question that way,” she said seriously. “If I tried something like that, Father would be furious with me.”

  “What would he do?”

  Alyssa glanced down the table at her father, and then looked quickly away. Arianwyn guessed that her father was the man sitting to the left of the king, since Lady Ethelinda’s father was sitting to the right. “He wouldn’t be happy,” Alyssa muttered, looking at her plate and pushing vegetables around.

  “What if the king doesn’t pick you?”

  Alyssa stiffened. “He has to!” she burst out, a slightly panicked look in her eyes.

  “It’s all right, I said if! I’m sure he’ll pick you. He’d be mad not to,” Arianwyn said quickly, trying to quiet the girl.

  Alyssa relaxed a little and smiled. “Yes, he would be! Father’s going to try to convince him to pick me by showing him how malleable I’ll be. After all, I’m the youngest one there is! The king could practically train me to do what he wants.” She smiled happily at the thought and resumed eating.

  Arianwyn picked at her food, her stomach upset by more than the richness of the meats and vegetables. She took a small sip of wine, and then another, amazed. Any wine she had tried before had been borderline vinegar. This was smooth and delicious. She quickly put the wine down before she drank the entire glass.

  “You know what you should say when people ask what you can do?” Alyssa asked abruptly, eyes sparkling mischievously. “You should say that you can ride a dragon! That’s something none of the other nobility can do,” she giggled.

  Arianwyn smiled back. “You’re right. That is a much better answer than what I gave you.”

  King Rael stood up when it appeared that everyone had finished eating. “As you know, I was going to choose my wife yesterday. Certain events have forced me to change the time schedule, which I apologize for.” Arianwyn stared at her plate, a blush spreading up her face as some nobles scowled at her and others studiously ignored her. “So I will be making my choice tomorrow night. Each girl will have one dance with me. In the intervening time, the girl or her father may visit me once to offer suit. Use the opportunity well.” The king nodded curtly to everyone and walked away from the table, leaving the nobles scrambling to get to their feet to bow and curtsy as he left.

  The nobles congregated into small groups after the king left. Arianwyn watched them, feeling awkward. She looked around for Sigurd or Wymond, intending to leave. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to the other nobles,” Alyssa said brightly, catching her by the hand and leading her to one of the groups.

  Arianwyn was about to protest when Dragon stopped her. :You’re going to be living here regardless of whether the king marries you or not. You should probably get to know the nobles.: Arianwyn sighed in defeat. “Thank you, Lady Alyssa.”

  They approached another blond lady with watery blue eyes. She was talking to a tall, thin man with the same appearance. She turned and looked down her nose at Arianwyn and Alyssa. “Good day, Thane Merari, Lady Vespa” Alyssa curtsied perfectly to her, smiling. “This is Lady Arianwyn. She’s the one who Bonded a dragon! Lady Arianwyn, Thane Merari and his daughter Lady Vespa.”

  Arianwyn curtsied politely to her, copying Alyssa. Vespa inclined her head slightly. “Yes, I heard they’re letting just about anyone enter the Keep these days.” Thane Merari smirked at his daughter’s comment.

  Arianwyn’s back stiffened. “Yes, Lady Vespa, I had noticed that myself.” She did her best to look down her nose at the taller woman and walked away, shaking from anger and surprise. Dragon laughed silently in the back of her head.

  “That was brilliant!” Alyssa whispered happily, catching up.

  “Maybe you’re making me bolder than I should be,” Arianwyn whispered back. Alyssa smiled and tugged Arianwyn towards Ethelinda. Arianwyn stopped her. “We’ve met. I’d rather not visit with her again.”

  Alyssa giggled softly. “I understand. She can be a bit abrasive. Don’t worry. We’ll go visit Lady Blythe. You’ll like her. She’s nice to everyone.” Alyssa led her to the last small group. A short, plump woman with chocolate colored eyes and hair was chatting to a large, barrel-chested man with a booming laugh. They seemed unconcerned with the politicking of the other small groups.

  Alyssa almost bounced over to the two. “Thane Cael, Lady Blythe” she said, smiling and curtsying. They smiled and curtsied or bowed back to her. “This is Lady Arianwyn. She’s the one who Bonded the dragon. Lady Arianwyn, this is Thane Cael and Lady Blythe.”

  Arianwyn curtsied to both of them. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said.

  “Likewise,” Blythe smiled, curtsying back. “So tell me, what was it like Bonding a dragon?”

  Arianwyn blinked in surprise. Thane Cael laughed. “Don’t mind her. She generally asks what everyone else is thinking but too afraid to ask.” He chuckled again.

  “It was terrifying, to be honest,” Arianwyn replied. “She was trapped under a magical net and the men who had captured her were coming back.” Alyssa gasped audibly and Blythe’s mouth formed a small ‘oh.’ “That’s really the only reason she Bonded me, so that I would be able to remove the net.”

  Thane Cael chuckled again. “I appreciate your honesty. It’s refreshing in this nest of vipers. I should warn you that not everyone will take so kindly to it. May I offer a bit of advice?” Arianwyn nodded. “Be more discerning of who you confide in, child. Certain nobles will use every advantage they can.” He glanced quickly around the room at the other nobles. Alyssa nodded in agreement.

  “Thank you, Thane Cael. As I’m sure you’ve heard, I’m new to all of this.”

  Blythe took her hand, smiling. “You can count on my help. If you ever have any questions, let me know.”

  Thane Cael laughed again. “After I just told her to be careful of
whom to trust.”

  “Father!” He chuckled again and wrapped Blythe in a side hug.

  Arianwyn smiled back in spite of herself. “Thank you, again. I’m sure I will need a lot of help.” She curtsied again, withdrawing. Alyssa followed her, smiling happily.

  “I told you that you would like her.”

  “You were right. What about your father?”

  Alyssa turned serious. “Thane Julius. I wouldn’t count on him for help if you have any questions.”

  “Where did he go?”

  “He followed the king to press my suite.”

  “Oh.” Arianwyn glanced sideways at Alyssa. “You don’t seem very happy about that.”

  Alyssa visibly struggled to perk up. “Oh, I am! I can’t wait to be queen!”

  Arianwyn lightly touched her arm. “Everything will work out for the best,” she said. Alyssa smiled weakly at her. “I have to go. I have lessons to attend to,” she said, groaning dramatically in resignation. She curtsied to Alyssa, who was still giggling over her comment, and went to where Sigurd and Wymond were waiting. They escorted her out of the room. When Arianwyn began heading back toward her room, Sigurd respectfully took her arm, turning her in a different direction. “Where are we going? Don’t I have lessons?”

  “Yes, lady. You are to practice your reading and writing in the library, though.”

  “Oh.” It was clearly going to be another long afternoon.

  13-Power

  Arianwyn was exhausted by midafternoon. She doubted her head would ever stop aching. She didn’t know what knowing her letters and numbers would do for her. But Master Aldous insisted that she practice. He gave her a piece of vellum and a charcoal stick to practice writing letters and numbers. He also gave her a book, instructing her to sound out what she could. He would quiz her tomorrow. Arianwyn left the library, juggling the material and looking forward to some time to sit in her room.

  Unfortunately, Sigurd and Wymond led her to a large antechamber-looking room instead of back to her room. Her etiquette tutor was waiting. Arianwyn closed her eyes, resigned. “Hold this,” she muttered, dumping her book and writing utensils into Wymond’s arms. He gave her a startled look, but caught everything. Arianwyn marched up to the instructor and curtsied. “Master Lysander, a pleasure to see you again.”

  “Decent. Barely acceptable for tomorrow night’s ball. This is the room where you will await your introduction to the king. Normally, they would announce by rank, but since you are dragon Bonded, you will be announced first, followed by Lady Ethelinda, Lady Blythe, Lady Vespa, and then Lady Alyssa. And ladies do not march. They glide.”

  Arianwyn immediately began fidgeting. “First? Couldn’t I let someone else go first?”

  He reached out to still her hands. “Of course not! It would be highly inappropriate. Now, you will be announced and enter through these doors.” The tutor walked her through the doors. She was at the top of a small staircase, three steps to the main floor. Like the dining room, the ballroom was lined with windows on one side, French doors set in the center of the wall on the opposite. This room had mirrors along the entire wall, except where the French doors were located. Arianwyn stared in shock, trying to comprehend how expensive those mirrors must be.

  Her eyes followed the polished black and white marble floor to the far end, where a dais was situated. The dais was five steps high. Black, heavy draping hung behind the throne on the dais, silver stitching lining the edges in elegant starbursts and dragons of varying sizes. The throne was a rich, dark mahogany with matching black cushions on the seat. The back was heavily carved with more dragons, rising up the back to form a dragon head, the arms carved to mimic dragon arms. Arianwyn shuddered involuntarily.

  Servants in uniforms of a higher rank than she ever wore were scurrying about the room, preparing expensive oil lanterns strategically placed near mirrors, polishing the floor, setting up side tables to hold refreshments, shining mirrors and windows. Arianwyn tried imagining that the servants were actually nobility, filling the room and dancing in brightly colored, fancy clothes. She took a deep breath and shook her head to clear away the panic.

  “…and curtsy.” Arianwyn stared at her tutor. “Did you hear what I said?” She shook her head mutely. He sighed. “I can’t believe I’m supposed to be teaching a peasant to act like nobility…” He shook his head. “Impossible.” Arianwyn stared, semi-horrified as he walked away.

  “Wait! What am I supposed to do?”

  He did not even look backwards as he strode toward the French doors. “Obviously, you already know, otherwise you would have paid better attention,” he sneered.

  Arianwyn watched him leaving helplessly, unsure what to do. :You should stop him, somehow. If you’re really worried about your entrance, that is,: Dragon said.

  :How?:

  :How should I know?:

  “You are nobility, now,” Sigurd murmured on the heels of Dragon's remark.

  “You shouldn’t let him treat you like that,” Wymond agreed.

  Arianwyn looked at each of them. They were leaning against the wall, watching her tutor disapprovingly. An idea formed in her mind. She focused on air, imagining a barrier. “Air. Solidify at the French doors,” she murmured softly. Her vision turned golden and she watched a section of the light yellow air in front of the tutor turn into a dark gold.

  Lysander bounced backward, as if he had just run into a wall. He staggered, then straightened up, looking confused. He tried stepping forward again and was again stopped. Cautiously, he reached his hands out, tracing the invisible barrier. Arianwyn took a deep breath. “We are not finished with my lesson,” she said firmly, voice breaking on the last word. The tutor turned to look at her, his eyes a little wild.

  “What have you done? You imbecile!” He turned, storming back toward her. “Remove that wall at once! I have far more important matters to attend to,” he snarled.

  “Silence,” Arianwyn whispered again. A trail of gold encircled Lysander’s throat, and then filled his mouth, stopping the words. He stopped midstride, clutching at his throat. “When you are ready to finish the lesson, I will be glad to let you speak again. Until then, I believe you’ll find your job difficult to perform.”

  Arianwyn had lived her entire life in a world of people stronger than she. She knew how to mimic the force necessary to get her way, even though it sickened her. She kept her hands gripped together in front of her so Lysander would not notice her shaking.

  Trembling, he nodded his head in frantic agreement. Arianwyn nodded back. “Stop,” she murmured. Her vision returned to normal and she waited.

  Lysander cleared his throat experimentally and then straightened up. “Yes, of course, Lady Arianwyn. As I was saying, you will half curtsy at the top of the dais you are standing on, cross the floor to the King’s Dais, and full curtsy until he bids you rise. Keep your chin level with the steps; you should not look down when walking. Let’s practice.” His voice shook and his face was pale, but he continued the lesson.

  An hour later, Arianwyn’s dance tutor arrived and they practiced in the ballroom. Arianwyn tried convincing him to practice elsewhere, glancing repeatedly at the servants. “You must become accustomed to others watching you,” he refused. So they practiced in the ballroom. “Lady Arianwyn, may I suggest practicing?”

  “With whom, Master Fred?” she muttered.

  “Anyone who will accept a turn. I would highly recommend dancing with at least two others before dancing with the king. You will be under the most scrutiny with him.”

  Arianwyn winced and stepped on Fred’s foot. “That did not help me feel better.”

  “It wasn’t supposed to. I hope it motivates you to practice your dancing.” Arianwyn sighed again. Her dance lesson ended in the early evening.

  Arianwyn walked over to where Sigurd and Wymond were still waiting, back and feet aching. “Thank you for earlier,” she said quietly. They nodded slightly and led her back to her rooms. “Do either of you dance?” she grumbled befo
re going through the door.

  Sigurd laughed. “Lady Arianwyn, the dancing of the low born is hardly appropriate for a ball.” Arianwyn scowled at him. She walked into her room, determined to shut out the rest of the world and allow no one in. The thought relieved her until she opened the door to her bedroom and saw the number of new dresses that had been delivered to her room.

  She groaned and left the bedroom. She walked over to the table in the sitting room, trying to ignore the finery in her bedroom, and collapsed into the chair. She began working her way through the homework her reading tutor had given her while Sigurd and Wymond finished their inspection of her chambers.

  She was sounding out a particularly difficult word when a knock sounded at her door. “Come in,” she called absently. The door opened and closed behind her newest visitor. Arianwyn adjusted the book towards the candlelight, struggling to decipher the symbols she had learned earlier, brows creased in concentration.

  “Next time, send Sigurd or Wymond to stop him.” Arianwyn jumped to her feet, spinning to face the king. The chair tipped over and the book fell noisily to the floor. She dropped into a full curtsy, heart pounding. “The dragon bestowed powers are not tools to get your own way,” he continued, voice tight with rage.

  Arianwyn trembled. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I didn’t know,” she mumbled weakly, still in a curtsy.

  He paced furiously back and forth in front of her. Arianwyn watched his feet, counting the steps unconsciously and flinching back whenever they came closer to her. “Our powers are a gift given to us to defend our people, not to get what we want. We are not Manticores, for the Fire’s sake!” He stopped in front of her. “Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  “Stand up. You are not a servant anymore.” She straightened up, still staring at the ground, wringing her hands together. “Do I have your word that you will not use your powers maliciously again?”