Chapter 7
King's Lake
Take awoke the next morning to the sounds of men and equipment moving in his direction. He had rolled himself up in his blanket and slept on the beach at the site of his theater. He hoped to speak to Haddad this morning, to remind him of the promise he had made last night.
Take had seen Haddad leaving a gypsy wagon. Haddad had appeared shocked and embarrassed to have a witness to his visit. Evidently Haddad did not want news of this visit to the Traveler's camp to reach certain ears—the Caliph's ears? The King's ears? His fellow men from Taz? Take could see that he was now in a good position to ask favors. All he had to do was assure Haddad of his silence. As the group of Taz men moved closer, Take was happy to see Haddad among them. A pale looking Avor followed in Haddad's shadow.
Take stood up with his blanket still wrapped around him. "Good morning, gentlemen, and welcome to Fernland's future theater."
Most of the men didn't understand English and Haddad showed no interest in exchanging pleasantries. Avor looked from Haddad to Take with a confused expression.
"Where is it you want this submerged platform?" Haddad asked, scowling.
Take threw off his blanket and began wading out into the lake.
"I want the top of the platform just at surface level at mean tide. At high tide it will be covered and at low tide it will be exposed. We'll tailor our shows to fit the time of day."
"Why do you want it submerged?" Haddad asked.
"We are a troop of actors and magicians. At certain times we will appear to walk on water, or come up from the depths of the sea."
Haddad nodded slowly, his imagination taking hold. "Yes, I see it. Very clever." He turned to his men and issued a series of commands in the Taz language. He looked at Take. "How big?"
Take considered for a moment. "Wide enough for five people and long enough for five."
"A square, then."
"Yes." Take hoped he was not asking for too much. He held his breath.
Haddad nodded and with a flurry of words and hand gestures, he set the project in motion. The men pushed lathes and saws into place, pulled sleds loaded with lumber to the water's edge and rolled round logs sheared of their bark along the shore line. Fires were set up to heat the pitch needed to treat the logs. Construction drawings were drawn in the sand. Small boats with metal claws arrived to begin the process of digging holes for pilings.
Avor, as usual, stayed close to Haddad. After his mentor had finished his instructions, Avor left the busy group of workmen to speak with Take. Take sat on his blanket, hands clasped together, watching his platform take shape.
"How did you manage this?" Avor's face was still a little sallow from the previous night's overindulgence.
"Manage what?" Take's face fairly glowed with excitement.
"How did you manage to get Haddad to build your theater's platform?" I know he wants to get their living quarters finished so he can bring in some of their families. Did you bribe him to stop work on that and begin work on your theater?"
"I would have if I had anything to bribe him with, but I do not. I did promise to put on a show for his workers."
Avor shook his head. "They must be in dire need of entertainment." He looked at Take, his eyes squinted with suspicion.
Take remained silent while he sought a change of subject. He found it when he chanced to look out at King's Road.
"Look, here comes the Royal Guard. I suppose our Traveler friends will soon be on the move."
The two watched the cloud of dust draw near the lake. The Guardsmen stopped and dismounted just off the road and the dust settled around them. One man rode on alone to the group of painted wagons.
"That must be Muller," Avor said. "I hope they will move along peacefully. I don't want to see anyone hurt. They seem hospitable folk."
"They will go peacefully," Take said. "They're called Travelers for a reason. But I will be sad to see them go."
Avor looked a little wistful. "So will I."
Take raised his eyebrows but made no comment about Avor's activities the night before. It was likely the prince had little memory of his interlude with Esmeralda.
Electra shouted and waved at Take and Avor from the garden behind her cottage. She, too, had been watching King's Road. She came through the gate, running. As she ran, she pointed toward King's Road. Both men turned and saw what had her running in their direction. The royal carriage turned off the main road and headed toward them.
Electra reached the two and stopped, catching her breath. "Was father planning a visit?"
"Not that I knew about." Avor looked as though he had a headache, grimacing when he shook his head.
The carriage slowed to a stop and Rabar the Physician stepped out.
Take, Avor and Electra peered into the carriage as Rabar spoke.
"I've brought the Caliph back to recuperate here. He is still very weak." Rabar took his father's arm and helped him down from the carriage.
"Are you well enough to go by shore boat to the ship?" he asked his father.
The Caliph nodded and managed a smile. "I am fine. You worry too much."
"Why not stay at my cottage?" Electra asked. "It would be more convenient than the ship."
"I would not impose upon your hospitality," the Caliph said in a thin, scratchy voice.
"It would be my pleasure," Electra insisted.
"We accept." Rabar took his father's arm and they followed Electra, Take and Avor to the cottage.
"I'll ask Haddad for an extra cot." Avor hurried off to find his mentor.
"I'll get more wood for the fire." Take sauntered off in search of driftwood.
Electra and Rabar helped the Caliph settle onto Electra's cot and Electra excused herself to make tea. Rabar left his father to nap and joined Electra at the fireplace.
"Why did you move him from the castle?" Electra whispered. "He is still very weak."
Rabar seemed reluctant to answer. Finally he waved the question away with his hand. "Let's just say I did not wish to quarrel further with Royal Physician Rothman."
Rabar paced from the fireplace to the cot and back, listening to his father's shallow breathing. "I need the herbs I am familiar with to treat my father properly." He stopped pacing and looked at Electra as though he had just found the solution to his problems. "I will return to Taz for the medications and herbs I need both for my patients and for my research."
"But—the Khan's army..." Electra stopped. She was sure Rabar did not need to be reminded that his homeland was now taken over by Barburee.
"I must chance it. I will leave as soon as I can arrange it."
"Then I will go with you." Electra crossed her arms in front of her and tried to appear resolute.
Rabar looked surprised, then laughed. "Not that I would not enjoy your company and value your assistance, but I fear a great many people might object to that plan."
Rabar headed out the door. "I'll be back soon. I must speak to Haddad about my decision."
Princess Electra Book 3 Gypsy Music Page 7
