"I have decided," started Anna, "that we shall hold regular meetings for the rest of our journey here in Weldwyn. Everyone here is now, officially, part of my council. I would like to meet every couple of days to go over anything that might be of interest."
"Sorry," said Aubrey, "but are you sure I'm meant to be here, Highness? I'm only an apprentice."
"You're here," said Anna, "because you can be trusted and your talents are valuable to this council."
"My talents?"
"Yes," continued Anna. "You are very well educated, Aubrey, and can provide insight. Beverly highly recommends you and assures me of your discretion."
"I'm flattered, Highness," the young apprentice replied.
Anna looked to Gerald, who took over. "The purpose of this council is to gather information. We want to know as much about this kingdom as we can. What do they like, what do they need? You are to keep your eyes open and your ears to the ground. Even seemingly simple matters may be of import to us. While you are here, in council, your opinions may be expressed honestly. I realize we've only arrived and so the princess thought it might be best to lay out some ground rules."
Anna stood to speak, "I have decided to officially acknowledge a chain of command. I name Gerald as my second in charge. As of now, he will be officially referred to as Commander Matheson."
"I hardly think that's necessary," Gerald protested.
"Nonsense, Gerald. You oversee the knights and the guards with Beverly and Arnim's help. That already makes you a commander. Need I remind you that you've already commanded troops in battle?"
"I suppose," he grumbled.
"Hopefully, we won't need all this going forward," she said.
"That's what we thought about Norwatch," reminded the mage.
"The point is well taken, Revi. Let's hope we have a peaceful journey from now on. If Gerald is unavailable, then Beverly will assume command, having had more battle experience, though I expect her to defer to Arnim in matters pertaining to the guard."
Beverly nodded her head in understanding.
"Under Gerald," Anna continued, "Beverly will command the knights, with Arnim commanding the foot. Revi will be in charge of anything magic related and we will call on Hayley's ranger skills as needed. Are there any questions?"
"I heard something earlier that might be important," offered Beverly.
"Tell us more," prompted Anna.
"I was in the stables when I overheard two soldiers talking. Apparently, the Twelve Clans are sending a delegation, with a noble, to negotiate. The men seemed to think it unusual."
"Perfect, this is exactly the type of thing I want to know about."
"Will we be doing anything about it?" asked Arnim.
"No," replied the princess. "For now we just collect this information. I shall make a note of it in my journal for later perusal. It may be nothing, but then again it might prove valuable in the future. Anything you hear like this should be brought to my attention."
"What about the other knights," asked Beverly, "and Lady Nicole?"
Gerald spoke up, "We haven't decided if they can be trusted yet. The betrayal of Celia was a bitter lesson. For now, our discussions here shall not be shared. When the princess goes into town, the only personal bodyguards in her presence will be myself, Beverly or Hayley."
Anna laughed as a low rumbling sound interrupted the discussion, "It appears that Tempus has fallen asleep. The hour is late and we shall have much to do tomorrow if our previous visits are any indication. Does anyone have anything they'd like to add?"
"Yes," Revi spoke up. "I am pleased to announce that Aubrey here, was able to successfully cast her first spell this morning. She can now heal wounds."
"Though only small ones," admitted Aubrey. "I haven't quite mastered it."
"The rest will come with practice," encouraged Revi, "you've a natural talent."
"It wasn't that long ago that Master Bloom himself had trouble casting that spell," offered Anna.
"I remember it well," added Gerald. "Unfortunately, I was the recipient."
Everyone in the room chuckled, as they had heard the story of that fateful day back in Uxley. With the meeting now concluded they filed out, allowing Lady Nicole to enter to prepare the princess for bed. Gerald was still seated at the table and rose to follow Anna as she made her way to her bedroom.
"And what do you think you're doing?" asked Nicole, looking at the old soldier.
"I'm going to read a story to the princess," he replied.
"This is highly improper," she retorted. "She is a young lady now and needs her privacy."
Anna stepped behind the wooden dressing screen to change. "It's all right," she called out, "he usually puts me to bed."
"It's not right, Your Highness," pressed the Lady-in-Waiting. "I was sent to be your chaperone, I can't have this going on."
"Nonsense," insisted Anna. "Gerald's been reading me stories for years." She came out from behind the screen and jumped onto the bed. "If you feel so strongly about it," she said, looking at Nicole, "then go ahead and chaperone. I'll be getting a story. You never know, you might like it too!"
She climbed under the blankets, and then Gerald pulled them up for her. She patted the bed and Tempus, roused from his slumber, leaped onto the bed.
Gerald noticed Lady Nicole turn red at the sight, and she was obviously about to explode when Anna interrupted, "That will be all, Lady Nicole. You are dismissed."
Lady Nicole's mouth hung open for just a moment and then she composed herself.
"Of course, Your Highness." She bowed and left the room, closing the door behind her.
Anna waited until her footsteps had receded before speaking, "I like Sophie better. Where is she?"
"I'm afraid she's been reduced to maid," offered Gerald.
"That's not fair, she's my maid!"
"I'll make sure she's looked after," promised Gerald. "Lady Nicole was sent by the king, but I suspect Valmar's behind the appointment. We shall have to watch ourselves around her."
"Agreed," said Anna. "Now, what story have you got for me tonight?"
It didn't take long for Anna to fall asleep. Gerald looked down on her as she slumbered and observed how much older she had grown in the last few months. Soon, she would be a young woman, and he wondered how much longer he would be reading her stories. He bent over her, kissing her on the forehead and scratched the head of Tempus. The large mastiff stretched his legs as if finally relaxing, so Gerald turned, tiptoeing from the room.
Twenty
On the Town
Autumn 960 MC
Early morning saw Gerald sitting in the dining hall, eating his breakfast. He heard an approaching footfall and looked up to see Anna and Tempus enter the room.
"Good morning, Gerald," she said in greeting.
"How are you this morning, Anna?" he asked.
She sat down at the table before answering, "I was actually wondering what we have on the schedule today. Have you heard anything?"
"Yes," he replied, "Prince Alric sent a message. He wants to take you into the city and show you around."
"Aren't we already in the city?" she asked, just as he was about to take a bite of food.
He paused his action to reply, "Well, yes, but he wants to take you into the part of the city that isn't the Citadel." He finished his sentence just in time to see her laughing. "You're just jealous because I got the last sausage."
She peered around the table, "Truly?"
"No, I've hidden some over here." He moved a plate over to her seat. "I suspect young Alric wants to show you the arena, and likely the docks."
"I'll have to leave poor Tempus here," she said. "I don't want to scare the locals."
"Why don't you leave him with Sophie. He trusts her, and it'll give her something to do."
"Excellent idea, Commander Matheson," she said.
"Of course, Highness," he replied, doing his best impression of a Califax play, "I doth give it much thought."
"Y
ou're turning into quite the poet, Gerald."
"My lady," he said, placing his knuckles to his forehead.
He reached for a scone and was just breaking it open when a servant entered to announce the arrival of Alric. The young prince entered, and Gerald offered him a scone. He took one, holding it gingerly and began picking it apart to eat it.
"It seems," observed Anna, "that you and Gerald eat the same way."
Alric grinned as he stuffed a tasty morsel into his mouth. "The perks," he said, through a full mouth, "of being a prince. I don't have to follow the rules."
"Why, Prince Alric," Anna exclaimed, "you're starting to get used to us!"
The prince pulled out a chair and sat down as Gerald chuckled at the servants. They had rushed forward to settle his chair for him, and now they were returning to their positions around the room without accomplishing their mission.
"I thought I'd show you the Celestial Park this morning."
"That sounds interesting," said Anna. "Tell me more."
"It was built over two hundred years ago by the Earl of Loranguard for his wife. It's one of the great love stories of the realm."
Gerald noticed Anna watching the young prince, drinking it all in. Was he imagining it, or was there some sort of attraction he hadn't seen before.
"It sounds fascinating," she finally said.
"It gets even more interesting, though," he said, "for his wife was a commoner, and it was a scandal at the time."
"So what happened?" she asked.
"Despite objections, he married her anyway. They ended up together for many years and died within two months of each other. The nobles at the time were shocked, but the commoners loved it. They made a play about it, and it's still enacted to this day."
Anna had finished eating and set down her utensils. "Well," she announced, "we better get going. I assume we are walking?"
"We are," confirmed Alric. He rose, coming over to her side of the table. He extended his arm for her, and she stood to take hold of it. "Come along, then. Let me show you the wonders of Loranguard."
Gerald hastened to his feet to follow, pausing long enough to snag an extra sausage from Anna's plate.
Dame Beverly was waiting outside the room and quickly fell into place beside Gerald as they made their way through the Citadel. They had exited the building and were nearly at the gate when Lady Nicole put in an appearance. She hurried to catch up to them and gave Gerald a look that told him there would be no argument.
Exiting the Citadel, Alric led them along the north road toward the park. This part of the city was well groomed; it was obvious the more affluent folk lived in this region. It reminded Gerald of Wincaster, but the houses were not quite as elegant as those of the nobles of Merceria; there were, however, more of them.
Gerald turned to Beverly, "What are the others up to today?" he asked.
"Revi and Aubrey are going to browse some shops," she said, "and Hayley's taking Lily down to the water. She seems to have an affinity for it."
"How does Hayley know that?" he asked.
"She's been teaching her some hand signals. Our ranger's a clever girl."
"I could have taught her hand signals if I'd thought of it," Gerald confessed. "See?" he said, holding up his middle finger.
Beverly laughed, "I see you've learned from my father. You do him proud."
They wound their way through the wealthier section of town, finally arriving at their destination. It was a large area, with carefully trimmed trees and immaculately cut grass. Denizens of the city wandered about the meandering paths, while Gerald spied at least three fountains. They shot water into the air, and he wondered how such things were accomplished.
"I saw a fountain like that in Shrewesdale," Beverly remarked. "I think Dwarves designed it."
Anna and Alric walked at a leisurely pace. The weather seemed to be cooperating; the sun broke out from behind the clouds, and soon the grass sparkled with the morning dew, giving the entire park a dreamlike quality.
"This is amazing, Alric," she said.
"Yes, it is, isn't it. I've heard my mother talk about it before, but this is actually the first time I've seen it for myself."
She looked at him in surprise and then laughed.
Alric was grinning from ear to ear. "The park is well named. If a place could be called the Afterlife on earth, this would be it."
"The earl must have loved his wife a great deal to have this made. It would have cost a fortune."
"Oh, it did," he agreed. "Some say it took most of his wealth, though I doubt that."
"It's true," interrupted Lady Nicole. "The play explains it all."
"The play?" asked Anna.
"Yes," said Alric, "the one I told you about earlier. It's called 'The Maiden and the Earl'."
"I've arranged for tickets, Highness," added Nicole. "For this afternoon's performance. A private booth for you and His Highness."
"That's very gracious of you, Lady Nicole," said Anna. "Though I'm not sure it would be up to Prince Alric's tastes."
"Nonsense," said Alric. "I've seen it before, it's very entertaining. Lots of battles, intrigue and even a dragon."
Gerald saw Lady Nicole paling at the very thought, but the prince ended her misery quickly.
"I'm kidding, it's a romance. Though there is a little fighting in it."
"I can't wait," said Anna.
"I hope it goes better than the last play we saw," remarked Gerald.
"'We' won't be seeing it," stated the Lady-in-Waiting. "It's a private box for two, the rest of us will have to stand guard in the hallway."
Gerald looked to Beverly, who just shrugged. Lady Nicole was becoming very tiresome.
Revi Bloom looked through a shop window; it was a herbalist and reminded him of his parent's business back in Wincaster. He decided to enter, stepping into the small space with a quiet stride. He wandered about, looking at leaves drying on some twine and powdered plants in small containers. Many of these items he recognized but a few were unknown to him. He made a mental note to ask about them.
The proprietor finished dealing with a customer and wandered over to the mage, "Is there something I can help you with?"
"Actually," he said, "I was wondering about the price of kingsleaf."
"I'm afraid," said the shopkeeper, "that I am unfamiliar with that plant. Is it found locally?"
"It's not important," Revi replied. His eyes caught sight of a glass jar containing something strange. "What's this?"
The merchant picked up the jar, handing it to the mage. "We're not sure what it is. It was found down at the river by someone who thought it might be useful to have an expert look at it."
Revi held the jar to the light of the window, the better to see it. It looked as if someone had, perhaps, mixed paper with mud. It was clumped together, but he discerned no recognizable shape.
"Fascinating," he mused.
"It's yours if you want it," the shopkeeper said. "I can let you have it for four shillings.
"Fascinating as it is," Revi replied, "I'm afraid I can't. Were I home, with my laboratory, I'd be delighted to take it off your hands, but I'm only visiting," he said, handing the jar back to the proprietor. "I would be interested in looking at some of your herb prices, however. In Merceria we have some rare plants, but I hoped they might be more common here."
"By all means," replied the shopkeeper, "let me show you our plants.
It would be hours before they were done, but to Revi Bloom, it was like being home.
Dame Hayley Chambers wandered down the street, the diminutive Lily's hand in hers. People gawked, for none had seen a Saurian before, but no one interrupted their progress, so their trip to the docks was uneventful. Upon arriving, Lily started jumping up and down, a sure sign she was excited, and the ranger understood why; there were large ships here, with tall masts that towered above the buildings on the jetty.
Their interest must have been evident for all to see for they were interrupted by a voice, "I no
tice you like the looks of the Swift."
Hayley turned in the direction of the voice. A rather well-tanned man looked down on them from the railing of a ship, his unkempt hair tucked hastily beneath a weather-beaten cap.
"Pardon me?" responded Hayley.
"The Swift, fastest merchant on the river."
"I'm not an expert on boats, but it looks fine."
The man frowned slightly, "She's a ship, not a boat."
"What's the difference?" enquired the ranger.
"A ship sails the world's oceans," he responded. "Would you like to come up and take a look? There's a boarding ramp over yonder."
"I'd like that, thank you." She made some hand signals to Lily, who nodded her head and soon they were climbing aboard.
Their new acquaintance met them as they reached the deck.
"I'm Harnen Runell, the captain," he said, holding out his hand.
Hayley grasped it firmly, responding, "I'm Dame Hayley Chambers, Knight of the Hound."
"Strange title, that," the man replied. "I take it you're not from around here."
"No, we're visiting from Merceria. It lies many miles to the east of here. Are you from Weldwyn?"
"Me? No, I hail from a far distant land called Ilea, though I doubt you've heard of it. We sail the Sea of Storms often, it's proven to be quite profitable for us."
"My understanding is that Loranguard is a ways up river. Do you normally sail this far north?"
"No, but it's dangerous on the open sea this time of year. We've come here to refit and refurbish the ship over the winter months, and to get some rest."
They proceeded toward the bow, with Lily stopping to stare up into the rigging.
"So who's your friend, here?"
"This is Lily, she's a Saurian. Have you seen her people before?"
"No," the captain responded, "though I've seen enough races around the world that nothing much surprises me anymore. Did you say you were a knight? I didn't think this land had such things."
Heart of the Crown Page 19
