Courtly Masquerade

by Terry Spear

  I turned to see the steward.

  He bowed. “My lady, can you not sleep?”

  “I wanted some water.”

  “Please return to your room, and I’ll have Tala fetch it right away.”

  The woman didn’t seem to like me already, probably from making her get out of bed to wait on me in the first place. Now, when she probably had just retired again to bed, I’m making her get a glass of water for me.

  With exasperation, I returned to bed.

  Tala did have a cross look on her face when she returned with the water.

  I wasn’t thirsty and intended on dumping the water out the window after she left. But she waited for me to drink it.

  So with reluctance, I drank half of it, smiled, and thanked her.

  She quickly curtsied and left again.

  I lay in bed, planning to get up again in an hour, but the most curious thing happened. I became extremely drowsy. I glanced back at the glass of water, then at the door.

  Tala had made sure I didn’t wake her again.

  * * *

  The next morning, three women hurried to dress me in a pretty blue satin gown. I recognized it immediately as the fabric I had chosen for my seventeenth birthday celebration that Lynet stole from me. And now, I would wear it only a week later. A glimmer of satisfaction warmed me.

  “She needs some more hair pins,” the tallest lady said and pointed to a wooden box.

  “Did I leave any money here perchance the last time I visited?”

  “Why yes of course.” The smallest woman pulled a leather pouch from a drawer. “You said you like to hoard some money here away from your father.” The lady grinned.

  I smiled, delighted to get my cousin back in some small measure. I attached the pouch of coins to my belt.

  “Come, we are late,” the tallest woman said, tugging on my arm. “The bells are already ringing.”

  “He never minds that she is late, Triscian,” the short woman said.

  The realization that Sumaria was here was finally sinking in. And if he was here, he was not Conlan. Or had Conlan returned and...

  No sense in trying to sort it out. I would know soon enough.

  I followed the women down the hallway with an uneasy feeling that settled like a lump of ice cold stone in the pit of my stomach. How could I pretend to be Lynet in front of her lover, Sumaria?

  I groaned inwardly. I knew every one of her idiosyncrasies. But I couldn’t be like her. I just wasn’t that great at pretending.

  As soon as I walked into the hall, a hush fell over all the courtiers.

  Everyone curtsied or bowed to me in greeting as a lady led me to the high table. After the courtiers parted for me, I saw Conlan standing before his gold throne.

  My heart was ripped from my chest to see the man I’d hoped had either pretended to be Sumaria, or had really not known Lynet, now waiting fervently to be with her—me.

  I studied his firm jaw and blue eyes and blond hair. As much as I didn’t trust his motives as far as my mage abilities were concerned, I hated that he loved Lynet.

  Not that I wanted him to show some kind of affection for me, but how could anybody in his right mind love Lynet? And then it dawned on me. Sumaria had said himself he would marry for power, nothing more.

  I wanted to whip around and feign that I was suddenly overcome with illness. In truth, I probably looked ill, just seeing him standing there so proud.

  My next thought was I had to slip out of the castle and run away to who knows where.

  On the other hand, part of me wanted to see if he really did care for Lynet. Wouldn’t she just scream to know he thought I was her when she finally heard about it?

  Then again, the idea of losing my head as I thought I might lose it in Crondor, came to mind.

  I tried not to shake, but I’m afraid I couldn’t help myself. I shivered uncontrollably as I stood next to the prince. His blond brows furrowed, and he touched my forehead. “God’s wounds, Princess Lynet, you are burning up with fever.”

  I was?

  What rotten luck.

  Running about in the blizzard, plowing through the forest before this with no rest, and the worry I’d be caught plaguing me had most likely made me ill.

  I had to leave though. I had seen what I came to see. And now I was resolved to go to Crondor. There, I would explain to Conlan’s brother about Lynet’s falling in love with Sumaria, and how I needed a safe haven, if he would give it to me. I didn’t trust going to Ro Castle would be safe.

  But for now, Tala and a doctor escorted me back to bed.

  * * *

  Late one evening, I heard a woman whispering in the room in the dark, “I hear he’s returned.”

  “Yes, I hate it when he’s bubbling those evil concoctions. Whatever does the prince want to make an alliance with him for?”

  “He’s the devil that one.”

  Where had I heard that before? I listened, my mind still fuzzy and my face still feverish. I wondered how long it had been since I left the meal and returned to bed.

  “The Dark One,” the woman humpfed. “You’ll see. He’ll turn on all of us one day.”

  “Yes, but they say he has left already,” Tala said. “He’s concerned about the royal mage who’s vanished into thin air.”

  “He’s worried because he thinks she’s more powerful than him?”

  The women giggled.

  “A female mage.”

  The women chuckled again, then a light shown in the hall as the women stepped into it.

  “She will sleep indefinitely. Might as well let her rest. Sumaria is anxious to see her well.”

  The door shut closed.

  My head thundered as I slipped out of bed. The Dark One was in league with Prince Sumaria? I was determined to find the Dark One’s chambers. Maybe I could find a spell book that would aid me. It was time to become a full-fledged mage. But could I do it on my own?

  Only one way to find out.

  CHAPTER 9

  Using a candle to light my way, I selected a green gown this time—Lynet had no brown—as much as I hated to leave behind my mother’s beautiful blue one. But everyone knew I had worn it and the green would blend in with the forest at least. I touched the fabric of my mother’s gown one last time, stifling tears that welled up in my eyes. Then I turned away from the memory, took Lynet’s money, and all of my other items. Afterward, I slipped into the hall. Thankfully, the prince had posted no one to watch over me.

  In my explorations the first night here, I had seen a strange blue light glowing from a room near the chapel. Would this be the Dark One’s chambers?

  I headed for that room now, hoping the steward would not be wandering about the dark, too. Nor would anyone else who might catch me and sound the alarm. Moreover, I hoped the Dark One had left the castle already as the women said he had and had not returned.

  When I reached the room, I discovered no lights slipping through the crack around the door. I touched the handle and sensed a strange warmth. Some kind of locking system or warning device maybe?

  I raised my fingers to the door and without understanding the incantation, I uttered words foreign to my ears.

  The light glowed blue. I changed the words. It turned green. I spoke others. The door turned cold and colorless.

  Innately, I sensed the door would open to my touch now without alerting anyone. I opened it, stepped inside the room, and shut the door behind me. Books filled one wall. On another, flasks sat on several rows of shelves. A desk rested against one wall and a door to another room was cut into the wall next to it.

  I quickly looked at the books and found a primer, then looked inside. Too simple. I was born knowing this stuff.

  I ran my finger along the spines of the leather-bound books. Immediately my head spun as I envisioned words and swirling colorful smoke. For a second, I rubbed my temple, then when the strange images cleared from my thoughts, I selected a book that looked more advanced.

  This one was much more com
plicated, and I thought it might come to some use. I shoved it into the coin pouch. Then the thought occurred to me, did the mage have powerful artifacts as well?

  I rummaged through the desk, but didn’t find anything but ink pens and parchment.

  Then I opened the door to his bedchambers. In here, I found a wardrobe of clothes and cloaks. A bed rested against one wall, covered in black. I opened a wooden box and found it filled with amulets and rings. Many were covered with sparkling, colorful gems.

  Would any of this help me? I wished I knew more about magical artifacts.

  I picked out a plain silver ring and slid it on my finger. My hand disappeared. No, my whole body disappeared. I smiled. This was now my ring. I placed it in my—rather, Lynet’s—coin purse.

  Then I found a bronze ring. Again, it was simple, no gemstones. I slipped it on another finger. Nothing happened. Still I’d take it with me, just in case. I fingered through the amulets and found the plainest one I could, a gold leaf. I pulled it around my neck. Again, nothing happened.

  I sighed heavily, wishing I knew more what they could do.

  I peered through the cloaks. Mine was a weatherproof cloak. But what about these? Did they have any kind of special properties?

  I took a green one because I figured it might add more warmth and help me to blend with the forest better. Though I’d keep my black cloak underneath. My mother had given it to me. I’d keep it forever.

  Voices outside of the chambers shook me up. It was time to go.

  When they passed by, I put the silver ring on, and my whole person vanished. My heartbeat quickened. Though I couldn’t be seen, what if I bumped into the Dark One? Would he know I was there?

  I opened the door, then stepped into the hall and closed it. I cast the same spell on the door the Dark One had. He would not know for a while that someone had been in his room until he discovered his rings, book, cloak, and amulet missing.

  I hurried as quietly as I could toward the main castle doors, then decided instead to find the servants’ entrance. It would be more out of the way and unguarded, most likely.

  When I located the door, there was no one there, though no one could see me. Opening a door in front of someone could create quite a scene however.

  I grabbed the knob and opened the door. Outside, the snow still fell. I hoped that my fever would not grow any worse, though the mage’s cloak helped to provide more warmth.

  Now if I could cross the courtyard without anyone noticing the footprints I made in the snow...

  An alarm bell rang. My nerves instantly grew jangled.

  Had they noticed I was missing from my bed?

  I glanced up at the window where I should have been sleeping. Sure enough, every candle in the castle seemed to be lighting the room. Not a good sign.

  I ran for the castle gates.

  People began to search outside while I’m sure others made an exhaustive search inside. I remained at the gate hoping someone would search beyond the castle walls, and I could slip away unnoticed.

  After a couple of hours of standing in the cold snow, a man notified the gatekeeper to open the gate. A group of gruff looking soldiers passed through into the storm.

  One sick, cold, royal female mage followed the last horse out. The guards closed and locked the gates.

  I followed them down the winding path off the mountain to the valley where the farmer’s house stood, stepping into the horses’ tracks to ease trudging through the knee-deep snow.

  The soldiers checked with Ezerah at his home there first, then finding no sign of me, moved on.

  I slipped off the invisibility ring and knocked on Ezerah’s door.

  By now, my fever had escalated again, and magic, or no magic, I had to get out of the nasty weather and rest.

  Ezerah caught me before I collapsed. “My lady, what has happened?”

  “Oh, Ezerah, how’s your baby boy?” I mumbled, then passed out.

  * * *

  When I awoke, I couldn’t fathom where I was. I rose up and bumped my head. Neda called out, “Ezerah! The lady is awake!”

  I could see Ezerah’s boots tromping into the room.

  “Oh, my lady, we are so sorry to have to hide you under the bed.” He helped to pull me out from under the bed, then to stand. He shook his head as he held onto my arm. “You still look unwell. The healer brought some herbs for you. Maybe now you can eat something, no?”

  “How long has it been?”

  “Two days. The soldiers have come here three times already. They can’t believe they’ve lost you. We finally gave up and kept you under the bed. What has happened?”

  “I need to see Prince Renault in Crondor.”

  “It is a many day journey. As sick as you are and with the bad blizzards we’re having, you’d never make it.”

  I walked into the other room where Tanner and Ledissa were playing some kind of game with colored stones.

  Ledissa jumped up to greet me. “We hide your hair pins when the soldiers come. It is great fun.”

  I smiled. “I’m glad you thought to do so.”

  I slumped at the table, still not feeling very well. Ezerah was right. If I couldn’t get rid of the fever, I’d never make it in the bad weather.

  For another day, I stayed with the farmer and his family, eating the herb soup and regaining my strength. Dorian came by the next morning with a wagon and smiled at me. “My lady.” He bowed but he had evidently practiced as he was nearly courtroom perfect.

  “I can’t risk having you caught, carrying me somewhere,” I warned.

  “If they find you in my wagon, I will tell them you slipped in there without my knowledge.”

  Then I thought about the invisibility ring. If they stopped him, I wouldn’t be there anyway, at least as far as they could see.

  “All right. I will go.”

  I said my farewells to the family, but this time was glad to have some of Lynet’s coins to give them. She’d have had a fit.

  When I was outside with Dorian, I said, “Dorian, I will reveal this to you only, as it’s important that nobody know this about me, but I don’t want you to worry about being stopped.”

  “Yes, my lady.”

  “I am a mage, not school-trained, nor have I used my abilities much, but—”

  “A royal female mage.” His green eyes widened.

  “Yes. I think that’s why some wish to harm me. But I must tell you I have come into possession of an invisibility ring. I will wear it while riding in your wagon. If you’re stopped, nobody will find me there.”

  Dorian sighed a great sigh of relief. “Oh, my lady, we are such a humble people, but...” He hurried to help me into the wagon. “It is such an honor. I will cover you up with sacks of feathers to be stuffed into bed mattresses. I’m delivering them to the Castle Ro. They’ll help to keep you warm and the snow off you. I can’t go north to Crondor, but at least you’ll be much closer.”

  “Thank you, and this time I pay you.”

  “I will be paid by the duke of Ro.”

  “Yes, but I will pay you for taking me to Sumaria’s castle.”

  “I should not have left you there. Not only did it make you ill, now the soldiers look for you, though, it is odd that they call you Princess Lynet.”

  I smiled. “Let’s be on our way.”

  “Can I watch you do it, so I can see it with my own eyes?”

  I slipped on the silver ring and promptly vanished.

  He smiled and shook his head. “I wish I could do that when Ollagoto comes looking for me. She wants me to wed her. But she stands several inches taller than me. Intimidating it is.”

  After arranging the sacks of feathers to cover me and keep me warm, he climbed into the wagon and we were off.

  Later that day, soldiers stopped us. I could tell which ones they were by who they searched for. These were Sumaria’s soldiers searching for the princess. Later Duke Farthington’s men stopped us. They were looking for the duchess. And for a third time approaching dusk
, we were stopped yet again.

  I heard Moravia’s voice grousing, which brought a fresh chill to my spine.

  “Conlan, we have searched for days without success.”

  Conlan had rejoined Moravia. My stomach clenched.

  Conlan said, “Check that wagon over there, Basil.”

  Basil lifted the sack from me and poked around. I had to fight the urge to giggle as his fingers touched my waist.

  “Nothing here, my lord.”

  “You there, where did you come from?” Conlan asked.

  “The valley below the mountains of Creshion, my lord,” Dorian said, respectfully.

  “Tell me about the noblewoman that came through there a time ago.”

  “I’m just a farmer, my lord. Noblewomen, if they come through the valley, have escort, and I would pay them no attention.”

  “All right. You may move along.”

  Dorian drove on and then parked the wagon some distance from where he’d stopped before. “My lady,” he whispered. “I’m nearing the gate of Ro Castle. If you wish to leave, it is time.”

  “Thank you, Dorian. I will be forever grateful.” I left three coins in his seat. “Tell your sister and her family my thanks again.”

  “My lady,” he said.

  Then I hurried across the snowy ground in the direction of a nearby inn. I was feeling much better, but I didn’t want to chance staying out in the weather.

  I noticed Conlan and his party still searching the town. No matter. I needed some good hot food. If the inn was crowded and the number of horses tethered out front made it appear so, I could probably hide among the travelers without too many people noticing.

  Too bad the ring couldn’t conjure up a hot meal.

  I pulled the ring off, then opened the door. Just inside, I saw the Dark One. He didn’t see me as crowded and noisy as the place was and the way he stood with his profile to me. Luckily.

  I hurried back outside and then Connor’s knight, Larson, spotted me. “My lord! There she is!”

  Goose bumps erupted on my arms as my heart plummeted. It sounded like a stampede of horses as everyone took off after me. While they had me in view, I feared using the ring. If they caught me, I could slip away unnoticed. But for now, unless I could get out of their sight and use the ring...