TruthStone

by Mike Shelton

  Shaeleen couldn’t believe Cole had said something. She glared at him.

  He shrugged. “She is becoming a typical, brooding, female teenager.” Cole tried not to smile.

  Shaeleen burst out laughing more loudly than she would have expected. The relief from him not saying anything about the TruthStone and the fact that what he’d said was true, causing her no pain, proved that her brother was quite smart.

  But I am so far from being like any typical teenager!

  Her mother joined them in their amusement for a moment, then turned serious. “Oh, the reason I came in here was that an errand boy just dropped a note off for you from Lady Judith.” Her mother brought forth the note, which had been hidden behind her back.

  Shaeleen and Cole glanced at each other. Then Shaeleen opened the note, read it, and felt the blood drain from her face. She dropped the note onto her lap.

  “What did she say?” her mother asked.

  Cole sat down, picked up the note, and read it aloud: “Darling Shaeleen, I invite you to join me and some of the other noble ladies for a meeting with Prince Basil. A carriage will arrive to pick you up first thing tomorrow morning. Your services are needed.”

  Her mother put her hands on both of Shaeleen’s cheeks and gasped. “Shaeleen, what a wonderful opportunity. You must have greatly impressed Lady Judith.”

  Shaeleen sat in a state of shock. Could I get out of it? Not likely. The woman was vindictive enough to still ruin her father’s business.

  “I will go with her,” Cole said sternly.

  “Son,” their mother said, “you can’t go to a women’s meeting with the prince.”

  “But—”

  “Shaeleen will be fine. Obviously, Lady Judith has taken a liking to Shaeleen and now wants Shaeleen to meet her friends—and meet the prince. Oh, Shaeleen, how wonderful. I must tell your father.” With that, their mother ran out of the room, leaving Shaeleen and Cole alone.

  “I don’t know if I can do this, Cole,” Shaeleen said. “Those ladies—if they are Lady Judith’s friends—all they will be doing is lying.”

  “But the prince is a good man.”

  That rang true within Shaeleen, and she smiled. “Yes, he is and…” she added, smiling for the first time since getting the note, “not bad-looking either.”

  “Shae!” Cole said. “Don’t set your sights so high. We are children of a carpenter.”

  Shaeleen shrugged. She’d heard of the integrity of the prince. At least being around him wouldn’t be so bad for her headaches and stomach pains.

  * * *

  The next morning, Shaeleen’s father called out for Shaeleen from the front yard of their home.

  Opening the door, Shaeleen was met by two beautiful white horses and a coachman, along with a small two-seater carriage. Shaeleen was wearing the only other adequate outfit that she owned. The layered blue dress came down just short of her shoes. But it made a nice complement to her blue eyes and a contrast to her brown hair. The fur lining the edges of the dress were slightly out of place in the warm weather—but she didn’t have much to choose from. It would have to do.

  The coachman held out a hand and helped her up into the carriage. Already seated in the carriage was a young woman Shaeleen had never met. The young woman rolled her eyes at Shaeleen’s clothes—the best Shaeleen had, but obviously not good enough for the young woman of noble birth she now sat next to.

  “Hello.” Shaeleen bobbed her head to be polite.

  The young woman, who looked one or two years older than Shaeleen, sat in a gown that was probably worth more than all of Shaeleen’s clothes combined. Its yellow hue accented her light brown skin and large, soft brown eyes quite nicely. And her dark hair hung in ringlets past her shoulders.

  “I am Shaeleen.”

  The young woman turned her head slowly and once again looked Shaeleen up and down. Returning her eyes to Shaeleen’s face, she replied to Shaeleen’s introduction, “I am Lady Clarise, the daughter of Lord Dawson, the minister of ships.”

  Shaeleen tried to smile—though the young woman’s arrogance didn’t deserve her niceties—but Shaeleen figured the young woman’s rudeness was more a product of her upbringing than anything else.

  “So, we’re off to see Basil, then?” Shaeleen said, trying to make small talk.

  Clarise gasped. “Prince Basil. Oh, I can see this isn’t going to go well.” Clarise shook her head and said, almost to herself, “Why did Lady Judith invite you, anyway?”

  Shaeleen squinted her eyes at Clarise and grabbed a side handle as the carriage took off down the road. “Oh, Prince Basil. Have you met the prince before, Lady Clarise?”

  Clarise sat up straighter. “Prince Basil and Prince Calix are my second cousins. I have known them since I was a child. We know each other quite well.”

  And the lies start. Shaeleen felt the familiar pain, in both her gut and head, but held it at bay. It must be a small lie that Clarise knew the princes quite well. Most likely they were cousins of sorts and she had met him a few times.

  “I’ve met him once before,” Shaeleen said. This brought a small pain as it was just stretching the truth: she had seen him sparring with Cole, and the prince had glanced her way. But any pain she felt was worth the look on Clarise’s face.

  “Oh.” Clarise lifted her eyebrows, as if to question the validity of Shaeleen’s statement. “I am sure he will not remember someone of your standing.”

  A smoldering anger was building up in Shaeleen at Clarise’s attitude, but she let the anger go and stared out the window instead. Others, walking along next to them, would turn and point at the carriage, clearly wondering who the young women were. Shaeleen found she quite enjoyed the attention.

  As the castle loomed closer and closer in their view, Shaeleen sat back and then closed her eyes for a moment. I am actually going to get to see the inside of the castle! She pushed down the butterflies and tried to maintain her decorum. She wouldn’t let Clarise ruin her excitement.

  Soon the coachman stopped the carriage at a great stone residence next to the castle. He escorted the two young women out of the carriage, and they walked together to the front of the three-story mansion.

  Before they got to the door, two women came outside. Shaeleen sucked in her breath, for the two women were from the group that she’d heard at the party, discussing the plans of Prince Calix.

  What have I gotten myself into?

  Rushing out behind the two women was Lady Judith, dressed in all her finery. Shaeleen admitted to herself that Lady Judith did look radiant. Today, her dark brown hair hung loose over a dark blue gown, with a strand of pearls accentuating her neckline.

  “It’s about time you arrived. We’re almost late,” Lady Judith said as she gathered up Shaeleen and Clarise.

  Shaeleen knew that statement wasn’t true, but she played along with it anyway. It was a way for the woman to gain control.

  “I hope you two young ladies can maintain proper decorum today in front of Prince Basil,” Lady Judith said, specifically shooting her eyes at Shaeleen.

  Shaeleen gave a sweet smile in return and said, “I’m sure Lady Clarise will be fine.”

  The two women with Lady Judith covered their mouths to stifle their laughs. But Clarise blushed and gave a menacing look at Shaeleen.

  “Shaeleen,” Lady Judith said as she motioned to the two women, “these are Lady Florence and Lady Bernia.”

  Shaeleen bobbed her head at the two women. They were not dressed as precisely as Clarise or Lady Judith, but they did hold themselves in the same snooty way.

  Lady Judith continued, looking at Clarise and Shaeleen, “You two will remain silent today and are only here to observe. Clarise, this will be an opportunity for you to catch the prince’s eye so he may find you a suitable suitor.” Turning to Shaeleen, she said, “You are not here for a suitor, Shaeleen. I expect you will remember your place.”

  Shaeleen ground her teeth but nodded her head. This woman was the most vile person she had
ever met.

  Lady Judith motioned for the others to follow her—with Ladies Florence and Bernia behind her and then Clarise and Shaeleen, walking side by side, taking up the rear.

  It was a short walk to the entrance of the castle, and Shaeleen was taken aback by all the wealth that extended into the castle grounds. A decorative water fountain—surrounded by benches, statues, and a short walkway—sat in front of the castle. Carriages drove up through the large iron gates, dropped off their guests, then circled back out again.

  Then something caught Shaeleen’s eye as they stood waiting in line at the gate. Someone was moving behind one of the statues to her left. She stepped out of line a few steps to see better.

  “Shaeleen,” Lady Judith said with a forceful whisper. “Get back in line, and quit gawking around.”

  Shaeleen complied, but she kept her head cocked to the side. From behind a large statue of old King Wayland himself, she saw a head poke out to the side. She stifled a laugh. Cole! What is he doing here?

  Cole nodded to her as he moved behind another statue, closer to the group. Her brother seemed to have more skills than she had known about. Right before Lady Judith and her other companions entered through the gate, Cole struck up a conversation with a group behind theirs.

  Shaeleen turned back around at hearing Lady Judith calling her name.

  “What has gotten into you, child?” Lady Judith scolded. “Move along.”

  Clarise just smirked at Shaeleen as she stepped in front of Shaeleen and followed the three older women onto the castle grounds.

  CHAPTER NINE

  An hour later, the five women still were waiting to see the prince. Lady Judith seemed to be put out and continued to pace the small waiting room where they were being held. With her lips pinched together, she would look at the door, back at Shaeleen, and then frown.

  What did I do? Shaeleen thought. She had been sitting in silence, absorbed in the details carved into the crown moldings and chair rails. Two small curio cabinets made of glass and cherry wood were no less exquisite. She admired the woodwork on them all. Her father would like to see these pieces, she was sure.

  A servant eventually entered the room. He was an older man and seemed all serious and businesslike in his demeanor. “Please follow me,” he said, directing the women. “The prince will see you momentarily.”

  “About time,” Lady Judith said under her breath.

  But the servant had heard her. He turned around with a raised eyebrow. “The prince is a busy man, my lady. He sees to the affairs of all in this land.”

  Shaeleen could almost see Lady Judith roll her eyes. The woman had no concern for anyone else in the land—she only thought about herself.

  They stood waiting again for about a quarter of an hour, this time behind two ten-foot-high doors. The doors were of solid wood, with an ornate gold thread running through its grain. And Shaeleen had to fight the urge to touch them multiple times.

  From down the hallway, Shaeleen finally heard a bit of noise and turned around. Cole stood there with another group of men. He smiled and bobbed his head to her. She smiled back. He is checking up on me! She took a deep breath and felt better knowing her brother was here with her.

  Eventually, one of the tall doors opened, and another servant—this one younger—took a step out and informed them, “The prince and regent will see you now.”

  Led by Lady Judith, the five women walked into the room. Shaeleen was once again taken aback. The wealth of the tapestries, marble floors, soft velvet-covered chairs, and tall stone columns humbled Shaeleen. This castle had been the seat of power in Galena for almost two hundred years, and, even before then, it had been where King Wayland had ruled the entire continent from.

  At the back of the room, there was a throne, which sat empty. The prince stood up behind an extraordinarily large table. It was polished and shone like glass. An older man stood to his right—Regent Warin, the brother of their last king and the uncle to the two princes. The regent’s dark eyes were intelligent, and his expression brooked no frivolity. He had done a good job leading the kingdom the past five years and preparing the prince to rule.

  “Ladies, it is a pleasure to see you,” the prince said. “It is always a pleasure to meet those in our great kingdom.”

  Shaeleen felt no signs of duplicity or lies behind his greeting. The prince was truly impressive. She remembered him from the sparring time with her brother only days before. He was good-looking enough, growing into a man, but it was his eyes that made him who he was—they shone with extreme intelligence. Being in the royal family, Prince Basil had surely inherited more than his share of brains—the Labradorite IntelligenceStone would have taken care of that.

  Lady Judith stepped forward. “Prince Basil, so nice to see you are well.”

  A pounding began in Shaeleen’s head. So, it would be Lady Judith and not the prince that Shaeleen would have to brace against that day.

  “Thank you for your concern, Lady Judith. Will you introduce the rest of your group to me?”

  Lady Judith stepped to the side and motioned the rest to come forward. “These are Lady Bernia and Lady Florence—wives to Lords Ansel and Nathaniel. More loyal subjects would be hard to find.”

  Shaeleen cringed at the pain and had to close her eyes momentarily to keep the pain at bay. The woman’s words were constant lies. When Shaeleen opened her eyes again, Lady Judith was introducing Clarise, but the prince’s eyes were on Shaeleen. He cocked his head to the side, as if thinking about something. His eyes bore into hers, but she hoped her face showed no unpleasant emotion. Then he turned his attention back to Clarise.

  “Lady Clarise, you are most welcome in the castle today. It is a brighter place with you in it,” Prince Basil said.

  Shaeleen smiled slightly, wondering if the prince was mocking Clarise. But, surprisingly, she felt no pain from his words.

  Clarise blushed and curtsied to the prince. “You are as kind and wise as they say, my lord.”

  Prince Basil waved a hand in the air as if the comment was not needed. “I love all my people, Lady Clarise, and wish them all well.” With those words, he turned back to Lady Judith with eyes that—Shaeleen noticed for the first time—were not brown but actually dark blue.

  Then Prince Basil looked at Shaeleen and smiled. “And who is this lovely lady?”

  Shaeleen held his gaze for a moment and then turned away. She wondered if the prince knew about her abilities.

  Lady Judith snorted softly. “She is no lady, my prince, only the daughter of a carpenter. I brought her along today for the sake of charity. Even those not of noble birth should have the opportunity to meet their next king, don’t you think?”

  Shaeleen’s stomach cramped, and it was all she could do to stay standing.

  The prince came around his desk and moved closer to Shaeleen. “Are you all right, miss? You look pale.”

  Shaeleen was stunned by his compassion. Taking a deep breath, she nodded her head.

  “Lady Judith didn’t mention your name.”

  “Shaeleen,” was all she could say.

  “A lovely name,” the prince said and then cocked his head again. “I think we have met. Or, at least, I have seen you before.”

  Shaeleen heard a small gasp from Clarise, and Lady Judith took a step closer to the prince and Shaeleen.

  “I am sure you haven’t met her before,” Lady Judith said. “She is no concern of yours.”

  Prince Basil turned so rapidly that Shaeleen would’ve sworn he must have some power of speed with him—but the Garnet SpeedStone was held in Antioch. The prince’s eyes flashed darkly as he looked at Lady Judith.

  “My dear lady,” he said through tight lips, “all my people are my concern. Those in power and nobility—such as I…and you—should understand that. It is our duty to take care of and protect all—especially the innocent that don’t have the means to do so themselves.”

  Lady Judith’s eyes tightened, and her face paled noticeably. But she kept
her composure and glared back at the prince. “Isn’t there some privilege of rank, some honor that should be given to us? Surely, you wouldn’t have just anybody approach a king or a lord.”

  The prince smiled, turned around, and walked back to his desk. He glanced at Shaeleen again, as if to ask if she truly was all right. She gave him a nod, and he turned his attention back to Lady Judith.

  “Your husband, Lord Gregory, is one of my most trusted advisors. His duty is to protect all in our land, as my minister of defense. All means everyone, Lady Judith. The beggar in the street, the fisher on the sea, those living in the forest and in the cities, the nobles, and the children of merchants.” With that, he nodded his head toward Shaeleen.

  Lady Judith opened her mouth to speak, but the prince cut her off by saying, “I am glad you are here today to meet with me. There is much to discuss.”

  “There is?” Lady Judith said, her mouth falling open. Shaeleen guessed that Lady Judith was having a hard time following the prince’s line of thinking. “Well, of course there is,” Lady Judith said as she stood up straighter. “We have come to discuss the planning of your engagement, my lord. If we might know who will—”

  “My lady,” the regent said and stepped forward, having not said a word until this time. A quick wave of his hand had cut off Lady Judith’s words. “Don’t presume to come in here and tell the prince what you want to know.”

  Lady Judith sneered at the older man. “Regent Warin, our dear prince just got done telling us that all have the same privilege in this dear land under his reign. I only humbly ask for the information of who will be his betrothed so we can begin to plan for the festivities.”

  Shaeleen’s head pounded, and she absently put a hand to her head to squelch the pain. There were so many lies in Lady Judith’s statement—dear prince…humbly ask…plan for the festivities… It was all a lie. Lady Judith wanted information that she could use against the prince to help his brother gain control of the kingdom.

  Before the regent or the prince could respond, Lord Gregory walked through a side door and into the room. Shaeleen watched him look at his wife. He was good at hiding his feelings, but his eyes held the truth—he was disgusted with her. He moved his eyes over the rest of the group. When he saw Shaeleen standing there, he stopped in apparent surprise.