Dinadan, with the Raven Crown on his head, scurried from behind a curtain and sat on the throne. Brown hair bordered his narrow, angry face, and his pale blue eyes flashed. Lord Arundel, Master Xander, Duke Dhul Fakar, and Grand Master Banik walked from behind the curtain and stood to the left of the throne.
“Why are the prisoners here? I did not summon them,” Dinadan muttered. “You said this was to be my coronation, Lord Arundel. You promised.”
Taliesin stood behind the dukes, the knights on either side of her, and held Roland’s arm. Dinadan crossed his arms. The Eagle lord leaned toward the prince and spoke in a soft voice, carried to Taliesin by the acoustics in the chamber. She forced herself to remain calm.
“Duke Elric has invoked the Old Law, Your Highness,” Lord Arundel said. He leaned on a cane with a large white pearl embedded in the head of an eagle. “The laws revised by King Magnus are superseded by the Old Law; you know this. Now be quiet.” He glared at the three dukes. “I suppose this was Duke Andre’s idea. Clever boy. But you don’t really expect us to invite Prince Almaric and the dukes who have sworn to support him into Tantalon Castle, do you? Why would we let the enemy inside our doors? Your demands are ridiculous.”
“It’s the law,” Duke Andre replied. “Where is Lord Ungus? He was asked to join us. It is his job to call the High Council to order, Lord Arundel.”
Lord Arundel lifted his cane to point. “Lord Ungus comes,” he hissed.
“No one starts the proceedings without me,” shouted a loud voice. An elderly man in gray, white hair thin upon his skull, stepped out of the crowd of nobles and ladies to the right side of the chamber. He had watched the prisoners enter the Star Chamber, and Taliesin assumed, paid keen interest to her. The old man walked with the light tap of a silver-handled cane as he approached the throne. “I am the Chancellor of the High Council, and the authority on the Old Laws, and I will speak on behalf of these fine lords, who were wrongfully arrested.”
“Ah, Lord Ungus,” Lord Arundel said, with a wave of his hand. “Of course, the king will listen to the esteemed father of the late Queen Aislynn. As the late king’s former chancellor, there is no one better informed about the Old Laws than you, sir. Your reputation as a fierce diplomat and orator are well known. The question is....”
“I will ask the questions, Lord Arundel Aladorius, and I am not the former chancellor. I am the Chancellor and will remain so until I die, for that is the law,” Lord Ungus said. “That callous boy who sits on the throne is my grandson. Until the High Council votes on who is to be the next king, or queen, he has no business there. What has occurred in this court is travesty, and I know, Lord Arundel, you and Duke Fakar are to blame. The High Council will be gathered. I have already invited Prince Almaric and the rest of the members; they should arrive quite soon. The Old Laws prevent war, and had King Frederick not died, he was prepared to use them. You will hold your tongue, Eagle lord, for you are not a High Council member.”
Lord Arundel frowned and backed away. A sneer appeared on Duke Fakar’s face, and he placed his hand upon his scimitar’s jeweled hilt. Lord Ungus climbed three stairs to reach the throne and stood to the right of his grandson. Taliesin immediately liked the old man; the court respected him, his power was undeniable, and Dinadan trembled as his grandfather glared at him.
“You’re embarrassing me, grandfather,” Dinadan muttered.
“You embarrass yourself, boy, and so do Lord Arundel and Duke Fakar with their recent behavior. All of you act like wolves fighting over a bone,” Lord Ungus said as he turned to face the crowd. “King Frederick valued the friendship of every nobleman and knight in this realm. The king would not have approved of what has happened since his death, a death that still begs the question, ‘who is responsible for poisoning him?’”
Dinadan squirmed in the throne. “Lord Arundel, please tell my grandfather he will address me as ‘King,’ or I will have him removed from the Star Chamber. The only answer I want is the date and time of my coronation, and the reassurance Dukes Elric, Andre, and Hercule intend to support my claim to the crown. If they do so, I will pardon them and the rest of these people.”
“You are not king yet, boy,” Lord Ungus said, eyes narrowed to pinpoints. He slammed the end of the cane against the floor. “Lord Arundel, take your son and Grand Master Banik, and take your places among the court.” He brandished his cane at Fakar like a weapon. “Join the other noblemen, Duke Fakar—and do so before I lose my temper! And someone bring Prince Sertorius and Princess Calista to the Star Chamber, and find out what delays Prince Almaric and the rest of the dukes. I want everyone here before we commence with this proceeding. Is that understood?”
Ungus had not lost his zest with age, and displayed the same formidable temperament and power he’d possessed in his youth. Though he had never used a sword in battle, he had settled many disputes in court or, at Frederick’s request, by riding out with the King’s banner between two armies, to negotiate amiable terms. Lord Arundel had often accompanied Lord Ungus, hiding his immortality by assuming the role of each of his Aladorius ancestors, using different first names and altering his appearance. Sixty years ago, the lord again assumed the name ‘Arundel Aladorius,’ the name he had been known by at the court of King Korax. Taliesin knew only a few were aware of this great deception, and this did not include Lord Ungus and most of the dukes.
The Eagle lord was a brilliant strategist, and just as he had fooled generations with his sorcerer’s tricks, his wolf counterpart, Chief Lykus, had done the same. Since Frederick’s court remained unaware of what had occurred a thousand years ago at the Raven King’s court, no one had ever formally accused Arundel or Lykus of being anyone other than whom they claimed to be. Taliesin knew the truth and felt sorry for Lord Ungus, a man of pride and moral integrity. Had he known Arundel, or even Lykus, had once lived in King Korax’s court, she imagined he would have taken a different tone and not treated the Eagle lord like an underling; instead, he would have been terrified.
“You cannot dismiss me,” Arundel said as he glared at Taliesin. His expression suggested he knew her thoughts and did not like what he discovered in her mind. She noticed his fingers twitching and realized he was attempting to cast a spell, presumably to control Lord Ungus.
This she could not allow to happen. An image of his fingers, curled and unable to move, entered her mind, and she willed his hand to freeze. A surprised look appeared on Arundel’s face as his hand became gnarled, the fingers stiff, and his cane dropped from his grasp. His son, Xander, caught the cane before it hit the ground. A sly look cast by Xander in Taliesin’s direction made her shiver. The Eagle heir, also part of the grand deception, used an alternate name to move about unrecognized in this generation, just like his counterpart, Phelon the Wolf heir. He took his father’s arm and led him from the throne. They stood among the nobles in the front of the crowd to the left of the chamber. Banik walked past Roland and gave him a murderous look before he fell in beside the Eagle lords. Duke Fakar reluctantly withdrew to stand a few paces from Dukes Elric, Hercule, and Andre, though he did not join them, and the court grew quiet.
“As Chancellor of the High Council,” Lord Ungus said, “I hereby dismiss all charges of treason against the Dukes of Fregia, Bavol, and Thule, as well as those arrested by the order of Lord Arundel Aladorius. The Old Laws are now in effect—let no man challenge them, or he will suffer the penalty of permanent exile. Now, let us hear from the man who sent me this letter.” Ungus paused to reach into his robe and produced a folded piece of parchment. “This letter contains information about Frederick Draconus’ sister, Calista, who is said to have married John Mandrake, the king’s swordsmith, and given birth to his child. Sir Roland Brisbane! Step forward, sir.”
Roland stood at attention, but before he could approach the throne, Dinadan blocked his path. The prince turned to his grandfather and held out his hands, wringing them together as if he washed them with soap.
“Grandfather, don’t you know who rel
eased the prisoners?” Dinadan asked, hissing out the words. “If you read the contents of that letter, you’ll find the guilty party cannot be punished. I urge you to make the inquiry before you summon Sir Roland.”
A knot formed in Taliesin’s throat. She was close to panic, and since she did not know the details of the Old Laws, feared the royal guards would arrest her and throw her into the dungeon. But Ungus glared at the prince.
“Whoever it was should be thanked,” Lord Ungus said, “for as far as I am concerned, no one should have been arrested in the first place. Now move aside, boy. I am quite certain Sir Roland can enlighten us, and I would hear from him.” Ungus used his hand to motion Roland forward at the same time he used his cane to sweep Dinadan to the side like an unruly child. The knight approached the throne and bowed. “I am well aware King Frederick sent you on an important mission to the Raven Clan, many months ago, to find the girl you refer to in your note. I assume the girl beside you is the Raven Mistress. I would like to know her better; please make the formal introductions, Sir Roland, while we wait for the others to join us.”
Sir Roland turned to Taliesin. “My Lords, I have the honor to present Princess Rosamond Mandrake, daughter of Princess Calista and John Mandrake, a descendent of King Korax Sanqualus.”
A gasp rose from the crowd, and Ungus rapped the floor with his cane. He motioned for Roland to continue, and Taliesin felt grateful for the close proximity of Sir Bedwyn and Sir Landrake, for she felt close to swooning. She also felt the eyes of Lord Arundel and his son boring holes in the back of her skull, but she refused to look anywhere other than at Roland as Lord Ungus motioned for him to address the crowd. The knight lifted his head high, holding one hand out to Taliesin, and spoke in a loud, commanding voice.
“After King Frederick learned of Princess Calista’s marriage to Mandrake and her pregnancy, she was sent to Talbot Abbey where she gave birth to a child. Rosamond returned to live with her father; however, with his sudden death, Master Osprey secreted her away to live with the Raven Clan. Her name was changed to ‘Taliesin’ to protect her identity, and Master Osprey and his wife, Minerva, adopted her. Taliesin grew up believing both of her birth parents were dead. The King later learned of a Raven who had a knack for finding magical weapons, despite the law that disallowed any magic or magic users in the realm; a law, I point out, he revoked before his death. King Frederick asked me to join the Raven Clan to find out if the girl, Taliesin, was indeed his sister’s missing daughter. I did as ordered and met Taliesin, a kind, considerate, and sincere young woman who, in fact, had the ability to find magical weapons. The king requested I accompany Taliesin to the Cave of the Snake God to find the legendary sword Ringerike, the ancestral sword of King Korax Sanqualus.”
As the crowd gasped, Roland held up his hand to quiet the many voices raised in protest and indignation, and Ungus again rapped his cane against the floor.
“King Frederick had every intention of legalizing magic, even then,” Roland said, “and he wanted Taliesin to bring him the Raven Sword after his eldest son, Prince Almaric, rebelled. Taliesin not only has the royal blood of King Korax, she is a Draconus and a Vorenius as well.”
“This woman is a witch,” Lord Arundel shouted, and others in the crowd relayed his cry. “The King is dead, and we cannot ask him if he intended to legalize magic or whether he knew Osprey’s daughter was his sister’s child.”
Lord Ungus tapped his cane on the ground. “Silence! I do not wish to exile you, Lord Arundel. As you have always counseled the king, your outburst will be allowed this one time. If you have something to say on this matter, I will listen, though it was my intention to wait for Prince Almaric and the other dukes to join us. Why do you accuse this girl of witchcraft?”
“Mandrake was a descendent of King Korax, and as such, he was a warlock, Lord Ungus. His daughter is a sha’tar, the most powerful of all magic users known in history, due to her mixed bloodlines. I believe Sir Roland has brought her and Ringerike into this castle to lay claim to the throne and restore the Raven Clan to its former glory.”
The crowd stirred in excitement, and the guards kept the crowd from surging forward as Lord Ungus approached Taliesin. He extended his hand to Taliesin, which she took with trembling fingers, and he led her to the throne. Dinadan scowled as he sprawled onto the throne, refusing to greet her as an equal with the customary kiss on the cheek. His refusal to stand angered Lord Ungus, and the old man rapped his cane against Dinadan’s kneecap. The young man jumped to his feet, wrinkled his nose in distaste, and stepped forward to kiss her cheek. Taliesin noticed the rancid odor of cheese on his breath and the heavy application of cologne to hide the scent of his unwashed body.
“Cousin,” Dinadan said like a purring cat. “Had I known you were family, I assure you, I would not have handed you over to Chief Lykus and the Wolf Pack in exchange for Sertorius and your mother.”
“Be silent, you fool,” Arundel cried out.
Taliesin glanced at Roland, unsure of what had just happened, and he smiled and nodded toward Lord Ungus. The old man placed his hand on Taliesin’s shoulder in a possessive manner. This clearly meant something important, and Dinadan opened his mouth to protest. She realized then Dinadan’s kiss and Lord Ungus’ touch had formally recognized her as royalty in front of the entire court. There was nothing Lord Arundel or anyone else could do to deny the fact, for without evidence to dispute the claim, all she had needed was her mother to confirm the validity of her birth. Ungus, however, did not wait for Calista, but took Sir Roland at his word, which said much about the White Stag knight’s reputation as an honorable and loyal King’s Man. She wondered what Roland had done in the past to win both the affection and respect of his king and Lord Ungus, for not even Grand Master Banik spoke against him.
“I recognized you the moment I laid eyes on you; you look just like your mother when she was your age,” Lord Ungus said. “I knew John Mandrake. He had the same red hair and fine qualities Sir Roland states he has found in you. When you arrived at court, I inquired about the marriage certificate; however, I will ask Princess Calista when she arrives to confirm your birthright. I believe she now approaches with Prince Sertorius.”
Despite his age, his ears were keen, and Taliesin trembled as footsteps and the clank of armor echoed in the Star Chamber. Sertorius, dressed in armor and a dark blue tunic, appeared from a doorway behind the throne. Princess Calista, in dark green, held onto his arm as they entered the room. Lord Ungus motioned Taliesin to stand before him as Roland bowed and withdrew to stand with his friends. Ungus gazed with a stern eye at Calista, then bowed his head. Sertorius took one look at Dinadan, with the crown perched on his head, and his cheeks turned bright pink. He snatched the crown off Dinadan’s head, and handed it to Lord Ungus.
“Greetings, Princess Calista,” Lord Ungus said. “Long have you been gone from the royal court, and we welcome you back home. I am only sorry King Frederick is not here to greet you, for I know he missed your company, and frequently spoke about you, especially after the death of my daughter Aislynn; Stroud bless her soul.”
Taliesin thought the statement nothing but flattery, but it seemed to please her mother, as it was meant to do. Silly woman, she thought, finding nothing in Calista that matched her own personality. Insincere flattery was the worst sort, and she would have taken offense.
“Thank you, Lord Ungus. I am pleased to return to court after all these years,” Calista said. “Our prior greeting was less than hospitable, and I believe my nephew Dinadan owes me an apology. However, now Sertorius and I are here; I would like to know why you have gathered the High Council and reinstated the Old Laws.”
“Will you not greet your daughter Rosamond with a kiss?” Lord Ungus asked.
Calista turned to look at Taliesin with a lack of warmth and affection. She continued to hold Sertorius’ arm, glanced at the court, then back at Ungus, and smiled without comment.
“The court knows you were sent to an abbey upon King Frederick’s
discovery of your marriage to John Mandrake. Do you deny this?” Lord Ungus asked.
“I do not deny I was sent to an abbey,” Calista said.
Ungus kept his hand on Taliesin’s shoulder. “Princess Calista, under the Old Laws, you are required to answer with the truth. I need not remind you I have been Chancellor for sixty years, and know the details of your exile. To set the record straight, you are here to testify whether you married John Mandrake, and to confirm this girl is your daughter. King Frederick believed such was the case, and sent Sir Roland to confirm the whereabouts of Rosamond Mandrake; now I believe she stands before us. Did you marry John Mandrake, and is this girl your daughter?”
“Tell him the truth,” Sertorius said. “But before you do, Aunt Calista, I think the court should know Rosamond is Wolfen. She has fangs, grandfather; be glad you didn’t kiss her or you would be cursed.”
“But I did,” Dinadan cried, and wiped off his lips, furious.
Sir Roland’s growl was more audible to Taliesin than the shouts and cries from the crowd. Taliesin turned toward the knight, who looked furious. Sertorius laughed as Dinadan shrank to the side of the throne and waited for Lord Ungus’ response, but the old man remained beside Taliesin. He struck his cane on the floor three times, and the angry shouts faded. Calista finally looked at Taliesin, and gave a quick nod.
“Yes, I married John Mandrake without my brother’s consent, and was sent to an abbey when he learned of my pregnancy. A wizard came to the abbey the night the child was born. His name was Zarnoc, and he took her away,” Calista said. “I find little of myself or John in this girl, and cannot be certain she is my daughter. Sertorius believes it is she, for they were playmates as children, and he is quite fond of her. Apparently, so do you and Dinadan. I would like to believe Taliesin is Rosamond. I do know John was descended from King Korax, and if the girl has Ringerike, then she must be my daughter.”
“All well and good,” Ungus said, glancing at a nearby scribe. “Let the record state Rosamond Mandrake is the daughter of Princess Calista and John Mandrake. She is of royal blood and shall, therefore, be addressed as Princess Rosamond.”
Queen of Magic Page 14
