The King's Treasure Page 6

  Bernie swallowed and nodded. He tugged his tunic straight and entered the room, bowing. The man at the other end of the room beckoned him forward.

  Bernie stood before the king, swallowing nervously. “Yer Majes'y,” he stuttered, sketching a bow again. “I come from a village up north, a loggin' town. We ha' some strange happenin's, Sire.” He swallowed, trying to sound more like the guards outside the door.

  “What are they?” the king had yet to look up at him. He was currently sitting down and leaning over his desk, quill in hand. When Bernie did not answer immediately, he looked up, a scowl on his face. “Well? Speak up!”

  Bernie cleared his throat. The look in the king's eye was fearsome, dark, and deadly. This was not a man he wanted to cross, ever. “We've tracked a slaver, sellin' children.”

  “This should be reported to my steward, not to me.”

  “Yes, Sire, but there's somethin' more,” Bernie rushed before the man could dismiss him.

  “Do I have to drag every word from you?” the king growled.

  Bernie shook his head. “No, Sire, no. There was a gurl. A dragon carried her away.”

  The air hissed from between the king's teeth as he stood. Bernie swallowed convulsively and took a step back. The man dwarfed him in size and strength. He hadn't expected that from how he looked sitting behind the desk. “You are certain?”

  “Yes, Yer Majes'y. A s-s-silver dragon,” he stuttered. Bernie took a deep breath, trying to get his nerves under control. He was not being threatened by this man, he reminded himself.

  “Sigurd, fetch me a map of the northern country!” the king bellowed. “Describe the girl to me. How long ago did this happen? You say the dragon carried her off? You're certain she did not go willingly?”

  “Nay, Sire. The girl's name wa' Jinny. She wouldn' go near a creature so fearsome, being a mite timid herself, and—“

  “Describe her physical appearance. I do not care to know what she's like,” he snapped. “It's not like I'm going to marry her,” he added, under his breath.

  Bernie nodded. “She wa' a tiny little thing, Sire, with hair like fire and eyes like the summer grass.”

  The king frowned at him. “A redhead?” Bernie nodded. “What are the odds?” he muttered to himself. Bernie didn't answer. He didn't know what the king meant. The king looked up again, pinning Bernie in place. “You were in love with her, then? And she with you?”

  Bernie flushed. “I asked her to marry me, bu' she didn' give me an answer afore the dragon took her.”

  The door opened. One of the bodyguards entered with a roll of parchment in his hands. The king moved his documents to the side and the two rolled the map out on his table. “Where is your village?”

  Bernie looked at the confusion of pictures spread out before him. He found the Keep on the map, but only because it was drawn on. The rest did not make much sense to him. “This way is north,” the bodyguard murmured.

  “Thanks,” Bernie said. He tracked along the map. “I believe the village would be about here, Yer Majesty.” He indicated an area in the northern mountain range with trees painted over them.

  The king nodded, eyes scanning the map. “It would be a fool's errand, this late,” the bodyguard remarked.

  “The dragon has certainly left the area...but perhaps Charon—“

  The bodyguard shook his head. “The thanes and their daughters are waiting for you to make a decision.”

  The king slammed his fist on the table. “The Fires burn you,” he snapped to the bodyguard. Bernie swallowed, looking between the two. The bodyguard did not look very concerned. The king twitched and sighed. His shoulders slumped and his anger vanished. “You're right. Thank you for your counsel.”

  The bodyguard nodded and took the map with him. Bernie waited, uncertain what else to do. “Have you found employment in the city yet?”

  “No, Sire.”

  “Speak with Captain Alberich. Tell him to arrange something for you until you are prepared to leave.”

  “Thank you, Yer Majes'y,” Bernie said. The king waved him away. Bernie bobbed a few more awkward bows and left, relieved to be leaving alive. He grinned to himself after putting distance between him and the guards. Alive and unsuspected.

  8-Orders

  Arianwyn did not mention the encounter to Tess. She did not tell anyone. It would be embarrassing and she didn't want the other servants to see her or view her with suspicion. Besides, she doubted the king really wanted everyone to know how to reach his dragon. There were so few dragons that secrecy was the best protection.

  She still did not know how she was going to enlist the help of Lady Ethelinda. Her time to think of a plan was severely shortened when Tess called to her. “Arianwyn, take this dress to Lady Ethelinda’s quarters. You must hurry. She ordered it several days ago from the seamstress and it’s only just arrived. She’s getting very impatient,” Tess ordered. It was a beautiful ivory dress with a sky blue lace overlay. Arianwyn took the dress in her arms, taking care to hold it flat so it would not wrinkle and high so it would not get dirty, and headed to the lady’s room.

  The entire way she plotted with Dragon on how best to approach Lady Ethelinda with her problem. No matter what they thought up, nothing seemed plausible. She arrived at the door and knocked. “Enter.” Arianwyn stepped in, careful to keep the full skirt out of the door and off the floor. “Finally! I’ve been waiting days for this dress to show up. Hang it up quickly and then help me change. I must ensure the seamstress’s incompetency didn’t completely ruin the dress.”

  Arianwyn followed directions, careful to hang the dress so that it would not wrinkle. Lady Ethelinda had already removed her robe. Her hands were fisted on her hips and she tapped her toe impatiently. Arianwyn removed the dress and carried it over. She slid the ivory dress over Lady Ethelinda’s head, and then tightened the ribbons that criss-crossed up the back.

  :Try flattery,: Dragon said.

  Arianwyn swallowed back her nervousness as she stepped back. “You’re a very beautiful lady. The king will be most impressed.”

  “Of course I’m beautiful. Stupid peasant. Now be quiet and don’t interrupt me.” Lady Ethelinda walked over to a full length mirror to observe herself from every angle. She frowned, tugging at the dress. “Fetch me a stool.” Arianwyn placed the stool in front of the mirror. Ethelinda stood on the stool, sucking in her stomach and observing the fall of the dress.

  “Perhaps I could fetch some ribbons for your hair. I know a place in the market where they are of the highest quality,” Arianwyn murmured. She just needed to get out of the castle. Then she could disappear into the crowds and get out of the city. She did not need Ethelinda to know all the details of her plan.

  “Hmmm…” Lady Ethelinda played with her hair, pulling it all back, piling it on top of her head, loosely braiding it. “Yes…light blue, to match the lace. And fetch me some of those tiny flowers that grow on the mountain side. The little blue ones.”

  “The Forget-me-nots? They’re not sold in the market, they only grow in the wild. It could take all day to find them.”

  “I don’t care what they’re called or where they’re at. Just get them for me.”

  Arianwyn curtsied and hid her smile. Forget-me-nots weren’t even blooming right now. “As you command, lady.” :Dragon, prepare to pick me up!:

  :Clever. Let’s hope your cleverness doesn’t get us both in trouble.:

  Arianwyn hurried out the door and headed to find Tess. She could let Tess know, no one would expect her to be back for hours. By then, they would have forgotten she even existed! She could barely contain her excitement.

  Tess was busy preparing everyone for lunch, tweaking the seating arrangements and instructing the servants in the business of serving. After lunch, the servants would prepare dinner, and then set up for yet another grand ball. The king was expected to make his announcement of bride in the next few days and the thanes were working nearly as hard as the servants to persuade the king to choose his daugh
ter.

  “Excuse me, Tess?”

  Tess issued a few more orders and then turned to Arianwyn. “What is it?”

  “Lady Ethelinda wants me to fetch a ribbon for her at market and then find some wildflowers for her hair.”

  “What? Wildflowers? That woman is daft. Either way, you’ll need to send another to fetch them, you’re to stay in the Keep. Send them quickly and then return. I’m going to need all the help I have to get ready for tonight and start preparations for the king’s announcement.”

  Arianwyn felt a twinge of guilt, then. Tess had been nothing but kind to her. And she had no intention of following Tess’s direction. She felt like she was abandoning her. But if she did not leave, there was no telling what the king might do in the future. His anger spurred her to set aside her guilt. She sighed. “Yes, Tess.”

  She hurried out and headed for the Keep gates. As she walked out the gates and headed into the city, one of the guards stopped her. “Halt! Where do you think you’re going?”

  Arianwyn turned in surprise. She had not expected anyone to challenge her leaving. “Lady Ethelinda has sent me on an errand.”

  “She’ll have to ask someone else, then. His Majesty has commanded that you stay in the Keep.” Over his shoulder, she saw another soldier hurrying into the Keep. Her mouth went dry.

  “Me? Why would the king order you to keep me inside?” she hedged, hoping the guard would rethink his challenge.

  He shrugged. “I only know that our orders are to keep the ‘red-headed serving girl’ inside the Keep walls. You’re the only red-headed serving girl I’ve seen trying to leave.”

  Arianwyn bit her lip. She had not even considered that her hair would be an easy marker for those watching her. “Please, the Lady Ethelinda will be most upset if I fail in my mission. She hasn’t been known to be lenient with those servants who have failed her. And Tess needs me to return quickly to set up dinner.”

  “Come with me,” the guard said. Arianwyn considered running. A quick glance showed two more guards on the other side of the gate tunnel. She would never make it past them. She swallowed and followed him. He led her into the guardhouse. “What errands?”

  Arianwyn winced again. This was becoming dangerous. Maybe she should try leaving at night with the servants who lived in the city. “Some blue ribbon and wildflowers for her hair.”

  The guard snapped his fingers at one of the young boys who always seemed to hang around the soldiers. “Lad, do you think you can fetch those? Two coppers for you if you can do it before dinner.” The boy took off running full tilt.

  “I guess I’ll go let Tess know that I can help with lunch and dinner now.” Arianwyn edged towards the door, intending to slip out.

  “I’m afraid not. We’re supposed to hold you in custody if you try leaving. You may as well sit down.” Arianwyn sat stiffly, hands in fists on her knees. She did not have long to sit in discomfort. The king entered and gestured for the guards in the room to leave. His face looked like a thundercloud. Arianwyn popped up to her feet and dropped into a deep curtsy.

  “You thought to leave so easily? That I wouldn’t plan on you trying to betray the entrance of the Dragon Cave to someone in the Manticore Totem?”

  Arianwyn gaped, looking up at the king in shock. “Your Majesty, I would never…”

  “Enough! I warned you that any attempt to leave would be viewed as treason.” He jerked the door back open. “Captain, escort her to a cell. I think her attempt to escape speaks for itself.” King Rael stalked off across the grounds towards an enclosure where the guards practiced.

  Arianwyn was left with her mouth hanging open. Prison? She was being thrown in prison? She had not done anything! Had she? The look on the captain’s face showed he was just as surprised as she was. “Come along, girl. I don’t know what you did to anger His Majesty, but it must be fairly serious.” She was escorted to a cell and led inside. They locked the door and left.

  :Now what?: Dragon asked. Arianwyn rubbed her arms, looking around. She had no idea what now. She looked at the small space. At least they had given her a cell with a window. Otherwise, it would be completely dark in here. Dirty straw sparsely decorated the floor, a bucket in one corner. Arianwyn had no desire to discover what contents in the bucket were emitting the foul odor. Light filtered through the window, dust motes dancing in its beams. She could hear creatures that she hoped were no bigger than mice wandering around the walls, skittering just out of sight.

  Arianwyn turned in a slow circle, shivering. “I have nothing to lose,” she muttered. She placed her hand on the wall and took a deep breath. “Earth, move,” she whispered, focusing. Her vision changed, turning to browns and grays. There were no greens in this dead place. She shuddered at the sudden, enormous weight pushing on her, crushing her.

  :Let go!: Dragon ordered, frantic.

  “Stop!” She shook, sliding slowly down the wall, sweat beading on her forehead. :What happened?: Her head began a slow pound. Her hands were shaking weakly and she felt like she was going to vomit. Something warm trickled over her lips. When she wiped it away, she discovered she had a nosebleed. Darkness prickled the edge of her vision.

  :Are you trying to move the entire mountain?:

  Arianwyn blinked. How quickly she forgot. She needed to be specific when she did this. She would rest and try again. “Arianwyn?”

  She jumped and looked up, feeling the guilt twinge again. The world spun around her. She stood and walked gingerly to the door, where Tess was peering in. “Oh, Tess! I’m so sorry!” Arianwyn gripped the bars on her small window to keep from falling over.

  “What did you do? What are you doing in here?”

  Arianwyn chewed on her lip, debating. “I accidentally discovered how to enter the Dragon’s Cave,” she whispered so only Tess would hear.

  “What?” She could see Tess’s eyes widen.

  “His Majesty said he would kill me if I tried leaving. He thinks I’m going to betray the dragon. But I’m not. I promise, I would never do that!”

  Tess stepped back from the door, her features twisting with barely concealed contempt. “I want to believe you. Except for disobeying me today, you’ve never given me cause to doubt you. But this is serious. And King Rael would never lie about something like that nor would you be able to lie to him. You’d best be thinking of better evidence than your word when it comes to trial.” Tess turned and started walking away.

  “Tess, wait! Please don’t leave me! Please help me!”

  “I’ve done all I can, already. You have to do the rest yourself.”

  “Wait! There’s a man named Bernie in town. Willow knows what he looks like. Please, will you send someone to have him stand at the trial with me?”

  Tess paused, head down. Finally, she gave one short nod. “I will see what can be done.” She left Arianwyn alone in the semi-dark. Arianwyn sat down on the ground and leaned against the door.

  :Oh, Dragon. Even if I did get out of here, where would I go? According to the king, I would be forever on the run. And I can’t let them discover you. Secrecy is your best defense,: she thought morosely. She rubbed her temples and tried to relax her shoulders.

  :You may not have a choice. Besides, I make one convincing piece of evidence that would prove to his royal pain in the arse that you’re not a threat,: Dragon commented.

  :No! I’ve already said we can’t reveal you.:

  :Don’t be so quick to decide,: Dragon murmured. :Think about it first. Besides, if Bernie testifies, he will reveal my existence. Remember something important, Arianwyn. Our fates are tied. If you die, I die, too.:

  Arianwyn felt Dragon pull back, leaving her alone to her thoughts. She was backed into a corner. There was no leap that she could see to take. Except, maybe, a leap of faith. Arianwyn dropped her head onto her knees and her world spun into darkness.

  9-The Trial

  The door to her cell opened early the next morning. Arianwyn looked up, squinting from the torchlight. “His Majesty is ready to
pronounce sentence,” the guard said. She struggled to her feet and staggered out of the cell, silently calling to Dragon one last time. The guard who had spoken led the way, while other guards flanked her on each side. One guard moved to bind her arms, but the lead guard shook his head. He glanced at Arianwyn with a look of sympathy before moving off. Arianwyn wrapped her arms around her middle, watching the ground just in front of her feet.

  They made their way upward, arriving finally at the Judgment Hall. The double doors were made of bronze. The guards standing outside of them hardly looked at her as they opened the doors to admit the four of them. Arianwyn’s heart thudded painfully in her chest. She had hoped His Majesty would have heard her out before pronouncing his sentence. He had already told her what the sentence would be if she tried escaping. She swallowed and followed the lead guard inside.

  King Rael was sitting on the black marble Judgment Seat, raised two steps above everyone else. He was wearing a simple, gold circlet around his head, proclaiming his authority. Even though the hour was early, there were already Thanes vying for his attention, struggling to show off their daughters at the last possible moment.

  Silence fell over the hall as they entered. Arianwyn was uncomfortably aware of her dirty dress and hands, the dark circles under her eyes. The short walk to the base of the throne stretched even longer as every eye fell on them. She did not see Bernie among the throng of people. She risked a glance at the king and could see the rage burning in his eyes as he watched her approach, the scar standing out stark on his forehead again. She dropped her gaze back to the ground. They arrived at the base of the throne. The guards stopped in unison, Arianwyn a step behind them. She dropped into a curtsy as they saluted him.

  “Treason,” he said shortly. A gasp went up from the crowd. “You came in as a spy to discover our most guarded secret and—“