Chapter 8: Another Day At The Castle
I rushed through the bustling kitchen. You wouldn't think they would need one more person in this mess, but, here I am!
The huge wooden counter was risking its life next to the ovens so large you could live in them. People of all shapes and sizes flurried about like an ADHD snowstorm. The heat was overbearing while the loud sound of vegetables meeting their demise a la knife filled the room. Orders were being barked as we prepared luncheon for the royal family.
"Victoria!" the head cook who had introduced himself as Maurice yelled. "Get started on some Emplumeus for the queen, now!"
I yelled back "On it" and ran around someone cooking a chicken to get to the pantry. Emplumeus is cooked apples, similar to modern-day applesauce. The queen, who was due to give birth any day now, had strong cravings for the apple goody.
It was the first thing Maurice had taught me when I came into the kitchen yesterday.
As I prepared the dish, my mouth started to water as the sweet smell collided with my nostrils. Combined with the bread, fats, wine, and beans, it was enough to make anyone starve.
Maybe I should volunteer for the new taster. No one had been poisoned in a while, besides the cook I'm replacing…. Eh, not worth the risk. I'll just sample tidbits here and there.
The pure amount of fat and grease people ate back now is revolting, though. Also, they have beer or wine with every meal, almost no water in sight. And the sanitary conditions of this kitchen? Oh, don't get me started.
Anyway, other the health problems, I'm having a lot of fun at this job. Once I had a waitress job at a local fish and chip shop. It was nothing like this. Preparing food for a grumpy old man is not the same as food for royalty.
My mind wandered over to the Doctor. I wonder how he is doing?
The Doctor followed the man over to a small room located at the end of a stone hallway.
"The king is insane. Charles the Sixth, known as the beloved, and the mad." the man said sadly.
"Shame." the Doctor replied. He opened the door to the dark room and both men stepped in.
The dingy, drab room was splashed with sadness. The stone walls tainted with fear. The rich drapes contaminated with miserableness.
"Your Highness, sir? It's me, James. I have brought a doctor."
"What would I need a doctor for, James? Every other week you bring in a new one, but I am perfectly well! In fact, fetch Lightning. I shall like to go for a horse ride today. I got a lot of sleep last night!" the elder king replied, fidgeting with his gnarled fingers.
"He hasn't slept all week," James whispered to the Doctor.
"Ah. Well, that's no good."
"Perhaps it's sin causing this madness? With all of the wars happening, you know. Or witchcraft? Maybe it's the devil playing tricks?"
"James, if you could leave us alone for a few minutes?" the Doctor requested.
"Of course. Perhaps try ice water?"
"See you later James."
"Of course, sir"
The Doctor sighed and looked at the stooped figure across the room, who was twisting and turning his fingers around violently.
"Your majesty? My name is the Doctor, and I'm here to help you, alright?"
"Doctor? That's your name? Funny name. Doctor, doctor, doctor, doctor" the king sang, putting one finger up every time he said, doctor.
"Tell me, how are you feeling today? Good?"
"I'm feeling as fine as a….," Charles VI glanced around the room. " a TABLE!"
"Yes, okay, and how about your hunger? Not hungry, tired anything?" The Doctor asked, recalling the young servant James telling him the king barely ate today.
"Why, I am so full after the feast me and my friends had this afternoon."
"Who are your friends?"
The king pointed at each inanimate object in the room, one by one, naming them as he went. And so the afternoon passed, the king telling the Doctor about his 'adventures'.
James poked his head into the room. "Doctor! Come quickly, the queen is having her child! Now!" He gestured frantically.
"Coming, coming!"
They ran down the hallway towards the chamber with writhing screams of pain echoing down the hall.
Meanwhile, I was in the kitchen getting some damp rags after Maurice had warned me the king was giving birth. I couldn't miss the birth of Charles the 7th, so I volunteered to bring some rags and soup to the queen.
The queen gave a heaving breath. "Why me? Why do only women have to endure this pain?" she screamed.
"Preach," I muttered to the Doctor as he tried to calm the queen down.
"I am trying to focus, here Victoria!"
"Oh sureeee"
"You're not being very helpful!"
"I am keeping this woman at a moderate temperature. That's very helpful!"
The Doctor rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to the queen.
"Come on your majesty, just one more push!"
A grunt later the baby came flying out.
The Doctor made a face and I turned away from the bloody mess, mentally throwing up.
The queen wiped her sweaty hair away from her face. "Did I do it?" she panted.
"Yes, you did." I smiled warmly while the Doctor swaddled her child.
"There you go!" he said softly, passing the bundle over to its mother. We left the room to give her some privacy.
"Charles the seventh. Known as the Well-served, The Victorious. And we just witnessed his birth." I said in awe.
"You know your history."
"What makes you think that?" I retorted sarcastically.
"Okay, okay, continue." the Doctor put his hands in the air mockingly.
"He would help end the Hundred Year War. He will become king in 1422, his reign ending in 1461 when he dies. His brother and father die shortly before he takes up the throne. He will meet Joan of Arc and together they will make battle plans. He-" I stopped as the man who recruited us stormed in.
"What are you doing here! You are a cook, you should be in the kitchen! Your friend is fine, he is a doctor, but you do not belong here."
"I came with some rags and soup for the queen…" I trailed off, looking at the Doctor.
"Are you trying to commit treason, young lady?" He asked, right in my face.
"One, I'm not that young, and two, I AM NOT COMMITTING TREASON."
"Yes, you are! You're a woman, so you must be a witch too."
"Excuse me?"
"No excuse for you now. You are going to jail. Follow me."
The Doctor looked at me helplessly as I was forced away by guards.
Hiya! This will have one more part, then a holiday-themed story on the 24th-25th. I hoped you enjoyed that chapter, it was fun to write! Please review and check out my Polyvore at fluffypompom. Don't ask why that's my name, it was 3 am, okay!
Research and Treason!
