Chapter 15

"So tell me about Humperdinck. What is he like?" Daffodil pestered her sister yet another time while they were sitting in the boat. She wanted to learn as much as she could about him before making a play to become the next betrothed to the king of Florin. One could never know enough about her future husband.

Buttercup, who loved her sister, could think of several unsister-like things she could do to get her to be quiet on their trip back to Guilder. She already tried ignoring her, changing the subject or just telling her to be quiet but none of it worked for long. Seeing no other way, she started meting out small bits, guessing rightly that Daffy would pick up and run with whatever she got into her too vivid imagination. Buttercup described the castle, the servants, Humperdinck's late parents she had met, and what a great hunter and tracker he was. Daffy had been in Florin City before, so she was uninterested in anything said about the city itself. Buttercup soon was able to say less and less as Daffy became more talkative about how wonderful and exciting the whole thing must be and how wonderful it could all work out until finally it seemed that only one person was talking and nobody, including Buttercup, was listening. Instead, Buttercup looked up at her husband standing by the port rail and noticed a small piece of material stuffed into his ear. She smiled and admired his foresight.

Daffodil didn't notice the difference that no one was listening anymore and continued on.

...

The Amigo made port in Escudo at the capitol of Primo. Inigo tied the boat to the pier and joined Humperdinck and Ruby, leaving the mate from the Revenge behind to stay with the boat. Unlike Florin and Guilder, the modest castle in Escudo sat near the water. Ruby lead the way having been in the city before, and in short time they were at the entrance to the castle. She asked the guard to announce herself and two guests to King Sean and request an audience quickly. The guard complied and disappeared, leaving behind his partner who was friendly but still remained alert. Before too long the first guard returned with a "The King will see you now" and led them into the castle throne room.

As has been mentioned, the castle was much smaller than Florin's or even Guilder's. It was of a single level except for a single slim tower towards the center, and the throne room was proportionately smaller. On the throne sat a man of young to middle age, with a somewhat darker complexion than Inigo but similar height and build. He was bearded and wore a simple crown, but the one item that caught the visitor's attention was the eyepatch over his left eye. It was black, and in the center was set a red gemstone that cast red light rays in a burst around it when the light caught it right. As they approached he stood and stepped down from the throne and walked over to meet them.

"Ruby, it is so good to see you again" said the king as he took her hands in greeting. Never one to stand on great formality, he always preferred to meet people on their level rather than from an elevated throne. "I am told that your visit is of an urgent nature. Who are your friends?"

"This man is Inigo Montoya whom I've told you about previously." The king shook hands with Inigo and asked that he be called "Sean" while in private. Inigo liked him already. "And this man I haven't mentioned at all before because we've only become acquainted recently. May I present King Humperdinck from Florin."

Sean's smile dropped and he hesitated. He knew Humperdinck's reputation but never expected him to ever walk into his castle, and certainly not dressed as a citizen. He recovered from his shock quickly and smiled again, extending his hand. "Call me Sean please. May I do the same?"

"No, calling me the same name would be confusing. Call me Humperdinck" the Florin leader teased. Sean laughed and shook his hand. Ruby chuckled and marveled; just a week ago Humperdinck would not have been capable of a joke like that. "Sorry about that, but some of my hosts' levity seems to have rubbed off on me while in Guilder" he apologized.

They retired to a room that offered both privacy and seating. The three visitors quickly filled in Sean with the important parts of the events leading up to their arrival. He seemed quite interested, particularly in Humperdinck's experiences and his impressions of Guilder. After the summation finished, Sean spoke.

"Your plan may not have a great chance of success, but I can think of no better one for you to undertake. However, there is a fly in the ointment, so to speak. As you know, Florin has spies in all our kingdoms. Your spy here has the name of Harry Lowbrow. He usually reports to a contact that comes around every three or four weeks and we pretty much just let him be, for we have no secrets save one. That one secret has now been compromised and at this moment he is riding back to Florin with the news.

"What secret if I may ask?" asked Humperdinck.

"There is no point in keeping it from you now. Escudo has always been of no interest to other kingdoms because we appear to be somewhat poor and have little to export besides some minerals in our hills. We keep a low profile on purpose, but in truth our hills have a gemstone mine worth a fortune and only now is beginning to be exploited. Even this gem in my eyepatch is but a small example of what we have. This secret is known by many people here, but we keep it to ourselves except to trusted friends." He nodded to Ruby.

"Of course my family knows" said Ruby. "That's where my brother and I got our names!"

"Yes, Stephen and his family know. But we've kept the news private otherwise; I'm surprised I'm telling you now except that you seem quite different than the Humperdinck I've heard of these many years."

"Well," said Humperdinck "you might say that I've been enlightened from the state I was in as recently as two weeks ago. But one thing that has not changed is that I am still King of Florin, and have no greater desire than to return to my kingdom and set things right. Now it seems we have extra incentive. How long ago did Lowbrow leave?"

"Almost exactly one day ago. He was seen with a pack riding out of town in the direction of Florin. I fear it is too late now." Sean sighed and his shoulders visibly slumped.

Humperdinck rose and walked over to Sean, placing his hand on his shoulder. "Hear me now. It is a four day journey to Florin and not the easiest of travels. If I can leave in an hour I can catch him before he reaches Florin and your secret will be safe, I swear it by..." He paused.

"What?" asked Sean.

"Sorry, I was just thinking that the old me threw that phrase around in such a way it had no value or, truth be told, validity. Let me say this: I swear it on the life of my dear mother, died of a broken heart after losing the man she loved for 60 years." He concluded with a slight tremor in his voice.

Inigo understood, Ruby had a silent gasp, and even Sean was visibly moved. "News of your parents' passing reached even Escudo. I've lost both of my adoptive parents, so I understand your loss and accept your oath fully. Please, rest and eat while some supplies are prepared. I will send a company of men with you..."

"Thank you but no" interjected Humperdinck. "A smaller group travels faster and speed is of the utmost."

"True, but it will not be an easy journey." He summoned a page and gave him directions, after which the page hurried away. "I will do this; I will have two of my best men travel with you for a day to help in any way they can, including carrying the bulk of your supplies. After that you will be less taxed for the rest of your journey. But I caution you the folly of one person traveling alone over great distance. Too many things can happen."

"He will not be traveling alone; I'm going along" Ruby piped in. Before Humperdinck could object she continued. "Inigo must go back to Guilder to update everyone else as to what has happened and to plan. Think about it; you are going to need some support when you get there in" she thought for a moment "three days, if my father is right and someone is up to something and willing to keep you away from the throne. I am a physically fit adult who can make her own decisions, and as the representative of Guilder we will see this through and put things right." A smile appeared on her face. "Now nod your head and tell me what a good idea that is."

Humperdinck nodded and agreed. It was a good idea, and he admitted it.

...

Of all the confounded luck, thought Andy back in Florin, I have to run a kingdom and now I've come down with an illness. He mopped the sweat from his brow and sat back on the throne. He had felt tired for days, but had attributed it to the demands of leadership. It now seemed that his increasing lethargy and exhaustion was something anyone could catch. He prescribed himself plenty of fluids and rest and told the attending page that he was going to his room to rest should he be needed for anything.

Later that day when Tu came into the throne room with a question for Andy he was informed by the page of the regent's retiring for a rest. No, he told the page, don't bother his rest. He was sure the matter could wait.

Until I take over the duties, he thought to himself.