Chapter Five
He was dressed in Formal Court apparel. I assumed he was leaving his rooms.
He gave me that annoying half-smile and said, "It has been only a couple of time measures since you have returned and already things are falling back in order."
He was telling me that he knew I made the Petitioner's Court resume. He also reminded me that Ogaric was making a mess of things.
I had enough trouble. I did not want to have to tangle with Flauvic right now. "Forgive me, but I must address the Petitioners. I will see you in Court."
He bowed with a modest flourish. "Do not tell me that you are going to address the Petitioners with no henchman behind you or a few scribes at your elbows."
"I do not have time for guards or scribes." I replied, a bit sharply. Could he not see that I did not want to speak with him?
"Surely you have time for one poor, mere nobleman to lend importance to you when you give your speech." He replied, bowing his head.
I was infuriated. He mocked me. I wanted to scream No! I do not have time for you or anyone else!
I was not going to be led into a verbal jousting match with Flauvic. I was tired and depressed, and frankly I did not think I could have beaten him on a good day.
"Come with me then, if this is so important to you." I continued walking, not even paying attention to see if he was following me. I hoped he was not.
"Back in my day, it was traditional that the sovereign addressed the Petitioners." He said, walking a few steps behind me.
"We are under extreme circumstances." I replied.
"I wonder if there would be any extreme circumstances if you took the throne." He said in a calm emotionless voice.
I fought hard for self-control, but my temper snapped. I whirled around. I caught myself before I actually flew at him like an animal. "Get out of my sight." my voice came out as a low, quivery whisper.
He stared at me. I knew my face was probably twisted in my effort to control myself. Perhaps he was shocked by my trembling limbs that yearned to tear him to pieces.
"Go." The word was raw and hoarse. My mind and body were too crazy with emotion to pay attention to my voice.
He opened and shut his mouth, then turned and walked away jerkily with none of his usual grace.
When I was finally alone, I sunk into a nearby cushion and took deep breaths. I could not cry or it would ruin my composure for my speech. When I regained control of my emotions, I plastered a smile on my face and walked to meet the petitioners. I did not know exactly what I was going to say to them, but I doubted they cared about anything I had to say. The King was the only person of importance to them. Well, at least the people of Remalna had something in common with the King: the King was the only person of importance to him.
They emitted a weak cheer when I came into their view. When the yells died down, I began to speak, "I am sure that you all will be pleased to know that today we are going to hear your petitions. The hearings will begin in three-quarters of a time measure. We will hear everyone, no matter how long it takes." I paused, trying to think of something else to say.
One of the people in the courtyard below me shouted, "Will the King be there? I want the King to hear my petition."
"Yes, the King will be there. He would be speaking to you at this moment, but he is unavoidably detained." I answered, "Any more questions?"
I heard another person shout, "How is the Queen's Consort?"
"I have not seen him myself yet as I only just arrived, but I have been assured that he is well."
"Why were the hearings cancelled?"
"I do not know. As I just said, I have only recently arrived, but I am certainly going to look into it."
"Who are you, anyway?"
I curtsied and smiled, "I am Princess Nimiar Shevraeth and I am pleased to make all of your acquaintance."
For some odd reason the Petitioners yelled and cheered. Many of them bowed and curtsied and screamed their names at me and that they were pleased to meet me.
Instinct took over my mind. I curtsied again, a deep, prolonged curtsy, usually given to a monarch. I remained in this position for several minutes as the folk shouted. I stood up again when they all began waving their arms, in a motion that indicated I should rise. I rose and the cheers came to a crescendo. After the cheers began to die down I said, spontaneously, "I love you all. I am so excited to be advising the new King. I hope you come to love us as much as I love all of you." They yelled at the top of their lungs. I curtsied a final time, making more cheers erupt, before going inside.
I felt absolutely euphoric.
I saw an eye peeking through the shutters. A golden eye. I pushed the tapestry aside and entered the modest receiving room in front of the balcony. Flauvic looked exactly how I felt. His mouth was spread into a huge smile.
He bowed deeply for a long time, then positively leaped to his feet. "That was glorious absolutely glorious! You were glorious! They were glorious! It was so perfect!"
"Ah, I know! And the cheers! They love me! I will make them love me forever." I declared.
"You will, how can anyone resist you?"
He was referring to the crowd, but the way his eyes strayed over my shoulder, then met my own changed the meaning of his words to, "How can I resist you?"
My joy vanished. I did not know how to react. My stomach was doing all sorts of odd things. "Excuse me." I blurted out, then fled.
I returned to the Royal Wing to check my brother's progress and to greet my father.
Ogaric was dressed and the servants were arranging his hair when I arrived. He glared at me and said peevishly, "I am still getting ready for your horrible Petitioner's Court so you can leave me alone."
"Thank you, brother." I replied serenely, although I felt everything except serene.
I moved to my father's room. I punched the tapestry, making the heavy material wobble and emit a muffled noise. I heard his voice say, "Come in."
I entered. He was dressed in formal Court attire, sitting on the edge of his bed as though he had been waiting there for three weeks for Petitioner's Court to be called. I expected him to look exhausted. I anticipated swollen red eyes, gray skin, and a few extra wrinkles. Instead, he looked radiant. His face had a healthier glow than I had seen in years. His whole body hummed with energy. Despite his shockingly good health, his firmly clamped together lips and watery eyes told me that he was suffering.
"Father, you look well." I could not think of anything else to say.
"Oh, my dear daughter." He said in a tired, beaten voice. I sat beside him on the bed and he held me tightly in his arms, ignoring the fact that our morbidly expensive clothing was becoming rumpled and disordered.
"I am so glad you are finally here." He said over and over again.
I struggled not to cry. I had a strong hold on my emotions and I managed to control them.
Finally, we were called from the world of private grief by the bells announcing it was time for Petitioner's Court to begin.
My brother looked just as pathetic as he did when I had jerked him out of bed. The only difference was that now he sniveled on a fine handkerchief instead of a fine pillowcase. Within a few petitions we established a working system. I would listen to the petitions and give him a suggestion. He usually copied everything I said word for word. After the petitioners had left, he simply obeyed whatever action I recommended in the resolving of their petitions. I felt frustrated. He was the King, why could he not think for himself.
When we had finally reviewed all of the petitions, he left immediately, not even bothering to greet the Petitioners and the nobles. He was not only being rude, but he left me to do all of his work for him.
A few Petitioners were concerned about the King's seeming lack of interest in their cases. I was not sure what to reply to them.
By the end of the Court, I wanted to lock Ogaric in Red's stall for an hour with his hands tied behind his back. I was furious. He was doing his best to make the transition as difficult as possible. How did he expect his people to trust him if he took no interest in them? Did he just assume that his nobles would remain loyal despite his ineptitude? And what about the foreign ambassadors? I shuddered to think of the stories they brought home to their rulers.
I spent the next season holding the kingdom together as well as I could. I quickly delegated duties to everyone. Remare dealt with foreign affairs. I assigned all matters concerning the nobility to Manana, my sister. My father told me everything my mother had done when she was alive. Arian and Emeric helped me with the commoners.
I did not have time to grieve. I was too busy solving every major crisis that occurred. And a new crisis occurred at least once a week.
The common folk adored me. Before my mother's death, I could leave the castle with a guard or two and receive only a vague glance of interest. Now folks would line the streets and cheer for me and throw flowers at me. I loved the attention, but I wished it were focused on Ogaric instead.
Over time, he began to emerge from his cocoon and remember that he was responsible for the welfare of an entire kingdom.
Finally, after two long seasons, Ogaric was able to take up the reins of the kingdom and I returned to the university, determined to finish my studies there as quickly as possible.
I was finally able to mourn at the university. I felt both release and misery. It was only after I arrived that I had my spies look into her death.
She had died over a period of two weeks. Her illness had seemed inconsequential until she had woken up one morning with a raging fever. She was dead by nightfall.
I had been there for only a few months when I was surprised by Remare's sudden appearance literally at my doorstep.
I was studying for a test in History's Effects on Present Politics when the boarding house's proprietor pounded on my door.
"There is a young man here to see you. He says he is Marquise Remare of Renselaeus."
"Tell him I will be there in a moment." I replied.
I quickly changed from my ugly scholar clothing into a morning dress from my slightly dusty Remalna wardrobe.
He stood and bowed when he saw me. I curtsied in reply, then said, "I am very happy to see you. What brings you to Erev-li-Erval?"
"I am here to protect you." He replied.
I gave him a blank look.
"I suppose I arrived before the mail. There was an assassination attempt on your brother. He hung those involved in the plot, but he suspects there are more members of the conspiracy. He fears you may be a target. He sent me as a visible warning against any attempts. He also suggests that you keep guards around you from now on."
I was shocked. "My brother hung someone? Publicly?"
"Yes."
"Perhaps I should go home and see to things."
"No, you should not. Think of how that would look. It would make folk question Ogaric's ability to handle a crisis himself. They are questioning him enough already. I do not think you can make things much better now that everything is over and done with."
I was very upset. I did not want to stay, but I realized that if Ogaric was to become a good king, I could not run home to save him every time he got in trouble.
"Well, I am not hiring guards, though you are certainly welcome to remain in Erev-li-Erval for as long as you wish. I am able to take care of myself. Few people in Remalna probably know this, but I have some knowledge of swords and combat."
"I will take your word on that, though I recommend that you hire a body guard in case you are attacked."
I held out for two days before Remare finally persuaded me to hire a bodyguard.
Due to Remare's continued presence, I was obliged to dress well. My change in dress as well as the addition of a bodyguard made my peers and teachers look at me differently. I was no longer a faceless student in a sea of thousands, but a princess who deserved notice.
I began to receive invitations to dinners and balls given by various influential people in the city who were connected to the university.
"Lady Augustine has invited you to another dinner party. It is to be held three days hence." My bodyguard Moen said, his eyes scanning the letter for subtle threats. After I hired him, he insisted on going through all of my mail to check for things like forged or broken seals and threats.
"Ah, she is such a lovely hostess. I must write her an acceptance letter. What else?" I replied, absently rifling through pages of notes. I had a test tomorrow and I needed to study.
"Well, a Master Teric sends his regards and Lord Serbon needs another competitor for a race that is going to be held in a sennight."
"Did you see any evil messages that I need to know about?" I asked with a smile.
"No." Moen did not have a very good sense of humor.
I returned to studying my notes.
Remare, Moen, and I were standing in a wet street waiting for the carriage. It was ten minutes late and the sky seemed to grow gloomier and more threatening with every second. The ground had been soaking up rain for the past two days. By now it seemed even the rocks were soggy.
The carriage finally rolled up the road. I sighed with relief. I did not want to show up at Lady Augustine's in a wet dress. The carriage stopped and the door opened. But rather than the usual footman exiting the carriage, a large batch of sword wielding men leaped out and attacked Moen and Remare. I was wearing a dress so I did not have a sword myself, but I fought instinctively with my fists, feet, and teeth. A man grabbed me. I screamed and threw my fists at him. I punched him in the throat and his grip loosened. I was then grabbed immediately again by a fellow with a knife in his hand. He pulled me against him and held his knife to my throat.
"Be silent and stop struggling or I will slit you from ear to ear." He said in a raspy voice.
The poor fellow did not know me well. I only screamed louder and fought harder. I felt myself being dragged into the carriage. I tried to kick my assailant, but my heavy skirts hindered my efforts. Still screaming, punching, and kicking, I was soon inside the carriage. I heard the door slam. Then it began moving, bumping and clattering down the cobbled road.
My captors slowly released me, though they were careful to stay between me and the door. I thought it disgustingly wise of them. My hair was askew, my fists bloody, and my dress was an absolute mess.
"Well," I said haughtily, "I hope you are proud of yourselves, attacking an innocent maiden on the street."
"Innocent, ha, no innocent girl can hit a fellow in the throat like that." one of my captors said in a soft, hoarse voice.
I smiled at him, my sweetest, most sugary Court smile, "You realize that I am the princess of Remalna."
"Oh, yes, that is why we grabbed you. We want your brother to see reason." A man with a bushy mustache said eagerly.
"You are going to ransom me for political power?" I asked skeptically. These men were to roughly dressed to be nobles and too talkative and knowing to be henchmen.
"No, no that is not it at all. You will have to wait until we get there. We just want you to hear our side of the story." Said Bushy Mustache.
By that time I was intrigued.
The carriage rolled to a stop and I was shuffled toward a dumpy-looking house at the edge of the city. The second I stepped out of the carriage, my stomach lurched. I was careful to get sick on as many as my attackers as I could reach. While they stood in shock, I took off. My efforts were cut short when I tripped over my wretched skirt. I fought and screamed as my captors grabbed me again and dragged me to their shack.
Once I was inside the house, I saw no reason to continue screaming and fighting so I quit resisting the men. When they let my go, I promptly peeled out of the outer layer of my dress, which was stained with vomit.
The men stared at me. I turned the dress inside out and handed it to one of the men. "A tunic would be appreciated." I said nonchalantly and sat down in the nearest chair to wait.
Bushy Mustache pulled a chair up so that he sat across from me. A few of the men disappeared into other rooms of the house, presumably to change out of their vomit-stained clothing. The rest stood or sat around us. Soon a tunic was procured. I pulled it on.
"I am prepared to hear your explanation for this extreme inconvenience." I said.
Bushy Mustache looked around at the others, who nodded, then licked his lips and said, "You see, my Lady, here is what happened. You know about those hangings the King did, right? Well, he hung my brother and a lot of fellows here's brothers, sons, and fathers. But, oh, how can I say this. He-he did it for no reason. My brother did not plan to kill him. Sure he was not too thrilled with his leadership, but not enough to want to kill him. We are all wanted for conspiracy to assassinate the King, yet we are in no conspiracy."
"So you were falsely accused." I cut in.
"Yes, we all were, but there is one link between all of us. Every man that got hung and every man that is wanted was in Tonaby's Tavern one month ago. My brother had been talking to a serving girl. He cared for her loads, but lately she had been acting oddly. She would cry and yell at him where she used to be sweet and affectionate. Finally one night she told him some story. I do not know what it is, Furic would not tell me, but two days later every man that had been at that tavern was in trouble with the law."
I sighed as I listened to this story. It seemed Ogaric was in another mess. "Could you get me quills, ink, and paper please?" I asked.
"What for?" asked Bushy Mustache.
"For notes. If I am to look into things, it will be much faster if I am able to get names and facts." I replied.
"Alright, I suppose it will not hurt our cause for you to write down what we say. Denric, hunt us up some writing materials."
While Denric searched the house, I found a dirty table that was covered in unwashed dishes. I moved the dishes onto the floor then scooted the table over to my chair.
Denric reappeared from one of the back rooms and informed us that there were no writing materials in the house. I pulled out a few coins and said, "Will you run out and get some, please?" He stared at me, then turned around and fled out of the house.
Discussion of the problem at hand would not continue until I could write down facts, so I asked them the question that had been bothering me ever since I heard the reason they kidnapped me, "So, why did you come to me? After all, I am sister to the King."
Bushy Mustache rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "You ought to ask Emeric. It was his idea."
A man who had been standing toward the back of the room approached, bearing a stool. "You are Emeric?" I asked.
"Yes." He replied.
"Emeric is a wise name. One of my dearest friends is named Emeric. I am sure he would be as interested as I in the reasons that gave you the idea of consulting me." His face looked vaguely familiar. I scrutinized him. "You came to Petitioner's Court. If I remember correctly you were in a dispute with a man who would not pay his tab at your feed store."
He smiled at me. "You want to know why we approached you with our problem. Partly it was because you handled my petition fairly. As you did everyone else's that day. Your brother seemed deaf to us. Everyone there could tell you were the person that was running things. Of course, those are not the reasons that we came to you, though they certainly contributed to it. The reason that we wanted you to hear our problem was that you care for the regular folk. After the Court was over, you spent just as much time talking to me as you did with your nobles. We hear tales come out of the castle of your generosity and kindness."
I could not keep myself from smiling. I said, "I am glad to hear that my folk love me. I value their good will, but I am neither kind nor generous, only fair."
"What about the tax relief system you suggested your mother implement during the flood." He replied.
"Is it fair that the King's people starve because a lord must choose between keeping his lands and feeding his people?"
"I will never persuade you to change your mind, will I?"
"Probably not." I replied.
We chatted until Denric arrived with the paper, ink, and quills. I set my materials around the table then said, "I will need everyone's full names, where you used to live and a full account of everything you did a week before you became fugitives. I will need to know the full names of those executed as well as the names of their surviving family members and where they live."
The men gave me much information. Denric had to make another expedition for paper and ink. Finally I asked for the full name of the serving maid and any other information they could give me. The men did not know much. Her first name Binara and her last name began with either a "D" or a "T". She served high nobility. They knew she had managed to escape execution, but they did not know where she was.
I gleaned every bit of useful information I could find out of the men. When there was nothing more to say, I asked them about their flight from Remalna. It had been grueling and
I pulled off three of my rings and pried the jewels out of their settings. I handed the jewels to the men. "These should reimburse you for the expense of the trip. The jewels alone should not be recognized. Do not worry about your families. I will make sure that they are taken care of until matters are settled. Now, if there is nothing more you need to discuss with me, I suggest you free me so that I will be able to take action."
Bushy Mustache ordered some of his men to get the carriage ready while I concealed the papers underneath my clothing.
"Why are you hiding the papers?" Denric asked.
"They contain sensitive information. I do not want any old hinky-dink to be able to find it."
"Who are you going to allow to see it?"
"Folk who make a living of getting to the bottom of things."
"Ah." He nodded knowingly.
Soon the carriage arrived.
They dropped me off in a busy section of the city, leaving me to find my own way back home.
He was dressed in Formal Court apparel. I assumed he was leaving his rooms.
He gave me that annoying half-smile and said, "It has been only a couple of time measures since you have returned and already things are falling back in order."
He was telling me that he knew I made the Petitioner's Court resume. He also reminded me that Ogaric was making a mess of things.
I had enough trouble. I did not want to have to tangle with Flauvic right now. "Forgive me, but I must address the Petitioners. I will see you in Court."
He bowed with a modest flourish. "Do not tell me that you are going to address the Petitioners with no henchman behind you or a few scribes at your elbows."
"I do not have time for guards or scribes." I replied, a bit sharply. Could he not see that I did not want to speak with him?
"Surely you have time for one poor, mere nobleman to lend importance to you when you give your speech." He replied, bowing his head.
I was infuriated. He mocked me. I wanted to scream No! I do not have time for you or anyone else!
I was not going to be led into a verbal jousting match with Flauvic. I was tired and depressed, and frankly I did not think I could have beaten him on a good day.
"Come with me then, if this is so important to you." I continued walking, not even paying attention to see if he was following me. I hoped he was not.
"Back in my day, it was traditional that the sovereign addressed the Petitioners." He said, walking a few steps behind me.
"We are under extreme circumstances." I replied.
"I wonder if there would be any extreme circumstances if you took the throne." He said in a calm emotionless voice.
I fought hard for self-control, but my temper snapped. I whirled around. I caught myself before I actually flew at him like an animal. "Get out of my sight." my voice came out as a low, quivery whisper.
He stared at me. I knew my face was probably twisted in my effort to control myself. Perhaps he was shocked by my trembling limbs that yearned to tear him to pieces.
"Go." The word was raw and hoarse. My mind and body were too crazy with emotion to pay attention to my voice.
He opened and shut his mouth, then turned and walked away jerkily with none of his usual grace.
When I was finally alone, I sunk into a nearby cushion and took deep breaths. I could not cry or it would ruin my composure for my speech. When I regained control of my emotions, I plastered a smile on my face and walked to meet the petitioners. I did not know exactly what I was going to say to them, but I doubted they cared about anything I had to say. The King was the only person of importance to them. Well, at least the people of Remalna had something in common with the King: the King was the only person of importance to him.
They emitted a weak cheer when I came into their view. When the yells died down, I began to speak, "I am sure that you all will be pleased to know that today we are going to hear your petitions. The hearings will begin in three-quarters of a time measure. We will hear everyone, no matter how long it takes." I paused, trying to think of something else to say.
One of the people in the courtyard below me shouted, "Will the King be there? I want the King to hear my petition."
"Yes, the King will be there. He would be speaking to you at this moment, but he is unavoidably detained." I answered, "Any more questions?"
I heard another person shout, "How is the Queen's Consort?"
"I have not seen him myself yet as I only just arrived, but I have been assured that he is well."
"Why were the hearings cancelled?"
"I do not know. As I just said, I have only recently arrived, but I am certainly going to look into it."
"Who are you, anyway?"
I curtsied and smiled, "I am Princess Nimiar Shevraeth and I am pleased to make all of your acquaintance."
For some odd reason the Petitioners yelled and cheered. Many of them bowed and curtsied and screamed their names at me and that they were pleased to meet me.
Instinct took over my mind. I curtsied again, a deep, prolonged curtsy, usually given to a monarch. I remained in this position for several minutes as the folk shouted. I stood up again when they all began waving their arms, in a motion that indicated I should rise. I rose and the cheers came to a crescendo. After the cheers began to die down I said, spontaneously, "I love you all. I am so excited to be advising the new King. I hope you come to love us as much as I love all of you." They yelled at the top of their lungs. I curtsied a final time, making more cheers erupt, before going inside.
I felt absolutely euphoric.
I saw an eye peeking through the shutters. A golden eye. I pushed the tapestry aside and entered the modest receiving room in front of the balcony. Flauvic looked exactly how I felt. His mouth was spread into a huge smile.
He bowed deeply for a long time, then positively leaped to his feet. "That was glorious absolutely glorious! You were glorious! They were glorious! It was so perfect!"
"Ah, I know! And the cheers! They love me! I will make them love me forever." I declared.
"You will, how can anyone resist you?"
He was referring to the crowd, but the way his eyes strayed over my shoulder, then met my own changed the meaning of his words to, "How can I resist you?"
My joy vanished. I did not know how to react. My stomach was doing all sorts of odd things. "Excuse me." I blurted out, then fled.
I returned to the Royal Wing to check my brother's progress and to greet my father.
Ogaric was dressed and the servants were arranging his hair when I arrived. He glared at me and said peevishly, "I am still getting ready for your horrible Petitioner's Court so you can leave me alone."
"Thank you, brother." I replied serenely, although I felt everything except serene.
I moved to my father's room. I punched the tapestry, making the heavy material wobble and emit a muffled noise. I heard his voice say, "Come in."
I entered. He was dressed in formal Court attire, sitting on the edge of his bed as though he had been waiting there for three weeks for Petitioner's Court to be called. I expected him to look exhausted. I anticipated swollen red eyes, gray skin, and a few extra wrinkles. Instead, he looked radiant. His face had a healthier glow than I had seen in years. His whole body hummed with energy. Despite his shockingly good health, his firmly clamped together lips and watery eyes told me that he was suffering.
"Father, you look well." I could not think of anything else to say.
"Oh, my dear daughter." He said in a tired, beaten voice. I sat beside him on the bed and he held me tightly in his arms, ignoring the fact that our morbidly expensive clothing was becoming rumpled and disordered.
"I am so glad you are finally here." He said over and over again.
I struggled not to cry. I had a strong hold on my emotions and I managed to control them.
Finally, we were called from the world of private grief by the bells announcing it was time for Petitioner's Court to begin.
My brother looked just as pathetic as he did when I had jerked him out of bed. The only difference was that now he sniveled on a fine handkerchief instead of a fine pillowcase. Within a few petitions we established a working system. I would listen to the petitions and give him a suggestion. He usually copied everything I said word for word. After the petitioners had left, he simply obeyed whatever action I recommended in the resolving of their petitions. I felt frustrated. He was the King, why could he not think for himself.
When we had finally reviewed all of the petitions, he left immediately, not even bothering to greet the Petitioners and the nobles. He was not only being rude, but he left me to do all of his work for him.
A few Petitioners were concerned about the King's seeming lack of interest in their cases. I was not sure what to reply to them.
By the end of the Court, I wanted to lock Ogaric in Red's stall for an hour with his hands tied behind his back. I was furious. He was doing his best to make the transition as difficult as possible. How did he expect his people to trust him if he took no interest in them? Did he just assume that his nobles would remain loyal despite his ineptitude? And what about the foreign ambassadors? I shuddered to think of the stories they brought home to their rulers.
I spent the next season holding the kingdom together as well as I could. I quickly delegated duties to everyone. Remare dealt with foreign affairs. I assigned all matters concerning the nobility to Manana, my sister. My father told me everything my mother had done when she was alive. Arian and Emeric helped me with the commoners.
I did not have time to grieve. I was too busy solving every major crisis that occurred. And a new crisis occurred at least once a week.
The common folk adored me. Before my mother's death, I could leave the castle with a guard or two and receive only a vague glance of interest. Now folks would line the streets and cheer for me and throw flowers at me. I loved the attention, but I wished it were focused on Ogaric instead.
Over time, he began to emerge from his cocoon and remember that he was responsible for the welfare of an entire kingdom.
Finally, after two long seasons, Ogaric was able to take up the reins of the kingdom and I returned to the university, determined to finish my studies there as quickly as possible.
I was finally able to mourn at the university. I felt both release and misery. It was only after I arrived that I had my spies look into her death.
She had died over a period of two weeks. Her illness had seemed inconsequential until she had woken up one morning with a raging fever. She was dead by nightfall.
I had been there for only a few months when I was surprised by Remare's sudden appearance literally at my doorstep.
I was studying for a test in History's Effects on Present Politics when the boarding house's proprietor pounded on my door.
"There is a young man here to see you. He says he is Marquise Remare of Renselaeus."
"Tell him I will be there in a moment." I replied.
I quickly changed from my ugly scholar clothing into a morning dress from my slightly dusty Remalna wardrobe.
He stood and bowed when he saw me. I curtsied in reply, then said, "I am very happy to see you. What brings you to Erev-li-Erval?"
"I am here to protect you." He replied.
I gave him a blank look.
"I suppose I arrived before the mail. There was an assassination attempt on your brother. He hung those involved in the plot, but he suspects there are more members of the conspiracy. He fears you may be a target. He sent me as a visible warning against any attempts. He also suggests that you keep guards around you from now on."
I was shocked. "My brother hung someone? Publicly?"
"Yes."
"Perhaps I should go home and see to things."
"No, you should not. Think of how that would look. It would make folk question Ogaric's ability to handle a crisis himself. They are questioning him enough already. I do not think you can make things much better now that everything is over and done with."
I was very upset. I did not want to stay, but I realized that if Ogaric was to become a good king, I could not run home to save him every time he got in trouble.
"Well, I am not hiring guards, though you are certainly welcome to remain in Erev-li-Erval for as long as you wish. I am able to take care of myself. Few people in Remalna probably know this, but I have some knowledge of swords and combat."
"I will take your word on that, though I recommend that you hire a body guard in case you are attacked."
I held out for two days before Remare finally persuaded me to hire a bodyguard.
Due to Remare's continued presence, I was obliged to dress well. My change in dress as well as the addition of a bodyguard made my peers and teachers look at me differently. I was no longer a faceless student in a sea of thousands, but a princess who deserved notice.
I began to receive invitations to dinners and balls given by various influential people in the city who were connected to the university.
"Lady Augustine has invited you to another dinner party. It is to be held three days hence." My bodyguard Moen said, his eyes scanning the letter for subtle threats. After I hired him, he insisted on going through all of my mail to check for things like forged or broken seals and threats.
"Ah, she is such a lovely hostess. I must write her an acceptance letter. What else?" I replied, absently rifling through pages of notes. I had a test tomorrow and I needed to study.
"Well, a Master Teric sends his regards and Lord Serbon needs another competitor for a race that is going to be held in a sennight."
"Did you see any evil messages that I need to know about?" I asked with a smile.
"No." Moen did not have a very good sense of humor.
I returned to studying my notes.
Remare, Moen, and I were standing in a wet street waiting for the carriage. It was ten minutes late and the sky seemed to grow gloomier and more threatening with every second. The ground had been soaking up rain for the past two days. By now it seemed even the rocks were soggy.
The carriage finally rolled up the road. I sighed with relief. I did not want to show up at Lady Augustine's in a wet dress. The carriage stopped and the door opened. But rather than the usual footman exiting the carriage, a large batch of sword wielding men leaped out and attacked Moen and Remare. I was wearing a dress so I did not have a sword myself, but I fought instinctively with my fists, feet, and teeth. A man grabbed me. I screamed and threw my fists at him. I punched him in the throat and his grip loosened. I was then grabbed immediately again by a fellow with a knife in his hand. He pulled me against him and held his knife to my throat.
"Be silent and stop struggling or I will slit you from ear to ear." He said in a raspy voice.
The poor fellow did not know me well. I only screamed louder and fought harder. I felt myself being dragged into the carriage. I tried to kick my assailant, but my heavy skirts hindered my efforts. Still screaming, punching, and kicking, I was soon inside the carriage. I heard the door slam. Then it began moving, bumping and clattering down the cobbled road.
My captors slowly released me, though they were careful to stay between me and the door. I thought it disgustingly wise of them. My hair was askew, my fists bloody, and my dress was an absolute mess.
"Well," I said haughtily, "I hope you are proud of yourselves, attacking an innocent maiden on the street."
"Innocent, ha, no innocent girl can hit a fellow in the throat like that." one of my captors said in a soft, hoarse voice.
I smiled at him, my sweetest, most sugary Court smile, "You realize that I am the princess of Remalna."
"Oh, yes, that is why we grabbed you. We want your brother to see reason." A man with a bushy mustache said eagerly.
"You are going to ransom me for political power?" I asked skeptically. These men were to roughly dressed to be nobles and too talkative and knowing to be henchmen.
"No, no that is not it at all. You will have to wait until we get there. We just want you to hear our side of the story." Said Bushy Mustache.
By that time I was intrigued.
The carriage rolled to a stop and I was shuffled toward a dumpy-looking house at the edge of the city. The second I stepped out of the carriage, my stomach lurched. I was careful to get sick on as many as my attackers as I could reach. While they stood in shock, I took off. My efforts were cut short when I tripped over my wretched skirt. I fought and screamed as my captors grabbed me again and dragged me to their shack.
Once I was inside the house, I saw no reason to continue screaming and fighting so I quit resisting the men. When they let my go, I promptly peeled out of the outer layer of my dress, which was stained with vomit.
The men stared at me. I turned the dress inside out and handed it to one of the men. "A tunic would be appreciated." I said nonchalantly and sat down in the nearest chair to wait.
Bushy Mustache pulled a chair up so that he sat across from me. A few of the men disappeared into other rooms of the house, presumably to change out of their vomit-stained clothing. The rest stood or sat around us. Soon a tunic was procured. I pulled it on.
"I am prepared to hear your explanation for this extreme inconvenience." I said.
Bushy Mustache looked around at the others, who nodded, then licked his lips and said, "You see, my Lady, here is what happened. You know about those hangings the King did, right? Well, he hung my brother and a lot of fellows here's brothers, sons, and fathers. But, oh, how can I say this. He-he did it for no reason. My brother did not plan to kill him. Sure he was not too thrilled with his leadership, but not enough to want to kill him. We are all wanted for conspiracy to assassinate the King, yet we are in no conspiracy."
"So you were falsely accused." I cut in.
"Yes, we all were, but there is one link between all of us. Every man that got hung and every man that is wanted was in Tonaby's Tavern one month ago. My brother had been talking to a serving girl. He cared for her loads, but lately she had been acting oddly. She would cry and yell at him where she used to be sweet and affectionate. Finally one night she told him some story. I do not know what it is, Furic would not tell me, but two days later every man that had been at that tavern was in trouble with the law."
I sighed as I listened to this story. It seemed Ogaric was in another mess. "Could you get me quills, ink, and paper please?" I asked.
"What for?" asked Bushy Mustache.
"For notes. If I am to look into things, it will be much faster if I am able to get names and facts." I replied.
"Alright, I suppose it will not hurt our cause for you to write down what we say. Denric, hunt us up some writing materials."
While Denric searched the house, I found a dirty table that was covered in unwashed dishes. I moved the dishes onto the floor then scooted the table over to my chair.
Denric reappeared from one of the back rooms and informed us that there were no writing materials in the house. I pulled out a few coins and said, "Will you run out and get some, please?" He stared at me, then turned around and fled out of the house.
Discussion of the problem at hand would not continue until I could write down facts, so I asked them the question that had been bothering me ever since I heard the reason they kidnapped me, "So, why did you come to me? After all, I am sister to the King."
Bushy Mustache rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "You ought to ask Emeric. It was his idea."
A man who had been standing toward the back of the room approached, bearing a stool. "You are Emeric?" I asked.
"Yes." He replied.
"Emeric is a wise name. One of my dearest friends is named Emeric. I am sure he would be as interested as I in the reasons that gave you the idea of consulting me." His face looked vaguely familiar. I scrutinized him. "You came to Petitioner's Court. If I remember correctly you were in a dispute with a man who would not pay his tab at your feed store."
He smiled at me. "You want to know why we approached you with our problem. Partly it was because you handled my petition fairly. As you did everyone else's that day. Your brother seemed deaf to us. Everyone there could tell you were the person that was running things. Of course, those are not the reasons that we came to you, though they certainly contributed to it. The reason that we wanted you to hear our problem was that you care for the regular folk. After the Court was over, you spent just as much time talking to me as you did with your nobles. We hear tales come out of the castle of your generosity and kindness."
I could not keep myself from smiling. I said, "I am glad to hear that my folk love me. I value their good will, but I am neither kind nor generous, only fair."
"What about the tax relief system you suggested your mother implement during the flood." He replied.
"Is it fair that the King's people starve because a lord must choose between keeping his lands and feeding his people?"
"I will never persuade you to change your mind, will I?"
"Probably not." I replied.
We chatted until Denric arrived with the paper, ink, and quills. I set my materials around the table then said, "I will need everyone's full names, where you used to live and a full account of everything you did a week before you became fugitives. I will need to know the full names of those executed as well as the names of their surviving family members and where they live."
The men gave me much information. Denric had to make another expedition for paper and ink. Finally I asked for the full name of the serving maid and any other information they could give me. The men did not know much. Her first name Binara and her last name began with either a "D" or a "T". She served high nobility. They knew she had managed to escape execution, but they did not know where she was.
I gleaned every bit of useful information I could find out of the men. When there was nothing more to say, I asked them about their flight from Remalna. It had been grueling and
I pulled off three of my rings and pried the jewels out of their settings. I handed the jewels to the men. "These should reimburse you for the expense of the trip. The jewels alone should not be recognized. Do not worry about your families. I will make sure that they are taken care of until matters are settled. Now, if there is nothing more you need to discuss with me, I suggest you free me so that I will be able to take action."
Bushy Mustache ordered some of his men to get the carriage ready while I concealed the papers underneath my clothing.
"Why are you hiding the papers?" Denric asked.
"They contain sensitive information. I do not want any old hinky-dink to be able to find it."
"Who are you going to allow to see it?"
"Folk who make a living of getting to the bottom of things."
"Ah." He nodded knowingly.
Soon the carriage arrived.
They dropped me off in a busy section of the city, leaving me to find my own way back home.