Chapter Six
I walked calmly down a street in a slightly seedy area of the city. I wore my ugly scholar's clothing and I had my arm wrapped around an unremarkable fellow of middle age.
"Oh, Henric, it is such a relief that you are finally here." I said quietly.
He turned his head toward mine and said softly, "What was so important that you could not send it in a letter?"
I looked around the street. No one was paying attention to us. "I have a horrible suspicion. You know those men my brother hung. I suspect they were innocent and I suspect he knew it."
He bowed his head. "Now I see. Let us discuss this over a drink."
We strolled to a run-down tavern and sipped at watery ale while I told him what had happened to me two weeks before.
I handed him my notes. "What do you think? What were those men up to?"
"I have as little idea as you do. They sound sincere, but why did they not ask for an audience? It would have been much simpler." He said as he flipped through the pages.
"I think I know why." I replied, "You know that bodyguard I had. He insisted on going through my mail before I could look at it. I noticed that he would always burn my mail when he was done with it. Is that not odd? I suspect he did not want me to receive any correspondence from them."
"Are you saying I need to look into the bodyguard as well?"
"Would you, please?"
"Ah, my mistress is so demanding all of a sudden!" He exclaimed with false frustration.
"I pay you well enough to be as demanding as I want and you well know it." I replied with a smile.
"The things I will do for a smile from a pretty girl. I will see you as soon as I have gotten to the bottom of this." He tipped his hat at me and walked out of the door, whistling a tune.
I paid for the drinks and returned to my house with a lighter heart.
Remare and I were going to a ball that evening. As always he was my escort. The nobility teased us that we needed to hurry up and get married. Remare appeared embarrassed by such jokes. I felt a desperate hope.
He seemed not to notice all of my subtle hints that I would like our friendship to progress further. I tried to capture his attention through sidelong glances and comments with double meanings. I laid his lack of attention down to shyness, something he had suffered from when he was a child. He feared that I would reject him if he made an advance. The idea that he had no interest in me never crossed my mind. I was a princess of Remalna and while men may not truly care for me, they would never turn me down.
That evening I drank more wine and ate less food than I normally did and while I was not out and out drunk, I could have exercised better judgement.
During the ball, I had danced a touch closer to him than usual, hoping he would understand the hint. He did not.
We were riding home in the carriage. The interior was dark and the space cramped. I leaned over, my heart beating fast, wrapped my arms around him, and pressed my lips softly over his.
He tried to pull back, but my hands were on the back of his head, holding him close. He gently pried my hands away from him and pulled away from me.
I felt frustrated and angry. I had just put myself on the line for him and what did he do?
"What happened?" I asked, "What was wrong?"
He just shook his head. "We will discuss this in the morning."
"I want to discuss it right now." I demanded petulantly.
He sighed.
"I don't see why we cannot talk about it now." I grumbled.
The rest of the ride was silent and awkward.
I spent much of what was left of the night crying into my pillow. I did not know how hurtful and confusing rejection could be. It seemed all of my hopes were wiped away, just like that.
The next morning, the bitter taste of having too much to drink the night before hung in my mouth as the bitter taste of heartache hung in my head.
I had dressed and eaten breakfast when Remare arrived.
He held his hat in his hands and jerked a small bow. I curtsied, much more smoothly than he, I noted with grim satisfaction.
"Would you care to sit down?" I said, my voice pleasant and composed.
He sat down and said, "Look, Nee, I am not going to play this game of pleasantries. I am in love with another. Her name is Chaniqua and we are to be married in six months. I came home to get permission for my engagement from my mother and father last autumn. We would be married now, but you know how the kingdom went haywire." He gave me an appealing look.
Without even thinking about it, I said the first thing that came to mind, "Then why did your parents not meet her? It is difficult to believe in a bride who is not there."
"She is modestly wealthy merchant's daughter from Tiong-Hin." He replied.
Tiong-Hin was a very distant country. What's more it was at odds with Erev- li-Erval and all of the other countries in the area. Passage out of that country would be difficult and expensive.
"Part of the reason I came out here," he continued, "was to persuade you to put a bit of Court polish on her before she had to meet my parents and be introduced to the Court, but then I got caught in all of your troubles again and I never got the opportunity to tell you."
"Is that all I am to you? One big trouble? Well, do not worry, I will be sure not to trouble you again." I snapped, getting up from the table.
"You twist my words. You know that is not true." He replied.
I sat back down and placed my head in my hands. "I am sorry for being such a courtier." I said tiredly.
"I am sorry for leading you on." He replied.
We patched a few holes, but it was a long time before things were truly right.
A few months later I found myself standing on the pier in Erev-li-Erval. Remare stood beside me. He was wringing his hands and bouncing nervously on his toes. "Will you calm down? You are making me antsy just looking at you." I scolded.
He stood still for exactly two seconds before standing on his tiptoes and exclaiming, "Life, how long does it take to tie up a boat!"
Finally, the boat was tied and the passengers began to walk down the narrow ramp that led from the ship to the dock.
A short woman with a lovely curvaceous figure ran down the ramp without so much a glance at the water below her. She landed at almost full tilt and picked up speed until she collided into Remare's arms.
On any other couple, such a display of affection would have appeared vulgar and juvenile, but somehow, perhaps in the soft manner in which his hands caressed her back or her fingers tangled in his hair, it seemed as though there were no other way they could meet, even if they wanted to. In that moment, the final weak thread that had bound me to Remare broke. He could not have eyes for anyone else and after seeing them together, I did not want him to.
Finally, the surging tide of emotions caused by this long overdue reunion began to ebb. As if waking from a dream Remare stared blankly around the bleak, dirty pier. He jumped when his gaze landed on me.
"Um, oh, uh, Chaniqua Chu, this is one of my dearest friends, Princess Nimiar Shevraeth."
Chaniqua scanned me from top to toe, obviously trying to deduce just how dear I was to Remare.
"I am honored to meet you, your majesty." She said and performed an awkward curtsy.
"As I am to meet you." I replied in her native language. I had attained a basic knowledge of it during my royal education.
She smiled at me. I suddenly knew that small, seemingly insignificant phrase had just won me a friend.
"Remare, tell her the details of our plan on the carriage ride back to the city. I do not think that fellow can hold Red much longer." I said.
We looked over to where a burly, hairy man was clinging to the end of the lead rope while Red slowly dragged him along the muddy street, looking for something to munch on.
I caught up to the pair. I gave the lead rope a firm jerk and waved my arms at Red, startling him and causing him to back up a half dozen steps.
I put his bridle on, mounted and left for the boarding house where I stayed at a smart trot.
I barely managed to stable Red before the carriage arrived. Judging from Remare's disheveled hair, there had not been much discussion during their ride.
Chaniqua approached and curtsied. I made a mental note to work on curtsies tomorrow. "I thank your majesty for offering to help me adjust to Remalna."
"You need not use my title. I am sure you noticed Remare does not. And a princess is not addressed as your majesty. A proper address for me would be- " I stopped talking. Remare was giving her an intense look of longing, "Ah, we will begin this tomorrow. You two go and catch up."
She returned his look and tucked her hand in his. My last sight of them was of her leaning against him as they strolled down the gray-brown boardwalk in the soft, cool twilight.
One day short of two months later, we arrived in Renselaeus. I had been schooling Chaniqua relentlessly in etiquette. I smiled as I disembarked from the boat and watch her greet Remare's parents with perfect poise and manners.
I walked carefully down the ramp, smiling and waving at the crowd that had gathered to greet us. It was the largest crowd I had ever encountered. I supposed my popularity had grown during my time away.
Dimly, over the cheers and shouts I heard Emeric and Arian greet Chaniqua in her language. I was pleased by their warm reception of their son's true love.
When I had finally descended the treacherous ramp, I curtsied to the crowd, a gesture I had adopted when I made public appearances.
The crowd cheered and bade me rise. I rose and waved at them.
A fellow in filthy clothing and worn shoes attempted to approach me. A pair of guards hustled him off none too gently. "Stop that!" I yelled angrily. I did not like to see my folk be pushed around. "He has as much right to approach me as the King of Remalna."
One of the guards gave him an extra rough shove, then allowed the man to walk toward me. "Your highness," he said, bowing, "I beg the favor of an audience. It is of great importance."
"Granted." I replied, "See me tomorrow at first green. We will discuss your difficulty then. What is your name?"
"Turen Hartshorn, your highness"
"Give the guards at the gate your name and they will admit you."
"Oh, thank you, your highness."
"You are welcome. I need to know what troubles my people. Otherwise, how can I help them?"
He bowed and disappeared into the crowd.
Emeric bowed, then embraced me and I was surrounded with welcomes from the people I loved.
The next day I was mulling over what to wear to the luncheon. I finally decided on my best morning dress. I did not want to intimidate Turen with my wealth, nor did I want him to think me sloppy by under dressing.
He was already in the small, intimate dining room when I arrived with Chaniqua. I had decided to bring her because it would be a good opportunity to practice her dining skills and she could chaperone, preventing potential rumors.
He bowed and greeted us.
"Please, sit down. I am quite hungry."
We knelt at a low table. As the servants gave us drinks, I inquired as to why he had requested an audience.
"Well, your highness, you are familiar with the Barony Ultera."
I nodded.
"This year there was another drought. After the past two years, the Barony's coffers are empty and they are no longer able to feed their folk."
"There is the tax-relief system I implemented. All you need to do is have your Lord or Lady petition." I said.
"My Lady petitioned, but the King has rescinded the law. He insulted my Lady." Turen scowled as though she were being insulted again.
The food arrived and there was no more discussion until the plates were cleared.
"I have arrived at a conclusion, though it is not as immediate as I would like. Tell your Lady to return to Court. I will see to it that she is not insulted again. I need to go to Athanarel and see for myself what is afoot. You will get through the winter. I may have to pull some strings, but I will get you what you need. Now return to your mistress and tell her to come to Court in a month. By then I will have ascertained the best course of action."
Turen said, " I thank you, your highness." Then bowed and left.
I rubbed my temples. I wondered what Ogaric had been up to in my absence.
After our brief stop-off in Renselaeus, we headed for the capital with all possible speed. Despite his blunders, I was eager to see my brother. I also felt a strong desire to confess my worries to my father.
Athanarel seemed much changed. The welcoming party of nobles was the largest I had ever encountered. Court fashions seemed to have turned to a more formal, decadent design. Ogaric was in the center of the courtiers, wearing an eye-smarting red tunic and black breeches. The tunic was heavily embroidered in bright thread and decorated with bits of colored glass to add sparkle. As I stepped off of my mount I wondered briefly who truly was the guest of honor.
I approached Ogaric and offered him the appropriate curtsy a princess gives her king.
"That is not how a subject curtsies to The King." He said belligerently.
I was shocked. I had seen him on occasion taunt a lesser noble, but I had never been a victim of his cruel humor.
"Lady Larisa, please demonstrate so that Nimiar will have an example to follow." His lack of use of my title did not go unnoticed.
Larisa, with a red face and slightly trembly lips knelt in front of Ogaric, touching her forehead to the ground three times before he lowered his hand. She kissed his ring. "You may rise." He said in a cold scornful voice.
I was disgusted and horrified. How could he degrade a courtier to that level and get away with it for any period of time? My temper was riled.
"Now, Nimiar, why don't you try to address me with the respect I deserve." He said. The condescension in his voice was so thick I could smell it.
"With pleasure, Brother." I replied warmly.
I walked up to him with calm confidence. I stopped where Larisa had knelt and slapped him hard across the face.
He staggered and stared at me with shock. I glared at him and walked serenely to my rooms. He was not the only person in the palace who could bite.
It took me three seconds before I deeply regretted my rash action. What was I thinking? I cowered in my room like a sulking child who did not want to go to her own birthday party because someone else had more attention than she.
I was still angry with Ogaric, but I could have handled that situation in so many different ways. I should have treated his behavior like a jest.
I envisioned myself smoothly pulling Larisa to her feet and laughingly scolding Ogaric. Perhaps he had been jesting after all. And I had ruined the joke.
I sat at the table in the drawing room in my private complex of chambers. Annalise did not expect me for another hour so I was by myself.
I heard a thump against the tapestry and a voice call, "Princess Nimiar, I would appreciate a moment of your time." It was Flauvic.
I anticipated that his obvious admiration of me would have been dispelled during my last visit due my coldness and occasionally rude conversations with him. I was not quite sure whether I was pleased or disappointed to be proven wrong.
"You may enter." I answered. I had no idea of what to expect from Flauvic; however, knowing him, I braced myself for anything.
He entered and performed one his famous bows. I rose and curtsied. My face reddened as I remembered the motion that caused all of my trouble.
"I trust your time in Erev-li-Erval was pleasant." He said with an odd drawl that always annoyed me.
We exchanged a good many pleasantries. I knew Flauvic did not come just to chat, but I decided to wait him out. Eventually he got around to the point.
"Many of the nobles were pleased when you put the King in his place. We have grown weary of his ego."
"Why are you telling me this?" I replied.
"To ease your worries. Just because you are on the outs with the King at the moment does not mean you do not have the support of the Court. In fact, at the moment, the King is probably the most unpopular person at Court. Furthermore, I am sure you will be pleased to know that over half of the people present at your reception party found excuses to leave early. Manana was among them. Your father did not leave, though it was observed that he angrily whispered at your brother for at least ten minutes."
"I assume that you were among those who departed early." I said
"One of the first."
"Why?"
"Well, aside from personal reasons that should be obvious to you, I left because I felt you were in the right. The King tried to shame you as he has many courtiers. You were the only one with guts and clout enough to openly defy him and get away with it. If my support will deflate that large head of his, you have it."
I allowed myself a slight shiver over the phrase, "personal reasons that should be obvious to you," before I thought through all of the other things he said.
"Thank you, Flauvic. I am much relieved that I have the support of the nobles. Feel free to notify anyone you please that I will be attending the ball this evening and I suspect I will need all of the help I can get."
The ball was not as bad as I expected. Ogaric greeted me warmly as though nothing had happened earlier that afternoon. I embraced him tightly. I loved him despite his flaws and now that I was there, I knew he could overcome them.
I did not have the opportunity to embrace my father that afternoon, so I held him for an extra-long time. Out of everyone in my family I had missed. I missed him the most.
Manana was next. As we hugged, I whispered into her ear, "Thank you for supporting me."
"Think nothing of it." She replied.
Ogaric was almost painfully correct toward me. I could tell he was doing his best to avoid another blowup.
In short we were all on our best behavior, but underneath the smothering, sticky-sweet niceties, I knew there was a volcano waiting to explode.
"Will you quit bugging me about that stupid tax-relief system! It is a waste of money. A waste of money. If those people truly care about their tenants they will turn their land over to the Crown." Ogaric almost yelled at me.
I had been home for two weeks and despite my efforts, I had made no progress with Ogaric over tax-relief.
"Oh, yes, just give their land over to the Crown. Who knows what kind of Lord their people could have next and what about the families? Do we really need disgruntled nobles running around with nothing to work for? I suppose you really enjoyed the last assassination attempt as you seem bound and determined to repeat it, only with a richer and more sophisticated enemy. I must say the tax-relief system sure is a waste of money." I retorted.
"How many times must I tell you that I do not care about scrawny village- folk or rogue nobles. Why do you think I have spies?"
"How can you not care about scrawny village folk and disgruntled nobles? Who do you think you are ruling? Who keeps you in power? Use your head!"
"I am tired of your arguments. Leave my presence immediately." He ordered in a cold voice.
"No, I will not leave your presence until you listen to me. You must give the Barony Ultera tax-relief."
"I suppose you leave me with no choice. Gerim, Piram, remove Princess Nimiar at once."
"Don't bother." I said angrily, striding out of his private rooms before his body servants had a chance to touch me.
Since my arrival, it seemed I spent more time arguing with Ogaric than advising him.
His attitude at Petitioner's Court was dreadful. If the Petitioner were common, he would dismiss him and coldly tell the poor man to run to his lord. The King was too busy to bother with the likes of him. If the Petitioner were noble, he would ridicule him endlessly, eventually making a decision that may or may not be in his favor.
My advice was completely ignored. Ogaric seemed to function on pure caprice.
I felt hurt and frustrated. I did everything I could for him and he just pushed me out of the way.
I retreated to my rooms where I indulged myself with a brief cry before I changed clothing and prepared for that evening's ball.
I saw the tapestry jump and my father's voice shout, "May I enter?"
"Please, come in."
"You have been arguing with your brother again." He said as he pulled out a chair and sat across from me.
"Oh, Father, I feel so frustrated. I may as well be talking to a wall. I am trying to control my temper."
"Do not let him push your buttons. I know what he is doing. If you stay calm, you can beat him."
I laid my cheek against the cool, rough stone of the table, trying to ease its heat, "I never thought he would turn out like this. I always thought he would be glamorous and loved and I would be the girl in the background, giving advice."
"Your mother and I saw a little of it coming, though not as much trouble as there is. In fact, I did not think of it immediately after my Mel's death, but not three weeks before she fell ill, she and I had come to the decision to pass over Ogaric as heir. We told him a month before we planned to make it legal so that he would have time to become accustomed to it before the Court found out. I remember when we told him, he was quite distraught. He cried and begged. Oh, it was a terrible scene."
I felt flattered yet disappointed. If Mother had not died when she did, I could have been Queen and the country would not be in its present fix. "Do you suspect foul play in Mother's death?"
"Yes, but who do I turn to? All of my old spies now work for my son and if I go to one of my nobles, it will make the family appear weak and divided."
"I have set some of my personal spies to it, but I am sure they will find this new information very useful."
"You have given me much ease."
After that, the subject was closed. We talked of politics, namely what I was going to tell the Baroness of Ultera when she arrived in a few days.
The Baroness was scheduled to arrive that day and I felt nervous. I knew my answer to her request for money was not going to please her. A servant swatted my tapestry.
"Baroness Ultera insists that she see you." She called.
"Please, bring her in."
The Baroness entered and curtsied. She was a thin woman of middle age with a few gray hairs shading her blonde temples.
"Please sit down. Will you take some refreshments? I asked indicating the modest luncheon I had set out in anticipation of her arrival.
She sat down and daintily munched on a piece of fruit. We exchanged pleasantries. Though she was obviously uncomfortable, she was faultlessly polite. She wore her clothing as though it were her best.
Her dowdy, ill-fitting dress could have been in style when my parents were young, but now was hopelessly out of date.
The Baroness was a woman of much dignity and pride, which made my news even more difficult to bear.
"My lady, it grieves me to tell you what you do not want hear." I began.
She sat up straight and hardened her features in anticipation of crushing news. "I have prevailed upon my brother to bring back the tax-relief system, but he refused to listen to me. I used every means I could imagine to sway him to our cause, and while I know that is no excuse and it does not make your purses any less pinched and your folk any less hungry, please know that I have and will continue to do everything I am able to help you. I do not have a personal fortune otherwise matters would be simple. If you give me a few days, I may be able to ask Lord Emeric of Renselaeus if he would issue you a loan."
My voice was uncommonly fast and panicky. When I finally paused for breath, my throat grew constricted and I knew I was about to cry.
"Please excuse me, milady." I said, just as a sob worked its way out and a few tears slipped out of the corners of my eyes.
"Certainly." She said, "Thank you for your time."
She left quickly forgetting to curtsy. I cried, thinking of how I would feel if I were her. How would she tell her people that she had to give them to a capricious, selfish King or allow them to starve?
That afternoon, I felt more anger toward Ogaric than toward any other person I had ever met. Something inside me snapped. What were Ogaric's feelings compared to those of the people of Ultera? Did he have to watch his children's bellies swell with hunger? Out of my woe and self-pity I hatched a wild, loose plan. A final bid for his support. It probably would not work, but I had nothing left to lose.
A/N: I admit that there is quite a lot of darkness and unhappiness in this chapter. It will get happier, don't worry. I received very few reviews for this story. Whether it was because you all are too lazy (with the exception of Felsong and a few others) or because you thought I didn't want reviews (a bit of a stretch, I admit).
Here is my ultimatum. If you like this story, review and I will update. If you don't, continue not reviewing and I will pull it off this site so that you do not accidentally click on it (heaven forbid).
I walked calmly down a street in a slightly seedy area of the city. I wore my ugly scholar's clothing and I had my arm wrapped around an unremarkable fellow of middle age.
"Oh, Henric, it is such a relief that you are finally here." I said quietly.
He turned his head toward mine and said softly, "What was so important that you could not send it in a letter?"
I looked around the street. No one was paying attention to us. "I have a horrible suspicion. You know those men my brother hung. I suspect they were innocent and I suspect he knew it."
He bowed his head. "Now I see. Let us discuss this over a drink."
We strolled to a run-down tavern and sipped at watery ale while I told him what had happened to me two weeks before.
I handed him my notes. "What do you think? What were those men up to?"
"I have as little idea as you do. They sound sincere, but why did they not ask for an audience? It would have been much simpler." He said as he flipped through the pages.
"I think I know why." I replied, "You know that bodyguard I had. He insisted on going through my mail before I could look at it. I noticed that he would always burn my mail when he was done with it. Is that not odd? I suspect he did not want me to receive any correspondence from them."
"Are you saying I need to look into the bodyguard as well?"
"Would you, please?"
"Ah, my mistress is so demanding all of a sudden!" He exclaimed with false frustration.
"I pay you well enough to be as demanding as I want and you well know it." I replied with a smile.
"The things I will do for a smile from a pretty girl. I will see you as soon as I have gotten to the bottom of this." He tipped his hat at me and walked out of the door, whistling a tune.
I paid for the drinks and returned to my house with a lighter heart.
Remare and I were going to a ball that evening. As always he was my escort. The nobility teased us that we needed to hurry up and get married. Remare appeared embarrassed by such jokes. I felt a desperate hope.
He seemed not to notice all of my subtle hints that I would like our friendship to progress further. I tried to capture his attention through sidelong glances and comments with double meanings. I laid his lack of attention down to shyness, something he had suffered from when he was a child. He feared that I would reject him if he made an advance. The idea that he had no interest in me never crossed my mind. I was a princess of Remalna and while men may not truly care for me, they would never turn me down.
That evening I drank more wine and ate less food than I normally did and while I was not out and out drunk, I could have exercised better judgement.
During the ball, I had danced a touch closer to him than usual, hoping he would understand the hint. He did not.
We were riding home in the carriage. The interior was dark and the space cramped. I leaned over, my heart beating fast, wrapped my arms around him, and pressed my lips softly over his.
He tried to pull back, but my hands were on the back of his head, holding him close. He gently pried my hands away from him and pulled away from me.
I felt frustrated and angry. I had just put myself on the line for him and what did he do?
"What happened?" I asked, "What was wrong?"
He just shook his head. "We will discuss this in the morning."
"I want to discuss it right now." I demanded petulantly.
He sighed.
"I don't see why we cannot talk about it now." I grumbled.
The rest of the ride was silent and awkward.
I spent much of what was left of the night crying into my pillow. I did not know how hurtful and confusing rejection could be. It seemed all of my hopes were wiped away, just like that.
The next morning, the bitter taste of having too much to drink the night before hung in my mouth as the bitter taste of heartache hung in my head.
I had dressed and eaten breakfast when Remare arrived.
He held his hat in his hands and jerked a small bow. I curtsied, much more smoothly than he, I noted with grim satisfaction.
"Would you care to sit down?" I said, my voice pleasant and composed.
He sat down and said, "Look, Nee, I am not going to play this game of pleasantries. I am in love with another. Her name is Chaniqua and we are to be married in six months. I came home to get permission for my engagement from my mother and father last autumn. We would be married now, but you know how the kingdom went haywire." He gave me an appealing look.
Without even thinking about it, I said the first thing that came to mind, "Then why did your parents not meet her? It is difficult to believe in a bride who is not there."
"She is modestly wealthy merchant's daughter from Tiong-Hin." He replied.
Tiong-Hin was a very distant country. What's more it was at odds with Erev- li-Erval and all of the other countries in the area. Passage out of that country would be difficult and expensive.
"Part of the reason I came out here," he continued, "was to persuade you to put a bit of Court polish on her before she had to meet my parents and be introduced to the Court, but then I got caught in all of your troubles again and I never got the opportunity to tell you."
"Is that all I am to you? One big trouble? Well, do not worry, I will be sure not to trouble you again." I snapped, getting up from the table.
"You twist my words. You know that is not true." He replied.
I sat back down and placed my head in my hands. "I am sorry for being such a courtier." I said tiredly.
"I am sorry for leading you on." He replied.
We patched a few holes, but it was a long time before things were truly right.
A few months later I found myself standing on the pier in Erev-li-Erval. Remare stood beside me. He was wringing his hands and bouncing nervously on his toes. "Will you calm down? You are making me antsy just looking at you." I scolded.
He stood still for exactly two seconds before standing on his tiptoes and exclaiming, "Life, how long does it take to tie up a boat!"
Finally, the boat was tied and the passengers began to walk down the narrow ramp that led from the ship to the dock.
A short woman with a lovely curvaceous figure ran down the ramp without so much a glance at the water below her. She landed at almost full tilt and picked up speed until she collided into Remare's arms.
On any other couple, such a display of affection would have appeared vulgar and juvenile, but somehow, perhaps in the soft manner in which his hands caressed her back or her fingers tangled in his hair, it seemed as though there were no other way they could meet, even if they wanted to. In that moment, the final weak thread that had bound me to Remare broke. He could not have eyes for anyone else and after seeing them together, I did not want him to.
Finally, the surging tide of emotions caused by this long overdue reunion began to ebb. As if waking from a dream Remare stared blankly around the bleak, dirty pier. He jumped when his gaze landed on me.
"Um, oh, uh, Chaniqua Chu, this is one of my dearest friends, Princess Nimiar Shevraeth."
Chaniqua scanned me from top to toe, obviously trying to deduce just how dear I was to Remare.
"I am honored to meet you, your majesty." She said and performed an awkward curtsy.
"As I am to meet you." I replied in her native language. I had attained a basic knowledge of it during my royal education.
She smiled at me. I suddenly knew that small, seemingly insignificant phrase had just won me a friend.
"Remare, tell her the details of our plan on the carriage ride back to the city. I do not think that fellow can hold Red much longer." I said.
We looked over to where a burly, hairy man was clinging to the end of the lead rope while Red slowly dragged him along the muddy street, looking for something to munch on.
I caught up to the pair. I gave the lead rope a firm jerk and waved my arms at Red, startling him and causing him to back up a half dozen steps.
I put his bridle on, mounted and left for the boarding house where I stayed at a smart trot.
I barely managed to stable Red before the carriage arrived. Judging from Remare's disheveled hair, there had not been much discussion during their ride.
Chaniqua approached and curtsied. I made a mental note to work on curtsies tomorrow. "I thank your majesty for offering to help me adjust to Remalna."
"You need not use my title. I am sure you noticed Remare does not. And a princess is not addressed as your majesty. A proper address for me would be- " I stopped talking. Remare was giving her an intense look of longing, "Ah, we will begin this tomorrow. You two go and catch up."
She returned his look and tucked her hand in his. My last sight of them was of her leaning against him as they strolled down the gray-brown boardwalk in the soft, cool twilight.
One day short of two months later, we arrived in Renselaeus. I had been schooling Chaniqua relentlessly in etiquette. I smiled as I disembarked from the boat and watch her greet Remare's parents with perfect poise and manners.
I walked carefully down the ramp, smiling and waving at the crowd that had gathered to greet us. It was the largest crowd I had ever encountered. I supposed my popularity had grown during my time away.
Dimly, over the cheers and shouts I heard Emeric and Arian greet Chaniqua in her language. I was pleased by their warm reception of their son's true love.
When I had finally descended the treacherous ramp, I curtsied to the crowd, a gesture I had adopted when I made public appearances.
The crowd cheered and bade me rise. I rose and waved at them.
A fellow in filthy clothing and worn shoes attempted to approach me. A pair of guards hustled him off none too gently. "Stop that!" I yelled angrily. I did not like to see my folk be pushed around. "He has as much right to approach me as the King of Remalna."
One of the guards gave him an extra rough shove, then allowed the man to walk toward me. "Your highness," he said, bowing, "I beg the favor of an audience. It is of great importance."
"Granted." I replied, "See me tomorrow at first green. We will discuss your difficulty then. What is your name?"
"Turen Hartshorn, your highness"
"Give the guards at the gate your name and they will admit you."
"Oh, thank you, your highness."
"You are welcome. I need to know what troubles my people. Otherwise, how can I help them?"
He bowed and disappeared into the crowd.
Emeric bowed, then embraced me and I was surrounded with welcomes from the people I loved.
The next day I was mulling over what to wear to the luncheon. I finally decided on my best morning dress. I did not want to intimidate Turen with my wealth, nor did I want him to think me sloppy by under dressing.
He was already in the small, intimate dining room when I arrived with Chaniqua. I had decided to bring her because it would be a good opportunity to practice her dining skills and she could chaperone, preventing potential rumors.
He bowed and greeted us.
"Please, sit down. I am quite hungry."
We knelt at a low table. As the servants gave us drinks, I inquired as to why he had requested an audience.
"Well, your highness, you are familiar with the Barony Ultera."
I nodded.
"This year there was another drought. After the past two years, the Barony's coffers are empty and they are no longer able to feed their folk."
"There is the tax-relief system I implemented. All you need to do is have your Lord or Lady petition." I said.
"My Lady petitioned, but the King has rescinded the law. He insulted my Lady." Turen scowled as though she were being insulted again.
The food arrived and there was no more discussion until the plates were cleared.
"I have arrived at a conclusion, though it is not as immediate as I would like. Tell your Lady to return to Court. I will see to it that she is not insulted again. I need to go to Athanarel and see for myself what is afoot. You will get through the winter. I may have to pull some strings, but I will get you what you need. Now return to your mistress and tell her to come to Court in a month. By then I will have ascertained the best course of action."
Turen said, " I thank you, your highness." Then bowed and left.
I rubbed my temples. I wondered what Ogaric had been up to in my absence.
After our brief stop-off in Renselaeus, we headed for the capital with all possible speed. Despite his blunders, I was eager to see my brother. I also felt a strong desire to confess my worries to my father.
Athanarel seemed much changed. The welcoming party of nobles was the largest I had ever encountered. Court fashions seemed to have turned to a more formal, decadent design. Ogaric was in the center of the courtiers, wearing an eye-smarting red tunic and black breeches. The tunic was heavily embroidered in bright thread and decorated with bits of colored glass to add sparkle. As I stepped off of my mount I wondered briefly who truly was the guest of honor.
I approached Ogaric and offered him the appropriate curtsy a princess gives her king.
"That is not how a subject curtsies to The King." He said belligerently.
I was shocked. I had seen him on occasion taunt a lesser noble, but I had never been a victim of his cruel humor.
"Lady Larisa, please demonstrate so that Nimiar will have an example to follow." His lack of use of my title did not go unnoticed.
Larisa, with a red face and slightly trembly lips knelt in front of Ogaric, touching her forehead to the ground three times before he lowered his hand. She kissed his ring. "You may rise." He said in a cold scornful voice.
I was disgusted and horrified. How could he degrade a courtier to that level and get away with it for any period of time? My temper was riled.
"Now, Nimiar, why don't you try to address me with the respect I deserve." He said. The condescension in his voice was so thick I could smell it.
"With pleasure, Brother." I replied warmly.
I walked up to him with calm confidence. I stopped where Larisa had knelt and slapped him hard across the face.
He staggered and stared at me with shock. I glared at him and walked serenely to my rooms. He was not the only person in the palace who could bite.
It took me three seconds before I deeply regretted my rash action. What was I thinking? I cowered in my room like a sulking child who did not want to go to her own birthday party because someone else had more attention than she.
I was still angry with Ogaric, but I could have handled that situation in so many different ways. I should have treated his behavior like a jest.
I envisioned myself smoothly pulling Larisa to her feet and laughingly scolding Ogaric. Perhaps he had been jesting after all. And I had ruined the joke.
I sat at the table in the drawing room in my private complex of chambers. Annalise did not expect me for another hour so I was by myself.
I heard a thump against the tapestry and a voice call, "Princess Nimiar, I would appreciate a moment of your time." It was Flauvic.
I anticipated that his obvious admiration of me would have been dispelled during my last visit due my coldness and occasionally rude conversations with him. I was not quite sure whether I was pleased or disappointed to be proven wrong.
"You may enter." I answered. I had no idea of what to expect from Flauvic; however, knowing him, I braced myself for anything.
He entered and performed one his famous bows. I rose and curtsied. My face reddened as I remembered the motion that caused all of my trouble.
"I trust your time in Erev-li-Erval was pleasant." He said with an odd drawl that always annoyed me.
We exchanged a good many pleasantries. I knew Flauvic did not come just to chat, but I decided to wait him out. Eventually he got around to the point.
"Many of the nobles were pleased when you put the King in his place. We have grown weary of his ego."
"Why are you telling me this?" I replied.
"To ease your worries. Just because you are on the outs with the King at the moment does not mean you do not have the support of the Court. In fact, at the moment, the King is probably the most unpopular person at Court. Furthermore, I am sure you will be pleased to know that over half of the people present at your reception party found excuses to leave early. Manana was among them. Your father did not leave, though it was observed that he angrily whispered at your brother for at least ten minutes."
"I assume that you were among those who departed early." I said
"One of the first."
"Why?"
"Well, aside from personal reasons that should be obvious to you, I left because I felt you were in the right. The King tried to shame you as he has many courtiers. You were the only one with guts and clout enough to openly defy him and get away with it. If my support will deflate that large head of his, you have it."
I allowed myself a slight shiver over the phrase, "personal reasons that should be obvious to you," before I thought through all of the other things he said.
"Thank you, Flauvic. I am much relieved that I have the support of the nobles. Feel free to notify anyone you please that I will be attending the ball this evening and I suspect I will need all of the help I can get."
The ball was not as bad as I expected. Ogaric greeted me warmly as though nothing had happened earlier that afternoon. I embraced him tightly. I loved him despite his flaws and now that I was there, I knew he could overcome them.
I did not have the opportunity to embrace my father that afternoon, so I held him for an extra-long time. Out of everyone in my family I had missed. I missed him the most.
Manana was next. As we hugged, I whispered into her ear, "Thank you for supporting me."
"Think nothing of it." She replied.
Ogaric was almost painfully correct toward me. I could tell he was doing his best to avoid another blowup.
In short we were all on our best behavior, but underneath the smothering, sticky-sweet niceties, I knew there was a volcano waiting to explode.
"Will you quit bugging me about that stupid tax-relief system! It is a waste of money. A waste of money. If those people truly care about their tenants they will turn their land over to the Crown." Ogaric almost yelled at me.
I had been home for two weeks and despite my efforts, I had made no progress with Ogaric over tax-relief.
"Oh, yes, just give their land over to the Crown. Who knows what kind of Lord their people could have next and what about the families? Do we really need disgruntled nobles running around with nothing to work for? I suppose you really enjoyed the last assassination attempt as you seem bound and determined to repeat it, only with a richer and more sophisticated enemy. I must say the tax-relief system sure is a waste of money." I retorted.
"How many times must I tell you that I do not care about scrawny village- folk or rogue nobles. Why do you think I have spies?"
"How can you not care about scrawny village folk and disgruntled nobles? Who do you think you are ruling? Who keeps you in power? Use your head!"
"I am tired of your arguments. Leave my presence immediately." He ordered in a cold voice.
"No, I will not leave your presence until you listen to me. You must give the Barony Ultera tax-relief."
"I suppose you leave me with no choice. Gerim, Piram, remove Princess Nimiar at once."
"Don't bother." I said angrily, striding out of his private rooms before his body servants had a chance to touch me.
Since my arrival, it seemed I spent more time arguing with Ogaric than advising him.
His attitude at Petitioner's Court was dreadful. If the Petitioner were common, he would dismiss him and coldly tell the poor man to run to his lord. The King was too busy to bother with the likes of him. If the Petitioner were noble, he would ridicule him endlessly, eventually making a decision that may or may not be in his favor.
My advice was completely ignored. Ogaric seemed to function on pure caprice.
I felt hurt and frustrated. I did everything I could for him and he just pushed me out of the way.
I retreated to my rooms where I indulged myself with a brief cry before I changed clothing and prepared for that evening's ball.
I saw the tapestry jump and my father's voice shout, "May I enter?"
"Please, come in."
"You have been arguing with your brother again." He said as he pulled out a chair and sat across from me.
"Oh, Father, I feel so frustrated. I may as well be talking to a wall. I am trying to control my temper."
"Do not let him push your buttons. I know what he is doing. If you stay calm, you can beat him."
I laid my cheek against the cool, rough stone of the table, trying to ease its heat, "I never thought he would turn out like this. I always thought he would be glamorous and loved and I would be the girl in the background, giving advice."
"Your mother and I saw a little of it coming, though not as much trouble as there is. In fact, I did not think of it immediately after my Mel's death, but not three weeks before she fell ill, she and I had come to the decision to pass over Ogaric as heir. We told him a month before we planned to make it legal so that he would have time to become accustomed to it before the Court found out. I remember when we told him, he was quite distraught. He cried and begged. Oh, it was a terrible scene."
I felt flattered yet disappointed. If Mother had not died when she did, I could have been Queen and the country would not be in its present fix. "Do you suspect foul play in Mother's death?"
"Yes, but who do I turn to? All of my old spies now work for my son and if I go to one of my nobles, it will make the family appear weak and divided."
"I have set some of my personal spies to it, but I am sure they will find this new information very useful."
"You have given me much ease."
After that, the subject was closed. We talked of politics, namely what I was going to tell the Baroness of Ultera when she arrived in a few days.
The Baroness was scheduled to arrive that day and I felt nervous. I knew my answer to her request for money was not going to please her. A servant swatted my tapestry.
"Baroness Ultera insists that she see you." She called.
"Please, bring her in."
The Baroness entered and curtsied. She was a thin woman of middle age with a few gray hairs shading her blonde temples.
"Please sit down. Will you take some refreshments? I asked indicating the modest luncheon I had set out in anticipation of her arrival.
She sat down and daintily munched on a piece of fruit. We exchanged pleasantries. Though she was obviously uncomfortable, she was faultlessly polite. She wore her clothing as though it were her best.
Her dowdy, ill-fitting dress could have been in style when my parents were young, but now was hopelessly out of date.
The Baroness was a woman of much dignity and pride, which made my news even more difficult to bear.
"My lady, it grieves me to tell you what you do not want hear." I began.
She sat up straight and hardened her features in anticipation of crushing news. "I have prevailed upon my brother to bring back the tax-relief system, but he refused to listen to me. I used every means I could imagine to sway him to our cause, and while I know that is no excuse and it does not make your purses any less pinched and your folk any less hungry, please know that I have and will continue to do everything I am able to help you. I do not have a personal fortune otherwise matters would be simple. If you give me a few days, I may be able to ask Lord Emeric of Renselaeus if he would issue you a loan."
My voice was uncommonly fast and panicky. When I finally paused for breath, my throat grew constricted and I knew I was about to cry.
"Please excuse me, milady." I said, just as a sob worked its way out and a few tears slipped out of the corners of my eyes.
"Certainly." She said, "Thank you for your time."
She left quickly forgetting to curtsy. I cried, thinking of how I would feel if I were her. How would she tell her people that she had to give them to a capricious, selfish King or allow them to starve?
That afternoon, I felt more anger toward Ogaric than toward any other person I had ever met. Something inside me snapped. What were Ogaric's feelings compared to those of the people of Ultera? Did he have to watch his children's bellies swell with hunger? Out of my woe and self-pity I hatched a wild, loose plan. A final bid for his support. It probably would not work, but I had nothing left to lose.
A/N: I admit that there is quite a lot of darkness and unhappiness in this chapter. It will get happier, don't worry. I received very few reviews for this story. Whether it was because you all are too lazy (with the exception of Felsong and a few others) or because you thought I didn't want reviews (a bit of a stretch, I admit).
Here is my ultimatum. If you like this story, review and I will update. If you don't, continue not reviewing and I will pull it off this site so that you do not accidentally click on it (heaven forbid).