The dinner that evening was a poorly veiled excuse for the Duke and his court to ogle the Rechadian Crown Princess. They were all perfectly cordial of course, but at the same time quite obviously waiting for her to commit a grievous error. Typical, thought Alyssa, I escape one fish bowl only to enter another.
The Duke was surprisingly distant at the dinner even though she was seated at his side in the seat of the honored guest. Instead he maintained a steady stream of conversation with the lanky man on his other side. Alyssa thought that she had never seen a man so tall before, his limbs seemed to extend endlessly from his slim torso, and yet he managed to have the slinky grace of a cat. A predatory cat more like, thought Alyssa darkly. The man had taken her hand and kissed it as was proper, and she had not liked her impressions of him at all. Mostly, she admitted to herself, because she could not form a satisfactory impression. She sensed only that his intentions were not good ones. That they were not clearer to her curse disturbed her a great deal.
At the end of the meal, the Duke seemed to come back to himself and recall his duties as host. He chattered to her about her beauty and how lovely the north was, though surely not as lovely as she, and how she was simply going to adore this and that and ten other things. Occasionally he would cast a distasteful glance over her new orange gown, she had changed for dinner. It was clear that it pained him deeply not to comment on it. Alyssa struggled to maintain a straight face whenever that hopeless look appeared in his eyes. No wonder he and my mother get along so well, she thought, they both think I'm a fashion disaster!
All the while the long, lanky man opposite Alyssa watched her quietly. And although her mind dismissed it, Alyssa could not suppress the ominous feeling that arose in her stomach at the sight of him.
"Friday?" The girl paused in unzipping her evening gown.
"Yes, A-Alyssa?" Alyssa grinned that the girl had finally addressed her properly.
"What do you know of that man who is always by the Duke's side? The tall, lean one who spends the majority of his time whispering into the Duke's ear?" she asked.
"Oh you mean Sir Patrick? He is the Duke's most trusted advisor and friend. They met and fought together in the Axian war. He is an Axian knight, but rumor has it that he is not welcome in the Axian court and that is why he is here. They also say that he saved the Duke's life in the war." Explained Friday.
"Interesting," said Alyssa thoughtfully. Exiled from George's court perhaps? Or merely a disgruntled courtier? Or maybe the man was lying about his origins and George's kingdom did not factor in at all. "Please keep sharp for more gossip about this Sir Patrick, but Friday don't ask around. I feel it might be best to keep our interest a secret."
It was a week after the Princess's arrival in the north and Friday stood silently in the hidden hallway for the servants. Dark colors of green, yellow and blue played across her face from the tapestry blocking the little doorway into the Duke's offices. She focused on breathing and existing in silence because the Crown Princess had been right, and the more Friday heard of the conversation on the opposite side of the tapestry the more nervous she became. She fought to remain calm and undiscovered, while Sir Patrick's quiet voice trailed into the passage making her shiver uncontrollably.
"Duke, you must woo her. She is the key to your success, without the love or at least the agreement of the Crown Princess you can never become King."
"But—" began the Duke.
"No, it is almost within your grasp now. It shall be easy with all of the villagers you have taken to your side to overthrow the king and Queen." Sir Patrick muttered.
"Well," said the Duke gruffly. Friday could imagine him puffing up like a proud cat, "it's true that my plan is infallible. The Kingdom will of course fall. But the Princess remains a problem. She continues to repel my advances; clearly she's playing with me. She obviously wants a man to work for her affection, there is no other explanation." He finished gravely.
"Indeed," agreed Sir Patrick with the barest hint of sarcasm, "for what woman could resist you?" Meanwhile, in the small corridor Friday was barely able to stand. Treason, she thought blearily. Treason. She was not a stupid girl, she had been a librarian in the town before her family had offered her to the Estate to cover their taxes. It was time to be gone from this place, back to the Princess's side, for she must know of this, must be saved. It was clear that she had missed part of the conversation as she had been lost in thought, but as she crept away she heard a last snippet of talk.
"—yes, and at the last moment, at the climax of the battle you shall swoop in and save her. Undoubtedly she shall offer you anything you wish in return for the favor, it is the royal custom." Said Sir Patrick.
"Her hand!" shouted the Duke, who was immediately shushed by his friend.
"Exactly, clever man. Her hand in marriage, she cannot refuse you. And then when news comes of the King and Queen, she shall be Queen and you her King." Whispered Sir Patrick triumphantly.
"King," echoed the Duke. Friday fled silently down the corridor toward the Crown Princess' rooms as though she could out run that last whisper which seemed to reverberate in the silent hall. King.
"Good lord!" exclaimed Alyssa. "Whatever are we going to do Friday? Oh my poor parents, they didn't say when? Where? Oh gracious. And if I am to survive this ordeal unwed I must flee, but to where? I cannot go home for his plan could be equally well executed there. Damn the royal rule of offering anything a man can desire in return for stopping regicide." She paced across the immaculate floor of her bedroom, absolutely horrified. "Quick, Friday, please run and notify my guards that I wish to see them."
"Nick and Cat?" the girl queried, already striding towards the servants passageway.
"Yes." Replied Alyssa distractedly. Friday left her to her pacing and anxious thoughts. Calm, she told herself, be calm. You must think.
Mere minutes later Nick and Cat entered the Crown Princess' rooms quietly. Friday followed behind, having checked the corridor for onlookers.
"All clear," murmured Friday, "shall I keep watch Alyssa?"
"Yes, please." Agreed the stressed monarch.
"Alyssa," began Nick as soon as the door had closed behind her, "what's wrong?" his deep voice rumbled with concern from his hulking form. Cat said nothing bit his lithe muscles were taught with the unspoken tension.
"A most horrifying discovery has been made," explained Alyssa, hardly pausing in her pacing to address the two men. "A plot! A conspiracy to take the throne, to kill my family and almost kill me." Her pacing increased again as she let out a dry laugh at the thought of her own possible demise. Cat's jaw dropped while Nick stiffened from concerned friend to fearsome protector.
"They shall have to get through us first Alyssa," Nick growled, "and we wouldn't give them that chance."
"Your bravery is admirable, but what use is two valiant swords against the Duke's entire army?" she gestured feverishly. Her pacing had not slowed, and when Cat stepped up to block her path she almost ran right into him. "Oh." She said stupidly. "Sorry, I am not myself tonight."
"It is of no consequence," Cat said with a smirk and a silly flourish of his hand, mocking her natural court manners. That made her giggle and some of the tension in the room slipped away. "Now," Cat continued briskly, "you had best tell us the whole story so that we can think up a plan of our own." Nick nodded his agreement and the three sat down to unravel the Duke's treachery. Alyssa called Friday in to explain what she had heard first hand, and asked her to spend the night in her rooms.
"That's hardly proper!" protested Friday, "I cannot stay here all night!" she said with an emphatic shake of her head.
"And if there are any suspicions about your knowledge?" Alyssa asked knowingly, "I will not have you out by yourself without my protection. I refuse to let you die, for it would be by the fault of my own stupidity for not keeping you at my side." At that pronouncement, Friday nodded her consent and made herself comfortable with the others around the coffee table. They discussed the Duke, his plans, the mysterious Sir Patrick and what their own reaction should be late into the night.
"Yes of course it's obvious we must flee," said Alyssa, "but to where? The forest? We cannot live out our days in the trees gentlemen and leave my people to this idiot's whims."
"Naturally, but there we could plan in safety." Protested Nick. The man was all about safety first, which was endearing certainly, but Alyssa wanted action.
"They would find you." Said Friday, "The Duke has the towns best trackers, the best trackers in all of Rechad I daresay."
"So my idea wins," said Cat happily, "we disguise ourselves and join a castle staff somewhere."
"Yes, but which castle?" asked Alyssa. They were all silently thinking for a moment until, surprisingly, Friday spoke up again.
"If I may be so bold to suggest that you go to the Axian palace. You told me once, Lady Princess," the stress of giving advice to a royal personage seemed to have Friday using her subservient language again. "that you were friends with it's Prince. Could he not offer refuge?"
George. Thought Alyssa blankly. George, of course! Why hadn't it occurred to her before! In the Axian palace she could disguise herself and could tell George of the political turmoil. One of George's men or maybe Cat could then be sent to warn her parents. George, she thought happily, I'll see my friend again.
After deliberating over the finer points of their escape, the four finally retired to their respective rooms to sleep out what was left of the night.