A Dance with Destiny
Chapter Twelve: Journey Away
"How far have we come since the spinning blade chamber?" Marco asked, glancing down at the long parchment in his hands. In the week since first showing Star and Marco the secret tunnel, the three of them had been exploring from dawn till dusk, and had begun to keep track of the tunnels with a map after they took a wrong turn and spent half the night walking through twists and turns.
Griff pressed his lips together. "Twenty steps, I think." He was dressed in a simple white tunic and black breeches; his armor was big and cumbersome and would only slow him down in these skinny tunnels. His new-made necklace was cold against his skin, hidden beneath his tunic.
"I thought it was thirty," Star said, running a hand along the stone wall. Her wand was held in her other hand, glowing with white light.
Griff could almost hear Marco's brow furrowing. "I'll just average them; twenty-five steps, then."
"Hey, guys," Star said, rubbing the wall. "I think I feel—WAH!" The wall opened and the princess fell forward, landing on the ground with an "Oof."
"Star!" both Marco and Griff said, rushing to help the princess up.
"Ow." Star rubbed her head. "Okay, ow. Where are—oh." The throne room of the Butterfly castle laid out before them: great stained-glass windows, ancient tapestries, beautiful elaborate chandeliers, and the throne of Mewni.
"Cool," Star said, pulling herself to her feet.
"…someone to see what has happened," came a voice. "The Archimedeans have always been good friends of ours, so if something has befallen their daughter, we must help them." Just then Queen Moon entered, surrounded by a few of her chief advisors. Griff, Star, and Marco stepped out from behind the throne. When the queen saw them, she jumped. "Ah! Oh, Star, it's just you. What are you three doing here?"
"Just came to see how you're doing, Mama," Star said, smiling.
The queen raised an eyebrow. "Is that right? Griff, is that right?"
"Of course, Your Grace. Why would Princess Star lie?"
The queen thinned her lips, then smiled. "Well, as long as you aren't causing too much trouble, it shouldn't be my concern." She clapped her hands together. "It's actually good that I found you. Do you remember Princess Andromeda?"
Star looked confused. "Uh, from the Anchovy Kingdom?"
"Archimedean," the queen corrected.
"Um…I think so. We used to play together, right?"
"Yes. I was good friends with her mother. Unfortunately, her parents passed away rather recently, and we've had no word from Princess Andromeda since."
"So? Is that a big deal."
"Yes, because no one has heard from Princess Andromeda since her parents passed."
"Okay, that is weird, but what can I do?"
"Well, I was thinking that you could take a few knights and see if everything is alright over there. It would certainly put me at ease."
Star raised an eyebrow. "And what's in it for me?"
"Well, wouldn't it be nice to see Princess Andromeda again?" When Star didn't react, the queen sighed and said, "Backstage passes to that Love Sentence band you like."
Star squealed and hugged the queen. "Oh, thankyouthankyouthankyouthankou!"
The queen laughed. "Yes, dear, you're welcome."
"When do we leave?"
"Funny you should ask. Almost everything's ready. You leave first thing tomorrow morning."
-o-
The procession was all ready. The princess would be riding on a white mare in a blue-gold dress with a tiara on her head. The princess had refused at first, but the queen argued that since it was a diplomatic mission, she couldn't be seen in "punk clothes fit for a rebel-rouser." Marco would be there too, though he could wear his hoodie, as it was a traditional garb for his kind. Griff would be riding on a white horse in armor and cloak; his horse would also be armored, as would the other horses as well. A dozen other knights and their squires (Higgs, Baby Man, and Old Guy included) would be joining them too.
The king and queen would be staying behind, though they wished their daughter the best. It was midday when the royal procession left through a dimensional portal opened by Manfred. They raced through, three knights ahead, six on each side—Griff was with them, as were the princess and her hoo-man friend. Three other knights brought up the rear. The Butterfly standard would be held by three of their party, as well as a white truce flag.
The portal let them out a mile outside the giant walled city. The surrounding land was made of farmland and bogs for growing food like cherries and cranberries. Old shepherds and naked children watched them go by with sunken eyes. They are thin, Griff saw, concerned. Maybe there is a famine.
"Princess," he said, trotting up beside Star, "what can you tell of this Andromeda princess?"
The princess shrugged. "First off—I told you to call me Star, not 'princess,' remember?"
"Of course, Your Grace."
She rolled her eyes, smirking. Then her face straightened. "Not much. We used to play together when we were younger, but I haven't seen her much since then."
"That's it?" Marco asked. "Nothing else?"
"Well, she was always really friendly, if that's anything."
"It really isn't."
Star shrugged. "Then I guess we're going in blind."
Griff grunted. I guess we are.
As they were within spitting-range of the city, the gate opened and a party displaying the Morgana sigil—a fairy on a green field—rode out to meet them. There was at least two dozen guards, as well as a man in fine silk robes at their head.
"My lady," he said, bowing, "I am Mathas Bowler, steward for Prince Vaerys's court."
Griff's brows furrowed. "Where is Princess Andromeda?"
The man gave him a curious look. "I am sorry, but I'm afraid I don't know you, sir."
"This is Sir Griff," said the princess, "my sworn shield. And he speaks true; we do not see Princess Andromeda."
"The princess is at the castle. She has sent me to deliver you to her as welcomed guests. Come, follow me." The man turned his horse and trotted back into the city, the princess following closely behind. The steward's men surrounded Princess Star's men, effectively blocking any form of escape.
This could turn out poorly if something should go amiss.
"The princess will be most happy to see you, my lady," said the steward. "The loss of her parents has rocked her to the core, and she hardly leaves her tower for anything. It has fallen to her uncle to manage to daily troubles of our meager kingdom."
"She has no brothers or sisters?"
The steward shook his head. "Alas, King Minos and Queen Niobe were rather unfortunate in that regard. The queen proved to be rather sickly, so whatever babes were borne to her died shortly after their first birthday. Such is the way of things."
Peasants were beginning to stop and stare at them now. They were sickly thin, almost skin and bones. A few naked children watched them go by with wide eyes. An old man clutched a rock in one hand, the size of a grapefruit.
"Why are these people so small?" Griff called.
The steward nary glanced at him before answering. "Our crops have been failing, sir. Whatever grain and vegetables have grown have been given to the castle for the nobles. We are all ailing as well."
You are not, though. The steward's belly jiggled with each step of their horses, and a satin belt kept it from sagging to his legs. Something isn't right.
"Bread!" one of the peasants called.
"Corn!" cried another.
"Please, we're hungry!"
"Food!"
"Help us!"
The guards were shouting for the crowd to disperse, but his voice was nearly drowned out by the shouting. Griff saw the naked children running down the street, eyes wide.
"Protect your princess," Griff said to the other knights in attendance.
"What's happening?" Higgs asked, from somewhere in the rear.
"I don't know, but keep the princess safe at all costs." He turned to the blonde girl. "Princess Star, stay close to me."
For once the princess didn't correct him about using her name; she nodded and subtly pulled out her wand.
"Marco, you stay with her too, just in case." He turned to his knights. "Do not give the crowd cause to attack, keep your eyes forward and keep moving. The sooner we get to the castle, the better."
He could see it up ahead, high brown walls and towers that overlooked the entire city. The portcullis was down, though he could see a man-at-arms standing at the top of the gate next to a winch.
"Make way," called one of the soldiers ahead of them, "make way for the royal steward and the Butterfly princess."
Griff craned his neck. Up ahead a woman was holding a baby out in front of her. Is she offering it to us? Then Griff saw that the babe was small and thin, and pale as milk. It is dead, he realized with sudden horror. The woman had stringy brown hair and her eyes were deep and hollow.
"Move this rabble out of our way," the steward commanded.
"Perhaps it would be best to—"
"With all due respect, Sir Griff, this is not your city." He reached into the saddlebag and pulled out a long black whip. "This will move those—"
The steward's head suddenly lurched sideways, a gout of red liquid pouring from a spot just above his ear as the large rock collided with skull with a sick crack. The horse whined and lurched sideways, eyes rolling in terror.
And suddenly the crowd was roaring and screaming all around them. They were throwing things: rocks, sticks, mud, soiled food like onions and apples. The guards drew their swords and axes, but the crowd outnumbered them ten to one. The steward fell from his horse, hitting the stone floor head first.
"Protect the steward!" one of the guards surrounding Griff said. Then suddenly the guards on Griff's right side were gone, and the crowd surged in.
At once Brightflame was in his hand, flames yellow and orange in the sunlight. His horse whined, but Griff tugged hard on the reigns and the beast calmed down. When one peasant reached for his leg, Griff took of his arm at the elbow. The smell of burned flesh filled the air, and a few of the peasants fled.
A knight protects the innocent, a voice said. When one peasant approached the princess, Griff took his head off. A knight protects his princess, he told the voice. A brother protects his sister.
"Ruby-red-rashes!" Star shouted, wand in hand. A white light blasted off the wand, and suddenly peasants all around them were doubling over, scratching at large red welts that popped up along their skin.
"Hi-ya!" Marco said, kicking one of the peasants away.
"To the castle!" Griff shouted.
"But the steward!" one of the soldiers asked. They had formed a circle around the fat steward as one of their own attempted to push him back onto his mount. So far, between the rioting mob and the scared horse's whickering, they were not having much luck.
Men screamed as they were pulled from their horses and torn apart in their armor or beaten to death with rocks and fists. Griff saw four men dragging a naked woman behind a market stall as she wept, screaming shrilly. Gods help us.
"Buggar your steward," Griff said. "I'll not see my men killed for your monarch's folly." He turned to the knights. "Keep moving. Get to the castle as quickly as you can. Protect the princess." He reached over and pulled the girl from her mount and placed her behind him in the saddle. "Keep that wand warm, princess, we're not out of this yet."
"My wand's always warm."
"Move! Move! Move!"
Together they pushed their way through the mob of peasants, cutting down anyone who got in their way. Brightflame was a whirl of death, slashing this way and that while the princess called out spell after spell and Marco kept the peasants away from them with their bare hands. More of Mathas's men were joining them, preferring to save their own lives than die for a steward.
"OPEN THE GATES!" someone above shouted. The portcullis was raised quickly, and the party charged through. When everyone was through the gate was sealed, and the screaming of the crowd became faint whispers behind the city wall.
Griff swung down from his horse quickly. "Was anyone hurt?"
"Sir Maxxy got mud in his eye and both Sir Sheffied and Sir Gwayne lost their swords, but other than that I think everyone's alright," Higgs said, pulling Sir Stabby's horse.
"And you, Higgs? How are you?"
She offered him a smile. "I'm fine, Griffy. Make sure Princess Star is okay."
The princess was sitting on the ground, her friend next to her. "Princess," Griff said, kneeling, "are you alright?"
She smiled and held out an arm. "My dress got ripped." Griff removed his cloak and draped it over the princess's shoulders. "Thanks."
"And you, Marco?"
The hoo-man shrugged. "I'm fine. Takes more than a few angry peasants to take me down."
Griff sighed. "That's good. Now let us see—"
"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!" someone shouted. A tall man with lanky arms and long dry brown hair came walking toward them in elaborate golden robes.
Princess Star stood up. "My name is—"
"I don't give a hoot what your name is, harlot, what I want to know—"
"You will watch your tone, my lord," said Griff, hand on his sword belt. "You are addressing Princess Star Butterfly of the Butterfly Kingdom, and you will speak to her with the respect she is due."
The lord's eyes were fiery, but he seemed to control it. "My apologies," he said, voice as smooth as honey. "These are trying times, and I acted rashly." He bowed. "Princess Star, you honor us with your presence. Now, tell me, where is my steward."
"He's dead, m'lord," one of the soldiers said. "I saw him fall and get ripped apart by the mob."
The lord's mouth tightened. "I see. That is most unfortunate. If you will excuse me, my lady, I must see that this riot is quelled before anything worse happens."
"Wait," Star said, "we're here to see Princess Andromeda. Where is—"
"My niece is preoccupied at the moment, my lady. Perhaps you should wait for an audience later and see if she is feeling better." With that, the lord turned on his heel and beat a quick escape.
"Well…what do we do now?" Marco asked.
"We find out where Princess Andromeda is."
"But he said—"
"I do not trust this Prince Vaerys. Your parents mentioned the Archimedean Kingdom being lush and fruitful, yet as soon as the monarchs die their daughter is hidden away and the food suddenly disappears? I do not trust this, my princess."
"Then what do we do?" Marco asked.
Griff whistled loudly and called all the knights over to him. "There is something very wrong here. Lyonel, Massy, I want you two to stay with the princess at all times, no matter what. Jyce, I want you to keep an eye on Prince Vaerys. Keep track of where he goes, what he does, who he speaks to, but keep far enough away that he does not become suspicious. The rest of you, I want you to ask around the castle about the deaths of the king and queen, and how their daughter fares. Instruct your squires to do the same. Ask everyone—guards, stewards, kitchen girls, serving wenches, stable boys; everyone who makes their living in the castle. But draw no attention to us. The last thing we need is open hostility. Is that clear."
"Yes, sir," echoed everyone.
"Good. We'll get to the bottom of this, one way or another."
A/N: Please leave a review telling me what you thought, and Part 2 of this little arc will be out shortly.
Bye!