A Dance with Destiny

Chapter Thirteen: Investigation

"Sir! Sir Griff!"

Turning, Griff saw a large man with a thick beard and wide arms approaching. He was dressed in breeches and an apron, his broad chest visible. A smith, from the look of it. Two heads talker than Griff, the man looked like he could have torn a man's head off his shoulders.

"I am Pate," said the smith.

Griff took his hand and shook it. "Well met, sir. Forgive me, I know you not."

The big smith laughed, a rumbling sound from the bottom of his toes. "I did not expect you to. You would know my nephew, though. Prince Timmy of Helhold."

Griff blinked. "Prince? I was not aware Timmy was a prince. And I thought he was from Grenendale."

"That's where he was born, aye, and he is not a prince by blood. He was married to the Princess of Helhold; his father is good friends with the king, and they wished to be closer than friends, so their heirs were married in a ceremony last month. Soon he will be King Timmy."

Griff smiled. "Then I pity Helhold."

The smith laughed again. "Indeed. My nephew is a good lad, but young. He will need a strong advisor if he is to rule justly."

"Should he ever need aid, write me a letter. I am sure I can convince Queen Moon to lend aid."

"That I will, my lord." The smith's smile faded. "I am told you are looking in on the princess."

"Indeed I am. Have you seen her?"

"Regretfully, no. I supply the men with armor and sword, and show them squires how to handle 'em right. No princess ever came to me for nothing."

"I am sure my princess will. Star is rather fond of weapons, if I know her, and I believe I do. I shall be sure to recommend you to her before we leave." If we leave.

"You do me a kindness, my lord. Let me repay you." He leaned in close. "My wife is a kitchen wench, and she says that the prince asked to sup with the king and queen alone on the day they died. It weren't no ordinary death, either. They we're 'ealthy as oxes, them. The king would often come down and try his knights. Beat them three on one, most often. The queen was healthy, too. Both had another…oh, forty or fifty years left."

Griff chewed on that. Something is definitely not wrong. "Thank you, good sir. Should you write your nephew, tell him I am most cross I was not invited to his wedding."

The smith laughed. "That I will, my lord. I hope you find out what's going on. Princess Andromeda's a sweet girl, she don't deserve this."

"No," Griff muttered as he walked back into the castle, "she does not."

-o-

"Here you are, Your Grace. Some of this will fix that headache, and have your breath smelling like bubblegum, too."

"I love bubblegum!" the princess exclaimed, slipping the vial of pink liquid into her pocket. The doctor's office was small, with a stone slab for an operating table, a desk covered with papers, and one wall was filled with instruments.

"Doc," Marco said. "Have you seen Princess Andromeda recently?"

The doctor's blue eyes fell. "Alas, no. The prince insisted that she be allowed her solitude, but I fear for her. Grief can drive women mad, it is often said. I have even believed the girl would harm herself, but the prince insists that one of his Kingsguard stay with her at all times."

"Wait," Star said. "They're inside the room with her? That's so creepy!"

"Oh, no, child! The Kingsguard would never hurt a sweet child like Andromeda. They are holy knights, after all!"

"Are you certain Princess Andromeda has not been allowed any medical attention?" asked Griff.

"No, sir, although…the prince did ask me for dreamwine."

"Dreamwine?" Marco asked.

"A substance that makes one tired, so they are able to sleep."

"Oh, like sleepy syrup."

"I do not know what that is."

"Never mind, then."

"How often has the prince been asking for dreamwine?" asked Griff.

"Oh, once or twice a week for the last few months, sir. His back makes it difficult to sleep sometimes."

His plot is keeping him up, not his back. "Thank you, Doctor Theseus. We must be going, however."

"Would the good patient like a lollipop?" The doctor held out a glass jar to the princess. She shrieked and took out a lollipop, unwrapped it, and shoved it into her mouth. "Thank you!"

"This is bad," Griff muttered.

"I know," Star said. "I got pineapple."

"Who makes pineapple lollipops?" Marco asked.

"I know, right!"

"No," Griff said, massaging his temples. "The prince asked for dreamwine."

"So? A dose here and there isn't so bad."

"Yes, but heavy doses can be fatal, and if he was stockpiling it…"

Star's eyes widened, and she dropped her lollipop. "…then he could have poisoned his brother and sister-in-law…"

"…when they had their private dinner together," Griff finished. "This is very bad."

"Woah, woah, woah," Marco said. "Look, Vaerys might seem like a jerk, but why would anyone want to kill their own family?"

"Greed," Griff said. "It can lead many to do bad things." There were still a few things missing. "Marco, do not let Star out of your sight."

"Okay!"

"Woah, hold on, time out," Star said. "I don't need a babysitter."

"Yes, you do." Griff put his hands on her shoulders. "Star, please, listen to me. We are surrounded by enemies, and if something bad should happen while we are here, you would make a prime hostage. So please, listen to what I say. We are not safe. Until this is mystery is solved, it will not serve for you to be wandering around the castle by yourself. I want you accompanied by at least one guard at all times."

"But what about you? You're my sworn shield."

"I know, but there are a few things I need to do first. Please, do not do anything stupid."

She swallowed. "I'll try."

Griff gave her a smile. "Good. Be careful. With any luck, this will all be over very soon."

-o-

"What's up?"

Higgs and her knight had called Griff to one of the hidden courtyards, where no one would disturb them. Several of Princess Star's other knights stood guard at the entrance, spears crossed over the small archway that served as a door. The rest of the knights were with the princess and her friend.

"We spoke with some of the guards," said Sir Stabby, adjusting his helm. "They said that since the king and queen's passing, the regent dismissed all of the Kingsguard."

That was strange; the Kingsguard were sworn to serve for life, and it was incredibly rare—almost unheard of—for them to be dismissed. "Was there a reason?"

"He claimed their inability to protect the king and queen meant they were not worthy to protect the royal princess. The men he replaced them with are fat, unskilled, and corrupt. They are often seen corroborating with harlots and brigands. Up-jumped sellswords, that's all they are."

"Then they are twice as dangerous. They lack honor, and will not fail to use underhanded tactics to achieve victory."

"But…" Higgs said. "You won't need to fight them, will you?"

"Hush, squire," said the knight. "Sir Griff is speaking."

Griff held up a hand. "It's alright, Sir. Yes, Higgs, I fear they will need to be dealt with." He put a hand on Sir Stabby's shoulder. "Our next move must be bold. I have a task for you—will you do it?" The pieces were beginning to fall into place; only one remained now, and that one would be harder to uncover than all the others.

Sir Stabby straightened. "I shall, on my honor as a knight, you have my word."

"Tell the men outside to gather in the throne room. Then, I want you to find the princess and make sure her escort is ready for trouble. After that, send the men to the throne room and bring the princess to me here. I must speak with her urgently."

He knelt. "I shall."

"Rise. Higgs, can you write?"

"Y-Yes!" she said.

"Good. I want you to send a message to Queen Moon. Should things go awry, we will have need of reinforcements. After that, find the other squires and any men that might have wandered off. Bring them to the throne room, we will need all our swords should things go south."

"Right!"

"Good. Now, the two of you, go."

-o-

"I'm tired of waiting," said the princess, arms crossed over her chest. She wore a blue-green shirt and striped leggings. Marco, just behind her, wore his usual red hoodie and black pants. Griff stood behind them in armor and cloak, his helmet under one arm. Behind him stood the assembled knights of Princess Star's escort. "We want to see Princess Andromeda. Now."

Prince Vaerys sat on a throne of gilded wood, one hand under his chin. His eyes were bored, though he was scowling. "My lady," he said, stretching, "please understand, my young niece is unwell. If we should rouse her—"

"We know about the dreamwine."

The reaction was instantaneous. The prince straightened, eyes wide for a moment before they returned to normal. The golden crown he wore seemed to catch on fire as it wobbled in the sunlight. "What dreamwine?"

"The dreamwine you requested from Doctor Theseus. You've been asking for a cupful every few weeks for the last half-year."

"I have trouble sleeping. By back ails me so."

"And yet your brother and sister-in-law were reported to have died suddenly in their sleep. That alone would be strange enough, but some of your guards said you had a private meal with them the night before their passing. If you had, I don't know, saved the dreamwine instead of drinking it, you could have poured it in their wine when you served them."

The prince's eyes tightened. "A very smart girl indeed, but there is no solid evidence for this."

"Then let me see Princess Andromeda. I've already sent word of my suspicions to my parents. It'll only be a matter of time until you've got an army at your gates. Let me see the princess, and we can work this out."

The prince scowled but said, "Very well. Sir Marbran, bring my niece down."

"At once, Your Grace." The balding knight left the hall quickly, armored boots clanking off the floor. He returned a few moments later, Princess Andromeda following shortly behind.

The princess was a comely girl, no older than Princess Star, with short golden hair and grey-green eyes. Her skin was free of blemishes except for a small red pimple right in the middle of her forehead. She wore a dress of blue and gold cloth with an amethyst necklace dangling from her creamy neck.

"Princess Andromeda," said Star, smiling," do you remember me? My name is—"

"—Star Butterfly." Her voice was soft and she refused to bring her gaze higher than Star's chest. "We used to play together as children. Our parents were f-friends." Her voice trembled at the last word.

Griff removed a handkerchief from his gauntlet and gently wiped away a tear that had begun to fall. The girl flinched, as though she were unsure if he had wholesome intentions. What has happened to you? "Are you well, my lady?"

"Y-Yes, sir. I am most well."

"Andromeda," said Princess Star, taking the other girl's hands into her own, "are you sure about that?"

The girl nodded. "Yes, my lady. My intended has been oh so helpful in this trying time."

Star cocked her head. "Your intended?"

"Me." Prince Vaerys stood and put a hand on the girl's shoulder. "When Andromeda here reaches womanhood, we shall be wed, and live in perfect harmony and happiness."*

Star flinched, and Marco said, "What?"

The prince gave him a venomous look. "What? Andromeda here needs a strong husband to help her rule."

"That's insane! She's your niece."

"Please," said Princess Andromeda, eyes wet, "you do not understand. My uncle—" Something caught Griff's attention. He took hold of her wrist and pulled back the sleeve. A large purple welt was forming on her arm, just below the wrist.

"Gods above," he whispered. "My lady, have you been beaten?"

Suddenly the girl burst into tears and threw herself at him. "I want to go, I want to go, I want to go; please, sir, don't make me stay here anymore. The Kingsguard, they—"

Sir Marbran wrenched the girl away and struck her with a mailed gauntlet. "Hold your tongue, girl." Red blood ran from the girl's broken lip as she cried on the floor.

Suddenly Brightflame was in hand, flames streaking up the blade as Griff charged. Sir Marbran was able to get his blade up, but he was old and slow, and only managed to block three strikes before Griff took his head off. It rolled away, eyes wide.

All around them guards came rushing in, spears and swords and axes ready. Star's men were ready too, having already bared their steel. The princess raised her wand as her friend got into a fighting stance.

"I WILL HAVE ORDER!" cried Prince Vaerys, face purple.

"You're a dead man," said Griff.

"You can't kill me, not with my guards all around you."

"And you can't kill us, or the entire strength of the Butterfly Kingdom will come crashing down on you."

Prince Vaerys seemed to hesitate. "A trial, then. You cannot prove I am guilty, not without any evidence."

"We have her." Princess Star pointed at Princess Andromeda, who was sobbing softly to herself.

That set the prince back. "No," he said. "I will not put my beloved through such hardship. We shall have a trial by battle. You shall fight my champion to determine my guilt."

"Champions." Griff sheathed his sword.

The prince blinked. "What?"

"Princess Andromeda named all of your Kingsguard as guilty, so they must needs fight for themselves, and you will join them, since Sir Marbran lost his head. You and your champions verses me and my champions." When the prince paled, Griff knew he had won. "We must have a trail of seven."

* Often in medieval times, it was not uncommon for uncles and nieces/aunts and nephews to be wed, considering they weren't considered "true family" and people had a very limited knowledge of genes; it was also common for invading kingdoms to marry the female heirs of other kingdoms to support their legitimacy.

A/N: Thanks for reading, please leave a review telling me what you thought.

Bye!