Presently, King Henry set his crown upon the corner of the table and rose to peck at his goblet with his spoon. The table fell silent at once. “We've got wonderful pies a-coming,” he said with kindly eyes as he looked from face to face down the table, “all made with the first blackberries and the very first apples of the season. I had the first bite of each for supper, last night, and they've had to keep steering me out of the kitchen ever since...”
The guests interrupted appreciatively with their laughter.
“You all have to be wondering how we could possibly have a banquet in the midst of all the sorrow and despair the Kingdom is suffering from the plague. There are missing faces at this table which I find difficult to bear. But in the midst of this we have found substantial hope,” he said, turning to Razzmorten. “As you must know by now, Wizard Razzmorten has found the cure for the horrible plague. He and his lovely daughter and a good number of brave souls have been working day and night for these past weeks to produce this cure and to distribute it to as many people as possible. It takes time to make, and they have a long way to go to get the cure to everyone who needs it, but they are indeed gaining ground.
“The plague first struck here in the castle. My dearest Queen Helena came down with it in its first days. And by the Fates' good fortune, she was the very first patient to receive Wizard Razzmorten's cure. And here she sits, feisty as ever she be. Think of it my friends! The plague has stalked the world claiming untold numbers since the beginning of time, and no one could stop it until now. It may be that the next time it comes, no one willdie at all! What we all owe this good wizard is more than I can imagine. However, we do the best we can. On this occasion, I pronounce him Wizard to the Throne of Niarg in honor of his great service.”
The great hall broke into a roar of applause and shouts of appreciation as King Henry nodded to one and all. Presently he motioned for Razzmorten to stand.
“This is very generous of you, my king,” he said as he pushed back his chair and stood, “for at the last count, it seems that we've only managed... We've only managed...” He paused to raise the crook of his finger to his mouth as he cleared his throat to begin again. “At last count we've only spared three hundred, four and thirty souls, while some number well above that have perished, waiting for our cure. But we've sent more ships than ever, clear down to Arfordir yn Gwahardd this time, and I promise you all that I will not rest until no one further dies.” With a quick nod, he suddenly took his seat.
A thundering applause rose to the vault of the ceiling as the diners shot to their feet.
“And that's three hundred, four and thirty souls including our very queen, who are alive as we speak because of Razzmorten Dewin, Wizard to the Throne of Niarg,” said Henry, rising to his feet again as the hall got quiet.
Again there was exuberant applause with shouts of: “Here! Here!” Henry was still standing, so presently they began taking their seats.
“You must be very proud of him,” said Hebraun in the dying applause as he leant into Minuet's ear.
“Oh, I am...” she said.
“And I've another announcement,” said Henry as the room fell silent, “and right joyous it be.” He paused, smiling, as he looked from face to face down the length of the great board. “Wizard Razzmorten has not only given the kingdom his cure, but he is giving the House of Niarg another priceless gift. And priceless she is. To begin with, she very well could be the most beautiful young woman in the entire kingdom. And I do believe you all must think so too, if watching your reaction to the sight of her when she came in was any clue. She is simply stunning as well as being heir to Razzmorten's talents. I wish to announce the betrothal of Hebraun, Prince of Niarg to Minuet Dewin of
Peach Knob, daughter of Razzmorten Dewin, Wizard of Niarg. The House of Niarg is fortunate indeed.”
Somewhere along the table, gasps punctuated the stunned hesitation before the eruption of applause as Henry motioned for Hebraun and Minuet to stand. They rose hand in hand, bringing the ovation to a crescendo with their bow and curtsey.
After the pies were served and eaten and Minuet and Hebraun had made it all 'round the hall more than once making introductions, they stepped out onto the balcony, overlooking the great rose garden. A mockingbird was busy calling from the growing shadows.
“I know about this garden,” said Minuet as the fragrant breeze from the roses stirred her hair. “Wasn't it here before the castle itself?”
“So they say,” said Hebraun as he ambled up to stand with her before the stone balustrade. “The story they all tell is that Queen Caron, you know, the first queen of Niarg, had King Howell build the first wooden castle around this spot because of the garden. No one knows how all the roses got here. Elves might have started them for all we know.”
“That's where Bethan says these in my hair came from. She went out and cut them before she put up my hair.”
“Your housekeeper at Peach Knob?”
“She's wonderful. She did most of the raising of me. She's really the nearest thing to a mother I've ever had.”
“I don't believe that I saw her this evening, that is if I really know who she be.”
“I'm afraid I'm lost. We are talking about my father's hired woman, aren't we?”
“Well yes. But if she raised you and if she's as dear to you as your very mother would be...”
“Of course she's dear to me. I do indeed love her as if she were my own mother...”
“Then it's a shame she's not here,” he said, giving the balustrade a smack with his hand as he looked out over the roses. “Let's see that she's invited to the wedding. I shall make certain.”
Minuet was stunned. “That would be wonderful.”
“Speaking of 'wonderful,' this is wonderful,” he said, turning to her. “It's a dream come true that you agreed to this betrothal. I admired you the first time I ever saw you. I hope you don't regret anything.”
Minuet looked into his eyes for the first time and felt strangely comfortable. “I have no regrets at all, but I do have a reservation.”
Hebraun suddenly bore a look of panic. “My word,” he said, “what would that be?”
“Well, the people of Niarg have always had nothing but the best of things to say about the royal family. What's it going to do to the House of Niarg if you marry a commoner?”
“Enrich it,” he said heaving a great sigh of relief. “My dear future wife, you are a treasure.”
Presently they looked down at where her hand had come to rest on his. “May I?” he said, taking up her hand.
Minuet gave a nod of delight as he pressed it to his lips and closed his eyes. “I knew the very first time I saw you,” he said, gently squeezing her hand as he let go, “that if ever I could choose the woman in my life it would be you.”
“But I must have looked like death when Father introduced us. It was my first day on my feet after my brush with the plague.”
“That wasn't when.”
“You have me at a disadvantage. I can't imagine an earlier time.”
“It might have been two years ago. Your father had you with him when he had an audience with Mother and Father. I think it had to do with your sister and the weather.”
“Oh.”
“I didn't think you saw me. And later that very day when they told me that I was to marry Princess Branwen of Far, you can't imagine how depressed I was. No. You might have felt feeble when your father introduced us, but my hopes flew into the heavens. There's more magic about you than all the skills you may have learnt from him. You're blushing. I've gone too far with this. I want you to be comfortable when you're with me...”
“No. I suppose I'm just...”
“No Minuet, I'm letting my hopes run wild, and I'm embarrassing you with them. I really apologize. But speaking of my getting carried away with my hopes, there is something which I must know.”
“You're not embarrassing me. What?”
“When I was at Peach Knob, driven to enchantment by you, I
thought I caught a look in your eye that said that you felt the same about me. Was I just delirious?”
Minuet looked into his anxious eyes. “Oh no,” she said, shaking her head. “You nearly took my breath away. I was trying not to let you see...”
“I was trying not to let you see,” he said with a chuckle. “Branwen had passed away, but I was resigned to being shackled to another princess. But you, why would you...?”
“My sister had designs on you...”
“Your sister? Ugleeuh, isn't it?”
“Oh, I knew that there was no hope in it for her. I knew she was just dreaming. She and I are commoners. I couldn't begin to imagine there being a chance for either one of us.”
“Well there certainly couldn't have been for her,” he said as he turned back into the evening breeze to look out over the garden. “I didn't know that there was for you either, for that matter. But I had you on my mind every waking minute, and I couldn't keep from talking about you. You had me delirious. And to my utter astonishment, Father paid attention and arranged our engagement. Now as for your sister, she's called the weather witch. I know that's mean, but that's how she's known at court. She's beautiful of course, but nothing like you, and there's a darkness about her. Her pranks are unsettling. She's someone I'd avoid, actually. I can't imagine talking about her all over the place.”
“Do you really mean that about Bethan?” she said, brushing his arm. “I mean about inviting her. I think it's wonderful that you would, but will the king and queen approve? Wouldn't something like this cause a stir?”
“Mother and Father are getting what they want. They may have arranged my marriage to Branwen, but they seem to be delighted that things are turning out this way, especially since I have a much better chance at what I've always wanted...”
“And what's that?”
“Mother and Father may have had an arranged marriage, but they are very close, so I grew up wanting to marry my best friend. I've always wanted my wife to be my lover and constant companion,” he said, suddenly turning to her. “Could we be so lucky? Do you reckon that there's a chance that we...?”
Minuet was already nodding. “Oh I do. I just feel it...”
Suddenly Hebraun had her by both hands, pressing them to his lips as he squeezed shut his eyes. “Then let's make it that way,” he said as he gently let down her arms. “Look. If Bethan has always been your mother, then she'll soon be my mother-in-law.
Mother and Father will see it that way. There'll be nothing wrong with her being queen mother after they've passed away. Oh there'll undoubtedly be some court snots huffing over it, but all they've got is peerage. The House of Niarg has peerage and power. And when we allow commoners to participate, we'll always have the power.
“Now come on, new best friend,” he said with an exuberant squeeze of her hands.
“Let's tell somebody inside and then take the long way down to the rose garden.”
***
“We're going out the front, aren't we?” said Minuet as she loped down the steps, hanging onto Hebraun's arm.
“Well this is the long way, as I said, with the rose garden clear in the back inner ward,” he said, taking her by the hand. “I just wanted to show you where I used to play in the stable, yonder.
Minuet hiked her skirt with her other hand and followed, nearly at a jog as they scattered chickens on their way to roost. Hebraun threw wide a door and led her through the straw so that she would not step in the unicorn manure. Far overhead, a pigeon cooed. He came to a stall and opened the gate. “It's getting dark enough in here, it's hard to see,” he said.
“Hebraun!” she gasped as they squatted to scratch two baby unicorns, bedded down in the fresh straw. “They're darling.”
“They're out of Father's mare march streiciwr brenhinol,” he said, scratching the neck of one of them. “The stud was his great march streiciwr brenhinol stallion, which is easily the largest war unicorn in the kingdom.”
“Oh! They always have that wonderful smell when they're newborn.”
“Well, I claim this one, the little stallion. I call him Vindicator. What are you going to name your little mare?”
“My little mare? Oh Hebraun, thank you! I love to ride. How did you know?”
“The Fates knew. I've never seen them foal so late in the year. They foaled just for our betrothal. So what will you call her?”
“I'm thinking. How about Virtue? You're little Virtue, then,” she said hugging the foal. She took his hand and squeezed it. It felt so good being with him.
He returned her grasp and stood. “It's too dark to see. I'd best show you the rose garden before it grows late.” He showed her through the stable door to stand outside while he fiddled with fastening up the gate.
She looked up at the rising moon, huge and romantic beyond anything she had ever dared to think about. She idly glanced aside at a hay wain parked by the stable. Suddenly a wave of horror washed through her. “Aah!” she cried.
“Minuet!” said Hebraun as he came up to her. “What's wrong?”
Suddenly the wain was hitched to a donkey, standing in blinding sunlight. “Oh no!” she croaked, frozen wide eyed where she stood, watching a noose being forced over the head of a little Elf boy, standing on the back of the wain before his wailing parents, struggling and jerking with everything they had against the vicious grasp of a mob. “No!” she cried at the sight of Sam Benton climbing onto the cart and taking up the reins. “You hateful idiot!”
“Minuet!” cried Hebraun. “What's happening to you?”
Sam shook the reins, leaving the child wiggling and swinging, his parents wailing out in great stabs of despair.
“No! No!” cried Minuet, dropping to her knees in sobs at the sight of Martha Benton running at the little boy's mother to lunge and spit in her face as the mob forced the father into the bed of the wain.
Hebraun grabbed her up and ran around the corner of the stable, straight to the door to the back ward, to set her down in the black shadows. “Minuet!” he shouted in lowered tones. “Are you all right?”
“Oh Hebraun, I'm so, so sorry!” she said as she ran an eye down the back of her hand. “Now I've ruined everything.”
“Ruined what? What on earth happened?”
“You'll never want me now,” she sobbed as she rose to her feet, whisking dead grass and leaves off her kirtle.
“Why would you ever think that?” he said as he gently guided her through the doorway into the back ward.
“Antesight. Why would you ever want someone who had spells of antesight?”
“What's antesight?”
“A kind of vision,” she said, drawing in a shaky breath. “That old hay wain by the stable, I just now saw it in bright daylight being used to hang a poor little Elf boy in front of his momma...”
“Wow! Sergeant Bernard confiscated it and brought it here. It was used to hang three Elves, and one of them was a little boy. You saw that?”
“I sure didn't want to,” she said with a sob. “And right in front of you.”
“I always considered visions to show the future.”
“Well, antesight is all in the past. I see some place or thing where something terrible happened, and suddenly I'm seeing how it all was. I hate these spells! They don't happen very often, but I have absolutely no control over them, and now they've probably made me lose you.” And with that she was sobbing again.
Suddenly she was in his arms. “Oh, you're so very wrong about that,” he said as he gently smoothed her hair. “You have my heart in your hands. How would I ever run away without my heart? Besides, what you just saw is probably important to Sergeant Bernard. Now let's take this path around to the rose garden.” He took her hand and started walking.
Presently they rounded the corner of the castle proper into a heady bouquet of roses and the endless calls of the mockingbird, singing away in the moonlight. Without warning, Minuet planted her feet and threw her arms around him.
Chapter 14
&nbs
p; Ugleeuh stood at the railing of the Trident, her raven hair afly in the morning breeze as she watched a boy with a slop bucket, flinging fish heads at the hovering terns. The nineteen other ships trailing behind them against the rising sun reminded her that this was without a doubt the grandest affair which she had ever been part of. An uninvited thought of Demonica suddenly made her part seem small indeed and she turned away at once, holding her hair out of her eyes to study the approaching shore.
“So,” said Razzorbauch as he slid his hand along the rail, coming to a stop right behind her. “What do you make of it?”
“What?” she said, turning about for a quick glance up at him. “Those cliffs? A moment ago they were the color of the sunrise. They're sure white.”
“They're limestone.”
“Well, they look strange. They look like a forest of giant pillars and not cliffs at all.”
“You're right about pillars,” he said. “There is indeed a forest of huge limestone arches and columns rising up out of the water, but they stand right in front of a wall of cliffs. And they also hide an inlet. It's going to be known as Dragonsport by the time we're shipping sukere. Now, is something the matter?”
“No,” she said, turning away from him to face the terns, still hovering beyond the railing, looking for fish heads. “Whatever do you see in Demonica, anyway? She's just a thorn in your side.”
“Oh fiddlesticks!” said Razzorbauch, throwing his head back with a laugh. “She's no thorn in my side. Maybe she's a whole thorn bush, but she's not sticking in my side.”
Ugleeuh kicked a stray fish head off the deck with a flick of her toe, stepping back with a shudder as a tern swooped out of sight beneath the hull and back into view with the head in its beak as it flew away. “So when do we go back to Niarg and really do something with our sukere business?” she said, making a face as she wiped the toe of her slipper against a coil of rope.
Heart of the Staff - Complete Series Page 15