A Princess of Sorts

by Wilma van Wyngaarden

  “It’s very fast. It wins all the trotting races. No one will take my bets anymore. If you wish to return quickly to the castle, that’s your boy.” Minda’s husband eyed the pony with approval. Then he added, “I must say, however, that I had expected to see a different pony pulling it... Jay!” He raised his voice.

  The boy started towards them, hauling the pony along with him.

  “How is it that you have hitched our racer when I sent word to hitch Jewel?” He looked at the princess and then at Mako. “There is a beautiful golden pony that is very suited to pulling the carriage. I am sorry for the mistake.” Everyone looked at the boy Jay, who appeared to be eleven or twelve. He looked hot, dusty and offended.

  “Well, Jewel was lame! Besides, she’s slow as a bug even when she’s not lame. All that leg action, and no speed! I would have been hours getting here.”

  “What a very pretty carriage! How long would it take you to drive to the castle?” the princess spoke up.

  “As fast as a horse, but he needs a drink,” the boy explained. “After that, he’ll be rarin’ to go again. He won’t quit! He wins all the races. You can’t tell by his looks, but he’s a champion!”

  They all inspected the brown pony, which was a well-muscled but plain animal. He rubbed his face roughly on the boy’s arm. The boy gave him a whack on the neck and said, “Quit that!”

  “Can you control him?” asked Mako.

  “Well, mostly, he just got excited about seeing all the soldiers’ horses.”

  “Can you drive the princess back to the castle?”

  Jay’s eyebrows shot up in disbelief. “The princess?”

  “This is Princess Scylla,” Mako said, indicating her. “She needs to return to the castle this afternoon, without an accident, and without jolting her. We will ride along and stop the pony if necessary.”

  The boy was nodding. He looked a little intimidated. “I thought she was just some girl,” he said in a loud whisper to Minda’s husband. “Look at how small she is!”

  “The better to fit in the carriage,” said Orwen heartily. “That’s a smooth-riding carriage, isn’t it?”

  “The best. When is she... when are we leaving?” Jay asked, still eyeing the princess with awe.

  “After the pony has a drink,” said Mako. “Princess? What do you think?”

  She gave a nod. “That is if the pony can travel at a medium speed...?” She raised her eyebrows at the boy. He looked skeptical but nodded.

  “What about Sorrell?”

  “I believe we can carry her in our wagon. It would be better for her not to travel, however,” Minda said.

  “Don’t worry, we will make her a soft bed of sheep’s wool in the back,” said her husband. “I have a warehouse full of wool in the next village. We will be traveling more slowly, however.”

  “Lady Sorrell has saved my life twice. Can she not fit into it as well?”

  Orwen gave a shrug of his big shoulders. “The vehicle was built for a child. You are small enough, and then there is Jay who drives the pony. I doubt there is room for a mouse besides... So unless you or Lady Sorrell will drive the pony...”

  “Oh, no!” said Scylla.

  “Absolutely not. Jay!” Mako and the boy traded glances. “I am Chancellor Mako. Bring the princess to the castle in good time and without incident, and you will earn a reward.” He held up a gold coin between thumb and finger. “Overturn the carriage, or injure the princess, and I will hang you from the castle gate.”

  Jay’s eyes popped and he turned white. “Yes, Chancellor! That is, I would never...! I will... Yes, sir!”

  “Water the pony, and then let’s hitch up,” Mako said. “Princess, may I assist you to dismount?”

  Scylla, who had been shifting uncomfortably in the saddle, agreed. A moment later she was on the ground, standing on her good foot with the other held up.

  “I suggest the physician might re-wrap your ankle before you get in,” said Mako. “Don’t worry, he has no leeches.”

  She nodded agreement and took a couple of hops, holding on to his arm, to a nearby rock, where she sat down.

  “We’ll bring that horse of Lady Sorrell’s along, in case something goes awry with the carriage. Remember, it has a smooth stride, does it not, Lady Sorrell?” He raised his voice.

  “Very smooth,” Sorrell said weakly without opening her eyes. “I am sorry but I cannot ride along with you, Princess.”

  “I will see you later at the castle,” the princess said, on the verge of tears. She sniffled.

  The physician left Sorrell with Minda at her side and approached. He shook his head over how swollen her ankle was, with lines from the bandage impressed into puffy skin. “Hopefully you can keep the foot elevated in the carriage,” he said with disapproval as he re-wrapped the bandage. “I did not recommend you should ride, at all!”

  “Thank you,” Mako said to him. “Your expertise is much appreciated.”

  The princess glared at him over the physician’s head. He winked back at her.

  The boy came up the riverbank, having taken the pony down to the water. The animal rolled a white-rimmed eye back as it sauntered past.

  “I’m hitching up,” Jay called as they passed. “Give me a couple of minutes!”

  Moments later, she was settled into the wicker seat, with the boy Jay leaning as far away from her as he could. He took a firm grip on the reins. The soldiers were mounting up, and Mako got on his horse, saying, “All right, let’s go! I want a clear shout if you need help, Jay!”

  “Yes, sir!” said Jay and told the header to let go. Scylla gasped and clung to the carriage side as the pony sprang forward, with the Queen’s Guard riding ahead, beside and behind. Shouts and cheers erupted and the flag unfurled in the breeze.

  “On to the castle!” shouted the flag-bearer. “The House of Rellant thrives!”

  In a few moments they were bowling up to the next village, and people who had been sitting by the road waiting were jumping to their feet in sudden excitement. The princess held onto her hat brim and waved as they swept through the village, on out the other side and down the road.

  “How is it?” Mako asked her, his horse in an extended trot alongside.

  “Excellent!” she called back, as she began to relax. Bumps were smoothed out rather than magnified, and the pony had a fast and rhythmic gait as promised. She gave herself up to hope. Soon she would be back in the castle and, no matter what anyone pressed her to do, she would sleep in her own room and own bed tonight. Queen or no queen, coronation or no coronation. There was only Sorrell to worry about. Mako and Minda would look after everything else.

  On they went. Occasionally Jay would pull the pony to a walk and give him a breather, then off they would go again. Down the roads – which were improving – through the villages, closer and closer to the castle. They had left the rest of the wagons and the procession behind, but it seemed that at every corner, crossroad, and village, more and more riders and soldiers joined in behind or leaped out in front to lead the Queen’s Guard and the little four-wheel carriage as they swept along. She wondered how many now accompanied her towards the castle – she suspected a large percentage of the kingdom’s subjects were now either pacing the brown pony or following along behind in a long, trailing procession.

  It was far too much to think about.

  Scylla lost herself in the momentum. With her foot elevated, the ankle was more comfortable. She waved when people shouted, and dozed when the road was open; she drank from a flask when Mako leaned over and handed it to her, and held the brim of her hat to shield her face from the sun. If she began to feel queasy, she reminded herself that every step was one closer to the castle, until finally, there it was in the distance – the walls of yellow stone glowing in the sun to welcome her back home. The castle overlooked the town and the river delta, and beyond all in the distance was the glimmering surface of the sea.

  “Ah,” she said, “... there is the castle! What a superb pony this is!”
/>   Jay, who had studiously refrained from looking at her, now gave her a quick beaming glance. “Did I not tell you! He’s a champion!”

  “Hello, Princess!”

  She looked around to see Coltic reining in from a gallop to trot alongside on his horse. He looked almost as vigorous as ever.

  “Coltic!”

  “Lady Sorrell is being transported satisfactorily by wool wagon, although at a much slower pace!” He grinned down at her. “A long way back... I have had a devil of a time catching up!”

  “Where is Prince Leon?”

  He twisted his body to show her the small child asleep in the crook of his right arm, the injured one.

  She gasped, “I hope you won’t drop him!”

  “He’s in a sling, see?” He showed her the length of fabric that wrapped around his body and the child. “I needed my good arm for the reins.”

  Mako, who had cantered ahead, now dropped back to trot alongside on the wider road.

  “Only a mile or two left, Princess!” he said, relief showing on his face. “Coltic! Where did you come from?”

  “I’ve had a devil of a time catching up,” Coltic repeated. He grinned. “I was afraid I would miss the return to the castle... we are spearheading a huge host!”

  “With more up front,” Mako told him. “Renold has sent messengers out to meet us – there is no objection to the coronation tomorrow, and already a gathering of Rellant’s lords is awaiting the princess’s return, with others riding out to meet us and escort her through the gates.”

  “Curse it!” said the princess, half to herself. Jay gave her a flickering glance but was concentrating on driving the pony with its escort of riders.

  Mako and Coltic were riding close together, in intense conversation.

  “Princess!” said Jay suddenly.

  “Yes?”

  “I have heard the king and the two princes were murdered four days ago – is that true?”

  “Unfortunately it is.”

  “And the king’s cousin Prince Darwyn killed them!”

  “He led the betrayal, yes,” she said.

  “And the King’s Guard has captured and killed Darwyn and his men...”

  She nodded.

  “They say the princess will now be queen,” he went on. “Is that you?”

  “Believe it or not... yes.”

  He turned and stared at her, and the pony swerved. He looked back quickly and reined the animal back to a straight line down the road.

  “I am sitting beside the queen,” he marveled.

  “Does that shock you?” she asked. He nodded, keeping his eyes on the road, although he did give a quick glance toward Mako, to make sure he had not noticed the pony’s swerve.

  “Imagine how I feel,” she told him. “I am going to be the queen.” She shook her head.

  “I am sitting beside the queen!” he repeated to himself, ignoring her. He shook his own head. Then a grin began to spread across his face.

  “Curses!” said the princess wearily. “It has only just begun.”

  “Princess!” That was Mako’s voice. He was inspecting her carefully, as he had done countless times.

  “I am fine, Chancellor.”

  “Jay! Pull that pony to a walk – we’re coming to the long hill to the castle and he’ll need a breather.”

  “As do all the horses,” interjected Coltic. “Mine especially.”

  The pony walked, but flung its head and rolled its eyes. The princess felt like doing the same.

  “How is your headache, Princess?”

  “Not too bad,” she lied. All she wanted to do was lie on her bed with a cool wet towel on her forehead – in a darkened room that contained no carriages, ponies, mules, soldiers, ladies-in-waiting or chancellors. Or physicians, lords, traitors... arrows and swords, or the sun.

  “Princess!” Had Mako spoken her name more than once? He had that look.

  “Jay!” she said sharply. “Get this pony going, if he has had his rest. Do you see that castle?”

  Jay cast her a look of awe from his bright brown eyes. Perhaps it was her tone of voice. He didn’t even flick a glance toward Mako to see his reaction.

  “Drive this pony on and take me to the castle!”

  “Yes, ma’am! I mean, Princess!” He raised his voice in a youthful yell. “Onward! Company onward! Get out of my way!”

  The pony surged forward. Scylla heard Coltic burst into laughter. The soldiers, after a moment’s confusion, matched the pony’s speed – accelerating to a gallop up the long hill leading to the castle – and voices began to rise in a shout.

  “The House of Rellant thrives! The House of Rellant thrives!”

  And so the princess approached the gates of what was now her castle.

  Curses! she thought. Whatever was she going to do?

  | Chapter 8 |

  A fascinated pair of eyes watched the fast approach of the princess’s procession. The watcher had been waiting since dawn, as the news that Princess Scylla had been found alive spread lightning-fast. It was said she would return to the castle today... and tomorrow would be crowned Queen of Rellant. People lined the roadside near the castle, eager for a glimpse of her.

  They were perched in a roadside tree, she and several others. On the ground, they would have been pushed aside, jostled, maybe even trampled. In the tree, they were not only above the crowd but enjoyed a spectacular view as the first soldiers swept up the road towards them shouting Rellant’s new motto. Behind them came a tiny four-wheeled carriage, with a boy gripping the reins, his eyes wide. Next to him in the wicker box seat was the princess, even smaller and thinner than the watcher remembered, and she wore a wide-brimmed straw hat that covered her black hair and shaded her face.

  “The House of Rellant thrives!” screamed the watcher in joyful abandon, along with all the others. “Princess Scylla is alive!”

  ***

  “Slow down that pony!” Mako was shouting, and Jay hauled on the reins. Soldiers and riders pulled off to the sides in a screaming, cheering host, and the carriage and the Queen’s Guard swept through the gates into the courtyard of the castle.

  “Pull up that pony!”

  Jay was yelling, “Whoa! Whoa!” and hauling the pony to a rearing halt.

  “Head that pony!” Mako thundered. “Soldiers! Head that pony!”

  “Stand still, you son-of-a-... oh, sorry, Princess, I think he’s stopped.” Two soldiers had vaulted from their horses and caught hold of the pony’s headstall, and it gave up and stood still, champing fearsomely on the bit.

  “Excellent work, Jay,” she said in his ear, and he gave her a pleased nod back.

  “Did I not tell you? As fast as a horse!”

  “I could not have asked for better!” she said, over the roar of the crowd. “Thank you!”

  Mako was off his horse, and at the side of the carriage. She gave him her best smile.

  “Get me into the castle,” she told him.

  “What?”

  “Get me out of this thing and into the castle!” she shrieked over the noise.

  “Yes, Princess! Wave when I tell you to!” He swung open the small wicker door and reached in to pick her up.

  There were three wide steps up into the doorway. Mako carried her lightly up the steps and turned to face the roaring crowd of the kingdom’s lords and their retinues, soldiers and the lucky others who had squeezed into the castle courtyard.

  “The House of Rellant thrives!” he repeated the new motto in a roar that quieted the crowd. “The king’s murderers have been punished... the princess has survived not only a massacre but also a desperate attack along the road! I present to you Princess Scylla... Tomorrow at noon she will be crowned Scylla, Queen of Rellant!”

  There was a roar. It was deafening.

  He yelled something in her ear.

  “What?” she yelled back.

  He mouthed, “Wave!”

  She raised her arm and waved at all of them – to the left, to the right and ou
t in front. Even upwards at some people leaning out windows. She smiled at everyone.

  Finally he was motioning for silence and eventually he got that too.

  “The princess thanks you all for your loyalty to the king and to herself... and to the kingdom. Long may the House of Rellant thrive!” There was more cheering. She waved, and finally he turned and carried her through the arched doorway.

  Of course, there were more people there, waiting, chattering, directing.

  Mako listened, nodded, then started up the grand staircase towards the large arched hall at the top. A small crowd of castle staff accompanied them – the castle steward, the secretary, ladies-in-waiting, and servants. The princess knew all of them and had a fondness for not one of them.

  “Take me to my chambers,” she ordered him.

  “Yes, Princess,” he agreed, but it turned out that her room was no longer to be the one she longed for... offering peace, darkness and rest. Instead of turning towards the steps leading to her corridor, he turned the other way and carried her through the doorway leading into the late queen’s quarters. The reception area joining the large main room appeared to have been cleared and cleaned, although the furnishings remained. There was a large dining table, along with numerous chairs and a daybed, besides the late queen’s four-posted, grandiose bed with its heavy draperies pulled back. She could not tell if the queen’s ladies’ rooms had also been cleared. The other doors off the reception area were closed.

  Mako put the princess down into a large chair. It had been placed on an angle to view the rooftop garden and also keep an eye on the large L-shaped room.

  “Your royal chambers,” he told her.

  “I must thank you,” she replied stiffly, giving him a narrow glare intended to convey that she did not feel very thankful at all.

  She had to admit that he did try. He was saying to the concerned people gathering around, “Please remember that Princess Scylla has had a very difficult few days... that she has been injured and has not fully recovered. Please note she has taken a blow to the head, that her ankle is sprained, and the journey here has been very taxing.”