The Swan King

by Nina Clare

  ‘I said, sir, that officially my hands were tied, so to speak. But I am a man with no less than four young ladies for daughters, sir, and could not rest in the knowledge that there might be another young lady and daughter in distress, should the testimony of Herr Bauer be true, and I have always considered that no testimony can be considered untrue until it has been fully investigated.

  ‘I considered it my duty to pursue this investigation as far as was in my power, even if it meant doing so unofficially, that I might find a way of pursing it officially, so to speak.’

  ‘And what did you find in your ‘unofficial’ investigation?’

  ‘I took it upon myself to gain two unofficial interviews with two servants at the home of the missing young lady. I spoke to a groom as he waited at the smithy in town, and I spoke to a laundry maid as she walked out on her half day off. Both persons were alarmed at being spoken to on the subject of their young mistress, but once I had introduced myself and my purpose and assured them of their anonymity until there was evidence enough for them to make a formal statement, they both were very ready to tell me what they understood of the matter concerning the missing young lady of the house.’

  ‘And what did they tell you?’

  ‘They told me of a man of the name of Count von Wuelffen having made regular visits to the house, visits that did not accord with that of a distance acquaintance, as the mistress of the house claimed. Visits that involved dinner and tea and a proposal of marriage to the missing young lady.’

  ‘A proposal of marriage, sir?’

  ‘Indeed. A proposal that was not accepted. The laundry maid claimed that she overheard a conspiracy between the young lady’s mother and the count to have the young lady forcibly removed and married. She claimed to have assisted the young lady in escaping the house, under the protection of a young man by the name of Herr Hans Bauer. And she had heard nothing of either the young lady, nor the young man since.’

  ‘Order! Order!’ shouted the Chairman yet again as the crowd erupted into loud exclamations at such revelations.

  ‘Chief Inspector, can you identify the young lady you see, known to us as Fräulein Opel and also Fräulein Schwan. Can you identify whether or not she is the missing young lady you have been investigating the disappearance of?’

  ‘I cannot, sir. For I have never met the young lady in the care of His Majesty. I was to interview her on two occasions, the first at the palace, the day following the visit of the Emperor of Österreich, which did not come to pass, for the young lady had removed to Swanstein Castle on my arrival. The second appointment was to be at Swanstein Castle, but His Highness, Lieutenant Prince von Thorne, telegrammed to say that she had been removed to New Swanstein, and as yet, no one was permitted to call without express permission of the king. Express permission was to follow, but it never did.’

  ‘So we have no witnesses to the true identity of the young lady present, excepting that of Herr Bauer?’ said the Chairman, turning to peer at the lady in question through his monocle.

  ‘You have my own testimony, sir,’ said the young lady. Her voice trembled, but was clear. ‘My memory was restored to me very recently, and I do beg of you, Chief Inspector, that you will give me word of my brother, for he was unwell when I last saw him.’

  ‘And your mother?’ said the Chairman. ‘You would wish to have word of her?’

  ‘My stepmother is guilty of all that the Chief Inspector has described. She imprisoned me, colluded in my abduction, and has now cast me off with lies and infamy. The only wish I have regarding her is that she be brought to justice.’

  The Chairman made no attempt to quiet the audience. He was worn out with shouting. He called for a intermission for luncheon. The count must remain under guard, and the investigation would continue in the afternoon.

  Chapter 31

  Treasure

  Workers had cut out crude steps down the mountainside to the waterfall pool below the castle, but it was still a steep climb. The king bounded ahead as surefooted as a deer, while Herr Haller and I slipped and stumbled a little, holding onto one another in places and laughing at ourselves, like children on an adventure.

  When we reached the green pool where the waterfall fell from high above, the king had disappeared.

  ‘Where did he go?’ I asked, looking round. Herr Haller still held my hand, for the rocks we stood on were slippery with spray.

  He pointed, and we saw a gleam of light from the mouth of a small cave.

  We ducked into the cave, but in a few steps stood upright as the roof grew in height. A silver-blue glow lit up the walls, and the magic was tangible.

  The passageway widened, and we rounded a bend to find a great cavern with a lake of water spread before us. Columns of pale stalactites and stalagmites gave the cave a strange and beautiful architecture; the lake was so green it looked as a meadow of still grass, but what made Herr Haller and I gasp was the light.

  The king stood on a rocky ledge above the lake bathed in blue light that shifted into green, then yellow, orange, red, violet. Herr Haller gazed open-mouthed at the patterns of colour that passed over the walls and water, as though trying to fix their shades in his mind that he might paint them, though they were richer and brighter than any paint I had ever seen.

  The great, white swan came gliding from the far side of the underground lake, its feathers reflecting the slow change of colours. We watched in silence as it halted before the king and bent its long neck as though in a bow before him.

  ‘It’s so beautiful,’ I whispered.

  The scene before us was dreamlike, and yet it felt more real than anything beyond the world outside, but it did not feel quite safe. Herr Haller and I stood close together, as though to gain protection from one another. There was great beauty before us, but I felt we were close to some invisible boundary that was dangerous to us as mortals.

  The king glowed with a rainbow of colours, he seemed to be listening to the great swan, but I was too distracted by the colour and shifting light about me to concentrate and hear what was said.

  The swan bowed its long neck once again, then moved away, gliding beyond our sight. The king moved to the cave wall, passing his hands over the rock, as though feeling for something. He gave a cry of satisfaction as part of the rock wall seemed to melt beneath his touch, as though some magical barrier had been removed. From the uncovered alcove in the rock wall he drew a chest of black wood bound in brass.

  The king stood taller, more beautiful and unearthly than ever. His eyes were brilliant turquoise as he passed us by with long strides.

  ‘Come,’ he commanded. ‘Now I know what is to be. You are my witnesses.’

  We climbed back up the steep, rough steps, Herr Haller tugging me up as my long skirts hampered me. The king had far more speed and strength than we did, even while carrying the wooden chest in his arms. and we were soon left behind, wondering to ourselves what treasure he held.

  When we reached the castle grounds, we were met by a carriage drawing up outside the gatehouse. Wagons of goods usually went to the rear gate, so we knew it must be a visitor. A rare one, for few were permitted entry, and those that did come never liked to stay long.

  ‘Herr Weimann,’ exclaimed Herr Haller. ‘Wonder what he’s doing here.’

  Herr Weimann alighted from his carriage like a squab, black cockerel, with his black-feathered cape and hat, contrasting unfavourably against the pale castle walls.

  ‘Welcome, Friend,’ greeted the king, looking tall and bright and magnificent beside Herr Weimann.

  ‘Your Majesty, my heart rejoices to see you!’ A flourishing bow was made. ‘See how my eyes fill with tears to see our vision emerging!’ He swept his arm towards the castle before him. ‘Just as the Muse showed it! Happy day! And yet—’

  ‘Yet what, Herr Weimann?’ said the king.

  ‘And yet here I stand before His Majesty a man of sorrow with a weeping heart.’

  ‘Come inside and the king shall hear your woes.’

/>   Another ornate bow, and Herr Weimann followed the king through the gates. ‘Haller,’ he said in greeting to him as he passed by. ‘I trust you are preserving your master’s reputation by continuing his work in all faithfulness to the vision?’

  ‘Sir,’ was all Herr Haller replied with a bow of the head.

  Herr Weimann paused a moment to scrutinise Herr Haller’s face. ‘You look different,’ he murmured, frowning. ‘I hope you have not been indulging your pleasures instead of working.’

  ‘I believe His Majesty is satisfied with my work,’ replied Herr Haller.

  ‘You mean His Majesty is satisfied with the work done in my name, Haller.’

  ‘Sir.’ Herr Haller bowed again.

  Herr Weimann hurried after the king.

  ‘Pompous fraud,’ I muttered.

  Herr Haller started, looking at me as though I had kicked him.

  ‘Not you,’ I said. ‘Him. Taking all the credit for your hard work.’

  Herr Haller shrugged. ‘That’s the lot of an apprentice.’

  ‘Let’s find out what he’s here for.’

  ‘It can’t be good. The last time I saw him in black was when they closed all his credit accounts in Vienna, and we had to flee in the middle of the night to escape the bailiffs.’

  Herr Weimann admired all he saw as he passed up the staircase and into the throne room. The murals were unfinished, but the beautiful mosaic floor gleamed, and the magnificent golden chandelier had been recently hung from the domed ceiling high above.

  ‘Just as I saw it in the visions given to me,’ Herr Weimann declared over and over. ‘What excellent workmanship. Who would have believed such skill resided in the fingers of peasants?’

  The king seated himself upon his throne, the bronze-bound chest was placed at his feet. ‘What tidings do you bear, Friend?’

  ‘Ah, Your Majesty, it is with a heart full and heavy that I come.’

  ‘Why do you bring heaviness and sorrow before the king?’

  ‘Your Exceeding Majesty, I have been sent as an unofficial envoy on behalf of your loyal and humble government.’

  ‘There is neither loyalty nor humility in the king’s government. Why do they send you?’

  The king spoke evenly, but his eyes were piercing, and a sound like distant thunder rolled through the air. The room darkened and cooled a degree, and I thought of that fearful moment in the palace. Herr Weimann no doubt recalled it also. He stepped back, shrinking into his high collar and throwing out his ringed hands in a gesture of appeasement.

  ‘Forgive me! Oh, that I could cast all words of trouble into the Danube where they belong! They said you might listen to one who has been called Beloved Friend by His Glorious Majesty.’

  ‘Speak what you must,’ the king ordered. The thunder abated to a softer growl.

  Herr Weimann took a deep breath ‘There are concerns, Your Majesty. Large bills come in daily from your suppliers. The treasury is weak from the cost of the war.’

  ‘They desired their war. My work brings peace and prosperity to the land. Can you not feel it? Do you not see it in the beauty about you, hear it in the song of my people as they build?’

  ‘There is dismay that His Majesty does not attend parliament at this time.’

  ‘Parliament waits on the king, not he on them.’

  ‘His Majesty will not meet with dignitaries and royal guests at the palace, nor will he permit them to his castles.’

  ‘I permitted a great feast and ball for that fox of an emperor and how did he repay me? By demanding my royal swans!’ The room darkened a degree more, and the rumble of thunder grew a little louder.

  Herr Weimann took another step back. ‘That is all I have to say, and it has given me no pleasure. I have repeated what I have been compelled to speak. My own heart honours the king’s absolute right to rule as he sees fit. I am his humble servant.’

  ‘Why have you brought this message?’ the king demanded. ‘Why did not you refuse?’

  Herr Weimann made a gesture of despair, he replied in a strangled voice, ‘They said if I did not speak, Your Majesty, they would… send in my creditors.’

  ‘I cleared all creditors when I employed you!’

  Herr Weimann squirmed. ‘There are one or two new ones. It is the Muse, Your Majesty; I cannot refuse any request she makes. She is my mistress, and I am bound to obey.’

  ‘Who are these creditors? What have you been bound to obtain?’

  ‘Mostly jewellers, Your Majesty. The Muse takes great delight in the refraction of light, the fire of a ruby, the ice of a diamond, etcetera. They are most acceptable offerings to her.’

  The king stood up and Herr Weimann gave a little cry of fear and dropped to one knee, for the king’s eyes were dark as a winter storm. But the king said no more. I heard his footsteps cross the room; when I dared to lift up my head he was gone, and he had taken the chest with him. Herr Weimann struggled to his feet and shook out his coat tails.

  ‘Haller,’ he barked, ‘gather up your things, and let us be gone. I have done my duty here.’

  ‘Go where, sir?’

  ‘To München, where else?’

  ‘Will your creditors permit you to stay there?’

  ‘Don’t ask impertinent questions, boy, only do as you are bid.’

  ‘But the work here is not done. The king daily asks for new designs to be sent to the weavers and goldsmiths and—’

  ‘There will be no more tapestries or chandeliers sent from the workshops,’ growled Herr Weimann. ‘The government will not finance his work, and he has spent all his own fortune.’ Herr Weimann looked about him at the six-foot candelabras, decorated with gold swans, and sighed. ‘Magnificent,’ he said sadly. ‘But they do not understand. They have not art in their souls. They know not genius when they see it.’

  ‘I cannot leave without the king’s permission,’ Herr Haller said. He stood tall and spoke firmly. I had never heard him speak up for himself before Herr Weimann before. I felt proud of him.

  ‘The king does not own you,’ said Herr Weimann angrily. ‘He does not pay your wages!’

  ‘No one pays me wages.’

  ‘Why, you ingrate, you thankless cub! Did I not take you in? Have I not housed you, fed you, trained you?’

  ‘And I have worked hard in return, Herr Weimann. I have given my all to show you my gratitude. But the king is my master now. I must do as he bids.’

  ‘The king is about to be bankrupted!’ cried Herr Weimann. ‘Who will feed you then?’

  ‘With all due respect, sir, most of the time I have been with you, you also have been in dire financial straits.’

  Herr Weimann was growing purple. He thrust out his square jaw and his eyes bulged.

  ‘This is insubordination! Defiance! Open rebellion! Insurrection! You will come with me, Haller, or you will henceforth be cast onto the streets whence you came!’

  ‘Then we must part ways, sir,’ said Herr Haller. ‘I will not leave.’ There was a tremor in his voice, but he stood firm.

  Herr Weimann stamped his patent leather shoe on the mosaic floor. He swung his felt hat with the black ostrich plume around him as though it were a vicious-edged sword. He fumed and roiled and called Herr Haller very rude names, but Herr Haller stood immovable. His master stomped out in a cloud of black wool and streaming feathers and Herr Haller sought the nearest chair and sat down heavily.

  ‘Well done,’ I said warmly.

  He gave a weary smile. ‘I’ve had enough of being dragged about from city to city, working all hours for him. I can’t go back to that life, though heaven only knows what lies ahead for me.’

  I understood his uncertainty. What lay ahead for me also? My future seemed far more uncertain than his.

  ‘You will be fine,’ I said, feeling a little deflated by my own thoughts. I sank down onto the chair next to him. ‘You have talent. You will find work.’

  He nodded. ‘Dare we ask the king what is in that chest?’ he asked me, and the feeling of adventure ret
urned to lighten our gloom.

  ‘We can try,’ I said.

  ‘Come on then.’

  Chapter 32

  A Way Out

  ‘Herr Poppe, tell the Committee your occupation and most recent position.’

  ‘I am a cook. I worked for the king.’

  ‘You were at New Swanstein Castle as the only remaining cook, is that correct?’

  ‘It is.’

  ‘This committee is concerned with gathering evidence regarding the king’s state of mind prior to his mysterious disappearance. Did you converse with the king in your occupation, Herr Poppe?’

  ‘Not directly. My orders came through the butler and housekeeper.’

  ‘Were those orders of the usual nature, Herr Poppe? Was there anything unusual in the last months or weeks of the king?’

  ‘The only thing unusual was that he did not eat in the last days that I was at New Swanstein.’

  ‘The king did not eat? How is that possible?’

  ‘I should say, the king did not eat of anything I cooked.’

  ‘Who cooked for him?’

  ‘No one.’

  ‘I do not understand. Clarify your statement, Herr Poppe. The committee requires facts, not conundrums.’

  ‘I did not ever see it happen myself, sir. I can only tell you that the king had a magical cup, like a giant emerald. They said he only had to pour out this cup and as much food and drink as he desired flowed out onto his table.’

  ‘A magic cup. A magic emerald. Herr Poppe, are you mocking the committee?’

  ‘I only say what I know, sir. And I know he did not eat, and I know the cup was as beautiful as a great jewel for I saw it once myself when I was passing by the throne room.’

  ‘And where is this “magical” cup now, Herr Poppe?’

  ‘It disappeared.’

  ‘Of course it did. I suppose as a mountain dweller you retain all loyalty to the king, and thus there lies your collusion in the ridiculous fairy tales that surround him. Leave the chamber, Herr Poppe. You are wasting our time.’