by Katy Haye
We walked out of the mews into the courtyard. The falconer whistled and a dog bounded out of one of the buildings to trot obediently at his heels. A satisfied thrill passed through me: we were hunting for real today. The falconer guided me across the palace lawns towards a wooded wilderness that filled one corner of the grounds.
I couldn’t help myself, I cast a glance back at the palace as we walked away from it. The prince was busy about council business this morning, I knew that – and yet, I still longed for him to stride onto the lawns towards me, happening across me as he’d done before.
We reached the wood and stepped through, last year’s dry leaves crunching beneath our feet. After a couple of minutes stepping between slim birches and spreading beeches, their leaves just unfurling, we reached a clearing.
“Let her stretch her wings,” Mathu recommended. He handed me a lure. I dangled that over my arm while I crooned to Glide. “Ready for a flight?” I asked her. “Just be sure to come back to me. I am your master now.” I removed her hood, giving her a second to look around, then I swung my arm out and up to help launch her into the air.
She lifted from my arm with a cry of pure pleasure, and her powerful wings flapped, air breezing back over my face as she took off. I squinted, watching her grow smaller as she lifted into the air. The spaniel at the falconer’s feet was sitting obediently, but her hindquarters vibrated with the desire to run about her business.
Not quite yet. I let the lure drop, holding the end so the weight at the end nearly skimmed the ground. Glide arced high in the sky. I smiled to watch her. I loved these moments. I couldn’t fly, nor see through her eyes, but I could imagine the weightlessness, the freedom of skimming the air, riding the currents, seeing the whole world spread out beneath one’s wings. I envied her, but through her I could enjoy the sensations vicariously.
I gave her a few more seconds to enjoy herself, then I began to swing the lure. We had a job to do. I whistled for Glide’s attention, the lure describing a wide circle at my side, the noise and movement both attracting her attention. Her wings spread wide and she curved back towards us, a dark shape against the clear sky. I held a treat between my thumb and forefinger, a scrap of bloody rabbit meat tempting her back. As she arrowed towards me my heart lurched, climbing into my throat. She was magnificent – and at heart a wild beast. I savoured the moment of doubt, uncertain whether she would truly return to her master, or if freedom would be too alluring.
And here she came, her wings folding as she landed gracefully on my wrist, my arm dipping as I accommodated the weight. She tore at the fragment of rabbit I’d tempted her back with, appeasing her taste for flesh without completely sating it.
“Shall we find her some bigger prey?” the falconer offered.
“Yes, please do.”
He whistled and the spaniel sprang into action, bounding across the dead leaves into the trees, barking happily. An especially delighted bark sounded, and a small flock of brown grouse lifted into the air, crying in alarm. At the noise, Glide lifted her head, and I raised my arm to help her launch into the spring air.
Seeing the new threat, the flock squawked louder in alarm, scattering like dark marks on pale parchment. Glide tipped her wings and chose her target. Her legs stretched forward, claws reaching, wings pinning back as she dove at the slower bird.
It was over in a moment. Her claws gripped the grouse’s back, ripping into a wing, and her beak curved in a deadly blow that pierced her prey’s skull in a single motion. But she wasn’t done.
I gasped as she dropped the bird carelessly and continued to fly, seeking out another bird. She brought down three in total, by which time the rest had scattered out of sight. She cried out as though disappointed, but I was beaming with delight. She truly had the instincts of a hunter.
She began to wheel back through the air towards me and I pulled a piece of rabbit out of my bag to reward her, but the spaniel had also disturbed creatures on the ground. At this distance, I couldn’t be sure what Glide’s sharp eyes had found, but she dived down, claws and beak poised once more. A squeal sounded and then silence. Glide hopped along the ground, her beak opening wide in a cry of satisfaction.
I hurried towards her with the falconer at my back, the dog snuffling through the leaves and taking her final prize, a dead rabbit, carefully in her mouth.
Glide was magnificent on the wing, but on the flat she was grounded, hopping towards us but unable to fly. It was curious to see her so vulnerable.
“Good girl.” I crouched down, pressing my gloved wrist against her breast so she could climb on. I offered her the meat fragment and stroked her breast, continuing a stream of words of praise. The prince had given me such a gift!
“You make a good team,” the falconer said, taking the rabbit from the dog and placing it in his bag while he ruffled the spaniel’s ears; all the reward she seemed to need.
I smiled. “She has done all the work.”
“She has a master she wants to please. That’s a good thing.” He cast a glance at the sky. “Do you want to fly her once more?”
I shook my head, offering her another tidbit, which she tore into eagerly. “She’s done enough for today.”
He nodded. “As you wish, my lady.” We started back. The dog sniffled through the underbrush as though hoping another rabbit might appear. I was buoyed by the morning’s success, although my nerves returned anew when I thought about everything that lay ahead – the huge task of capturing the prince’s regard. If only he were a beast like Glide who could be trained to what I wanted. Sadly, he was a man with a mind of his own. A mind I needed to turn in my favour – by fair means or foul.
~
Since I wasn’t performing, I thought the evening meal would be a matter of no consequence for me.
Jesca minced into the room as though the prince had already offered marriage. Poor Glynneth looked as though she wished the floor to open and swallow her whole. I’m sure it was a great consolation when Jesca leaned close and told her, “I had a wonderful time. ‘Prince Jaran and Princess Jesca’ – I think it sounds perfect, don’t you?”
Rannyl met my gaze and I swallowed a giggle when she raised her brows.
Jesca glanced at the rest of us and tossed her head as though we were beneath her notice. I swear I heard Claresse’s teeth grind in annoyance. Since she hadn’t yet had her private time with the prince, I guessed she hadn’t managed to capitalise on the drama of her arrival.
The prince arrived and we took our seats. The servants brought out the dishes and set them before the company, leaving a space in front of the prince himself.
When everything else was in place, two final dishes were carried in and set before the prince. The chamberlain leaned to speak something into his ear.
“Ah.” He sat up and looked straight at me. “We have a special addition to tonight’s meal, lords and ladies. Roast brown grouse and rabbit ragu are on the high table tonight because Lady Hanna and her hawk, Glide, hunted them down in the grounds of the palace.” He lifted his cup. “A toast, to the talented Lady Hanna.”
“To Lady Hanna,” the company echoed, cups lifting in my direction. My face heated and I gave what I hoped was a gracious nod. Claresse looked as though she would like to stab me with her eating knife, and Jesca was glaring in disbelief.
“Rabbit?” Jesca’s lip curled in disgust. “Surely we are not expected to eat peasant food just because the fish girl found one in the woods?”
I don’t think she’d intended her words to travel further than the other candidates, but her complaint fell into a well of silence after the echo of the toast. All eyes turned on her. A shamed blush heat my face even though I had nothing to be ashamed of. Jesca straightened in her seat, glaring at the wall as though challenging it to object to her words.
Jaran spoke calmly into the silence. “If the bounty this land provides is fit for a Muirland peasant, it is fit also for the Muirland prince. On campaign we will take any food we can get. There are other dishes if t
hese ones are not to the taste of a lady.”
Jesca sneered at me as though the prince were making her point for her. I thought she mistook the situation entirely. To insult the meal was to insult the hunter who had caught it – the prince’s gift to me. If nothing else, Jesca’s determination to disparage the rest of us must be simply tiresome.
~
“Well done, girl. You have snared the prince’s attention. Now see that you hold it.” While Glynneth sang, Father made his way to my side to drop his threatening praise in my ear. “You know what to do?” He gave me a significant look.
“Yes, father, I know what to do.” I glanced past him at the assembled company who were giving more or less attention to Glynneth. “There is no need for constant reminders.”
“Tomorrow is your opportunity to meet him. You must snare him.”
“I will.” I looked straight at him, my expression giving no sign of the turmoil of my feelings. I wanted to snare the prince’s regard without magic, but I feared that was a forlorn hope. Claresse had recovered her equilibrium. While Glynneth sang, she was performing a courtly dance with her brother. She made it seem as though she were simply carried away by the music, but it was a carefully designed move to keep herself the centre of attention. From the frown on Glynneth’s face as she sang I knew I wasn’t the only one who noticed that the prince’s attention was on Claresse as much as Glynneth.
It was underhand behaviour, just like her arrival had been. But it seemed to be working to gain the prince’s focus. And if underhand behaviour were required, perhaps I should get over my scruples and do as my father bid.
15 – Treasure
The following day greeted me with drizzle trickling down the windows. I couldn’t go hawking, nor even take a walk in the grounds to allay my nerves. I spent the morning in my room attempting to read and vacillating between grim determination to win the prince fairly and wild acceptance that the purity of my motives meant using magic was acceptable.
I took the midday meal in my room, although I didn’t eat much. Gulla and one of the other servants drew me a bath and helped me dress in one of the beautiful gowns the prince had provided for me. Rannyl knocked on my door as Gulla was fastening the final ties on my gown.
“Hanna, might I dress your hair?”
“Don’t you need to prepare? You’re performing tonight.”
“Pssh. I will do well enough.” She strode inside.
I dismissed the servants, passed Rannyl my brush and pot of pins and took the seat before my mirror. “You are very relaxed.” I could barely breathe for nerves, while Rannyl seemed as though she cared nothing for the evening ahead when she would perform for the court.
She began to brush and I found myself relaxing as the long strokes slid through my hair. “I told you, Hanna, I don’t care whether I succeed or not. That makes it very easy not to worry.” She lifted a shoulder. “I really don’t care what happens tonight.” She put down the brush and began to style my hair. “But I don’t think the same is true for you, eh?”
I swallowed as all the nerves flooded through me once more. “I want him to choose me,” I admitted. I couldn’t tell Rannyl the full reason, but I wasn’t afraid to confess a desire to win.
She smiled at me in the mirror. “Then let’s make that as likely as possible.” She tugged gently, arranging my hair into a braid. “If he asks you about yourself, what will you say?”
At the question, my mind immediately went blank. My eyes widened. “What should I say?”
Rannyl laughed, but kindly. “That’s why I thought I should ask the question now. You’ll hardly captivate the man if you act like a cornered rabbit.”
I tried to smile, but I knew exactly how the poor rabbit must have felt the previous day as Glide pounced. Rannyl touched my shoulder reassuringly. “Tell me about your life on Senna. What do you like to do there?”
I told her about the island, and the work of the sisters of compassion, and about the seafalcon I had left behind. My words started falteringly, but grew more confident as I went on.
When I drew to a halt, Rannyl had stopped work and was beaming at me in the mirror. “You’re ready to wow him,” she declared.
I blinked at the change she’d wrought. My braided hair was wound around my head, dark and glossy, creating a style that dropped an inescapable hint. I met Rannyl’s gaze in the mirror. “Did you mean to suggest a crown?”
Rannyl winked. “It can’t hurt to hint at such a thing.”
“I still don’t understand why you’re being so nice to me.”
She pouted. “Can’t you see your own attractions?” She shook her head when I gave no answer. “I don’t want to win this foolish contest, but that doesn’t mean I’m indifferent to the outcome. I’d far rather you won than any of the others.”
“But why? I don’t feel in the least suitable to become a princess.”
Rannyl touched my shoulder. “Perhaps that’s why you’re the best candidate to become one. But mostly it’s because I like you most, and a friend with the prince’s ear could come in very useful.”
I tried to keep my expression empty while my obligations crowded around me at that mention. Winning would open the door to more pressures piled on me.
“Oh, don’t worry, I shall try not to lean on you too hard. Just ... if a role as ambassador arises in a foreign court, I would be pleased if he might think of me.”
“An ambassador?” I stared at her in amazement.
“Why not?” She cut off my protests. “All the roles go to men because men have put themselves in charge and we’ve allowed it. But things can change. Why should women not take on weighty responsibilities?”
I had no answer for that.
Rannyl glanced around. “Do you want me to wait with you until the prince’s servant fetches you?”
“No, thank you. I’d like some time to collect my thoughts.”
“Good luck. I hope he has the sense to see what a treasure you are.” Rannyl kissed her fingertips and touched them to my cheek before striding to the door.
I watched as the door closed behind her, then hurried to my bed. Never mind my thoughts; I needed to collect something of far greater importance. I felt under the mattress for the tiny phial I’d hidden away. I tucked the potion once more down my bodice, between my breasts, and checked in the mirror that no lump was visible. I met my gaze in the mirror and straightened my shoulders. If I walked into the prince’s room looking guilty I’d give the game away immediately. My stomach churned and I tried to push away my nerves. I was prepared to break the law, to put my life at risk in order to force the prince to fall in love with me and do as my father bid me. I shook those thoughts away. I was risking all to save mama, and to spare the prince a miserable future with Claresse or Jesca. Yes, I liked that way of thinking far better. It was almost an act of mercy.
16 – Harmony
“Lady Hanna!” As I stepped out of my room, the voice assailed me. I turned to see Claresse walking towards me. “I am surprised to see you here. I thought you were meeting the prince this afternoon.”
“I am.”
“Oh.” She glanced past me to the window at the end of the corridor where the sun shone brightly. “I hope you are not late?”
My hackles rose. I hoped she was not trying to increase my nerves to ruin my chances. “No,” I replied coolly. “I am not late.”
“Please, allow me to accompany you.” She waved away the servant who had come to collect me and smiled, a gesture that looked genuine but probably wasn’t. “It will give us a chance to talk.”
I wasn’t sure I wanted to talk to her, but with my mind full of the prince and my plans, I couldn’t think of a safe way to put her off. We began to walk, the servant a few steps ahead.
“I barely know you,” Claresse pointed out. “I should like to repair that deficiency.” She took my elbow and we walked towards the stairs that would take us up a flight to the royal apartments. “I know Rannyl well, and Jesca a little; they are often a
t court. But this is your first time, I believe?”
“That’s right.” My tone was stiff. Claresse knew full well it was my first time at court. She was reminding me to make me feel out of place, but I would not play her games. “While you were the prince’s playmate as a child, I understand.”
She gave a tinkling laugh that made the hairs on the back of my neck rise. “Many years ago.”
“Of course. I’m sure playing hide and seek in the palace is far beneath your dignity now.”
“Oh, childish things have been left far behind,” she agreed easily. “Now we must all conduct ourselves as ladies and bring honour to our families.”
My hackles rose again. Did she mean to suggest there was something lacking in my conduct? I preferred Martyn’s more obvious complaints to Claresse’s insinuations. I was glad to reach the final corridor. The servant indicated which was the prince’s room. Claresse squeezed my arm. “There is no need to be nervous,” she told me, lowering her voice. “Only one candidate can win the prince’s heart, but I should like to think we can all be friends. If I am the lucky one, I would welcome you at court as one of my ladies.”
We drew close to the door.
“There. I wish you best of luck, Hanna.” She turned away with a cheery wave. “Truly.”
I stared after her. Her offer wasn’t that different from Rannyl’s, but she had completely the opposite effect on me. Rannyl was genuine, whereas I didn’t trust a word Claresse said. She was trying to convince me to accept I had lost when matters had barely begun. I didn’t plan to play second-fiddle to her. I touched my bodice, calmed by the solidity of the phial tucked in my clothes then signalled to the servant, who knocked and swung the door open at the prince’s call.
I straightened my shoulders. Claresse could say what she wished: I was playing to win.
“Welcome, Lady Hanna,” the prince called with a smile. He stood in the middle of the room. I stepped inside and a flick of his fingers dismissed the liveried servant who had opened the door to me. The door settled into its frame with a solid clunk and I couldn’t help my shoulders twitching.