The King's Treasure

by Carol M. Vaughn

  “Stop!” she panted, envisioning the peacefulness from before. The golden cloud dissipated, leaving her world silent.

  “Don't talk to me like that!” the cook growled. “That’s going to have to come out of your wages!” he stalked out of the kitchen to complain to the innkeeper.

  :That was interesting. You might consider being more specific next time. At least until you get the hang of concentration. Then general terms should suffice,: Dragon smirked. Arianwyn sent a mental scowl the dragon’s way before swallowing and licking her lips. Did she dare try again? :Don’t you want to know what the cook is going to say about you?:

  Arianwyn blinked. That was a good idea. “Listen to the cook and innkeeper,” she specified, imagining the people she wanted to hear. The golden cloud left her mouth again, encircling her head once more. She braced herself for the awful noise, and then noticed the vapor thin stream flowing into the common area of the inn. She jumped at the voices that sounded in her ears, feeling that the people they belonged to should be right next to her.

  “She dropped another plate and is deliberately ignoring me! You should get rid of the brat before she ruins everything. I’m sure she’s stealing from you, as well. Haven’t you noticed her getting plumper than when she first arrived? And she always has treats on hand for the little street rats,” cook complained. Arianwyn rolled her eyes. Of course. This drivel again.

  “Don’t worry,” the innkeeper soothed. “You don’t have to worry about her any longer. I doubt she’s even aware of our plans. Regardless, this kind gentleman has agreed to take her off our hands.” Arianwyn’s breath caught. What? “Why don’t you go into the kitchen and send her to me? The sooner we deliver our newest benefactor his property, the sooner we can find some other waif to cart along.”

  Arianwyn’s hands shook. She ran. What else could she do? It was what she knew best. Before heading out the door, she ran up the kitchen steps to the upper floors and slipped into the innkeeper’s room, grabbing a handful of coppers. Silvers and golds would be too conspicuous. Not that he had any golds. If he was going to sell her, she was at least going to make him pay. She stuffed them in her skirt pocket and ran out of the room, heading back down the stairs. She rushed out the kitchen door, glancing furtively around for anyone noticing her. “She’s gone!” she heard the cook shout.

  She hurried down the narrow alleyway and into the street. Ducking her head, she moved at a fast walk towards the town entrance. Fast enough to put a distance between them, not fast enough to draw attention. She just needed to reach the city entryway. Once she got there, she’d be safe. In her ear, she could still hear the innkeeper and cook talking, alarmed now. “Stop,” she muttered. The yellow left her vision and she could see normally again.

  From behind, she heard a shout of frustration. “I’ve been robbed! My serving wench robbed me!” She glanced back, seeing the innkeeper standing in the doorway, red-faced and bellowing. She dodged to the side of the street, nearer the buildings. Everyone around her was looking in the direction of the innkeeper, she kept walking, heart pounding. “There! There she is!” Another glance confirmed that he had seen her.

  Arianwyn started running, bouncing off people who weren’t quick enough to get out of her way. “Stop, thief!” She ignored him, feet pounding the ground. Ahead, she saw Bernie and Rob, just beginning to stand and look back. A few people made a half-hearted attempt to grab her, most just stepped out of the way and watched what happened. Her real trouble would come at the gates.

  :Up the wall, I’m here!: She glanced up and saw Dragon swooping toward the city. A commotion behind drew a hurried backward glance. A barrel of apples had been tipped over. A small form disappearing into a side alley caused her insides to twinge with gratitude and worry.

  “Jinny!” She looked to Bernie.

  “I’m sorry!” she called to him. Swallowing the bile rising in her throat, she searched for a way up to Dragon. There! Rob was already struggling to pull a wagon in front of the entryway. There was no exit there. But someone had stacked crates up against the wall, nearly to the top. She ran close enough that they thought she would try to go through the opening and then dodged to the right. She scrambled up the crates as quickly as she could, her thighs burning and the stack wobbling.

  “Jinny! Come back!” She reached the top and leaped over the wall into the air. As she began her descent to the ground, Dragon swooped over, catching Arianwyn in her claws. :Gotcha!:

  “Get out of here!” Arianwyn cried, grabbing as best she could to the giant claws holding her. From below, she saw Bernie and Rob stop running, mouths agape. Everyone was gaping and pointing at the sight of Dragon. She closed her eyes and buried her face in the dragon’s leg, feeling her stomach lurch as Dragon beat her wings to rise higher. When she opened her eyes again, the scenery had diminished below her. “Thanks,” she muttered, her voice whisked away in the wind. She did not worry about that. Dragon could feel her mind and thoughts just as she could feel Dragon’s.

  :Where to now?: Dragon asked.

  Arianwyn shook her head. Where, indeed? There was no place this far North that they could safely stay. They would have to head south. Closer to the capital, where she could lose herself in the larger crowds. She swallowed and transmitted the idea to Dragon. She felt Dragon’s disapproval, even as she changed course. Dragon would prefer to move to the wilds, where she had come from, and disappear. Arianwyn hated the city, but knew that she could more easily hide in a crowd.

  Bernie's frantic call still echoed in her ears. He deserved an explanation, she knew that. She should feel sorrow for leaving him. He loved her, after all. She hugged Dragon closer. She only felt relief as they winged away from the town and from her decision. She would never have to face him again.

  Bernie

  Bernie stared up at the silver dragon flying away with the woman he intended to marry...and then sell. It did not take long for the creature to rise high enough or fly far enough away to become indistinguishable. Still Bernie stared after it. “You okay, Bern?” Rob asked.

  Bernie shook himself. “Yeah. No. I'm going to the Inn for a drink.” Rob nodded his understanding. Bernie left the gate while Rob struggled to move the wagon out of the way of the gate. He arrived at the Inn and stopped, searching the room.

  The Innkeeper had already returned from chasing Jenny. He sat at a table, head in hands. Bernie closed the door forcefully, causing the man to jump. “Bernie, what are you doing here? Where's the girl?” His cheeks still glowed red and a light sheen of sweat covered his forehead from the run.

  “Wha' happened, Will?” Bernie asked in answer. He stalked across the room, resting his hand on the cudgel at his hip.

  The Innkeeper shook his head. “I don't know. Everything was set up to go. I even had a buyer, though the man left as soon as that monster appeared.” Bernie swore. “What are you going to do now?”

  Bernie sat at a chair across from the Innkeeper. Cook brought out a couple of watered down ales for them. “Prob'ly take my report to tha king, as I intended.”

  “Yes, but without the girl—“

  “The girl doesn' matter,” Bernie interrupted. “We had a buyer, we can hope tha'll be enough. An' I can repor' the dragon to him. He'll be interested in that.”

  “It's still too bad we couldn't make a profit from selling her, too,” Will grunted. He sighed and nodded slowly to Bernie. “Just don't forget my cut.”

  Bernie snorted, taking a long swig, already dismissing the Innkeeper mentally. He had a long journey ahead of him. “Haf I ever?”

  4-Work

  Arianwyn and Dragon argued back and forth over where they should go. Arianwyn finally won, pointing out that she at least needed more to survive on than meat and that dragon hunters were unlikely to be found near the city. Besides, the capital city was situated deep within the southern mountains—plenty of hiding places for a dragon.

  Now she wondered if she regretted winning that argument. Arianwyn stared at the immense walls, curving away fro
m the mountain to tuck back in. The city was built on and into the mountain, the castle keep rising as if carved from the earth itself. Upon closer inspection, she discovered that parts of it were. The outer wall arched out in a half circle, low and fat. Winding streets could be seen crawling up the mountain towards the Castle Keep, where a second, inner wall arched again in a half circle. The second wall was taller and appeared more slender. She took a deep breath and walked toward the gates. The sun was still behind the mountains, but the gray dawn was sufficient to see where she was going.

  A muddy group of hovels huddled in the shadows of the outer wall. As she drew nearer, she could see soldiers patrolling the tops of the wall. Even closer and she could see the soldiers standing by the gate, inspecting the visitors. Their armor reflected the morning sun back onto the people. There was no lounging, grinning Bernie here. Arianwyn shivered, watching the inspections. Except for her arms, she had nothing to hide. She took a deep breath and joined the line of people entering the city.

  Her heart beat harder the closer she came to the gates, the noise and smell of humanity enveloping and overwhelming her. She opened and closed her hands, feeling the sweat bead on her forehead in spite of the frigid morning air. She tugged on the bandages when no one was watching, making sure they were secure. “What’s your purpose?” the bored sounding guard asked. She jumped slightly, not having noticed how quickly the line moved. The guard repeated his question, his accent so quick and clipped that Arianwyn still hesitated a moment before answering.

  “I’m looking for work,” she said, swallowing hard.

  He looked her over once, noticing her bare feet and ragged appearance. “Just remember, begging isn’t allowed wherever you please and is punishable by imprisonment,” he said, and then waved her through.

  She passed quickly, taking in her surroundings in a single glance. She knew how to work as a maid or a server in a tavern. She would prefer to avoid becoming a barmaid. She took a deep breath and moved deeper into the city. The worst inns were always near the gates. The best would be closer to the Keep. Arianwyn knew there was no way she would be permitted to work in the nicer inns, not looking the way she did.

  She wandered the streets, noting the movements of the city and the attitude of the citizens. The street hawkers were in full force, calling their wares and trying to entice passersby to come sample and buy. They did not seem too interested in her, which suited her just fine. She still had all of the coppers from the innkeeper in her skirt and she had no intention of using them if she did not have to.

  The higher class people moved through the streets quickly, steps mincing in the filth and noses in the air. The richest either rode in palanquins or sent servants. Personal guards roughly shoved any who was foolish enough to get in their way. Beggars whined toward the general populace, some sitting against walls, others attempting to chase down the rich for a few coppers. They were quick to disappear when a guard came into view. Housewives, laborers, and merchants jumbled with the mix, moving distractedly from one task to another while avoiding contact with those around them.

  She roamed about, trying to decide who to ask for work. Everyone seemed so wrapped up in themselves that she was not certain how her approach would be received. She knew her opportunity had come when she saw an older woman in well kept clothes struggling under a load of laundry. Biting her lower lip, she approached the woman. “Excuse me, can I help you?” she asked.

  The older woman stopped, looking her over slowly. “From the mountains, eh?” Arianwyn nodded. “Well, I’ve yet to meet a mountain girl that can’t handle herself. But I assume you don’t just want to be helpful.”

  Arianwyn swallowed. “No, ma’am. I’m hoping to find work.” The woman huffed, looking her over again. Arianwyn shifted, tugging her skirt down and hiding her bandaged hands behind her back.

  “I suppose I can use a strong back, what with the celebrations coming on and the extra laundry needing washing. Very well. Five coppers for every load of laundry washed, dried, folded and delivered. Not a penny more! And be sure to iron when it’s needed.”

  Arianwyn struggled not to gape. Five coppers for each load? She would be rich soon! “Thank you!”

  The older woman chuckled. “You won’t be thanking me for long! It costs money to live in the city and there’s plenty of work to be done, what with the king looking to marry. Take this.” Arianwyn awkwardly caught the laundry half thrown at her, and then followed the woman obediently. Getting work was easier than she had thought it would be.

  “My name is Tess. What you’re carrying now is my personal effects, so I’d appreciate it if you kept them as clean as possible. We’re going to have to clean you up before you’ll be presentable, but for my own goods, you’re good enough. Don’t dawdle!”

  Arianwyn followed the woman in awe. Although older, Tess was still tall and beautiful, back straight and arms strong. Her hair was swept into a neat bun at the back of her head, silver streaking the dark brown hair. She was dressed completely in black with silver and gold thread embroidered in a design Arianwyn could not quite make out. The people they passed seemed to melt out of Tess’s way as she walked.

  They passed out of the poorer section and through a second gate at the inner wall. The guards took one look at Tess and waved her through. When they moved to stop Arianwyn, Tess simply said, “She’s with me,” and the guards allowed her to pass without further question. They headed nearer the Keep, the buildings becoming grander and farther spaced the closer they came. Arianwyn's nerves wound tight the closer to the Keep they came. “May I ask a question?”

  “Of course!” Tess responded.

  “If you’re from this area, why were you hauling your laundry around the poor section?”

  Tess laughed. She did not seem the slightest bit offended. “I had to take these to get mended. Good help isn’t always found in the nicer sections. There’s a seamstress who used to work for me that lives in poor town. But, with her health worsening, she needed me to pick up the laundry. And it’s worth it, what with her skill. I’ll show you the tears and you won’t even know it was mended!”

  Arianwyn nodded and continued to follow Tess. The streets slowly straightened out with alleyways and then small roads budding up between houses. Eventually, they came to the wall encircling the Keep. From without the city, Arianwyn had been unable to see this wall. “You live here?” Arianwyn whispered. Tess nodded, but kept up her quick pace. The gate guards hardly glanced at them as they went inside.

  The Castle Keep was built straight into the mountain, rising from its side like some misshapen body part. Turrets and towers blended with sheer cliff faces from which windows peeked. There was little greenery at the front of the Keep, although several small walls had trees waving over the top of them. They entered a door in one of the walls with a tree over the back. A large kitchen garden was maintained in the space.

  They passed through the garden and into the kitchen. The cook looked up, raising an eyebrow. “Another one, Tess?”

  “Oh, don’t you worry! I brought a mountain girl back this time!” Tess chuckled. “They know how to work. Clean the girl up and you won’t have any qualms about her doing minor chores.” The cook sighed and shook his head, turning to dinner. Arianwyn was amazed at how clean everything was, even amidst the food preparations. Bronze pots gleamed from their racks, dishes that were used were whisked back into the scullery for immediate cleaning, plates were placed on trays awaiting food. Nowhere she had worked before was like this.

  She followed Tess through the kitchen and into a hallway lit by torches. Doors lined both sides. “Here’re my quarters!” Tess said cheerfully, opening the door. “My room, of course, has a window. All of the higher ranking servants have windows. Yours will not. Don’t bother complaining, it won’t do you any good! Now, be a good girl and deposit that bundle on my bed, then I’ll show you where to have a bath and get you a change of clothes.”

  Arianwyn dropped the bundle and followed Tess into the hall again, s
peechless. Tess went to a cupboard and removed a bundle of clothes, muttering about Arianwyn’s small size, and then continued down to the end of the hall. “Here we are! Be quick, now. There are chores to be done. I’ll have the cobbler measure your feet so we can get you proper shoes, but I don’t think going barefoot a bit longer will bother you much.” She handed Arianwyn the bundle of clothes and left. :Well, I guess you shouldn’t stink anymore,: Dragon murmured. Arianwyn smiled before taking full advantage of the bathing room.

  She set the bundle down and turned to the door, relieved to notice there was a lock on it. After locking the door, she turned back to the small room. Sconces with candles gleamed at regular intervals, revealing the room. At the far end of the room was a small pool, water swirling in it. Steam rose steadily from the water. Examining the wall near the door, Arianwyn found built in shelves. She removed a towel and chose a lumpy bar of soap. She removed her bandages and scrubbed them clean, draping them over a chair to dry, and then slid into the waist deep water. :I could get very used to this,: she told Dragon.

  :Feeling spoiled, aren’t we?: Dragon smirked back. :Don’t take too long, I think that one: Dragon flashed an image of Tess, :won’t appreciate you being late.:

  Arianwyn sighed regretfully, agreeing with Dragon. She ducked under, scrubbing her hair and face quickly. She dried off and shook out the uniform Tess had given her. It was a simple black skirt and shirt. A black tunic embroidered with a silver and gold dragon went over the top of the shirt and belted around the waist. Arianwyn ran a hand over the soft fabric, amazed. She rewrapped her hands, the bandages still damp.

  Another quick search of the room yielded a comb. She combed out the tangles and knotted her hair at the nape of her neck. A short time later, she was wandering back down the hall. As soon as Tess saw her, she was put to work. Arianwyn smiled, grateful. For the first time in a long time, she felt completely safe.