“It’s the fastest I’ve ever found something,” said Alyssa with a glow of pride. “I’m definitely starting to get the hang of where everything is in the library.”
“She went right to it,” said Sophie. Both twins were grinning with excitement and Ava couldn’t help but wonder how much of their good cheer was due to the unexpectedly early reprieve from the library.
A quiet throat clearing drew Alyssa’s attention to Aldric.
“I hope you don’t mind my asking, Your Highness, but what exactly is it that you were looking for?”
“A way for Princess Ava to defeat her brother,” said Alyssa.
Aldric blinked several times in quick succession and turned to look at Ava.
“I have to admit, the matter isn’t entirely clear to me, yet,” he said. “In fact, I’m still recovering from the news that her highness is not, in fact, dead.”
“Sorry, Aldric,” said Alyssa. “The rest of us have heard the story already.” She proceeded to give him a lightning quick rundown of Ava’s tale.
For a moment Ava felt herself stiffen. Then she forced herself to relax. She hadn’t said anything about keeping her story a secret and, as much as it went against the grain, she had to trust Alyssa, Max and the merchants to use their own judgement when sharing it.
“Hmmm,” said Aldric at the end of the account. “That is indeed an unacceptable situation. My king and queen will not be happy to hear that their neighbour is being ruled by both a regicide and a patricide. It sets a very unhealthy sort of precedent.” He gave a wry grin.
“Not that they have any concerns,” he hastened to add in response to Max’s amused eyebrow raise. “They have excellent relationships with all of their children.”
“Exactly!” said Alyssa, a little obscurely.
“So, what is it you’ve found?” asked Max, and Ava was thankful to have her own burning curiosity voiced.
“The Monarchy Trials!” said Alyssa triumphantly and she waved a book at them all.
Ava deflated instantly. “That’s no help,” she said. “The Monarchy Trials are only for princes and I only have one brother.”
“Ah,” said Alyssa, “that’s where you’re wrong.”
“I have another brother?” asked Ava incredulously.
“What? No!” Alyssa gave a small head shake. “It’s tradition that says only princes compete in the Monarchy Trials. There’s nothing in the law to forbid a princess from entering. And,” she said, on a flourish, “I found a precedent.” She looked around eagerly, waiting for their answering enthusiasm.
Aldric and Ariana looked intrigued, Evelyn pleased and Hans horrified. Ava was carefully keeping her face blank but inside she felt the same shock she saw plastered across Sarah’s face. Only Max actually responded.
“Well done,” he said. “That’s the perfect solution.”
“Is it?” Ava cleared her throat self-consciously when the words came out a little squeakier than she had intended. “You know that people die in the Monarchy Trials, right? Some women may be able to compete against the men physically,” she nodded respectfully towards Evelyn, “but I don’t think I’m one of them.”
“Except not all the trials are physical,” pointed out Alyssa. “And 412 years ago, one of your distant relatives, a Princess Clotilde, competed in the Trials. She found an ancient law that allowed a competitor to make use of champions. The law she used has never been repealed and it states that the royal competitor need only personally complete a minimum of two out of the five trials. And you don’t even have to use the same champion for the other three.”
“But if that’s possible,” said Ariana, “how come none of the princes ever use champions? Goodness knows some of them could use them.”
“I think I can explain that,” said Ava as she worked her mind around this new information. “Rangmere is a kingdom that values strength. If a prince used a champion, he would risk appearing weak. We’re trained from birth never to show weakness; I don’t think any prince would see it as an option. And that’s assuming they even knew about it. I’ve certainly never heard of that law.”
“It’s ancient and obscure,” Alyssa said, “but no less legal.” She looked very pleased with herself and Ava was starting to feel a little impressed. Perhaps she should have spent more of her own youth reading after all.
“Won’t the same issue apply to you, Ava?” asked Sarah. “About appearing weak, I mean.”
“I don’t think so,” said Ava. She flashed a smile at her friend. “One of the advantages of being a princess is that there aren’t the same expectations about physical strength. It’s one of the useful things my father taught me. How to take people’s expectations and use them to my advantage. As a princess, I show my strength through will and cunning and intelligence. So using champions may very well demonstrate exactly the traits I need.”
“This Princess Clothilde,” said Hans, speaking for the first time. “Did she win?”
“Well, no,” admitted Alyssa. “She was defeated by her younger brother and subsequently banished from Rangmere.”
Ava felt her budding optimism die.
“Doesn’t mean it can’t be done though,” said Ariana. “It’s the chance to compete that matters and if Alyssa’s sure of her historical sources…”
“I am,” said Alyssa.
“Then it seems to me that it just might be the best opportunity. It doesn’t matter if Princess Clotilde won or not, as long as Princess Ava does.”
Ava felt a little buoyed by the merchant’s vote of affirmation. Her eyes met Hans’ and he shook his head at her, his expression grim. She returned his look steadily, trying to convey her determination without words. Because in the end, it didn’t really matter whether or not she could win. She had to try.
Chapter 18
Once Ava had made up her mind, the rest of the group soon began to show more enthusiasm for the idea. Only Hans remained cold and aloof. Ava was glad of their support since there were still several issues to overcome.
“My brother has already shown that he wants me dead and he’s willing to use unscrupulous means to achieve that end,” said Ava. “What’s to stop him simply having me killed before I get the chance to register my claim to the throne?” It was a good point, confirmed by the number of nodding heads in the room.
Surprisingly it was Aldric who suggested a solution.
“I think Princess Alyssa must have had some sort of instinct for this problem and its obvious resolution,” he said. “Otherwise she wouldn’t have sent for me. The answer is quite simple, really. You need witnesses.” He looked around the room and when no one else chimed in, he continued.
“International witnesses, royal representatives who can stand with you and show Konrad that the Four Kingdoms are watching. He’s still consolidating power and has already angered the travelling merchants. He won’t risk Northhelm and Arcadia claiming he rules illegitimately. He will be angry, I’m sure, but from all reports, he will also be certain of his victory in the Trials. I would recommend not making any mention of Champions until after you’ve registered and he has accepted your claim.”
“You are brilliant, Aldric,” said Alyssa. “I knew we needed you here.”
Aldric smiled modestly and declaimed any particular mental prowess. “It’s all this time as an attaché. I’m actually starting to think like a diplomat.”
“Aldric was originally a medical intern,” Alyssa said for the others’ benefit. “He was transferred to his current role as a diplomatic attaché at the end of last summer.”
It seemed like a strange sort of transfer and Ava suspected there was more to that story.
“It’s a good idea,” said Ariana. “And I’m willing to send a couple of men to stand with you. On behalf of the travelling merchants. I’d take the whole Caravan along if it wasn’t for the ban and the upcoming council. I can spare two men, though, and I’ll send along formal papers confirming their position as official representatives too. Only as witnesses, mind, I can’t
volunteer someone to risk their neck on your behalf.”
“She won’t be needing any Champions.” Hans crossed his arms and Ava sighed.
She opened her mouth to tell him that she was determined to see this through but he continued speaking. “I will be her Champion, of course.”
She looked at him in wonder. Knowing that he disapproved of the whole plan only increased her gratitude.
Ariana nodded her approval. “My Guardsmaster gave a very good account of you, Hans,” she said. “Just make sure you don’t get killed. I’d hate to have to take the news to Hanna.”
Her words sobered Ava and she wondered uneasily if she should forbid Hans from standing in for her. His family had already sacrificed enough for her sake.
“Well,” continued Ariana, “now that that’s sorted out I need to be going. The caravan will be leaving in the morning and there’s various preparations still waiting. I’ll pick two trustworthy men and send them your way before we leave.”
She and her second-in-command stood to leave but Sarah remained in place.
“No,” she said.
“Excuse me?” asked Ariana.
“I’m the one who’s Ava’s friend.” Sarah looked up at the caravan leader fearlessly. “I want to go and bear witness.”
“Sarah, no.” Evelyn tried to pull her cousin to her feet but Sarah resisted, her face taking on a mulish look that Ava recognised.
“I agree with Evelyn,” said Ava. “It’s too dangerous for you to come.”
“I wouldn’t be at any greater risk than you would be,” Sarah said. “Less, in fact, since you have a target on your back whereas I would be going as a representative of the travelling merchants. With the ban under discussion by the council, I can’t imagine your brother would risk hurting me.”
Reluctantly Ava had to concede that Sarah made good points.
“If I want to come,” Sarah said, “it’s no one’s decision but mine.”
“Your parents might disagree with that statement.” Ariana raised one eyebrow.
“I’m old enough to be considered an adult by merchant tradition,” said Sarah.
“Well, if you’re determined, I won’t gainsay you,” said Ariana after a moment’s consideration. “You can even help me pick the other representative, if you like.”
“There’s no need.” Evelyn shot a venomous look at Ava. “If Sarah goes, I go. I promised our mothers years ago that I’d keep her safe and I’m not stopping now.”
Sarah looked up at her cousin, her face a mix of gratitude and guilt.
“Thank you Evelyn,” she said, “you won’t regret it.”
“We’ll see,” said her cousin dourly.
With that decision made, it was a simple matter to confirm the final details. Ariana would provide each girl with a mount and they and their horses would return to the palace when the Caravan departed the next morning.
When the four merchants had left the room, it seemed empty.
“According to reports, Prince Konrad is beginning to talk of his coronation,” said Aldric. “It appears he has lost patience with the search for the assassin,” his words held a gentle irony, “and he has begun talking of the need for stability.”
Ava nodded her head. It was all too predictable.
“Given this circumstance, if the plan is to work, the princess must leave for Rangmere tomorrow and make as much haste as possible. She has to arrive in Rangmeros before the coronation. There will not be time for me to consult with my own monarchs. Given that, and since it was my idea, I think I should be the one to go as a representative of Northhelm,” he said.
“Are you sure, Aldric?” asked Alyssa.
“I am certain it is what they would wish me to do,” he said. “I will consult with our ambassador here but he won’t raise any objections. He’ll have a message sent off to Northhelm immediately and we can request that an official endorsement of both the Trials and my position as observer be sent to the Northhelmian ambassador in Rangmeros. The relay-messengers should be able to get a message to Northhelm and then on to Rangmere in time for our arrival.”
“In that case, I’ll give Mathilde the option of going too,” said Alyssa.
“That’s his wife,” she said for Ava and Hans’ benefit. “They were only married at the beginning of the winter and I would hate to see them forced to separate so soon.”
“If Mathilde does go,” said Max, “she can carry a message to the Arcadian ambassador in Rangmeros instructing them to join the Northhelmian ambassador in supporting the Trials. And we can grant her international observer status or some such thing. The smaller the group, the faster you’ll travel.”
“That makes sense,” Alyssa agreed. “We’ll give her a temporary promotion to junior diplomat.”
“I want to go,” said Lily. “It sounds exciting.”
“You are definitely not going,” said Max, laughing at his sister’s enthusiasm. “Can you imagine what Mother and Father would say when they got back? Absolutely out of the question.”
Alyssa announced she was off to talk to Mathilde and she and Aldric escaped the room. While the three siblings argued about the twins’ participation in the quest, Ava signalled to Hans that she was also ready to go. They slipped quietly out of the room, leaving Max still attempting to talk his sisters down.
“I know you don’t like it but I have to do it,” Ava said to Hans as they made their way back towards the guest quarters. Several guards trailed behind them, apparently still under instruction from Markus, but she spoke quietly so they wouldn’t hear.
“It doesn’t matter what I think, Your Highness,” said Hans woodenly.
Ava sighed in exasperation.
“Don’t be silly, Hans,” she said. “You’re much more than my guard these days. Think of yourself as second-in-command and first advisor all rolled into one. I value your input. But in this case, I know you’re just trying to protect me.”
“He’ll kill you if he thinks he can get away with it.”
“I know,” said Ava. “Which is why we need to make sure he knows he can’t get away with it. And then, of course, we have to win.”
“We will,” he said, surprising Ava. “You’re stronger than Konrad in every way that truly matters and I’m stronger than him physically.”
His calm confidence impressed her and allowed her to voice her insecurities for the first time.
“I know I was strong before,” she said. “But I’m not sure I can be strong enough now that my walls are gone.”
Hans looked at her with so much understanding that she felt a little uncomfortable. She still wasn’t used to being vulnerable and exposed.
“Emotions aren’t weaknesses,” he said. “If you let them, they can even be strengths. I know my own are.”
He looked at her significantly and she knew which emotions he was referring to.
Is it true? she wondered. Is he better and stronger because he loves me? It was something she wasn’t sure she had the answer to, but she knew it was something she wanted to consider further.
“Thank you, Hans. I know there’s no way I could even attempt this without you.”
“It’s my job, Your Highness,” he said as they reached her room.
She paused and looked up to meet his eyes.
“And even if it wasn’t, I would do anything to protect you.” His words were low and earnest and they made her shiver. She wasn’t ready yet to deal with the intensity of his emotions and she felt the old familiar guilt burning inside. She was supposed to be a new person, a better person, but she was still using him. Just like the old Ava would have done.
“I know, Hans,” she said finally. “And that is why I’m thanking you.” It was nowhere near enough but she still couldn’t bring herself to say more. Instead she turned and fled into her room.
Chapter 19
There were eight of them who met in the courtyard of the palace early the next morning. Max and Alyssa had both come to see them off but otherwise there were just the si
x travellers. Max had sent a missive requesting that Sarah and Evelyn be at the palace before first light.
“It’s the twins,” he said. “I want you packed up and gone before they’re even awake. They talked of nothing but your quest at our meal last night and I don’t want them getting any ideas. They’re devious those girls and I wouldn’t put it past them to find some means of stowing away.”
His dire predictions amused Ava, especially since there was no possible way two twelve-year-old girls could stowaway with a group of six adults travelling on horseback. She appreciated the effort he was making to keep the tone of their farewell light. Every member of their traveling band was aware of the real reason for their early departure.
The fewer people who saw them leave the better. If Konrad thought Ava was in Arcadie, he wouldn’t be looking for her on the road to Rangmeros. Once they were in the Rangmeran capital, her witnesses would serve as her protection. But if a band of travellers was attacked by brigands on the road, it could be chalked up to an unfortunate accident. They would have to travel both quickly and inconspicuously.
Mathilde turned out to be a friendly girl who instantly hit it off with Sarah. Within minutes they were trading outrageous stories of life as a travelling merchant and life as a palace servant.
“I’m not actually a servant anymore, though,” said Mathilde. “Even before my recent temporary promotion.” She grinned at Alyssa. “I’m an apprentice nurse.”
“Oooh,” said Sarah, with appropriate levels of appreciation. “You’ll be a handy person to have around then. I can’t stand the sight of blood, myself. I have to lie down or I risk going off in a faint.”
“That’s after she’s thrown up, of course,” said Evelyn, apparently finding pleasure in pointing out this less romantic aspect of her cousin’s aversion. “Basically she’s completely useless and I’ve got no idea why anyone is letting her come on this quest.” Her scowl returned with her final words.
“Evelyn!” said Sarah in disgust.
“That’s so mean,” said Mathilde, indignant for her new friend of ten minutes. “Sarah seems like a very useful sort of person to me.”
The Princess Fugitive: A Reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood (The Four Kingdoms Book 2) Page 15