Casimir's Journey

by Lisa Manifold

  “I must inquire,” she said as they left the rooms, “Whether or not you had any idea that you were to be knighted? You looked very surprised last evening.”

  Hadden looked down at her. Her face was upturned, and there seemed to be no deceit in her. He sighed inwardly. He was going to drive himself mad questioning everyone’s motives, even this young girl’s, but the last two challengers—had they been too trusting? Look where they ended up. He must never forget what fate awaited him if he should let down his guard.

  “I have been esquire to Lord Maddox for some time, my lady. I have trained to be a knight, but had no specific date as to when my lord might think me ready.” He chose his words carefully, aware that they were walking into the gallery overlooking the great hall, and more people were passing. Most offered deference to Lady Viviana, and varying degrees of polite gestures to himself. He didn’t miss the eager eyes, and he was sure that this conversation would be reported. Not just to Viviana’s family, but throughout the court.

  He’d been accurate calling this a nest of vipers. No wonder everyone looked worn and tired. No wonder Lord Maddox avoided it these days.

  “Regardless of his reasons, I am glad he asked father to do it,” she said, sounding like the girl she was. “Court has been most…trying as of late It is nice to see something good happen for a change.”

  He leaned into her so that he could speak quietly. “It’s to be expected. You cannot take the time to mourn as you’d like. How well did you know the princes?”

  He wanted to see what her reaction was, gauge it beside that of Adelaide’s.

  She sighed and looked around to see that no one was close enough to hear, and responded equally quietly. “None of us knew Ulric all that well, but I thought he was great fun. Silly, and a little overdone in his behavior, but a good man. I truly believe that he thought he would succeed. And Casimir,” she looked away, but not before Hadden saw that a sheen of tears glistened in her eyes.

  “He fostered with us, did you know that? He was like one of our own, and he and Thea had loved one another since they were children, although I wouldn’t know, being somewhat younger and not remembering such details. I know my mother would caution me for speaking so, but it seems with Casimir gone, life has left our court.” She clamped her lips together.

  He could see that she was worried she’d said too much. In normal circumstances, he’d agree that she had, but there was an air of desperation about her. It was part of the wrong feeling he’d had since arriving.

  “I am so sorry, my lady. I can assure you that I don’t wish to join their ranks. Although I must wonder if you’d speak so eloquently of me, as you have done for both those fine men.”

  His words, said teasingly, brought a smile to her face.

  “Is there a reason I should not? Other than you seem to take the thought of death lightly?” The wisdom in her face belied her years.

  “I do not take it lightly at all,” he said. They were entering the breakfast room, a smaller, less formal eating area off the great hall. Unlike camp, the size indicated that not everyone ate at once. Perhaps they all had trays sent to their rooms, he thought, mouth twisting in a smile. He returned his attention to Viviana. “I am a great believer in speaking honestly, forthrightly. Perhaps that is not mannerly or very courtly. I have no wish to be a mourned dead man, my lady, no matter how prettily you mourn. I want to succeed.”

  “So that you may be king?” Now she definitely didn’t look her age. She looked far, far older.

  “Oddly enough, that’s not the driving motivation.” He spoke simply.

  “Then what is? Risking one’s life is no small matter.”

  They sat together at one of the long tables. It seemed dining was less formal at breakfast, for there was no head table as there was in the great hall. She had chosen the place to sit, and he was interested to see that she chose to sit on the edges of the room, rather than somewhere more central. They’re dying to talk, to get this out, he thought. They want to. All I need to do is to give them the opportunity.

  “My lady, with all due respect, I risk my life regularly.”

  “How so?” His gentle reminder of his station didn’t stop her from continuing this line of questions.

  “I was recently in Ethion. We’ve been on the border for some time. There is a persistent concern over the bandits that cross the border and steal livestock and goods. When we come upon them, it is a fight to the death. They do not come quietly.”

  “Were you chasing them across the border?” She leaned forward, not sitting back even when a serving girl set a place and cup in front of her.

  He leaned back for a second server. The food smelled divine. Hot and he didn’t have to hurry. That alone put this above camp life, in spite of the risks.

  “No. We were investigating the feeling of the place.” Maddox hadn’t told him that his mission was secret. “We merely traveled, stopping at inns and talking and listening.”

  “What did you hear?”

  “People are very unhappy over Casimir’s death. He was well thought of, more so than his brothers. This prince, for whatever reason, holds a special place in his peoples’ hearts. It may also be that people are feeling even more sentimental now that he is gone,” he said pragmatically. “That often happens. But I do think it’s a sincere regard. They loved him. They wonder why your father didn’t spare him, as they believe that is what royalty does for one another.” He looked at her. He knew his words were harsh.

  Her mouth had fallen open. “No one ever speaks like that.”

  He laughed, feeling cynical and sorry he had to expose her to it. “Yes they do, my lady. You may not hear it, but they do.”

  A few tears slipped from her eyes. You’re two for two, my boy, he thought. You’ve made both ladies cry within under an hour of your company.

  “I don’t know if I want to listen to this.” She didn’t sound as friendly as before.

  He leaned forward, taking a big bite of the bread on his platter. “You may not want to, but it’s important that you do. As a princess, you will never be free of being a leader of sorts.”

  “I’m the youngest! Of twelve!” Her reply came quickly, and with scorn of her own.

  “Does that mean you will not marry a king? That you will not end up with your own home and lands to rule?”

  “That is the job of a husband!” Now she looked angry.

  “It is, but what if he should go to war? My lord Maddox has a very capable lady. She ran the household and estates when he was called to service for your father. Is your eldest sister not the heir? Will she turn over the responsibility of the kingdom to whomever she marries? Is that how she was raised?”

  She stared and then laughed. “Thea? Not ever. She is as passionate as a man!” Her mouth flew open as she realized what she’d said.

  He nodded. “Exactly. So you must learn to pay attention to what is being said outside your immediate court. Learn to question.” He took another bite of the bread.

  “Now you sound like an old man,” she grumbled.

  It was his turn to laugh. “That’s how one becomes old in my profession, my lady. Being cautious. Being direct. Not refusing to see the truth in front of you.”

  Her head cocked. “I have a feeling your stay with us will be interesting, Sir Hadden.”

  He smiled at her, all seriousness gone. “I will be content if my stay is merely of some duration.”

  It took her a moment, but then she caught on to what he was saying, and laughed again.

  He smiled, feeling pleased with his foray. While not overly substantive, he’d learned that the older sisters probably had more to do than the younger. And this one was still being wrapped in wool. He’d treated her as grown, and while he knew he’d upset her, she’d remember that and be more of an ally should he need one.

  With that satisfying thought, he turned his attention to the meat. He felt he could eat and enjoy breakfast now.

  ***

  They had finished eatin
g when a number of the princesses entered the room. Viviana looked up. “Come and sit!” She waved to them.

  Hadden felt a tremor of nerves. He wasn’t ready for this bevy of females. They looked to be in the hundreds, even though he knew that it was just his imagination.

  They came over, a few giggles trailing in their wake. Did all girls have some sort of rule where they must giggle? He stopped a scowl. If he were not nervous, he’d probably find this rather charming.

  He stood, bowing, hoping that he was doing the right thing. “Ladies, you honor me with your presence. I am Sir Hadden of Erimoor, and I echo my lady Viviana. Please join us.”

  “But you’re nearly done,” said one of the girls. A quick scan showed him that Adelaide was not among them.

  “I have no pressing schedule to keep,” he said seriously. “I shall be happy to tarry with you lovely ladies.”

  More giggling, but at last they sat down, and he was able to sit again.

  “May I ask the honor of your names?” He looked around. This looked to be a mix of younger and older sisters. The eldest was…he thought furiously. Perhaps his age? He was two-and-twenty. He didn’t think she could be quite as old as he—her father wouldn’t have let her remain unmarried to such an age. Viviana looked to be thirteen or fourteen.

  How did the king get himself twelve daughters in the span of ten years? His brow furrowed at the thought.

  One of the princesses noticed. “Is aught amiss, Sir Hadden?”

  He was pulled from his thoughts. “Merely hoping I’ll be able to remember your names, my lady. You are?” He raised his brows in question.

  “I am Celestria, the tenth sister.” He bowed his head. He wasn’t sure of court manners, but this was rather informal.

  “Oh, let’s not stand on ceremony,” Viviana said impatiently. “Not at breakfast. Sir Hadden, I shall be happy to present you to my sisters. You’ve met Celestria, and next to her is Emaline, then Mirabelle, then Beatrix, and finally, Serafina. Sisters, please meet Sir Hadden.”

  “Just don’t let Mother or Father hear your shocking lack of polish,” muttered one—Mirabelle, maybe?—looking furtively around.

  “I think they have more to worry over than whether we are being proper at breakfast,” Viviana said quickly, darting a glance at Hadden.

  “That may be,” Emaline was calm. “We do not need to descend into poor behavior.”

  “You are correct, my lady,” said Hadden. “While I am comfortable with less formality, it is no excuse to abandon it.” He stood from the table and stepped back from the bench. He bowed deeply, feeling more comfortable than he had previously. “I am honored to meet you, my ladies. Even more honored that you choose to break your fast with me.” He put his hand over his heart.

  Silence, then a few giggles. “Rise, Sir Hadden, and sit back to your breakfast.” Viviana was amused.

  “Thank you, my lady.” He sat down with alacrity. “I’d hate for it to get cold.”

  This brought a laugh from most of the princesses sitting with them. Good. He needed them all to feel comfortable and willing to talk. He didn’t know why, but he felt that the more he knew these girls, the better chance he stood of seeing the day through five days from now.

  Conversation was not deep. The princesses were sheltered, in spite of the circumstances surrounding the court. They asked a great many questions that he found astounding. They had no idea of how life outside the castle really could be.

  It was slightly endearing. He liked Emaline, especially. She had that quiet calm that he’d seen in Adelaide last night, but somehow steadier, less nervousness. She had lighter hair than her sisters and eyes that were greenish. Her skin was more golden than pale, and she had a lovely smile that was rare in its appearance. She loved her sisters very much, that was obvious.

  He resolved to find a way to talk one-on-one with her. Figuring out what was amiss aside, he’d have to pick one of these girls for wife if—when—he solved the mystery. He couldn’t just think of what intrigue was happening.

  “So, my ladies, what is next? What do ladies of the court do? For myself, at this time, I’d be at training, hot and sweaty and unfit for anything but horses and my fellow soldiers.”

  “Father suggested we go into the gardens. I believe we can play at chess or draughts, or bowls or quoits if you prefer something more active.” That was from Emaline.

  “I would be happy to join you ladies. If, that is, I am invited.” He looked around at the faces of the princesses. They all smiled. It was a sad day indeed that a mere knight could make princesses smile. He felt a pang in his chest. These girls were so sad. Even under the brief moments of levity. He wanted to help them dispel that.

  Grizelle was right. Only ending the curse would fix what was wrong in his country—and in this family.

  “Of course you’re invited, goose,” said Viviana. “Father is giving us and the rest of the court a chance to get to know you.”

  “And vice versa, I hope?” He asked.

  “Did you not tell Adelaide you were an open book last evening?” Serafina leaned in, her eyes curious.

  He nodded. “I did. It’s the truth. I have lived a spectacularly ordinary life until this moment.”

  “My ladies, I am most pleased to find you here,” said a voice behind them.

  Hadden turned. Sebastian stood, making the most informal of bows. He’s awfully sure of himself, he thought. Painfully so. Nevertheless, he put a smile on his face and inclined his head, much more noticeably than Sebastian did.

  “We were moving to the gardens. Please join us,” Mirabelle said. “Have you seen my sister this morning, my lord?” She smiled.

  “I have not. My knights and I breakfasted in our rooms. I’d be delighted to join you, after we get in some practice,” Sebastian said, almost lazily. He eyed Hadden. “Do you wish to join us, Sir Hadden? You would be welcome.” He smiled. It reminded Hadden of a wolf.

  The spark of excitement he’d felt since the evening before jumped up his spine again. “I would be honored to join you, Prince Sebastian. I only hope that I would not shame you with my poor skills.”

  Sebastian laughed, and it nearly sounded sincere. “You’ve been knighted by the king, Sir! Which means he thinks highly of your commander, or he’d have ignored the request. Pray, do you have your armor and gear?”

  “Always, my lord.”

  “Then we shall meet in the tiltyard.”

  “The tiltyard, my lord? Do we joust today as well?”

  “His majesty has a very large tiltyard that is also used for practice for the guards and the knights,” Sebastian answered. His eyes narrowed.

  That made Hadden stifle a grin. He figured that Sebastian would needle him, attempt to expose his lack of manners, of chivalry, and understanding of what it meant to be a knight. He was very clumsy at it.

  A thought came to him. Just like the princesses were naïve, perhaps the prince was as well. It would be fun to discover.

  He returned Sebastian’s look with a grin. “Then I will have my esquire gather my things. Do you practice now?”

  “We do,” and now Sebastian was smiling with malice. “Unless, of course, you do not wish to practice after a meal.”

  Hadden almost laughed in his face. These lords and knights were of a different breed from the men he served with. Taking a break after a meal? They’d never get anything done if such nonsense went on. No need to let Sebastian know that, however.

  “No, no, I thank you for your kindness, my lord. I shall meet you in the tiltyard.”

  Sebastian was well pleased with his work. He excused himself and hurried from the breakfast room.

  “You know that he is going to be challenging?” Beatrix asked him. “He was so ready to do so that if he’d been a hound his tail would have wagged off.” She didn’t seem impressed.

  “Ah, well, that’s what we do, my lady. Circle round one another like dogs. At least we don’t—” He coughed suddenly. He’d been about to say something crude and then reme
mbered he was surrounded by a gaggle of royal ladies. Young, royal ladies.

  “Are you unwell?” Viviana asked with concern, as though fate needed to remind him of his near-blunder.

  “I am most well, my lady. Now if you ladies will excuse me, I need to find my esquire and roust him to work.”

  They all looked puzzled as he left, which he didn’t understand. He’d been doing so well before.

  It didn’t matter. His focus needed to be on the pack of dogs Sebastian had culled just for him. He grinned. This was something to look forward to.

  ***

  The clang of the wooden practice sword reverberated down his arm. He grinned at the knight who was trying, without success, to find a weak point. These were the knights that surrounded the Crown Prince of Laurycia?

  He’d have had them stripped and tied like hogs before they knew what had occurred, had he met them in real combat.

  The knight saw an opening at Hadden’s midsection and lunged forward, further than he ought to have. Hadden brought his practice sword up and across the back of the man’s neck.

  “Will you yield?” He asked quietly, not wanting to shame the man with some noisy pronouncement. He knew such a courtesy would not have been given to him, but winning was not the point of being at this session.

  Showing the court, for there were quite a number of spectators, that he was a chivalrous and honorable man in spite of how recent his rise was the point.

  The knight, whose name he couldn’t remember, hesitated, and then said, “I yield.”

  Hadden removed the sword from where he held it, and stepped back, bowing. The knight returned the bow. “I thank you for the combat, Sir Hadden,” he said, and it almost sounded as though he meant it.

  “I enjoyed it. Thank you,” Hadden was cheerful. “I don’t care to fall away from my normal schedule of practice merely because I am away from camp.”

  The knight walked away, not replying again. It was rude, but Hadden wasn’t bothered. He was supposed to have lost that round, to be soundly trounced and publicly shown to be weak.