Horse Charmer

by Angelia Almos

  "Yes, we're very high." She kneeled down to their level and pointed. "But look, see how the floor of the valley slopes away from the gate. We actually aren't as high as it seems."

  "We're on the top floor," Tully said importantly. "Captain Maconahay said the roof is the only thing above us."

  "Captain Maconahay would know."

  Cassia stared out the window again, glad she wasn't afraid of heights at least, normally she wasn't, but looking down a feeling of separation and smallness wound its way inside her. She was relieved Maconahay and his guards already knew the lay of the land. Though she had to wonder at how quickly they'd performed the task. She hadn't thought she was with Erich for that long.

  "Princess," Celeste said her back ramrod straight as she stepped forward. "I don't wish to hurry you, but we don't have a lot of time."

  Tully made a face.

  "She's right," Cassia said. "You boys need to return to your room with Mistress Witen."

  They groaned as Witen gathered them up and left the room with them.

  "I'm at your disposal, Madame Celeste," Cassia said as Ula and Yaffa hurried over to begin unlacing and unbuttoning the traveling gown she wore.

  As night began to descend outside her chamber window, she stood on the little table pinned into her mother's dress. She was of the impression it would have been easier to start from scratch as her mother was about a foot and half taller and had much larger breasts.

  The breast area seemed to be what caused the most trouble for the seamstress, but with a sound of encouragement she announced she would be able to make the bodice fit Cassia nicely without the alterations being obvious. She pulled the dress off once again and Madame Celeste began working almost fanatically on it.

  Cassia decided that this was the perfect opportunity to escape for a bit. She was going stir crazy. First, she'd sat cooped up in the carriage, and now, she stood in this room for several hours without a single break.

  "I have some other things I need to do if you can spare me, Madame Celeste," Cassia said.

  Celeste glanced at her in alarm and jumped up. "Oh, of course, Your Highness, I have quite a bit of work to do before I'll need you again."

  Cassia shook her head at the dress Yaffa held up. "Something simpler."

  "This is it," Yaffa said quietly.

  Cassia sighed as Yaffa and Ula tied her into the yellow gown.

  "You go, Yaffa," Ula said. "I'll stay with Madame Celeste and see to anything she needs."

  "What?" Cassia stopped as she was about to dart out the door.

  Ula and Yaffa shared an uneasy look.

  "Queen Sarahann's orders," Ula said. "No one's to wander alone."

  Cassia frowned at them. The "no one" really referred to her. She shrugged. It wasn't like she was sneaking out. She just needed a break and wanted to explore a bit. Maybe talk to some people. Of course, who was she kidding? If the royal guards hadn't found out any information, it wasn't likely she'd be able to.

  The door silently opened at Cassia's tug. The Karahan guards had their backs to her.

  "It's got to be Julyan," Nolan said. "We haven't found any trace of Talent Westleigh."

  "I thought Westleigh was loyal," Maconahay said, "but people closer than him have killed kings. It would be easier for everyone concerned if Westleigh did it on his own."

  "What do you mean?" said Guard Sanford, barely eighteen and freshly added to the royal guard.

  "We need Julyan and his Talents," Maconahay said. "If he's behind this I can't imagine what would happen if Karah went to war with the Guild."

  "Who says we'd have to go to war with the Guild?" Nolan said. "Just take Julyan out."

  Maconahay laughed. "Like you could get close enough to him. Julyan didn't rise to power without a drop of royal blood because he's a nice man."

  "I still don't like it," Sanford said.

  Maconahay sighed. "She's got to marry him. There's no way around it."

  "We don't know that Vespera wasn't involved," Sanford said stubbornly.

  "Trust me," Maconahay said. "If there was any hint they were involved in assassinating our king, Princess Cassia would not be marrying a Vesperan prince."

  Nolan rolled his eyes and shifted so he was staring directly at Cassia. He snapped to attention. "Your Highness."

  Maconahay and Samson spun around to look at her, aghast.

  "Please continue," Cassia said, and she meant it. She wanted to know what they knew and not what her mother decided she should know.

  Maconahay looked sharply at both men. "What can we do for you, Princess?"

  She sighed. They wouldn't continue with her present. "I need a walk."

  "I'd be happy to escort you," Maconahay said.

  She raised an eyebrow in challenge. "No unescorted walks."

  "I'm afraid not, Your Highness," he answered.

  "The Vesperans are our allies." She pointed out to see what he would say.

  Maconahay shrugged. "Where would you like to go, Princess?"

  Cassia looked around the hallway and noticed for the first time there were only the three of them. "Where are the rest of the guards, Captain?"

  "Various duties. I sent the other three assigned here down to the kitchen to get something to eat."

  "That sounds like a plan, Captain," she said.

  Maconahay nodded and led the way down the hallway and through the maze until they'd reached the kitchen on the ground floor. The layout of the hallways and stares were entirely different from Castle Karah, but somehow the castles looked the same.

  "If you'll allow me, Princess?" Yaffa asked anxiously.

  Cassia nodded. She wasn't really surprised that Yaffa and Maconahay weren't going to allow her into the kitchen.

  "Don't stray far," Maconahay called after Yaffa as she went down the final hallway to the kitchen.

  "So, how well do you know the lay of the land?" Cassia asked out of curiosity.

  "Just the basics."

  "Have you been here before?"

  Maconahay shook his head. Yaffa hurried back out carrying a basket.

  "Some fruit, bread and cheese," Yaffa hoisted the basket up, "and a jug of wine to wash it down."

  "Thank you, Yaffa." She smiled at Yaffa's enthusiasm. She wasn't particularly hungry, but it had seemed a good enough excuse to get out of her chamber. Cassia hesitated. She wasn't ready to go back to her room. "Where are we?"

  Yaffa frowned in confusion.

  "On the north side against the mountain," Maconahay answered. "Let's go on back up."

  Cassia dragged her feet to make the trip back up the flight of stairs and several hallways take as long as possible. She sighed when the Karahan guards came into sight. The three others still hadn't returned.

  "I'll be right in, Yaffa," Cassia said, "if you could set up the meal."

  "Yes, Your Highness." Yaffa curtsied and ducked back into her chamber.

  Cassia waited for the door to close before turning on Maconahay. His easy smile was absent and he watched her warily.

  "I want you to tell me everything you know, Captain," she demanded.

  Maconahay looked at Nolan and Samson who were staring at them. He cleared his throat and led Cassia deeper into the hallway where a small staircase went up to the roof. She barely glanced at it before turning back to him.

  "Well?" she asked.

  "Your Highness…" he hesitated.

  "Don't 'your highness' me." Cassia stepped up to poke Maconhay in the chest. Since he was over six feet, she had to look way up to glare at him. It was good that he was so large when it came to protecting her, but when it came to trying to intimidate him it put her at a distinct disadvantage.

  He sighed. "I'm not involved in the investigation, Princess. My job is to keep you safe. That's what I focus on."

  "You know I heard you talking."

  Maconahay looked to his men and back to her. "The men talk. Rumors fly, but that's what most of it is, just rumors."

  "Then tell me the rumors."

 
"Rumors aren't going to help." He let out a breath at her mutinous expression. "All right, there are basically two trains of thought. One is Julyan ordered Westleigh to kill your father. The other is King Erich had your father killed."

  "But why?" Cassia asked, surprised by his plain talk. He was the first to just lay it out in such a simple and brutal manner.

  "They're rumors, Your Highness. There's no logic to them."

  "People don't believe something without a reason. Why would either of them want to kill my father?"

  "Power? I don't know."

  She sighed. "You have to be just as difficult as the advisors."

  "You should return to your chambers, Your Highness."

  Cassia crossed her arms. "Not until you tell me something useful."

  He was silent for a moment. "Julyan and Robet were arguing over the contract for Talent being sent to Karah."

  Cassia uncrossed her arms. "No one said anything about that."

  "Contracts are always being negotiated. Sometimes the negotiations can become heated."

  "I'm aware of that, Captain." She didn't need him to lecture her on castle politics. That she understood very well. What she didn't understand was how a murder investigation was conducted. "Who told you about the problems?"

  "I overheard two Talents speaking about it in the courtyard before we left."

  "Did you tell Captain Kenrick?"

  "Yes, Your Highness. I informed Advisor Eb and Captain Kenrick. They were already aware of the negotiations. His Highness was in stand-still negotiations with both the Guild and Vespera."

  "Except he signed the treaty with Vespera just before his death," she said with a frown.

  "So, I've heard." Maconahay bowed his head in acknowledgement.

  "It doesn't make sense."

  Her father had always spoken of the Talent Guild with respect. She tried to think of what she knew about Julyan or the Guild and found it wasn't much.

  "Have you met Julyan?" Cassia asked.

  "No, Your Highness. Very few have the privilege of meeting him. I hear he rarely leaves the Guild lands."

  She felt like she should know something and tried to remember what exactly was bothering her. "Has he been to Karah?"

  "I wasn't told if he was," he said with a shrug.

  She chewed on her lip. She had the strongest feeling she had met Julyan at some point, but she couldn't call the memory up. She didn't have any idea when it would have occurred let alone where it happened. Yet, this insistence she knew him, knew what he looked like, was there.

  "What does he look like?" she asked.

  "They say he's tall and dark. He can handle himself with weapons, but as I said, he rarely travels from the Guild."

  It wasn't a good description. Cassia sighed. She couldn't even recall what he looked like. She'd have to ask her mother when she'd met Julyan of the Guild. "Is the queen in her quarters?"

  Maconahay glanced at the door and back at her. "Her Highness went down to meet with King Erich a short time before you came out."

  "Why?" Cassia asked in alarm. She didn't want her mother and King Erich plotting about her.

  "I wasn't informed. I dispatched two guards with her when the Vesperan escort came to fetch her."

  "Take me to them." She walked swiftly back down the hallway following the route they had taken.

  "Your Highness." Maconahay caught up with her. The three missing guards reappeared at that moment having finished their meal. They nodded at Maconahay and bowed quickly to their princess. They had to jump out of her way as she plowed on down the hallway. "Giles and Rutley, you're with me. The rest stay here 'til I get back."

  Two of the absent guards spun and followed after Maconhay and Cassia. Cassia continued even though she had no idea where she was going. She had a general idea of where the main stairs were and she figured she would choose from there. The urgency which gripped her didn't make sense, but she was tired of everyone orchestrating her actions.

  Maconahay followed silently. He didn't speak until they reached the main staircase. "This might not be a good idea."

  She spun on him. "Oh, really. Enlighten me, Captain."

  He lowered his voice as the two other guards stopped a few feet from them. "Her Highness did not request your presence for this interview."

  "And?" Cassia challenged.

  "Your presence might cause problems."

  "Considering I will be the sovereign ruler of Karah, Captain." She stepped closer to him. "I believe I should be in attendance to any negotiations between Karah and any other kingdom. Wouldn't you agree?"

  "Yes, Your Highness," he said, taking a respectful step back. "I believe they summoned her to the same meeting room you were first shown to."

  "Thank you, Captain." She motioned him forward.

  The other two guards fell into step behind them and she had worked herself into a good state of agitation by the time they reached the door to the meeting room. The two Karahan guards standing with two Vesperan guards snapped to attention and saluted their captain. One of the Vesperan guards stepped in front of Cassia as she reached for the door.

  "They're in a conference," he said.

  "I'm aware of that." Cassia raised herself up to her full height. "Step out of my way."

  The Vesperan guard glanced over her shoulder and then back to her before stepping back. Cassia shoved the door open and stepped in with her head held back trying not to show how unsure she was. Maconahay reached forward and shut the door behind her. Sarahann and Erich turned in surprise.

  "Princess," Erich said, standing and bowing. "Is there a problem?"

  Sarahann frowned at her as she also rose and crossed the room.

  "Of course not," Cassia said with a false smile. "I was just informed we're having another meeting."

  "I see," Erich said, looking at Sarahann.

  "Your presence wasn't required, my dear." Sarahann smiled through gritted teeth. She squeezed Cassia's arm. "I can deal with the finalities of the treaty. You should be preparing for your wedding."

  "The seamstress released me. I'm at your disposal."

  "Shall we continue?" Erich motioned for the two ladies to sit.

  Sarahann squeezed Cassia's arm again before taking her seat next to Erich. "We were discussing how to ease the hostilities on the border. The announcement of the wedding hasn't had the desired affect we'd hoped for."

  "If the people saw Princess Cassia and Torr together it might salve their wounds," Erich said.

  "What do you mean?" Cassia asked.

  "An excellent idea," Sarahann said. "They shall go on a tour. A honeymoon tour?"

  Erich nodded. "I'll speak with my advisors to see what areas are most affected."

  "I shall do the same," Sarahann said.

  "What are you talking about?" Cassia asked again.

  Sarahann sighed in exasperation and then quickly straightened her shoulders. Erich hid a grin.

  "The people need to see you together to be convinced," Sarahann said. "You and Torr will tour the countryside of Vespera and Karah immediately following the wedding. In particular, the border towns, agreed?"

  Erich nodded.

  Cassia frowned. They had gone on with their conversation without even trying to let her know exactly what they were talking about. "A tour? To show the people Karah and Vespera are now united."

  Erich smiled. "Yes."

  "I think that's enough for now," Sarahann said suddenly as she stood. "Thank you for your time, King Erich."

  "Queen Sarahann." Erich rose. "Princess Cassia. We have a long day ahead of us."

  "Until tomorrow." Sarahann bowed her head.

  She wrapped her fingers around Cassia's wrist and tugged her out the door. She glared at Maconahay as she swept by with Cassia in tow. Cassia resisted the urge to tug her hand away in front of the guards.

  She kept quiet as they went down the many hallways and stairs to the rooms. She reluctantly entered her room. She'd forgotten the seamstress was still there. Sarahann dismisse
d Madame Celeste and her assistant and turned on Cassia with a glare. Ula and Yaffa hovered on the other side of the room, recognizing the tongue lashing that was about to come. Cassia squared her shoulders and glared back at her mother.

  "Captain Maconahay!" Sarahann spun to face Maconahay who stood just in the doorway.

  Maconahay stepped forward stiffly and Cassia wondered briefly if he was expecting the same tongue lashing she was.

  "Make sure Princess Cassia doesn't leave her chambers," Sarahann ordered.

  "Yes, Your Highness," Maconahay said.

  A slash of betrayal went through her at his answer. He was her guard. "You can't keep me prisoner."

  "If you insist on acting like a spoiled child I will treat you like one," Sarahann said. "If your presence had been required I would have summoned you."

  "My presence is required whenever Karah is the discussion." She drew herself up. "Isn't that what you taught me? Isn't that what you've been drilling into me since I was old enough to walk? Karah is my responsibility. Yes?"

  Sarahann regarded her daughter quietly for a moment. "Very good, my dear. You almost sound like a ruler, but you aren't there yet." She stepped closer. "You have a long way to go until you will lead Karah with the knowledge and wisdom it needs. Until then, Karah is my responsibility and will be until I tell you otherwise."

  "The coronation --"

  "Won't change the reality of our situation, Cassia. You're not ready to lead. In time, you will be. Your father and I counted on there being a lot more time." Sarahann looked out toward the window. "But we didn't have that time. This is too delicate a matter for a child to make these decisions. Karah is on the brink of war. All it will take is one mistake for it all to fall apart." She turned back. "One mistake, my dear," she said much more quietly. "Do you want to be responsible for that one mistake?"

  "Mother." She thought she saw tears in her mother's eyes. "I have to know what's going on."

  "I agree." Sarahann turned to her daughter, "but you are so new at this. You don't understand how one wrong word can ruin a negotiation. You're the next in line for the throne. I recognize and respect that, but you aren't ready for it. It's time for bed. We have a long day ahead of us."

  "I need to know --"

  "Tomorrow." Sarahann nodded to Ula and swept from the room.