by Ashenden, V.
Sienna nodded. There was something familiar about this man. He was very handsome though. She was somewhat dumbstruck that he was talking to her at all, especially with his shirt off. Her eyes could not help but roam over his rippling stomach and muscular chest.
"You're the one who saved me?" Sienna said, finding her voice. "Thank you. I owe you my life. Were you hurt?"
"I'm all right. I can't say I've been through worse though. Three of our group was tragically slain. But I am well assured to learn some good came of the loss, to think a maiden was spared such a fate."
"I'm so sorry about your friends."
"It's quite all right, miss. Do forgive my lack of attire," he said as he realized he was shirtless. "I was just seeing to my wounds. Tell me, who did I have the pleasure of saving this evening?"
"I'm Sienna," she said. "Who are you?"
"Prince Court Cross, miss. The pleasure is mine."
"Court!" Sienna's stomach dropped right to her knees. She fell, clapping a hand over her mouth. Since she was down here, she immediately bowed, shoving her face to the floor. It was the prince! In her uncle's tavern! What was he doing here? It was incredible! How could she ever face him? What if he recognized her? What was she going to say?
"Court?" he echoed with a laugh. "You are certainly familiar in your tongue, aren't you? Come now, you don't have to bow so respectfully. Are you all right?"
"Seems little Sienna is star struck," Mrs. Crockery said, leaning against the bar.
Court glanced back. "Banyan, is this the niece you spoke of?"
"Aye, sir, that's her."
"Well, then, it's nice to meet you, miss," Court said. "Come now, you can stand up."
"I'll help her there, prince," Raphael said.
He came over to Sienna, lifting her to her feet, his arm around her waist. She shuddered to feel his hand on her, but she kept her head down, her eyes away from Court. And then Raphael's other hand stroked her hair.
"I've been waiting for you, Sienna. I like your haircut."
He led her over to his table, sitting her down.
Court returned to the table as well. "Do you know this girl, sir?"
"Not so much, but I'm getting to know her tonight." He looked back at Banyan. "Banyan, I thought you were gonna tell her to clean up."
"I did tell her to clean up," Banyan said.
"I want some of my money back. I ain't paying twice for a bath."
"Ten back, not a cent more."
"All right. Dirty, clean, guess it don't matter."
Court was squinting. "Perhaps I am confused, sir. Is this woman your wife?"
"Nah, she's bought and paid for just for the night. She's a cute one, when she's not covered in mud."
"Miss, you're a prostitute?" Court said loudly.
Sienna just pinched her eyes shut, keeping her head down. She could not look at him.
"She's gonna be," Raphael said, winking at Court. "Breakin' her in, if you know what I mean."
"I am afraid, sir, I most certainly do not know what you mean."
"Your highness," Banyan said, "if you'd like, Sienna could come to your chambers tomorrow night. Or if any of your men need companionship..."
Court stood up angrily. "Sir, do I appear to you a man who must purchase women for his entertainment? My knights and I—who stand for the chivalry of maidens—would never dare sully our oaths for a night of pleasure!"
Banyan backed away. "Sorry, sir. I didn't mean no offense."
Court snatched up his ruined shirt and jacket, stalking to the other side of the tavern. Wellington followed.
"Prince," Raphael called, "don't forget about our deal. You just let me know when you want to go into that forest."
"That remains to be determined, sir," Court said, sitting down at another table. Wellington sat across from him. "I did not realize this was a house of prostitution, Wellington."
"I do not believe it is, sir. She seems to be the only one."
Court shook his head. He flagged over Mrs. Crockery and she brought over a wine bottle, pouring another glass. Court immediately took a drink, biting down at the sharpness.
"Does Banyan do this often," he asked, "pander that girl to his guests?"
"Not often, sir, no," Mrs. Crockery said. "Not before tonight, actually."
"He would dare sell his own niece into prostitution?"
"Time's have been hard on him, sir."
"How old is that girl?"
"Seventeen, eighteen in a few months."
Mrs. Crockery returned to the bar. Court was shaking his head. He took another sip of wine as his eyes fell back on Sienna. Raphael was whispering in her ear, rubbing her back. He took his bottle and then poured a drink for Sienna. She shook her head, but then he said something to her and she picked up the small glass, bringing it to her lips, tipping some into her mouth. She immediately began coughing.
"She is an innocent maiden and her uncle is letting this man abuse her."
"Sir," Wellington said, "this sort of thing is common."
"It is not common where I come from."
"It is common, sir, even in Cross, just not in the castle."
"Yes, but did you hear what he said? He suggested it was her first time. Look at her; she clearly does not want to do this."
"Do you wish the men to put a stop to it?"
"It's not my place. It's not my kingdom. And even if it was, it's not my affair."
"You are correct on all accounts, sir."
Court shook his head, finishing his wine. Mrs. Crockery was there instantly.
"More, sir?"
"No, I've had enough. Wellington, I'm going to bed. Pay the tab."
"Of course, sir."
"Oh, that's right." Court reached into his pocket, pulling out a small leather pouch. He went over to Raphael's table, setting it down. "Miss, I believe you dropped this on the road."
Sienna did not speak. But then Banyan stepped forward, taking the pouch, opening it. "Ah, the money she earned while she was away in the castle kitchens. Thank you for returning it to me, your highness."
Court moved toward the stairs but then he paused, glancing back at Raphael. "How much are you paying for that girl tonight?"
Raphael looked up. "A lot, one hundred silver pieces, ninety with the discount, but thirty more for the room."
"Is that the going rate for a girl's innocence?"
"I know, pricey, huh?" Raphael said.
Court scoffed, climbing the stairs. He pushed open his door, passing through and slamming it. He threw down his jacket and shirt and then sat on the bed, rubbing his sore shoulder. He reached for his candle, blowing it out, casting the room in darkness. He lay back, closing his eyes.
"I saved that poor girl from the dragon only for her to be thrown to the wolves."
He rubbed his face, sighing.
"Not your affair, Court."
He turned in his bed, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his engagement ring, looking at it.
"Celeste, what did I do wrong?"
Then he heard someone coming up the stairs, laughing. The door next to his opened and closed. Muffled voices came through. And then someone began crying. It started soft, but then grew louder.
"It is not your affair, Court," he repeated to himself. "This sort of thing happens everywhere."
He took in a deep breath, putting a pillow over his head. The girl was sobbing now, the word "please" drifting through the wall. Court suddenly stood up, throwing his pillow aside.
"It happens everywhere because good men do nothing to stop it!"
He stormed out of his room, going into the next, pushing the door open without even knocking. He found the stable girl on her back as Raphael unbuttoned her dirty white blouse, her black vest on the floor, her skirt up, her white panties visible. Thankfully, Raphael still had his pants on, though his shirt was off.
"Huh?" Raphael said. "What do you want?"
"Stop there, sir," Court said. "I cannot stand by and allow you to defile this poor
girl. I did not save her from a dragon tonight so you could sully her at your command. Let her up."
"I paid money for her!"
"And I will repay the money you have lost, but I will not allow you to defile her."
Raphael stood up. "This ain't your business, prince."
"You have made it my business, sir." He motioned his hand toward Sienna. "Come."
Sienna wiped her eyes as she sat up, holding her shirt together with one hand, but before she could climb off the bed, Raphael threw her back down. He spun back to Court, drawing a dagger.
"You best get out of here, Prince. Prince's bleed just as red as thieves."
"Sir, put up that blade or you will be hurt."
"Like hell!"
Raphael lunged, thrusting the knife. Sienna gasped. Court stepped aside, backing up, moving out of the room. Raphael was after him, brandishing the blade, thrusting again.
"Don't hurt him!" Sienna cried. She ran at Raphael and beat her hands against his back. He shoved her away with his other arm and she fell to the floor.
"You, sir, are a disgusting pig of a man!" Court shouted.
"And you're a dead prince!"
Raphael lunged again and Court caught his arm, struggling with the blade between them. Raphael shoved him forward, and Court lost his footing as he reached the staircase. Both men gave a shout as they tumbled down the stairs. Court ended up on top. He sat up, finding the knife in Raphael's chest.
"Oh, my God."
"Ah!" Raphael cried, looking down, trembling as he held the knife.
"Sir!" Wellington shouted, hurrying to his prince, helping him up. The rest of the knights surrounded Raphael.
Raphael looked up, his face showing his pain, his blood running off his ribs, pooling on the floor beneath him, his fingers trembling as he pulled the blade out. The moment it came away, his eyes fluttered and his body went limp.
Court put a hand over his mouth. "What have I done?"
"Sir," Wellington said, "what happened?"
"I, I asked him to leave the stable girl alone. He drew a knife."
"I'm sure you had no choice."
Court kept his head down. He had never killed a man before. "Take the body to the sheriff. Let him know what happened."
"Yes, sir," Wellington said.
Court turned away, glancing at Banyan before ascending the stairs. Sienna was at the top. She dropped her eyes when he appeared. He paused in his doorframe.
"Are you all right?"
"Yes," she whispered. "Thank you."
Court passed into his room and closed the door, falling heavily on his bed. He did not sleep that night.
Chapter Twelve
Fun and Flowers
Princess Celeste passed into the royal state room, the usual guards present, as well as Vrine, and of course, the queen. Her mother was wearing the crown, shining so brightly on her gray head. Celeste's diamond tiara was in her golden hair.
"Good morning, my queen," Celeste said, curtsying to her mother.
"Good morning, Princess Celeste," the queen said. "Sit."
"Thank you," she said, sitting across from her. "Tea, please, Vrine."
Vrine made the tea, adding cream and sugar.
"How did you sleep?" the queen asked.
"Quite well, actually. Vrine was good enough to stay with me."
"And you slept well despite all that transpired last night?" the queen asked.
"Whatever do you mean, my queen? The storm? Yes, the thunder was rather loud, wasn't it?"
The queen looked to the guards. "Leave us."
The guards left, closing the door.
Celeste stopped sipping her tea, putting it down. "Oh, you meant the imposter! Yes. I forgot about that."
"Daughter, can you ever take anything seriously?"
"It wasn't my idea, Mother."
"No, but it was by your carelessness. You let that girl work here."
"Homa convinced me."
"And you lied to me!" the queen roared. "You passed her off as a mute. That was your voice, not Homa's!"
"I was trying to be nice to her. I do regret it now."
"And when you were feeling bad, did not my decree enter your mind? No maidens in the castle, yet there one was! You brought her into our home to mock me!"
"Oh, Mother, you are positively distressing! What harm is there in a few young servant girls? Have you ever thought, even for a moment, that your daughter might enjoy the company of someone her own age? I am stifled here with all these old women! But, no, you're jealousy and the bitter taste of what my father has done has so scarred you, you cannot even look at a maiden anymore without anger."
"You foolish girl," the queen said. "I did not cast out the maidens for my benefit. I did it for yours! One day, hopefully soon, you will marry, and as you age, you will find your king's eyes wander as they never have before, and when they have no where to wander but back to you, you will thank your mother for her decree!"
"Perhaps I won't have to worry about marrying after what happened last night."
"You may well be right," the queen said. "We have been made fools of, both here and soon abroad."
"Yes, there's only one Princess Celeste, after all," Celeste said with a grin.
"Your cavalier attitude tests me, princess," the queen said.
"Mother, truly, what do you wish me to say? I had a drink. I had two drinks. I had three drinks. And then I had a few more and it was too much for me. I do apologize. I admit I was irresponsible."
"We must work to salvage your good name with the prince. So greatly was he offended, he left last night during the storm."
"Truly? That girl must have said something awful to him. What shall we do?"
"I have dispatched a messenger to the lodge where he is staying with instructions to invite him to lunch. We will formally introduce you, and you will hope he reconsiders a union. We will also tell him you were ill last night, and so drunk with healing tonic."
"You would embarrass me like that, Mother?" Celeste said, her voice rising.
"It is a lesser embarrassment than him walking away from your hand and so sullying our name. If we can salvage this, if we can perform a union, the offense may be forgotten and our kingdom's name will be safe."
"Mother, I do not wish to marry him at all. I have told you this over and over again."
"You arrogant child. You do not see how good he will be for you. He will strengthen our kingdom by his name alone. Any sovereign power who would think of moving against us would just as soon move against Cross. That is the power he brings! Yet you cannot see it because you are a foolish girl chasing the dream of ruling alone."
Celeste glanced at Vrine.
"Do not look at her!" the queen snapped. "I see through you so easily, Princess Celeste. Ruling alone is nothing if you do not know how to rule, and you, child, do not know the first thing."
"I do not need a man to stand in front of me, Mother! I want to rule! I want my own kingdom!"
"You will have nothing if you do not marry him! The kingdom is not so strong as we appear to be. This union will bless our lands. But if you destroy the chance, in time we will fall to another power. The kingdoms are shrinking every day as more and more powers fall to one another. We may be next if we do not take part in this union."
Celeste said nothing. She just turned her head. The queen stood up, coming over. She so rarely sat next to her.
"Celeste, Celeste, Celeste," the queen whispered, "I do not do this thing to torture you. You are my flesh and blood. Everything I do, I do for you. You do not see it. You think I act for the kingdom, but I do not. I do it for you. Trust me, my daughter. He will be good for you, so very good. He is handsome, and strong, and he will make you stronger. You will be happy with him. Happiness, child, is not a luxury we who sit on the throne are often privy to, but I do think he could bring it to you, if you would let him."
"Very well, Mother," Celeste said. "I will entertain him. I will make right what was put wrong. What else ca
n a daughter do but obey?"
* * *
"Your highness," Wellington called, knocking on Court's door.
Court sat up slowly, blinking at the morning light. He climbed up, feeling so very sore, his back burning, his side screaming. He stumbled to the door and pulled it open.
"Yes?"
"Sir, the sheriff is here to speak to you."
"I'll be down momentarily."
"Yes, sir."
Court dressed in the clothes nearest to him, the pants and shirt from last night, now dry. His jacket, however, still had a hole in the shoulder. He sighed, tossing it into the trash can. He would have to visit the local tailor, arrange for some new garments. Then he left, taking the steps slowly, looking at them, reflecting on what he had done. The bloodstain on the floor was gone, scrubbed clean. He wondered who had done the deed, probably the stable girl. He could not imagine her having to clean that up. How terrible.
Everyone in the room bowed when he appeared, as they always did. It seemed such a waste of time, the whole thing. He waved his hand and they stood up straight. He did a double glance when he saw Sienna peeking out of the kitchen. She quickly closed the door. His knights were standing at attention. They had all eaten, as Mrs. Crockery was clearing up their plates. Another man was here as well, wearing a long brown coat with a medal on his chest and a mustache above his lip.
"Your highness," the man said. "I'm the sheriff. How do you do?"
"I've been better."
"I understand, sir. We've talked to everyone regarding the incident, and it seems clear to me the scoundrel was in the wrong. Let me to apologize for what has happened."
"Wait, what? Who did you talk to, the stable girl?"
"No, sir, just your men and the tavern owner."
"Then how do you know what happened?" Court asked.
"We've got the gist of it."
"For the record, I intruded upon him illegally. I ordered him to stop what he was doing, and he came at me with a knife. He died accidentally."
"I see, sir. We'll put it down as a fair duel then. If there's nothing else, we only wish to extend our welcome to you, Prince Cross."
"Thank you, but I do want to pay for any funeral expenses, and something extra if he has any family. Wellington?"