by K. M. Shea
The holster opened the stall door for the stable boy, who worked quickly but did not quake with the fear many of the boys had initially approached Falada with.
When did it change? Rynn wondered. It’s been a long while since I’ve feared he would throw me…when did that change? But are we really as close as the holster seems to think?
The stable boy had Falada bridled and saddled in no time, and handed the reins off to Rynn.
“Enjoy your ride, princess.” The holster and stable boy bowed, then returned to their duties.
Rynn loosely held one rein and led the way out of the stable and into the brilliant sunlight. “Are you sure you don’t want to bring a pony friend along?” She asked.
“I will bite you.”
Rynn grinned and bit her lip to keep from laughing. She tossed Falada’s reins over his head, and just before she was about to scramble her way into the saddle, she saw Prince Geraint stroll out of the palace and into the courtyard. “Geraint,” Rynn called.
The prince briefly shielded his eyes, then strolled in her direction. “Davina, good day to you! You are looking as lovely as ever.”
“Thank you. I am glad to see you—I feel like we haven’t spoken in a while.” Rynn offered the prince her friendliest smile.
“Ahh, yes.” The prince awkwardly scratched the back of his neck. “You know how it is…royal duties and everything.”
He seems as friendly as usual, but over the course of our acquaintance he has certainly become less interested in me in general. Rynn brushed off the observation. “I was wondering if it is possible to meet you—and Sir Conrad—later today.”
Geraint tilted his head and focused his attention on Rynn, his brow wrinkling in concern. “Certainly. I hope everything is all right?”
Rynn nodded. “Yes, it is only—”
“There she is, Your Majesty!”
Rynn felt the cold fingers of fear spread through her body at the sound of Captain Hulderic’s voice. Her knees trembling, Rynn swiveled to face her accuser.
Storming across the courtyard was Captain Hulderic, King Othmar, Lord Medrod, and a number of guards.
“There’s the traitor,” Hulderic declared, pointing directly to her.
Rynn took a step backwards, smacking into Falada’s side. Is he trying to get me arrested? But why? I expected him to attack me at night—not this!
“Blast!” Geraint muttered. Rynn glanced at him in surprise, but the prince wore a look of confusion. “What is going on, Father?”
King Othmar’s brows lowered, and he shook his head. “Captain Hulderic claims that Princess Davina is not who she says she is.”
Rynn stared blankly in surprise. “W-what?” she stammered. No…He can’t mean to reveal my real identity to the king. Lady Maela will naysay him! What is he doing? Fear threatened to close Rynn’s throat just as effectively as Hulderic’s fist had when he last spoke with her.
Geraint laughed—though it sounded a tad forced. “What a ridiculous accusation!”
“He claims she is really a maid who is merely pretending to be the princess. Apparently the Astorian queen values her daughter so much she did not want to throw her away on a marriage to you.” Based on the King’s dry tone, he didn’t wholly believe Hulderic, but Rynn didn’t like the way he studied her either, as if she were a felon brought forward for his judgement.
“Indeed,” Hulderic piously bowed his head. “It was Queen Cassia who instructed us to carry out this farce. She intends to impose new importation taxes, and has already begun secretly mining the mountains in the north.” Hulderic morosely wrinkled his forehead. “I could not continue with this farce anymore. Since I have arrived, Your Majesty, your kingdom has been nothing but kind and welcoming. What the Queen plans is not right, and I cannot stand by and see her ruin you!”
Is he mad? Has he lost all sense? I can see revealing me, but how can he hope to convince them all of this ridiculous falsehood? “That’s not true.” Rynn wanted to scream, but showing off her unwanted magic would only make things worse. Instead she forced herself to stand tall. “Queen Cassia would never do such a thing!”
“Do you see how she calls her Queen Cassia, not her mother?” Hulderic shook his head.
“Stop lying,” Rynn snapped. A stiff breeze whisked through the courtyard, but no one seemed to take notice of it. “I don’t know what he’s trying to accomplish, Your Majesty, but Astoria has no ulterior plans or motives! Call for Lady Maela, she will explain everything!”
“A sound suggestion!” Geraint motioned at one of the guards, who trotted off into the castle.
“I’m afraid it only gets worse,” Hulderic added. “Not only did Queen Cassia send an impersonator, but this maid has mag—”
“Surely you do not believe this drabble.” Falada interrupted Hulderic with his low, gravelly voice. “What proof does this guard have?”
King Othmar’s expression was no longer quite so impassive. Instead he rubbed his chin as he studied Rynn. “Captain?”
“The portrait sent last year is of the real Davina—who is as beautiful as the morning sun,” Hulderic said. “But you can see it in other ways—her ill-fitting dress, her lack of refinement. But, more importantly, I have the collaboration of my men.”
Hulderic’s men—who were interspersed with the Farthendale soldiers—raised their fists. “Aye!”
“Such solid research you have shown,” Falada sneered. “And how convincing it is that your men—whom you handpicked—agree with you.”
“Then you disagree with the charges Hulderic has presented?” King Othmar asked the fairy horse.
Falada raised his head to his full height and arched his neck, making him look even more splendid than usual. “Astoria has done none of the planning or scheming this dolt accuses of them.”
Rynn placed a hand on Falada’s muscled shoulder, thankful for the horse’s intervention.
“But you do not deny the princess is not who she says she is?” King Othmar asked.
Falada turned his neck slightly so he could glance back at Rynn. “My rider is filled with honor and a desire to do whatever is right. The captain only has a desire to nurture conflict and terror.”
“You are a horse,” Hulderic sneered. “What do you know?”
Falada lunged at the captain with murder in his eyes.
“Falada!” Rynn grabbed his reins and tried to pull him back, grimacing as the wind howled in her ears. This is bad. Even after Hulderic’s treachery is remedied, I still may be revealed as having magic!
“Lady Maela!” announced the guard Geraint had dispatched earlier.
King Othmar raised an eyebrow and hooked a thumb on his gold belt. “Finally, someone who can perhaps shed some light on this delicate situation.”
Rynn sagged into Falada’s side, light hearted with relief. Finally. Lady Maela will fix this. Hulderic will suffer, and perhaps the real reason for his actions can be wrestled from him!
Lady Maela’s snowy hair gleamed as she joined the impromptu court session in the courtyard. She did not look at Rynn or Hulderic, and curtsied to the King. “Your Majesty.”
King Othmar acknowledged her with a flick of his hand. “Lady Maela, please put an end to this madness and tell me, are Captain Hulderic’s accusations false?”
Rynn took a careful breath—breathing slowly to keep from stirring the wind.
“I’m afraid, Your Majesty,” Lady Maela began. “It’s all true.”
WHAT? Shocked, Rynn gaped at Lady Maela, her ears ringing and her mind blank.
The ambassador sighed and folded her hands in front of her. “This girl is not Davina, and Astoria has been preparing for several years to end our dependency upon Farthendale goods. I fear my queen has played you, Your Majesty.”
Rynn felt the trap snap shut on her. Suddenly, it all made sense. Lady Maela had been Davina’s confidante from the beginning—she had even recommended the soldiers Davina could bribe. All this time Hulderic was not acting in his own interests…but Lady Mael
a’s! But why?
“I am sorry it took my conscience this long to bring the truth forward,” Lady Maela continued. “It is my failing as a human—I should have warned you long before.”
I can’t believe this. They really do mean to bring ruin! Rynn briefly closed her eyes and pictured her family home and her siblings—not just Eva but all of her precious sisters and her single brother. What happens to me is irrelevant. This is much bigger than Davina and I now.
“Lady Maela is lying,” Rynn said, her voice stronger than she felt. “Queen Cassia has nothing to do with this. Astoria is not mining the mountains, or planning to cut off trade with you.”
“I believe her, Father.” Geraint took a step closer to Rynn.
“You believe a girl who might be a lady’s maid over an ambassador we have known for years?” King Othmar asked.
“Yes,” Geraint said.
May all the fairies in the world bless Geraint…although maybe he would be better off if they didn’t. Rynn smiled gratefully at Geraint, but the prince only nodded at her.
“Believe what you like, Your Majesty. Farthendale is your responsibility.” Lady Maela turned to face Rynn, her eyes icy cold. “But I swear upon all I own this girl is not Princess Davina.”
“Is this true?” King Othmar asked, shifting his steely gaze to Rynn. “You are not Davina?”
Rynn opened her mouth, but no words would come. I’m still under that awful vow! Blast it, Davina! I hope all of your gorgeous hair falls out of your head! She shook her head and wove her fingers through Falada’s thick mane.
“Who are you?” King Othmar pressed.
“Falada, can you tell the truth?” Rynn murmured to the fairy horse.
The horse pawed at the ground. “I could, but the crossbows aimed on us might bring the end before I can explain everything.”
Alarmed by his observation, Rynn jerked her gaze to the soldiers. Sure enough, she saw several guards—two of Hulderic’s and a number of Farthendellans—holding loaded crossbows pointed at them.
Hulderic folded his arms across his chest. “Do you see, Your Majesty, how cagey she is?”
“You cannot wholly blame the girl—she was only doing as she was ordered,” Lady Maela said. “Though it is not to her credit that she insists on continuing with the farce.”
King Othmar motioned for silence. “I will ask you once more,” he said to Rynn. “Who. Are. You?”
“I’m, I’m…” Rynn stammered.
One of Hulderic’s soldiers raised his crossbow, clearly aiming for her.
Falada snorted and charged in front of Rynn, shielding her.
“Take the animal down!” Hulderic shouted to his men.
“No!” Rynn screamed. The wind roared to life, buffeting through the courtyard with such power it nearly ripped the decorative flags from their poles.
“Do you see, Your Majesty!” Captain Hulderic shouted. “This imposter even has magic!”
“Arrest her,” Lady Maela clung to a guard to keep from stumbling as the wind howled and swirled.
“Attempt it and you will pay!” Falada snarled. He looked wilder than usual as the wind whipped his tail and mane. “Rynn, mount up. We have to get out of here.”
Rynn shook her head as the wind finally started to subside. “I can’t! If I run, they’ll win!”
“Do you see, Your Majesty?” Hulderic shouted. “She is a menace! Regardless of how guilty you should hold her for this farce, she must be locked up due to her magical grasp of wind!”
Falada circled around Rynn screaming a challenge at the captain.
Rynn rolled her shoulders back. “I’m not Davina!” She was shocked when the words tumbled from her mouth—it was probably because Hulderic and Lady Maela had revealed as much. “My name is Corynn. But Lady Maela and Captain Hulderic are lying! The real Davina is—” Rynn choked when her throat closed and the words would no longer come.
King Othmar and Prince Geraint stared at each other. Geraint looked from Rynn to his father. King Othmar shrugged and shook his head.
Lady Maela smoothed her hair. “Your Majesty, I recommend you place the girl in jail and focus on what matters—the treachery of Queen Cassia.”
“Please, Your Majesty. They’re lying! You must believe me,” Rynn begged. Her breath hitched, making the breeze stir unnaturally again.
“Men, fire on my command!” Hulderic shouted.
Falada reared, knocking Geraint over as he again moved to stand in front of Rynn.
“Falada—no!” Rynn shouted.
Hulderic’s two soldiers who had crossbows raised them, aiming at Falada and Rynn.
Ice spread through Rynn. This is it, they’re going to kill me in this chaos! She grabbed Falada’s reins and tried to drag him away, but she saw the soldier’s fingers inch towards the bow release.
“STOP!” a youthful voice shouted.
Rynn whirled around, and was slightly shocked to see Little Conrad and Davina hurrying across the courtyard. “Vina?”
Little Conrad was wearing clothes that were so big on him they looked like they were meant for a grown man. Davina still wore her goose girl uniform, though her hair was prettily braided and she peered around the palace courtyard with wide eyes.
The princess paused in front of Geraint long enough to smile prettily at him as he stood up. When the prince shyly returned the smile, Little Conrad grabbed Davina by the wrist and dragged her to Rynn.
“Vina, what are you doing here?” Rynn asked. She was glad to see her, but it was dangerous. She can’t say who she is either, and now Hulderic and Lady Maela will be able to kill her as well!”
Little Conrad released his grasp on Davina’s wrist and reached out and squeezed Rynn’s hand in reassurance. “Everything will be fine,” he said.
“Are you mad?” Rynn hissed. “I’m being accused of impersonating a princess, there’s a crossbow aimed at Falada and me, and it turns out the Astorian ambassador is a traitor!”
Little Conrad merely shook his head and squeezed her hand again.
“Ahh, Conrad. I was wondering what kept you.” King Othmar’s voice was once again pleasant as he smiled at the goose boy. “What have you found, nephew?”
Rynn blinked. “What?”
Little Conrad hunched over, falling into a forward roll. When he popped out of the maneuver he was much older and much taller, and his clothes fit perfectly, though his ashy brown hair was the same shade.
“Conrad?” Rynn yelped, shocked by the transformation. “But you just…how?”
Prince Geraint grinned as he offered his cousin a handshake. “You certainly took your time.” He turned to Rynn and explained. “Conrad once saved two children from a cannibal witch. A fairy godmother gave him a blessing in return: the ability to change his appearance to whatever age he wishes.”
“That seems like a useful gift.” Davina eyed Conrad as he tugged his clothes straight. “You could be young forever.”
“I’m afraid it’s appearances only. He still ages like the rest of us.” Geraint turned to his cousin. “Don’t keep us in suspense, old boy. Tell us everything!”
“Captain Hulderic and Lady Maela’s story is a mixture of truths and lies,” Conrad said. “Astoria has no plans to break off trading with us, or raise any additional taxes.”
“You are certain of this?” King Othmar asked.
Conrad nodded. “I saw Captain Hulderic assaulting the princess’ stand-in while infiltrating the palace. I also overheard Lady Maela colluding with him as well.”
It took Rynn a moment to recall that when Conrad had saved her during her previous encounter with the disloyal captain, she had seen an elderly man in the hallway before his sudden arrival.
“He is lying, Your Majesty.” Lady Maela shook her head and sighed heavily. “The traitor perhaps has swayed him to her side.”
King Othmar frowned. “You accuse my nephew of being a traitor as well?”
Lady Maela’s smile was patient and grandmotherly as she folded her hands tog
ether. “I would not say that, but he is simply not telling the truth. What advantage would I have in telling you Queen Cassia’s plans?”
“You mean besides the fact that you own the bulk of the mining rights to the mountains,” Conrad said blankly. “And that if you succeeded in turning Farthendale against Astoria you would be made very rich if you became the biggest provider of precious metals to your own countrymen.”
Lady Maela stilled. Though she still smiled, it looked brittle. “That’s preposterous. I have no lands—it was why I was chosen to be an ambassador.”
“And your position is why you were able to buy up all the rights over the last decade.” Sir Medrod shook his head and leaned back on his heels. “You’ve been playing a very long-term game, Maela.”
“Guards, arrest Lady Maela, Captain Hulderic, and his men for conspiring against the Astorian Royal Family,” King Othmar declared.
The Farthendale soldiers who stood behind Hulderic’s men with loaded crossbows—in what had appeared to be a gesture of unity—fanned around the captain and his men, their expressions grim and the bolts loaded in their crossbows glinting in the afternoon light.
Hulderic snarled, but dropped his sword on the courtyard and knelt, his men copying him. “This was all her plan,” he said, nodding at Maela. “I was only following orders!”
“Likely, I’m sure,” Prince Geraint said.
The four guards that had escorted Lady Maela turned to her, their weapons drawn.
Lady Maela’s brow wrinkled and she pinched her face so her smooth skin twisted into an ugly sneer of hatred. “Keep your hands off me! You can’t arrest me! You are not my sovereign, nor do you have any proof of your false accusations!”
King Othmar gestured to Sir Medrod, who plucked a scroll from his belt.
Sir Medrod cleared his voice. “Under the orders of Her Majesty Queen Cassia of Astoria, Lady Maela is arrested for charges of conspiring against the kingdom of Astoria.”
Lady Maela’s face turned a chilling white that almost matched her hair. “How?” She howled.
“Lady Maela, you didn’t honestly think the only way I communicated with Queen Cassia was through you, did you?” King Othmar asked.