Trapped with a Way Out

by Jeffery Martinez

  "Oh, that guard," William paused.

  It was more than enough to make her older sister wonder. "What does that lack of emotion mean?"

  "Nothing, if not showing disinterest."

  Richard frowned, but let it go. She had too much to worry about today that trying to pry any information out of William needed to be put on hold. Both sisters smiled and complemented on the other as they fit into their dresses. Richard's tied up the back, and William gently knotted it from breaking loose. Then the girls switched and Richard helped William into her dress that came to an unforgiving corset-tight torso at the hips from the chest. The younger sister sucked in a breath and exhaled as Richard tied the last string and stepped back a few paces.

  "I don't know how you like the tightness of it so much," Richard shook her head.

  "You're wearing one just as tight as well," William pointed out, looking over her blue dress with its different ivory patterns across the skirt.

  "Yes, but I have little choice in the matter. We must look presentable to the regent," Richard sighed and walked over to her window. She pushed the drapes away to look outside and into a wonderfully green world. Trees swayed gently in the breeze, birds tweeted and sang songs to their mates, and the Zlasti River down bellow softly moved, its currents ambling toward the sea.

  William smiled, walking to the door, "Well, you always look beautiful in your dresses."

  Richard left the drapery to the side and joined her sister; her mind was elsewhere. "Let's hope that there are few casualties."

  Walter rushed around the massive kitchen with a mad look in his eye. Servants ran around the counters carrying spices, sugar, salt, bread, and fresh meat within their grasps. The returning of a ruler from battle was certainly something to be overjoyed…unless one was a servant or a guard. Walter dodged another man running with the thighs of a deer. A spray of blood, nevertheless, coated his lovely attire and marred the whites of his undershirt. Gritting teeth pressured his mouth into a snarl and his eyes into a glare as Walter snatched a tall chair and stood on top of it.

  "Alright! Everyone, listen up! The regent has arrived with the army and he expects a huge meal to be prepared within the hour! Everyone carrying a spice, I want you over by the cabinet of spices sorting out them from hottest to mildest! Everyone carrying bread, I want you to stand over by the yeast bin and sort them in neat piles to keep space available. Everyone carrying sugar and salt, go to opposite ends of the room so we don't confuse which is which. And lastly, every one carrying meat, go to the fireplace and roast it on a stick, understood?" Walter inhaled for air. A huge pause engulfed the room as people absorbed the information, and then chaos swept the order away once more as servants then rushed to get to their stations.

  The man stepped down from his podium and placed the chair back in its place beside a counter. With a sigh that whispered his abandoning hope, he then strode across the room to help servants prepare the meat. They almost looked completely lost, putting on a dead boar first.

  "No, no, no, no! What are you three doing? You put on the smaller meats since they cook faster. If we put the boar on first, no royalty will be eating meat until tomorrow!" Walter slapped his head and grabbed other limbs from the counter.

  "Sorry, sir. We just thought that they'd want the huge animal first," one servant mumbled.

  Walter groaned, knowing this would be a long hour to two.

  "Matthias, come quickly!" Richard chided as her youngest brother ran up to her.

  A little boy with light brown hair and light blue eyes poked his head around the door to his room. His hair was neatly combed and face thoroughly washed until the pale white skin of his cheeks stood out against the gray stone walls of the castle. An angered expression shaped his face at being so rudely spoken to.

  "I'm sorry, but my servant was taking forever to dress me!" he yelled back at her across the hallway.

  William giggled at the sight. He was wearing a gambeson long t-shirt, black tights accompanied the outfit with a matching belt that had gold carved into the simple brown pattern. Yet, something was missing…

  "Your sword!" William exclaimed.

  Matthias's face grew bright red, "I don't believe it! I forgot my sword!"

  Richard turned to the nine year old. "I'm sure you won't need that little sword, young soldier. We're already late."

  The group of three ran down the hallways and corridors of the castle, their footfalls echoing through the ancient stone walkways. They were laughing, screaming, shouting for joy and racing one another down the spiral staircases to the dining hall. Wind whipped at their faces in the open hallways as the greenery between each pillar flashed past them. Richard looked out and watched the trees grow in front of her as the group descended the castle.

  "You can't catch me!" Matthias screamed as they whooshed past another pair of bewildered guards.

  "Matthias, slow down, you'll hurt yourself!" Richard cupped her hands by her mouth as she jogged.

  But even William wouldn't listen; she was chasing after him with her arms outstretched, as if she would grab him. Richard sighed and smiled, still trailing behind even though she could easily catch up and snatch her little brother. However much Richard knew she should, the young woman didn't. It felt like a certain innocence ran inside William and Matthias's veins, and she wanted to preserve that innocence intact for a few more years. At least, before these battles get any worse…

  William and Matthias both turned a sharp corner and out of Richard's sight. When the eldest heard both of them scream, her heart skipped a beat. Feet started to pound the ground, catching up to her siblings.

  "Are you alright?" Richard yelled. Her body was now at a full sprint and her feet's contact with the stone proved loud like clapping hands. She rounded the corner and used a pillar to slingshot herself. Skidding to a halt, her eyes lit up and her face lifted into a smile of joy. A young man of tall stature wearing armor and a circular helmet wobbled to keep balance.

  "Ladislaus is here!" William shouted as she clung to her eldest brother by his waist. Matthias was attached to his back as he climbed up the shoulders and wrapped his arms around Ladislaus's collarbone.

  Richard watched him flash a smile, his dark blonde curls curled just above his blue eyes and just below the silver rim of his helmet. He reached down and hugged William with one arm and then reached up to pat Matthias with the other.

  "It wasn't my intention to scare anyone, but I heard your voices, so I came running as well," Ladislaus stated with a deep, matured voice.

  "It took you long enough to return, brother," Richard softly chided, though she smiled.

  "Indeed, I did believe so too. However, it was our father who wished to stay another week in Wallachia to make sure that Lord Vincentislav II was in control of his territory," the young man straightened up as William and Matthias let go and climbed down.

  Richard stood apart from him one moment longer and then grabbed him. The metal chest plate bumped against her head with a thud, but she didn't care. Her long arms shot out and wrapped themselves around his torso and squeezed. Ladislaus laughed and gently held her back, his head dropping to her ear level. Richard began to hold back a sentimental lump in her throat as she reflexively swallowed.

  "I missed you, too," Ladislaus chuckled, "It's a good thing I healed right up."

  Richard's eyes widened in horror, "You were injured?"

  "It was merely a flesh wound. I feinted right, but the Ottoman saw it coming and breached my armor. It didn't get infected or anything," her eldest brother reassured her.

  But Richard's eyes grew dark with hatred, hatred that Ladislaus was unsure if it was channeled at him or not. The young woman let go and felt her hands ball into fists as well as her face began to warm. The thought of any Ottoman even scratching Ladislaus made her innards twist into knots and thrash inside. He noticed this emotion and cleared his throat, watching her eyes return to his.

  "Richard," Ladislaus murmured, "it was not that bad. Please, war already is prop
elled by hate; do not add to it," he brought her head to his chest and held her for a moment longer.

  She swallowed hard and inhaled deeply. The thought of losing any of her siblings was catastrophic to say the very least. They broke apart and smiled to the other, determined to enjoy the rest of the evening. The group then proceeded to walk to the dining hall side by side. William and Matthias followed quietly, not so much as speaking one word. Instead, they voted to listen and absorb of what their eldest brother and sister spoke.

  Walter wiped the sweat off of his brow as he returned from finally changing his blood-stained shirt, no thanks to a clumsy servant earlier. The room was still bustling with more bread and cooked meat. Women huddled around the plates and placed slices of bread, vegetables, and clumps of meat. Men stoked the fire around the meat and huddled off in search of more salt. Everything was getting set in motion for a wonderful feast that evening, and Walter felt butterflies flutter within his stomach.

  He walked forward and inspected the bowls and plates of food. His keen eyes ran over to the aged wine and to the mixing soup that came first. Both smelled absolutely delicious as he used a spoon to dip into the thick stew. Bringing it to his lips, he lightly darted his tongue out and tasted.

  "More salt," he ordered and left their station for the drinks.

  "Walter!" one servant shouted, "They're beginning!"

  Staffs in the dining hall, the next room, hit the floor announcing that the nobles were arriving on the scene. The room echoed of trumpets playing outside near the entrance upon their official arrival.

  "Shit!" Walter practically spit out the soup he barely swallowed, "Everyone hurry and get to your places. Girls, get the plates finished and ready yourselves! The first course is coming up!"

  Servants shouted over each other as another scene of chaos erupted through the room. Walter jogged around from spices to meat, making sure that everything was in order. A few other highly regarded servants, such as he, were also herding lower servants around to complete tasks. However, as Walter paused to observe the whole picture, he noted that most everything was, in fact, in its place. Mentally patting himself, Walter turned to the massive wooden door and dared to peek.

  Tables had been connected together, candles had been lit, carpet had been laid out on the floor, tall chairs had been scooted into their rightful places, and celebratory decorations had been draped over any naked spot to brighten the room. Stone walls were almost completely covered in flowered streamers. The regent's court had already arrived and was talking amongst themselves as they stood. Upon the sounds of the instruments outside, everyone parted to make way for the regent and his commanders.

  Walter inhaled a deep breath and slightly jumped as the two huge wooden doors from the outside swung open and hit the walls behind. The regent, a man in his early forties, paced slowly into the room, his hard and chiseled face seemed carved from marble. Though he had taken off his armor, he was dressed in tight pants, a gambeson accompanied with skins for a cape, and a matching sword and belt fit loosely across his waist. Beady, dark eyes darted around the room, watching every move of his people as he walked for his throne. Once he was halfway across the floor of the room, commanders entered and followed. Cheers started to erupt and hoots and hollers carried their volume all around to give the men a hero's welcome.

  Richard, William, and Matthias walked up to their father, now seated in the throne, and paused. Matthias was the first to bow graciously and kneel to the floor.

  "Father, it is good to see you return," he whispered shyly. He looked up into his father's smiling face.

  "And you as well, Matthias," the regent stated. Then his gaze traveled passed the little boy and to his older sisters.

  Richard walked forward and curtsied deeply, bowing her head in recognition, "I'm grateful for your return." William curtsied as well.

  The regent grinned and relaxed into his seat more. He could feel their beauty in those dresses radiate through and strike every man in the room. His two lovely daughters were certainly growing up right before his eyes.

  "My sweet Richard and William, you make a father most proud," he glanced to Ladislaus, "And a brother most proud. The castle is still intact and well-fed, I see. Then, let the feast begin!"

  Cheers filled the room once more as people proceeded to sit around the massive and long dinner table. William and Matthias rushed back to their seats and took spots on either side of Ladislaus. Richard smiled as she took a spot next to her youngest brother. Servants shot out from the kitchen carrying drinks and the first course of many meals to come. Cups were filled, plates were placed down, and silverware was uncovered along with beautiful napkins.

  The young Lady cast a glance toward her eldest brother, easily looking over Matthias. His helmet was gone and discarded somewhere within the armory, his hair combed through the snags and knots, and his face held a brighter disposition to it than earlier. She had imagined that it was probably because of the happier setting in which they were.

  Richard looked back down at her filling plate and bit at her lip; she knew Ladislaus would never tell her the horrid tales and stories of war, no matter how many times she asked. He would always say it wasn't gentlemanly of him to describe what it felt like, what he had to do. But Richard was ever curious, ever watchful, and ever persistent in what she wanted. Sooner or later, she had to know, especially since the war was now coming to Hungary. Of that, she was certain.

  Raucous laugher, joyous shouts, and smiling faces brought forth a congratulatory atmosphere throughout the dining hall. Gesticulating arms, heated conversations, and hugging guests seemed to overwhelm the room, massive as it was. And yet one man, the governor, sat alone with his slightly suspicious face, eyeing the inhabitants. He seemed to be a spectator rather than the main event. However, he was not alone in the dining hall who felt the same way.

  Richard also chose to watch than interact with the massive crowds huddling and hanging over the table while eating carnivorous amounts of meats and vegetables. The scene looked akin to a Dionysian party with drunkards already walking -or rather falling- around and back to their seats. All that was needed were grapes and togas. Richard glanced outside, shifting uncomfortably in her seat. The sun had long since set in the west, and crickets, she could barely hear, were chirping. The moon and all of her creatures of the night were out and about, Richard could see. Owls and bats rushed from their trees of sanctuary to the open near the river Zlasti to catch moths and other insects. The night intrigued her, fascinated her, and frightened her a little. Workers always quit when the sun was setting, and were in bed before the last ray of light vanished. Only candles and candelabras could be someone's friend in such an abyssal setting.

  The young Lady turned slightly around in her chair and glanced back at the kitchen. As the double wooden doors constantly opened and closed, she saw glimpses of Walter shouting orders and carrying out his duty as head chef. She suddenly felt a wave of pity consume her at all the hard work he restlessly committed himself to everyday without many breaks. Walter walked out with another platter of meat and noticed Richard looking at him. He briefly nodded and bowed his head. She bowed her head in exchange and watched him agilely dodge guests and maneuver around to the center table. Once placing the platter down, he swiftly turned on his heels and headed back to help the other servants.

  "Well, this bores me," Matthias sighed and slouched in his seat.

  Richard smiled at the adorable sigh and leaned over in her chair. "Just think of them as your subjects, how you must please them and the kingdom to be a good ruler."

  "But I'm never going to be a ruler!" Matthias pouted and slammed his fist on the table.

  "In time, you will," Ladislaus chuckled, reaching over to pet his younger brother on the head.

  Matthias batted his arm away and grabbed another leg of a lamb. "I'm just going to be William's dress-up doll forever."

  William gasped and frowned, "But you've always looked so cute in that jester outfit!"

  T
he family laughed, and even the regent smiled, hearing that comment. Richard, however, hadn't even heard what Matthias replied; she was staring at one of her father's royal advisers, Lord Rodriguez. Years ago, the regent-governor and the previous King of Hungary created a Grand Viziers Council to overlook and oversee establishments being made. The King and regent thought it was for the best, but now Richard constantly thought that Lord Rodriguez and his 'entourage' of advisors sought more power than they needed.

  "As I said, my Lord, we need more recruits for Hungary's army. There are just not enough men to use, and we can't waste any more lives," Rodriguez murmured.

  The governor grunted as he took another swig of wine. "I see your point, Leroy, but where can I find them if there are 'not enough to go around'?" he turned to face his advisor.

  "Your Lordship, I believe that since the force of your word is Law, you are capable of creating a mandatory order to have all men over the age of fourteen in our army," the advisor continued just as the regent spoke to object, "the Ottomans have advanced passed Bosnia and have infected as low as Mardin. We are next; they look west for more land," Rodriguez raised his voice slightly.

  The regent sighed, but then frowned, as if reality had struck him in the face. He did not desire to stretch his army out for the Ottomans to then breach, as if their battles lines were too thin. However, there needed to be more bodies, more men, and more allies. He needed to have support from other countries, and from other monarchies. So far, what he had was not enough; and the growing realization of asking his people, young boys barely of age, to fight and die for him started to eat at the back of his mind.

  Richard grumbled angrily at watching her father buckle. Just as she was about to excuse herself from the table and walk over to interrupt Lord Rodriguez's moment of triumph, the two huge double doors of the dining hall burst open in a loud bang. They swung full around their hinges and then hit the walls behind them as guards came rushing in. Two guards at the front and two guards at the rear seemed to encircle a problem. Everyone in the room seemed hushed to a standstill as they quietly moved out of the way, returning to their seats. Richard smiled as she saw Pip in the middle of the circle restraining a man by the arms and torso with much difficulty.