The clerk led them all the way to the end before knocking on a large door. He didn’t wait for a response but opened it and stood back, respectfully gesturing for them to enter. Through the door they found a large, plush office decorated in severe black and gold. An elderly man was seated behind a second large mahogany desk but at the sight of them he rose to his feet.
Coming around the desk, he bowed low to the princess. Ava recognised him immediately as Lord Iver, the Head Magistrate. The title of lord was an honorary one, attached to his role, but she knew him well from court where he had been a frequent advisor of her father. She had always thought his advice sound and his judgements measured and fair. She was relieved to see that Konrad hadn’t replaced him in her absence.
“Your Royal Highness,” he said, carefully enunciating each word. “It is a joy to discover that you are still alive.”
“I, too, am pleased at my current healthy state, Lord Iver.”
He looked at her sharply. She had never been one to jest before but the hint of a laugh was audible in her voice. It was an intentional effect. She wanted to make it clear from the beginning that she was a different person now.
“And what can I do for you?” he asked. “My clerk was spouting some nonsense about the Trials but I’m afraid the young fellow is a little flighty.”
“He reported me correctly,” said Ava. “I have come to register my claim to the throne.”
Lord Iver raised his eyebrows but said nothing, merely weighing the girl before him with his eyes. She was fully expecting some protest about the legality of such a move but none came.
Instead he gave a small sigh.
“There is, of course, no law prohibiting such a thing,” he said and she felt her respect for his knowledge grow. “But since your own father is tragically no longer around to advise you, I must ask. Are you sure you want to do this?”
“I will make no public accusations until the Trials are complete,” said Ava, “but in the privacy of this office I will state that my brother is unfit to rule. This is the only avenue open to me and I am determined to take it.”
Lord Iver drew a deep breath and then nodded his head. “Very well. If you will please follow me.”
He led her over to his desk and she waited while he retrieved a large leather book with gilt-edged pages from a small dais against the far wall. Laying it flat on his desk, he handed Ava a long feather quill.
She leaned over the desk and stared at the page for a moment, the quill gripped so firmly in her hand she was a little afraid she would snap it. She easily recognised the strong, blocky handwriting that spelled out her brother’s full name. Drawing a deep breath, she wrote her own name beneath his. The ink was black and final and she felt strangely glad knowing that she had passed the point of no return.
Once she had finished, Lord Iver made the required speech outlining the rules of the Monarchy Trials. She was familiar enough with the event not to need the summary but she recognised the weight of tradition and silently allowed him to recite the words.
“The Monarchy Trials test the worthiness of all royal claimants to the throne,” he said. “The Magistrate’s Guild will set five trials to demonstrate the five required virtues of strength, resilience, strategic thinking, compassion and intelligence.”
Not surprisingly, compassion had been the only one of the five trials that King Josef had failed to win. Ava was hopeful that her brother would find it equally difficult. Which meant she only had to win two of the other three. Of course, the more trials that a competitor won, the greater legitimacy was attached to their rule.
“The trials will be completed here, in the Hall of Magistrates and once the Trials have begun, no participant may leave the Hall until the completion of the Trials.” This information was news to Ava and she wondered why she had never heard it before. She had always imagined the Trials took place in the castle grounds. She disliked the thought of having to compete in such a cold and unfriendly place.
“Although the required virtues remain the same, each generation faces new and different trials. The five most senior magistrates will each be assigned one virtue and will be required to design a fitting trial. These five magistrates will act as judges. I will oversee them and will also have a vote. In the case of a tie, my vote will be weighted double.”
He paused and cast an eye around the group.
“You have taken me rather by surprise, you know. We were not expecting to be called upon to oversee the Trials in this generation and have nothing prepared. I will, therefore, assign the date of the Trials to one week hence. We could not possibly prepare in any less time. The coronation is due to take place in nine days, however, so neither can it be left any later.”
Ava nodded her acceptance of these terms and the date and he gave her a small smile.
“Have you taken the glad tidings of your survival to your brother, Your Highness?”
There was sympathy in his voice and Ava understood the subtle undercurrents of his question. He was one of the most intelligent men she had ever met and he had yet to ask her how she had been mistaken for dead. She knew this omission meant he suspected her brother of some sort of foul play. His kind question was meant as both enquiry and warning.
She returned his look, openly displaying her gratitude in her expression.
“I have not. This was my first stop but I intend to continue on to the castle. My companions will come with me, of course. Allow me to introduce Aldric, official representative of their majesties, the King and Queen of Northhelm; Mathilde, official representative of their majesties, the King and Queen of Arcadia; and Sarah, official representative of the travelling merchants, who are even now meeting in council.”
Lord Iver’s eyes widened and he took a closer look at the individuals assembled in his office.
“A distinguished group.” His tone expressed admiration for her strategy. “In that case, I will look forward to seeing you at court later this morning when I make the official announcement regarding the date of the Trials.”
Ava gave him another grateful smile as the group made their farewells. It seemed she would have another witness to stand beside her.
Chapter 22
Ava had expected to feel nervous facing her brother for the first time since his failed assassination attempt but after registering her claim she felt unexpectedly emboldened. She even waved cheekily at the guards on duty at the castle gates. The men took one look at Hans and began to whisper excitedly amongst themselves. Ava had no doubt that news of her unanticipated return would be all over the castle within the hour.
She was still sure that Konrad would have kept the number of his accomplices small. So while the guards who had attacked the merchant caravan were certainly aware of some part of his plot, she suspected that the majority of castle guards and all of the servants were ignorant of the true state of affairs. She hoped that at least some of them would be glad to hear that she was alive.
They dismounted in the castle courtyard and several grooms rushed forward to take their horses. In fact, there seemed to be more of them than the six horses required and they all kept casting covert glances in her direction. She smiled, turning so that they got a good look at her. Several of them gasped aloud and she couldn’t help chuckling at their shock. She revised her initial estimate down to thirty minutes. Gossip travelled fast in a castle.
Sure enough, there were footmen already pulling the castle doors open when they reached them and a surprising number of maids seemed to be cleaning the large entranceway. She got no further than a few steps into the castle before her brother came rushing in from the opposite direction.
He looked exactly as she remembered him – a tall, masculine version of herself. His own gold curls were cropped short and his blue eyes were colder than hers had ever been but there was no mistaking them for siblings. Even while hurrying, he managed to appear both powerful and confident.
“Sister!” He threw his arms wide in greeting. “I couldn’t believe the news unt
il I’d seen you with my own eyes. What joyous tidings! What a miracle! But tell me, how are you alive?”
He came forward to embrace her and she submitted for the briefest time possible. She understood that he was putting on a spectacle for the interested crowd and she had no desire to play into his charade.
“Brother.” Her voice was cold. “I only wish our father could have been so fortunate.”
The briefest of clouds passed over his face and she knew he understood her barbed reference. His smile faltered but it was replaced by carefully practiced grief rather than the anger she knew he was truly feeling.
“I, too, wish he could be here to greet you,” he said, his voice a perfect blend of sorrow and regret.
“But I do not wish sadness to cloud this miraculous reunion.” His voice and face lightened. “You have returned in good time to attend my coronation and I hope you will agree to stand beside me.”
It was a weighted question and Ava wondered how she would have answered if she had returned to Rangmeros without a plan.
“I am afraid that will not be possible, brother,” she said. “I have come directly from the Hall of Magistrates where I have registered my own claim to the throne.”
Konrad’s subtle intake of breath, the only sign he gave of his shock, was lost amidst the general exclamations of the servants. Many of them had given up their pretence of cleaning and were now openly watching the scene playing out in front of them.
“Impossible, dear sister,” Konrad said and Ava was satisfied to hear a hardening of his voice that told her she had broken through his calm control.
“Indeed not.” She kept her voice light and airy in comparison. “There is no law that says a princess may not register her claim. I have done so and the Trials will take place exactly one week from today.”
She could see a murderous gleam in Konrad’s eyes so she raised her voice as she introduced her companions. His eyes slowly widened with begrudging respect as she named each representative who accompanied her.
“Lord Iver himself will be here, later today, with the announcement of the Trials,” she finished and she could see the capitulation in Konrad’s face. As planned, she had succeeded in making herself untouchable.
“I am pained that you would choose to put yourself through such an ordeal,” said Konrad. “Especially when there can be no doubt of the outcome.”
Hans shifted slightly behind Ava but she didn’t need the warning. She felt no temptation to challenge Konrad’s assumption of victory.
“Nevertheless, Konrad, I will try,” was all she said.
There was a long pause before Konrad spoke.
“You must be tired from your journey. I will have the housekeeper show you to some guest suites.” He had returned to the role of amicable host. “But I hope, once you’ve rested, that you will join the court at an afternoon musicale I’m hosting.”
“It would be our pleasure,” said Aldric, speaking for the first time.
Konrad nodded once and turned, gesturing for the housekeeper, who had been lurking behind him, to come forward. She bustled towards the group and bowed low to Ava.
“What a pleasure it is to see you alive and well, Your Highness.” She gave Ava a warm smile and received one in return.
Konrad had rapidly disappeared back into the castle so Ava allowed herself to extend her smile to all the gathered servants.
“It is a very great pleasure for me to be back here with you all.” She spoke loudly and was pleased to receive many answering smiles.
The servants seemed to gain courage from her friendly demeanour and they approached her one by one to give their greetings and congratulations. It was a long process since no sooner had one servant departed than another appeared, as if by magic, to take their place. But Ava restrained any sign of impatience and greeted them all more warmly than she had done in years. She knew word of their interaction would get back to her brother but she deemed that it was worth it. She needed to show the people of Rangmere that the new Princess Ava would be their champion and defender.
Her companions waited patiently throughout the process and many of the servants greeted them as well. Some even went so far as to enquire after friends and relatives living in Arcadia or Northhelm or travelling with the merchants. The visitors were forced to admit that they had no knowledge of these people until a senior footman and a maid asked after their sister. The girl had taken a position as a maid in the palace at Arcadie and Mathilde actually knew her.
This news was greeted with great delight and within no time the three were chattering away like old friends. Aldric looked at his wife with considerable affection and made no attempt to prevent the association. Ava was glad to see that he had no issue with his wife reconnecting with her servant roots. That was the sort of misplaced pride her father would have displayed.
When the stream of servants eventually dissipated, the housekeeper reappeared and led them all into the castle.
“Well, that was for the best,” she said, “since it let me send some maids ahead to prepare your rooms. Master Hans, here, told me that the two of you are married,” she looked towards Aldric and Mathilde, “so I’ve prepared one of the bigger suites for you. The representative from the merchants will have the one next door.” She nodded at Sarah. “And you’ll be in your own room, of course, Your Highness. The room is just as you left it but I’ve had them add a pallet for your new guard.”
It took Ava a moment to realise that she meant Evelyn. She expected the other girl to protest but she gave no sign of discontent. Glancing at Hans, Ava realised that this was another effort on his part to protect her. Understandable, given what had happened the last time she had slept in that room. She was sure her brother wouldn’t dare to touch her before the Trials but she appreciated the gesture all the same. She would sleep better with the company.
The housekeeper had thoughtfully prepared the guest suites closest to Ava’s own room and when they arrived at the larger one, Ava told the housekeeper that she could direct the rest of the group from there. The woman departed with more protestations of joy and relief and the group was finally alone again.
“None of them asked you how you were alive,” said Aldric once the door had closed behind the housekeeper.
He received several confused looks.
“The servants, I mean,” he clarified. “Konrad must have claimed to have found your body, I’m sure he even held a funeral. It’s not as if you were missing or something.”
“I’m not surprised,” said Hans. “Konrad has a reputation for being a cruel man and a harsh prince.”
“Yes, that much seems obvious,” said Aldric. “Clearly the servants aren’t willing to risk challenging him. I think it will be easier to win the populace to your side than I had envisioned, Princess. I can’t speak for the nobles, of course. Not until I’ve met them anyway.”
“I think it’s time that I heard the rest of your story, Aldric,” said Ava. “There’s obviously more to you than a simple diplomatic attaché.”
“That’s true, Your Highness.” Aldric smiled. “I was wondering how long it would take you to ask. I suppose no one liked to mention it to you considering I was a little involved with the business last summer.”
Ava raised her eyebrows and waited for him to continue.
“Last summer I travelled to Arcadie with Princess Marie to take up a medical exchange. But that was only my cover. I was actually an intelligence officer.”
“An intelligence officer?” asked Sarah, a little doubtfully. “That sounds boring.”
“Not at all,” said Mathilde, “that’s just royal talk for spy.”
“Oh,” breathed Sarah, looking at Aldric with new respect.
“So I do have some small training and skill in the art of observation which I’m happy to use for your cause.” Aldric gave a small bow in Ava’s direction.
“Well,” said Ava, after a pause, “that does explain a lot, I guess. About then, as well as now. And I can use every tool I can
get. So thank you for your assistance.”
“He’s been training me, too,” said Mathilde, pride in her voice. “And I’ve already got an in with the servants. You’d be surprised how much you can pick up from castle servants. They’re a gossipy bunch.” She grinned reminiscently.
“It seems Max and Alyssa chose more wisely than I realised when they sent you with me,” said Ava. “But I think we’ll all do better with some rest so no spying until the musicale.”
Aldric and Mathilde laughingly agreed with her demands but said that they would be visiting the Northhelmian and Arcadian ambassadors before they thought about rest. Ava heartily endorsed this plan and they separated to their various rooms.
It was almost surreal for Ava to walk back into her old room and see that everything remained exactly as it had been before her flight. She couldn’t help but feel that the room should somehow reflect the many changes that had taken place in herself.
All traces of her deadly encounter with Joran had been erased and the room glowed as welcomingly as it had when she had come to bed that fateful night. The only difference was a pallet just inside the doorway and the tapestry on the far wall which had been rolled up and secured, revealing the wooden door behind it. Obviously Hans felt that even such a flimsy barrier as a tapestry was more than he was willing to have between his door and her room.
She was tempted to cross over and open the door, just to see if his room looked as unchanged as her own, but she resisted the impulse. With all that had passed between them, it was doubly important that she respect his privacy. She was already taking enough advantage of his feelings.
Evelyn had followed her into the room and was looking around with a mildly impressed expression.
“Nice room,” she said.
Ava looked at her and wondered whether she was being truly complimentary or subtly judgmental. She was used to being able to read people but Evelyn had seemed different since the fight in the clearing and she hadn’t yet put her finger on the change.
The Princess Fugitive Page 18