The Gnome's Children-Book #1 Bright Star Journals
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and into their rooms. Each room had a high, four posted, canopy bed with rich tapestries and luxurious, oriental rugs. All three indulged in a hot bath and went to a late lunch. The food was hot, but not nearly so tasty or nutritious as the gnome’s had been. After lunch, they availed themselves of the opportunity to explore the castle. It was much larger than it appeared on the outside and sat on a bluff with the river to its back. The steep slope of the road ran up its other flank and bluffs sat on the other two sides. So, it sat on sort of peninsular high ground. It was ideal for defense.
Everywhere they went the chamberlain went with them. He was a slightly built, servile, pale person. But as Groundfirm observed, “Make no mistakes that he’s a clever spy.”
They walked by an entrance with a large oaken door with bars.
“What is down this passage?” inquired Heather innocently.
“That is the castle dungeons, fair maid. You’d not want to go into there. It has all sorts of evil men, not to mention bats and spiders,” declared the chamberlain.
“Ooh, I hate spiders,” answered Heather with a shiver.
She loved animals but absolutely could not tolerate spiders. They continued on their tour until the sun was touching the horizon. By that time, they had received enough information to be quite certain of the castle defenses and layout. Most importantly they knew where the dungeons were. This knowledge would aid them in freeing Prince Logosian.
They made their way back to their rooms and told the chamberlain they would like to freshen up a bit before the evening banquet. They each went to their own room and then crept, unseen, to Groundfirm’s room. Once there, they proceeded to have a parley.
Groundfirm started.
“These walls have ears, so keep low. There be many guards and a labyrinth of halls. We’ll be needin’ the mice’s help ta pass by those doors too. And I dinna know how to get by tha’ guards.”
“We will not get lost,” offered Edward. “Heather and I many times have explored old houses and forts. We never get lost and I memorized all the landmarks for each passage as we went. It is sort of an old game of mine to see things and memorize their positions.”
“Yes, and I can use the lyre to help put the guards to sleep,” added Heather excitedly.
“Aye, that you may,” replied Groundfirm stroking his beard thoughtfully, “but we’ll still be needin’ the mice to show us our way ‘round the dungeons and the way out. We best be getting’ dressed and meet here after the banquet. We need ta move tonight. We’ve not got much time to return for the meetin’.”
“Yes, we can only have less than ten days left to get back,” joined Edward.
“Tanight then be bairns,” whispered Groundfirm.
“Tonight,” replied Edward and Heather in unison.
They scurried back to their apartments and put on their finest raiment. Edward chose a dark blue doublet possessing large, puffy sleeves, with light blue stockings and a lighter blue velvet cape. He wore sandal like shoes with gold clasps and slight upturned toes. Around his neck he wore a gold chain with a single star shaped, gold design with a large sapphire in the center. Heather wore a pale blue, long gown with golden slippers and gold clasps. It made her look every bit the fairy princess. She too wore a golden star clasp with a large sapphire at her right shoulder to hold her mantle. Groundfirm wore a dark green, velvet doublet with matching stockings and shoes like Edward’s. He also had a golden chain with a golden star, only with an emerald in the center.
They entered the large banquet hall through the central entrance with the rest of the guests. There appeared to be several hundred in attendance. The banquet hall was much like the type you would find in medieval England. It had a high roof with several roaring fireplaces, for castles were cool and damp, even in the summer. Overhead burned hundreds of candles in huge candelabra. The great tables stretched the length of the hall. Each table dazzled the eye with its rich settings of silver and crystal on white linen cloths. At the end of the hall was a raised platform for the King and Queen. They were not present yet so the children and gnome had a chance to drink in the surroundings a bit. There were gorgeous ladies and knights everywhere. People wore many jewels and complicated hairdos and foppish clothes. Outlandish hats and dresses abounded. The children and gnome looked all the more conspicuous for their simple elegance and dignity. Many heads turned as they entered and numerous whispers went around.
“Those are the ambassadors across the sea. Imagine dressing for dinner like that. Tut, tut, such poor taste, etc.”
The chamberlain guided them to their seats at the foot of the main long table. They were waiting to be seated when a flourish of trumpets announced the King of Shadowfall (formerly Logoland). King Lipophrenia and Queen Liepeinphren entered the room and all the hall bowed low in their honor. Actually, Edward said more truly “waddled” into the hall. Both sovereigns were very fat, with enormous tummies that protruded and tiny little legs so that they looked somewhat like “barrels on stilts”. Each had on an enormous ill-fitting royal train with bluish colored clothes. The King’s robe resembled an ill-fitting doublet and the Queen’s a billowy dress. The couple managed to walk up the steps to the platform and acknowledge the bows with their scepters.
“Their little crowns remind me of the arm bracelets of my mother’s I used to wear on my head!” sniggered Heather.
“Shhh,” hushed Groundfirm.
The Grand Vizier stood unobtrusively to the King’s right. He was dressed in a somber black robe with grey trim that made him appear more like a medieval magician. On his head he wore a small, black beret. His ferret like face wore a sour expression and his eyes took in all the surroundings, darting from side to side. The Lord Existention stood to the King’s left rear, resplendent in a doublet of maroon with a slouch hat of green topped with a black feather.
The King’s high, squeaky voice broke the silence,
“Friends, ambassadors, and courtiers, welcome to our banquet. Eat heartily and well. Welcome.”
He signaled and from every doorway came servants with trays of steaming food. Most of it was unlike anything the children had ever eaten. There was roast poc, leg of hardrin (similar to moose or elk), chicken, keslo, fish of all sorts, and heaps of potato-like sroof (which grew above ground in large sort of pods). Following that came thick soups, breads, and fruits. The fruits especially fascinated the children. There was one in particular that Edward asked Groundfirm about. It was a bright purple fruit that was a cross between a mango, papaya, and tangerine. Groundfirm called it cabano fruit and said that it grew on small bushes all over the well watered parts of Logoland.
The children started on the meat until one of the courtiers commented how good the “talking hardrin” was.
The courtier remarked, “I do always love a good cut of talking animal meat. They are such a pleasure to skewer.”
At that, the children and gnome turned green and proceeded to stick mainly to the fruits and breads. I can imagine it would sort of be like eating your pet parakeet or cocker spaniel, only worse.
As they were finishing the fifth course of soups, the chamberlain stalked up to them.
“Your presence is requested at His Majesty, King Lipophrenia’s table immediately.”
The three travelers looked at each in silence, wiped their mouths, and proceeded, under close scrutiny of all, to the main table on the platform. We need to talk a bit about the King. He was not overly bright, but he was cunning and had his own spy network. He had heard from his informers about rich gifts of the strangers and determined tomeet them that evening in spite of the Vizier. The King was like all people who steal from others, he did not trust anyone. So, he had his spies and the Vizier had his, and it was a nice little nest of lying and cheating. Anyway, the King called them to the front table so he could officially meet Heather, Edward, and Groundfirm. They strode up to the platform and made low, sweeping bows.
“Your majesty honors us by th
is invitation to converse and be recognized,” offered Edward.
The King eyed them and smiled, “We do our utmost to make our special guests feel our hospitality. The Queen and I desire to converse with you informally during the banquet. Tomorrow we can be formally introduced. Please move up to the front of the table so we may speak with you. Grand Vizier, see to it.”
“Yes, my Lord,” he answered sweetly, but the children and Groundfirm did not miss his look of venom. They spent the next few hours talking of the journey and assuring King Lipophrenia of their King’s peaceful intentions.
“I hear of presents,” said King Lipophrenia casually.
“Indeed, your Majesty, there are,” returned Heather.
“That will be most pleasant to see tomorrow,” replied the King.
Along with all this talk the Queen petted and cooed over Heather until Heather thought she would be ill. Heather endured; however, and at last dessert was served and the dinner was over. The King yawned a mighty yawn and stood. The whole hall stood with him and bid him good-bye with another bow. The Vizier scurried after him and the chamberlain trotted over to the children and Groundfirm to escort them to their rooms.
It was now about forty-five minutes before the night watch, or forty-five minutes before midnight. The children managed to travel through the crowd quickly and