Princess Juniper of the Hourglass

by Ammi-Joan Paquette

  Meanwhile, two wagons had been loaded with every sort of provision imaginable—cookware, tools, bedding and other necessaries, vast stores of every type of food. There were animals, too: five plump nanny goats and a dozen chickens. Paul the gardener-to-be had already proven his worth by bringing in a crate of well-packed seedlings for a host of summer vegetables. Juniper’s own carriage had been stuffed to its gilded walls with every belonging she could possibly need to rule a country-in-the-making. Not to mention enough gowns, baubles, and accessories to outfit her for any number of parties.

  Late that night, with the rest of the recruits tucked into the guest wing, ready to be up with the sun and on their way, Juniper sat sleepless in her suite, gazing out over the palace grounds. It was all so unknown, the wide world beyond her velvet window drapes. How would she fare? What would she do without the luxuries, without the guidance, without the structure that had hemmed in her whole life? Already she could feel new doors opening in her mind, could feel herself pausing where before she would have rushed on by, questioning where she would have agreed without hesitation.

  Unbidden, her mother’s face flashed into her mind.

  Her mother was smiling.

  Princess Juniper’s Grand Expedition:

  List of Settlers

  Juniper Torrence: Me

  Erick Dufrayne: Chief Adviser

  Tippy Larson: Personal Maid

  Alta Mavenham: Baker Queen’s Guard

  Paul Perigor: Gardener/Groundskeeper

  Leena Ogilvy: Head Cook

  Toby Dell: Animal Supervisor

  Oona Dell: (She thinks more than she speaks—will be interesting to see how she develops as we get to know her better.)

  Sussi Dell: (She’s young but has a sharp eye and smart ideas—I like her already!)

  Roddy Rodin: Builder/Fix-It Guy

  Filbert Terrafirm: (A conundrum—but a fascinating one! Let’s see how he unfolds.)

  JUNIPER DID NOT PLAN TO FALL ASLEEP. THIS was her last night in the palace—or the last night for a while, as of course this was just a summer country—and she wanted to savor every moment. Also, she was quite simply too excited to settle down.

  Yet when the pounding came at the outer door of her suite, Juniper jolted upright at her window seat and found that she’d been dozing for some time. Before she could do more than slap some wakefulness into her cheeks and shake the wrinkles out of her skirts, there was another volley of knocks, and then the door burst open and in swept her father.

  The king had obviously not gone to bed either, for he was still wearing his dinner jacket. But his hair was wild, and his eyes were wide and intense.

  “Junie,” he panted, rushing over, “you’re up. Good.”

  “What’s going on?” Juniper asked, still shaking the last sleepy cobwebs from her brain. A dull boom sounded somewhere out in the grounds. “What was that? Papa—why are you here?”

  “There’s a . . . situation,” the king said. “I don’t have time to talk much now—I must get back to our defenses. But I need you and your group to leave immediately.”

  “Defenses? Leave immediately?” Juniper knew she sounded like a talking parakeet, but she couldn’t seem to make sense of what was going on.

  Her father grabbed her hand and started to pull her toward the door. “All your bags are downstairs and loaded up? There’s nothing else you need?”

  “Nooo . . .” she said uncertainly. Out her window, angry red light slashed across the black sky, followed by another distant boom. “We’re under attack,” she realized suddenly.

  “Quite.” They were in her foyer now, and the king took both her hands in his. “Now listen, my darling. I don’t have any time at all, so I can only say this once. There are invaders at the South Gate. They’re pushing in hard, but they don’t have us surrounded. Not even close. Still, I want you and your crew to leave at once. Take the eastern corridor. Move quickly and get as far from here as you can.”

  “But—but—if we’re being invaded . . .”

  “Tosh!” The king straightened, and his gaze was steel. “It’s nothing but a raiding party from Monsia. You haven’t let all those bogeyman stories get under your skin, have you? When’s the last time a Monsian got the better of a Torrean?”

  Juniper smiled faintly. Monsia was the perennial blundering bad guy in tavern jokes, or so she’d heard said around the castle. No one in their right mind would perceive them as a true threat. And yet . . . another blast rocked the far wall, and she shuddered.

  “Come now, Junebug. These walls have never been breached, not in all the ten centuries since Torr’s founding. This is a Monsian tantrum, nothing more. But I do want to know that you are well away and safe from any unpleasantness.”

  Reluctantly, Juniper nodded. Of course her father was right. Being right was basically his job as king. And what if this skirmish with Monsia dragged on? She didn’t want to miss her chance at a summer kingdom. “You’re sure everything will be all right here?”

  “I’m positive. Now, one other thing. I’ve given more thought to your destination. You wanted to journey up to the place I told you about in the Hourglass, yes?”

  Juniper’s heart leaped into her throat, and a smile crept onto her face.

  “Good, I thought so.” Her father thrust a sheaf of parchment into her hand. “Do it. The Basin is unknown and out of the way. You’ll all be safe there.”

  “Papa?” This whole night was getting very unnerving.

  “I’ve drawn you a map, and I wrote up some additional instructions for getting through the caves. Your subjects have been woken, and the grooms are saddling the horses. I want you all on the road within the hour. You have gathered some fine recruits for your kingdom, yes? You feel good about your group?”

  “Oh yes, truly. We’ve not quite as many as I’d hoped—ten subjects in all, eleven with me. Not nearly large enough to be a proper country. But going out to Torrence town and recruiting will take ever so long. So we shall go ahead first, get our kingdom good and set up, and then make a return expedition in a few weeks to secure the rest of the team.”

  The king nodded. “Very well. But it’s important that you do not leave the Basin until you hear from me. I fear no ill from our attackers, but I will not have you putting yourself—or your new subjects—at risk if the roads are unstable. I’ve had my soundest Beacon device packed up for you to bring along. The moment I have routed this nuisance from our land, I will fly you out a messenger. Then you may plan your return trip at will—but you must wait until then. Oh, don’t look like that! You shall hear from me within a few days; a week at the very most. Now. Do I have your word?”

  Juniper swallowed, then nodded.

  “Good. So, ten subjects, you say? Then you shall have thirteen in all, for I have three more to add to your party.”

  “Three more? Whoever could you mean?”

  “Your cousin Cyril, for one—isn’t he a charmer? He’s brought a friend home with him from the academy, a noble’s son from Longton, who will also be joining you. And there’s a girl, too. Some ambassador’s daughter.”

  Juniper wobbled in place. “No, Papa! You cannot allow that infernal boy to come. If Cyril wanted to join, why would he go to you about it instead of me? Anyway, he’s far too old. You’ve seen the notices! I’ve put an age limit.”

  The king’s voice was firm. “Cyril is going because my adviser wishes to ensure the safety of his child. As I do mine. Now, I won’t hear any more about this, my button. Cyril and his friends will be going along with your group.”

  “Oh, Papa!” Her father had no idea what Cyril was capable of. The creep walked a spit-polished path around adults—a charmer, indeed!—but in private, his true nature came out. Also, he was fifteen. Older than Erick, even!

  “They will be excellent additions to the group. You’ll see.” A low rumble shook the palace floors, with
a fresh chorus of yells that sounded a good deal closer than the last. “The boys will also give you some added protection on the road. I’d planned to have a contingent of guards see you safely to the mountains, but Lefarge thinks this will do.”

  Juniper smiled faintly. That was one small consolation, at least. The last thing her all-kids country needed was to be escorted by a bunch of grown-up soldiers! “We are nearly all adults on this expedition,” she said, through a lump in her throat. “Just as responsible as ever could be. And you yourself said Alta Mavenham was the best swordsman of her age you’d seen. We’re all smart and strong and well trained.” Juniper looked her father straight in the eye. “I’ve got this, Papa. You can count on me.”

  The king sighed, leaning in to hug her tightly. “You will stay safe on your journey,” he whispered, “and ensure the safety of your charges as well. Promise me that?”

  Juniper nodded solemnly, and her father kissed her on the nose. She normally would have hated the gesture, but in this moment, it felt curiously reassuring.

  “I will see you again, and soon,” he said. “Godspeed.”

  With that, he was gone, disappearing down the darkened hallway to the distant sound of marching guards.

  • • •

  As she’d been promised, Juniper reached the back courtyard to find the horses saddled and the loaded wagons hitched up for departure. Cyril and his companions were nowhere in sight. Juniper knew she should be happy to have three more recruits, but Cyril was so clearly wrong for this expedition, and any friends of his could be no different. Maybe they wouldn’t show up at all and she’d have to leave without them.

  She could only hope.

  At the front of the procession, Alta was already astride her well-packed stallion, her face turned toward the tall gates. Behind her, Paul and Roddy struggled to lash their packs onto their mounts; Toby pulled his sister Oona up onto the wagon box next to him, while Leena and Sussi had settled in enough at the front of their wagon to be playing at a game of jacks. The mood crackled with excitement. It made the tips of Juniper’s toes tingle, completely eclipsing her cousin-related concerns. She broke into a smile as she saw Erick approaching. His hair stuck out in all directions, and she had caught him midyawn, but his eyes were sunrise-bright.

  “Everyone is present and accounted for,” he said. “Loaded up and triple-checked. I’ve spread the word to all about our new destination—quiet-like, as His Majesty said. I think this is it!”

  Juniper’s heart skipped a beat. This was it! The courtyard opened directly onto the narrow eastern corridor—a back-palace shortcut used mostly by stable hands and suppliers—which in turn led to a small rutted supply road that looped out from the palace walls. Eventually, Juniper knew, this road met up with the wide white highway that led north from the palace, across the Tricorn Bridge, then past an assortment of towns and villages until it finally reached the base of the Hourglass Mountains.

  Not much longer than a day from now, she would be in her own country.

  But at this thought, Juniper’s heart sank with a thud. What about the country she was leaving behind? The cries and battle noise that had echoed so loud an hour ago were silent now, but she wasn’t fool enough to think that meant the danger was over. Lying in wait was more likely. As danger tended to do.

  “I wish there was something we could do to help out here before we leave,” she whispered. “Instead of just running away.”

  “The king has issued a command,” Erick said.

  The grounds around them were unnaturally still; even the night birds were sensibly quiet. Then the silence was broken by a sharp, commanding cry. From where she stood, Juniper could see clear over to the barracks as the door was flung open. In a flash of rich purple tunics and gleaming silver, row upon row of soldiers began marching methodically out, heading toward the South Gate. Despite her anxiety, Juniper’s heart swelled with pride. A figure on horseback rode alongside the army—a figure a little portly, but not at all gone to fat. A solid, commanding figure wearing the golden crown of Torr.

  “His Majesty is a force,” said Erick admiringly.

  Just like that, Juniper’s doubts were laid to rest. Those attackers had no idea who they’d chosen to pick a fight with. “Isn’t he, though?” She grinned. “Let’s get moving, then. He said within the hour, and that’s been and gone again. Plus, this ruckus will cover our getaway.”

  Erick nodded. “To the carriage, then, Your Highness. Er, Juniper. Off we go to our new country!”

  “We’ll need to choose a name for it,” she said.

  “What? You’ll not call it Juniper Land?” Erick flashed a grin, and in spite of everything, Juniper had to laugh.

  “Maybe I will. I shall have to see the place with my own eyes first to know if it suits.” Just then, a clamor erupted behind them. The gate leading from the stables swung open to reveal three youngsters astride finely groomed horses, approaching at a slow walk. Behind them, a groom led another two horses pulling a bulging wagon covered with tightly wrapped oilcloth.

  Juniper groaned. “Oh, filch. I’d been hoping they would oversleep and miss departure. Erick, these are some last-minute additions to our group. My father insisted.”

  “They don’t look too happy about this.”

  Juniper decided not to add that she wasn’t that happy about it herself. The new recruits were dressed for travel, their horses slung with saddlebags that looked packed to bursting. Cyril was in the lead, the edges of his mouth turned down so sharply that they looked in danger of cutting his chin. Behind him rode a boy who looked like a badly copied sketch of Cyril, complete with perfectly coiffed hairdo and lemon-pucker scowl. A younger girl completed the trio; she mostly looked half asleep.

  “I suppose we’re all here, then,” said Juniper. She waved a hand toward the newcomers. “Welcome to the expedition! We’re just ready to push off.”

  Cyril caught her eye briefly and didn’t quite shrug, but neither did he answer. Stifling a yawn, he walked his horse right past her and Erick’s gaping mouths, heading toward the front of the procession. After a moment’s hesitation, the other boy and girl followed in Cyril’s wake, though they both bobbed their heads and murmured, “Your Highness,” half under their breath. As if they weren’t quite sure they wanted Cyril to hear.

  Here we go again, she thought. Yet surely things would be better this time around. She would be ruling her own country, after all. Cyril couldn’t push her around when she was queen.

  Could he?

  Forcing a smooth and unruffled expression onto her face, Juniper turned to Erick. “Let’s head out. Alta’s already saddled up at the front, and I’m sure she’s getting anxious.” She’d have plenty of time to ponder the problem of Cyril. Right now, she wanted to get moving.

  Erick nodded and waved his arms over his head to signal Alta. The girl returned the gesture, drew her horse around, and called out to the guards to open the gate to the eastern corridor. Juniper’s carriage was about halfway down the caravan, behind the horseback riders but in front of the wagons—three of them now, counting the newcomers’ personal junk collection, which brought up the rear. Neither Cyril nor his friends paid their luggage transport any notice whatsoever, so Erick finally called Filbert over to drive the third and final wagon.

  Satisfied that all was in order, Juniper moved toward her carriage. To her surprise, a mahogany trunk sat in front of the step. “Erick?” she called. “What is this?”

  “Oh—that. A servant dropped it off just before you arrived. I believe His Majesty sent it for you.”

  Curiosity getting the better of her, Juniper pulled the latch and lifted the lid, then gasped at the sight of the polished wood shape nestled inside, all shiny buttons and gleaming levers and fine colored glass front.

  “What is it?” Erick asked.

  “It’s the Musicker. But what’s it doing here?”

  “Mu
sicker? For making music?”

  Juniper nodded. Her tongue felt swollen in her mouth. “I haven’t seen this in years. My father’s had it in storage for ever so long. What could he be thinking?”

  “Perhaps that he loves you very much and wants you to be able to hold dances in your new kingdom?”

  “Perhaps.” But Juniper had her doubts. Her father’s love for her mother was as fervent as it was silent. All her treasures had been shut away in a special vault for safekeeping. To see this here, now, was alarming at best. Suddenly Juniper felt the need to fill the moment with words, anything to drown out the worried buzz of her thoughts. “It’s Gaulian made, like our timepieces. They’re whizzes up there, Papa always says. He’s wanted to have a Gaulian craftsman on staff at the palace since forever, but they hardly ever travel, even the diplomats. Having some at my Nameday party was quite the gem in Papa’s crown.”

  What she didn’t say about the Musicker was what made her love it best. The daring contraption had been commissioned by her father as a wedding gift for her mother, who had loved nothing more than to crank it up loud on a late summer’s night. In a rush it all came back to her—the sound of laughter and her mother’s long cool fingers gripping Juniper’s small sweaty ones, pulling her up from the carpet and spinning her round and round in time to its haunting tunes. Suddenly, it seemed perfectly fitting that this gift should be coming with her to her new kingdom, whatever reason had prompted it.

  “Let’s get it inside, then,” Erick said. “The horses are already starting to move out.”

  Pulling open the carriage door, Juniper peered into the cramped interior. Every bit of open space was stuffed with carefully packed belongings and indispensable items, including a giant trunk of volumes from the royal library, which Erick had dragged down at the last minute and pronounced essential.