Princess Electra Book 4 School of Medicine

by Dory Lee Maske

  Chapter 33

  King's Lake in Fernland

  Avor's sixteenth birthday looked to be shaping up as a holiday for all of Fernland. Already the grassy slope above the theatre was crowded with families enjoying picnic lunches beside the lake. The royal family and their royal visitor, Prince Oswald, arrived back at King's Lake early in the afternoon to allow time for showing Oswald around the boat works before the theatre performance began.

  They all admired the unfinished barge while Prince Avor summarized the work which lay ahead. King Geoffrey stood off to one side whispering commands to Muller the Spy. Princess Electra stood under the scaffolding while Queen Delphinia tried unsuccessfully to entertain Prince Oswald.

  Delphinia spoke with enthusiasm as she gestured at the looming hulk of the barge.

  "Once our barge is finished we will be able to stay overnight at the Lake after a theatre performance. We will have extra staterooms to house our guests as well."

  Prince Oswald nodded vaguely at Delphinia's comments but offered no encouragement.

  Queen Delphinia tried another tack. "Prince Avor, though he turns sixteen only today, has already learned a great deal about barge building. He could explain its construction in more detail if you would like."

  "I'm quite sure he could," Prince Oswald replied, "but that is not necessary."

  Queen Delphinia seemed to be struggling to find a topic that might engage Prince Oswald's interest. Electra decided to move on before her mother began to offer her up as an expert on all things herbal. She saw the Caliph and Bataar coming toward the barge and left to join them. Prince Avor had the same idea. He caught up to his sister. As the Caliph and Bataar drew near enough for Electra and Avor to hear their conversation, Avor's welcoming smile turned to a frown.

  Bataar pointed to the barge as he spoke to the Caliph. "You build barge for Great Khan, yes?"

  The Caliph took a moment to reply. "I'm sure we could work something out. A barge is most useful on a lake or a navigable river. It may not be well suited to a bay setting," he said in a delicate manner, constructed to give no offense.

  "You have many ship. You sell two, three to Great Khan. He like ship, maybe build more."

  "Alas, we are traders and we need our ships, humble as they are. We will build the Great Khan ships befitting his high status. Great ships." The Caliph paused when he saw the frown on Bataar's face. Bataar did not like being told 'no' regardless of how politely it was done.

  "Maybe Great Khan like these ship already build."

  The Caliph drew in a breath. "We would be honored to take the Great Khan out for a sail." The Caliph bowed politely.

  Prince Avor appeared worried about Bataar's demands. He slowed his steps and stayed quiet. Electra wondered if King Geoffrey now approved of Bataar's plan to hire the Taz workers away from Fernland. She turned in her father's direction and found him looking at her. He waved her over. She made an excuse to Avor and quickly did an about face to join her father.

  She spoke to her father briefly at last night's dinner about the possible alliance forming between Barburee and China, which would take the form of a second marriage between Bataar and the daughter of China's emperor. King Geoffrey thanked her for the information but still seemed preoccupied with the loss of his white powder. As she neared her father, she wondered why he has called her over.

  King Geoffrey gave his daughter a quick hug. "Have you spoken to Prince Oswald as yet?" he asked.

  "I met him last night at dinner, but no, we have not spoken past our introductions."

  "Come with me then. I have not shown him the attention I should. His father's kingdom of Sandovia lies across the sea to the northwest. They have been harassed by pirates of late and should we here in Fernland become a pirate target now we have a port, I think an alliance with King Gundar would be to our advantage. Let us go and attempt a friendly overture."

  Queen Delphinia seemed relieved as King Geoffrey and Electra approached.

  King Geoffrey put on a welcoming face and pressed his hand on Prince Oswald's shoulder. "Prince Oswald, I'm told you have met my daughter, Electra. She is a physician now and soon to become Queen of Helsop."

  Prince Oswald's eyes flickered with interest. "I am not familiar with this kingdom—Helsop."

  Electra smiled. "It is more a village than a kingdom. My father flatters us. And I will be wife of its headman who has not as yet been elevated to the rank of king."

  "I see." Prince Oswald turned his attention back to King Geoffrey. "What goods do you propose to ship now that you have a port?"

  King Geoffrey looked out over his lake and considered the question.

  "Timber, perhaps wine barrels, sheep, wool, certainly. Our ally Helsop will be allowed to ship the tools and weapons that are their mainstay."

  "Oh?" Prince Oswald looked back at Electra with renewed interest. "Your village produces weapons?"

  "And tools," Electra emphasized. "Our workmen are very skilled at their crafts."

  "My father King Gundar is always interested in new sources of weapons. Perhaps I should visit this village, Helsop, and meet your Headman."

  Electra's heart began to race. "This is not a good time for a visit. He is very busy with building his castle right now. Perhaps later—this summer might be possible."

  "A castle is it?" Prince Oswald smiled. "I think you were too humble in describing your village." Prince Oswald glanced at Queen Delphinia. "Your mother is a very gracious hostess but I do not think I could prevail upon her to extend my visit to the summer. What if I were to promise not to interfere in any way with your headman's castle building. Do you think I might just have a look at your weapons stock?"

  Electra's mind seemed to have stopped working. She could think of no reason to prevent Prince Oswald's visit. She decided to offer an alternate plan.

  "I have a better idea. We could send a selection of our merchandise to King Gundar. Then he could inspect it firsthand and decide if he wishes to place an order."

  King Geoffrey and Queen Delphinia gave their daughter a questioning glance.

  Queen Delphinia said as gently as possible, "But Prince Oswald is already here, My Dear. Why do we not send a message to Dagon and ask him if a quick visit might be possible?"

  Electra glared at her mother. "I will consider it."

  "Excellent," Delphinia said, forcing a smile. She turned away from her daughter to gaze at the hillside filled with happy picnickers. "We have a birthday to celebrate and a guest to entertain. I believe we should make our way over to the hillside. It is time for Fernland's acting troupe to begin their show." Delphinia took Prince Oswald's arm and continued to chat about the coming entertainment as she led him away from Electra.

  Electra tried to control her anger as she trailed behind her family toward the grassy slope above the theatre. How could she have handled things so poorly? And Dagon had left her in charge. Now Helsop was in danger of showing itself defenseless. And how was she to explain the presence of a panther and two little girls with magical powers. She wanted to scream in frustration, but instead forced herself to try to think of a way out of this situation.