Irritably the Prince cast my hands away. '"Twas naught to do with you. Or almost naught." He recaptured one of my hands and stroked it absentmindedly. "Twas but a boy's prank, going off after you without telling anyone what I was doing. I was sick to my very gizzard with old Pennyfavor and the Code of Chivalry and the duties of a King. The old twiddlepoop hasn't let me out of his sight for three years, not since my father's wits went wandering. That day, the day that you flew away, was the first time in years I had escaped my minders. 'Twas glorious freedom to be out in the woods alone, unmarked by other eyes, at least until darkness fell and I found myself in a strange land alone."
He smiled rather wanly at me. "So you must not blame yourself. You never asked me to follow you, did you?"
I had had that very thought less than a week ago. Yet now it seemed to me that I was in the wrong, all the same.
"You will make a fine Queen of Gilboa and Dorloo, Mistress Alexandria." He smiled again. "If, that is, you can circumvent the plots and schemes of the King's intended bride. If I were a betting man, I would be glad to wager all I own that yourself rather than the Baroness of Breakabeen will win out in the end. I only grieve that I shall not be here to watch you wipe up the floor with Her Ladyship. You are a woman of character, mistress. I did not truly value what I was pursuing until now, when I have lost you for once and for all."
"Stop, I pray you," I whispered. "Do not speak so. Remember how we escaped in the valley of the Ogresses. Remember how we escaped from the dungeons of Castle Breakabeen. Mayhap we will also escape from the castle of the King."
"Mayhap we will." His eyes blinked, fighting off tears. He lifted his bound hands up to finger the curls of my hair. "Tis most amazing stuff," he said, shaking his head in wonderment. 'As is its mistress."
We lapsed into silence once more, and for some time watched the countryside passing by, without comment.
There was some cause for comment, however. 'Twas a lovely land, but something had gone wrong with it. Golden sunlight fell on broad acres which had not yet been plowed and planted, although 'twas June. Weeds grew, rank and wild, over grape arbors, choking and smothering the good vines. Bony cattle roamed untended and unchecked, eating the few tender young crop plants that sprouted from the fields. At intervals we saw grim lines of dangling corpses such as we had first seen in Clove City. There were many habitations, both sizable communities and lonesome farmhouses, as I had observed when flying over with my Geese, but they appeared to be in bad repair and some were blackened with the brand of fire.
At length I could hold my peace no longer. "What ails the people of this country? Are they mad to let their land go to rack and ruin?"
"They are mad, yes, but only with grief, or so I think," said the Prince. "The King's rule has been harsh in these past fourteen years. There are fewer to till the soil and tend the beasts, and those that remain are sick at heart and have little joy in their toil."
"Why do you say, 'in the past fourteen years'? I was born but fourteen years ago and am therefore ignorant of events before that time."
"I was myself but a babe at the time and can tell you little save that prior to that time this country was ruled over by another and more kindly sovereign. The man you know as the King of Gilboa was then no more than a Baron, the Baron of Dwelly and Zeh, which Barony is located quite near that of Breakabeen. No doubt that is why he and the Baroness were early affianced. He does not seem to have taken that promised union very seriously, by the by, as he has married and buried two wives already, neither of them the Baroness."
"But what happened to the other King?" I asked.
"Brutally butchered," said the Prince in a melancholy tone. "There was a family too, I understand. All killed by the Baron of Dwelly and Zeh, or those in his pay."
I shivered and fell silent, meditating upon the character of the man that I was to wed in such short order. However, as harsh as my fate was likely to be, it could not compare with that facing the Prince. I tried to think of aught that would divert him as we drew moment by moment closer to his doom.
"Tell me," I said, tucking my hand through his arm, "about your father in the years before his illness."
He spoke to me of his father's goodness, of his great concern for the welfare of his people, and of his unfortunate weakness for staging, and engaging in, tournaments. '"Twas a tournament three years ago that was his downfall, for he was felled by a mighty blow which cleaved him open to the very brain pan. He lived, but never truly recovered in body or mind."
When the Prince's words finally faltered to a halt, I began to speak affectionately of my own mother, and then of the years lived on my own alone in the little cottage in the wood.
And so the bright hours passed one by one. The great orb of the sun reached its zenith and declined. And when the shadows began to streak across the fields and meadows, we came at last to Roseboom and the King's castle.
"You had best take Little Echo when we get out of the boat," said the Prince. "She is not fit to be on her own and I will not long be able to care for her."
"Yes, sire," I said, and tried to take her from him. The silly little Goose struggled and would not come to me, however.
"Mayhap you should carry her as long as you can. She does not seem to wish to leave you."
I turned to speak to the other Geese, sitting up in the boat as best I could.
"O my clever and beautiful ones," I said. "My dear friends and companions. We must bid you adieu, for the place we are going is not a healthy locale for such as thee." Or, I thought, for such as we, but I did not trouble myself to speak the thought aloud. "If you linger in this place for some days, I hope to find a way to return your sister Little Echo to you, when she is healed of her hurt. Fare thee well and go thy ways in happiness and peace."
I waited. Naught happened. The foolish little fizgigs went swimming along next the boat as though I had never spoken.
"Go!" I said sharply. "Leave us! You have never been laggardly before in taking to wing when danger threatened! So go now!"
"Mistress Alexandria! Do not be so unkind," said the Prince as the boat thumped against the quay and two soldiers jumped out to make it fast. "They do not wish to desert you. Do not abuse them so."
We were hauled, none too gently, out of the boat and laid like cargo on the dock. From this position 'twas difficult to see what was happening, but I heard someone approach and speak in a low tone to one of our captors. We were thereupon dragged to our feet and our ankle bonds released. My Geese joined us upon the quay and followed us in two straight lines as we marched up the long, long ramp from the riverside in through the castle gate. Little Echo, who was surely well enough to walk with her sisters, did not, but rather remained clasped in the Prince's arms.
The Castle of Roseboom was a very different affair from the Castle of Breakabeen. 1 did not wish to admit it, even to myself, but the great stone building in which we found ourselves was an imposing residence.
Vaulted ceilings soared so high over our heads that the top was hazy with distance. Gigantic tapestries, which must each have cost whole lifetimes to complete, hung on the walls, glowing with jewel-like hues. These were interspersed with innumerable colored banners which lifted and fluttered in the breeze blowing in off the river through the large high windows. A U-shaped banquet table, fifty feet long and fifty feet wide, filled the room. A multitude of servants scurried about, preparing for the evening meal.
The Prince looked about him and smiled rather wanly. "By my fay, mistress, methinks you are getting the better part of the bargain in marrying the King after all. 1 have naught like so fine a house in which to receive you."
I sniffed. "O, I don't know," I said, pretending to a disdain which I did not in fact feel. "These rushes underfoot are not of the freshest. And that table needs dusting."
We were conducted through the great banqueting room and on to the throne room, which was an equally impres sive chamber. And 'twas no less striking for containing a large group of handsomely attired people, clustered abou
t the King of Gilboa, who was seated upon his golden throne.
"Aaaah," sighed the King with deep satisfaction as we came to a halt before him. "Here are they at last before me: my bride and my enemy, all tied up in ribands and bows, as pretty a present as any man could ask for."
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The Castle of the King
A STITCH IN TIME SAVES NINE.
—PROVERB
"Your Royal Highness," I said, curtsying deeply.
The Prince merely inclined his head. He did not seem anxious to pacify the King.
The King smiled. 'Twas a smile so wicked it took my breath away. His good humor made him no more attractive as a marital prospect.
"You really cannot imagine," he said, "how deeply I am indebted to you both. How very kind of you to turn up like this and save me the trouble and expense of searching for you. And both together, too; so convenient. I must say, I'm quite overwhelmed."
"A substantial ransom will of course be offered for my return, and for the return of this lady, unharmed, to Dorloo," said the Prince coldly. We both knew that there was little chance of the King taking up this offer, but it had to be made.
"Quite unnecessary, I assure you, as your little country is now a part of Gilboa. And as our countries are now one, there is need only for one ruler. Too many Kings cause confusion, you know."
We said naught. It occurred to me that the Prince was no longer a Prince since his father's death, but a King.
"I see that my bride has brought along her entourage. These ladies, I assume"—the King of Gilboa gestured at the Geese, who had followed us into the throne room and were looking about with apparent interest—"are your attendants. Is that not so, my dear?"
"They are my most dearly beloved Geese, sire."
"I see. Pardon my criticism, beloved, but while you are no less lovely than memory led me to believe, you are somewhat less neat and orderly in your attire. To speak crudely, both you and your companion give the appearance of having been rolled in a muck heap in the not-too-distant past."
I looked down at my torn dress and then over at the Prince (I could not help but think of him as the Prince). 'Twas true enough that we were less than tidy. Mud stained both my gown and his white suit. River weed clung to the jagged hem of my dress and also snaked down one of his legs into his boot. His Highness was in addition clutching a large bird under one arm. None of this enhanced our dignity.
"We have had little leisure for personal grooming, sire," I conceded.
"We must remedy that lack," said the King. "I believe I once remarked that that very gown you are wearing was more than adequate for your wedding day. I say so no longer. I'll not have such a ragged tatterdemalion stand beside me as my wedded wife. Let me think. Do I not recall that your wedding garments, upon which you toiled for so long, were carried in that bag which you have on your arm? Come, let me see what is inside."
I hesitated, but seeing that there was no help for it, I reluctantly approached and handed the King my bag. He took it and unceremoniously turned it upside down, dropping the contents on the ground before him. I bit my lip to see the little crowns rolling about on the stone floor, but held my tongue.
"What the devil—?" he said, holding up one of the Goose gowns.
"They are —" I faltered. "They belong to my Geese. As do the little crowns."
The King's smile grew wider and wider, until he looked like naught but a gnarled old crocodile. "By my oath, the Goose Girl plays at dolls and poppets with those mangy old birds. Very well, your Geese shall attend your wedding in their festive apparel and make merry with us. 'Tis only fair, after all: tonight we provide them with a feast, for soon enough they shall be providing us with a feast."
I swallowed but remained silent.
"And what are these?" He held out the ruby necklace and ring, and my crown, which I had removed while I combed my hair. The light from the high windows beamed down on them and bathed us in a crimson glow. The gems seemed larger than they had when I last laid eyes upon them.
The King turned them over in his hands. "These are a dowry well worth having, Goose Girl. The crown I recognize as one you were wont to wear. Whence came the others?"
"They are not mine, sire."
"Nonsense. Then they are mine, since I have found them here in my own hall, and I give them to you as a bride gift. I wish you to wear them tonight."
I bowed my head. The King seemed struck by my ruby crown; he looked from it to the other jewelry in his hand and frowned. "I have not seen rubies like these for many years," he murmured to himself. Then he shrugged his shoulders and returned to his perusal of my belongings.
'Ah! And here is the fabled golden wedding gown. Have you finished it yet, Goose Girl?"
"Not quite, sire."
"What do you mean? Look," he said, shaking it out and holding it up before him like a dressmaker displaying her goods. "Tis quite perfect now, and neatly sewn, to boot."
"There remains three inches of the hem, my lord. Allow me to show you." I stooped and lifted the hem for his inspection.
"Then sit down and finish it, Goose Girl. You said, did you not, that you would marry when it was completed? We will wait while you do so."
A manservant hurried forward with a chair and I sank into it. I held up my bound hands to show that I could not sew thus tied; the King nodded and the servant cut my fetters off.
"I have no scissors," I protested.
"Get them," he ordered the servant.
We waited in silence as the man departed to procure the necessary tool. When he returned and handed me the scissors I opened my mouth once again.
"Sire, I cannot complete the task until—"
"That will do, Goose Girl. Finish the dress. At once."
As there was naught else to be done, I threaded my needle and commenced sewing. This time I used the tiniest stitches 1 could manage, but all the same, 'twas over in no time at all. At the last, however, I did not knot the thread but left it loose and contrived to pull out the last stitch as I lowered the hem to the floor. I intended to try to avoid this marriage to the bitter end, and if by any chance I was successful, I did not wish for anyone to claim that I had broke my bond.
"Excellent," said the King. "Now go and prepare for your wedding. And take those animals with you."
I looked over at the Prince. The King's glance followed mine, then flicked to the soldiers who had escorted us.
"Take him out and kill him," said the King. "Display the head for the people to see."
The Prince's expression did not alter, but his whole form stiffened.
I sank to my knees before the King.
"I beg you, sire, not to do this. If there is aught that I may do that will persuade you to spare his life, be assured, I will do it. Anything, Your Highness, anything at all."
"It grieves me to refuse such a pretty request, but refuse it I must. However, if it pleases you to have your swain cling to life until after your wedding, I see no reason against it. Take him to the dungeon," he said to the soldiers, "there to await execution when I give the word."
Relieved to have won for the Prince at least this small reprieve, I turned to go. Even the King could hardly send his soldiers in to guard me while I bathed. Mayhap I might climb unobserved out of my window and do—well, whatever I might.
"I have another little gift for you, Goose Girl," said the King slyly. Another attendant, who may be of more practical use than your Geese. There is a lady whom I wish to honor by making her your lady-in-waiting. I can imagine no greater proof of my esteem, or aught that would better please her."
He nodded once again at the manservant, who this time went to the door, opened it, and ushered in ... the Baroness.
"Your ... Your Ladyship," I said when I had recovered my composure. I began to curtsy but the King forestalled me.
"Tut tut, Goose Girl. You must not curtsy to the Baroness, but she to thee. You rank above her now."
With a look that longed to melt my flesh like butter
in a bakery on a hot summer's day, the Baroness dipped her knees perhaps half an inch.
"The Baroness is my childhood sweetheart, you know. You ladies will no doubt have a pleasant gossip, as I am told that females like to do when their men are not about."
He turned to the Baroness. "And you, my dear, will be sure to keep a rather closer eye on my pretty little lamb, will you not? I lost her once when she was in your keeping, and I could not bear to do so again."
The Baroness met his eye with a look as freezing cold as the one she had bestowed upon me had been blistering hot. She did not reply but just barely nodded her head. No love was lost there, thought I. 'Twas ambition only made her wish to be his wife.
We were all now marched off to our separate accommodations, the Prince to the dungeon and my Geese, the Baroness, and I to the Queen's chambers. The Prince still had Little Echo, I realized, and I reached out my arms to take her. The Prince smiled at me as he handed her to me. 'Twas a smile that made my heart feel curiously tight in my chest, as though 'twere about to burst. 1 swallowed a sob and went onward. I held Little Echo in a grip of steel, for the bird was making a foolish fuss.
When once we had reached the Queen's quarters, a soldier opened the door for us and ushered us in. In an apparent attempt to relieve her feelings at least a little, the Baroness grasped me roughly by the arm and thrust me inside. I broke away and, lifting my skirts and calling to my Geese, ran into the inner room, where a steaming, scented bath and three startled maidservants awaited. I slammed the door shut and pushed a large heavy chair into position before it.
I smiled at the maidservants, who were regarding the Geese with some dismay.
"I believe that 1 could do with a bath, thank you. If my lady-in-waiting, the Baroness of Breakabeen, wishes an audience, pray tell her that I am not to be disturbed." And I began removing my tattered dress.
Goose Chase Page 13