Journey's Middle

by B. K. Parent

  “Master Rollag has asked me to invite all of you to the Glassmakers Guildhall. Time grows short, and we need to begin to plan what is to happen next. He suggested you leave here in small groups of two and stagger your times. Wander your way there as if you are just out for an evening stroll,” suggested Master Clarisse, in a whisper so quiet I almost missed what she was saying. “Once you get to the Glassmakers Guildhall, wander their gardens until you come to the greenhouses. Enter the greenhouse in the middle. We will meet you there.”

  When Mistress Jalcones offered the two of them dessert, Master Clarisse somewhat loudly begged off, much to Evan’s disgust and protest. She stated they needed to get back and had just stopped in to say hello. She wanted them to know the royal bakers would be setting up a booth several lanes over if they needed bread or sweet treats. Evan had found that out earlier from his friend Clare.

  All this skulking around was beginning to get wearing. I could understand that there were eyes and ears of the Regent everywhere. We had to be extra diligent in making sure we were not overheard or followed, especially when going about the business of either doing things that could cause great bodily harm if caught by those loyal to the Regent or could place the Princess in even more danger than she already was. Bertram and Oscar left first and then the Jalcones. Shueller felt he needed to stay at his homewagon, for because of his small stature he stood out and was determined to draw as little attention to himself as possible. Tannar chose to stay with him and watch over both Shueller and our wagons. Just before it was time for the Princess and me to leave, Shueller called me over.

  “Have you noticed that there have been great numbers of rovers arriving this day?” asked Shueller.

  I had noticed quite a number of homewagons rumbling in down the various lanes that bisected the large field we were camped in, and other rovers setting up their booths around us. I had not thought very much about it, having other worries. Now that I stopped to think about it, there were more rovers here than at the other fairs we had been at. I guess I had put it down to this being usual since it was the capitol fair, but perhaps not.

  “I guess I just expected to see more rovers here,” I said to Shueller.

  “More yes, but the numbers that have arrived this day and continue to arrive are far more than I have ever seen. I think Tannar and I must take a risk and venture out this night. I have noticed several rovers pass by that I know quite well, but I am sure they did not recognize my homewagon since it has been repainted. I want to chat with them casually and see if they know why so many rovers are here. I also noticed that your homewagon is attracting attention.”

  Shueller must have seen the alarm on my face, for he quickly assured me that those who were either slowing down as they drove by, or those trying to look nonchalant as they wandered by, were almost always quite elderly rovers. He had a theory as to why that was, but he wanted to check it out before he jumped to any conclusions. He did think that those who were so interested in my homewagon were, while curious as to who lived there, more interested in the designs on the outside as opposed to the dwellers on the inside. I hoped he was right.

  This would have been a perfect time to bring up the green banner, but then I was not sure how to do that without coming straight out and telling Shueller that I was Thorval Pedersen’s daughter, and he had told me to hang the banner out. Maybe he just assumed I knew what it meant. So far no one had approached me and either asked for pilcher cream or said they were a friend of Haakens, so I had not had to deal with either instance. I was not kidding myself that no one would show up and place either pilcher cream or the name Haakens in their conversation. I just wished I knew what I was supposed to do then. Before I could gather my courage to ask Shueller, the Princess walked over from the homewagon to remind me that we had best head out.

  After several weeks on the road, the Princess certainly did not look like the same young woman I had first met. Her hair was darker from the dye, and her skin was much darker from the sun. Her hands had changed from soft and pampered to slightly callused, her walk was more of a ground eating stride than a graceful walk. Most noticeable to me was the look of maturity, which was not all the work of Yola’s cleverness. In addition, she wore the clothing of a rover and had taken to wearing a floppy brimmed hat that placed her face in shadow. Hopefully, to the casual observer, we were just two rovers out walking.

  We wandered along the outside lane that was lined with guildhalls and took note of the booths that were being set up. Finally we arrived at the Glassmakers Guildhall grounds and turned in on a foot path that meandered though the beautifully laid out gardens. Greenhouses were quite rare due to the amount of coin someone other than the Glassmakers Guild would have to spend for that much glass. They were one of the wonders of the capitol fair, and starting tomorrow would be open to the public. Inside, many plants from warmer climes grew and flourished. I know Nana would have made a beeline to the greenhouses at the first opportunity, had she been here with me.

  Thinking of Nana brought me up short, for I realized I hoped I might see Da this night. I stumbled a bit on the path. The Princess looked back with concern and asked if I was alright. I nodded that I was, but I was still thinking about Da and continued to be distracted. Master Clarisse had been to our cook fire and had not mentioned Da, but then I guess that was understandable. Even so she might have asked me to walk a ways with her and talked to me, but then Evan had been with her. No sense in worrying, for it would not get me any closer to the answer. While I had been wandering around in my head, my feet had followed the Princess, and I almost ran into her when she stopped walking.

  “I think this is where we’re supposed to go,” she said.

  I looked up and realized we were indeed at the greenhouses and standing outside the door to the middle one. Just as I had that thought, the door opened, and Master Clarisse invited us in. This is another of those places, I thought to myself, that someday I want to return to and take my time. I do not know which was more overwhelming, the amazing array of colors or the exotic smells. I had no time to linger, for Master Clarisse swiftly led us towards the back of the greenhouse and through another door into a potting room attached to the greenhouse. Built of stone with windows only on the south side, the building was lined with long counters. After we entered, Master Clarisse swiftly locked the door behind us, stepped in front of us, and led us down an aisle between counters covered with pots holding plants in various stages of growth to another door, which when opened revealed a short stairs leading downward. Master Clarisse lifted a lantern off a hook just inside the door and descended. We followed.

  The room beneath the potting house was cool, damp, and smelled of earth. In the dim light of the lantern, I could see the walls were lined with shelves and suspected that this cellar was used for storage. Master Clarisse moved swiftly across the room. When she came to the end opposite the stairs, she did something I could not see, and the shelving swung forward, revealing an opening in the wall. She motioned we should go through, and then she followed. I heard a slight thud as the shelving moved back into place behind us. Master Clarisse again took the lead, and after a few steps turned left down a short hall, which led us into a room containing a large table, chairs, and a number of folks. Many I had expected, a number who surprised me, and one who made my heart leap for joy.

  Da was sitting next to Master Rollag. It was all I could do not to push Master Clarisse aside and rush to him, but common sense prevailed. I did not know how many in this room knew that the man sitting beside Master Rollag was in reality Thorval Pedersen or who thought that he was just the Glassmakers Guild’s driver, Jonzee Smed. Once I had a chance to gather my scattered wits about me, I began to really take in who else was seated around the table. Bertram and Oscar were there along with the Jalcones. Lord Hadrack and Beezle were also among those seated. There were two faces that surprised me, for one was Johan, the long trawler fisher, and the other was Elek. Elek
was sitting next to an older woman who had the look and dress of someone from higher society, and the man sitting on the other side of her was the largest man I had ever seen.

  I really had no time to think about who was in the room, other than for that quick glance when I entered the room, for the minute the Princess stepped out from behind me and removed her hat, everyone in the room stood and bowed. I was taken aback. Why in the world were they bowing to us, and then it hit me. They were not bowing to us but to the Princess, for all in the room would know that she was not Kiaya the rover but Princess Esmeralda, the heir to the throne.

  “I thank you for your kind greeting, but it would be best if all of you would take your seats. For now, for all of our sakes, you must think and react to me as Kiaya the rover. How would it look to others if tomorrow you came by Nissa’s booth and bowed to me while I sat there knitting?”

  “Well put, Your Hi . . ., ah, Kiaya,” said Lord Hadrack with a self-deprecating laugh as he held a chair out for her. “Let us all be seated. It is going to be a long night, and we have much to discuss. Hopefully before the sun rises, we will have any number of plans as to what happens next. But first introductions are in order.”

  I knew many of the folks around the table by sight and some only by name. The older woman seated next to Elek was Lady Celik, and the huge man next to her was introduced as Seeker Eshana. There were several others, including a tall silver-haired man dressed in forester green who reminded me of the Huntress and was introduced as Silas. Da introduced himself as Jonzee Smed. Once introductions had been carried out, Lord Hadrack suggested it was time to get down to business.

  “Here is what we know for sure at this time,” Lord Hadrack stated. “The Regent has issued a statement that the Princess had been out of the capitol and returned only recently quite ill. He made quite a show of the Princess’ carriage returning surrounded by special royal guards, and the Princess moving to the west tower because the air from the sea would be good for what ailed her. Only the royal physician and a few select servants were allowed to be in the west tower, so essentially he has kept the Princess isolated due to her fragile condition. Now all of us here know that this story is a load of, well, we all know that that is a lie. Because of this so-called illness, the Regent called off the Princess’ birth date celebration and her ascendancy to the throne, suggesting he would remain in charge until such time that the Princess is fully recovered and able to assume her duties. This announcement has not set well with folks, and the Regent has been getting a lot of pressure from all sides lately to let others see and speak to the Princess. As you all are well aware, this would be impossible for the Regent to comply with, but he has bought himself some time and breathing room by announcing just this morning that the Princess has taken a turn for the worse and is gravely ill. The royal physician has stated quite clearly that no one will be allowed to see the Princess, for they might cause the Princess to tire and further jeopardize her health. This announcement only buys him some time, and not much of it. He has put posters up all over town that there will be an assembly at the Well of Speaking. My first major worry is that he is going to announce the death of the Princess and declare himself ruler.”

  “It is all very well and good to declare the Princess dead. Much lot of good that will do him because he is going to have to produce her body to lie in state. How is he going to do that?” Lady Celik asked.

  “That would be my second major worry,” Lord Hadrack said grimly.

  Chapter Seventy-Four

  “We could spend a great deal of time speculating what the Regent might or might not have planned, but I think that would be a waste of time,” Master Rollag said. “I suggest we put our collective heads together and figure out how we can get the Princess acknowledged as alive, and then keep her that way. We need to concentrate on that, and who is available to help us without endangering her further.”

  “I have sent out word to all those who have been watching at the other fairs to come to the capitol,” stated Lady Celik, and then seeing the blank looks on some of our faces went on to explain. “A number of those loyal to both me and the Crown have been attending the fairs trying to gather information, and in the case of the Snoddleton fair, were there to protect the Princess if needed. They have been in disguise, posing as farmers or day laborers or foresters or, well you get the idea. They will be on the fairgrounds each day and will be at the Well of Speaking on the day the Regent is set to talk.”

  “Tell them not to come as foresters, if you would, for I have called on the clans to send folk also. They have already begun to gather in the woods and forests nearby, and I will alert them to be here on the third day of the fair,” said Silas.

  “The guilds are ready to muster their members who are here and have them at ready. In a meeting the other night, it was all some of us could do to convince a number of the younger guild members to have patience. The guilds are in overwhelming agreement that something needs to be done and are certainly more loyal to the Crown than to the Regent,” suggested Master Rollag.

  “I think you may have a great deal of support from the merchants and the farmers,” said Trader Jalcones, speaking up for the first time. “The extra taxes and restrictions, not to mention the curfews and other rules the Regent has imposed on the working and merchant classes, have them organizing as they never have before. They are ready to revolt, not just against the Regent but also against many of the larger landholders who have gone along with the Regent. I have seen too many displaced folks in my travels this summer. There is talk that many of those who have lost their lands or livelihoods are heading towards the capitol, and that bodes ill for all of us. An angry mob could be whipped to a frenzy, and if that happens, friend and foe alike can often not be told apart.”

  “Wisely put, Trader Jalcones. Lady Celik, can you get some of your folks out country to try to prevent the capitol being stormed by a rioting crowd?” asked Lord Hadrack.

  “Master Clarisse, could you escort me out so I can speak to a few of my folks who are, I am sure, within lurking distance. They will get the message out,” said Lady Celik, rising from her seat and heading towards the door.

  When Master Clarisse rose to escort Lady Celik out, Silas stood up also and suggested he would follow and alert his folk too. I felt a giggle begin to bubble up inside of me at the thought of any number of folks hiding in the Glassmakers Guildhall gardens all trying to remain undetected. I wondered how crowded it was up there.

  While the three were getting up and leaving, I noticed Bertram and Oscar were having a quiet discussion between themselves. Lord Hadrack also noticed and, clearing his throat to get everyone’s attention, addressed the two rovers. “Is there something either of you wish to add to the discussion?”

  “Yes, sir,” Bertram said, in a way that gave deference to Lord Hadrack’s position, but in true rover fashion, was not at all submissive. “Word’s gotten out to the rovers that something might be happening at the capitol fair, and they have been pulling in all day. As you know, the Regent has not a single friend among the rovers, with all his attempts to turn the folk against us or to just make our lives difficult. I think you can count on them to support the Crown in the coming days. I have to admit it surprised me a little to see the numbers. We are pretty independent, and it takes something really important or big to get us to rally together. Shueller is checking in with some of his old rover friends to see what’s going on, so hopefully we’ll know more tomorrow.”

  “Does anyone else find this influx of angry folks with beefs with the Regent alarming?” asked Lord Hadrack looking around the table at all of us. “I am sure the Regent has the royal guards prepared for more than the usual fair crowd, and I know he has called in royal guards from out country, not to mention that new squad he has surrounding him night and day. If only we had some resource within the royal guards, so we could get accurate information.”

  “We do,” said the
Princess, speaking up for the first time. “There is a Captain who could have given me away several times and has not. I think she will be at our booth tomorrow, and I think she is someone we can both trust and count on. I know we have kept the secret of my identity and whereabouts to a very small number of folks, but it might be time to expand that just a bit. The Captain is quite high up in the royal guards and will have a finger on the pulse of how the royal guards feel, and how much support the Crown really has. How can I get her together with you, Lord Hadrack?”

  “If I might suggest something, Uncle,” interrupted Beezle before his uncle could speak. “I am well known to be friends with Nissa and the others. Our cheese booth is not far from Nissa’s, and if and when the Captain shows up, Nissa could send a runner to my booth to alert me. I, in turn, will stroll over to Nissa’s booth, engage the Captain in a conversation about cheese and urge her to come and sample some. While we are walking to my booth, I could ask her if she might try to discreetly make contact with Master Rollag. Contacting you or Lady Celik might be a problem, since you two are surely on the Regent’s most watched list.”

  “Your plan is a bit convoluted, but I can certainly see your point about not sending her to either myself or Lady Celik. Why can’t Nissa just give her the message?”

  “It appears my homewagon is attracting more attention than I can explain, and my booth is set up just in front of it. With more vendors arriving than expected, the booths are crowded together and offer little privacy. In addition, with the opening day crowd we are expecting, the chance of finding a quiet moment to talk to the Captain without folks hovering around the booth will be slim to none. Beezle would have a bit more of a chance to ask her to see Master Rollag.”