"In no time at all, you couldn't see naught but the battering ram left behind, and their fires."
"Couldn't even see the dragon's you know what. It was all mixed with the mud and such."
The soldiers trailed off, their last words echoing in the silent hall as listeners struggled to absorb this extraordinary news. As amazement succumbed to exuberance, the room at once burst into chatter and cheers.
"What a miraculous tale! one of the ministers exclaimed. "We must ring the church bells! Announce it to the land!
"No! the queen barked. "Absolutely not. She scowled at the gathering before her. "Do you not see? Should word of this humiliation reach the world, Renaldo will have no choice but to attack us once more in order to salvage his honor, and that of his son. Our country is far better served remaining silent. She studied the room and waited until she had the reluctant concurrence of every listener. "Soldiers, do you understand? It shall be your task to enforce this, and on pain of death you shall do so. She softened. "This does not mean you cannot celebrate amongst yourselves, for the victory is not solely due to dragons." With a nod, she dismissed them, and the rest of the gathering as well.
I turned to depart, for I needed time alone to absorb this information. Was it possible that I had saved Montagne? I staggered at the thought.
"Benevolence? We would you remained at our side a moment longer." Reluctantly I joined the queen strolling beneath the flags. "A most remarkable turn of events, is it not? To think that dragons actually exist!
"Yes...
She clasped my hand. "This glorious news removes a great weight from our heart, and yours as well, we are sure.
"Your Majesty, I am not certain I know of what you speak.
"Why, Benevolence, Drachensbett spoke true! Our husband and your mother were not the target of assassins after all. They were killed by that most dreadful beast.
In shock, I withdrew my hand from the queen's. "That had not occurred to me.
"Imagine—our beloved husband, slain by a dragon ... Much as we yet mourn him, 'tis a fittingly honorable death, do not you think?
I fought back tears. "Your Majesty, it is not ... That is to say—
She paid my devastation no heed. "Now at last we may normalize relations between our two nations. We have much work to prepare for this ball, dear girl, for we now have ever more reason to celebrate.
***
Once again, Sophia's keen political instinct proved true. When the Drachensbett ambassadors reappeared at our gates some days later, they made not one mention of the ill-fated battle on the slopes of Ancienne. After giving the matter great consideration, they explained, the king now agreed that Princess Benevolence should be afforded the opportunity of proving herself at the autumn ball ere he proffered his Claim of Benevolent Succession.
The Montagne listeners accepted this speech without a single whisper or sidelong smirk. Regally, the queen thanked Drachensbett for their patience and promised that both ball and princess would reflect well upon the kingdom of Montagne.
The weeks leading up to the ball I spent in an anxious daze as I pondered the crisis I had inadvertently brought upon my country. The people of Montagne now accepted without question that a vicious dragon was behind the Badger Tragedy. Not a soul would support my testimony, should I have had courage or madness to express it, that my mother and uncle and father had been killed by cold-blooded men whose plotting maneuvers would never end. When I attempted to broach the subject, however delicately, with the queen, she dismissed it with a wave and expressed again her hopes that relations between our two countries might now normalize.
The autumn festival arrived, with feasting, beer gardens, dances and plays, the judging of livestock, and of course the dedication of my uncle and mother's tombs beside the Badger's. I participated in these events as well as I could manage, though always our enemy occupied my consciousness.
At last came the day of the ball, cloudless and perfect. I joined queen and court as they readied themselves to usher Drachensbett's visitors to Chateau de Montagne. Our escort party made a most wondrous spectacle: a squad of soldiers in polished armor, their tabards embroidered with the golden hedgehog; the lords of the court, and some ladies as well, in their riding best; and at the forefront Sophia and I perched sidesaddle on gleaming mares. (Alas, my own sturdy mountain pony had been replaced this day by a horse that would bring me to eye level with our guests.) The crowds of Market Town cheered as we passed, and vivid banners snapped against the autumn sky.
"You ride well, Benevolence," murmured Sophia.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"We would that you accompanied King Renaldo to the castle," she continued, without a change to her expression, as she waved to the crowd.
I did my best to match her polished air, though horror clenched my heart. "If it pleases Your Majesty, I would serve better remaining in the background.
"Quite the opposite. You must demonstrate your admirable competence.
"But I have no competence! That is, in situations such as this—"
Sophia sniffed. "Young people forever believe that kingdoms are made on the field of battle. Believe me, dear princess, they survive or perish not through warfare but through gestures and dances and incidental conversations. As you desire the preservation of your country, you must act on this reality. Behold, our guests await us!" Her counsel given, she trotted toward the red dragon flag snapping above Drachensbett's elite.
If ever I required the charms of a princess, now would be the moment.
As a herald announced the guests, I could not resist a glance at Prince Florian, who sat rigidly astride his mount, ignoring me with every vibrating fiber of his being. King Renaldo was no more enthusiastic, barely responding to our introduction as the queen abandoned me to my fate.
Renaldo knew me only from the disastrous winter ball. Nothing he had heard since—not from his advisors, and certainly not from his son—would give him a single reason to believe me improved. Worse still, on his edgy stallion he loomed a head or more above me.
"A lovely day, is it not? I gulped.
He grunted.
"And the castle presents such a lovely spectacle from this viewpoint. Do you not agree?
"Most impressive, the king said, looking away.
"Indeed, when I was a girl I dreamt of creating a cake in its exact likeness. I would have used raspberries for the battlements, and bits of chocolate for the windows, and, I do not know ... I made a little frown as my mind raced, for I was fabricating this story as I spoke and had not a clue whereto it led. "Perhaps a lovely red apple for each tower.
"Wouldn't work," the king snorted.
"How splendid that you know this! Have you assembled such a cake yourself?
"Hmph. Raspberries aren't in season with apples."
"Oh. That is such a clever point, I would never have thought it. What fruit, pray tell, would be appropriate with raspberries, for they are my favorite part of summer?
"Well. Strawberries, if you banked them. Grapes—I don't think so, not yet. Perhaps string beans...
"Beans! How fanciful. Who would have thought to make a castle of beans. Tell me, Your Majesty, how in all your duties have you become so knowledgeable about these humble plants?
The king stiffened. "Humble, you say? These plants be our survival! Are you aware that my country produces four varieties of nectarine?
And so as I rode toward Market Town was I lectured on the timing of pruning, the necessity of trellises, the value of banking (by which, I gathered, he meant soil rather than gold), and the damage wrought by boring worms. Information verily poured from his lips, and when at last he made a small but honorable witticism on the crafting of grafting, I laughed out loud in relief.
The king glanced at me. "You sound like Pence.
His comment brought me up short. "I—I did not realize you knew my mother.
"We'd speak at state functions. A good woman. Excellent knowledge of herbs.
At this moment we e
ntered the crowds of Market Town, providing me time to collect my thoughts. What would compel him to mention my mother, particularly given his role in her death?
With great effort I composed myself. "I should relish someday examining your gardens, Your Majesty."
"I freely admit they are quite pleasing, arranged following the plans of a most esteemed gardener to the king of France. Perhaps you have heard of him...
Prince Florian rode past my other side, jeering a word in my ear.
Shocked, I spun about, but already his back was to me.
"My son is very handsome, King Renaldo pointed out, misinterpreting my action.
I struggled to regain my composure. "That he is, though surely I am too inexperienced to speak of such matters.
As courtesy dictates, the king offered a flattering response, but I heard naught. All I could dwell upon was Prince Florian, the antagonism that radiated like heat from his body, and the word he had spat under his breath in my direction: witch.
***
My duties notwithstanding, I demanded a nap that afternoon, for my conversation with Renaldo had drained me completely. Sophia consented, for she was greatly pleased with my efforts, and praised me effusively ere I retired.
I must have slept, for soon dusk hovered outside my window, and Hildebert rustled about, eager to dress me. What a contrast to my last ball! Now I easily consented to the layers in which I was encased, and the efforts of a hairdresser to turn my locks, with many pins and hidden poufs, into a presentable entity. My gown suited me as well as I could ever hope, though I could not but envy the young ladies who would at tract the honest compliments of the night. My bodice did not plunge as dramatically as some, and no man—no man I would ever want to meet, surely—could fit his hands round my waist. But the gown had the simple elegance for which Queen Sophia's dressmaker was so renowned, and what I lacked in beauty I would simply have to earn with charm. Donning the high-heeled slippers that would bring me more or less to the height of my guests, I departed my chambers.
The ballroom glowed with a thousand candles, the chandeliers glittered with a thousand shimmering rainbows, the banquet tables groaned beneath a thousand delectable dishes. I took Lord Frederick's arm at the top of the stairs, and careful I was to assist him, for the gentle old man was ever frailer.
Across the ballroom, chatter faded at the announcement of my name, and every eye watched my descent. "Well done, Ben, Lord Frederick murmured as we reached the parquet at last. "Your beauty has attracted quite a swarm.
So utterly had I focused on navigating the steps that I overlooked the crowd. Now I could see all too clearly a half-dozen peacocks—or drones, as Lord Frederick better described them—striving to make their introductions. First in line, to my disbelief, was none other than King Renaldo.
He bowed. "My lord, if you may be persuaded to part with her, I should greatly appreciate the company of Her Highness.
"The princess must of course share the first dance with our most esteemed neighbor, Lord Frederick answered smoothly.
Across the room, Sophia observed me closely; if nothing else, I must not fail her. Suppressing a grimace, I assembled my questions, formulated this afternoon, on the cultivation of fruit trees.
The king led me to the center of the dance floor. He bowed, I curtsied, we danced.
"Sophia is a most handsome and capable woman, Renaldo commenced.
"Indeed, she has every possible attribute a woman of her position could require.
"And several more. She is, I have heard, quite adept at military architecture.
This parry caught me quite by surprise, and for a moment I could only laugh. "Is not the fairer sex best equipped to generate the harmonious union of esthetics and practicality? I considered this response quite brilliant, particularly as it neither confirmed nor denied his statement.
"So, you believe fortifications to have an inherent beauty?
"Certainly—when they succeed." I paused long enough for this jab to sink in. "Of course, even their failure would not faze our queen. Were the castle under attack and without defenders, she would yet stand on the ramparts launching arrows at her foes.
"And you, Princess, where might you be found? In your chambers, attending to your embroidery?
"Oh, I have no skill whatsoever with a needle! No, without a doubt you would find me at her side, boiling oil." I smiled, revealing the teeth behind my lips. "But such talk of warfare has no place here. Tell me, Your Majesty, do you happen to know if a plum when intended to become a prune is left on the vine or plucked ripe?
The king studied me. "You know already that a plum does not grow on a vine.
"If I revealed that truth, I responded, laughing, "then we should have nothing to discuss.
We danced in silence for some time. "I must confess, murmured the king, "that I arrived at Chateau de Montagne with a far different image of Princess Benevolence than what you present this evening.
"I shall forgive such a dreadful transgression only if the new image be more flattering." (Good heavens, I was turning into a most dreadful flirt!)
"You may be certain I would not have spoken otherwise. He frowned over my shoulder. As we turned, I caught sight of Florian dancing enthusiastically with a beautiful young lady whose bosom, I must say, remained in its encasement through goodwill alone. The prince could not have snubbed me more completely.
King Renaldo scowled. "Forgive my son, Princess, for not paying you the attention you deserve.
"Think nothing of it. How could a man surrounded by such roses note a simple fleur-de-blanc?" (here naming a diminutive local flower).
"With maturity, a man realizes that the quality of a bloom matters far more than its boast.
At this, the dance ended and with thanks for his company I departed the king's side, my head quite spinning from the nuances of our conversation and from my fear that I had unwittingly misspoken.
For the rest of the night I danced with every able man in the room save Prince Florian. King Renaldo requested my hand twice more. Several times I noticed him lecturing Florian, or so it appeared from the resentment with which the prince accepted his words, and the prince's attitude grew ever frostier as the night progressed.
With time my toes began to throb in their little prisons and I depleted completely my store of innocuous and winning pleasantries. Were it not for the invigorating qualities of champagne and the many compliments I was paid, I would have not survived at all. In her omniscience, the queen sensed my exhaustion and, recognizing that fruit is best picked ripe, released me as the clock struck midnight. Lord Frederick escorted me from the room, heaping praise on my weary frame.
We had scarcely progressed past the ex-ballroom, however, when sharp footsteps and a sharper "Your pardon, sir" brought us up short.
Prince Florian addressed Lord Frederick. "If I might have a moment of the princess's time.
Seeing my nod, Frederick stepped away to examine a tapestry.
"Your Highness, I greeted him, matching his chill.
Florian paced, too angry to meet my eye.
My feet ached, my very bones drooped with exhaustion. "If you carry a message of substance, I shall receive it; otherwise these pleasantries can surely wait for morn.
"Your behavior is despicable! the prince snapped.
"In what way? I snapped back. "You have no cause to criticize me.
"No cause? I vowed, the moment I left that cursed Blue Room and your conniving sorcery, never to speak of what I had witnessed, and until this day I had no incentive to do so. Since our arrival in this demon castle, however, as I witness your handiwork, I cannot but fear for the preservation of all that I hold dear.
"My handiwork? As hostess and emissary?
"Emissary? Hostess? Do not toy with me! I am no longer some innocent trapped by your lies and spell work! I demand, should you value your life and the lives of your people, to break at once the enchantment you have placed upon my father!
So staggered was I by this fallacious
and spiteful accusation that I nigh broke my ankle on the ridiculous heels on which I tottered. "Enchantment, you say? It is enchantment to practice dance for hour after hour, day after day, with a man who reeks of fish? To ride, and write, and prattle inces santly about nothing whatsoever? To stitch enough handkerchiefs to dam the Great River itself, and bully one's body into clothes more suitable for martyrs than ladies? I snatched up one of my cursed slippers. "Does this smack of magic to you? Because allow me to inform you, my handsome young prince, that this be not enchantment—it be work!
With that, I hurled the slipper at him, not caring if I caused his decapitation. (I did not.) Marshaling what little dignity I yet possessed, I stomped down the corridor—challenging indeed with one shoe—and around the corner.
I lay awake for hours. The prince had no right, not one, to indict me so, and if I had held the slightest hope of the book's assistance, I would have climbed at once to my wizard room for a spell with which to punish him. Death, perhaps, or humiliation. A croaking frog would be nice, particularly a frog that retained Florian's dark eyes. I should keep it in a box and poke it occasionally with a stick; that would be satisfying indeed.
Calming myself in degrees with such pleasant notions, I drifted at last to sleep.
NINETEEN
I breakfasted in my chambers, occupying myself with reports from the staff. A stolen pearl necklace demanded much of my attention until the crisis was finally resolved by a diligent manservant who discovered it in a potted palm, discarded there by an inebriated duchess.
When at last I appeared at the luncheon buffet, I was stunned to see Prince Florian glowering down at his plate. I had quite expected him to vacate the castle at the first light of dawn. Beside him, King Renaldo rose at once to inquire on the quality of my rest. Both father and son appeared fatigued, though I had no place to criticize, given my own countenance.
Chatting with our other guests, I paid the two little mind until Renaldo, sidling up beside me, requested a word with the queen.