"Sir," the soldier said, leaning in towards Deimos, "Prince Blackwell has taken control of the command post."
"What?" Deimos shouted. He was instantly wide awake.
"He and his general are waiting inside," the soldier said.
Deimos glared at the door of Helsop’s command post, wishing Dagon was with him. He needed a strategy to deal with this impudent affront. His tired mind refused to co-operate. He dug into his pocket for the note Dagon had sent along with him for Blackwell. He read it quickly to refresh his memory.
To Prince Blackwell of Henge,
Please excuse my haste in seeking the speedy return of my imprisoned soldiers. We will certainly toast our victory on my return.
Dagon of Helsop
It was a start. He would have to feign ignorance of the alliance with Fernland. On the question of Electra, he willed himself to think, but no ideas came.
The door to the command post opened and Prince Blackwell stepped out. He looked at Deimos and conferred with his general. "You are Dagon’s second, are you not? What is your name?" Blackwell asked.
"I am Deimos. Yes, I am second in command."
"Finally," Blackwell said. "I began to think I would have to leave Helsop before I could extend my congratulations on our victory. When will Dagon return?"
"I don’t know," Deimos replied, "I returned before the exchange took place. But I carry a reply to your note to Dagon." He took the crumpled paper from his pocket and handed it to Blackwell.
Blackwell smoothed out the note and held it by the edges.
"Hummp," Blackwell snorted. "My army grows short of supplies. We cannot delay a victory toast indefinitely."
"I regret we have little to offer you by way of sustenance here in Helsop," Deimos said, trying to keep the sarcasm out of his voice.
"Come in, come in," Blackwell said, gesturing him into the command post. "You seem fatigued from your long journey. Did you ride through the night?"
"I was anxious to deliver Dagon’s message," Deimos said. He tried to control his anger at Blackwell’s audacity in welcoming him into his own command post.
Blackwell sat behind Dagon’s desk and waved Deimos into the wooden chair on the other side.
Deimos would have preferred to stand, but in his exhausted condition he almost fell into the chair.
"My soldiers have been unable to find the healer who works in the infirmary. We have need of her."
"She is with Dagon," Deimos said, wondering where this half-truth would lead him.
Blackwell’s face clouded over. "Why with Dagon?"
"Dagon has granted her freedom and safe passage through Fernland as a reward for her work in the infirmary. He asked her to stay on as healer, but she chose otherwise."
"So she is with him at Geoffrey’s castle?"
"I don’t know. I believe she comes from further south, a place called Amorate? She may have returned home," Deimos said, skirting the truth.
Blackwell stood up. "We will be unable to await Dagon’s return. An army without food serves no purpose. You will tell Dagon that we in Henge look forward to a continuing friendship with Helsop."
He left with his general. Deimos watched as Blackwell spoke angrily to his general. More soldiers from Henge rushed forward, received their orders and took off at a run.
Deimos looked longingly at the floor, wishing he could stretch out and close his eyes, but one task remained. He would wait until Blackwell’s army had decamped before he spread word about in Helsop of the new alliance. But he needed to find a better place to hide Avor before he slept.
He walked to the tent with the sign that read "Quarantined". He looked inside where Prince Avor sat picking listlessly at his porridge.
"We’re going to move you to more comfortable quarters," Deimos said.
Avor looked up, but having nothing to say, reverted to his charade of not understanding.
Deimos told the guards to move the prince to Dagon’s house and post a heavy guard. After Avor was gone, Deimos finished the breakfast the young prince had left behind and sank heavily to the floor of the tent. He was fast asleep as soon as his head touched the floor.
Deimos was awakened by a sound outside the tent. He opened his eyes to darkness. He must have slept all day. Something was poking through the tent. A knife quietly worked its way back and forth, sawing an opening at the back of the tent. A crescent shaped hole appeared as the knife-wielder folded back a flap of the tent’s fabric.
"Your Highness, stay quiet, I’m here to help you escape," a voice whispered.
As the hole widened the knife wielder stepped inside.
"It’s Muller, Your Highness, are you awake?"
Deimos grabbed the hand that held the knife and twisted until the knife fell to the floor of the tent. Muller, caught off balance, fell forward and Deimos quickly pinned him to the floor.
"I’ve never been called 'Your Highness' before," Deimos said gruffly. "Just where is it I’m to escape to?"
Chapter 58
After four dusty days on the road, the King’s Guard, at the head of the assemblage, crested the high plateau of Helsop. The royal coach followed close behind. As the village came into view Electra could see that Blackwell’s army had moved out, leaving only a huge patch of trampled earth behind.
News of the coming alliance had preceded them. The village of Helsop was colored with the blue and white glacier banners of Helsop flying next to the red and gold dragon banners of Fernland. A small contingent from Helsop rode out to welcome the royal procession. Polite formalities quickly broke into shouts of jubilation as the contingent spotted their friends and relatives among the prisoners newly freed from Geoffrey’s dungeon. Dagon was finally able to restore order and lead the visitors into the village square.
A table, elaborately decorated with pendants and banners had been set out in the middle of the square. Dagon invited King Geoffrey, Queen Delphinia and Princess Electra to take seats around the table. Geoffrey frowned at the red and gold pennants, knowing most had been left behind by his retreating army. A copy of the proposed alliance was placed on the table. King Geoffrey stopped in front of the table. If his plan had worked there would be no signing of an alliance. Avor would be in Muller’s safekeeping, already on his way back to Fernland.
"I believe we are missing one member of the royal family," he said. "May Prince Avor be brought forward to witness the signing?"
The king ran his eyes over the crowd hoping Avor had made his escape, and was disappointed when the crowd parted and Prince Avor, washed, with short dark hair fringed in yellow stepped forward. Queen Delphinia rushed forward to hug him. Prince Avor blushed, but allowed the embrace for a few seconds before he stepped back.
King Geoffrey searched the crowd for a few more seconds, as though looking for someone, then joined Delphinia in welcoming Avor.
"My son," he said, shaking hands, and clasping his shoulder.
"Father, I am not worthy to be called your son. I have committed treason by disobeying you."
Avor would have continued but King Geoffrey stopped him. "No matter," he said. "You see how all has ended well."
"But it has not," Avor insisted, lowering his voice. "Because of me you are forced into this alliance. Electra is forced into marrying a man so beneath her as to…"
King Geoffrey stopped him again. "It is her choice. I have made certain of that. Let us conclude this little pageant. In the course of time, all will be made right."
Avor looked as though he wanted to object further, but Delphinia took his arm and led him forward.
"But do you not see," she said, "everything is even now made right. We are all four of us together as a family for the first time. We will have a celebration and finally be happy."
Avor looked at his mother and realized that she was, indeed, happy for the first time in his memory.
At the signing table King Geoffrey called for the formal exchange of prisoners. All of Fernland’s captured soldiers were brought forward. Muller was am
ong them. He tried to avoid the King’s angry eyes but they sought him out and he wondered if his career as a spy was finally at an end.
After the alliance was signed the whole of the village population surged toward the clinic where the banns announcing the engagement were posted. The crowd applauded Dagon and Electra and picnic cloths were spread out for the feast to follow.
The carts were unloaded and cooking fires started. Great slabs of meat rotated on hand turned spits. Cooks from Geoffrey’s castle set up makeshift tables to begin preparation of breads, puddings, tarts and cakes. Baskets of fruits were placed on the treaty table along with cheeses, mulled wine, beer and ale. The people of Helsop watched the food preparation with eager eyes, volunteering for any tasks which might involve tasting.
Jugglers, acrobats, jesters and musicians circulated among the crowds of celebrants. The square became an impromptu dance floor with many reunited families dancing in circles, holding hands.
Delphinia watched the entertainment with Avor and Electra at her side, clapping and laughing at the spectacle. Dagon and Geoffrey walked among their respective freed prisoners, listening to their stories and congratulating them on their freedom. At the sound of a loud gong, a hush fell over the crowd and all eyes turned to the wagons lined up beside the square. Dagon and Geoffrey rushed back to join the ladies.
"I have brought a surprise for you and Dagon," Delphinia said to Electra, barely able to contain her excitement. "I hope I have not made a mistake, one is a thief, I know, but they appeared to be your friends."
With the accompaniment of the castle musicians playing the exotic music of the desert tribes, the dancers of The Great Sheiks of Araby emerged from the coaches and wound their way through the crowd. Their ragged costumes had been replaced with luxurious satin materials, crusted with rich embroidery and colorful beads. Electra spotted several royal dressmakers in the crowd beaming with pride as they watched.
Deimos had been replaced by a huge burly man as the Great Sheik of Araby. He growled malevolently as he stamped along, sending children running to hide in their mother’s skirts. Angie, Peaches and Trixie had been joined by more of their friends, making a long line of Harem Dancers. Take the Thief led a whole troupe of whirling dervishes who threw out sweets to the crowd as they whirled.
Electra and Dagon laughed so hard tears came to their eyes.
As the performance came to a close Electra and Dagon shook hands with the Great Sheik Players. "I believe you have found a new calling," Electra said to Take the Thief.
Take grinned self-consciously.
Peaches grabbed Take’s hand. "Cause ‘a him we all ‘ave new jobs," she said.
"Aye, we be booked up now, isn’t that a fact?" Angie stated, turning to Tom.
"It be a fact fer sure," Tom said.
"An look ‘ere at these ‘ere costumes what yer mom ‘ad made fer us. Ain’t they grand?" Trixie asked as she offered the end of her veil to Electra.
"They are beautiful," Electra said, taking the veil in her hand for a closer look.
"I was sorry to see you replaced Deimos with another Sheik, although the new man was quite ferocious," Dagon said, smiling.
"We looked for Deimos," Take said. "I think he’s hiding from us."
The thought of Deimos, so brave and resolute in his soldierly duties, yet so stricken with panic at the prospect of ‘playacting’, brought more gales of laughter from Electra and Dagon.
As the Harem Dancers made their exit, Electra turned to her mother with new found respect and gratitude. She hugged Delphinia tightly.
"In my whole life, no one has ever gone to so much trouble over me," she said. "How did you manage to bring this whole troupe together, outfit them so elegantly and keep it a surprise? I am in awe."
Queen Delphinia blushed at the compliment. "I have a friend on the kitchen staff. My menu planner. We grew up together, playing dolls. She knows the mother of one of the harem dancers and helped me bring them together. The dressmakers volunteered for the job. They were excited by the idea of designing exotic costumes. They had a fine time, I am told, with their little conspiracy." The queen paused and looked sadly at Electra. "I am sorry that no one has ever gone to such trouble on your behalf before now."
Electra struggled to keep back the tears that threatened to flood her eyes. She managed a weak smile. "No matter," she said. "I would likely have been insufferable, otherwise."
As the celebration wound down, people with full stomachs looked for places to take naps. Electra watched an old woman with a cane make her way back to the village. The woman turned to look at Electra. She tilted her head towards the village and raised her cane. Electra continued to watch. And then she knew. Serafina.
"Mother," Electra said, turning to Delphinia. "Please excuse me for a moment. I see someone I need to speak with." Queen Delphinia turned away from her conversation with Prince Avor to say, "Of course, Dear, hurry back."
Chapter 59
Electra followed the retreating figure slowly, confused in her feelings toward the woman she still thought of as her mother. She wanted to shout at her, condemn her for what she had done. At the same time, she wanted to greet her with a hug as usual, confide in her, ask her opinion of the path she had taken. Serafina had kidnapped her! She had lied to her, attempted to kill her brother. "Why do I still seek her approval?" she wondered aloud.
Electra looked at the empty village. She lost sight of Serafina among the houses. Perhaps it would be best if she did not find her until she had her feelings sorted out. She turned toward the little cottage that had been her home in Helsop. She peered in through the open door. Serafina stood waiting by the cot.
"Serafina! You have become a woman of many faces," Electra said, moving just inside the door. She made no move to embrace Serafina.
"Only as needed," Serafina replied. "My invitation failed to arrive."
"Queen Delphinia and King Geoffrey believe you are dead."
"And you have not disavowed them of this notion?"
"Not as yet," Electra said.
"So you have chosen in favor of Helsop and Dagon."
"I have chosen to make Helsop my home. The engagement may not lead to a marriage," Electra said.
Serafina’s eyes turned curious. "Why else choose to live in Helsop?"
Electra did not answer quickly. The question hung in the air. Finally she said quietly, "You have taught me to value my independence. I believe I have the best chance of keeping it if I remain here, under Dagon’s protection."
"You have discovered for yourself that I was right in warning you of your father’s dominance," Serafina said.
"It is rather my mother’s unfettered love that weighs heavy, were I to choose to stay in Fernland," Electra said softly.
Serafina’s whole body tensed when Electra referred to Delphinia as her mother. She seemed to consider Electra’s answer for a moment, then asked, "You find Delphinia’s love burdensome?"
Electra glared angrily at Serafina. "What you did to your sister was reprehensible," she shouted. "She did not deserve all those years of sorrow. She lives in fear of losing me again." Electra bit back her anger and lowered her voice as she lowered her eyes. "And yes, it is burdensome."
A shadowy smile played around Serafina’s heavily disguised eyes. "Here is the advice you have not requested. Take care that you do not over-value Dagon’s protection. He and Helsop are much in your debt for now. I advise you to keep that advantage if you crave independence as much as you profess. You will always have Delphinia’s love, as you will always have mine, whatever path you choose. You are not responsible for her happiness. As to your father, know that he will use anyone to his advantage, including you. It is the nature of a king."
Electra listened, attentive, etching the words in her mind as always, feeling once again, the eager pupil. Serafina picked up her cane from the cot and moved toward the door.
"You will find me in Henge, should you have need of me," she said, as she walked through the door.
&n
bsp; Electra felt a sudden urge to run after her, but breathed deeply instead, She moved across the room to slump, drained of energy, on the edge of the cot, putting her hands over her eyes to dull the feeling of loss that always followed Serafina’s departures. She tried to hold Serafina in the contempt she deserved, and soon gave it up as a lost cause. Serafina would always hold her in thrall. Electra knew that in her way, Serafina did love her. It was a dark, possessive kind of love, quite different from Delphinia’s hopeful, protective love.
So many people had come into her life since her sixteenth birthday. Her brother, Avor, with his chivalrous, brotherly caring. Dagon, with his devotion to Helsop and its people. Could he separate his feelings for her from his feelings for Helsop? She doubted it. And her father. Was she truly only a pawn to him as Serafina believed? He had raised an army to rescue her. Did that signify love or something else?
Electra looked up to find Dagon watching her from the doorway.
"I thought I might find you here," he said. "Who was that I saw leaving?"
"An old acquaintance," Electra said, not wanting to share her conversation with Serafina.
Dagon sat next to her on the cot. "The alliance is signed. Our soldiers are returned to us from Geoffrey’s dungeon. New trading markets await us. Helsop owes you a great debt."
Electra nodded, preoccupied with her thoughts.
"I am afraid our people still see you as a healer. I will forbid them from annoying you with their complaints if that is your wish. I do not want to give you any reason to return to Fernland, although I would understand if you did."
Electra turned her attention to him. "I wish to be of use," she said. "I would not stay otherwise."
"In time we will have more to offer you." He covered her hand with his. "I hesitate to speak of my love for you, not knowing if that would be incentive to stay or incentive to leave."
Electra smiled. She wondered if, in time, she might come to love him. He always seemed able to make her smile.
"I know your mother will argue against your staying," he continued. "She has already expressed her concern over your living arrangements." He tested the strength of a floorboard with the heel of his shoe. The board creaked loudly.