Casimir's Journey (19 page)

“Sir Hadden, and I you. Are you sure you wish to undertake this?” He could hear the worry in her voice.

Things were bad. The innkeeper had not been forthright enough. Things were very bad. A princess should not be this direct. That she was, and her father didn’t cut her off immediately, showed him just how bad.

“Is there any other way for you to be free of this?” He asked. Since she’d been so direct, he decided to pay her the compliment of doing the same.

He was not at all prepared for her response. She gasped. The girl on the other side of her gave him a look. Adelaide looked at him wide-eyed, her mouth slightly open.

“Wha…what do you mean, Sir?”

Hadden felt a thrill of satisfaction that he was now really a ‘Sir’ and it was not merely a form of polite address.

“I mean that some wicked sorcery is at work here. It must be. So my question to you is: can you be free in any other fashion?”

He had rattled her badly. “I don’t know what you mean. We are not…trapped by anything. We cannot tell anyone anything about why our slippers are ruined. There is nothing to tell.” Her words had the tinge of memorization. She also looked scared to death. It was time to stop.

“Then I must offer my apologies, my lady. Please forgive me speaking of what I know nothing. I am but an ignorant soldier.” He inclined his head and looked down, giving her a chance to compose herself.

While he did so, he wondered at himself. In camp and in the company, he was often teased for his mannerisms and gentle behavior. He was surprised at how easily this came to him. He had spent his life in the service of Maddox, who, while noble, didn’t stand on a lot of ceremony. But here he was. He was no longer nervous or feeling like he might topple over. If anything, he was excited, as he was before a mission. Like lightening had struck him, and small crackles moved up and down his spine.

He looked up. Adelaide had composed herself. “Not so ignorant, Sir Hadden. Your lord commander obviously thinks highly of you.”

“I am fortunate in my lord. He’s had the raising of me from very young.”

It was a good choice for conversation. Adelaide took his lead. “Oh? Did your parents foster you?”

“I am an orphan, my lady. I was lucky to fall into Lord Maddox’s household, and he took me on. For good or ill, it seems,” he grinned and looked around to see what everyone else in the hall was doing.

Gossiping and watching him, apparently. He smiled at the crowd and faced Adelaide again.               “I am sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”

“You didn’t, my lady. My life is open to all,” he smiled at her.

He felt rewarded when she shyly returned his smile. Whatever he’d said that had upset her so was in the past. He’d have to make a note though to see if any of the other sisters had the same sort of reaction.

Perhaps Grizelle had told him the truth, after all. Perhaps there really was a curse.

He was in it now. He hoped she had not lied. If she had, this would be the shortest knighthood in history. In spite of that, or perhaps because of it, he was excited.

“I am sorry, my lady.” He didn’t look at her directly when he spoke. He wanted to listen to her, rather than see her. Additionally, watching the court was interesting. There sat, almost in front of him, a group of knights his age. They all looked mightily affronted. He met the eyes of one, giving him a brilliant smile. No sense in avoiding the uncomfortable.

“I’m unsure of what you refer to,” Adelaide said nervously.

“That you must celebrate my arrival when the court is in mourning for two fine princes.” He still didn’t look at her.

She didn’t answer. That made him look at her, and she was looking down at the table. He could see a tear in the corner of her eye.

Wonderful. He was going to fail miserably if, with a few words, he made women cry. He sighed. “My lady, I am sorry, yet again. I have no gift of conversation. Please forgive my boorishness.”

She hastily dabbed her eye with the corner of a sleeve and looked up at him with a wide smile. “Do not fuss, Sir Hadden. No need to add to the fodder of gossip.” She squared her shoulders.

“Do you know what makes a man truly brave, my lady?”

“No, what?”

He could tell the shift in the conversation surprised her. She was too well-bred to remark on it. He had no such reserves. “The ability to see the way forward and know it to be nothing good, but still move forward. You are most brave, my lady.” He inclined his head to her.

When he met her eyes again, she was blushing. Her features were soft and the blush was the color of roses in bloom.

“Now that we are past that, let’s indulge, my lady.”

Her eyes widened. “How so, Sir Hadden?”

He leaned into her. “Tell me all the gossip I must know. As you are well aware, I’m naught but a simple soldier, prone to blunders and missteps. I am asking for your help, my lady.” His eyes twinkled.

“For a supposed simpleton, you move as an adept,” she laughed. “Very well. Where shall I start? And do keep your voice down. My father might not appreciate our gossip.”

“Your wish is my command,” he teased. “Who are the large and angry men before us? They’ve not left off glaring since I sat.” He refrained from looking at them.

“Oh? Those are the knights and lords of the court of Laurycia. They are here with Prince Sebastian. He is sitting next to my eldest sister, Thea. They’re on the other side of my mother.” She titled her head towards them.

Ah. The young man who’d been angry when the king knighted him. That was interesting. He was betrothed to the eldest, if he recalled the gossip from camp correctly. What had such a man to fear from him, a lowly knight?

“I am indeed a simpleton, my lady. What has that to do with me? He is in no danger from me.”

Adelaide looked uncomfortable. “Well,” she lowered her voice. “The last prince—Casimir—who attempted to solve all this, he declared for Thea. They were in love. Everyone but my father knew. Casimir said that when he solved the mystery, he was marrying Thea. My father allowed it. Sebastian—” her voice broke.

This made Hadden peer at her. There was something more here.

She wouldn’t meet his eyes suddenly. “My Lord Sebastian didn’t acquit himself as well he might have. He’s a good man,” she added, “A fine man, but I fear this situation tries him as it does us all.” She glanced to the other side of the table and gave a little sigh.

Hadden wondered if she knew she did so. He risked a glance, taking care to seem casual. Sebastian was glaring at him. Then he started and Hadden felt Adelaide jump next to him. The look on Sebastian’s face softened for a moment, and then it was gone. He turned away. Adelaide sagged into the chair.

Hadden faced Adelaide once more. “My lady, does he return your love?” He kept his voice low.

“What? I beg your pardon?”

He’d stepped in it now. Perhaps blunt honesty was not the best option.

“My lady, a blind fool could see it. If it helps, I believe it is mutual. A conundrum, to be sure. And one guaranteed to make a man ill-tempered.” He leaned on the table, thinking.

“Sir Hadden, perhaps gossiping is indeed as bad as my father suggests. I feel we are better suited on another topic.” Adelaide was stiff.

Hadden smiled. He’d hit the mark. Well, that was one lady he needed to cross off his list. The hair on the back of his neck rose. He could feel someone staring at him. He looked to the left.

Thea, the eldest, her intended in conversation with another, was boring a hole through him. He smiled at her and inclined his head.

She must not have realized what she was doing, because she drew back and hurriedly turned away.

He returned to his conversation with Adelaide. “I must once more beg your forgiveness. I am blunt in speech and see no need to dance about. I don’t wish to make anyone uncomfortable, so if you are near and happen to hear me commit a blunder, please feel free to kick me squarely in the kneecap.”

This brought the smile from her he’d wanted. For the rest of the meal, they stayed on safe topics. The weather, the gardens, the local entertainments.

At the end of the meal, the king stood. He leaned towards Hadden. “We retire now. A chamber has been prepared for you and your man. It’s within the rooms of the princesses. I shall expect your word of honor you will not make any importune moves.” He smiled, but Hadden could see the steel in it.

“You’re a trusting man, Sire. Thank you.”

“Well, yes, but there will also be a guard at the door. However, yes, I trust you. As much as I do any young man.” For a moment, the king looked merry. It faded as quickly as it had come. “I bid you goodnight, Sir Hadden. I shall write to Maddox tonight, and if you should wish to, your letter may go with mine.”

“Your Majesty is too gracious to me.”

“Nonsense. I’m honored you take the risk for my daughters,” the king said gruffly. Taking the queen’s hand, he moved quickly away.

Adelaide rose. “We leave when my parents, do, Sir Hadden. I thank you for your conversation. I shall be about, should your kneecap need attention.” She smiled, dimples showing. It made Hadden wish that she was not in love with another. She would be someone he could be easy with, if he must take a royal wife.

“The pleasure is all mine, lady.” He stood, and bowed.

The rest of the princesses filed past him, nodding or smiling. He noted that Thea, the eldest, did neither. She frowned, as though troubled.

He filed it away as one more thing about what he was getting himself into.

Finally, the family left, and he nodded to Roysten, who’d been standing against the wall behind the table. As he stepped closer to speak, he was jostled.

“Watch your step, knight.” The tone was snarling.

It was the Prince Sebastian. He grinned and made a deep bow. “My lord, my apologies. I did not see you approach. Please, allow me to remove myself from your way, and beg for your forgiveness.”

His words were impudent. His actions were respectful. He knew this would flummox Sebastian. He’d seen Maddox use it with his superiors.

It worked. “Be more careful,” Sebastian growled and he moved past.

Hadden stood and met Roysten’s eyes.

“That was close,” Roysten said.

“Too much so, but I fear it’s only the beginning. Let’s retire, shall we? Have you learned where we are to sleep?”

“I have,
Sir
Hadden,” Roysten had a hard time keeping a straight face. “Allow me to show you.”

Hadden looked around. A large number of people still hung about in the hall, in spite of the king retiring. Among them were the men Adelaide had said were Sebastian’s men-at-arms. No need to be around if they were lingering. That was asking for trouble. They were on edge, ready to be offended for their prince. It was natural, and he had enough concerns without adding them to it.

“Lead us out of here,” he said quietly. “I think leaving is the best thing.”

Roysten didn’t speak, but quickened his steps. Hadden had to slow a bit to receive congratulations from a few people they passed, but soon enough, they were away from the great hall and heading up the stairway.

“Thank you,” he said to Roysten’s back. “It’s a hornet’s nest.”

A curt nod was all the response he got. He kept silent, knowing that they’d be better served by waiting to talk when they were alone.

They walked down a hall to a set of large and imposing doors. Hadden looked up. For some reason, the doors felt…sad. He shook his head to clear the bizarre feeling.

Roysten spoke to one of the guards outside the door. “The king has assigned Sir Hadden a chamber within.”

The guards opened the door without speaking. They stepped inside and were met with another guard.

“This way.” He was curt.

They followed him, and he led them to a smaller door, although no less magnificent than the outer doors. “These are your rooms. Pray stay within for the evening. If there is anything you need, you may call for me.” Without waiting for a response, he went back towards the outer doors. Hadden looked around. He could see a large room behind them, one that had couches and settees. It looked like there was…glass on the walls instead of stone.

Roysten opened the door and Hadden followed him in. The moment the door was shut, he whooped. “We’re fortunate to make it up here alive! I don’t think Grizelle told me how bad it was!”

Roysten shook his head solemnly. “This is a court that is ill, Hadden. The servants are scared. The royals are scared. The nobles are scared. Or scheming.” He looked dour.

“You got all that from standing behind the table?” Hadden was astonished.

“You’re the brand new, high and mighty knight. I’m but a lowly esquire. May as well be a wall for all the attention anyone in that hall paid me.”

“To their detriment. I will tell you, old man, I wanted to do this on my own. I thank my lucky stars that Maddox sent you. We’ve been tossed into a viper pit, here.”

“Indeed we have. What do you want me to find out?”

Hadden walked through the room. There was a large bed set off to the side and a small chamber opposite with no door. For Roysten, he guessed. This was the chamber given an honored guest. He stopped. This was the chamber given the two former challengers. Both of whom were dead. He absently scratched the back of his neck.