Princess Ben (21 page)

I must clarify yet again that I was not willowy, slender, delicate, gauzy, diaphanous, fine-boned, or any of the other descriptives forever linked to the daughters of kings, and that my figure, however feminine, yet conveyed that I suffered little in cold draughts. The endless twaddle about my
silhouette revolted me, and I grew ever more incensed over the general reliance on appearance alone for repute, rank, and virtue. I kept my ears pricked for any superficial judgment and would gently remind the speaker that the person of whom they spoke had many other qualities, good and poor, beyond complexion and waistline. This singular attempt to change the world's vanity took no small effort, but I derived great satisfaction from the measured conclusions the castle occupants eventually shared of each other—at least within my earshot.

***

Given the activity that filled my days from dawn until long past nightfall, I had scant time for magical pursuits. When first I returned to Chateau de Montagne, I shied even from thinking the word
magic,
for I had no wish to rekindle the winter's hysteria. More than once I awoke in cold terror from a dream of Prince Florian announcing I was a witch. (Oddly, in the dream he murmured it fondly, stroking my hair as he leaned forward with a kiss.) Why he had not declared my status to all of Drachensbett, I could not deduce. In calmer moments I reminded myself 'twould be only his word against mine. Then, remembering his hissing disdain, I
could not but believe that he found me too repellent even to discuss. The thought pained me, argue though I might that his opinion should not affect me in the least.

My feelings—about magic, not Florian—calmed with time, but still I avoided the Wizard Tower. Each night as I settled myself into bed, I would remember I had not visited my wizard room in some time and would promise to do so soon, perhaps the next day; at the moment, however, I coveted only sleep. And when the next day came, I was needed in so many places, not as a Doppelschläferin but as a thinking young woman, that again the promise slipped away. I had experienced enough magic for some time, and I was wise enough to sense that magic, like life, cannot be accomplished in bits and stolen moments but requires all of one's attention, and my attention, happily, was elsewhere.

Drachensbett continued to press for an answer to their Claim of Benevolent Succession. Lord Frederick delayed and obfuscated, employing every weapon in his diplomatic arsenal. The queen's headaches, alas, prevented discussion. Then came rumor of Prince Walter, or a man much resembling Prince Walter, in far-off Farina. A party was dispatched at once to investigate. The man proved to be only a sailor fleeing debtors, with no relation to Prince Walter or our nation...

Summer passed; September bloomed. Diplomats, waiting in the throne room, demanded an answer. Hidden behind the throne room's portal, I chewed my knuckles in worry.

Choosing her words with utmost care, Sophia spoke. "We are most grateful for your concern for our country's welfare, and we have no wish to violate this most honored doctrine. Therefore, having no alternative, we honor your Claim of Benevolent Succession.

Her announcement sent a shock through the crowd—and Princess Benevolence.

"However ... we make one small request. As you so clearly delineated when first you approached our court, the faults of the princess are legion. Yet of late she has applied herself with commendable diligence.

"Your Majesty—and I mean this as no insult to your efforts—I observed her with my own eyes, the ambassador uttered coldly.

"As have we all. But we, when our maladies permit, have also witnessed a transformation, and we cannot but believe, should the girl's enthusiasm continue, that she may yet develop—with proper mate, of course—into an acceptable ruler.

"The prince has no interest in her hand.

"That point has been made, the queen answered with equal frigidity. "Still, we would ask that Drachensbett for one month withhold its claim. October shall see our autumn festival, culminating with a great ball to honor our nation. At that event we shall present Benevolence to our neighbors, His Majesty Renaldo above all, that assessment of her capacity may be made.

Inside my secret passage, I near collapsed from panic.
The footmen nearest the portal peered about for the source of such peculiar squeaking until I gagged myself with my fist. Whose shoulders be broad and strong enough to bear the weight of a nation—to bear the weight when clad in an asphyxiating gown, trapped in the scorching beams of a thousand prying eyes? Not my shoulders, surely. Oh, if only the queen had asked me ere presenting me on a platter for the world to dissect! I could not imagine enduring a ball at all, particularly given the uniquely horrific circumstances of the previous one, and then to add to this toxic brew the requirement that I perform more admirably than ever a princess has, or my country be sacrificed forever...

Consulting with his group, the ambassador at last answered that he could not speak for his king and so must return to court for further instructions.

The queen nodded. Perhaps delay had been her intent all along, I thought with a leap of hope. The Drachensbett contingent withdrew, and, alone with my thoughts, I returned to my chambers and the nap upon which I had fervently insisted. That night at dinner, Beatrix and Sophia commented that my rest appeared to have left me oddly fatigued. As ever, no reference was made to Drachensbett, the queen not wishing to distress me.

***

Days passed without answer. Eavesdropping, I learned that King Renaldo might easily construe Sophia's request as rejection, and so attack at his desire. The completion of Ferdinand's Wall grew ever more imperative, and bonfires burned through the night to light the men's work. The queen with her innate military instinct posted soldiers disguised as shepherds across Ancienne to detect any sign of infiltration. I could not but pity the soldiers, for the men came from shepherding stock, and grievous it must have been to return to the stinking flocks they had toiled so long to escape.

Then, a fortnight after that fateful meeting, these patrolling soldiers discovered two strangers wandering the upper reaches of Ancienne. Though the men appeared to be only travelers from faraway lands, the soldiers took no chances, and promptly escorted them to Chateau de Montagne. The queen insisted on questioning them herself, inviting Lord Frederick to participate and me to observe.

Led into the throne room, the men bowed in an adequate if generic fashion. They wore the dusty robes of wool merchants, down to the guild's rosette that guaranteed safe passage through foreign parts, and appeared suitably uncomfortable before the queen but not otherwise anxious.

"We have heard tales of the court of Montagne, the larger man spoke. "But we never imagined to one day behold its beauties.

"We appreciate your flattery," answered Sophia. "But still we wonder at your presence on our mountain, for its reaches are inaccessible to any but shepherd or sheep.

The man smiled. "That be the cause of our troubles. You see, my companion has heard talk of a rare goat, with wool akin to cashmere, that occupies Drach—ah, Ancienne, as you term it.

The queen stiffened at this mention of Drachensbett. "There is no goat.

The smaller of the men now spoke. "We know that now, all too well. But in our explorations—conducted, as you might appreciate, with great secrecy—we wandered farther than intended and so came to the attention of certain well-armed shepherds.

"Yes. Compelling your tale be. Yet our relationship with Drachensbett suffers, and should news of'well-armed shepherds' reach their ears, it will not bode well. Though the queen's face remained impassive, I had spent enough time with the woman in recent months to develop some insight into her temper, and I could sense her burgeoning frustration.

"Your Majesty, I said softly. As one, the group turned upon me. Sophia frowned at my interruption, while the two strangers regarded me with the arrogance certain men forever display toward the weaker sex.

Only Lord Frederick supported me. "Yes, Your Highness?

"May we present Benevolence, Crown Princess of Montagne, declared Sophia belatedly.

I swallowed. Since their entrance, I had studied the two men. Though their dress and mannerisms indicated without question their merchant status, I could not but wonder at their story. All my life I had devoured tales of Ancienne, more so since my return from Drachensbett, and now considered myself as well informed as the country's eldest sage. Yet never once had I heard whisper of cashmere goats. "Please, Your Majesty, their quest should be encouraged."

The two men beamed smugly as Sophia scowled. "Benevolence, you know not your place—

"Do not forget that cashmere would line our pockets as well as their own. I suggest a platoon of soldiers accompany these merchants to the highest reaches of Ancienne, supply them with the most delectable foodstuffs—roast pig, spiced
wine, hot meat pies—and, taking care to secure the merchants that they do not wander into the wrong hands, leave them for a week to conduct their investigation unimpeded.

The queen stared at me in shock, but I had eyes only for the strangers, whose erect confidence wilted with every word I spoke.

"D-de-delectable f-f-foodstuffs? the smaller man asked. "S-s-secure?

I nodded. "In a manner that would permit free movement about your campsite, of course. Perhaps some length of chain, a comfortable ankle ring?

The men gaped in horror at each other. "That is—we would never want to disturb—we are not
ambitious
merchants—" the first man began.

"We are not merchants at all! piped up the smaller one. He fell to his knees before the queen. Hastily the other followed, and together they reached for the queen's hem.

"Indeed," said the queen, flicking her skirt from their reach. "What be your work?

"To m-monitor Montagne's activities, in pr-preparation for attack.

"Attack? When?

The two men gulped, struggling for an answer.

"We quite relish, she prodded, "the notion of chaining you to Ancienne.

"They shall attack with the full moon! The prince leads a battalion to take the castle.

"Have you other information for us?

"No. Truly! We were kept from further planning, lest we be ... captured.

"The full moon comes tomorrow night, Lord Frederick whispered.

"Remove them! Sophia gestured as if the two spies were overcooked beef. They were dragged from the room fearfully avoiding my eye.

Lord Frederick whooped and clapped me on the back with the enthusiasm of a man a third his age, and Sophia herself could not suppress a smile. "Tell us, Benevolence, how did you manage ... We mean to say, how...?

"I simply presented to them the benefits of speaking the truth, I offered with a shrug.

"Yes, we recognize that! But why would Ancienne be viewed so fearfully?

"I have heard talk—I selected my words with care, for I
could not reveal too extensive a knowledge of our foe—"that the men of Drachensbett truly believe a dragon resides atop Ancienne. If the strangers hailed from that country, then this belief, I thought, might be used in our favor.

"And the roast pig?"

"In the stories I read as a child, dragons were forever lured to strong-smelling food.

The queen settled back with a satisfied smile. "Threatening them with a man-eating dragon ... We must confess, Benevolence, that our esteem of you waxes with each passing day.

Aspire as I might to project queenly dignity, I could not restrain a flush of pride.

"Frederick, assemble a council of war that we might respond to the information our niece has so adroitly obtained.

***

I had never expected that a war council would be so excruciatingly
dull.
Hours passed, twilight deepened, Venus twinkled through the window, stars one by one pricked the inking sky, and still they droned on about supply lines, revetments, chains of command, and optimal signal networks.

The entrance of Xavier the Younger brought new urgency to the proceedings. He had overseen every element of Ferdinand's Wall these past months, and he raced to join our council as soon as the messenger reached him. At once the queen questioned him on its completion.

"Another month, perhaps, Your Majesty, he said, shaking his head, "with men working 'round the clock ... The two ends are done, mind you. It's the middle that's exposed.

"We do not have a month! Sophia slapped the table. "We have a day! What of a temporary barricade?" Observing her, I recalled Prince Florian describing the woman as more general than queen. He had spoken critically, but at the moment I cherished her fierce determination.

"We've thrown one up, well as we can. But it won't survive flame or battering, I'll tell you that."

His voice faded as footsteps pounded in the corridor. Seconds later, a soldier burst into the room. "Flares—two flares! The attack has begun!"

"Are you quite certain? the queen asked, her control calming the incipient panic.

"Yes, Your Majesty. The soldier nodded, panting. "Two flares—set off together—it has one meaning and one meaning only.

"They must have moved the attack forward when their spies did not return ... Saddle our horse! Xavier? Frederick? We must depart at once!

"Surely you don't mean
you're
going to battle?" Xavier interrupted.

"We most certainly are! This conflict requires our every attention.

"And mine! I piped up, scurrying to fall in line behind her.

"You shall do no such thing! Sophia roared, turning upon me.

"But I am heir to the throne—!

"Yes! And as such, you shall remain locked in your chambers until your duties require you elsewhere. Frederick! She paused and sighed, turning back to me. "Understand, Benevolence, that we ... that should we ... that you, my girl, represent Montagne ... should we perish." And with a sweep of robes, she was gone.

***

I pounded my bedroom door, raging and cursing, to no effect. How dare I be treated so! Once the queen had considered me worthless, and now apparently I was too valuable,
but the end result was the same: dismissed while others conducted the affairs of state.