Veiled Dreams (12 page)

A sudden scream from the garden stopped them. Then Maniella was running towards the shed.

‘Come quickly,’ she shouted. ‘Leonis needs you.’

They found him sitting on the steps to the front door. His
head was in his hands. He looked up as they came towards them.

‘It’s Imigriana,’ he said, ‘the Riders of the Northern Territories have her.’

‘Kidnapped?’ asked Philaderan.

Leonis nodded and buried his head back in his hands.

The sun was beginning to sink. The servants began to carry in trays of food ready for the evening meal. Christina knew she would not be able to eat. The others didn’t look interested either. But at least Leonis seemed calmer now.

‘Can you remember their exact words?’ asked Philaderan for the hundredth time.

‘The princess will not be freed until what is rightfully ours is returned to us and there is peace in Ixeria,’ said Leonis.

‘Ha!’ said Maniella. ‘Silly men! It is them that are making a war, not our king and queen. It is because they have men in charge up there instead of leaving it to the women! That is what happens when you go against nature.’

‘It’s not that simple,’ said Philaderan. ‘And anyway, it’s time you were in bed.’

‘Very well,’ said Maniella, ‘but only if Christina comes too.’

‘I shall come soon,’ said Christina. She did feel tired, but she doubted whether she would be able to sleep. It still felt as if it was all her fault. If she hadn’t have messed around with Leonis, then reacted so strongly when Imigriana was so upset, both of them would be tucked up safely in the palace now.

‘Remember, you must rest after an attack,’ said Maniella. ‘And don’t forget to take some more pollogum seeds before you go to bed.’ She skipped over and kissed Christina on the cheek. Then she danced out of the room, waving to everyone. ‘We shall soon find Imigriana,’ she called. ‘Just you see!’

‘I don’t really understand – why are these Riders of the Northern Territories so against Queen Benelov and King Tutoralph,’ said Christina. ‘What do they want?’

‘They’re still part of Ixeria,’ said Leonis. ‘In fact, if you go back
far enough the royal family originally came from there, but they decided centuries ago to live further south, where it is cooler.’

‘The people in the Northern Territories live differently from us,’ said Leonis. ‘The men are in charge, but they are not kind to their women.’

‘But why are they trying to attack the royal family? What are they supposed to have that belongs to them?’ asked Christina.

‘That is what nobody knows and what my father is going to try to find out. As soon as Lydia arrives,’ replied Philaderan.

No one spoke for a few moments. It was ridiculous that Lydia was going to have to come to chaperone her. Pity the Riders of the Northern Territories hadn’t kidnapped her instead. Still, Imigriana was probably a better target.

Christina wondered what Philaderan’s parents would be able to do better from the palace than they could do here. And what about Queen Benelov and King Tutoralph? It must be really worrying for them. She couldn’t help smiling to herself at the thought that perhaps something might happen to Lydia on the way across. The Riders of Northern Territories were welcome to her. But then she stopped that thought. If Lydia didn’t come, then Philaderan’s father and mother could not go, and for some reason, which she could not understand, everyone thought that was going to bring about a solution.

Leonis looked terrible. He was pale and his forehead had a permanent frown. What had she done? Perhaps it would be better if she did go to bed after all. She was just about to stand up and announce that was what she would do, when the servants came in to clear the hardly touched food.

Still no one spoke. The servants didn’t look at them directly.

‘I’ll have to do something,’ said Leonis. ‘I can’t just sit here.’

‘Wait until Lydia arrives, at least,’ said Philaderan. ‘Then, my father will set off, and I’ll be in charge of the guard here. Besides, you need some rest first. And we need to think it all out.’

‘Talking of which,’ said Christina. ‘I think I’ll go to bed now as
well. Before Maniella’s got to sleep. I don’t want to wake her up.’

Philaderan nodded. ‘You ought to, too, you know,’ he said looking at Leonis.

Leonis shook his head.

Christina was hardly at the door, when one of the servants arrived.

‘The lady’s maid from the palace is here,’ he announced.

‘Show her in!’ replied Philaderan.

Christina wished she had gone to bed when Maniella had. But it was too late now. Seconds later, in walked Lydia. Her cloak was dusty from the journey, but otherwise she was as immaculate as ever. Not a single hair showed beneath her veil. The high forehead and permanently raised eyebrows made her look stern, even though the veil covered most of her face. Other women looked expressionless because of their veils, at least until they spoke and their eyes started to dance. Not Lydia. Her icy eyes looked straight at Christina.

‘So! Miss Christina,’ she said. ‘You did frighten us – until we had other things to worry about. Of course, you were the cause of those as well. And now I have had to make this tiresome journey across the desert, at a time of such danger, to chaperone a young girl who has come from goodness knows where and who is much too fond of the company of young men.’

You bitch
, thought Christina. But she realised that Lydia was only saying out loud what she herself had been thinking. It was all her fault.

‘Well,’ said Lydia. ‘I think this little party should be broken up. Yet again, Miss Christina, here you are in the company of two young men, without a chaperone.’

‘My sister was here until half an hour ago,’ said Philaderan. ‘And Christina was about to go to bed.’

‘Very well,’ said Lydia. ‘I shall go and change. Order the servants to bring me something to eat and drink. I shall return here in about twenty minutes, and I expect to see you all gone. I
shall take my refreshments and then I shall come and see that all is well with Miss Maniella and Miss Christina.’ She turned round smartly and went out of the room.

‘What was that?’ asked Philaderan.

‘That was the Lady Lydia,’ explained Leonis. ‘Imigriana says she is a real creep and seems to have some sort of hold over the queen. Queen Benelov keeps her on, even though she doesn’t really need her any more. Scary, isn’t she? It must be horrible living with her, isn’t it, Christina?’

‘Er…oof,’ replied Christina. She couldn’t think what to say. She did find Lydia creepy, and she knew that Imigriana didn’t like her either, but that was the first she’d heard about her having any sort of hold over Queen Benelov.

‘Well, now that she’s here,’ said Leonis, ‘I’d better get going. You’ll help me get past the guards, won’t you?’

‘What?’ cried Philaderan. ‘Not until you’ve had some rest and we’ve made some proper plans.’

‘I have made some plans,’ said Leonis. ‘Can I borrow one of your sandhorses? I think the dragon will be too noisy.’

‘You can,’ replied Philaderan, ‘but only if you explain exactly what you intend to do, and only if I come with you.’

‘I intend to disguise myself as one of the king’s soldiers,’ said Leonis, ‘and ride out and see what they have found out. There is no need to come with me.’

‘Oh yes there is,’ replied Philaderan. ‘You’re not going alone. You’re too wound up.’

‘What about me?’ asked Christina.

‘No way!’ cried Philaderan and Leonis together.

‘This is men’s work,’ replied Leonis.

Ouch!
thought Christina
You wouldn’t get away with that where I come from
.

‘Hey,’ said Philaderan, touching Christina’s arm gently. ‘You’re one brave young lady, we know that, but you need to rest even more than he does and I need you to keep an eye on my little
sister. Protect her from the monstrous Lydia, and above all, mastermind the operation from here.’

Nice cop out
, thought Christina. But it was true that she was exhausted. Perhaps she’d better go to bed and then in the morning she’d be able to think more clearly.

‘This is only to find out what the soldiers know already,’ said Philaderan to Leonis. ‘Then when we know that we might be able to form a plan.’ He turned to Christina again. ‘That’s where you come in.’

They heard footsteps coming along the corridor.

‘Quick! Let’s go,’ called Philaderan. ‘She’s coming back.’

But it was only one of the servants.

‘I have come to ask, Lord Philaderan, whether the queen’s maid requires any refreshment?’ he said.

‘Oh yes, bring her something to eat and drink. Something good for someone who’s had a long journey. I’m sure you’ll choose wisely.’

The servant bowed and made his way back out of the room.

‘Best get going,’ said Philaderan.

‘Take care,’ Christina found herself saying. There was a lump in her throat. She really meant that. There was a distinct possibility that Philaderan was taking the place of Jan.

All three of them set off at once to their rooms. Christina quietly opened the door of Maniella’s bedroom. She tiptoed over to the small washroom and quickly made herself ready for bed. The dressing room was really a small alcove rather than a separate room. In the dim light, Christina could just make out the outline of the younger girl fast asleep.

I wonder whether she always sleeps like that
, thought Christina. Maniella was stretched out halfway down the bed, the sheets right up over her head. Christina remembered to take a few pollogum seeds, like Maniella had told her to.
Wouldn’t want to disobey you, young lady
, she thought.

Maniella was sleeping so quietly. Christina guessed she must
be in a very deep sleep. Unless…a terrifying thought suddenly struck Christina. What if despite everything Maniella had had another fit? And smothered herself in the process? She quickly pulled the covers off the bed.

There was no Maniella. Only two pillows placed end to end to look like a person sleeping.

Christina went to cry out and managed to put her hand in front of her mouth in time. She didn’t want Lydia finding this out. She must find Philaderan and Leonis before they set off. Quickly she copied Maniella’s trick and stuffed her pillows into the bed. Then she took off her outer clothes, except for her veil and strew them over the floor to make it look as if she had hurried to get into bed. Lydia would like that, a confirmation that Christina was really a slut and definitely no lady. She grabbed the woollen cloak she had worn earlier and the bag containing the chalice. That must go everywhere with her.

Would she catch them in time? She climbed out of the window. Fortunately, the drop to the ground wasn’t too deep. She would have to sneak round the outside of the garden. The moonlight was useful. At least she could see where she was going and it would certainly help Philaderan and Leonis. On the other hand, it meant that she could be seen if she just ran across the open space.

Her heart thumped as she moved as quickly as the bushes and the woollen cloak would let her. She had to stoop most of the way and the cloak kept getting caught on branches. Once or twice her veil snagged as well.

Eventually, she got there. She literally felt a huge weight lift from her chest as she could hear Philaderan’s and Leonis’s voices still in the stables.

‘It must have been one of my father’s men,’ she heard Philaderan say. ‘I’ll make sure he gets a flogging, whoever he is, when he gets back.’

‘Well, which two shall we take?’ said Leonis.

‘Philaderan!’ Christina called out, now feeling quite sick.

‘What the hell are you doing here?’ shouted Philaderan.

Christina jumped. ‘Maniella’s gone missing,’ she managed to blurt out.

‘So has Sandstorm,’ whispered Philaderan. ‘So has Sandstorm.’

Philaderan had gone pale. He was shaking. Christina just wanted to put her arms around him, hug him and take all the hurt and worry away. Yet she daren’t.

‘The bastards!’ he cried. ‘What do they want with her? They’d better not hurt her.’

‘I don’t think anyone has taken her,’ said Christina quietly. ‘I think she’s run away.’ She explained about the pillows.

‘The little idiot,’ said Philaderan. ‘What does she think she’s playing at? She can’t handle Sandstorm.’

‘Don’t worry,’ said Leonis. ‘She’s a great horse woman for her age. And Sandstorm is an obedient horse.’

Philaderan grunted a reply. He looked hard at the ground as if the instructions about what to do next were written there.

‘Right,’ he said suddenly. ‘We’d better take Swift and Bella. They’re fast and strong.’

‘We’ll soon catch up with her,’ said Leonis.

‘If we hurry,’ said Philaderan. He and Leonis started saddling the horses. Minutes later, they were ready to go.

‘You’d better get back inside,’ said Philaderan.

‘Er, I don’t think so,’ said Leonis. He pointed towards the house.

The lights were going on in every room. The servants were shouting and Lydia’s screeching voice was giving orders.

‘You’d better get up here,’ said Leonis, offering an arm to Christina.

She hesitated. Philaderan frowned.

‘No, I think here would be better,’ he said, pulling Christina on to the saddle in front of him. ‘Swift is stronger.’

He patted Swift’s neck. ‘Find Sandstorm,’ he said. ‘There’s a
boy.’

Then they were galloping through the moonlight. Swift seemed to Christina just as fast and strong as Sandstorm. Bella seemed to be keeping up. On and on they went. It began to feel cold; Christina pulled her cloak more firmly round her. Philaderan nestled into her and held her tight.

‘The worst of the night’s cold is over,’ he whispered. ‘Swift will find him soon.’

Despite all the worry, it was good to be on horseback with Philaderan again. This time it was even better. She was closer to him because they were sharing a saddle. His breath was warm on her neck.

Swift slowed down to a trot. Bella followed suit.

‘Is he getting tired?’ asked Christina.

‘No,’ replied Philaderan. ‘He’s seen something.’

‘There, look,’ cried Leonis. ‘There were two shadowy figures moving. One was a horse. But the other was certainly not Maniella. The figure was much too large.

‘Is it Sandstorm?’ asked Christina.

‘I think it is,’ replied Philaderan. ‘But I have no idea who that is with him.’

He slowed the horse down.

‘I’m not sure I like the look of this,’ said Philaderan.

‘Well, we can’t assume anything,’ said Leonis. ‘At least it looks as if whoever is with the horse is not carrying any weapon.’

‘I’ll go on foot to meet them,’ said Philaderan. ‘Cover me.’

He slipped down from the horse and handed the reins to Leonis. Swift fidgeted a bit.

‘Steady boy,’ whispered Christina, patting the horse’s neck. She was not quite sure what she was doing, but it seemed to work.

She watched Philaderan walk slowly across the sand. The horse and the other person were making their way over to meet him. There was something very familiar about the way whoever
it was walking. Yes, definitely he was quite short and was waddling across the sand. Unmistakeably!

Christina wanted to jump down from the horses and run over to him, but she didn’t dare.

‘Budela!’ she cried. ‘It’s me, Christina!’

Leonis looked at her as if she had gone mad. Philaderan turned and frowned.

‘Ah ah!’ shouted the Budela. ‘Princess Christina! How fortunate that I should see you.’ He let go of Sandstorm’s rein. ‘There now. You go to your master,’ he said. He patted the horse’s rump. He neighed and trotted obediently over to Philaderan. He took the reins and the horse nuzzled him.

‘Who is that?’ asked Leonis. ‘And how do you know him?’

‘It’s the Budela, the Prophet,’ said Christina. She suddenly remembered what the Prophet had said the last time they’d met.

‘Let’s walk over and meet them,’ said Leonis. ‘Walking will warm you up a bit.’ He jumped off Bella and helped Christina off Swift. Soon the four people and the three horses were standing together.

‘It’s a fine night to be out for a ride,’ said the Budela, ‘though I’m afraid I didn’t trust my great weight on your gentleman here for too long, strong though he is. So, we walked, and I was rather hoping he might lead me to his owner. And he has.’

‘Well, we’re not exactly out on a jolly,’ muttered Philaderan. ‘We’re looking for my sister and the royal princess.’

‘Ah, yes, the kidnapping,’ said the Budela. ‘Unfortunate, but I believe it will help to bring about the fulfilment of my prophecy.’ He looked up at the sky. ‘I’ve been reading the stars this night. All is finally coming to a head. Definitely.’ He looked hard at Philaderan. ‘Your sister is brave. She will serve us all well.’

‘I know she’s brave,’ said Philaderan. ‘She’s too brave for her own good. She’s only twelve. She’s not all that well.’ His voice cracked. He wiped his face with his sleeve. He looked away from the other three.

He’s crying
, thought Christina.
And he doesn’t want anyone to see
. ‘It’s all right,’ she said, putting an arm around his shoulders. ‘We
will
find her.’

Philaderan pulled her towards him and held her tight. He buried his head in her shoulder. She felt his body shake, and knew then that she was falling for him. Could she love him as much as Jan? More than Jan? She couldn’t be sure. He suddenly took a deep breath. His body stiffened and he raised his head. He looked straight at the Budela.

Christina noticed that Leonis was staring straight ahead, not making eye contact with any of them.

They’re both being so brave
, thought Christina.
I must be strong
,
too
.

‘The horse came from that direction,’ said the Budela, pointing toward where the sun was just beginning to come up. ‘And there are signs that other riders passed that way. It is time you went on your way, my children.’

‘How will you get back?’ asked Christina.’ It’ll be hot here soon.’

‘Oh, the desert is my friend,’ said the Budela. ‘I know her ways. I come here to read the signs more easily. Take care, and find the truth.’ He suddenly did a cartwheel and then started waddling away from them.

‘Well,’ said Leonis. ‘Imigriana did tell me about him, but I still hadn’t imagined him quite like that.’

‘Let’s go,’ said Philaderan.

There were now three horses and three riders. There was going to be less chance of the horses getting tired. Christina protested at first. She’d only ever ridden a horse a few times before, and always with a hard hat on her head and an instructor telling her what to do all the time with the most docile of horses Even the relatively gentle Bella was much more fiery than any other horse she’d met before.

‘You’ll be fine,’ Philaderan said. ‘Bella will take Sandstorm’s
lead. They’re brother and sister. And I’ll tell you what to do.’

Christina soon remembered how to ride, and she began to enjoy it. It wasn’t quite as good as being on the back of a motorbike, and the horse took a little time to react to instructions. It wasn’t instant, like with a bike. But the sun was shining on her face and it felt good. She did miss feeling Philaderan’s arms around her, though.

‘We’ll have to stop soon,’ said Philaderan. ‘We won’t be able to carry on for much longer in the heat.’

‘Let’s just go for another hour,’ said Leonis. ‘The tracks are still fresh.’

‘Mightn’t they just be from the king’s soldiers?’ asked Christina.

‘No,’ said Philaderan. ‘Wrong type of horseshoe. And this is a whole army. The soldiers only ever ride out in groups of five.’

They came to the bottom of a huge sand dune.

‘I’ll gallop up to the top and see what I can see,’ said Leonis. ‘Best if we only take one horse up there.’

Christina and Philaderan watched him take Swift up to the top. He turned round slowly until he was about three quarters of the way through a complete circle, and then he froze. All at once, he galloped back down.

‘They’re here,’ he cried. ‘A great big camp. Just about three miles away.’

‘What shall we do?’ asked Christina.

‘Stay here until nightfall?’ suggested Leonis. ‘And then try and sneak in after dark.

Philaderan nodded. ‘We’ll take it in turns being on watch. But you sleep first, Christina, and you, Leonis. I’ll take first turn.’

Christina was glad to snuggle down into the makeshift bed. She was tired. She was still suffering the after effects of the fit and she hadn’t had any sleep the night before. Besides, she felt perfectly safe with these two.

Mona came to her in her dreams. ‘Child, the time is near,’ she
said. ‘The day of the twins is about to come. You will see less of me now.’

‘But I am seeing less of you,’ said Christina. ‘You’ve not spoken to me for ages.’

‘Yes, that is so,’ said Mona. ‘But you must do this on your own now. I will be with you, though you will not see me.’

When she woke up, the sun was sinking and Leonis was checking the horses.

‘Ah, the sleeping princess awakes,’ he said.

Christina thought he still looked tired.

‘Only a couple more hours to go,’ he said. ‘If you’re worried about anything at all, wake me up. Let Philaderan sleep. He didn’t wake me. He’s done most of the watch. But I would like another rest.’

It didn’t take him long to fall asleep. There didn’t seem to be any danger. The three horses were chewing peacefully on some food Leonis had put on the ground for them. Leonis was sleeping with his back to her, his head completely covered by his headdress. But Philaderan was lying on his back, his face fully in view. The large dune shaded him from the sun. There was a slight frown on his forehead.

‘You poor sweetheart,’ Christina murmured. ‘I wish I could soothe your troubles away.’ She longed to reach out and touch him, but didn’t dare.

There was nothing to see out here. She was still staring at him when he awoke just over an hour later.

‘Hey, you,’ he said. ‘I thought you were supposed to be on watch.’ But he wasn’t cross. The frown disappeared from his forehead and he smiled.

‘I am on watch,’ replied Christina. ‘I’m watching you.’ Then to her horror, she blushed.

Philaderan laughed. ‘Better wake sleeping beauty there,’ he said.

They didn’t need to. Leonis woke up on his own. The sun was
right down now. They quickly got the horses ready and they began to move slowly towards the camp.

‘We’ll just have to go and look,’ said Leonis. ‘If we can get them out, good. But we mustn’t be seen. We have nothing to bargain with.’

‘Oh, but we have,’ said Christina, excitedly, remembering what she was carrying. She didn’t have time to explain.

‘Stop right where you are,’ a deep voice suddenly cried.