Casimir's Journey (26 page)

When he woke, the candle near his bed guttered. He threw back the coverlets. “Roys?” He called.

Roysten’s head popped out from his side chamber. “You rang, oh noble knight?”

Hadden looked at him. His face was red, and he looked more cheerful than usual. “You’re drunk,” he said.

“I’ve been extremely social,” Roysten corrected. “Thought you’d might like to know, your lady is all deep in thought. She sat at the table and barely spoke a word. Her beloved, however, is another story. He was most attentive to the Lady Adelaide, and Thea didn’t seem bothered one whit. There’s much speculation over the matter, although most seem to think Sebastian won’t give up the crown.” He hiccupped.

“Well done! What else?”

“They think you’ve been poisoned and that’s why you kept to your rooms today. Something to consider for tomorrow.”

“It depends on how long the revelry lasts tonight,” said Hadden. “Go to bed. I’m going to lay down again.”

“Gladly” said Roysten. “This information gathering is hard business.” His head disappeared, and Hadden could hear him fall onto his bed. Looked like he’d be solo this evening regardless of whether he could wake Roysten. Probably better, with the amount of ale Roysten had consumed. He didn’t often see his friend drunk. He’d lie down for a bit longer and wait to see if any of the princesses peeked in as they had last night. He took up the cloak, and put it in the wardrobe. He didn’t want anyone else picking it up. Not even Roysten.

When he opened his eyes, Roysten was shaking him. “What? Is it time to follow them?”

“What are you talking about? It’s morning, Hadden. Do you mean to tell me you didn’t follow them last night?”

Hadden sat up, panic setting in. “No! I lay down, as it was still early, and the next thing I knew, you were waking me up. Why did I not wake last night? Did you wake at all?

Roysten shook his head. “No. I had far more ale than I ought to have last night.”

“You did, but I doubt it would have mattered. You didn’t awake even when I tried two nights ago. I can’t believe I didn’t wake up.”

“There’s some sort of magic that sets over the place,” said Roysten. “I’ve never stayed asleep through someone waking me.”

“Surely you didn’t have too much ale that night as well?” Hadden teased. He was upset he’d not been able to follow the princesses, but he knew where they went, at least. He was not completely at a loss in terms of solving the mystery.

“I had but a glass or two!” Roysten protested. “We need to see what was different about two nights ago compared to last night.”

“Your ale consumption,” shot back Hadden. Roysten glared at him. “All right, all right, let’s go back through both nights. Can you have some breakfast sent up for us? I don’t want to try to field the hall this morning.”

Roysten went out of the room, and was back within minutes. “Done,” he said. “More questions about your health, but I assured them you were well and hale, and chose to eat in chambers before committing the entire day to the pleasure of the ladies.”

“Did you really spout such tripe?” Hadden rolled his eyes.

“Something like,” Roysten said, laughing. “Got away, and got breakfast coming so it worked.”

“Something was different last night. We just have to decipher what it was,” said Hadden. “Let’s go through the first night. What did we do?”

“Took the wine from Princess Perch,” said Roysten. Now it was Hadden’s turn to glare. “We dumped half of it, and went to bed.”

“What did you do when you went to bed?”

“What I normally do. Set out what I needed for the next day, looked over what you needed, and took off my boots and hose.”

“I did the same.”
              “What did you do with the cloak?” Roysten asked. “I’ve yet to see it.”

“It’s right here,” Hadden said, going to the wardrobe. “I put it in here last night—” He stopped. “Wait. Wait. The first night, I put the cloak on before getting into bed. That must be it. The cloak renders the wearer invisible. If there is a spell, as you suspect, then maybe it kept the spell from working against me?” He looked at Roysten, who shrugged.

“It’s a good as a guess as any,” he said. “Wear it tonight.”

Further conversation halted for the arrival of breakfast. They fell on the tray like wolves. Once they were finished, Hadden picked up the conversation.

“You really believe it’s that simple? I’m having a hard time accepting it.”

“What’s the only thing you’ve done differently from your nightly routine?” Roysten didn’t appear as bothered. “Outside of the massive amounts of sorcery and enchantment, which I wish we were not meddling with, that is.”

“We’d have no chance if it weren’t for this sorcery and enchantment.”

“Doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

“Fair enough.”

“Finish up. You need to go out and be social and we’ll test your theory tonight.”

Hadden nodded. He finished eating, and then Roysten helped him to get ready. He ventured out to meet up with all twelve of the princesses. As Roysten had told him regarding last night, Sebastian paid lip service to Thea. He offered his arm to Adelaide all afternoon, along with Thea.

Hadden stayed close to Thea, picking up where Sebastian fell down. Once or twice, Sebastian shot him a grateful look.

Hadden was happy to be close to Thea, although he had no idea what they spoke of. There was a walk through the grounds, and then a picnic on the far lawn, and the pins were brought out for bowls. His thoughts kept returning to what lay ahead.

By the time everyone returned to the castle, he had no patience for further dancing attendance. He excused himself and made his way to his room, asking a passing footman to bring him a tray.

He ate in silence, wondering where Roysten was. His continued solitude, although self-imposed, irritated him greatly. When Roysten finally returned, he was in a towering temper.

Which wasn’t fair, but he shoved that thought away.

“Been out drinking again?”

“Not at all. Been talking and listening. The entire court thinks you’re sick and is sure that tomorrow will be the end of you.”

“Is that all? They thought that from the moment I stepped forward.” He tossed the apple core he’d been eating onto the tray.

“It’s also been noticed that you have spent more time with the Crown Princess than anyone else, and all are wondering what magic Thea has to keep drawing the suitors to herself. Surprisingly, none of this talk comes from her sisters. They all seem most concerned for her.”

“They told you that?” Hadden lost some of his anger in surprise.

“No, fool. I was being helpful fetching and carrying. I heard them. I told you, I’m no more than a wall to most of this court.”

“This is it tonight. I’m going to go alone.”

“The hell you are.” Roysten glared.

“The cloak isn’t big enough to cover both of us. But what we’ll do is both get into my bed, and I’ll cover us both with the cloak. Then, when I follow the princesses, I want you to look around. Aren’t there attendants in their rooms? Where are they when all this goes on? See if everyone else is sleeping so deeply they can’t be woken. And Roys,” he said. “If you hear the princesses come back in and I am not in within a few minutes, make a fuss. Go looking for me. I don’t want to get trapped below.” He couldn’t explain the horror he felt at the idea. “It’s not easy to keep up with them without being noticed.”

Roysten’s anger had calmed. “All right. I can do that. Let’s get ready.”

They were interrupted by a knock. Roysten went to open it, and Thea stood outside.

“Would you care to join us for some refreshment before retiring?” She asked, actually smiling. It showed just how lovely she was, Hadden thought.

“I am tired still, my lady,” he said, stepping forward. Roysten held the door open wide. “I will take a cup, however.”

“I’m pleased to get it for you,” Thea’s smile faded somewhat.

As before, Hadden watched her go to a tray on a table next to the far wall of the solarium. He motioned to Roysten to come and watch. Thea had her back to them, and they could see her doing something and then suddenly—there it was. She reached into her pocket and pulled something out.

“The jeweled locket,” Hadden whispered.

Then she returned it to her pocket, and came back to them, carrying two cups. “I thought you and your esquire might like some,” she said.

Hadden peered at her. She looked as though she was going to burst into tears. She wasn’t hiding it very well.

Even Roysten looked closer at her.

“We thank you for your kindness in serving us yourself, my lady,” Hadden said.

Apparently, that was too much. She choked back a sob, handed the cups to them, and rushed away.

Hadden closed the door, and turned to Roysten. “Looks guilty as can be, doesn’t she?”

Roysten was thoughtful. “She looks like she’s going to fall to pieces.”

“Not such a cold fish now, is she?” He felt protective of her.

“I’m willing to be wrong, if we make it out of this,” said Roysten.

They walked to the window, and Roysten opened it. Together, they poured the cups out the window, and set them on the table near the bed.

They both lay under the cloak. The night was very still, and Hadden felt himself jump at every noise. At last, when it seemed it would never happen, he heard the whisper of people outside his door. He nudged Roysten. “Close your eyes.”

He closed his, and listened.

The door opened. “Is he sleeping?”

Hadden heard a sigh. “They both are. Come. It was a false hope.” That was Thea, he was sure of it.

Less quietly now, the door closed, and voices rose beyond it.

Then they faded, and he tossed back the blankets. “It must have been the cloak,” he said. “I’m not sleepy in the least.”

“Nor I,” said Roysten. “Get going.”

“Wait for ten minutes, then see what you can find,” said Hadden. “Good luck.”

“See you later,” Roysten gave him an intense glare. “Don’t be late.”

Hadden tossed the cloak around his shoulders and slipped out the door.

He barely made it down the stairwell, just as before. He wondered what would happen if he was caught halfway in or out? Would he be cut in two? It wasn’t a pleasant thought.

The princesses were moving fast tonight. Why? They reached the shore, and the men and boats were already waiting.

This time, Hadden got into the boat with Thea. He knew he was taking a risk, but he wanted to be near her.

“Is all well tonight, my lady?” The man asked. What was his name again? Hadden searched his memory, and couldn’t find it.

“I am sorry, my lord Roderick,” said Thea. “We were detained above.”

“But you’re here now!” He was cheerful.

“Roderick, don’t you wish to go home? To see your family? I am sure your father misses you. You are his heir.” Thea’s tone had desperation in it.

“My father?”

“Yes, your father. The king. Do you not help him now that you are grown?”

The man was a prince? Prince Roderick? Hadden thought about it. Roderick…he couldn’t place him. If Roderick was a prince, were the rest of these men? He looked around in alarm. That would mean twelve royals were trapped down here. Why wasn’t this news being screamed across the countryside?

This was a problem of a different sort. Twelve princes, gone from their homes. How had war not started over this?

Focus
, he thought.

“My father will be fine. My younger brother, Ulric, can manage while I am here,” Roderick said. Good lord, the man was beaming.

Ulric? That was the prince who’d died first.

Hadden was glad he was covered by the cloak. He was so shocked, he could barely think. The crunching of the boat landing on the shore below the castle dragged him from his thoughts.

Once Roderick had helped Thea out, he followed. In the castle, he prowled around the edges of the ballroom. As before, he got a sense of others in the room, but he couldn’t see anyone.

“I know you’re there,” said a voice behind him.

He whirled, forgetting in his shock to be careful. He stopped immediately hoping that he hadn’t shown any of himself from under the cloak.

“I can’t see you, or tell who you are, but I know you’re near,” said the woman. It was the same older woman he’d seen two nights before. “I shall find you and discover just how,” her voice dropped dangerously, “You’ve managed to get to my private enclave. Enjoy it while you can, little stowaway.”

Her words chilled him to his core. This was a dangerous woman. No wonder Thea and her sisters were afraid. She didn’t even have to raise her voice.

Avoiding the woman kept him preoccupied the rest of the evening. When the music stopped, and all the princesses and their partners stopped to applaud, he was eager to get back to the boats. He moved ahead of the couples, and waited to see where Thea and Roderick would go.

He stepped in behind Thea.

“Roderick, if you wish to leave, all you have to do is say so,” Thea was weary.

For once, Roderick didn’t respond cheerfully and immediately. “I…I am not sure why I don’t want to leave, Thea. I’m sure there are things I ought to be doing. Important things.” He frowned, slowing his steady movement on the oars. “But…”

If Hadden hadn’t seen it, he would not have believed it. Lots of that going around. He was watching Roderick as he spoke, and it was as though someone had taken a cloth and wiped the thoughts from the man’s face. “But there is nothing more important than being here, in the castle, at the service of the Lady!” He exclaimed. The cheerful courtier was back.

Thea sighed. Hadden nearly sighed with her.

She didn’t speak again until the boat landed on the shore. Roderick helped her out, and called cheerily to her, eliciting a mumble. Thea hurried up the path through the forest, her sisters following.

Hadden hung back. He wanted to be near her but he was concerned that if he positioned himself near, he’d run into one or more of the sisters. He’d kept himself hidden thus far. He didn’t want to give himself away on the last night.

When all the princesses had gone up the stairs, he ran up them, and moved past them as they went towards their beds. He practically sprinted down the hallway, and burst through the door of his room.

Roysten was sitting on the bed, and he jumped up when Hadden entered.

“I’m so glad to see you!” He exclaimed. “It’s worse than a tomb in here!”

“Is it? Does everyone sleep?”

Roysten nodded. “I went into their chamber, feeling like a thief. There’s an older woman, one of the queen’s ladies, I think, and she may as well be dead to the world. I went out into the main hallway, and the guards at the door were asleep. I even ventured down towards the kitchens. The farther away I got, the less sleepy I felt. When I came back, it was all I could do to stay awake. Enchantment,” he nodded. “What did you find?”

“All the men down below? I think they are princes. I know the one who partners Thea is. His brother was Ulric, the first man who tried to solve the riddle.”

Roysten sat back, grasping the implications immediately. He whistled. “They need to be freed.”

“They all do. The men, the women, this castle, all of it. I was nearly caught tonight.”

“What?”

“The enchantress. She told me she knew I was there. Could feel me, she said.”

“Did she see you?” Roysten was wide-eyed.

Hadden shook his head. “No. She even said she couldn’t see me, but that she knew I was there and would make me pay for breaking in.” He shuddered. “If that is the woman who is threatening the princesses, I can see why they’d obey. She was terrifying, and she never even raised her voice.”

“Well, let’s try and get some sleep. We need to be ready for the audience with the king tomorrow.”

He didn’t say it, but Hadden wondered at the woman who’d spoken to him tonight. If she’d gone to all this trouble, would she really let this go so easily?

He’d have to find out. Even if she didn’t, he had to tell the king. He had no intention of dying two days hence.

In spite of his troubling thoughts, and the worries that ran round in his head, he fell asleep shortly after getting into bed.