dragon archives 04 - dance with a dragon (21 page)

With each passing day, new word reached the palace of the despicable and cowardly actions of Terran. How could they not take action, people asked themselves, when Terran taxed his poor people to death? And only the hardest-hearted could fail to be moved when news of his debauchery and orgies reached the delicate ears of the civilized people at court. And when the story spread through the palace that he had given his own daughter to a dragon to feed on, no one doubted the righteous mission they were set upon. They would be failing in their Christian duty if they did not act against such an evil man.

Anna wondered what the dragons thought of the business. She had not seen Max at court since their angry exchange, but his words still smarted. He had called her a little girl, and she couldn’t blame him. She had sent him away – again – and what for? Because she was too proud to admit she needed help? Or because she was angry at the helplessness of her situation? She didn’t even know. What she did know was that, once again, she had made Max leave.

“I’ve asked the king if we may dine with him this evening,” Matilda said one afternoon. “I expect you all to accompany me.”

“Of course, my lady,” Elizabeth said.

Anna looked at the queen speculatively. She never sought out Alfred’s company unless she wanted something. Did she need a larger allowance? Anna didn’t think so. But it must be of some import for her to insist her ladies attend as well.

The king’s apartments were larger than Matilda’s, but just as lavish. A dining room led from the formal parlor, with a table that could easily seat twenty people. When the queen arrived with her ladies, they were ushered straight to the table, where footmen stood ready with jugs of wine. The queen took a seat at one end, while the ladies took places on either side. By the time the king made his appearance, followed by the chamberlain, Anna had already finished her second glass of wine. The queen looked at her husband as he entered the room, but made no comment on his tardiness.

“My lady,” he said, nodding in her direction. “This is a rare pleasure indeed.”

“Thank you, my lord,” she replied graciously, bowing her head.

“What is this about, Matty?”

“Perhaps I wished to spend an evening with My Lord Husband,” she said with a smile.

“With your ladies in attendance?” he said. The doors opened as two footmen brought in a tray of soup.

“How go the plans for the war?” she asked when the first course was removed.

The king nodded. “Well enough.”

“Will you be ready to march when the spring thaws come?”

“Yes. We already have four thousand assembled in the city, with more arriving each day. And I have been promised another two thousand by our fine noblemen. And with Roderick adding the men he has gathered, we will be a formidable force.”

“Then our chances of victory are good?”

“My dear Lady,” he said, “victory will be ours. The astrologers say our timing is fortuitous, and the bishop has offered prayers for our success. I am quite assured that Roderick will be back on the throne before the spring is out.”

The next course was brought in, and the conversation lulled as the diners tucked into the succulent meats and tasty tarts.

“I want to accompany the army when you march,” Matilda said as she delicately wiped her mouth with a napkin. Alfred glanced at her in disbelief.

“Have you lost your mind?” he said.

Matilda looked at him steadily. “I have as much interest in reclaiming the crown for Roderick as you do,” she said, “and we both know I will be a much stronger rallying point for the people. They will fight for the sake of their princess, but perhaps not as much for a disposed or a foreign king.”

“You are crazy if you think I will allow you to come, no matter how persuasive your arguments might be,” he said.

Matilda smiled. “I think you will see the sense of what I am saying.” She glanced at the chamberlain. “What say you, My Lord Chamberlain?” she said.

He glanced between Alfred and the queen. “A lady does not belong on the battlefield,” he said.

Matilda laughed. “Oh, I don’t mean to
fight
! Good heavens! I just wish to observe.”

“I will lock you in the tower,” Alfred said. Matilda’s smile vanished as she leaned forward across the table.

“It would behoove you to remember whose cause you are fighting for, my lord,” she said. “What will Roderick say if he hears you have locked his sister away?”

“Do you think I care?”

“Will you care when he has regained his throne and is writing his foreign policies? You may be marching into battle with him, but you are not the only king to give him your support.”

Anna could see the angry flush mounting in Alfred’s cheeks as he glared at his wife. “Very well,” he finally ground out. “But let it be known that your blood will not be on my hands.”

Matilda nodded, then leaned back with a smile. “Come, my lord, that was not so difficult, was it?”

Alfred pushed himself to his feet with an angry scowl, and throwing his napkin on the table, stormed from the room. The chamberlain watched his retreating back, then rose to his feet, bowed at the queen and followed his angry monarch. Anna glanced at Matilda. One day, she thought, she will push too far, and she will have to suffer the consequences. For now, however, she looked as satisfied as a cat that had gotten the cream. She looked around at her ladies.

“I will not think less of you if you choose to remain behind when I go to war,” she said, “but if you will accompany me, I will be glad of the company.”

“Will you give us time to think on it?” Elizabeth asked.

“Of course,” Matilda said.

“I’ll come,” Anna said. Matilda looked at Anna with a smile.

“I knew you would,” she said.

Chapter 28

Anna stood behind one corner of the queen’s chair as she listened to a petition from the bishop to help fund new screens in the cathedral. Blanche stood at the other corner. “You should not have scorned Rupert as you did,” Blanche whispered. “Becoming his mistress would have given you both wealth and prestige.”

Anna turned to glare at Blanche. “I will not whore myself for money or position,” she said.

Blanche shrugged. “And how much are you willing to lose for your principles?” she said. “Because you may lose everything.”

“At least I will still have my self-worth,” she said.

Blanche sniggered. “Self-worth! Will that keep you warm and feed your belly when you are tossed on the street?” The queen turned and gave Blanche an annoyed frown, and she fell silent. Anna focused her attention on the bishop. His petition must have been successful, given his triumphant smile. The queen nodded at him, and he bowed his way out of the room.

“The two of you are like squabbling cats,” the queen said once he was gone. “If you cannot find a way to live in peace, then one of you may have to go.” Blanche turned an exultant look on Anna. “And don’t assume, Blanche,” the queen continued, “that it will be Anna that goes. I’m beginning to tire of your spiteful comments.”

A knock sounded on the door, and it opened to admit one of the guards. “There is someone in the courtyard asking to see you, Mistress,” Frank said to Anna. She looked at him in surprise.

“Who is it?”

“A man. I cannot tell you more than that.”

“He didn’t give a name?”

“He did not.” Anna glanced at the queen.

“Go,” she said with a wave of her hand.

Anna turned back to Frank. “I will come down in a moment.”

As Anna opened the door to the courtyard, she glanced around. It was drizzling slightly, but that did not deter the palace staff as they went about their duties. Visitors strode purposefully towards the palace doors, heads down against the gray day. One of the footmen had his arm around a young maid, who was giggling and blushing as she pulled herself away. Children chased dogs around the fire that blazed in the center of the courtyard, and one or two chickens wandered between legs, pecking unconcernedly at the slushy ground until a booted foot sent them flapping through the air, squawking angrily. Anna pulled her cloak closer around her shoulders as she searched through the crowd, looking for a familiar face, but it was only when she took a second look at the men standing against the low wall surrounding the courtyard that she saw him.

Garrick was leaning against the wall in the rain, his arms crossed over his chest, watching her scan the yard. His legs were crossed casually, one ankle over the other, but as she looked at him, he slowly pushed himself up to his full height and strode towards her. He wore a long, hooded woolen cloak that covered his brown tunic and leather breeches, with boots that reached his calves. A sack was slung over his shoulder, and his hair was pulled behind his neck, held in place by a leather thong.

He reached her in a few long strides. “Hello, Anna.” He dropped the sack to his feet.

She stared at him, surprise stealing her words. “What are you doing here?” she finally said. He glanced away for a moment.

“Are you not happy to see me?” he said softly. She swallowed hard. Pushing the cloak aside, he reached into his pocket, pulling out a letter which he held out to her.

“I brought you this,” he said.

“Is something wrong?” she asked, taking the missive from his hand.

“No,” he said. “Your sister asked me to give it to you since I was coming here.”

“Oh.” She turned the letter over, and recognized Keira’s neat writing. “Why did you come here?”

“I’m joining the troops going to war for the king.”

“What?” She stared at him in horror. “No. You mustn’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because …” she paused. “Because you could be killed.”

“I could. Would you care if I was?”

“Of course I would!” she said. “You know that!”

Garrick glanced away. “I know.”

“When did you arrive?” she asked.

“This morning,” he said. “This is the first place I came.”

She glanced at the ground. “Where are you staying?”

“I will make my way to the Camp Commander as soon as I leave here. Master Drake gave me a letter of reference, as well as money to purchase armor and weapons.”

“That was … generous.”

“Yes,” Garrick said wryly. “He was spared the burden of having me join his family, so I think it was the least he could do.”

“Garrick –“

He lifted his hand to stop her. “I’m sorry, Anna. That was uncalled for. Master Drake has been very generous. I suppose I came here hoping … but you have made your choices, and I have made mine. It was not my intent to make you feel guilty. I just wanted to see you, and deliver your sister’s letter.”

Anna felt a wave of shame roll over her. “Oh, Garrick,” she said, but before she could continue, his hands were taking hers, pulling her closer.

“Shh,” he whispered. “I’m sorry. I do understand. I didn’t expect you to have changed your mind.” She looked up at him. “Perhaps …” He looked away. “Have you made a final decision?”

“I –”

“Well, well, the stablehand.” Max’s voice cut through Anna’s words, and she pulled from Garrick’s grasp to see him striding towards them. He met Anna’s gaze for a brief moment before turning his attention to Garrick.

“Dragon,” Garrick ground out. He glanced down at Anna, and his expression tightened.

“His name is Garrick,” Anna said to Max.

“Garrick? I had quite forgotten.” He drew closer and sniffed the air. “But I never forget a smell,” he said, “and you smell of, well, you smell of the stables.”

“Max!” Anna glared at him, her expression horrified.

“Am I interrupting something? A happy reunion perhaps?”

“Yes,” Anna ground out in annoyance. “Garrick is my betro–” She froze, her eyes wide, and slowly closed her mouth.
No, no, no
, she screamed to herself. Why could she not hold her tongue? She laughed nervously and turned to Garrick, determined to take back the foolish, unconsidered words, but the look on his face made her stop, groaning inwardly. He was staring at her with an expression of disbelief – and hope. She smiled weakly, then turned back to Max. “We were keeping it a secret.”

Max smiled in sardonic amusement. “I see,” he said, and Anna had a horrible feeling that he saw all too well. “Then let me be the first to congratulate you.” She nodded, and glanced back at Garrick. He was still staring at her.

“Is it true?” he said softly. “Do you mean it? I thought all hope was gone, but here you are calling me your betrothed. Am I really so fortunate?” Anna glanced down at the ground. She could not take back the words now, while Max stood watching. “I love you,” he whispered.

“Oh, Garrick,” she said. In one foolish moment she had rewritten her own future as well as Garrick’s. She heard Max snort, and looked up to see him walking away. She glanced back at Garrick. He had already dismissed Max from his mind.

“I’m sorry I doubted you,” he said. He was grinning. “I thought when I saw the dragon … but I was wrong. We will be happy together, you will see! And right now, I don’t think I could be any happier!” Anna forced a smile. It was not within her to destroy his moment of joy. Tomorrow, maybe, but not now.

Chapter 29

Anna sat in her chambers, staring unseeing out the window that faced the formal palace gardens. Icy tendrils of frost swirled over the cold glass panes, the delicate feathering glimmering in the low winter light. In the background the canaries given to her by Max – no, Aaron – were chirping brightly, competing with the crackling of sparks that leaped from the fire. She had parted from Garrick a short time ago, his joy unabated as he set off to find the Camp Commander and join the king’s fighting forces. She closed her eyes, remembering how he had looked at her, his vivid blue eyes sparkling with happiness as he lifted her hand and kissed it gently before he said farewell.

She had created a tangled web and ensnared herself completely. She could not untangle the threads without causing pain. She dropped her head into her hands. She may not love Garrick, at least not love in the way of lovers, but she still could not bear to hurt him.