dragon archives 04 - dance with a dragon (12 page)

“Do you question my honor?” Rupert’s voice was low and hard.

Favian shrugged. “Take it how you will. I will not leave her alone with you.”

“Very well. You can find your own way.” He nodded towards Anna, then turning towards the palace, marched away. Anna turned a questioning look on Favian, but a slight shrug was his only reply.

Anna could hear the sounds of voices as they approached the gardens, and as they rounded a corner, she saw the queen walking along a path, a parasol in her hand providing some shade against the sun, while around her walked her ladies-in-waiting. Kathleen was next to the queen, speaking earnestly as she played with a flower in her hand, while behind them trailed two other ladies, laughing and whispering. It was impossible for anyone to overlook Favian, with his huge build and flaming red hair, and within a moment, the queen and Kathleen had paused in their tracks.

“Anna!” Kathleen exclaimed. A look of consternation crossed her features and she dropped her head. “My apologies, my lady,” she said.

“You know this woman, Kathleen?” Matilda demanded.

“Oh, yes, Your Majesty. She is a very dear friend.” The queen gave Anna a scrutinizing look.

“Mistress Anna.” Anna gave a low curtsey while the queen’s eyes moved back to Favian. “And Favian Drake. How come you to be here?” she said.

“I came with Mistress Anna. She is a guest in my household.”

“I see.” The queen looked back at Anna. “Kathleen, leave us alone. I would like to walk with this friend of yours for a while.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” With a quick smile at Anna, Kathleen turned and walked a short distance away.

“Come,” Queen Matilda said to Anna. “Walk with me. You,” she said, pointing at Favian, “may remain here.” Favian nodded, and crossing his arms against his chest, leaned against a low wall.

“So,” the queen said, “you are here to see your friend, I suppose.” Her blue eyes watched Anna carefully, their sharp intensity contrasting with the soft, plump lines of her face and figure.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You are worried that she is unhappy?”

“Well … yes, Your Majesty.”

“As you should be. Court can be unkind to a girl of Kathleen’s timidity. But I believe she just needs some encouragement.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The queen pulled a flower from a bush, and brushed the bloom against her cheek. “Rupert told me about a woman he met at Hobart’s house. One who offered comment on the color of his wardrobe. Tell me, Mistress, would that woman be you?”

Anna looked at the queen in surprise. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Enough ‘Yes, Your Majesty!’ You offer your opinion quite freely with Rupert, and I desire you to do the same with me.” She paused in her walking to look at Anna.

“That’s only because the prince says so many disagreeable things,” Anna said.

Queen Matilda laughed. “Yes, you are quite correct.” She continued her walking. “Do you enjoy the city, Anna?”

“I do, indeed. I love the vibrancy and smells. On every street corner people are hawking their wares, while plays and music fill every street.”

“That is not a side of the city I get to see. Tell me, what kind of plays do you see on the streets?”

“Well …” Anna tried to think of one. “During the week leading up to the coronation there were many plays. There was one very funny one …”

“Yes?”

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty, I should not have mentioned it.”

“You have piqued my curiosity. Tell me.”

Anna looked at the ground uncomfortably. “It was a play about the coronation.”

“Yes?”

Anna took a deep breath and looked up at the queen. May as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb. “It pantomimed Your Majesty hitting His Royal Majesty the king with the scepter, while a nobleman picked up the orb, which was rolling down the aisle, and declared himself king.”

The queen laughed. “There are times when I would very much like to hit the king with a scepter, but I must confess I would be hard pressed to do it in the cathedral. Perhaps one day I shall dress like a commoner and see some of these plays myself.” She glanced at Anna. “If I asked you to, would you come with me?”

Anna looked up, startled. “If Your Majesty asked me to, then of course I would obey my queen.”

“Of course. But would you do it willingly?”

Anna smiled. “Yes. I would love to show you the city from a commoner’s view.”

“Good.” She turned. “Let’s return to the others.” They walked back to where Favian still stood, completely ignoring the looks thrown his way by the other women.

“You may have a few minutes with your friend before we retire indoors,” the queen said to Anna.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” she said.

She passed the next half hour with Kathleen, getting hopelessly lost in the maze as they wandered between the high hedges and around tight corners.

“The queen is very kind to me, and so is Lady Elizabeth,” Kathleen said. “And Lady Blanche … well, she leaves me alone. It is not what I would have chosen, but I am not unhappy.”

“I’m glad,” Anna said. “I have been so worried for you. But knowing you are happy sets my mind at rest.”

They reached the center of the maze, where they paused to admire the statue of Athena, before turning slowly to look at the four exits, one on each side of the four lengths of hedge that surrounded them.

“Which one did we enter through?” Kathleen asked.

“That one,” Anna said, pointing to the archway in the hedge behind the statue, but they had no sooner gone down the path than they saw it was a dead end. They retraced their steps back to the center of the maze, and tried another exit, but it was soon clear that this too would lead them nowhere. A few more failed attempts had them back in the center, and Anna indicated a bench.

“We’ll just wait until Favian comes to find us,” she said.

“Master Drake? But how will he know we are lost? And what if he gets lost too?”

“He’ll know,” Anna said. “And he never gets lost.” And sure enough, before a few minutes had passed, he rounded a corner and entered the center square.

“Ready to go, ladies?” he said.

Anna rose to her feet. “I knew you would come,” she said.

“Of course,” he replied. “Follow me.”

It only took a few minutes to get through the maze as Favian unerringly led the way, deftly avoiding the dead ends and detours. The queen and the other ladies were waiting near the entrance to the maze as they came out, trailing Favian.

“There you are,” she said. “I was wondering whether we would have to send in the guards.”

“My apologies, Your Majesty,” Kathleen said, dropping to a curtsey before the queen. “I didn’t mean to cause you alarm.”

“No harm done,” the queen said indulgently. She looked over at Anna. “I expect I will see you at court again. You are welcome to come any time,” she said.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Anna replied. The queen nodded and Anna turned to Favian, taking his outstretched arm and allowing him to lead her away from the queen, the gardens and the palace.

Chapter 16

The days at Drake Manor were passing quickly as the leaves started to change color and the nights became cooler. Anna had been there for close on three months, traveling with Cathryn into the city whenever she had cause to go, or spending time around the manor, helping the children with their lessons or Margaret with her healing potions. Evenings were often spent in the parlor where she joined the others in singing, playing games, or listening to Favian or Owain read a tale from one of the many books in Owain’s library. Once, Anna had found a play tucked between two books, and she and the children had acted it out for the enjoyment of the others.

It was just past noon when Cathryn found Anna sitting in the parlor before a blazing fire, reading a letter from Keira. She had been out earlier that day with Bronwyn, and even earlier had struggled with Will over Latin conjugations.

“Aaron and Keira are coming to visit,” Anna said, looking up from her letter as Cathryn walked through the door and took a seat across from her.

“I know. Favian has also received a letter. Aaron has some business with the dragon council, so they will convene while Aaron is here.” Cathryn paused for a moment. “Are you going to return to Storbrook with them?”

Anna had returned to perusing her letter, but at Cathryn’s query, she looked up sharply. “Do you want me to return with them?”

“Not at all,” Cathryn said with a smile. “We enjoy having you here, and Bronwyn thinks of you as her big sister.”

Anna relaxed slightly as she smiled in return. “It’s nice to be a big sister for a change!”

“But perhaps you are feeling homesick?” Cathryn continued.

“I do miss Lydia and Zach,” she said. “Keira says they are learning to write their names already! But I’m not quite ready to return to Storbrook yet.”

“Well, you are welcome to stay here as long as you wish,” Cathryn assured her.

Aaron arrived a week later, landing on the gravel drive outside the house with Keira on his back. Anna flung herself into her sister’s arms, hugging her tightly.

“It is so wonderful to see you!” she said.

“It is wonderful to see you, too, Anna,” Keira said with a laugh.

Anna led Keira into the house while Favian greeted his cousin. “Cathryn has prepared the same room for you as before,” she said. Keira would stay alone at Drake Manor while Aaron met with the Dragon Council. The Council was made up of the eight elders and the Dragon Master. They would not stay at the manor, but would spend three days deep in the mountains, taking their natural forms. Owain was an elder, and although Favian was not, he would join the council in their conferences as Aaron’s advisor.

“How is Mother?” Anna asked Keira, after Keira had had a chance to refresh herself and bid farewell to Aaron.

“Not well,” Keira replied. “Most days she cannot get out of bed. Mary has taken over the running of the household, and Father has hired another two maids to help. Mother says she will remain in this world just long enough to see you wed!”

Anna sighed. “Then she may have to wait for many more years.”

“Do you return with us to Storbrook?” Keira asked.

Anna shook her head. “Not yet,” she said.

“Mother is not the only one who hopes to see you again soon,” Keira said.

“You mean the children.”

“The children, too.”

Anna groaned. “Garrick.” She dropped her gaze to her hands. “If I go back now … I’m just not ready!”

“I understand. But if you wait too long …” Keira let the uncompleted thought dangle. Anna nodded.

“I know.”

A clatter of hooves on the gravel outside the house had both women turning to look out the window. A horseman was leaning down towards a serving maid, a missive in his hand which he held out to her. They exchanged a few words, and then the man was swinging away again, kicking his horse into motion as he cantered down the drive. A few moments later the maid entered the room.

“Excuse me, Mistress Carver,” she said, “but this has just come for you.” Anna took the thick folded paper, nodding in thanks, and inspected it in surprise. It bore the official royal seal stamped into wax.

“What do you suppose this is?” Anna said, turning it over to see her name written in fine script on the front. Slipping her finger beneath the seal, she slid it open and unfolded the paper. “It comes from the queen,” she said, her surprise deepening. She spread the letter and read the contents aloud.

‘Anna Carver from Her Royal Majesty, Queen Matilda, Queen of this Realm by the Grace of God, we send you greetings.

‘It is with Great Pleasure that we send you this Communication announcing your Appointment to our Royal Household, where you will wait upon our Royal Majesty. As a Lady-in-Waiting, you will have the Privilege of showing your True Loyalty and Friendship to our Royal Person and to this Realm, serving us in the Royal Bedchamber. We expect the Pleasure of your Company at Court Monday next.’

Anna leaned back in her seat and lifted wide eyes to Keira. “Well!”

The contents of the missive were soon a topic for general conversation around the meal table. Cathryn thought it was an opportunity not to be missed, while Margaret advised Anna to consider how long she was prepared to remain away from her family. Keira wanted nothing to do with the royal court, but if Anna wished to go, she would not stand in her way. Bronwyn wanted Anna to remain at Drake Manor, while Will did not see what all the fuss was about.

When Aaron returned to Drake Manor with the other dragons three days later, Anna still had not decided what her course of action should be. When Aaron was brought up to date on the letter from the queen, he offered to support Anna in whatever course she chose. “But,” he said, “court life is not for the weak-willed. Be sure you are prepared for life there before you decide to accept. But you need to decide soon. The queen expects you in a few days.”

“I know,” Anna said. She gave Aaron and Keira a bleak smile before leaving the room and walking outside. In the distance the forest was a sea of reds and yellows against an azure sky, while behind them the hills were still swathed in the verdant green of pines. She headed towards the stables, and was soon picking her way along the path that led to the river. She reached the bank, and glanced up at the ridge. She had not been here since the fateful day when Bronwyn had gained her true form. She hesitated for a moment, then kicked her horse back into motion, leading the mare into the water and up the cliff on the other side. She looked up, and felt her heart speed up when she saw something circling high overhead. It wasn’t until the dragon drew closer that Anna could see it was Bronwyn. She landed on the ground near Anna with a slight thump.

“What are you doing here?” Bronwyn asked, settling herself down on the ground.

“Thinking about the queen’s directive.”

“What does a lady-in-waiting do?”

“She attends the queen.”

“Does that mean you cannot leave once you are there?”

“Oh, no! Nothing like that! A lady helps the queen with small things, such as getting dressed, or accompanying her in her duties, but she is more a companion, and will read with her, or paint, or walk. Sometimes the queen chooses just to have one lady attend her at a time, or wishes to be alone, and then the ladies are free to do as they wish.”