The Marus Manuscripts (38 page)

Maddy nodded quickly. “Yes, sir.”

The older man kept his eyes fixed on her. “Go down this hallway to the right until it dead-ends, then turn left. Follow that hallway until
it
dead-ends, and then turn right. One right, one left, one right. That will take you to the grand hallway along the front.”

“Thank you,” Maddy said as she inched away from them.

The older man held up the knife again before tucking it away. “Remember what I said.”

“Yes, sir.” Maddy didn’t waste another second but rushed off down the hall. When she was certain she was out of their reach, she stopped and leaned against the wall. The stone was cool against her hot back. Her face felt flushed, and she thought she might cry. Then she realized,
I’ve just overheard a plot to kill the king—this very night at the banquet!

What was she to do? If she told anyone and the man called Terrence found out, he would cut out her tongue. But if she didn’t tell anyone, the king would be killed—and Annison, too.

At that moment, she wished she could melt into the wall and somehow go through the other side to her home. This wasn’t the fairy tale she wanted to have. This was more like a nightmare.

And she didn’t know how to get out of it.

W
hy are you so pale?” Simet asked when Maddy finally reached him. Even after finding the front doors to the palace, she had needed help from another two servants to get to Simet’s office. His brow furrowed with concern. “Is Annison well?”

“She’s well, but she wanted me to come back and talk to you,” Maddy said. Her mouth clicked from dryness. Simet poured her a cup of water and insisted she drink before continuing. Maddy did, gulping the water down. Then she took a deep breath. “I have to tell you about my dream.”

Simet sat on the edge of his desk. “Your dream?”

Maddy looked deeply into his kind eyes and knew she could trust him with anything she had to say. And, like Annison, she believed he would have the answers to help them. So she told him everything she’d told Annison.

Simet listened with a thoughtful expression. He moved only once, and that was to close the door to his office when he feared someone might overhear Maddy’s remarkable story.

When Maddy had run out of things to say, he nodded at her. “Yes, this is the work of the Unseen One,” he observed.

“I don’t know who the Unseen One is,” Maddy confessed.

“I’m not surprised to hear it,” Simet said sadly. “Only a few of us now acknowledge the Unseen One. Our kings turned their backs on Him and stopped proclaiming Him, so it’s little wonder that we’ve been conquered. And now King Willem is here with his Pala
tian religion, a religion of man and man’s powers, with no room for faith in greater, eternal things. He has already closed our houses of worship. And if Lord Hector had his way, all believers in the Unseen One would be locked up or executed because they deny his religion. Men who do not love the Unseen One often loathe Him and want to wipe any belief in Him from the face of the planet.”

“But
who
is the Unseen One?”

Simet scratched his chin as if trying to think of a simple way to explain a complicated idea. Finally he responded, “The Unseen One is the Creator of us all. He is the King of all worlds. He is God over all gods.”

“God,” Maddy repeated, latching onto a word she understood. “I know about God. I learned about Him in church. And He’s all the things you just said.”

“Then you know about the Unseen One,” Simet said hopefully.

Maddy pondered the idea for a moment. “But I don’t remember ever hearing that He took people from one place to another, like He took me from my world to this magic one.”

Simet chuckled. “You think this world is magic? The people of this world wouldn’t think so. On the contrary, the people of this world would probably consider
your
world magic.”

Maddy hadn’t thought of it that way. But she stuck by her question. “Still, it seems strange that He brought me from my world to this one.”

“It’s not for me to guess the ways of the Unseen One. He does as He pleases. And I’m certain the same is true for how He works in your world. No matter how much He has revealed of Himself in our sacred writings, He remains a mystery greater than our finite minds can solve. You’re here—that’s evidence enough for me that He is at work for some purpose.”

“What purpose?” Maddy asked. “What am I doing here?”

“You’re not a messenger or a voice or a protector,” Simet observed as he looked into her eyes. “But in your dream, you promised you would help Annison. So the Unseen One must have sent you to be her helper.”

“I’ll help her find her true love,” Maddy declared.

Simet looked puzzled. “Whatever do you mean?”

Maddy explained how so many of her favorite stories involved a princess who was in love with a handsome young man but was being forced to marry a mean king. In the end, the handsome young man, who vanquished the mean king, rescued the princess.

“Ah, I see now,” Simet said. “But my child, this is not a children’s fairy tale. You’re not in a story of wishful thinking or fanciful dreams. You’re now in a place where the happy endings of childhood give way to the reality of faith.”

Maddy looked crestfallen. This was not what she wanted to hear.

Simet patted her arm in comfort. “Dear girl, you wouldn’t want to spend your life drinking baby’s milk, would you?”

Maddy gazed at him quizzically. “No.”

“Well, that’s what your fairy tales are,” Simet explained. “They’re the milk of an innocent faith. But you must never stop at the milk. There comes a time when you must have the nourishment of other things, grown-up things like meat and vegetables. Otherwise you’ll never grow as you should. Do you understand?”

Maddy shook her head. “I’m not sure.”

“Allow me to try another example.” Simet clasped his hands together and looked as if he were in deep thought. Then he continued, “Children’s stories and fairy tales often help to light the spark of faith. They help us to see that there are realms much bigger than our own world. They teach us to believe in things we can’t understand while they point to other greater things. But we must eventually fan that spark of faith—allow it to grow into a mature flame that will burn in our hearts throughout our lives.”

Maddy didn’t reply. It was a lot for her to think about.

“You’ve been brought to us as a helper,” Simet went on. “But not to help as a child helps in a fairy tale, with dreamy fantasies of romance, handsome princes, and true love. You’re here to help in the raw reality of faith—with sweat and muscle and pain.”

Maddy thought again of the dream and of her promise to Annison. Was it possible that the Unseen One had sent her to uncover the plot to kill the king? Even if it meant losing her own tongue? “Sweat and muscle and pain,” Maddy repeated softly.

With an unexpected resolve that filled her heart, Maddy knew she could not sit by and allow anything to happen to Annison, no matter what happened to her in the meantime. “There’s something else I have to tell you,” Maddy said, and then she told Simet about the three men and their plot to poison the king.

Simet’s face went white, and he clutched the edge of his desk as if to steady himself. “What did you say the names of the men were?”

“I didn’t see who the third man was,” she replied. “But the other two were called Stephen and Terrence. The one called Terrence said he would cut my tongue out if I blabbed.”

Simet nodded. “There’s only one Terrence who would dare do such a thing. But don’t fear. He won’t have the chance to hurt you. I will see to that.”

“Then you’ll warn the king?”

Simet hesitated. “No. I think it would be best if
Annison
warned the king. What better way to show her loyalty and ensure his favor toward her?”

“I don’t understand,” Maddy admitted, phrasing her question carefully. “If she’s from Marus, why is it so important for her to be so chummy with the king?” She thought about it again and quickly added another question. “Why is it Annison’s duty to marry someone she doesn’t love?”

Simet sighed deeply. “For years we have believed the Unseen
One has chosen Annison for a very special place in the destiny of our nation. We were never sure how or what role she would play—not until the day King Willem saw her and decided to marry her. Then we knew. She would marry the king in order to influence him.”

“Influence him how?”

“We don’t know yet. But it burns in our hearts that her role as the queen may make the difference between life and death for many people.”

“You keep saying
we
. What
we?
”

“A small gathering of true believers in the Unseen One, including Annison and myself.”

Suddenly Maddy thought she understood and gasped, “You’re her father!”

Simet smiled. “No, I’m not her father, though she would call me by that name if I allowed it. Her parents were killed when she was a small child, and their wish, written in their will, was that I would raise her in the faith.”

“But why is it such a big secret?”

“To protect her. And to protect me. And to protect our gathering of believers. The less anyone knows about us or our connections to one another, the safer we are.”

“You’re like a secret club?”

“Something like that. But our secret is a dangerous one. Under the kings of Marus, we were frowned upon for keeping our faith in the Unseen One. Under King Willem—or I should say, under
Lord Hector—
we could lose our lives.”

“But that means the king is marrying a believer in the Unseen One, and he doesn’t even know it.”

Simet smiled again. “Exactly.”

A knock came at the door, and then it was pushed open without an invitation. Lord Hector himself peered in. He looked at Simet
first and said, “Simet, I want to discuss the security for this evening’s banquet.” Then he saw Maddy, and a flash of surprise lit up his eyes for a second and then disappeared. “Forgive my intrusion,” he added quickly.

“Not at all, my lord,” Simet replied.

“Then come to the Great Hall. I wish a word with you and the other guards.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Lord Hector glanced at Maddy again and then turned to leave. In the moment he did so, Maddy noticed the back of his black coat and the shape of his shoulders, and she knew. “It was him,” she whispered after the door was closed and she heard his retreating footsteps.

“What’s that?” Simet asked.

“He was the third man on the balcony.”

“Lord
Hector?
In a plot to poison the king?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure, Maddy? You must be completely sure.”

“Yes. He wants to do it so he can take over Palatia.”

Simet looked like a man who had suddenly found the last two pieces to a jigsaw puzzle. “I’ve often wondered about him. I’ve watched how he speaks to the king, the look in his eyes. He’s a man who covets power. So I should not be surprised.”

“Shall I go back to Annison now?”

“Yes, hurry and tell her what you know.”

Maddy stood up and went to the door. Just as her hand touched the knob, Simet added earnestly, “Maddy, you’ve been sent to help us, and help us you have. But I don’t think your part in this drama is finished. You must keep your eyes and ears open. Assume nothing about what you see and hear. Report
everything
to Annison or to me. Do you understand?”

Maddy nodded, suddenly feeling very important.

T
he royal banquet to celebrate the forthcoming marriage of King Willem and Annison was a lavish affair. Hundreds of dignitaries and noblemen from Palatia, along with the well-to-do of Marus, crowded into the Great Hall. The men wore frilly lace collars and matching coats and trousers of deep blue, light green, or gold that seemed to sparkle. The women wore velvet or silk dresses, each with elaborate designs of flowers, birds, or stripes, some with colorful shawls draped over their shoulders. Many of the women
and
men wore wigs that rose up from their heads in piles like cotton candy or bird’s nests. Those women who didn’t wear wigs had their hair done in large curls. The men favored long hair, carefully combed and kept in place by what looked to Maddy like oil or wax.

The guests took their places at the many tables, now set with white linen, plates of china, and solid silver cutlery. Blazing torches shone from wall sconces in between colorful tapestries that had been hung for the occasion. Candles were lit at every setting, giving the entire hall a yellow tint. The chandeliers, also alight with candles, looked like clusters of stars, ready to explode over them all.

Enormous trays of food were brought out by the palace servants—seven courses in all—and served to the many guests. The room was an intoxicating mix of smells. Considering the number of guests, Maddy was impressed by the speed with which the servants did their work. They began as the sun set and continued serving well past 11:00.

The king and Annison sat side by side at the head table. For tonight, the king didn’t wear a wig but combed his ginger-colored hair forward in a style that reminded Maddy of a picture of Julius Caesar she’d once seen at school. Annison was dressed discreetly in a simple pink gown with fringes of lace and bowed ribbons attached to them. To the royal couple’s left and right were Lord Hector, who still looked bored, and several other men and women Maddy didn’t know. Stephen and Terrence were at the head table, too, and kept looking at each other anxiously. As a member of Annison’s court, Maddy was given a seat at a table in the corner nearest the head table. She sat next to Tabby, who ate with great enthusiasm.

Maddy was too nervous to eat. Ever since reporting her news to Annison, she had been on a knife’s-edge of suspense, wondering how the evening would play out.

Near midnight, flasks of a sweet red drink were poured into the guests’ chalices. It was time for the royal toast, and now Maddy found herself sitting on the edge of her seat. She had told Annison of the plot to poison the king, but she had no idea what Annison had done with the information or how she had passed the word to the king. She watched Stephen and Terrence, who watched the king’s every move. Lord Hector maintained his usual bored expression.

The king stood up, raising high his chalice—a large goblet with green and red jewels encircling the cup. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he said in his booming voice, “I am grateful for your attendance tonight. To honor the occasion, I promised my betrothed that I would not make a lengthy speech.”

A titter of laughter worked its way through the crowd.

“It is enough for me to say thank you to all, to wish prosperity on the united kingdoms of Palatia and Marus, and to invite you back in a week’s time for the wedding.”

The crowd responded with scattered applause.

“Now for the royal toast,” he announced.

There was a rustling throughout the room as all the guests stood by their chairs and raised their chalices.

“To my betrothed, the future queen,” he stated happily.

“To the future queen!” the crowd responded.

Maddy watched the king, her eyes growing wider and wider. The chalice moved toward his lips. Annison remained seated and still, her face betraying nothing but her usual shyness at being the center of attention. Had Annison not told him about the poison? Was the plot to kill him going to succeed?

“My king!” Lord Hector suddenly shouted from his place.

The king hesitated, the chalice only an inch from his lips. “Lord Hector?” he asked, lowering the cup.

“Do not drink from that chalice,” Lord Hector warned.

The king looked puzzled. “This is most unusual, Hector. It’s the royal toast. Why shouldn’t I?” he inquired.

“Because, on this very day, I have uncovered a plot to assassinate Your Majesty—by poison in that very chalice.”

The crowd, shocked, stood where they were, many not sure how to react. Several of the noblemen instinctively drew their swords. Maddy’s jaw dropped. What kind of game was Hector playing? Why would he stop the plot that he had helped to mastermind?

Stephen and Terrence watched Hector with bewilderment on their faces. Maddy noticed that Terrence’s hand subtly moved to his belt, his hand resting on the handle of his knife.

The king remained composed. “And who would dare to attempt such an assassination?”

“Two trusted men in your very midst,” Lord Hector announced, then pointed dramatically. “Stephen and Terrence!”

Suddenly the palace guards burst through the doors, including Simet, and rushed to the head table. Stephen held up his hands in surrender, but Terrence pulled out his knife and lunged at the king.

Lord Hector was quicker, though, and leapt between the two men. He also had a knife in his hand—Maddy had no idea where it had come from—which he thrust into Terrence’s chest. They both fell to the ground, disappearing behind the ornate tablecloth. Seconds later, Lord Hector reappeared and dusted himself off as if he had merely tripped over something.

The crowd erupted in shouts and applause.

There was a commotion at the back of the hall as two guards grabbed one of the servants. Maddy assumed it was the one the conspirators had hired to poison the drink.

Simet and the other guards had grabbed Stephen, who offered no resistance. He now leered at Lord Hector. “I should have known,” he growled over and over as they dragged him out of the hall.

“Well done, Lord Hector!” the king said happily once the offenders had been removed. His eyes danced and his cheeks were apple red from the excitement. He raised his chalice again. “I salute you!”

And then, to everyone’s horror, he gulped down his drink.

“Your Majesty!” Hector cried out.

The king slammed the chalice down on the table and laughed. “You are quick, Lord Hector, but my beloved Annison is quicker. She was already privy to the traitors’ plot to poison me, and I made sure to change chalices. Little did they realize that had we drunk our toast, both Stephen and Terrence would have fallen dead from their own poison, which I had placed in their cups!”

Lord Hector bowed in homage to Annison. “Our new queen is a remarkable woman,” he said smoothly. “I wonder, if I may ask, how she knew of the plot?”

“We women have our ways,” Annison replied pleasantly.

Lord Hector forced himself to smile. “I have no doubt that you do.”

For an instant, Annison’s eyes caught Maddy’s, and she winked at her.

The attending maidens in Annison’s chambers were abuzz with what had happened at the banquet. They speculated about how Annison had learned of the plot and if there were any others involved who weren’t caught, and then they told and retold the dramatic moment when the king nearly drank the chalice—and then did, to everyone’s surprise.

“What a joke!” one said.

“How brave of the king,” another observed.

Only after Tabby threatened them with hard chores the next day if they didn’t go to bed
that minute
did the chattering stop.

Maddy was given a small bedroom annexing Annison’s main bedroom and a wardrobe of day and night clothes. She had no idea how Annison managed it, but the clothes were all the right size. Maddy slipped into a nightgown and snuggled into the soft down mattress, but she was too excited to sleep. Her mind counted unanswered questions like sheep. She thought she heard a sound from Annison’s room and decided to sneak a peek to see if Annison had gone to bed. She hadn’t; the bed was empty. A gentle breeze blew the pale curtains back and forth. The glass doors leading to the balcony were open, and Maddy could see Annison’s silhouette pacing outside. Maddy crossed the room and stopped at the doorway.

Annison had her eyes closed and seemed to be talking to herself. Maddy realized she was praying. “Thank You” was all Maddy heard her say. And then Annison opened her eyes and gazed peacefully at Maddy.

“You should be asleep,” Annison chided gently, gathering her robe close around her as if warding off a chill. But the night was warm, crickets chirped somewhere below, and pale moonlight filled the clear sky.

“Oh, look!” Maddy gasped, her eyes fixed on the light overhead. There in the sky was a bright moon—and right next to it, a little smaller and more orange, was
another
moon. “You have two moons!”

Annison glanced up at them. “Yes, we do. How many do you have in your world?” she asked.

“Just one,” Maddy replied. The sight mesmerized her.
Imagine having two moons in your world,
she thought in amazement. She stood looking at the double orbs for a few moments.

Annison watched her, a tiny smile betraying her affection for Maddy. “You remind me of someone,” Annison observed.

“Who?”

“Me.”

Maddy turned to her, an unformed question on her lips.

“I once looked at the world with the wonder you have. I believed in fairy tales and happy endings.”

“You don’t now?”

“In my heart, I still do,” she said warmly. “But I’ve also learned a great deal about the world, and sometimes the happy endings don’t come the way we think they should. But they come eventually—beyond this world—thanks to the Unseen One.”

“Simet told me I’m not here to help you find your true love. He said I need to help you the way the Unseen One wants me to help you. He said I need to grow up.”

“We all have to grow up, it’s true. But that doesn’t mean we must lose our sense of wonder and awe. The mystery of faith is too great for that. Even now I look around me—at the beauty of those two moons, at the secrets of the stars, even at the extraordinary way you have come to me—and I realize there’s so much I don’t understand. But I know what I must do.”

“You’ll marry King Willem.”

“Yes, I will.”

Saying his name reminded Maddy of the drama at the banquet and her many questions about it. “I can’t figure out what happened,” she stated. “Lord Hector was one of the men who plotted to kill the king, but then he turned on Stephen and Terrence at the last minute.”

“Lord Hector is a shrewd and cunning man. I suspect he knew somehow that their plans had been found out. He must have decided to turn it to his advantage.”

Maddy remembered how Lord Hector had come into Simet’s office when Maddy was there. It was possible that he’d seen her on the balcony or recognized her voice and assumed she would tell Simet what she’d heard in spite of Terrence’s threat. “But you told the king that Lord Hector was one of the men, didn’t you?” she asked.

“No, I didn’t.”

“Why not?”

“It’s one thing to accuse underlings like Stephen and Terrence of treason,” she replied. “It’s another thing to accuse the king’s most-trusted adviser. I would have needed more proof than your word to persuade the king to take action against Lord Hector. As it is, this will warn him to be careful.”

Maddy felt uneasy at the thought. If Lord Hector knew that Maddy had told Simet and Annison about his plans, wouldn’t he want revenge against her? Maddy gave it some thought but decided not to say anything to Annison. She was there to help her, not add to her worry.

“I think it’s time for bed,” Annison suddenly announced. “We have a lot to do tomorrow.”

“What am I going to do?” Maddy asked.

Annison smiled at her. “You’ll help me to prepare for the wedding, and perhaps you’ll be my eyes and ears in other parts of the palace. We’ll see.”