dragon archives 04 - dance with a dragon Read online

  There was a small chapel in the queen’s apartments, and the first duty of each day was to attend mass with the queen. With hands clasped together, she would gaze at the crucifix hanging on the wall, while her lips moved in silent prayer. Half an hour would then be spent each morning with her children in the nursery, sometimes watching them as they had their lessons, other times listening with them as a nurse told them a short tale. After that, however, the routine varied. Every Tuesday and Thursday she held court with the king, listening to the petitions of commoners. The king would occasionally defer judgment to her, and Anna was always surprised at her just and insightful rulings.

  On Wednesdays, the queen would order a litter to take her to St. Catherine’s hospital, of which she was patron. The hospital was a place of shelter for the weary traveler, a place of refuge for the blind and crippled and a place of care for the sick and dying. Matilda would meet with the Mother Superior to discuss the hospital finances and other matters, while her ladies would dispense words of encouragement to the elderly and infirm housed within.

  The queen took an avid interest in the arts, and she would invite playwrights and musicians to perform for her. If she enjoyed their performances, she would sponsor them, allowing them to perform at court or at the new theater recently built in the city. On fair days, Matilda could often be found in the gardens, where she loved to walk. She would stop and chat with the gardeners, and Anna noticed with amusement that although they listened deferentially to her advice, they never seemed to implement the changes she suggested. If the queen noticed, however, she chose to overlook this small defiance.

  The queen’s chambers consisted of the chapel; a parlor, where visitors would be entertained; a ladies’ bower, where the queen and her ladies could enjoy a view of the gardens while they read or embroidered; a dining room; the queen’s bedchamber; and the ladies’ bedchamber. Every Thursday evening the king joined the queen for supper. He would retire with her to her bedchamber afterwards, leaving an hour or two later.

  There were two guards assigned to the queen. Frank and Tobias stood outside the apartments when the queen was within, and traveled with her when she went abroad. The men would nod at the women as they came and went, but Tobias was the friendlier of the two, often exchanging a few words with Anna or the other ladies.

  Anna soon learned that the queen thrived on knowledge. She read voraciously, books both spiritual and secular. She invited scholars to visit her, and she questioned them at length on their specialty. She demanded that Anna tell her about her home, the village, and the surrounding countryside. She asked about the city and the markets. She was also an unrepentant gossip, and she would quiz the ladies on the latest rumors and intrigues circulating around the palace. She was always well-informed, and knew who was having affairs with whom, and who had been tossed on the street. She knew that Lord Bartley owed Master Somerton money, or that Nellie was not talking to Fanny. She knew the name of the king’s latest mistress, and how often he saw her. She also kept herself abreast of political developments in the land, and although she was never invited to meetings of council, she always knew what had happened in the closed-door conferences within a few hours.

  But there were times when the queen tired of having people surrounding her, and she would send her ladies away to follow their own pursuits for a few hours. Anna loved to escape the palace, and exiting through the courtyard, would quickly leave the buildings behind her. Sometime Kathleen would accompany her, and they would meander along the river or through the gardens. Despite Anna’s worst expectations, Kathleen was thriving at the royal court. The queen treated her kindly, and Anna noticed that Kathleen would sit close to Matilda, quietly answering her demands on what she thought about this book, or that play. And on the odd occasion, she would even offer an opinion to the other ladies. Blanche took no notice of her, but Elizabeth would smile, and nod encouragingly.

  But when Anna was alone, she would head towards the wilderness that lay beyond the formal palace gardens. Since not many people wandered this far from the palace, it was a place of peace and quiet, an escape from the hustle and bustle of court. There was one cold afternoon when she wended her way in that direction. The trees were bare of leaves and stood stark against a gray sky. It had rained earlier in the day, and the hem of her gown was damp and muddy from trailing along the grass.

  She had received a letter from Keira earlier in the day, and she pulled it from her pocket to reread it.

  Aaron had secured a tutor for Zach and Lydia – a dragon a few decades older than Aaron. ‘Corbin is the most unlikely dragon,’ Keira had written. ‘He is only a little taller than Father, and always lost in thought. He bumps into things – a dragon! – and can never keep track of time. Aaron says he loved a girl once, but before he had a chance to declare his devotion, she married someone else, and he never recovered from the blow. He is a man of science, and already has the children learning the Latin names of plants and animals around Storbrook. He has also been teaching them their letters and numbers, and I am including a page of their writings.’

  Anna glanced down at the scribbled page with a smile. The children had carefully spelled out their names in big, block letters. She returned to her letter. Keira did not mention Garrick, although she did write about Mother:

  ‘She rallied for a while, and we thought she might recover some of her strength, but the improvement was of short duration, and now she seems even worse than before.’

  Anna was so lost in her thoughts, she did not hear the tramping of feet through the wilderness, until someone shouted out her name. She spun around, startled, and saw Prince Rupert marching towards her, a boy at his side. She recognized the boy as Prince John, Rupert’s oldest nephew, and first in line to the throne.

  “What are you doing here?” Rupert demanded as he drew near. He wore a simple brown tunic, and on his left arm he wore a thick leather gauntlet. A few yards back were two more men – one carrying a large cage, the other a canvas sack, slung over his shoulder.

  Anna crossed her arms over her chest. “I am taking a walk.” She glanced at the men. “What are you doing here?”

  “Teaching young John the basics of falconry. You should return to the palace.”

  “When I am ready,” she said. Rupert had already started striding away, but he paused at her words, then looked back at her with a slow smile.

  “Perhaps you would like to see my falcon?”

  Anna nodded. “Yes,” she said. “I would.”

  He gestured with his head, and she followed him towards the men, who were standing close by. John looked at her curiously, but remained silent. The man holding the cage lowered it to the ground, and Rupert crouched before the cage, flipping open a latch, and dropping one side. He stretched his gauntleted hand into the enclosure, then withdrew it a moment later and rose to his feet. On his hand, its talons gripping the leather of the gauntlet, was the most beautiful bird Anna had ever seen. It was about eighteen inches tall, with black plumage on its back and a pale, spotted chest. Its round, black eyes, ringed in yellow, looked at her steadily, and she found herself staring back.

  “Beautiful, isn’t she?” Rupert said. Anna pulled her eyes away.

  “Yes, she is.” The bird moved, and Anna heard a soft tinkling sound. Small bells were tied to the bird’s claws, and a thin length of leather was looped around its leg, the other end firmly clasped between Rupert’s thumb and forefinger. As Anna watched, he slipped the thong off the leg, and quickly lifted his hand into the air. A clear, ringing sound could be heard as the bird launched itself upwards and rose into the gray, overcast sky, quickly become a mere speck against the clouds.

  “How do you know it will hunt something?” Anna asked.

  Rupert had been watching the bird, but he glanced at her. “She hasn’t been fed today. After she has made enough kills, we will give her a good hearty meal of raw meat.”

  “But why doesn’t she just eat what she kills?”

  “She knows I feed her. From
the time she was young, the only food she has eaten is what I’ve given her. I’m not sure she even knows she could eat what she hunts.”

  Anna looked back at the clouds. Rupert was watching intently, but she couldn’t see anything. She was about to look away, when a flash through the sky caught her eye. It was the bird, diving down at a dizzying speed towards the ground. It disappeared behind the trees, then swooped back up, a large creature hanging from its claws.

  “Look.” Anna had been watching the falcon, but she followed Rupert’s pointed finger to see a flock of ducks rising into the air. “She’s caught a mallard,” he said. He lifted his fingers to his mouth and gave a sharp whistle. The falcon changed direction, and a moment later landed on the ground, the lifeless duck hanging from its claws. With a deft movement, Rupert quickly covered the falcon’s eyes with a leather hood, then slipped the leather loop around the bird’s leg. A small feather plume rose from the top of the hood, and the feathers shook as the bird moved its head. Rupert held his hand lightly against the bird’s talons, and the falcon hopped on, while the man with the sack scooped up the prize.

  “Will you feed her now?” Anna asked.

  “Just a morsel to keep her going. If I give her too much now, she won’t want to hunt again.” He turned to John. “Would you like to give her a snack?”

  His eyes brightened as he nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, Uncle,” he said. Rupert nodded to one of the men, who passed over a piece of raw, red meat. John took it gingerly in his fingers.

  “Like this, lad,” Rupert said, pushing the boy towards the bird. He glanced over his shoulder at Anna. “Ladies often keep birds, you know. I could find you a merlin and teach you the necessary skills if you wish.”

  The idea made Anna pause. Did she want to tame a wild beast? “Thank you, Your Highness,” she said, “but I’m afraid I’m not very patient.” A drop of rain fell on her sleeve, and she looked up to see the clouds had become very dark. “Thank you for showing me your falcon,” she said. The prince nodded.

  “Good day, Mistress,” he said.

  Chapter 19

  “There is a newcomer at court,” Kathleen told Anna excitedly one day. “He has just arrived after being absent for years. I’ve only seen him from afar, but they say he is more handsome than any other man in the city.”

  “Who says that?” Anna asked, amused.

  “Well, Blanche, for one. And Mary Pritchard. Even Lady Elizabeth says she could fill her hours just watching him.”

  “If that is the case, this newcomer is probably a vain, strutting peacock, and equally shallow and simpleminded,” Anna said.

  “That’s an unfair assessment of a man you haven’t even met,” Kathleen protested.

  “I don’t need to meet him. His character is already quite decided in my mind.”

  “And you have decided not to like him?”

  “Absolutely! Any man who has scores of women hovering around him, gazing on his beauty, is not worth the slightest ounce of regard or consideration.”

  “I feel quite sorry for him, already,” Kathleen said with a laugh.

  “Save your pity for someone more worthy,” Anna retorted.

  They were walking through the gardens as they talked. The queen was in conference with her favorite playwright, Lord Denton, and had dismissed her ladies from her presence. Anna did not think Denton’s work was particularly good, being neither witty nor erudite, but the queen had taken him under her wing, offering tips and revisions that he eagerly adopted before presenting his work at court and in the city. There were far better playwrights, Anna thought to herself, although none as pretty, perhaps, as Lord Denton.

  It had rained the previous night and the ground was damp, but the stones along the path had dried from the few weak rays of sun that broke through the heavy clouds. To one side of the path lay flower beds, the dormant soil carefully raked over, while on the other side rose a hedge, trimmed to perfection by an army of gardeners. It ran like a dashed line, interspersed with bushes that had been carefully cut and trained into perfect spheres. The hedge blocked the view of the adjoining path, except for the brief breaks to display the globes. It was as they were passing one such gap that Kathleen grabbed Anna by the arm.

  “It’s him,” she whispered excitedly.

  “Who?” Anna asked in confusion.

  “The man I was telling you about – the new arrival at court.”

  “You mean the peacock?” She glanced at the hedge, but the line of sight had been blocked once more.

  “He’s coming our way,” Kathleen whispered. “What should we do?”

  “Don’t be such a goose,” Anna said with a laugh. “We will nod politely and continue on our walk.”

  “Yes, of course,” Kathleen said, but she clung to Anna’s arm as they walked. “Look, he’s coming around the corner,” Kathleen said. “He’s with a woman.” Anna had been watching her friend, but she turned now to look at the couple strolling towards them. The first thing she noticed were the bronze highlights in the man’s loosely curling hair, caused by the sun glancing off his head as he bent down in conversation with the woman at his side. The other thing she noticed was how tall he was, and the leanness of his frame. She could not see his face, but her heart started to hammer wildly as she struggled to pull air into her lungs. A humming grew in her ears, and she saw nothing but the man walking towards her. She knew the set of his muscular shoulders, and recognized the cat-like grace with which he moved. It had been over five years since she had seen him last, but every aspect of him was imprinted on her mind. He was still bent towards the woman at his side, but as Anna stared at him, he slowly lifted his head and turned to meet her gaze, his gray eyes holding hers over the distance of the path.

  Kathleen was saying something, but the words sounded like they were traveling from a great distance. Anna’s mind felt sluggish and dull, and it was only with greatest effort that she tore her gaze away from the eyes that held her riveted. Her legs were trembling, and she wrapped her hand around Kathleen’s in an effort to control the shaking.

  “You have to admit he is very handsome,” Kathleen said.

  “No,” Anna said, shaking her head. She tugged Kathleen’s arm as she took a step backwards. “No, I have to go.” Kathleen looked at her in surprise.

  “What’s the matter? Look, they are coming our way.”

  Anna nodded. There was no escape. He was only a few feet away, and once more she felt her throat tighten as the air around her thickened.

  “Mistress Carver,” Max said. Anna barely noticed Kathleen’s surprised glance. Max stared at her for a long moment, his eyes holding hers, then turned to the woman at his side. “Allow me to introduce Mistress Jane.”

  Anna nodded, and heard her own voice as though it belonged to someone else, greeting Max’s companion. She introduced Kathleen, then waved at the man standing so close. “Kathleen, this is Master Brant.”

  Kathleen murmured her greetings while Anna looked at the woman at Max’s side. There was something about her that was familiar, but Anna could not place it. She was not exactly beautiful, but had a quality about her that made her attractive. Perhaps it was her bright, lively eyes, or her wide, friendly smile, but whatever it was, Anna was sure it drew the attention of any man passing by. She returned Anna’s appraising stare thoughtfully. “Mistress Anna,” she said, “I am pleased to make your acquaintance. I have heard a lot about you.” She turned to Kathleen with a nod. “Lady Kathleen.” Kathleen nodded, darting a quick look at Anna before dropping her eyes to the ground.

  Anna looked back at Max. Now that the initial shock had worn off, she felt more composed, although her heart was still pounding furiously. He looked quite unchanged, which was to be expected, of course. She turned to Kathleen.

  “Master Brant and I have long been acquainted,” she said, “although,” she continued, “it has been a while since we last saw each other.” She turned to Max. “Tell me, Master Brant, how many years has it been?”

  “Oh, I
don’t know, two or three. The time went by so quickly I barely noticed its passing.” A sliver of pain ran through Anna, but when she looked into his face she saw in his expression a challenge that she instantly recognized.

  “Really?” she said, arching her eyebrows, “as long as that?” A smile tugged at his mouth, and she looked at Kathleen to hide her own. “He’s everything I said before,” she said. “Arrogant, rude and proud.”

  She glanced back at Max, and saw the slight narrowing of his eyes as they caught hers. He took a small step closer, and she felt a wave of heat roll over her. “Proud, Anna? Is that a failing peculiar to me? Or is it perhaps one we share?”

  She stared back at him, determined to give a sharp retort, but there were no words. She could see a yellow spark deep in the gray depths, pulling her in, and she forgot they were not alone.

  “Nothing to say?” he said softly, and she shivered. “No insults? No further maligning of my character?”

  “No,” she whispered.

  He glanced away, and it took Anna a moment to realize that Jane had lain a hand on his arm, and was saying his name.

  “Max? Max! Shall we continue our walk?” The moment was broken, and Anna looked away, relieved and disappointed. The intensity she had seen a moment before in Max’s eyes had disappeared, replaced with a friendly smile.

  “My apologies, Jane,” Max said. “Mistress Carver and I are, er, old antagonists.” He glanced at Anna with a look of provocation that immediately evoked a slew of unflattering names, but she compressed her lips, refusing to take the bait. He noticed her struggle, of course. “You were about to say something?” he said, his eyebrows raised questioningly.

  “I was just going to wish you a good day and a pleasant walk,” she said. He grinned, and she could not help giving a gleeful smile in return.

  “Good day, Mistress,” he said. He nodded in Kathleen’s direction, and with Jane at his side, walked past them.