The journey to the castle was uneventful. Whether fear of the two escorts or plain good fortune were responsible, they arrived at the castle gate unmolested, with swords and spears still sheathed. As they approached the open gate, the huge iron portcullis just visible beneath the tower, the sun was slowly sinking in the west, casting fuschia shadows across the walls of the King’s citadel. At their approach, two armed guards walked from the shadows of the gatetower and, spears crossed, loudly proclaimed in one voice, “Name yourselves and state your purpose!” Bull rose in his stirrups, “I am Bull, my companion is Toad and between us, the Princess, daughter of the King! She seeks an audience with her father. Stand aside or I shall run you through, King’s Equerries or no!”
The guards exchanged glances before one said, “She looks little like a princess to our eyes. Some peasant girl would be closer to the truth. Or perhaps some slattern you have picked up along the journey, I hazard, apt for a quick roll! Be on your way, unless you wish to feel this steel in your gizzard.” The guard pointed his spear at Bull’s chest.
“You will regret saying that!” Bull spat and drew his sword at the same moment as Toad levelled his own spear at the guard’s chest. “Oh come,” said the Princess. “I did not come all this way to bandy threats with a fool with an overweening sense of duty! Call for the Master of Horse, he will set you aright!”
The guards looked at each other again. One turned and strode back into the castle. The remaining guard hefted his spear and said, “Very well. Perhaps you are the Princess, these long years gone. The Master will decide.”
Some minutes later the huge frame of the Master of Horse strode through the dark shadows of the gatetower. “Princess!” he bellowed. “Well met, indeed!” Looking at the guards he said, “You may stand aside. This is indeed the Princess and, if I am not mistaken, is this not Toad? Well met, Toad! Tales of your prowess precede you!” Toad bowed his head. Glaring at the guards, the Master continued. “Well is it that you did not cross swords with this one! I’d have arrived to find no guard but a brace of fine, spitted capons! His companion, I’d wager, is as much to be feared. I doubt the Toad of rumour would choose anyone less worthy than himself as fellow guardian of a Princess!”
The Master of Horse took hold of the grey’s bridle and walked back towards the gate, drawing the Princess’ horse behind him. “Come,” he said. “I will take you to the Keep and we will find quarters for your guardians. I will also send word to the King that you are here. He will, I am sure, wish to see you soonest. You have been sorely missed, Princess. It is a joy to see you again!”
“And you, Master,” she replied.
The Princess was soon settled in her room. Bull and Toad were quartered across the passageway from her. As she lay quietly on the bed, there was a brief tap on the door. “Come!” she cried. An elderly maid entered, carrying a tray. She laid the tray on a small table by the large window which looked to the west and with practised hands began to set the table for a guest, according to custom. As the maid laid the table, the Princess detected the scents of cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, tumeric spiralling in the steam from the bowls being laid on the table.
When the maid was done, she stood at the side of the table, her hands folded in front of her. “Your meal is ready, my lady,” she said quietly.
“Melissa?” The Princess sat bolt upright on the bed. “Melissa? Is that you? Really you?”
“Welcome home!” the maid replied. “Did I not say that we would meet again? It is a joy to be proven right! Welcome home, my sweet. Glad I am that I accepted the Queen’s invitation to return here after your Gran’mama’s sad death. But come, eat! You are still but skin and bone and you need your food. How else will you survive ‘til the morrow? Come, eat!”
“Only if you will share, Melissa. Go! Fetch a bowl, bring wine, and we will feast! “
The meal was, however, brief. The Princess found herself overcome with tiredness as she mopped the last of the spice-laden sauce from her bowl and yawned uncontrollably. “I am sorry, Melissa,” she said as soon as she regained control of her bones. “My manners are appalling tonight but it has been a long day in the saddle and I hope that you are in a mood to forgive such unseemly behaviour.”
The maid smiled. “Of course, my sweet, you are forgiven. I shall leave you now for I must rise early tomorrow and that will be the harder after the goblet of wine tonight. Sleep well and I shall see you on the morrow. I have been assigned to you for the length of your stay here so there will be time enough for me to catch up on all of your doings these past years.” The maid rose and gathering up the bowls from the table, she left the Princess to sleep.
Although she was tired beyond measure, the Princess had a fitful sleep. She woke every hour or so through the night and only regained sleep with some difficulty each time. Her mind was a writhing nest of vipers as she fought to keep her thoughts clear and peaceful. All she could think of was how she and the memory of her mother had been betrayed.
She rose just after dawn and was surprised to see that Melissa had already left hot water, soap, towels and some clean clothes together with a plain but ample breakfast. She washed, dressed and sat down to eat. She found herself surprisingly not at all hungry and so taking a few mouthfuls of springwater from the small jug on the table, she crossed the room and went out into the passageway. She was astonished to see Toad sitting on the floor, his back against the wall, his sword across his knees, his eyes keenly alert.
“Toad! What on earth are you doing here? You have not been here all night, have you?” the Princess said. “One of us, my lady,” Toad replied. "Bull sleeps now." The Princess was clearly confused. “Toad, this is my father’s castle. What possible danger can I be in when I am under the protection of the walls, the gatetower and the entire Household Guard?” she asked.
“None whatsoever, my lady. But you see, you haven’t been told that you will have your tackle fed back to you if any harm befalls our good Princess. Neither I nor, and more especially, Bull wish to take even the slightest chance that we will be dining out on our own meat and two veg ere long.” Toad smiled.
To be continued........
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