Schwan (4 A Glass of Wine)

A bit more of this story-

4  A Glass of Wine

It was already late on this early summer evening, but the sun was just setting.  The Princess Lillian was on her balcony overlooking the lake, enjoying a glass of wine in the cool evening air.  There was a knock on her chamber door.  it was Ella, her chambermaid, with a stranger in the dress of the Rangers.

"Please, your Highness," Ella curtsied.  "This is my brother, Karl, one of the Rangers.  May we speak to you, alone?"

Lillian was surprised at the unusual request.

"Any Ranger is welcome here.  My brother, the King, is a Ranger, himself,” she said.

Then, she dismissed her Lady in Waiting.

The chambermaid hesitated, and then began.

"We - some of the servants - fear for your life, Your Highness.  There is a rumor that the King was poisoned."

Lillian listened in silence.  That idea had occurred to her as well.

"This is a serious accusation.  And by who?"

Now the brother stepped forward bowing respectfully.

"The night the King fell ill, Your Highness, a cart was seen leaving the city.  It was unusual, and I followed at a distance, so not to be seen.  I followed all the way to the border, to Morlana."

Princess Lillian stared at him.  Her worst fears were being confirmed.  The man went on.

"At the border, the cart was met by a group of riders.  Then the driver mounted, and the party rode swiftly away toward St. Petersbridge, and the Duke of Morlana."

Lillian's blood ran cold.  The pieces were falling into place.  And now Fredrik was in Morlana, and in the power of the Duke.

She opened the door and called to the Man at Arms on duty.

"Summon the Court Physician!" 

The Doctor came with haste, fearing the worst after the death of the King.  He was relieved to find the Princess in good health.  Lillian had the chambermaid and her brother wait outside while she questioned the Doctor.

"The evidence fits, Your Highness."

"Then why have you said nothing?" 

Her tone was stern.

"The Rumors, Your Highness."  He was growing uncomfortable under her gaze.  

She waited in silence.

"The Rumor, that the Prince... or Your self... " now he could not meet her eyes, "...were behind it."  He finally got the last of it out with a great effort.

Anger rose up in the Princess.

"And you believed this slander?"

The doctor dropped to his knees.  This was a side of Lillian he had never seen.

"Please, Your Highness, we don't know what to believe these days.  I should have come to you; but..."

"But what?"

"They were watching me."

"Who?" she demanded.

"Those men... Slythain's men."

✠

The Duke was gone.  He had left Fredrik in his room alone.  Fredrik laid his sword on the table, and walked to the window.  It had grown dark by now, but Fredrik could see a few lights flickering in the town below.  And beyond that, in the moonlight, the river and bridge.

Several river boats were tied to the banks below the bridge.  It was to the river and the road, that St. Petersbridge owed it's prosperity.  And it was a prosperous town.  And much of that prosperity made it's way into the Duke's hands.

Fredrik's eyes were drawn to the bridge, visible now in the moonlight.  It was said to have been built by the Romans hundreds of years ago.  It crossed the river in three graceful arches.  If the Romans could do that, surely he could build a road.

He thought of his father.  If the Late King had intended that he, or Lily marry into the Duke's family, he had never mentioned it to Fredrik.  But then he had never mentioned a spy ring either.  Fredrik wondered just how many compromises a king had to make.  How many would he make?

For now he would meet these daughters of the Duke, and perhaps one would make a suitable wife. But Fredrik doubted that.  He thought that he would prefer a simple village girl, like his Grandfather had.

Already he missed home.  He thought of the mountains and the lake.  There was something of this castle that felt like a prison to him.  He would do his duty here, and leave.  And the sooner, the better.

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.  At his answer, the Porter entered with a frightened young woman, carrying a large tray.

"Your dinner, Your Majesty, complements of the Duke." 

With that, the man stepped out, closing the door behind him.

✠

In the kitchen things had just been settling down after serving dinner to the Duke and the Archbishop, his guest.  The Castle Guard had been fed.  The sculleries were finishing their work and the servants were ready for their own meal, when the Porter came in.

There were some shouts, and some curses, and then the Porter came and pulled Elise by the arm.

"Get ready, and come with me.  I have a job for you."

Elise got wearily to her feet.  She had been working all day as usual.  Now she was tired and hungry.

"And clean yourself up!"

Anna, one of the older women came to her with a wet rag, and began scrubbing her face.  Elise had no idea what this was about.  One of the other women brought her a clean dress to put on.  It was just a bit large, but would have to do.  When the Porter returned, he handed her a large tray, filled with cold meats, bread, and wine.

"Follow me.  The Duke says it's time you began to earn your keep."

As they climbed the winding stairs, he gave her instructions.

"You are to entertain the Duke's guest."

"Isn't that Marguerite's place?"

"She is with the Archbishop."

Elise tripped on the narrow stairs, but caught her balance.

"Be careful, you clumsy girl!"

"But what about Samantha?"

"She's traveling with Rathard.

"Shut up and listen.  The Duke wants this guest to be comfortable- understand?  Do whatever he tells you!  If he's not happy… you won't be either."

Elise thought of the dungeon below.  Then, they were at the door.

✠

When the door closed, the woman remained standing, still holding the heavy tray.  Fredrik watched her for a bit.  Finally, when she still hadn't moved, he told her to set it on the table.  She did so, and then stepped back, looking down at the floor.

At first he was amused.  Then he became irritated.

"You can go now."

She looked up, more frightened then ever.

"Oh no, Sir!... The Duke... I have to stay... He'll punish me... Please!"

Fredrik's irritation turned to concern.  The woman continued...

"I have to wait on you... and..." 

She began to place the food on the table, but her hands shook so badly, that he was afraid she'd knock something over.  Finally he could stand it no longer.

"Stop it!"

Elise started at his words, knocking over a goblet which was fortunately, empty.  As she reached for it she was stopped by his hand on her wrist.  Her first reflex was to jerk her arm back, but his grip was too strong.  He lifted her hand, and led her away from the table.

"What is wrong with you?"

"N- Nothing, Sir.  It's just that... I've never done this before," she stammered.

"Set a table?" asked Fredrik, a little amused.

"No..."

Elise was beginning to calm down a bit.  Fredrik waited for her to continue.

... 'Entertain' the Duke's guest."

He suddenly realized what she meant.

She had said it with a heavy sigh.  But saying it seemed to calm her.  He still held her wrist.  He led her to the table, and sat her down in one of the chairs.  Then he poured wine into the goblet and put it in her hand.

"Drink!"

He spoke with authority and she obeyed.  As she raised the wine, she met his eyes for the first time.