Part 55 (1/2)
King Casmir, frowning in automatic displeasure, broke the seal and unfolded the parchment. He read:
'Your Royal Highness, my best respects!
In accordance with your commands I have set out to discover the name and condition of my father, and also the details of my pedigree. Your instructions were definite; I have commanded for myself the services of an escort. As soon as my goals have been achieved, I will return. I informed Queen Sollace of my intention to obey Your Majesty's orders in this matter. I depart immediately.
Madouc'
King Casmir looked blankly at Queen Sollace. ”Madouc has gone.”
'Gone'? Where?”
”Somewhere-to seek her pedigree, so she says.” Casmir slowly read the note aloud.
”So that is what the little vixen meant!” cried Sollace. ”And now-what is to be done?”
”I must consider. Perhaps nothing.”
CHAPTER EIGHT.
An hour before dawn, with the castle silent, Madouc climbed from her bed. For a moment she stood indecisive, hugging herself and s.h.i.+vering to the cool air which played around her thin shanks. She went to the window; it seemed as if the day might be fair; still, at this dim hour the world seemed cheerless and unsympathetic. Doubts slid into Madouc's mind; could it be she was making a foolish, dreadful mistake?
Madouc s.h.i.+vered and hopped away from the window. Standing by her bed, she considered. Nothing had changed. She scowled and set her mouth into a firm line. Decisions had been made; they were irrevocable.
Madouc quickly dressed in a peasant boy's knee-length smock, bast stockings, ankle-boots, and a loose cloth cap pulled low to hide her curls. Taking up a small bundle of extra belongings, she left her chambers, stole along the dim corridor, descended the stairs and went from the castle by a back way, out into the pre-dawn stillness. She stopped to look and listen, but no one was abroad. So far, so good. She set off around the castle toward the stables. At the edge of the service-yard she paused in the shadows; only the most discerning eye could have identified this thin and furtive peasant boy as Princess Madouc.
In the kitchen scullions and fire-boys were astir; maids would soon be going out to the b.u.t.tery. At the moment the service- yard was empty; Madouc darted across the open s.p.a.ce and so made her way unchallenged to the stables. Here Sir Pom-Pom awaited her with a pair of horses saddled and ready. Madouc examined the horses without enthusiasm. To one side a sway- backed bay mare of advanced age, with one walleye and a tail woefully lacking in hair; to the other, a gray gelding almost as old, fat in the barrel and thin in the shank. Sir Pom-Pom had achieved well his stated purpose of avoiding prideful ostentation.
Madouc's saddle had been fitted on the bay mare; the gray gelding was evidently Sir Pom-Pom's chosen steed. Sir Pom-Pom himself wore not his usual garments, but a smart doublet of good blue cloth, a blue cap with a jaunty red feather, and a pair of glossy new boots, flaring modishly high past the knees and boasting pewter buckles at the insteps.
”Your garments are stylish,” said Madouc. ”You would seem almost dapper were it not that you still show the face of Sir Pom-Pom.”
Sir Pom-Pom scowled. ”My face cannot be changed.”
”Were not those garments costly?”
Sir Pom-Pom gave a brisk jerk of the hand. ”It is all relative. Have you not heard the saying: 'When Need is on the march, Expense must step aside'?”
Madouc put on a sour face. ”Whoever made up this nonsense was either a spendthrift or a fool.”
”Not so! The saying is apt! To change over the gold pieces, I bought needful articles! One does not go forth on an important quest looking the hobbledehoy.”
”I see. Where is the balance of the money?”
”I carry it in my wallet, for safekeeping.”
Madouc extended her hand. ”Give it here, Sir Pom-Pom, on the instant!”
Sir Pom-Pom sullenly reached in his pouch, brought out coins, which he handed over to Madouc. She reckoned up the sum, then looked back to Sir Pom-Pom. ”Surely there is more money than this!”
”Possibly so, but I hold it for security.”