Read Online Dragonfly by Julia Golding - Free Book Online
Authors: Julia Golding
Tags: General, Juvenile Nonfiction, Action & Adventure, Juvenile Fiction, Fantasy & Magic, Social Issues, Royalty
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some torches to search for them. Tell the delegation not to worry. I expect they got a little lost or forgot the time. Let me know when they get back." Lagan rather liked the idea of challenging the little Princess about her tardiness to see if he could raise a blush under all that silly white paint.
The guard returned at midnight, having found no trace of either Ramil or the Crown Princess. Lagan was forced to revise his opinion that their absence was innocent. He had a creeping conviction that his son had done
something extremely stupid. First time out of the castle: had Ramil bolted?
But then what of the Princess? Surely he would have returned her safely. It was common courtesy to do so. Ramil may have many faults, but Lagan did not think lack of chivalry to a lady in his charge was one of them.
He summoned the Blue Crescent delegation to the White Stone Council Chamber so it could witness and participate in the efforts to discover the young people. The Islanders sat ranged on the far side of the table from his ministers, their hostility and suspicion like a blistering heat in the room.
Lagan realized that they put the fault for whatever had happened squarely on the Prince's shoulders. He could hardly blame them; his son had done nothing to inspire their confidence,
65
quite the contrary. Whatever the truth, it was the responsibility of Gerfal to sort it out.
The Chief Warden of the Forest was also present. He reported that the young Prince and Princess had been seen galloping into the forest that morning but his wardens had kept aloof as ordered. No one had noticed them after that.
"Why did no guard accompany the Princess?" snapped the senior priest in the Blue Crescent delegation.
Lagan wondered if he could explain to this hard-boiled old man the idea of a romantic ride for two under the greenwood boughs. He decided not to attempt it.
"Prince Ramil does not habitually take a guard when riding in the forest." Not least because no guard could keep up with him when he was in the saddle.
"He was following usual practice. The perimeter of the forest is patrolled by wardens and my own soldiers. It has always been regarded as safe
anywhere within five miles of Falburg."
" 'Usual practice'--'always regarded'--it appears to us that Your Majesty's judgment has been proved in error, "cut in the Etiquette Mistress, snapping her fan shut.
Lagan ignored the slight to his wisdom. "Such are our customs, madam.
However, this is getting us nowhere. We must send out all available men. I want the Royal Forest searched all the way to the mountain passes. Every village, every traveller, every cave, den or hiding place is to be examined."
He turned to the delegation. "Would you like to send your own men to participate?"
66
The chief priest nodded. "I have five hundred sailors awaiting my orders."
"Good. Send them to the chief warden here and he will distribute them among the teams."
The council meeting broke up. Lagan retired to his private room and filled a wine glass with a shaking hand. He was hoping that his son had proved honorable and that none of this was his fault. Desertion now, coupled with losing the Princess, would mean war with Taoshira's people--there was no doubt about it. Twenty Crescent ships were in possession of his main harbor, in a prime position to bombard the city and destroy the capital. But if his hope proved to be correct, then that meant Ramil was detained against his will. His son was in danger.
67
Chapter 4
Many hours after nightfall, the door of the cage was opened and a tiny man appeared with a lantern. "You're to get out now if you want food and a wash," he announced in a squeaky voice.
With a glance at each other, Tashi and Ramil got up. The Prince jumped down first, then offered his hand to help Tashi to the ground. She let go quickly, wrapping his cloak more securely around her shoulders as she surveyed the scene before them.
An odd collection of some twenty people were eating a late
The guard returned at midnight, having found no trace of either Ramil or the Crown Princess. Lagan was forced to revise his opinion that their absence was innocent. He had a creeping conviction that his son had done
something extremely stupid. First time out of the castle: had Ramil bolted?
But then what of the Princess? Surely he would have returned her safely. It was common courtesy to do so. Ramil may have many faults, but Lagan did not think lack of chivalry to a lady in his charge was one of them.
He summoned the Blue Crescent delegation to the White Stone Council Chamber so it could witness and participate in the efforts to discover the young people. The Islanders sat ranged on the far side of the table from his ministers, their hostility and suspicion like a blistering heat in the room.
Lagan realized that they put the fault for whatever had happened squarely on the Prince's shoulders. He could hardly blame them; his son had done nothing to inspire their confidence,
65
quite the contrary. Whatever the truth, it was the responsibility of Gerfal to sort it out.
The Chief Warden of the Forest was also present. He reported that the young Prince and Princess had been seen galloping into the forest that morning but his wardens had kept aloof as ordered. No one had noticed them after that.
"Why did no guard accompany the Princess?" snapped the senior priest in the Blue Crescent delegation.
Lagan wondered if he could explain to this hard-boiled old man the idea of a romantic ride for two under the greenwood boughs. He decided not to attempt it.
"Prince Ramil does not habitually take a guard when riding in the forest." Not least because no guard could keep up with him when he was in the saddle.
"He was following usual practice. The perimeter of the forest is patrolled by wardens and my own soldiers. It has always been regarded as safe
anywhere within five miles of Falburg."
" 'Usual practice'--'always regarded'--it appears to us that Your Majesty's judgment has been proved in error, "cut in the Etiquette Mistress, snapping her fan shut.
Lagan ignored the slight to his wisdom. "Such are our customs, madam.
However, this is getting us nowhere. We must send out all available men. I want the Royal Forest searched all the way to the mountain passes. Every village, every traveller, every cave, den or hiding place is to be examined."
He turned to the delegation. "Would you like to send your own men to participate?"
66
The chief priest nodded. "I have five hundred sailors awaiting my orders."
"Good. Send them to the chief warden here and he will distribute them among the teams."
The council meeting broke up. Lagan retired to his private room and filled a wine glass with a shaking hand. He was hoping that his son had proved honorable and that none of this was his fault. Desertion now, coupled with losing the Princess, would mean war with Taoshira's people--there was no doubt about it. Twenty Crescent ships were in possession of his main harbor, in a prime position to bombard the city and destroy the capital. But if his hope proved to be correct, then that meant Ramil was detained against his will. His son was in danger.
67
Chapter 4
Many hours after nightfall, the door of the cage was opened and a tiny man appeared with a lantern. "You're to get out now if you want food and a wash," he announced in a squeaky voice.
With a glance at each other, Tashi and Ramil got up. The Prince jumped down first, then offered his hand to help Tashi to the ground. She let go quickly, wrapping his cloak more securely around her shoulders as she surveyed the scene before them.
An odd collection of some twenty people were eating a late
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