IGMS Issue 26 by IGMS

Author:IGMS [IGMS]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Hatrack River Enterprises
Published: 2012-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

The princess curtsied. "I'm Tarmellinda."

Bay offered her elbow. "You're right, Tarmellinda. I think I'd rather spend the day with you and your sisters. Why don't you show me what it's like to be a princess?"

"Gladly," said Tarmellinda. She led Bay off, looking relieved; Bay followed, feeling relief of her own. At last, she had a plan.

Bay spent the day watching the princesses -- their habits, their mannerisms. In the evening she went back to the cobbler to get her boots. Then she went on the hunt. She found Tarmellinda reading by the lamplight in a flower-heavy garden, far from the others.

She approached with deep deference. "A word, your highness?"

The princess Tarmellinda looked alarmed. "If you will."

Bay sat beside her on the bench, angled in, making herself look grave and desperate. "Forgive me. I don't know who else to trust."

"I -- er --"

Bay forged on. "Twice now I've slept the night without meaning to. Twice I've been brought wine before bed. I suspect one of your sisters may be feeding me potions and enchanting the rest of you. I can't tell which, but I've watched you all carefully, and I think you, at least, are innocent."

Tarmellinda's hand moved to her mouth. "Oh," she said. "Oh, how . . . what a dreadful accusation."

"I know. Forgive me. I dare not make guesses to the king. But I think together we can solve this mystery and save you and the rest of your sisters."

Tarmellinda's eyes remained fixed on Bay's face. "Yes, all right," she said slowly. "Will you then . . . will you not drink?"

Bay bit her knuckle. "I can't. But I can't let on to them what I suspect. Maybe I can think of a way to pretend to drink . . ."

"Oh, that won't do," said Tarmellinda. "My sisters are too clever for that."

"Then what can I do?" said Bay. "I'll be dead by morning!"

Tarmellinda was silent for a moment. Then: "What if I offered to fetch your wine tonight?"

Bay sat straighter. "That's it! The others would be satisfied, and I'd be awake to investigate. Just one night, that's all I need. I knew I was right to trust you."

"Oh yes," said Tarmellinda, still wide-eyed. "Yes. I'll do it."

Bay grasped the princess's hands the way she had done with her best friend when she was a tiny girl. "Thank you. You've saved my life. I swear, I'll break your curse or die trying."

She stood, saluted, and strode back into the castle to pass her last evening in the king's dwelling . . . and it wasn't too late that night before she heard a knock at her chamber door.

Khloromain, who had been hunting flies on the ceiling, vanished into the closet. Bay answered the door. When she saw Tarmellinda she sagged in relief. "You did come!" She shooed the princess inside and shut the door behind her.

"Of course I came," said Tarmellinda. She held out the tray and the single goblet of wine. "Tonight you can enjoy your wine with no worries.

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