(eng) Patty Jansen - For Queen and Country 04 by Fire Wizard

Author:Fire Wizard [Wizard, Fire]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

* * *

MOST OF THE next day, Johanna sat in the kitchen because an icy wind had come up and there was not enough wood to heat the entire house. Father stayed in the library where, thanks to the high ceiling, it was much colder despite the fire. He said, “You young people should talk amongst yourselves.”

Johanna told him not to be silly and join them, but he said that he expected a visit from Auguste LaFontaine and that the LaFontaines should not find out about his houseguests.

Which was true.

But the LaFontaine cousin stayed away, probably because of the weather. Father took his tea in the library. Roald had moved a chair from the cold formal sitting room into the kitchen, where it had stood in the corner for many years. It was a strange thing, made from some kind of twig, much thinner and smoother than willow twigs. She used to love it when she was little, because the wood would show her a large river flowing between steep rocks covered in green. It was a landscape she had never seen before or since.

She didn’t know how Father had obtained the chair, but since it weighed a lot less than the traditional furniture, it had been easy for Roald to carry downstairs. He sat there now, reading a book with his feet on a footstool and the glow from the fire gilding his trousers and slippers.

The rain had turned to snow at midmorning, but the darkness was never dispelled from the house.

At some time in the afternoon came the sound of footsteps from the back yard, the kitchen door opened and Greetje came in.

“Cold out there,” she said while unwrapping the shawl from her head and shaking out the snowflakes. She stood by the fire, warming her hands. Roald was deeply engrossed in a book and never looked up.

“The boys like the idea of getting the crown and staff,” Greetje said, rubbing her hands. “Bert says that there is a new moon in two weeks and it might be good to break into the palace then.”

“That sounds like a good idea. Could you find a couple of volunteers to come with me?”

“By the Triune, you’re not planning to go yourself?”

“Who else knows where the crown and staff are?”

“You can give directions.”

“I don’t remember exact details. I can tell on sight once I see the room, but I don’t know the palace well enough to give the men precise directions.”

Greetje gave her a horrified look. “But you’re the consort. You can’t possibly—”

“I’m also the only person who knows where I put the crown.”

She still didn’t look convinced. “By the Triune, the boys are not going to like this. My husband told me to not let you go out more than necessary. He said we will come and guide you. It’s tricky enough simply walking the streets. The guards walk certain patterns. If they see you, they will sometimes stop you for a stupid reason and ask you questions to make you angry.

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