Chapter 22
1048 Words
Alyssa and Martha quietly carried small baskets full of freshly uprooted weeds from the garden, which would be the first deposits to that year’s compost pile. Despite the harsh winter, there were quite a few early bloomers that had arrived to grace the bed of the garden. Alyssa could not stand idle claws, and so set about weeding her favourite patch of earth in an attempt to keep her mind off recent events. But Martha could tell it wasn’t working. All throughout her labours, Alyssa remained silent. Her mind was clearly elsewhere.
The head maid decided to break that silence on the way in by asking, “Somethin’ on your mind, miss?”
“Oh, Martha, but of course something’s on my mind,” replied Alyssa. “Or rather someone.”
“Now now, you mustn’t worry so,” chided Martha gently. “It ain’t good for your ‘ealth.”
“I don’t worry too much. I’m sure Astron will bring them back safely. It’s just, without them around, I don’t know how to keep myself occupied. Do you know, I actually went to check on the triplets before bed last night? I stopped myself at the door when I remembered they weren’t there, but even so I did it. It just goes to show what a large part of my routine they were.”
“Well now, never you mind your routine, miss. Things ain’t gonna’ be the same ‘round here ‘til they gets back, so you may’s well make the best of it.”
“Quite right you are, Martha,” agreed Alyssa. “Sensible as always.” She sighed. “Well, I suppose we’d best get on, then. I’ve got to go visit father this evening and bring him his supper.”
They carried their burdens to the compost heap at the back corner of the garden and dumped them there. Alyssa sighed again as she emptied her basket, remembering how Frederik and Arnor had once talked their sister into digging through the pile of nasty rotted vegetation in search of treasure. There had been naught but bread and water for the young uns’ supper that day, and they were thoroughly chastised besides. She missed that kind of roguishness that had kept her and Astron so occupied throughout their earliest days as parents.
Upon finishing, Alyssa went inside to wash her claws and face before dropping by the kitchen to pick up her father’s supper, which Willy himself had prepared personally every day for years now. The chief cook and his staff greeted her cheerily as she took the tray, and she bade them a good evening in return. She found it hard to be gloomy in the company of her friends and fellow Saurahallers on such a lovely spring eve, and her mood lightened considerably on her way up the stairs.
“Allow me, Your Royal Highness,” said Johnny, lifting the heavy tray effortlessly from her grasp.
“Oh, thank you, Johnny,” said Alyssa gratefully.
“Taking this to the king, are you?”
“Of course,” replied the princess as they walked along. “Just like every other evening. You’re welcome to join us if you’d like. I’m sure my father would be delighted to have the extra company.”
“Thank you kindly for the invitation, my lady.”
“You needn’t be so formal, Johnny. You know you’re like a brother to me. And more to Astron.”
Johnny chuckled lightly. “Just trying to be dutiful like Captain Winstone, I guess.”
“Well, even Captain Winstone is allowed some degree of informality from time to time,” assured Alyssa as she opened the door for him. They entered the king’s chamber to find King Henrik lying abed, albeit still fully dressed, poring over one of his library’s voluminous works.
“Ah! Good evening, daughter,” he said without looking up.
“Good evening, sire,” answered Johnny.
The king looked up abruptly. “Why, Lieutenant Harrison! What a pleasant surprise. To what do we owe the pleasure of your company this evening?”
“Princess Alyssa was kind enough to invite me, sire. I hope you don’t mind.”
“No, of course not,” replied Henrik, setting his volume aside. “I see Captain Winstone aplenty, but I do not often enough get a chance to speak to my Lieutenant of the Guard. Just set the tray down there.”
They were shortly seated and partaking in the cook’s fine work. Sipping his tea, Henrik gestured toward the book.
“I was reviewing Captain Torilis’s account of Edward’s invasion of our realm,” he said. “Very nicely done, I must say. There are details I’d long since forgotten recorded in it. Have you read it, Lieutenant?”
“No, sir. I wasn’t aware Captain Torilis ever did such writing.”
“Oh, yes, my old friend Richard always did like recording things,” expounded Henrik. “He kept a diary of his whole career, I believe. After he retired he took up the pen in earnest and made this account. Finished it just before he died.” He paused and blinked rapidly. “I wish he were still with us, the brave old dino.”
After a moment the king rose slowly, setting his tea down. “Ah well, we old ones have to move along some time to make room for you young ones. A tad warm in here, isn’t it?” He faltered a bit and grabbed the window sill to steady himself. Alyssa was up in an instant.
“Are you all right, father?” she asked, eyes wide with worry.
“Oh yes, fine.” He smiled pathetically. “It’s just…I suddenly felt so tired.” He swayed noticeably. “It’s so…warm.”
Without further warning, he collapsed where he stood, his head narrowly missing the nightstand corner. Alyssa was by his side in an instant.
“Father! Oh, father what’s wrong?” she asked in her panic. “Johnny, go get help!”
But Lieutenant Harrison was already out the door and racing down the corridor, his cries echoing off the Palace walls.
“Help! Send a physician quickly. The King of Cardolin is down!”
- Writer
