The Tales of Tarya, Books 1-3

Chapter 9 - Darkness and Light-4

After they passed through a third crossroads, the buildings changed in character again. Now wood was replaced by stone, clean and bright. Beautiful carved borders shaped like flowers or delicate knot work sprawled across building façades. Spider webs wound across the face of one building, delicate as filigree. As the wagon continued on its path the buildings became even taller, and the carvings even more ornate. Still the colourful banners emblazoned with gold stars hung everywhere. Finally they arrived at a second set of gates.

These gates were much smaller than the great gold gates, but no less beautiful. They shone silver, and looked like a row of young saplings whose branches were woven together.

Dario had been silent up until now, holding Mina close and delighting in her wonder at the beautiful city. Now he kissed her neck lightly, causing her to shiver.

‘We’re entering the heart of Aurea. The royal palace. If we do well at this festival, Mina, we may end up living here.’

Mina leaned back into his embrace as the silver gates swung silently open and sighed as she caught her first sight of the vast royal palace. It was built of a shimmering, creamy stone, with banks of tall windows across its width, and many broad stone balconies. Building wings snaked outwards from the main palace at all angles. Blocks of golden stone edged the windows, and formed the cornices and other features. As the wagon drew nearer, it became apparent this golden stone was carved with extraordinarily detailed knot work. And, Mina noticed, set into the knot work at intervals were seven-pointed stars, like gleaming gems.

Nothing in Mina’s life had prepared her for such magnificence. She couldn’t imagine entering such a building. What were the king and queen like, that they could live here and accept this as their due? Mina had never doubted her life was good. But a whispering voice of doubt began telling her others’ lives were better, so perhaps that meant their lives were more important. She rejected the thought but traces of it lingered, like tenacious spider webs.

Vincenzo didn’t steer the wagon toward the palace proper but veered off to the right, toward one of the long wings. Though the front of the building was as magnificent as the palace, when they drove around to its rear, through tall, beautifully shaped hedges, they were suddenly in a dusty courtyard, in front of banks of stables. A clanging sound and bright sparks through the stable doors at the far end of the building revealed this was a more functional area.

‘The stables and the royal forge,’ Vincenzo said with a smile. ‘And our entrance. No going in by the front door for us Innaroi, eh?’

He signalled Petruchio to stop. Two men came forward, both dressed in brown tunics and pants with leather boots. Vincenzo tossed the reins to one of them, then rapped sharply on the wagon door. Lisette opened it.

‘We are here?’ she asked, surprised. ‘But it is just morning, yes?’

‘We rode all night,’ Mina said.

‘And I sleep through? That I do not usually do. Well, we are here! Isabella, we are here!’

A shriek issued from the wagon, then Lisette’s face disappeared as she was pushed aside by the other girl. Isabella let out a scream of excitement.

‘My dreams begin!’ she exclaimed, and disappeared back into the wagon, slamming the door. Raised voices were heard, then silence. Mina and Dario looked at each other.

‘Can’t face her dreams without make-up,’ Vincenzo said with a shrug. ‘I’m guessing Lisette got in her way. Let’s hope there’s no blood!’

‘Speaking of getting ready …’ Dario said, and looked down at Mina’s clothes. She suddenly realised she was wearing her linen underdress and let out a shriek. The distraction of Tarya, then seeing the gates had made her forget this journey had started in the dark of night. She blushed as she realised she’d just travelled the length of Aurea in her underdress. At least she hadn’t worn a transparent chemise to bed. Pushing her way past the two men, she quickly slipped back into the wagon.

Both girls inside were already dressed, and Lisette was tying her hair into a long braid. Isabella stood in front of the small mirror she usually dominated, applying coloured powders to her face.

Mina quickly chose her deep green dress embroidered at the hem, a gift from Mama last birthday. She hadn’t worn it before now with the players, but arriving at the royal palace was an occasion for special dresses. As Mina slid it over her underdress, Lisette came over and took hold of the ties at the back, lacing them together tightly.

‘It’s beautiful, Mina,’ she said quietly. Not quietly enough.

‘Oh, it’s pretty, isn’t it?’ Isabella chimed in. ‘Though a bit plain for the city. We’ll see if we can find you a more up to date dress, with sleeves, and perhaps a waist. The fabric is quite coarse too, though that lovely peasant embroidery does make it look special.’

‘Ignore her,’ Lisette whispered. ‘Here, I have something for you to wear.’

From her pocket she drew out a silver comb, with an enamelled flower set in the centre. Deftly she undid the usual braid Mina wore and combed out her wavy hair. Then she swept it up and pinned it. Some of the hair tumbled around Mina’s face and onto her shoulders, framing her face with curling tendrils of hair.

‘Now we see how beautiful you are!’ Lisette exclaimed. ‘Tonight we even have a real bath, and then all can see your beauty.’

Isabella shot Lisette a look of pure anger, then stormed out of the wagon.

Lisette winked at Mina. ‘She likes no competition,’ she said, laughing. ‘You cannot help but be beautiful.’

‘Thanks Lisette. I’m feeling overwhelmed. What are all the stars everywhere? They were on banners, and now they’re carved into the palace.’

‘You do not know?’

Mina shook her head.

‘How strange, that I who am not of this country should know this thing when you who were born here do not. It is the symbol of the royal family. But also it is the symbol of light, which is revealed each year by the gate. We celebrate both.’

Lisette gave Mina a hug.

‘This city is so large. It is frightening for me the first time too. Soon you will be, “ah, I am so at home here”. You will see. Come, let’s go see the palace.’

Chapter 10