The Bravest Princess (18 page)

“Actually, until it touched you, that little lizard was a three-headed monster as big as two warhorses,” said Maitland, who was standing on a higher step. “The thing was covered in scales, had a thrashing tail longer than I am tall, and sharp teeth as big as my thumb.”

Annie looked up. Captain Sterling was standing next to Maitland. Both men had torn clothes with blood on their arms and bodies, but neither one seemed to be badly injured. “Is that your blood or the monster's?” she asked.

The two men looked down at themselves and laughed. “The monster's,” said the captain. “Prince Maitland cut off one of its heads to distract it while Prince Liam got past it and unbarred the door.”

“Thank goodness you came when you did,” Annie said, looking from one to the other but letting her eyes linger on Liam's face longer. “Horace and I would have drowned in there if not for you.”

“Pardon me, Your Highness, but I would never have let that happen!” said Horace. “I was merely looking for the best way to free us from the witch's trap.”

“And I'm sure you would have,” said Liam, “if you hadn't drowned first!”

“How did you find us?” Annie asked him.

“Maitland and I were getting ready to shoot crows when we saw you two hurrying toward the south tower. I'd told you that I didn't want you going outside, so I knew it had to be something urgent to bring you here. Whatever it was, I didn't want you coming here without me, so Maitland and I followed you.”

“Dog was with us and wanted to come, too. She was a big help tracking you once we were in the tower,” said Maitland. “She led us to the stairs and warned us about the monster before we saw it. Liam and I were fighting the monster when Captain Sterling joined us, although I still don't know why he was there.”

Annie glanced at the captain. He winked at her and said, “I just happened to be going this way.” She smiled, remembering Liam telling her that the captain had volunteered to follow one of the princes. A draft made her shiver, and her teeth chattered loud enough for Liam to hear.

“You're freezing!” he exclaimed. “Let's get you out of here and somewhere warm and dry.”

“What I'd really like is a hot bath!” said Annie.

“Haven't you had enough water?” Horace grumbled as Captain Sterling helped him to his feet. “I know I have.”

The captain laughed and turned the old man toward the stairs. With Captain Sterling on one side and Maitland on the other, they helped Horace climb one step at a time. Dog ran ahead, running back to see them when they were too slow.

“Do you want me to carry you?” Liam asked Annie.

“I can manage,” she said, smiling at him. They started up the stairs, which were wide enough that they could walk next to each other. “I have to tell you that I thought I was meeting you here. A maid brought a message telling me that the person I was looking for was in the tower, and that I should hurry because she wouldn't be here for long. She said that the person who sent the message was a man, so I thought it was you. Horace was already with me, so we came straight to the tower.”

“A man, you say?” said Liam. “Then either he was working for the witch or we've been looking for the wrong person.”

Maitland glanced at them over his shoulder. “I thought you were looking for Snow White's stepmother.”

“We have been,” Annie said. “But the crows are here, so I think Terobella might be as well. And that makes sense because when I met Queen Marissa, she had some magic, but she wasn't very powerful. Whoever turned that little lizard into a three-headed monster and those forest animals into wolves is a very powerful witch.”

“I'm sure you're right,” said Liam. “And I've been thinking about those crows. The last time we saw crows behaving oddly was when we were looking for the wicked fairy Voracia. She was talking to the roc skull about a horrible witch who had recently moved into her swamp. I think the witch's name might have been Terobella.”

“Marissa and Terobella have to be working together,” said Annie. “That room must be watertight without magic, because I touched those walls and they didn't start leaking. And if they were made to be water-tight, there has to be a nonmagical way to flood that room. Only someone like Marissa who knew the castle well would know about a room like that. The thing is, why would Terobella want to help anyone?”

“I don't think we'll know until we find them. But first things first,” said Liam. “A hot bath should warm you up. Let me worry about finding the witches for now.”

Liam left Annie at her door and went off-to tell someone to bring her enough hot water to fill a tub. While she was waiting for the water, she took off her still-dripping clothes and wrapped herself in one of Snow White's soft robes. When she finally heard a knock on the door, she opened it to find a slew of maids carrying buckets brimming with steaming water. Another round of maids came, and the tub was full. Alone at last, she lowered herself into the tub and leaned back, relaxing as the water warmed her.

Annie was more than half asleep by the time the water had cooled enough to wake her. She was still cold and tired, so she pulled on a warm nightgown and crawled under the bedcovers. Normally she felt guilty for taking a nap in the middle of the day when she knew she had lots to do, but this had been no ordinary day.

An insistent banging on her chamber door finally woke Annie.

“I thought you might take a nap,” Liam said when she answered the door, clutching the robe around her. “I would have let you sleep until tomorrow, but I thought you'd want to hear the princes tell how brave they were today.”

“Oh, that's right! I almost forgot. I'll be ready in a few minutes!” she said, closing the door.

Annie had gotten used to dressing herself without a maid's help long ago and could do it quickly now. Rummaging through the clothes in a wardrobe, she found a simple gown elegant enough to wear to supper with the king. She didn't want to take the time to put her hair up, so she tried braiding it on one side of her head to cover the hair that had been burned. Satisfied with her reflection in the mirror, she finished braiding
her hair as she left the room and joined Liam in the corridor.

Although there were still a few people hurrying toward the great hall, nearly everyone was already there. King Archibald was coming down the corridor when Annie and Liam entered the hall. As soon as the king took his seat, servers started bringing in the food. Unlike the night before, the princes looked pleased with themselves, and none of them showed signs of being nervous. They hurried through the roasted boar, the eel stew, and the trout wrapped in bacon, wolfing down great quantities as if they hadn't eaten in days.

The king watched his daughter's suitors in amusement, asking if anyone was still hungry when they slowed. After they'd assured him that they couldn't eat another bite, he turned to Snow White and said, “Then it's time for you to hear what they have to say.”

“My cousin Emilio and I would like to go first, if we may,” said Cozwald. “You all know what we did today,” he said, glancing at the other contestants. “We asked each of you to join us, but no one did, so we held our own jousting tournament. We fought quite bravely, unseating each other and each winning our own fair share of rounds.”

“That we did,” said Emilio. “I don't see how anyone could have been braver.”

Snow White nodded. “Very good,” she said. “I wish I could have seen it.”

“Milo and I also worked together today,” said Andreas.

“We went dragon hunting!” exclaimed Milo. “We found trees that a dragon had scorched with its flames and followed them to the dragon's lair!”

“We went inside, armed with swords and spears,” said Andreas, “but the dragon hid in the depths of its cave, so frightened at our brave appearance that it refused to come out.”

Milo nodded. “We would have stayed to taunt it into fighting, but we knew that we had to get back here in time for supper to tell you of our deeds.”

“Bravely done!” said Snow White. “I've never had anyone fight dragons in my name before.”

“And she still hasn't,” Liam muttered to Annie.

“You tasted the fruits of my labors today,” announced Tandry. “I went hunting for wild boar and killed the ferocious beast that attacked me. I brought back its carcass and gave it to your cooks. We ate it roasted for supper tonight.”

“That was the boar you killed?” said Snow White. “That's wonderful! You must have been very brave!”

“I can't wait to hear what really happened,” Liam whispered to Annie. “I've never heard of a mystic who liked to hunt.”

“He never said he was a mystic,” Annie whispered to him.

“Maybe not,” said Liam. “But I think he wants to
look like one. Have you noticed how often he pretends to meditate?”

“Maybe he really is,” said Annie, glancing at Tandry again.

“Then he needs to make up his mind. He sounded awfully bloodthirsty for a mystic!”

“I fought a man twice my size today,” said Nasheen. “He was a bully, terrorizing the people of your little town. After I thrashed him soundly, he fled and will not be back soon, I think.”

“Do you know the man's name?” Liam asked.

“I believe I heard someone call him Fitchfield,” said Nasheen.

King Archibald's eyebrows shot up.

“Do you know this man, Your Majesty?” asked Maitland.

“I have heard of him,” said the king.

“Then you know what a service I have done for your kingdom!” Nasheen said, sounding exultant.

King Archibald turned a very odd look on Nasheen. He opened his mouth as if he had something to say, then stopped and shook his head.

“And what about you, Digby?” asked Annie. “What did you do today?”

“I rescued a damsel in distress,” said Digby. “At great personal risk, I might add. I carried her from a burning building to safety.”

“Really! Then it was very fortunate for this girl that you were there!” Snow White told him.

“And you, Maitland,” said Nasheen. “What was your brave act?”

Maitland turned to Snow White. “I helped Liam rescue Annie from drowning.”

“What?” she exclaimed. “Annie, what is he talking about?”

“It's true,” Annie said. “Horace and I were led to a room in the south tower and locked inside. Whoever led us there flooded the room. It was Liam who unbarred the door, but it was Maitland who—”

“Liam is the real hero of this story, Annie,” said Maitland.

“But you were there, and you—”

“Don't deserve the credit,” Maitland said, asking her to stop with a pleading look.

Annie sat back in her seat and pursed her lips. Being humble was one thing, but now was not the time!

Snow White gave them each a puzzled look, but it was her father who said, “That will be enough for tonight! We have heard some excellent stories of bravery, and tomorrow night we shall hear stories of a different sort. I'm sure you are all tired and could use a good night's rest before your next trial. We will meet at eight o'clock tomorrow morning, when my daughter will announce the last of the tests. Good night, gentlemen.”

The king stood and left the room, taking Snow White with him and leaving the princes to talk among themselves.

“That has to be the most trumped-up story I've ever heard,” said Nasheen. “A room filling with water! And Maitland just happened to be there! Tell us what really happened, Maitland. Or were your friends making up a story for you because you did nothing at all today? Is that why you didn't want to talk about it?”

“I believe I am tired and will follow King Archibald's suggestion,” Maitland said as he pushed his chair back. “Good night, everyone. I'll see you in the morning.”

“Coward!” Nasheen spat as Maitland walked away.

Maitland's back stiffened, but he paused for only a moment before leaving the hall.

“A wise man does not make unfounded judgments,” Liam said, glaring at Nasheen. “Princess Annabelle does not lie, nor does she make up stories to boost anyone's ego. You insulted her when you questioned him, and I do not take it kindly. You owe the princess an apology!”

“I did not mean to impugn the princess's character,” said Nasheen, “but that story—”

“Was only part of the real story, which is even harder to believe,” said Annie.

“Then I apologize for my remarks!” Nasheen said through stiff lips.

“The one you really need to apologize to is Prince
Maitland!” said Annie. “If not for him, I might not be here this evening! Whatever the reason for his humility, it is not for you or any of us to judge him.”

“My lady,” Liam said, getting to his feet and setting his hand on the back of her chair.

Annie stood, and together they walked from the hall while the princes watched them in silence.

“We're supposed to meet Snow White and her father in the small dining hall to hear the guards' reports,” Liam told Annie, hurrying her down the corridor.

Annie smiled up at Liam and squeezed his hand. “You really told Nasheen!”

“I try to be impartial when I meet people, but I don't like that man,” said Liam. “He thinks too highly of himself and not enough of the people he should respect.”

“Maybe he's a good person when he's not competing for a princess's hand,” Annie told him.

“Maybe he is,” said Liam. “But I doubt it!”

They entered the small dining hall to find it nearly full. The king and Snow White were there, as were the eight guards who had followed the princes throughout the day.

“I must say, the princes' stories were very interesting,” declared King Archibald as he turned to Liam.

“If Your Majesty wouldn't mind, could you tell us about the man Nasheen encountered?” asked Liam.