Chapter 15 Plans in the Dark
The inn.
Clemente looked at the beautiful girl lying in bed. Her face was the very image of innocence and peace. He adjusted the blanket over her body. His hand gently caressed her face.
The aged priest said in a sad voice: Rest easy, young lady. I am sorry about everything.
The priest heard the first bell of the tenth hour of night. He left the room and walked to the street. The mobile chair and four large boys were waiting for him.
Clemente in a strong voice: This bag has eight silver coins.
The man put the bag in the hand of the tallest boy.
Clemente: This bag contains eight gold coins of the same size. If I am standing in front of the little kitchen door, behind the royal castle, before the twelfth bell rings, this bag is yours.
Marco: Fellows! Help the Lord into the chair box! We move fast tonight!
The boys ran through the streets toward the royal castle. They placed the mobile chair on the ground; near the small door he had described.
Clemente said calmly: Well done, young men.
The man left the bag in the seat, walked to the door and entered the hallway that connected the different kitchens.
The boys looked at the coins, grabbed the poles, and lifted the mobile chair thinking about ale and pretty girls.
Clemente walked down the hall to the entrance to the royal kitchen. He had first set foot on these floors at the age of twelve. He found the small table and saw a small green bottle sealed with red wax. He placed the small bottle of wine from the inn on the table and opened it. He waited while the bell rang twelve times. A young hurried in and almost collided with him.
Kerstin: Forgive me, my Lord.
Clemente: Do not worry, girl. Are you looking for this little bottle?
The girl took the bottle from his hand and bowed. She turned and walked slowly, her heart heavy.
Chambers of Danilo, High Priest of the Pegasi.
After the conflict with the king and the nobles of Puerto Blanco, most of the celebrants headed to other halls or chambers to discuss plans for the coming year or palace gossip. Danilo was no exception. He was sitting in his chamber waiting for a midnight visitor. Just before the bell rang, there was a knock at the door. He stood and opened it. On the other side stood a fifteen-year-old blond page. The boy was holding a cloth bag.
Danilo smiled: You are early, Gunther.
Gunther returned the smile: Yes, the banquet ended early, and the master of pages released us early.
They sat in comfortable chairs, and the priest offered him a glass of wine.
Gunther: Thank you, my Lord.
Danilo in a pleasant tone: I have spoken with the priest from Blasser Hafen. He will ask the steward for permission for you, your half-sister and the son of the lead cook to accompany the count on his return. I told the steward how much gold he needed for the bribe. In about two weeks, you and he will be at the manor of a Knight of Banners who understands men like us.
Gunther beamed: Thank you for everything, Lord Priest. I have tried to watch the girls, but I feel nothing. When I see Frieder working with the horses shirtless, my heart aches in the most beautiful way in the world. He is a year younger than me, but he is very tall, and his arms are very big.
Danilo laughed: I remember those days of discovery. He was tall and strong too. And him? How does he treat you?
Gunther: We almost never talk when there are people around. But when we are alone, he talks to me like a knight would a maid. I always feel special when he looks me in the eye.
The man took both young, soft hands in his own and smiled.
Danilo: Believe me, what you have done for me in the last few months is more wonderful than what I have done for you.
Gunther blushed: Do you want to get ready, my lord?
Danilo: Ja, guten Herren.
The page laughed in a high, slightly feminine voice.
Danilo: What did I say?
Gunther: Yes, good lords.
Danilo shook his head and laughed: Your men are handsome, but your language is impossible.
Gunther: Ja, mein Herr. I thought the same thing about your language two years ago. But now it is easy.
The young man took out a doublet and a pair of fine linen trousers and a blond wig.
After twenty minutes, Danilo looked like the young man. A little taller and with darker eyes, but if someone did not know him well, they would not notice the difference. The costume only needed to last a few minutes. Danilo poured another glass of wine for the young man and headed off to his appointment.
A Page smiled broadly: The stairs to the right are clear, Gunther.
Danilo whispered tersely: Stop smiling and thank you. He put a coin in the smaller hand of the page and tried to walk at a normal pace. Danilo went down the stairs used by servants to the grand hallway and walked toward the entrance to the chambers of Count Esteban.
Yegor had begun a night shift at his post serving the Count of Arms and the lady of the northern province. His mother was a lady of a northern tribe, and his father was a mounted warrior. He had lived in five castles over the course of his eleven years. He enjoyed serving here. Most months it was warm, and the food was better. His hair was the color of fire like his mother, and his eyes were almost black like his father. His best friend Kerstin had come with him from Puerto Blanco.
Yegor looked at the approaching page. He looked like the older brother of Kerstin, but his movements were different, and Gunther never walked with his eyes fixed on the ground. Gunther always smiled as he walked and hummed a little. Gunther was the happiest person he had met in the castle.
Danilo: Message for the Count. The priest told me to take it to him inside and wait for a reply.
The young page stared at him, biting his lip.
Danilo: Nachricht Graf, ich gehe hinein?
Yegor: Eine Minute bitte.
The page ran to the door and knocked softly.
Tatiana opened the door and smiled at the page. She placed a silver coin in his hand.
Tatiana: Good boy!
The boy raised his right hand and tapped his heart twice, imitating the salute of the northern warriors. He returned to the page and indicated that the man was able to enter. Inside, with the door closed and a wooden bolt locking it, Tatiana laughed a little. Danilo took off the wig, hugged her and kissed her on the cheek.
Esteban: And me?
Danilo smiled and hugged the big man and they kissed slowly and deeply.
Tatiana: Later, Danilo. We must talk first, and then we can attack him together.