Chapter 52 Unfamiliar Settings
Quarters of Olivia.
Captain Pedro knocked on the door and Monika opened it.
Monika: What do you need?
Pedro: By order of the Count of Arms, Olivia, the daughter of the king, must accompany us to the royal apartments.
Monika: Why?
Pedro: She can ask the count for the reason. She must come now.
Olivia: If I go, Monika needs to come with me.
Pedro looked the girl in the eyes. She was frightened. His orders did not mention the maid, but he did not think it would do harm.
Pedro: Fine. Bring some things if you want but move quickly.
The group descended the stairs with three guards in front and two behind. Monika feared for the girl. She prayed to the goddesses of Puerto Blanco and Costa Lunas, asking for their protection.
Esteban: Pedro, is everything safe?
Pedro: Yes, Count. I requested assistance from the loyal guards at the nearby posts.
Esteban: Thank you, Captain. Post twelve guards near the royal apartments now. Patrol these two floors to ensure everything is secure.
The captain saluted his count and left.
Tatiana: Olivia, please sit down. You are Monika, right?
Monika: Yes, my Lady.
Tatiana: Olivia, you know your father died, right?
Olivia: Yes. I am a little sad, but I never really knew my father. Monika said that he was always busy.
Esteban: You know he had no son, right?
Olivia: Yes. Only me, a bastard.
Tatiana: Do you know that the kingdom needs a king or a queen?
Olivia: Yes…Monika said they will probably name a count as king.
Tatiana: Yes, but we believe that the two counts are bad men and that either will make a bad king.
Esteban: Yes, your father...your father was a bad king. I do not want to say it, but it is the truth.
Olivia looked at Monika, the only mother she had ever known.
Monika: That is right. Your father drank too much and did not treat the maids well.
Olivia: I understand. That is why he never saw me, right?
Monika: Yes, I could not tell you. I was weak, but I wanted to protect you.
Olivia: I think I understood it before today. It was easier to pretend he was busy.
Esteban: You are of royal blood. We want you to be the queen of Costa Lunas.
Olivia: Me? The queen? But I am nobody.
Tatiana: You are the daughter of a king, the granddaughter of a great king. People will follow you.
Esteban: Count Aurelio nor Count Valero would want the daughter of a king to live.
Monika: By the goddess!
Olivia: If I promise to go back to my room and never come out, can I live with Monika like before?
Tatiana: No, I am sorry. These men will not want their power questioned. Valero is married, so you will be either imprisoned or executed. Aurelio might marry you to solidify his position as king.
Esteban: Your options are not good. But we already have a lot of support for you.
Olivia: I am so afraid. If I must be queen, could Monika stay with me?
Tatiana: Of course, Princess Olivia.
The port of Costa Lunas.
Nestor and Grey Wing circled over the warship Royal Conqueror. Luis unfurled a long white flag as a sign that they had a message. The sailors hoisted a small sail that served as their net. Luis threw the bag towards the sail and hit it almost in the center. The sailors waived to the Pegasus and her riders. In less than two hours, the three royal warships left the port. The royal warship, the Broken Horn and the Air Mother set sail to the Islas de Luz. Grey Wing flew over the sea in the direction of the same islands with warning messages.
Limeburner Valley.
Antonio had never been to this part of the city. The air smelled like rotten eggs. He covered his nose with a handkerchief. The locals did not seem to notice the smell or the smoke coming from the many kilns in the area. The page arrived in the neighborhood by carriage and wandered through the narrow streets looking for the house described by Marco. He was somewhat disoriented and took the wrong street.
A woman: Mlord? Can I help you?
Antonio: Yes, I am looking for a house. There is a woman named Selva. She has a son, Marco, and a young daughter, Vega.
Woman: What do you want from Marco, mLord?
Antonio: I have a message for the mother. If you help me, I will pay you. I do not know where I am.
Woman: MLord, you are lucky. There are men here who would kill you for a few coins and your shiny dagger. One copper to show you to the house and another to take mLord to the main road afterwards?
Antonio nodded.
The young man took out a new, shiny coin. She took it and hid it under her clothes with impressive speed. After ten minutes, they arrived in front of a wood and mud building with a thatched roof. The woman knocked on the door and said loudly.
Woman: Selva, there is an important man who wants to see you.
The woman had told the other that the man could pose a danger. A woman who looked almost fifty years old opened the door.
Antonio: Good afternoon. Are you Selva, the mother of a young man named Marco?
Selva: Yes. Do you know what happened to my son, mLord?
Woman: Selva, I am nearby if you need help. MLord, I will wait for you until you need me.
Selva invited Antonio into the small house and pointed to a simple chair. Antonio entered and bowed formally to the woman. A giggle sounded from behind a simple stove. Antonio glanced in that direction and caught a glimpse of a young, cute face.
Selva: Vega! Come here, my little brat.
Antonio bowed a second time as the six-year-old girl approached.
Selva: What do you want from me, mLord?
Antonio: The Lady Tatiana sent me. I have a message for you about your son.
The young man took out the parchment to read.
Antonio read: Marco, the son of Selva, and Lupe, his friend are fine, but they have witnessed a serious crime. They must remain at the castle for a few days. I apologize for the difficulties your family is going through.
Selva: Have you seen my Marco?
Antonio: Yes. Your son is well. It is a difficult situation, but the Lady Tatiana is a woman of honor. This is for your family.
He placed a bag on the table. The woman timidly looked inside.
Selva: By the Goddess! Please convey my gratitude to the lady and my love to my son, sir.
Antonio: Of course.
He stood and bowed again. The girl tried to imitate his bow.
Antonio smiled: I must go.
When the page left the house, Selva called into the street.
Selva: Thank you for the good news.
Three men who were watching the house returned to their days. The page never knew that the words good news had saved his life.