Free Winged: A Novella (Of Two Girls) by Joyce Chng Page B

you.”
     
     
    ~*~
     
     
    She was ushered into a private chamber, one
that was lavishly adorned with ornate tapestries and Persian
carpets. An exquisitely made chandelier hung from the ceiling,
casting myriad diamonds on the wall. Somewhere, there was chamber
music and sounds of an on-going party. Genteel laughter, from men
and womens. The clink of glasses.
     
    “Come in, Katherine.” The familiar voice
greeted her. The Queen was seated comfortably on a small throne,
beside the window. A young lady-in-waiting stood close to her,
watching attentively. Her Majesty was wearing more subdued colors
this time, navy-blue trimmed with white fur. Sapphires glittered on
her neck. Her be-ringed hands were busy crocheting.
     
    “Majesty,” Katherine curtsied, feeling her
ankle almost give. She stood up stiffly and waited for the Queen’s
response.
     
    “Your bravery is really heartening, child,”
the Queen placed whatever she was making into a quaint little
basket next to her. “A bright thing, out of the dark smear and
disgrace the assassins tried to make of today’s celebrations.”
     
    “Thank you, your Majesty,” Katherine looked
at her boots shyly.
     
    “Look up, child. I am not in your boots.”
The Queen’s voice had a tinge of humor and annoyance. Katherine
tilted up her head hurriedly, only to look into Her Majesty’s
bright and intent eyes.
     
    “You are hampered by something in your
mind,” Her Majesty continued, signaling her lady-in-waiting with a
gloved hand; the woman then slipped out quietly via a side-door.
“Whatever it is, child, you need to get rid of this obstacle. Look
at you. You are standing with your shoulders hunched. There you go,
looking at your feet again.”
     
    Katherine swallowed and forced herself to
look at the Queen whose face bore – surprisingly – sadness.
     
    “You have a lioness’s heart. But it is
sorely hidden by fear at the moment. Be strong, child. This advice
is all I can give you.”
     
    The lady-in-waiting returned swiftly with a
small mahogany box, which she handed to the Queen gracefully with a
curtsy.
     
    “I am presenting you this gift, as a token
of my appreciation. Without your timely intervention, I would have
been killed and the assassins achieved their evil goal.” The Queen
beckoned Katherine forward and the young woman knelt, accepting the
gift. “Wear it well.”
     
    The Queen gathered her gown and got up from
her chair carefully. The lady-in-waiting opened the side-door and
the sounds of the party grew louder. “Take care, young Katherine.”
She nodded graciously, inclined her head once and was led into the
other chamber by her escort.
     
    It was only back in the privacy of the
carriage Katherine plucked up enough courage to open the box.
Inside, nestled on fine red velvet cloth, was a diamond brooch in
the shape of a butterfly.
     
    ~*~
     
     
    The next day, the Queen rode down the
streets triumphantly, to the accolades and adoration of her
subjects who waved flags and were pleased that their Queen was
safe. The broadsheet commentators had already given a name to the
Great Gathering: The Jubilee Plot . She had once again become
a popular monarch, having risen like a brilliant phoenix from the
dark ashes of attempted assassination and possible death. As she
rode in her carriage, waving to her subjects, she thought of one
young girl and prayed, privately, in her heart of hearts.
     
    The delegations were feted extravagantly and
had their own parades, showcasing their smaller ships and crafts.
Some of the delegations stoutly pledged their allegiance to the
Queen and had selected ships join her Aerial Fleet. It was a
glorious and memorable end to the Great Gathering, with the crowds
swelling the banks of the Thames to watch the cavalcade of ships
and other vessels take to the sky once more. The fireworks lit the
skies once more, in the evening, marking the end of the Golden
Jubilee. People could now speculate who the anarchists were and