Free 1416940146(FY) by Cameron Dokey Page A

end of such a day, Papa and I returned to the palace to find a delegation of noblemen waiting for us in the great hall. Le Comte de Renard stood at their head, so I knew there would be trouble right off.
    "Your Majesty, we crave a word," le Comte said with a bow, as my father and I staggered into the hall. "The royal soothsayer has important news which you should hear at once." His eyes flicked to me, then away. "It concerns the fate of all."
    Tired though he was, my fathers mind was quick, much quicker than mine was. He knew, even then, I think, what was to come. "I trust you will not mind if we bathe first?" he inquired, his voice deceptively mild. "For Aurore and I have done a hard day's work while you have been communing with the stars."
    At this, even le Renard had the grace to blush, and the nobles at his back dropped their eyes and shuffled their booted feet from side to side. None of them had so much as lifted a finger outside the palace, though the most virtuous and farseeing among them had gone to the aid of their estates in the countryside. But even that virtue proved to be a danger now. For it meant that the nobles left at court were the ones who cared the least for others and the most for themselves.
    "We meant no disrespect," le Renard murmured. "Of course, you must refresh yourselves. Then, perhaps, we might beg a word in private?" His voice rose into the interrogative, a strange combination of demand and request combined. "We are all agreed this would be best," he said, at which the nobles stopped shuffling their feet and stood up straight, looking stern and grim.
    "What must be said touches upon the princess Aurore."

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    Beside me, I felt my father stiffen even as my own heart began to race. Now I see, I thought. For a terrible fear had been growing upon me, day by day, as to the cause of the dire events that had befallen us. A cause I had not yet dared to speak aloud.
    "There is no need for secrecy," Papa replied. Though his voice retained its mildness all could now hear its core of solid iron. This was the voice of a king. Even in the midst of my fear, I felt a sudden surge of hope.
    You have taken a false step, Monsieur le Fox, I thought.
    For in his dealings with others, my father hated subterfuge above all else. Even a fool could become dangerous when armed with a secret. I had heard him say this many times. Suggesting I be excluded from matters that concerned me was the worst thing le Renard could have done.

    "Let the princess Aurore hear what you have to say. Pronounce what concerns her to her face. Do not whisper it behind her back like a gossipmonger," my father went on. He ran his eyes over the nobles standing at le Renards back, and I noticed how many of them dropped their eyes.
    "Furthermore, since you are all agreed, there is no need for many to deliver your message when a few will suffice. Choose those you trust the most and wait upon me in an hour."
    "But, Majesty," sputtered le Renard. "Surely the princess Aurore ..."
    "Enough!" exclaimed Papa. As if they had one body, the entire group of nobles stepped back, including le Renard. "You know my will. Come prepared to speak before the princess, or do not come at all. The choice is yours. Now get out of my way."
    With that, he swept by them with me scurrying along like a terrier at his side. Neither of us looked back, though I could feel my father vibrate with tension until we turned a corner and were out of sight. He did not slacken his pace until he reached my room. There, at last, he stopped. He pulled in one deep breath, scrubbed his hands across his face as if to clear his mind, then took me gently by one arm.
    "Le Renard is clever, but he thinks so highly of his own cleverness he turns his strength to weakness," said my father.
    "Do not fear him, Aurore. But come to me as soon as you have 53

    bathed. I would have us all together before these loyal and concerned noblemen arrive."
    Somewhere in the passages between the great hall and my