Free The Cabinet of Curiosities by Paul Dowswell Page A

cage in the Emperor’s menagerie.
    Anselmus called, ‘Ahoy! Are there any more lions loose in this garden?’
    The keeper came over and stared up, bemused. ‘Your Eminence . . .’
    ‘We came here last night to pick medicinal herbs. Then we were set upon by a lion,’ said Anselmus, in a tone that suggested this sort of thing happened to him all the time.
    ‘Taman does break out of his cage some evenings,’ said the keeper. ‘He hasn’t eaten anybody yet. I keep telling the Custodian of the Royal Gardens we need to strengthen that door . . .’
    They found Lukas’s boot close to the gate. It had been chewed to pieces – a fate they both felt they had narrowly avoided.
    .
    That afternoon Lukas spent a tedious hour grinding roots and herbs with a pestle and mortar, and carefully separating each one into a small bone-china dish. The herbs were boiled and the oils siphoned off, then mixed with lemon juice and spirit of wine.
    ‘The medicine must be drunk before meals, and only when the moon is in Cancer, Leo or Virgo,’ said Anselmus.
    Lukas was not really paying attention. He was tired and in a foul mood. Anselmus had offered to lend him money to buy some more boots. Lukas thought it wasn’t his fault he’d had to throw his boot away. His uncle had brought him to the garden. Surely he should buy him another pair. Lukas didn’t feel brave enough to mention it, but he did think ill of Anselmus for not offering.
    At supper that evening Anselmus was in high spirits. He ignored his nephew’s surly mood. ‘When we have done the preparation, I will present this new medicine to the Emperor and tell him of its effectiveness. If the Pope himself recommends it, I am sure that Rudolph will be prepared to take it. Besides, he must surely be growing tired of Doktor Krohl’s magnetic remedies.’
    Lukas could not be angry with his uncle for long, so he smiled and told him how much he was enjoying his studies. He knew he was living in a privileged world. Anselmus had even cleared some space in one of the smaller rooms for him. It was barely big enough for a rickety bed and table, but Lukas thought it was marvellous to have a room of his own. He felt that all he lacked was someone his own age to talk to.
    He liked being his uncle’s protégé and he didn’t even mind Anselmus’s determination to teach him good manners. ‘You must have picked up some bad habits on your travels. If you live and work at court, you cannot behave as you would in a low tavern full of villains and women of light behaviour.’
    Every mealtime he provided a running commentary on Lukas’s more regrettable behaviour. ‘Do not fall on your food as though you were a hungry dog . . . Do not fart and belch as if you were performing to an audience . . . Do not sneeze in people’s faces . . . and when you blow your nose, do not look into your handkerchief, as if you were expecting to find diamonds or emeralds.’ Lukas paid close attention. He was clever enough to realise this was the way to advancement in the world.
    .
    The medicine was prepared and ready for the Emperor’s next weekly examination. As they walked to the imperial chambers clutching several bottles they passed two Spanish courtiers, who watched them with clear curiosity.
    ‘They’re still here,’ said Anselmus, when they were out of earshot. ‘No doubt wanting an audience with the Emperor. They’ll have to be patient.’
    As they waited for their summons Lukas had never seen his uncle in such a state of excitement. ‘I am convinced this is the remedy for His Highness’s melancholy,’ Anselmus said.
    They were ushered into the royal presence and waited for Rudolph to turn away from the window and acknowledge them.
    ‘We hear you have met our friend Taman,’ said the Emperor. When they looked puzzled he chuckled. ‘Our lion,’ he explained. He obviously found the episode amusing.
    ‘It was a most . . . remarkable . . . evening,’ said Anselmus. He was doing his