Princess Electra

Princess Electra

  by Dory Lee Maske

  Copyright © 2008 by Dory Lee Maske

  All rights reserved

  Illustration: Copyright © 2008 by Robert Maske

  All rights reserved

  Cover design by Robert Maske

  PRINCESS ELECTRA BOOK 1

  Prologue

  Kingdom of Fernland

  Serafina needed to be right, especially this time. From her large, well-situated room in the castle, the sorceress watched the night sky for a sign. She sat quietly on her south-facing balcony, scanning from side to side, waiting. Just before dawn she saw it. The sign took the form of a falling star curving across Orion in a fiery southeast arc. The southeast direction was a good sign, an omen that favored a victory for her fiancé, King Geoffrey. Reassured, she returned to her velvet couch for a few hours sleep.

  The next morning she awoke early enough to see the king’s archers returning from their hunt. She raced down the stone steps from her room in the tower to the clearing where the bearers would dress the kill. The bearers saw her coming and hurried forward, quick to accommodate the sorceress, Serafina. She watched eagerly for auspicious signs as they slit the birds’ breasts and removed the entrails. She paid close attention to the depression between the lower lobes of the bird livers. In almost all, the right depression was longer than the left, a good sign for Fernland’s army.

  With rising confidence she walked back up to her tower room and heated water for tea. She carefully poured a small amount of hot water over the loose tea leaves and swirled the liquid three times around the cup, gathering the tea leaves in the stream, then turned the cup over in its saucer. As soon as she righted the cup she saw the sign. There, on the lip, close to the handle, the leaves formed the shape of a fish, a sure sign of victory. She allowed herself a small smile. Only one test remained.

  Casually, she picked up the bones and twigs that lay strewn about her work table, assured of the outcome. She threw them out across the table and noted the direction of the wing bone, another sign that King Geoffrey’s army would defeat King Blackwell of Henge in the coming battle; a victory that would set old wounds to right. But what was the significance of that twig lying over the bone? She studied it carefully as a soft knock at the door interrupted her concentration.

  “Go away," she said.

  “Serafina, it is me, Delphinia," her sister called out. “I must speak with you. It is important." Delphinia’s voice quavered as she stood waiting outside Serafina’s door.

  "I am sure it can wait," Serafina said, still considering the twig. "Nothing is more important than the fate of our army against Blackwell of Henge."

  Delphinia was silent on the other side of the door for a moment, then said, "Please promise you will come to my room before Geoffrey arrives."

  Serafina said nothing and soon heard footsteps as Delphinia retreated down the hall. Serafina wondered what Delphinia would count as important. Probably a crisis with the menu or a dress cut to an improper length. Although her sister was only a year younger she seemed a child to Serafina. Delphinia devoted herself to securing elegant ball gowns, flattering hair arrangements, and especially to engaging potential suitors in senseless laughter. How could two sisters have such different priorities?

  Serafina was still absorbed in her reading of the bones when another knock at the door announced the arrival of King Geoffrey. She opened the door with a slight bow as was proper even though they were soon to be married.

  "Your Majesty," she said smiling. "I have observed auspicious signs that bode well for the upcoming battle. Please come in."

  King Geoffrey stood in the doorway, waving away the thick cloud of incense wafting from her room, his usual broad, confident smile replaced by a wary expression. He did not acknowledge her prediction of victory.

  "I need to speak with you," he began, looking down at her but avoiding her eyes.

  "Yes?" She answered.

  The King took a deep breath and settled his gaze on the floor. He moved inside the room and toyed absently with the bones on the table before he spoke.

  "I have been grieved of late in wanting to tell you a thing but not wanting to cause hurt. I have delayed too long in telling you of my feelings. I do not know how to broach this except to only say it and hope for your forgiveness. I have grown to love Delphinia. I wish to marry her if you will release me from my vow."

  Serafina stood stunned. She felt the color drain from her face. She was glad he could not raise his eyes to hers. She could not control her expression of shock and disbelief. She pressed her fingernails into the palms of her hands until the skin began to tear. Then she brought her hands up slowly to unlatch the ruby necklace he had given her as a betrothal present. She held it tightly, then loosened her grip and allowed it to drop into the pocket of his fur-lined robe. She turned to face her balcony.

  "I want you to keep the necklace," he said.

  Serafina stayed silent and did not turn to face him. After a few seconds he placed the necklace on her table amid the bones and left quietly.

  Serafina bolted the door behind Geoffrey and sat at her table staring at the ruby necklace amid the disturbed throw of bones. She fought off any inclination toward tears. She picked up the necklace with one finger watching it sway to and fro hypnotically. As evening shadows fell across the room she was unaware of the cold and damp. Her sorrow slowly turned to something more manageable, something more akin to rage. She moved to her library of witchcraft and ran her finger lovingly over each volume. She began to consider which direction her revenge would take. There would be time, as much time as was needed.

  Chapter 1

  Kingdom of Fernland

  Seventeen years later

  Fernland’s elegant castle sat atop a hill surrounded on all sides by lush forest crisscrossed with rivers and streams. Red flags emblazoned with gold dragons flew from the highest turrets. Officers of the Royal Guard stood at attention outside the castle entrance. The doors to the throne room opened as court began.

  Those gathered in the castle’s throne room were finely dressed, but solemn. Today would have been the Princess Electra’s sixteenth birthday, though no one spoke of it. The royal family sat silently on their thrones. King Geoffrey, tall, blonde, an imposing man with a carefully trimmed beard, sat frowning. Occasionally he patted the slender hand of Queen Delphinia, seated beside him. The lovely dark-haired queen clutched a doll that had been a present for the infant princess before she was abducted from her nursery, almost sixteen years ago. Beside the queen sat Prince Avor, born a year and a half after Princess Electra. Avor, who favored his mother in appearance, stared straight ahead, wishing fervently that his sister’s birthday would soon be over.

  Because no one spoke of the birthday, royal business was conducted as usual. The king and queen hardly noticed as a uniformed guard pulled a thief along by his chained hands to stand before the king. The sergeant at arms read the charges in a loud voice:

  "This man was apprehended while impersonating a royal tax collector."

  The thief, still wearing the counterfeit scarlet robes of a tax collector, attempted a clumsy bow as he muttered a curse against the bad luck that had brought him to judgment today of all days.

  King Geoffrey hardly glanced at the prisoner before him. Queen Delphinia dabbed at her tear-stained eyes with a lace handkerchief. The guard continued to stand at attention as the king’s silence stretched into minutes. Counselors and ministers to the king began to shift uncomfortably, daring a few whispered remarks as they awaited the king’s judgment.

  Finally the king seemed aware that a judgment was required. He scowled at the thief and turned his scepter upside down—the death penalty.

  The thief, startled by th
e severity of the sentence, managed to call out as he was dragged away, "Wait! Please, I…I have information. I know that the Princess Electra lives!"

  Queen Delphinia stood up so abruptly the little doll fell from her lap. Prince Avor hastily retrieved it and held it out to her but she paid no attention. Her eyes were fastened on the thief. King Geoffrey took her arm and gently drew her back to her seat.

  "This man is a liar and a thief," he whispered. "It would be foolhardy to trust him. Allow me to question him."

  The King turned to his court of anxious ministers and advisors. "You may not be aware that today marks the Princess Electra’s sixteenth birthday."

  The members of the Court feigned murmurs of surprise, which were quickly silenced as the King continued. "Even though it has been almost sixteen years since the Princess disappeared, Delphinia and I continue to hope for her safe return." The King turned to face the thief.

  "Tell me who you are and what you know about the Princess Electra," he demanded. "If what you say is true your life may be spared."

  The thief turned pale at the King's words for he knew that once the King heard his story he would want to kill him all the more.

  "I know that the King's promise is law," the thief said, "and so I will tell the truth even though in doing so I am made more the villain."

  "Get on with your account!" said the King.

  The thief pushed back his thin shoulders and tried to gather his composure before he began. "I am called Take the Thief by those who know me, Your Highness. It happened that near the time of the Princess's birth I was greatly in need, and pressed by this need, did wrongly avail myself of another's property."

  "Come to the point," the king said, with an edge to his voice.

  "Even so Your Highness," the thief continued, "the owner of those goods caught me in the act. Worse luck for me, she was a woman of great power, a sorceress, known widely as Serafina."

  At the mention of this name the King stood.

  "We will question this man privately," he announced.

  The gathered officials hurried out of the throne room with expressions of curiosity and backward glances at the thief. When all were gone save the royal family, the guard and the thief, Prince Avor stood.

  "Shall I go as well?" he asked.

  King Geoffrey glanced at Delphinia. She gave a slight shrug to indicate her indecision.

  The king turned to his son. "Perhaps you’d best stay. You are, after all, not only Electra’s brother, but heir to the throne and this concerns you in both capacities."

  "And I, Your Highness?" the guard asked.

  "You may stay, though nothing spoken here will be repeated."

  The guard bowed in response.

  The king motioned for the thief to approach him. The thief took a tentative step toward the king.

  "Was it Serafina who stole our child?" the king asked in a low voice.

  Take lowered his voice to match the king’s. "Well, in a manner of speaking," he said. "She showed me a vision of what would happen to me if I refused to bring her the child, and knowing her power I realized she would get the Princess one way or another so I did as I was told and trusted in fate for the rest."

  "No more of fate, where is Electra?" Geoffrey asked.

  The thief hesitated, then spoke with as much dignity as he could muster, "I can only tell you that I delivered her to Serafina as I was ordered. Shortly after, Serafina moved away and I suppose the child is still alive and with her."

  "I can't believe my own sister was involved in this," the Queen cried, "How could she do such a thing?"

  Geoffrey pulled at his beard as he glared at the tall, skinny thief. "I will allow you to live until I find Electra." He motioned to the guard to take the thief to the dungeon.

  As soon as the door closed behind the prisoner, Delphinia was on her feet again.

  "Is it possible after all these years that we might have our sweet princess back again?" She clasped her hands to her breast. "Serafina went South, I am sure of that. We must begin our search at once." Her words spilled out faster and faster and her eyes glowed with excitement.

  "We will begin at once, of course," King Geoffrey said. His face wore a worried frown.

  "What is it Geoffrey? Do you think the thief was lying to save his life?"

  "That is one possibility, but we must still put our efforts toward the possibility we hope for. What troubles me most is the situation here in Fernland. I would lead the search myself were it not for the untimely intrusions of Dagon and his renegades from Helsop."

  "But he is not much of a threat, surely," Delphinia protested, "He only poaches in our forest and takes the odd soldier back to Helsop to hold for ransom."

  "He goads us for one purpose only--to curry favor from Prince Blackwell of Henge. If I were to leave for any length of time, Blackwell would surely spur on his puppet, Dagon, to commit some audacious act of mayhem. I dare not chance it."

  "I could go in your place," Prince Avor said. He looked at his father, hopefully.

  "Certainly not," his mother said, "We will not risk losing you as well as Electra."

  "I will send General Pommell," the king said. "He is retired but still clever and resourceful. I will send my chief spy, Muller, as well. I dare not send a large contingent lest Serafina be alerted."

  Avor looked cautiously at his mother. "Is it really your sister who stole Electra? Why would she do such a thing?"

  King Geoffrey took Delphinia’s hand and pressed it to his lips, as he faced Avor.

  "My child," he said, "I had hoped to spare you this story but I see the time for telling has come. I wronged the sorceress Serafina. I never believed she would take such revenge. I was betrothed to Serafina but I fell in love with her sister, your Mother, and I broke off the engagement. I knew it was wrong, but…" he patted Delphinia's hand and looked into her tear-filled eyes, "what's done is done." The king fell silent.

  "I think it is important that I go along on this quest," Avor said, "Electra does not know us. She may not believe the truth from the lips of a general and a spy. But from a youth such as I…, she may be more inclined to come home willingly."

  The king smiled at Avor. "You present a good argument."

  "No, we cannot risk it," Delphinia insisted, knowing already that her argument would not stand, based as it was on sentiment. She hugged her son tightly. "It will be as your father decides, of course, but if you are sent, how will I sleep until you are safely returned?"

  Chapter 2

  Swamp near Chase Bound

  A fortnight’s journey from the Kingdom of Fernland, a secluded cottage sat nestled at the edge of a swamp. The cottage was clean, but cluttered with cages, drying herbs and flowers, jars of insects, gold coins, live plants, bottles filled with a variety of liquids and solids, crystals, pebbles and charms. Oak shelves filled with books on sorcery took up one wall of the cabin. Two narrow beds with satin covers took up the side opposite. A sturdy wood table and two wooden chairs sat before a large fireplace. In the fireplace a black cauldron hung bubbling with a stew that smelled strongly of spices. The Princess Electra sat cross-legged on the floor, speaking to a chicken in a cage.

  She pulled the cage closer to her face. Her dark straight hair hung down on either side of the wooden bars.

  "You had best believe me, Bella." she said, "One more day without an egg and Mother intends to make a stew of you."

  The chicken looked back at the girl’s stern face, pecked at a strand of Electra’s hair and then began to circle the cage, clucking softly. Electra smiled. The clucking was a good sign.

  The girl stood up and retrieved her list from the battered table beside the fireplace—cat dander, morning glory pollen, trout liver, frog slime, rattlesnake venom. She made a face at this last item and decided to tackle it first since it required the most concentration. She assembled her tools: a sponge, a long forked stick, a shorter pointed stick and a flat, tapered piece of wood. She lifted t
he lid from the snake’s cage. The rattlesnake eyed her suspiciously. She tipped the cage on its side with her stick and the snake slithered out across the floor, stopped and coiled, warning her off with his rattles. She flipped the cage back upright and stuck the sponge on the pointed stick. Hiding the forked stick behind her back she moved toward the snake. She began to lift the sponge up and down slowly in front of the snake. It struck suddenly, releasing the venom into the sponge. Electra quickly dropped the sponge and pinned the snake’s head between the prongs of the forked stick. She slipped the tapered piece of wood under the snake’s head and scooped him up between the forked stick and the piece of wood. In one swift arc the snake was back in its cage.

  "All done, Nick, I will not bother you anymore today," she said as she dropped the lid in place. The snake shook his rattles fiercely for a moment, then curled up in the corner of his cage.

  As Electra carefully squeezed the rattlesnake venom into a vial she heard steps on the path outside. The cabin door swung open and Serafina burst into the room carrying a smell of earth and swamp around her. She tossed her dark cape onto a hook and turned her head to dry her damp hair by the fireplace.

  "Ah, good, you have the venom," she said. "We will need it. I have several new orders for charms and potions. It seems we are commissioned to gratify the secret desires of half the town." She pulled a heaping handful of little pieces of paper from her pocket.

  Electra smiled and sat down, eager to hear what orders her Mother had taken and what recipes would need to be concocted.

  "First things first," Serafina said. From another pocket she removed a spherical item. It was wrapped in a basket of grasses laced with wildflowers. She held it out for Electra. "You seem to have forgotten today is your sixteenth birthday."

  "Oh," Electra said. “Could it be? I truly had forgotten. Such a beautiful wrapping. It is for me?"

  "Yes it is," Serafina said, "but I suppose you will not care for it; now that you are sixteen you are likely more interested in some young man in the village."