Exile (6 page)

After the spectacle of the Spirit of Sharakand, the floor was cleared again and the musicians in the gallery struck up a volta, the Queen's favourite dance. The Banoo was deep in conversation with Lady Catherine so she wasn't dancing. It was lucky for her. When it gets to the bit where your partner lifts you high in the air, he needs to hold on to the bottom of your stays, and I do not think the Banoo had any under her tunic. She may not consider it seemly anyway. I wondered what she must think of our gowns with their low necklines, for she and all
her servants are always covered up to the throat— although it does not seem to bother them that they show the shape of their legs!

I noticed that Esther, the Banoo's chief Lady-in- Waiting, was sitting on her own. We had not been formally introduced, but I was dying to learn where the panther was and I was certain she would know— so I slipped over and introduced myself.

And I am so glad that I did! Esther had so much to tell me about Sharakand that I even forgot about the panther. She is so easy to talk to and happy to answer questions. Her English is excellent, though she has always lived in Sharakand. She told me that the Banoo's family have always learned English. It is said that centuries ago the King of Sharakand gave shelter to a lost and wounded English crusader and learnt his language. Since then the monarchs of Sharakand have always welcomed English travellers and the feeling between our two countries has been warm.

There is a myth that the wounded man was Richard the Lionheart himself! It is a wonderful story, but I do not think that the first King Richard would have got himself that lost. And anyway, he only spoke French!

“Everyone says the Heart of Kings has special powers,” I said. “Is it true?”

“There are many tales,” Esther said with a smile, “and some may be true. But the ruby's power must always be used for the good of others.”

“So it can't change people into animals?”

“No,” laughed Esther. “But it is said that it can cure leprosy if held over the afflicted. And if the sun's rays fall upon it on the first day of planting, then the crops will grow tall and strong.”

“Have you seen it work?” I asked.

“It is what we believe,” said Esther simply. “And it can resolve conflict. When two people are at odds with each other, they have but to touch the ruby and their argument is laid to rest.”

“We could do with that here at Court,” I told her, laughing. “Lady Sarah and Lady Jane are always bickering.” Though I am sure that even the ruby's magic could not make those two become friends. Then I remembered Ellie's fear. “There are stories that the jewel can put a curse on you.”

“It is said to curse only those who would do evil with it,” explained Esther. “For those who are righteous, it is a blessing. According to the tradition of our country, a king can only truly become king if
the ruby is wrapped in his headdress at his coronation.” She sighed. “Our new ruler is foolish to have stolen the throne, for the people will not, in their hearts, believe him to be king without the ruby's presence.”

“Do you hope to return to your homeland one day?” I asked.

Esther looked sad. “It would not be safe for the Banoo while that impostor is on the throne,” she replied. “It is my mistress's duty to guard the ruby well, for one day right will prevail and we shall return to Sharakand.” She looked across to where the Banoo was sitting and her eyes lit up with pride. “It is a great burden for one so young. But I will always be with her.”

That is just how I feel about the Queen. I would follow her into exile if I had to, even if it meant throwing myself off a blazing tower—as long as there were people at the bottom with a blanket!

At that moment the Banoo herself came towards us. We both stood and curtsied.

“Banoo Yasmine,” said Esther, “this is Lady Grace Cavendish, youngest Maid of Honour to Her Majesty.”

“I am most happy to know you, Lady Grace,”
Banoo Yasmine said. “But you do not have need to curtsy to me, for are we not equal? Do we not both seek to serve great rulers?”

I was speechless for a moment. I could not believe that the Queen's honoured guest wanted to speak to me as if she were my friend.

The Banoo must have seen my jaw drop, for she laughed. “Come, Grace,” she said kindly. “I would have you tell me all about the revels we have seen. Mr. Somers's troupe is most excellent. I am sure we have nothing to better it in Sharakand. Now, who was the dear little boy who played my panther?”

I told her all about Gypsy Pete and how he had joined the troupe last year. I made certain she knew that it was Masou who had taught him his skills. Masou will be pleased with me, I am sure. And talking of Gypsy Pete reminded me of my reason for talking to Esther in the first place. “Where is your beautiful panther?” I blurted out. “I do so want to see it.”

“Then you shall,” declared Banoo Yasmine. “My Rajah is indeed a fine beast. He stays in my apartments most of the time. But you can come and visit him tomorrow.”

So the panther is in the Banoo's rooms—I had not
thought of that. He must be very tame. I cannot wait to see him!

As the Banoo moved her head, the ruby on her brow flashed. And for a moment, I was sure I had seen a star appear in it. I wondered if this was the magic we had heard about.

“Forgive me, Banoo Yasmine,” I said, “but your ruby—there was a star—at least, I think so.” I suddenly felt a bit foolish. “Mayhap I imagined it.”

“No, your eyes have not deceived you,” the Banoo assured me. “A star appears in only the most precious of rubies and this one is extremely rare, for the star inside has twelve points, instead of six.”

“But how is the star put into the ruby?” I asked.

The Banoo smiled. “It cannot be. It is a wonderful gift of nature. Star rubies are best seen in candlelight. Indeed, they can seem quite dull by day. The twelve-pointed star was said to be the emblem of the Great Karim—the magician who gave the Heart of Kings to my family many centuries ago.”

So Penelope was right about the ruby once belonging to a magician. I would have liked to ask more but I did not have the chance, for at that moment the Queen approached with Mr. Cecil and some of her council. I sank into a curtsy with everyone else.

The Queen drew Banoo Yasmine aside to speak
quietly with her. And even though I tried not to listen, I could hardly help hearing that they were speaking of the loan which the Banoo has entreated the Queen to make her.

I had hoped the Queen would agree, since the Banoo finds herself in such unfortunate circumstances. And when the Banoo returned to join Esther and myself she looked so happy that I am certain Her Majesty has done just that. Which means that now Banoo Yasmine can remain in England and, perchance, begin to rebuild her fortune!

I am delighted, but also tired, and though my covers are warm, my fingers are like icicles. Enough for tonight!

THE EIGHTEENTH DAY OF JANUARY,
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1570

I have hidden myself away in a window seat in the Long Gallery so that I can write in my daybooke in peace. Something terrible has happened! And my bedchamber is too noisy for me even to think about writing in there, for the other Maids of Honour are all assembled within, still shrieking about the events of the morning.

Straight after breakfast we were all sitting in a small chamber off the Great Hall with some of the young gentlemen of the Court. Carmina was playing the dulcimer and we were all set to practise our French madrigals to sing to the Banoo this evening. Mrs. Champernowne had told us we would not be needed for an hour or so, but we had hardly got to the first chorus of “Cold and Sombre Night” when she was suddenly fussing round us like an old nanny goat.

“Maids, get yourselves to the Presence Chamber straight away!” she bleated. “Her Majesty wants you. No time to pretty yourself, Lady Sarah … and no, you may not go back for your knitting, Mary Shelton.”

We made haste. No one keeps the Queen waiting. And so we all burst into the Presence Chamber together, almost falling over our feet in our hurry, and curtsied to Her Majesty. We waited for a chiding, for we had rather spoilt our entrance. But the Queen was in good humour.

“My God!” she laughed. “Methinks I see before me a bunch of urchin boys in women's garb!” She looked us up and down. “But stay, young sirs, for you will doubtless make better account of yourselves than my real Maids! Come sit with me—I await the Banoo. She has requested an audience.”

We had hardly sat down upon our cushions and were just wondering for what purpose the Banoo had requested such an audience, when the doors of the chamber opened and we had to get up again. There stood Banoo Yasmine, looking most fair in a deep turquoise tunic embroidered with gold petals. She walked forwards and sank into a deep curtsy before the Queen.

“O Gracious Highness,” she said. “Most Generous Ruler. In grateful thanks for your endless
bounty, I am come to present to you my surety.” Actually she said a lot more than that, all about the Queen's kindness in giving sanctuary to a poor humble exile, and all guaranteed to please Her Majesty— but I cannot remember the rest and probably would run out of ink if I did. But now we knew why we were all gathered in the Queen's Presence Chamber, and I felt a thrill of excitement. As I had suspected, Her Majesty had agreed to give the Banoo a loan, and now Banoo Yasmine was come to give her surety in return. But it is most unusual for any noble to present a surety in so grand a way. It seemed that the Banoo had something special in mind!

After the Queen had replied to Banoo Yasmine in similarly courteous fashion, the Banoo stood and beckoned to one of her pages.

“Step forward, Babak,” she commanded.

Babak was carrying a white velvet cushion. On it lay a beautiful golden casket engraved with elephants and serpents. He stepped proudly up to the Queen.

“I offer you the most precious jewel of Sharakand,” said Banoo Yasmine solemnly. She motioned to Esther, who came forward with a golden key and unlocked the lid of the casket. We all craned forwards to see what was inside as the Banoo herself lifted the lid.

“It is the Heart of Kings!” breathed Lady Jane, who had a better view than the rest of us.

I do not think I have ever seen the Queen so surprised. “My dear,” she said, grasping the Banoo's hands in her own, and speaking so low that I could hardly hear her. “Are you sure of this? I would have been well pleased with some other surety. But the Heart of Kings …”

“I could offer you nothing less, Your Majesty,” said the Banoo. “You have given me new life and new hope. It is only fitting that in return I offer you my greatest treasure. Let those here stand witness this day—there is no greater Queen than Your Most Gracious Majesty, and there is no other to whom I would entrust my precious ruby, the symbol of Sharakand's own true monarchy. Until the true line of kings be restored to my homeland, and my debt to Your Majesty be repaid, the Heart of Kings will lie in the safekeeping of England and her Most Glorious Queen.”

For some moments there was silence as we all took in the Banoo's words. Even the Queen seemed awed by Banoo Yasmine's decision. But then she nodded gravely.

“It shall be lodged with the Crown Jewels in the Tower,” she told the Banoo. “Be assured it shall
rest there safely until such time as it can be returned to you.”

“I doubt it not,” answered Banoo Yasmine, giving a dignified nod.

“Come then,” said the Queen. “We shall speak with Mr. Secretary Cecil and make the arrangements.”

The page carrying the casket stepped aside to let them join Mr. Cecil, who was waiting by the window and looking rather dumbstruck at this turn of events. The Maids immediately crowded round to get a closer look at the famous jewel before it was locked away in the White Tower. Lady Jane and Lady Sarah were beside me.

“Don't push,” snapped Lady Sarah. “I'm first!”

“Indeed?” replied Lady Jane. “We will see about that!” And she gave Lady Sarah a most unladylike shove. Lady Sarah bumped into me and I fell hard against Babak, the terrified page. The casket flew off the cushion and the ruby was flung out. It traced an arc through the air and then fell to the floor, where it shattered into a thousand pieces.

For the second time the chamber was thrown into a stunned silence—apart from Lady Sarah, who fainted on the spot. The Queen and the Banoo came swiftly over to inspect the damage. I felt sick to my
stomach. The Heart of Kings—the most precious jewel of Sharakand—had been destroyed.

The Banoo knelt among the scattered pieces, pale and shaking. The page was staring at the ruby shards, his face ashen.

“I am so sorry!” I wailed. “It was an accident.”

I wanted to add that it was not my fault but I did not dare. The Queen was looking furious. I wondered if I might be locked in the Tower instead of the ruby!

Slowly, the Banoo picked up a fragment of the jewel. “This cannot be!” she murmured.

“I know not what to say,” the Queen responded darkly. “It is unforgivable!”

“No, Your Majesty.” The Banoo shook her head. “What I mean is—this cannot be the true Heart of Kings. A ruby would not shatter thus. It is one of the hardest of gems.” And with that she fell silent, staring at the pieces of the ruby with a dazed, bewildered look upon her beautiful face.