The Snowy Tower (22 page)

The four children – Lily, Ethan, Saxon and Roana – had been up late into the night and were exhausted. They were each given private chambers, with vast four-poster beds, scalding hot baths and clean nightclothes. Aisha, too, was totally weary, curled up on the rug beside Lily’s bed. Only Charcoal was awake, exploring the corridors of the palace by night, scrounging scraps under Cookie’s kitchen table and chasing mice in the corridor.

The children slept most of Midsummer’s Day and it was nearly dusk when they finally awoke.

Lily, Saxon and Ethan could not believe the luxury of the palace chambers they were given. Each one woke to another hot bath and clean, festive clothes laid out on a chair, which Cookie had begged and borrowed from the former courtiers of the palace. After their bath there was a servant to help them dress and do their hair.

The weeks of fear and anxiety and worry sloughed off in the hot bath like the dirt from the caverns. They felt fresh and alive once more. It was Midsummer’s Eve, a night for one of the greatest celebrations in Tiregian history.

It was already dark when the four children gathered downstairs, with Aisha by their side and Charcoal in Lily’s arms. They smiled shyly at each other, hardly recognising each other in their court finery.

Roana and Lily wore long dresses of finest silk in pale violet and green, with rich white lace at the neck and sleeves. Lily’s hair was carefully coaxed into long ringlets, while Roana’s shorter wavy hair was held back with a silver coronet. Ethan and Saxon wore white linen shirts, breeches and blue jackets. They were supposed to be wearing neatly tied cravats, but both had tugged and pulled at them until they were loose and hanging slightly askew.

A page boy announced their presence at the door.

‘Her royal highness, Princess Roana, with her honoured friends Lily, Ethan and Saxon of Kenley.’

The children entered the large crowded dining room. Candelabra hung from the ceiling, blazing with candles. Most of the guests were already gathered at the long tables, dressed in their finest silks in dozens of butterfly colours, sipping on crystal goblets filled with ruby cherry wine or golden apple cider. At the main table were seated Queen Ashana and Prince Caspar, Willem and Marnie, the wounded Fox and Jess, Albert and Cookie and George the farrier, with a number of the lords and ladies who had been captured with the queen.

A small group of musicians played violins, mandolins and flutes in the corner. Armfuls of fresh flowers from the gardens were arranged in crystal vases, and the windows were flung open to let in the sweet summer air.

‘Good evening, dearest Roana. Good evening, Lily, Ethan and Saxon,’ cried Queen Ashana. ‘Welcome to our Midsummer Eve’s feast. Come and join us.’

‘I hope you don’t mind that we brought Aisha,’ Lily apologised. ‘She has been with us through all
the adventures and we couldn’t bear to be parted from her now.’

‘Not at all,’ laughed Queen Ashana. ‘I have become very fond of Aisha myself.’

The four children took their seats in the middle of the table, opposite their parents, and had their goblets filled with apple cider. Cookie was having the night off to celebrate, but she still watched anxiously as maid servants carried in platter after platter of food.

There were large trays of fresh oysters with lemon juice, bowls of king prawns still in their shells, roast duck with orange sauce, spitted beef and fricasseed chicken, red wine and mushroom sauce, green beans and asparagus in butter, summer salads, and sautéed vegetables. Potatoes were roasted in garlic and rosemary, or baked with bacon and cream. The smells of roasting meat and rich sauces wafted from each tray that passed, making mouths water and stomachs rumble.

The children had forgotten the last time they had eaten, and they realised they were absolutely starving. There was so much food it was hard to know what to choose. They all started with sweet, cold seafood, then moved onto crispy duck that melted in the mouth, creamy baked potato and
crispy green beans. The apple cider fizzed and bubbled on their tongues. Lily sighed with happiness, stroking Aisha at her feet.

‘Save room,’ whispered Roana with a broad grin. ‘Cookie has made my favourite desserts – chocolate mousse and lime tart.’

Laughter rang around the tables, joyful music played and people chattered happily. When several courses had been cleared away Queen Ashana rose to her feet, and held up her hand for silence.

‘My dear friends,’ Queen Ashana began. ‘The last three months has been one of the darkest periods that Tiregian has ever faced. The Sedah invaded our realm and murdered my beloved husband, King Radnor.’

A ripple of sorrow shimmered around the room. Princess Roana, Prince Caspar and many others fought tears.

‘The Sedah seized our lands and all we held dear, kidnapping my son, imprisoning many of our subjects, stealing, burning and pillaging,’ Queen Ashana continued. ‘They outlawed our revered beliefs and brought over their own dark god. They stole our most sacred relic, the Sun Sword, and desecrated it.

‘Yet through our darkest days we were not
defeated. Loyal subjects all over the country plotted and gathered and rebelled. Last night and today, the Sedah were overthrown entirely, and Tiregian is once again free. Yesterday the Sun Sword was found and made whole once more. I would like you all to rise and charge your glasses for a toast.’

At once every person in the room rose to their feet and filled their glasses, holding them aloft to catch the light in a glitter of ruby and gold.

‘A toast to four of Tiregian’s finest. To four children who braved countless dangers, who tried and tried and never gave up. To four children who succeeded where most adults would definitely have failed. To Lily, Ethan, Saxon and Roana. Our heartfelt thanks.’

‘Lily, Ethan, Saxon and her royal highness Princess Roana – our thanks,’ boomed a hundred voices around the room.

The children smiled sheepishly, embarrassed by the multitude of eyes upon them. Roana, more accustomed to attention, lifted the Sun Sword high above her head. The sword flashed in the candlelight, the gold hilt glinting, the Sun Gem glowing deep ruby, the Moon Pearl gleaming luminously and the Star Diamonds flashing. All eyes turned to that magnificent weapon.

‘To the Sun Sword,’ called Roana.

‘To the Sun Sword,’ cried a hundred voices, clinking glasses.

‘To Midsummer’s Eve,’ added Willem, raising his glass.

‘To Midsummer’s Eve,’ cheered the whole room, laughing and sipping.

‘The bonfires are alight,’ called a voice from near the window.

Ethan, Lily, Saxon and Roana rushed to the open doors onto the terrace. A huge full moon hung heavy in the sky. From the terrace they could see over Tira to the countryside in the east. Everywhere – in courtyards, laneways, gardens, meadows, riverbanks and hilltops – the people of Tiregian had built massive bonfires to celebrate Midsummer’s Eve and victory over the Sedah.

‘It’s beautiful,’ murmured Lily.

‘A night we will never ever forget,’ agreed Roana.

Behind them the musicians struck up a merry tune. The courtiers pushed back the chairs to dance. Willem and Marnie jumped to their feet to twirl in each other’s arms. Jess curtseyed as a tightly bandaged Fox offered her his arm, and Queen Ashana danced with her son. Cookie tapped her feet, satisfied that the feast had been a success,
while Albert nursed his bandaged thigh and poured them both a well-earned glass of cider.

‘I can’t believe we did it,’ Ethan sighed, rubbing Aisha on the head between her ears.

‘I guess we can go home now,’ said Saxon wistfully, thinking of his father, who he had not seen for months.

‘But not yet,’ retorted Roana. ‘We still have some Midsummer celebrating to do yet, and do not forget Cookie’s chocolate mousse.’

The four friends laughed and turned back to the party, happy to joke and dance and feast once more.

Wearily, the party of five rode through the forest.

‘It’s not far now,’ smiled Marnie, encouragingly. ‘Not long and we’ll be home.’

‘Home,’ said Lily longingly.

Saxon dug his heels into Caramel’s sides, urging her into a faster trot. The others broke into a trot as well.

Half an hour later they jogged into Kenley, in the late afternoon sun. It was not the Kenley they had left behind nearly four months ago. Many of the cottages were ruins – piles of stones and blackened timber. Yet everywhere was the sign of industry,
people bustling and working, building, hoeing, cleaning up.

An old woman was working in the ruins of her cottage, moving rubble. She paused, recognised the riders and stood up calling a loud greeting. A middle-aged man was working in a garden further up the lane. He saw the riders and came running.

‘Sax,’ he called. ‘Sax, my boy, is that really you?’

‘Dadda,’ yelled Saxon, tumbling down from Caramel’s back and into his father’s arms. Rodney the tailor wept with relief that his only son had returned home at last.

There were hugs and tears and thumps and greetings all around as the villagers realised that the Master of Horse and his family had returned, along with mischievous Saxon.

‘I have your pig, Willem,’ offered one farmer. ‘I found her wandering in the forest and brought her back.’

‘Your cows are fine, down in your meadow,’ offered another. ‘But I think the foxes caught all your chickens and ducks, Marnie.’

Village news from the last four months was shared – who had died, who had been born, who had suffered during the invasion. At last their
neighbours and friends drifted off to their work. Rodney took Saxon home to hear tales of their adventures.

Finally Willem, Marnie, Ethan and Lily stood before their own cottage. The once-enchanting home was now nothing but a pile of rubble. They slid from their horses to stand at the lopsided gate, hanging on one hinge. The forget-me-nevers and gillyflowers had long since faded and dropped their seeds, and the lavender and rosemary were battered and crushed but still sweet-scented.

‘They burnt it,’ cried Ethan, his face pale with fury. ‘The Sedahs burnt our home.’

‘We’ve lost everything,’ wailed Lily, tears pouring down her face. ‘Everything is gone.’

Marnie stood silent, her face set with determination and her eyes bright with tears as she surveyed the ruin of her home and garden.

Willem drew them all into the shelter of his arms.

‘We haven’t lost everything,’ soothed Willem. ‘Everything precious in life is right here – our family, our friends and neighbours. The garden will grow again, it already is. We can rebuild the house, but at least we are all safe together once more.’

Aisha wagged her tail vigorously, thumping the ground and licking everyone in turn.

Marnie, Lily and Ethan smiled through their tears. Willem was right. The garden was already regrowing, with fresh new shoots pushing up through the rubble to greet the summer sun.

‘It’s so long since we’ve slept in a proper bed, I don’t think I could sleep properly anyway,’ joked Lily. ‘I guess it’s a blanket by the camp fire for a few more weeks at least.’

‘It’s summer and it will be ages before the weather turns cold,’ added Marnie.

‘And I bet the cellar under the barn is still intact,’ Ethan remembered. ‘I hid the trapdoor under a pile of manure so the Sedahs wouldn’t find it.’

‘That’s my clever boy,’ laughed Willem. ‘Let’s go and take a look.’

A month later, Queen Ashana arrived at Kenley with her children, Princess Roana and Prince Caspar, and a small group of Royal Guards.

She gravely surveyed the village, complimenting the villagers on the rebuilding work and making notes of ways she could offer help. After her tour, she came to tea with Willem and Marnie, along with Saxon and Rodney. Willem, Marnie, Ethan and Lily
were living in the one stone room they had managed to rebuild so far.

It was only small but Willem and Ethan had built a roughly hewn table and two benches, while Lily had picked some wildflowers held in an old tin cup. Marnie made tea served in a chipped assortment of teacups, with cold lemon and apple pie.

‘I want to visit the clearing,’ Queen Ashana explained. ‘The clearing where Radnor died and it all began. I would really appreciate it if you would come with us.’

‘Of course, your majesty,’ agreed Willem. ‘It would be our honour.’

‘Thank you,’ smiled Queen Ashana. ‘Marnie, this pie is delicious.’

‘And what news of the Sedah, your majesty?’ asked Marnie. ‘Have you had a reply from Emperor Raef after your offer to exchange the Sedah prisoners for the stolen treasure of Tiregian?’

‘His reply was implorably rude,’ Queen Ashana responded. ‘He refused to consider the exchange and insisted that we were welcome to keep the useless rabble of soldiers and priests. He wrote that if he saw them again he would only punish the entire force for their incompetence, and he certainly was not paying for the displeasure.’

‘Will you release the prisoners then?’ asked Willem.

‘Surely you couldn’t release Lord Lazlac, or that terrible Sniffer or Lord Mortimer?’ shivered Marnie.

‘No. Of course not,’ replied Queen Ashana. ‘I have the Sedah prisoners working on rebuilding the homes that they destroyed in Tira and the surrounding villages. When that is completed I have two special projects in mind for Lord Lazlac, Sniffer and their men.’ Queen Ashana smiled mischievously. ‘I thought Lord Lazlac could help pull down that monstrous temple he built and replant my rose garden. Sniffer, on the other hand, could remove that rubbish dump in the cavern. It is unhygienic having plagues of rats, cockroaches and hobgoblins living under the city.’

‘Wouldn’t the smell down there drive him crazy!’ joked Saxon.

The four children giggled with delight at the thought.

The adults continued to discuss politics, revenge, war and restitution.

‘Roana, did we tell you that Aisha had puppies?’ whispered Lily enthusiastically. ‘Come and have a look.’

The four children tiptoed quietly over to a large box in the far corner.

Aisha was snuggled down with nine dark gold puppies, all wriggling and squirming. She wrinkled her eyebrows at Roana in greeting, but did not climb out of the box. Charcoal peered into the box curiously, wondering at the mewling, suckling creatures, then turned her back and stalked away.

‘Oh, they are gorgeous,’ crooned Roana. ‘What a beautiful mother you are, Aisha.’

‘They are a week old,’ explained Ethan. ‘She had ten, but one died a few days ago.’

‘Ten! So many! But I did not even know Aisha was having puppies?’ asked Roana.

‘Neither did we,’ laughed Lily. ‘All we knew was that Aisha seemed very tired and a bit sick, but we were all so busy with the journey home and rebuilding. Then Mama noticed Aisha seemed to be putting on weight, and next thing we know – ten puppies born a week ago.’

‘We think Jonte is the father,’ added Ethan. ‘They did seem rather smitten with each other.’

‘Oh, they are just so beautiful,’ Roana exclaimed.

‘We thought you might like one?’ asked Ethan.

‘Oh, could I?’ shrieked Roana in excitement. ‘I would love an Aisha puppy – a little girl, as clever and brave as her mama.’

‘Sax is taking a little boy,’ said Lily.

‘I thought I’d call him Wilf – a warrior of the snows,’ explained Saxon.

‘Perfect,’ approved Roana. ‘So perfect. I will have to think of a wonderful name for my little girl.’

It was late afternoon when the small group rode out through the forest of Kenley to the clearing where the attack on Tiregian had first taken place. Early spring had become late summer. The bulbs and wildflowers had flourished and died. The sun shone warmly and the birds sang overhead. It was subtly different yet the same.

Memories of that dreadful day crowded in. They rode past the spot where Ethan had hidden Roana in the underbrush, the place where he had found Roana lying unconscious in the mud, the fork where Sniffer had picked up her trail, and at last the clearing where the royal ceremony had been interrupted so many months ago.

Queen Ashana sat on her snow-white horse, her head hanging in grief.

‘It was here that your father fell,’ she told her children. Queen Ashana carried a bouquet of flowers, which she dropped on the spot where her husband had died. Roana grimly clutched the hilt of the Sun Sword, hanging in its scabbard at her waist.

The sun was sinking slowly in the west, flushing
the horizon with crimson and filling the clearing with a rich golden light. The forest beyond filled with dark shadows.

A crash in the underbrush startled them, reminding them of the other disturbance in this spot the last time they were here. Willem stopped, holding up his hand for silence. Everyone else halted as well. There was a sound like thunder, low and rolling. Hoofbeats!

A blaze of white flew into the clearing in front of them. It stopped. It was a white horse, like Moonbeam only twice the size. The huge horse stood in the middle of the clearing and turned to look at them quizzically.

The wild white stallion! The elusive white horse that was the object of the annual Royal Hunt at the Spring Equinox. Some village folk swore he was a unicorn, or a fabulous winged horse. There he stood, his muscles rippling in the dappled light. The stallion snorted, flaring his velvet nostrils wide. He tossed his flowing white mane, the tufted forelock falling over one brown eye.

The stallion sniffed the smell of the humans standing still on the forest track and the smell of their horses. He neighed a challenge, warning them all that he was the undisputed king of the forest.
Nutmeg, Caramel, Moonbeam and Toffee pranced and sidled, drawn by the wild call. Lily, Ethan, Roana and Saxon held the reins fast, holding their horses in.

The stallion reared up on his hind legs, his shiny black hooves flashing and pawing the air in challenge. He danced on his hind legs, gracefully balancing for what seemed like long minutes. The party of humans could hardly breathe at the grace and beauty of this wild horse.

Finally the spell was broken, and the stallion sent a ringing neigh through the forest. The mares answered his call. A herd of two hundred of Tiregian’s finest hacks, ponies, hunters and carriage horses streamed through the forest galloping as one. The river of warm horseflesh streamed across the track and off into the shadows of the forest on the other side. The stallion turned to look at the humans once more, neighing defiantly, then galloped off after his herd.

Everyone was silent for a moment, overcome by the beauty of the scene.

‘The horses are safe,’ sighed Lily happily. ‘The Sedahs didn’t get them.’

Willem laughed uproariously. ‘Not only that, my darling. Most of those mares are looking a tad
rounder than when I left them five months ago. I’d say that wild stallion has done his job, and there’s a hundred or more moon foals, waiting to be born next spring. We’ll have a huge job rounding them up in the wild and bringing them into the stables before winter.’

‘And a busy job delivering a hundred baby moon foals!’ cried Marnie exuberantly.

Everyone grinned in excitement and happiness. In the east, a golden disk shimmered on the horizon, reflecting the sun’s glory. Slowly, majestically, a huge golden moon rose in the purple sky. A single star gleamed overhead.

Roana drew the Sun Sword and held it above her head, pointing at the moon. ‘To a bountiful harvest and to many, many moon foals. May the Moon Goddess bless them all and keep them safe.’