Interactive Story--The Maiden and the Mud Beggar

[Sir Dougie Zerts]

(I did an interactive story on the prior forum.  I'd like to try it again, if any of you are interested.  Here goes!)

A maiden walked over to a post and stood by it.  It announced TOWNE OF BEADE, and was, in fact, the entrance to the village.  She was dressed in a long green dress and was bareheaded, it being summer.
"Good day, my lady," she heard a friendly male voice say.
Turning to where it came from, she saw a beggar.  Being a beggar, he was dirty and dishevelled.  In fact, he was sitting in the middle of a rather large mud puddle, and he was covered with it.

[Blackbead]

Frowning, the young woman turned away from the filthy beggar and went back to watching the cart path in front of her.  She knew that her parents would be coming along any minute in their wagon and she didn't want them to find her engaged in conversation with the likes of him.  Edwina's family was not a welathy one, they were one step up from the poor peasants who worked their fields, but she knew how her father would react to her talking to a stranger, especially one covered in mud and begging by the side of the road.  Besides, she had more important things to think about; like the shopping that she and her mother would be doing in Beade and the exotic foods to be found at the stalls along the main road through town!  It seemed like years since she had bought a new necklace or tasted the candies that she knew she would find there!

[DonaCatalina]

Devlin sat in the cart behind his parents as they jostled down the road to the village. All the wool contracted last fall had just been delivered. The extra bales of wool had also brought a nice price at the wool market. Now they were headed into the village for the Faire. His sister Edwina had begged to spend the day with her friend Sarafina. Of course their indulgent father had agreed as long as the two girls stayed together. At twenty winters, Devlin was a strapping lad with dark hair and black eyes. He was a great contrast to his petite sister with her strawberry blonde hair and freckles. When the cart rattled to a stop, Devlin was surprised to see his sister standing alone beside the road. He looked around for Sarafina, but only saw a beggar sitting under the sign that proclaimed the boundary of the village of Beade.

[Tremayne]

Edwina breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the family team and wagon top the rise. The beggar hadn't pestered her but at times he would stare at her in a baldly oafish way that made her uncomfortable. Still, with all the wagons and people headed to faire, this was the best place to be seen by her family. They'd spotted her already and were beginning to pull up. She stepped forward and heard slopping and wallowing sounds behind her. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw with horror that the mud beggar had risen and extended an arm as though expecting to help her into the wagon. Her father came to rescue.

"Ho there! I'll see my daughter up myself, I will." He quickly jumped down and placed himself between Edwina and the beggar. "You're in no state to be lending a hand to ladies."

"True. My apologies, good sir." He sloshed back a step but kept talking. "May I introduce myself. I am Prince Walter, fifth son of King Rupert." He bowed.

Meanwhile Edwina had mounted the wagon nimbly and seated herself beside her mother. As her father remounted, he humored the sot. "How did you happen to end up in a mud hole, Prince Walter?"

The beggar got a wistful look in his eye. "It all began with an epiphany."

"Oh, that sounds bad," fluttered Edwina's mother. "I hope it's not catching!" She pulled Edwina closer to her.

As he slapped the reins, her father called out, "There's a doctor in town may be able to help with that. Good day to ya."

"And then my horse threw me," mumbled Walter to himself more than anyone. That was like a second epiphany for him. He'd never been thrown before, had always considered himself something of a natural horseman yet the nag he'd chosen from the stable had been thoroughly difficult. He'd been so stunned when she shied, landing him in the puddle, that he hadn't seen where she'd gotten to in the crowd. Then the young woman had stepped out of the traffic and it seemed most important to appreciate her simple, innocent loveliness, like a field flower, making no great claims of beauty yet bright and fresh and full of life, completely without courtly articfice or restraint and not yet beaten down by women's work. And that seemed like an epiphany as well, that there should be such a type of woman with a window of time when she was without any sort of mask. He'd always wanted to have an epiphany and now he'd had 3 in 24 hrs. Surely that meant acting on the first one, which led him to demand the clothes of a stable hand and the use of a dray horse to go out disguised as a peasant among his people, was the right thing to do.

As the Taylors pulled away from the hapless muddy figure, Edwina's mother scolded, "What were you doing there all alone?!"

"I wasn't alone, Mother! People are everywhere!"

"You know what I mean. Where is Sarafina? You shouldn't have been left alone."

"She caught a ride when her uncle passed by. I knew you'd be along shortly so I waited for you. It was just a moment."  It was a harmless lie. She was able to take care of herself and the whole morning had been a ruse so Sarafina could take care of some personal business that meddling parents didn't need to know about.

"And you see what can happen in 'just a moment,' young lady. It doesn't take a second for some undesirable to take an unhealthy interest in you!"

"A prince," piped in Devlin from the rear.

"Not right in the head for certain but he seemed harmless enough," said her father.

"Not all sots are," her mother asserted. "She was lucky this time but it's best we don't allow a second."

"He was kind of chubby for a beggar," commented Devlin idly.

"Some are newer to the profession than others," said Mr. Taylor.

[DonaCatalina]

Edwina Taylor and her mother got down from the cart at the church doorstep.

"You boys run along" Anna Taylor told her husband and son. She and Edwina unloaded the mutton pies that were to be the family's contribution. Before the men left, she admonished them "Be sure and come back early for the supper. You know I would rather have us all sit together in this great crowd."

"Yes'm" was Matthew's reply as he flicked the reins to urge the team forward.

Devlin's thoughts returned to the beggar in the mud. "Pa" he asked "Is it possible that man was really a Prince?"

Matthew gave his son a sideways look before he answered "Lookee sons, Princes have lots o' of people to see to them. Some folks would say it's like herding wayward lambs. They has people to wake them up in the morning and follow them around all day just waiting to see if they needs anything. No Prince is going to find himself alone in the mud aside the road."

He waited to see if Devlin absorbed this explanation. Devlin made no comment, so his father continued "'Sides, his clothes were older and more worn than my working clothes. No Prince would even put such things on."

Devlin nodded to himself at the wisdom of his father's statements. When they came to a stop, the sheepdog trials were already in progress. As Devlin scanned the crowd for any of his friends, all thought of the beggar prince was driven from his mind. Matthew Taylor tied the cart up alongside a dozen others and joined the older men lining the fence of the sheep pen. Devlin spotted his friend Thomas and went to see him before it was the other boy's turn in the ring.

[Blackbead]

"Thomas, my friend!" Devlin said, clapping his mate on the back in greeting, "how goes the contest?"

Thomas, only five months younger than Devlin, but a good ten inches shorter and much smaller in stature, started at the friendly pat on the back.  Though the gesture had truly been meant as a friendly greeting, the force of Devlin's pat caused Thomas to stumble forward a few steps.

"Wha-?" stammered Thomas, "Oh, hello, Devlin.  I didn't see you.  The contest goes well enough, I suppose.  I think that big black over there may be the winner.  I'm not sure Molly will do as well as he did."

As he spoke, Thomas looked down at his dog, a two year old, black and white mixed breed who he dearly loved.  The two boys knelt and began petting and scratching the dog and it was obvious that she loved every minute of the attention.

"She's a fine dog, Thomas.  She may be smaller than some but she's so much smarter than most of these other dogs.  And she loves herding sheep; I've seen her when you were working her.  She seems to know as much about handling sheep as you do!"

Devlin smiled at his friend and then looked back down at the happy dog.  Thomas beamed with pride as he rubbed her stomach and chest.  It was obvious that his dog was one of the most important things in his life.  She had some to him from a litter of pups that a neighbor's dog had whelped.  A farm can only have so many dogs and the neighbor had given away all but one of the pups.  Devlin, who had grown up tending a flock, saw something in Molly, even when she was young, and had confidence that she would grow into a good sheep dog.  He had been right.

"Where's your family?" asked Thomas.

"You mean 'where's Edwina', don't you, my friend?"

Thomas reddened as Devlin smiled wide.  It was well known between these young men that Thomas had an eye for Devlin's sister.  Devlin would have been happy to see Thomas wed to his sister but he knew that the girl would never look twice at his friend.

Devlin thought that his sister was nothing but a dreamer; Edwina envisioned herself married to the son of a wealthy merchant or being swept off her feet by a wandering knight errant, out to find a bride as he won his spurs.  Devlin believed that Edwina needed to change her ways; he wished that she would fall in love with someone, someone like Thomas.

The two young men were interrupted by a loud voice calling out for the next entrant.

"Thomas of Bartram Farm!  Come forward with your dog, Molly!"

[Alphonse]

Rupert liked to call his sons to stand before him at least once a week. Otherwise, he hardly saw them these days.  Standing at attention now were four of his sons, in a row eldest to youngest: Hector, Bernard, Reuben, Quentin.

"Where is Walter?"

"Library," volunteered Hector.

"Library," seconded Bernard.

"Garden," countered Quentin.

"Maybe he's been kidnaped," suggested Reuben.

This was a guessing game the boys played whenever one of their siblings was late. Rupert waived a dismissive hand at Reuben. He had almost as much imagination as Walter, though it tended toward the martial. Rupert made a mental note to start looking at likely matches for his 3rd son some quiet backwater. He had made a vow to his own father, who had brought peace to this land at great cost, that he would maintain that peace so long as he lived. So it had been and he wouldn't let a youngster who thought he had something to prove upset good relations with his neighbors, especially as a result of empty drama.

"Who's keeping track of Walter these days?" He asked his sons. The boy was so bookish an habit-bound it was not a proper post for a fit man-at-arms, so it tended to rotate among oldsters and squires in disfavor. In truth, some of his daughters were harder to look after than Walter."I believe it is Sir Alfred who has taken up the task,my lord",replied Hector. "Hmm? well then have the man summoned here, now" replied the king, as a page left in haste to do as the king bid.Sir Alfred was an old man, he had been a Sargent at arms for his father,the man had been wounded severely in the fighting that had won the peace his father had worked so hard to bring about,and had walked with a limp and aid of a cane all of Rupert's days.He had helped train Rupert when he was young himself, he had knighted the man himself, some five years back in recognition of all his years of faithful service to his family.

While he waited for old Alfred, he listened to his son's accounts of their lessons and activities of the past week,when finally the page returned with the aged knight in tow."My lord", spoke Alfred as he made his best effort at a bow."Yes, yes", spoke the king, "what is the news of my son?" "Not good, my king, the last report that I had was he was last seen on the west road leading into town, he had taken a nasty fall from his horse, possible knocking some of the sense out of him." "As his page rode off to catch his horse and return it to him he reported that the Prince had wandered off into the crowd and could not be found"."I have ordered a search, but have not had any luck mustering much of a turn out as it is the opinion of the captain of the house hold guard that the prince will turn up soon or later." "What? this will not do!" spoke the king,"take the princes and their escorts and begin a search now." "Send for the captain of the guard!" said the king to the page with more aggravation then he intended in his voice.As the page rushed past, Sir Alfred and the princes turned to leave."Oh and while you are at it", said the king to Sir Alfred,"try not to lose anymore of my sons, while I am blessed to have five of them, I cherish each of them in their own right." With an obvious blush of embarrassment, all the old knight could say was, "I will do my best, my lord", as he spun around to leave in great haste.

[Tremayne]

Walter gazed after the wagon as it mingled with others and the people on foot and the beasts being led and finally had to admit he felt intimidated by all the people and activity. He'd participated in feasts and ceremonies and parades and balls, many of which involved more people than this town held. Yet he always had a role to play in those, a place prepared. This seemed so chaotic.

And he was not likely to get a friendly response from anyone covered in mud. So, he decided, I'll walk the periphery and let the sun dry my cloths. Then I can brush the worst of it off. He was proud of himself for having such a practical thought.

He set off to his right, strolling behind the backs of stores. That quickly gave way to cottage gardens and then to some larger residences with room enough for some livestock and a manger.

"Stop it, Calvin," he heard from one such manger. A woman's voice, insistent. Could be chastising a brother or a laborer, he thought. He walked past.

"I said NO!" The sound of ruffling.

Not good. Walter stopped. She sounded strong. Maybe this Calvin would listen or she would extricate herself. He had a well-developed conscience but no desire to play hero. Couldn't really. He'd never been very coordinated. Where was everyone else who might intervene?

He heard the sound of a struggle and steeled himself for a confrontation. He had but to slip through a pair of rails and step into the open stall to see the woman disheveled but still clothed in a pile of hay, pinned by a brawny lad. They looked to be at a draw. Walter mustered his most authoritative voice. "In the name of the King! Unhand that woman!

The young man flipped half around while keeping a tight hold on the young woman. Upon seeing who addressed him, he replied, "Bug off nutter! This is none of your business!"

"Protecting the weak is part of my business. I am Prince Walter, 5th son of King Rupert," he stated, the last part without much conviction recalling how little effect it had on the young woman and her family.

"Weak?! She's practically my wife."

"Let GO, Calvin! We came here to discuss eloping, not this."

"Let go of her," Walter said, feeling solidly in the right after what she'd said, but also feeling a bit weak in the knees.

"Get out!" the knave yelled, throwing a handful of dirt and hay up at Walter's face. He dodged it easily and surprised himself by grabbing a rake and getting a good whack on Calvin's wrist at the same time the girl leaned away, giving Calvin a kick in the calf. She was free and fled, but Calvin was in a red-faced fury.

"You idiot!" he bellowed as he charged Walter. Walter brought up the rake handle to block him but the youth grabbed it and used it to pull Walter into his punch. Walter saw stars and toppled.

"Worthless dung heap!" he head above him. Two sharp kicks in the ribs actually helped clear his head. He brought his arms up to cover it but Calvin's anger was at an end. He heard the knave stomp off.

Walter relaxed and lay there a few minutes feeling weak. The point of the fist's impact was still numb but his nose throbbed.  He realized he had fallen in animal leavings and resolved to get up. He raised himself to a sitting position easily but it made him dizzy and a little nauseated.

"Are you okay?" It was the young woman's voice.

"I thought you'd left," Walter mumbled.

"I'm not a complete coward. I'm decent enough to check back on someone who's helped me."

She knelt in front of him. Her dark hair was full of hay. She fixed him with eyes that were both blue and green in a penetrating stare.

"Are you really a prince?"

"Yes, I am."

She nodded.

"You believe me?" he asked in surprise.

"Sure."

"Why?" It seemed to him he exhibited even less evidence than during his first declaration.

"You fight like a prince."

"No," objected Walter, "no, you should see my brothers. They're excellent fighters."

"And no one around here talks like that around here. Not even crazy people."

"Like what?"

"Unhand that woman! Protecting the weak!" She imitated Walter's tone and could not suppress a giggle.

Walter cracked a smile. He couldn't recall ever enjoying being mocked so much. "Did I really sound so ridiculous?"

"Yes, but I bless you for it and for all you did. Now let me help you up. We both need to get cleaned up."

"May I ask your name?"

"Sarafina," she said with a blush.

[DonaCatalina]

  The heat from the communal oven behind the church seemed as hot as the Smithy's forge to Edwina. She was using a long wooden paddle to remove the fresh baked loaves when she was startled by Sarafina's face popping up beside her. The second think that startled her was Sarafina's disheveled appearance.

"What on God's green earth happened to you?" Edwina questioned in a whisper.

"Um" Sarafina replied "It is a long tale that I'd rather not tell until I get cleaned up. Can you get me a couple of towels from the Rectory?"

Hastily setting aside the hot bread Edwina answered "Yes, but you better explain this to me later".

When she returned with the rags, for in reality that was all she could find, Sarafina took them from her gratefully. A sharp look from Edwina made Sarafina blush.

"Yes-es" she stammered "This is about Calvin. Our meeting did not go as I planned for it to go. I promise I'll explain later."

"I can't wait to hear this" Edwina retorted.

Sarafina crept out from where she had hidden between the oven and the woodpile. She found Walter still hidden in the bushes where she had left him.

"We'll go to the river and wash" she told him "Every will be at the church or down at the sheep pens" She gave him a critical eye and added "You better go in and wash your clothes also. They are pretty ripe".

As far as Sarafina was concerned, she was lucky that she only needed to wash was her face and hands. A good brushing rid her hair of the clinging hay. Following her suggestion Walter plunged right into the dark blue-black water of the river. When he came up shouting and spluttering, Sarafina could not help but laugh.

"You didn't tell me the water was freezing cold!" Walter shouted "I have never bathed in cold water in my life".

Forcing her face into a serious expression, Sarafina called to him "Come here and lay down on the grass. The sun will soon warm and dry you".


Meanwhile at the sheep dog trials Thomas had finished his turn in the ring. He and Molly were both breathing heavy when they trotted out of the fence. The young men waiting their turns all took time to shake his hand and congratulate him on Molly's performance.

One in the crowd commented "Some day Molly will take all the prizes Like Grandma Pickens and her Stormy".

Thomas replied with a grin "Don't hex me now. It's bad luck to say such things."

The crowd turned away as the next name was called, so he went in search of Devlin. His friend was not far away. His broad smile was evidence enough for Thomas that Molly had done well against the other sheepdogs.

"Shall I stand us a round of Ale?" Devlin asked.

"No need to ask twice" Thomas answered as he started towards Beade's single tavern.

The dim light inside the tavern caused the two boys a moment of blindness as they stepped through the door. There were not many people inside but Devlin's heart sank when he saw Calvin Wilson hunched over a corner table. Then he noticed that Calvin was drinking with his left hand.

[Alphonse]

Alfred sat in his saddle looking around as the young princes and their escorts began mounting up. There were nine total in their group, he thought absent mindedly as he began to think of the best way to conduct their search.He heard the church bell tolling as it marked the hour and the idea that time was slipping away from him occurred as well.

"Listen up lads, this is how I intend for us to conduct the most effective search I can think of", he said in his best command voice. Which might have seemed awkward to most knights, giving commands to Princes, even young ones such as these but Alfred was special in that regard.His service to his King was differant then that of most knights,he was as much a guardian and teacher to these young Princes as he was a man at arms. He had the King's trust in that, though this present crisis no doubt was testing that trust sorely.

"It is my intention to cover as much ground as quickly and thoroughly as possible without any duplication of effort, to do so we will split up into four groups,each covering a direction of the compass." "We will start from the church and each group will report back to me there at the church each hour when you hear the church bell toll the hour,when any group looks to have found a lead as to where your brother maybe, then we can focus the others there to concentrate and provide a complete search of that area." 'If there are no questions, let us ride then to the church in haste", he looked around at all present and it appeared that each of them understood what was expected of them."Good, then let us begin" he said as he wheeled his horse around and broke into a gallop the others falling in behind him, riding in the direction of the church.

[Tremayne]

The prince had decided he preferred to walk while drying. He'd told Sarafina in lots of fancy language why he was out dressed in a stable hand's cloths. What she understood of it was that he was curious about how other people lived. It had slowly sunk in that she had come to be on friendly terms, however briefly, with a prince, and that she should find a way to take advantage of it. What she wanted to do was present him to Edwina, who had always high ideas about royalty and being swept off her feet by a prince. Now here was Sarafina, rescued, clumsily but still rescued, by a prince that Edwina would never believe was a prince because he didn't look at all like her dream. Walter looked much more the way Sarafina had always expected royalty to look: soft, pale and dreamy. If she could just get him dressed more respectably, she could show him to her friend and win in three ways. She would have a moment of lording her new acquaintance over a stunned Edwina. She would have the pleasure of giving her friend a taste of her friend by turning Walter over to her. And she would have a told-you-so moment because Walter was proof that her version of royalty was the correct one, not Edwina's. But where to find the clothes and how to get him into them? When she'd suggested to him that he might return to the palace and come back as a proper prince, he would have none of it. His curiosity wasn't satisfied yet despite the purpling, swelling cheek he kept fingering tenderly.

[Blackbead]

"What do people eat?," asked Walter.

"What?," said Sarafina, "What do you mean, 'what do people eat?'  Prince though you may be, you are 'people,' too!"

"Oh, I know, I know; I guess I meant what do people who do not live in a castle eat?"  Walter was very careful not to use words like "commoners" or "peasants" or even "townspeople."  He was afraid that saying something like that might offend this young woman who had befriended him.  And it was at that moment that he realized that Sarafina was treating him the way that friends treated each other.

Walter had never had a friend before; brothers, yes; servants, yes; but never a real friend.  He liked the feeling that he got when she helped him and when they talked.  She was obviously trying to think of ways to take care of him and that made him feel strange inside.  Other people, servants mostly, did things for him out of a sense of duty or fear.  This girl was being nice to him because she . . . well, he couldn't think of why.

He even liked the way that she joked with him, cajoling him about his clothes smelling and about the way he looked.  His brothers would sometimes belittle him for his failings and that felt totally different from the way Sarafina's jokes felt.  Even if they were at his expense, there was a completely different tone than when his brothers made fun of him.  Maybe that was the difference – Sarafina was "having" fun with him and his brothers were "making" fun of him. 

If this was how it felt to have a friend, someone who liked and respected you, someone who treated you like a real person and not a prince, then he decided that having friends was a good thing!

"Oh, well, you mean, 'what do you peasants eat'?" Sarafina said with a shocked look on her face.

"No, no, not like that," said Walter, "I was very careful not to say 'commoner' or 'peasant' . . ."

Sarafina burst into laughter.  Walter, realizing that she was once again joking with him, bloomed red in embarrassment but smiled as he looked down at the ground; once again, Sarafina was treating him like a friend, not like a prince.

"Yes, I suppose it is getting on toward supper time.  We still need to come up with some way to find you some better clothes but we'd best get something to eat first."

Walter and Sarafina had come to the edge of a large field.  The open area was full of colorful tents and people milling about.  Sarafina looked for familiar faces, people from Beade, but all she saw were strangers.  This was obviously a camping spot for the travelers from surrounding villages and farms.  With all that had been going on so far this day, the Faire taking place in the village had slipped from her mind.

She thought of all of the different stalls there would be – merchants from far, far away would be set up to sell everything under the sun.  There would be food vendors and leather workers and poetry makers and  . . . even people selling clothing!  Not only would she be able to get food for the prince, they might even be able to buy him some decent clothes.

Sarafina turned to Walter: "Have you ever been to a Faire?"

[DonaCatalina]

  The sun hung low in the sky as the villagers made their way to the church. More than a few of the men came from the tavern. The women had worked hard all afternoon and platters of steaming mutton vied for space on the trestle with roasted chickens and other dishes. Devlin followed Thomas down the line in order to keep an eye on him. His dog Molly had taken the prize for dogs in their first showing. A long afternoon of congratulations had left Thomas a little unsteady on his feet. Compared to Calvin Wilson however, Thomas was a model of sobriety. The larger and older boy walked as if he had suddenly grown and extra pair of feet. After their plates were full, Devlin steered his friend towards the table where the Bartram family sat. Thomas father helped his son to sit down with a knowing grin on his face "I well remember my first time at the trials." He told Devlin "I was much worse".

  Devlin had just turned away from Master Bartram when the sight of Sarafina caught his eye. It appeared that she and Edwina had been having some sort of argument. Her hand gesturing excitedly was what had drawn his attention. Then he saw a very tall young man, dressed as a servant, emerge from the bushes. A great roar rose up behind him and as he turned in response he was knocked to the ground. He jumped back up just in time to see Calvin tackle the stranger and knock him to the ground. The two men rolled on the ground each trying to get a grip on the other. It was plain that Calvin's drunken state worked against him because he took the worst of it before the two were pulled apart.
The blacksmith held onto Calvin as he continued to rage. Cole, the village Sheriff had the stranger but released him when he ceased to struggle. The dazed Walter watched the scene in amazement. "What do you mean by such a display Calvin" the Sheriff demanded heatedly. Calvin spat out some of the blood that filled his mouth before he replied "That scoundrel has come sneaking around and has stolen my woman!" Now enraged also, Sarafina shouted "Your woman! I have no intention of being your woman or wife after what you tried in the barn!" Now everyone's attention focused on Calvin, until they were roughly shoved away by the bull size bulk of Sarafina's uncle. Hauling Calvin forward by his shirt, the huge man bellowed "Just what did you do to my niece in the barn? We all want to know."

  Sarafina blushed hotly, but she answered the question "He did not actually do anything but put his hand down my top. But he tried to make me.... Make me..." Her embarrassment finally got the better of her and she sputtered to a stop. Walter sense of gallantry made him step in at this point. "I happened along" he explained "and told that man there to release her". He fingered the bruise on his cheek and added "We had a bit of a row and he left".

[Alphonse]

"There you are, you have been busy my brother", spoke Prince Rueben as he stepped out from the crowd,Prince Hector stood beside him. "This man is your brother ?" asked Cole immediately after making a curt bow. The blacksmith's jaw dropped in suprise,"that means he's a,a... sputtered the large man."Yes, this is Prince Walter, my brother" replied the youth, "where have you been? we have searched half the town looking for you today". "I am not ready to go back yet",said Walter. "Sorry brother, it's not your choice our father the King has sent Sir Alfred and the rest of us to fetch you back",came Rueben's reply. With that Hector turned to leave with the news of them finding Walter, Alfred waited for word just around the corner.

"Now hold on there just a minute", said Cole,I am the sheriff here and before anyone leaves we need to know exactly what happened." "If in fact, this is Prince Walter, this young man here, Calvin Wilson may very well hang for having assaulted a prince. With that a gasp went up among the crowd who had collected around the group standing in the street."But, I didn't know that he was a prince!"exclaimed Calvin. "Oh, there's no need to be hanging anyone over this, it's just a misunderstanding is all, spoke the blacksmith,"besides the lads besotted,he meant no harm". "Ignorance and drink is no excuse of the law",answered the sheriff.

"Indeed", answered Sir Alfred as he stepped up and into the exchange."All of this, is indeed in the realm of the interest of the Crown, though I seriously doubt it is worthy of a hanging".Seeing the elder knight approach, and hearing his word the sheriff deferred to him. "What is it that the Crown wishes?"asked Cole. "Take written dispositions of all the accounts of what has transpired and send them to the castle,take young master Calvin into custody and await the King's word as to his fate for this lapse of better judgement,answered the Knight. "And you Prince Walter, are to come with me, your father waits".Walter, stepped over to Sarafina,"I must go, I have no choice as you have heard, but I will be back." With that the young Prince left with Alfred and his brothers.When out of earshot of the others, Sir Alfred said to Prince Walter,"fighting in the street with common drunks, you should be ashamed of yourself, I told your father that in your fall you might have lost some of your good senses, it is my belief that regardless of the matter, that might yet be your best defence."











































































'

[Tremayne]

Devlin and Sarafina converged on Edwina at the same time where she was ladling stew to the masses.

"He really was a prince, Winnie!" Devlin burst out as they drew near.

"I'm so sorry, Edwina, I meant to share him with you," added a downcast Sarafina.

"What are you two talking about?" As penance for her morning of freedom, her mother had run her ragged the entire afternoon and she was feeling cross.

"The mudbeggar! He really was a prince!"

"Don't be ridiculous, Devlin."

"No, really, he was, Edwina," confirmed Sarafina. "He's the one I needed the towels for."

Edwina's ladle hung in the air as she tried to rearrange her reality and the gentleman with his bowl extended added, "Aye, lass. There was a hubbub outside and a prince was in the midst of it."

Sarafina took the ladle from her friend and resumed the service.

"So our family snubbed a prince? I could die of embarassment. Perhaps we should leave town before we're publicly shamed for our rude behavior."

"He's not that sort of prince," said Sarafina.

"How do you mean?"

"He's not all hoity toity."

"Some of those others might do it," said Devlin. "I hate to think what will com of Cal."

"Calvin?! What does he have to do with it?"

"I'll tell you later," said Sarafina quickly.

"Why later?" said Devlin with a snicker. "Half the town already knows he jumped you."

Sarafina grabbed Devlin roughly by the collar, deftly stepped backward and shoved him into the serving line, handing him the spoon. "Here, why don't you tell the rest of them then while I talk to Edwina."

Devlin squawked a weak objection as she took her friend's elbow and steered her through the crowd twoard a door.

"What happened?" asked Edwina.

"It's involved. Let's wait til we have more privacy. How did your family snub Walter?"

After hearing a brief description of their family's encounter with the prince, Sarafina exclaimed, "You were THAT girl?!" and burst out laughing.

"What do you mean, that girl?"

"He told me he had the pleasure of watching a 'young lady' who reminded him of 'a sunrise after rain when the air is perfectly clear and fresh and the whole world is burnished with the new sun's glow.'" Sarafina swept her arms out dramatically.

"Really?" questioned Edwina, reassessing the situation yet again. "He did stare at me. I thought he was a bit dull, you know, dim-witted."

"No, just out of his element. Stunned might be a better word than dull. And it's about time someone took to admiring you." Sarafina gave her friend a big smile. "And a prince, just like you always imagined."

"Not quite how I imagined," admitted Edwina with a grin.

"No, but still a shame he disappeared so soon."

"Now tell me what went wrong with Calvin," Edwina insisted, "and then we'll console ourselves with some pretties. I've still got all my coin."

Off the girls went arm in arm into the market.