CANONETW1V021 CAQ0001 TLCS-90 gVS160 Book1h TXT 160-178ch17,18 QŠfˆgfŠ LST ŃŅÓŌ**ÕÖ LBL ×Ų ŁŚŪ€ą=ō   šĄ‚š šN¶†īV ƒ !0 123@ABCDEFGHIJK„Chapter 17€€ "Your majesty, your daughter was quite hysterical,and I have done my best to comfort her. I hope this does not meet with your disapproval, but I think she is still quite upset, and would be more likely to speak with you if you can just give her a little more time." Anna swallowed and took a very deep breath, hoping that she had not angered the king, but he looked anything but upset as he smiled and winked at Anna, then just kept rudely gazing at her, with a look of yearning and fancy. Anna felt horrifed at his ill-mannered stares, and hoped to send him away by saying, "Let me help her rest today, and perhaps tomorrow, she will feel much more like seeing you."€"Perhaps," the king agreed but added forcefully, "I want to see you right away, in my private chambers. Now, excuse me, I will be leaving."€Anna loathed the way the king had looked at her. The stupid man, Anna thought. Here he had his entire relationship with his daughter at stake, and all he had done was flirt with her. Both she and Carmalyn had detected his apparent enchantment with her, but neither dared discuss his revolting manner. Anna had done her best to discourage his noticing her, and was thankful she had been successful in at least keeping the visit short. Anna's eyes focussed on Carmalyn's, who seemed totally exasperated with her father's ludicrous conduct.€"I do not think my father even cares about me. I know he doesn't have a heart. How could he promise me he would not hurt Tessy, then have her taken away to be killed? How could he, when he knew I how much I really loved her? Then how could he come to my room and end up spending the entire time gawking at you?"€ Anna attempted to change the mood, by suggesting that Carmalyn take a warm, milk bath. Carmalyn felt too overwhelmed and weak even to disagree, and was easily persuaded by any advice Anna had to give. Servants came and helped Carmalyn, so that Anna could slip quietly to her room. € Anna also took solace in taking a hot bath. She was indeed thankful to be entirely alone and took deep breaths, trying to shed the disgusting thoughts of the amorous ,lustful king from her mind, and was only able to by turning her mind towards Tessy, who was somewhere out in the wilds, alone and in such a precarious situation.€Truly Tessy was the one all alone as she rode with the wind praying to reach Lockhart without being noticed. Her horse seemed to have wings, flying across the rocks and crevices that normally jolted him. Tessy gained velocity as she passed the glistening, emerald lake, but her inclination to stop and sip the fresh water overtook her better judgment. Sliding down the small hill to the water, she searched for the band of Gypsies. Evidently, they had relocated elsewhere, for she felt utterly alone as she and her horse sipped the refreshing, cool water. €€Tessy, aware that she had no time to sit and rest, eased her horse back to the road and signaled for him to run. She knew that she would be in Lockhart soon. She saw a familiar turn in the road, but ahead stood two men on horses, apparently waiting for someone. She could either turn off the road, and circle back around through the woods, or just keep riding hoping that they were not some of the zealous-king's-guards looking for her. With no time to dawdle and speculate, she decided to march straight by them, in boldness, and hope they were friendly. Her march forward was indeed conspicuous, and she tried desperately to stretch taller in the saddle. She could see the two men looking on with curiosity, so she only watched them through the corner of her eye, making sure that her head never turned. When she was within voice range, one of the men called to her. €"Who would you be?" he asked.€"I am..." Tessy answered, neither wanting to appear unfriendly or feeling safe enough to identify herself. So she continued, "Why might I ask are you inquiring?"€"It is she, the young lady from the palace," the other man answered, reaching for the reins to her horse. Tessy jerked them tightly though, and the horse reared back on his two back legs, throwing the man to the ground.€"Get away from me, you zany, old nincompoop!" Tessy screamed so loudly that she herself was surprised.€"Please madam, we do not mean to alarm you. We are looking for someone of your description. We are with a man named Sturdivent, if that would mean something to you," the first man pleaded. €"I recognize the name, and now, be exact. Who have you been seeking?" Tessy demanded.€"A young lady, called Tessy," the man answered.€"How can I trust you?" Tessy asked, with skepticism. €"We know your destination," the man stammered. "If you be the young lady we are looking for, you are traveling to Lockhart."€"You are nothing but a simpleton, for it is quite obvious that Lockhart is where the road leads. Now if you offer no more proof, be off with you! I have an appointment to make," Tessy talked as her horse pranced around, seeming to enjoy the small rest.€"We will join you. We are to lead you to the doctor's home, which is a short distance from here, and that is where you will be hiding," the man responded this time quite sensibly, so Tessy turned and listened. "We are to wait until further word comes from Sturdivent and his army, but we are on your side and at your service."€Tessy wasn't used to such incompetent attendants, but sensed she needed to have them, at least temporarily, so she agreed to let them take her to the doctor's home outside Lockhart. Tessy forgot for a few minutes about the danger all about her, and thought about how wonderful it would be to be reunited again with her old friend and tutor, Madam Ramona. Tessy wondererd how much Madam Ramona knew, and if she had been informed, how she felt about her situation, € Suddenly, one of the men stopped and discussed something Tessy could not hear, then turned to her and explained that they would be separating for a short while. One of the men would ride on into town and the other man would accompany Tessy to the doctor's home. They turned off the road, and Tessy felt certain they must be close to the doctor's home, but an unusual sense of darkness encircled her, almost as a warning. She turned around to check with the man, who had left with no trace. € Tessy held tightly to the whip she had secured inside her saddle, but she kept riding in the direction the path was leading. She dared not rush her horse, as the trail was thick with branches and bushes. She looked from side to side and then straight ahead, when she presumed she saw a faint image of what she hoped was the doctor's house. Finally reaching a small clearing, she galloped her horse to the door of the house. Without hesitating, she knocked furiously on the door, but before anyone came, she saw the man standing behind her with a huge net, ready to throw over her. Tessy ducked and screamed, but the man tried again, and somehow knocked her whip from her hand.€"I never trusted you! You're nothing but a villainous, mole of a man! Look at you, trying to fight a lady. Shame on you! You could never be in our army, you are too weak!" Tessy stretched for a limb to swing upward out of his way.€"I never intended to fight in your army. For you are worth a great deal of gold, I'll dare say! I am sure that the king would pay me well to return with you alive or dead," he said, laughing and throwing the net over Tessy's foot. €Tessy tried with all her might to get loose, but he was yanking too hard, and she fell right on top of him. Dizzy and bruised, she struggled to get up, noticing the man was not moving. He seemed to be stunned or lying unconscious, so Tessy reached for his sword and again ran to the door. If this was the doctor's house, they would have been greeting her by now. Perhaps, he had led her in completely the wrong direction, or maybe the house was just further up the trail. Darkness was coming soon, and who knew how much time she would have before the man would be conscious.€Tessy thought for several moments, then grabbed the net, securing it around the stranger's body. She tied several knots in both of the ends, feeling quite confident he would be unable to escape. Tessy knew that following the trail further ahead would only lead her deeper into the dark thicket. If this were the wrong decision, she would have to turn around, and ride past her netted prisoner. So Tessy decided she must return to the main road toward Lockhart again, and somehow, by some chance, find her own way before nightfall. Tessy took her whip and the man's sword, but knew they were of little use, as she doubted she could ever use them. € When Tessy almost reached the road, she saw a soft flickering of light coming from only a small distance away. Her heart raced as she smelled the fragrant burning of wood, probably from a fireplace. Without enough light really to see, Tessy saw the shadow of what looked like a woman, standing at the window. Could this be her old friend waiting for her, since it was indeed getting quite late? Tessy hoped and prayed that she was at least at a friendly place. This time, though, she knocked a little less eagerly.„Chapter 18€There, standing straight and proud as ever, stood Madam Ramona. Tessy fell into her arms and embraced her with great exuberance. Tears of relief flowed down, as Tessy began telling the tutor of the recent escapade in the woods.€"Now, now, try to calm yourself, we have been very worried about you, since we got the news from the palace guard telling us about all that has happened. Then we got very concerned when you were late, knowing how easy it would be to get lost. I suppose the men were guides sent by Sturdivent, who had just become greedy," the tutor said, rubbing Tessy's arms. "Come in by the fireplace, and you can have some warm soup. We will have a long talk, but first, you must meet my dear husband."€Tessy looked over across the room to see a tender scene, a man, evidently the doctor, rocking a little bundle, wrapped in blankets. "Oh, good heavens, you didn't tell me you have a baby!" Tessy said excitedly, walking over towards the doctor. €"Excuse me for not getting up to introduce myself," spoke the doctor softly and chuckling slightly, "but you see, I do indeed have my hands full."€"Well, I am very glad to meet you, and I do want to thank you for allowing me to stay with your family for awhile. What is the baby's name?" Tessy asked, wanting to take a peek at its face.€"Her name is Melody, for that is what she has brought to our home," the tutor couldn't help but answer. "Let me show you her sweet, beautiful face." Tessy's friend gently uncovered the child for her to see. €"Oh," Tessy sighed, "What a darling angel! I know you are both proud of her, and I know she will bring you great joy."€Tessy and Madam Ramona sat down by the fire, while Tessy tried to remember her manners, and not slurp down the soup. She was very relieved to discover Madam Ramona already knew most all of what had occurred, so she would not have to cover every unpleasant detail. To Tessy, it seemed as though they talked for hours. Tessy was so pleased with how pleasant Madam Ramona had become, since she had fallen in love, and had a baby.€"Tessy, I am flattered to have you stay with us during this dreadful nightmare. I have felt highly distressed over your deplorable circumstances, and I just wish I could do more to help you," Madam Ramona affirmed affectionately. €"It does seem that greed seems to be the universal evil that causes all the troubles with these wicked men, who have committed such hideous crimes, doesn't it?" Tessy questioned, trying to analyze her situation. €"Well...I suppose, now that you have mentioned it, it does."€"Then, I never want money. I never want to be rich. I don't want power, because I never want to turn into a greedy lustful person, never!" Tessy fumed.€"Who said anything about money? I mean, it isn't actually the BCmoneyBC that turns the hearts of men," explained Madam Ramona.€"What do you mean?" asked Tessy impatiently.€"I mean, it seems that I've learned that it is the BCloveBC of money, that turns the money into something evil, Tessy. Just think what the world would be like if kind and generous people like yourself, had money, instead of the mean and corrupt people, who have sought it for power and selfish ambition. Just think of the good that could be done with money, if it were used properly to help and benefit others, especially the needy and unfortunate. Gained honestly, given freely, money could be quite good, if used wisely. Do you understand what I mean?" the tutor reasoned.€"I think I do," Tessy answered, feeling much too sleepy to judge intuitively or dispute. She yawned and covered herself with a blanket. €"I see you are very tired, and you need rest. Let's retire for the evening; I'll show you your room. Come on with me," Madam Ramona tenderly asserted.€After being all tucked snugly into her bed, and saying good-night, Tessy called out to Madam Ramona, "I forgot to tell you. Sturdivent likes to sneak in during the night."€Madam Ramona looked at Tessy and responded, "Thank you, Tessy, for that comforting thought." Then they smiled at each other, neither really knowing if the other one was teasing. €€Tessy slept peacefully throughout the night, and even into the next early afternoon. Everything seemed uncommonly tranquil, and Tessy awoke feeling almost rested. There were no signs of Strudivent; nor had he contacted them by a messanger. To Tessy, the day seemed just like an ordinary day, and she almost felt as though she had come for a visit with her old friend.€"You've missed breakfast, but you're up in time to accompany us on a picnic, if you would like," were Madam Ramona's first cheerful words. "The doctor has left to visit several neighbors who are ill, so that just leaves us three girls!"€"A picnic sounds marvelous! I can't think of anything I would enjoy any more, unless...well, I think I would really appreciate a warm bath, if I have time," Tessy answered politely€"Well, I have a surprise for you. On our property, we own a hot- mineral spring. We discovered it shortly after we built our home, and it is a well-kept secret. Supposedly, the spring has immeasurable healing properties. Anyway, I thought you would really enjoy a hot bath in it, and if you don't mind, you can watch Melody while I take a dip myself."€Tessy had never experienced anything, even in the palace as luxurious as the hot springs. Tessy described the place as a paradise lost in the woods. The picnic was scrumptious, consisting of freshly baked pastry, ham, and fruit. Tessy felt in ecstasy, forgetting all her cares which were lost in the array of enchantment.€"I think I could just stay here forever," Tessy admitted.€"You could, and you would be welcome," Madam Ramona said, smiling proudly.€"I truly hope that I have not put you or your family into any kind of danger by being here," Tessy added.€"We just want to help, so don't give that idea any more thought," Madam Ramona answered with reassurance.€For several blissful days, Sturdivent did not contact Tessy, and Tessy almost wished that maybe somehow he had lost her. She hoped she would never forget how gratifying life could be when it was kept simple. Her only heartache was missing Anna, and day and night she prayed for her safety. Her great affection for Madam Ramona and her family could not compare with how she felt about Anna. Little did she suspect what Anna was enduring at the palace. €During the middle of the fifth night, Sturdivent appeared, completely oblivious of the time that had passed. Even knowing that he might come without warning, Tessy was paralyzed by his presence. The only words she could utter were, "What has taken you so long?"€"Many details have had to be planned through, and we have also encountered a major problem," Sturdivent replied.€"You are telling me? Did you know that one of the men, sent as my guide, tried to kidnap me?" Tessy inquired.€"I sent no guides! Of whom are you speaking?" Sturdivent retorted, and Tessy explained about the men in the road who met her and described the incident in the woods. However, Sturdivent seemed to sincerely have no knowledge of whom she was speaking.€"What are you referring to then as a major problem?" Tessy questioned.€"I have gotten word that the king has become completely enchanted by your mother, and he has planned an enormous wedding at the palace in only a few days," Sturdivent answered.„Chapter 19€Tessy rubbed her eyes, "What? Am I dreaming? Surely this can not be; I just can't believe this! My mother could never be enticed by such a vicious murderer, no matter how charming he tried to be to her."€"Well, don't you understand? She is not enticed at all, and certainly feels no affection towards him. She is caught in a trap, and actually, the marriage is an obligation. We have no time to waste now. This union must never happen!" Sturdivent said, seeming almost as fretted as Tessy.€€"How can we stop it?" Tessy asked.€"Here is my plan," Sturdivent responded, and explained to Tessy a thorough account of his idea. Tessy knew she had no choice but to go along with Sturdivent at this point. They would have to spend every waking moment to organize the plan, and even at that, the scheme would appear to be risky and highly dangerous. Sturdivent's courage and optimism was contagious, though, and Tessy felt she truly had no other alternatives.€The past days of being carefree turned gravely serious, and the days ahead were tarnished by her feelings of overwhelming responsibility. Tessy seemed to be in submission to Sturdivent, who at times was rather obnoxious and repulsive, because of his dreams of retaliation. Tessy would rather have just simplified the whole scheme by having Anna escape with her, and would be satisfied to just hide out forever, as long as they were together. €The day of the wedding, all the plans were in effect. Tessy was dressed in purple velvet that Sturdivent had brought for her. With Madam Ramona's help in dressing, she truly did look the part of royalty and splendor. Tessy bid her dear friends good-bye, and left with Sturdivent to join his army.€Tessy had never seen such a sight! Sturdivent's severe and rigid training had created the strongest and finest looking army, Tessy could had ever imagined. Tessy wondered how Sturdivent had ever managed to control and dominate so great a number of zealous warriors. She dared not ask him. She had to leave all that in his hands, for she had her own job to do. If all went as planned, there would not be any lives lost. However, if she were to become the least bit side-tracked, everything could be lost, including many precious lives.€Tessy and Sturdivent's army marched with dignity and valor to the great walls of the palace. Being in the light of day, Tessy could not believe they were not spotted from afar, but evidently because all the palace were focused on the day of celebration and the wedding, Tessy and the army were approaching with the victorious element of surprise. Indeed, the king would be shocked to see Tessy's face, and she would treasure seeing his expression more than anything else, except rescuing her mother from her dreadful fate.€Timing must have been perfect because, when they reached the gate, Tessy's two loyal friends and guards were ready to let them inside without question. Other guards who were inside the gate, stood aghast with no inclination to defend themselves. Perhaps they did not recognize Tessy, and thought she was royalty coming to the wedding from far away. € Nevertheless, nothing was stopping Tessy's party, as they rode directly to the king's ballroom where the wedding would be taking place. Tessy could hear music coming from inside, but no talking and laughing meant they had arrived before the ceremony. Tessy rode her great black stallion right into the ballroom, with one-third or so of her warriors strutting behind her. Tessy, on her horse, strutted down the center of what had been designated an aisle, as Sturdivent and his men encircled the perimeter of the hundreds of astonished guests. € The king looked completely dumbfounded, seeming not even to recognize Tessy. But standing dignified beside him, Anna smiled, nodding at Tessy. Anna looked so beautiful, and in most weddings all eyes are on the bride, but this time, one might dare say, all eyes were on Tessy.€Stupefied for several minutes, the king was barely able to get the words out of his mouth, "What are you doing here?"€Tessy unveiled the glittering, golden crown, that had once belonged to her father. "I have brought this as a wedding present."€"Where do you get that?" accosted the king angrily.€"Excuse me, just a minute. I would also like to address the crowd at this time, for I believe they deserve an explanation as well, for this uncommon interuption," Tessy answered as she turned her horse around facing the crowd, so that it's backend was practically in the king's face. Needless to say, he was not happy.€"Dear people, I have come today to reclaim the rights to the throne, both for myself and for my mother. You will be shocked as I was when I tell the story, and the particulars, that have led to my complete knowledge that the man you are facing is a fraud, and not only that, a murderer. He murdered my father, who was the king."€"Seize her!" ordered the king, but not even one of the king's guards moved an inch.€Tessy waited until the talking of the people quieted and began again, "I have proof that he murdered my father,"and Tessy continued to explain the fine details to the frustrated crowd. "I have brought witnesses from the very Inn, where my father was staying close to his army, who can identify the man who came with several other men, to force my father from the Inn in the middle of the night, the night before the day he was supposedly slaughtered in battle. They can and will identify the man at this time, whom they witnessed taking my father from the Inn, the night he was murdered."€"I also have the unscarred sword and shield of my father, as well as his personal diary, which mentions nothing about his intentions of going into battle. My same witnesses can testify to the fact that the same man came back to the Inn, looking for the king's crown. The Innkeeper had locked the crown up, by orders of the king, as proof, that if anything should happen to him, only one person would be able to remove it from his security. Our supposed king standing in front of us threatened the Inn Keeper, but the Inn Keeper had sworn to give it to no one but the King himself, or to his trusted and dear wife, the Queen. Now, I would like to introduce the Inn Keeper and five members of his staff," Tessy pointed them out, as they stood amidst the many unsuspecting guests and waited for the Inn Keeper to approach her. "Sir, would you kindly point out the Queen, if she is present among us, whom you entrusted with the King's jeweled crown?"€Deep sighs and gasps were heard as the Inn Keeper pointed to Anna, and Anna nodded her head in agreement. Now the most difficult part came for Tessy, as she called upon her mother to speak, "Is this true? Did you claim rights to the King's crown, based on the fact that you are the true Queen?"€Not a sound was heard as Anna solemnly approached the eager crowd. She looked at Tessy and spoke with purest dignity, "I am Anna, Queen, wife of our dear past King and mother of one daughter," she paused and spoke with tremendous feeling. "You, Tessica, are my daughter, our princess."€"How is it then, that you did not have the crown in your own possession?" Tessy interjected. €"I felt that by keeping the crown, I would possibly put my life and yours in grave jeopardy. I was expecting you at the time, so I had an old friend of your father's and mine find a safe place to hide it," Anna answered.€"Is this friend, of whom you speak, present at this time?" Tessy asked.€"Yes, he is. He is that man," Anna answered, pointing to Sturdivent, who had been waiting for his chance to speak.€"This is all correct. Quite some time passed, and evidently a rumor spread that I knew the whereabouts of the jeweled crown, as well as other information, our supposed king here wanted. When I refused to accept his bribe, he had my family seized and put to death. That is the man, whom you are calling your king. He is a murderer of the worst sort and has killed everyone who has gotten in his way!" Sturdivent conceded, barely able to control his anger.€"These are lies, every one of them!" charged the outraged king, turning to his precious daughter for support. "Tell them, Carmalyn, tell them how these are all lies!"€Carmalyn approached the crowd with courage, ignoring her father's outpouring, and made her confession to Tessy, in front of the entire public, "I believe everything now that you say about my father. Tessy, I could never make up to you all the difficulties I caused when I didn't believe you the first time you told me all of this. But when I told my father, he promised he would not harm you in BCany BCway, and then he broke his promise by ordering your execution. At first, when you rode in, I thought you were a ghost, because I had believed you to be dead. €€ą=ō   šĄ‚š šN¶†īV ƒ !0 123@ABCDEFGHIJKc.knight…#öööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööööö