The Horns of Kern

  *

  The princess was sitting in the foyer when King Justinian and Queen Sophia entered with a grand flourish. Two soldiers entered ahead of them, blowing small horns.

  In back of the two soldiers was a page holding a golden scroll. “Hear ye, Hear ye, Hear ye!” he yelled. “The king, Justinian, and his queen, Sophia, Rulers of the Kingdom Bythesea”. The whole room filled with trunks, satchels and servants and bedlam momentarily reigned. Norman put her hands over her ears to block the horrific noise. She did not notice her mother and father entering the room. Octavius and Emmaline made their way through the menagerie of luggage and humans to the grand staircase, walked four steps up and turned around. The noise did not stop.

  “Quiet!” Octavius’ voice thundered above the ruckus. All was quiet. He held out his arms in greeting and smiled as warmly as he could under the circumstances. He then made his way with Emmaline following him, towards the other royal couple. “Justinian, Sophia, what a pleasure that you could come. Please come with us so that you may rest from your journey.” King Octavius made a gesture to one of the pages. “Please see to it that all of these people and things find their way to their appropriate places. Justinian, who is in charge of your people and your belongings? Please have them follow my page.”

  Justinian turned and talked to the woman behind him. He returned his gaze to Octavius. “If you have some hot tea to warm these aching bones of mine, that would be greatly appreciated. By the way, did my son, Elliot, show up here at the castle?”

  Queen Emmaline smiled. “Ah, yes, as a matter of fact he is in his bedchamber, getting tidied up to take Norman on a walk through the winter gardens.” Emmaline looked around for Norman and spotted her sitting on a small bench to the side of the grand staircase. She looked angry and miserable. “If you will please excuse me for a moment…” Emmaline made her way over to where Norman was and sat beside her. “Darling, why do you look so miserable?”

  Norman looked at her mother with a shock and surprise. “Do you not notice that I am sitting here waiting for the prince?! Well, I am waiting no longer… I shall go on the walk by myself!” Norman stood up. “Excuse me, Mother, but Elliot is an idiot...” Norman stormed off toward the main entrance, ignoring her father’s attempt to get her attention. She walked through the door and closed it so hard that the dust on the top of the door frame sifted down.

  Octavius looked over at Emmaline who was walking toward him. “I am sorry about my daughter’s rudeness, Justinian and Sophia. I believe she is nervous about this whole ‘betrothal’ business. Shall we go and have some tea and cakes?” The royal couples walked together into the grand hall. They sat down and soon were lost in conversation.