The Hunting of the Princes

  ‘Pleased to meet you,’ Taggie said and held out her hand.

  ‘Go on, boy,’ the King growled.

  ‘You are most welcome, Queen of Dreams,’ Prince Lantic said. ‘And we hope your laugh will fill our Realm.’

  ‘Light,’ the King snapped. ‘Hope your light will fill our Realm. Stars preserve us, can you get nothing right?’

  Prince Lantic hung his head, his cheeks flushing scarlet. ‘Sorry, dear Queen,’ he stammered.

  ‘That’s all right,’ she said with a sympathetic smile. ‘You can call me Taggie.’

  Prince Lantic turned his head, as if to seek his parents’ approval or guidance. He stopped, and looked directly at Taggie, making an effort to gather his courage. ‘That’s, ah, kind of you. I’d like that. Oh, er, and I’m just Lantic. To you! Obviously.’

  ‘She knows that, boy,’ King Manokol said, shaking his head in dismay. ‘She was being polite to you. Heavens alone know why.’

  Queen Danise put her hand on the King’s shoulder. ‘It’s all right, my dearest.’ She smiled at Taggie. ‘My apologies. You do not find us at our best today.’

  Taggie glanced at Lantic, who had turned bright red, and hung his head so he didn’t have to meet her gaze. All the courtiers were now giving him disapproving looks. Had there not been so many people watching she would have given him a big hug there and then, and never mind royal protocol. ‘I appreciate what you are going through,’ she said. ‘On behalf of the First Realm, I will do what I can to help.’

  The King gestured to the cliff of fabulous mansions behind him. ‘Let me walk you to your apartments, Your Majesty. You must be tired after your trip. And fear not, Lady Jessicara will also be part of your official escort here in Shatha’hal. You won’t have to rely entirely on Lantic.’

  ‘Your Majesty is most kind,’ Taggie said, and tried not to groan at the prospect of being in Lady Jessicara’s company for the rest of her visit.

  FAMILY MATTERS

  It was Prince Lantic who escorted Taggie and her entourage to the opening session of the Gathering of Kings (and Queens) later that afternoon. Mr Anatole and Lady Jessicara led the procession across the eighth level’s grand plaza to the Hall of Council, which was a quarter of a mile from the mansion Taggie was staying in. The Hall’s splendid central dome rose high above the other structures, almost reaching the curving ceiling above. Taggie and Prince Lantic were second in the line. Mum, Sophie and Jemima followed, with a squad of the King’s Blue Feather regiment bringing up the rear.

  Once again Shatha’hal’s citizens were out in force to watch the foreign royals. Taggie could see several other similar processions marching across the giant plaza, all heading for the Hall of Council. To one side of her the water in the four aqueducts formed shimmering ribbons around the sunlight well, with boats sliding up towards roof level nearly quarter of a mile above – and other craft making their way down to the Zhila far below. She didn’t think she’d ever get used to the way they defied gravity.

  ‘It must have been amazing growing up here,’ Taggie said to the prince. ‘There are almost as many anamage contraptions here as there are machines in the Outer Realm. Oh, is that the right word? “Contraptions”? I don’t want to offend anyone.’

  ‘It is,’ Prince Lantic replied. ‘“Apparatus” is also acceptable; as is “contrivance” or “mechanism”,’ he added, growing bold. ‘But you should never call what anamages produce a “gadget”.’

  Taggie gave him an encouraging smile. ‘I’ll try and remember that.’

  ‘That’s reserved for Outer Realm things.’

  ‘And anamages look down on them?’

  Lantic glanced round. ‘In envy half the time,’ he confided.

  Taggie laughed.

  ‘What’s so funny?’ he asked.

  ‘Nothing. It’s just that mages seem to be terribly conservative folk, no matter which Realm they’re in.’

  ‘I’ve never been to another Realm,’ Lantic said. He shook his head, flicking his hair to one side so he could look at her. ‘I’d so like to see the Outer Realm – and the First, too,’ he said hurriedly. ‘My brother used to tell me stories of the amazing machinery they have in the Outer Realm. He travelled to just about every Realm, apart from the Fourth, of course.’

  ‘You miss him, don’t you?’ Taggie said kindly.

  ‘Everybody misses him. He was the greatest prince ever. Soldiers fought to serve in his guard. Maidens fought over him, too, the daughters of the grand city barons were desperate to be seen on his arm at parties. The city nobility and the country gentry held him in the highest regard and sought his counsel on all matters. Everyone was delighted he was to be our King after Father.’

  ‘And now that’s you,’ Taggie said encouragingly.

  ‘Yes, which just adds to Father’s despair.’

  ‘I don’t see why.’

  ‘Ha!’ he snarled bitterly. ‘Do you know what they call me? “The ana-nerd prince”.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘I am good at our Realm’s animation magic, Taggie, really I am. But nothing else. You need to know a lot more than how to rouse objects with magic to be King. People have to look at you and have confidence, and respect. That’s not something I possess. I doubt even the Karrak Lords will bother to send their assassins to murder me.’

  ‘Don’t talk like that,’ she said. ‘You never know what you will become. I didn’t even know the Realms existed until last year. Now look at me.’

  ‘Yes, Queen of Dreams. Look at you. So many people do. You are adored wherever you go. I just get sneered at – that’s if anyone can even be bothered to do that.’

  ‘You don’t have to be mean about it,’ she said irritably. ‘I just did my best. That’s all anyone can do.’

  ‘I apologize,’ he said immediately. ‘I meant no offence. Least of all to you.’

  ‘It’s all right. I’m just nervous about this Gathering, that’s all.’

  ‘Don’t be.’ He actually managed a sly smile. ‘The royals in the hall are under your enchantment, not the other way round, I promise you.’

  That was the first time Taggie had seen any kind of smile on his face. It was rather nice, she thought.

  The Hall of Council had a grand cathedral-like outer chamber where all the royal parties were to be formally introduced to each other before the first session was called. Lady Jessicara announced she would perform the introductions as protocol required.

  ‘How long before we meet the Highlord of Air?’ Sophie asked eagerly, peering over the heads of the crowd. ‘I’ve heard about his fledgling. He’s supposed to be really handsome.’

  ‘The Highlord and his party will be the sixth to be introduced to the Queen of Dreams,’ Lady Jessicara sniffed. ‘After the Fourth Realm’s King in Exile.’

  Taggie was taking a good look round the crowd herself. The costumes and gems on show were astonishing, as if every royal party was trying to prove its worth by its wealth. Stupid, of course, but she was relieved to be in a formal blue-and-white silk gown, which was weighed down by various pieces from the palace’s royal jewellery collection, with an uncomfortably heavy tiara glittering on her head.

  Over in the distance she saw a group of elves from the Sixth Realm, which cheered her up. She caught sight of Earl Maril’bo among them, and waved eagerly until she saw Lady Jessicara staring. Earl Maril’bo winked.

  Prince Andrew from the Outer Realm was there, representing the Queen. He gave Taggie a quick thumbs-up.

  King Xalwen of the Ninth Realm loomed over everyone on the other side of the hall. He was a giant with lustrous green hair flowing down his back, taller even than the elves.

  Lady Jessicara cleared her throat. ‘Queen of Dreams, may I present Queen Judith of the Third Realm?’

  Taggie stepped forward to face the sorceress queen. According to Mr Anatole, they were both supposed to bow to each other in unison, thus acknowledging they were of equal rank. Taggie bowed. However, the tall figure in opulent cream-and-gold robes facing
her did not: she was staring directly over Taggie’s shoulder. And when Taggie looked at her she was startled by just how similar that face was to . . .

  ‘Sister,’ the sorceress Queen said in a voice so cold it could have been mountain air. ‘How delightful to see you again after all these years of your ignoble exile.’

  ‘Sister,’ Mum said in an equally vicious tone. ‘The care of the throne weighs heavy on your shoulders, allowing you to mature so handsomely since we parted.’

  Taggie’s mouth dropped open. ‘Sisters?’ she gulped. ‘You’re kidding.’

  ‘Oh, wow,’ Jemima muttered, a wicked grin spreading over her face.

  Queen Judith looked at Taggie for the first time. ‘And this is your daughter, the famous Queen of Dreams. My niece, no less. What a lovely little thing you are, Agatha. Your mother must be very proud.’

  Taggie bristled at the use of her correct name. There was something about Queen Judith that Taggie instinctively didn’t like. The face might resemble Mum’s, but that was where any closeness stopped. ‘Nobody told me you were a Queen, Aunt Judith. In fact, nobody even told me I had an aunt.’ And for the very first time in her life, Taggie had the courage to glare at her mother.

  ‘The throne of the Third Realm is passed in strict rotation among the great houses of sorcery,’ Mum said. ‘My darling younger sister cannot pass the title on. Her good fortune is down to the luck of timing, not hereditary greatness.’

  ‘What a joyous reunion this is,’ a dismayed Lady Jessicara said. How lovely for all of you. Now, Queen of Dreams, the King of the Seventh Realm is awaiting your—’

  ‘Hang on,’ Jemima piped up in a voice that silenced Lady Jessicara and made everyone else look round. ‘If you’re the younger sister, how come you get to be Third Realm Queen? Shouldn’t that have been Mum?’

  Queen Judith apparently didn’t hear. She and Mum were still locked in a combative stare.

  ‘There is a limited time only until the opening session begins,’ Lady Jessicara said desperately.

  ‘When she was on her deathbed, our gracious mother named me as the true heir to our house,’ Queen Judith said eventually.

  ‘Indeed she did,’ Mum replied levelly. ‘So you see, Jemima, that’s why I stood aside and retired to the Outer Realm.’ She held up a finger, as if an afterthought of no importance had just come to her. ‘Oh yes. Sadly no one other than your aunt actually heard your grandmother’s dying nomination. I was abroad when it happened.’

  Lady Jessicara’s shrill nervous laugh filled the silence that was spreading out across the huge chamber. ‘Please, Majesty, the King of the Seventh Realm . . .’

  ‘I can wait,’ a voice called out.

  Queen Judith finally deigned to glance down at Jemima. Her expression indicated she might be looking at a cockroach in her soup. ‘I’ve heard of you, too, Blossom Princess. The impetuous one. The seer. Did you see me coming, sweetie?’

  Jemima’s answer was a dark glower.

  ‘Did you not train either of your daughters in the ways of our Realm, sister?’ Queen Judith asked lightly.

  ‘Not in your ways, sister.’

  ‘Touché,’ Queen Judith said. ‘But the best news is that this happy family reunion is not yet over. Agatha, Jemima, may I present my daughter, Katrabeth?’

  A girl in a splendid white satin dress stepped up beside Queen Judith. A pretty face set with brown eyes produced a lopsided smile that was all mockery.

  ‘Hello, cousin,’ Katrabeth said sweetly.

  ‘You!’ Taggie yelled. It was the assassin.

  EASILY EXPLAINED

  ‘This is all very unfortunate,’ King Manokol said.

  ‘Unfortunate?’ Taggie spluttered. ‘She tried to kill me! She’s part of this conspiracy.’

  They had been taken to the King’s private office in the Hall of Council, Taggie and her family squaring up to Queen Judith and Katrabeth. King Manokol and Prince Lantic stood between them.

  ‘It is all a tragic misunderstanding,’ Queen Judith said smoothly. ‘That’s all.’

  ‘Rubbish,’ Taggie spat.

  ‘Let’s all just sit down, shall we?’ King Manokol said. ‘Lantic, have some tea brought in. I’m sure we can clear this up.’

  Taggie was about to shout that she wasn’t going to sit down, or have tea, that she was jolly well going to have her say, and that Katrabeth should be flung in jail, and . . . and other things, too, when Mum’s hand came down on her shoulder. It wasn’t a heavy hand, but it seemed to drain the fight out of Taggie. With an exasperated grimace, she sat down on a long red velvet settee.

  Queen Judith sat down opposite her, looking irritatingly serene.

  ‘Would you like a cushion?’ Jemima asked Katrabeth innocently.

  ‘A cushion?’

  ‘I thought you might still be sore,’ Jemima continued earnestly.

  ‘Sore?’

  ‘Baaah!’

  Katrabeth gave Jemima an evil glare.

  ‘So exactly what misunderstanding allowed a sister of the Invisible Lodge, the greatest group of professional assassins in the known Realms, to try and murder Taggie?’ Mum asked with icy fury. ‘I’m most curious.’

  ‘An unknown woman placed the contract,’ Queen Judith said. ‘She paid a huge amount of money to have my dear niece eliminated. Obviously, the Invisible Lodge didn’t know she was an agent of the Karrak Lords. The Lodge Mistress assumed that there was some petty family squabble for the shell throne of the First Realm, and the Invisible Lodge had been brought in by a disaffected relative who sought to inherit. It’s hardly the first time the Lodge has been involved in the royal succession in other Realms.’

  ‘Not in the First Realm,’ Mum said. ‘And Taggie is your niece. How could you allow this?’

  ‘Surely you remember your time before exile, sister? Sentiment is a particular weakness the Third Realm has long since expelled. Certainly it can play no part in the affairs of the Invisible Lodge. Once accepted a contract must be carried out.’

  Taggie gave Katrabeth an incredulous look. ‘You’re a member of this awful Lodge?’

  ‘I am a sister of the Invisible Lodge, yes,’ Katrabeth said. Her aloof expression hadn’t faltered the whole time in the lounge. It was as if she barely belonged to the crisis, rather than being the cause of it. ‘As I am not to be Queen after my dear mother, I needed to find a suitable position in the Third Realm. The Invisible Lodge is most prestigious, and commands huge respect. It is also incredibly difficult to join.’

  ‘What?’ Taggie said in derision. ‘You have to kill one of the existing sisters to get in?’

  ‘Oh, you are familiar with our rules, after all.’

  ‘Uh!’ Taggie’s jaw dropped open.

  ‘Anyway, it is in the past now,’ Queen Judith said. ‘And no lasting damage is done.’

  ‘Well that’s a relief,’ King Manokol said.

  ‘Was it the Invisible Lodge who sent assassins after Prince Rogreth and Prince Fasla?’ Jemima asked hotly.

  ‘No,’ Queen Judith said. ‘The Invisible Lodge was only employed to eliminate Taggie. In a way it’s a compliment, my dear. You were obviously the one the Karrak Lords considered most dangerous.’

  ‘One small point,’ Mum said. ‘As I’m sure you recall, dear sister, once a contract has been accepted by the Invisible Lodge, by their own rules it can only be revoked by the person who originally placed it. Has this mysterious agent of the Karraks done that?’

  ‘No,’ Katrabeth said in her sweetest voice. ‘She has not.’

  Taggie wanted to punch her.

  ‘Then we have a very big problem,’ Mum murmured.

  ‘Not at all,’ Queen Judith said. ‘A royal decree can override even the rules of the Invisible Lodge; after all, it operates within the royal prerogative.’

  ‘And you have issued such a decree?’

  ‘When we discovered that the other royal heirs were also being murdered, it was obvious the woman who placed Taggie’s contract must be an agent of the Grand L
ord. I immediately revoked the contract. Happily so. After all, you are my sister – my blood – and she is my beloved niece. If only you had written to me and told me you now had children, all this unpleasantness could have been avoided.’

  ‘Dearest cousin,’ Katrabeth said, her hand going dramatically to her breast. ‘I realized we must be related right after our encounter. It was such a terrible shock to me. Those fiends tricked us all. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. I throw myself on your mercy.’

  Liar! Taggie thought as she stared at her cousin’s crestfallen expression with those treacherous trembling lips and wide eyes on the verge of fake tears. Liar. Liar. Liar. Well, two can play that game. She held out her hands in a pantomime of friendship and forgiveness to Katrabeth, who immediately took hold. ‘Oh, you poor thing,’ Taggie said magnanimously. ‘To think I could have so easily killed you at your unsuccessful ambush.’ Katrabeth’s grip started to tighten. Taggie squeezed back just as hard. ‘Now I know who you truly are, I’m so glad I spared you.’

  Katrabeth was now going for a knuckle-crush, while Taggie was jabbing her thumbnails up into the girl’s palms. Their linked hands began to fizz with faint blue light as their antagonism built.

  Prince Lantic moved over to them, standing so his father couldn’t see the gripping hands with their little bursts of hostile magic. ‘Both of you are the reason why the Dark Lords and Ladies fear us so much,’ he stammered. ‘You embody the virtues that every Realm should dedicate themselves to.’

  ‘Well said, boy,’ King Manokol said in surprise.

  ‘Let us not keep the other Kings waiting any longer,’ Lantic said, and put his hand out, keeping his face expressionless as he held Taggie’s gaze.

  ‘Of course,’ Taggie said, and stood up, letting go of Katrabeth to accept his proffered hand. ‘And Queens.’