Chapter 2 – An Impostor
Alura slowed her pace upon entering the city walls. She was royalty and needed to carry herself as such, or so her mother always insisted. But ever since she was a little girl, she had desired to walk the streets like a normal person, even if she was royalty.
As she strolled through the marketplace, she noticed the people busy in their daily lives. The smells of the bakeries, the shouts of the vendors, and the colors and scents of the flower vendors all were familiar to her and it warmed her heart. This was home. The gowns, hats, and attention of court were nice, but the people were the life of the city — and the Kingdom. Being with the people is what she enjoyed most.
The aroma of fresh baked bread drew her to a bakery to get a better whiff. As she approached, she heard an argument inside.
“I paid you already,” shouted one man.
“If you paid me, I’d have the money,” the baker yelled back.
“Give me my bread.”
“Not until you pay for the bread I gave you last week.”
Alura entered the bakery and the baker’s eyes widened.
“Your Highness,” he said in a soft tone, and bowed deeply, as did the man he was arguing with and the two other patrons.
“Is there a problem?” she asked.
“None worthy of your attention, your Highness,” said the baker, gaze fixed on the floor. “We were merely discussing his bill.”
“Yes, I heard. All the way out in the street.” The two men glanced at each other and then returned their gaze to the floor.
She turned to the patron. “You say you’ve paid your bill, correct?” Not waiting for a response, she addressed the baker. “And you say he has not.” Turning back to the patron she asked “Are you absolutely sure you paid him?”
The man straightened. “Yes, Your Highness,” he said in meek tones. “I gave my money to his son last week.”
“My son?” The baker suddenly looked sheepish. “You didn’t mention anything about my son.” He called over his shoulder, “James!”
A few moments later a young boy appeared.
“James, did Mr. Peterson pay you for his bread last week?”
“Yeah, dad. I didn’t know where to put the money so I stuck it by your ordering book. Why?”
“No reason, James. Thank you.” The baker rubbed his chin. “Mr. Peterson, I owe you an apology.”
“Let this be a lesson to you both,” Alura said, in her most regal tone. “If you discuss things calmly, the truth will make itself clear.”
Both men answered in unison. “Yes, Your Highness.”
“Good day to all,” she said to the room in general before exiting.
As she walked out she heard the baker say “Mr. Peterson, please accept an extra loaf with my deepest apologies.” She smiled. This is what life was all about; the people.
A few minutes and many greetings later, she arrived at the castle and went straight to Seneschal Carter. “I’d like to speak with the King and Queen, if you please.” She always had to schedule an appointment to see her parents during the day.
The Seneschal looked up from his paperwork. “I’m sorry, Princess, but they’re completely booked until dinnertime. Can it wait until then?”
The Princess was eager to tell her story, but it wasn’t more important than affairs of state. “I guess so,” she said with a little pout that quickly became a smile. “I think I’ll take a bath,” she said cheerfully, before prancing down the corridor toward the tubs.
She didn’t know if commoners took many baths. By the smell of them, probably not. But she always enjoyed soaking in the warm water, the scent of the rose petals in the air, and the soft light from the candles. Yes, a bath would be a good way to end the day in which she met a pegasus and a unicorn.
Albert walked through the dark streets of Green Tree with a heavy heart. He had failed. In over seven hundred years serving as a Protector, never had one of his charges died – until now. How would he tell their Majesties? Where would he find the words?
He walked across the drawbridge and into the castle, ignoring the guards’ dismayed looks at his gore covered armor. He couldn’t even find her body. He steeled his resolve as he approached Seneschal Carter’s desk.
“I have urgent news for their Majesties. I must speak with them immediately.”
The Seneschal’s eyes went wide and his mouth dropped open when he peered up from his paperwork. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.” The Seneschal sprinted down the corridor towards the doors to the royal sitting room.
A few seconds later he reappeared with three people in tow. “I apologize for the inconvenience,” he told them as he hustled them down the hallway. “We shall reschedule first thing tomorrow morning.”
The people were still trying to put their papers in order when Carter gestured for Albert to go in.
Albert went to the door and stopped. This was it. He took a deep breath, and entered. He went before Their Majesties and took a knee, head bowed. “My Liege. My Lady, I have the gravest of news to report.”
“What is it Sir Albert?” King Alfred asked. “Is the Princess alright?”
The Knight took another deep breath. Without looking up he said, “Alas, my Lord, she is not. I have failed you. Princess Alura is dead.”
There was a long silence. Albert dared no raise his eyes, he couldn’t stand to see the pain in the faces of the people he’d considered friends. The people he’d let down.
Queen Aria burst into tears.
“I am so sorry, Your Majesties,” said Albert, finally raising his head. “She died this morning,” he said softly. Tears ran down both cheeks.
It was a few minutes before the King spoke. “How did she die?”
“She fell from a cliff, my Lord. I searched for her body but could not find it. The river may have carried it away. I will take a party and continue the search at first light.”
For a long while the only sounds in the room were the sobs of Queen Aria. Finally King Alfred asked, “Are you sure, Sir Albert?”
Albert could see the tears in his King’s eyes, they matched the pain in his heart. “I’m afraid I am, Sire. I saw her fall myself.”
Albert wanted to cut his own heart out. She had been like a daughter to him. And now she was dead because he couldn’t protect her.
The King slowly reached over the pulled on the rope to summon the Seneschal. A moment later Carter entered the room.
The King cleared his throat. “Carter, cancel our appointments for the rest of the month. We’ve just been informed that Princess Alura died this morning.” “Excuse me, my Liege?” said the Seneschal, with a puzzled look on his face.
The King shot him an incredulous look. “Are you going to make me repeat myself!”
“No, my Liege. My pardon, my Liege. It’s just that I spoke with the Princess not an hour ago.”
The Knight sprung to his feet. “What did you say?” There was a dangerous tone in his voice.
The Seneschal stiffened, his eyes on Albert. “She came in about an hour ago and requested an audience. I told her that Their Majesties were busy until dinnertime and asked if she could wait. She said she could and went to take a bath. If I had known–”
The ringing of Albert’s swords cut the Seneschal off mid sentence.
“I saw her fall myself, my Liege. It must be a Doppelganger. I shall investigate this personally.”
“And I’ll go with you,” the King stated.
The two men sprinted from the sitting room towards the tubs. Many corridors and two sets of stairs later they burst into the royal bathing chambers and found only the attendant.
“Where is Princess Alura?” barked Albert, his demand echoing in the stone chamber.
The startled attendant only stared at the gore-covered Knight and her King.
“Speak child!” commanded the King, “or I shall have your tongue removed!”
“She went for a snack,” the attendant squeaked, bowing profusely.
The two men looked at each other. “The kitchen,” they said in unison, and sprinted out the door.
“Thank you, Peter,” said Alura to the head cook. “This sandwich looks delicious.” She picked up the tray of food and headed back to her bath.
“I could carry that for you, your Highness, if you’d like,” the cook said.
“You have dinner to prepare. I’ll be fine. Thank you though.”
As she turned to leave, Albert came charging through the door, swords drawn.
The first sword stroke sent the food tray flying across the kitchen. Before Alura knew it, a pair of crossed swords had pinned her against the wall.
“Who are you,” Albert hissed, his face only inches from hers.
Alura tried to slow her breathing. Something was dreadfully wrong, this wasn’t like him. “Albert, you’re scaring me. You know who I am.”
How could he not know her? He’d been with her almost as long as she could remember. Always in the background, being the Protector, being a playmate when nobody else would, and later, being her confidant. They were best friends, how could he not recognize her?
“I know who you appear to be,” the Knight said through clinched teeth. “But I saw the real Princess die this morning. You must have seen it also and probably thought the trolls would get me. Well, they didn’t. I’m only going to ask you one more time. Who are you?” Albert’s rage was starting to get the better of him, she could see it in his eyes.
“Albert, it’s me, Princess Alura.” Alura could feel the razor sharp steel ever so close to her throat.
“If you ‘re the real Princess Alura, then where’s the flower the Princess always brings back for Her Majesty?”
Oh no! In all the events of the day, she’d forgotten to get a flower for her mother. Ever since the accident ten years ago she’d made it a point to bring back something for her mother each time she left the castle. What a day to forget.
“Well?” he demanded.
She knew Albert well enough to know he didn’t bluff. She had to do something and do it fast. She started talking very quickly.
“Albert, we were together this morning. You wanted to see the blacksmith in Haven Cove, so we went there. I got bored and insisted on going for a ride while the smith fixed your armor. It took some doing, but you finally agreed. During my ride I was chased by some trolls and you came to my rescue. Then I got knocked off the cliff.”
She searched his eyes for a reaction. What was wrong with him? Why was he acting this way?
“Anybody watching could have seen all that. That doesn’t prove you’re the real Princess. How did you survive the fall?” The swords hadn’t moved an inch. His face was so close she could smell the mutton he had for lunch.
“A pegasus caught me,” she said, carefully. The pegasi were creatures of legend and nobody had seen one in many lifetimes. She worried how her enraged Protector might react to the mention of one, even if it was the truth. But she dared not make up a story.
“A pegasus?” said the King from behind Albert. “There’s no such beast and Alura knows it. This impostor takes us for fools, Albert. Kill it.”
Alura breathing quickened. “No! Wait! Really. It was a pegasus named Marsali and it took me to see a unicorn named Cavalon.” If they didn’t want to hear about the pegasus, they surely weren’t going to want to hear about a unicorn. But it was the truth and she couldn’t think of anything else to say.
“A pegasus and a unicorn? Now I’m sure she’s not the Princess,” the King said. “Alura would never spout such rubbish. Albert, you have your orders.”
“No. Wait. Father, please. I can prove I’m Princess Alura. Remember the time–”
“Albert,” the King cut in. “Shut it up or I’ll do it myself.” He pulled a dagger from the Knight’s belt. “Pretending to be my dead daughter…”
Alura’s eyes went wide as the King moved around Albert to strike.
“You may want to hold that blade, Sire,” the Knight said, without moving. “Was this unicorn wearing anything?” he asked his captive.
Alura thought hard. He had beautiful blue eyes. A pearly white horn. Long soft looking hair. “Oh, yes! It had a wreath of flowers around its neck.”
Albert withdrew his swords. “It is indeed the Princess, Sire,” he said, sheathing his weapons.
“How can you be so sure?” The King had an unconvinced look on his face. He positioned himself so Alura couldn’t escape. “Don’t tell me you believe this nonsense about mythical beasts.”
“Not only do I believe it, Sire. I know it to be true. I’ve met Cavalon myself.”
The King’s jaw dropped open, just for an instant. “So are you telling me unicorns are real? And pegasi to?”
“Yes, my Liege.”
Albert turned back to the Princess, dropped to one knee, and bowed his head. “Please forgive my actions, Princess. I was only trying to protect the royal family.”
“It’s okay Albert, get up. You’ve done nothing wrong. You scared the wits out of me, but you haven’t done anything wrong,” she said, taking deep breaths to calm herself.
Albert stood. “The Princess is too kind.”
Alura threw her arms around his neck and gave him a hug. “I’m so glad you’re alive. I thought the trolls might be too much for you.”
“Nothing is too much for me when I’m defending you, my Princess,” the Knight replied, with a smile and a soft brush of her cheek.
“Trolls, pegasi, and unicorns?” the King said. “Apparently we need to discuss the day’s events. Albert, you’re sure this is the real Princess Alura?” The King still hadn’t given the dagger back.
“Yes, Sire,” the Knight said, examining the Princess’s throat to make sure he hadn’t harmed her. His glove-covered hands were always so gentle with her.
“Fix Princess Alura another tray of food and bring it to the sitting room,” the King commanded the kitchen staff.
“That’s okay,” Alura said, waving a hand to stop him. “I’m no longer hungry. Between the swords at my throat and Albert’s breath, I’ve lost my appetite.”
Sensing that he was truly back on good terms with the Princess, Albert said, “My breath? What’s wrong with my breath?”
“Nothing, if you intend to use it as one of your weapons,” the Princess said as they left the kitchen. “You really should brush better.”
“But I brushed just last week,” the Knight said, with a wink to the King.
Alura wrinkled her nose. “Albert, some times you’re really gross.”
Albert laughed.
