Sebastian Darke: Prince of Fools by Philip Caveney Read Free Book Online Page A

In the same instant, something hard crashed down on his head with terrible force, knocking him to the floor. He crouched for a moment on his hands and knees, a myriad multi-coloured lights dancing around inside his skull, glad that he'd still been wearing his jester's hat, which had absorbed some of the impact. He was vaguely aware that somebody was approaching, doubtless intent on making another attack. Without hesitation he launched himself head?long at the dimly perceived figure, knocking it backwards into the depths of the carriage. His arms closed around some?body's shoulders, there was a sudden clatter as a heavy object struck the floor, and then the figure was tipping back?wards onto what felt like a feather bed and struggling to escape his grasp.
     
He lifted a fist to strike but it suddenly occurred to him that this adversary was a good deal more fragrant than the Brigands he had encountered outside. His upraised hand brushed against a velvet drape, so he grabbed at it and tore it down, allowing a sudden flush of light to enter the interior.
     
He found he was crouched on top of a girl – a beautiful one at that. She lay there glaring up at him, her green eyes narrowed to slits of anger, her full red mouth arranged into a disapproving scowl.
     
'Take your hands off me, imbecile!' she shrieked. 'How dare you touch me?'
     
Sebastian frowned, but released his hold and moved back off what he could now see was a silken couch.
     
'Sorry,' he said. 'I thought—'
     
'I don't care what you thought!'
     
'Are you all right in there, lad?' he heard Cornelius shout.
     
'Uh . . . yes, I'm fine. It's just some stupid girl who tried to brain me with a' – he looked around a moment and found the culprit lying on the ground – 'a chamber pot.' Thankfully, it appeared that the rather fancy porcelain pot had been empty when she had used it.
     
'Some stupid girl!' she cried, looking absolutely horrified. 'How dare you? When my uncle hears of this outrage, he'll have you and those other Brigands hunted down like—'
     
'Hey, whoa, just a minute!' Sebastian glared at her. 'I'm no Brigand! In case you weren't listening, my friend Cornelius and I just saved you from that rabble. We . . . we rescued you.' His own words surprised him. He had not until this moment realized that this is what they had actually done.
     
'Really?' She looked far from impressed. 'And where are my guards?'
     
Sebastian frowned. 'All dead, I'm afraid.'
     
'Oh. I see.' The girl looked aside for a moment as though she could hardly believe her own ears. 'What? Every last one of them?'
     
'I believe so. We haven't really had time to look properly. We were just trying to work out what it was the soldiers were guarding so tenaciously. Have you got treasure in here?'
     
The girl stared at him. 'They were guarding me, you cretin. Have you any idea who I am?'
     
'Umm – somebody with a pretty high opinion of herself, judging by the fuss you're making.'
     
The girl stood up, her hands on her hips. She glowered at him. 'I am Princess Kerin of Keladon.'
     
'Keladon! Oh, that's a coincidence, that's where we . . .' Sebastian's voice trailed off as he registered fully what she'd said. 'I'm sorry, did you say, er . . . Princess?'
     
'Yes, you oaf. Princess Kerin. King Septimus is my uncle.'
     
It took a while, but Princess Kerin eventually calmed down enough to accompany Sebastian outside, where they found Cornelius still guarding the doorway. It was clear from the sheepish expression on his baby face that he had heard every word. He immediately turned to face her.
     
'I am your humble servant, your highness,' he said and bowed his head in reverence.
     
'There's no need for that,' she told him irritably. 'You can stand up.'
     
'I am standing up,' said Cornelius humbly.
     
'Oh yes, so you are! Gosh, you're really rather small, aren't you?'
     
'Small of stature, but with the heart of a giant, Princess. I am from Golmira, the kingdom of