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

the—'
     
'Whatever.' Princess Kerin clapped her immaculately manicured hands together. 'So – what's happening out here, then?'
     
'The Brigands are looting the supply wagons, your highness. I thought it best to allow them that in exchange for sparing this carriage. And just here, I'm afraid, is where your noble Royal Guard made their final stand.'
     
He indicated the litter of dead men sprawled around the entrance to the carriage. Princess Kerin looked down at them and her eyes widened in shock. She looked for all the world like somebody who had just awakened from a terrible nightmare.
     
'Dead?' she whispered, as though unfamiliar with the word. 'How could they be dead? They . . . they . . .'
     
'They gave their lives to protect you,' said Sebastian.
     
She nodded. 'They were brave men. I would ask you to collect up the insignia of each of them. When I get back to Keladon, I shall write to each of their families and—
     
Her voice choked up and for an instant tears filled her eyes; but she seemed to make a conscious effort to pull herself together. She lifted her gaze from the dead men to a couple of hairy villains who were rifling through a large trunk that they'd pulled from a nearby caravan. One of them had found a frilly gown and was holding it up against his hairy chest, as though considering trying it on. She seemed to steel herself and a hard expression came into her eyes. She seemed, once again, cool and imperious.
     
'If you hadn't come along when you did, I'd probably be a captive by now,' she murmured. 'Nasty, filthy brutes! Probably haven't bathed for weeks, and I bet they never clean their teeth.' She turned back to look at Sebastian and Cornelius and the tears were quite gone. Sebastian was astonished by this sudden transformation. 'It seems I'm in your debt,' she said calmly. She glared at Sebastian. 'So I'll overlook the fact that you jumped on me.'
     
'It was self-defence,' retorted Sebastian. 'You hit me with a—'
     
'Your highness, may I ask how you came to be out here in this desolate place?' interrupted Cornelius, trying to head off a potential row.
     
'Oh, that was my uncle's idea. He sent me off as part of a deputation to meet Queen Helena of Bodengen, which borders our lands. She has this supposedly handsome son, Rolf, who she's anxious to get married off. Uncle Septimus seemed to think it would be useful if I got to know him. Has his mind on some kind of alliance, I think.' The princess rolled her eyes as though it was all too much effort to even talk about. 'Anyway, I'd seen a painting of Rolf and he did look quite hunky, so I agreed to go.'
     
'Well, naturally ,' said Sebastian, but she didn't seem to notice his sarcasm.
     
'When I got there, I discovered that the court painter had made Rolf look considerably more attractive than he actually was. He'd neglected to record the missing teeth and the sloping forehead. So I insisted that we come straight back, and that's when those awful Brigands ambushed us.' She sighed. 'I suppose I should have listened to the captain.'
     
'The captain?' echoed Cornelius.
     
'Of the Royal Guard. A lot of his men had fallen ill and were unable to accompany us. He said we should wait a few days, until they were back up to strength – but I insisted on leaving straight away. I'd promised Uncle Septimus that I'd be back for my birthday'
     
'Your birthday?' Sebastian raised his eyebrows.
     
'Yes. My seventeenth. It's tomorrow.'
     
Sebastian could scarcely believe his ears. 'So, let me get this straight. All these men died . . . because you wanted to get back for your birthday?'
     
'Uncle Septimus was quite insistent,' said Princess Kerin. 'And how was I to know that we would encounter Brigands? Uncle Septimus said that he had a special surprise for me and urged me not to delay.'
     
'Very nice, I'm sure,' snarled Sebastian. 'And I hope worth the lives of—'
     
'We shall of course accompany you back to Keladon,' interrupted Cornelius hastily. 'To