Veiled Dreams by Gill James Read Free Book Online Page A

did take the chalice and its magic pomade from her majesty, Queen Benelov of Ixeria.’
    ‘Very well. You are charged, your Royal Highness, with an offence against the State of Ixeria. What say you to that charge?’
    Christina said nothing.
    ‘I see you have taken your right to silence. Who is your spokesperson?’
    All at once the whole situation seemed ridiculous to Christina, being brought to trial for shoplifting a plastic jar from Pandora’s Potions – a jar that shouldn’t have been there in the first place. She couldn’t stop herself giggling. As she did, her eyes caught those of the Counsellor’s.
    ‘Wait a minute,’ he cried. ‘Take off your veil.’
    ‘Sir, this is unheard of. She is a young maid!’ protested Mona.
    ‘Remove her veil!’
    The soldiers grabbed at the chiffon and silk, tearing it with their rough hands. All the people in the hall gasped in surprise. The High Counsellor turned to Leckeri, Samett and Bolumfus.
    ‘Fools,’ he shouted. ‘Did you not recognise her? This is Princess Imigriana, daughter of Queen Benelov and King Tutoralph.’

Chapter Eight
To the Palace
    ‘Imigriana, Your Highness, where have you been all this time? The king and queen have been looking everywhere for you?’ The High Counsellor’s voice was stern.
    Christina remained silent.
    ‘Well speak, child!’ He was growing impatient.
    ‘Sir,’ said Mona. ‘I believe the young princess met with some accident and lost her memory. I saw her outside my shop. She looked ill, and her clothes were very dirty.’
    ‘Did you not recognise the Queen’s Chalice?’
    ‘No, I did not. The vase only showed me that she was of noble birth. I am too poor to have visited the palace and seen the jewels.’
    ‘Nice one, Mona! Now they really will think I’m the princess.’
    ‘At least it stops them trying to cut off your hand. And anyway, you look like her apparently. Is she the twin?’
    The twin. It was that nonsense about the twin again.
    The room began to close around Christina.
    ‘The berry. Take a berry!’ Just in time, Christina slipped one of the berries into her mouth. The dizziness passed. But an old gentleman had noticed her go pale and sway slightly. He stood up.
    ‘Sir,’ he said, speaking to the High Counsellor. ‘Her Highness is obviously not herself. Let the doctors examine her. And then let us get her to her home and family. Surely that will bring back her memory?’
    ‘Yes, you are right. Send for the Counsel doctor. And bring Her Highness to a quieter place, away from the crowds.’
    Mona stepped forward.
    ‘Sir, may I be released now? Her Highness shall surely now besafe. I should like to return to my work.’
    ‘Of course, old lady.’ The Counsellor had lost some of his sternness and seemed almost kind. ‘And thank you for finding the royal princess. It is a great honour for our town.’
    Mona bowed, waved quickly to Christina, turned and made her way out of the hall.
    ‘It will be more difficult to talk like this when you are further away. And you will be safe now, at the palace. But if you really need some help, just concentrate very hard and you will find me.’
    ‘Thank you! Thank you!’
    Christina bit her lip as she saw the one who was nearest to being a friend going away from her.
    Now the Counsellor and the old gentleman led her gently into a room at the side of the bar. She was invited to sit down on a bed covered in drapes and soft cushions. A young girl in a pink costume very much like her green one, offered her fruit and water. The room was full of flowers, and two tall young men, bare to the waist, waved leaves from some giant plant to fan the warm air. A little fountain gurgled in the middle of the room.
    The girl in pink introduced herself. ‘Your Highness, my name is Itola. I serve the High Counsellor. This is his chamber. Oh, Your Highness, where have you been all this time? The Court has been most worried.’
    ‘I’m not sure. Another place. A world with machines and