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The Cunning Count Part 2:

The count walked down into the bottom of his castle, through many passages and chambers with large oak doors until he reached the dark, dank chamber where Sir Paul was confined. When Augusto walked in Sir Paul was in the action of pacing the floor, his chains being long enough give him the freedom. He turned angrily when Augusto walked in.

“How dare you sir! Take an innocent man who never did you any harm, rob and strip him of valuable dispatches vital to the safety of Hobblestone and the province of Baton?” The count smiled, and replied with supposed courtesy.

“My dear man! You are quite mistaken, I have the greatest interest in the well fare of the kingdom, it is because I have its well fare in mind that I have thus confined you. You sir are a brave and valiant knight, worthy of that named honor. You go about your business, do your duty without a question to your personal safety. And then you perform your duty to your utmost ability, a man like you is one in a million. But you are too trusting sir, you believe your lord’s word without a question, you do not look deeply into the matter. That is what a knight is supposed to do for his lord no doubt, that is the most important thing, but not the smartest. What you do not know my good man is that the Duke of Baton, your lord, is actually in league with Prince Nettle, he is seditious, and so in order to gain the Prince’s help in taking Baton for himself he offered his daughter, the beauteous Elise, as the prize. Now you see, any man who has the good of Hobblestone in mind will oppose the Duke and join forces against him. That is why I have detained you here sir, so that so great a knight as yourself will not be tricked into joining the wrong side.”

Sir Paul had listened with a scornful expression on his face, a true and trusting knight he was, yes, but he was not as witless and gullible as Count Augusto had made him out to be. At the mention of the Duke’s betrayal and the deal made with the Prince for the Princess, Sir Paul had turned a bright shade of scarlet. Trembling with indignation, he fairly shouted out a reply.

“So not only to you try to flatter me up one side and down the other with false vanities, but now you are discriminating my good and loyal lord, the Duke of Baton, and insulting his lovely daughter, my liege lady, the Princess Elise! I tell you sir, that the Duke would never betray our good king, Fredrick, and he would NEVER give his daughter away to a scoundrel like Prince Nettle simply to gain power. Were there a rising against the king he would be the first in the charge and the last in the retreat, and no matter how high the stakes the Duke would not throw away his daughter’s hand as you would an empty wine bottle!”

Count Augusto was in a white fury at these words, for he was not used to being challenged, his prisoners usually being timid traders or coward knights who cowered before him like children. With all his strength he struck Sir Paul a buffet in the face. Sir Paul, being a strong and athletic man, would have been quite capable of returning the blow, but he was held back by the count’s retainers. They shoved him down onto a seat and shortened the chains, then left him to fume and worry about the failure of his mission.

Meanwhile hundreds of miles away in Baton life was going on peacefully. The farmers tilled their fields, the craftsmen went about their trades, and merchants bought, sold and bartered goods. None of the good people suspected the upcoming danger of Prince Nettle’s fleet. At the great castle of the Duke preparations were going on for the arrival of the young Count of Comingbridge, the Count of a more eastern province in Hobblestone. He was a proposed suitor for the Princess Elise’s hand, and a great banquet and ball were planned for the evening of his arrival.

Princess Elise could be seen running to and fro superintending the preparations, her mother not being alive anymore, she now had the role of lady-in-charge.

Her thoughts had not dwelt deeply on the proposal that was undoubtedly to be made by Darren, the count. She trusted her father would make a wise choice, yet deep in her heart she dreaded it. Not that Darren was unlikable, he was a quiet, and refined young man. Not given to being a court gallant and giving his heart to a thousand ladies a day, he did his governing job well, and his people were happy. Anyhow Elise had never imagined him for a husband, he was rather laid back and not very forward. She on the other hand was bright, vivacious, and full of life. She never had a thousand servants do her directing and work for her, she much preferred supervising them herself and giving her attention to the various numerous and small details that accompany the life of nobles.

The Princess was not the way you usually picture princesses, she was not tall and willowy, she was rather petite, yet dainty. Not plump, yet of a decent weight that wouldn’t make you worry that she was starving herself for her figure. Her hair was long, almost to the floor, with gentle waves. It was a mix of different colors, the main one was brown, but there were red and blond highlights here and there. Her eyes were a bluish gray, and they changed appearance depending on her mood. Her skin was very pale, but in the summertime when she was out more it would turn a few shades darker. As you can see, she was not necessarily a fairytale princess, the ones that you always read about with either dark batting eyes and magnificent dark curling hair, or deep blue eyes with golden hair. Not a fairytale princess, but a beautiful and realistic one. There was no doubt Elise was pretty, she had fine features, especially her nose. It was straight with a little curve up at the end that made it very artistic. But the real truth to her charm was her inner beauty, it shone forth like a lantern in a storm, inner beauty was rather rare for princesses in her day and age.

Now you might be wondering why she is a princess and not a duchess, but she really is, you see, a duchess is pretty much a princess herself. Often when a prince ascended the throne he would have brothers, since they couldn’t be the king, he would honor them with Duchys or Countships. So being so they really were princes, but they had different titles. The Duke of Baton was the king’s half brother, they having different mothers, the first queen having died at childbirth. The king and his brother were very close, and as soon as Fredrick ascended the throne he gave Harold, the duke, the richest province in his kingdom. So you see, those different provinces were really little kingdoms inside a larger one, thus giving Elise the title of “Princess Elise” instead of, “Duchess Elise”.

Finally all of the preparations were finished, and Elise dressed herself to receive their expected guest. She wore her hair swept up in a gold comb with opals and garnets, a thin veil draped down in the back. Her dress was a rich maroon silk, with a rose pattern sewn on with gold thread. She wore a gold girdle also set with gems, and tiny gold slippers that were comfortable and light. All of this being done she took out her most prized possession, a dainty gold chain with a garnet heart that was set with pearls. It was a present her father had given her mother on their wedding day, and now it was hers. She did the clasp, then sailed from the room to meet her father.

He was just coming back from attending a council in the principal village of the province. She ran down to meet him and they embraced. He was tall and lanky, with broad shoulders. his beard was the same color as Elise’s hair, and it was easy to see the relation between them.

“Well my dear, you are certainly looking lovely, I assume all is in readiness for our expected guest?”

“Yes sir, the other guest have all ready started to arrive and are being entertained in the hall with light food and drink.”

“Very well, I will change my doublet and then be right down.”

A few minutes later there was the sound of trumpets and a procession of horses could be seen approaching. Finally the band had entered the castle gates. Darren of Comingbridge rode in great pomp and brilliancy, his knights and retainers were all attired in the colors of his house, orange and blue. He himself rode on a magnificent chestnut stallion, while his principal knights, Sir Ronald De Vere, and Sir Bosworth Fornsworthy.

The Duke ran forward and embraced the count as he alighted. Then he led him up the steps to Elise. It was the first time that she had seen him in many years, and he was greatly changed. Darren was tall, thin, and had large hands that could pull you off your feet without much effort. He was fairly handsome, with blond hair neatly combed, and a pleasant smile. There certainly was nothing to complain about as far as looks went, yet his eyes lacked the spirit and fire that women find so enticing.

He greeted Elise with the greatest courtesy and kissed the hand that she held forward. Then they all glided into the house where the other guest were already feasting. After Harold had presented all of the guests to the count they all officially sat down to dinner. The Count Darren sitting on the dais at Harold’s right, Elise sitting on her father’s left.

When the wine was brought and the goblets filled Harold rose and said,

“I propose a toast to the engagement between my daughter, the Princess Elise, and Darren, Count of Comingbridge!”

Everyone one shouted and raised their glasses. Everyone except Elise, the poor girl was in a state of shock. She had been told that this was just a test trial, that nothing was decided as far as an actual engagement. But now her father had dropped the ball on her, and she felt a sinking feeling inside.

Then all of a sudden her vision blurred, and she saw what looked like an opening hole, the edges were growing wider and wider, and inside the center was a picture of a fleet of ships sailing on a calm, blue sea. Then the picture focused in on the leading ship, a large vessel flying a bright flag, in the center was a black crow with two red swords coming out. As Elise recognized it to be the Prince Nettle’s coat of arms, she felt a strange sense of terror.

The picture began to fade and Elise was aware of someone calling her name frantically. It sounded like her father, then with a start she turned and looked into his anxious face. Everyone was looking at her, servants had stopped mid-action, Count Darren had risen to his feet and stood fanning her, and her father was holding her arm looking into her face.

“Are you all right dear? You spaced out and didn’t seem to hear us, are you suddenly ill?”

Elise’s face was bright red, she rose from her chair rather suddenly, and made a rather hurried exit from the room. All of the guests started murmuring,  some rose to their feet. Duke Harold and Count Darren at once followed Elise’s steps down the hall into the ladies’ chambers. After knocking at her door it was opened by a maid, who let them in and said that she would tell Elise of their presence. Elise came out, still rather red and sheepish. Count Darren led her to a chair and then said, with a slight smile.

“Is it really so alarming? The prospect of becoming my wife?”

“Oh no…” she hastened to say,”It’s just, well, the minute father said that I suddenly had a day dream, a rather deep one. It was as if I was looking through a sailor’s telescope, and the picture I saw was disturbing. I saw the evil Prince Nettle’s ship on the water with a great fleet, and for some reason, the vision frightened me.”

Duke Harold listened attentively, then he stood and paced the floor.

“I have heard some vague rumors about the Prince collecting a great fleet, and I know that he has a grudge against me for refusing his suit for you. But I would think that we surely would have heard something by now. I am positive that my messenger, Sir Paul, would have come with news from the southern coast of approaching enemies. Anyhow, I would not toss the dream aside, often the Almighty uses visions to warn His followers of danger. I will make inquiries, yet I think that you need not worry, if an army were to come we would be more than able to hold them off.”

After a few more remarks Harold and Count Darren left to tell the guests the princess was not well and needed rest. Elise went out onto the balcony for a fresh breeze, as she looked at the moon she pondered the dream.

“I wonder if there is a reason that Sir Paul hasn’t returned, he was always sure to warn us of the slightest danger. I feel sure that that vision meant something.” she thought to herself.

The next morning Elise rose with a determined air, she had reasoned during the night that that dream was not a passing fancy, but a real warning. At breakfast she put a question to her father,

“Father, I was wondering if you would allow me to go to the court of Uncle Fredrick for a few months and see my cousins?”

Her father looked up surprised, and Darren looked slightly hurt.

“Why would you care to visit them now Elise? What with your engagement to the Count Darren and the upcoming plans for your wedding, why would you choose such a time as this?”

“Father I am going to tell you the truth, and it is not just the passing whim of a woman. I think that that strange dream I had last night was a warning, I believe that Prince Nettle is on his way to attack Baton and that he will more than likely try to take it over. And if he is coming here, I want to be a thousand miles away.”

Duke Harold looked shocked, his daughter was definitely spirited, yet she had never looked and spoken with such resolve. He waved his hand to say that the interview was over. But Elise knew that is wasn’t, the discussion would just be finished in private. And she was right, later that day when she was walking in the garden her father came up and led her to a seat on a bench.

“Dear, I know that you are worried, yet I just can’t let you go. You have an obligation to Count Darren to stay, though you are not officially betrothed, you will be soon. I have scheduled the ceremony for a fortnight from today.” Poor Elise was heartbroken, why she could not say.

“Father, I will follow what you tell me to do without a question. But I want you to know that I do not want to marry Count Darren and I pray you not to make me.”

“What have you against Darren Elise? He is refined, a gentlemen, has a good standing, loyal and handsome. What could you have as an objection?”

“Father, I just do not think that we would be happy together. He is rather laid back and adverse to conflict, while I am more forward and I want to be in the middle of things if I think that I can be of help. And another thing, I had no idea that we were actually going to be engaged, it had been presented to me that he was just a suitor, not my affianced husband.”

Duke Harold was silent for a long while, he stood up and paced the walk for a minute or so, then sat down again and looked full into Elise’s innocent gray eyes.

“When I first spoke to you about Count Darren I was of that mindset, but to tell you the truth, I knew more of Prince Nettle than I told you. I had heard that he still bore a grudge against me and had vowed to take you and Baton. I was not worried for a while, but then the rumors about the fleet started, and I panicked. I was concerned that a plot or scheme might remove me and then you would be left helpless and undefended, which is not unlikely. So I immediately I accepted Count Darren’s proposed suit and invited him here. It was wrong not to tell you why and what made me do what I did, and I ask your forgiveness.”

Elise listened and readily gave it, then the embraced. After a moment’s silence Duke Harold continued.

“As for your dream, I also believe that it is a warning, and I have already made necessary orders that some scouting ships be sent out and that no more traders send out their vessels until we know something more. I wanted to be in denial of the fact, but since your unexpected request I have had to face it. I think that perhaps it would be beneficial for you to adjourn to your Uncle Fredrick’s court for a while and visit with them. Thankfully I know that I can trust my good brother that you will be safe and happy, and should something happen to me he would take you in as his own. I will try to figure out something to hold the Count Darren off for a while. I do not say that I entirely break off your potential engagement, but I will delay it in order to have time to think.”

“Thank you father, you have taken a load off my mind. I am truly blessed to have you for my father, and I wish you to know that I will obey your commands about my marriage, despite what I feel.”

“I do not wish to make you unhappy, and if I can find someone that you can love and is worthy of you I will not hesitate to give my consent. Now, you had better set your maids to packing while I send a messenger off to Fredrick.”

Elise went to her apartments and began to supervise the maids in their work. Later that afternoon she dressed for her journey. Her traveling dress was of royal blue, with silver edging. A long black cloak was tied on over that, and then she wrapped her face in a veil. Last of all she took out her mother’s necklace and clasped it on her neck.

Her father was waiting to help her onto her horse. Count Darren stood by to say farewell.

“I will wait for you my dear, and perhaps when you come back you will have gotten over this foolish idea of yours.”

When Elise got to her father she gave him a meaning look.

“I will consider it darling, goodbye now.” He whispered so that Darren might not hear.

Elise was glad to finally be on her way. She had her two maids, and a dozen stout retainers to protect her. They journeyed on until the sun began to sink low in the horizon. They stopped that night at an inn with a good reputation. Elise had decided to go in disguise in case the Prince had any spies about. However the innkeeper recognized that she was a person of high rank, and the best room and meal were hers that night.

The next morning Elise rose, at breakfast, and ordered the horses to be brought up. She again cloaked and veiled herself. A stable man brought up her horse and held it while Elise mounted. When she did so a fold of her veil loosened. She quickly re wrapped it and then gave the command to go forward. Soon after she left the stable man mounted a horse and rode of down the trail as well.

Later that day storm clouds began to gather in the northeast, the wind picked up and soon large raindrops began to fall.

“Come on my lady, we will take shelter at Gervais, it is a small village about two miles from here, if we hurry we can make it here before the storm gets bad.” said one of her retainers.

Elise nodded assent, and they rode on, but the storm had ideas of its own. In a few minutes a full gale was blowing, wind was whipping around the feet of the frightened horses and rain drenched the travelers. Drum breaking cracks of thunder and bright streaks of lightening lit up the sky. Elise was struggling to stay on her horse, keeping her head down to break the force of the wind she urged her mount forward.

All of a sudden a great gust of wind caused some bushes to shiver, right in front of Elise’s horse. He shied in terror throwing Elise off his back. Stunned and sore Elise lay on the ground a moment, at the same time there was a confused shouting from her men. She believed that she could hear the clashing of metal and the cries of men, but the rain and thunder made it hard to be sure. Then she felt herself lifted from the ground and set in front of someone on a horse. Soon her mind went black and she knew nothing more for a time.

When Elise awoke she was startled to find herself not in her own chamber but in a small, rather rough room with no furniture but a bed, table, and a couch against the wall. Struggling up she sat trying to recall the events that had happened. Eventually she remember the storm, the fall, and the strange noises that she heard. Elise rose out of the bed and found that she was in her own traveling clothes, but they were torn and disheveled. Reaching up she felt to see if her necklace was there, it was gone! Fighting to keep back tears of disappointment and hysteria she moved toward the door, it was locked. Now Elise really felt hysterical.

“How did I end up in this dark room with the door locked and no one around?” Forcing herself to remain calm she felt around the door, hoping to find a way to open it. But the hinges were on the outside and there was a stout chain fastening the padlock.

“Where am I? Who put me here? When will someone come?” With some trepidation she heard approaching footsteps. On a quick hunch she quickly got into the bed again and closed her eyes, in the same posture she had been before. The door opened and two people stepped in. By the sound of one Elise could tell it was a woman, her footsteps being light and quick. The other was undoubtedly a man, his footsteps being heavy and far apart.

“She is still out, you must try to bring her around Marthe.” said the man in a well educated voice.

“Yessir, I’ll do me best.” replied the woman, evidently of lower rank by her speech.

“Very good, when she has wakened and had a good meal call me, I will come up and have a talk.”

“Yessir, oh, sir count, do yous want me ‘t tell the young liddie ’bout Sir Paul bein’ down in the cellar thar sir?” queried the maid, obviously entirely unsuspecting as to Elise’s wakefulness.

“Why of course not you foolish woman! That would spoil my purpose entirely, just keep her hear and tell her that she was rescued off the road by a country gentleman returning home. Tell her the door is locked for her own protection, as he has rascally servants who might annoy her.” replied the man.

The retreating footsteps told Elise that the two had left. As soon as the door was shut and she heard them going down the hall Elise rose and contemplated what to do. It was evident that the “count” had some hidden purpose in mind for keeping her here, one that Elise wasn’t sure that she liked. And what about this “Sir Paul” down in the cellar? It couldn’t be her Sir Paul, her father’s trusted and brave messenger, he was way down south delivering a message to the one of her father’s estate managers. Or could it? He hadn’t been heard from in a long while, what if he was on his way with a message to her father and was captured? Elise’s brain started whirling, soon she was convinced that that was what had happened. Jumping up out of the bed she began to explore her prison more carefully, inch by inch. She felt along the floor cracks, under the bed, and then along the door, hoping to find a way to get out.

Suddenly the door opened and Marthe walked in. Elise was startled, but on a quick thought stood up with authority.

“Oh, are you the maid here? Well have you seen my necklace? I seem to have lost it and was searching the floor. I hope no one has stolen it, well? Answer me!” Poor Marthe was surprised to see her charge so alive and with it, she had expected to find docile and weak.

“Uh, no mum. I dunno that anyone’s taken nothin.”

“Very well, I will take your word for it. And now, tell me where I am and why I am confined like a lawless bandit?”

“Oh no miss, you aren’t confined, jes bein’ kep here for yore own p’tection.”

“How did I get here?”

“You was found insensible on th’ roadside miss, in the middle o’ that big stom. My masta, Mr. Holland brought you back here and told me to sorta look after yous.”

“Am I to be released?”

“I dunno missie, th’ genleman will more ‘n likely wanna see yous fust.”

“Fine, for now I would like a meal and perhaps a wash. You must see to that at once.”

“Yes missie, I’ll have one ’bout heah in a jiffy.”

Marthe went away again, shut the door and rushed off down the hall. Elise waited until she was gone then went on back to her search, nothing availed. Feeling a bit chilly she turned around to see where the draft was coming from. The door had swung open! Marthe, in her haste to carry out Elise’s bidding had forgotten to padlock it. Hushing a scream of joy Elise darted to the door and peeked out into the passage. That it was little used was apparent by the heavy dust that lay on the floor, and the hall was dark and creepy. Elise surmised that it was underground, a hall down into the dungeons or cellars.

“The cellars, that’s where they said that Sir Paul was confined!”

Elise quietly tip-toed out and down the hall, starting at the slightest noise. She followed the passage for several hundred yards, then came to a door way. Cautiously she looked around, but seeing no one she darted forward into another shadow.

There the passage seemed to slope downward, and a few rough stairs had been cut into the earth floor. Step by step, inch by inch she made her way down. At the bottom the hall seemed to branch off into three directions. Making a guess she took the one to the left, after winding about for a few minutes she heard a sound, it seemed as though someone was breathing, with great difficulty.

Moving towards the sound she turned a corner and found herself in a room with several iron doors, locked. Elise peered through each barred window at each door, hoping to find the breather. At the second to last she had success. Looking in she saw a small dark room sparsely furnished with nothing more than a table and a rough bench. On the bench lay a man who was breathing heavily, short rasping gasps. He seemed to be trying to sleep, but it was anything but restful.

Elise felt pity for the poor man and looked around the main room in hopes of seeing some keys. Spotting a bunch hanging on the far wall she grabbed them and then turned each one in the door. After a few tries she found the right one and opened the door slowly so that it would not creak.

Going forward to the bench she knelt beside it to see if she could help the man. His face was turned away, but as she felt his forehead to see if he had a fever he turned his face towards her. She gave a smothered cry and fell back a pace, for it was Sir Paul’s face that she saw! Now it all seemed to click together in her brain.

Some agent of the Prince had found out that Sir Paul was on his way to warn her father of the approaching fleet and had imprisoned him here. Then somehow they found out that she was heading to her Uncle Fredrick’s court and had picked her up during the storm. That was why she had heard all of the clashing metal, because her retainers were fighting in her defense. She wondered what had happened to them.

Turning her attention back to the sick man she felt his head again and was alarmed at how hot it was. Looking about she saw a bucket of water and a piece of bread, cruelly just out of his reach. Elise was angered to see how heartless their captor was. Taking the bucket of water she tore off a piece of one of her underskirts and dipped it into the water, then laid it on Sir Paul’s fevered head. Lines of pain smoothed away and he sighed deeply. Going out into the main room she searched for some smaller vessel to give Paul water in. A cracked jug was all that she found, but that was better than nothing. Returning to Sir Paul she scooped some of the water and held it to his lips. He drank and drank, emptying the jug several times.

Finally he opened his eyes and looked into her face. For a moment he seemed puzzled, then he looked alarmed.

“Why my Lady Elise! What are you doing here in this devil’s lair? How did you get down here in this dank, horrid cell?”

“I was on my way to my Uncle Fredrick’s court when a storm came up, my horse threw me and I was stunned for a time. I believe that whoever owns this castle picked me up and when I came to I was in a small chamber in the floor above.”

“Ah my Lady, I wish that you were anywhere but here. Oh, your father! Your father, he must be warned! Prince Nettle is at this moment nearing the Bay of Baton. I was on my way to warn you, and I stopped here to rest my weary horse. But then the treacherous lord of the castle threw me into the dungeon and stole my dispatches. I have been eating my heart out in here with worry, that is what brought on the fever. And this damp cell became heavy and full of stench.”

“But Sir Paul, who is the lord of the castle?”

“One Count Augusto, ruler of the province of Jugo.”

“Oh Sir Paul, surely you are jesting! Why Count Augusto is in high standing with the king and my father, how could he be behind this?”

“He is a two-sided man my Lady, when it is wise he shows a courteous and gentle face, but in his own lair he is a merciless tyrant, who only cares for his own gain.”

“What are we to do Sir Paul?”

“I don’t know as yet my Lady, hopefully they have not yet found that you are gone, or there will be great trouble.”

“Oh dear, I hadn’t even thought of that. I had asked for a meal to be sent up, more than likely my escape is already discovered, and soon they will search the castle for me.”

“In that case it would be most unwise for you to try and escape from here now, every single person coming in or out will be searched.”

“Well maybe I could borrow a maids costume and smear my face with dirt, then pretend to be a chamber maid or help in the kitchen. This castle is like a small town with all of the outbuildings and towers. Surely there are different people in here every day.”

“Yes, that might work. You could hide until I get my strength back and we formulate a new plan. But can you be convincing enough that they will actually believe that you are a maid?”

“Why Sir Paul! You know that I have often overseen my maids at work or given a hand to them, I go out into the villages often at the fairs and observe my peoples’ lifestyle too. I think that I could easily fit in. It might be rather fun too. I think that it is our best plan, and it would be dangerous for me to attempt escape now.”

“I believe you are right my Lady, I wish you good fortune. I will try to communicate with you periodically with you. I already feel better, a sight of your sweet face was just what I needed.”

Elise blushed but hoped it couldn’t be seen in the dark room.

“I will come here every night if possible. Say, three strokes after two?”

“I hate to see you try it my Lady, there is a sentry in the furthest hall at night.”

“Don’t worry about that, I will think of something.”

“Very well my Lady, were I free I could not allow you to endanger yourself, but as I am not that is our best plan.”

“Now Sir Paul, I am the one who is giving orders, and you will just have to follow them as a good knight.”

“Fine my Lady, I will see you here tomorrow evening.”

Now here are your options. By the way, I hope to have polls soon so that you can just vote for your choice rather than having to comment. We will work on that.

Option#1: Elise gets caught.

Option#2: Elise stays in hiding and is successful, but soon a messenger arrives from the Prince Nettle.

Option#3: Duke Harold finds that Elise is missing and immediately marches with an army to find her.”