Chapter 187

The morning meal was over, and Kit was on a mission, though she was trying not to project her duplicitous actions as she shot off of the dais and out the door without so much as a “good morning” to any of her Representatives. Perhaps saying something to someone would’ve been less suspicious, but the thought didn’t enter her head until she was halfway to the kitchen. She fully expected someone to come running after her, but when no one did, other than her two guards, which was unfortunate because they may very well tell Eli what she was up to, she prayed to the goddesses she could complete the task at hand and make it back to her chambers without anyone asking her what was going on.

The kitchen was bustling with dishwashing and preparation for the midday meal. It seemed this place was always busy, except for perhaps in the wee hours of the night. Lots of servants hustled by, most taking the time to nod or bow their heads in her direction. She didn’t expect full curtsies or anything of that nature, and they all knew it by now. Still, she didn’t see the girl she was looking for.

Rosy was standing near one of the fireplaces, speaking to a younger man who was stirring a pot. Kit hated to bother her again, but it seemed like the quickest way to find Blankka and then get out of the kitchen before her mother sent in one of her goons. Kit shuffled over, glad that her guards stayed nearer the door.

“Pardon, Rosy, but may I speak to you for one moment please?”

“Princess Katrinetta,” the old woman said smiling pleasantly. “What brings you here again? I’m afraid there are no deliveries just now.”

“No, it’s not that. Your assistance the other day was sufficient in contemplating my assignment, thank you. And you received the package for Ras?”

“I did. Gave it to him early this morning. He was so grateful.” Her smile broadened, and her cheeks pinked, making Kit feel as if she’d done something helpful—though it wasn’t nearly enough. It was a start.

“Very good. I was wondering, do you happen to know where I might find Blankka? I need to speak to her.”

Rosy’s smile vanished. “Blankka? Your Majesty, you do know she will be unable to speak to you, do you not?”

“Yes, unfortunately, I have heard about her situation. It’s a pity.” Kit didn’t add that she felt partially responsible. If she hadn’t gotten so angry at Blankka, the girl would’ve never ended up in this place.

“She’s out in the courtyard, dumping the scraps in the hog trough.” Rosy gestured with her thumb. “She stays out there a little longer than necessary, but I cut the girl a little slack. Poor, pathetic thing.”

“Thank you, Rosy.” Kit patted her shoulder, and the woman dipped her head as if she’d been touched by an angel of the goddesses.

Kit headed in the direction indicated and saw Blankka out one of the windows before she even opened the door. Remarkably, her guards didn’t budge from their posts.

Blankka was humming softly as Kit approached. It wasn’t recognizable due to her deformity, but it was refreshing to know she could still make utterances. What it would be like to have one’s tongue cut out, Kit couldn’t imagine.

She turned her head at Kit’s approach and grew silent, her eyes darting around as if she wasn’t sure whether she should run away or try to hide. She did neither, her feet planted firmly in the dirt near the pig pen. Kit absently wondered if she may be eating one of these fellows later in the day. Dozens of them were fighting over the scraps, oinking and grunting, splattering around in the mud. Kit hung back, not wanting to get her pink gown dirty before her outing with Reeve.

Blankka bowed her head and waited. “Would you mind stepping over here, closer to me—away from the pigs?”

She glanced at the animals as if she didn’t see the problem, but Kit could see flecks of brown mud all over her black skirt and white blouse. She wore a white apron over the top, which also had spots of brown on it.

Once Blankka was nearer, Kit lowered her voice. There were windows up higher in the castle where they could be observed should anyone wish to spy on them, but no one would be able to hear. She lowered her voice when she spoke, hesitating at first because she wasn’t completely certain she could trust Blankka. It hadn’t been so long ago that the girl betrayed her and almost got Eli killed.

Still, she asked, “Are you with me?”

Blankka nodded enthusiastically, though her forlorn expression never changed.

“Are you certain? I haven’t forgotten what you did.”

Blankka nodded again, placing her slop bucket on the ground and pressing her hands together, a signal of prayer which meant she was being honest.

“I need your help, then, if you are willing to do so. I won’t tell you why, nor will I tell you what I plan to do with what you provide me. And you must promise not to reveal anything to anyone—including Eli. Do you understand?”

Blankka wavered slightly, as if she thought it might be too dangerous or that Eli needed to know, but when she nodded her head again, it was with vigor.

“I need you to take a servant girl’s uniform, like your own, and place it in a specific room in the hallway off of the infirmary before night falls this day. It could be one of your own or one you’ve procured from the costumer’s closet. I don’t care. But it needs to be a size I can fit into. Do you think you can manage that?”

Glancing down at her own clothes for a moment, Blankka nodded again. Kit estimated Blankka was slightly larger than she was in girth, though Kit was taller. Still, she would likely fit in one of Blankka’s uniforms.

“Very good. If you go to the infirmary and turn left, go down the hallway to the third door on the left. It shouldn’t be locked. If it is, you’ll need to find a way to get in without anyone knowing you’ve been there. Can you find a key if you need one?” Kit knew there were chambermaids who had keys to specific rooms. Maybe Blankka would know one of them.

She thought for a moment and then smiled slightly before she nodded.

“Wonderful. There’s an armoire in the room. Just leave it in there. You must make certain no one sees you. Once you’ve completed your task, take an apple from the kitchen, the brightest red you can find, and leave it in the library window. That way, I’ll know you’ve been successful. If Eli finds out, Blankka, I will be quite distressed, and if the queen finds out, I may well be imprisoned. I cannot lead a revolution from a tower cell, so you must be cautious. If I find I cannot trust you, there will be no place for you when I am queen. If I find you are trustworthy, I will grant your wish to be a noblewoman and reinstate your position as my lady once I am able to do so.”

Blankka’s expression changed drastically, and in her previously dull eyes, Kit saw a sparkle of hope.

“I wish I could undo what my mother has done to you. I’m so sorry that this has transpired. We must learn a way to communicate using signs. There are enough people in the realm who cannot speak or who are unable to hear properly that it should be taught all across our great queendom. I would like your help in creating and teaching such a system, once this is all over with, so please think on it, won’t you?”

She nodded again, and Kit was glad to see she’d been able to give someone a bit of optimism. The princess reached out and patted Blankka on the arm and then turned to go.

Before she walked away, Blankka made a bleating noise and pulled slightly on Kit’s arm. Kit turned to look at her, and Blankka bowed her head again. With one hand she touched her chin and then extended the hand to Kit, palm up.

Confused at first, Kit pondered what she might be trying to say. Blankka made the gesture again, her head bowed even lower this time. “Are you saying... thank you?”

Nodding, Blankka smiled, though her lips never parted, and Kit was glad for it, not wanting to catch even a glimpse of the aftermath. Kit thought the sign for thank you was easy enough to remember, so she made it back at Blankka. “Thank you for your loyalty.” She smiled and turned to go once more, praying that Blankka would actually prove herself this time. For all Kit knew, she’d run straight to the queen again.

Back inside, Kit rushed straight through the busy area, not bothering to stop and speak to Rosy again since she was engaged with another worker. Her guards followed her out the door, and Kit glanced down the hallway in each direction to see if any of the Queen’s Guards were watching, or if any of her Representatives had followed behind her. Seeing no one of consequence, she headed off toward her room.

Kit had only made it around the first corner when she saw Danyen making his way toward her. Of all of the people she could encounter, he was the only one she could be honest with. She needed to speak to him anyway, to tell him of her plan. Now was as good a time as ever since she had a few matters to attend to for the council before the noon day meal, and then she’d be off with Reeve for a few hours.

Danyen waited for her. “Is everything well, Princess?”

“Better than well, assuming one’s word is still something that can be counted on.”

“I suppose it depends on who is speaking.”

“True.” She didn’t bother to mention Blankka hadn’t actually said anything. Her guards fell a few steps behind, and once again, she was thankful for the semi-privacy. “Will you join me in my chambers this evening?”

“I’ll have to check my schedule.” A mischievous grin broke out across his handsome face. “Has anyone ever said no?”

“Jate did once, remember?”

“Not because he wanted to.”

“Once again, you speak the truth.” The queen had demanded Kit spend the night with Jate after the labyrinth maze, but since Eli had won, and Kit needed Eli to be with her because she knew her mother was scheming, Jate had decided to forgo the opportunity. “No, I suppose not, though I’d never force anyone.”

“I can’t imagine you’d have to. Yes, of course I shall spend the evening with you. But I believe you’re up to something.”

“Perhaps.” Kit inhaled through her nose and lowered her voice. “I want to follow Pierce.”

“How will you do that in your own chambers?”

“That won’t be a problem so long as I use my personal chambers.” He was puzzled, but he’d see what she was talking about later. “It’s more a matter of whether or not he will go tonight.”

“There is an archery contest tomorrow. I imagine he will go tonight so that he can get information from the queen about how to win.”

The thought of Pierce winning left her stomach in knots. Everyone knew Jate was the best marksman of the group—although Eli hadn’t participated in the first practice archery contest they’d had before the Choosing officially began. “We need to prevent that from happening.”

“I’m sure we can discover a way. I would guess he will be on the move this night, after midnight. There is a dinner, though, correct?”

“Correct.”

“He could go sooner, right after dinner is over.”

“If he does, we’ll be ready. I’m afraid there may be no actual pleasuring going on in my bed tonight, though, depending upon how this all unfolds.”

“A pity. I shall have to find a way to be even more enticing in order to woo you.”

Kit giggled. “It isn’t that. Only that I will be preoccupied before I leave and possibly infuriated afterward if they are actually meeting.”

“No matter, Princess. I live to serve you in whatever capacity you desire.” He smiled at her, and Kit felt grateful to have such a fine gentleman by her side. She slipped her arm through his elbow and rested her head on his shoulder for a moment in thanks. If her mind hadn’t been made up before about Danyen, she knew for sure she wanted to Room him now. He had become as integral a part of her life as any of the other men, and with his assistance, she felt certain she would find proof that Pierce truly was in cahoots with the queen. What she would do with that information remained to be seen. She just hoped that it wouldn’t be her undoing.