Briar

Ch. 13 Permission

His Majesty, King Sander of Jubbellard was very surprised to hear that his only son was planning on getting married.
“You’re getting married to the goose girl?”
John blushed. “No, I’m getting married to the goose.”
“The goose?” Sander questioned.
The three made and unlikely group: one very nicely, but crumpled dressed prince, a large black goose, and a wild eyed girl with black hair that was going every which way. The fact that they were in his most elaborate accepting hall only made their distinctions worse. Sander was old and as such thought many of the things his son did were very strange, but he was quite certain that princes didn’t just go around marring geese.
“I should explain.”
“Yes you should.”
“This,” John hands gestured next to him, “is Jillian Sinclair, daughter of the Knight Gregory of Ginggerale.”
“I thought her name was Rose, but I still never forget a name.”
“No, Dad, her name is Rose.” John pointed across and then made sure to gesture down. “This is Jillian.”
“How did a Knight give birth to a goose?”
“Sir, if I may,” Rose interjected. She had a feeling if she left the two of them go on; they would be there for hours. “Jillian was not born a goose. At night she returns to human form. She was cursed by a wizard in Numberland. But she left with me. When we came here we accidentally met Joh- the Prince, and it was as a human that the two of them fell in love.”
“Now, we would like to journey to Numberland, and get this curse removed.”
As his son made his request, the king’s anxiety went through the roof, “No. Absolutely not. I will not allow it. I refuse to loose another child to this magic nonsense.”
“What! But-”
“I said no, and I meant it! If this wizard was so mean as to curse a fine lady then who knows what he’ll do to you. You’ve got to think of Jubbellard, John. What would we do if something happened to you?”
“Dad…”
“No.”
“Sir there really isn’t any danger of loosing your son. I know the wizard in question. I grew up in Numberland. It was only after great stress and annoyance that Jonas, I mean, the wizard cursed the girls.”
“Girls?”
That king was sharp. “I was really hoping not to have to tell the whole story. But if I must.” Rose began talking about Princess Perky while trying to be as polite as possible. She explained how Jillian was the nice one and had eventually stood up for herself in leaving. She told King Sander of their travels, and then she explained the Prince and Jillian meeting, falling in love, and the troubles it had brought them. Until they ended up here.
“Any questions?”
“So Jillian is the goose girl?”
“You could say that. Jonas really is a good guy. I’m sure he’ll take the curse off, and then we’ll be back here before the spring.”
“Alright I admit that perhaps this wizard isn’t all that bad.” Sander looked around, attempting to catch one more qualm, “It’s way too early in the season to go down the mountain. Snow blocks all the passes.”
“Dad, you know as well as I do that Damont’s Passage is open. If I want to be back in time for sister’s birthday we must leave now.”
Why did I raise such a smart boy, the King wondered to himself. John knew exactly where to hit. He didn’t really see anyway out of this one. If his son had fallen in love he had fallen in love. Why not marry for love if you where so backwater a country that it wasn’t worth conquering? “Alright. But three conditions. First, you have to introduce this girl to your mother before you leave. You wait a year before you marry, and you take a with you on your trip.”
Rose rolled her eyes. She could understand the King’s concern, but Jonas dangerous?
John broke into a smile, “Thank you Dad. I’m sure you’ll love her too. Jillian is well,” he started to blush, glancing down at her. “The best girl I’ve ever met.” Jilly’s head turned down in bird embarrassment.
“And then once night falls we can introduce her to your mother and I. You will leave tomorrow that’ s soon enough. Let’s get some breakfast.” Sander grinned, and Rose couldn’t help but smile back. He clapped his hands and within seconds, a silent servant appeared. “Breakfast please.” As King Sander turned away from the servant, he melded back into the room, “Now while he’s doing that let us make our shaky way to the dining hall.”
Rose spent her last day in the castle getting to know its ruler. He was witty, smart, even tempered, basically everything that a King should be. He was just as kind as he had been in their first meeting. John and his father had a very loving relationship. Hardship seemed to have brought out the best in them.
When night fell, they went to visit the Queen. Her health was such that she was not even able to leave her bedchamber. As her daughter’s return came closer, she only got worse. Queen Lyn was a small woman. Her hair was blond and her eyes were blue just like John’s. It seemed that John had been destined to have eyes like a summer day.
It made Rose wonder what color eyes her parent’s had. Like hers, blue, or green? Brown? Rose had resolved before not to think about them too seriously. After all she had great parents, but every once and a while those thoughts just crept in.
The Queen was very happy to meet Jillian. It was difficult telling her why they needed to leave. Her milky skin became whitewashed at the explanation. Sander hugged her telling that everything would be alright. John was on her other side gripping her frail hand. Eventually, she was calmed by talking to Jillian. The two were like peas in a pod, ladies to the core. They were both very fond of tulips and lilies, loved to embroider, and collected teacups. Jillian made sure to leave out that she also fancied driving to the bottom of the lake, and the Queen, wanting to make an impression, left out that before she had been sick, she had fancied riding bareback.
Rose felt pretty out of place in the scene and after a little time snuck out of the room. She wandered to her room; they were leaving in the morning and someone had to pack their meager things. Bad thing about packing is that it doesn’t take much brain power. She was still in shock that she was returning to Numberland. She had set out on her mission, determined to forget Jonas. She was returning, not even gone a year, having resolved nothing.
It was at this thought that Rose realized she had no idea how Jilly was going to ride a horse. Geese were very awkward creatures; there was no way someone could hold her and she couldn’t ride alone. Rose had been packing their things into the same sack that they had arrived in. Rose dumped everything out onto the bed. She riffled through the things until she found Jonas’s magic needle, some string and the scissors. With these in hand she quickly cut up the bag. Making it bigger, wider with two large straps that could be fitted to the saddle and then around the horse. Jilly could sit in the case on the side of someone’s horse. Perfect. Pleased with herself Rose sat down and realized that she no longer had anywhere to put their belongings.
“Damn. I guess I’ll have to go find something else.”
Rose wandered down to the kitchen and then to the store room where she found some empty potato bags.
Not nearly as glamorous as their other bag, “But beggar’s can’t be choosers.”
Rose took her time finding her way back to the room and quickly finished packing. With that done, Rose could not think of much else to do but make it an early night. She stayed awake for a long time, staring at her ceiling trying hard not to thing of Jonas and failing miserably. When she did fall off, Rose slept restlessly. Jilly’s comforting warmth wasn’t to be found either. John had demanded that she be given a room befitting his fiancé. He had also wanted to switch Rose to a nicer room, but she didn’t see the point to preparing a whole room just for one night.
They left early the next morning with six armed guards. Everyone had a horse to make quick time. Jillian’s basket worked perfectly, if a bit saggy. John had them strap it onto his horse since he was both the best rider, and he wanted to be next to Jillian. They also had an extra horse for Jilly in the evening so they could ride through the night. John said they needed to be back by the beginning of spring for his sister’s birthday which didn’t leave them much time to wander around.
John looked very amusing his princely outfit. He had on a doublet and a fancy hat with a big feather. He was pretty embarrassed about it too, but it was tradition to leave in such a manner. Inspire the people and such.
Rose had borrowed a pair of pants from one of the smaller guards. They were still big on her and uncomfortable. But she had never ridden a horse before; there had been no need for them in Numberland. So she was a bit iffy riding with both legs around the animal and refused to go side saddle.
Damont’s Passage was a hiddened road. It was partially underground and was significantly more steep than the rest of the entrances to Jubblelard. It was built mainly so that the people of the Valley could escape just in case an attack ever came, but it was used mainly as a trade route during winter. It took them about two days to get down.
Consequentially it took Esperella’s Beast about the same amount of time to arrive at the castle. Everyone was in a panic to see him there. The King quickly assembled to hold counsel with the Beast in his receiving chamber. The large black wolf paced through the decedent room. His large claws clicking on the well polished floor. As the King sat down, the clicking increased, and Sander came interestingly close to many, many white teeth before it melded into the face of a man.
Beast had not been born a changling, but Esperella had changed him. As a man he was handsome, if a little wicked looking. His dark hair curled around striking green eyes. His form was powerful, and his hands could kill as easily as his claws. The most anyone knew of Beast was that he was Esperella’s man. And that meant that fear him. If Beast was powerful, Esperella was more so.
“What are you doing here?” Sander had learned how to deal with this sort. No fear and be quick.
“That’s not a very civil welcome.”
“Perfect for an uncivilized man.”
“I’m here and you know why.”
“I know nothing of the sort. We have done nothing to offend your mistress.”
“You brought her home too soon.”
“Her?” Hope shown on Sander’s face. “Amelia? Has she come home?”
“Yes.”
“Where? Where is she?”
“You broke the rules and must now be punished.”
“She’s here? I want to see my daughter.”
The silly chit had come back too early. Beast was beginning to believe that the King did not have anything to do with his daughter’s return, but he still had a job to do. So he gave him pity.
“The goose girl. Where is she? You and I both know that for this Esperella will not be kind.”
The King’s face fell in shock, “The goose girl?”
“Yes. Is that a problem?”
“Are you sure?” The Beast only gave him a look.
“Jillian. I guess she would be the right age….” The King seemed to be talking to himself. “What have I done?”
“What do you mean?” This would be the best time to get the information needed.
“She’s not here. She and her … bro-” he couldn’t say it, “John … married … wizard … for the curse.”
In his dazed state Sander did not elaborate and Beast had no question as to which curse he was talking about. “Damn. Now, I’ll have to follow them. Where did they go?”
“Numberland.” The words just slipped out of his mouth. Beast changed back into his beast form. He was out of the castle in mintues and on their trail.
Sander snapped out of it. He had to stop the wedding. Had to stop his children, had to stop Beast, had to stop everything before anything happened. He called for the guards and ordered his best unit to go after them. He told the head guard: they would need all the speed they could muster on the journey. Their mission, keep the prince and princess safe and in different bed chambers.
Everyone was at top speed to get to Numberand. But two days of journeying did not put John, Jilly, and Rose too far ahead of everyone. And in the end, like all things, the past and their pursuers caught up with them.

_________________________________

Sorry I've been out so long. Blame it on finals, and my needing to study.
Hope you like it we really are nearing the end.