Written by Pt, September 1, 1998
(Ideas inspired by Stella Tan: The Attic)
Chapter Two: Betrayal
Thomas awaited the carriage as it pulled up to the castle's doors in the battering rain. The horses shied at the lateness of the hour and the condition of the weather. Under the protective canopy raised around the castle's entrance, the driver spoke to Thomas in the relative calm. He still had to shout to be heard above the pelting waters on the oilskin shelter.
"Master, I don't know how wise it is to allow a guest under the king's protection into a night like this. The moving storm seems to be increasing, and many predict it will take with it the roads to the cities. It would not look good to lose a castle's guest tonight because of poor judgement." The driver did not speak of the horses' disquiet or his own fears.
Thomas looked at the currents of rain sluicing off the castle's courtyard. It already looked too slick for the horses' feet, and the unpaved roads would only increase this danger. "It is not a long journey…" he began, anxious to have this stranger away from his watch.
"It is too long in such conditions, my Lord." The horses began shying again, already overly restless.
"The horses have made this journey before, they know the way."
"A few times at night, my Lord - already risky but they have done it. But once again in such rain? I cannot question my duties. I have also never been hesitant with you alone on my advice."
"Yes, Matthew, and I believe your warnings." Thomas paused, obligations conflicted. "I will tell the ambassador. Return the beasts to their slumber."
"Thank you, my Lord." The driver turned the ornate carriage in the drenched courtyard, already a task over the slick cobblestones. They seemed to know they would not be worked tonight, and gratefully returned to their dry stables. The aide entered the warm castle once more.
Gowden was being shown the artworks of Ludwig's home as he waited for the preparations. He could see that there was not good news, not unexpected after such a day.
"Ambassador, the carriage cannot make it through the weather tonight. Hopefully, in the morning, the storm will pass and the roads clear. It seems you must stay. I am sure your captains will understand."
"Well, even if they did not, I don't know how they could harshly scold me. Truthfully, to you Thomas, I have made an acquaintance they would envy. I do not know what will proceed from that, if anything. I will not impose on your duties, Thomas. I know your concerns. I will be quiet wherever I am put, even if it is as far away from his Lordship as the stables. I do not want to jeopardize this possible tie."
Thomas was disarmed by Gowden's candor. Perhaps he was wrong, and the danger he sensed around this man was just an eagerness to promotion, a sly stab at advancement in his ranks - something he had often been accused.
"Ludwig will probably not sleep tonight. He is often made too restless by these performances, and dreams the night another way. I will put you in the southern wing, and fetch you early for the journey out. Be prepared."
"Is Ludwig still chatting in his parlor?" Gowden looked down the corridor, turning already to retrace his steps.
"How my Lord spends his nights is not of your concern. You have said your good byes. Please follow me now to your guest quarters."
He looked back at the aide, his slow smile quickly in place. "Of course, Thomas. Lead the way. You take very good care of your charges."
Ludwig sat awake in the center of night. Too many images crowded his thoughts for sleep to take hold, and he rested before the fireplace in his chambers contemplating his dreams. The opera that night was beautiful, as always, warning of misplaced desires and deception and the consumption of power. Even at thirteen he received such lectures, and remembered them. He considered Wagner one of his greatest teachers, who showed him that beauty was the one gift that would be recognized by laymen and lords, and would outlive any dynasty. What was the wealth of kings compared to that? Would Ludwig even be remembered for what he tried to do? Wagner certainly would be. He wanted a part of that legend, to be as remembered for his reign as one of the master's operas. It was his one longing, to be allowed the freedom of artistry, a freedom that belonged to the common man, and one he could not buy with all his fortunes.
He thought of his favorite opera, Lohengrin, because it was an introduction to a world he was too naïve to see. The world he had been taught was one of structure, of duty, of strategies that would earn him victories in wars and other savagery. It was an existence he no longer wanted, and did not understand its need to be. He almost longed for a child, a son, who could take away this duty from him. Perhaps he could teach him a way between his father's and his own. Such a responsibility he could not put on a child's head.
A note slid beneath the door to his chambers. This should not have been possible, given that his rooms were sealed and guarded, especially if there were guests staying at the castle. It was probably Richard, drunken and reeling down the halls, recognized and dismissed by the guards. Perhaps he had come up with another chimera to study, an image that struck him in the middle of sleep and he had to share with Ludwig immediately. He carefully picked up the sealed note and read it before the candled light at his desk.
My King,
I almost let you go tonight, never to be seen again, but thought of often. It seems that events have conspired against my escape. Your desires to remake this kingdom into something worth the remembrance of generations have captured my old heart as well, like many in your land. I cannot help but want to speak to you again on this. I do not now wish to return into my own country. It seems you have made a haven here for those who want more from living than mere duty, or even riches. I must speak to you before I am lead away by morning. There are those who watch, and would not have us meet again. I have seen a place from my southern window, which would be hidden, and will be waiting the night there. I do not know this place well, and hope you know the view of which I speak. I have plans that would make you powerful, and defeat your enemies, if you would listen.
Sworn to loyalty,
Louis Gowden
Since a boy, Ludwig had played the traditional games of royal children for centuries - how to move about one's own vast home undetected. It was a needed escape, to feel not so the caged animal on display. Like any master of his house, he knew the patterns of his servants, greatly quieted at this time of night and peace, and was able to make it to the sheltered gardens Gowden spoke of. Still, his cloak was sodden by the time he found the large, roofed alcove that dominated the view from the castle's southern windows. Inside the shelter, he removed the cloak before he would be soaked to the skin.
Ludwig saw the tall figure lurking within. A smell of spirits and tobacco reached him even in the dampness, and Ludwig smiled at the thought that this young rogue might have tried to disguise himself as the old, drunken conductor to access his chambers, and wondered how his guards could not have seen through the deception.
"You did not harm my servants to reach me, did you Gowden?"
"No, my Lord. I think they were very amused by my performance, and allowed the passing of a single note. I don't know if they ever saw my face, but they believed my stagger."
"And are you so befuddled that you have called me out here for… political counseling, if I gather correctly? Or is it political asylum? Who do you claim to hide from?" Ludwig could not help but almost treat this encounter like a game, an amusing curiosity to end a singular day. He was nearly laughing as he questioned his mysterious opponent.
"I hide from everyone, my Lord, and no one. It is my inheritance."
"My aide, Thomas, thinks you are an assassin, and a well trained one. He would say that is your inheritance."
"He also said you would put yourself next to a murderer if his manner pleased you." Ludwig was silenced by this remark. How could he have known this? "I have skills that would be useful to you, my King. I know who your enemies are. I could help you overcome them, even directly, if so ordered. You do not have a taste for vengeance, or blood. To rule a kingdom you need to possess both. Yet, that is not what I want for you, for then your dreams would be different. I want to protect something that is rare, that will not be seen again for centuries. With me in your counsel, you will never need worry about, or even see, your enemies again."
"What are you offering, Gowden? And what do you want in return?"
"So, you are not so the innocent your youth bespeaks of? I will have to remember that, though it is more a disadvantage for your foes than for you." Gowden paused, as Ludwig waited. "I am offering you freedom, my King."
"Freedom? Am I somehow not free? I can go wherever I wish, and do such things because of my father's wealth. How could I not be free?"
"Free from duty, my Lord. Free to do with this country as you truly desire. There will be no one against you."
"Even I have only so much abundance and popularity to build upon."
"I will find you more. Those who would be against you will no longer need their fortunes."
How could he know my desires also? Gowden spoke of skills that seemed boundless, whether toward truth, or deception, and Ludwig was frightened for more than his life.
"There is a price for all this. My love for the Arts, which we share, have taught me at least this much." Ludwig believed he would die that night, in his beloved gardens, under a shelter against moonlight rains.
"I will not ask for my price."
"Why?"
Gowden looked away. Until that time the only light within the shelter seemed to come from his unwavering gaze. He was so sure, until that question. "Because I also, my King, want to be remembered… forever."
Thomas came to fetch the ambassador almost before the sun itself had risen. The rooms had not been used, and the aide would have panicked the entire household if he had not known the very next place to look.
"You have not slept the entire night, my Lord?" Thomas asked tightly, more an accusation than a question.
"My guest has some very interesting views of the Masters, and you had not told me he was still in my household, Thomas. An oversight among many duties." It was as if the conversations in the parlor had never ended, though the aide had seen each of them to their supposed rest the previous night. The fire was ash in the hearth, and the scene was not entirely true since the composer was missing, still deep within sleep unlike the others, including Thomas.
"It is unfortunate the ambassador has not rested since his journey will be overtaxing as is. Yet, we must begin it, and all is ready. Sir Gowden…"
"… will be staying with us a little while longer, it seems, Thomas. He believes his duties are not as pressing as once thought, and would get to know this land before venturing once more into his own. He believes his superiors would approve, and will soon communicate this." Thomas did not speak at this news.
"Your work is appreciated, Thomas. Your presence is not needed here."
The guard roused. "Who again are his superiors, my Lord?"
Ludwig did not want to admonish his aide in front of his guest, yet the challenge could not go without remark. "Thomas. Need I remind you of yours?"
"I must object to this, my Liege, or foreswear my duty. You know nothing of this man! Unlike those in your army who were born loyal men within this land, this one has no more credit than some rich, unclaimed clothes and a cunning manner. He should not even be in your presence, let alone your house. No one vouches for him, and his command is unknown."
"Perhaps your duties are too much for you, Thomas. Gowden did say you were young. I must rethink my criteria for picking advisors. You are dismissed."
Thomas looked at Gowden, recognizing the danger there. He thought quickly of his hidden weapons.
The king saw the impulsiveness in both men's eyes, but only commanded his aide. "Leave now, or I will summon your own men against you. A single word or gesture more, and your life is forfeit."
It was true what Thomas had said earlier. They were all too young. He did as a young man would, innocent of the future. He obeyed his Lord.
If you have any comments, you can email Pt at ptech@usa.net.
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