Midnight for Morgana Read Online Free PDF Page A

countryside. Within no time, everyone will know of my quest.”
     
    Malcolm scraped his chair back on the wooden floor and stood. “Just one more thing, something I must definitely ask. Do you vow you will marry the lady to whom this slipper belongs?”
     
    “But of course. I thought I had made that clear.”
     
    “Even if she is not a princess, but some impoverished nobleman’s daughter?”
     
    Keir grinned. “She will be a princess, I’m certain of it. And I vow I will wed the lady from the fair.” Both men left the private room and noted the main dining room filled with people, for so many men and women came from outlying villages to attend the fair.
     
    After posting his sign that morning, Keir fetched his servant, Ferris, in the afternoon to accompany him in his pursuit, while Malcolm rode with them out of interest and concern for his friend.
     
    They trotted their horses to the nearest castle, the king’s residence a few miles from Dornach. A grand edifice, it commanded a high hill, its sarsen stone glimmering in the bright sunlight, the towers pricking a blue sky, its flag flapping in the wind.
     
    In his finest tunic of dark blue wool, his black wool trousers and black fur-lined cloak, Keir guided his horse up the hill to the castle, with Malcolm riding next to him and Ferris riding behind. The green grass rippled in the wind, the ground studded with shale and dotted with violets. At their approach, a drawbridge across a wide ditch was lowered with a creaking sound. The horses’ hoofbeats clattered on the wood as the men increased their speed to a gallop, cloaks streaming behind them.
     
    A few moments later, Keir and Malcolm stood within the great hall, Keir’s servant at a discreet distance. The air much cooler in the vast room, a fire blazed in the wide stone fireplace, and colorful tapestries kept out much of the draft. Flaming rushlights gave the room a dim light and cast shadows across the stone floor. Folded trestle tables nestled against the wall, but one long oaken table occupied the center of the room. Several chairs flanked the table, where the king invited Keir and Malcolm to sit, while two of his servants brought wine and a plate of delicacies.
     
    The king poured wine into silver goblets and offered them the plate piled high with honey cakes and raisin rolls.  “Why, yes,” said King Adair after Keir had stated his purpose. “I have three daughters, and it is my fervent wish that they marry well.” He snapped his fingers at one of his servants. “Bring the princesses here.” He turned toward this guests again. “I pray the shoe fits one of them. They all attended the fair.”
     
    Several minutes later, the three princesses descended the stone steps to the great hall, chattering among themselves, a look of happy expectation on their faces. Keir’s heart sank when they came into view, for they were all homely, one of them fat, the second one pimply, and the third cross-eyed. Malcolm’s admonition returned to taunt him, but why should he learn humility, when he was a prince? Yet he reminded himself he must not judge others so quickly. How could any of these ladies be the one he sought, for he remembered her blonde hair and blue eyes, her lovely even features.  Raised to act the gentleman, he schooled his features and gestured for his servant to let each of the princesses try on the shoe. While the king focused his attention on his daughters, and the princesses’ attention was focused on each other, Keir exchanged a look with Malcolm, an admission that his search might take longer than anticipated, and that his prize might not be a princess, after all.
     
    Each of the ladies tried on the slipper, each one finding her foot much too big. A look of angry disappointment crossed the king’s face, his mouth tightened with unspoken censure. The princesses simpered and scowled as they flounced from the hall to return to their rooms.
     
    With expressions of regret, Prince Keir