The Two Princesses of Bamarre Read Online Free PDF

dispatched by my excitement over giving Rhys his gift. My only worry was that it might rain. But it didn’t, although the day stayed cloudy.
    When we arrived in the garden, he was already there. I put his cushion behind my back so he wouldn’t see.
    He ran to us, then bowed. “Princesses, Mistress Bella, I’m so—”
    “We have gifts for you, Rhys,” Meryl said, curtsying.
    He fell back a step. “I want no—”
    “There may be a law against refusing a royal gift,” Meryl said.
    He looked surprised. “I wasn’t . . .” He bowed again. “I shall be honored to accept your gifts.”
    “You first, Bella,” Meryl said.
    She handed Rhys his doily and stood stiffly, waiting.
    He held the doily in open palms. “It’s so intricate.”
    She smiled smugly.
    “I will treasure it, Mistress Bella.” He folded it carefully and put it into the pouch at his waist.
    I held my gift out. I’d never felt more shy. “I hope you like it.”
    He looked at the cushion. “It’s a scene from Drualt , isn’t it? He’s so much smaller than the ogres, yet I can see he’s going to vanquish them. It’s his posture, his confidence.” He looked up. “How did you manage that?”
    I shrugged, not sure how to answer.
    “And that ogre’s expression!” Rhys laughed. “Stupid and angry and sly, all at once. You’re a sorcerer with thread, Princess Addie.”
    “It is magic,” Meryl agreed.
    “Her Highness is an accomplished needlewoman,” Bella said primly.
    They all smiled at me.
    “It’s Meryl’s turn,” I said, uncomfortable with the attention.
    “Not here,” she said. We were on the garden’s busiest path. “Let’s go to the old courtyard.”
    I nodded. No one would bother us there.
    Meryl led the way, speaking over her shoulder. “I am going to declaim for you. I’m very good at it.”
    “She’s wonderful,” I murmured.
    The old courtyard was on the northern side of the castle, ringed by grapevines. Grass grew between the cracked paving stones, and the fountain no longer spouted. The wooden bench had once been painted, but now it was gray.
    Meryl stationed herself in front of the fountain. Rhys motioned me onto the bench. Bella sat next to me, and he stood on my other side. I felt him there the whole time Meryl spoke.
    “I will recite Drualt’s battle with the dragon Yune. First we are introduced to the dragon and then to Drualt, although we have met the hero before.” She took a deep breath and began.
     
    “Fiery breath,
    Snapping teeth, volcanic spittle;
    Soft underbelly
    Ringed by living spikes,
    Poison tipped.
    Patient and relentless
    As the desert sand,
    Dealing hot death
    In bitter morsels—
    The dragon Yune.”
     
    Meryl was a master at the traditional intonations and gestures of Bamarrian recitation. Her voice snapped along with the dragon’s teeth and whipped along with her tail. In truth she almost became the dragon. When she mentioned Yune’s underbelly, she even stuck out her own stomach and rubbed it.
    “Now the poem speaks of Drualt.
     
    “No scales, no whipping tail,
    Only a shining face,
    Beacon in battle.
    Only a man, the laugher,
    Tall among men,
    The warrior Drualt.
     
    “Back to the dragon.
     
    “Yune’s hoard—
    Knights’ bones,
    Gnawed white;
    Maidens’ bones,
    Charred black;
    Ruby brooch;
    Tiara of diamonds;
    My lady’s golden slipper—
    Yune’s hoard,
    Tall as a tower.
     
    “Drualt once again.
     
    “Drualt’s army—
    Defiance, Drualt’s steed.
    Gore-gouger, Drualt’s dagger;
    Blood-biter, Drualt’s sword;
    Drualt’s own sturdy legs,
    Mainstay and Helpmeet;
    Drualt’s own mighty arms,
    Defender and Thruster.
    Drualt’s army,
    Sinew and steel.”
     
    Meryl’s delivery was riveting. She had never been better. The introduction went on for a few more minutes, followed by Drualt’s challenge and Yune’s taunting reply. Then hero and monster battled in the empty desert outside Yune’s cave.
     
    “Yune exhaled a cloud
    Of vapors hot and thick,
    Bitter