Page 43 of Feathered Thief

Prince Dominik dropped by the cottage one evening. Papa invited him inside, and the men sat together at the table while Lenka puttered about, dusting where no dust existed. A prince, in the gardener’s cottage? She and Papa exchanged wondering glances. Prince Dominik even accepted her meager offering of Papa’s home brew and a loaf still warm from the oven. As soon as basic conversation ended, the prince revealed his purpose: “Can either of you tell me anything more about the golden bird?”

Papa simply looked at Lenka, and the prince followed his gaze. Feeling incredibly awkward, she blurted, “I was told to give the feather to the—um, to the king. Follow the rising sun, and guidance will come. Let truth and mercy prevail.”

Prince Dominik frowned, nodding. “The bird told you this?”

“Yes, Your Highness. That was her advice.”

He sighed. “Please call me Dominik.”

“Yes, Prince Dominik.”

His lips twitched in a smile. “Thank you.” He looked at Papa, then at her, and stated, “You are good people. Salt of the earth. I don’t meet many.”

Papa and Lenka jumped to their feet and followed the prince to the open doorway, where he turned back to say, “May God be with all in this house.”

Papa closed the door. “I believe he will find the bird if he chooses to try.”

“Do you think he will try?”

A sad little smile curled his lips. “No, but I wish he would.”

Another week passed, and while everyone in the palace tiptoed as if on eggshells to avoid drawing the king’s attention and wrath, Prince Dominik disappeared during the night along with food, weapons, and two horses. According to Papa, castle gossip claimed that Prince Dominik had taken up the quest without his father’s permission, and small wagers under the table abounded.

Two days later, Lenka received a summons from King Gustik. Neither surprised nor frightened, she immediately located Papa Hrabik in the magic herb garden. “The king sent for me. Shall I go straight to the palace?”

Papa’s eyes went very wide. “Wash yourself and dress in your best, then enter the palace through the front door. Explain how you’ve been summoned by the king and be sure to curtsy and keep your gaze lowered in his presence. Oh, and always address him as Your Majesty or Sire, even if he complains.”

All that preparation gave opportunity to think of everything that might go wrong, so she was shivering in her shoes by the time a manservant she’d never met before escorted her to the throne room. But as it turned out, the servant led her past the empty throne and into a small anteroom where King Gustik and several lords turned to stare at her.

At the king’s urging, she shared what she knew about the golden bird and the quest. A great deal of arguing and bluster followed. By the time the king dismissed her, only his final instructions remained in her mind.

She headed straight to the garden and reported to her tree. “The king says I must bring back your missing apples, the bird, and the two lost princes,” she whispered as if anyone might overhear.

Bird friend.

“I don’t think that bird approves of me.” But she smiled a little and patted the tree’s rough bark. “Even if she’s judgy, maybe she’ll let me capture her for your sake.”

Love protect.

A heartening thought, but rather vague. “Whose love protects whom?” Cryptic comments were of little use, and Lenka was under no illusion regarding her quest’s potential for success.

Love free.

“So people say, but it also requires everything,” Lenka observed.

The golden bird obviously didn’t think much of her, and why the King of Trinec imagined that his two sons might listen to orders passed on by a gardener girl, much less drop their plans and return to Bolislaus Castle with her, was a complete mystery.

Lenka kind. Free.

“I’m glad you think so.” Her tone was flat. “Free” hardly described her situation.

Lenka loved. Safe.

The tree’s words made no sense, yet they danced inside Lenka’s head like music as she headed down the hill. Was she going insane? Or maybe she was already there since, as far as she knew, no one else had ever heard a tree talk.

When she approached the cottage, Papa Hrabik hurried to meet her. “Tell me everything.”

Hearing the protective note in his voice, Lenka choked up. Papa helped her inside and made her sit down and draw several deep breaths, all the while patting her hand. Finally, she regained control enough to break the news: “I’m ordered by theking to search for and return the missing princes, the four stolen apples, and the golden bird.”

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