Orphaned?

Adolphus forgot to breathe. He heard nothing but a roaring in his ears, saw nothing but the Count’s smug mock sadness. He lunged, shoving past Oily until he had his hands on Montesanto’s throat, screaming.

“You lie! You lie! You’re a lying coward!”

And then he was flailing and screaming in the air, held tight by the Capsicum Chief. He thrashed helplessly, shouting curses, but could not free himself. He subsided, going limp in the Chief’s grip.

The queen broke the silence. “What were those words he was using, Owain? Were they words or just noises?”

Count Montesanto whispered to his confederate, who translated. “The boy is distressed, your Majesty, as he is now an orphan. That he should lash out violently against the man bringing this terrible news shows a lack of stability in his character. Unfortunately, he was raised by magicians, and has been exposed to great power, although it is obvious he has no training and cannot control it. The guttural speech you heard just now is a magic language used in casting spells. I cannot guarantee your Majesty’s safety unless the child is gagged.”

Adolphus gasped at this new assault, struggling to find words to fight with, since fists had failed him.

“Majesty, I’m sorry, I’m alright now, under control. It won’t happen again.”

The Count shook his head, frowning, and whispered to Owain. “Better safe than sorry. Nothing is more precious than your safety, my Queen,” Owain translated.

Queen Drysi smiled, smoothing her sumptuous gown, preening. “Gag him then,” she said. “He doesn’t look dangerous, but he is unpredictable.”

“No, Majesty!” Adolphus pleaded. “I’ll just go – send me away!”

The guard who caught him pulled a handkerchief from him uniform and gagged Adolphus, while the Chief tied his hands behind his back.

“There are several more children, yes?” Owain said. “His brother and many sisters.”

“Oh yes,” the Queen replied. “They’re everywhere.”

“But they are difficult to handle, trouble?”

“Indeed! They caused the most shocking row the other day,” Drysi said. “I blamed the woman who had been watching them, but really they were at the heart of the disturbance. Leading my servants astray…I had to have them all beaten.”

“The children?”

“No, the servants. Should I beat the children as well?”

“Of course, Majesty,” Owain answered for the Count, whose smile was even more unpleasant than his mustache. “Whenever they displease you.”

The Queen stood and came to look at Adolphus, still  playing with his pocketknife. She studied his unruly hair, his dirty, tear-stained face, his disheveled clothes. Her eyes rested on his boots soiling the soft moss of her chamber floor.

“I was only keeping them to get their parents to do magic for me,” she said. “I don’t need them anymore, now that you’re here.”