her, counting out the drops. Then she slipped a paw behind the queen’s head.
Poor Aspen, thought Urchin as he watched the wedding. Perhaps she doesn’t know what Husk’s really like.
Husk’s circlet glittered, catching the light of the dozens of candles. It was time for the king to speak. Aspen, taking her seat, settled like thistledown.
“This has been a dark year on Mistmantle,” began the king, “and the winter drains away the sunshine. But in this season of sorrow in our hearts and winter on our land, we welcome this bright day. Captain Husk and Lady Aspen have gladdened our hearts, our land, and our future. They have asked me for a favor for you all, and I am glad to grant it. You are all to have a day off tomorrow!”
There was a long, loud cheer, and hats were thrown into the air. Urchin hoped Apple wouldn’t grumble out loud about how “in the old days we had a day off when we felt like it and we didn’t have to ask nobody’s permission and the work still got done,” but if she did, nobody heard her. When the cheer died down, and dropped hats had been picked up from the floor, the king went on.
“None of you has seen how devotedly Aspen has cared for the queen in her illness and sorrow. Lady Aspen is as wise and good as she is beautiful, and deserves all the honor Mistmantle can bring her. In her, as in all things, Captain Husk has chosen well. Without Husk’s friendship, counsel, and help, I would find it a hard and lonely thing to be your king.” His voice faltered, and he paused to gather himself together. “Husk is like a son to me,” he finished quickly, and sat down.
Brother Fir nodded to the squirrel choir to sing. Serving lads and maids were slipping away from the hall to put on their aprons. Soon there would be feasting, dancing, and entertainment, long into the night.
From the royal chambers, Gleaner heard the music. The party must have started by now, and the feast. The mole maids had sent whispered giggling messages to their friends in the kitchens, and trays of food and wine were carried up from a back staircase. While the maids danced in the corridor, Gleaner nibbled candied walnuts and watched the queen.
Her breathing seemed slower now. Gleaner took her paw. It felt limp.
“Your Majesty?” said Gleaner. “Your Majesty?”
The queen took a long, struggling breath. Then nothing. Gleaner’s eyes widened. She turned hot and cold. The next breath came, long and rasping. Then a long pause. Another rasping breath. Gleaner ran to the door and shook the first maid she found.
“Fetch Lady Aspen!” she ordered. “At once!”
The party in the Gathering Chamber seemed to be going on forever. The tables had been pushed back, and plates of little sweet things stood among the crumbs and wine stains. The young animals had gathered under the tables to eat sugared almonds and marzipan.
Urchin was wondering whether Lugg had managed to rescue Scufflen—he had certainly been planning something—but Lugg was nowhere to be seen. In the meantime he tried to look busy, as he didn’t want to dance if he could help it. His dancing lessons had barely started, and he wasn’t at all sure if he was getting it right. But he had discovered that dancing with a hedgehog was much safer than dancing anywhere near one, and that Arran the otter didn’t seem to mind how many mistakes he made. He had to dance with Apple, and it took great effort not to limp as he walked away afterward. He went in search of Padra before she could ask him again. Hopefully, he would be given a useful job to do so that he could impress Padra and avoid dancing at the same time, but he realized too late that Apple was following him.
“Mistress Apple,” called Padra, “you haven’t danced with me all evening! You’re not avoiding me, are you? Will you do me the honor?” There was the swiftest wink at Urchin. “Hold my robe, will you, Urchin?”
Urchin watched Padra heave Apple around the room. The uneasy feeling
Poor Aspen, thought Urchin as he watched the wedding. Perhaps she doesn’t know what Husk’s really like.
Husk’s circlet glittered, catching the light of the dozens of candles. It was time for the king to speak. Aspen, taking her seat, settled like thistledown.
“This has been a dark year on Mistmantle,” began the king, “and the winter drains away the sunshine. But in this season of sorrow in our hearts and winter on our land, we welcome this bright day. Captain Husk and Lady Aspen have gladdened our hearts, our land, and our future. They have asked me for a favor for you all, and I am glad to grant it. You are all to have a day off tomorrow!”
There was a long, loud cheer, and hats were thrown into the air. Urchin hoped Apple wouldn’t grumble out loud about how “in the old days we had a day off when we felt like it and we didn’t have to ask nobody’s permission and the work still got done,” but if she did, nobody heard her. When the cheer died down, and dropped hats had been picked up from the floor, the king went on.
“None of you has seen how devotedly Aspen has cared for the queen in her illness and sorrow. Lady Aspen is as wise and good as she is beautiful, and deserves all the honor Mistmantle can bring her. In her, as in all things, Captain Husk has chosen well. Without Husk’s friendship, counsel, and help, I would find it a hard and lonely thing to be your king.” His voice faltered, and he paused to gather himself together. “Husk is like a son to me,” he finished quickly, and sat down.
Brother Fir nodded to the squirrel choir to sing. Serving lads and maids were slipping away from the hall to put on their aprons. Soon there would be feasting, dancing, and entertainment, long into the night.
From the royal chambers, Gleaner heard the music. The party must have started by now, and the feast. The mole maids had sent whispered giggling messages to their friends in the kitchens, and trays of food and wine were carried up from a back staircase. While the maids danced in the corridor, Gleaner nibbled candied walnuts and watched the queen.
Her breathing seemed slower now. Gleaner took her paw. It felt limp.
“Your Majesty?” said Gleaner. “Your Majesty?”
The queen took a long, struggling breath. Then nothing. Gleaner’s eyes widened. She turned hot and cold. The next breath came, long and rasping. Then a long pause. Another rasping breath. Gleaner ran to the door and shook the first maid she found.
“Fetch Lady Aspen!” she ordered. “At once!”
The party in the Gathering Chamber seemed to be going on forever. The tables had been pushed back, and plates of little sweet things stood among the crumbs and wine stains. The young animals had gathered under the tables to eat sugared almonds and marzipan.
Urchin was wondering whether Lugg had managed to rescue Scufflen—he had certainly been planning something—but Lugg was nowhere to be seen. In the meantime he tried to look busy, as he didn’t want to dance if he could help it. His dancing lessons had barely started, and he wasn’t at all sure if he was getting it right. But he had discovered that dancing with a hedgehog was much safer than dancing anywhere near one, and that Arran the otter didn’t seem to mind how many mistakes he made. He had to dance with Apple, and it took great effort not to limp as he walked away afterward. He went in search of Padra before she could ask him again. Hopefully, he would be given a useful job to do so that he could impress Padra and avoid dancing at the same time, but he realized too late that Apple was following him.
“Mistress Apple,” called Padra, “you haven’t danced with me all evening! You’re not avoiding me, are you? Will you do me the honor?” There was the swiftest wink at Urchin. “Hold my robe, will you, Urchin?”
Urchin watched Padra heave Apple around the room. The uneasy feeling
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