A Tale of Two Kingdoms

Chapter One-3

The two girls who came to see her every evening after sundown, to wash her and attend in other ways to her toilette, had no inkling of her dreams. For them, she was the apotheosis of immaculate virginity. She was, they felt, everything which they were not. Prince Igor had forcibly taken their virtue, and though it was not their fault, they felt sullied by it. Now they lived in limbo. They did not want to return to their homes and face the scorn of their neighbours, but nor did they want to marry any of the rough soldiers who occasionally came to look at them. If they could, they would have revenged themselves on the prince, but opportunities for two such young girls to do so were likely to be few. If they could have thought of a way to do it, they would have helped Yolande escape, but the castle keep was well-guarded and the cell high up, right at the top.

The one thing that presented itself as some sort of reprisal for their fate was to speak to Yolande of what they knew, even though it was forbidden. It was part of her mystique for them that she rarely spoke back, but even so they were happy to chatter away as they washed her body and gently oiled the places where the manacles chaffed and the hood rubbed. And on this evening they did have useful information to impart.

“Your highness,” said Isobel, who had dark hair and a pretty mouth, “the prince has employed a witch to influence your behaviour. We think he means to have her cast a spell on you, that you may favour him.”

Yolande laughed scornfully. “All the spells in Faeryland would not achieve that,” she said.

Since the two girls were inclined to believe in spells, they said nothing.

“Is the witch here?” Yolande enquired.

“She has gone away for two days,” said Yseult, who was blonde with blue eyes. “But we think that when she returns the spells will begin. Perhaps she will make a potion for you to drink.”

Yolande laughed again. “Do they think I am so easily fooled?”

“Witches can be very clever, and deceitful,” Isobel said.

“Please take care, my lady,” said Yseult.