Chapter 8
A QUEUE of coaches lined up to get into the forecourt of the palace, a fenced compound surrounded by gild-topped metal latticework. The driver whistled for the horse to slow down. The horse seemed to dislike one of the other horses in the queue. It made snorting noises and shied sideways. The driver yelled at it, but that had little effect.
Other horses in the queue also snorted. One of them gave a soft neigh. From a bit further off came another shout. “Whoa! Easy, girl, easy.”
Father peered out the window. “What’s spooking the horses?”
From her position in the coach, Johanna could see over the wall to the right of the palace into the garden, an oasis of tranquillity compared to the forecourt. It was where the king grew his roses and where water tinkled in mysterious ponds su
