Princess Electra Book 3 Gypsy Music

By Dory Lee Maske

In Book 1 (Princess Electra) Electra met her real parents, the King and Queen of Fernland for the first time. She chose not to live the life of a princess and chose instead to help a poor village survive.

In Princess Electra Book 2 Out of Barburee, Electra finds her chosen life of simplicity threatened by the spectre of the Great Khan's army. She is called back to play her role as Princess of Fernland, but how much will she be willing to give up to aid her countrymen? Electra's quick wit comes to the fore once again as kingdoms clash and alliances rise and fall.

In Princess Electra Book 3 Gypsy Music, Electra is living alone at King's Lake, pursuing a career in medicine. The arrival of a Gypsy caravan and the invitation from Bataar to attend the Nomadic Games, bring a new round of travel and adventure.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dory Lee Maske
• Release date: Oct 4, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465768551

Dory Lee Maske

I've always been a reader--loved fairy tales when I was young. I started writing when I had children of my own. My husband, Bob Maske, does all the art work for my stories. He did all the book covers and the animations that accompany each story.I try to keep at least half of my stories and books free and would love to receive feedback from my readers. You can contact me at [e-mail] or at [e-mail] Thanks to all you readers out there for your support.

Book preview

Chapter 1

King's Lake in Fernland

A colorful caravan of wagons rumbled down King's Road toward Fernland. The wagons were barrel shaped on the top, set into flat beds on wheels, each wagon pulled by a powerful horse. The wagons were painted bright colors, purple with red and orange flowers, blue with yellow stars and moons, green with yellow patterns, a total of eighteen wagons in all, each with its own designs. The driver in the lead wagon pulled gently on his reins, slowing the lead horse, while he studied the ships anchored on King's Lake and the construction activity on the north shore. He stood up on his seat, reins in hand, and whistled to the driver of the wagon behind him. With a series of whistles and hand signals, the caravan came to a halt. Men climbed down from the drivers' seats and from within the enclosed wagons. They wore satin shirts and brightly colored pants with sashes at the waist. Their hair was long and dark.

The men walked to the side of the road facing the lake and huddled together for an impromptu meeting. Before long a few women emerged from the wagons wearing brightly colored full skirts and blouses. They also had long black hair which they tossed from side to side when they laughed. They too, looked with interest at the activity on the north shore of King's Lake.

The men's meeting broke up. A consensus had been reached. The little caravan turned off the main road onto a trail that ran to the lake, coming to a final stop at a spot on the south shore close to the water. Here they circled their wagons and got out to look around. An old woman eased herself down from a wagon painted red with yellow stars and moons. She spoke to the driver of the lead wagon, a wide-shouldered man with long dark hair held at the back of his neck with a leather tie.

You know we won't be here more than a day before the King sends soldiers to tell us to move on. The old woman frowned her disapproval.

What about those ships? He pointed to the seven tall ships anchored off shore. The King hasn't told them to move on. Look at those stacks of wood. They are making beams and boards from it. It looks to me as though they are building permanent. We may as well stay on until we see which way the wind blows here. There may be opportunities for us.

The old woman shrugged. Ships are one thing. They come and go. Gypsy Travelers are another. A king doesn't need to worry about sailors putting down roots.

Gypsy Travelers come and go as well. Send out the girls. Tell them to find out who is building what and on whose order. The man turned his attention to unhitching the horses.

The old woman shook her head as she made her way to the largest wagon, painted bright yellow with blue waves.

Juanita! Esmeralda! She peered into the dark wagon.

After a good deal of rustling noise, two pretty faces emerged at the door of the wagon. They looked as though they might have just awakened. Esmeralda ran her fingers through her long black hair and yawned. Juanita blinked at the sunlight and pushed her face forward to see where they had stopped. They both appeared to be in their late teens.

The old woman chuckled at the girls. El Grande wants the two of you to go tell a few fortunes and pick up information.

The girls emerged slowly, stretching and looking around.

Juanita smoothed out the wrinkles in her skirt. Where are we?

The old woman pointed towards the water. This is King's Lake in Fernland. There are ships anchored and men working on the north shore. You know what working men means.

Esmeralda laughed. It means they have the coin to pay us to tell them what they want to hear.

Off you go then. The old woman smiled. You'd best take some love charms along as well. There may be one or two men yearning for a particular girl. But stay on your good behavior until we see which way the wind blows here. No light fingered business. Find out what they're building and who they're building it for.

Juanita fanned her skirt out around her, wrinkling her nose. We're not light-fingered and I'm hungry.

The old woman started toward the area where others were already setting up a central cooking fire. I'll get you some apples you can take with you.

Esmeralda and Juanita arrived at the building site on the north shore and were soon discouraged in their quest for money and information. No one seemed to speak their language or have time to admire their youthful good looks. They passed by the first group of men sawing and shaving logs and stopped at a little cottage with a walled enclosure in the back. A slender young girl was tending plants within the enclosure. She looked up as the two Traveler girls drew near.

All three were surprised to recognize one another. Juanita was the first to speak.

Aren't you Electra, the sorceress Serafina's daughter?

It's you for certain, Esmeralda agreed, staring hard at Electra. Something seemed different about Electra, perhaps she had filled out a little and she seemed to be wearing better clothes. So this is where you and Serafina took off to. We heard rumors Serafina died in the fire that burned down your cabin in the swamp, but I never believed it. Esmeralda looked at the cottage and lowered her voice. Is Serafina here?

Electra remembered Juanita and Esmeralda from the Traveler's camp on the outskirts of Chase Bound, where she had grown up believing Serafina to be her mother. She smiled as she held out her hand in greeting. She decided to ignore any questions about Serafina for a time.

Yes, I remember you both. You lived at the Traveler's camp. What brings you to Fernland?

Juanita tossed her head to swing her hair from her face. She lowered her voice. Those Chase Bound swell headed shopkeepers threatened to burn our wagons if we didn't leave town. Just when business was good, too. We picked up most of Serafina's old customers for charms and the like. Someone started a false rumor that we were taking things from the shops.

Somebody jealous of the free way we live, likely, Esmeralda added. Anyway, the whole camp moved out of Chase Bound. We've been on the road for weeks coming north. We're camped over on the other shore. She pointed across the lake.

Electra moved to the side of the cottage to see the circular grouping of colorful wagons on the opposite shore. A worried line crossed her brow.

Are you planning to stay camped there?

Juanita laughed. If they let the likes of you and Serafina stay here, I suppose they'll let us stay as well.

Electra paused, wondering where to begin to explain her altered circumstances. She was now a princess, reunited with her real parents, the King and Queen of Fernland, and Serafina was now the Princess of Henge, a sworn enemy of Fernland. All this had happened in the few short months since leaving Chase Bound. She could scarcely wrap her own mind around all the events that had brought her to this cottage on King's Lake.

Chapter 2

King's Lake in Fernland

Electra opened her mouth to begin describing the events that led her to this cottage by the lake only to close it again. These Traveler girls would never believe her story.

She had left Chase Bound with her brother Avor, believing him a liar and worse—one of the persons responsible for her mother, Serafina's, death. She had agreed to go to Fernland only to accuse the King and Queen of murdering her mother. She certainly had not believed Avor's outrageous story about Serafina abducting her as an infant.

Now she knew it was all true. Her real mother, Queen Delphinia, had mourned her daughter's loss for sixteen years. Her father, as well, she supposed, although he had been at fault for breaking his engagement to Serafina. Serafina had lied to her even in her death, pretending to be dead only to turn up later, defending her outrageous behavior. In spite of all Serafina's misdeeds, Electra still loved her as a mother. Electra was saved from a recounting of the last few months when she heard someone calling her name at the front of the cottage. It sounded like her brother, Prince Avor.

Excuse me, for just a moment. Electra left her little herb garden to walk to the front of the cottage. Uninvited, Juanita and Esmeralda followed.

Avor stood at the cottage door, poised to knock again.

Oh, there you are. Mother wanted me to stop by and invite you for dinner. We are having the Caliph and... Avor stopped talking when he noticed Juanita and Esmeralda.

Electra followed his eyes to the two girls. These are old acquaintances from Chase Bound—Juanita and Esmeralda. This is my...uh, this is Avor. He is an engineering apprentice.

Avor looked at Electra curiously, wondering why she had not introduced him as her brother.

Juanita smiled at Avor and winked. Finally, someone who speaks our language. I'd wager that's very interesting work, being an engineering apprentice.

Esmeralda ran her fingers through her hair and laughed mischievously. Why don't you show us what you're working on? We're new here and have no one to talk to.

Avor blushed and looked back at Electra.

Electra gave a tiny shake of her head, staring hard at Avor. He probably has to get back to work if he wants to keep his job. Tell your mother I will be there.

Avor gave his sister another puzzled look before repeating, My mother? He stood waiting a second for an answer that didn't come, then turned away. Right. He gave a little wave to the two girls, then walked back toward the building site.

Juanita poked Esmeralda in the ribs. What a stalwart lad he is. I think he liked me.

Me, more likely, Esmeralda immediately insisted.

He is big for his age, but he is still quite young. Electra felt the need to protect her younger brother from these aggressive girls.

He looks old enough to me. The two girls giggled together. Is he here every day? Juanita asked.

Electra looked more and more uncomfortable. He comes and goes.

Juanita eyed Electra suspiciously. So what's your story, then? Why'd the two of you leave Chase Bound in such a hurry? And where is your mother, Serafina?

Electra sighed. She supposed she might as well tell them enough to satisfy their curiosity. It was only a matter of time before they found out anyway.

You may as well come in and have a cup of tea. It is a long story. Juanita and Esmeralda followed Electra into her cottage, eager to hear all the details.

Electra put water in a pot and hooked it to a metal rod in the fireplace. She added some wood chips to the coals and sat a tea pot and cups on the table.

Pull up a stool, Electra said. The coals are still hot. We will not have long to wait.

We're in no hurry. Juanita pulled a stool close to the table.

Electra sat down and sprinkled tea leaves in each cup.

Esmeralda took in the richness of the newly built cottage. This is a smart little place you've got yourselves.

Juanita stared at Electra, willing her to begin her story.

Electra took a deep breath and began. It turns out Serafina is not my real mother.

Both girls leaned in closer to listen.

My real mother and father are King Geoffrey and Queen Delphinia of Fernland.

Juanita's jaw dropped and both girls were struck dumb by this news. Then Juanita began to laugh. Soon Esmeralda joined her.

That's a good one, Esmeralda gasped out between giggles. You had us spellbound with that one.

And the apprentice engineer you just met is my brother, Prince Avor. Electra was not laughing along with them.

Now Juanita grew angry. Fun is fun, but the joke's over. Do you take us for fools?

If I took you for fools, I would tell you a more believable story that would soon be proven false.

The Traveler girls glanced at one another, then Juanita drew herself up straighter on her stool. If you're the King's daughter, how is it you're not living in the castle? Juanita's eyes narrowed with suspicion.

Electra sighed. So much has happened. She paused to gather her resolve to continue. I choose to live here. I am apprenticed to a physician to study medicine. I could live at the castle if I chose. And whether you believe me or not is of no importance to me. Electra stood up with the teapot and stepped closer to the fire to ladle water into the pot.

The girls shrugged and whispered to one another while Electra's back was turned.

Whatever you say. Juanita held her hands high in surrender. So what of Serafina then? Is she kin to royalty as well?

As it turns out, she is. But she has moved on to Henge.

The girls raised their eyebrows as they exchanged glances.

So you'll be dining tonight at your brother's mother's house, which turns out to be the castle and your mother the Queen? Juanita looked as though she only wanted to clarify matters.

That is correct. As I said—believe what you will.

So where's this doctor you're apprenticed to? Is this his place? He seems pretty lenient—giving you today off, is he?

He is already at the castle. He'll probably be at the dinner as well.

Juanita stirred her tea as Electra filled her cup with water. I don't suppose they'd be wanting you to bring your two old friends from Chase Bound along?

Electra jerked her cup and a little tea spilled out. She looked at Juanita with serious eyes.

Should I even mention that your people are camped here?

Juanita stiffened at the implied insult. Not if you're embarrassed to have us visit.

You know what I mean. I do not know what the King's policy is on Traveler camps but from what I do know about my father so far—he is not an easy man.

Esmeralda pursed her lips. She seemed unwilling to believe Electra's outrageous claims. What about all these other lot of men out here building whatever on King's Lake?

Electra shrugged. They have been hired to build a port. They are only here for two years.

They speak some foreign tongue.

They are traders and ship builders from Taz. Their leader speaks our language.

Juanita finished her tea and stood up. I know there are things you're not telling us. But that's all right. We have secrets as well. If the subject of our camp comes up tonight, you might say we are here to visit you. That's what a friend would do—if you are still our friend, and if you have been telling us the truth.

Esmeralda's expression turned coy as she braided a strand of hair and hooked it behind her ear. And tell your brother to stop by our camp. I'd like to be friends with him as well.

Juanita hit Esmeralda on the shoulder. Not now, you fool. Juanita turned to Electra, ignoring an angry curse from Esmeralda. Maybe we'll be back tomorrow to find out how your dinner went.

Juanita walked out the door with her chin held high. Esmeralda seemed reluctant to follow, still angry about being hit on the shoulder. Finally, she followed Juanita out the door, repeating her words, Yes, we'll likely be back tomorrow. She paused, then finished. To see how your dinner went.

Electra rinsed out the cups in hot water and wondered if the subject of the Traveler's camp would come up tonight and what she would say if it did.

Chapter 3

Fernland Castle

Later that day the Royal Coach arrived to transport Electra to the castle. She went looking for Avor but was told he had left earlier on horseback.

Electra arrived at the castle early in the evening. No matter how many times she visited the castle, she was always struck by its enormity. The castle had seven high turrets and countless rooms, most as yet unvisited by herself. In the sunlight its yellow sandstone walls seemed warm and inviting, though in truth the interior was cool and damp. It was hard to believe she had been born here.

She ran up the broad outside steps to the entrance, then up the smooth stone inside steps to her room where she quickly changed clothes. Throwing her muslin work tunic aside, she picked through the gowns laid out on her bed. She chose a blue satin gown, a gift from her mother, and walked at a dignified pace to the reception area.

A little group from the acting troupe had gathered at the entrance to entertain the guests with flutes and drums. Electra saw Take the Thief wave to her as soon as she stepped through the door. She walked toward him and he smiled at her.

You look quite elegant this evening. Take the Thief continued to keep the rhythm with his drum as he spoke.

As do you. Electra saw that all the actors were dressed tonight in the exotic robes and turbans of Taz. Have our Taz guests found a market for their goods in your acting troupe?

These clothes are only on loan to us. They pacify us with trinkets while they delay in building our theatre. Take lowered his voice. Have you seen any signs of construction on our theatre site as yet?

No, I am sorry. I have not. Electra lowered her eyes. She knew Take would be disappointed. Would you like me to ask the Caliph when they propose to break ground on your theatre?

Take seemed to consider her suggestion. Then he shook his head. No, not yet. He pounded harder on his drum. I believe I will pay them a visit down at the lake. Perhaps we will put on a show for the workers.

Electra nodded and walked into the throng of people waiting to greet the King and Queen of Fernland.

Queen Delphinia saw her daughter and made her way through the crowd to greet her.

Electra, my Dear, how wonderful it is to see you. And how lovely you look in your new dress. The blue color matches your eyes perfectly. She hugged Electra, then took her hand and pulled her along to take a place in the receiving line.

Electra quickly began her litany of welcoming phrases as the guests filed past. So good of you to come. So nice to see you again. Of course I remember you. Have you been keeping well? Yes, I am a student of medicine now. No, I am sure you will not have need of my services any time soon.

Finally, dinner was announced and the guests made their way into the great dining hall.

Electra was seated next to Rabar, her physician mentor, and across from the Caliph, who sat near her father.

Any casualties from the day's work? Rabar asked her.

No. We had no patients today. I did a little work in the garden. The saffron plants are holding on, but no sign of blooms as yet.

Rabar frowned. The wall keeps them a little warmer, but they are not accustomed to rain in the summer months. They may not be inclined to bloom because of it.

As the soup course was served, King Geoffrey cleared his throat and spoke to the Caliph.

How goes work on our port project?

Ah, thank you for asking, Your Majesty. We have made great strides. Heroic strides, in fact. Already we have wagon loads of felled trees from your forest arriving daily. We have a temporary mill set up to turn them into the planks we need for siding. The first of our buildings is already framed. I have never seen our men so eager in their labors. It must be your healthy forest air. The Caliph smiled at the King and Queen.

The King returned the Caliph's smile. My son Avor mentioned the framing of living quarters has begun.

Yes. We will save much time in the long run if my men are quartered ashore. Too much time is wasted going to and from the ships. We will likely bring in some cooks and domestic staff as soon as the barracks are complete, to further speed things along.

"Domestic