Princess Electra Book 5 A Castle for Helsop

By Dory Lee Maske

In book 5 Helsop is under pressure to fill a large weapons order for a new customer and complete their castle before Vagan pirates find their village and retaliate for Dagon's conquest in Hammer Haven. A visit from Serafina the sorceress, intent on buying weapons for Henge, complicates matters. With her wedding only weeks away, Electra struggles to keep the peace and keep Helsop's villagers fed.

In Princess Electra Book 4, Electra returns to Helsop to oversee her new school of medicine. All is well until her fiancé is called away on a suicide mission and Serafina comes calling to find a sitter for her young twins with unusual powers and their pet panther. Will Electra be able to manage on her own?

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: Sep 28, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301835423

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

Kingdom of Henge

Serafina walked through the massive, spiked wooden door of Henge’s castle, holding the hand of her nineteen-month-old daughter, Shalin. Following close behind her mother and twin sister, came Esme sitting astride a black panther, hugging the cat’s powerful neck.

The twins’ father, Prince Blackwell, met them at the door. I’m glad you are returned from your walk in the woods, he said, grasping Shalin around her waist and swinging her up in the air.

Shalin giggled and Esme held up her hands, demanding similar treatment.

We saw a doe with her fawn and several cotton-tail rabbits, Serafina reported.

Thaw wuf facks, Shalin added.

Prince Blackwell turned a questioning glance in his wife’s direction.

Serafina smiled. Yes, we saw wolf tracks, as well.

Prince Blackwell feigned great surprise as he gave his attention to Shalin, holding her at eye level. Did you now?

Shalin nodded solemnly.

Prince Blackwell lowered Shalin to the floor and snatched Esme from the panther’s back. And what did you see, Esme?

Esme shrieked and laughed as her father swung her into the air.

What was that you said? asked Prince Blackwell, laughing.

Gin! Esme demanded.

Again? her father asked.

Esme nodded.

Prince Blackwell swung her up again to delighted shrieks.

Gin, she said.

No, that is enough. It is time for your nap and I wish to speak to your mother.

Gin! Gin! Esme shouted.

Prince Blackwell handed Esme to her mother.

Serafina frowned at Esme. No more of that, she said in a firm voice.

Esme’s lip curled out into a stubborn pout. Serafina put her down beside her panther, Ebony, and the cat licked the little girl’s hand. Esme flung herself onto the panther’s back and buried her face in the cat’s black fur.

You wished to speak to me? Serafina asked her husband.

Yes. My acquisitions sergeant has returned from Helsop without the ordered weapons. He reports all available stores have been promised to another buyer. That may mean that King Geoffrey of Fernland is stocking up in preparation for battle. This is a dangerous situation.

I believe there may be another explanation, Serafina replied. Let me first settle the twins and then we will speak.

Blackwell nodded, his curiosity peaked. He kissed Shalin’s cheek and settled for a kiss atop Esme’s head as her face was still buried in the panther’s black fur. I will await you in the solarium.

Serafina entered the solarium a few minutes later. She had changed from her leather hiking outfit to a red satin dress—one that she knew her husband favored.

Prince Blackwell sat on a wooden bench beneath an apricot tree, heavy laden with ripe orange fruit. He was two years older than her own thirty eight years, with dark hair, a medium build, intelligent eyes and a military bearing.

You look lovely, as always, he noted.

I know of the man who has placed the weapons order in Helsop, Serafina said, getting quickly to the business at hand. His father, King Gundar, is beset by pirates.

King Gundar, Blackwell repeated in a thoughtful voice. Yes, I have heard stories of Gundar’s island kingdom. Thus far those pirates have kept to his side of the sea that separates us. I can sympathize with his situation, but I do not care to have him tapping my preferred source of weapons.

They both knew that Helsop was his preferred source because it had, until recently, only one buyer—Blackwell, himself—and impoverished Helsop was therefore compelled to pay whatever price he offered.

Serafina stared up at the multitude of apricots above her head. I will go to visit Electra in Helsop. It is time the twins saw their sister again. I will work out an agreement for weapons while I am visiting.

Prince Blackwell sighed. I feared this might be your solution. He plucked an apricot from the tree and opened the fruit into two halves. It dripped juice on the white tile floor of the solarium. He held out half of the ripe orange fruit to Serafina and placed the other half in his mouth, letting the pit fall to the floor. Serafina took a bite of the offered fruit and waited. She knew her husband had more to say.

Blackwell wiped his hands on his tunic. I do not fare well when you and the twins are gone, he grumbled. And my father is causing problems again.

Oh? she remarked, her interest piqued.

His theatre is almost completed. The gypsies have done well with the construction. Father is obsessed with enticing his bastard son, Take, back to Henge to inaugurate the new theatre with a performance by his acting troupe. My father has taken to his bed, sending secret messages via gypsy carriers to Take the Thief, telling him that he is close to death and Take should come at once if he wishes to see him one last time before he expires.

Secret messages? Serafina picked out the bit of information that interested her.

Yes. Secret from me, he supposes. That is why he sends gypsies instead of soldiers. Of course I have ordered all messengers, be they gypsy or soldier, to show me any correspondence meant for Take. Father has lost his reason when it comes to his bastard son.

Did you allow the messages to go through?

Prince Blackwell took a deep, cleansing breath. Yes. I do not object to Take’s coming here. In fact I hope he will come. I fear more what my father might try next should his near-death strategy fail. To his credit, I do not believe Take wants to deal with my father any more than I do.

Serafina looked directly into Prince Blackwell’s eyes. In that case, you might send your own invitation to Take and his acting troupe. It is likely the possibility of strife between you and your father makes Take the Thief wary of visiting. He prefers the safety of distance Fernland offers.

Prince Blackwell thought about his wife’s advice. I had not considered that possibility. He frowned. I will not, however, participate in this ruse of father being at death’s door. The old scoundrel will likely outlive us all.

Serafina nodded, smiling. I must go and pack for our trip to Helsop. The twins and I will leave at first light tomorrow.

So soon? A bleak expression formed on Prince Blackwell’s face.

The sooner we leave the sooner we return. Serafina squeezed her husband’s hand gently and kissed his cheek.

Up in her room next to the new nursery, Serafina packed lightly. She could always borrow clothes from her daughter, Electra, if need be. Of course Electra was really her niece, not her daughter. But since Serafina had stolen her from Queen Delphinia and raised Electra as her own, she still regarded her as a daughter and, therefore, a sister to the twins. It would be good to see her again. Electra’s upcoming marriage to Dagon was only weeks away. Perhaps she should take her a wedding present.

Serafina looked through her sorcery books and supplies, through her gowns, furs and jewels. Her hand paused as it sifted through the jewel box. She pulled out a simple gold chain with a gold pendant carved into two hands, one hand touching the other’s wrist—the physician’s crest.

Perfect, Serafina said aloud.

Electra, now head of her own school of medicine, had become a physician at Serafina’s urging. Electra would treasure this gift.

Serafina wrapped it carefully in a blue velvet cloth and went next door to pack clothes for the twins.

Chapter 2

Kingdom of Henge

Just before sunrise Prince Blackwell and Serafina stood together looking down at their sleeping daughters by the light of a candle.

This is a much better nursery, Prince Blackwell stated.

Prince Blackwell had been uncomfortable with the goings-on in the last nursery—a pleasant, sunny room with a southern exposure. The twins’ extraordinary powers surpassed even those of their sorceress mother and they had begun to manifest at a very early age. If one of the twins wanted a thing, she possessed the power to call it to herself. The result—objects flying through the air—had so unsettled Prince Blackwell that he began to steadfastly insist something was wrong with their nursery room. If things moved of their own volition the room must be tilted despite all evidence to the contrary.

Serafina took pride in her own mastery of the black arts and Prince Blackwell seemed to share that pride in his wife’s extraordinary abilities. She did not know why he was so reluctant to accept even greater gifts given his daughters, but he continued to turn a blind eye whenever said powers manifested themselves. Eventually she began to caution the twins about using their powers in their father’s presence. As soon as they were old enough to understand, they followed their mother’s directions. Thus, the new nursery was deemed acceptable.

Yes, this room is better, Serafina agreed.

Prince Blackwell touched Esme’s little hand as she slept. How I will miss them. Please do not stay longer in Helsop than you must, he pleaded.

Of course.

Blackwell withdrew his hand from his sleeping child with great reluctance. I will go down to arrange for an early breakfast. I have four guards ready to escort you to Helsop.

Guards are not necessary as you well know. I have made the trip often alone. Serafina knew she would lose on this point.

I insist. You are all too precious to me. I will not allow you to go unescorted.

Serafina smiled in the glow of candle light. As you will, M’Lord.

Prince Blackwell grunted in satisfaction. It was not often he prevailed in domestic disagreements.

Prince Blackwell walked downstairs, looking for a servant. He was all the way to the kitchen before he found a girl tending the rock enclosure used for baking bread.

We will breakfast early this morning. Princess Serafina and the twins wish an early start to their day.

Yes, Your Majesty. I have the first loaves a’ baking. Your father has requested an early start as well. The girl managed a small curtsy as she pushed more kindling beneath the giant oven.

Will my father be coming down for breakfast?

I believe he is already down, looking after his theatre building, Your Majesty.

Prince Blackwell frowned. I am happy to hear he is feeling better.

The servant girl hid a smile. Yes, Your Majesty.

Prince Blackwell stood for a moment smelling the baking bread, then turned and walked out of the kitchen and through the dining area. He started to take a seat at the table, then changed his mind and walked out the castle door in the direction of the theatre.

Old king Blackwell, no longer the ruler of his kingdom, having passed that position on to his son on his supposed deathbed, was busy giving orders to the gypsy laborers charged with building his theatre.

Make those gryphons look threatening. This is a serious theatre—one fit for fighting men—not some prissy puppet show.

The gypsy sculptor stood on a wooden ladder shaping a gryphon image into soft plaster high up a wall of the theatre.

Prince Blackwell strode up the side of the theatre to where his father stood, still looking up at the gryphon. Good morning, Father. Good to see you up and about.

Old Blackwell turned with an angry glance. Who says I’m up and about?

You appear to be, his son answered with a neutral face.

I dragged myself out in spite of my poor health. Otherwise who would keep these fools from making a mockery of this theatre, the old king grumbled.

Most admirable, I am sure, Prince Blackwell stated, keeping a straight face.

Old Blackwell narrowed his eyes and glared at his son, suspicious of being mocked himself.

Finn and his acting troupe will be coming soon. I intend a proper theatre for their first performance here.

Of course. Prince Blackwell looked around. The theatre’s stained glass windows caught the rising sun and painted the walls with prismatic colors. I am sure Take, or Finn, as you call him, will be very impressed. I thought I might add my own invitation to any you might have sent him—just to show our solidarity in wanting him to come.

Old Blackwell’s eyes widened in surprise. You want Finn to come here?

Why not? We have a theatre now. We might as well put it to use.

A smile spread across his father’s face. Yes. We might as well.

It is a pity you are not in better health to appreciate an inaugural performance.

Old Blackwell coughed and spat on the foot of a stone dragon. Royalty does not admit to physical weakness.

Quite right. Prince Blackwell allowed himself a smile. Serafina and the girls are leaving for Helsop this morning. We are having an early breakfast if you would like to join us.

Again? What’s she going to that rag-a-muffin hole for this time?

King Gundar across the sea has taken to amassing stockpiles of weapons to fight off his pirates. He’s leaving none for me to replenish my army.

So she will tell Electra to put in a word to Dagon?

Exactly. Prince Blackwell slowed his pace as his father clumped along beside him on his wooden leg to the door of the theatre. They have had a great influx of people from Cold Lake. I assume they are short of food. Since we have a surplus here in Henge, we have something to barter with.

Yes, that puts us in a better place than King Gundar when it comes to cornering the weapon’s market, Old Blackwell agreed. Gold coins won’t fill an empty stomach.

Perhaps some of their promised weapons will need to be diverted, Prince Blackwell said with a wry grin.

One thing I’m sure of, Old Blackwell said, Our Serafina will get the job done.

The two men walked back to the castle in a rare mood of conviviality to join their family for breakfast.

Chapter 3

Kingdom of Henge

Serafina, Shalin and Esme were already seated at the dining table when the two smiling Blackwells joined them.

Serafina glanced from Prince Blackwell to his father, noting their friendly demeanors. Her husband must have made the offer to invite Take the Thief to Henge.

The elder Blackwell launched into his theory of diplomacy as he pulled out a chair at the table. A loaf of bread in one hand and a sword in the other, he stated. That’s the way to deal with Helsop.

I believe an offer of food would not go amiss, Serafina agreed.

The old king continued in the same vein, warming to his own views on diplomacy. It’s what they need and what we’ve got. But always hold a bit of a threat over their heads, too. Remind them that we are a powerful neighbor and they would be well-advised to save the best of their weapons to sell to us—their good but powerful neighbor. The old king, feeling in fine feather, hit his empty plate with his knife a few times to let the kitchen staff hear that he had arrived at table.

Serafina glanced at her husband. What foodstuffs do we hold in excess?

Prince Blackwell sat beside his father. He pursed his lips and furrowed his brow as he considered. We have reserves of wheat flour, turnips, barley and apples. You could offer sides of beef and mutton if necessary. In exchange we need swords, armor and axes. I will order up the list I gave to the acquisitions sergeant.

Serafina nodded. I would guess Helsop’s population to have doubled in size with the influx of Hammer Haven refugees. Their food scarcity is no doubt acute.

The elder Blackwell interrupted. And see what kind of castle they’ve managed to erect. I’d like to know how high and how thick they’ve built their wall.

Serafina waited a second to be sure the old king had finished speaking. I might offer a defense treaty of sorts as an extra incentive, she suggested.

The old king’s face turned a dangerous shade of crimson. Absolutely not! he thundered. As long as they’re in bed with Fernland, I’ll not come to their aid.

Prince Blackwell held up his hand. Why be so adamant? he cautioned. If we could negotiate a better price that way, what have we to lose? The only army in a position to attack Helsop is Fernland’s and now Electra is there, King Geoffrey will not be attacking his own daughter. I say use it as a bargaining chip since it costs us nothing.

Old Blackwell glowered at his empty plate, likely ruing the day he put his son in charge. He banged his plate again as two serving girls came out from the kitchen with steaming plates full of eggs and sweet breads.

It’s about time, grumbled the old king.

The twins, seated on either side of Serafina, looked avidly at the plate of sweet rolls.

Ha tweet bray? Shalin asked, staring hopefully at the serving girl.

You may have a small piece of sweet bread, Serafina said, taking a roll from the plate.

Esme, forgetting Serafina’s warning about not using her calling power in her father’s presence, held up her hands and a sweet roll flew from the serving plate into her raised palms.

Old king Blackwell’s eyes grew wide. Did you see that? He elbowed his son in the ribs.

Yes, I did, Prince Blackwell answered. He looked at the serving girl. Please be more careful. We cannot have things served as though we are dining in a sports arena.

Old Blackwell blinked, unsure now of what he had seen.

Serafina gave Esme a severe look as she plucked the sweet roll from her little hands. I will give you a small piece as well, she said, breaking off a portion before the hungry twin could vent her displeasure.

Old king Blackwell watched Esme carefully for a few moments, but saw no further signs of aberrant behavior. He settled back into his favorite subject.

The theatre is all but finished now and Ambrose here has finally come to his senses. He patted his son on the back. He’s going to make sure Finn and his acting troupe come up for a performance. By the time you get back we may have our inaugural show ready to go. He considered a new thought for a second. I might even let you invite Dagon and Electra if they give us a top-notch deal on weapons.

Serafina glanced at her husband to see if he agreed.

Prince Blackwell shrugged. I suppose it would be a neighborly gesture.

I will see to it. Serafina gave each twin a spoonful of egg from her plate.

Prince Blackwell piled a bit of egg onto a piece of bread as he considered a neighboring Helsop now twice its previous size. What do we know of these new residents in Helsop? You say they hail from a place called Hammer Haven?

Serafina recounted what she had seen in her crystal ball the night she returned from her adventure in Manoa. They are rumored to be distant relatives of the Helsop settlers. They were rescued by Dagon and his militia from their Vagan captors. He found them in a region far to the east of Cold Lake—tool-makers all I would guess.

A chair at the end of the table began to wobble.

Old Blackwell cast a furtive glance at Esme, but she was absorbed in licking her fingers after finishing her piece of sweet roll. A thick, furry black head appeared above the seat of the chair. Ebony the panther stretched as she rose from her nap.

You are taking Ebony? Prince Blackwell asked with a frown.

Yes, of course. She is the twins’ protector.

I’ll have to warn the guards. Their horses will be in a panic, her husband said.

The guards are not necessary, Serafina said.

Yes. They are. Prince Blackwell forked a huge bite of eggs into his mouth, having said the last word on the subject.

Old king Blackwell let out a hoarse cackle. She’s a protector as long as she doesn’t get hungry.

Prince Blackwell aimed a frown at his father.

Serafina pushed her plate aside and stood. The sun is up. It is time to go.

Prince Blackwell sighed and stood reluctantly. With a resigned expression he picked up Shalin and one of the bags stacked against the wall. Serafina picked up Esme while old Blackwell grabbed another bag. They walked to the castle door where four guards on horseback waited to begin the journey to Helsop.

Chapter 4

Village of Helsop

I always seem in a hurry these days, Electra thought as she ran from the school of medicine to the clinic to make her morning rounds. Her fiancé, Dagon, Headman of Helsop, had journeyed far out on Cold Lake to rescue the enslaved inhabitants of Hammer Haven after a lone escapee had made it to Helsop’s shores to