17 Freedom

Towards late October Sam walked out of prison. She saw that the trees were bare and the air was getting colder. Autumn was saying its final goodbyes and winter was approaching Hebelone. Sam had made a list of things she wanted to do once out of prison and she quickly went about doing those.

She took a long warm bath, dressed herself in fresh clothes, and donning the new brown Capelet that Nataliya had sent her, set out to the port to inspect her ship. The repairs were done some time ago and the crew had taken good care of the ship while the captain was away. Having nothing else to do, they had settled down in various houses around the coast.

"Don't make trouble around here." Sam warned them when they came to see her.

"Captain Sam, " pirate Bomberty came up to her, "It would be better to set out to the sea before the arrival of winter, that is unless... you are planning to stay."

Maybe Bomberty had sensed it and so must have the rest of her shipmates. But they looked cool about her staying, like as if they had seen it coming.

"I still have unfinished business here. But then again it will depend upon his majesty's decision." Sam said looking at the waves hitting the shore. She tried to think about various ways to approach the king regarding the matter of the rebels.

" I shall appeal in court tomorrow and give you orders according to the outcome." she told Bomberty before heading back to the palace.

******

As per the younger princess's summon, prince Edgar's aide and princess Nataliya's lady in waiting made their way to Sam's chambers.

" Have you brought what I asked for?" Sam asked them after they formally greeted her.

"Yes your highness." they handed over to her the prince's and her sister's respective schedules.

"Now listen to me." said Sam inspecting those schedules, "The course of the history of a country has been changed in the past, by some very clever royal aides and servants. So it goes without saying that the future of our nation also rests on your shoulders."

They looked at her a little confused...

"Now look at these schedules, you incompetent Lord and Lady! Where exactly is the time for the prince and princess to meet?" Sam showed them the schedules

"But your highness! the prince has not requested any meetings with the princess yet." protested Elizabeth, Nataliya's lady in waiting.

"He will only want to meet again if he ever had a proper meeting before." said Sam ."And whose duty is it to arrange such chance encounters?"

" Look here." she said pointing to the prince's schedule. "Prince Edgar finishes his sword practice around six in the evening, arrange the princess's appointments at the east wing of the palace at six-thirty so that they meet when she walks thither. "

Elizabeth and the prince's aide looked at the younger princess in amazement.

"Yes we understand"

"Also arrange it so that they can have tea together at least twice a week. Meeting for dinner with other royals is not enough."

"We shall arrange it, your highness."

"And be discreet and not overdo it. They should not feel compelled ."

*******

In the evening Sam visited king Korbe. When the king saw Sam, he smiled. "Oh! someone is free at last."

Father and daughter embraced each other.

Sam sat near him and her eyes fell on his grey hairs, and the wrinkles on his face, which were made all the more visible with his smile.

" What is it?" the king asked raising an eyebrow.

"Aren't you too old? Why don't you retire?"

" You little punk! How dare you talk like that to the king!"

" I am not a little child any more father! " said Sam clearly.

The king's face changed."What is so grown up about you?"

" I do not wish to spend time frivolously in the sea anymore."

The king looked at her and laughed " I wonder what brought about the change?"

"Is this not what you wanted since long father?"

" I am glad, and indeed was looking forward to such a day. But I feel like as if you are looking for something more dangerous on land or is it just my imagination."

" I want to accomplish something for my country. I have been thinking of nothing else for the past two months."

The king knew what she was getting at but kept quiet.

" Tomorrow in court, I shall make a request,if you do not approve, then I shall leave Hebelone again. So I want you to put some thought into it tonight dear Father."

Sam kissed him on the cheek and left his chamber without looking back.

The king smiled watching her go."Threatening the king are we? I see you are all grown up"