Hoodwinked: The Summoning Book One

Chapter 11

Matteais stepped into the dining hall with a fresh shirt that matched his dark blue trousers. He wore the same riding boots that Otswana used to assault him. He walked with a confident gait, his shoulders straight and his chin held high.

He sat to the right of King Nathar at the breakfast table. "Good morning, father, Sashia, Izadora," he greeted. He looked across the table and briefly met Otswana's gaze before he turned to Lord Briggon's. "Princess Briggon, Lord Briggon."

Otswana seemed to ignore his curt acknowledgement and gave a slight tilt of her head in greeting.

Matteais picked at his fruit, chicken meat and bits of cheese as he listened to Izadora chatter on about the weather. No doubt the girl was simply filling in the silence with idle talk. Izadora never did like silence.

"Lord Briggon, I have given our earlier conversation much thought. I would like to meet with you and your daughter, princess Otswana, in the study after we conclude our dinner this evening. I wish to see this vision myself," the king said. He raised his serviette and wiped his lips.

"Yes, your royal majesty," Lord Briggon said, as Otti nodded in compliance.

"Of what vision do you speak?" Matteais asked with a bemused expression.

"Matteais, you and Greggor might as well accompany us, for this vision supposedly involves one of you."

"Do you wish for the captain to see the vision as well?" Lord Briggon asked.

"Our guardsman informed me they should arrive this evening," Matteais announced.

"So soon? This is good news," King Nathar said.

Otswana looked at her father, and frowned as she signed something with her hands.

Matteais instantly disapproved of their secret conversation in the presence of others.

"It is necessary for all of them to witness it, my dear," Lord Briggon replied to her question.

"Does she not talk?" Izadora asked. "Please tell me we don't have yet another dumb princess," she said in exasperation.

Otswana turned to the redhead, keeping her expression neutral. "Yes. I can speak," Otswana announced while defiantly lifting her chin.

"The witch took Otswana's voice when she was only a babe," Lord Briggon explained to them

"What dumb bw-pwins-sesses?" Otswana interjected.

"The only surviving daughters of Queen Hilvasha. She released them into her prison after the witch turned them into mice. They only live today because of the kindness of Mrs. Gailapree, the lady's maid. She watched over them for over eighteen years," Sashia explained.

"Two of them?" Otswana asked.

Matteais watched the young princess glance from Sashia to Lord Briggon with a gleam in her eye.

"I'm afraid they are not very responsive to other humans," King Nathar added solemnly.

Otswana gave the king a bemused look.

"They still behave as mice. Like you, they were cursed as mere babes, but instead of losing their voice, they lost all sense of humanity," Matteais explained, just as the dining hall door opened.

Greggor walked into the room and stopped the moment he saw Otswana and Lord Briggon.

"It appears we have more guests," he stated. The younger prince took his seat next to Izadora and was immediately served a plate of breakfast meats and fruit by one of the attendants who stood nearby.