The maid had soon dressed the princess, selecting a soft, deep blue velvet gown, with intricate lacing at the scalloped bust. She did up the princess's long dark locks in a golden threaded coiffure. To her face she brushed soft powders, and adorned her with lovely fragrances from the jeweled bottles. To her ears she fastened beautiful white gems, skillfully wrought in silver web. Onto her fingers she slid lovely rings from the treasure-laden trunks. To the princess's lips, she rubbed fresh strawberries, turning them shiny and plump and red. The maid could not resist, hungrily kissing all of the juices from them, and had to start again.
At last, she stood back from the princess, and surveyed her adornment. "Bon." she said, satisfied with her work. Searching through the gowns, she found one suitable for herself, this time a more brilliant green hue, embroidered with golden filigrees. Though the princess tried to help the maid with her gown, she became entranced with her body, fingers playing along the maid's skin, until the maid had to playfully jump away, if only to finish reigning her breasts into the bodice. Giggling, she lightly kissed the princess, scolding her in jest; telling her she must wait.
The Inquisitor had not locked the chamber's heavy door, and together the princess and the maid stepped lightly through the chamber or delightful machines, soon finding the passage to the great winding stair.
As they climbed round and round, the princess remembered the fear she had felt descending these very stairs. Had it only been a day since she had been imprisoned here? Two? Time seemed to have lost its relevancy, and the princess cast a glance o'er her shoulder toward the rooms they had left. Her fear of the machines and torture had somehow been replaced now with a hunger for knowledge, a desire to sate her curiosity.
Soon they had reached the summit of the stair, and the maid led the princess through passages and corridors, until at last she stood blinking in the sun. They were standing in a lush courtyard, surrounded by high, stone walls, dotted with windows, and the oddly shaped arrowlets she had glimpsed within the Great Hall. Somewhere within was the chambers in which she had stood, awaiting the executioner. What a strange twist of fate to have brought her here, adorned with gems and diadems, a cowering prisoner reborn.
The garden was filled with fruit trees, all heavy laden with fruits of all sorts. Grape vines hung thick with grapes over trellises, and beautifully fragrant flowers shouted with blooms. Iridescent blue peacocks strolled about the grounds, at times sounding their haunting "oorwah, oooorwaah!" call. One of the largest had his tail fully unfurled, it's stiff feathers dancing with a shaky hiss. The great-eyed feathers reminded the princess of the Inquisitor's tickling machine, and she blushed despite herself,
They strolled through the courtyard garden, stopping to inhale the different fragrances, the maid naming each; explaining pollens and bees and roots and stems. In places there were gurgling fountains, the tranquil sounds of rippling waters echoing though the green.
As they walked, the princess surveyed the layout of the castle, at times letting her fingertips run along the grey stone walls, feeling them hum with hundreds of memories. She discovered the courtyard was walled on all four sides, their tops crenellated with battlements, to form a large square. At opposing ends rose two great round towers, their bases creating intruding ovals into the square space of the lush courtyard.
One tower soared high into the clouds, its spire topped with a golden dome, with golden inlays spiraling down it's sides. The ribbons formed a sort of design which the princess could not understand.
In stark relief to the golden tower, it's opposite was cold and stark. Though it rose to a great height, it bore no golden decoration, only bleak grey stone. At its peak was a large battlement, enclosed at its roof by what looked like spikes. Set into the stone beneath the battlements was a great clock.
Catching the direction of the princess' gaze, the maid explained.
"The Tower of Gold." she began, gesturing toward the bright spire. "Long ago, it was the King's Observatory. I am told it once held a device that could behold the moon and planets. I have never seen it, and I often wonder if it still exists. The golden ribbons you see once could chart the stars, and mark the days, but their secret is lost to us."
"Now it serves as the Queen's chambers." with this her eyes darkened, and she said no more.
"The Dark Tower." she continued, now directing the princess to gaze upon the opposite. "The great cell of our imprisoned king." A deep note of sadness sounded in her voice. Though the princess pressed the maid with questions, her only replay was "I will not speak on it here."
"Come," the maid exclaimed, quickly brightening. "There is much more to see. Much of the castle lies below ground, this portion here made to withstand any siege. Its walls are very thick. See the arrow ports there, and there, many invaders have been repelled by our bowmen, and on those battlements lie great trebuchets. Great machines that hurl giant stones upon an enemy's advance. The fountains bring fresh water from deep beneath us, and the castle has many hordes."
The maid led the princess inside; through more winding corridors and passageways. They toured the great underground storehouses, rooms with great casks of wine, stables with fine horses. She showed the princess the armories, filled with terrifying weaponry, great galleries lined with suits of armor. She revealed gorgeous tapestries to the princess, reciting the tales and legends they depicted.
They passed many guardsmen and courtiers, and though none fully bowed to Chrysanthemum and her charge, they solemnly declined their head to them. As they wandered, the princess caught sight of other necklaces like her own, but each band of silk differing from another. None, however, bore gems of any kind, such as hers and that of the maid. To her surprise, she felt a twinge of green jealousy toward the other women bearing silk ribbons. The maid noticed her consternation, but said nothing.
