SERIAL PART 3
As Prince Rupert crossed the finishing line, there were cheers, but others in the crowd hardly took notice. They were staring at the body spreadeagled on the grass. ‘It’s a girl!’ someone gasped.
The grin was wiped from Abel Langley’s face and Joshua turned on him.
‘Wonderful, Father! You tell us to trip up this lad so’s the prince can win, thinking we’ll be rewarded somehow, and now look! Turns out there was some maid in the race and everyone’s more interested in that!’
The race marshals had by now turned over Martha’s body.
‘Not just any maid!’ Seth exclaimed. ‘Under the dirt, that’s Martha!’
Prince Rupert, meanwhile, was receiving the congratulations of his retinue, who’d seen what had happened and hurried him away to his tent.
‘Well done!’ smiled his sister, Princess Sophia.
‘There was a fleet-footed lad beside me,’ smiled Rupert. ‘I thought he’d take the prize – and I was quite prepared to let him. Where is he?’
The courtiers looked awkward. Finally one spoke up. ‘Er, it seems that she…’ He corrected himself quickly. ‘That he, that is… he, er, missed his footing at the last.’
Prince Rupert frowned. ‘What d’you mean it seems? What are you not telling me?’
The courtiers looked at one another. The prince had been a boy soldier since the age of 14. He prided himself on his fitness and agility. He was equally well known for his volatile temper.
‘Well?’ rapped the prince.
‘It was like this, Your Highness. It – now?’