pickup on mean street - 10. mademoiselle duval's tale

by bofa xesjum

part ten of 16

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well, my dear. mademoiselle duval began, if I am to tell you my story , I must begin by giving you a little background. you were but a child when the unfortunate events unfolded that resulted in my being banished from the castle. and these events can only be understood in the light of the history of the kingdom, so i will begin by giving you a little refresher course on that extensive subject. oh, but i know all about the history of the kingdom and of my illustrious ancestors, sophonisba said, i was well schooled by my succession of tutors, of which you, mademoiselle, were far from the least. ha ha! you think so? no, my dear sophonisba, the history which was imparted to the royal progeny such as yourself was little more than a fairy tale made suitable for children. the real story was very different indeed. and in any case, you must let me tell my story in my own way, as i will let you tell yours. very well, said sophonisba, please proceed. according to legend, the kingdom of a————— was founded by the noble wandering knight amadis, after the fall of the city of mu. amadis, in the service of king toro of neannaland, had led the final assault on the city, and defeated the champion of mu, the mighty baruth, in single combat, after which king mutan of mu had surrendered. amadis had expected to reap a rich reward from king toro for his service. a small kingdom or duchy of his own, at the very least. as well as the hand of princess annafelle, the eldest daughter and rightful heir of king toro. but annafelle had ideas of her own, and conspired with the royal wizard and chamberlain, the abbe alladin, to accuse amadis of sorcery and collaboration with demons - the most shameful accusations which could be made against so noble a knight. i see you are restless, sophonisba, as no doubt all this is familiar enough to you. not at all ,mademoiselle, please proceed as you wish. thank you, my dear, here, have another portion of this soothing beverage. and mademoiselle duval filled sophonisba’s cup - which in her thirst she had quickly drained. annafelle, mademoiselle duval resumed, in truth was outraged at the thought of being betrothed to a mere wandering knight, no matter how gallant. she would also much preferred to marry some old dotard of a long lineaged king, as she could then pull the wool over his eyes as to her relationship with the dapper courtier prince cosmico… indeed, sophonisba interjected, this is an aspect of the tale i never heard in the nursery… what did i tell you, mademoiselle duval laughed. sit back now and listen… sophonisba felt herself grow sleepy. her arms fell to her sides, and her head nodded on her long neck. she pitched forward on to the table, overturning her cup… the red contents of the cup dribbled across and off the table… next