Princess Ivy Begs Revised 7-28-25

Invalid Princess Ivy schemes to leave the palace and learn to beg for money.

The Lord Thief stood beside the King pointing down from the balcony and past a fountain. At the edge of the square sat an invalid girl begging for alms. The King started. It was his Princess Ivy.

"How did she leave the castle? Who aided her in this scheme? I will cut off heads when I find out!" King Arni’s baritone voice demanded, rage and frustration evident.

The Lord Thief, the only known head of the Guild of thieves, assassins and interlopers, waited for the father's rage to abate.

"My lord King, the scheme was her own, and she prepared well in advance. Look to your left."

Two men at arms stood on another balcony. Neither were young, but veterans of their stations in the royal guard. Neither looked away at the same time; his young princess was constantly watched.

"What about rascals, and thieves, and murderers that they could not get to her in time?" His beard bristled.

"Ah, that was Kata's plan," The Lord Thief explained. "Though she is quite ruthless as an assassin she has seen an opportunity in watching the enlightened Princess Ivy.

Why do the people gather about her? Is she expert already?

“Princess Ivy's crow brings her trinkets, and dances for coins for his beloved friend. She feeds him seeds in between gyrations and begs for money. She has taught him to croak out the word “coins” to associate him with the act. She is new and not refined in the art, but she has had a good start. The proposal Kata came to me with may be but a dream of hers, but she is intelligent and foresighted. Kata will protect the child as if on commission. Thus, she will be safe.

"And how much is the commission?" The King asked bluntly.

"Only that she learns what life is like for an invalid beggar," The Lord Thief said wistfully. “Remember she is my child as well.”