Princess Ivy Begs

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 palace? Who aided her in this scheme? I will cut off heads when I find out!" The baritone voice of King Arni demanded; rage and frustration grated his voice.

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 hers and she prepared well in advance. Look to your left."

On a near balcony stood two men at arms, neither were young, but veterans of their stations in the royal guard. His young princess was constantly watched.

"What about rascals, and thieves, and murderers? The guards could not get to her in time?" He asked nervously. “She will be robbed of her alms.”

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

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 say coins to affiliate him with the act. She is new and not refined in the art of pandering, but she has had a good start. The proposal Kata came to me with may be 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, not an invalid Princess."