Page 50 of The Last Kingdom

“I assure you, my fellow king, the honor is mine.”

“This is a lovely place you have chosen. We have mountains, too, but not with the cool crispness of this wonderful dry air.”

“I understand you are touring the world.”

Kalakaua nodded. “I have been to Japan, China, Southeast Asia, India, Egypt, Italy, England, and now Germany. I intend to become the first monarch to travel aroundthe globe. Nearly three hundred days I will be gone from my kingdom when I finish. And all so that this meeting may occur with no one being the wiser.”

He appreciated the subterfuge. “Who manages the government in your absence?”

“My sister and heir, Lili‘uokalani, is regent while I am away.”

“Sadly, I have no sister and my brother is not fit to rule.”

“I was told of your brother’s mental disabilities. You have my sincere sympathy.”

He appreciated the sentiment.

“I see you wear the Knights Grand Cross,” Kalakaua said, pointing. “The badge of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I.”

“I considered it a great honor when it was bestowed upon me.”

“Have you ever wondered why you received it?”

Not particularly, but he indulged the man anyway. “I have. In 1865, I was but twenty years old, new to the throne, my kingdom just a small place in a large world.”

“But Kamehameha V knew of you. He was a wise sovereign, educated and accomplished, and tried hard to do well by his people. He dressed plainly and poked about night or day on his old horse, unattended, visiting with his subjects. He was popular, greatly respected, even beloved. He was told of both you and this place by visitors to our islands. He became fascinated by a magical kingdom in the mountains, along with its tales of dwarfs and elves and its young ruler, whom the people there also loved. Those romantic images appealed to him, so he selected you to be one of the first to receive the medal.”

“I remain honored to this day.”

Kalakaua pointed. “When von Löher there came to visit, he and I talked more of you and your kingdom. He told me about your own nocturnal visits in the mountains andthe love the people have for you. It seems as you grow older you become more like Kamehameha V. As I listened, I, too, became fascinated, especially about your desire to leave this place. To have a new kingdom. And now, here I am, sitting with you.”

Attendants brought goblets of wine and a tray of sweets, which they left on the table before retreating back across the grass into the darkness beyond the torches.

Only von Löher stood within earshot.

“The American newspapers,” Kalakaua said, “are writing that my world journey is for the purpose of finding a buyer for my kingdom. They lament about all of the extensive American interests on my islands and how important they are to them. One editorial was quite emphatic, proclaiming that the world should be notified that any attempt to acquire the Sandwich Islands, by purchase or otherwise, would be regarded by the United States as an unfriendly act. They apparently do not realize that all of those islands they speak about belong to me. And they are not called the Sandwich. That was a British name bestowed upon them.”

He was liking this man more and more. “I have the same impertinence here. Ministers who fail to comprehend that this is my kingdom, not theirs. I am constantly questioned about everything I do.”

“When von Löher visited, I realized how much we are alike,” Kalakaua said. “Both dreamers. I have seen photographs and drawings of your many castles. Quite impressive. I wish I could visit them. But, alas, my presence here must remain secret. We have nothing like a castle on my islands. We do not build much with stone. Then there is your flying machine.”

Only a few knew of his idea, von Löher being one of those. A cable car, decorated like a peacock, held aloft by hot air and powered by steam, to take him across the Alps.

“It sounds amazing,” his guest said. “Quite visionary. I, too, like to invent. I conceived of a submarine torpedo to fly through the water and take down a ship with explosives. An improved bottle stopper to preserve the contents within. And electricity utterly fascinates me. My palace has that marvel, along with indoor toilets and a telephone.”

“I have heard of the telephone. Does it work?”

“I can talk to people many miles away, with my voice transmitted merely over a wire.”

The thought of such excited him, though it would only mean his ministers could find him even faster.

“And, like you,” Kalakaua said, “I am heavily in debt.”

He was surprised by the admission.

“I owe a large sum to a man named Claus Spreckels. He is from Germany, but now possesses Hawaiian citizenship. He owns many sugarcane plantations. My opposition says I am his puppet. That he owns me.”

“Does he?”