Author(s): Theresa Breslin

Childrens

Melisande is the daughter of the king's minstrel and lives among the royal French court. She, like many others, pays little heed to the dire warnings of Notradamus the soothsayer. Chantelle, Melisande's older sister is betrothed to the handsome courtier Armand, and there is the excitement of the forthcoming wedding to think about. And Melisande is fascinated by the mysterious and silent Melchior, the boy who looks after the king's leopard. Only Catherine de Medici, the king's mother, listens to Nostradamus and fears for the life of her son. But when misfortune befalls Melisande's family and she realises that it was predicted by Nostradamus, she turns to the soothsayer for help. Upon his death, he leaves Melisande with some papers which hold the secret of the royal line of France - it is up to her to help fulfil Nostradamus's final prophecy but will she have the courage to do so . . .?