Holding The Line (14 page)

Levin took a swig, and then quickly another as he realised he was now going to be cross-examined. "Relax, I am sure you did fine," General Skalton said, noticing the unease. The king asked him to tell them any unusual questions asked by the Murati prince, and Levin replied, "He asked about the incident in which Luken... err... sorry I mean Prince Luken burned all the attackers." He continued to say it was clear Prince Issac was not aware of the man's identity, nor did he believe the stories true. It appeared the man thought the tale of burning oil soaked ground to be true.

After telling all there was to be told, Levin pulled out the small coin, "oh, and he thought I was so good, he gave me this." He showed them all his reward, and General Skalton laughed aloud, "You really are a bright young boy," he added. The others all agreed, and Caldar congratulated him on a job well done, and told him to keep the coin, after Levin had placed it on the table. Levin was told he could go, and was finished for the night; the others remained to discuss their plan in further detail.

In the city of Bashek, Jared was sat talking to Kaden, his friend now having broken the fever that had resulted from his injury. His arm was still painful though the infection he did have, was now gone, all thanks to the new allies they had made. Tonight they awaited their arrival, and apparently a few more besides. Three taps on the door signalled their guests had arrived, and Jared stood to let them in. He checked to make sure, by peering through the window, and though he could not see clearly any of the faces in the darkness, was quite certain by the shapes of the silhouettes it was they who stood at the door.

In stepped Isabel, the woman he had met in the inn kitchen, and then Trenton, the man that had treated Kaden. Behind them were two new faces he did not know, then Alvin, and finally the burly, bearded man that had been an ex soldier, Lester. After quick introductions to the newer faces amongst them, Jared then did likewise telling them who he and Kaden were. They all sat in a circle on the dusty floor, with two small candles between them to give them some small amount of light. Alvin, the shopkeeper pulled out a bottle, "may as well have a drop to drink while we scheme," he chuckled. Then just as Jared was going to say he had no glasses or cups, Alvin pulled a set of metal cups from his other pocket.

Lester laughed, "Is there anything you don't have in those pockets of yours?" he joked. After pouring a drink for everybody, it was Kaden, who being the senior of the two South Besemians, who took control of the talk. Firstly, he told them the need for utter secrecy, a single slip would see them all killed. Though it was an obvious point to make, he thought it worth ensuring they knew what they were letting themselves in for, should they ever be caught.

He threw open the conversation for any idea's the others may have, to start their campaign. Alvin told them, he supplied the foodstuffs to the palace, and though there was no certainty only the Darekians would eat it, he could poison it. Kaden thought about it, but told them maybe they could leave that one for now, on the grounds that too many innocents might be killed as well. Despite, which some of the foodstuff may find itself out in the city.

Isabel then suggested she could do the same to drinks served to Darekians and sympathisers, until Lester pointed out they would know straight away it was her doing. Lester's own idea was probably the only feasible one, and being a military man, undoubtedly involved weapons. He suggested they sit and lie in wait for patrols at night, attack with crossbows and then retreat back to their own homes, before anyone was aware of what had happened. "The bodies probably won't be found until the following morning, by which time we'll all be tucked up in our beds," he chuckled in a deep chesty laugh.

After another hour of poor or impractical alternatives, and a few more shots of the drink bought by Alvin, they agreed that was the best plan had indeed been the one by Lester. The two newcomers, could gain access to one of the armouries in the city, and would discreetly borrow some crossbows and a number of bolts. Lester told them he already had his own, and Isabel, much to everyone's surprise, did as well. "What?" she said looking innocently at the rest of the group, "a woman has to take precautions you know." They agreed no point in waiting, so planned their attack for the next night, before slowly slipping away out of the door and into the darkness of the night.

Back at the recruit's camp, just south of New Easton, Dane finally put his head down, and fell quickly to sleep. It felt no more than a few moments before he was awoken by the noise of movement and voices outside. Opening his eyes he realised it was now morning; and so somewhat reluctantly got himself up. Camden, with who he shared one of the small tents, must have already risen, as his bedroll was empty. Poking his head out from beneath the canvas flap, the trainee's were already moving around the camp. He saw it was going to be another fine summer's day, the blue sky had but a few light wispy clouds, and just the slightest hint of a breeze.

He pulled on his boots and left the tent to go to the mess area for breakfast. There he found, Vincent, Camden, Patrick and Rowan grouped together, and after collecting a bowl of gruel like porridge, joined them. Unsurprisingly the topic of conversation was the battle with the Orlacs, and from the look of Vincent's eyes, the seventeen year old had not slept well. After eating, they collected up their bowls and were about to stand to go and wash them, when one of the other recruits came running over.

Standing before Dane, "Sir, you and these men are to report to the Captain's office, immediately." The man giving the message was probably two years older than Dane and a good foot taller, and it seemed strange to be called 'sir' by someone such as that. As was the way of life, it had been him promoted, and as the only ranked one amongst them, they all were supposedly to refer to him as their superior.

They speculated as they walked, as to the reasons behind the latest summoning, presuming it to be another form of debriefing. "We told it all last night," Patrick said, "why the bloody hell do we have to go through it all again." The others shrugged, none the wiser to the question than he was, "It might not even be that reason," Dane replied. They tapped at the door, and waited until a loud voice shouted for them to enter.

The five marched in, one by one, and lined themselves up, all facing the desk of Captain Jak Corley. Though it was not the captain sat in the chair, he was stood to one side. On the seat was General Skalton, who looked each boy in the face, as if storing it away for future reference. "I have read the reports, from both yourselves and that of my other guards, regarding the incident yesterday evening. As you are aware we lost six men in that incident," Dane was just thinking the man was just telling them nothing new, they knew all this, they were the ones there.

The General continued, "However, from what I understand, you," he pointed to Dane, "disobeyed a direct order." The young officer's shoulders dropped, and the other boys tried to voice their disapproval. "Silence!" the Captain shouted, "you will listen to what the General has to say, my apologies sir," he added taking the blame for his recruits interrupting. Once sure of obedience, General Skalton resumed, "As I said, you disobeyed a direct order, and under normal circumstances I would now be here prosecuting you for doing so."

He paused a while, "However, due to the situation I believe you did so believing it better to do so. I therefore have been asked by the king himself, no less, to thank you boys for your bravery in battle." Camden gasped aloud, "sorry sir," he said realising he should be quiet. "It is quite clear, had you not fought so valiantly, we would have lost all those men, and probably still had those ghastly beasts roaming around. Your actions have all been noted on your records, and as a small gesture of gratitude, I have asked the Captain here to give you two days extra respite." After thanking the General, they all stood back to attention and marched their way out of the office and onto the campgrounds. "Two days off, I don't know about you lot, but I for one am going back to bed," said Dane as he headed back toward his tent.

Prince Issac of the people of Murati, sat alone in his simple room, and it came as no surprise when the person bringing his breakfast tray, was none other than Levin. The boy was quite obviously in his pocket now, and just to make sure, he slipped another coin into his hand, "this is for being so efficient." Levin smiled and pretended to look overly grateful, in truth getting the coins made the job he had been given even better; a sort of added bonus. Before he had chance to leave, the prince spoke again, "I wonder Levin, I don't suppose you know how the King is funding all this rebuilding work. He must have lost most of the nation's fortune when the capital fell."

Levin had to bite his tongue from saying something he should not; this man was quite obviously a slimy conniving creep. So he tried his best to play the part he had been asked, "I am not really sure your highness, I am not privy to such information, though I did hear the Princess Sarena had a wealthy family. Perhaps maybe the marriage has more to it than it seems." That was an interesting notion, Issac considered. "Yes, very good Levin, that will be all for now," he added, dismissing him.

The Murati Prince pondered over his rather mundane looking breakfast. At home, he would have had quail eggs, with a rich sauce served on a bed of fresh spinach, followed by a glass of juice from freshly squeezed Mangos. He was sat eating two squares of toasted bread, with butter and a small pot with some sort of jam in it. As for the juice he was given, he could not be certain it had even been squeezed from a fruit, so foreign was the taste to him.

While he ate, he worked through his mind, what he knew. The story of a great wizard was false, that was all but certain. He had already known as much, and thanks to his little spy in the camp, the matter had been confirmed as a myth. Furthermore, it appeared the younger prince had been forced to a marriage of convenience. For him to do such a thing must have meant the crown coffers were empty, and the adoption of children was probably no more than to make them look caring to the people.  Having lost so many, he assumed correctly, that there would be a large number of orphans. What better way to encourage adoption from the populace than to show the prince as a caring family man, doing just that. He chuckled as he wallowed in his own magnificence.

At the bridge on the River Fivan, the gates were once more closed, and firmly fastened shut. The last of the cattle had been manoeuvred back to the southern side of the river. They were then ushered in to a new area, in a fenced off pasture plot to the east of the city. Since the episode yesterday, with the news of Orlacs attacking the patrol, no further chances were being taken. Once more, the north was off limits, for now at least.

The news at the recruit's camp that no more of them would be going on patrol was met with a series of groans. Though one or two were looking slightly thankful, that was the case, if such creatures as the Orlac were out there. Captain Jak Corley had quiet words with a few, asking, if they had spotted anything untoward from their guests camped amongst them. As it happened, aside from one or two of the visitors drinking too much ale and fighting amongst themselves, and the rest gambling on the outcome, little else had occurred.

The question was asked by one of the trainee recruits, as to why five of them were being allowed to stay in bed, while everyone else had to work as normal. That recruit soon regretted opening his mouth, as all thirty of them were sent on a run to the tree line and back. The Murati sat and watched with some amusement at the sight of the young soldiers being made to jog across a field. In fact, before the recruits had reached the turning point, the Murati were betting with one another which of the runners would finish first.

There was a big cheer by a few of them as they had obviously backed the winner, a tall slim, blonde haired boy. Then another cheer arose from someone else, as obviously, they had guessed the runner to finish last, a short stocky lad with black hair.  Jak then divided his group up into their specialities, to go off and practice. A number of regulars were on hand to oversee them, and he made his way back to the city.

It was mid morning, and Levin was continuing his duty in being the Prince of Murati's personal assistant, aide or host of other titles it could be classed. In simple terms that meant fetching and carrying, and serving him his food, as well as adding titbits of information, when it was asked for. It was time for the prince to have his agreed meeting with the king, and Levin now once more led the way upstairs inside the keep. On this occasion though, they ventured up to the top floor. Levin informed the prince, that the royal offices of the king were up there.

Two robust looking guards, wearing a similar tunic to that of Levin stood like sentinels outside a closed door. The Murati knew that would be the room, in which the king sat. Levin knocked, then waited for a reply, and eventually opened the door for his guest to enter the room. He then stood in a corner, as the King stood and greeted the prince and gestured for him to sit. Caldar sat behind his desk, and looked at the man before him, a handsome face, and one probably popular amongst the ladies of court back in Murati; he then chuckled as he thought or maybe the men like Edward and Hunter.

He raised his hand and looked towards Levin, "how about a drink?" Levin stepped up and took a tray from the sideboard,  then poured two glasses of wine, giving one to his King and the second to the prince, before retreating to his place in the corner. Issac did not really want one, but took it anyway. He was glad that at last, he would be able to speak to the king without having others in the room. There was the serving boy of course, but he was now under his wing so to speak.

Caldar started with the same question, "So Prince Issac, why are you here? You say you have come to offer aid and assistance, but as you see we are doing fine." Issac nodded, and smiled, "So I see your highness, but please do not think me a fool. Your treasury must by now be running low; perhaps we could offer a supplement, by way of a loan?" Caldar sat back appearing deflated, "well, things are tight; building a city is by no means a cheap thing to do. Then there are the workers to pay, and of course, all these military operations...it is never ending." The Murati prince put on a face of concern, "I am sure your highness. Then let us Murati help. A large loan, with maybe a small interest rate could be agreed. Perhaps we can also provide further troops to aid in your plight."