Search for Audric (18 page)

At the Salacian side of the river, Kerzi was guiding the wagon off of the bridge. Arrows thudded into the makeshift fortress from both sides of the road, but they were incapable of penetrating the thick planks.

"Swords!" shouted one of the hidden ambushers. "Don't let them get through."

Four men raced from each side of the road, their bows dropped and their swords raised high. As soon as they moved away from the tree line the real attack began. First one of the ambushers on the north side of the road fell with an arrow in his back. That was quickly followed on the southern side of the road with another ambusher falling with an arrow in his back. One more died on each side of the road before the Borundans realized that they were being attacked. The charge faltered, as the men were confused about what was happening.

At that moment, Talot rose above the barricade on the wagon. He hurled a long spear into one man and immediately turned and speared another on the other side of the wagon. Monte and Gunnar used their bows to fell the last two of the attackers, as Horst came charging off the bridge on his horse.

"What's going on?" shouted Kerzi. "Why is it suddenly so quiet?"

"We are alive old man," shouted Horst, "and they are not. It is time to celebrate."

Kerzi wiggled backwards underneath Talot's legs and emerged from the wagon.

"And how are we going to do that?" asked the merchant. "You already dumped my wine and destroyed my wineskin."

"I did at that," smiled Horst as he dismounted. "I will buy you a hundred more when we get to Kyland."

"That may be a long time from now," frowned Gunnar. "My horse didn't make it."

"Nor did mine," added Monte. "I was fortunate to make it myself."

* * *

Princess Glynis strolled through the marketplace in Anatar. She stopped at stalls and perused the merchandise while engaging the proprietors in small talk. She was only fifteen years old, but the people had grown to love her. She was always willing to talk to anyone who had a desire to converse, and she always spent money in the marketplace each week, and not just with the merchants. She would pay children to dance for her, and porters to deliver her packages to the palace. She was not extravagant and did not spend a great deal of money, indeed she only received a modest allowance, but she was willing to share it with everyone.

The merchants knew that she bought only to please the sellers, as they often heard tales of porters being instructed to deliver the merchandise to some needy villager. They sensed in the princess a desire to truly help the people of Arin, and they welcomed her warmly every time she arrived. Little girls would follow her around all day and mimic her movements, but she never minded, in fact, at times she encouraged them. She loved to see smiles and adored to hear people laugh.

At each of these outings, the princess would have lunch at one of the inns surrounding the marketplace. Most of them had outdoor tables if the weather was fair enough, and this particular day was as fair as fair could be.

Princess Glynis had just finished a morning of shopping in the marketplace, and the porters were already carting her purchases to the palace. The crowd of young girls following the princess had sensed that it was mealtime, and they never bothered the princess when she ate. The flock of small girls giggled as they scattered, and the princess stood alone, trying to decide which inn she would favor for the meal.

"It must be a dream that I am having," intruded a warm voice.

Princess Glynis turned and saw a young man standing not far away. He was a fair man with dark, black hair and shining green eyes. He had a small imperfection upon his cheek, but the princess ignored it. She knew full well that not everyone was perfect. What intrigued her was the man's dress. In the marketplace where most men wore aprons or work tunics, this man was dressed royally, yet she knew that she had never made his acquaintance.

"You are absolutely the most beautiful creature I have ever laid my eyes upon," smiled the man. "You must be the Princess Glynis," he bowed respectfully.

"I am," nodded the princess. "Have we met?"

"I am Prince Calitar of Caroom," the man bowed again. "I do not think we have ever met before. I am sure that I would have remembered such beauty, but perhaps we might have attended the same events. Were you at the funeral of King Eugeon perhaps?"

"Oh, goodness, no," smiled the princess. "Such things are the affairs of men, but I do thank you for your kind words."

"They are far more than mere kind words," insisted the prince. "My eyes smile at the mere sight of you. I was just planning on having a small meal at my inn. Would you care to join me?"

"What inn would that be?" asked the princess.

"The Palace Shadow," smiled Prince Calitar. "This is my first trip to Anatar and it is the only inn whose reputation I have heard of."

"It is certainly the finest inn in the city," offered Princess Glynis, "but also rather expensive. I usually eat at a more affordable inn."

"But certainly I would not hear of you spending money in my company," retorted the prince. "Your forays into the marketplace are well known across the land. Let me buy you a meal and that will leave you with more money to spend with the merchants."

The prince seemed nice enough, and the princess knew that no harm would come to her at the Palace Shadow. She smiled warmly and nodded to the foreign prince.

"I would be delighted," replied Princess Glynis. "Perhaps you will tell me all about Caroom while we dine?"

"It would be my pleasure," smiled Prince Calitar as he extended his arm.

Princess Glynis took the offered arm, and the prince led her through the center of the marketplace. Everyone turned to look as the couple walked by, and whispers and giggles echoed through the stalls. The little girls followed, but at a distance. Some of the more forward young girls grabbed boys and forced them to give them their arms and escort them.

When they reached the Palace Shadow, the princess requested an outside table, much to the chagrin of the prince who was looking for more privacy.

"I do believe that I saw your father at the funeral," said the prince after they were seated. "Didn't he have a favored bodyguard with him?"

"He always takes a dozen men with him," the princess said as she perused the menu. "I don't know that he has a favorite. They are all quite capable."

"I am sure that they are," smiled Prince Calitar, "but I do remember something about the Borundans taking offense at a full-face helm. I think that was it. Yes, I am sure of it now."

"Oh," Princess Glynis said dismissively, "sometimes royals have too few serious things to talk about. Imagine making a fuss over a helm. It wasn't even a bodyguard in any event. It was my brother. What are you having?"

"Prince Antion?" frowned Prince Calitar.

"I only have one brother," shrugged the princess.

Horst roamed through the small herd of horses inspecting each and every one of them. The other members of the party stood around the wagon watching the Odessian shake his head and move onto the next.

"What is he doing?" scowled Kerzi. "The wagon has been put back together over an hour ago. They are only horses; pick two and let's get moving. It's long way to Kyland."

"He is an Odessian," replied Gunnar as he took his tunic away from the fire and felt it. "They do not look upon horses as merely beasts to carry men. He will find the best two to replace our mounts."

Gunnar's tunic was finally dry, and he pulled it on over his head. Talot sat with his back to a wheel sharpening his axe, and Monte was oiling Gunnar's bow that had been submerged in the river. Horst eventually left the herd and returned to the wagon, which was off to the side of the road near the bridge.

"The Borundans did not care for their animals well," frowned the Odessian. "They have been ridden hard and long with little attention to their needs. Some of them might be fit to pull the wagon, but they are not dependable mounts, and far from battle steeds."

"They will get us to Kyland," shrugged Kerzi. "That is what is important. We can buy better horses there."

Horst shot the merchant a glare, and Gunnar casually stepped between them. He knew that the Odessian was stressed at the sight of animals that had been needlessly abused. It was not something that the merchant would grasp until he understood Horst better.

"State what concerns you." Gunnar instructed Horst.

"We could travel onward as the merchant suggests," the Odessian sighed, "but it is a long way to Kyland. If we need to flee from our enemies, we will be unable to do so with those Borundan mounts. Talot will have to remain in the wagon, as not one of them would fare well under his body."

"You have an alternate plan," accused Gunnar. "I know that look. What is it?"

"We are not that far from Odessia," Horst answered. "I could take these animals there where they will be cared for and brought back to health. I will bring back fresh mounts for the trip to Kyland and the journey to Capri."

"Oran is five days away," frowned Kerzi. "We cannot sit here for two weeks while you switch horses. There may be more Borundans searching for us."

"Oran is five days by wagon," retorted Horst as he sidestepped around Gunnar to glare at the merchant. "An Odessian does not ride so slow unless he is forced to. Besides, I do not have to go as far as Oran. There are villages fairly close to the Caroom border. I can be in Odessia by morning and be back the following morning with fresh mounts."

Everyone looked to Gunnar to decide the course of action to be taken. The Arin prince sighed and walked away from the group. He did not go far, but he wanted time to think without being pressured. Kerzi was anxious to be away from the bodies of the Borundans, and Horst felt a compelling need to care for the abused horses. Everyone's nerves were on edge after the clash with Borundans, and Gunnar sought a solution that would calm them all. Eventually he returned to the wagon and everyone stared at him.

"Is there at least one mount that will safely carry a man for a day?" asked Gunnar.

"There are two horses that I would allow a rider on," nodded the Odessian, "but not if it involved hard riding."

"Good," smiled Gunnar. "I have a plan. We will move away from the bridge and find a campsite for the night. In the morning, Horst and Monte will take the herd to Odessia. Kerzi, Talot, and I will continue westward to the next town. We will wait for our new mounts there."

"I could be back much quicker if I left now," objected Horst, "and I do not need help with such a small herd."

"I understand," Gunnar nodded knowingly, "but there is reason to my madness. I want you to have the time to properly take care of the horses en route to Odessia. I also want you to be particular in your selection of replacement mounts, and the nearest village may not have a large enough herd to please you. We can wait in the town or village as long as it takes you to return, so you will not be under pressure to move so quickly."

Horst smiled and nodded in appreciation of the plan. It was better than he had hoped for.

"Why a town?" asked Kerzi. "We could just stay at a campsite for a few days."

"A number of reasons," answered Gunnar. "We need to rest and replenish our supplies. The canvas needs to be repaired and I need to pick up some of the things I lost when my horse separated from me."

"I will bring you a saddle," offered Horst.

"Thank you," smiled Gunnar, "but there is more that I need to replace. There is also a need to just be among people for a day or two," he continued as he viewed his friends. "I have put you all through more than you have bargained for. Let us rest for a few days and think about what we are doing. All we have been doing since we left Caxon is reacting to the Borundans. We cannot continue to let them herd us as they have been."

"Isn't there a danger to staying put in a village?" asked Monte. "Won't the Borundans look there for us?"

"It is something that we have never done before," shrugged Gunnar. "If there are more Borundans searching for us, I don't think the villages will be the first places they look. We should be fine until Horst and you return. You don't mind my sending you to Odessia, do you?"

"Certainly not," grinned Monte. "I look forward to the trip."

"And we won't be cramped on the wagon with only three of us," nodded Kerzi. "I think it is a fine plan."

"Talot?" Gunnar asked as he made eye contact with the giant Lomite.

"I see no flaws in your plan," Talot said simply.

* * *

King Caedmon sat in his office in the Royal Palace of Arin. He pored over intelligence reports and frowned at the rumors of Borunda openly raising a large army. He jotted some notes and then looked up at the sound of someone coming along the corridor outside his office. He saw Princess Glynis pass by his open door, and his frown deepened.

"Glynis," called the king.

The princess halted and backtracked to the king's office. She stuck her head through the door and looked at her father.

"Did you call me?" she asked.

"Yes," nodded the king. "Come in."

Princess Glynis entered the king's office and approached his desk.

"What are you doing in the palace?" asked the king. "I was led to believe that you were going to the marketplace again with Prince Calitar."

"We were supposed to," the princess replied with sadness in her eyes. "We met in the library as planned, but he claimed that he was not feeling well today and begged off on the trip to the marketplace."

"Well," smiled the king, "I am sure that disappoints you, but it is nothing to be sad about."

"I know," the princess tried to smile, "but I wonder if his illness is physical, or he just merely tires of me."

"Inconceivable," soothed King Caedmon. "Whatever would give you such a thought?"

"Well," answered the princess, "if I was not feeling well, I would not want to leave my bed, but Prince Calitar has not yet returned to his. He seems quite well enough to stroll around the palace and the ramparts. I have run into him several times today as I wandered about with nothing to do. Each time he says that he was on his way to the Palace Shadow, but got sidetracked by something else on the way. I think he is just bored with my company."

King Caedmon's eyes narrowed, and he felt his body stiffen, but he did not want to upset the princess.

"Perhaps he is exploring his feelings for you," offered the king. "This is his first trip to Anatar, and I am sure he is curious about many things. Has he been curious about you and your family?"

"Very much so," nodded the princess. "He asks everyday if we have heard from Antion yet, and he is always asking questions about how we spend our time, like holidays and travel and things like that. He has been a perfect gentleman in all regards. I guess I am just used to being paid more attention than he is willing to give."

"Did he ever ask questions about the funeral of King Eugeon," inquired King Caedmon, "or ask anything about a bodyguard in a full-face helm?"

"On the day we met," the princess nodded with sudden concern. "Is something wrong, father?"

"I am not sure," confided the king, "but I am beginning to feel ill at ease with his presence in the palace. I want you to remain in the family's living quarters until I find out what our guest from Caroom is up to. Do you understand?"

"No," admitted Princess Glynis, "but I know that you do. I will do as you say and stay within my chambers."

"Good," smiled the king.

The princess left the king's office, and the king rang a bell that sat on his desk. A door on a sidewall of the office opened and a heavyset man entered. He crossed the room and stood next to the king's desk fiddling with his neat, black beard.

"We have a foreign prince roaming the palace, Evan," declared the king. "He claims to be Prince Calitar of Caroom. I want you to find someone who can authenticate his identity."

"Do you suspect that he might not be as he claims?" questioned the king's advisor.

"That is my fear," confirmed the king. "The prince is not in the line of succession for Caroom, so I would have had little chance to meet him, but surely someone in Arin must have at one time or another. I also want a runner sent to Caxon to inquire about this prince. It must be a subtle investigation. We cannot afford to offend other nations as we sit at the brink of war. I am also going to want a private message delivered to King Hector of Salacia. Choose a man whose integrity is beyond reproach. I will have the message ready in a few minutes."

"A runner to Caxon will take some time," frowned Evan. "It will be two weeks before he can get there and another two weeks coming back, and that does not allow him time to investigate."

'Understood," nodded the king. "My note to King Hector will ask for a series of runners to speed the report back to us. I will arrange with General Fergus to do the same here in Arin. That will shave a few days off the journey, but I must know the truth."

"I take it that there is some suspicion concerning this foreign prince?" inquired the king's advisor.

"You assume correctly," verified the king. "His curiosity has extended to things that I did not want discovered. I intend to have this prince escorted everywhere he goes from now on. He will learn no more than I wish him to."

Evan's eyebrows rose, and his mouth distorted as he pondered the implications of such a slight.

"If he is a spy," mused Evan, "he will know that he has been compromised. That would be enough to cause him to flee. Is it wise to let him get away before we receive the report from Caxon?"

"Is there any choice?" sighed King Caedmon. "We cannot risk the wrath of Caroom for imprisoning a prince of their country."

"But if he is a spy," suggested the king's advisor, "Caroom is already slighting Arin by sending him here. How can they complain?"

"And if the prince from Caroom is actually spying for another nation?" posed King Caedmon. "What then?"

"You think he is spying for Borunda?" gasped the king's advisor.

"That is my fear," nodded the king. "Caroom would have no interest in the questions this prince has been asking, but the Borundans would. Send in General Fergus. I need to speak with him."

Evan bowed slightly and retreated from the room. A few moments later, the white-haired general marched into the room.

"Close the door, general," ordered the king.

General Fergus complied without question. He knew that he was about to discuss things that even the king's other advisors were not privy to.

"Have you met Prince Calitar?" asked King Caedmon.

"I have not," replied the general. "I have heard reports of his visit to Anatar and little seemed unusual until today. Today he has been asking questions which appear to be of greater interest to him than mere curiosity."

"Such as?" prompted the king.

"Questions about troop strength raised the first eyebrow," answered the general. "He has been very interested in our training program and the reason why so many of our soldiers appear to be enrolled in it. I was on my way here to discuss this with you when I ran into Evan. I think the man is a spy."

"Your instincts are good," nodded the king, "but it is worse than that. He now knows the identity of the bodyguard who accompanied me to Tarent."

"Mercy!" gasped the general. "We do not even have a way to get in touch with Antion. The men that I assigned to trail him didn't last three days. He managed to elude them in Capri."

"You had men following him?" frowned the king. "I promised him that we would not follow him. Why was I not informed?"

"You never informed me that you knew he was leaving Anatar," shrugged the general. "One of my men reported the prince saddling a horse other than his own. It made me curious enough to see what he did next. I assumed that he was off to do something foolish and assigned a pair of men to follow him. I thought they could possibly save his life if he got into trouble. Was that wrong?"

King Caedmon sighed and shook his head. "No, General Fergus, that was not wrong. Your instincts have always been impeccable. Antion told me that he was leaving, and I agreed to his plan. He is a capable warrior and an intelligent man. I felt comfortable that he could take care of himself."

"But you no longer feel that way?" probed the general.

"Not when the Borundans know his identity," answered the Arin king. "At the least, we need to find him and warn him."

"And at best?" questioned the general.

"Convince him to return home," replied the king. "He will oppose such efforts, but now that Borunda knows his identity, his life is in grave danger."

"I agree," nodded General Fergus. "Should we force him to return home?"

King Caedmon turned and stared out the window without answering. The general knew the question was tearing the king's emotional strings and waited patiently. Finally, the king sighed heavily and turned to face the general.

"No," decided the king. "Antion will be king one day, and he must learn to make such decisions for himself. I must trust in his instincts as he has learned to trust in mine. He is to be informed of my strong desire for him to return home, but the decision will be his."