by Gin Hollan
"No, but you have a Seer helping us. You should have told me. I would have trusted you sooner." He looked smug.
"Do you know where Ocean City is?" she asked.
His eyebrows twitched together for a second, then relaxed again. "Why are we going there?"
"That's what the Seer told me to do."
"I was told never to go back there. My guardians assured me I would be risking my life if I did."
"We'll find a way to make it safe. Maybe a disguise."
"What you have in mind?"
“Something no one will expect.” She looked the blond, slender kid over and knew it would be difficult, but they had to try.
// Chapter 28 //
The road down ran steep but straight, down along the cliff edge. It was a solid 500 foot drop from the top, Arabeth guessed. Why did they make a road so steep that even Davin slipped now and then?
"You're going to love this city," the kid said, walking beside her. "Ask me anything."
"You lived here?" She stopped, suddenly mad at herself for not asking. She needed to think like someone avoiding capture, now.
"My foster family lives here." He pointed to the high end of the city, his eyes perpetually drawn that way. "I'll be safe there."
"It's a known address. They'll be watching."
"It's a what?"
"They will know it's a place you felt safe. They'll have someone watching." She pulled out her notebook. "Where else have you lived, or have friends?"
"Only here."
"Were there other fostered children here? What are their names?"
"It's not like they ran a haven for the children of dead royals, you know."
Arabeth knew she'd touched a nerve. She'd assumed his parents had passed, but somehow the truth being spoken saddened her.
"Don't pity me," he said, chin held up. "They left great memories, and a legacy. Help me protect that legacy."
She sniffed. This must be what made them royal -the ability, by breeding or upbringing, to put themselves aside. To act nobly.
She simply nodded, and fought at her own homesickness. But why? She was 28 years old. Why was she homesick, when she barely saw her family when she was home? His nobility may be youthful idealism, or a mask, like her stubborn need to do the right thing, to bring justice into a situation. There it was - his untenable situation. And it moved her. She had to help him now. She had to see this through.
Marble bumped her cheek with her nose as she sat on her usual shoulder perch.
She pulled her hat off and set it firmly on his head, then pulled her jacket off.
"That will have to do. Let's get down there. I'll go to their estate and let them know you're coming to visit. If they're like the people I know of that social class, they need a bit of notice," she said.
"Oh... I guess that's true. I hadn't thought of that."
They found a well-kept hotel on the nearest side to the harbour and booked two adjoining rooms. It wasn't royal-ready, but they were nearly sold out, so it was lucky they could get adjoining rooms at all.
Prince Andun was oddly silent as they unpacked.
"Are you alright?" She didn't know if he was a quiet person, but he simply shrugged.
"You should wait here. Get cleaned up and I'll have some food brought up. You must be thirsty, too," she smiled.
He nodded and dropped his coat on a bed.
"Does that fox ride your shoulder everywhere you go?" He asked.
She laughed at the abruptness of his question, but nodded. "Pretty much, yes."
"Can I pet her?"
"What? I'm sure she won't mind," Arabeth smiled and turned so Marble was facing Andun.
The boy walked over, and reached up slowly.
"It's okay. She'll jump down if she isn't comfortable."
Marble sat quietly while he rubbed her under the chin and scratch the top of her head. His smile was wide enough to move his ears.
"I'll go first thing in the morning," she said. "There are a few other things we need to do first. One is a proper disguise for you. Your clothing has to change. Your hair colour... maybe even the style. Let's go."
"Maybe you should get my disguise first. I can wait here."
"And risk you running off to see them alone? I don't think so. I know how the fifteen-year-old brain works, and you are not immortal."
"You wound me," he feigned surprise.
Arabeth locked eyes with him and raised one eyebrow.
"Alright, fine. We'll do it your way... but maybe we can go there first, before I'm in disguise. I can change my jacket and wear a hat."
"That will probably work, since no one is actually expecting you. Or are they? This Crystal communication is something I'm not familiar with. They probably did tell a seer in this area."
"All seers are in service to the crown. They should be loyal to me."
"I'm not taking anything for granted. Wear my coat and hat, until we get you something that fits." She wasn't going to risk a loose-lipped concierge.
"This hat is-" he started to take it off.
"This hat is keeping you alive. Think of it that way." She smacked it down, deeper onto his head.
He mumbled something under his breath and Arabeth had to laugh.
"You're a funny kid."
"I have a lot of practise. People underestimate you when they think you're young and foolish. I just don't want to look like an idiot when we get there. Women like men with a sense of adventure, right? A hint of danger is intriguing, right?
Arabeth smiled. "What her name?"
Red rose up his face as he looked away. "I don't have anyone in mind, specifically. I can't. My marriage is arranged."
"But it's fun to be thought of as the cat's meow, for a while at least." She shrugged. "Let's go make you awesome."
His sudden laughter was contagious and Arabeth had to cover her mouth as she turned away.
"Pull the coat shut. Your shirt is a little too well pressed, a little too white."
She heard him rustling behind her as she went out the door. It was only a matter of a few shops before he looked like a different person. She had him wait outside for each one, then they went into a secluded area and he changed. She stuffed his old clothing in a bag, intending to burn it later.
The hard part is going to be his hair. She needed red dye, but he was already so blond that it wouldn't be enough of a change. He was a good-looking guy, and he might not like disguising that. She stared at him.
"You might not like this part. We're going to dye your hair red but you need hair extensions. It's like a wig, in lots of little pieces. I'll weave it into your hair so it it looks natural."
He frowned a moment, then grinned. "That's fine by me. I can go for a Nordic look. They travel here now and then. But what are you going to use as a disguise?"
"A disguise? For me?"
"You're being seen by more and more people and when the dots are connected, they will follow me by following you."
She hadn't brought any of her usual kit for that. What disguise would work in this situation? She was too obviously female to do a gender swap... but then again she's been losing weight over the past couple weeks. All of her clothing was loose.
But, no. The idea of having to go into the men's bathroom didn't work for her. She would have to opt for feminine. Ringlets, skirt, fan, and giggling. She groaned. Thank God none of her friends would be here to see it.
She ran in and bought what she needed, changing while she was in there. Stepping outside again, she found Andun twiddling with his hair. His look was fine. Her biggest concern was how to make Marble fit in as part of her look. Her stomach sank as she realized the best choice was to carry her like she was a surrogate baby.
"You were barely gone five minutes. You do this disguise thing a lot, don't you?"
"Yes, and you have to stop grinning all the time," she said as she looked him over. He looked taller with long red hair braided back like a Viking, and clothes that fit but were un-tailored.
&n
bsp; "I can't help it. This is fun."
She wished he would stay behind while she went to ensure his foster family would still welcome him, but he was determined to go. Unlike Arabeth, he had no doubt of their unending devotion. For someone who had lost so much already, he was very optimistic, Arabeth thought. It must be his nature.
She hailed a hansom cab but only went as far as the edge of town. They would walk the rest of the way. Their objective was on the side of town closest to the cliff, and removed slightly from the city's edge.
"Follow me," she said. "I am going to approach them alone, first. Do you think you can stay out of sight?"
"Wouldn't that be more suspicious?"
She looked him over as he stood on the roadside. He had a point. No one knew who she was or what she looked like, but word was spreading. even with her hair colour the same, she changed her walk, her demeanour , and effectively her personality. anyone looking for a blast born Rebel and The Heir Apparent would be hard-pressed to see these two as of them.
"Fine, you have a point. Let's call you Leonard, for now."
"Leonard? That's not very Nordic."
"Neither is your accent, Your Highness." She sighed and shook her head. "Try not to talk. Try not to smile. Believe it or not, teeth are highly individual, and have been known to ruin more disguises than any other slip."
"How do you know all this stuff?" He tilted his head to the side and frowned. "You're making it all up, aren't you?"
Arabeth rolled her eyes and turned to face the house. They weren't close yet, but it was an imposing structure, even at this distance. Looking at it, you got the impression that the owners wished it were a castle. The stonework resembled castle-style stone and mortar, including large slabs of stone with high elevation gaps for archers.
"It hasn't changed, even a little," Andun said, smiling.
"How long ago were you here?"
"Three years, but even the hedges are exactly the same height, width, depth. It's like they've been frozen in time... uh, except for her." He suddenly stared at a girl who would be near his age. He fell silent as he watched her playing croquet with others her age.
"Who is she?"
He didn't answer, watching her as she interacted with the others. The flickering happiness and other wistful emotions faded and his expression clouded. He soon turned away. Somehow that small act made him more real to Arabeth. In that moment she remembered Sam and wondered how he was. Had he escaped? Was Melanie helping him find them?
Just then a tall, thin man walked over. "Pardon me. What is the nature of your business here?" he asked.
"I have a message for your mistress. Please let her know that we are here on business related to the Future King and need a word in private."
He gave a slight bow and turned away. Moments later he returned.
"She is indisposed, but says that her business with the royal family is concluded. She thanks you not to trouble her doorstep again," he said, entirely without expression.
"When was her last contact with the Royal Advisor?" Arabeth asked, annoyed. "Is he still in contact?"
"I will go ask her." He turned and walked away.
"That explains how he stays so thin," Arabeth muttered.
The wind off the ocean picked up, causing Arabeth to wish she had her jacket on. The lighter fabric of the dress and long cloak would take some getting used to.
The girl Andun had been watching suddenly drew near, smiling.
"Hello, are you looking for someone?"
Andun froze in place still facing away.
"Yes, thank you. We are looking for information about the Future King. He's gone missing."
"And you think he'd come here? He's not welcome here."
"Does he know that?"
"Yes... I don't know, but my parents will likely kill him on sight, so if you see him, tell him to stay away, for his own good." With no other explanation, she turned and walked back to her game.
Arabeth was taken aback. "Is she always so careless with her language? She makes you sound like a rogue."
Andun stood with his arms crossed. "People speak as they will about the Royal Family." His words were vague, but she could tell he was hurt.
"One would think they'd be different, because they know you."
"They don't know me well enough, it seems." He started to walk away but the groundsman came back just then.
"My lady says that she owes you no answer, and suggests you kindly move on." He bowed sharply and turned away.
"That could mean any of a hundred things," Arabeth sighed. "However, I think this will not be the refuge you had hoped for."
Andun suddenly turned to face the croquet players and called out. "Clarice!"
The girl spun to see who had called.
"Clarice," he repeated. "At shallow's break."
She tilted her head to one side, then shook her head, angry. Turning away, she took her next turn at play.
Arabeth could only imagine what Andun was thinking, but her only impulse was to get him away from here, as fast as possible.
"Are you speaking in code? And are you crazy? Giving away your identity like that was stupid," Arabeth grabbed his arm and dragged him back down the road. Why had they even come here? The Advisor would have expected it. He would have prepared the family, and told them how to react.
"Wait, I have to get something." He pulled his arm away and turned into the light trees lining the area between the cliff and mansion grounds.
She followed him into the trees, stabilizing Marble on her shoulder with one hand and hiking up the hem of her dress with the other.
"What is it? In the trees?" she muttered, following.
"Do you have a way to dig?"
She frowned and turned away, standing guard as he started digging with a branch.
Standing, doing practically nothing, her mind wandered
// Chapter 29 //
The minute they returned to their hotel rooms, Arabeth changed and packed for travel, muttering the whole time about the emotional foolishness of youth. If he only needed the box, why did he call out? Why go through the trouble of disguises if he's going to talk in code and ruin it all.
"Let's go, Leonard. We're late," she said, loudly. As she waited, her hand brushed the red crystal that Melanie had given back.
Suddenly her ears flooded with inaudible words, messages waiting for her attention.
'Arabeth, Sam is safe. Where are you?' Pause. 'Arabeth, I can't talk long, are you listening?' Pause. 'Sam is headed to the ocean. Kennen is with him. Wait for them.' Pause. 'I had to tell them where you are. Get out now.'
Good thing they were. Sam would have to figure out another way to find them. It sounded like Melanie wouldn't be helping much now. They'd have to travel by horse - this close to the ocean, there wouldn't be an underground shuttle.
Andun stepped out, still in his disguise. She nodded. "Ready?"
"I'm starving. Can we grab some food on the way over?" he grumbled.
"Yes, of course." They'd be stupid not to, but his asking implied they weren't going far. Was he worried about spies already?
Crystals could hold messages until later... how much later?
The small box in her Grandfather's desk had a few of these crystals. She remembered asking to play with them when she was young, and he'd said they were a magic she wasn't ready for yet. At the time, she'd figured he spoke metaphorically. Now, she understood.
That was one more reason she wanted to find the four secret journals he'd mentioned a few weeks before he passed away. He'd locked his workshop, leaving it as his final puzzle to her. In the note he'd left, he'd almost begged her to find the way in. The exact wording was burned into her memory. It was her last contact with him. Right now, it felt like a lifetime ago.
When had anything he'd said either casually or on paper ever turned out to be a minor thing? Everything he'd said was layered. It drove her crazy most of her life, and now she missed it. Missed him.
"Miss Barnes," And
un said. "Are we going, or what?"
Arabeth shook herself out of the unexpected languor. She could introspect on the ride ahead. They were heading to her home, this time for certain. Following the coast would bring them to the only nature break to the mountains that separated Blastborn from the rest of the world. She could think of no other way to keep the king safe, and no other way to find her answers.
They packed the saddlebags and mounted up, Marble sitting comfortably on a flat section of leather behind the saddle's cantle.
"Where are we going now?" He asked, still sullen from the encounter earlier.
"Your home didn't work according to plan, so we're going to my home." In the beginning, she'd wanted nothing more than to get safely back behind the mountains. Now she had to find out why.
"Wait, we're going behind the mountain? Isn't that even more dangerous?"
"You've been told stories about wild monsters and other fabricated facts to keep people from emigrating there. Relax. It's no more dangerous than here, and I have resources that may help in your quest."
Arabeth held the crystal in one hand as she rode, hoping Melanie would be able to contact her again. The bag full of cured crystals sat quietly, and she'd never noticed them acting like the one in her hand. When things settled, down again, she was going to experiment on them, see if she could bring them back to full potential.
A twinge of guilt hit her as she thought about leaving before Sam caught up, but he'd understand. He'd even know where she was headed, so it wasn't a real problem. She had to admit she was looking forward to seeing him again. She missed him. It was simple logic. He was a close friend, and she was homesick.
The ride ahead was not going to be smooth, partly because she travelled with a hunted person, and she herself was going against ambitious people who could justifiably lock her up for being an Exile on the wrong side of the boundary.
"You see the ridge that's coming up?"
Andun nodded.
"We'll stop there."
"If we ride until dark, there's a town with comfortable accommodations."
"Oh?"
"I've had little else to do in my life. Study the maps, plan out war strategies, play out mock battles. They made it seem like games, but I'm distressed that they haven't taught me more diplomacy."