He grabbed his weapons and coat and left in search of his men.
In the crowded dining hall at the temple, soldiers and monks were seated at long tables, eating kimchi, vegetables, meat stew, and rice. He motioned for the colonel to join him in the back of the room, where they wouldn’t be overheard.
The prince turned to his officer.
“Last night, I saw the man who met with our traitor.”
“Who was it?”
“General Neo.”
“What?”
“I tracked him as he left the woods, but he disappeared into the hills.”
“What’s his objective?”
“It’s a grab for power. It must be. He has important allies to be this brazen.”
“What do you want to do?”
“Pretend that it’s business as usual. I don’t believe he knows we’re tracking his movements. Report to me alone. Assume that anyone within earshot could be an informant.”
“I understand, Your Highness. I suggest we limit information to the troops unless they need to know.”
Drayaen nodded. At this point, he thought, I’m not sure who to trust. He scanned the dining hall and lowered his voice. “This goes beyond a few grain warehouses. We need to monitor and protect the main food stores and ensure they’re not leaving the country. I’ll requisition more soldiers. From now on, we’ll station men at dozens of locations.”
“How soon can we get reinforcements?”
“I have my secret weapon. I’ll activate warrior monks from all the nearest temples. That should give us another four hundred men.”
The colonel nodded in agreement. “They’re loyal and effective. I’ll set up a brief training before they leave for battle.”
“How soon can you have them ready?”
“We’ll mobilize within the next few days. I’ll send messengers to each location.”
“Start with the distribution centers and then branch off to regional operations. We can analyze the locations of the thefts and predict who will be targeted next.”
Aisling sat in the Captain’s Quarters, reviewing the ship’s ledgers. She looked up as Ryen appeared in the doorway.
“The visitor is awake. Patrick would like to know if you’ll join him.”
“Yes, of course. I’d like to speak with the patient and learn more about his circumstances. Let’s go.”
“Commander,” Ryen said as they walked along the deck, “if this man has enemies, we may become a target as well.”
“I understand your concern. Let’s see what he can tell us.”
In the sick bay, the visitor was sitting up in bed, talking with the surgeon. As he shifted his gaze toward Aisling, she smiled.
“Hello, I’m the commander of this fleet. We brought you onboard because you were hurt. What is your name?”
The man ran his fingers over the bandage on his head and scanned the onlookers. “Well, I don’t know. I can’t remember much of anything.”
Aisling glanced at her officers. “What is the last thing you recall?”
“Umm, waking up in this room. Nothing before that,” he said, his voice wavering.
Patrick laid a hand on the young man’s arm. “It’s not uncommon for someone with a serious head injury to have memory loss.You should start to recollect fragments. Soon, those pieces should all come together.”
Aisling nodded. “You’re safe here. The doctor is doing everything he can to speed your recovery. When you feel better, tell us more, if you can.”
“Thank you for helping me. I am most grateful.”
“We’re happy to assist, and will check on you later.”
I hope his memory loss isn’t permanent, she thought.
Patrick followed her from the room, and when they were farther from the sick bay, Aisling spoke. “When he was found, was there anything on his person that would give us clues about his identity?”
“There was nothing. Perhaps he was robbed.”
“It’s possible. His clothing is made of fine materials. Let’s keep him here for now. Until we know he won’t be in danger, we’ll need to watch over him.”
“I’ll let you know if there’s any change, commander.”
She nodded and faced Ryen. “You made a good point earlier. There is an increased risk due to this man’s presence on the ship. Please inform the other captains to be vigilant about security. If our patient is a target, we’ll need to protect ourselves.”
“Aye, Commander, I’ll raise the flag.”
As Aisling headed back to her quarters, she looked at the distant shore. The temple sparkled in the setting sun, illuminating the ornate building in shades of amber, green, red, and blue. The bright façade was offset by white statues and stone bridges that were integrated into the landscape. Lush gardens and towering evergreens bordered the perimeter.
It looked like a peaceful spot, and yet, something insidious had happened a short distance from the welcoming retreat. Behind the pristine landscape, there lurked some darker forces.
Prince Drayaen stood in the gardens, conferring with Colonel Lex. He looked up and recognized a palace retainer hurrying toward him.
“I have an urgent message for you, Your Highness.”
As the man bowed and retreated backward, the prince opened the sealed envelope. A shadow crossed his face. He turned to Lex.
“My brother has disappeared. He was traveling here to assist us with the theft issue, but his soldiers were attacked.”
“Your Highness, do you think someone could have mistaken him for you?”
“It’s possible. We need to launch a search. Send some guards to speak with the soldiers who were ambushed. See if we can learn anything.”
“I’ll gather the warrior monks from this location. They can help until we get reinforcements. The other teams can protect the warehouses.”
As the colonel headed back to the main compound, Drayaen turned to one of his soldiers. “Tell the courier to see me before he leaves.”
He shook his head and ran his hand through his hair. This isn’t about theft or corruption anymore, he thought. It’s an attack on the royal family.
The prince and his men scoured the road for fresh tracks. As they debated which direction to pursue, Colonel Lex galloped down the road. He reined in his horse, pulling up alongside the group in a flurry of dust.
“Your Highness, I spoke with a soldier in your brother’s unit.There was an ambush last night on the mountain pathway, beyond the temple. They were given an order to retreat into the forest. It was dark and they thought your brother was with them. When they retraced their steps the next morning, there was no sign of the Sixth Prince.”
“Is this witness reliable?”
“He seems so.”
“There’s more.”
“What is it?”
“The guard mentioned that Prince Zo was carrying confidential messages to you from the palace.When they scoured the forest this morning, there was no sign of the courier pouch.”
Drayaen turned to his men. “Search the trails behind the buildings. Tell me at once if you find anything.” He faced the colonel. “Let me know if there’s any activity at our warehouses. I’ll join the search for my brother.”
He needed those reinforcements.
The last rays of daylight were fading. As Drayaen waded through the thick underbrush, a soldier waved his arm.
“I see something! There, under the tree.”
It was a piece of silk from his brother’s robe, and it was covered in dried blood. Around the space, fresh footprints lead to a narrow trail along the shoreline, until it ended at the water’s edge.
Drayaen looked out over the bay and gripped the hilt of his sword. Six merchant ships, all armed, were anchored off the coast.
“Find a small boat. Bring it back here. When it’s dark, I intend to board that ship,” he said, pointing to the Saoirse. “We’ll regroup in an hour.”
I may discover something interesting, and I hope I find my brother.
&n
bsp; Aisling was leaning over a table in her quarters, studying maps of Asia, when there was a knock on the door. Ryen stood in the doorway, his eyebrows drawn together.
“Commander, Patrick asked if you could meet with him now. Our visitor has been taken ill with a fever.”
“Yes, of course,” she nodded, grabbing her cloak.
As they approached the sick bay, they could see Patrick at the door.
“I’m afraid it’s serious,” he said, his hands clasped together. “It appears that he’s fighting an infection. I’ve redressed the bandage and made him comfortable, but he needs more medicine. The best remedy right now is ginger tea. It’s an herbal fever reducer, but I’m afraid we don’t have any onboard.”
Aisling nodded. “I believe they have it at the temple. Perhaps we can ask if they have some available.”
“Commander, I’ll go,” said the doctor.
“Fine, take a few men with you. I’ll sit here with our visitor for awhile.”
“Aye, we’ll leave now.”
As the sound of footsteps faded, she opened the door to the sick bay. I hope he pulls through, she thought.
Drayaen paced while his soldiers searched for a boat. They came back, empty-handed. Under normal circumstances, there were several vessels available for common use, but the monks had taken them upriver. He grasped the hilt of his sword and considered his options.
There was a sudden movement near one of the ships. Peering into the dark, he spotted a rowboat disembarking from one of the vessels in the bay.
“Problem solved,” he declared. He turned to his men. “It looks like they’re headed to the temple. Stay out of sight. I found a way to board the ship. Those sailors don’t know it yet, but they’re going to take me.”
At last, he thought, we’re making progress.
Patrick and his crew descended the charcoal-colored rocks, carrying their precious supplies. Without warning, Owen slid to the rough ledge below. The other men crowded around him.
“Are you all right?” asked Fionn.
“Aye, it’s not that bad,” said Owen, although he clutched his arm and winced.
Patrick examined the injury. “You may have sprained it. I’ll take a closer look when we get back to the ship. You’ll have to rest it for a few days.”
“Aye. I’m sorry,” Owen said, his cheeks beginning to flush.
“No need to apologize. I’m glad it isn’t worse.”
As the crew huddled with their shipmate, Drayaen made his way over the rocks and stood in front of the boat.
“Doctor,” said one of the men, tapping him on the back, “we have a visitor.”
Patrick wheeled around and saw a towering man dressed in black, standing with his arms crossed in front of the boat. His long black hair hung unfettered about his face. A sword hung by his side. With his head tilted back and his gaze fixed on the crew, he looked like a soldier who never took prisoners.
“You must be from the ship. I’m a government official and I’ve come to welcome you.” His low-key tone belied his warrior posture.
The doctor glanced at his men. “Thank you. I’m sure our commander will be pleased to make your acquaintance. Perhaps we can meet you back here tomorrow.”
Drayaen eyed the crew. “My instructions are to welcome our visitors now.”
“Now?” asked Patrick, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s the middle of the night. Most everyone onboard is asleep.”
“No need to worry. My stay will be brief.”
The doctor tapped his fingers together. “I’m good at treating patients,” he fretted under his breath, “but know nothing about government relations. Aye, if you insist, come with us. We can bring you back in the morning.”
The man planted his feet in the boat. With a heavy sigh, Patrick motioned for the crew to climb onboard. He shoved the supplies under the seat, and the vessel made its way out of the rocky cove and into the bay.
The patient drifted in and out of consciousness. Beads of perspiration clustered on his forehead. Aisling reached for his hand. He was burning up. She opened the door and signaled for a ship’s assistant.
“Please fetch some cloths and cold water.”
“Aye, Commander.”
As the sound of scurrying footsteps faded, she turned back to the young man.
“Until the doctor returns, we’ll have to fend for ourselves,” she murmured. She thought back to her childhood days, during times of illness. For comfort, Maológ used to tell her stories. She smiled at the recollection.
There was a knock at the door. “Ah, the water has arrived.” She soaked some material and placed it on the patient’s forehead. “Perhaps there are a few tales I can share with you,” she said, moving one of the chairs closer to the bed.
The young man began to hallucinate.
Aisling applied more cold water to the compress. “Patrick warned me about this. His fever must be getting worse.”
She reached out to hold his hand, thinking back to a time when she was unconscious. Despite her illness, she could still hear the voices of people around her. “You will get better soon,” she said. “The doctor is coming back with a special tea for you.”
The sound of booted feet striding down the deck grew louder.
“See, they are here already.”
The door was flung open. Aisling whirled around, her eyes widening. Standing there was the warrior from the temple. His black eyes flashed as he looked at her holding the patient’s hand.
“Hello,” she said, standing and closing the distance between them. “Are you here to see me?”
He stared at her.
The doctor moved into the room. “I’m sorry, Commander. He’s a government official, and insisted on coming with us.”
“It’s all right, Patrick. We’ve already met.”
The warrior flinched. “Commander?”
“Yes, I’m Aisling. I oversee the fleet. Can I help you?”
“I’ve been tracking my lost brother. It seems he’s been found.”
“You mean our patient?”
“I’m here to take him back with me.”
She dropped her gaze to the immense hand gripping the hilt of his sword.
“I’m afraid that’s not possible,” she said.
The warrior moved closer.
Patrick interjected. “This man is injured. And he’s fighting a high fever. I won’t allow him to be moved,” he insisted, though his voice wavered.
“Well then, he can be treated elsewhere.”
Aisling locked eyes with the dark stranger. “He’s under my protection. Until we know more, he stays here,” she said, her tone growing more insistent.
“Who did this to him?”
“I’m sorry to say, he has no recollection.”
“What do you mean?”
“He’s lost his memory. Until he wakes up and identifies you as his brother, I’m afraid we can’t release him.”
Drayaen seethed. He wasn’t used to someone not conceding to his wishes. He stood there thinking about the size of the fleet. He estimated they had more than six hundred men, all of whom would be armed. They far outnumbered his troops. Some of his teams weren’t even trained yet. In frustration, he ran his hand through his wild hair. He inhaled a deep breath and eyed his sibling, who lay motionless on the bed.
“Fine. He stays here. But I’ll not leave him. Until he recovers, I’ll be on the ship.”
Aisling raised an eyebrow.
“If you’ll have me,” he amended.
She gazed at him and detected a glimpse of something. The man was arrogant, but there had been genuine concern when he first glanced at the patient. He may be brusque, she thought, but he did look out for my safety last night.
“All right. Ryen will get you settled. Stay in this room if you’d like. Breakfast is at dawn.
If you need anything, please let me know.”
“All right, I will.”
Aisling nodded and moved onto the deck. She turned to Ryen. “Let the
night crew know we have another visitor.”
“Aye, Commander. We’ll keep you posted if anything changes.”
“I hope he recovers,” she muttered as she walked back to her cabin. One thing was clear, she thought, glancing back in the direction of the sick bay. Whoever tried to harm him was still out there.
Drayaen sat across the room and watched his brother. Zo’s usual animated expression had been replaced by a dim pallor. For the last hour, he hadn’t moved. The scene was a familiar one. Drayaen had watched his mother and older brother die, both from unseen forces. He rubbed his long fingers across his forehead and tried to ease the permanent ache that was etched there. Everyone he ever loved had been killed. His younger relation, and last remaining ally, was the exception.
He frowned. The boys had been separated after his mother’s death. A better description, he thought, is that the king pushed us out of the palace to be raised by people who considered us a burden.
He could feel his chest tighten at the recollection.
For survival, he learned the strategies and tactics of a warrior. It gave him a chance to practice skills he would need when confronting his real enemies. It was a mission he began as soon as he was old enough to assert his independence.
His train of thought was interrupted by the arrival of the doctor. “I’ve come to check on our patient. I’ve brought him more ginger tea. Here’s a drink for you as well,” he said, handing over the cup from a safe distance.
“Thank you for taking care of him. How serious is it? Will he live?”
The surgeon moved a step closer. “We’re doing everything we can. His fever seems to be going down. The hallucinations have stopped. That’s a good sign,” he added, as he checked the patient’s pulse.
“Where was he found?”
“Behind the temple. The commander spotted him in the woods as we were returning to our ship. He was bleeding and unconscious.”
“Why bring him onboard?”
“Well, judging by his injury, someone tried to harm him, and she wanted to ensure his protection until he recovered.” The doctor straightened up and faced the guest. “I’ll be back around dawn to check on him. Do you have everything you need?”
Princess of Sky, Earth, Fire and Water Page 5