Quests Volume Two

by Barbara G. Tarn

  Keshav thought the young man was too old to be King Prem's son. Maybe the king had another brother he hadn't heard of?

  "I'm just the king's cousin, why should I stick to Godwalkar?" Rohan complained.

  Ah. Made sense. A prince related to the king. Maybe that was too much as a bodyguard. Although the prince looked very fit and with tight muscles. He was probably an excellent warrior, even though he'd never seen a war in his life.

  "Your highness, the north is barbarian country," Babita said. "My husband usually hired mercenaries at the border of Gajendra to protect us when we went to the Konigtown Fair."

  "Well, one more reason to prove to the world that I'm a real warrior," Rohan replied. "And stop calling me 'your highness' right now!" He pointed a threatening finger at her.

  She raised her eyebrows. "Or?"

  He rolled his eyes and looked away. Aagney chuckled, cleaning his greasy hands on his tunic. His plates were empty and he downed a jug of water again. Keshav thought they couldn't afford to take the Storyteller with them because he'd eat all their savings. Literally.

  "We will have to make a plan," he told the merchant. "Babita, I'll show you where to copy that map. I'd also like to you to make an estimate of expenses, so I can ask my uncle to finance the trip."

  "If he says no, I'll convince my father to finance it," Rohan said. "Who is your uncle, by the way?"

  "Lord Hitendra."

  "Ah, King Rahul's father-in-law!" Rohan grinned. "No wonder you reached Godwalkar and were able to live here. Tell me, what is King Rahul like?"

  Keshav stiffened. He didn't like talking about his family, especially with someone who so obviously knew a lot about them already. And especially not about his pretty cousin Chitrangda who had married one of the twin kings of Amrendra.

  "Harish the Jester became Rahul of Amrendra after King Vijay of Lakeshi put his greedy hands on him," Aagney started with his storytelling voice. "But even though he was twin-heir of Amrendra, he kept his male lover by his side, until Kartik was killed in a conspiracy seven years ago and Rahul decided to get married for the sake of his twin, King Rohit, and the rest of the royal family..."

  Rohan rolled his eyes. "We all know that story, Aagney," he said. "What I want to know is... what is King Rahul really like?"

  "He is the shadow king," Keshav answered. "He doesn't have a very public life."

  "But he did marry your cousin... did they have children?"

  "Not when I left. I don't know what happened in the past five years."

  "But do they sleep together?"

  "As far as I know, yes."

  "Oh. Interesting."

  "I could have told you that, if you'd let me finish the story," Aagney snapped. "Just because Abhilash told you he doesn't want to see you again now that he's married doesn't mean all male lovers split up when they get married!"

  Rohan glared at the storyteller.

  "You better keep that story to yourself, Storyteller! Or go tell it in some other kingdom, is that clear?" he said sharply.

  "As your highness wishes," Aagney replied with a mock bow.

  Keshav cleared his throat. "I think I should show Babita that map. If you'll excuse us..."

  He was glad to get out of the Sour Stallion this time. He didn't like the direction the conversation was taking. Even though Aagney had spared him from talking about his cousin's husband.

  Babita eagerly followed him outside. They exchanged a glance and both burst out laughing.

  "Seems our royalty like their own sex," she commented, shaking her head. "What a waste..."

  Keshav wondered if it was really a waste. He was chaste, was he also a waste because he didn't have sex? Was it really a waste if men didn't have sex with women?

  But he had enough of the sensitive topic and decided to keep his mouth shut.

  ***

  Rohan watched the back of the scholar leaving the tavern. In spite of the long tunic, he could imagine the body underneath and was even more pleased. The handsome foreigner was the cousin of Queen Chitrangda of Amrendra. He really had to talk to him about King Rahul.

  Sanjay sat heavily next to him and Rohan snapped back to reality and realized Aagney was staring at him with a smirk. Rohan scowled at the storyteller who just chuckled.

  "Man, you like him, don't you? Keshav is really bright, but I bet that's not what you like about him," Aagney said.

  "I obviously didn't talk to him as much as you did," he snapped. He should thank Aagney for telling him the scholar's name, but the man's stare was jarring. "But yes, he sounds fascinating."

  "And very good-looking, I know." Aagney smiled impishly at him. "And yes, leaving town at this time might be good for you, although I don't think your father will let you go if you tell him you're not coming back."

  "But I will come back!" Rohan replied. "It might take a detour to see Delen and meet King Rahul, but eventually I will come back!"

  "Not with Keshav, I'm afraid," Aagney said. "I've never met a Human so uninterested in sex! You can ask Zoya how he reacted to her!"

  "What?" Rohan quickly glanced over his shoulder at the bartender who leaned on the counter with her chin resting on her hand, looking bored in the slow hour after lunch time. "Wait, if he refused a woman, I might have a chance!"

  "Like I said, he's probably not interested in you either," Aagney replied. "Anyhow, do as you please, as usual. As long as you leave your crush on Abhilash behind."

  Rohan glared at him. It wasn't a crush. It was his first love. His beloved foster brother and only companion until Abhilash had gotten married a couple of weeks earlier. Rohan had tried to maintain the relationship, but his friend and lover had said they had both better move on. He even suggested Rohan got married too! Rohan still fumed at the thought.

  "Your highness, you should talk to your father," Sanjay said. "He's been hoping you changed your mind now that Abhilash is married."

  "He might actually kick you out if you decide to stick to male lovers," Aagney added, amused.

  "You stay out of my life," Rohan said, pointing a threatening finger at the storyteller. "And don't you dare go around telling my story! You hear me?"

  "Now I'm really scared." He sounded sarcastic, mostly.

  Rohan rose and decided he'd had enough. His empty threats always backfired. He better do as Sanjay suggested. Speak to his father and see where that would take him.

  His bodyguard might be right. If he stuck to what his heart told him, his father might as well kick him out... and he was more than ready for a brand new adventure in foreign lands!

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Keshav was going to miss Godwalkar. Of all the capitals of the southern kingdoms, Gajendra had touched him most. It couldn't be just because there was the oldest university with the best library. It probably had something to do with the Magical Races, though, and their closeness to that particular kingdom.

  Heading north was both exciting and daunting. He didn't know much about the northern populations and a part of him was curious. He hoped the northerners respected culture and wouldn't try to kill a harmless scholar like him. Traders did go that way, therefore it couldn't be that bad.

  When he'd left Delen going south on a sea-faring ship, he hadn't thought he might actually come back from the north. That was going to be a surprise for his family, and he could bring news of what happened beyond the Gallian border. He was certain that King Rohit Rahul would appreciate the information.

  Although that might be a reason to be killed. The barbarians might think he was a spy.

  As he gathered his things in Mrs. Jaya's spare room, he frowned in worry. Luckily he came from Amrendra, the only southern kingdom with four seasons instead of three, and was used to harsh winters and heavy cloaks. Except of course he hadn't brought his, since he wasn't expecting to travel north.

  He wondered if he should do the research the other way round – go back to Delen and start from there. But what if his father forbade him to leave again? He knew Prince Rohan had fought with his o
wn father and ended up renouncing all his rights, going to brood at his cousins' palace until it was time to leave...

  At least the prince would come alone. Although maybe his bulky bodyguard would have been more useful than Rohan himself. His cousin Dilip was very fond of him and had agreed to finance them. Keshav wondered if Dilip did it to get rid of a weird cousin that put the family to shame with his strange ways.

  In any case Keshav didn't need his uncle's financing. Babita was used to traveling lightly and knew where the cheapest places were, at least up to Konigtown. Then they'd find someone else to guide them west, through Varian and Gallian territory and back to Amrendra.

  Keshav had filled his journal with notes of possible locations for the lost Genn cities. He had talked extensively with the chief librarian and any other traveler he could find, just to get the feel of the place.

  It was time to say good-bye to Mrs. Jaya and start his quest.

  What the quest would bring, he wasn't sure. Fame or fortune didn't really interest him. Knowledge was more important. And hopefully he could convince his father and uncle that marrying him off would be a waste of his potential...

  ***

  "Isn't it a little early for the Konigtown Fair?"

  The petulant voice of her mother-in-law grated on Babita's ears, but she didn't stop packing.

  "I want to explore other markets," she answered with a shrug. "I've heard so much about Moriana, I might get there too. Vikram can look after the shop while I'm away."

  "Don't be away for too long, or someone else might step in," the woman retorted.

  It was definitely time to leave. Her husband's inheritance was becoming way too burdensome. If she couldn't find a place in the north, she might look for something in Amrendra. And if even Amrendra or Lakeshi proved too harsh for a single woman, she'd go back to Delta City and her birth family. They'd always have room for her.

  Her husband's family had never really accepted her, and as soon as he was gone in that unfortunate accident, she'd felt even less welcome than before. She was certain the woman was glad to be rid of her, and her nephew would soon be in charge of the shop.

  She was sad to leave the little apartment over the shop she had shared with her one and only love, but it was obvious she couldn't stay there. The lack of children had made her even more unwanted in the family, therefore she might as well leave and start a new life somewhere else. She knew nobody would miss her in Godwalkar.

  She had copied the map from the book Keshav had found, marveling at how precise the drawing in the book was. Definitely done by someone who could fly over land and see it all. She had added her own notes, but mostly traced the other artist's work and felt confident they wouldn't get lost.

  There was still the problem of security on the road, but Prince Rohan had insisted on coming and he certainly could manage a few ill-equipped bandits, if they ever crossed any. Maybe his simple presence would be enough to deter them, since attacking a woman, a scholar and a warrior might be more hassle than anything.

  She hoped the prince would leave his jewelry at home.

  "See you in a few months," she said lightly, putting her travel bag on her shoulder. She had everything. She didn't even listen for a reply and left the house that had both her apartment and the shop in common with her mother-in-law, heading for the north-eastern gate where she was supposed to meet Keshav and Prince Rohan.

  ***

  Keshav reached the gate first and sat on a bench under a lemon tree in the square opening in front of it. By his calculations it was still summer up north, therefore he might not need that cloak after all, unless some accident slowed them down. But they could probably get to Amrendra before winter kicked in, thus they'd be fine.

  He pondered the five years spent traveling through the southern kingdoms, mostly by ship or barge since the capitals were all on river shores and easier to get to by water than by land. The monsoon sweeping over Arquon, Akkora and Rajendra barely touched the southern parts of Lakeshi and Gajendra.

  There were very few elephants in Jevina and none in Godwalkar, but plenty in Agharek, Argantael and Zarquon. Keshav had watched the big animals work for the southern kingdoms, but hadn't dared climb on any. In fact, by land he always went on foot, or maybe hitched a ride on a wagon.

  They'd travel on foot at least until the border, since there were inns on the roads at regular intervals. Beyond they would either buy a wagon or a tent, since it was less easy to find a place to sleep. It might be summer, but sleeping under the stars in unknown territory wasn't safe.

  Maybe a closed wagon was the best thing, but then they'd have to buy an animal to pull it – an ox, a donkey, a horse... more expenses.

  Keshav frowned in worry, then saw Babita arrive with her travel bag. She greeted him and sat next to him.

  "What's wrong?" she asked then.

  "How did you travel beyond the border?" he asked. "Did you join caravans of traders?"

  "Yes, we usually traveled in groups," she answered, thoughtful. "But it's early for the Konigtown Fair, so I doubt there will be many people on those roads. Why?"

  "Where will we spend the night outside the border?"

  "Ah, I see. Well, there are some farms on the way to Konigtown... and yes, we might spend a night or three under the stars, hoping it doesn't rain."

  "And is it safe?"

  She made a grimace. "Mostly. Why? What do you suggest, we hire more bodyguards?"

  "Buy a closed wagon?"

  "That would mean we have something to protect." She wrinkled her nose. "No, I think that traveling on foot and sleeping under the stars would keep the robbers away more than if we look like we have something worth protecting with wooden walls."

  "I hadn't thought about that," he said, staring at the street that led to the town center. "The stars it is, then." He smiled at her.

  He hadn't done it very often, especially not in recent years, but he didn't mind sleeping under the stars. It was a good way to check his astronomy knowledge and see if he could still name the main constellations.

  "Sleeping out on summer nights can be very romantic," she warned with an impish smile.

  "I don't think our bodyguard will let you anywhere near him," he replied, amused.

  She leaned closer to him. "And what about you?"

  He looked away as his heart jumped in his throat. "I'm a scholar. I'm not interested in romance."

  "Great, then we're all set for our adventure!" she said cheerfully. "Oh, thank Chanda! He left his jewels at home!"

  "What?"

  Puzzled, Keshav looked the way she was looking and saw Rohan coming towards them, with his sword by his side and a backpack on his shoulder. The elegant garb had been changed into comfortable travel clothes and even the rings were gone.

  Keshav and Babita stood to meet him.

  "Am I late?" he asked with a smile.

  "No, not at all, the bell hasn't sounded yet," Keshav said. "Let's go."

  All three stepped towards the gate. They looked poor enough for nobody to attack them, unless they were really desperate. Good. They'd reach Konigtown and then they'd improvise from there.

  ***

  Rohan turned once to look at the gate of Godwalkar. He could see the turrets of the royal palace over the wall and felt a pang in his heart. No matter how the quest went, he probably wasn't coming back. Dilip had suggested he left and tried to find someone to love away from Godwalkar. His cousin had mentioned the court of Lakeshi was famous for male lovers and King Vivek apparently had seduced Suresh of Arquon to the point that the young king had abdicated in favor of his brother and now lived with his male lover and former bodyguard in Zarquon.

  "Of course you can bring your lover here," Dilip had said. "Unless you feel happier somewhere else."

  Rohan wasn't sure of what to do. He hoped he could get in the pants of the handsome scholar at some point, or maybe convince him to introduce him to King Rahul. From what Aagney had said, even if he was married, King Rahul of Amrendra still had a ma
le lover. And then there was King Vivek. Prince Suresh of Arquon.

  In any case he was happy to leave his father's domineering presence. He'd been kicked out of the family palace with barely his clothes and his sword, but Dilip had been very generous. The few bangles and rings he still had were now hidden in a pouch. He'd sell them when he needed more coins.

  As he followed the merchant and the scholar away from his hometown, Rohan thought he had made the right choice. His heart felt lighter as he walked towards his freedom.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  The first leg of the journey was easy as expected. The road mostly followed the river, it was paved and well-traveled. Often they could jump on carts or wagons for stretches of road and spare the soles of their shoes. They slept in farms or small villages on the river shores.

  The Central Massif loomed over them, the highest peaks still covered in snow, but the rest mostly dark green from the conifers growing on the slopes, or gray when rock was the main sight. Sometimes a patch of the lighter green of a meadow or a clearing gave a different color to the mountains.

  And then the road crossed the river on a large stone bridge that allowed two-way traffic of carts and wagons. On the opposite shore stood the Lucky Snake, a medium-sized inn that stood at a very good point on the road that now headed almost straight to the coast.

  They reached it close to sunset and had no other choice than to spend the night there. Keshav thought the overall quality was a bit shady, and the food overpriced, but at least the rooms were cheap. They took the last two beds in the men's common room and Babita found one spot in the women's common room. Not ideal, but they didn't have much choice.

  They kept their travel bags with them at all times and didn't dare ask if there was a bath chamber. They'd wash in the river before leaving in the morning. They huddled together at a corner table in the crowded main room and chose from the very plain-looking menu. Only Rohan had meat, which was always on warriors' diets but not everybody could afford it. Since the farms hadn't provided him with any, he looked forward to a good steak.

  The room was quiet but cheerful and the tavern was so well-lit that there were no dark corners. From their table, they could see the rest of the patrons, most sober and almost all openly armed. A minor brawl erupted between two peasants and a badly wounded adventurer who didn't seem to be drinking at all.