by Sam Argent
“Father put wards on the front and back doors this morning.”
“Of course.” Sebastian hugged his sister again and went to his window. He unlatched it and sat his makeshift bag on the roof before climbing out. “Bye,” he said as he closed the window behind him. Halfway down the gutter, Sebastian’s boot stuck to the metal. “Son of a….” He pulled hard, but the house’s defenses had been activated. He clutched the gutter and lowered himself so his boot was at eye level. He braced himself with one hand and used the other to unlace it. Then, wrapping both arms around the gutter, he slipped his foot out. Finally free, Sebastian dropped to the ground and took off running.
“HOW DID this happen, Sir Orwell?” the cobbler asked when Sebastian limped inside his shop.
“A clumsy mishap I’m too embarrassed to tell you about, kind sir. Do you have any shoes my size?” Sebastian had stubbed his toes on several rocks and didn’t want more injuries.
“You know, Sir Orwell, everyone’s feet are either too large or too small, but yours are perfect. I have a pair your size, don’t worry.” The cobbler went into the back of his shop, and Sebastian sighed, wishing the man had used another word to describe his feet.
SOMEONE IS following me. Again, Sebastian rounded a bend and saw the same brown-clothed man out of the corner of his eye. As he passed Renan’s gates into the once-prosperous woodcrafting town, Sebastian clutched his dagger and ducked behind a bush. The cloaked figure looked both ways and continued down the path Sebastian had been traveling. Once the stranger was out of sight, Sebastian turned back toward the gates. He stuck to the outer stream of people and searched every few minutes for his shadow. At first Sebastian saw no sign, but the familiar brown cloak reappeared. Stupid Father just had to be right. If I’m killed, I will curse him and the prince.
He didn’t want to attract the City Watch, so Sebastian dived into the crowds. He turned down streets and alleys, making his way to abandoned woodworking shops. Another right and Sebastian pressed his back into a doorway. He raised his hand, and a vine peeking under the paved stones grew. Stop him! Sebastian thought sharply, sending it into the road to wait for the stranger. Light footsteps moved closer, and the vine tripped his pursuer. Sebastian stepped out of his hiding place and wrapped his arm around the man’s neck, pressing his knife into the stranger’s throat. “Why are you following me?”
“Why did you dump me in a tavern?”
Sebastian lowered his knife and spun the man around. Standing in front of him with dripping black hair was Prince Turren. He hastily looked around and then shoved the prince away from him. “Sorry, Your Highness, I took you for a brigand. Have a good night.” Sebastian sheathed his knife and glanced down the alley for any witnesses. No one appeared and Sebastian sighed. This idiot hasn’t drawn attention to me yet. He turned to go, but Turren rushed in front of him.
“Wait! I command you to wait! At least let me thank you.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Is His Highness ill?”
“Excuse me? You are Sebastian Orwell.” Prince Turren reached out for Sebastian’s elbow and slipped from his grasp. “Your cloak is weirder than I remembered.”
“As I said, you’re mistaken. I’ve heard of the Orwells, and you can find them in the king’s forest.” Sebastian bowed his head and feinted right, but Turren jumped in the way.
“I could bring you to the City Watch and have them order you to remove your hood.”
Fed up with Turren’s persistence, Sebastian shoved his palm into the royal’s nose. Prince Turren moved his head in time, but Sebastian now had enough room to flee. He sprinted out of the alley and kept running until Renan was just a shadow on the horizon.
SEBASTIAN TOOK out his spyglass again and spotted the brown cloak. I could cry. I could genuinely fucking cry. False turns, unused hunting paths, and the prince was still on his trail. Sebastian gave up and built a small fire in the woods. He unwrapped a fish from spelled leaves that kept it fresh and skewered it for his supper. While it roasted, Sebastian dug in his bag for a plate and waited. Nothing stirred in the trees until only a skeleton remained of his dinner.
Turren stood on the opposite side of the flames and licked his lips. “Would it be too much to—”
“Yes,” Sebastian answered without looking at him.
“I only wanted to know if you had more.” Prince Turren sat down on the grass across from Sebastian. “It should be okay for me to sit.”
Sebastian pulled a blanket out of his bag. “It’s your inheritance.”
“You don’t treat me like it is.”
“You’ll get my false respect when your father dies and you become king.”
Turren frowned. “Can we not talk about my father dying? That’s just bad luck.”
“Of course you’re the superstitious kind,” Sebastian said. “I’m going to sleep. Stay on your side of the fire.”
“Why did you save me?”
“I didn’t.”
Turren grunted disbelievingly.
“Maybe your cloaked savior didn’t like the thought of someone innocent dying.”
“Maybe he’s a kind person.”
Sebastian snorted. “Go to sleep and don’t snore.”
“WHAT DO you mean my son is gone?” King Harris demanded.
“He snuck away, Your Majesty. He left a message saying he had to take care of a debt,” Lord Pasley said.
“Captain Pembrost!” King Harris shouted.
“Has also disappeared. When I told him about the prince, he grinned and said, ‘I’ll catch two rabbits.’”
“He better know where Turren is headed. Send out a squad to track both of them.” King Harris shook his head. “How long can my son stay on his feet with poison in his system?”
Lord Pasley shrugged. “A day or two comfortably if he doesn’t push himself.”
King Harris sighed. “The odds of him not pushing himself are very low.”
SEBASTIAN GLANCED across the dead fire at an empty space. Maybe the stubborn prince has taken the hint. Soft snores behind his ear killed his hope. Sebastian rolled over and Turren slept peacefully, closer than where he had retired for the night. Sebastian drummed his fingers on his blanket. I wish you would stop putting me in awkward positions. Discarding his impulse to close the prince’s nostrils, Sebastian carefully stood and searched for his bag. He spotted it on Turren’s other side, its opening clutched in the frustrating man’s fingers. It would serve him right if I dumped my water skin on his face. Instead, Sebastian bent down and gently pulled on the pillowcase. Turren’s hand dragged across the dirt, and his fingers finally opened. Sebastian lifted up the bag, and then a throat cleared.
“All you had to do was ask.”
Sebastian frowned at the now-awake prince. “I shouldn’t have to ask for my things.”
Turren stretched and yawned. “It was a precaution if you tried leaving before I woke up.”
“How could I leave a charmer like you behind?” Sebastian snatched his bag and started walking.
“Where are we going?”
“I’m going to see my brother,” Sebastian said.
“The eldest Orwell? It’s been years since I’ve seen him. He chased Pratchett and me for hours.” Turren smiled. “I was a brat then, but they were pleasant memories.”
“You’re still a brat,” Sebastian said under his breath.
“True, but I make better decisions.”
Sebastian stopped and turned around. “You’re gallivanting after a man you haven’t seen since childhood. You travel with no guards after a recent assassination attempt. Explain to me how you are not making bad decisions.”
Turren straightened his shoulders. “My goal when I arrived home was to seek you out. I have now been in your company for a day. I’m approaching my goals quicker than expected, so I’m quite happy with my decisions.”
Sebastian crossed his arms. “What goals?”
“It’s in my best interest not to reveal them yet,” the prince said.
/> “How powerful is your magic?”
Turren blinked. “That was a quick change of subject.”
“Your attackers probably caught you off guard, but you’re aware of the danger now and can protect yourself better than before, correct?” Sebastian asked.
“I will not be easy prey again. I still don’t understand what point you’re making.”
“There was no point.” Sebastian faced the road again and began walking briskly.
Turren grabbed Sebastian’s shoulder. “What are you up to?”
Sebastian glared at the hand that shouldn’t be latching on to him. “I see. You take after your mother.” He brushed it off and continued walking. “You have your motives, and I have mine.”
CAPTAIN, YOU’RE testing my cousin’s patience.
Captain Pembrost held his amulet while drinking with his other hand. I’m on the prince’s trail. From the looks of it, he’s fine and traveling in the company of another man, he thought to the wizard.
You think it’s our cloaked rescuer, the court wizard sent back.
I don’t believe he’s guilty of the attack, but he probably knows something. Why else would he run?
Your vagueness makes me want to curse you.
I’m sorry, Frederick, but the man I suspect is the son of an irritating lord. I need solid proof before I make any accusations. Give my regards to our king and don’t contact me for a while. Captain Pembrost released his amulet and glanced at the group of trackers pretending to be wheat merchants. And if I can’t catch the rescuer, maybe I can catch the assassins trying for another shot.
LORD PASLEY sighed as his cousin glared at him. “He’s on Turren’s trail, and he has a plan.”
King Harris leaned back and massaged his temples. “Why can’t the people closest to me act like they obey my orders?”
Lord Pasley cleared his throat.
“Fine, you’re obedient, but that’s only because you don’t have my job.”
Lord Pasley shrugged. “I admit that not being the heir makes me far more cooperative than your average wizard.”
“Bastard, you’re supposed to deny it and say you’re my loyal servant.” King Harris sighed. “None of you do what you’re supposed to.”
“Queen Anne?”
“She broke off contact hours ago. I have no idea where she is.”
Lord Pasley frowned. “I wonder if she thought the same thing as Pembrost.”
“Which would be nice if either one of them decided to share their thoughts with me!” King Harris slammed his fist on his armrest. “Where is the squad you sent after Pembrost?”
“Close enough to know he’s outside of Bruwen, but far enough away that they won’t lose sight of the captain. I think.”
King Harris waved him away.
CHAPTER 4
SEBASTIAN CALCULATED the distance to the nearest City Watch post and wondered how close he could abandon the prince next to it. He remembered the prince’s wounds and knew he had little energy from multiple healings. If my timing is just right, Turren would have to give up following me right at the City Watch’s building. Happy with his new plan, Sebastian glanced back at the eager puppy huffing along behind him.
Turren smiled. “You don’t have to worry about me, I’m fine,” he claimed with sweat dripping from his brow.
“Whatever you say, Your Highness.” Sebastian shook his head and walked faster.
“I’M FEELING a bit… tired,” Turren huffed out an hour later. “Do you mind if we rest for a while?”
“You’re slowing me down,” Sebastian said, but he stopped. His drop-off destination was still three miles away. “I have more fish. Do you want one?”
Turren grinned. “Yes, please. I didn’t pack much because I needed to catch up to you.”
“This could all be solved by you going back home.” Sebastian rummaged through his bag and sat down.
“I needed a chance to give you my present.”
Sebastian frowned. “What present?”
Turren collapsed next to him. “An item I picked up in Anerith.”
“Please tell me you didn’t scavenge valuables from that war-torn country.”
“Heh,” the prince muttered. “I knew your opinion of me was low the last time we met, but have faith that I grew into a decent man.”
“You were friends with Pratchett, so I wrote you off as a lost cause.”
“You were a large influence too.”
“I doubt that. Are you going to tell me what you have, or will you keep dancing around the issue?”
Turren sighed. “I hoped to make this memorable.”
Sebastian sighed. “Go on, blow me away.”
Turren reached into his satchel and pulled out a rectangular object wrapped in brown cloth.
Sebastian couldn’t help himself and scooted closer.
Turren held out the gift to Sebastian. “You do the honors.”
Sebastian meant to mock the man, but there could only be a book under the cloth, and he couldn’t hide his enthusiasm. He grabbed the package. “It can’t be anything too rare,” he said as he unwrapped it, revealing gold letters embroidered on red leather. It was barely worn and in better condition than his old book. “I’m not sure how I feel about this much of the people’s gold being spent on presents.”
Turren laughed. “I appreciate your fiscal concern, but it was a gift.”
“A gift worth a small fortune? What did you do to earn it?” Sebastian asked, but he didn’t return the book.
“I told an old woman about you and what I had done. She said that I couldn’t give you back your memories, but I could give you hers. She went through great lengths to hide it during the purge, and she had no children to appreciate it.”
“I’ll give you some credit. Not many are willing to talk of their misdeeds when they truly understand the callousness of their actions.” Sebastian laughed. “I don’t know if you’ve grown into a bigger fool or a clever man.”
“Fools don’t give out books.”
“I still wouldn’t call you a clever man, but I should stop underestimating you.”
“Honestly, I hope you don’t. Catching you by surprise might be the only chance I’ve got,” Turren said as he leaned forward. His head slid off Sebastian’s shoulder, and he fell on the ground.
Sebastian poked Turren’s back. “I show you a little kindness and you push your luck. Get up.” Turren didn’t move, and Sebastian glared at the unwanted baggage. “Am I supposed to check on you? If you think a ruse will force me to touch you, you’re wrong.” Sebastian rolled his eyes. “Fine, I’ll play along, but you’re going to owe me coin for this.” Still no answer. Sebastian turned Turren over, and saw sweat glistening on his face. “Turren?” He touched the prince’s forehead and it burned. Far hotter than just being tired from a long trek after injury. “What is this? Turren?” Sebastian shook him back to his senses.
Turren grinned weakly. “Frederick was unable to remove all the poison.”
“Poison?” Sebastian whispered. “You idiot! Why wouldn’t you mention such an important detail?”
“I knew you were trying to leave me behind. I didn’t want you to have a reason to do it sooner.” Turren’s eyes closed and they didn’t reopen.
Sebastian placed his hands on Turren’s chest and sensed for the poison going through his body. Where his hands touched skin, something dark within Turren pulled at Sebastian’s magic, and Sebastian jerked back. “You had to pick up something particularly nasty.” He mentally inventoried Harold’s supplies and failed to think of anything to combat the poison. If Lord Pasley was treating the prince, then the only cure is probably at the castle. Sebastian closed his eyes. Dammit! “If I had known that you planned on committing suicide by stubbornness, I would have left you to die.”
LUCKILY, THE prince had enough money in his pockets to pay for a horse. Sebastian couldn’t carry the heavy bastard, and Turren wouldn’t survive if he was left alone. The curse in Turren’s blood had drained his strength, s
o Sebastian transferred some of his energy to him. Gods know what the castle guards are going to do to me. I’m the man who found the prince hurt, twice. The cloak covering the prince from head to toe gave him peace along the journey. No one to call me murderer until I reach the capital. Rain came down in sheets, making his situation worse. Sebastian gritted his teeth. I don’t know what I did to anger the Gods, but I wish someone else would earn their ire.
They rode past Trellium’s gates, and Sebastian couldn’t think of a way to drop the prince off without anyone seeing him. Turren’s condition made another tavern out of the question. As he got closer to the castle, Sebastian drew many stares from merchants who flooded the city during the day. He bypassed the line of visitors and rode up to the guards. They held up their hands to stop him, and one of them walked toward Sebastian.
“It doesn’t matter how important you think you are, you need to get in line like everyone else,” the guard said.
“I would rather not be here, but your prince is having a bit of an emergency.” Sebastian pointed his thumb at the man sleeping on his back. The guard frowned and used his pike to lift up the prince’s hood. Several people gasped as Turren’s handsome face was revealed, and then Sebastian was surrounded. The city gates slammed shut, and guards pulled Sebastian off his horse. Under the aim of several crossbows, Sebastian remained still. “I’m not sure if he remembers me, but please inform Captain Pembrost that my name is Sebastian Orwell.”
“If you say so, boy, but if he doesn’t, you’ll be in trouble,” said a guard who seized Sebastian’s right arm. His hand slid away, and he drew his sword. “Drop the ward.”
“It’s not a ward, it’s my cloak, and no, I won’t take it off.”
“A grown man and you’re as troublesome as ever. Hello, Sebastian.” Captain Pembrost stood at the top of the steps in full armor and hurried to Sebastian’s side. “Let him go.” The captain held out his hand, and Sebastian clasped it. “What happened?”