A King's Ransom

by Lia Black

  Kaidos peered earnestly at Barlan's face in the dim light. It lacked the lines of age, indicating that Barlan actually was quite young—although it was difficult to tell how young. Kaidos had known some boys who looked like men before they were fourteen, and he realized that Barlan could be anywhere from his middle twenties to his middle thirties in age.

  "So your heat doesn't necessarily end up with a mating bond?" Kaidos followed the change in topic eagerly, afraid of falling too deeply into the dark pit of despair that had opened up around him.

  "No, not typically. The mating bond was more common when there were more of my kind around, but over the years, our numbers have dwindled. The heat is the peak of the breeding cycle. It occurs roughly twice in a year—spring and early fall. It is like a form of insanity—the need to mate in the more animal sense. For seventy-two hours, life becomes narrowed to inseminating as many fertile candidates as possible, and race is rarely an issue, though my kind is usually stuck with animals of their primary type. If this is not possible or is interrupted—as mine was—the desire to attack becomes overwhelming. I can boast that I killed three of the king's men that day, but you can see all of the good it did me. I've been here for thirty-six days. Yesterday a little mage was sent down to look me over. I'm not certain if he plans to bewitch me into the king's bidding or take me with him when he leaves. Honestly, I think the former might be preferable." Barlan shuddered.

  Kaidos had managed to sit up but now wondered if that had been such a good idea. He was leaning forward on his knees and he could feel the wounds on his back beginning to tighten as they dried to scab-over. Any movement would cause the thin seal to crack and start the pain and bleeding all over again. At least he could consider it some small comfort that he'd be dead before infection spread. Although the messenger had told Barlan that Engel would be coming, that seemed like hours ago, and Kaidos had his doubts that Engel's words could do anything to get him out.

  There came suddenly a ruckus from down the corridor and Barlan jumped up, heading to the barred door to peer out.

  "What is it?" Kaidos asked, gritting his teeth as he considered standing, then thought better of it when fiery lance of pain drove itself through the freshly broken skin on his back.

  "Dunno. Can't see anything…" Barlan muttered. He lifted his head and sniffed the air, grimacing. "Blood. Someone coming this way…" He crouched down and Kaidos felt his heart freeze in his chest.

  The man's already impossibly wide shoulders grew even wider and hair sprouted down his back. Thick, black claws extended from his fingers as they thickened and became coated with fur. A low growl started in Barlan's chest as he set himself between Kaidos and the door.

  "Vailinn—you in there?"

  Kaidos recognized Engel's voice at once. "Barlan—it's okay, he's a friend." Even if he weren't, Kaidos didn't want to see him killed and he only hoped that Barlan could understand him after undergoing such a change.

  The tension in Barlan's huge frame abated and his body again changed to resemble something more human. "You are Engel?" Barlan asked, approaching the cell door once more.

  "Yes. Who are you? Never mind, I don't have time."

  Kaidos could hear Engel fiddling with the lock and the cell door popped open. Barlan rushed to Kaidos and helped him to his feet.

  "He's in a bad way—needs a physic or healer," Barlan told Engel as he brought Kaidos to the cell door.

  Engel was looking disheveled and holding a sword coated in blood. Apparently it hadn't been words that Engel had used to persuade a release.

  "You're coming with us," he told Barlan, "cause any trouble and you're dead."

  "He won't," Kaidos said quickly, hoping that his judgment of character was still accurate. Apparently it had been with Engel—much to his relief and surprise.

  "Thank you," Barlan said genuinely to Engel and apologized to Kaidos before scooping him up and over his shoulder like a sack of grain.

  Kaidos bit back a yelp, but sagged in relief. He wasn't in any condition to move very quickly at this point and everything about this situation felt urgent.

  "This way," Barlan stopped Engel as he turned to begin to head out the way he'd come. "There is an aqueduct used for drainage."

  Kaidos closed his eyes, trying to keep his nausea contained as he was bounced along on Barlan's shoulder deeper into the darkness of the corridor.

  "I hope you have some idea of where you're heading," Engel said through gritted teeth as the first muffled shouts echoed through the narrow space.

  Kaidos was passed as quickly and gently as possible to Engel, the darkness so disorienting that Kaidos' head refused to stop spinning. "Ugh…" he moaned thickly.

  The sound of metal scraping stone set his teeth on edge, and a moment later he was grabbed up again by Barlan, the man's hands slick with something Kaidos believed was blood.

  "That grate…Did you just—?" Engel started then stopped abruptly as the voices began to get louder.

  "It's about a ten-foot drop," Kaidos heard Barlan say a moment before Kaidos felt the weightless sensation of falling, only to be jostled against Barlan's brawny shoulder when they landed.

  "By the god's you're enormous!" Engel grunted to Barlan as he dropped down beside them. "I hope you are on our side."

  "Any friend of this little Wanderer is a friend of mine," Barlan said, and for the first time in many years, Kaidos did not feel ashamed of his heritage.

  The tunnel opened to a natural watercourse that emptied into the forest outside the castle walls.

  "The gods have been kind to us today—I have a couple of horses tied not far from here," Engel said as they broke through the underbrush which hid the tunnel entrance from view.

  "I shall hold off the guards so that you may make your escape," Barlan offered.

  "The hell you will, man," Engel snorted. "I didn't earn medals by leaving men behind to fight for me. You're coming with us. We'll help you return to your home if we can."

  "That is a very noble offer, sir, but unnecessary…"

  "I'm invoking the Baerskein oath," Kaidos mumbled from where he hung over Barlan's back. "I might have fed you. You owe me safe passage so you're coming with us." Kaidos was aware that the oath wasn't supposed to work that way, and so was Barlan. The deep bass of his quiet laugh rumbled through him.

  "Okay, little Wanderer. I believe I remember that feast. I will accompany you until I know that you have arrived safely at your destination."

  Engel made a little sound of confused acceptance, but nothing more.

  They found the horses easily after only a few moments of travel and although the animals initially stomped and snorted at the sight of Barlan, they were well-trained warhorses who behaved and stood their ground.

  "Vailinn, I guess you'll have to ride with me. I don't think a horse could carry the two of you," Engel said as he climbed into his saddle.

  "I don't need a horse, sir," Barlan said respectfully.

  "He's a Baerskein, Engel," Kaidos' voice was shaking when Barlan plopped him into the other horse's saddle as if he were a child, and currently he felt as weak as an infant.

  Engel's frown indicated his ignorance of the term.

  Kaidos sighed, uncertain of how Engel might perceive the situation, but hoping that the gods were still feeling gracious. "He's a bear. Sort of."

  Engel's features did not lighten with understanding. If anything, he now looked at Kaidos with an expression of exasperation as his brows pushed closer together and one corner of his mouth pulled lower.

  "No, I mean a real bear," Kaidos sighed. "He's—"

  Before Kaidos could finish, Barlan started to shake his body like a dog shedding water. As he did, thick hair sprouted from his skin. The transformation was surprisingly swift and silent except for the nervous dancing of the horses and Engel's gasp of surprise. Within moments, where Barlan had been now stood an enormous, golden-furred bear with pale blue eyes.

  "By the gods!" Engel struggled to keep his horse under control. He fro
wned at Kaidos. "You have no end of odd luck, do you, Vailinn?"

  Kaidos smiled sheepishly. "Let's hope not."

  *~*~*

  Barlan's presence provided an enormous advantage, especially when the castle guards sent dogs ahead. The hounds were not fool enough to go after a bear when it was men they sought, nor were the animals desperate enough to come close enough to investigate. Barlan was able to sniff out any riders who might be striking out on their own in an attempt to track them down, and avoid them seamlessly. By nightfall, they were several miles away from Dandre, and Engel decided that it was a good time to stop and make camp.

  Barlan had lost the rags he'd been wearing when he'd made his complete transformation from man to bear, so Engel lent him his cloak. He sat on the other side of the fire, watching Engel apply a greasy salve to Kaido's back.

  "It's unfortunate how well it seems I am coming to understand you, Vailinn," Engel grumbled as he finished wrapping a thick bandage around Kaidos' torso to cover his back. "You're just lucky I arrived before they were set for your execution."

  Kaidos didn't bother to tell Engel that Barlan was supposed to have been just that. He changed the subject before his mind began to wander too close to uncomfortable territory.

  "Barlan, how long have you been among humans?" Kaidos asked.

  Barlan shrugged, "Most of my life, I suppose. My father was not the sort to be content as a member of a sleuth. He wanted to be the Ursas—the leader. He challenged the Ursa, and lost. Because of this, my mother was exiled—sent to find another sleuth or live on her own. She knew that it would be impossible to do either as she was already carrying me and two other cubs in her belly. They were stillborn as bears, I came out looking human, so she took me to a village of settled Wanderers…When I was fifteen and nearing my first heat, the tribe decided it was time to move on, and I chose to stay behind. Other than occasionally crossing paths with full-blood bears, trading with the stray hunter, and this most recent problem with the king's men, I have been alone since that time."

  "Do you ever see your human family?"

  "My human parents were older. I buried them shortly before the tribe left. That was the territory I was defending—the Wanderer's burial grounds," Barlan said, with a shrug and a heavy sigh. "It seems foolish to protect the dead…but they were my sleuth—my family."

  Kaidos touched the big man's knee. "Not foolish at all. I might have done the same if I were you."

  Barlan nodded glumly, staring back into the fire.

  "Did you bring my blades?" Kaidos asked Engel. He twisted stiffly at the waist, checking his range of motion with the bandages on. It wasn't much, but the salve helped numb the pain a little, and the bandages would keep the wounds from scabbing over. He'd nearly passed out a few times while they had been riding, and it took a great deal of effort to choke down some water and keep it there, but he was feeling a little strength returning, and wanted to be ready for anything they might encounter.

  Engel pulled the leather girdle lined with throwing knives out of his pack along with a fresh shirt. "I don't suggest you plan on using them soon." He shook his head and grabbed his sword, returning to sit near the fire and clean the blade.

  "You humans are so frail without your weapons," Barlan observed. "I pity those who have none with which to defend themselves. You sir," he jerked his chin towards Engel, "the medals you mentioned—did you earn them in battle?"

  Engel nodded, "I did, but not from killing innocents. I raised my blade to protect those who could not protect themselves."

  "You are not part of this king's army then," Barlan said, a statement rather than a question.

  "No, despite being extended the invitation. King Herran is a tyrant, and had I any choice, I never would have agreed to his demands." Engel glanced at Kaidos who could see the guilt for what he'd done to Veyl still weighing heavily upon him.

  "So what's the plan? You know I won't leave Veyl behind." Kaidos gazed at Engel in all earnestness, and saw surprise widen the guard captain's eyes.

  "I have misjudged you then, Vailinn. I would have thought that freedom would be enough for you at this point." But from the way his eyes shifted when he said it, Kaidos believed that Engel understood his words had only been wishful thinking.

  "I sense…unease between you two…" Barlan observed from his spot opposite the fire.

  Engel let out a small huff and looked between Barlan and his blade, focusing his attention back on the task of cleaning the dried blood from his weapon. "I would say we were rivals in love if it wasn't for the fact that he has so clearly won."

  "You forfeited. Otherwise I wouldn't have stood a chance," Kaidos admitted softly, and he believed that it was true. He had seen Veyl and Engel together in Aaullsworthe and had remembered feeling the jealous pang of wanting to know such love. Now he did know it, and was humbled by being the one fortunate enough to receive it.

  Engel snorted. "Spare me the coddling of my ego, Vailinn. Veyl had been waiting for you since the day I brought him through the gates of Aaullsworthe."

  "Ah, you're that guard captain," Barlan chuckled. "It all makes some small bit of sense to me now."

  Engel narrowed his eyes at Kaidos and Kaidos shrugged with a little smirk. He'd been very kind in his description of Engel's part in the story he'd told Barlan, but it was still entertaining to see the man squirm. "So the plan then?" He reminded.

  "The plan is to seek out the king's brother—the Archduke of Parthus. I am hoping he is a reasonable man who might be willing to forestall a war in exchange for Veyl offering up the throne."

  "And what does the heir-apparent think of giving up his birthright as king?" Barlan asked.

  "I…" Engel hesitated, clearing his throat, "I haven't discussed it with him yet. I have been unable to see Veyl since Vailinn caused a lock-down of the castle."

  Although Kaidos expected nothing different, hearing the outcome of his clandestine meeting with Veyl left a burning lump in his throat.

  "Then how can you be certain this is what he wants? Power corrupts." Barlan glanced briefly at Kaidos.

  Kaidos shook his head. "Not Veyl." He looked at Engel for confirmation, but Ahrn just pursed his lips and went back to cleaning his sword. "I know Veyl," Kaidos urged, turning his attention to Barlan.

  "He's been powerless his entire life," Engel sighed, finally sliding his sword back into its scabbard. "I believe that he has little interest in the politics of a kingdom, but I can't say that he might not seek out control where he can find it."

  Kaidos stood up, ignoring the twinge from his sudden movement as his temper flared, "To hell with that, Engel! You think Veyl would put an entire city in jeopardy of war just to prove that he has some say over his life?"

  "Sit down, Vailinn—I'm not suggesting he would do it on purpose. I've known him since he was an infant—you've been with him but a handful of weeks by comparison…"

  "Then you of all people should know that Veyl isn't like that!" Kaidos snapped and stormed off, stopping just outside of the circle of light from the campfire. His mouth watered as he pressed his teeth into his tongue and tasted the salty metal of threatened nausea. He pounded his fist against a tree, not hard enough to do much more damage than to scrape a little skin off of the side of his hand, but hard enough to focus the pain outward. This was his fault—if he'd just told Veyl how he felt back in Nesmithe, none of this would have happened. They could have run away together someplace and Kaidos would have done everything he could to free Veyl from the loneliness of his past.

  Kaidos closed his eyes, gritting his teeth until he thought he might crack them with the effort to keep from crying out his frustration. He tensed as he felt someone coming up behind him.

  "Wanderer," Barlan's deep voice rumbled, "I apologize for asking such a foolish question. I have only known the wickedness of those humans who hold power, and your guard captain can only understand what he worries to be true of himself. I believe what you have told me of your prince. That you love him so deeply means yo
u know him better than anyone."

  Kaidos felt his anger dissipate and he took a shuddering breath, "Thanks, Barlan."

  Barlan's meaty hand patted him very gently on the shoulder. "We will rescue him. I believe that the archduke must be kinder than the king. We must rest now while we can."

  When they returned to the campfire, Engel had pulled out some provisions of food. It was the standard trail fare—dried, salted meat; hard biscuits made of coarse grains and berries, and a thick brew meant to warm the bones and fill the belly.

  "I appreciate everything you are doing to help me..." Kaidos said softly to Engel.

  "I'm not doing it for you. I'm doing it for Veyl." Engel grumbled, staring at the fire.

  Kaidos nodded. "Fair enough."

  "I want you to know, Vailinn, that I hold no ill feelings towards you for your...relationship...with Veyl." Engel said the words without raising his head.

  Kaidos nodded, "It wouldn't change things if you did, but I appreciate it just the same." He picked a little more at his food then gave the rest over to Barlan before finding a bedroll and trying to get some sleep.

  The sooner the night was over with, the sooner they could resume their journey, and the sooner Kaidos could hold Veyl in his arms for good.

  CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

  In the Mage's Lair

  He did not want to do this. Of course, what Veyl wanted was of no concern to anyone else.

  Veyl sighed as he looked at himself in the mirror while a few younger human male servants fussed over his royal garb.

  "I have more lace on me than a whore's undergarments." Veyl grumbled, which set a couple of the boys to giggling, but he didn't share the humor. He was being primped and polished in order to see a man who was supposedly his father so he could beg him to set Kaidos free. He was no heir to the throne. He looked like what he was--a pretty concubine dressed in a king's finery.

  "No." He shook his head, gently brushing away the hands that dressed him. He pushed the heavy velvet cape--buckled with a large jeweled clasp--off of his shoulders. It landed on the floor behind him with a solid thump. Then he pulled off the many rings on his fingers--including the one that bore the crest of his supposed family--and tossed them into an empty water goblet nearby.