Then he went back to the room. Since Roysten hadn’t come back down, he assumed he was still there, waiting to yell at him.
When he opened the door, Roysten was packing his saddlebags. “What do you want me to give Maddox?” His voice was calm, which surprised Hadden, given his anger earlier.
“It’s here. I wrote it before I came down.” He found the sealed letter and handed it to Roysten who shoved it into a saddlebag. When he was done, Roysten looked up.
“I’m leaving now. If you’re going to be a fool, I’m not going to wait to let Maddox know.” He glared, daring Hadden to argue.
“Fine. Good plan.”
“It’s on your head, Commander.” With that, Roysten walked from the room, bags in hand, and slammed the door as he left.
Hadden sighed, watching the door for a moment. When he heard the thunk of Roysten’s boots on the narrow stairs, he sat down on the bed and took off his own boots. He lay back, going over the events of the day, hoping he’d not made a mistake and cost himself his career. With such pleasant thoughts, he closed his eyes for just a moment, hoping to stop the whirling of his mind.
Laughing princesses populated his dreams. He kept chasing them, but they were always just out of reach. Every time he made a grab for one, she slid away, golden hair blowing through his fingers…just missed.
When he woke, he was lying in bed, fully clothed. He groaned. He didn’t care to sleep without disrobing more. He always felt stiffer in the morning when he didn’t, and he had a long day ahead. He needed to go back to Grizelle, tell her he’d take on her quest, and get the cloak.
No help for it. He got up, stretching, then splashed some water on his face from the pitcher on the table. As he packed up his bags, he felt something that didn’t feel quite right. Digging into the bottom of the bag, he found the cloak. It was wrapped once more in the cloth that it had been in when Grizelle first brought it out.
“You sneaky, sly old woman,” he said aloud, with a mixture of admiration and annoyance. She knew he’d not be able to stop thinking about it—had she ensured it? And somehow, she’d gotten the cloak into his bag. It was destined. He had no choice but to do as she’d asked.
He repacked the bags, still bemused at how clever she’d been. Then he went down to eat and start the journey to the court of King Aland and the cursed princesses.
He was the only guest in the taproom, and he ate quickly. Now that his course was decided, he was eager to be on his way. He settled with the keeper and went to the stable to find his horse.
Roysten was there, leaning against the wall of the stable.
“Why are you still here? You left last night! It’s of the utmost import that Lord Maddox get my letter!” He couldn’t believe the man had defied a direct order.
Roysten lazily pushed himself off the wall. “Been there. And back. Fine bit of riding, if I do say so myself.”
“You’ve…what?” Hadden knew his mouth was gaping open.
“Should’a seen Maddox. Read your letter, and went red as a turkey. Threw an inkpot at me, cursed like my mother would hate to hear, kicked at the page, and then told me to hie myself back and accompany you.”
“You’re lying,” Hadden said flatly. “He did no such thing.”
“Oh, indeed he did, Commander High-and-Mighty. He knew you’d try and toss me over, so he sent this for you.” He held out a sealed letter.
Hadden took it gingerly. It did have Maddox’s seal. He broke it, and scanned the contents. Maddox had been angry when he wrote it—he could tell by the length of it.
You are a fool, and I ought to string you up from the nearest tree. In spite of that, your plan makes sense, as long as the old witch didn’t lie to you. Roysten tells me, which you did not and I did note it, that there is unrest. It is his belief that said unrest decided you on this course.
I give you permission to continue with this mad scheme provided you bring Roysten with you. I know the court, and you’ll need an ally.
When you return, expect to answer for your actions. Good luck.
“What did he tell you?” Hadden looked up from the letter.
“He was most uncomplimentary regarding your intelligence, your parentage, your sanity, and a number of other attributes. Once he’d finished detailing them, he told me you’d inform me of our mission, and that I was to keep watch on you at all times. So,” Roysten looked indecently cheerful. “Where are we off to that caused the best display from our lord commander I’ve seen in some time?”
“We’re going to Gallivas. To the court. I’m going to solve the riddle of the princesses.”
Now it was Roysten’s turn to gape. “No wonder Maddox went mad! You’re mad!”
“Let’s get started, and you can yell at me on the way,” Hadden said, clapping Roysten on the shoulder as he went into the stable. He didn’t want to admit it, but he was immensely pleased to not be taking this on alone. The thought that he’d have Roysten with him cheered him more than anything else could.
***
Roysten took full advantage of the invitation to yell. They’d been riding all of twenty minutes, during which time he explained to Hadden at top volume exactly why both the commander and his plan were utter madness. Then, without warning, he turned in the saddle towards Hadden.
Hadden sneaked a look. Oh, Roysten looked angry. He sighed. He deserved this. For all he knew, Grizelle had lied. He didn’t think she had but he really had no way of knowing for sure.
“All right. Tell me why we’re off on this madness, and why you want to risk your life, you big fool.”
The tone let Hadden know that for once, Roysten was not anything other than serious. He took a breath, finding that he was rather nervous about relating what had decided him.
“Remember the old woman? Grizelle?” When Roysten nodded, he continued. “While we were there, she…” How to describe what she’d done? “It was as if she froze you, like a fish in a winter pond. You were in the process of eating, and you just stopped in mid-bite.”
Roysten looked appalled. “She what? She enchanted me?”
“I guess. You weren’t harmed. When she released you, you continued to eat as if there had been no interruption.”
He looked over. Roysten seemed upset, and he was muttering to himself. “Look, man, no harm done, as far as I can see. You’re the same lout you ever were.”
“You weren’t the one enchanted!”
The tone of Roysten’s voice made him want to laugh, but he refrained. “Well, it may not seem so but I am not so sure, myself.”
That took Roysten’s thoughts off himself. “What did she do to you?”
Hadden told him about the entire conversation, and his refusal. “Then, I kept thinking about it, going over and over it in my head.”
“So we’re off on this because of maggots in your brain?”
Hadden laughed. “I’d not disagree. It feels that way—like a maggot that won’t let go. I wrote the letter to Maddox, and after you left, I came up to pack my kit. I found the cloak Grizelle had offered me. It was neatly wrapped, as it was when she brought it out, and in the bottom of my bag.”
“How did she get it in there?”
Hadden shrugged. “I don’t know. Perhaps she did the same to me that she did to you—stopped me for a moment so she could put it in the bag. I don’t think she means any harm—”
“You mean other than bewitching you to go off and get yourself killed!”
“I rather thought she was sending me to solve this while not being killed. One can’t solve the riddle dead,” Hadden replied.
Roysten gave a snort, sounding a great deal like one of the horses. Hadden didn’t say anything because he felt they were at a point where silence was best.
After a few moments where the only things heard were the birds in the fields they were passing, Roysten spoke again. “Why do you believe her?”
Hadden considered. “I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t,” he said, turning to Roysten as the other man gave a snort
again. “I wish I could give you something more, but I cannot. I just could not stop thinking on her words, and finally decided that I needed to do as she requested.”
“Have you considered that she bewitched you to think thus?”
Hadden nodded. “Yes. I have. It doesn’t matter, Roys. If she has, I shall have no peace until I do as she asks and at least try.”
“You’ve accepted that at least trying might well get you killed?”
Hadden laughed. “Have you seen my face? I am lucky to be alive. With the injuries I’ve sustained lately,” His hand crept to his neck and then his face. The face he understood. He’d taken a cut to the cheek that went the entire length of his face, and given how prominent it was, it ought to hurt more. It didn’t. What did hurt was his neck, and he had no injuries to his neck. It made no sense. Just thinking on it made his neck itch. “I’ve thwarted death more than once. If this is to be my fate, fighting against it won’t help. When has anyone ever won against an enchantress, if indeed she has enchanted me? No, there’s no help for it. I must go through with this.” He had no idea why he was so resolute. Perhaps Roysten was correct and he was ensorcelled. In his heart, he knew—he just knew—this was the thing he was supposed to be doing.
Roysten sighed. Once. Loudly. “I can’t stop you from this, so I shall be at your side to try to keep you alive.” He sounded put upon.
“I’ll tell you true, Roys—I’m feeling a lot more hopeful since I discovered you were coming with me.”
“Hmmph. Well, it seems you haven’t entirely lost all common sense.”
Hadden laughed. He felt great. He had no reason to, but just as deciding to accept Grizelle’s offer settled his mind, having Roysten along made him feel good.
“We’ll be fine. If we’re not, you may kick me at an opportune time. Chin up. I need you to be eyes and ears for me.”
“You ever been around court or nobles before?” Now Roysten squinted at him.
“Not at all.”
“Surprised to hear that, Commander. You can mucky-muck with the best of ‘em. It’s why Maddox likes you. He’s a mucky-muck himself, good man though he is.”
“It’s not hard, Roys. You just don’t say the very first thing that comes into your head, smile, bow, and have some manners. I know that’s horrifying to contemplate, but it’s not all that difficult.”
“Better you than me. Besides, how else will you discover what’s really about, if you don’t have me to loll about below stairs?”
Hadden laughed, and he was pleased that Roysten laughed with him. His demeanor was restored, and Hadden knew that Maddox had given him the best weapon he could. With Roysten by his side, he knew he could succeed.
He hoped the princesses were as attractive as he’d heard.
***
Two days later, he pulled up the reins of the horse in front of an inn. “We’ll stop here.”
Roysten looked askance at him. “Why? We’re nearly at the castle.”
“Have you looked at us, Roys? We’ve made excellent time getting here, and we look every inch of it. We need to clean ourselves up. We’re common soldiers, true, but I want to appear to the best advantage.”
Roysten shook his head. “This is how it begins.”
“Come on, don’t you want off the horse? And clothing not covered in dust?”
“You think I carry spare clothing for fun?”
“I know you do. Stop complaining. You agreed to come along, most gleefully, if I recall. So let’s make ourselves presentable, and then we’ll be at the castle in time for the evening meal.”
“Hope so. I’ll need a decent meal after this.”
Hadden ignored Roysten’s grumbles as he swung off the horse. He was excited. Perhaps inappropriately so. Roysten was correct in that this could lead to death if he were not careful. However, he was excited, nonetheless. He couldn’t find any discernable reason for feeling so.
The innkeeper glanced up as he walked into the darkness of the taproom. How was it that most inns looked alike, right down to the dour man running the place?
“Yes, sir?” The man asked.
“I’d like a room, if you have it. Do you serve food here?”
The man nodded. “We’ve a room. Pay upfront. You can eat down here.” He jerked his chin towards the taproom. “Cook’s just made fresh stew.”
Hadden beamed. “I’ll take the room, and I’d like a meal for my companion and myself. May we stable and feed our horses?”
The man goggled a little. Perhaps he’d been too strong on the good cheer. He decided it didn’t matter, and he paid the sum requested. With that settled, he went back to Roysten.
“Let’s put the horses to rest and then eat. It smells edible, so I’ve got hopes.”
They left the horses with a stable boy and headed back into the inn. Once seated, a young man who Hadden thought might be the innkeeper’s son came out bringing bowls of stew and several tankards of ale.
“Thank you,” said Hadden. He smiled at the boy, who looked around nervously as he hurried away.
“You’re awfully damned cheerful for a man possibly on the way to the scaffold,” muttered Roysten, mouth full of stew.
“You really need to stop trying to talk with a gob full of food,” said Hadden. “Remember, we’re going to be at court. You’ll need to try not look like some sort of cow at its cud.”
“Fine way to reward service. Sent off to be a muckity-muck,” said Roysten, scowling.
Hadden didn’t answer, just glared. Finally, Roysten threw up his arms, crumbs from the piece of bread he held flying. “Fine! Fine! I’ll do my best to prance about.”
“I’ll settle for not looking like a barbarian,” Hadden said, rolling his eyes.
“What’s your plan, then?” Roysten changed the subject.
“Once we get to the castle, I’ll tell the herald or whomever answers the door I’m here to answer the king’s challenge. That ought to get us right to him,” Hadden grinned.
“Lord save me from those who wish to die,” said Roysten. Hadden was pleased to see no food anywhere but on the platter or in the bowl.
“Well, if you’re right you have my permission to tell me that you were right, and I was wrong,” said Hadden. “Once we’re there, let’s see what happens. I don’t know what to expect. I guess I can ask for details once I’ve formally accepted the challenge?” He shook his head. “I don’t know. I think I recalled hearing that they made a big to do over the whole affair. In front of the entire court, that sort of thing.”
“Better you than me. Hope them girls is somewhat pretty.”
“I was hoping the same thing. Still, I get to be a lord, have some land, and all before I’m too old to do anything but look at it? Could be good, even if she’s not the most attractive. There’s twelve to choose from, after all.”
“’Leven.”
“What?”
“Not twelve. Eleven. Oldest one’s engaged. Snide bastard, so I’ve heard. Sebastian, from Laurycia. Never trusted them. Surprised the king did.”
“All right. Eleven then. I’m sure one will suit. Why’s this Sebastian not tried, I wonder?”
Roysten laughed. “You think some snotty prince will risk his head? He’s already betrothed to the oldest. He gets it all, no matter what.”
“Does he? I thought the king offered the throne to the man that wins. Didn’t I hear that somewhere?”
Roysten leaned back. “Mayhap he did. You’d be a lot more than a lord, looking out over a plot of land then!”
“More of a puzzle then as to why he wouldn’t. After all, he wants the oldest for the throne. This would be a way to make sure he got it.”
“Or not,” Roysten said. “Two princes already haven’t figured it out. Being a prince didn’t stop the king from chopping off their heads.”
Hadden felt a twinge at the thought. The ache continued into his head and he rubbed his forehead.
“Setting in, is it? We can still leave now, forget this whole, mad idea,” Roy
sten said quietly. “You don’t have to do this, Commander.”
Hadden shook his head. “No, I must. I know it’s mad, but I must.” He reached across the table and clasped Roysten’s arm. “I thank you for being with me, my friend. And I apologize for all the indignities we’re both probably about to receive.”
Roysten laughed. “No matter, Commander. We all know we’re the better men. Let’s finish and go make ourselves look foolish.”
Hadden cocked his head. “Sometimes, you’re very wise. Why don’t I see that side of you more often?”
Roysten threw a piece of bread at him. Hadden laughed and turned back to his own stew.
***
Two hours later, he and Roysten came through the taproom in full regalia. He’d changed into his linen under tunic and clean leggings. Over that, he wore his company surcoat, emblazoned with the arms of Lord Maddox. He figured that it had to count for something, given how successful and well thought of Maddox was. At least he hoped so. He’d belted on his sword and then put his cloak on over the whole affair.
As it was hot out, he knew he’d be sweating once he got to the castle, but he also knew he needed to make a show of things right from the outset. He wasn’t sure how he knew, but when facing the enemy, it was important to make sure they were given the right impression.
Roysten had also cleaned himself up and changed into his ceremonial clothing. Maddox insisted that all men under him have a decent set of clothing, and he’d put his own funds towards such. It was one more reason the men who fought for him were so fiercely loyal.
The innkeeper looked them over wide-eyed. “Where might you be off to, sir?” It was apparent he was unsure if he’d offended someone important with his earlier conduct.
“To the castle. We’ve an appointment with the king.”
“The king! Be warned, sir, the king and court are in a foul mood these days.”
Hadden stopped. “Indeed? May I ask for your indulgence, good man?” He held out a hand towards the tables. “We’re not from here. Better understanding would be greatly appreciated.”
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