Arius looked up and smiled in gratitude. “You must understand; I was on my way home when I was seized. The rumours about me absconding aren’t true. I was taken out of my bed and tied up while they decided what to do with me.”
“They?” Borin asked.
“The ‘True Elves’. They sought to discredit me. If it looked like I was too reckless to return, the elven council would likely choose a more suitable candidate to be King.”
“Like Tarran,” said Hugo.
“That’s my brother,” Talia explained to the others and there were some gasps of surprise. Even Minkle popped his head out of Albin’s bag and looked at Talia through wide, beady eyes but the young boy pushed his pet’s head back down and out of sight. Animals were not allowed inside the tavern.
Talia recounted how her brother had at first agreed with the principles of ‘The True Elves’ but had distanced himself from the group when he suspected some of the members of plotting to hurt the prince. When Arius did not come home, Tarran had volunteered to lead the search himself.
“But misplacing the second heir to the throne as well as the first would have been inconceivable,” asserted the old fighter.
Talia nodded curtly. “Of course our father wouldn’t allow it so I went in his place.”
Arius looked at her fondly. “Talia discovered where they were holding me and broke me out. We’ve been on our way home ever since.”
“And this,” said Talia, “is the part you are not going to like so let’s order some drinks and I will begin at the beginning.”
When each of them had a full tankard set in front of them, Talia began to relate her story in hushed tones so that they would not be overheard. She recalled how- when selling Arius’ clothes and accessories to change his appearance- she first caught sight of Dannymere and the seed of an idea had been planted.
“You looked so much like my cousin that I knew you could help us without even knowing it,” she told him. “I heard you asking around for a good pair of boots so I persuaded one of the stall-holders to sell you those,” she said, pointing under the table, “and I let him keep the money for the part he played. I knew that, along with your resemblance to Arius, those boots would help identify you as the prince.”
Hugo shook his head, disappointed to have fallen for her trick and Dannymere was red-faced. “You set me up?”
“I did,” Talia admitted. “I also started rumours that the Prince of Elms-haven was seen looking for work as a mercenary in Balsan. And it worked like a charm. The ‘True Elves’ came after you and I was free to take Arius home.”
“But it wasn’t just the enemy who was fooled,” Felis reminded her coldly. “Hugo and I have spent weeks on a wild goose chase because of what you did.”
“Don’t you see- the fact that you were there made it all the more believable. The ‘True Elves’ knew you were hired to guard the prince and there you were… on the very same caravan! It may not be how you expected to help Arius but there’s no doubt that you did because we’ve managed to get this far.”
Felis shrugged, accepting her words begrudgingly. “I understand why you did it but you put a lot of good people in danger.”
“I did what was necessary to save and protect my cousin. I won’t apologise for that. But I know the trouble I’ve caused. The poor merchant you were travelling with and the men too…”
“Yes, the men,” Borin said quietly, thinking of Jed who had been an innocent pawn in the game and had died at his hands.
“I notice you have no horses,” said Hugo. “Does that mean you’re sailing home?”
“Yes- we sailed up the eastern coast on the ‘The Yellow Parrot’ and disembarked this morning,” Arius replied.
Felis scratched his head. “The timings don’t add up,” he said. “If you went by sea then you should have been home weeks ago.”
Talia blushed. “We didn’t sail straight away. I followed you and your merchant for a while. I had to be sure the plan was set in motion.”
“I saw you in the camp,” Borin remembered, “but only once.”
“Yes. I was trying to speak to you but it was too crowded. I wrote a note instead. I thought a warning would be good enough but then I found out about the sorcerer and I knew I had to do more.”
“So you sent me the amulet.” Suddenly it all made sense, like a puzzle that had received its final, missing piece.
“We wondered where it came from,” Hugo commented.
Talia nodded. “I knew you and Felis would lay down your lives for Dannymere, believing him to be the Prince of Elms-haven but you had no reason to protect his friend.” She turned back to Borin and said, “At least the amulet could make you immune to magic and give you a fighting chance.”
“But I didn’t get that amulet until after we crossed the Ivory Peaks. Surely you can’t have followed us that far?”
“No. I gave the amulet to someone I trust, someone who had promised to help. I knew that he would deliver it when the time was right and I see he didn’t let me down.”
“Who?” Hugo asked but Talia shook her head.
“To name him would be to endanger him and that is no way to repay his kindness. There may be a time when all is yet revealed, but until then I ask that you respect my silence on the matter.”
“Fair enough,” Felis allowed. Then he asked, “What do the two of you know about the sorcerer?”
Arius leaned forward and looked at each of the men in turn, as if trying to judge their worth. At last he spoke. “The elders claim that one hundred years ago a baby was born on the Night of the Damned.”
“What’s that?” Dannymere asked.
Arius took a deep breath then started explaining how, on just one night in every hundred years, the twin moons would turn red. “There’s no logical explanation for it, as far as we know, and superstitious folk stay indoors, waiting for it to pass.
One hundred years ago, a baby was born on the night of the damned, at the exact moment that the twin moons changed colour. An ancient prophesy spoke of such a child; claiming that he would inherit great powers and the ability to change the world.”
“We always assumed that the child would be one of us,” Talia interjected. “As the fore-bearers of magic, it would make sense for the chosen one to be an elf.”
“But it wasn’t,” Arius said. “It was a human, born to peasants in a small-minded community near the coast in Roshlin Cleve and as soon as the baby showed any signs of being different, he was rejected.”
“By his parents?” Albin asked incredulously.
“Not at first. They hid themselves away and tried to pretend it wasn’t happening. But as the child grew, so did his powers and he couldn’t control them. When he was three years old, he slaughtered a whole field of cattle just by waving at them. Nobody knew if he meant to or not but that made no difference to the farmers. They were furious.”
Talia leaned in to continue the story. “When the child was four, he learned to make fireballs in the palms of his hands and he burnt down several houses- with people still inside them. The villagers turned on the family and tried to push them out. By that time the parents were exhausted and at their wits end. They went to see the monks on the Isle of Drixon and begged for their help. Finally, the monks agreed to take the boy and train him to use his powers properly.”
“So there was a happy ending?” Albin asked.
Talia shook her head. “Instead of being grateful, the boy hated his parents for sending him away and he refused to train with the monks. He ran away to the Isle of Arcan and set up home there. He put powerful protection spells around the island so nobody could get in- including the monks and his parents who he didn’t want to see again.”
Arius sighed. “Our elders have never liked having a sorcerer so close to our land but up until now, he has done nothing wrong. He was just a loner.”
“Up until now,” Dannymere repeated sarcastically. “And I take it that this sorcerer is the one who has been chasing us all the way from Balsan?�
�
Talia nodded. “We have no idea why he would suddenly come off his island to meddle in our affairs.”
“Does this sorcerer have a name?” Felis asked, taking a swig of ale.
Arius and Talia exchanged a guarded look and then the prince sighed. “The prophesy says that if the child grows up to do good, his name will be known the world over…”
“But if the child grows up to do evil, his name shall be a well-guarded secret and the only key to his destruction,” Talia finished.
“Let me guess,” Dannymere grunted. “We don’t know his purpose and we don’t know his name either.” Nobody said a word and the half-elf hung his head. “I think we may be in trouble,” he murmured and under the table, Minkle covered his face with his paws.
Chapter 13
A Parting of the Ways
The companions ate their evening meal at the tavern and were grateful for the roof above their heads, protecting them from the storm. Arius recounted how he and Talia had sailed up the eastern coast on a ship called ‘The Yellow Parrot’ which had dropped them at Desea before making the return journey south.
“There are boats sailing from here to Elms-haven all week, delivering supplies for the coronation feast. We hope to pay for passage on-board one in the morning, when the storm has blown itself out,” Talia explained.
“My disappearance is still a well-guarded secret,” Arius explained. “My father is counting on his friends to get me home before the coronation so that the Kingdom Lords will never know that anything was amiss.”
Felis and Hugo raised their tankards in a toast. “It was a shaky start,” said Felis, eyeing Dannymere across the table, “but at least we’ve found you now.”
Dannymere smirked. “Now everyone knows the truth, that leaves me free to return to Balsan and I will drink to that!”
“Are you sure you should?” Albin asked, startling the others who had almost forgotten he was there. “We might know the truth but the ‘True Elves’ still think you’re the prince and who knows what might happen if they catch up with you.”
“He’s got a point,” said Talia. “You should make for Elms-haven too. No sorcerer can penetrate our forests, no matter how powerful they are.”
“And it will seem very suspicious if you go back the way you came,” Felis agreed. “If the enemy realises you’ve been a decoy this whole time, it could put Talia and Arius in danger.”
Talia was nodding vehemently now. “We’re so close to Elms-haven. Do you think you could you play the prince a little longer- just to buy us enough time to make it home?”
“It would be the noble thing to do,” Felis remarked. “We could ride through the desert and draw the enemy away from the seas.”
Arius cleared his throat. “I wouldn’t blame you if you walked away from this, Dannymere. It is a giant mess of our own making. But if you do choose to travel through the desert and on to Elms-haven, I would be forever in your debt.”
Dannymere rolled his eyes. “What do you think, Borin?”
“We’ve been involved in this for weeks, months even, without knowing it. I say we see it through to the end.”
“Which means travelling to Elms-haven, the very place you’ve been dying to visit. How convenient!” scoffed Dannymere.
“It’s the right thing to do,” Borin said, shrugging.
“The right thing to do for who?” grumbled the half elf, but it was clear to all of them that he had agreed to the quest- he was going to continue as a decoy for the prince.
Their discussions continued late into the night while outside, the storm battered the streets of Desea. It was eventually decided that Albin should sail to Elms-haven with Arius and Talia. The desert was no place for a young boy of his limited experience and they could not afford to buy him a horse of his own. Felis did not say it out loud, but he thought they had already put Albin in too much danger and he wanted the boy to take the fastest and safest route to the elven land.
Albin was pleased with the arrangement. He had never been on a boat before and he was looking forward to trying it. Minkle too was happy- smiling a broad grin that almost reached from ear to ear. Albin had no idea that his life and his perception of himself were about to change forever.
The next day dawned bright and fresh but there was evidence of the storm’s destruction everywhere in town. Bins were turned upside down and their contents strewn along the pavements. Tree branches were dislocated limbs and the tavern sign was hanging loosely from one hinge instead of two. It creaked loudly as it blew in the wind, sounding like it might fall at any moment. Albin though that the cockerel on the sign looked sad at the turn of events and then he laughed out loud at his foolishness. Never the less, he skirted around the sign, not wishing to tempt fate.
Hugo accompanied Albin to the docks where they met the prince and his cousin. The three of them quickly paid for passage on a ship called ‘The Laughing Mermaid’ which was leaving for Elms-haven within the hour. Arius kept his hood up but it did not look amiss that morning in light of the recent storm, and nobody batted an eyelash as he boarded.
Hugo stayed to wave them off and he watched as the vessel receded into the distance until it was nothing but a speck on the horizon. Satisfied that the next part of their plan was put in motion, he returned to the inn where the others were waiting.
Felis, Hugo, Borin and Dannymere travelled east and reached the desert without incident. They were well-prepared, having stocked up on food at the market and purchased extra water-skins. Felis was pleased with his new saddle and enjoyed riding unencumbered, although he did miss the company of his young friend behind him.
As the men approached the desert, Borin gawped at the undulating hills of golden sand, stretching on as far as the eye could see. Further ahead still, the air was shimmering as if distorted through a lens. “It’s exactly how I imagined it,” he said, captivated by the sight.
“It’s as deadly as it is beautiful,” Hugo said gravely. He had heard many stories about this part of the Kingdom and he was not looking forward to this stretch of the journey.
“But it’s not too bad at this time of year,” Felis reassured them. “Just remember to drink regularly or dehydration will creep up on you with little warning.”
Hugo nodded. “And the same goes for the horses. They’re in good condition but we shouldn’t push them too hard. Slow and steady is the key.”
“Absolutely right,” Felis said. “We can canter them in the mornings, when it’s cooler, but walk them for the rest of the day. There are plenty of watering holes- if we stick to our bearings- and desert garrisons where we can buy food.”
Hugo smiled. “Felis has some contacts there.”
“It’s been a while since I encroached on their hospitality,” smiled the old fighter, “so let’s hope that they remember me!”
Borin did not know anything about desert garrisons but he felt reassured that his companions had things under control so he relaxed a little in his saddle.
Since leaving Desea, there had been no sign of pursuit or danger. Still, he was looking forward to reaching the elven land and not having to continually look over his shoulder. He instinctively touched the silver leaf pendant, still hanging around his neck. Talia had confessed that it was her own, given to her by her father. As an elf she had no use for its powers and her attachment to it was purely sentimental. Borin had seen her looking at it longingly and had tried to return it but she had insisted that he keep it; at least until he arrived safely at Elms-haven.
Thinking about Talia and Arius reminded Borin of something he had to do so he spurred Duchess on until she drew level with Jasper. “Hey,” he said, catching Dannymere’s attention. “It’s been a busy few days and I never got to say… you know… I’m sorry about before. I should have believed you when you said you weren’t the prince.”
Dannymere raised a dark eyebrow and regarded his friend carefully. “You have known me for a long time, Borin,” he said slowly. “And if the roles had been reversed, I woul
dn’t have doubted you.”
Borin was shame-faced. “I know. I should have taken you at your word… but you’ve never talked about your home. It’s always been a bit of a mystery. Then, when Felis told us about a runaway prince… a half elf… it sounded… possible.” Borin paused and threw his hands up in the air. “And now I’m making excuses for myself. I’m sorry, Dannymere. Really, I am.”
“Apology accepted,” Dannymere said quietly and then he grinned. “I suppose it didn’t help that I was wearing the royal boots.”
“The boots were a nice touch. Talia must have been thanking the Gods for that stroke of luck!” Borin agreed.
Dannymere laughed. “I’m just glad Arius didn’t want them back!”
Borin clapped his friend on the shoulder, relieved to have cleared the air. He tucked the silver leaf pendant back beneath his shirt and silently wished that its protection would no longer be needed as they crossed the desert.
On the third day of desert travel, the intensity of the sun began to get to the men. Only Dannymere, with his elven blood, seemed unaffected. The horses trudged along without enthusiasm, their heads bowed and the men spoke very little, as if the heat had stolen their words.
Towards the end of the afternoon, Felis announced that the friendly garrison was near, and the thought of fresh food and a shady place to rest lifted their spirits.
The first sign of the garrison was a big wall of rock, jutting out of the sand. Borin trailed his hand along it as they rode by and it left a fine orange powder on his fingers. When he looked up, a man in a caftan was standing beside the wall. With a single nod of acknowledgement to Felis, the man led them around the back of the wall and through a stone archway that had not been visible from the other side. The track led downwards, through a tunnel which filtered out into a large, square yard.
“This is amazing,” breathed Dannymere. “You’d never know it was here.”
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