by Cheryl Dyson
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Crossing Vineyard in order to return to Ven-Kerrick was a necessary evil, and Jace felt it would be faster to simply go through the city of Shimmer rather than take the time and effort to skirt it. It had taken them five days of hard travel after leaving the cavern just to reach the city. Brydon frowned, remembering his last encounter with Prince Amerryn. He doubted passing through would be as easy as Jace expected.
As luck would have it, Brydon's party was quickly surrounded and he was dragged to the palace once more to visit Amerryn. He waved off Jace’s offer of assistance and reassured his friends that he would return, while hoping he spoke the truth. The prince lounged indolently on his throne, conversing with a lovely woman and surrounded by ten red-and-white clad guards. Amerryn waved the guards away as Brydon was brought forth and announced.
"Ah, Prince Brydon," Amerryn said happily, leaping to his feet. "How nice to see you again. Did you recover your silly object?" Amerryn was dressed in sparkling white, which set off his auburn hair to perfection. Even his royal cloak was white, clasped with a large ruby brooch.
"No. It escaped me, but I have not given up."
"Why have you returned?"
"I’m on a different quest. I have to save someone."
"Does it involve my brothers?"
"No." Rakyn’s involvement was minimal, at the moment. "What happened with Berikon?"
Amerryn became even more animated. "It was a royal battle! Fool Berikon did not even suspect! My men ambushed his whole squadron!" Amerryn chortled and then sobered. "It did not last very long, though. He turned tail and ran all the way back to his wretched city. Then he had the gall to write to Father and complain about my actions. My actions! Luckily, I managed to intercept the messenger and persuade him to leave the country and forget all about Berikon."
"If I may ask, why was I brought here?" Brydon interrupted.
Amerryn looked up from his musing. "I wanted news, of course. It would be prudent of me to know the whereabouts of that particular item you seek. How did it ‘elude’ you?"
"I was nearly killed by Reed, the 'regent' in Ven-Kerrick."
"Well, that makes sense. If he sent it away, he certainly wouldn’t want you getting your hands on it, now would he?"
"No."
Amerryn looked at him thoughtfully. "Apparently I need to keep my eye on this Reed fellow. I know my father supports his regency, as do many of my brothers. He has approved many trade contracts that the Kerricks would not."
"We believe Reed will incite civil war in Silver."
"There is already civil war in Silver."
"On a larger scale."
Amerryn nodded. "That should not be difficult. There is already too much bad blood between my brothers. I will watch for manipulation, but none of them will listen to me, should I choose to warn them. I am the youngest and have the least influence of all of us. But enough gloomy talk. I insist that you dine with me. It is rare that I have guests that are not plotting to stab a sword into me. Your companions are welcome, of course. I will have them fetched."
Brydon was about to refuse, but Amerryn looked so despondent that he reluctantly accepted the invitation. He reflected that it might very well be their last meal.
"We must be on our way immediately after dinner."
"Of course!" Amerryn chirped.