“Unfortunately, they’re not alone,” Brendan reminded him.
“I know. But I’m sure they feel alone, and we can’t do anything about it yet.” He sighed, flipping off his hood and running a hand through his mop of wavy blond hair. “I want to be in the first group of men when we take back our homeland.”
“I don’t know if Prince Gregory will allow that, though I understand how you feel,” he said as they trotted along the dirt road. “It’ll take time to raise enough troops and ready supplies for the march, so be patient. And we’re allowing a few extra days for Nicholas and Leo to return with the key. If they open the Spirit Box just as we’re approaching Red Lodge, think what an advantage we’ll have over Caldurian and the Islanders. With the Enâri troops out of the way, the others won’t know what hit them.”
“Let’s hope they can time it so,” William said, glancing at his brother with a slight grimace. “But first let’s hope they return with the key.”
Brendan nodded. “Whenever they open the Spirit Box will be good timing, eliminating five hundred Enâri in one stroke, not counting Vellan’s own in Kargoth.”
“If only we could be there to see it.” William took a drink from a water skin hanging from his saddle. “I could do for a bite to eat. How about you?”
“Are you ever not hungry?” Brendan smirked, pointing to a clump of oak trees a half mile down the road alongside a field of tall grass. “We’ll take a short rest near those trees and let the horses graze if your stomach can hold out for a few more minutes.”
“I can manage,” he said as a slight breeze picked up, pushing along a fleet of low lying clouds from the west.
A short time later they dismounted beneath the partial shade of the nearly leafless oaks and allowed the horses to graze in the grass and drink from a nearby stream. They plopped down against the massive trunks and enjoyed an apple and half a biscuit each with their water, savoring the small morsel and the precious freedom of the open road. Soon after, a large black crow glided through the air and alighted on one of the tree branches, flapping its wings a moment later and landing on a patch of bare ground just outside the ring of shade, searching for bugs in the dirt.
“I think it’s after your food,” William joked.
“I’m not too poor to share.” Brendan ripped off a large crumb from his biscuit and tossed it to the bird who greedily gobbled it up.
“Don’t be too generous or it’ll follow us all the way to Lake Lasko and back.” William chuckled as he munched on his apple. “If that old bird thinks he’s getting any of my meals…”
“He wouldn’t stand a chance.”
Brendan stared at his brother with mixed emotions as they leaned against the tree, an uneasy sigh escaping his lips. William noted his concern and sat up straight, knowing that something was on his brother’s mind. He took another bite of his apple, expecting a reply to his unspoken question, but none was forthcoming.
“All right, Brendan, out with it. I know by that oh-so-serious expression on your face that something’s afoot. What’s going on?”
Brendan couldn’t help but smile. “Can’t let one slip past you, Will. You’re just too old for me to fool anymore.”
“For the most part.” He tossed his apple core into the grass. “What’s on your mind?”
Brendan distractedly traced his finger through the cold soil. “It’s about our journey. I think it’s going to extend a little bit farther than to Lake Lasko.”
“That’s fine. How much longer?”
“How does all the way to Grantwick sound?”
“Grantwick? That’s the capital of Drumaya,” he said. “From Morrenwood, that’s over twice the distance to the north tip of the lake.”
“Thanks for the geography lesson, Will, but I already know that. Still, that’s where I mean to go. Are you with me?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” his brother asked, a bit perplexed.
Suddenly the nearby crow flapped its wings and uttered a mournful caw, ascending into the air like a launched arrow. Gavin had heard enough to confirm where the two travelers were heading. The messenger bird flew to the northeast with lightning speed to inform Caldurian of their destination, knowing the wizard would devise a plan to retrieve the medallion before the pair could deliver it to the wizard Frist. Moments later, Gavin’s tiny black shape faded into nothingness against a vast blue backdrop.
“Someone is sure in a hurry to get somewhere,” Brendan muttered.
“And not even a thank you for the bread crumb,” William lightly added. “But back to what you were saying. Why do you want to travel to Grantwick? There might not be enough time to return to the Citadel before the army sets out for Montavia.”
“We’ll have plenty of time and some to spare. Don’t be such a worrywart.” He playfully punched his brother on the arm.
“I’m not worried. Just wondering why you want to go all the way to–” Then the reason suddenly hit him. “You’re going because of what Eucádus had said at the war council, right?” Brendan nodded. “I don’t think King Justin will be too keen about this.”
“That’s why I muddied the truth about wanting to leave the Citadel for only a few days.” Brendan reminded his brother of the heartfelt words Eucádus had spoken to them while the plans for war were being arranged. “I know King Justin didn’t want me to involve myself with politics, but what would it hurt if I had a brief conversation with King Cedric? If we tell him everything that happened to us in Montavia, illustrating the real threat posed from Kargoth and the Northern Isles, maybe he’ll be willing to join us and help liberate Rhiál. Though it doesn’t help Grandfather directly, any strike against Vellan can only assist us in the long run. We’ve got to try, Will. If we’re to govern Montavia some day, then what better training in diplomacy than this?”
William shrugged. “Who am I to argue with my older brother? Besides, you’re going to be King before I am, so…”
Brendan laughed. “So it’s my reputation on the line?”
“Something like that,” he said as he got to his feet and stretched. “Now let’s quit lazing around and get moving. You’ve just more than doubled the miles of road ahead of us, so no time to waste jabbering away beneath a tree. There’s work to do.”
“As if you even know the meaning of the word.” He slapped his brother on the back before they climbed on their horses and continued along the road as distant clouds floated in from the west.
On the sixth day of the journey, they rode along the shores of Lake Lasko, the dark, snowcapped peaks of the Red Mountains looming ominously to their right in the west. Sparkling sunlight reflected off the surface of the vast lake roiling with choppy waves in a gusty breeze, the distant horizon a razor straight line beneath cornflower blue skies. The two princes wore heavy overcoats as they sat around a crackling fire, basking in the warmth as Brendan finished heating up a pan of venison stew he had prepared from their supplies. He dished the meal into two wooden bowls, handing one to his brother. William passed out some biscuits and greedily dipped one into the hot meal.
“Not bad. Picked up a few cooking tips from Clovis?”
“Grandfather said that to be a good leader one should make an effort to know about the livelihood of every person that serves under you,” Brendan replied. “Besides, just like you, I love to eat.”
“No denying that,” he said, greedily consuming the steaming fare. He stared out across the lake for several moments, contemplating all that had happened over the last couple of weeks. He wondered what he might have done during the invasion had he been king, though glad such a fate wasn’t his so early in life. “Do you ever think hard about it, Brendan? Being a king, I mean.”
“Sure. I have to, Will, being next in line for the throne. Ever since Father died four years ago, well…” Brendan looked at his brother, seeing hints of their father’s facial features in the boy. Though they had both inherited their mother’s blond locks, the two brothers were similar in most other appearances to their father, Pri
nce Kendrick, including his good-natured temperament. “But I’m in no hurry to exchange my silver ring for the royal one upon Grandfather’s hand. He has plenty of good years left in him.”
“I know that. I’m just wondering if you think you’ll be ready when it’s your turn. Since Father will never be king, you were deprived of a chance to be at his side to learn from him and…”
Brendan sighed, sensing his brother’s sadness. “I miss him, too, Will. So does Grandfather. And I’m sure he regrets everyday that he sent him to lead that mountain survey in his place. But it was an accident.”
“I know.”
“But I’ve learned much at Grandfather’s side, too, particularly how much he loves us and would protect us with his very life,” he said. “Yet he trusts our abilities as well, which is why he hinted that we escape and seek out Arrondale’s help. So if ever one day–” He suddenly stopped, hearing a rustle in a thicket of nearby trees, causing him and his brother to look behind them simultaneously.
A moment later, a large brown deer stepped gingerly out into the light, gazing toward the fire while standing completely still as if studying the two strangers who had intruded upon its territory. Brendan and William smiled at the animal but remained stationary so as not to frighten it away.
“Luckily for it we have plenty of food,” William said, “or I’d send you off hunting for that deer.”
“We have no bow and arrows, or have you forgotten,” Brendan reminded him. “Unless you expected me to chase after him with a knife?”
“Not really,” he said, polishing off his stew. “I wonder if it’s hungry.” William grabbed an apple out of a pouch lying nearby and sliced it in half with a knife. “Let’s see.”
He stood and gently tossed one of the apple halves toward the deer where it landed a few feet from the animal. The deer flinched and then cautiously approached the piece of fruit, sniffing it out in a patch of tall, withered grass before noisily devouring it. A few moments later, the deer took a few steps closer to the campfire and stopped, staring at William and the other half of the apple in his hand.
“He’s expecting it now, Will. Don’t tease the animal,” Brendan said, observing its formidable antlers and mesmerizing stare that seemed to probe the very depths of his thoughts. He watched as the deer consumed the second piece of apple William had thrown its way, fascinated yet slightly unsettled by the animal’s peculiar gaze. There was something about the buck’s eyes that bothered him, though he couldn’t reason why as the disquieting sensation persisted. He finally told William not to feed the animal anymore when he saw his brother reach for a second apple. “Better save the rest for us, Will. He’ll find his own food.”
“All right,” he said, helping himself to more stew. “There’s a little left. Finish it off?”
“No, you go ahead,” Brendan muttered, his attention still fixated on the deer. He clapped his hands several times and spooked the animal so that it ran back into the trees. Yet later, after they had doused the campfire with lake water and continued south along the road, he couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that that particular deer was still observing them deep within the dark of the woods.
Twilight slowly enveloped the surroundings as the sun dipped behind the Red Mountains later that day. An orange and purple hue tinted the wispy cloud strands lingering near the western horizon. Brendan and William had passed through several farming communities on their journey, but now approached a larger village nestled in a swath of pine along the lakeshore. Each looked forward to a restful night at an inn, believing that after many days on the road sleeping in woods or abandoned barns, they deserved a small treat. Both were eager for a hot meal and a warm bed as their horses ambled along the road on the outskirts of a village called Parma, but they stopped suddenly near the border when seeing a large shape lying upon the side of the road in the shadows.
William first suggested that it might be a dead animal until they rode closer and saw the shape slowly rise to its feet. Brendan slowed his horse, holding out a hand to caution his brother. But when they were close enough to distinguish a man’s face in the fading light, they breathed easier. A middle-aged gentleman, sporting a black coat and gray hat, greeted them with a wave of his hand.
“Hello, gentlemen,” he softly spoke, sounding out of breath.
“Are you all right, sir?” Brendan inquired. “We saw you upon the roadside and–”
“Oh, I’m fine now, having had a little time to sit here and recover. It’s the other man who tried to rob me that received the worst of it, I think, even though he got away with my horse.” The man laughed. “Hit him with a large stick in the kneecap just before he galloped away, I did. Howled like a wolf that stepped on a thorn. Serves him right.”
“You’re certain you’re not hurt?” Brendan asked as he dismounted.
“Still in one piece, thank you. You needn’t worry.”
“Where’d the other man go?” William asked. “Do you want us to contact the local authorities?”
“No point,” he replied. “He fled south through Parma about ten minutes ago and probably disappeared into the foothills. I’ll never see him or my horse again. Luckily I kept my money on my person and found a piece of an oak branch to fend him off. He’ll think twice before robbing again. The name is Sorli, by the way.”
Brendan introduced himself and his brother, offering to escort Sorli into the village. When they mentioned that they were going to look for an inn to spend the night, Sorli recommended an establishment close to the lake and offered to buy the brothers some dinner in exchange for their kindness.
“It’s not necessary,” Brendan said. “We’re happy to help, what little we did.”
“Your concern is worth more than you can imagine,” he replied. “How many people would assist a total stranger in these troubled times? My heart will break if I must take no for an answer.”
“Well, in that case…” William said, his appetite growing.
About twenty minutes later, the trio found an inn named The Silver Trout, a large stone and wood structure built near a group of towering pines close to the lakeshore, its windows aglow with soft yellow light as the sweet scent of chimney smoke permeated the air. Soon Brendan, William and Sorli were dining on fried lake trout and washing it down with fresh apple cider. Amid the low light and competing conversations, they savored the meal while talking over their respective trips south, though Brendan and William avoided any mention of their true identities or the real purpose about traveling to Grantwick. On the sly, Brendan indicted for his brother to remove his silver ring as he had done, just to be on the safe side.
“I have several business interests on the south end of the lake,” Sorli explained during the meal, “and I’ll have to purchase another horse now or I’ll be late for my appointments. When are you two supposed to arrive in Grantwick?”
“We have no appointed time,” Brendan said, seated across from Sorli and studying his features in the dim light. The man’s full face and sleepy eyes under a mess of brown hair reminded him of no one in particular, yet seemed oddly familiar nonetheless. “We’re visiting our elderly aunt and uncle for the winter to help them out on their farm.”
“If we like it, we just might stay through the spring!” William said, eager to add to his brother’s fabrication. “I mean, what could be more fun than digging in the dirt and milking cows from first light to sunset?” he said while shoveling a forkful of fish into his mouth.
Brendan offered an awkward grin to their dinner host while looking askance at his brother. “Seems Will can hardly wait to start.”
“Apparently so,” Sorli agreed. “And best of luck to you both, whatever your future holds,” he said before polishing off the last of his cider. As he set the cup on the table, he looked at the two brothers as if an idea had just struck him. “Pardon me if I’m imposing, but since our paths are the same for the next day or so, I was wondering if you’d allow me to accompany you until I reach my destination. After my recent encounte
r with that highway bandit, I’m embarrassed to say that I’m a bit anxious about taking to the road again all alone, especially in the dark hours.”
“I don’t see why not,” William said. “We’d love some company, right, Brendan?”
“Uh, sure,” he replied, briefly distracted as he found himself unable to keep from casting furtive glances at Sorli, growing more convinced that he had seen this man somewhere. Had he ever visited Montavia before? Or was it simply his imagination run wild? Brendan was tempted to ask the man if he had ever traveled to Triana but decided he had better not. Still, he could not shake the vexing sensation each time he looked into the man’s eyes, feeling as if someone other than this man was staring back at him.
Later, after a final drink and some conversation near the main fire in the crowded common room, Sorli excused himself for the night, prepared to retire to his room. Brendan and William shook his hand, thanking the man for providing them such a wonderful meal.
“I look forward to your company on the road in the morning,” Sorli said. “The owner informed me that he will have one of his stable hands find a horse for sale in the village, so I’ll be ready to ride directly after breakfast.”
“Glad to hear it,” William said, wishing him good night. Brendan simply raised his hand goodbye as Sorli disappeared through the doorway. He continued to stare in the same direction for a moment after the man had departed, his mind oblivious to all else.
“That was a nice gesture,” William said, flopping back in his chair by the fire. “I’m so stuffed that I couldn’t eat another bite. And that’s saying something for–” He looked curiously at his brother who stood frozen in place. “What are you looking at, Brendan? Sit down and relax. We won’t be stopping at an inn every night.”
Nicholas Raven and the Wizards' Web (The Complete Epic Fantasy) Page 52