The Child Prince (The Artifactor)

by Honor Raconteur

  “Kip is short for Kippy,” she expounded.

  Morgan shot her a glare over his shoulder. “You don’t need to explain.”

  “The question was all over the kid’s face,” she responded with a very suspicious twinkle in her eyes. “You see, Bel, the man in front of you is infamous for having been hit with the Sleeping Princess curse.”

  Didn’t that curse only work on women…? Apparently not, if Morgan had been affected. Bellomi studied him curiously even as Morgan let out a pained groan.

  Ignoring her friend, Sevana continued, “He slept for nearly two weeks before I figured out how to break the curse and wake him up. Kippy means napping. Kip for short.”

  In other words, she was the type to do favors for people and then constantly remind them of it later. Or maybe she just knew that it bugged Morgan to hear her call him that and so she kept doing it. Probably both.

  “How did you get cursed with it, if you don’t mind my asking?”

  Very, very reluctantly, Morgan answered, “There are some old castle ruins near here where a sleeping princess used to lay. The curse still lingered in some of the stones. I just happened to touch a residual spot and…well….”

  “The adults warned us not to play there, of course,” Sevana added off-handly. “But Kip’s never been the kind to listen to warnings like that.”

  “I got better after being hit by that curse,” Kip defended himself.

  “Better still leaves a lot of room for improvement.” Sevana skipped ahead of them both so that she could stretch out in her favorite chair near the fire. No matter what kind of rooms or tunnels Big created, there was always a draft and so no place inside of the mountain really ever got warm. Sevana seemed to be colder than most people on just a normal basis and gravitated to heat like a cat would.

  Bellomi also felt the cold easily, being from a warmer climate, and so he took the other wingback chair next to the fire. Well, he had to take off his swords first, as he hadn’t yet figured out a way to sit comfortably with two swords the length of your back strapped on. He leaned them against his chair as he got settled.

  Morgan stretched out along the long couch nearby, sitting down like a man that had been in that exact spot many times before. He’d likely had, at that.

  As he sat, he looked around the room as if searching for something. The only thing in here was chairs and the fireplace, really, so Bellomi couldn’t understand what Morgan needed.

  “Where’s Baby?”

  Bellomi blinked. Baby?

  “Oh, he’s around,” Sevana assured him, curling up tighter in her chair with her legs tucked under her. “He’s just not sure what to make of Bel yet, so he’s lurking in the shadows for now.”

  Not sure if he wanted a complete explanation, Bellomi nevertheless asked, “Baby?”

  “Mountain lion,” Morgan answered. “He’s been Sev’s friend since he was cub. Big found him, actually. He’s got to be, what, thirteen years old now?”

  “He would be if I weren’t feeding him age-reduction potions,” Sevana agreed.

  “Anyway, he’s sort of Sev’s pet/guard/friend. If Big can’t handle intruders, Baby has some fun chasing them through the tunnels. He’s actually quite a gentle cat, really, although he has this bad habit of sitting on people’s chests at 2:00 in the morning.”

  “No, he only does that to you,” Sev assured him, eyes twinkling. “He thinks it’s funny how you flail about.”

  “You wake up from a sound sleep not breathing because of a massive weight on your chest and see how you react,” Morgan shot back.

  “Naw, funnier to watch you.”

  Morgan shook his head, letting the matter go. “But that’s another matter. What I came to tell you is this: the palace is in a bit of turmoil over Bel’s disappearance, but they’re not really searching for him. Oh, they sent out some of the palace guards to go looking, but it’s just for show. If you take him around with you and introduce him as an apprentice, I don’t think anyone is going to give the kid a second glance.”

  Sev nodded in approval. “Good. We need to travel soon and gather more information. I was reaching the limit of what I could do here.”

  Bellomi didn’t say anything to this. It…hurt to think that his father hadn’t noticed his disappearance. Of course, he’d spent the past decade in a locked room without the man noticing but if a child disappeared without a trace, shouldn’t a parent at least try to find him? But he knew that in all reality, the king had likely not even noticed that something was amiss.

  What he needed to focus on was helping Sevana as much as he could in breaking his curse and learning everything he could so that he could wrest control back from the Council and become a king in his own right. With a deep breath, he forced his emotions into the background.

  “So where do we need to go?” he asked her.

  “Hmmm,” she put a finger to her chin as she thought. “Probably to Pierpoint first. I want to know what he tried with you and what he ruled out before he was dismissed. No point covering the same ground twice. I also need him to rework the stasis spell he put you under as it’s hampering what I can do. After that, we’ll see. I can’t make plans until he’s told me what he learned.”

  It sounded like a good start to him. “Very well. Do you know where he is?”

  “Not a clue.” She looked at Morgan with raised eyebrows.

  “I don’t either,” Morgan admitted, “but I’ll find out for you. Stop by the village on your way out of town tomorrow. It shouldn’t take me long to find him, considering how famous he is.”

  Was Morgan an information broker? It sounded like it.

  “Are you going to take him shopping first?” Morgan inclined his head in Bellomi’s direction in a meaningful way. “He looks like he slept in those clothes.”

  He had, actually.

  Sevana shot him a falsely sweet smile. “If you’re so worried about it, why don’t you take him shopping.”

  Morgan heard the unspoken command and heaved himself back to his feet. “Might as well do it now. I’ll learn where Pierpoint is while I’m out. Bel, come with me.”

  If it meant getting a better look at the outside of this mountain, he’d gladly go. He didn’t hesitate in following Morgan out of the room.

  Bellomi followed on the taller man’s heels without a word passing between them. The path leading up to the mountain was paved with stones—not Big’s work, he would recognize it, this had been done by human hands—so he didn’t have to worry about tripping over something as he walked. His head turned in every direction as he descended the stairs, trying to take in everything at once.

  This part of Windamere had open plains for the most part but there were sections of ancient trees nearby and of course a mountain at his back. And…did he smell water? A river, perhaps? It sounded like movement and not the stillness of a standing body of water. The only part of Windamere that had mountains was on the far west border, near the countries of Haixi and Sa Kao. He was a long, long way from home then. That clock portal thing of Sevana’s covered quite some distance.

  The path didn’t have any indications of real use or cultivation. Aside from the paving stones, no one would think that anyone lived here. He turned to glance back over his shoulder. Big had recessed the front door so that a casual look wouldn’t reveal it. A man had to know where that door was to be able to access it. Sevana had truly gone out of her way to avoid visitors.

  “Is this the first time you’ve been outside Big?” Morgan inquired, slowing his pace to accommodate Bellomi’s shorter legs.

  “Yes and no,” he admitted, turning back around before he stumbled on the steps. The path became more winding after that first flat section near the door. If he didn’t pay attention, he’d trip, and it was a looooong way to the bottom with some very sharp stones to catch him. “I have come outside several times, but did not venture far from the mountain. Sevana had quite a few choice words with me for doing even that. I’m not…used to the outside world.”

&n
bsp; “Probably a wise decision,” Morgan acknowledged with a sidelong glance. “But you need more exposure. You can’t hide in that mountain forever.”

  Bellomi met him look for look. “Is that why you brought me out?”

  “Well, that, and because you really do need more clothes. Besides, this way it’s easier for me to warn you about some of Sev’s more dangerous habits.”

  “Like not knocking on her workroom door?”

  “Well, not really that one. She warns everyone about that one. It’s the other habits, the ones she doesn’t really know she has.” Morgan paused and pointed at the stones under their feet. “Be careful through this section. Some of the stones have worked loose because of the recent rain we’ve gotten.”

  Oh. Good to know. Bellomi started paying more attention to where he placed his feet. “What other habits?”

  “Don’t wake her up. I mean it. Even if there are thieves inside the caves, even if there is a fire, do not wake her up. She’s the grouchiest person I’ve ever seen on waking. And she instinctively turns anyone who does wake her up into a toad.” From the grimace on Morgan’s face, he knew this from personal experience.

  Bellomi’s curiosity overrode his courtesy. “Why a toad?”

  “First spell she learned to cast,” Morgan answered dryly. “I’ve actually seen her cast it in her sleep.”

  Bellomi looked at the man carefully to see if he were pulling his leg. It didn’t look like he was. “Truly?”

  He nodded soberly. “Don’t wake her up. Get Big to do it. Even if she gets mad at him, he’s a mountain. He can take it.”

  Silently swearing to himself that he’d never go anywhere near her bedroom door, Bellomi asked, “So anything else?”

  “She has lots of quirks, but there’s one more dangerous habit of hers. Do you know that old, old song about the sleeping princess who never awakened?”

  He had to think back to his childhood, when his mother was still alive. She used to hum it often. “Yes, I do. It’s a sad song. What about it?”

  “If you ever hear Sev hum it, leave. It’s a danger signal with her. She hums it when she’s contemplating something disastrous and evil.” Morgan actually looked pale as he said this, as if even the memory of previous times unnerved him. “Don’t say anything to her and for the love of the gods, don’t try to stop her. Just find somewhere else to be as quickly as you can. And if, heaven forbid, she starts actually singing the lyrics, run.”

  Bellomi thought about that as he kept descending the stairs and navigated a sharp bend. “Morgan, with her personality and magical ability, how did you survive to adulthood?”

  “I’ve often asked myself the same question. So has most of the village, actually.” He shrugged as if the answer didn’t really matter to him. “But you know, as much as she complains and as odd as she can be, she’s still a good friend. And she’ll move the world for you if you need it moved.”

  Bellomi believed that. She had, after all, come to help him when no one else could.

  Almost as an afterthought, Kip added, “And if she does accidentally kill you, she’ll revive you almost immediately.”

  Bellomi almost missed a step. I really, really don’t want to know how he knows that.

  Just as they came within sight of Milby, Morgan said seriously, “I must tell you that Sevana sent me a note several days ago about you.”

  Bellomi darted a look up at him. The man looked slightly uncomfortable. “Might I inquire as to what it was about?”

  “She gave me a very short summary of what the past ten years have been like for you.” Morgan chose those words with care, as well he should, considering they were coming into thick traffic. At this hour of the morning, apparently everyone chose to go into the village. Bellomi ducked behind Morgan several times to avoid being run over by carts, horses, and pedestrians.

  When they hit a clear pocket again, Morgan continued, “There’s a lot of life skills you’re missing, I think. Sevana suggested that I teach you how to really talk to people.”

  How to talk to people? “I’m afraid I don’t quite understand.”

  “How to charm them, how to get information from them without raising their suspicions, how to bargain with them, how to read their expressions,” Morgan elaborated. “Humans are complex creatures and dealing with them takes practice. You, especially, are going to need a lot of practice considering what you’ll become in the future.”

  Admittedly, Morgan had a very valid point. Sevana clearly realized the same gap in his education for her to send Morgan to him. “I quite agree. Where do we start?”

  “Let’s begin with bargaining, since we have to buy a few things anyway.” Morgan ticked things off on his fingers as he walked, warming up to his subject. “A few tips on talking with people. Try to smile as you talk with them, unless it’s a depressing topic, because people like to talk to someone who’s generally of good humor. Look people in the eye when you speak to them whenever possible—it’s easier to make a connection with them that way. It’s also best to start with a compliment, or if that’s not possible, to offer them a compliment in the course of the conversation.”

  Bellomi had followed quite well until that point, but he didn’t quite know how to use this last piece of advice. “What kind of compliment, exactly?”

  “Depends on the situation and who you’re talking to. If it’s a woman, a compliment on her appearance is always the best. It doesn’t have to be flowery or elaborate, either. Saying, you have a nice smile, or your hair looks quite pretty, or the color of your dress suits you, something like that.”

  He had the strangest sense that he needed to be taking notes but nevertheless asked, “And if it’s not a woman?”

  “If it’s a man, compliments don’t usually go well. At least, not on their appearance. You compliment things that they have instead. If it’s a tradesman, compliment his wares. If it’s a hunter, or a soldier, his weapons. Do you see?”

  “I think I do?” Bellomi rubbed at his chin, considering. “But I imagine that it’s going to take experience before I get the right feel for when a compliment is appropriate or not.”

  “That it will.” Bending down slightly, Morgan confided, “And you’re going to have to watch how you phrase things. You don’t speak like an eight year old, but like the adult you are. People are going to find you odd, and no one’s comfortable in the presence of something they find strange. Try to simplify your sentences and don’t use large words.”

  Bellomi blinked at him. He had never once really thought about how he spoke. “What words am I using that are problematic?”

  “Problematic, for one,” Morgan responded dryly. “If it’s anything more than three syllables, try to substitute a different word. The best thing for you to do is find some children in the village and spend a little time listening to them. Copying their habits is your best bet.”

  Bellomi put a hand to his aching forehead. “My head hurts.”

  “No doubt.” Morgan spared him a quick grin before straightening. “Alright, let’s go shopping first.”

  As they stepped onto the main thoroughfare, Morgan gave him a brief outline of the village’s history and trade, which Bellomi paid close attention to even as he stared about with wide eyes. Milby Village could sit inside the main garden of Lockbright Palace with ease. Being situated at the mouth of Milby River (hence the name of the place), it was largely a fishing village and always had been. But also because of the river, it enjoyed trade with other places. Milby River, after all, opened out into the sea at the far end, and from there it led into Lavelle Harbor. A river boat could hardly venture into the open sea safely, but if a river boatman hugged the shoreline of Windamere, he could go from harbor to river and back again safely enough. The boatmen of Milby had done just that for generations and had made quite a nice profit from doing so.

  Because of this, the main square of town had actual brick buildings instead of the typical wood, and the streets were not packed dirt but tightly fit cobblestone. The
buildings were practically built on top of each other, outer walls a hand’s breadth from the other, giving the village a densely compacted feel. Bellomi suspected that the townsmen were too lazy to clear more space so that the town could expand a little. Sanat Forest, after all, lay on both sides of the river and of the town—clearing that many trees would be a lot of work. He couldn’t get Morgan to admit to that, though.

  As he reached the outer gate that led into the city, he glanced around, still not able to understand the bright colors everywhere. For some reason, Milby residents preferred their buildings to have white-washed exteriors with elaborate wooden lattice-work on top. The lattices weren’t just elaborate but painted in every possible color. Some houses had bright blue, others green, still others a garish yellow. With all of the trading going on, it only made sense that they had the dyes and paints for such decorations readily available, but…couldn’t someone with common sense talk them into toning it down a little? It looked like a five year old with finger paints had been turned loose!

  They went left almost as soon as they entered the village and went into Market, as Morgan called it. Stalls lined the street on either side, all of them crammed together, with people behind that called out wares and prices in loud voices. People of every possible age, profession and gender were jammed into the narrow confines of the street, pushing past each other in an effort to get to different stalls. The noise level alone made Bellomi flinch. But the smell—such a concoction of different foods, metals, leathers, and sweat—made him slightly gag as well. He swallowed hard, several times, trying to keep his stomach from revolting.

  Morgan didn’t seem to notice his reaction, just struck off confidently into the crowd, making his way through by sheer body size. Bellomi tried to stick close in the man’s shadow, allowing him to act as a trailblazer, but his efforts didn’t always work as people moved back in Morgan’s wake.

  Reaching back, the taller man tapped him on the shoulder once before gesturing to the side. “Clothing stalls are over here, usually.”