by Hurri Cosmo
Except, if she was to be the new queen and charged with providing a crown prince, Aydin was a babe in the way. Aydin was the true firstborn of King Diagus, a title not able to be transferred.
Unless, of course, Aydin was no more.
Was this woman going to do away with Aydin?
No. If that was the case, if all they meant to do was kill the baby, they would have done that back at the inn. They were taking him somewhere.
But where?
It didn’t matter. Tama would follow and wait for an opportunity to take Aydin back.
The command to go must have been given because, suddenly, the coach began to move. Tama turned toward the stables and ran. He would saddle Rego and take off after them. He would stay far enough back so it didn’t seem they were being followed. Then when the time was right, he could swoop in and grab Aydin. His heart leaped. He missed his little boy, and he was certain Aydin was wondering where his “papa” was.
“I’m right here, my sweet,” he murmured to himself. “And I’ll rescue you.”
Chapter 7
Diagus was tired, thankfully no longer in much pain, when they finally arrived at the castle. But he was excited to meet up with his angel again. They were most likely coming into Blade Rain a few hours after Tama. But he would still find him. Yes, he had come to the conclusion that he needed to let Tama go. He couldn’t do with the man what he most desired. But meeting up with him once—or twice—couldn’t hurt. Would do him good, as a matter of fact.
Dismounting was a little painful, but he could tell he was much better. His angel had saved him, then healed him. Now it was time to get to know him. On every level.
He chuckled.
“Stomund, send someone to find Tama.”
“I’m going to check the stable first, Sire. I want to make sure he is even here.”
“Fine. I’m going to go wash up and change out of these bloody clothes. I’ll meet you in my study.” Stomund nodded and headed out. Diagus made it up to his rooms and flopped down on his bed while he waited for his bath to be filled.
“Sire, we’re ready for you.”
Diagus opened his eyes and was surprised he had drifted off to sleep. “Oh. Yes.” He sat on the bed and rubbed his eyes. It was full dark now, candles dotted the room. A cheery fire in the massive fireplace also helping to light the space. “Thank you.”
Somehow, he was able to rid himself of his ruined clothes, and as he sank into the warmth of the water, he realized he still had those healing leaves covering his wound. He chuckled at his angel’s concern over this small little wound. It had only been a tiny blade wielded by a drunken idiot. Even the angle at which the man had stabbed at him prevented much damage.
But somehow that small wound nearly killed him.
What had been said? A poison?
He would have to ask.
Just then there was a knock on the door. Diagus didn’t move. Whoever it was, he would just turn them away. Unless it was Tama. Or maybe Stomund, if he had news.
“Sire?”
A servant boy stood near the door of this bedroom.
“Yes?”
“Commander Stomund is asking for your audience.”
Diagus’s heart leaped. He would have some word of Tama. “Send him in.”
The boy disappeared, and a minute later, Stomund walked in. He smiled when he saw Diagus still in the tub.
“What are you smirking at? Like what you see?” Diagus spread his legs wide.
Stomund laughed. “You are my king and my commander, and I greatly admire you. But that’s as far as it goes.”
It was Diagus’s turn to laugh. “Help me up.”
Stomund came close and took hold of Diagus’s right arm and pulled him up, steadying him as Diagus stepped out of the water. Then he handed him a large towel, which had been laying on a chair. Diagus wrapped it around himself, noting that his wound was bare. The leaves had soaked off. But it looked like any other superficial wound he had ever had. Except for the stitches. Strange.
“Come. Tell me what is going on in the castle. Have you located Tama?” Diagus walked to his bed and sat on the edge, the servant boy hurrying to find clothing.
“No, Sire. I have not located him yet, but I do have news. My horse is in the stables so Tama has arrived. According to the stable hand, he recognized a horse, saying it was his father’s, and asked where his father was. The lad had no idea but gave him directions to the Harpy’s Inn.”
“Harpy’s Inn? I wouldn’t send my worst enemy to drink there, much less stay.”
Stomund laughed. “Neither would I, but they seem to always have plenty of patrons.”
“That they do. I can’t imagine you have had time to check into that information?”
“I sent a man straightaway. I expect we should hear soon. But I have other news as well. King Lexand has gone off hunting. That is the word from the stables. It seems your betrothed, Princess Annen, has taken off for parts unknown as well. Her guards have accompanied her and – oddly – a bundle of some sort.”
“A bundle?”
“Yes. A small bundle wrapped in a blanket. At least, that was what was observed. She climbed aboard her carriage and off she went. No one really knows where.”
“And her father didn’t leave with her?”
“No. According to witnesses, he left shortly before she did and in an opposite direction.”
Diagus rose from the bed to allow himself to be dressed while he thought about this. Stomund had said Tama was chasing his father who had taken his nephew and was bringing him to the castle to be sold. Could that be what the bundle was? A child? Why would Princess Annen want a child? More importantly, why would she buy one?
“Did either one of them take provisions? Did the kitchen prepare a long journey for them?” Were they headed back to the Thunder Wolf Kingdom?
“I’ll find out. What are you thinking?”
“I don’t know. But I do wonder if there is a connection with Tama.”
“Tama? What do you mean?”
“I’m not sure, yet, but I don’t believe all this is just a coincidence either.”
“Which brings up another subject we have yet to discuss. The Witch’s Bane you were attacked with. Tama seemed to think you were attacked on purpose. They knew who you were.”
“You mean that someone was specifically trying to kill me?”
“Yes. He says Witch’s Bane is nearly impossible to obtain.”
“It’s not, really. One just needs to make a trip to Dark Marsh.”
“You know about Dark Marsh?”
Diagus glanced up at a startled expression on Stomund’s face and he laughed. “Of course. Any good king would. It is a place of mystery for sure, but not all the sordid stories are to be dismissed. If I was poisoned by some odious plot, I am well aware such things tend to come from the marsh.”
“Who are we up against? Who would know where you were at that moment in order to plan what they did?”
“A very good question. One we will need to answer, or my life may be forfeit.”
Diagus heard another quick knock on the outside door. Stomund turned and left the bedroom to answer it. Diagus thanked the servant boy who bowed and mumbled something.
“I didn’t hear you, boy. Speak up.”
“I asked if the king needed anything of a … personal nature. If you desired… pleasures…”
Diagus would have chuckled at the reddened face of the young man, whose sudden interest in his slippers had him looking down and shuffling his feet. But Diagus knew it would further embarrass him. Instead, he gently touched the servant’s shoulder. When he looked up in hope, Diagus smiled.
“Thank you. You’re offer is generous, indeed. But I must decline. You are released to your other duties now. You’ve done well.”
Disappointment flashed on the boy’s face, but he bowed and hurried from the room, crossing paths with another young man and Stomund. Diagus did not miss the angry look the departing servant gave to the n
ewcomer.
“We have news, Sire,” announced Stomund. “Teke has just returned from the Harpy’s Inn.”
Diagus put his hands on his hips and narrowed his eyes at Teke. “Tell me, boy. What have you learned?”
“Yes, Your Majesty! I… I found out that a Mr. Beourn Hilman was staying in a room above the inn, waiting for your return. He had a baby with him. But he was attacked and the baby stolen.”
“This Beourn, does he live?” He would be Tama’s father.
“Yes, Sire. He is injured but not grievously. There was another man injured as well. A strangely dressed man.”
“Strangely dressed?”
“A guard uniform, Majesty, but one I have never seen.”
“Green?”
“Yes! You know of him?”
“I believe I do. He is one of Princess Annen’s men.” Diagus put a finger to his lips. So, that was a baby in the bundle the princess was reportedly seen with. But why was she making off with a baby?
Stomund immediately grabbed the young man and turned him toward him. “The princess’s man? Teke! Did he say where the princess was going?”
“Yes, sir. He said…” Teke glanced at the king, then looked back to Stomund. “He said they were going to Dark Marsh.”
“Dark Marsh?” Stomund exclaimed. He let go of Teke and turned to the king. “Sire! We have to stop her!”
“Stomund! Easy, old man. Yes, we will stop her, but you sound as if you know her plot.”
“No, Sire. I do not. But it’s something that Tama said on our travels. He said that part of the reason Witch’s Bane is difficult to obtain is that the witches who deal in that type of product do not deal in coin. They deal in other things, like firstborn children.”
“Firstborn children?” Diagus whispered as he felt fear climb his spine. He heard Teke gasp as well. Yes, he had heard this type of thing. “I would venture to guess that Tama’s nephew is a firstborn child?”
“I am not sure, Sire. But that would be my guess.”
“That only adds to the questions, Stomund, and answers none.”
“Indeed. However, it’s also why we must stop her.”
Diagus sighed. “I fear you are correct. But I still don’t know where Tama is. Did he find all this out as well?” Diagus turned to the boy. “Tell me of Tama. Did you see him?”
“Tama, Your Majesty?”
“Mr. Hilman’s son. Was there a young man with Mr. Hilman?”
“Ahh, yes, Your Majesty. Mr. Hilman said his son had been there and gone. Off to chase after the baby.”
“When? When did this happen?”
“This… this afternoon, Your Majesty.”
“Damn it! Stomund! Make ready my horse again. It seems I will need to save my angel.” He started toward the door, Stomund outpacing him to reach it first.
“But, Sire! It’s late, and you’re still not a well man.”
“He is hours ahead of me, Stomund! I will not wait another moment! Besides, you’re the one who keeps saying we must stop the princess. So, let’s stop her!”
“Yes, Sire. I’m sorry, Sire. Of course. I will gather the guard.”
Teke ran to overtake both of them and raised his hand to gain their attention. “There is still one more thing, Your Majesty.”
“What is it?”
“Sire, the man, Mr. Hilman, claims his grandson, the baby that was taken, is… well, Your Majesty, he claims that the child is your son.”
Chapter 8
They were headed north, toward the pass. That was going to be a problem. Tama still had no currency, and Stomund was not going to be there to help him this time. And even beyond that, where were they going? Had he been wrong about who this woman was?
It didn’t matter. Somehow, he would get to Aydin. Tonight, when they would stop to camp, he would have his chance.
And as if Tama’s thoughts had been the cue, the entourage came to a halt. They were on a hill that stood above a sweeping meadow, and in the failing light, Tama could see a babbling brook running through it. A perfect place to camp.
He waited with Rego in an outcropping of forest and watched as the wagon was slowly navigated down the slope and the men with her set the camp up. Within a half hour, it was done. The magnificently dressed woman exited the carriage, and the large man carrying the bundle stepped out behind her. He felt tears sting his own eyes when he heard Aydin’s distant crying. How long had that been going on? Tama didn’t even want to think about it.
He would wait until full nightfall before getting closer, leaving Rego here, tethered to the brush. There would be no reason they would fear an intruder and most likely only leave one man on duty. Still, he would be quieter and faster without a horse in tow.
As he waited, trying hard not to hear the constant sobs of his precious Aydin, he watched the woman. It was obvious by now her kidnapping of Aydin had nothing to do with a motherly instinct. She had immediately retreated inside the largest tent and not appeared since, leaving the hulking man to care for Aydin, which was to ensconce him in another smaller tent and let him cry. Tama was surprised Aydin stayed in the tent. But maybe he wanted nothing to do with the group that held him.
Finally, even the guards, all six of them, withdrew to either other tents, or lay down near the fire. Tama waited another half hour longer to be sure, hearing a medley of snoring, assuring him that at least some of the six were soundly sleeping. With all that noise, his light footsteps would not be heard.
He ventured down the hillside.
Even Aydin had most likely fallen asleep, poor thing. Tama heard nothing coming from the smaller tent.
As he entered the campsite, he was careful to note where each of the six men were located. Two had taken to the far tent, one other to yet another tent, and three were snoring loudly near the still brightly burning fire. He continued to watch all three locations as he made his way to Aydin’s tent.
Then he was inside.
There his sweet little boy lay. Bundled in the single blanket, his breathing still labored from his crying. Tama’s heart lunged, and he felt slightly ill from the movement. Did his poor innocent little man think Tama was gone, never to return?
He knelt to gently pick him up, hoping he would remain sleeping and not cry out. But when he tried, something prevented him from being able to move the child. Tama quickly removed the blanket to see the reason Aydin had not exited the tent. He was tied around the waist with a rope! Tama followed the other end to the tent pole.
They had tethered his Aydin! They had tied his child up like some kind of animal. Bright hate and anger rose in him, so much so, he wished he had brought his bow and arrows with him. He imagined himself swiftly killing each and every one of the people in this camp for doing this.
But he had left them, thankfully, with Rego. Mainly because his priority had to be getting Aydin out of here. He tamped down his emotions and went to work on the rope.
Of course, all the movement and rustling around awakened Aydin.
“Papa!” Aydin screamed.
“Shhh! Yes, Aydin, it’s Papa,” Tama whispered. “Please, sweetheart, you must remain quiet. Papa has to get you loose.” Damn. That had been awfully loud, and there was a distinct lack of snoring now. Had the soldiers been roused by the sound?
“Papa, papa, papa!” Aydin’s arms were around Tama’s neck, and he could no longer see the rope. He so desperately needed to loosen these bonds, but he was also overcome with joy that those fiercely strong little arms were once again around him.
As Tama feared, he heard commotion from outside of the tent. Several of the guards were now coming toward them, he was sure of it. Tama pushed Aydin back and tried in vain to loosen the tether. He heard someone enter the tent behind him.
“Who are you?” the man shouted. “Get away from the kid!”
Tama turned to face him, although it was too dark to really see the man’s face. The fire was lighting the guard from behind so he had no trouble seeing the size of the man, who was bending low
to fit inside the tent.
“Aydin belongs to me! You have no right to take him!”
The man answered by reaching down, grabbing a hold of Tama’s left arm, and basically picking him up off the ground. Being that Aydin was still tethered to the tent pole, Tama had to let him go.
The man dragged Tama out of the tent while poor little Aydin screamed, “Papa, papa, papa!” behind him.
This was it. He was going to die. He had no idea what Aydin’s fate would be, being that he had failed to rescue him.
“What is all this commotion out here?”
“Princess! Please stay in your tent. We are dealing with an intruder.”
The beautifully dressed woman had obviously changed into evening wear, no longer in the magnificent purple ensemble she had had on before. Now she was wearing a gown made of light-blue gossamer material that floated about her like smoke as she moved. Her long brown hair was down around her shoulders, forming a perfect frame for her beautiful face.
“Intruder?” She glanced first at Tama, then at the tent where Aydin still screamed out “Papa”, then back at Tama. “Seems to me he is a welcome guest!”
“Princess! He tried to take the child!”
“It’s obvious, you idiot, he is the child’s father!” But then she stopped, tilted her head at Tama, and walked closer.
“Princess, please stay back.”
“Quiet!” she shot at the guard, who stood behind Tama and held him tightly by both arms. Then she regarded Tama again, studying his face. After a moment, she said, “The boy calls you ‘papa.’ Why? I know for a fact you are not the boy’s father.”
She knows for a fact? What was truly going on here? “I… I’m Aydin’s uncle. His mother was my sister. But she died in childbirth so I have been raising him.”
“Ahhh. Now that makes sense.” She looked around the campsite, then back at Tama. “You are alone?”