A chilly breeze was blowing, and the little blaze provided welcome warmth. Soon one of the other soldiers returned with three chairs, the kind made from wood and leather that folded up so you could carry them more easily. Ernth had seen their kind before; Captain Ebbrem had a similar one.
Ernth and Korram seated themselves by the snapping flames, but Captain Tarl didn’t sit. He and the remaining soldier both paced back and forth, watching them warily while trying a little too hard not to look as though they didn’t trust them.
This wait was a lot longer than the first one, probably because Camp One was further away than wherever Tarl had been. But finally the horses pricked up their ears once again and they all heard the sound of hooves approaching. Quickly, Ernth rose to his feet so he would be ready in case the general tried to do anything to Korram.
But before anyone rode into sight, they could hear the soft sounds of people stealthily creeping through the trees outside the circle of firelight. More unseen soldiers must be getting in position.
Finally, a man holding a drawn sword rode into the clearing. He was followed, to Ernth’s surprise, by two young boys who couldn’t have been much older than Jeskie. Could they be his sons?
“Sir!” began Captain Tarl, hurrying toward the newcomers. He saluted, and the man who must be General Dirken saluted back.
“Dismissed, Captain,” the general stated before Tarl could go on. “Take your soldier back to camp. I’ll handle it from here.”
Ernth watched warily as one of the two boys approached Korram, looking hard at him as though trying to decide if he knew him from somewhere. Korram stood up, staring back as though startled. He bent over the way Lowlanders often did when they talked to him, though Ernth had never seen his friend perform the gesture to anyone else. “Prince Jaymin,” he exclaimed.
“Prince Korram.” The newcomer bent a little too, but he didn’t look happy to meet Korram. His voice was cold.
So this is Jaymin, the Alasian who will someday be king. The one whose parents were killed. Ernth felt sorry for him. The boy probably thought what had happened was Korram’s fault; no wonder he didn’t seem to like the Prince of Malorn.
“I must say, I wasn’t expecting to see you,” Korram told him. “Rumor has it you survived the Invasion, but I wouldn’t have thought to find you here. I’m pleasantly surprised.”
“The surprise is mutual,” the boy replied, “though whether the pleasure is, remains to be seen. I’m sure you understand why my thoughts toward you and your people have not exactly been pleasant ones lately.”
Obviously. Who would think pleasant thoughts about people who killed his parents?
“Of course,” Korram assured the other prince. “But after you hear what I’ve come to say, perhaps those thoughts will change.”
“I make no promises,” Prince Jaymin told him, “but I’m willing to listen. Shall we be seated?”
Korram resumed his seat, and Jaymin sat down across the fire from him. General Dirken took the chair Ernth had vacated. He said nothing, apparently willing to let the young prince do the talking.
The second boy positioned himself behind Jaymin. He gazed silently at Ernth, dark eyes seeming almost to measure him, as though trying to figure out how strong he was and how well he could fight. Then his eyes shifted, traveling around the clearing, perhaps checking for other danger, before flicking over Korram and then returning to Ernth.
He must be a bodyguard too. It was strange to think of a young child in that role, but this boy looked quite capable of dealing with any trouble. Just from the way he stood, Ernth sensed he was prepared to leap into action at a moment’s notice. He didn’t have any weapons, at least not that Ernth could see, but his quiet confidence suggested that he knew how to handle himself without a spear or sword.
I didn’t know the Lowlanders here trained their children to fight. Ernth’s respect for Alasians rose a notch. He hoped he would have a chance to talk to the boy at some point. He was curious to know whether the youngster owed his life to Jaymin and how long he had been his bodyguard.
The others had left, and only the four of them remained in the clearing now. Ernth listened as Korram explained all about Regent Rampus. The Alasians were obviously surprised to hear that it was Rampus, not Korram, who had decided to attack their homeland.
“So you think Rampus means to have you killed soon?” the boy prince wanted to know.
Korram nodded. “I’m sure of it. That’s why he called me here from Malorn. He sent a message – and he made it sound like an invitation to take part in our upcoming victory, but he and I both know it was really an order. But he told me to lead five hundred horsemen, whom he thinks I recruited for him, over the border to attack your troops in the forest, assuming they were still here when we arrived.” Korram paused as though just remembering that detail. “He’s found out about your plans to attack Almar, by the way. If you haven’t tried yet, I wouldn’t recommend that you do. He’s more than ready for you.”
“Thank you,” Jaymin replied, looking a little amused, “but we found out about that on our own.”
So that’s why the prince and his soldiers are still here.
Korram finished explaining what Rampus wanted him to do. “So there you have it,” he ended. “We’re both in a tight place, and that’s the whole situation.”
The two of them sat looking at each other in silence for a moment, probably thinking over what Korram had said. Does Jaymin believe him? Has this changed the way he thinks of Korram? Ernth suspected so.
“What token can you give us to prove your goodwill?” the Alasian boy asked finally.
So Korram was right. Ernth glanced down at his friend, who pulled off the ring he hardly ever removed. “I’m prepared to give you this.” Ernth knew it wasn’t easy for him to hand it to Jaymin. “I would like it back after all this is over, if you don’t mind,” Korram told him, “but in the meantime, keep it as proof of my goodwill. And if at any point you feel that I have dealt less than honorably with you, you needn’t return it.”
He’d better return it. Ernth wasn’t sure if Lowlanders in Alasia were thieves like so many of the ones he had encountered in Malorn. But if this boy stole his friend’s greatest treasure, Ernth would never forgive him.
The general, however, wanted more than a pretty finger decoration. “Do you know the names of the traitors among our troops?” he inquired.
Korram brightened, and while he and the others looked around for something to write on, Ernth grinned, remembering that funny meeting with High Councilor Aybien, who had been so scared of him. The boy bodyguard noticed the grin just as Dannel had and flicked another glance in his direction. He was obviously curious, but his expression remained carefully blank.
Korram wrote on a square of white cloth that Dirken handed him, using the charred end of a stick from the fire. When he had finished, Jaymin and the general examined his list.
“Apparently Dannel is a double agent!” The Alasian prince’s voice was angry.
What’s a double agent? Ernth wondered. And how do the Alasians even know Dannel? He almost asked the question out loud, but at the last moment he decided that a bodyguard should probably stand still and be silent and serious like Jaymin’s was doing. That boy looks like he’s been a bodyguard for a long time and knows all about how it works. I should watch him and learn.
Korram chuckled at the other prince’s remark, his reply making it clear what a double agent must be. “You mean he was spying for your side too? He must have been good. Rampus never suspected a thing.”
In spite of his resolution, Ernth felt his jaw fall open. Dannel has been spying for both the Alasians and the Malornians? It had never occurred to him that anyone, even a Lowlander, would think of something so deceitful … and so clever.
Prince Jaymin and General Dirken seemed convinced, now, that Korram really intended to help them. They went on to discuss Korram’s plan while Ernth listened half-heartedly, trying to stay alert as they debated the details.
It was late and he was growing both sleepy and bored. But if the other bodyguard was tired, he didn’t show it, and Ernth was determined not to be the first one to yawn.
Finally they decided that in the morning Korram would send a message to the regent, announcing that he had defeated the Alasian army and wanted to tell Rampus about something important he had discovered. Hopefully the regent would be curious enough not to have Korram killed before he could find out what this important secret was. Then Korram and Ernth and their army would ride into the city of Almar. Everyone else would probably have to wait outside, but Ernth would accompany Korram into the palace. Korram would tell Rampus that he had found out about a secret room full of money and jewels and would pretend he was going to show Rampus where it was. But the door to that room would really be the door to the tunnel, and Alasian soldiers would be waiting in there ready to jump out and help take the regent prisoner.
But surely Rampus would still be surrounded by his friends, people who would fight to protect him; and probably only a few Alasians could fit through the tunnel entrance at a time. So that’s when I’ll probably get to save Korram’s life.
Next, Korram would order all the other Malornian soldiers to return home. If they wouldn’t obey, he would send someone to call the rest of the Alasian soldiers, who would be waiting in the hills nearby, and then there would probably be a battle.
It sounded like a dangerous plan, and Ernth was starting to suspect that he might end up having to save Korram’s life more than once. Technically, that would mean that Korram would then have to come back to the mountains with him until he had had the chance to save Ernth’s life an equal number of times in return. But Ernth understood now that that probably wasn’t going to happen. Korram had responsibilities in the Lowlands that he would consider even more important.
Well, perhaps Ernth could work things out in the fighting so that Korram would have the opportunity to save his life then and there too, to keep the score even. The alternative – letting a life debt go unpaid – would be more shameful than the Prince of Malorn probably realized. Ernth would do what he could to spare his friend that shame.
At last the discussion was over, but Ernth was dismayed to realize that he was not going to get any sleep that night after all. He and Korram were to return to their army, accompanied by a couple of Alasians Dirken was going to send to show them the fastest way. It would probably be morning by the time they arrive, or close to it. Once they woke their army up, they would all follow the Alasians back to two big clearings called Camp Three and Camp Four. Jaymin – who would get some sleep in the meantime, lucky boy – would meet them there tomorrow, and then he and Korram would work out exactly what to say in their message to Rampus. They would send a soldier or two to Almar to deliver it and then wait until afternoon to put the rest of their plan into action.
Korram finally said goodbye and good night to Jaymin and Dirken, and everyone stood up to untie their horses. Tomorrow is going to be a very long day, Ernth predicted silently as he mounted Hungry, and probably with fighting at the end of it, too. He was already having a hard time keeping his eyes open. However am I going to manage to stay awake?
There was an obvious solution, of course. Under the circumstances, surely Sergeant Sanjik would be willing to share. Ernth grinned as he rode after Korram and two Alasian soldiers into the trees. Coffee!
Chapter 23
“So do you owe Jaymin your life?” Ernth asked the other bodyguard. He and the Alasian boy – Erik, he had heard him called – were standing among the trees a little ways behind the two princes. Korram and Jaymin sat on a log looking into the large clearing they called Camp Three, talking and watching Korram’s army practice with their spears. Ernth and Erik were keeping a wary eye out for danger, though most of the soldiers didn’t seem to have noticed the princes. Even Thel was busy training with the others, reminding their platoon to stay focused, that this might be their last chance to practice before they had to use their skills for real.
The Alasian boy shot Ernth a quick glance. “You could say that.”
So did he or didn’t he owe Jaymin his life? “What do you mean?” Ernth wondered aloud, wrapping his coat more tightly around himself. It was nearly as cold in this Alasian forest as it had been up in the foothills where their army had been camped.
“Do you owe Korram your life?” the boy demanded, turning the question around.
“Yes,” admitted Ernth. “We were tracking an injured snowcat up in the mountains, and he saved me when it was about to spring on me. My people have a custom that when someone saves our life, we have to travel with them until we can save theirs in exchange.”
“I see.” The boy seemed to find this interesting.
“So why are you Jaymin’s bodyguard?” Ernth pressed.
He shrugged. “My life started over because of him. When I was little, I lived on the street. I had no home or parents, and there was never enough to eat. My life had no purpose beyond day-to-day survival. But the palace master-at-arms found me and saw I was a good fighter, so he took me in and trained me to be a bodyguard. Jaymin is more than just my friend. Protecting him gives my life meaning. It’s the reason I’m not still trying to survive on the street, living only for myself and my next meal. I would do anything for him.”
He spoke the words quietly, not boasting, not even looking at Ernth. But Ernth could hear the sincerity in his voice, and he had no doubt that this boy would give his life, if necessary, to protect his friend.
Just as I might have to do later today for Korram. The thought had crossed his mind before, though Ernth always tried not to dwell on it. Nevertheless, he had a feeling that he had better accept the possibility. If that’s the only way to save Korram, will I do it? Ernth wasn’t sure.
Erik, however, didn’t seem troubled by the possibility that he might have to die for Jaymin. He had obviously prepared himself for it long ago. I won’t let a little boy be braver than I am, Ernth decided. If he’s capable of protecting his friend by giving up his own life, so am I. After all, everyone had to die sometime. Why not die a hero?
But Ernth wished they didn’t have to wait so long to find out what was going to happen. Korram had written his message to Rampus earlier, giving the piece of parchment to a couple of soldiers to take to Almar. Then one of the Lowlanders had used a stick to draw what he claimed was a map of the Alasian palace in a patch of snow, and Korram had studied the marks carefully. Their other plans wouldn’t be worth much if they couldn’t get Rampus to the secret tunnel. Still, his friend had looked awfully silly marching back and forth, counting his steps and turning left and right among the trees, even pretending to walk down some stairs at one point.
“Don’t laugh,” Korram had growled warningly when he had finished practicing his route for the second time. “I’m too tired to deal with being made fun of by my own bodyguard. Besides, you’re going to be following me, and if I get lost, we’re both in trouble.”
“You should ask Sanjik for coffee like I did,” Ernth had suggested in response. “Maybe it will put you in a better mood.”
Now Ernth and Erik stood around, bored but watchful, as Korram and Jaymin talked and observed the soldiers practicing. Yawning, Ernth wished for another cup of coffee, but he suspected there would be no chance of that before the end of the day.
He jumped, startled, when Erik whirled around. “Who’s that watching us?” the other bodyguard demanded in a low voice. A small form had peeked at them from a distance and then darted behind a tree.
Ernth grinned at the glimpse of a familiar freckled face. “I think that’s Jeskie. He was supposed to stay behind, but it looks like he sneaked along with us after all. I guess he didn’t want to be left out of the excitement.” He didn’t blame the child. What little boy wouldn’t want to watch soldiers fight to save a kingdom? It was a good thing Korram hadn’t seen him, though, or he’d be sure to send Jeskie home again.
At last the time came to start on the next stage of their plan. Genera
l Dirken appeared for a quick conversation with the princes, after which they and their bodyguards mounted their horses and followed him through the woods to a different clearing. Jaymin had made arrangements to personally speak to the Alasian soldiers who would be going into the secret tunnel. Ernth wasn’t sure what the point of that was, but apparently most of the Alasian army didn’t yet know that their prince was alive. Jaymin seemed to think that if they saw him, they would somehow be inspired to do a better job. Alasian Lowlanders have even stranger ideas than Malornian ones.
“I’m sorry,” he told Hungry again as they all tied their horses up among the trees at the edge of the new clearing. Jaymin, hearing him, turned a curious glance his way.
“We don’t usually tether our horses,” Korram explained, “but with everything going on around here, it seems the best idea right now.” He gave Clinja an apologetic pat and then plopped himself down on a stump, his spear leaning against a tree nearby. Ernth knew his friend was tired and still feeling grumpy, though he had been doing his best to hide it. Korram was always grumpy when he didn’t get enough sleep.
Jaymin and Erik waited behind a tree, their breath puffing out in the cold afternoon air. At the other end of the clearing, some pieces of wood had been set up for the young prince to stand on so that all the soldiers would see him clearly. It all seemed rather overdramatic to Ernth.
A group of thirty or forty Alasian soldiers finally rode into the clearing and dismounted at the far end. Ernth watched as they marched stiffly over to the center of the open space and arranged themselves in neat rows.
General Dirken stood in front of the soldiers and explained the plan to them while they listened intently. “And now,” he finished, “I have some news that I trust will come as a welcome surprise. We have with us a special guest who would like to say a few words before you depart on your mission.” He introduced Jaymin, who stepped out from behind his tree and walked to the front of the group.
Prince of Malorn (Annals of Alasia Book 3) Page 44