Scout's Oath: A Planetary Romance (Scout's Honor Book 2)

by Henry Vogel

  “Will their lookouts see the flag, Your Highness?” Milo asked.

  “If they don’t, my father will demote every last officer on board those ships! And I’ve told you many times that you may use my first name in private settings like this, Milo.”

  “Yes, I remember, Your Highness.” Milo’s infectious grin lit his face. “But, Your Highness, I couldn’t do that while we’re flying Your Highness’s personal flag, Your Highness!”

  I crossed my arms and called forth what David calls princess mode. “Then take the flag down this instant, you wretched child! Yonder squadron is raising steam and getting under way.”

  “Your Highness’s wish is my command, Your Highnessness!” Milo folded the flag and gave an innocent smile. “Will there be anything else, Callan?”

  I pretended to swat at the boy, he pretended to be scared, and I had a much–needed laugh.

  Over the next three hours, Tristan’s gaze swept over the desert ahead of the airship, searching for signs of a desert tribe camp. I saw nothing but sand and dunes to the far horizon. Tristan’s cries of “Ah ha!” followed by directions called to Nist had me wondering if my eyesight was failing.

  “What does Tristan see down there, Callan? All I see is sand. And then I look more closely and I still just see sand. And then, look, more sand!”

  “You can search me, Milo.”

  Milo gave a sly smile. “Really? Don’t you think David will object to me doing that?”

  What happened to the innocent child I met in Faroon all those months ago?

  My tone was drier than the desert below us as I asked, “What do you think? Besides, don’t you have a girlfriend back at the palace?”

  “Not really, no,” Milo muttered.

  Behind us, Nist gave a rather bitter laugh. “Milo hoped to have a girlfriend in the palace, Callan. Alas, young Lady Lucile’s mother is wary of a street urchin with aspirations above his station.”

  “She did not say that about Milo, did she?”

  “Yeah, she did, and right to Kim’s face, too.”

  “Well, Milo, I will have quite a few choice words for her when I get back! The very idea of anyone treating a hero of Faroon like that boils my blood!”

  “Don’t do it, Callan! I’ve got a reputation to maintain. Having my sort–of big sister rush to my defense won’t help it one bit!”

  “Sort–of big sister? That’s so sweet, Milo! But my mind is made up! The nerve of that woman!” Then I caught sight of the pleading in Milo’s eyes and reined in my temper. “Very well, Milo. I won’t say anything to Lady Lucile’s mother.”

  Then the answer came to me and I burst out laughing.

  “Okay, Callan, what’s so funny? You already promised you wouldn’t talk to her.”

  “And I won’t, Milo.” I rarely get to use my evil princess smile very often, but this occasion called for it. “Instead, I will tell Mother about it.”

  Milo’s evil smile was better than mine and he had a cackling laugh to go with it.

  Tristan’s voice rose over Milo’s cackle. “If you three are finished dishing up court gossip, I require the aid of young eyes over here.”

  When Milo and I joined him, Tristan pointed off in the distance. “Is that smudge out there just another dune or is it something else?”

  I looked past his pointing finger, gasped, and then planted a kiss on his cheek. “It’s a camp, Tristan! You did it!”

  “It’s easy if you know what to look for, my dear.”

  Ten minutes later, Nist brought the Pauline down just outside the camp. Per my orders—orders the squadron commander disliked in the extreme—the squadron stayed aloft and the rails of the airships were not teeming with marines.

  The tribesmen were no more pleased to have the squadron hovering overhead than the commander was to be stuck up there. The tribal leaders only met with us out of respect for Tristan. In fact, the familiar sight of the Pauline was all that kept them from scattering into the desert. At least everyone was equally unhappy, right?

  Tristan spoke to the tribal leaders with me standing decorously at his side. The leaders gestured wildly as they spoke and Tristan did the same when he replied. After a few minutes of this, an older tribesman pointed at me, his other arm pointing into the village. Tristan’s eyebrows rose and then he responded far more energetically than before. The tribesman gestured to me again and then pointed some more. Tristan and the tribesman went back and forth several times before I got impatient.

  “Tristan, this was supposed to be a simple introduction. Why is it taking so long?”

  “I’m rather embarrassed to say, Your Highness.”

  “Get over your embarrassment and tell me what the hold up is.”

  “The elder wants to...buy you. He’s been looking for a wife for his youngest son and you meet with his approval.” To my amazement, Tristan blushed. “He believes you’ll produce far more attractive children than his elder son’s wife.”

  I faced the tribesman. “I am not for sale.”

  “I have told him that several times, Your Highness. He thinks I’m haggling and responds by raising his offer.” Tristan grinned, his sense of humor returning. “He thinks quite highly of you, my dear. His offer is up to two horses, a herd of goats, and a tent.”

  I fought the urge to laugh, myself. “I’m flattered. Tell him I’m married to a mighty and jealous warrior. Then tell him about David’s battles with the trogs. That ought to give the old guy pause.”

  Tristan chattered and gestured and even thrust an imaginary sword at an imaginary foe.

  Excited chatter broke out among the tribesmen after Tristan finished speaking. The hard–bargaining tribesman faced me and bowed low. The rest of the tribal leaders followed his lead.

  “Tristan, what’s going on?”

  Tristan turned a stunned face to me. “They’ve heard of David. Around here, he’s known as the Hand of Death.”

  “What? Who could have possibly told the tribes about David?”

  “That’s the part which makes no sense, Your Highness. The desert tribes heard of David from the trogs!”

  Chapter 25

  Callan

  I stared at Tristan, my mouth hanging open in a most unprincess–like manner. I tried to wrap my mind around what Tristan had just told me and simply could not do so.

  Seeing I was at a loss for words, Tristan nodded his head toward the tribal leaders. They all still held their bows.

  “Oh! Thank you, Tristan. Please tell them to rise.”

  I regained some of my mental equilibrium as Tristan spoke to the leaders. They rose and faced me with expectant looks.

  “Find out how the trogs could tell the tribes anything, much less stories about David. I thought the Great One was the only being—trog or human—who had ever been able to speak the other’s language!”

  Tristan and the tribesmen spoke for several minutes, gesturing dramatically. It was fascinating, but also frustrating. I hate speaking through translators! Conversations take three times as long and even the best translator can make a mistake or miss a vital detail. What I wouldn’t have given to have one of those implant things that David had in his head!

  Finally, Tristan turned to me. “The story is long, as you no doubt guessed, but here is the short version. Many centuries ago, the growing city–states to the south and expanding kingdoms to the north pushed both the tribes and the trogs into the desert. Enemies of old, the tribes and trogs waged war against each other for many years. Declining populations on both sides led to the realization that their true battle was against the desert. Their shared enemy led the two groups to form a loose alliance of sorts. Your Highness, these people have been trading with the trogs for at least two centuries. Over that time, a fairly sophisticated sign language has evolved between the trogs and the tribes.”

  “So these tribesmen can ask the trogs where to find the Great One?”

  Tristan shrugged. “So they say.”

  “Do you believe them?”

  “
Most definitely. I’ve treated all of these men and their families many times. I have never known them to be anything but honest in their dealings with me.”

  “Then ask them if we can borrow a translator.”

  Tristan relayed my request. The tribesman who had tried to buy me responded.

  “What did he say?”

  “First, he apologizes most profusely for attempting to purchase you.”

  “Tell him it is forgotten.”

  “There is no need. I took the liberty of accepting his apology on your behalf.” A wicked grin creased Tristan’s face, “Further more, as a token of their respect and admiration for the Hand of Death, he hopes Lady Death will accept the services of their best translator.”

  “Lady Death? You’re making that up, Tristan!”

  “I swear on all I hold sacred that I am not! What else should they call the wife of the Hand of Death?”

  There was a phrase which described the grin Tristan gave me. When I was much younger, my mother had assured me it was not something proper princesses said.

  “Could you at least pretend you’re not enjoying this so much?” I asked. “Accept their generous offer and get this translator on board the Pauline. We leave in ten minutes.”

  Tristan swept into a bow. “As m’Lady Death commands!”

  Ten minutes later, the translator came aboard and the Pauline rose to join the naval squadron. We were one step closer to the trogs and to rescuing David!

  Chapter 26

  David

  Everything went as planned—better, since we only saw Raoul long enough to give him food and water and make certain he remained securely chained in the cell. The Spare Prince expressed his displeasure every time we visited, but even he was smart enough to keep his voice down. King Rat struck no one as an ‘enemy of my enemy is my friend’ type of person.

  On our first visit, Raoul blustered and threatened. In a weird way, I was relieved to hear him rant like that. It meant Raoul was getting back to his usual, irritating self. Even that odious personality was better than the mewling shell of a man I’d originally found in the cell.

  The next time we visited, he demanded his freedom a second time. Again, it was to no avail.

  Meanwhile, our kitchen raid had achieved its purpose. King Rat’s people were hungry and disorganized. The king tried to anticipate our next move and laid a trap for us at the armory. We hit his store of lantern oil and torches, instead. In the aftermath, the tunnel rats found piles of smoldering torches, smashed and crumpled lanterns, and flaming barrels of oil. The smoke and shortage of oil to light the underground kingdom forced the tunnel rats to move into a few large rooms far from the oil stores. Packed too closely together and with too few comforts, tempers frayed. In the beginning, the rats argued, voices echoing down the tunnels. Soon, fists replaced words. Then blades replaced fists.

  King Rat’s control slipped with each raid we made.

  Hiding well away in unused tunnels, our little band of rescued slaves had all the light they needed and more food than they could eat. Martin and I also had free run through more and more of the tunnels making up King Rat’s underground empire. Given our wandering, it was only a matter of time before we found an exit out of the tunnels and up to the surface. When we did find it, we released all of the former slaves. Even better, it finally gave us a chance to get rid of Raoul.

  True to his nature, Raoul doubted our intentions. “Are you releasing or taking me away for slaughter?”

  “Oh dear, Martin, I believe Raoul has been down here so long he’s become delirious.”

  “How can you tell, David?”

  “Isn’t it obvious? The poor prince has confused us with his mother’s minions in the Tartegian court.”

  Raoul sputtered, too angry to form words.

  “See, Martin? The poor Spare Prince has even lost the capacity for human speech.”

  “It is sad, David. We should release him into the wild so he can live out his few remaining days frolicking in the meadows.”

  “What a fine and humane idea, Martin! Let’s do that.”

  After Raoul ascended the ladder and exited the tunnels—at sword point—we closed and locked the grating behind him.. Neither Martin nor I thought Raoul could lay his hands on any armed men, nor was he likely to be able to find his way through the tunnels beneath Beloren, but we saw no reason to take chances.

  Free of helpless people to watch over, Martin and I made our way back to King Rat’s shrunken domain.

  As we neared the inhabited parts of the tunnel system, we heard many voices echoing down the tunnels. They seemed to all be repeating the same message, but with all the overlapping echoes, I couldn’t make out what they were saying. It took ten minutes to get close enough to concentrate on a single voice.

  “David Rice, His Majesty King Rat orders you to surrender! If you refuse, all of the remaining slaves in the kingdom will be fed to His Majesty’s new tammar!”

  Chapter 27

  David

  The heralds’ shouts echoed throughout the tunnels as Martin and I withdrew to discuss our options. With a sigh, Martin threw himself onto the tunnel floor

  “This is why it’s so hard to be the good guy. You try to do what’s right and the next thing you know, the bad guy threatens innocent people unless you surrender. I spent years raiding north and south of the desert and you know what? No one ever threatened innocent bystanders in the hope of forcing me to surrender.”

  “Spend a little more time as a noble hero and you’ll get used to it. At least it tells us that we’re hurting King Rat. This place would fall apart without the slaves to do the work.”

  “Yeah, the same thought crossed my mind. Considering that, do you think the old rat boy will carry through with his threat, David?”

  “After this very loud, very public announcement, I can’t see how he has any other choice. I only see three possible outcomes. We defeat King Rat. King Rat captures us and feeds us to the tammar. Or a miracle occurs.”

  “I notice you left out King Rat feeding the slaves to the tammar.”

  “That’s because I’ll surrender to him before I let that happen.”

  “It won’t come to that, David. I promised Callan I’d help get you back and I am not facing your wife again unless you are standing safely at my side! So, what do we do now?”

  “We gather more information on King Rat’s situation. With what little we know right now, I don’t see how we can make any real plans. Are you up for some more exploration of his kingdom?”

  “Sure. Are we looking for anything in particular?”

  “The last time I paid a visit to King Rat’s tammar pit, things didn’t go so well for him or his tunnel rats. Whatever else the man is, he’s not stupid. There’s no way he’ll ever rely on a rope tether to restrain his tammar again. He has to have changed the setup in the pit. We must discover what he has changed.”

  “It could take hours to find the pit on our own, especially if we have to dodge a lot of tunnel rats.” Martin eyes lit up and he grinned. “So why don’t we get a native to guide us to it!”

  King Rat’s heralds were positioned at the edges of his meager lighted territory, insuring their shouts reached our ears. Ever the thoughtful leader, he’d even sent a couple of guards to keep watch over each of his heralds. The heralds had been shouting their message so long that they and their guards had grown bored with the whole thing. They cried the message every few minutes, spending the rest of the time sitting around waiting.

  “Hey, Jon, it’s time to shout the message again.

  “Let me skip this one, guys. My throat is raw.” The herald’s voice was getting raspy. “I’ve gotta rest it.”

  “Then this is your lucky day, Jon.” I strode into the wavering circle of light cast by their torch. “I’m David Rice and I’m here to surrender.”

  All three men jumped to their feet in surprise. The guards raised their swords as the herald retreated behind them. My sword was sheathed at my side and I held my
arms out wide, well away from the weapon.

  They neither saw nor heard Martin dash up from behind them. He shoved the herald into the two guards. As the guards struggled for balance, Martin’s sword pommel cracked against a guard’s head. The first guard sagged to the floor, and Martin spun and delivered a similar blow to the second guard. The herald opened his mouth to cry for help. The cry froze in his throat as both of our swords pressed against his neck.

  “Take your own advice and give your voice a rest,” Martin said. “Unless David asks you a question, that is. Then you respond quickly and quietly. Do you understand?”

  All too aware of the blades pricking his neck, the herald nodded his head very slowly.

  “All right, David, you’re up.”

  “King Rat says he wants to feed me to his tammar. I’ll make it easy on him. Take me to King Rat’s new tammar pit.”

  “I can’t.” The herald squeaked as Martin’s sword drew a drop of blood. “I’m telling the truth! Nobody knows where it is except the king!”

  Chapter 28

  David

  “Why would that be a secret?”

  “Ask King Rat if you really want to know,” the herald muttered.

  “Mind your manners, herald!” Martin punctuated his command by scratching the man’s neck with his sword.

  “I really don’t know why it’s a secret!” The herald pointed to one of the unconscious guards. “He says the king has been…twitchy…since you released that tammar. Some people think the tammar almost got King Rat and he’s terrified of another one getting loose.”

  “But you’re just guessing.”

  The herald nodded at my statement.