The Courier's Code

by T. S. Valmond

  She slipped out of the bed and wrapped herself in the towel again. She couldn’t bear to put on her bloodied clothes again, so she went to the closet and found a gown in a beautiful blue she could wear. She changed in the bathroom. When she came out, Jak lay on his back, awake and watching her.

  “You look stunning,” he said.

  She felt her face warm at the compliment. To avoid any more of that, she picked up a hairbrush and handed it to him. She settled herself on the edge of the bed and he sat up to brush her hair. After a while, she pulled it to one side and turned to face him.

  “How did you get in here? I’m sure I locked the door.”

  Jak shrugged. “Locked doors are just an invitation to try harder to get in, because there’s something of value inside.” He ran a finger down the side of her cheek.

  “What are we going to do now?” she asked.

  “I’ve been wondering the same thing. We need to make sure that Bashir and Chiza are secured and then find the council. They must know something about these attacks. Maybe the king and queen knew this was coming.”

  Rasha nodded. That was sound. She should have thought of Chiza and Bashir. In the confusion, she didn’t have time to process what had happened to them. Rasha couldn’t imagine the grief Chiza must be feeling. Like it or not, everything they’d thought would happen had changed. Rasha had no idea how much things would change for her until she found the council.

  37

  Jak and Rasha didn’t have to go far to find the council. The guard that showed them the way knocked on the door once and then the doors swung open. Though it was still very early, they were all summoned into the chamber of the council, accompanied by Prince Bashir and Chiza.

  “Ah, there they are, Rasha, Jak, welcome. We’ve been expecting you.”

  Rasha raised her eyebrows in question.

  “We’ll explain everything, please join us at the table.” The oval table made of marble and stone dominated the room. A member from almost every nation stood around the table.

  The Chilalian raised a fist to his chest and bowed to Rasha as she approached. It made her insides squirm as it always did when someone recognized her. She gave the purple man a nod.

  “We’re honored that you are here with us, Princess Rasha, and that you and your friends were here to protect the kingdom from the beasts of the north.”

  “The honor is ours,” she addressed the red Karmirian councilman as he spoke for the others.

  “The group you see here represents what’s left of the council and the royals.”

  “Let’s dispense with the pleasantries for now. We have a request to make of you.” This came from the man with pale skin and brown hair with grey at the temples. He was from the seventh kingdom, Winaka. “It won’t be easy and we ask that you consider our proposal before you give us your answer.”

  Rasha nodded, though the knots in her stomach doubled.

  “You may or may not have heard the king and queen of Adalu perished last night in the dining hall.”

  “Yes, I remember, I was there.” Rasha was growing impatient.

  “The servants are busy preparing the dead for a ceremonial cremation,” the Karmirian councilman added. He looked to one of the female council, a mermaid. Her multicolored hair and turquoise skin was radiant even in the limited lighting of the chamber.

  "Princess Rasha Jenchat Indari, we the council of Adalu, along with the remaining royals ask, no, beg you to consider being our princess incumbent,” she said.

  “What?” Rasha took a step back from the table and toward the door.

  “You would be princess and council member only until the threat against the royal family is ended. No one outside this room knows Prince Bashir and Princess Chiza live.”

  Rasha’s mind was racing. Why her? What about Chiza and Bashir? “I don’t understand.” She would have taken another step back if Jak hadn’t used his body to block her.

  “What purpose would that serve?” Jak asked.

  “The ten kingdoms are about to go to war with the beasts of the north. We cannot remain united and defeat them without leadership,” the councilman from Winaka replied.

  “Constancy,” the mermaid added. “If the people knew there were no royals, or worse, if the last of the royals were attacked and killed, the people could lose hope. You are both strong and able. We can keep the real prince and princess in hiding during their,” she looked over at Chiza and the prince, “grief.”

  “Both?” Jak asked and stepped forward. “What have I to do with this business? I’m no prince.”

  “On the contrary. You are,” the man from Winaka countered. “You know nothing of your biological father. He is a pure Winakan, once a prince himself. Your mother is also a pure Winakan. She would have been a princess at the time of The Choosing had they needed females. You are as much a prince as any of us.”

  The council murmured agreement and Rasha looked up at him, seeing him for the first time as royalty. She wanted to laugh when she thought of how her parents had treated him. If they had only known. She couldn’t stifle her laughter. They all looked up at her, puzzled.

  “I’m sorry, this is ludicrous,” Rasha laughed.

  “I beg your pardon, your highness,” the Chilalian said to her. “On the contrary, this is what the council has debated most of the night. We feel this is the best way to keep the royals safe. You have already sworn a duty to all ten kingdoms as a courier. Is this so different?”

  “Somewhat different, yes,” Rasha said wiping the tears from her eyes as she got control of the hysterical laughter.

  “Perhaps,” the mermaid replied, “but will you at least take the time to grieve and return to us with an answer? Your kingdom still needs you. This role may not be what you’re used to, but it is a noble one.”

  The Karmirian raised a hand. “That is all for now. The council is dismissed. I regret, Your Grace, that you and Princess Chiza cannot attend the ceremony for your parents, but our thoughts and prayers are with you and your future bride."

  Rasha looked at Chiza, then put her own feelings aside and remembered what she’d been through. She’d lost the love of her life and now was promised to another all in one day. She’d be in hiding until the war with the beasts was over. Her suffering must weigh heavy on her shoulders.

  Rasha walked over to Chiza before they disappeared behind the chamber wall.

  “I’m so sorry.” Rasha placed her hand on Chiza’s back but to her surprise, Chiza embraced her. Rasha patted her back gently.

  “You’re a good friend. I know you’ll help us.” Chiza sniffled and then was ushered along by Prince Bashir, who nodded to Rasha before turning to go. He hadn’t said more than a word to her or anyone else since his parents’ death. He seemed resigned to stay with Chiza and hadn’t made any more advances in her direction. Maybe it was because of Jak and the roles they were being asked to play.

  The dark rings under Bashir’s eyes said he wasn’t done grieving for his lost family. He and Chiza would have a lot of time together. She hoped it served them well. The kingdom would need them again.

  The only question left was what would she do? Would she stay and be a princess alongside Jak? Would Jak even accept it? He was speaking now with one of the council, the Winakan, and it didn’t appear that he liked what he was hearing.

  38

  “May I speak with you?” The man from the seventh kingdom asked Jak.

  “Of course.”

  “My name is Xeku Ameenu. I believe I have answers to the questions you haven’t yet asked.”

  “My father. You know him?” Jak asked.

  “I do.”

  “He lives?”

  “He is alive, yes.”

  “Can you have him meet me?”

  Xeku laughed a little to himself. “Come sit down.” He gestured to one of the seating areas that hadn’t been destroyed in the fighting. The servants were bustling about trying to set the palace back to right.

  “I’m your father, Jak.” His
eyes rested on Jak’s face, waiting for a response.

  “I don’t understand. How?”

  “Your mother and I were young lovers in a time of The Choosing. It was treason to fall for anyone other than the princess. Your mother was captivating. She and I, well, we were inseparable, until my parents sent me north to make myself available for The Choosing.”

  “But you weren’t chosen.”

  “Correct.”

  For every answer his father gave, he had a million more questions. He settled on the most important.

  “Why didn’t you leave, find my mother, and be a part of our lives?”

  “I was asked to join the council. It wasn’t the same as being chosen by the princess, but still a great and honored duty. I sent word to your mother, but she’d already fled to the Wilds, taking you with her. Your birth was a secret, and she wanted to keep it that way. Perhaps to avoid something like this.”

  Xeku lifted a hand and gestured to the palace.

  “I see.”

  “I don’t think you do, but let’s assume so. Now you know the truth of your parentage, will that help you decide to stay and fight with us?”

  Jak nodded.

  Xeku put a hand on his shoulder.

  “Think about it son. It’s a huge responsibility. If I’m not mistaken, you already have feelings for Princess Rasha. If that’s the case, then you’re ready to stand at her side. That’s all we can ask of you.”

  “I need time to think.” Jak bolted out of the room.

  Rasha gave him a questioning look as he dashed past her. Jak wasn’t ready to talk to her about this just yet. His father was alive and a councilman. Xeku had been there the whole time. Jak was a prince of Winaka. A place he didn’t know, with family he’d never met. All he could think was that if they knew the truth about him, they would never have asked him to stay.

  39

  Jak, along with Rasha and the others watched the bodies of almost fifty people burn on the front lawn of the palace. The king and queen, along with the princesses, were in the center, while the soldiers and servants killed were laid out around them. The smell of them burning wouldn’t leave him. Jak couldn’t eat that day, but he grabbed bread and meat to save for his journey. He slipped them into his pack and flung it over his shoulder.

  He walked to Rasha’s room and placed his hand on the door, listening. What would he do if she were awake? Would she be able to talk him out of leaving? Best not to find out. His heart already ached at the thought of not seeing her in the morning. The hour was late, and the patrol was out. As Prince Jak Ostari Ameenu, no one questioned his strange movements, but a few gave him sidelong glances.

  It didn’t matter. He couldn’t stay. Not even if he wanted to.

  He reached the west wall before he heard someone call out in the Winakan language. He stopped and turned.

  It was Xeku.

  “Wait,” he said.

  “For what?” Jak asked.

  “You feel like this is the only option, but it isn’t.”

  “What do you know of what I’m feeling?”

  “I know what you’re feeling. I abandoned my responsibilities once. Don’t make the same mistake I did. You’ll regret it for the rest of your life.” Xeku held out his hands, pleading.

  “I don’t even know you, don’t think you can show up now after eighteen years and play the role of my father. You don’t know anything about me.”

  “You’re wrong. I know why you’re running. I also know you can’t marry the princess. Not yet anyway. But that can be resolved.” He waved a hand in dismissal.

  “How do you know about that?” Jak asked, his eyes narrowing.

  “You think I’d have a son and not at least learn something of him? You can fix your problem later. If you leave, you’ll break Rasha’s heart and her faith in you will be lost.”

  “You don’t know her. She’s strong, she’ll move on.” Jak readjusted his pack on his shoulder.

  “Your mother was strong, too.”

  Jak hesitated. He thought about his mother. She had been strong once, but she’d never moved on. That meant something. “I can’t stay.”

  “If you leave, you’re no better than I was, and you don’t deserve her.”

  Jak walked to the wall and scaled it without looking back. He was on the other side in less than a minute. He hesitated, and then he started out into the woods on foot.

  40

  The next morning Rasha met with the council to give them her decision. She’d struggled all night. Her life as a courier was over, for now, but with the impending war with the beasts of the north it mattered little. She didn’t like being the face of Adalu. That’s what bothered her. The reluctant princess, they’d called her in the past. How true that turned out to be.

  With Jak, she knew she’d be able to do anything. There wouldn’t be any beast that could stand in their way and they’d have fun protecting the palace as either couriers or royals. Everything was more fun with him. He’d been distant last night. He’d told her about Xeku being his father and he wasn’t sure how to feel about it. She wondered if he were having second thoughts about staying because of him. Jak didn’t join her for breakfast or hang out in her room, as he liked to do. He was still overwhelmed from learning he was an actual prince.

  She entered the council chambers and found everyone there except for Prince Bashir and Princess Chiza. They’d been taken away to someplace safe. That was for the better. She glanced around the room and realized Jak was also not among them. She looked at Xeku and he shook his head once. Her heart sank and she felt it drop all the way to her boots. He’d gone, without a word to her. He’d just left. She bit back the hurt and anger and focused on herself. Rasha made her decision. With or without him she’d stick to her plan.

  The Karmirian councilman, Gungbe, lifted a wooden staff and used it to hit the floor, signaling the beginning of the meeting. She’d learned most of their names and histories last night. If she accepted, she needed to know the council well.

  “Have you come to your decision, Princess Rasha?” Gungbe asked.

  “I have.”

  “What say you?”

  “I will stand for the ten kingdoms as princess incumbent.”

  “Hear, hear.” There were cheers all around the table and she got an approving smile from Xeku.

  “We will begin the ceremony right away. There are many things that you must learn and are now responsible for,” said the mermaid, who went by the name Keabasi.

  “I have one request,” Rasha said, as she held up a hand to stop them from scheduling any more of her time. “I must journey to the Twinlands of Tero-Joro in order to take my friend’s things to his family. They are not aware of what has taken place and they should be told face to face.”

  Rasha gulped, realizing that it was her face that was going to be telling them.

  “Understood. We will commence the induction ceremony upon your return then,” said Keabasi.

  “I’ll return within the week.”

  “The council is dismissed.” Gungbe picked up the staff and hit the floor with it.

  Rasha walked out of the council chamber trying to hurry to her room, but Xeku caught up to her.

  “I’m so sorry, your highness. I did try to talk him out of leaving.”

  “It’s all right. He’s a free spirit, and not everyone can fill this role,” she said, choking back her feelings.

  “He’s a lot more like me than I care to admit.” Xeku placed a light hand on her shoulder. “Give him some time.”

  “That’s not something we’ve got a lot of. If he doesn’t come forward, then Prince Bashir will have to stand with me. That will complicate matters when it’s time for me to step aside and for Chiza to come forward. I know how these things work.”

  “Actually, no, we can find you another prince. There are several kingdoms with sons of age. Don’t worry about that. But it will be hard to be rushed through a Choosing when your heart is already someplace else.”

 
; Rasha didn’t want to think about her heart at the moment. There were much bigger issues. The savage beasts of the north could overrun the kingdom. They needed not only a princess, but a champion. They couldn’t be worried about whether or not their champion was heartbroken.

  “I’ll be fine. Make the arrangements. I’ll return shortly,” Rasha said.

  “As you wish.” Xeku gave a short bow.

  * * *

  Rasha rode for two days with Temi trailing behind her. He was the size of a large domestic animal and still seemed to be growing into his head and paws. He would dart off into the woods and would return with game for himself to eat when they made camp. She admitted that having the beastie with her felt right. He was a part of her life with Lu, and because he remained it was as if Lu remained. She figured the beastie felt the same.

  When they reached Lu’s home it was afternoon and heading towards dinner. Their hearth was burning inside. She saw the smoke coming out of the stack of the stone house. The straw roof was well insulated against the bitter winds from the north. Snow hadn’t arrived this far south yet, but it was coming. She rode up, and the family trickled out one by one.

  Rasha did her best to keep her face neutral but as they scanned around her and saw she was alone, it didn’t take long for them to register why she was there. Lu’s mother was already weeping before she placed his things in her arms. She clutched them and brought them to her face as she sank to her knees. His father held her up and took her inside. Lu’s sister stomped off without a word. A moment later, the sound of things breaking could be heard all the way to the front of the house.

  Lu’s father returned and invited her in. Their home was a simple dwelling. The loft had belonged to Lu. As she entered and looked up the ladder a shiver passed over her.