“Des!”
He stopped abruptly at his name being carried on that familiar voice and turned to look up at the watchman’s post. His best friend and pledge-mate was dangling from the rungs of the ladder, waving one hand and a foot in his overly playful way.
“Wait up!” he shouted.
Deswald watched as he skillfully descended the watchtower by sliding down the sides of the ladder. In no time he was on his feet and running to Deswald. Deswald alighted from his horse and took his friend’s offered hand as they touched shoulders in a show of camaraderie.
“Do you know what happened?” Deswald asked.
“Captain Mathis just sent us orders to keep a lookout for deserters, security has doubled. No palace guard, city guard differences today. Even some of the centuries are casing the city and the outer villages of the Royal territory.”
“And no sign of them?”
Ben shook his head, “no sign.”
Deswald growled as he grabbed hold of a tuft of his hair, “how could she do this?”
Ben reached up and touched his shoulder, “Do not listen to Cordwall and his lackey. The girl may very well be napping in some unexpected chamber in the castle. How likely is it that a princess could ever get past these gates undetected?”
“If she had the help of someone who knew our schedule inside out, she could.”
The realization struck Deswald like a sudden dip in an ice cold pond. He turned to mount his horse.
“I have to go Ben.”
Ben ran after him, “what? What is it?”
Deswald looked down at him from atop his horse, his expression grim, “she may have had help Ben. I have to do something.”
“Do what!”
Ben shouted as Deswald galloped away.
✽ ✽ ✽
"With all due respect my lord, this is a bad idea," said the captain the captain of the guard, his scowl in place as usual. The king continued his restless pacing, they had discovered Ruby was missing early this morning. He could still remember the fear that had gripped his heart when her friend Bianca burst into the throne room, her cheeks wet with tears, her words wound up in her panic so that they came out with no meaning. He could tell even before Bianca was able to get a grip, that Ruby had done just what he had feared; she had fled. In addition to not having a princess, they had not been able to find the prince of Tyattar. The castle was in complete uproar thanks to his daughter’s selfishness. They had only just now found the prince wandering the halls in a daze, thank El the palace healer confirmed that he would be okay.
He shook his head, "Captain Mathis, I know that my daughter's actions are her own and I would never send unwilling men after her, not beyond the boundaries of Aldor. But this young guard of yours, his offer has given me great hope."
"But your majesty, this young man is impulsive, his temperament is uncertain in battle. Why do you think we assigned him to guard duty here in the palace, where it is serene? He is walking black powder."
The king nodded, "he feels responsible for her..."
"He is emotional," the captain of the guard interjected, immediately wincing under the king's hard glare.
“Look your majesty, at the risk of sounding discriminatory. The boy is Dravian, and despite his good intentions we know that the blood of his people runs hot quickly. Do you really want to take that risk.”
The king took a deep breath and resumed his pacing, "There is one place my daughter will try to go and that is Dravia. What better person to get her out than someone with this Dravian blood that you mentioned.”
General Mathis continued to frown in disapproval but held his tongue.
“I asked him to take a team of volunteers with him. Jasper will inform him of what to expect beyond the boundary. He may be Dravian by blood but he is Aldorian in every other way and I will not have you discredit that part of him."
"My apologies my king. But with all due respect do you really believe other soldiers will sign up for this suicide mission. Why not send the knights?"
"You know why I cannot send the knights. It would mean immediate war. And yes, I am hopeful that there are others willing to go above and beyond their duties."
The captain nodded, "as you desire your majesty. In the meantime, my king, it would do you well to start thinking of a plan if the princess does not return."
"I am very aware of that Mathis!" the king growled, "my duty is to make the decisions, your duty is to execute them. You may leave."
The king sank onto his throne and perched his chin upon his hand sulkily. What could he have done to change her mind? He sighed, she had always been a troublesome one, always so unwilling to take the words of another as the conclusion of a matter, it was one of the things that made him certain she would be a valuable addition to the leadership of Aldor one day. Surely, she did not think that he wanted to deny her happiness and true love, but as a father he saw things she could not. He could see the rebellion in that young soldier she had taken up with, why could she not understand that the man she chose would share in her life’s purpose?
"Oh greatest El, God of Aldor," he muttered, "keep watch over my child in that cruel land and bring her back to me."
✽ ✽ ✽
Deswald slipped into his quarters and quickly packed a satchel. He was due to see the Prince shortly but could waste no time in preparing for the dangerous commitment he had made to the king. His own words reverberated in his mind and more and more an unfamiliar feeling took hold of him. Fear.
"I will go my king. Send me to retrieve the princess," he had said.
He was very aware of what he had done and that there was no going back from it now. When he had returned from home early this morning to find the castle in an uproar it took all of his will power not to launch out into the dark after them, but he knew it would be reckless. He needed the king's approval, and somewhere deep inside he was afraid, afraid to go beyond the boundary. But with the morning light came renewed confidence in what he needed to do, he had a duty to protect the princess and he would do it to the best of his ability. How was it that the princess had gotten so under his skin that he thought it was his responsibility to save her from her own foolish actions?
As he shoved the last of his belongings into his satchel, the tremor in his hand caught his attention. He knew he could not go out with such fear in his heart. He knew enough to know that the dark forest swallowed up the fearful. He took a deep breath and dropped to one knee beside his bunk, careful to ensure that he was indeed alone. Then bowed his head reverently.
"Oh great God El," he muttered, "creator of all the lands, God of the living and those loyal to your name even to death. The burden of this task weighs heavy on my heart and I am afraid my courage has fled from me. Oh great source of good and power, strengthen me for the task ahead."
He lowered his other knee and leaned forward until his forehead touched his upturned palms resting on the cool floor boards of his room.
"El is great, El is mighty, the only God to whom we pay homage, the only name in whom we come."
He lifted his head and sighed, feeling the tension between his shoulders ebb. Feeling that familiar bravery return to his heart, he flexed his hands and smiled.
"Thank you El."
"Interesting..."
Deswald shot to his feet and immediately stood at attention. He would know that voice in the noisy troughs of battle.
"Your majesty."
"Most people go to the temple to pray."
He was still standing at attention but knowing how his actions looked caused a sliver of sweat to form over his brow.
"Uh yes my Prince. I had no time; my task is of great urgency."
"At ease soldier," Jasper commanded gently.
Deswald relaxed his stance and finally looked at the prince. His expression was amiable as usual but just as unreadable as a stone mask.
"And you believe El hears you?"
Deswald sighed, "I believe El hears everything."
Jasper frown
ed, "you have great faith for someone so young."
"My parents came here with nothing but the clothes on their back, and with me within my mother’s bosom. I saw the bodies of the last group of people who tried to flee here through the dark forest. I now understand even more that my parents surviving the dark forest and coming here on their own is nothing short of the work of El. If he can do that for two outsiders and their unborn child. He can hear the desperate prayers of a palace guard."
"Are you desperate Deswald?"
"The princess has been gone a while. She could be anywhere now, she is in danger and Serin is not very vigilant. Of course, I am desperate to get out there."
Jasper smiled slightly now, clearly pleased with his response.
"Now I see what kind of man it takes to volunteer for such a task. Hope you do not mind that I let myself into your quarters."
"Of course not, your majesty. You have every right."
Jasper nodded, "if I could do it myself I would, but my presence anywhere near Dravia would have great political implications."
"I understand."
"The dark forest will be your greatest foe going in. It is a cursed place, and you will face unfamiliar darkness to you. Fear not, courage is your greatest weapon there. Once you get to the city of Dravia, your greatest foe will be the prince, he has ways of knowing things because of his dark magic, but El will protect you."
He extended a small scroll, "this will get you into a secret community in Dravia. Follow the directions and an old friend of mine will direct you beyond that point."
Deswald took the offered scroll, perused it quickly and then slipped it into his pocket.
"Thank you."
Jasper shook his head, "No thank you Deswald, I will keep my ears open. If anything happens to my sister, not even my father's treaty will keep me from coming to Dravia myself.
Deswald nodded, "I understand," he said with a bow.
Jasper patted him on the shoulder, "you are a brave lad Deswald. Upon your return I will see that you are rewarded for your deed. The royal army needs more young men like you."
CHAPTER 9
Deswald examined his sharpened sword and sheathed it, he was still buzzing with excitement at his meeting with the prince. Not only did the prince know his name now, but he was pleased with him. All he needed now was to complete the mission, save the princess and bring her back to her family. He knew that Ruby would be less than pleased with him even more now, and as much as he would like for her to be kind to him, he wanted her to be safe even more.
"I heard you were looking for men?"
He turned around, slightly startled at the sudden intrusion into his thoughts. Dressed for duty as always, was his friend Nyla. It was under her watch that Ruby had disappeared, and he may have been mad at her if he did not know Ruby and even more if he did not know Nyla. She was one of the best in their class, quick on her feet, perceptive, an expert swordswoman; an excellent soldier and an even better friend.
There were only a handful of women in the Royal Army, all of whom had shown exceptional skills during recruitment. Unfortunately, being a woman and an outsider meant that there was not much further she could go.
"Are you volunteering?"
"This happened under my watch," she said, her hazel eyes piercing, "besides, you will need my help once we get to Dravia."
He nodded. Nyla was not born in Aldor, neither did she come here on the back of her parents. Rather she had escaped on her own, made the treacherous journey here when she was only fifteen. He could not begin to imagine the horrors she had faced, but anyone bold enough to look into her eyes would surely get an idea. Her taut ebony skin always seemed to shimmer when she moved, as it did now, as she walked past him towards the counter of weapons he had been given access to. Her kind was rare in Dravia now, but there were many of them in Aldor, who had sought refuge after the Dravian King had tried to completely eradicate their kind. He did not know much more than that. She picked up a retractable double-bladed sword, pressed the switch to extend it and gave it a twirl.
"So, when are we leaving?"
"Before nightfall, we should have the cover of darkness once we cross the border."
She sighed, "we will need more than the cover of darkness."
"The lady is right."
They both turned in the direction of the voice. Deswald's face lit up just as Nyla's fell, one would think she could not get more somber. Standing before them was his perpetually cheerful best friend. Ben too was an anomaly, though his father was Aldorian his mother was Tyattarian, so his straight black hair did not quite fit the Aldorian locked style. Instead, he wore it in a pony tail with a lone braid running from the side of his head to behind his ears, his only personal touch paying homage to the other side of his heritage. His friendship with Deswald was forged out of their shared struggle as outcasts. They never looked like native Aldorians, and even though they had every right to be here like everyone else, not everyone was able to look past the physical indications of their heritage.
"You will need an archer with charisma," he said, twirling an arrow between his fingers, his goofy grin in place as always.
"I would be pleased to have you at my side," Deswald said.
"Nyla surely you remember Benjeet."
"I prefer Ben," said the young man, reaching for her hand about to lift it to his lips.
Nyla jerked her hand from his and seamlessly brought the sword to his neck.
"Nice to meet you too," he squeaked, eyes wide with panic.
Deswald chuckled, "I see we are off to a good start. As for your previous concern..."
He reached into a satchel on the table and removed a bulky item wrapped in cloth. He placed it on the table and uncovered it, revealing a strange looking metal object that had his friends staring at him quizzically.
"What is it?" Nyla asked.
"My father was an inventor at Dravia, this is something he made to make the journey here,” he placed the strange looking object on the table, along with a dagger.
“This contraption, his short sword, my mother and myself with the clothes on their backs was all they brought with them from Dravia. This is the original model, the very one my father used to get us here safely."
“How does it work?” Ben asked.
Deswald removed a small stone from his pocket and slipped into a compartment.
“Is that a light stone?” Nyla asked with raised brows.
“Yes, someone gave it to my father just before he left Dravia. And yes, I am aware that having it in my possession is illegal. But my parents could not part with it. Here we go.”
Deswald flipped a switch and lifted up the contraption angling it enough to catch the light from the windows. A humming sound could be heard coming from the chamber where he had put the stone. Then he pulled the trigger and a burst of blinding light shot out from it. It lit up the room for about two seconds and then faded. Ben and Nyla stood frozen and blinking.
“I know it does not seem very spectacular, but something about the light reflecting off the stone deters some creatures in the dark forest,” Deswald explained.
"Hmm," Ben poked it with a finger, "sounds interesting, but I will stick to my arrows, if you do not mind."
"And I will stick with my swords," Nyla added, agreeing with Ben on something for the first time.
"Of course," Deswald replied, "This is only in case we need something extra."
“If you need something extra, I believe I am the man to see.”
They twirled around simultaneously to face the tall rod-like man who had entered the room at some point or… if they remembered anything about Quarter Master Eli, may have never left.
“Q!” Ben exclaimed, extending his arms as if for a hug, “what can we do for you?”
Q only stared at him with that bored expression he used when interacting with anything that was not made of metal or wood.
“You can take your paws off my weapons.”
Ben tossed aside an arrow as
if it burned and folded his arms behind his back, even Nyla easily returned the sword to the table.
“Q, we are on a mission,” Deswald started.
The lanky man lifted his hand, “I know, it is why you are still standing in my armory.”
He walked over to a bolted storage box and opened it, “the captain informed me of your task, such a brave task would be nothing but foolish without the right weapons. He opened the trunk and gestured for them to look inside, for the first time his expression was pleasant.
“Take your pick.”
Deswald looked up at him in awe, “Q, this is your special stash.”
Q nodded, “yes, you will need the best.”
As Ben and Nyla dug in, Eli shook Deswald’s hand, “I knew your father,” he said, “he was my mentor, one of the best inventors I had ever known. If I wish to be half the weapons expert he was, I cannot let his son go off with shoddy weaponry.”
Ben straightened up with two short swords in his hands, “Q we all know you do not do shoddy weaponry ever. But this right here, is exquisite!”
They all shot him a glare, “What?” he asked innocently. They rode out some time after midday, discretely of course, and stripped of the kingdom's colours. Jasper had advised them how important it was to keep attention off themselves until they contacted the princess. The king had informed them that he would give the announcement regarding his daughter's disappearance when he was sure they were a good distance away. Deswald noticed his cautiousness was more than usual and it made him wonder what his king was worried about that he had not caught wind of himself. It was just the three of them as no one else would join the mission, this was more than Deswald had expected.
"Sooo you know the way right?" Ben asked pulling up the rear as Deswald and Nyla rode side by side.
"We would not leave without knowing where we were heading to," Deswald replied.
"Are you not a little excited though?" Nyla turned and glared at him, "you obviously know nothing of the kingdom of Dravia," she growled.
Kingdom of Refuge (Gemstone Royals Book 1) Page 8