by Stevie Woods
"Us? Lords of Creation, is that the prince with you?" Without waiting for an answer, the captain ordered his men to get us on board.
Chapter 15
The captain bowed as Liander was brought on board. "Welcome, Your Highness. I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to have you back with us, alive and well."
"Thank you, Captain. I'm grateful to be here. I have my Guardian to thank for my escape."
"The people of Tesla should have had more faith in you, General," Captain Dolato said, gripping my hand. "The prince couldn't have been in better hands."
"My feelings exactly, Captain. Do you have a healer on board? Hollis has some injuries in need of treatment."
"That's not necessary, my Prince," I began to say, but was cut off by Liander, who was acting the prince for all he was worth.
"Nonsense," Liander declared and, ignoring me, spoke to the captain. "He was tortured for information on Teslan defenses and, of course, would say nothing."
Dolato glanced at me, and I was somewhat embarrassed by his open admiration.
Looking again at Liander, he said, "Yes, we do have a healer." Then the captain shouted, seemingly to the ship at large, "Send Gerras to my cabin." Lowering his voice, he continued, "If you would follow me, we'll get both of you tended to immediately."
"I have no need of a healer," Liander said, and I grumbled as I followed behind. I saw the smile cross Dolato's face and oddly it made me like him more than I already did for coming to our aid.
"No, Your Highness, but I imagine you'd appreciate a wash and some fresh clothing?"
"Lords, yes!"
"You would honor me if you would use my cabin. I will have to ask you to share with your Guardian."
"I would be very grateful. Where would you take your rest?"
"I'll double up with my first mate." The captain smiled. "That, or toss him out to share with the second mate."
I had no doubt Captain Dolato would do no such thing. He was a man after my own heart. I would have enjoyed serving with this man. I think Liander recognized his character, too, for he grinned.
There was a small plump, slightly scruffy man waiting as we approached the captain's cabin.
"Ah, Gerras. We have very distinguished guests for you to look after. Your Highness, this is Gerras, who, despite his appearance, is a very skilled healer."
"Your Highness, Guardian." Gerras inclined his head. "I'd be pleased to help in any way I can."
"I will leave you in his capable hands. I'll also arrange for some hot water to be sent down."
"Thank you, Captain," Liander said, and I nodded at Dolato, who smiled as he turned away.
Gerras opened the cabin door and stood back for us to enter first.
Immediately, Liander said, "Gerras, my Guardian has been tortured. He was whipped and his back is sorely hurt. He also received some knife cuts to his arms."
"If you'd remove your clothing, General? We need to get you clean before I can treat your injuries."
"It's been two days since I was whipped. It's better now," I grumbled.
"Hollis." Liander sighed. "It was bleeding again earlier. Did you think I wouldn't notice?"
"It was?" I really didn't know. My whole attention had been on getting Liander to safety. Of course, now I'd been made aware of it, the pain was there. I pulled my tunic over my head and sucked in my breath as the movement pulled at the half-closed wounds. I gritted my teeth so I wouldn't cry out.
"Oh my," Gerras muttered as he saw my back for the first time.
"Oh, Hollis, it looks worse than before. I suppose because the tunic stuck to the drying blood." Liander sighed and then addressed the healer. "We escaped from the citadel, you see, not long after he had been tortured and we stole a boat. I had no idea how hard it was going to be manning a boat." Liander sounded as if he was talking as much to himself as he was to Gerras. "Especially when trying to fight against a storm. Lords, no wonder his back is worse. I pray you can tell me it's not infected."
There was a knock at the door and two buckets of water were brought inside. "One hot, one cold," the sailor told Gerras, stared at Liander and promptly backed out.
"Excellent," Gerras said. He picked up one bucket and looked surprised when Liander picked up the other. "Leave it for me, Your Highness."
Liander frowned. "I'm quite capable of helping. There's nothing I wouldn't do for my friend." He glanced at me, and I knew from the look in his eyes he meant more than the words he spoke.
"Of course, Your Highness. Forgive me."
"Please call me Liander. I haven't felt like 'Your Highness' for some time."
Gerras' mouth dropped open, and I thought for a moment his surprise might make him refuse. Then he swallowed and said, "As you wish...Liander."
There was a large jug and basin on a chest against the wall. Gerras poured hot water into the basin, then added some cold water. I reached for a cloth to wash myself, but Gerras got to it first. "It is better if I do this, sir. Please stand still."
I opened my mouth to argue, then I caught sight of Liander's expression. I said nothing and obeyed the healer as he washed me with a wonderfully warm cloth, all but my back.
"The cuts on your arms were shallow and have healed reasonably well. Exposure to the air helped there, I believe," Gerras said.
When he finished Gerras asked me to lie face down on the cot. He poured some fresh water into the basin and proceeded to wash my back. Though Gerras was very gentle, his ministrations still caused me pain, and I turned my face to the wall so Liander wouldn't see me grimace. He already felt guilty over my injuries, and I had no wish to give him more reason to take on the blame.
"It's possible the sea water, which soaked you both so thoroughly, may have helped keep infection at bay," Gerras said.
After Gerras had cleaned me up, he spread some unguent on my back. If I hadn't known what he was doing, the smell would have told me. I have never come across a salve that didn't have an unpleasant odor. Gerras then again dug into the small bag he'd brought with him. I saw him drop some leaves into a small bowl and grind them with a pestle before adding a little hot water. He mixed the concoction some more.
"Drink this," Gerras said.
I took a sip and grimaced at the bitter taste, but Gerras just tipped the bowl again, and I drank some more. I heard more splashing behind me and guessed Liander was taking his own bath. I couldn't help it; I turned to look. He stood there stark naked, rubbing a cloth over his body, and I so wished it could be my hands moving over his luscious skin.
"Lie down again and don't move for thirty minutes, General," Gerras said, unaware of my wayward thoughts. "By then the unguent will have been absorbed and you should feel a little better. Rest as much as you can"--his glance took in Liander, too--"both of you. You've had a very stressful experience and you'll likely be overcome by exhaustion."
"Aye, as you say. Though I've not been a general for some time. I'm a Guardian, but not too proud to answer to Hollis."
Liander held my gaze, but simply said, "Thank you, Gerras. Hollis will rest, you can be assured of that."
"Yes, he will." Gerras smiled as he pressed Liander. "And you?"
"Yes, and me, too."
"I'll make sure of that."
Liander laughed. "We've become quite adept at looking out for each other, Gerras."
Gerras looked from me to Liander and back again and then said, "I'll return in eight hours to apply some more unguent." Gerras gave a small bow and left the cabin.
Liander turned to me, and I said, "Get your beautiful body over here. I've waited long enough to get my hands on you."
Liander laughed and said, "Oh no, Gerras said to keep still for thirty minutes. And then you--we--have to rest. Eight hours at least."
I stared at him, disbelieving, until a slow smile broke out.
"You...you bastard." I laughed.
"Don't let my father hear you say that."
My smile faded. We might make plans in the limbo of our captivity, but now
we were going home.
"What?" Liander asked.
"Your father. I can make all the plans I want in my head, but you're still a prince."
"So? I've made the same plans you have and I'm not giving up on them just because I'm a prince. Since I'm not in line for the throne, my father shouldn't object." He stared at me with intent. "And if it comes to a choice between you and my title, well, there is no choice. I love you."
I held his gaze, not knowing to say. He was offering to give up so much for me. If he abandoned his title, how would his father react? It was possible Liander might be banished from his home, from Tesla. Would he really risk so much for me?
"I can't let you do that." The words tripped from my tongue without any conscious thought on my part, but once I began I couldn't stop. "You casually say you're only the third prince and it doesn't matter. That's not true, and we both know it. You have responsibilities. Oh, Liander, you could lose everything, and I don't just mean your title. You could lose your whole family--parents, siblings, nephews, nieces. I know how much you love them all."
"I do. I love my family, yes, but whatever happens, they'll have each other." Liander knelt down beside the cot. "The love I have for you is different. I've felt this way about you for some time, but I always pushed it away because I didn't know you felt the same. Now I know you do, I can't go back to the way I was before. Before I only had dreams; now I have the reality. I feel whole, you understand? The truth is I can't live without you now. Like I said, there is no choice."
I heard his words and I couldn't speak for my heart was in my throat. I'd heard the saying before, but had never really understood what it meant. I did now. My heart was so full it felt as if was trying to crawl right out of my chest and through my mouth. I had to gasp to get breath in my lungs and I was trembling.
I finally managed to take a breath. "You're sure?"
"More sure than ever before." He hesitated a moment, frowning a little. "Hollis, Briahm said something when we were taken before him, and I've wondered ever since. He was right when he said the choice of whose Guardian to be was yours. Why did you agree to be mine?"
I stared at him. If he had asked me that a few months earlier, I'd have lied, but not now. "When I told your father I wished to retire from the army, he offered me the honor of being Guardian to one of his sons. He told me that with my meritorious service it was my right to choose his heir if I wanted and he would reassign the heir's present Guardian. But I didn't want to serve your brother. Before my audience with your father, I had already decided if he offered me the chance, there was only one prince I wanted to serve."
"But we hadn't met before that day. I'd seen you occasionally, but only from a distance."
"I know, but I knew even then there was something about you."
Liander sucked in a breath.
"I'm not saying I loved you then," I admitted, "but I wanted to be around you." I shrugged. "Maybe my heart knew what my brain was still working out."
"I'm so grateful you let your heart lead you to my side, Hollis." Liander leaned in then and kissed me, and I felt as if fire was racing along my nerves. I wanted to hold him, but I was still lying on my front. I twisted so I could lift my arms to hold him and I inhaled sharply as the sudden movement pulled at my back. Liander broke the kiss.
"It's not been thirty minutes yet," he said with a grin.
"Don't give a damn. Come here." I shifted onto my knees as I spoke, and he rose onto his knees. I wrapped my arms around him as he gripped my biceps. "I love you," I whispered into his ear.
"Move over."
I did, and Liander climbed into the cot next to me. It was too narrow for two men, but we didn't care. He lay flat on his back and I rested against him, half across him and half on the bed, one arm draped over him. He slipped one arm under me and around my hip; his other hand slid up and down my upper arm. I kissed his hair, and he tipped his head up to look at me.
I yawned. "Damn, I had such plans and suddenly I feel so tired. I can hardly keep my eyes open." I yawned again.
Liander laughed gently. "Did Gerras give you something to drink?"
"Well, yes... Damn, I thought it was for infection. He gave me...something to...make..."
* * * *
Even though I had similar plans to Hollis, I wasn't sorry to see him drift off to sleep. He had been running on empty for longer than either of us cared to admit. I was exhausted and a resourceful healer hadn't drugged me. I made sure Hollis was secure in my arms and that his back was relaxed, so he was less likely to roll over onto his back, at least for a while. And I above all liked the feel of his weight on me. I watched him for a while, but my eyes got heavier and heavier and I gave in and let sleep take me.
A knock at the door wakened me, though it took me a few moments to realize what the noise was. I eased out from under Hollis, leaving him lying on his stomach.
"Just a moment," I called, while I grabbed up my pants and slipped into them. I opened the door to find Gerras waiting. "Has it been eight hours?"
"Yes," the healer replied, glancing over at Hollis. "He's still sleeping? Good." He looked at me. "And you, too, Your...Liander?"
"Since shortly after you left until you just woke me up."
"Excellent." He nodded toward Hollis. "Let him sleep until he wakes. As he slept through my knocking, I guess he still needs it. The captain asked, if you were up to it, would you be kind enough to attend him on deck?"
"I'd prefer not to leave Hollis to wake up alone. Did the captain say it was urgent?"
"He did not go into further detail with me." He coughed. "However, I do believe from the conversation I overheard with the first mate that the captain would appreciate your input into where we dock."
I frowned, not being sure what he meant, but perhaps it was important to the captain. I glanced at Hollis.
"If you wish, I could stay with Hollis and if he wakes, I can tell him where you are."
"That sounds as if you think I should attend the captain. You believe it likely it's urgent?"
The healer shrugged, and I sighed. "Very well. If he awakens, give him the information and then please inform me."
"Yes, of course. I will treat his back while he is still asleep."
With a last look at the sleeping Hollis, I hurried up on deck. I saw the captain on the command deck and climbed the stairs. The captain saw me coming and strode to meet me.
"I'm sorry to drag you up here, Your Highness, but I thought it only right to ask your wishes and I didn't want to disturb the general. I know how well Gerras' sleeping potion works." He grinned.
Ignoring the preamble, I got straight to the point. "My opinion on what, Captain?"
"We can make landfall in about four hours on the south coast of Tesla."
"Four hours?" I was surprised we were so close to my homeland. The storm must have blown us much farther west than Hollis had judged.
"Yes. We could put you ashore in the same area from which you were taken. Of course, that would mean you'd have to proceed to the capital cross country."
The idea of facing the villagers after escaping, while leaving the other captured villagers behind, was like a lead weight in my stomach. I knew there was nothing we could have done for any of the others, but that didn't make me feel any less guilty. Then the captain's final words registered.
Travel cross country?
"I don't understand. Are you not sailing up the coast to Pergoria?" The port was only about an hour's travel from the capital city, whereas if we landed on the south coast, it would take about three days to reach Teslor.
"Eventually, Your Highness, but we were on a mission when the storm blew us off course. Finding you and the Diolis ship was pure chance. We are due to report to the Admiral of the Southern Fleet in Harira tomorrow, which, as you know, is in the opposite direction to Pergoria. If you choose to stay on aboard it will likely be four, maybe five days until we could take you on to Pergoria."
I chewed my lip, a sure sign I was struggling
with what I was debating doing. Using my standing to get my own way was something I very rarely did, but this time I--we--deserved it.
"Captain, I am a prince of the Royal House of Tesla and, while I am not normally inclined to trade on my position, this is one time I am going to do so. I am going to ask you to delay reporting to the admiral and take me and my Guardian directly to Pergoria. I am sure you can understand my position. I have to get home; I have much to report to my father. I am sure the admiral will understand when he learns of the reason for the delay. If he has any problems with your tardiness, tell him to speak to the king, who I am sure will be very pleased to see his son safe and sound again."
"Am I to take that as an order, Your Highness?"
"Yes, Captain."
The captain smiled. "As you command. I was not happy at the prospect of delaying your journey home, but it is not in my power to disobey the admiral. I needed your order to do so. I will change course for Pergoria immediately."
I laughed. "I feel like I've been played by an expert. You and Hollis should get on famously."
"I take that as a compliment."
Chapter 16
Slowly I came to and as my senses returned, I realized I was warm and comfortable, but alone. Where was Liander? I sat bolt upright, making myself a little dizzy, but I brushed that aside in my concern.
"Be calm, Guardian," a familiar voice said.
"Gerras. Where's Liander?"
"He is on deck talking with the captain. He asked me to stay with you and explain if you should awake. There's no need for concern, I assure you."
I looked at the healer and his clear, steady gaze convinced me of his sincerity so I relaxed.
"He's sure to be back soon," Gerras added, and to prove his words, the door opened and Liander came in. "There you are," Gerras said. "Is all well now, Your Highness?"
"Yes, thank you, Gerras."
"Then I will leave you." As he reached the door, he turned back to say, "Oh, and Hollis' back is much improved."
Liander moved closer. "Good to hear. It seems we're nearer home than we thought. Captain Dolato says we should dock in Pergoria around mid-day tomorrow. Then another hour or so and we should reach Teslor."