Path of Kings

by James Dale

  “Blood and Fire!” Cyran whispered. “Does Kirk now this? Does the king?”

  “Theros knows,” Jack nodded. “As does Cilidon. Soon Duke Morgan and the rest of the Whes-guard will know as well. Don’t worry. We aren’t going to let Graith claim the west without a fight."

  "But without the Sunheart we are doomed," cried Brian, the first to recognize this important fact. "Without an heir of Ljmarn to wield Yhswyndyr..."

  "We are not doomed Brain," Jack interrupted. It was the time to bring the Lions fully into his confidence. Dark days were approaching fast.

  "But..."

  "We are not doomed," he repeated, "because there is an heir."

  "What?" Cyran said incredulously. "My Lord, are you sure?"

  “Gentlemen," Jack said, fixing each of the men with a firm stare. "What I am about to reveal to you does not leave this room. You must tell no one. Understood?"

  "Yes, my Lord," Cyran promised.

  "Yes, my Lord," the others repeated.

  "There is an heir," he informed them. "A direct descendant of Ljmarn Bra' Adan, returned from exile to claim Yhswyndyr. I...I am John Michael Braedan. Son of Patrick. Descendant of Jon Bra’Adan. Son of Ljmarn. I am his heir."

  Shocked silence met Jack's startling announcement.

  Cyran was the first to find words. "Only a fool...or worse, a lunatic, would make such a claim," he said, looking at Jack intently.

  "And which do you think me Cyran?" Jack asked quietly. "A fool? Or worse?"

  "I know you are neither," he replied without hesitation. Cyran rose from his place at the table and moved to kneel before Braedan. "Therefore, you must be Ljmarn's Heir."

  "My King!" cried Brian, quickly joining him. He was soon followed by Anghol, then Michael and Erlwin.

  "Oh please," Jack sighed. "Get up, all of you. I am no king."

  "Will you not take our oaths my Lord?" Cyran asked, drawing his sword and presenting it hilt first to Braedan.

  "You have already given me your oaths."

  "We have sworn oaths to the Duke of Thonbor," answered Cyran. "We would give them to the High King of Aralon."

  "We would," the other men agreed, each presenting their blades.

  "I am not Ljmarn Bra'Adan reborn," Jack said, standing to look down at the five. "I will likely never sit on his throne or wear his crown. My only reward for having his blood in my veins is to face the dark-King and his Bloodstone. Those who swear to me will suffer the same fate."

  "We are not sycophants my lord," Cyran answered, "Or fools dreaming of glory. To face the...dark-King, you will need strong men at your side. We would be those men. Take our oaths my lord. We will not fail you."

  It was at this point Kirk entered the room, Gweneveare draped beautifully on his arm. Seeing the five men kneeling at Jack's feet, he immediately misinterpreted the situation. "What is going on here? Have they offended you your grace?" he asked angrily. "What have you done Cyran? Can I not leave you alone for five minutes?"

  "They have not offended me Kirk," Jack said, laying his hands on Cyran's shoulders, "If fact, I have never been more pleased with them."

  "Then what..."

  "These men are about to swear oaths to the Heir of Ljmarn Bra'Adan," he replied simply.

  "To the Heir of...I do not understand my lord," Kirk said, confused.

  "I am John Michael Braedan of the House Bra'Adan," Jack announced formally. "Heir to Sunheart and the Highsword Yhswyndyr. If you would swear into my service Captain Vanar, kneel. If you would not, I release from all oaths and give you leave to depart."

  "What madness is this?" Kirk whispered, "Cyran?"

  "For three years we have served together Kirk," his friend replied. "You know I am not mad."

  "Then what..."

  "We are swearing oaths to the Heir of Ljmarn Bra'Adan," Cyran answered grimly. "To stand or fall with him when he faces the dark-King Graith. If you would join us kneel. If not, you have the Heir's permission to depart."

  "I will swear to you," Gweneveare said in a trembling voice. Releasing Kirk's arm, the young woman stepped forward and knelt beside Cyran. "My lord," she said, taking Jack's hand and kissing it. "Will you accept my oath? To serve you as you see fit."

  "Gwen, I don’t need your oath. Your friendship means more to me than any spoken words,” Jack smiled.

  “I will swear to you just the same,” she said, bowing her head.

  “Gweneveare da’Araban,” Jack smiled. “You will always have my protection, my love, and my friendship. From this day until my last day, you will want for nothing I can provide.”

  “You will be lord, from this day until my last day,” Gwen replied. “You will always have my love and my friendship. And…my advice, whether you wish hear it or not.”

  “Good enough for me,” Jack said, leaning down to kiss her forehead.

  "What's it to be Kirk?" asked Jack turning to him. “Yes or no? Whichever it is, know I will always be your friend."

  "I am your man my lord," Kirk replied, drawing his blade and kneeling before him. "Since the day we first met."

  "You all swear this oath freely," Jack asked them. "Without reservation?"

  "We do," they replied as one.

  “From this day until our last day,” Kirk Vanar vowed.

  "Then I accept you into my service," he nodded, moving to each and laying his hands briefly on their shoulders. "Now here is my first command. Until I give you leave, you will reveal to no man or woman, high or low, king or servant, what you have learned today. I will do that in my own time, in my own way. Swear it."

  "I swear," each promised in turn.

  "Here is my second command. Never kneel in my presence again. You are my friends first," he smiled. "Friends should always be able to look each other in the eye. I cannot do so with you on your knees. Now get up please," Jack finished, resuming his seat and taking a hearty swallow of wine. "Hurry! Before I change my mind and send the lot of you packing."

  They all rose quickly, but looked around uncertainly, unsure what to do next.

  "Well sit down," Jack sighed. "Master Coreze has kindly provided us with a bottle of his best wine. We should finish it while it is still chilled. And quit staring at me," he muttered when they were seated. Despite his command they should not kneel to him again, their looks plainly said each felt unworthy to be as the same table. "It's not polite."

  "Forgive me my lord," Kirk said sheepishly. "It just...well this is going to take some getting used to."

  "What's there to get used to?" Jack sighed. "I am the same man I was this morning. The same man you bought drinks for at the Dancing Unicorn."

  "I don't know how I could have missed the resemblance," Vanar said quietly, continuing to stare. "In the Third Squadron Headquarters, there is a painting of the High King at the battle of Bergaweld. You two could almost be twins. I don't know how I missed it," he repeated.

  "I know the painting," Erlwin nodded. "The Holy Son knows I dusted it enough times when I was with the 10th Heavy Horse, pulling extra duty at Squadron. And now that I think about it, Kirk is right. You could be his twin."

  "Really?" Jack asked. "When I talked to Ljmarn I didn't think we looked very much alike."

  "You have...talked to Ljmarn Bra' Adan?" Kirk whispered, with such a look of shock Jack might as well have announced he'd had coffee and doughnuts this morning with the Creator.

  Jack instantly wished he'd never opened his mouth. Now he would have to tell them of his Elohara or they really would begin to think he him mad. "Yes," he sighed. "I've spoken to Ljmarn." He explained to them the Amarian dream-ritual and the visions he had seen. Then because he could not stop there, he told them how the first three visions had already been fulfilled. And how the forth would be consummated when he faced Kiathan in the Competition of the Sword.

  "Blood and Fire," Cyran muttered. "Is there any of more wine left Brian?"

  "I think you have had enough of the grape," Kirk advised him.

  "Yes," Gweneveare agreed. "Your tongu
e is already loosened beyond good manners."

  "Forgive me lady," Cyran blushed.

  "Gwen's right," Jack nodded. "I'm feeling a bit light headed myself. If you will excuse me, I think I'll go get some fresh air."

  When he stood to leave, Anghol and Cyran rose to accompany him, but he quickly stopped the pair. "No. You two stay here."

  "But my lord," Anghol argued. "You should not..."

  "I promise I won't leave the grounds." Jack informed him, putting his floppy hat back on his head. “No one will even notice me. Besides, you all probably have a lot to discuss without me hanging around. Gwen?"

  "Yes, my lord?" Gweneveare asked.

  "Will you make sure these scoundrels do not drink any more wine?" Jack asked.

  "I will my lord," Gweneveare assured him. "My lord?" she asked hesitantly as he started for the door. "When you commanded us to tell no one, certainly...certainly you did not mean to include Princess Thessa? She would be pleased to learn her champion is the Heir of Ljmarn Bra'Adan," the young woman smiled.

  "I don't doubt she would," Jack agreed. "However, she will not be hearing it from you. You've sworn an oath. Remember? And if I hear you've broken it, I'll have Kirk turn you over his knee and spank your bottom until you understand what it means to keep your word."

  "You...he would not dare!" Gweneveare cried indignantly.

  "Kirk?" Jack smiled.

  "I must obey the commands of my lord," Vanar replied solemnly, then slowly smiled at Gweneveare. "However unpleasant the task it would be."

  "Unpleasant!" the young woman cried. "Why you...I'll show you unpleasant Kirk Vanar!"

  Laughing quietly, Jack left as the captain and his Lions began to scamper for cover. As he closed the door to the sound of crashing crockery, he saw Master Coreze approaching with another bottle of wine. "I wouldn't go in there if I were you sir," Jack advised the Two Fountains' proprietor. "Hurricane Gweneveare has just made landfall."

  "Not again," Coreze sighed wearily.

  "Could you direct me to the stables?" asked Jack. "I want to check on Eaudreuil."

  "Out the front door and bear right all the way to the rear of the house," Master Coreze replied, cringing with each crash coming from his dining hall. "If you should need me your grace, I will be in my room, waiting for this latest storm to blow over."

  "A wise decision," Jack nodded. "Good day sir."

  "Your grace," the innkeeper bowed, then quickly headed for the stairs.

  Following Master Coreze's directions, Jack had no difficulty locating the inn's stables, which were even more lavish than Count Arthol's. A helpful groom informed him where he could find Eaudreuil's stall in the cavernous enclosure, and he nodded his thanks and began to search for the stall. He found the section of the stable containing Eaudreuil's stall easily enough, but to his surprise, there was someone already there. A slim figure, dressed in a hooded robe which hid the wearer's face in deep shadows, stood before Eaudreuil's stall. Jack hesitated at the edge of the doorway. Though it was probably only a curious groom pausing to admire the magnificent stallion, a person wearing such a robe during the middle of the day was someone who did not care to be recognized. Under the circumstance such a person should be approached with caution.

  Jack slipped quietly into an unoccupied nearby stall where he could observe the person unseen, and waited. Almost immediately, the hooded figure spoke, and his heart leapt into his throat at the familiar, musical voice.

  "Eaudreuil?"

  It was Annawyn!

  "Yh be praised!" the princess cried happily as the Val'anna's enormous head appeared over the gate of the stall. "It is you! Jack is here?"

  "Nearer than you think," the roan neighed, craning his neck toward his former mistress.

  "I prayed it would be you when I heard your description from my watchers," Annawyn laughed, reaching up to scratch the stallion between his ears. The Val'anna whined with contentment when her deft fingers located his favorite spot. "I left the reception without a word to anyone, hoping beyond reason the fool had not simply seen more of Kiathan's men riding into Immer. Yh be praised he was not mistaken," she sighed.

  Jack was beside himself with joy. Annawyn had come looking for him the moment she heard he'd arrived! Apparently leaving in the middle of the welcoming for Theros and Cilidon by the sound of it. What a stir it must have caused! What must Kiathan have thought? The thought sobered him instantly. Good God, what had she been thinking? Kiathan surely sent someone to follow her! What would happen if they were found here together?

  "Why don't you come out Horse-brother?" Eaudreuil asked.

  "She shouldn't be here!" Jack beamed fiercely.

  "What is it boy?" Annawyn asked, sensing the stallion tense at the harshness of Braedan's reply, "Is there someone else here?"

  "She knows Horse-brother." Eaudreuil neighed. “You may as well come out.”

  "Keep her occupied," Jack commanded. He stepped silently from his hiding place, moving as quietly as he'd even moved before. Annawyn did not notice his sudden appearance in the stable, thanks to Eaudreuil's playful nipping at the hood of her robe with his teeth.

  "Eaudreuil!" the princess laughed happily. "What has gotten into you? You have not done that since you were a colt!" She was so delighted with the stallion she was unaware someone was behind her until Jack spoke.

  "Anna," he said quietly.

  With a startled cry, she tried to turn and face him, but Braedan quickly grasped her shoulders and held her firmly. "Stop Anna. It's me."

  "Jack?" she asked, trembling.

  "Yes."

  "Oh Jack!" the princess cried, struggling to break his grip.

  "Don't turn around," he begged. "Please."

  "But why!"

  "Because..." Jack whispered hoarsely, "Because if I saw your face, I couldn't bear to let you out of my sight again."

  "Beloved!" the princess cried, falling against him.

  "You shouldn't be here," Jack sighed, but inside his breast, his heart beat wildly. She had called him Beloved!

  "Please!" Annawyn wept. "Let me see your face. I would know not this is not another cruel dream."

  "It is not a dream," he whispered, drunk with desire from the feel of her body enfolded in his arms. "Oh, Anna! Why did you come here? You must leave! At once!"

  "Why?" she asked. "I ache for you to hold me again! Do you not wish to hold me again? To kiss me? Or was it only a dream?"

  "I want it more than life itself," Jack sighed, kissing her neck. "I want to hold you in my arms, to feel your heart beat in the night, to wake up with the scent of your hair filling my head. But you must go! If Kiathan had you followed..."

  "Kiathan..." the princess spat, "barely knows I exist! I am nothing to him but a prize! He has not spoken a dozen words to me since you escaped his cross."

  "All the more reason you should not be here," Jack argued. "If he suspects you have seen me, he...he could not let you live!"

  "What?" Annawyn cried. "Why?"

  "Because I know...I know he is a traitor in league with Gorthiel." Jack explained.

  "What?" the princess hissed.

  "He has sold his soul to the Sa'tan," Jack replied. "I don't have time to explain now. But it is true. And if he were to find I have revealed his secret to the Princess of Doridan, he would not hesitate to..."

  "Someone is coming Horse-brother!" Eaudreuil interrupted suddenly.

  At that instant an angry voice echoed throughout the stables. "Annawyn!"

  "It is Kiathan!" the princess hissed fearfully.

  Jack reached for his sword, but sensing his movement, Annawyn stopped him with a cry. "No beloved!” she whispered. “He will not be alone! You must hide!"

  "Annawyn!" Kiathan bellowed, closer now.

  "I love you Anna," Jack whispered longingly. "With all my heart!" He raced back to the empty stall, pausing but an instant to watch the princess calmly turn to await the Duke of Raashan, then plunged into the safety of the shadows and drew his sword.

 
"What are you doing here Annawyn?" he heard the duke ask as he entered the stable. "I was most distressed when you left the palace so abruptly."

  "I heard a rumor..." the princess began.

  "What rumor could merit the Princess of Doridan disgracing herself so?" Kiathan interrupted. "Leaving the reception for the Dragonslayer and all the Ailfar without so much as a by your leave?"

  "I am the Princess of Doridan!" Annawyn retorted angrily. "I am not required to ask leave to come or go."

  "What rumor?" Kiathan insisted.

  "Dorad," the princess replied, thinking quickly. "I heard a rumor Dorad was here."

  "My dear Annawyn," Kiathan sighed, "When will you accept the fact your misguided brother is dead?"

  "When is see his body!" Annawyn snapped.

  "And have you seen him?" the duke inquired contemptuously. "Here? In this stable?"

  "I have seen no one," the princess replied truthfully.

  Kiathan studied Annawyn curiously, as if he had heard some meaning in her words she had not intended. "Well..." he said after several anxious seconds, "shall we return to the palace then? Princess Ailicia has been asking for you. If you are satisfied your brother's ghost does not haunt the Two Fountains stables of course?"

  "We shall," Annawyn consented, struggling not to show her relief. "I regret I have behaved unseemly. I shall make proper apologies to King Theros and the Ailfar."

  "That is more like it," Kiathan smiled approvingly. "Escort the princess back to the palace," he informed his guards.

  "Will you not be coming?" Annawyn asked anxiously, resisting the urge to glance at Jack's hiding place.

  Kiathan hesitated, still surveying the stables.

  "Betrothed?"

  "Of course," the duke nodded slowly. "Let us go see if we can salvage Doridan's honor."

  Annawyn reluctantly accepted the duke's offered arm, and allowed his to lead her from the stables. The sound of their retreating footsteps was like a thousand knives piercing Jack's aching heart.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  The Broken Arrow

  "They are gone Horse-brother." Eaudreuil beamed.