The Journey West

by E J Gilmour

  ‘Eben is my name.’

  The guard stared at him and his jaw dropped. ‘There is a rumour going around that the Ecorian Emperor has returned; they say his name is Eben.’ Eben looked away nervously, not wanting to confirm the rumour and feeling embarrassed by the guardsman’s response. ‘Are you Eben Ecorian?’

  ‘I must be on my way,’ said Eben, not sure how to answer the question.

  ‘It is you,’ said the guardsman. Eben stood there and felt stunned for a moment.

  ‘Yes, my name is Eben Ecorian, but I prefer to keep it quiet.’

  ‘Yes, Sire, Bradley is my name. If you would shake my hand I would be honoured.’ Bradley reached out, and Eben, of course, shook his hand.

  ‘I am pleased to meet you, Bradley,’ said Eben politely. ‘If you would excuse me I will be on my way.’

  ‘Yes, Sire,’ said Bradley.

  Eben turned and followed the main street down toward the gate. There were a lot of people going about their early morning tasks. He walked almost all the way to the southern gate. A large Inn caught his eye. A sign out the front read: The Drifters Rest, serving a hearty breakfast for the working man. Eben pushed through the door and entered the common room, which was a clean and well-kept. Standing behind the bar was a thickset barkeeper with greying hair and a weathered face. There was no one else in the room.

  Eben approached the bar. ‘I’ll have a mug of your strongest ale.’

  The barkeeper grinned, thinking Eben was surely joking. ‘Ale, at this hour; the sun has hardly risen yet.’

  Eben looked at the barkeeper and nodded; he was sure that he felt like a strong drink. ‘If you don’t mind I’ll have ale all the same.’

  ‘If you must,’ said the barkeeper as he turned back to one of the large barrels that lined the back wall. ‘You shouldn’t drink your life away. A young man like you has the world at your feet. Anything is possible. In my trade I have seen too many people give their life to the bottle.’

  Eben nodded again as the barkeeper turned back and handed him the mug of ale. ‘Thanks for the advice,’ he said as he took a big gulp of the bitter Irvarian brew.

  ‘Where are you from, young man? Your accent is strange.’

  ‘I’m Ortarian,’ replied Eben, as he reached for some coins to pay the barkeeper.

  ‘Ortarian, I think I’ve only met a handful of Ortarians in the twenty years I’ve been keeping this bar. The drink is on the house.’

  ‘Thanks,’ said Eben, returning the coins to his pocket.

  ‘So what brings you to Faircastle?’

  Eben was about to answer, but before he could say a word a short old man with long grey hair entered the common room and took the barkeepers attention. He approached the bar with a spring in his step that revealed his excitement.

  ‘Wendell! You will never guess what news I heard this morning,’ said the old man.

  ‘Good news I hope,’ replied the barkeeper with a knowing smile.

  ‘My news is always better than good!’ said the old man with a grin from ear to ear.

  ‘Alright, Tim, let’s hear it.’

  ‘The word on the street is that the Ecorian Emperor has returned.’

  ‘Rubbish!’ replied Wendell, chuckling and shaking his head. Eben took a nervous sip of his ale.

  ‘No, not rubbish at all. I went up to ask my contacts in the palace. They say it is as true as the sky is blue.’

  ‘An Ecorian here in Faircastle; I would have to see him to believe it.’

  ‘Well, you just may see,’ said old Tim excitedly.

  ‘What do you think of that, Ortarian?’ asked Wendell, turning to Eben.

  ‘I don’t know,’ replied Eben hesitantly. ‘Maybe he is not really like an Ecorian. Perhaps he is just like everyone else.’

  ‘Don’t speak such words,’ said old Tim, shaking his head at Eben and waving dismissively. ‘Ecorians are majestic, noble, and pure of heart. Every Ecorian in all of history was a hero. If an Ecorian truly has returned then our people have been blessed.’

  Suddenly there was a commotion in the street outside. Eben and old Tim went to the window and looked out. The large shutters had been pulled back to let the morning sun in. Wendell joined them and they watched as a fine carriage, drawn by two mighty white horses, was quickly being led down the main street toward the main southern gate. Two knights, in full shining armour and long red capes, rode out before the carriage, and two riders followed a little way back. The carriage itself was a work of art, almost completely made of silver with a cabin and small windows.

  ‘It is the carriage of Princess Apherah,’ said Wendell. Eben felt his heart jump at the mention of her name.

  ‘Her beauty is unmatched in all the realms of Veredor,’ said old Tim proudly.

  ‘Agreed,’ said Wendell with a sharp nod.

  They watched as the carriage drew near. First the leading riders passed. They appeared flustered and were clearly rushing. Eben looked to see if Princess Apherah was visible through the carriage windows.

  ‘I wonder what the hurry is?’ asked old Tim.

  ‘Look, there she is,’ gasped Wendell.

  Eben could see Princess Apherah seated in the carriage. Again he was awestruck by her beauty. He stared as she passed by. Her eyes drifted to their side of the road, and at the very last moment she caught sight of Eben watching her from the common room window. Her eyes widened with surprise. A moment later the carriage stopped.

  ‘What’s this?’ asked Wendell. ‘Why is she stopping?’

  ‘No idea,’ replied old Tim as he watched on intently.

  The knights dismounted as Princess Apherah stepped out of the carriage. All the people in the street knelt down on one knee and bowed their heads to the ground. The Princess was wearing a long flowing blue dress and looked like a picture of grace, elegance, and beauty. A few words passed between her and one of her knights. The four knights then led her back toward the inn.

  ‘She looks like she is coming in here,’ cried old Tim, almost choking on his words.

  One of her knights entered the common room first. Wendell nodded to the knight. ‘Good morning, Sir,’ he said as the knight took a position by the front door. A few moments later Princess Apherah entered. Her ocean blue eyes stared directly at Eben as she stepped through the door. Wendell and Tim both instantly knelt down on a knee and bowed their heads low. Eben remained standing.

  ‘It is truly an honour, Your Highness,’ stammered Wendell. ‘I don’t know what to say. How can I be of service?’

  Princess Apherah looked down at Wendell for a moment. ‘Please stand. I have only come here to talk with your honoured guest.’ She looked back to Eben. ‘What are you doing here, Eben Ecorian?’

  Eben felt lost for words. He looked to Wendell who stared up, the blood draining from the barkeepers face. ‘I...I was just having a drink with my two new friends.’

  Apherah laughed and raised an eyebrow. ‘At this hour! Surely it is much too early for ale.’

  ‘That’s what I told the Ecorian, Your Highness,’ said Wendell.

  ‘Yesterday’s revelations were a big shock. I just felt like getting out of the palace and before long I found myself here,’ said Eben, trying to excuse himself.

  ‘Your arrival surprised us all,’ said Apherah, eyeing Eben curiously.

  A knight entered from the street and whispered some words to the knight who was waiting at the door. The knight by the door, who was an older man with heavily wrinkled skin, a noble face, and greying hair, approached Apherah.

  ‘Your father is sending Royal Guard to retrieve you, Your Majesty. They will be here any minute. The King has also sealed the southern gate. It is now impossible for us to escape.’ Princess Apherah’s eyes narrowed, revealing her annoyance at the news.

  ‘Your Majesty, you should return to the palace,’ said the knight.

  Apherah shook her head defiantly. ‘I’m certainly not going back.’

  ‘Why are you running away?’ asked Eben.

  Aphe
rah looked to Eben for a moment before returning her eyes to the old knight. ‘Sir Giles. Will you lead me on to the west gate?’

  Sir Giles wiped his sweaty forehead and shook his head. ‘I was happy to help you leave the palace and take you south to Elcalee. You know I am bound to follow your command. However, Your Majesty, you must understand that I cannot defy your father. He is my king, and I am sworn to follow his command above all others. Now that he has sent the Royal Guards after you it would be treason for me to assist you to escape Faircastle. I am sorry, Your Majesty; I simply cannot help you.’

  Princess looked away from Sir Giles; her eyes found Eben. ‘Ecorian, would you like to come with me to Elcalee.’

  Eben stared into her eyes and felt stunned by the question. He didn’t want to say no, yet he also didn’t see how he could simply leave Faircastle with her and run away. ‘I….’ he began, but before he could finish she had grabbed hold of his hand and was leading him toward the back of the inn.

  ‘Is there a way out through the back?’ she asked Wendell.

  ‘Indeed, Your Highness,’ answered Wendell, pointing to a hallway that led away from the common room.

  Sir Giles stepped forward. ‘Your Majesty, I must object to this course of action.’

  ‘Oh, Sir Giles, please, just this once,’ said Apherah, her sweet smile charming the old knight.

  ‘I am also charged with your protection,’ argued Sir Giles in a gentle voice.

  ‘I am sure the Ecorian can protect me.’ She then led Eben down the hallway and out the back door, leaving Sir Giles standing in the common room with Wendell and Tim. They instantly found themselves in a back alley.

  ‘We must hurry. My father has sent his best men to bring me back to the palace.’

  They dashed down the alleyway. Apherah led the way into a network of back alleys that took them away from the main street.

  ‘Why are we running? What’s this all about?’

  Apherah looked up at Eben; she was about to answer, but instantly three fully armoured guardsmen in long red capes appeared at the far side of the laneway. Eben grabbed her hand and led her through a thin gap between two buildings. The Royal Guards hurried after them. ‘Stop! Princess! By order of the King!’

  Eben and Apherah entered a wider alley. Barrels were piled high on one side of the way. Eben pushed over the barrels as they ran by. He looked back and could see the guardsmen struggling after them. Eben led her down another thin alleyway and out into a side street. The townsfolk looked at them, unsure who they were or why they were running. They then ran across the street and dashed between two houses and crossed a small square. Eben saw an open door that looked like a tavern. He pushed through and led the Princess into what was a small, smoky, and very dank common room. The greasy haired barkeeper, who was smoking a large pipe, looked up and gave a wide smile, obviously thinking they were enthusiastic customers.

  Eben glanced out the window and saw the Royal Guards dash by. ‘We should wait in here for a minute,’ he said, looking back to Apherah. She smiled excitedly.

  ‘Can I pour you two a drink?’ asked the barkeeper in a deep throaty voice.

  ‘Certainly,’ replied Eben. ‘Make it two ales.’

  ‘I only drink wine,’ said Apherah.

  ‘Actually, one wine and one ale,’ corrected Eben.

  The barkeeper shook his head. ‘We only serve Irvarian ale.’

  ‘Ale will be fine,’ said Apherah as she took a seat at a small wooden table in the corner of the room.

  Eben sat down across from her. Apherah smiled widely as she looked at him. ‘That was fun.’

  ‘What is this all about?’ asked Eben as the barkeeper placed two mugs of ale down on the table. Eben handed him some coins.

  ‘I simply must escape Faircastle before my father forces me to marry King Lenard of Everdon.’

  ‘Why would he do that?’ asked Eben, feeling his heart drop in his chest at the idea of her marrying such an unpleasant man. He remembered King Lenard was the most unfriendly of all the dignitaries at the council.

  Her concerned eyes drifted toward the small window. ‘For centuries the Everdonians have been our allies. King Lenard has been on the Everdonian throne for three years. He has thus far proven very difficult for my father to work with. Unfortunately he has placed conditions on our continued alliance. Chief among those conditions is my hand in marriage. My father has promised King Lenard that he alone will be given permission to court me. I am expected to marry him.’

  ‘But surely who you marry is your decision,’ said Eben, feeling horrified that she didn’t have a say in the matter.

  ‘Exactly!’ cried Apherah in agreement. ‘That’s what I have been saying for months, yet my father said I should meet King Lenard before I make any judgements on the matter. King Lenard arrived three days ago, and I was taken to meet him in the royal guest chambers. We talked for about a minute, and as we conversed I started to feel very unwell. I almost feinted for the first time in my life. I tried to see the best in him, yet there was nothing, not one good quality. King Lenard is quite possibly the most horrid man in all of Veredor.’ She cast her eyes sadly down at the mug of ale. ‘And I am betrothed to him.’

  Eben laughed, seeing the stupidity in the situation.

  Apherah looked up and frowned. ‘What are you laughing at?’

  ‘Surely all you have to do is say no. Really, this is not so complicated.’

  ‘You speak like a commoner, Eben Ecorian,’ she said, shaking her head. ‘Surely you know that royal marriage is more complicated than simply choosing to marry whoever I like. I cannot simply meet someone in the street and marry them. There is so much to consider: alliances, tradition, and the fact that they must also belong to an Ecorian Arbiter bloodline.’

  ‘That sounds very unromantic. No wonder you want to run away.’

  Apherah stared at Eben for a long moment. Eben could feel she was contemplating something. ‘Are you going to help me escape?’

  ‘Of course,’ said Eben, sipping at his ale.

  Suddenly several Royal Guards appeared outside the tavern. ‘They can’t possibly have gone that way!’ shouted a guardsman. ‘They must have gone inside one of these buildings. Eben jumped up at hearing their words.

  ‘Time to go,’ he said, taking her hand and leading her out a side door.

  They ran from the tavern without being seen. Eben turned down an alleyway that led toward the west gate. They rushed along and entered a square surrounded by high buildings.

  ‘Do you know where you are going?’ asked Apherah, looking at Eben with a doubtful expression.

  ‘Not exactly,’ replied Eben. ‘Didn’t you say the west gate would be still open?’

  ‘It may be open, yet my father will probably have people watching all the gates by now.’

  ‘Do you have any other ideas?’ asked Eben.

  Suddenly they could see the red capes of the Royal Guards charging down an alley that led to the square. Eben took Apherah’s hand and they dashed toward the opposing alleyway, but instantly they saw more guardsmen approaching, blocking their escape. Apherah fearfully clung to Eben’s arm.

  Eben backed away and looked for an exit as the two groups of guardsmen approached. A few moments later more than a dozen guardsmen entered the square. They drew their swords and cut off the exits.

  ‘Release the Princess!’ ordered the largest guardsman, who was a man well over six foot tall and stockier than any other man Eben had ever seen.

  Eben scanned their faces as several more guardsmen arrived in the square. ‘No,’ said Eben firmly. ‘I certainly will not.’

  ‘We don’t want to have to hurt you,’ said the lead guardsman, stepping forward with his large broadsword pointed directly at Eben.

  Eben drew the Sword of Light. Instantly Apherah stepped forward. She looked back at Eben and winked. ‘Royal Guards, I know my father has ordered you to return me to the palace, but let it be known that one with more authority than my father stands before you. M
y father’s claim to the throne is based on the fact that he is a direct descendent of the Ecorian Arbiters, yet here, before you stands the Ecorian himself.’

  The guardsmen all stared at Eben. A few moments later they lowered their swords.

  ‘We have heard the rumour that the Ecorian has returned to Faircastle. Are you saying this man is the Ecorian?’ asked the lead guardsman.

  ‘Yes, I tell you the truth; this is Eben Ecorian.’ The Royal Guards stared at Eben in awe. They also looked conflicted, not knowing what to say or do. Eben put away the Sword of Light as Apherah took his hand. ‘Now, you will let us pass.’ The guardsmen bowed their heads and they stood aside to let them pass. Once they were out of sight they started to run again. They rushed through the city backstreets and lanes toward the western gate. After a few minutes they came to the gate and found it was still open.

  ‘Perfect,’ said Eben as he led her through the gate and out of the city. Instantly the came upon a group of fifty Irvarian mounted guards. King Edric, in full shining armour, sat high on a warhorse and looked down at them sternly. They had walked directly into his trap.

  ‘I knew if I left one gate open that you would eventually come through it,’ said King Edric. ‘I did not expect to see you, Eben, helping my daughter escape her duty.’

  ‘Eben has nothing to do with this,’ said Apherah defiantly.

  King Edric stared down at his daughter. ‘Dearest Apherah, I do not know what you hoped to achieve by running. You know your duty.’ A moment later Apherah’s carriage came through the gate and stopped beside her.

  ‘She should be able to marry whoever she wants!’ said Eben firmly.

  King Edric stared harshly down at Eben. ‘And who would you suggest?’ asked the King angrily. Eben had no answer for the King. He looked across at Apherah. She stared deeply into his eyes; she then reached up gently and touched his face.

  ‘Thank you, Eben Ecorian,’ she said. A moment later she stepped up into the carriage. Instantly the carriage was led away.

  King Edric looked down at Eben. ‘I’m sorry that my daughter drew you into this.’ With these words the King turned his horse and rode back into the city.