by P. S. Power
The words got him patted on the arm. Then, silently, they both went back to eating.
Chapter four
There were two guards on the door to Prince Robarts’ office. The carvings on the wood behind them were almost totally hidden, they were standing so close together. They wore the standard gray uniform and held spears in their hands, crossed in front of the door. As Anders approached, he slowed to a stop, his breath coming a bit harder, due to the brisk pace he’d walked at, trying to get to the location in a timely fashion.
Before one of the men, both of whom he recognized by name, could growl at him to go away, he spoke, bowing, using first courtly. That got their attention, at least.
“Anders Brolly. My presence was requested?”
Before either of the guards could turn to knock on the door, or announce him, the heavy thing opened, pulling inward.
The blond man who tucked his head out nodded at him. Prince Robarts looked pleasant enough, at least. It probably indicated that Anders wasn’t in too much trouble at the moment. He could actually see how he might be. His job of the moment, other than learning to be a decent fletcher and make bows, was to pass messages for the King. His overreaching could, potentially, make that more difficult to do.
“We’re in here for the day, Anders. Thank you for coming.”
That was enough for the men to pull the spears to the side, leaving just enough room for him to pass through, if he turned sideways a bit. A thing that, having seen it twice now, he realized was about showing them as being good at their jobs. After all, him being made to twist around wasn’t protecting the King at all. It might control the flow of bodies, if there was more than just him, but if that were needed, the men would probably have to start stabbing people, so standing too close wouldn’t be helpful at all.
Inside the room were several people. Prince Robarts moved back behind his desk, which was a rich looking thing made of polished wood. There were scrollwork carvings along the sides and front that faced him. The others there were sitting in comfortable looking padded chairs. The seats were leather, but the arms and legs were polished to match the desk.
There were books behind the Prince on a shelf, taking up most of the back wall and part of the left-hand side, stopping about three feet from the door. The man touched him on the shoulder and then waved toward a chair. His face seemed a bit concerned, suddenly.
“Here, sit. I’ve heard that you might be pushing yourself to near your limits for us. Thank you.” The man didn’t bow, or act as if he should do that first. He did, since the King was in the room. So were the other princes, along with Master Belford. The empty chair was near Prince Erold, across from King Mathias and Prince Alpert.
He used second courtly, which had the ruler waving at him, gently.
“Well met, Master Brolly. Are you well enough for this? We could do it at a better time?”
Anders actually grinned then and snorted a bit. It was hugely improper to do, in front of the King, but simply came out.
“I should be fine. The heavy breathing and light sweating aside. I should be able to release some of the healthier people this evening. I was thinking to look in on Sir Daniel and attempt it with him, first. He’s a strong man, even if weakened physically at the moment.” That seemed to be a simple truth.
Even the King nodded at the idea.
“Ah? You think that he’s well enough? I’d heard he was near dying.”
Anders was waved to the empty seat, so he put himself in it, Erold giving him a friendly glance as he did it. They all waited for him to answer though, since he’d been asked a question.
Anders took a deep breath, then looked at the King directly. He was a bit round, across the middle, but a large and imposing man, otherwise. No crown or anything ridiculous adorned him at the moment. His tunic was heavy looking. Well decorated, as well. Anders had put his gambeson on, hoping it would be considered appropriate enough. The whole place was a little chill at the moment. Nothing too harsh, but as in his room, the Prince hadn’t called for a fire to be started there, either.
“He was. I doubt he would be alive now, if he couldn’t be helped in time. The trick there is that you die from the effects of the disease, not the disease itself. He’s largely past that portion of things. If I let him go now, instead of holding an active set of spells over him, he shouldn’t get sick again.” He went on, since it was simpler to explain the whole thing, all at once. “Princess Mathia, Countess Rainly and a few others just took ill the other day. Alice Cook, as well. All of those need to be isolated for another six or seven days. They won’t feel sick, other than a rash and eating being difficult They are ill, however. Let them out and they might well spread things.”
The King blinked at him, then nodded.
“I understand. I’ll set guards to make certain they hold to your word in this. What of the others? The servants can return to their work soon?”
Anders tightened his face, since the man seemed to wish for that to happen. It was a poor plan to tell the King he couldn’t have his own way.
“Give them a week doing no more than half their normal duties? More than that if their efforts are highly physical. Other than that, then yes. I’ll look into people this evening and check on them, if that’s allowed.” It wasn’t really in question, but the other man nodded at him and then closed his eyes.
“Of course. We were set to hold ten funerals in the next weeks. Now it seems as if we might not have to have any at all. That’s impressive. What would you ask for, in return?”
The rest of the room went still then. Probably due to the fact that Anders, the boy, might ask for almost anything. Not the kingdom itself, but lands, titles, gold or even something insane, like women or even men, who could be sworn to him.
Instead of being a large problem that way, he simply let his mouth screw up at the edges.
“Would it be allowed to borrow the horses that I rode to Sapphire Lake, for this next trip? I’m planning to get some oxen, if I can, to pull my wagon, but I consider them friends and wouldn’t want to leave them standing in a boring field when they can be out seeing more interesting things.” He was jesting, which seemed to be noted by everyone there.
The King chuckled.
“That should be fine. Indeed, Robarts already marked them for you. That’s hardly a reward for your efforts here.”
Everyone stared at him then, which meant that he had to shake his head. The truth was that he didn’t know what to ask for. Gold was nice, but his needs were taken care of for the time being. Having great amounts of gold or silver would call more attention to him than was currently taking place. A thing which might not be important, but that he couldn’t risk getting worse.
Letting his face tighten, he shook his head then.
“We can’t let it be seen as if I’m getting special attention or gifts. Not even for this. Why not... Well, I’m Master Tolan’s apprentice, officially. We could credit him with it? That’s normal enough. Perhaps congratulate Depak Sona, for his efforts in aiding in my tutoring?”
Three men in the room frowned over the words. Only Prince Robarts agreed with him.
“That sounds like a good enough plan then, Anders. The activities will be noticed and credit given, using these others as a shield, so that suspicion isn’t cast upon you. Is... How are you holding up, under the weight of what Master Franken did to you?”
Everyone there seemed to get the idea, well enough. He wasn’t just Anders, the boy. A thing which he hadn’t been sharing with many, but all of these men understood.
“I’m doing well enough, that way, to be truthful. The part of me that was, and is, Anders Brolly is actually becoming far more motivated and interested in things. It was his work that made this gambeson, in fact.” A thing which was largely true. “Not that we aren’t mixed together, but Farad would have never even thought of the idea, on his own. There are a few things which are a bit uncomfortable. Mainly with women.” He smirked a bit at the idea.
Prince Alp
ert raised an eyebrow, while both the King and Erold nodded.
The youngest Prince waved at him then.
“Yes. Several have mentioned you to me, in passing, of late. Eltha Tennet, and Sweyn’s lady Sondra. A few others at court, as well. Not all of it seemed wholesome, either.”
King Mathias waved then.
“We have no aid for you there, other than some simple advice. Go carefully. A low born woman with your child will be happy with some coin and your attention. A high born one might well seek to control you and those around you, using such a thing. Not that you don’t have full right to marry where you will. You get some years before that is a concern for you though. Your birth season is in late winter, I believe?” He looked at Alpert then, but it was Master Belford who answered.
“The heart of mid-winter. That should give you three years before you need to marry, as a common man, Anders. Not that the ladies will wait that long to attract your attention. For now, it will be best not to engage with them too closely. That...” He shook his head, slowly. “You might not be given a choice, of course.”
The rest of the people in the room looked baffled by the words, but for once Anders understood, instantly.
“Yes, I can see that. Well, if I’m traveling, that will make me harder to find.” Not that he was worried about the idea too much at the moment. He was only twelve, at least in body. Women might try to play with him in a sexual fashion, to gain favor or interest, but they wouldn’t be honestly attempting to get married to him.
Not for several years.
The words got a nod from King Mathias.
“I was nearly set to not allow you to go to the lands far south. I know that you seek to find our enemy there. Are you ready to face him, do you think?” There was a quiet menace in his words. As if that were his desire as well.
“No. Not even close. I have much to learn and... I’m not certain a single person can defeat a force like we face. He has an army of sorts, already. Even without that, he is perhaps the greatest user of magic to have ever lived. It may be that cleverness will be what we need to use, instead of mere power or martial prowess. I...” He tightened his face again and looked away. “I’m not the one to do this thing, even in my anger. I was a historian, then a rather lazy boy with minimal education. Even with my new skills, I may never be a match for a wizard and blood mage who has practiced all forms of magic for over a thousand years. I don’t think I can catch up to him, in this race.”
The men there didn't look like they loved hearing his words. When Prince Robarts spoke, his voice sounded tired.
“It isn’t your place to have to remove him from the world, Anders. Even if Farad might feel that way, you aren’t him. He’s the memory of a man from long ago. You, as an individual, have no duty or requirement in that way. That you aid us in the current war is more than enough.” There was an artless shrug then. “Truly, even Farad Ibn Istel has no real call to fight this battle for us at all. His old student in learning about books and histories became a wicked mage, after the time of his own life. Certainly, I understand how he might feel on the matter. I would as well. That doesn’t place a command to action upon him, however.”
It was interesting, but Master Belford nodded, seeming a bit sad.
“Not that you shouldn’t aid us in dealing with him, if you can. I think the feeling here is merely that no one expects you, Anders Brolly, to personally ride out in the next months to face our foe for us.”
Rubbing at his forehead, a thing that Farad used to do when thinking, Anders finally had to nod.
“I understand. It’s just... He was my friend, once. I owe a duty there. To stop him, if he will not leave his current course.”
It was interesting, but everyone in the room looked at him as if he might just have gone insane. He reflected on his words, but they were clear and sensible, to him. To Farad. Inside, Anders felt baffled as well. Still, he wasn’t certain why that was. He waited then, wondering if there had been something unclear in his presentation.
King Mathias, finally, snorted.
“That is very different than how we would take the same thing, Master Brolly. To myself, perhaps all of us, a friend would be backed in what they are doing, even if it’s not strictly good. At least in the larger matters of life. Who to wed... Taking over the world by force... That sort of issue.” He waved a hand, as if saying that neither thing was all that important. There was a relaxed air to the matter, however, instead of a strange or harsh tension.
Anders smiled then.
“Ah? That is different then. In my old home... Well, things were different. You did back your friends, but in certain matters it might have to be your hand, or word, that turned them from the wrong path in life. Normally to save or protect them from greater harm. We cannot save Ganges, my old student. I cannot imagine that anyone so committed to a single plan, for so very long, would be sane any longer. Not in any fashion we could determine.”
Next to him, Erold shifted a bit.
“Perhaps. I agree though, it is not up to you, or even myself, to see to this. Not that we shouldn’t prepare ourselves, while we have time. I know you have some days off, but have you checked in with the Ambassadors? That’s your current task, after all. You don’t get out of it simply due to some servants finally doing their jobs. How did that happen, anyway? The last I’d heard only one man was willing to brave their hall, other than Anders and the guards.” He looked at his friend directly. His eyes a dark blue, instead of the lighter color that still reminded him too much of ice.
Anders shrugged.
“Daren Willet went in, then didn’t die or get himself turned into a dog. After a time, through his efforts, he managed to bring others in with him. A good man, Daren Willet. Ask anyone. Don’t you agree, Master Belford?” He was making conversation, but the man jumped on the point, rather firmly.
“Indeed. In fact, we should send him to attend you and Princess Aisla when you travel to her lands, Prince Alpert. He’s old enough to be an asset, and young enough to appreciate a bit of an adventure, even if the hardships of travel are involved. He’s also had a bit of knock, of late. His betrothed had to break her plans with him. The rumor is that she’s with another’s child, so it’s been difficult for him.”
Anders felt shocked, since he hadn’t even heard that Daren was making plans in that direction, much less the rest of it.
The King looked at the black-haired man, his own son, even if it wasn’t admitted to in public, and made a soft sound in his throat.
“One of our spies, then? You’ve been working with him?”
There was a soft smile then and a slightly wicked look from Master Belford.
“Yes. Anders sent him to me, for instruction. He seeks to raise his status in the world, without it being a drive that might be a danger to us. He is also, I hear, actually a good servant. At least the Ambassadors and their people speak of him in friendly and capable terms. Then, they practically gush on about you, Anders. We could send you in as a servant as well?”
There was, amazingly, a teasing tone to the words. Even if it made sense, really. He knew something of the basic tasks and would be there, after all.
“Certainly. That will have to be a less formal thing, however...”
Prince Alpert coughed then.
“Rather! Recall, Master Belford, we’re taking Anders into a land where, while not as high a position as it is here, he is a Prince at one remove. That’s an actual title there, by the way. I’d missed that, in speaking on the matter yesterday, until Aisla informed me that it was of some importance. We can’t be seen to be mistreating him.” There was a grin then. “Mainly due to the fact that they might not let him leave, if they think we aren’t kind. There was some mention of that, as well.”
There was a nod then, from King Mathias.
“I can see that. Still, we need the good will of Barquea now, more than ever, so must let you risk it. You mentioned to Robarts that you believe you can pass messages for us, even from that far
off location? Is that correct, or did I misunderstand? That sounds... Advanced, to be honest.” The man examined him then, actually leaning toward him to do it. It wasn’t a large movement, but he caught it happening.
Rather than hedge, he simply nodded.
“That should be possible. I just need to know who to contact here. Before, I did that with Princess Aisla. I could work up a connection for any of you. Prince Erold would be a good person for that. Master Belford as well?” That made sense, given that Erold wouldn’t be afraid of his magic, coming from him as it did and Master Belford was familiar to him as well. Any of them would have worked at that point, save possibly the King. Even that wouldn’t take long for him to work out.
The ruler stared at him then.
“You don’t already have such connections worked out?”
He shook his head then, in response to the question.
“Captain Horner, Princess Aisla, my mother Lady Lyse, Depak Sona, Master Tolan... That’s it, so far. Well, the bucket in Depak Sona’s room, of course. It was used for practice. He’s horrible at passing messages so far, though. Very good at holding water, so don’t think too poorly of him.”
“Hmm. Very well then. If you both would allow this? Master Belford?” There was no direct questioning of whether or not Erold would be doing it, even if he looked a bit white around the edges, suddenly. That was a thing he’d get over, quickly enough.
There was a sour look then, or it seemed like it was that.
“That... Anyone in this circle would have much of our battle plans in their own person. If captured...”
Everyone looked away then, except for Anders. Farad had the old tales for this matter, after all.
“If taken by the enemy, you’ll have to try to kill yourself, to keep those matters secret. Well, or escape before they can force you to talk. The same goes for you, Prince Erold. On the good side, we can use that as a reason to keep both of you here. Really, we should send Erold for a tour of the front first, so that no one thinks him a coward, then set that up.” He glanced at the others then and shrugged. “That would serve for all of you. I know that the Princes ride to war, when it comes, but we can’t afford to lose anyone to a random arrow or errant sword blow right now. Not if this turns out to be as vast as it seems it might be.” He was just speaking his mind.