Swan Prince

The Swan Prince

By: Delilah deSora

Chapter 3



**



Kent sighed and rolled onto his back, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Even the sun, he mused, was not as punctual as his companion in starting the new day. Already he could hear the faint tinkling of glass on glass as Odel went through his morning ritual. Though he was wide-awake Kent did not get up. It was the same every day. He knew Odel would welcome his presence but he preferred to pretend sleep. His companion had no time to himself during the day and though Odel insisted he did not mind Kent did not believe him. Everyone, he figured, was entitled to some time to themselves.



Closing his eyes he breathed in deeply, enjoying the laziness of morning. A bitter smell tickled his senses and he shot up with a curse. Flinging the covers off he snatched up the cloak and muddy boots that he had dropped carelessly on his return. There was a pause from beyond the door and he froze, praying that Odel wouldn’t come to investigate the sound. After a moment the sounds of breakfast preparation resumed and he breathed a sigh of relief.



Cursing his own stupidity he shoved the cloak and boots into an old chest, locking it against the servants’ prying. Quickly he gathered the damp leaves that littered his floor. As quietly as he could, he pulled back the heavy curtains and pried open the window. Cold wind pricked at his cheeks as he tossed the offending leaves out to the street below. With a sigh he closed the latch and leaned up against the wall, resting his head against it.



Damn Atol and his ‘visits’.



They were becoming more frequent, as they always did near his birthing day. He was lucky to get three nights of uninterrupted sleep a week. Kent sighed and ran his hands through his hair. He’d been half paralyzed with fear the first time Atol had demanded he go to the forest, sure that the sound of his heart trying to beat free from his chest would be enough to wake Odel as he slunk through the shadows like some common thief.



He had not been caught yet but every time the pain in his head that foreshadowed Atol’s attention being focused on him blossomed he felt the same surge of fear. The fear of disobeying, however, was worse. Once he had tried to fight the sorcerer’s call but always Atol won, dragging him against his will to the forest and forcing him to obey. In those cases he would wake, naked and alone next to the lake and left to his own devices to get home. At least when he obeyed he was saved the humiliation and Atol was always strangely supportive as he led him home.



Shame welled up within him and Kent pushed away from the wall. Odel smiled a greeting at him that he tried to mirror but despite his wish to appear normal his pace increased as he all but fled into the bathing chamber. He sank down into the scalding water, waving off the servant’s apology at the extreme heat and dismissing her. When the door closed behind the servant he sank down into the water, wishing for it to wash away Atol’s magic and the wildness of the forest.



When he finally regained enough control he forced himself out of the bath, reminding the troublesome voice that demanded he stay in the bath just a bit longer that if he missed breakfast so too would Odel. The guilt was enough to drive him out of the bath, his skin bright red as he toweled the water off. His robe hung by the door and he pulled it on before stepping out into the inner room.



His companion smiled brightly again as he passed and he answered the smile with one of his own, glad that he did not need to force it. A servant waited by his bedside to help him dress, his outfit already chosen. He pulled on the embellished linen, cut in the style of a uniform. He had a closet full of them, in every somber color of the rainbow. Today’s choice was a deep maroon. He tugged on the jacket’s sleeves as he stepped into the boots that the servant tied securely. Twisting his ankle to make sure it wasn’t too tight he nodded his thanks and retreated to the common room.



To his surprise Odel waseadyeady waiting for him, his long hair pinned up in a haphazard fashion that lent a wildness to the otherwise calm form. He wore a simplified version of Kent’s own garb though he lacked the jacket and the shirt bore no thick banding of gold at the sleeves as his did. As food was placed on their plates a servant pulled Odel’s hair free from the bands that held it up and began to fashion the white strands so that the long hair wouldn’t fall in his face.



They ate in amicable silence before the bell in the chapel began ringing the time. Kent bit back a yawn as he stood, Odel a silent shadow behind him as he made his way to the barracks. The spring wind was crisp on his cheeks as they crossed to the stone training area. He changed into one of the army’s uniform, shivering in the short-sleeved shirt as he gathered his weapons. The coldness was soon chased from his body as he and his trainer circled each other, light sparkling over the dulled edges as they grappled, trying to find holes in each other’s defenses.



Kent was secretly congratulating himself on his latest attack pattern when he caught sight of his companion watching quietly from the corner. Sunlight turned the white hair in the shadow blue as he watched, hands folded primly in his lap. The light illuminated his shirt and Kent could see the planes of his chest and stomach, firm from riding.



Odel noticed his attention and cocked his head in a silent question. Before he could bring himself back to his task his trainer had slipped through his defenses and the dull blade slid against his side. Biting back a curse Kent leapt back and prepared for another round. The older man across from him smiled and shook his head, declaring an end to their session with a bow. Odel helped him change; chatting aimlessly while Kent contented himself with just listening.



Though they were early to their lessons Ryhan was already in the private library, pulling down books of maps for them to learn from. Kent had a hard time keeping his eyes open though he wanted desperately to pay attention. Odel, to his relief, made up for his lack of interest because their lessons had focused on the region where Odel had been born and he was truly interested in his people’s history.



For the fourth time his eyes slid closed and he must of dozed off for he was jerked awake by a sharp sound and Odel’s soft cry. With a start he opened his eyes. Odel cradled his hand to his chest while Ryhan gave him a disapproving look.



“Sorry.” He murmured.



Ryhan sighed and shook his head, closing the portfolio they had been going through. “It is obvious your mind is not on the lesson today, my Prince. Let us focus instead on present things and see if that does not spark your interest.”



Kent nodded as Ryhan set the reed down upon the desk and folded his hands.



“Your eighteenth birthday comes soon. Is there anything you would like done or brought to the celebration?”



Kent cocked his head, considering. “I . . . haven’t thought about it,” he admitted, “I’d nearly forgotten all about it actually.”



Ryhan smiled and leaned back. “Your father’s kept you busy so it doesn’t surprise me that you’ve forgotten.”



. Kent considered the question but his mind could only provide him with a need for sleep. Sighing he shook his head. “I cannot think of anything for now but if I do I will tell you.” He tried to bite back another yawn unsuccessfully, earning a bout of shivering for his efforts.



The smile faded from Ryhan’s face. “Are you well?” He asked.



“Yes,” Kent replied, running his fingers through his hair, “I just did not sleep well last night.”



Grey eyes narrowed slightlAgaiAgain? This is becoming a problem, don’t you think?”



Kent shook his head. “It’s nothing, really. It’s probably just the change in weather. I go to bed at a normal hour every night and I fall asleep right away but late at night I find myself wide awake with no way to go back to sleep. It only happens once or twice a week. I’m sure it is nothing and come summer with its constant weather it will stop.”



Their tutor frowned, tapping lightly on the desktop. “I’ll speak with your father about it and if he agrees I’ll have the healer make something for you to help you go back to sleep.”



Kent flushed slightly. “Its not that important.” He protested.



Ryhan stood, gathering the books. “Of course it is. If you keep falling asleep during your duties people are going to talk.”



He caught Odel’s worried gaze from across the table and sighed. “As you say.”



“Good. You have a long evening ahead of you that you must beke fke for. I suggest you go back to your room and rest. I’ll make excuses for you at lunch, my Prince, but I cannot do so for dinner.”



Kent stood and nodded gratefully. “Thank you, Ryhan.”



Ryhan smiled. “You will not be thanking me when you have to make up the missed work tomorrow.”



He left the library, allowing the fatigue to weigh down his shoulders but glad for the reprieve. He heard Odel’s steps quicken before the smaller boy caught up to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.



“If you couldn’t sleep you should have woken me.” Odel stated, chewing his bottom lip in concern.



He met his companion’s worried blue eyes and smiled wanly. “There was nothing you could have done that I did not try. Don’t worry yourself over it. As I told Ryhan, when snow finally melts and the temperature levels out so that I don’t toss and turn all night freezing from a lack of covers or sweating because there are too many I will be fine.”



“Still . . .” Odel began to protest.



Kent smiled and interrupted his companion’s remonstration. “Has it really been two years?”



Blue eyes blinked slowly before Odel smiled. “Yes.”



“Amazing,” he mused, “it truly seems like it has not been that long.”



Odel shrugged, letting his hand fall away from the Prince’s shoulder. “Some days it seems like that and some days it seems like I’ve always been here.”



Kent frowned. “Do you miss your home? Your family?”



The long hair fell forward, partially obscuring Odel’s face. “Sometimes.” he admitted.



“I don’t know if I could do it,” Kent murmured, “Those two years I spent traveling made me yearn for my father, even though we were not close. I do not know how you can stand being gone from your family so long, without even letters to keep your company. These last two years must have been awful.”



Odel shrugged. “They are not so bad as the two years before them.”



Kent frowned. “I don’t understand. Ryhan said he went to your kingdom to teach you.”



His companion nodded. “He did but I was not allowed to see my siblings. I could meet have dinner with my father once a month. Those years were hard for sometimes I could hear my brother’s playing outside the window and I knew they were so very close but I could not go to them. At least here I am with you. You are not my family, true, but you keep me from feeling lonely, if that is not too bold to say.”



“I did not know,” Kent replied sadly, “I wish that you did not have to go through so much just for my sake. You are my only friend here. The only one I feel close to. I would hate to give you up, Odel, but if it meant you could go back home I would!”



Odel shook his head frantically and Kent’s frown deepened as he saw a sliver of fear in the blue eyes. “No! I . . . I accept my place gladly. My family did not need me. I was just one of many children. Here I feel as though I have a place, a purpose, even if it is just playing your shadow.”



Odel smiled up at him and Kent laughed softly, affected as he always was by the infectious grin. “I am going to rest,” Kent replied, holding the door to his rooms open for his companion to pass through, “since you slept through the night don’t feel the need to sleep as well. Nobody will bother us so no one will know.” He shared a conspiratorial wink with the smaller boy.



“Would you like me to play for you? I learned a new song the other day.”



Kent shook his head, gently catching Odel’s hand in his and rubbing his thumb over the small red welt that was forming there. “It will only hurt you,” he replied, his voice deepening in guilt, “I’m sorry. I wish they would stop punishing you in my place.”



Odel smiled and placed his other hand over his. “I don’t mind,” he replied, “They’re afraid of hurting you and nobody wants to be the person who struck the future King.”



“Its still not fair.” Kent protested.



Odel simply shrugged and pulled away. “Few things are. Go rest now, my Prince. I will wake you before your father calls his council.”



“As you command.” Kent replied teasingly, bowing before the smaller boy and reveling in the flush it brought to Odel’s pale cheeks.



**



Ryhan bit back a yawn, cursing the Baron of Kelvani. The fool had appeared half a candle-mark before the King was to retire, insisting that he had news the King had to know about immediately. Trapped being witness to the meeting he had not managed to chase the man from the King’s chambers until well past niall.all. Even the healer had been half to bed when he had arrived, asking for the tea that would allow the Prince to get back to sleep without any aftereffects to slow him come the morning.



The palace was eerily quiet, even the servants having long been sent to bed. ‘Where I rightfully should be’. Ryhan grumbled to himself.



He’d considered taking the herbal remedy back to his room and delivering it in the morning but had chosen not to. If something untold were to happen it would be far too easy for someone to point the finger at him for poisoning the young prince once he was forcedadmiadmit to keeping the herbs. Boreal, he knew, would never believe it but even kings had to bend to pressure if their court was in an uproar and as much as he knew it would hurt his cousin to sit through his execution he knew the King well enough to know that he would suffer through it.



Ryhan knocked politely at the Prince’s door, knowing that he would receive no answer. Quietly he pushed the door open and padded through the dark rooms. He paused at the first bedroom, peering through the open door at its occupant.



Odel slept soundly and Ryhan couldn’t help the smile that curved his lips. The room had changed little since he had occupied it nearly twenty years ago as Boreal’s companion. Some nights, when he woke in his own room, he would mistake it for this one, half expecting to see Boreal grumbling at the servants as they chased him from his warm bed and tried to ready him for his duties as Prince.



When Boreal had become King he’d been given land to the south and had been sent away. He’d been happy then, glad to finally be given freedom and the chance to escape Boreal’s punishments. Boreal had not been as malleable as his father had like and all too often Ryhan had been forced under the lash for some offense or other. To this day he still bore marks on his back from the whippings he’d been given when Boreal’s rebellious streak had taken his father’s patience too far.



To think that he’d eventually come to miss his companion was a surprise to him even to this day. Though he had known that Boreal’s misdeeds would mean his pain he had secretly admired his cousin\'s determination to be himself and not the child his father had wanted him to be. The years of freedom granted to him at his new home had turned to solitude and loneliness. He had been forbidden from returning to the palace for Boreal’s advisors feared the personal closeness between them and so it had been a surprise when he’d been summoned without warning.



He’d half feared, upon learning of Boreal’s problems with his son, that he’d been called to take up his old position again but Boreal had put his fears to rest. When he’d been asked to play the boy’s tutor he had agreed for after his former friend had confided in him of the darkness that plagued the young Prince he had found that his own heart could not allow him to turn his back upon his King. Boreal needed his help and he had never been able to deny his cousin any request.



Ryhan laughed humorlessly as he moved away from Odel’s room. “The wheel turns and now it is I who am the detested one that is quick to punish the wrong person.” He murmured to himself reaching out to knock upon the Prince’s door.



He received no reply and frowned, knocking a bit louder. With a sigh he pushed open the door, assuming his charge was trapped in a deep sleep and unaware of anything but his dreams. Quietly he crept towards the bedside, setting the box of herbs down on the bedside table and reaching out to wake the Prince. His hand sank into the soft bedcovers and he frowned. Grasping them in a tight fist he pulled them away to reveal the soft covers underneath.



“What?” He hissed, whirling upon the open closet. A pair of old boots and one of Kent’s riding cloaks were missing and Ryhan felt his heart sink. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against the open door. “Why do you do this, my Prince?” He whispered, steeling his resolve.



He turned on his heel and stalked back through the rooms. Odel cried out in surprise as he dragged him from the bed, letting the boy fall upon the floor. Blue eyes peered up at him in confusion as he caught a handful of blue hair and pulling harshly on it.



“The Prince, where is he?” Ryhan demanded, ignoring the tears of pain that formed in the companion’s eyes.



“In his room!” Odel gasped, crying out as Ryhan’s hand tightened.



“Do not lie to me, boy!” He hissed, “Where is he?”



“My lord, please! That is where he is!” The boy beneath him insisted.



Ryhan cursed under his breath, his last hope that Kent was simply out dallying with some milk maid stolen from him for he knew that there was only one thing that would keep him from confiding his whereabouts to his companion. He released the blue hair and stood, turning his back on the soft sob.



“Come!” He snapped, pausing only long enough to hear the boy gather his knees under him and stand.



**



Kent stumbled slightly as he crossed into the warmth of the palace. His arms and face were numb from the night wind and his hair was wet. He shivered and cursed Atol under his breath for forcing him to stay out in the drizzle. There was a deep laugh in his mind and he growled under his breath.



‘Just wait until I fall ill,’ he snarled to his silent observer, ‘then what will you do when I am too sick to come to your beck and call?’.



He sensed Atol’s dark amusement at his words and mentally shoved the sorcerer from his thoughts. ‘I wish you could get sick you bastard! I wish your body would be eaten away and you would leave me in peace!’



‘And what would become of you then, princeling? Who would fulfill your desires and give you such pleasure?’



‘What pleasure?’ Kent almost screamed allowed, forcing himself to stay silent as he paced through the halls lest he wake someone, ‘I hate this!’.



He flung the door to his rooms open and stalked in, freezing when hee toe to the inner room and found himself confronted with a taller form.



“Father!” He gasped, taking a step back.



The King stared at him silently with angry eyes.



“What is this?” he demanded when he noticed the two men behind his father. Ryhan watched in quietly but it was Odel’s huddled form upon the floor that concerned him, “Odel . . .”



His words were cut off as his father stepped forward, tearing the cloak from his shoulders and nearly choking him as the cloth dug into his throat before the clasp broke. “You disobeyed me!” His father stated, flinging the damp cloth away. “I have forbidden you from going to that place and still you sneak in the dark of the night?”



Kent grit his teeth, looking down at the floor. There were no words to deny that his father’s words and he would not lie.



“Come here boy!”



Kent raised his head prepared to come forward before he realized that his father was not looking at him. He frowned as Odel rose and approached his father, his head bowed. He cried out softly as the King caught him by the back of the neck and forced him down over the edge of the table. “Stay like that!” He commanded, stepping away.



Odel trembled but did as he was told. Kent\'s frown deepened when his father’s attention shifted to Ryhan who stepped forward and pulled Odel’s long tunic up around his neck, instructing the boy to place his hands on the fabric to hold it up. When the younger man stepped back Kent saw the small whip in his hands and stepped forward, crying out a protest.



His father’s larger frame blocked his advance, strong hands gripping his arms and dragging him back.



“He did nothing! This is not his fault!” Kent protested.



His father’s hands tightened as the whip fell, leaving a bright mark against the pale back. Kent’s cry matched his companions as Odel jerked away from the pain.



“You were forbidden from going to the forest, Kent! If you will not listen to me you know there are consequences that must be paid!” His father replied as the whip fell again.



Kent twisted in his father’s grasp but could not free himself. More welts appeared on Odel’s back and he went limp in defeat, watching in silence as the punishment continued. He could see the tears on Odel’s cheeks as he struggled to remain still under Ryhan’s assault. With every strike he writhed, a faint gasp escaping his lips as he struggled to rise but his own hands holding the tunic at his neck kept him pinned in place. Unable to stomach seeing the angry welts Kent focused on his companion’s face, watching as the blue eyes opened as the whip was drawn back only to pinch close as it fell. Odel’s lips paled, making the tongue that flickered out to wet them before they were again caught between white teeth seem redder than Kent knew it was. Muscles tensed when the whip fell, drawing the lithe form forward before relaxing and Odel slid back to rest on the heels of his feet before pain drew him back up onto his toes.



Kent felt something dark slither within his mind and he groaned as he felt Atol’s mind wrap around his.



‘How pretty his is,’ the sorcerer museHe dHe dances in his pain.’



‘Leave me!’ Kent pleaded, feeling his knees begin to give out on him, ‘You’ve caused enough pain for one night. Go!’



He sank to the r, wr, weeping as he collapsed. He heard his father order Ryhan to stop and he was vaguely aware of the whip falling to the floor and Odel’s quiet sobs. His pants were stretched tightly over his groin and he screamed mentally at Atol, enraged that the sorcerer had forced him to take pleasure in an innocent’s pain. He wrapped his arms around himself as his father stepped past him.



“Take him to the healers to clean up his back and then send him home. Send a guard with him to bring back the prince heir. Make sure his father knows he is being sent home in disgrace.”



Kent felt his heart flutter and his head shot up. “No!” He shouted, startling his father, “I’ve been punished enough, father! Do not send him back! I won’t go to the forest again, I swear!”



His father’s eyes softened slightly. “I know, my son, but this is not punishment for you, it is for him. He was to stay with you always and he has failed in that duty. I have no use for those who do not do as they’re told.”



Kent felt tears in his eyes and he shook his head violently. “It wasn’t his fault! I never told him that I was leaving and I never told him where I went. He didn’t even know that I had left!”



The King snorted. “What use do you have for a companion that could sleep through the night without being aware of an intruder in these rooms or of someone leaving them?”



Kent bit his lip. “It’s not his fault,” he insisted his voice softening, “I . . . I drugged him to make him sleep so he wouldn’t hear me leave.”



“You would dare lie to me?” He father growled, his face turning red in anger.



“I would never lie to you, father! You know that!”



His father’s eyes narrowed. “I do not believe you. Where would you get the drugs? The servants would have informed me of such a thing.”



Kent’s shoulders slumped forward. “Atol,” he whispered, “He is responsible.”



His father’s face turned white and he stepped back. “I told you never to speak of his name! To speak it gives it power, my son, you know that!”



“I know!” Kent snapped, his grey eyes narrowed in anger, “It is you who forced me to name him!” He sighed and his anger drained away as quickly as it had come, “I want him gone as much as you, father, but I will not let you hurt Odel. He is an innocent in all of this!”



His father’s lips pinched together and he glanced at Odel, who sagged in pain as Ryhan gently wiped away the blood from where the whip had broken through flesh. His cousin’s grey eyes met his and Boreal frowned for though they were blank he could see the pinch of remembered pain in Ryhan’s eyes. In all honesty he had been surprised that his former companion could punish another in the same way he had been punished all those years ago. Boreal closed his eyes, remembering his own remorse at being the cause of another’s pain.



“All right,” he whispered, turning his attention back to the Prince at his feet, “I will allow him to stay.”



Kent’s head bowed and Boreal could hear the sigh of relief. “Thank you, father.”



Boreal shook his head. “Remember this, my son, and allow it to make you strong. You must never go back to the forest! I will hear no more of nocturne escapades nor of the sorcerer. I will also hear no more of your companion failing in his duties, from your fault or his. Drug him again and leave him behind and he will be sent away. Do you understand?”



White hair slipped forward over his son’s forehead as Kent nodded wearily.



Boreal strode forward and placed his hand over his son’s head, suddenly feeling every bit of his age. “No more,” he whispered, “this has gone on too long and hurt too many.”



Kent bit his lip, keeping his peace as his father straightened and left.