Loyalty

Prince Vos stormed into his rooms and stripped quickly of the only slightly soiled clothes. His bag of clothes and poppies were chucked carelessly across the room followed quickly by a pillow he kept at the end of the bed for such a reason as well as a book he no longer used. Both were objects that were unbreakable and able to be damaged without causing much destruction.



His maid came in carrying a pitcher of cool water and murmured to him quietly, “What’s wrong, Prince Vos?”



“They recognized me, damnit! I’ve been so careful. So few trips, a delicate touch to my hair and features to alter them, a plausible excuse for everything, few public appearances. How?!”



“Perhaps they finally put two and two together.”



“Ah!” Another pillow flew to join the pile.



“Sire. The court is convening a quarter before two. You are already late. You cannot bathe. Please use this water and I will lay out your clothes.”



The Prince quickly washed his face, neck, and hands. He used a cloth to quickly rub dust and travel from his skin before stepping into the dressing room where his maid had laid out a stiff cream jacket with pale blue undershirt and a darker blue vest. The breeches were white as well, with gold seams and his white boots were set against the chair.



“Thank you, for handling me so well.”



The maid nodded with a small smile and exited the room to arrange his perfume as well as accessories. A secretary knocked impatiently outside his bedroom doors waiting for the documents the Prince had promised the day before. The maid let him stay there with a small look of annoyance at his uncouth insistence.



Soon the Prince had all but his Jacket to don. For this he walked into his bedroom and passed the jacket to the maid who slipped it up his arms easily. A sash was fitted across his chest and dark blue gloves, as well as a sprit of apricot and a chain with the royal emblem hanging from him, completed his outfit.



The doors opened and he handed the neat pile of signed papers and annotated notes to the nervous secretary. Then his guard took each flank and they proceeded to the courtroom where the courtiers mingled until a complaint unable to be solved by local magistrates or the capitol courts were brought before the Regent. Only a few cases presented themselves during the appointed court time and much of the Prince’s time was spent mingling and discussing either gossip, popular hobbies, or political activities that were of some interest. Finally his day ended and he retreated to the pile of rooms that housed his bedchamber as well as study and personal library.



The lamps in the antechamber were already dim so he shut them off completely before proceeding into the dark wood room that held his desk and several important books. Behind the wooden desk, with several lamps providing adequate light, the Prince pulled out two history books and the notes of the councilmen’s thoughts. These he poured over till the early morning forced him to bed only to wake a few hours later and return to the study to complete some rather simple but mandatory business of state. Then it was off to a breakfast with members of the court selected by his close advisor. His day fell into a routine of court and meetings, military surveillance with his generals, a visit to his father, and either a large dinner with the court or a final meeting with some men he had put off earlier in the day before he again was alone in his study straining over the political melee and praying that his Knights would be quick to return.





It was nearly a week after Lord Charbonneau’s morning adventure with the Prince and he had spent the majority of the time since either training or riding out alone to the surrounding lands and generally avoiding the Prince. He relaxed into the thick couch that was occupying one corner of his room. Charl lounged on a stiff leather chair facing him, “So how was your date with the Prince?”



Gai jerked and glared across the room, “How’d you know?”



“Please, the entire mess hall could tell even if you hadn’t called him ‘highness’ as loud as possible.”



“Oh,” Gai could not fault him for such an obvious observation though calling it a ‘date’ was still irksome. “It was…interesting. He actually bothered to purchase some goods – on that I am still confused.”



“Well, he is an interesting person though we certainly have seen less and less of him since his father fell ill. I suppose that will fall to the background now, though, since these kidnappings.”



Something about that statement struck Gai and he waited quietly for the epitome to flourish, however he reached no conclusion worth pondering, “I suppose. But I still wonder over the King. He has not been seen for over a year, yes?”



“Yes, though I can’t remember much news of gossip about that. It seemed to have died down a few weeks ago.”



“Hm. So what do you make of these kidnappings?”



“I think it’s just some nut. If we search him out then probably he will hope to gain leniency by giving up the girls. Anyway, there’s not many options.”



“True, but I wonder if there cannot be a more delicate solution.”



“Well, the Prince is addressing the Council tomorrow on his decision. Maybe you should attend. I have been to a few meetings myself and found them quite fascinating. Plus afterwards the Prince treats everyone to food and company.”



“Then I will go, but you must accompany me.”



“Very well, I was wanting to hear this anyway.”



Late the next morning found the pair seated at the very edge of the balcony with a perfect view of the Prince. Both had dressed in their formal attire and made imposing figures in Black with the silver crest of the King over their hearts.



The Council room was mostly full with stiff figures leaning in close and murmuring their predictions to the Prince’s announcement. The Gallery too was bustling with excitement as more courtiers than ever opted to attend.



The Prince strode in through the large set of double doors, his outfit was honey brown with touches of gold and blue-green. A white necktie ruffled down the front of his jacket shining with bits of gold weaved in. As he approached the table the Courtiers bowed and he motioned for them to take their seats while he remained standing. A tall stack of papers, some with ribbons and a few with seals were piled at the edge of the table, “I have reviewed the actions taken in the past to oppose this situation as well as the suggestions you all have made in this room a week ago. Subsequently the solution is perhaps not to the liking of many of you present, however I will follow this course of action against all objection and in fact have the final order here to sign after informing you, the members of my council as well as the members of court present today.” At this the Prince glanced up, undoubtedly to drive home his point to the courtiers gathered. Instead his eyes caught on the Royal uniform of his father and up to the attentive face of Lord Caito. He seemed startled and looked down quickly, shifting the papers before him before returning his eyes to the table of waiting councilmen, “I will send a contingent of eight men, hand selected over the past week, who will ride into the last affected county and begin the delicate search for the location of the girls. In order to provide as much safety as possible their further orders will not be revealed to any person except themselves.”



Immediately the council roared up in comment and protest, only two seemed remotely pleased with the solution. Without a word the Prince motioned and a waiting servant brought the ink pot and quill. Quickly a signature was placed and instructions waylaid under the melee of the court. The boy rushed off, the signed order sealed in his satchel.



When the noise level lessened a bit the Prince spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention, “That will be all today. The remaining issues of state will be taken into account at this same time tomorrow. Please forgive this inconvenience. Lunch is still being served in the adjoining room as well as the third sitting room. Thank You.”



The prince turned, leaving the notes and papers on the table for the councilmen to delve through as they wished. Many of the courtiers departed just after the prince to feast and discuss the unusual actions of court. Gai and Charl watched at the council spread out the papers and argued over the reports and notes of the last meeting, trying to find – what, Gai had no idea, but it did not bode well for the unsteady regent.





Deciding that they did not want to mingle with the frilly crowd of upset courtiers, both Knights opted to return to their rooms and dress down for the training fields. Gai secretly was waiting a sealed letter of instruction for heading out on this mission as the Prince had promised him on his arrival. No such letter was waiting but he changed quickly and headed to the training yards. There he spotted the Prince, decked in riding gear and walking with another, long haired man towards the stables. Making a quick decision the Knight found his friend and suggest they take a ride. Together they made their way to the stable. The Prince and his companion had thankfully not yet left the yard and were in fact arguing with the aging advisor that had greeted him the first night.



“Highness, you cannot go like this! You have to take a guard!”



“No, Reg. I’m just going to the countryside. I can handle myself well enough and Artemis is perfect with a bow. We will be well enough off.”



“I cannot approve of this!”



“I am still Prince.”



“I am your advisor.”



“Let me go. I will be safe. I will return before nightfall.”



“I should hope! It is barely noon!”



“Please, just let me out.”



Gai almost laughed at the ease of the excuse for his accompanying the Prince, “Lord Reginald, I should be happy to provide an escort, and between myself and Lord Luken there will be plenty of protection.”



The old man looked up into the Prince’s rather astonished face, “Would that be acceptable to you highness?”



It was, however, his companion that spoke up, “Yes, Reg. Thank you.”



The Prince set his mouth firmly and nudged the great dapple gray horse towards the front gates with Artemis in his wake.



The Knights horses were quickly readied and they followed the pair, catching them just as they exited the castle walls. With a look to his companion the Prince kicked his horse into a gallop racing off to a road that Gai immediately recognized. It went through the least populated east side of the city and was kept clear for traffic. Artemis was next to him with his long hair tied in a ponytail at the base of his neck. The Knights followed, though they were forced back as the road narrowed and their warhorses could not compete for space. Even as they reached the wide open countryside and the Prince led the party off the road to the untamed hills their pace didn’t slack. Artemis at least seemed elated at the venture whooping and throwing back his head. Finally one of the two leaders made a signal and the party slowed. The Prince’s steed, however, was not as happy to be stopping and reared fitfully.



Gai’s heart leaped and he was off his horse and moving to try and calm the beast, however the Prince held on easily and carefully lowered his mount and leaped off. Instead of rushing to be away from it, he walked to its nose and fed it sugar cubes from his pocket while murmuring under his breath. Gai watched in amazement before Artemis’ shout shook him into consciousness, “Bren! Stop coddling that wild thing!”



Two things happened then: One – the Knights realized the long-haired man with the Prince was in fact a long-haired woman who dressed and rode like a man and Two – the Prince was immensely more beautiful than either would freely admit.



Freed of the confines of the castle and having worked the tension out through riding – Lord Caito refused the acknowledge the debase humor in that thought – he was bright eyed with smooth bright skin, his lips were rosy and the cheeks held a hint of blush. Honey hair drifted across his eyes and framed his face in a wild mane.



For the first time in over a decade Lord Caito felt blood pool in his belly and pump through his cheeks and ears. To hide the blush and sudden onslaught of emotion he tethered his horse and loosened its girdle. When he finished he had his blush under control and the others seemed to have quickly followed his example so that each horse had a lush patch of grass to feast on.



The Prince – Brennus – turned to the Knights and gave a slight bow to his companion, “This is Artemis Burundi, my dearest friend.”



Each Knight bowed but it was Charl that spoke up, “Madame Burundi, may I ask why you are dressed in such a fashion?”



“Well, it should be obvious. I don’t like wearing dresses.”



“Why not?”



“Do you like wearing dresses?”



“Of course not! They look terribly uncomfortably and bothersome.”



“See, then I am justified.”



With that the poor Knight was silences and Gai chuckled behind his hand. Charl turned to him sharply but was cut from a sharp response when Gai winked at him knowingly with a devilish smile.



Brennus smiled and took Artemis’s hand. Soon they were spinning, arms linked crossways, and elbows tucked in. Finally they fell in a heap, the world moving to the side as they gazed up at the clouds dusting sky. Gai took a seat next to the Prince while Charl sat on the far side next to the Lady Artemis. For a time they rested there, Charl ultimately dozing a bit as the warmth of the day leaked into his bones. Prince Brennus ran his hands through the stiff grass and breathed the full summer air.



Finally Arti grew bored and fetched her bow and arrows from the horse. Kicking Charl sharply in the knee she drew him away to compete with her. Prince Brennus lifted himself off the ground and dusted his pristine riding habit of dirt and vegetation before turning to offer his gloved hand to the Knight still lounging in the grass.



Gai looked up into the calm waiting face of the prince and accepted the hand before him. For a moment, when he rose, he could feel the Prince’s breath on his neck and the warm skin beneath his thin riding glove, then the Prince was off, trekking into the small clutter of trees that revealed small oasis complete with a pond fed by underground streams and brightly colored flowers given just the right amount of cool shade and roomy ground to prosper.



Gai was shocked when the Prince spoke staring out over the soft ferny ground, “Lord Caito, I noticed your presence at my council this morning.”



“Yes, Highness. Your current predicament is the top point of discussion these days.”



The Prince nodded, sadly it seemed to Gai, but he had been acting rather strangely this day and brushed it off to his odd mood.



“What do you think of my decision, Gaizka?”



A thrill rushed through Gai’s blood but he kept his expression calm, “Highness,” the prince grimaced and Gai had to pull back on his ingrained training, “Brennus.” Prince Vos turned and smiled slightly at the Knight, gratitude radiating from his expression. “I am please at how well it was thought out and look forward to completing my orders.”



At this the Prince turned away again and sighed heavily before speaking, “I know you are. I am sure you will accomplish all that I ask of you beautifully.” The prince turned back, fixing a sly smile on his face, “But I will miss the rescuing you provide from my rather obnoxious advisor.”



Gai felt his heart pause before beating far too fast as that smile skidded over Vos’s face. “Brennus,” Gai managed to choke out, “I am sure your advisor is only considering your well being. And as the acting regent now, you must take more care for your person. Until the King returns you cannot risk leaving the country leaderless by a mere slip in security.”



Brennus nodded and settled himself on the damp moss. He said nothing else and Gai couldn’t find a suitable topic of conversation. He desperately wanted to learn of his orders but no doubt all the details would be in his envelope when he returned, and clearly Prince Vos had come here to escape. The day waned on and Gai began to suspect that the Prince had fallen into slumber when Lady Artemis came crashing through the brush with the panted shout, “Bren!”



The prince was on his feet immediately and moving towards the rather rumpled lady.



“We’ve stayed too long. If we leave now we can still make the blasted meetings and dinner,” she told him, all the while gripping his arm and guiding him back through the thrush.



Their ride was was, if possible, more desperate and frenzied than the ride out. They weren’t even fully stopped when a pretty maid swept Prince Vos into the castle, her apron clearly wrinkled and pinched where her fingers were twisting it with worry.



Gai dismounted more sedately and, with a promise to join Charl for dinner, made his way to his rooms to wash and change out of his riding gear. Inside the small stone quarters, sitting on his site table on a small silver platter was the thick envelope sealed with the simple but elegant mark of the prince. The mark, he realized, that was on the black knight’s armor.



The first page was a customary royal thanks for the help being employed, Gai skipped it. The next four pages detailed his mission: to ride into the northern mountains and search out the dwellings of the mountain men. They would have better knowledge of where the kidnapper’s lair might be, if it existed in those mountains at all, and would provide him with knowledge of paths and matters of safety and traveling in the heavily wooded and steep mountains. Reports were to be sent at specific times and further instruction could be relayed through certain methods if necessary. All in all it was an almost anti-climactic mission. He would need to be more subtle than usual and would be required to act autonomously, which rarely happened, but it required no great skill or special persons unless the girls were discovered and action needed to be taken. However there was another contingency pinned to the back, written in far more sophisticated script than the instructions had been and immediately Gai recognized that it must be a note directly from the prince.



You will not depart on this mission until another six days have past. I must require the delay for matters of state and security. I believe you are most likely to uncover the girls. Certain scenarios must be preempted by your delay. Do not disobey me on this matter. By order of the crown you are bound to the mission I have ascribed. ~Prince Vos



Gai ground his back teeth together and itched to punch something hard, something that would break beneath his raw strength. Forgetting his promise to Charl, Gai stormed out into the cooling night.