The Sampler Platter: A Little Bit of Everything

by Susan Skylark

3

  Said the Lady after the situation was briefly explained to her, “Baye, I sent you to answer questions, not provoke more.” She frowned thoughtfully, “what is the right course of action in this situation? I cannot accept the Oath of a parent with a dependent child, how much less can I do so from the only child and heir to a throne, the only one standing between a nation and civil war? Unless you can find a way to smooth out the succession, I am afraid I cannot accept your Oath.”

  Jace said something quietly to Baye, who gave him an astonished look but then frowned thoughtfully as he nodded. He turned to the Lady and asked, “might we have a word alone, my Lady?”

  “Certainly,” said she as she stood and withdrew to a small side chamber with her servants, leaving the distraught prince to mull over this grim pronunciation. Said she, “you have an idea?”

  Baye eyed Jace skeptically, “it is insane, my Lady, but it just might work. We must do something to help this country, regardless of what happens with the Prince’s intended Oath or not. From what he has said, he thinks war little worse than the tyrannical rule of these despots. We could send someone in the Prince’s stead, a look alike as it were, and then we could see if we could somehow restore justice to this oppressed King and his people.”

  She looked at him aghast, “and just where do you propose finding said twin and be certain he is a man who could accomplish all you say?”

  Baye smiled hugely and said, “perhaps your brother did not tell you everything pertaining to the Shadow?”

  She gasped as the Prince suddenly stood before her where Baye had once been. She schooled her features to neutrality and glowered at her brother, who shrugged and grinned sheepishly in reply. Said she, “I suppose I can honor the boy’s request then, assuming you can find someone else to be heir to the throne and ensure a smooth transition. Go forth and root out these nefarious usurpers and save a realm from civil war.” She smiled grimly, “sounds like something perfectly suited to this Shadow of yours.” Baye bowed his head in acceptance of the mission and smiled in response to her last comment. She shook her head, “now I’ll have to go back and eat my words, afterwards, interview the boy as you must.” She turned grim eyes upon Jace, “make sure he knows what he is getting himself into and also ward him against any who might think to take advantage of the situation. Someone might already have noticed he has vanished from his homeland.”

  They returned to the main audience chamber and the Lady said to the glum Prince, “I have reconsidered your position and perhaps you can have your wish and we may even save your country in the process. I will send one in your stead who will try and right the wrongs afflicting your country at present, you will give him your full cooperation, and then we shall discuss your Oath.”

  He nearly glowed with joy, bowed deeply, and said, “I am at your service Lady.” She then dismissed them and they withdrew to a small side chamber to discuss matters.

  Said Baye, “is anyone likely to notice your absence?”

  The prince smiled grimly, “it is unlikely, I am of no import save as a tool in the event of a succession, but if anyone is curious, I am supposedly visiting my mother’s kin in the adjacent Kingdom. Who is this you will send in my stead?”

  Baye said, “I will go, but I will need to know everything you can tell me about yourself, your life, your country, and everyone in the Kingdom of any import.”

  The boy whistled, “that is a tall order.”

  “Perhaps,” said Baye, “but I see no other choice, once I have exhausted you with questions, my former minion here has been assigned to keep you safe and make sure you truly want to go through with this.” The boy nodded eagerly.

  It was a long night for them all, but Baye felt comfortable in the role he would be playing and immediately dismissed the former Prince to bed. Said he to Jace, “would you mind helping me relocate?” Jace nodded and accompanied Baye to the stableyard where his unicorn waited. Once he was mounted and they had withdrawn to a dark corner of the lawn, Jace placed a firm hand on the creature’s shoulder and the pair vanished in a flash. Yawning, Jace withdrew to find what sleep he could.

  Morning found both the Prince and his erstwhile guard refreshed, said the latter, “feel like some breakfast, Highness?”

  Prince Caire nodded eagerly, “certainly, and afterwards you will have your chance at me as your friend did last night.” He sighed hopefully, “then perhaps the Lady will do as I so desperately wish.”

  Jace frowned, “you cannot wait for the next Oathtaking?”

  Caire shook his head, “nay, lest some crony of my father’s enemies hears of the matter and tries to take advantage of it.”

  Jace shook his head, “even so, I do not think your having taken the Oath will prevent such an occurrence.”

  “Perhaps not,” said he in grim acceptance, “but it will put me at ease, even so. I will finally belong.” He looked up hopefully, “I will have a place and a purpose at last. Can you understand that?”

  Jace smiled sadly, “more than you know, let’s go find something to eat and then discuss this at length.”

  Discuss it they did, and there was nothing the boy wanted more, had ever wanted more. So it was that Jace was forced to confront his sister with this inevitability. She looked at him in surprise, “he will not wait for the next Oathtaking?”

  He smiled ruefully, “not if he can help it.”

  She shook her head grimly, “I suppose I have no reason to deny him, if he desires it so much and has willingly abandoned his birthright. Bring him too me.” She caught his shoulder as he turned to go, said she in warning, “he is your responsibility whilst he remains in Astoria, ward him well.” Jace bowed his acceptance and went to fetch Caire.

  Less than an hour later, a jubilant Caire, now an official Apprentice of the Brethren, nearly skipped down the hall in his joy with Jace following silently after. He felt, as the Lady did, that all was not as happily concluded as the carefree renegade assumed. Someone had noticed the boy’s flight and intended to use it for their own gain, though hopefully too late, as Baye was even now trying to settle matters in the lad’s homeland. Jace spoke up at last to the buoyant apprentice, “I do not think it wise for you to leave the castle until we are sure this matter has been satisfactorily resolved.”

  Caire stared at him aghast, as if he were a worried old grandmother scolding her little one for not wearing a coat on a fine summer day just in case it might rain. Said he a bit perturbed, “what of my lessons?”

  Jace smiled grimly, “only your riding lessons are held outside the city and I think you at least know how to sit a horse?”

  Caire nodded in dejection, still not used to being ordered about, Prince that he had been. He sighed heavily, “I suppose I must abide by your advice, no matter how overprotective it might be.”

  Jace immediately put the boy in his place, “you are the one who slunk in terror to Astoria and begged to be allowed to take the Oath and that a way might be found to spare your Kingdom. You are a prince no longer and must abide by all that you have sworn. If you are having second thoughts, now is the time to recant and be on your way. As to being overprotective, I fear it is rather that you do not understand the gravity of the situation. You are not as unimportant and unobserved as you think yourself. Someone saw you flee and no doubt intends to use that to their own benefit. You are vulnerable the moment you set foot outside the castle and you are not to do so until I or the Lady give you explicit leave to do so. Am I understood?”

  The boy gaped, never having had anyone treat him thus, even his father’s tyrannical lords, though he had never dared even speak to such terrifying men, but to be put in his place by this peasant who could be little older than himself, came as quite a shock, but the more reasonable side of his personality won out, rebuking the feelings of wounded pride that threatened to burst forth in fury. Said he contritely, “I do apologize, this has been a trying time for me; my entire life has been one of fear and repression, o
nly today am I truly free though I have bound myself thus.”

  Jace smiled warmly, “come, speak as you will upon the matter, you might be surprised at how well I can relate.” The lad met his eyes, hope burning therein; they secluded themselves in a quiet nook and the former prince poured out his heart to an ear that understood as perhaps few others could.

  Jace saw the lad ensconced at a table in the dining hall, a plate of food before him and a bevy of curious classmates about him, and then retreated to speak with the Lady. She stood before the window, gazing out at the sunset with the sleepy city beneath her, its lights twinkling like stars in the gathering dusk. She did not turn around as he was ushered in by a servant, but as soon as they were alone, he approached and stood beside her, leaning his elbows on the sill even as she did. Thus did they stand in silence, watching the sun vanish beyond the rim of the world and night sweep in as if the world donned a cloak, dark and begemmed. At last they turned from the darkness without to the cheery glow of candle and hearth within, said she quietly, “it is sometimes very lonely being the Lady of Astoria.” She looked at him gratefully, unshed tears sparkling in the flickering light, “thank you for reminding me that I am not truly alone; that I am more than my title and position.”

  Jace bowed his head to hide his own tears and slight smile, knowing Brie would not understand, but under all her protestations of strength and independence, was a warm and passionate heart that felt deeply and loved fiercely. He said quietly, when he had mastered his own emotions, that she not hear the quaver in his voice, “I understand Brie, I completely understand.”

  She smiled in wry amusement, “I had not thought our positions so alike, but they are, in some ways at least. I am isolated from the rest of the Brethren by my title and you by your uncanny occupation; all former friends and acquaintance are lost to us, at least as they once were.” She took a deep breath and asked, all business again, “what is it you came to speak with me about?”

  Jace replied in like tones, “I have ordered your newest apprentice to remain within the confines of the castle until this matter has been finally settled; I wish to pursue these villains and bring matters to a close.”

  She nodded, “a good idea but how do you propose to draw them out.”

  Caire suddenly stood before her, grinning like only Jace could, said he, “bait of course.”

  She smiled slightly and nodded her assent, “very good, keep me apprised of the situation. What happens if they take you back to Umboria and discover another Prince is already there?”

  Jace’s grin was mischief itself, “then the story becomes all the more interesting.” He bowed his farewells and left her presence, his heart heavy with the day’s revelations. Long did he pace and pray that night upon the silent lawn under the stars, coming at last to peace with his past, his present, and whatever the future might hold.

  In the morning, he bid farewell to the former prince and said, “I will pursue these villains and bring this matter to an end. Hopefully you and your Kingdom will be free of their tyranny soon enough.”

  Caire asked eagerly, “might I not accompany you? Could I not be of use?”

  Jace shook his head, “nay lad, this is something I must do alone. It is best that you remain here and learn what you must so that you might prove the hero in your own turn. Farewell.” Caire sighed heavily but nodded his acquiescence and disappeared in the direction of his first class. Certain that the lad was well and truly gone, Jace entered the stables to commence his transformation into the furtive prince. He donned a hooded cloak, the appropriate face, and a manner befitting one terrified of his own shadow. He emerged an hour later, slunk out the castle gates, and vanished into the city.

  He wasn’t quite sure what to do after that, what would the disgraced prince do if his hopes of finding help in Astoria were dashed? Return home and hope no one had noticed his absence or sneak off into obscurity, never more to be seen? But he need not have worried, for those awaiting just such an emergence were not lax in their vigil. Jace had wandered into a less frequented portion of the city and hid himself in a quiet alley as he pondered what next was to be done, but all he would soon contemplate was the darkness as a heavy blow from behind rendered him senseless.

  He awoke to find the world still dark and far more stuffy than he remembered. A pulse of light flared within him, clearing his addled mind and allowing him to think straight. He smiled ruefully, knowing none would see with a sack over his head. He lay on his side, his hands and feet bound, while the jolting and swaying of his person testified to his position in the back of a wagon or carriage. His mind sought that of his unicorn and the creature happily testified as to his current situation and location as the stallion shadowed the company at a safe distance. There were five men in the party, four burly ruffians and one stately figure who had not yet deigned to get his hands dirty. The seeming noble traveled in a nondescript carriage while his minions rode as escort and drove the vehicle; Jace was secured somewhere within the carriage, perhaps in a secret compartment to prevent inadvertent discovery during any sort of inspection by a patrol or the gate guards until they were well clear of Astoria.

  The day passed interminably and uncomfortably, trussed up and confined as he was, but at least he had plenty to think about. At last the carriage rattled to a stop and the sounds of men and horses filled the air as the party settled itself for the night. At last he was drug from his erstwhile prison and the smothering mask removed. He did his best to look terrified and confused, simply having to remember how he felt the moment he had wandered unwittingly into a bandit camp on that last fateful night of his journey. The ruffians set him ungently on a fallen log and returned to their duties while the noble gentleman settled across from him to study and sneer.

  Said he in gloating triumph, “so you thought you could get away little prince, or perhaps sought help or sanctuary from the Brethren? But I assure you, that is not possible. You will assume the throne in your turn, sit quietly upon it as your father does, and do exactly as you are told. It is not a terrible life, just consider yourself a servant with a rather cushy job and all will be well; if you defy us again, things will go ill for you I fear. Now must we carry you all the way back to Umboria trussed like a goat for slaughter or will you cooperate that we might travel as befits your royal status?”

  Jace grated, “I will not try to escape or make a fuss before strangers.”

  “Very well,” said the satisfied nobleman, “be a good little boy and I may spare your life.” He nodded curtly to one of the ruffians who then cut the boy’s bonds. Continued he, as if speaking to a rather recalcitrant child, “this pathetic show of courage does nothing to help your case, but perhaps it has convinced you of how futile is any hope of rescue? It seems even the Brethren will not meddle in this affair, fervent champions of hopeless causes that they are. What does that tell you about your case?”

  Jace said wryly, “it would appear quite hopeless.”

  The man nodded, “and has it taught you the folly of defying us?”

  Jace sighed heavily, “it seems that I am completely at your mercy.”

  “Very good,” said the man, “you will accompany us without trouble, without speaking, and without acting in anything unless instructed to do so, am I understood?” Jace nodded and he continued, “you will resume your place when we get back to Umboria as if nothing has happened and you will do exactly as you are told by those who hold the true power.” Jace sighed heavily and this seemed answer enough to satisfy the man.

  He was fed, whatever nameless stew the minions prepared for themselves and their noble master, and then tucked in to sleep in the middle of the camp. In the morning, he was hustled into the carriage, thankfully unbound, but forced to sit across from the grim nobleman who paid him no heed, save to sneer triumphantly from time to time. In the evening they stopped at an inn where he was given a simple supper and sent immediately to bed. So it followed day after day, camping if no inn was
convenient, but otherwise there was no variation in their schedule. Jace silently wondered what Umboria and its residents would think if they arrived back in the country to find Baye already there, also in the guise of Prince Caire.

  His musings were cut short as his unicorn alerted him to armed men without, nearly a dozen horsemen with swords at the ready, a richly clad and dangerous looking man at their head. The party stood little chance against so many foes and Jace did not feel inclined to interfere. It was soon over, the ruffians were easily dispatched and the two occupants of the carriage were drug out into the road and made to kneel before the leader of the raid. The nobleman gaped, “Farns! You have some nerve!”

  Farns scoffed, “I have nerve? You are the one solely in possession of our renegade prince. Hoping to use him for your own purposes no doubt! That I cannot allow.”

  “We had a bargain!” wailed the nobleman in desperation.

  Farns snorted, “a bargain which you nullified in pursuing this renegade alone! You should have brought the matter to the rest of us. Now you have both become a liability.”

  The agonized gentleman begged, “but the boy must be returned to Umboria or chaos will ensue.”

  Farns shook his head, “we will think of something, we always do, but to act this way! It reeks of defiance and treachery, neither of you can be trusted any longer. Farewell.” He nodded once to the captain of his men, who drew his sword and approached the kneeling pair upon the road.

  The unnamed nobleman died pleading for mercy and understanding, though he had never bestowed it upon another living soul in his life. As the soldier raised his sword to strike down the last captive, Farns motioned for him to stay his blade, at least momentarily. He eyed the faux prince curiously, “you do not cry out for mercy or wail like an aggrieved old woman?”

  Jace shrugged, “death comes upon us all, what have I to fear?”

  Farns smiled slightly, “perhaps you have more spirit than many have given you credit, sire, a pity that, as it is a poor trait in a figurehead.” He nodded and the guard struck true. They made the incident look like a bandit raid and rode silently off into the growing twilight, back to Umboria and the mess that the prince’s disappearance had no doubt created. At least there were now only two men to share power rather than three.