Moving down what appeared to be the main street, Tor came to a halt outside a large building. As he was dismounting, a youth with a dirty face and tatty clothes addressed him.
“Oi mister, I would not stay here if I was you.”
Tor looked at him critically. “And why not?”
“Fleas,” the street urchin replied. “And they water down the wine. The Queen’s Arms is just up the street. You would be much better off staying there.”
“Fair enough,” Tor replied, remounting his horse. “Would you care to show me the way?”
“Why did he ask that?” Dal whispered to Seth. “If it is just up the street, surely we can find it ourselves.”
“You really did not get out and about much when you were growing up did you. The kid is employed by the Queen’s Arms to steal customers away from the other inns. He will not get paid for having poached us if we show up without him.”
“And Tor knows this?” Dal asked, confused. “Does that mean that it is not any better than that first inn?”
Seth smiled at him affectionately. “Maybe, maybe not. This inn has the advantage of being the first one travellers come to when they approach the town from this direction, so inns closer to the centre need some way of attracting business.”
Dal still was not happy. “It feels wrong to me. Why should one inn be allowed to steal business away from another by telling lies?”
Seth sighed. “The kid may not have been telling lies. That is just how business works I am afraid. The only way to make a profit sometimes is by ensuring the opposition does not.”
The Queen’s Arms turned out to be a very comfortable establishment and Tor slipped the young ruffian a coin for being their guide. It was a family run business, but the roles were not as one would normally find in an inn. The innkeeper was a plump woman with rosy cheeks and a friendly smile. While her daughters and daughters-in-law waited on tables and took care of the cleaning, her husband and sons ran the kitchen. There was even a large stable out the back that a son-in-law ran as a separate business.
Rooms were rented for the night and a meal ordered. Much to the ladies’ delight, there was a bathhouse attached to the side of the inn, which they immediately made use of. Seth and Dal ensured that the horses were being properly taken care of while the rest of the men socialised in the bar, obtaining useful information like how long it would take them to ride to Tennel. After filling the water troughs and placing hay in the stalls, the stable lads began to brush down the horses. If either of them noticed the brands on them, they kept it to themselves.
The ladies appeared, freshly bathed, just as food was being placed on the tables; three large beef pies with bowls of fresh vegetables and a freshly baked loaf of bread, washed down with glasses of wine. Even Samson, who was hiding under the table, got his fair share. Dal took a sip of the wine. It was not watered down. Tor looked at him and held up one finger. Dal took his meaning and nodded unenthusiastically.
As soon as the meal was complete, Sam and Brin slipped away. It was the first time they had had the chance to be alone in too long and they intended to make the most of it. Ellen and Ria retreated to the room they would be sharing not long afterwards, closely followed by a sulking Dal, who reluctantly made his way to his own room. He had tried to protest, but Tor had pointed out that he had agreed to follow his orders when he joined the group and that included being sent to bed at a decent hour whenever it was possible. Samson, out of sympathy, joined him.
Bellak, Modo and Seth also retired relatively early, leaving Patrick, Tor and Cirren alone, reminiscing about some of the good times they had had when the Princes were younger and Patrick had been staying at their father’s castle.
It was still a few hours before dawn when Brin was woken by banging on the door of one of the other rooms. He gently slipped out of bed, making sure he did not wake Sam, and pulled on his trousers. Easing open the door, he put his head out and spied a number of guards outside the room Tor was sharing with Cirren. He quickly closed the door and woke Sam.
“Get dressed,” he whispered to her. Seeing the concerned look on his face, she did not question his instructions. Luckily they were in a room with a connecting door, so Sam was able to slip into Ria and Ellen’s room.
Raised voices could be heard from the corridor, waking the women before Sam had chance to. “What is going on?” Ria asked as soon as she lit a lamp and saw Sam.
“I’m not sure. There are guards in Tor’s room for some reason. I suggest you get dressed in case they are searching all of the rooms.”
Not wanting to be caught in their sleeping clothes, the two women quickly obeyed. As a result, they were fully dressed when their door was forced open, without warning, much to the guards’ disappointment.
Without any explanation, the three women were roughly seized by the arm and dragged from the room. In the corridor they saw the rest of their team were all disarmed and under arrest.
“Brin,” Sam screamed when she saw his limp body being carried by Patrick. The guard holding her tightened his grip on her arm to prevent her running forward, making her wince in pain.
One of the other guards sneered at her. “Your little elf here did not want to give up his bow. I managed to persuade him.”
The noise had woken the innkeeper, who arrived with some of his sons, brandishing swords, axes and clubs. “What is going on here?” he demanded.
One of the guards addressed him. “Sorry to have disturbed you sir. I am Captain Kelly of the Queen’s Guards. Your son-in-law recognised the brand on the horses these people stabled with him. It is the Soldier’s Insignia, proving that the horses are stolen. He did his duty by informing us. We will take these people in for questioning about how they obtained these mounts and what happened to the soldiers they belong to.”
It was a good speech, formal and polite, but the innkeeper seemed to be seething with rage. He looked at the man to his right, whom Seth recognised from the stables and surmised was the son-in-law. “We will talk about this in the morning,” he spat before ushering all of his family back to their sleeping quarters.
“The innkeeper obviously does not agree that his son-in-law did the right thing by going to the guards,” Seth commented to Dal under his breath, receiving a punch to his stomach from the guard nearest to him for his trouble.
“Who gave you permission to talk?” the man demanded. Seth knew it was a rhetorical question and did not respond.
The Captain turned to his detainees. “You will be taken to the jailhouse where you will be interrogated,” he informed them. “I suggest you tell me everything on the way. My second-in-command has a reputation for making people talk. You will not enjoy the experience.” He turned to look at the ladies. “He has no problem with torturing women.”
“You have no right to do this,” Tor said loudly, but calmly. “I am Prince Tor and this is Prince Cirren from Remeny. As members of a royal family you are honour bound to present us to your Queen where she alone can question us.”
The guard who had struck Seth sneered. “Of course you are Princes,” he said sarcastically. “And I am Queen Tibia.”
Captain Kelly struck the man across the face. “Never take your Queen’s name in vain,” he warned him, then glanced down at Tor and Cirren’s outstretched hands. He paled visibly when his eyes fell on their signet rings. “Their rings bear the seal of the royal house of Remeny,” he announced. “If they are not who they claim, then they know a very good forger.”
He lifted his head to look Tor in the eyes. “Very well, we will see that you are escorted to Tennel, though I doubt you will meet the Queen. You had better be able to prove you are who you say you are. The punishment for impersonating royalty is being thrown into a pit with her Majesty’s cats. You and your entire entourage.” He cast his eyes downwards as he spoke, to where Samson was standing.
“That doesn’t sound too bad,” Sam commented, speaking louder than she intended.
Captain Kelly looked at her ominously. “You w
ould not be saying that if you had met her cats.”
Chapter 22
“Can’t Bellak or Ellen do something?” Sam whispered to Tor as the guards were preparing to leave. He frowned at her.
“Why?” he whispered back. “We are being taken where we want to go.”
“Silence.” The guard who shouted had a scar running down the left side of his face. He was the same one who had struck Seth. Sam was beginning to feel deep hatred for the man.
Captain Kelly sighed. “Take it easy Damos. What harm can they possibly do by talking?” Damos grunted an inaudible reply before riding to the front of the column.
The prisoners had each been provided with a horse; the ones they had arrived on having been returned to the local garrison. All of their belongings, including the weapons they had claimed as well as Brin’s bow and quiver, were in a small cart being driven by a young guard. Samson was asleep beside him. Brin too was in the cart, having failed to regain consciousness. Ellen had examined him and assured Sam that he would be alright once he woke up. As they headed off, the prisoners were forced into single file with their arms bound in front of them and guards flanking them on both sides. When asked, Kelly informed Tor that they would reach the capital in a little over 48 hours. It was going to be a long and tedious two days.
As it turned out, the journey was much more pleasant than any of them had expected. They were well provisioned; the food they ate was a lot better than any they had had while travelling on their own. They were treated more like guests than prisoners. By most of the guards anyway. While Captain Kelly and the majority of his men made polite conversation with their prisoners, Damos refused to speak to them, except to order them to keep in line if they appeared to be moving too far to one side or the other.
Sam learned a lot about Auxland as they rode. The Queen’s Guards were all fiercely loyal to their ruler and felt deeply saddened by what was happening to their country, though they freely admitted that life had been hard for the men in their land while the Queen’s mother had been alive. Only women were allowed to own property or run businesses. While the men did most of the work, it was the womenfolk who saw all of the profits. Most of the women, however, did not abuse this, treating their menfolk with kindness and respect. There were those who treated their workers, men and women alike, more like slaves, but they were in the minority and those who abuse power could be found in all countries, no matter which sex was in control.
Since the death of the previous Queen, men had slowly been taking over the country. It started with the farms and small businesses, then spread. As soon as one Duchess was overthrown by her brother, all of the women in that province were forced to surrender everything to their male relatives or face execution. Most of the husbands supported their wives and while the title deeds changed hands, their everyday life was not affected. The real problems were caused by the Lords and Dukes who were only interested in themselves and how much better their own lives would be with them in control. Peasants became just another source of income and local law and order fell apart, with the soldiers defending whoever could pay the highest, regardless of who was in the wrong.
Of all the cities in Auxland, only Tennel remained unchanged. The Queen was kept oblivious to what was occurring in her country.
“I met her once,” one of the guards claimed the first night as they were sitting by the camp fire. “It was just after her tenth birthday. A ball was held in her honour and she insisted that all of the Queen’s Guards who were stationed in Tennel be allowed to attend. She made an effort to personally speak to every one of us, letting us know she had been told how proud her mother had been of us and that she was honoured for us to continue serving Auxland. She won my respect that day and I know she would put this country straight if she knew what was going on.”
Every guard sitting nearby murmured their agreement, even Damos. “Why does nobody tell her then?” Patrick asked.
Captain Kelly gave a mirthless laugh. “None of her guards have been permitted near her by her advisors because they know we would.”
“Then it is vitally important that I make it to Tennel safely. I had prayed that the rumours were false or had been exaggerated, but that does not appear to be the case,” Tor said, looking up from the fire. “I know what you are going to say,” he continued when Kelly opened his mouth to reply. “I too will not be granted an audience. But I swear on my father’s grave that I, or one of my team, will get to see her somehow.” He threw a stick he had been holding onto the fire, which crackled, making Sam jump.
Captain Kelly looked at him suspiciously. “Now why do I get the feeling you want to go to Tennel for reasons other than a fair trial?”
Tor smiled. “I am surprised you have not heard. My father set all of his sons on a quest.”
“I am aware of that,” Captain Kelly interrupted. “But what has that to do with my Queen.”
It was Ellen who answered his question. “We need a flower from her garden.” This time Kelly’s laugh was real. Tears were streaking down his face by the time he regained his composure. “Did I say something funny?” Ellen asked him waspishly.
“I am sorry, but do you honestly believe you will be able to gain access to the Queen’s garden?”
“We know it will not be easy, but we will find a way,” Tor assured him confidently.
“I wish I had your optimism.” Kelly paused, thinking. “I will tell you what. You help me let the Queen know what is really going on in her lands and I will help you get into her gardens. Deal?”
“Deal,” Tor agreed and the two men shook hands, unsure which task would be the more difficult.
“So what did happen to the soldiers whose horses you ‘borrowed’,” Kelly asked, posing the question as diplomatically as possible. Tor admitted they had killed them under extenuating circumstances, which he went into in great detail. The explanation did nothing to appease the Captain however. In the eyes of the law, murder had been committed and the perpetrators would have to stand trial in Tennel.
“I must give you a word of advice before we reach the city,” Kelly said, attempting to change the subject. “Some of you may consider becoming betrothed before we arrive.”
“Why?” Sam asked, genuinely confused.
All eyes fell to Seth, who was grinning. “Why do I have to explain?” he complained before rolling straight into the explanation. “As you have heard, Tennel is ruled by women and these women, especially those of higher rank, have certain needs, to put it delicately, and men have to fulfil those needs.” He looked imploringly at Sam, hoping she would understand what he was saying. She didn’t, but she did notice both Ellen and Ria smirking at how uncomfortable Seth appeared.
He persevered. “When a woman asks a man of equal or lower rank to warm her bed, he cannot refuse, unless he is married, engaged or has been a widower for under a year.”
Sam was shocked. “What!” she exclaimed in outrage. “That is despicable. The man has no say in it?”
“None I am afraid,” Kelly informed her.
“Does this apply to foreign women who are just visiting?” Ellen enquired, a gleam in her eye.
“I outrank you,” Patrick interjected quickly.
Ellen smiled at him sweetly. “Whatever made you think I was thinking about you?” Patrick’s features darkened as he scowled at her, but he did not comment.
Kelly coughed, slightly embarrassed. “Yes, it does apply to visitors. This is why I suggest that the men present propose to the lady of their choice before we go much further. Unless, of course, any of you wish to be used as a sex toy.”
“Get that smile off your face,” Tor ordered, seeing a huge grin form across Seth’s features. “Just remember that not all of the ladies who outrank you are young and pretty. Think about my Aunt Gaddy as a good example.”
Seth blanched, while Cirren started to snicker. Tor ignored them both. “Am I right in thinking that this particular law does not apply to Cirren or myself?”
“You are correct,
” Kelly confirmed. “Although technically the Queen outranks you, she would never break protocol by making any improper suggestions to either of you.” He looked at Cirren as he continued. “As you would not to her.” The underlying threat in that sentence could not be missed. Captain Kelly looked around him. The closeness of Sam and Brin did not go unnoticed. “I take it you two are a couple.” It was not a question and he did not wait for a reply before turning his attention to Dal. “And you should be alright. We can tell them you are under the age limit.” Dal sighed with relief. Modo was assured that, as a vexen, he too had nothing to worry about as he was not bound by that particular law.
Seth quickly grabbed Ria by the hand. “Will you do me the honour of marrying me?” he asked, going down on one knee. Ria burst out laughing, stopping suddenly when she saw he was serious. He shrugged at her. “You are better than the alternative and I know you will not be upset when the engagement gets broken off.”
“Better than the alternative?” she asked, scowling. His impish grin was enough to calm her down and she agreed to his proposal.
Tor threw a questioning look towards Patrick, then nodded towards Ellen. “You must be joking,” Patrick said, choking. “Somehow I do not think she will be as accommodating as Ria. If I ask her to marry me she will make damn sure I make it down the aisle.”
“Do not flatter yourself,” Ellen replied tartly. “While you may be pleasant to look at, you are definitely not husband material.” Patrick looked hurt, but eventually asked Ellen for her hand in marriage. She pretended to think about it for a while before agreeing.
“That just leaves you,” Tor said, addressing Bellak. “Where do Wizards rank in Auxland?” he asked Captain Kelly.
The Maze Page 25
