by John Marco
But not far from the camp, Trager remembered how much he hated Lukien, and how unendurable his life had become in the Bronze Knight’s shadow. He remembered also how much Akeela loved Lukien, and how Lukien was a hero in Liiria, something that Trager would never be. And then he remembered how Lukien always took the point when they traveled, careful to protect the king’s new bride.
When at last he entered the camp, he reported directly to Lukien. He told the captain how he’d scouted the forward area, and that there was no trouble on the roads save for the muck that had plagued them for days.
He mentioned nothing of the garmys.
The next morning, Lukien gave the order to break camp and led the company once again toward Koth. It was a clear morning, the first any of them had seen in days, and Lukien took the sunlight as a good omen. Now they might finally start making some real progress. As was his custom, he rode at the head of the company, with Trager and the other Royal Chargers behind him. Cassandra’s royal carriage rumbled along in the center. So far, it had been an uncomfortable ride for all of them, and Cassandra’s once lovely carriage was now spattered with mud and windblown leaves. The roads were still soaked with rain, which made traveling slow, but as the sun rose higher the day began to warm and the puddles slowly dried, revealing the road beneath. Lukien kept a relaxed pace, careful not to tax their horses. If they were lucky, they would reach the Liirian border in a day or so. From there it was at least another full day’s ride to Koth.
To Lukien, it seemed like a lifetime ago that he had been with Cassandra at the picnic. Since then, he had seen precious little of her. She had been shunning him, and he supposed it was embarrassment that kept her silent. He had tried several times to speak to her while in Hes, but always she had feigned tiredness or some pressing business, and she never seemed to require his bodyguard services anymore, the way she had during their first weeks together. Now she was lost to him, and the loss disturbed Lukien. Soon enough, he would turn her over to Akeela. They would marry, and he would be forever cursed to see her with another man. Irritated, Lukien gave an angry sigh. The sound of it summoned an unwanted visitor.
“Captain?” asked Trager. The lieutenant rode up alongside him. “Is something wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong,” answered Lukien, struggling to be civil. The last month with Trager had been unbearable. “I was just thinking.”
“You should be pleased,” said Trager. “We’re making good progress. And look at that sky. Not a cloud.”
Lukien nodded. “Yes. Finally.” He looked over at his lieutenant. Trager wore a peculiar grin. He asked, “What are you smiling at?”
“The day, Captain,” replied Trager. “That’s all. And I’m glad to be getting closer to home.”
“Mmm, yes,” agreed Lukien. “But the roads are still bad. We won’t cross the border till tomorrow at the earliest. There’s a fork up ahead, you say?”
Trager looked around, seemingly puzzled. “It was dark in the rain,” he mused. “I can’t quite recall. But it’s around here somewhere.”
A few minutes later, they found it. Lukien considered the fork, not liking the looks of either route. Both were canopied with trees and laden with mud. He brought up a hand, calling the company to a halt. Trager relayed the order and watched as the horsemen and carriage came to a stop.
“All right, we’ll rest here for a spell,” said Lukien. He spied the two lanes, unsettled by them both. “Trager, which way did you take yesterday?”
The lieutenant didn’t reply. Lukien turned and saw that he had already dismounted and was leading his horse away.
“Trager,” he called. “Which way?”
“Captain?” the lieutenant asked.
“Which way did you go yesterday?”
Trager thought for a moment, then said “Left.”
Still atop his horse, Lukien studied the leftward route. It was dim and foreboding, like its twin, and something told him to be cautious. He said, “I’m going to ride ahead and scout it out. Tend to the men and see that they water their horses. Then look after the princess, make sure she’s all right.”
“Good idea, Captain,” said Trager, then quickly turned and walked away.
Cassandra sat inside her carriage, absently watching the world through her dingy window. Though Jancis was with her she felt completely alone, just as she had for weeks. The carriage rocked from side to side as it rolled along the muddy roads, slowly pulled forward by a team of horses. The horses had been white when they’d left Hes, splendid looking beasts to herald her arrival in Liiria. Now they were mud covered, like everything else, and they matched Cassandra’s mood perfectly. For days now she had been stuck inside the carriage, only taking breaks when her escorts did, or when she needed to relieve herself. The vehicle’s claustrophobic walls were driving her mad. Jancis, who constantly occupied herself with knitting, made small talk as they traveled, daydreaming about Koth and King Akeela, and what it would be like for Cassandra to be queen. But Cassandra hardly thought about those things anymore. As it had for weeks now, her mind turned to Lukien.
She had embarrassed herself with the knight, and now could barely face him. She remembered with horrible clarity his expression when he’d seen the painting, and though Jancis had asked him not to tell anyone about it, Cassandra didn’t trust him. She fretted that he had bragged to his comrades about the incident. Worse, she wondered what he might tell Akeela. And though she had desperately wanted to talk to Lukien, to apologize and beg his silence, she could not, for being around him stole her voice. She feared him. Worse, she feared she loved him. She kept reminding herself that Akeela was a good man, and how fortunate she was to have been chosen by him. Any of her sisters would have willingly traded places with her. But the love she had hoped to feel for Akeela had yet to take root, constantly stunted by her infatuation with Lukien.
Have I ever loved? she wondered as she watched the trees pass by her window. Do I even know what love is?
She loved her father, but this was different. When she looked at Lukien—or when he looked at her—she felt peculiar, and the feeling was wonderful. None of the boys in Castle Hes had ever stirred such emotion in her, and she knew that was because they were simply boys, while Lukien was a man. He was accomplished and strong, and his skin bore the scars of a life hard-lived. In a matter of weeks he had taken over her mind. That was love, surely.
“I don’t know,” she whispered.
Jancis looked up from her knitting, eyeing her friend suspiciously. “What’s that?”
Cassandra didn’t reply. She merely stared out the window. Jancis laid her knitting aside and leaned forward.
“You’ve been very pensive lately,” she remarked. “Are you feeling all right?”
It was the same tired old question. Jancis watched her like a midwife these days.
“Yes,” Cassandra lied. “I’m fine.”
“No pains?”
“No,” said Cassandra. Another lie. “I was just thinking.”
“Oh, I’m sure. About what? Should I guess?”
“Don’t be a pest, Jancis,” said Cassandra. But she sighed theatrically, inviting her friend’s attention. “Oh, Jan. I don’t know what to do . . .”
“There’s nothing to be done, so don’t fret over it. I told you—he’s probably forgotten all about it. And even if he hasn’t, I don’t think he’s going to tell anyone. He’s as guilty as you, Cass. Don’t forget that.”
“He’s not,” said Cassandra.
“He is. He was the one looking at you, remember. He couldn’t take his eyes off you!” Jancis frowned. “Bloody wretch, that’s what he is. Going over his king’s wife like that. Maybe Akeela should find out about it, teach him some manners.”
“I have to talk to him,” Cassandra resolved. She thought for a moment, her eyes narrowing. “Yes. If I could speak to him I could explain things, before he says anything to Akeela.”
Jancis’ face hardened. “Don’t talk to him. That’s how you got in this mess in
the first place.”
“I have to,” said Cassandra. She gave her maid a sad smile. “I want to, Jan.”
Just then the carriage came to a stop. Jancis massaged her neck in relief.
“Thank God,” she said, stretching. “I could use a walk.”
“We’re stopping,” said Cassandra absently. The seed of an idea began to bloom. She cranked up her courage. “Yes, all right.”
“What?”
Cassandra stood up, stooping, and opened the carriage door.
“Cass, where are you going?”
“To talk to Lukien,” said Cassandra quickly. “I have to speak to him before we reach Koth.”
“No!”
Cassandra hardly heard Jancis’ plea. She was out of the carriage in a second, her boots splashing into the boggy earth. The entire company had come to a halt, and the men were already dismounting. She strained to see toward the head of the column, searching for Lukien, but he was nowhere to be found. Puzzled, she glanced around. The men were all stretching and seeing to their horses. Jancis jumped out of the carriage beside Cassandra.
“I don’t see him,” said Cassandra. “Where’d he go?”
Jancis was relieved. “I don’t know and I don’t care. Now forget about him, will you please?”
Cassandra had no intention of forgoing her plan. She intended to speak to Lukien now, while she still had the courage.
“Stay here,” she ordered, then made her way to the front of the company where a number of Liirian soldiers were caring for their mounts. Noticing her at once, the soldiers stopped working.
“My lady?” asked one of them, a young man named Tomas. “Can I help you?”
Cassandra hesitated. “I’m looking for Lukien,” she said. “Do you know where he is?”
The soldiers glanced at each other. Cassandra tried to look confident.
“He’s just gone off, my lady,” said Tomas, pointing down the road. “He’s gone to scout the way ahead.”
“Well, I must speak to him,” said Cassandra. “It’s important.”
Tomas smiled. “He’ll be back soon, my lady.”
“No, that won’t do. I have to speak to him now.” Cassandra returned Tomas’ smile, heaping on the charm. “Could you take me to him, Tomas?”
“Me? Oh, no, my lady. I don’t think I should. He’ll be back presently.”
“But it’s urgent, Tomas,” said Cassandra. She took a step closer, fluttering her long lashes. “Please?”
Tomas almost blushed. “I suppose we could ride ahead. He’s only just gone. It shouldn’t be a problem catching up to him.” He gestured to one of the horses. “You can ride, my lady, can’t you?”
Cassandra wasted no time in mounting the horse.
Trager waited until he had watered and fed his horse before checking on the princess. She was a spoiled brat anyway, so he took his time sauntering to her carriage. When he arrived, he found the princess’ handmaid leaning against the vehicle, her face drawn. He took the time to leer at her before she noticed him.
“Handmaid Jancis?” he asked.
The girl jumped at the intrusion.
“Yes?”
“Is your mistress about?” Trager asked. “I’m here to see if she needs anything.”
The maiden blanched. “No.”
“No, she doesn’t need anything, or no, she isn’t around?”
Jancis hesitated. “She’s . . . away.”
“Away? What exactly does that mean, girl?”
“I’m sorry, Lieutenant,” said Jancis, “but she’s gone off after Captain Lukien.”
“What?” blurted Trager. “Why’d she do that?”
The girl shrugged. “To speak to him. She—”
“Fate above, I don’t believe this!”
Trager didn’t spare a moment. He dashed back to his horse, tossed himself onto its back, then raced like the wind after Lukien and the princess. As he galloped past his bewildered men, he sneered, “You stupid brat. I’m supposed to help protect you!”
Ten minutes after riding off, Lukien was satisfied the route was safe. He glanced around at the trees, unnerved by their thickness but convinced that they held no dangers. He drew back the reins, bringing his horse to a stop. Ten yards away, the road disappeared under a pool of murky water. Lukien studied it, gauging its depth, and was sure it was passable. Suddenly nothing could spoil his good mood. Liiria was close now, far closer than it had been for weeks, and he was anxious to make up lost time. He spun his mount around to return to the company—and saw Tomas riding toward him. To Lukien’s shock, the soldier wasn’t alone. Riding a pace behind him was Cassandra, her faced fixed with a peculiar grimace.
“What the . . . ?” Lukien trotted toward them. “Tomas, what’s going on?”
Tomas held up his hands. “Don’t be angry, Lukien,” he said. “I’m only following orders.”
“Orders? Whose orders?”
“Mine,” said Cassandra. She brought her horse up before Tomas’. “It’s not his fault, Captain. I made him take me to you. I have to talk to you.”
The princess was resolute. Her forwardness annoyed Lukien.
“My lady, you’re very foolish,” he said sharply. “Coming out alone like this is dangerous.” Then he turned to Tomas, saying, “And what business have you taking her here, away from the others? What’s wrong with you?”
“I’m sorry, Captain,” stammered Tomas. “But she insisted . . .”
“She doesn’t give you orders, soldier. I do!”
The man lowered his eyes in disgrace. He was one of the youngest in the troop, about Cassandra’s age, and he had obviously been influenced by the princess. Though Cassandra’s pretty face was no excuse for stupidity, Lukien understood its power, and so tried to soften his tone.
“All right, no harm done,” he said. “Now turn around, both of you. We’re heading back.”
“What? No . . .” Cassandra protested. “Lukien, I must speak to you privately.”
“We’ll talk back at camp.”
The princess’ expression became earnest. “Now,” she urged. “Please.”
Just as he knew it had beguiled Tomas, Cassandra’s soft voice made Lukien relent. Regrettably, he found her plea irresistible. “All right,” he nodded. “Tomas, give us some privacy, will you?”
The young man said, “Should I ride back to the others?”
“No. Just out of earshot.”
Tomas did as Lukien asked, trotting past him and coming to a stop several yards away, near the flood in the road. Lukien looked at Cassandra and spoke in a whisper.
“My lady, why have you come out here? It’s unseemly for you to come calling after me.”
“I’m sorry,” Cassandra offered. “It didn’t occur to me what others would think.”
“Obviously not,” said Lukien. He shook his head and sighed. “You’re very young, Princess. But not so young as to be so silly. You mustn’t ever come after me like this again, do you understand?”
Cassandra stiffened. “I’m not a child, Captain,” she retorted. “I’m a princess, and soon to be your queen. I will go where I wish, when I wish. And I won’t be ordered about by you. Do you understand?”
Lukien tried to stay calm. “My lady, why are you here?”
“To speak with you alone,” replied Cassandra icily.
“Then speak and let’s be done with it.” Lukien leaned forward and lowered his voice again.” And please, go back to being that lady you were during our ride. I much prefer her to the harpy you’re being now.”
The sharpness vanished from Cassandra’s face. “All right,” she said. “I wanted to come to apologize. I’ve been dreadful to you the past few weeks, ever since you saw my painting. . . .”
“Shhh,” Lukien cautioned. He looked over his shoulder at Tomas. Satisfied the man couldn’t hear them, he said, “Keep your voice down, my lady. I haven’t told anyone about your painting, and I don’t want the world finding out now.”
Cassandra smiled in relief. �
��I was worried you might have told your men,” she confessed. “Thank you for honoring my privacy.”
To Lukien’s great annoyance he felt himself smiling. “To be honest, I was flattered. Surprised, but flattered.”
“It was wrong of me,” said Cassandra. “I shouldn’t have painted you, with or without your permission. But I don’t want King Akeela finding out about it, you see. You won’t tell him, will you?”
She was dancing around the subject. They both were. Lukien desperately wanted to speak the truth.
“Tell him what, my lady?” he asked. “That I’ve been staring at you across lakes and meadows? That you’ve painted secret portraits of me?” He let his horse take one step closer to her. “Is that what we should keep from him, Princess?”
Cassandra nodded. Her eyes were wide with understanding. “Yes,” she whispered. “And more.”
“What more?” asked Lukien. “What else is there to admit?”
She watched him, unwilling or unable to speak. Yet Lukien could sense the unspoken words. There was affection in her eyes, plain and true. He wanted to hear its confession. Cassandra opened her mouth to speak . . .
“Aiiiieeee!”
The sound was Tomas, screaming. Lukien saw Cassandra’s eyes widen in terror, then turned as a slimy body rose from the flooded road. Already the creature had one arm twisted around Tomas’ leg, dragging him from his horse. The stallion whinnied, bucking and tossing Tomas from its back, sending him crashing into the water.
“God!” cried Lukien. He drew his sword and bolted forward. “Cassandra, stay back!”
The garmy wrapped its arms around its prey. Tomas writhed in its grasp, struggling to lift his mouth from the filthy water. A gurgling scream tore from his throat.
“Lukien . . . !”
Lukien rushed toward him, bolting past his frightened horse, desperate to find the garmy in the water. All he could see was parts of Tomas wrapped in reptilian flesh, tossing and splashing as he fought to get free. Beneath him, Lukien’s horse shuddered, refusing to go into the water. Lukien leapt from its back and waded in—then saw the other garmy fall from the trees.
