by Henry Vogel
“The surgeon seems impressed,” I murmured to Callan. “It’s good to know Tristan is as good as his reputation.”
After exclaiming over the skill of Tristan’s work, the surgeon asked, “Why is His Highness unconscious, Dr. Agrilla? I would have used a local anesthesia.”
“As would I,” Tristan said, “but Prince Raoul insisted I save that for the city’s wounded. He put those people ahead of his own suffering. I gave His Highness a glass of liquor to help calm him. When he wasn’t looking, I mixed a few choice drugs in with the whiskey. Knocked him right out!”
“Very clever, Dr. Agrilla,” the surgeon said. “Prince Raoul’s bravery should be an inspiration to us all!”
“I think I’m going to hurl!” I whispered to Callan.
“You are so angry you wish to throw something?” Callan whispered back.
“Uh, no. It’s old Terran slang, something I learned from my grandfather,” I whispered. “It means to throw up, as if something were making you sick to your stomach.”
“Hurl,” Callan tried the word on for size. “It is much shorter than ’hugging the chamber pot.’ I like it!”
The surgeon addressed Captain Hanral, “Prince Raoul is in excellent hands, Captain. I see no reason why he shouldn’t ride with the good doctor.”
“All of Tarteg is in your debt, Dr. Agrilla,” Hanral said. “Please let us know if you are in need of any medical supplies for the trip to Morda.”
Hanral turned to Callan, “With your permission, Your Highness, I’ll return to my airship and prepare her for escort duty.”
“Of course, Captain,” Callan said. “We’ll leave once the Pauline is repaired.”
Chapter 95
Once the Tartegians were gone, Callan addressed everyone, “Are you all ready for a trip to the palace? My father will want to thank each of you personally.”
Milo was the first to respond, “Are there girls my age in the palace?”
“There are quite a few young ladies at court,” Callan smiled. "I’m sure they will find a veteran of the trog war quite fascinating.”
Milo grinned, “I’m in!”
“I believe you already planned for Nist and me to accompany you,” Tristan said, “and I wouldn’t miss this for the world. But I must insist we take Kim, as well. She’s still under my care.”
“Of course Kim is coming with us,” Callan said. “Tal? Sarn?”
“Nah,” Tal said. Sarn elbowed him. “I mean, no Your Highness. Now that the trogs are gone, Sarn and me got to help get the city going again. And we got to tell a bunch of people that Gort won’t be a problem no more.”
Callan kissed each one on the cheek. “Take care of yourselves.”
“Tristan,” I said, “we’ll send some crewmen over to help move Kim and the Spare Prince. Milo, stay with your sister.”
As Callan and I headed back to the park, I asked, “Have you figured out what to do with Martin?”
“He has to come with us,” Callan said. “The rest of the airships might cut and run if it looked like we were leaving their commander behind. Besides, I don’t want someone shooting him for the bounty my father is bound to have set for him.”
“You don’t think it might be a bit, I don’t know, startling to everyone at the palace for Martin to be on deck with us?” I asked.
“It will, but I’ll be there to keep everyone calm and to explain the situation,” Callan said. “Have I ever told you that you worry too much?”
“That’s my job—it says so right in the description,” I said.
Callan linked arms with me, “Then far be it from me to ruin your fun. Worry to your heart’s content, darling.”
Martin and Callan finalized their plans for the trogs and the disposition of the mercenary fleet, then Martin issued the necessary orders. He put his first mate in command of his airship and we went to the Pauline. Repairs were completed moments later and we all boarded the little airship.
Nist took the controls and the Pauline rose into the sky above Faroon. The Tartegian warship swung in front of us and the two airships set course for Morda.
The princess was finally going home!
Chapter 96
It was a lovely day for a flight, even if Raoul did wake up a few hours into the voyage. Callan and I stayed on deck, as far from Raoul as possible. More bothersome, with a Tartegian warship nearby, our behavior had to be circumspect. We could talk about anything we wanted, but we couldn’t even risk holding hands. The last thing we needed was a Tartegian airman spotting us behaving in a romantic manner toward each other!
The sun lay close to the horizon when Morda came into view. The city sprawled across the horizon, far larger than any city I’d seen since my crash landing. Martin opened a small chest he’d left on deck and withdrew a flag.
Callan clapped her hands and said, “Wherever did you get that, Martin?”
Hoisting the flag, Martin said, “I spoke with the Lord of Faroon—decent chap, by the way—and he was happy to let me borrow one of the flags the city’s naval squadron keeps on hand.”
The flag showed Callan’s family crest—a golden falcon preying on a green field—with a gold tiara above the hawk.
“I’m guessing that flag tells the world you’re aboard this ship?” I said.
Callan nodded, giving Martin a dazzling smile.
Callan pointed to a vast and magnificent palace atop a low hill, directing Nist to land there. “But can you make the approach at low altitude and down that wide boulevard? It was designed with low flying airships in mind. I want my people to see that I’m safe. Martin, go below and get Raoul ready to leave the ship. I want him walking, so get him a crutch if he needs it.”
Nist brought the ship in low, no more than fifty feet above the ground. Based on the cheering as we approached the city, Callan’s flag had been spotted and word had raced through the city ahead of us. Heads poked out of windows and people thronged the street below. Callan, now standing in the bow, was visible to all. She waved and laughed and cried as her people welcomed her home.
Cheering crowds followed the airship up the boulevard, chanting, singing, and calling out good wishes to Callan. If her people loved her this much, I couldn’t wait to see her reception at the palace!
Chapter 97
At the palace docks, guards hurried to form ranks and palace functionaries ran about, preparing for the return of the princess. Our arrival was so unexpected, Nist docked the airship before the king and queen arrived on the scene.
A uniformed man bounded up the docking stairs, meeting Callan with a broad smile and a snappy salute. A dozen guards followed him.
“The whole country rejoices at your safe return, Your Highness!” he said.
“Thank you, Captain Hunter,” Callan replied. “Are my parents on their way?”
“They should be here any second,” Hunter said as gaze swept across those of us on deck. “Where is Captain Vonsteader?”
“Rob gave his life protecting me,” Callan said. "This is David Rice, my new captain of the guard.”
Hunter frowned, “I don’t recall that name among your guardsmen, Your Highness.”
“David was not a member of the guard. He saved Rob and me when trogs set upon us in the desert,” Callan said.
Hunter’s frown deepened.
“Rob personally took his oath,” Callan said, “and David has saved my life half a dozen times since.”
Hunter’s frown did not change.
“And with his dying breath, Rob gave his sword to David,” Callan continued.
The frown vanished and a hand shot out to grip mine, “Welcome to the Royal Guard, Captain Rice!”
Two horns sounded a fanfare as a middle-aged couple entered the dockyard. A much younger man walked behind them. I felt certain the younger man was Prince Rupor.
“Nist,” Callan said, “have our guest brought on deck.”
Shortly, Raoul hobbled on deck, somewhat roughly aided by Martin. Captain Hunter’s eyes widened.
“It’s Bane!” Hunter shouted. “Cover him!”
Half of the guards on deck leveled crossbows at Martin. Raoul let out a squeak and stopped moving.
“You’ve caught the man responsible for your abduction!” Hunter said.
“Yes,” Callan said, “but things aren’t quite as you might think. Martin, turn Raoul over to Captain Hunter.”
Martin propelled Raoul toward the guard captain. Raoul tried to dig in with his feet but his wounded leg buckled. Martin pulled Raoul up just as Raoul flailed his crutch for balance. The crutch struck a crossbowman’s arm.
The guard’s crossbow swung toward Callan, who had stepped forward to speak with Captain Hunter, and his finger jerked on the trigger.
Boost!
In terrible slow motion, I saw the crossbow string snap forward. With Callan between me and the quarrel, I couldn’t deflect it or snatch it out of the air. So I did the only thing I could do. I flung Callan to the deck. The quarrel plucked her sleeve in passing. Then it struck my chest!
Chapter 98
I was still Boosting, so everything around me continued in slow motion.
Captain Hunter waved to his guards to lower their crossbows.
Martin pushed Raoul aside and moved toward me.
Callan looked up from the deck. Her eyes were wide and she was screaming something I couldn’t quite make out.
Maybe it was the Boost distorting sounds. I didn’t think Boost had ever done that to me before, but what else could it be? Then my implant canceled Boost and I felt a terrible pain in my chest.
The world returned to normal speed. Suddenly, my legs felt wobbly. Something had caused that, if I could just remember what. Oh, right— I’d been shot!
Martin caught me before my legs gave out. He lowered me to the deck and shouted “Tristan! David’s been shot!”
Callan’s face appeared above me. “No no no no no,” she said, shaking her head with each word.
Tears rolled down her cheeks. I wanted to raise my hand and wipe away her tears but for some reason my arms weren’t working.
Callan caught my head in her hands, “David, don’t you dare die on me! Do you understand? That’s a royal order! You’re the captain of my guard and you have to obey my orders!”
From a long way away, I heard Tristan shouting, “Get out of the way! I’m a doctor! Let me through!”
To my right, I saw Raoul watching me from where he’d fallen. He smiled wide and said, “Die Rice! Die in agony!”
Martin dropped onto Raoul’s chest, grabbed Raoul’s throat, and began choking him while also pounding Raoul’s head into the deck. I hoped that hurt.
My view was cut off as Tristan dropped to the deck next to me. He was saying something, but I couldn’t hear him.
Then everything faded to black.
Chapter 99
“David?”
A voice came out of the darkness. It was a voice I recognized.
“Come on, lad,” the voice said. “You need to pay attention!”
The voice seemed to be right in front of me. I was sure my eyes were open, but I couldn’t see anything.
“Enough malingering, boy!” the voice commanded. “I expect better of you than this.”
“Rob?” I asked. “Is that you?”
Rob popped into view right where I thought he should be. He looked a lot better than the last time I’d seen him. His uniform was crisp with no sign of blood anywhere.
“Of course it’s me, lad,” Rob said. “Who else do you think they’d send to guide you?”
“But you’re dead!” I said. “How could anyone send you to guide anyone? Unless... Am I dead, Rob?”
“Not yet, David,” Rob replied, “but you’re not in very good condition. Tristan says you could go either way.”
“So, are you really here or am I delusional?” I asked.
“What difference does it make?” Rob replied.
He had a point. If I died, it wouldn’t matter. If I lived, I’d convince myself it was a dream.
“So, if you were sent to guide me into the afterlife, why are you here before I’m dead?” I asked.
“Remember when you came up out of the tunnels in Beloren and threw my body at Bane’s men?” Rob asked.
“Yeah, about that—” I began.
“That was brilliant, David!” Rob laughed. “It was almost worth dying just for that. I got to protect Callan even after I was dead.”
“I’m glad you approve,” I said.
“That’s why I’m here before you’ve died, lad,” Rob said. “I’ve been given another last chance to protect Callan.”
“I don’t understand,” I said. “Callan isn’t in danger.”
“I’m not talking about physical harm, David. Callan has lost a lot of people in the last couple of weeks,” Rob answered. “It’s a heavy burden to have men die for you. I know, because I carried that burden myself before I died. And my death just added weight to her burden.
“You are the reason Callan’s burden didn’t overwhelm her,” Rob continued. “Your bravery, your compassion, your dedication, and—most of all—your love eased Callan’s burden.”
“I just thought I fell in love with her and she with me,” I said.
“You did. And she did,” Rob said. “But you showed her a future beyond her burden. You showed her the way past her grief. You gave her love and she found life again. But now her new life with you is threatened. If you die, David, she may never recover.”
“No! Callan is too full of vitality, too full of life for that to happen!” I insisted.
“I wouldn’t be so sure of that, David. Did you know she hasn’t left your side since you came out of surgery three days ago?” Rob said. “Sometimes she talks to you, sometimes she cries for you, sometimes she just sits with you. But she’s always there. Always waiting for you. Listen to her, David. She’s talking right now.”
I concentrated. From far away, Callan’s voice came to me. “Did I ever tell you about the time Rob let me get drunk? I was sixteen and...”
My concentration broke and Callan’s voice faded.
“David,” Rob said, “from the moment you burst into Callan’s life, you’ve been there for her. And now she needs you more than she’s ever needed anything in her life. Go to her, lad. Be there for her again.”
Rob faded from view and I found I could hear Callan quite clearly.
“...first hangover. And my last,” Callan said. “Later, I realized the hangover was Rob’s plan all along. Sometimes, it seemed like he was some kind of evil genius.”
I opened my eyes. Callan was holding my hand, her eyes red and swollen. Tear tracks ran down her cheeks. Yet she still looked beautiful. I squeezed her hand.
“Hi honey, I’m home.” I said.
“David!” Callan cried. “Oh, I was afraid I’d lost you forever!”
I smiled, “No, I’ll always be here for you.”
Chapter 100
It was another day before Tristan allowed me to have visitors—besides Callan, I mean. Tristan suggested she leave and get some rest. He even tried the old stern-doctor-issuing-orders approach. Callan let him escape with his life, but it was a close thing.
My first visitors were Callan’s parents, King Edwar and Queen Elaina. Callan’s mother took one look at her daughter and led her off for a bath and some food. Callan tried the same refusal that had worked so well with Tristan. Her mother just overrode it and had Callan out the door in under a minute. Tristan, who had shown them in, could only watch in stupefaction as the queen bundled Callan past him.
“How did she do that?” Tristan asked.
“I have no idea,” the king replied. “I’m just glad Elaina is on my side!”
As soon as Tristan left us, the king said, “Callie tells me you want to marry her.”
“I do,” I said.
“Why?”
“Because I love her,” I replied.
“Why?”
“She’s feisty,” I said without hesitation.
He wasn’t expecting that answer and, after a brief silence, asked, “What do you mean by that?”
I smiled, “Callan is intelligent, courageous, strong-willed, and compassionate. She can even be practical, if you yell at her loud enough.”
The king said, “You left ‘beautiful’ off your list.”
“Your Majesty, neither of us is blind,” I said. “I rather thought ‘beautiful’ was a given.”
“Yet it’s the first—many times the only—thing men notice,” the king said.
“If I’d met Callan at court, perhaps I’d have been like other men,” I said. “Even so, possessing beauty simply makes one beautiful. Callan’s other qualities make her compelling.”
“Did Callie give you those answers?” King Edwar asked. He must have seen me preparing to respond because he waved me down. “No, don’t answer that, David. It wasn’t a serious question. But I must steer this conversation toward a different matter.
“We’ve been holding Prince Raoul under house arrest while we wait for King Damon to arrive from Tarteg,” King Edwar said. “This whole situation is a political nightmare of colossal proportions. Callan has already told me the story, but I’d like to hear it from your perspective.”
Callan and her mother returned as I was wrapping up. Callan sat next to me on the bed and rested her head on my shoulder.
“Daddy, have you finished interrogating David?” she asked.
“I’d hardly call it an interrogation,” her father protested.
“David, did Daddy start off by asking why you want to marry me?” Callan said.
“Well, yes,” I said.
“Interrogation,” Callan pronounced. “And how did he do, Daddy dear?”
“His answers were...unexpected,” King Edwar said, “and quite good.”
“So we have your blessing to marry?” Callan asked.
“Would it matter if I said no?” the king growled.
“Of course not, Daddy!” Callan said. “But I really do want your approval. I want you to walk me down the aisle and give me away.”
