"So you deal with blood too. Why are you surprised? You kill people as much as he did."
"I kill enemies in battle! I don't kill in cold blood!"
"I don't think he killed his father in cold blood – more as a puppet in his lover's hands."
"And do you think he's still dangerous?" Kerrien frowned. "Should I kill him right now?"
Fionorah chuckled. "You can't. You broke the spell. You can't hurt him. But take him away from Backeran. I'm sure he's innocuous away from his father's former kingdom!"
"I never wanted my father's kingdom," Rithvik said. "And I already told Kerrien I'll follow him anywhere he takes me."
"See?" Fionorah grinned. "You woke him up. He's your responsibility now. Good luck." She patted Kerrien's shoulder and was on her way, leaving the mercenary speechless.
Still incredulous, Kerrien turned to look at Rithvik who immediately smiled.
"So, where do we go now?" the prince asked cheerfully. "We can leave tomorrow morning, as soon as I have my new boots! I'm very eager to see the world! Where are you from? Can I see the place where you were born?"
"No!" Kerrien shouted, losing his patience. "Shut up!"
He must get rid of the reluctant prince. He must find a wizard to free him of the burden. And there were none in Backeran, obviously.
"Let's go pack," he muttered, averting his eyes from Rithvik's eager face.
Fionorah's words kept haunting him. He's your responsibility now. Good luck.
He'd need more than luck to get rid of Rithvik.
"I really need a wizard or a witch," Kerrien muttered. "I think I'm under a spell too."
"What kind of spell?" Rithvik asked, puzzled.
"I don't know! Something that ties me to you for some reason!"
"Well, of course, you saved me," Rithvik replied as if it were obvious.
"Oh, so you have magical powers to tie people to you?" Kerrien asked, sarcastic.
"Um... no. Why?"
"Then why can't I leave you?"
"Because you like me?"
Kerrien wanted to strangle him. But he just couldn't.
He groaned and turned his back to the beautiful prince before he did something he'd regret.
"You don't like me? Why did you kiss me then? Kerrien!"
"Shut up, Rithvik!"
2. Beautiful Fighter
Rithvik was very happy with himself. He'd awakened in an abandoned castle beside a beautiful and strong warrior with very soft lips by his side. His previous life had vanished like a bad dream. His grumpy savior had taken him to town, allowed him to sleep in his bed, kept him fed and put a roof over his head.
As he left the lowly inn where they'd slept, he inhaled the cool air of the morning. Still too many disturbing odors of piss and vomit in Backeran's streets, though. He looked forward to being outside of the town walls and exploring the world.
He followed Kerrien to the shoemaker's and tried on his new boots. The smell of leather in the shop covered everything else and was more familiar. He'd had his own shoemaker at his father's castle, but the small shop was nice and better than the rest of the city.
The boots fit perfectly and he grinned at the shoemaker who bowed, offering his hand for payment. Kerrien frowned, but gave him silver coins. Rithvik remembered gold coins from his father's time, smaller than the silvers and coppers he'd glimpsed in Kerrien's purse.
The mercenary obviously wasn't rich, but still paid for him. This sort of reminded him of his long lost bodyguard, whom he had fancied, but who hadn't submitted to his requests – much like Kerrien was doing now. He kissed me awake and now he refuses to touch me!
This was worse than it used to be, but then... now Rithvik wasn't a prince anymore. He didn't have a family pride to protect, therefore he felt free to try and seduce his irritable companion. Only two days in Kerrien's company and he already felt he couldn't live without his savior.
"I'm good with a sword," he assured Kerrien as they passed through the gates of Backeran, headed away from the town and the forest where his father's castle lay abandoned under layers of luxuriant vegetation. "You should buy me one!"
"How about you earn your sword by doing something useful?" Kerrien retorted, glaring at him.
"Like what? Teach me! I'll do anything!" Rithvik answered, staring eagerly at his savior. "If you want my body to repay you for the expenses..."
"No!" Kerrien grunted and looked away. "From prince to prostitute, isn't that a little too much?"
"I'm not selling my body to anyone, but I'll gladly give it to you to repay you," Rithvik replied with a shrug. "You're beautiful and..."
"Stop!" Kerrien's hand wide open in front of his face startled Rithvik to a stop in the middle of the unpaved road. "Don't." Kerrien's voice had a threat underneath that he couldn't ignore.
Why was Kerrien always so blunt and nervous and... Damn, why did he deny how great the kiss had been? Rithvik kept thinking about it, but Kerrien seemed determined to forget what had brought them together.
"You don't believe in spells, do you?" Rithvik asked, frowning.
"I do since I met you," Kerrien answered gloomily. "Can't you see I fall asleep with you and wake up with you? I used to be an insomniac!"
"But you slept like a log for the past two nights?" Rithvik was amazed. He didn't know he had that power over the handsome warrior. That wasn't what he'd been taught – love spells were never his specialty, or he wouldn't have been so lonely.
"Yeah," Kerrien muttered. "Which is dangerous if you're a mercenary. You're still used to sleeping like a prince, aren't you?"
"Well, you could keep me awake..." Rithvik grinned, glancing at Kerrien's groin.
"Don't even think about it!" Kerrien warned.
Rithvik sighed. It was going to be a struggle to convince the fierce mercenary to give in to some tenderness.
"Thank you for these boots," he said. "Much better than my old slippers. What season is it? Will I need a cloak soon?"
"It's spring," Kerrien grumbled, pointing at an orchard outside of the town walls with apple trees full of flowers. Further on, there were cherry trees, and the white petals made it look as if it had just snowed. The sky was blue and clear, and it was neither too hot nor too cold.
"Oh, so I have time to work to buy a cloak!" Rithvik said brightly.
Kerrien groaned. "Will you please shut up and save some breath now?"
Rithvik chuckled, but obeyed. He felt so relieved to be alive and free of his duties that he soon started to hum an old song. He fell a little behind only to watch Kerrien's backside and his powerful steps forward.
Yummy mercenary! He jogged forward to catch up and ignored his caretaker's glare, resuming his humming of long-forgotten melodies.
Life was beautiful and he looked forward to exploring the world with Kerrien.
***
"Hey, that's Ker Garenn over there!" Rithvik exclaimed, pointing to their left.
Six thin, square towers scattered in a seemingly random pattern had been built for an ideal defense and were connected by tall, firm walls made of yellow stone in a style very similar to Ker Eziel. Rithvik remembered that castle was one day's ride from his father's castle, and it was obviously still standing.
They'd been walking for two days already when the building appeared. Tall, wide windows were scattered here and there across the walls, along with same-sized holes for archers.
"Friendly king or foe?" Kerrien asked.
"Prospective father-in-law," Rithvik muttered, averting his eyes from the castle and frowning. He didn't want to meet them after all. He'd never met the Ker Garenn princess, but had fought with the heir during a hunt one day.
"I wonder if they know anything about your father's fate." Kerrien grinned and headed towards the castle.
"No, wait, we can't... I mean, we don't know how many years have passed..."
"Maybe they can tell us. I don't think it's a kingdom anymore, probably just a baron with his own fief."
"Oh." Rithvik surrend
ered. If there were no kingdoms left, maybe nobody would force him to do anything. Nice new world indeed.
A regular gate with hefty metal doors and strong defenses offered a safe home to all those in need in the cold mountains that towered behind the castle. Well-kept gardens with fragrant flowers, gorgeous trees and many bushes decorated the outside of Ker Garenn.
"This castle has been improved and improved over the ages, some parts of the castle are clearly newer than others, the inhabitants are determined to keep their castle as modern as possible," Kerrien commented as they entered the main courtyard where a chamberlain met them.
The plump man stared at them and raised his eyebrows.
"What brings you here?" he asked. "We don't need mercenaries."
"Is it possible to talk to the lord of the castle?" Kerrien asked.
"I don't think Lord Emewor has time for adventurers who are just passing through. You are not welcome here."
Kerrien scoffed. "Fine. Can you tell me some history? How long has Lord Emewor's family lived here? What does he know of the nearby castles and fiefs?"
"The Barons of Garenn have lived here for over a century," the chamberlain answered pompously.
"Barons?" Rithvik blurted out. "They used to be kings! Larelynn of Ker Eziel, Ryldrak of Ker Zenas, Darwor of Ker Garenn... What happened to all of them?"
The chamberlain gaped at him.
"That's ancient history you speak of." The female voice startled them.
"My lady Milicent..." The chamberlain bowed at the waist as a young woman with a long blue gown approached them. She had blue eyes, a long dark braid and a dimpled smile. She stopped in front of Rithvik, looking him in the eyes.
"I have never met anyone so well versed in history," she said. "What's your name?"
"Rithvik," he answered, a little jarred. The way she looked at him made him uneasy. Much like all the maidens who had wished to marry him at his father's court.
"Rithvik, where are you from?"
"Ker Eziel."
"You mean Backeran? Ker Eziel is in disrepair."
"Are you well versed in history, my lady?" Kerrien asked her.
"I like history," she answered. She had the confidence of the lady of the castle, she must be the lord's daughter. "I can tell you those kingdoms fell a long time ago. Ker Eziel was abandoned because it's cursed. But Ker Garenn was always inhabited, although the dynasty of King Darwor ended around the time of the last Moren emperor. Why do you ask?"
"We found very few stories in Backeran about the fall of Ker Eziel and we're kind of curious," Kerrien said.
"Speak for yourself," Rithvik muttered, staring at his feet. He should have kept his mouth shut. Ker Garenn might not be a neighboring kingdom anymore, but he didn't like the way Milicent stared at him. And the fact that Kerrien was trying to discover his past.
"We don't know much ourselves," the young woman said. "Magic was involved. It sort of spread. There were a lot of witches back then. Even Ker Zenas had trouble. Probably even King Darwor's descendants."
"Thank you, Lady Milicent." Kerrien bowed. "We shall be on our way now."
"Would you like to stay for lunch?" she offered. The chamberlain cleared his throat, frowning, but she glared at him and he kept his mouth shut.
"Thank you, but we are expected in Cinnae," Kerrien answered. "It was a pleasure meeting you."
Milicent curtsied as Rithvik stiffly bowed and quickly followed Kerrien out of Ker Garenn.
"Thank you for not stopping there," he said as they headed back to the main road. He was glad to be out of the castle and away from Milicent's stare.
Kerrien glanced at him, shook his head and kept walking.
Relief flooded Rithvik as the towers of Ker Garenn vanished behind them. He'd be fine with Kerrien. He didn't need any of his father's old neighbors. Which brought back his joy and he started humming a song again.
***
For a few more days they encountered only small villages and sometimes not even that, which meant they had to sleep under the stars once or twice. Kerrien was obviously under some kind of spell, since they were constantly together. Rithvik was almost sure that Kerrien had tried to dump him somewhere from the moment he'd brought the prince to Backeran, but just couldn't – like Fionorah had predicted.
"Thank the gods, we're almost in Cinnae," Kerrien muttered one morning, after an uncomfortable night in the woods.
"What's in Cinnae?" Rithvik asked, curious.
"It's a somewhat large town with city parks and museums, and its economy is based on mining," Kerrien explained, packing. "Opals, mostly. The guards are underpaid, but for a first job, it will have to do. They'll give you a weapon."
"Not a pole-arm, I hope! I'm a swordsman!" Rithvik said.
"Yeah, well, we still have to check on that," Kerrien retorted. "They'll probably test your skills before allowing you into the town militia."
"Do they already know you?"
"Yeah, I spent a few months there some time ago. The locals are slightly suspicious of outsiders, but they admire personal fighting prowess."
"Then I might end up as their mayor," Rithvik warned with an impish smile.
"I thought you didn't want such responsibilities," Kerrien said, rising. "Let's go, we'll get to the town stone walls before lunch time."
Rithvik followed him whistling with happiness. They might soon reach a crowded place, but maybe that would make Kerrien less hostile. And he'd be able to prove to his caretaker he could take care of himself!
***
Rithvik was impressed by the sheer size of Cinnae, its high walls and its stone buildings, although he did come from a stone castle – something still quite rare at the time of his father.
The streets were very noisy and less stinky than Backeran. The nearest tavern was not far from the main gate, but hard to find. Rithvik was already lost, but Kerrien said he knew the way to the Heroic Wizard Tavern.
Finally they reached a large two-story building with a tiled sliding roof. Kerrien led the way to the counter where the bartender greeted them immediately with a smile, but he was heavily armed, which struck Rithvik as strange.
"We are almost totally full, but I guess we can squeeze you in a room... what else would you need for your stay?"
"Food, for now," Kerrien answered bluntly.
"And a bathtub," Rithvik added promptly. Kerrien glared at him. "What? You want to go looking for a job like that?" Rithvik chided.
Both had spent days washing in rivers and barely shaving. They both looked quite disheveled and dusty from their travels.
"Either that or public baths if you're here to find work," the innkeeper said. "The young man is right."
Kerrien muttered something under his breath then asked about the public baths and how much the bathtub would cost.
"I strongly suggest the baths," the innkeeper said. "Our rooms are quite small and so are the tubs. You'll be more comfortable at the baths, you might even find a barber to shave you."
"I can shave myself, thank you," Kerrien snapped. "And it's time Rithvik learns to do it."
"As long as you show me how it's done!" Rithvik replied lightly.
He'd get to see his caretaker naked! He didn't mind learning to use a razor if that meant he could spend some time in the water with Kerrien.
"Here's the room key. It's not yet meal time, so you might want to go to the baths first. When you come back, the food will be ready." The innkeeper gave them a key and smiled.
Kerrien took it, muttering a thank you.
"You know, I don't have spare clothes," Rithvik said as they got out of the tavern to go looking for the baths.
"I'll lend you one of my tunics for now," Kerrien replied. "I'm running out of money, thanks to you!"
"All right, I'll be working for clothes too..." Rithvik sighed. Life was really hard without servants that provided everything. Or his father's wealth. He'd never questioned where things had come from before, but now he must learn the right price of everything.
"Teach me, Kerrien! I want to learn to be like you!"
Kerrien glared at him, then looked away.
Rithvik followed Kerrien into the public baths and kept his admiration at bay. Used to wooden bathtubs, Rithvik was surprised by the little rooms with private pools, closed by a curtain. Kerrien opted for one of those instead of the main rectangular pool where other men rested or chatted. Whether it was for modesty or for want of privacy, Rithvik didn't care.
The smell of soaps and thermal water wrapped them as soon as Kerrien closed the curtain. There was very little room around the square pool, but on one side there was a bench where they found towels. They undressed and left their clothes there as well.
Rithvik only glanced at the toned and scarred body of Kerrien and wished he could touch it and taste it. But he didn't want Kerrien to be rude to him, so he pretended not to notice.
The pool was small and square, with colored tiles that drew lines both underwater and on the walls. It felt strange to have naturally warm water to sit in. The soap smelled like violets and it made a lot of foam and bubbles that made him chuckle.
Kerrien lent him his razor and showed him how to shave. It was a fun lesson and Rithvik thought he had missed something by having servants doing everything for him.
"It's not my fault if I had people doing things for me," he apologized before sliding on Kerrien's spare tunic. "Thank you for helping me to deal with everything myself."
"We'll see if you pass the examination with the town militia." Kerrien adjusted the tunic on his shoulders and wrinkled his nose. "We really need a dressmaker to make you new clothes."
"And I want a sword like yours! Will you let me try it?"
"Why don't we go eat for now? Then we'll look for the town militia captain."
Rithvik eagerly followed Kerrien back to the Heroic Wizard Tavern. The drinks were fairly-priced and decent, but the dirt cheap food proved to be of poor quality. Rithvik still wished for roasted boar, but didn't say it. The stew and beans were peasants' food for him, but for lack of choice, he ate them anyway.
"I know that guy," Kerrien muttered, observing a mercenary with an obviously magical item – a set of bracers surrounded by an aura of light.
Fairy Tales Revisited on Silvery Earth Page 16
