“I have chosen an overland route through Firheng and the Water Mountains as our best route, and I’ll discuss that later. He is an important personage, someone who the royal family thinks highly of, and he should be treated with the utmost respect,” Kestrel said.
“If you could appoint someone to immediately take him to your best guest housing, I would encourage you to do so,” Kestrel proposed. “Then you and I can go over minutiae.”
There was a moment of silence as the two staffers examined Hampus closely.
“Thank you Kestrel,” Hampus said pompously. “My modesty prevents me from saying more, but I welcome the chance to meet these good people on behalf of their rulers.”
“Belinda, please make immediate arrangements for Sir Hampus to be escorted to the highest floor of the guest tower,” Casimo said. “You may wait in my office for your guide to arrive,” Casimo offered, as Belinda left Kestrel’s hug to go find a guide for Hampus.
The princess’s betrothed casually strolled into the officer’s chamber, while Casimo waited out in Belinda’s office with Kestrel.
“What in blazes is this?” he asked incredulously, his voice down to a whisper.
“He is the betrothed of the princess,” Kestrel replied.
“Why him?” Casimo immediately asked. “Why not someone like you?”
“He was the heroic, sole survivor of an expedition that went farther east than anyone else has ever gone before,” Kestrel explained, hoping that he would have to say no more.
“I remember something about that expedition,” Casimo scratched his head. “Now what was it?”
Belinda re-entered the room, a young member of the guard in tow.
“My lord Hampus,” Casimo called, walking towards his office door. “Your escort is here,” he announced.
The future consort was on his way to his room less than a minute later. And Casimo closed the door once he was gone, so that the three old friends were alone together at last.
“Kestrel, it’s so good to see you!” Belinda said again. “Shall I get your bottle of Estone firewater?” she asked Casimo.
“You’re not supposed to know about that,” he said mildly, as she disappeared into his office.
She returned moments later with a stone bottle and three cups in hand. They pulled three chairs around her desk and sat down, as Casimo poured the bottle’s contents into the cups.
“To Kestrel,” Casimo raised his cup in a toast.
“To Kestrel,” Belinda repeated, as they each sipped their drinks.
“What exactly did you do?” Casimo asked. “The reports from the humans say that you disappeared on your way down to Uniontown, you caused a commotion there, and then nothing happened until the joyful rains fell a month later, killing the Viathins and freeing many of their adherents.
“You’d be surprised at a few of the noblemen who changed their attitudes here in the Eastern Forest,’” he added.
And so Kestrel spent a considerable time, telling a rambling story about the deadly trip down to the mountains south of Uniontown.
“And so I eventually made it back to Oaktown, and thought I would live a peaceful life there, until the palace grew unusually determined to make me take Hampus on this journey,” he finished his recital.
“An expedition to the unexplored wilderness in the east?” Casimo spoke up. “I remember now that it was seen as a joke when it departed,” he told the others. “A few glory-seeking idiots and some useless hangers-on sent away to get them out of peoples’ hair.”
“Which group does Kestrel’s companion fall into?” Belinda slyly asked.
“Maybe both,” the base commander gave a rueful laugh.
“And why are you bringing him here?” Casimo asked.
“Firheng is right on the way to Kirevee,” Kestrel answered with exaggerated sincerity.
“I plan to go overland along the whole length of the Water Mountains,” Kestrel answered. “Miskel wants me to wash Hampus out,” he explained.
“And a whole summer spent traversing the mountains should wash him out if anything can,” he told them.
“You be careful that you don’t pick an acorn too tough to eat,” Casimo said. “I’ve never heard of anyone – elf or human – making that journey.”
“I know the gnomes, I have the imps, and I’ve done more than half of it anyway,” Kestrel said with self-assurance.
“We came through here because I wanted to see my friends again,” Kestrel added. “Hampus can spend a few days here getting some training, or perhaps we’ll get lucky and he’ll wash out here without even having to go into the mountains. Then I can go home and live my peaceful life.”
“And go visit some of the pretty human lady friends you’ve developed in recent years?” Belinda asked archly.
“They all have found better choices than me,” he said ruefully.
“Oh poor Kestrel,” she told him in a kind tone. She stood up and walked over to his seat, then hugged his head against her chest. “There’s the right love interest out there waiting for you. Who knows? It might even be someone you’ve already met.
“I, in the meantime, need to go home to my wonderful husband, who is alive and well thanks to you. I’ll tell Rainor you’re here,” she promised.
“So how long do you plan to stay here?” Casimo asked after Belinda was gone. “I’ll want to call an assembly on the parade grounds so that everyone can see you.”
“You can’t be serious!” Kestrel protested.
“They’ll absolutely want it,” Casimo insisted. “You’re our legendary, greatest alumnus.
“And we don’t get a lot of attention any longer. After Silvan, there’s no one in Center Trunk who knows how to use our skills effectively. We don’t get any valuable news any more from Center Trunk; we have to use our own network and sources to keep up to date.”
“In answer to your question, I’d like to stay a week or so to see if we can either toughen Hampus up here –at least a little – or to wash him out of the assignment, before we get into the mountains,” Kestrel said, then yawned.
“You go take any room you want for the night in the eastern tower,” Casimo advised Kestrel as he stood up. “I’ll see you and your prodigy tomorrow, and we’ll try to train him into quitting his mission!”
They parted ways, and Kestrel was soon fast asleep in his former room in Firheng, happy to be back among friends.
Chapter 16 – Firheng
Kestrel found Hampus still asleep the next morning, and woke him up. Kestrel was eager to go to the armory to see his old friends and instructors there, mostly for the sake of his own pleasure, but also to introduce Hampus to training in the ways of serious combat.
“That was a tolerably good night’s sleep after all those nights in trees,” the presumptive prince consort yawned after he was dressed. “Will we find many inns on the way after we leave here, with better accommodations, or is this as good as it gets?”
“I doubt we’ll find much better than this,” Kestrel said dryly.
They went to the supply depot, where Kestrel was recognized and lauded by several former acquaintances. “You’re quite a popular fellow here, aren’t you?” Hampus commented. “Would you like the princess to appoint you to a position up here someday when she’s on the throne?”
“It’s a wonderful place, with wonderful people,” Kestrel said, “but I just look forward to going home to Oaktown and settling in to my home.
“Now, let’s go get a bite of breakfast, and then go to the armory,” he told Hampus as they started down the stairs. There were more greetings as guards recognized Kestrel during the brief meal.
“The food here is adequate,” Hampus complained, “but I’ve grown fond of the cuisine at the palace.”
Gion and Arlen were the first two familiar faces they saw at work on the training mats in the armory, their next stop after the canteen.
Both elves stopped their practice bouts to stare in astonishment at Kestrel’s appearance.
&nb
sp; “What have the gods sent to us now?” Arlen said. “I’ve been looking for someone new to give me a challenge on the practice mats!
“Kestrel, my gracious, it’s great to see you!” Gion spoke, as he dropped his fighting staff and stepped over to see the newcomers.
“Does everyone in this place know you?” Hampus asked. His voice was part petulant, part querulous, part wistful longing.
“Everyone in all the lands ought to know him!” Arlen roared, his own extraordinary purple eyes sparkling. “He killed a god after all!
“How many mortals will you hear that said about?”
“You’ve really sold a story to these folks, Kestrel,” Hampus said to him in a low voice before the others reached them.
“It’s a true story, though I haven’t been trying to spread it myself,” Kestrel answered, annoyed by the comments.
The two combatants from across the room reached them, and grasped Kestrel’s hands and arms in their own. “You must have stories to tell!” Gion exclaimed. “Will you stay long enough to share them with us?”
“I’m here with Hampus, from the palace in Center Trunk,” Kestrel answered. “We’re here for a few days for him to have some training before we go on a mission in the Water Mountains,” he answered. “So there will be more than enough time to get together, happily.”
“Training?” Hampus asked. “I wasn’t aware of any training planned for this trip.”
“I thought that since you’ve had so much experience in the wilderness already, we won’t need to give you a lot of training, but a touch of a refresher with these folks will be good for you. These are the best the Eastern Forest has to offer,” Kestrel said reassuringly.
“A mission in the Water Mountains?” Arlen said skeptically. “What could that possibly be?”
“I’m going to Kirevee,” Hampus bragged. “At the specific order of the King and Princess.”
“It’s my judgment that the mountain route is the best way for Hampus to travel,” Kestrel hastily spoke. He didn’t want either of the other two to reveal the illogic of going by such a roundabout journey. “I’ll ask you for advice later,” he told them.
“But for now, I thought that Arlen might start tutoring Hampus in the use of the staff as a tool and weapon,” he proposed.
And so began one of the most disruptive weeks on Hampus’s life, as he was mercilessly revealed to have no talent or training in any martial skills other than archery, in which he excelled. He was regularly pummeled in the use of the staff, the sword, the knife, and hand-to-hand combat.
At first he was indignant, then he rebelled, and finally he descended into defeated submission.
“Kestrel, the truth is, I’m not the hero everyone thinks I am,” he admitted, nearly in tears, when Kestrel went to the upper floor room on the fourth night in Firheng. Kestrel had taken to making a bed check, half fearful that Hampus was going to flee from the base some night, while Kestrel and his friends spent hour after hour talking and telling stories.
“You had that great adventure in the eastern wilderness,” Kestrel replied.
“Can I tell you a secret?” Hampus asked, as he lay on his bed in his darkened room massaging his wounded legs.
Kestrel paused. He decided he didn’t want to get involved in the unseemly politics of the palace, and he was sure that anything Hampus told him at that moment was likely to entangle him in something he wanted to stay away from. Better to ignorantly carry out his guide duties, then disassociate himself from whatever else the palace did.
“Your secrets are palace secrets,” he carefully said. “You better not reveal such things to a common person like me.”
In the darkness he saw the look of surprise that crossed Hampus’s face. “Of course, you’re right,” Hampus said. “Thank you for reminding me.”
After two more days, Kestrel took pity on the bruised hero. “I think this morning will be your last morning,” he announced when they arrived at the armory for practice.
“But we were going to start horseback riding this afternoon,” Arlen protested.
“I don’t think we’ll have any horseback opportunities in the Water Mountains,” Kestrel grinned. “Now, if we were going the Estone route, the way is easy enough for horses,” his voice trailed off.
“There’s an easier way than what we’re going to use?” Hampus asked with interest. “Could we take the easier route without using horses?”
Kestrel silently cursed himself for his carelessness in mentioning the alternative route.
“We’ll be able to travel without anyone seeing us if we go through the mountains, and I thought the secrecy was important,” Kestrel lamely covered his slip up.
Hampus accepted Kestrel’s explanation, and dutifully prepared for his last practice session.
“He’s made some progress,” Gion told Kestrel as they watched Hampus and Arlen spar. “But you’re going to be hard-pressed to rely on him for any help if you get caught in a battle. I’m even more worried about you getting part way on the mountains, and him just breaking down, with no way for you to get him out of the wilderness.”
“I’ve got the imps to help me if I need to evacuate him,” Kestrel said confidently.
That afternoon he took a horseback ride of his own, and enjoyed the equestrian outing, so he was in good spirits when he returned and helped raid the commissary to pack supplies for Hampus and himself.
“So this is it,” Casimo said the next morning, as a small group gathered to watch the departure of the two adventurers. “We’ll put you in the record books when you complete your historic journey.”
“Farewell Kestrel,” Belinda murmured as she hugged him. “Please don’t wait so long to come back to visit next time.”
The others shook hands with Kestrel and Hampus, then watched them leave the base, and begin their long journey west. Kestrel had no good grasp of how long the journey would take, but he looked forward to meeting the challenge. As he had planned and prepared for the trip, and consulted the Firheng specialists on surviving in the wilderness, he had come to see the trip as a great challenge, and he felt torn by the conflicting goals of washing Hampus out during the journey versus completing the journey as an historic achievement.
Chapter 17 – In the Mountains
The first five days of the trip out of Firheng was a simple matter of jogging over the gently rolling terrain that led southwest from the city, to the frontier of the Eastern Forest, and then into the foothills of the Water Mountains south of Greenwater. Kestrel had idly considered a side trip to the city to overwhelm Hampus with exposure to the vile, corrupt culture of the loosely governed city, but he took pity on Hampus, sure that the elf would have fallen victim to shock and despair, if not outright physical attack.
They began to climb mountains, and Hampus began to complain. Every new ridge they crested was higher than the one they had climbed before, and Hampus’s litany of injuries, aches, wounds, and malaise grew more vociferous.
They were in a vast stretch of wilderness that was claimed by no nation. The mountains grew increasingly treacherous, and Kestrel found Hampus’s growing list of complaints to be more and more annoying.
“We are not going to go back to Firheng and run to Estone,” Kestrel said forcefully after they crested a stony crest and faced the prospect of crossing the series of ridges that were visible in the direction they intended to travel.
“You’re a heroic mountain-climber, I’m told, so you’re going to go climb some mountains on the way to Kirevee and your triumphant diplomatic duties,” he said forcefully.
“But once I’m a hero already, and betrothed to the princess, I should be able to rest on my laurels,” Hampus protested.
“If we were allowed to rest on our laurels, I wouldn’t be out here with you,” Kestrel answered snidely.
Hampus looked at him in surprise. “But won’t you get honor and glory in the court for being my guide? I’m sure the courtiers will be jealous of your time with me.”
“N
ot if they know you,” Kestrel muttered under his breath.
“Hmm?” Hampus asked.
“Have you been at court for very long?” Kestrel asked.
“Several weeks,” Hampus answered.
“And you’ve never seen me at court, and you probably haven’t heard a single courtier mention me, have you?” Kestrel asked.
“Well, no,” Hampus considered. “All the more reason to gain some prestige at court. The only ones who do ever mention you are the guard officers, and they aren’t very popular. They never go to the balls.”
“The point is that I don’t want to be popular at court,” Kestrel said, silencing Hampus into astonishment.
They started weaving down the western slope of the ridge.
“And you shouldn’t care either,” Kestrel found himself adding. “Popularity at court isn’t important. Serving the forest and the people is important,” he said.
“And pleasing the princess,” Hampus added.
Kestrel sighed and gave up.
That night they were both tired from the day’s rigorous journey. They climbed into adjoining trees and fell quickly asleep in their perches among the high branches.
As soon as Kestrel fell asleep, he seemed to begin to dream.
Kai came to him. “Kestrel, you are my most fervent worshipper, and I think your statue in Hydrotaz is a lovely work,” the goddess told Kestrel, speaking in a tone that seemed less warm than her usual voice; Kestrel had always felt her love expressed in her words, but now she seemed distant, he thought.
“There are the other gods as well, though,” she mentioned. “It seems to me that you should turn your talents to creating suitable works for them as well, so that their worshippers will have the opportunity to give them the love that they deserve as well.”
“You want me to make statues for the temples of the other gods?” Kestrel asked in confusion. Growelf had been helpful, but in a gruff manner; Kestrel could hardly draw any inspiration for a great creation in a temple.
“Yes, Krusima, god of earth deserves a great temple, one even more beautiful than mine,” the goddess said intently.
The Guided Journey (Book 6) Page 16
