by Phil Stern
“Indeed.” Rolling her eyes, Aprina studied a young chipmunk who’d dashed out to see the humans. “Though from what you tell me of your background, I doubt you’ve met any other girls with power.”
“No, my Lady. None that survived, anyway.”
Aprina sighed. “It must have been very difficult for you, living a secret life.”
“It soon became second nature. My mother taught me well.” Anson paused. “How did you sneak up on me like that just now?”
“I didn’t, the first time around.”
“I don’t understand, my Lady.”
“I can shift back in time. At least, from my perspective. The first time I just saw where you went, how you reacted. Then I just hid in a doorway for you to come by again.”
Anson shook his head. “I never dreamed there were so many different talents in the world.”
“There are many variations on our native gifts, certainly.” Looking more closely, Aprina realized this Anson was a very handsome young man, his power strong and sure. She could well understand why Lydia was so taken with him.
“My Lady,” he hesitantly began. “Is there a way? To escape the Kingdom, I mean?”
“There could be.” Looking off, Aprina let the cool forest breeze play over her skin. “They say there is another world beyond ours. A place that is very different than the Kingdom.”
“Where is this place?”
“Beyond the Outlands. Some say it is both very near, and very far away.”
“That makes no sense.”
“Perhaps,” she said, looking back again. “But some things are not so easily understood. According to legend, it is where we came from in the first place. Our ancestral home.”
“Our home?” Anson repeated. “But isn’t the Kingdom our home?”
“At the moment, unfortunately.” Standing, Aprina looked down at him. “Anson, you must take my daughter away. You must find that place together. I have seen inside your very soul. You are very strong, and very pure.”
“My Lady...” Trailing off, he felt almost overwhelmed. “I would do anything for her.”
“Yes. And she needs you.” Shuddering, Aprina felt another surge of fear. “Lydia must not marry Tenen! Any risk would be worth running to avoid that fate.”
Anson smiled. “I agree.”
“Help her anyway you can.” Taking his hand, Aprina nodded. “In the meantime, I will find out more about this place, that other world beyond the Outlands. You two will go there together. It is the only way.”
***
Late that evening, Anson slowly rode back into the outskirts of his home village. It was a three-hour journey from Yarlee, and after six hours in the saddle that day he was ready for a relaxing night.
Suddenly, his inner clarion sang out, instantly bringing him to a state of readiness. Jerking his horse to a halt, he quickly surveyed the quiet country road ahead. All seemed as it should, soft white butterflies meandering over the dirt lane and fields to either side. No one else was in sight.
But then another horseman cantered around the bend up ahead, coming from Hylen itself. Perched atop a huge Stallion, this was obviously a royal. Not bothering to mask his mental emanations, Anson soon identified Prince Tenen. A half-minute later, the prince was almost upon him. Girding himself for action, Anson stayed where he was.
“Hello there.” Pulling up beside Anson’s horse, Tenen looked down from his greater equine height. “And what brings you out here this fine evening?”
“A journey, my Lord.” Quickly scanning the area, Anson felt no other telepaths. It seemed the good prince was alone. “To help a fellow soldier in need.”
“Yes, your mother said as much.” Laughing, Tenen slapped his horse affectionately on the neck. “Though I think she nearly died of fright when I rode up, asking about you. Why do you think that is, Anson of Hylen?”
It wasn’t difficult to imagine his mother now, sobbing in their small home, certain her only son would be arrested and executed. Despite Anson’s taut self-control, a wave of fury blasted out over the country lane.
“Ah, there you are! Finally!” Tenen had to pull up on his reigns, his Stallion spooked by the burst of cognitive energy. “Though I must say, you’re very good. I don’t think anybody else suspects your true nature.”
So here it was, the unmasking he and his mother had so long dreaded. And at Tenen’s hand, no less. But instead of the terror he’d always imagined, Anson found himself almost relieved.
“Actually, the Network does.” Silently, Anson studied the prince. Exquisitely dressed in expensive riding clothes atop a priceless animal, adorned with gold and other jewels, he was the very image of haughty, self-indulgent privilege. “Or at least they did, at one point.”
“Corporal Senter, who mysteriously disappeared on patrol with you. Am I correct?”
“You are.” Anson slowly nodded. “I had no idea your Lordship had taken such an interest in me.”
“Please.” Tenen laughed. “Do you not remember the church fire here, in this very village, when we were quite young?”
He spoke of the horrific event as if it were nothing, his own culpability in the matter, or the lives lost, clearly of no import. “I do, my Lord. Very well.”
“I knew you for who you were then.” Tenen shrugged. “I’ve kept you in mind all these years.”
“I’m honored.” Grimly, Anson kept his gaze locked on the young prince, his power at the ready.
“You should be.” Tenen didn’t look away. “It would have been easy enough to call the Royal Guard down on both you and your mother.”
“So why didn’t you?”
“Well, let’s just say that one can never have too many friends.” Lifting up a forefinger, Tenen incinerated a fly buzzing about his head. “As you should well appreciate. After all, when you were called in to see the King that day, it was I who made sure the Network was kept off-balance.”
“I see.” Clearly, Anson recalled the Demon coming into the room where the recruits were waiting, followed by Tenen’s casual abuse of the supposed cleaning woman. “Though I had no idea of your Lordship’s deliberate intervention.”
“Of course.” Sighing, Tenen now fried another bug. “What do you think, I go around attacking people for no reason?”
Anson remained very still, closely watching Tenen’s hands. “I wouldn’t know, my Lord.”
“Though it is quite useful to have others believe you wild and unpredictable.” Still smiling, Tenen gave the reigns a hard tug, his Stallion’s head jerking back. “It makes them wary of crossing you.”
“What do you want, Tenen? Other than to terrify my mother, that is.”
“Ah, right to the point. I like that.” Leaning forward, Tenen nodded. “You’re very strong, Anson. You could be useful to me.”
“In what way?”
“Many ways. My eyes and ears around the castle, for one,” Tenen said. “Among other, more active pursuits, shall we say.”
“You want me to be your agent?” Anson frowned. “Your Demon, essentially.”
“‘Demon’ is such a nasty word.” Tenen considered. “Let’s say my associate. On hand to do my bidding, whatever that may be.”
“Whatever that may be?” Looking up at the sky, Anson picked out Bronsus, his favorite constellation, among the evening stars. “As tempting as that sounds, I cannot. As you see, I live here, in Hylen.”
“Actually, no. Not any more.” Now hopping down from the Stallion’s back, Tenen dug a canteen from the rear saddlebag, taking a long drink. “As of this moment, you’ve been recalled to the army, to be attached to my personal staff.”
Dismounting himself, Anson walked around the great Stallion to face Tenen directly. “And if I say no?”
“Then you, and your mother, will be arrested forthwith. After all, she has been harboring a devil all these years.” Pulling out a second canteen, Tenen offered it to him. “Of course, with your new rank and position, your mother will qualify for a substantial stipend.
Make things a lot easier for her, I’d imagine.”
Accepting the canteen, Anson took a thoughtful sip. “You leave me little choice, my Lord.”
“I get what I want, Anson.” Clapping him on the shoulder, Tenen hauled himself up once more on the Stallion. “Or should I say, Sergeant Anson?”
Standing in the dirt road, Anson made a great show of considering matters. “I accept, my Lord.”
“Excellent. Report to me in three days.” Kicking the great horse into action, the young prince thundered off toward Brenlaw.
Slowly Anson remounted, continuing at a slow walk toward home.
***
Exactly seventy-two hours after leaving the prince on the roadside, Anson rode up to the outer castle gates within Brenlaw.
It had been an emotional parting from his mother, both fully aware of the dangers they each now faced. In fact, she was still sobbing as he’d ridden away from their small cottage, Anson’s final assurances unable to assuage her terror.
But there was no other way. Incredible as it seemed, Tenen had always been aware of who and what he was. Technically, both he and his mother had been criminals from the moment his power had first manifested, subject to arrest and execution. With that not-inconsequential fact in mind, ignoring the good prince wasn’t possible.
Yet, it also raised a major complication. Anson had no intention of remaining in fear of Tenen the rest of his life. And indeed, should he and Lydia indeed succeed in fleeing the Kingdom, his mother would remain at the young royal’s mercy.
As for his beloved, Lydia had been kept up to speed via their courier pigeon. Her return message was full of excitement and hope, yet also expressed great concern for his own well-being in Brenlaw.
Despite the worries of others, however, Anson felt little fear. Following his experiences in the Outlands, Anson knew himself more than a match for anything the Network, or Tenen, might throw his way.
No, the only concern was getting Lydia safely away and escaping to the mystical world beyond the Outlands, all while negating Tenen’s ability to harm those he loved.
Upon giving his name to the outer gate guard, Anson was unexpectedly saluted and passed through without question. Ambling through the courtyard, he was then bid by another guard to wait before the actual castle entrance. Dismounting, he stared up at the clear, evening sky.
Within the castle he easily sensed Lydia’s presence. Giving her a gentle mental poke, he experienced her sudden shock and surprise. A few moments later he heard a window swing open high above, her dark hair tumbling outward as she stared down into the courtyard below.
“Sergeant Anson! I’m so happy you made it here safely.”
Casually looking back downward, Anson saw Tenen striding through the bottleneck castle entrance, resplendent in his regal garb.
“My Lord, I’m reporting for duty, as ordered.”
“Excellent. Come inside.” And with that Tenen stood aside, motioning Anson to precede him.
Staring downward, Lydia could only watch as Anson walked ahead of Tenen into the castle and out of view.
But that night, laying in bed, Lydia could still sense the commoner youth very close by, his warm, comforting presence lulling her to sleep.
CHAPTER NINE
THE VERY NEXT AFTERNOON Prince Tenen invited Anson to attend a formal dinner.
“It’s nothing special,” he remarked, standing in the entranceway to Anson’s spartan, yet private room. “But everyone in the castle will see you by my side, know that you’re now part of my inner circle.”
“That’s very kind of you, my Lord.”
“It will also give you a chance to meet Princess Lydia,” Tenen continued. “We are engaged to be married, you know.”
“Congratulations,” Anson drily replied. “You must be very proud, my Lord.”
Thoughtfully, Tenen scratched his head. “Yes, well, to be honest with you, Anson, I would like you to be especially aware of Lydia. We are only recently engaged, and I believe she’s not yet accustomed to the idea.”
“Ah, I understand.” Anson nodded knowingly. “You wish to know if she is keeping company with anyone else.”
“What? No. Not at all!” Irritably, Tenen swept some imaginary dust from his sleeve. “That’s not even an issue. But do keep an eye and ear out for anything...shall we say...of interest about her. All right?”
“Absolutely, my Lord,” Anson said. “It would be my pleasure.”
“And don’t think I’ve forgotten about you.” Slinging his riding gloves at Anson’s chest, Tenen gave a knowing smile. “I’ve arranged to have a suitable lady at your side tonight.”
“Really?” Deftly catching the gloves, Anson paused. “And who might that be?”
“Verlith.” Tenen made a point of drawing out the name. “Very sweet. She’s a commoner girl, from Brenlaw.”
“Ah.” Anson handed the gloves back. “A friend of your Lordship’s, I presume.”
“I have many friends, Anson, though some are more exclusive than others.” Tenen strode out into the castle passageway, then turned back. “I’m sure you two will get along very nicely.”
“No doubt, my Lord.”
“See you tonight, then.” And with that, Tenen was gone.
***
At precisely seven o’clock, Lydia sat down at a glittering table in the main banquet hall. Since her engagement to Tenen, she’d been forced to attend such functions at least twice a week. Lasting for several hours each, she found them quite boring.
Lydia was also disappointed at not having yet seen her beloved around the castle. Perhaps she might glimpse Anson this evening, maybe off to the side somewhere? After all, he was now on the prince’s personal staff...
“Good evening, my love.” From behind her chair, Tenen pressed odious lips against Lydia’s cheek. “I’m so glad to see you here.”
Cringing, she pulled away. “Tenen, I’ve asked you not to do that.”
“The princess is very proper.” Laughing, Tenen was obviously speaking to someone else. “It’s just one of the reasons I love her so.”
“Indeed, my Lord.”
Stunned, Lydia turned about at the sound of Anson’s voice. Standing beside Tenen in full uniform, he winked down at her. Only now did she feel his aura pressing up against her own.
How had Anson masked himself so completely? Standing right beside her, Lydia hadn’t been able to detect him until he chose to announce himself. Again, it struck her that the commoner boy from Hylen had somehow become a much stronger telepath since she’d first detected him at the castle.
Quickly gathering herself, Lydia managed a wooden smile. “My Lord, I see you have a new associate.”
“Yes, this is Sergeant Anson,” Tenen replied. “He will be joining us tonight.”
“My Lady.” Formally bowing, Anson smiled back. “It is an honor.”
“No doubt.” Heart pounding, Lydia peremptorily turned back to the table, trying to gather herself.
Within moments Tenen took his place to her right. Belle and Prince Warten sat on her left. Another of Tenen’s young associates, Prince Rolle, also joined them, along with one of the girls from town.
Then, to her horror, Lydia watched another of Tenen’s party girls, all dolled up for the occasion, sit down next to Anson.
“May I introduce Verlith, my Lady.” Anson’s face was a mask of polite indifference. “Prince Tenen was good enough to introduce us for this occasion.”
“The prince is very kind that way,” Lydia somehow managed to reply, staring at the blonde commoner with the plunging neckline.
“I’m so happy to meet you, my Lady!” Verlith giggled. “I’ve heard so much about you. Much of it from Prince Tenen himself!”
This inappropriate girl, who was lucky to be in the castle at all, was now baiting her? Head spinning, Lydia was grateful for a warm, reassuring mental nudge from Anson.
“I’m so honored, Verlith,” Lydia purred. “After all, given your busy social schedule about town, it mu
st be difficult for you to remember everything the various princes might mention to you.”
Beside her, Belle put a napkin to her mouth, stifling a laugh. Eyes growing wide, Verlith was about to fire back when Anson leaned forward, placing a hand on her arm. “So, my Lord, let me just thank you again for attaching me to your staff.”
“No problem, Sergeant.” Clearly, Tenen was enjoying the byplay among the girls. “I enjoy a diverse, lively table. No doubt you will greatly add to it.”
“No doubt he will, my Lord.” Only now turning her icy stare from Verlith, Lydia began working on her salad.
***
Across the hall, amid the bustle of the royal banquet, Perno closely watched the four young couples.
The King was correct about one thing, the Network chief decided. Despite Lydia’s obvious distaste for young Prince Tenen, she had no other options but to soon embrace the match.
Whatever mystery talent she may or may not possess, currently Lydia was isolated and alone. Inevitably, the princess would soon come to appreciate the influence she and Tenen could wield within the castle, should they fully support one another.
However, Lydia wasn’t quite at that point yet. No doubt she would first try to locate Aprina, even now hiding somewhere in the countryside. Only upon realizing her mother could no longer influence royal society would the young princess resign herself to forming a power couple with Tenen.
Thus, Perno’s opportunity. He would watch Lydia closely, wait until she revealed Aprina’s location, and then destroy both mother and daughter. This would both restore his position within the King’s inner circle, and eliminate the potential influence of a Tenen/Lydia pairing before it even took shape.
As for Lydia’s evasion of him in the forest the night of the celebration dinner? Perno had meticulously gone over every nuance of that evening. The only possible explanation was for Lydia to possess some additional power they knew nothing about. A third talent, granting the girl a level of ability known only among one telepath in a thousand.
