by Wood, Andrew
The General nodded, sensing Jak's affiliation with Levin, and not wanting to cause any ill feelings replied, "of course, how about he reports to me during the mornings. He can assist me till lunch, and then he's free to do whatever afterwards." Jak and General Skalton both looked to Levin, "it's your choice" Jak said, "I doubt many thirteen year olds have been made a member of the Elite Guard." The General laughed again, "how about it young man, fancy being one of us? I am sure we can find you some sort of uniform somewhere, though it may have to be made a bit smaller before it fits." Levin was a little torn, on one hand he did not want to upset Jak, he had become quite fond of the grumpy old soldier, but on the other hand, how could he refuse such an honour. He glanced over to the captain, the man that had taken him under his wing, and it was only a nod from him, that changed what he was going to say at the last second. "I gladly accept sir" he finally replied to General Skalton. "Excellent, report to me tomorrow morning, bright and early," "yes sir" Levin said, saluting as he did.
Once the group had dispersed, Jak took Levin to the wagons that had carried, and still stored any spare military equipment. "I'm not so certain we will find much spare uniform, but we may get lucky." The two climbed up, and started opening crates, boxes and sacks, anything that may contain anything of use. After an hour of searching, what ended up being seven wagon loads, all they had was a pair of black trousers that were not only to long in the leg, but would probably go around Levin's waist twice over. The best item they discovered was a tabard, this was usually only worn by the Elite Guard when they were at the palace, many of them had taken to just wearing their armour, as for the time at least, they were required as a fighting force. The tabard was also too large, but Jak knew just the person to make the adjustments, "by morning we will be having you looking the part," he said warmly.
Sarena was only too happy to be asked, "of course I will, let me find my sewing basket," she said excitedly. Since the fall of her hometown, she had had little chance to do any needlework, and was quite looking forward to doing something useful for somebody. "Let us start with those trousers, come on get your own off and put the big ones on, I need to see just how much I'm taking them in." Levin, rather bashfully took his trousers off, and could feel the heat in his reddening cheeks. Sensing the boy's unease, Serena turned her gaze the other way, until such time she thought he had changed. Levin firmly grasped the overly large black trousers, he did not want them falling down while Sarena was so close to him. Calmly and efficiently placing small shiny pins around the bottom of the legs, and then the waist, she eventually asked him to carefully remove them and put his others back on.
The tabard was too long in length, and despite Levin having quite broad shoulders for a boy of his age, far too wide across the width. With some considerable time, pinning and unpinning, then re-pinning, Sarena finally nodded her satisfaction, "I think that ought to do it." Levin was asked to leave the garments with her, and if all went well by morning, she hoped to have something that fitted him. Leaving her room, and going off to find Jak for his afternoon of training. He for the first time, felt quite excited at what he had become, and he thought his father would be proud of him.
With a rather gloomy, grey cloudy sky, Caldar had thought it only a matter of time before it started raining. Therefore, when it did start, it did not come unexpectedly, though it would make the afternoons ride a less comfortable one. Fortunately, it happened only to be a few short sharp showers, and by early evening, the gloom had gone. Making their first nights camp, in sight of the Fivan mountain range, he sat to speak with his officers. Being a prince, others took care of his horse, as well as prepare the camp; he was just the one that had to keep it all in check.
Looking at a map of the region, they pinpointed their position and distance covered over the days ride. Two more days of similar mileage and Easton should be in sight, slightly less if they made an earlier start in the morning. Caldar agreed, and sent out the message, that the camp would set out at first light, and for everyone to be aware that was the case. During the entire days ride, they had encountered no problems, and the scouts had reported no signs of any enemy soldiers. Once satisfied with his officers reports and having dealt with any issues they may have had, he headed away to find Vanessa and her family.
He noticed the South Besemian soldiers were not keeping themselves separate, and was glad to see them intermingling with his own troops. Already several units of mixed soldiers were sat around in groups talking and laughing as they set fires, and prepared their kit. He spotted Vanessa, blowing at a fire trying to get the flames to take. She sat back up and cast him a smile as she watched him approach. It was not just her and her family in the group; they had befriended a few others on route, who also sat with them. Caldar recognised a couple of faces, two brothers he had seen in Casham, and it was Edward, Vanessa's twin, who introduced them to him.
"Your highness, May I introduce Reece and Hunter" he said standing, bowing his head before reseating himself. The two brothers looked very similar, jet-black shoulder length hair, round faced, and were as tall as he was, and slim built. They were dressed similarly as well, in fine riding gear, and both he noticed had their own weapons, not ones they would have been issued as standard by the army. They had short swords and matching daggers very like the one he had given to Luken before he had left the capital, giving away the fact these young men came from a privileged background. They both bowed before him, and sat back down. Vanessa and her other brothers, had gotten used to him it seemed, and never bothered even standing for him. Much to his amusement, he had an evil thought of pulling them up on it one day.
He greeted everybody and sat himself down beside the young woman that, of late had captivated his mind. Hunter, the slightly younger of the two brothers sat close to Edward and Reece was happy to plonk himself down next to Arthur. With the flames taking hold in the fire, Vanessa stood, and with a little help from her twin, set the cook pot over them. Arthur rummaged in his backpack, and handed Vanessa a package of sorts wrapped in paper, "here cut this up and stick it in our stew" he chuckled, "it's a nice bit of beef, I pilfered from the stores before we left this morning." Vanessa stood shocked at her father's misdemeanour, "Dad, what have I told you, I'm so sorry?" she said turning to Caldar. The others around the fire all looked at the prince, probably expecting him to say something on the admitted act of theft.
Caldar looked back at them, "What?" he asked, "I think we should thank your father for having sense to bring something that makes our stew better. Beef stew certainly beats just plain vegetable stew any day, in my opinion. Arthur laughed, "See, his highness does not mind." Turning back to his backpack once more, the elderly man pulled out a bottle, "sure he won't mind a drop of this brandy I borrowed either." Caldar and the others all started laughing, especially at Vanessa's face. It was the picture of utter disbelief, though in the end she gave up and joined in the mirth.
As the hot stew was spooned out into bowls, Arthur grouped together everyone's cups and put a drop of brandy in each. Well everyone's except the one owned by Mitch, who appeared crest fallen when he noticed he was not getting any. The youngster turned to his pack, and pulled out his own parcel, "fine dad, you'll not be wanting any of these biscuits for afters then will you." Vanessa turned on his father, "see what a bad influence you are, the boy is only fourteen and you've made him into a criminal." Mitch grimaced, "I didn't steal them," he pleaded. "Oh really, you made them I suppose?" his big sister asked, standing over him with her hands on her hips. "Well, not exactly, I sort of found them, cooling on a window sill." The laughter broke out once more, and Arthur leaned over and poured just a small drop of brandy for his youngest son.
As they ate, Caldar looked up, at the faces of the people he had associated himself with since leaving behind his life in Hamalin. They were not perfection by any means, but he had grown fond of them all, especially the young woman who sat beside him. He even liked her father, as old and crotchety as he was, with his bad habits, you could not
but have fondness for him. He looked around, as her brothers, Eric, Davis and Carlton spoke quietly amongst themselves. Mitch and Arthur were talking to one of the new members of the group, Reece, and Edward was in conversation with the other, Hunter.
The beef stew was quite delightful, and his mouth was salivating as the odours reached him before the meal did. There was a loaf of bread, which was broken up, to allow each to soak up all the gravy from their bowls. Then they shared the biscuits, acquired by Mitch, and washed down with the brandy, admittedly stolen by Arthur. Once they had finished their meal, Vanessa, stood and collected the pots, "come on, me and you can wash up" she said, holding her hand out to Caldar. Looking up in shock, he would be the first to admit, he had never washed a pot in his life. "Of course" he found himself saying, and he stood to help. If nothing else, he thought at least if others witnessed him cleaning pots, they would think their prince a down to earth person, one not afraid to do the trivial tasks in life.
With darkness now falling over the camp, Caldar and Vanessa decided to go for a walk. The two wandered, arm in arm, out into the black of night, away from the flickering light of the fires. Caldar stopped, "it is quite beautiful, do you not think?" he asked, referring to the silhouetted mountain range, off far in the distance. Vanessa did not answer, instead preferring to wrap her arms around his neck and plant her lips firmly on his. After the initial shock, he savoured the moment, and let himself be pulled to the ground as she sat straddled across him. This really was becoming the most perfect of nights, and he did not resist her hands as they moved slowly down his body.
Chapter 20.
The night at Easton went without incident; the only sign of there being any intruders present was the flickering light from their campfires. General Skalton had taken the advice from earlier, of taking precautions against a night attack. Earlier the previous evening, just as it was getting dark he had briefly opened the gates a little to let out two men. Under the cover of near darkness, and with enemy eyes not looking upon them, they had placed out what the General hoped would give some warning, should anyone try to encroach upon the bridge under cover of night. A number of lines of string had been tied across the width; each line had hung from it, a number of chimes. As it happened, this night they had not been required.
After a fitful night's sleep, Levin sat on his blanket roll, wondering whether the Lady Sarena had had chance to make the required alterations to his tabard and trousers. Deciding it was probably too early to go knocking on her door to find out; he thought instead to start tidying up his belongings. The entire camp was today being moved into the city walls. Yesterday had seen areas within, marked out for camp to be set up. This area needed to be away from the building work being undertaken, to allow the workers to continue unhindered. The prefabricated timber buildings, which housed the prince, had already been dismantled and rebuilt in the keep yard. As they were home to the most senior and important members of society, it was thought better to keep them further back. The camp would also be set back away from the entrance, which would be barricaded if needed.
Jak awoke to find Levin busying himself, rolling his blanket and tying it to his pack. The two had stayed close ever since being reunited at Forwich, and despite their great difference in years, had become close friends. "All ready for your big day?" he asked, Levin turned with a nervous smile, "I think so. Do you think the Lady Sarena will be up yet? I would like to see if she had chance to alter my things for me." With a yawn, then a shrug of the shoulders, "Only one way to find out, I would imagine she'll be awake by now. That baby of hers will see to that. Go on, you go run to the yard, and I'll start us a bit of breakfast." Levin did not need asking twice, and quickly darted off, making his way through the camp. Running and trying his best to dodge other people, some of whom were still sleeping, and making his way out, and up the road to the city gates. Typical, he thought, the one-day I have to see the Lady Sarena and they move her into the city.
He had to stop briefly at the gates, as they were now guarded, fortunately for him; they appeared to recognise his face and waved him through. Slowing a little, feeling slightly out of breath, he was quite impressed by the work that had taken place. The road, on which he ran, was now clean and level. The small cobbled stones had all been neatly repaired or replaced, and he thought it a fine road, one fit for their new capital. As he approached the gates of the keep however, he was stalled once more. Two guards, both of them Elite Guards, or Royal Guards as some seem to call them now, barred him access. "Please, I need to see the Lady Sarena. She will be expecting me," he added, hoping in some small way that made his request more valid. "Sorry, only persons of rank are permitted entry," the larger of the two men said, "and I don't think that applies to you," the other said chuckling as he did so.
Levin was about to give up, perhaps he could return later with Jak. If he were here they would have let them in, of that he was certain. He thought it worth giving one last try, and remembering he was now technically one of them, he asked again. "You know I am a member of the Elite Guard, like you two," he added, trying to stand upright, and have a serious look to his face. The guards did not buy it; they laughed some more, "go on son, may be one day..." the smaller was saying, before a shout from behind stopped him.
The biggest smug grin appeared on Levin's face, as General Skalton walked up behind the two guards. "Levin, why are you standing out there?" he called. Levin, now thinking it was time to drop the guards in it, "they will not let me in sir, I told them I was an Elite Guard like them, but they still refused." There, he thought, giving both men a look of 'told you so'. General Skalton turned to the larger of the two, "Is this true Corporal?" he asked firmly. "Yes sir. He is just a boy, and well, how could he possibly be," replied the guard, with more than a hint of nervousness in his voice. "Well, for future reference, make sure all the others are aware also. This is Levin, my Personal Assistant, now shift your ass out of the way and let him in."
The guards quickly parted, and although Levin knew he should remain grown up about the matter, he could not resist poking his tongue out at them as he walked past. General Skalton greeted him, "did you not manage to find any uniform?" he enquired. "Just a pair of trousers and a tabard sir, Lady Sarena is kindly altering them for me. That is just where I was going, before that pair" he gestured over his shoulder, "stopped me."Well, I best not delay you any further then had I. Go see if they are ready, and then let us say you meet me back here in about an hour or so." Levin nodded, saluted, and went to run, before realising he did not know, in which building Sarena was. Since being moved yesterday, they were now laid out differently. Originally, they were one long line, now they were grouped up in pairs. He turned back to the General, who chuckled, "that one over there" he said pointing to the building on the end.
Taking a deep breath, he then gently tapped on the door to her room. He did not want to knock to loudly, just in case the baby was sleeping. "Come in," came the shout, and he quickly obliged, closing the door behind him. "Good morning Levin" she greeted him, with the baby cradled in her arms, feeding it with a strange looking cup. "Morning my Lady, umm...sorry for bothering you, but did you by chance have time to...umm" he was making a right meal of this he thought. Glancing up from feeding the baby, with a warm, kind looking smiling face, "your trousers and tabard I assume you mean? They are just on the table there," she said nodding across the room. Levin smiled, "Yes." He said, punching the air, "thank you so much."
He would have been happier just taking them, unfortunately the Lady Sarena, wished to see if the size was correct, and asked him to try them on. After another embarrassing moment of having to remove his trousers in front of a Lady, he pulled on the clean black ones of the guard. Buttoning up the fly, he was happy when he realised they would not be falling down. In fact, he doubted the fit could be any better; he stood straight, and spun round slowly at the request of the Lady. He put his boots back on, before pulling the tabard over his head, and letting it drape over his body. That was a good fi
t as well, "there is a mirror, by my wash stand there, if you wish to have a look yourself."
Levin gazed at the reflection of himself, admiring the smart black trousers, with a single red line running down the outside of each leg. The Tabard had on its front and back, the crest of the royal family and on the left breast area, was the insignia of the Elite Guard. Thanking the Lady Sarena once more, he thought he would keep his new clothes on, and with his old trousers in hand, quickly made his way out. Back across the yard, and slowed, walking, almost marching his steps past the two guards at the keep gate, ensuring they both got an eyeful of his new garments. He picked up the pace again, running down the main street, back out of the city gates, through the camp and back to Jak, who was just in the process of serving up breakfast for the pair of them.
It was still a couple of hours before noon, and the sun was shining brightly on the camp. Lord Galliss had been charged with overseeing the thankless task of moving everybody and everything of need inside the city walls. If that was not difficult enough, he then had to squeeze it all into a space half the size the one it was vacating. The main building works were continuing through the central parts of the city, up to the keep and beyond to the northern part of the wall overlooking the river. Subsequently, he was left with the areas left and right of the building works to place people, stores and even some animals. The larger livestock, it had been agreed, would have to be moved a little further south, away from any potential fighting, but near enough to be catered for.
