by James Dale
"Is it possible...do you think Dorad could still be alive?" Annawyn asked.
"Highness, your brother was one of the finest pirates in the entire Free Brothers of the Sea," the Amarian replied. "Much better than Jack here. Even better than me. He isn’t the brash youth you remember. If we two were able to escape the flam...the Norgarthans, there is no reason to believe Dorad could not have escaped as well. He was on a good ship when it all went down. Sailing under the command of a good captain."
"I...feel, he is still alive," Anna admitted.
"Me too," Tarsus lied, without even so much as batting an eye.
Talk of her lost brother and their missing friend forced a silence over the trio, but luckily Borg Cassaban arrived before a gloom could settle over them.
"Some Amarian just told me to come scratch your nose," Borg said, mystified. "Is that Galekindar code?"
“It was a joke,” Jack shrugged. “Apparently not a good one. How many troops did we end up with, Cassy?"
"Four hundred seventy," the captain answered instantly. "Plus or minus a handful. The Galekindar have the largest group. Eighty-one. The Dragon Guard and Cilidon's Rangers number almost as many. General Gamrin's Razorbacks number forty-five. They lost twelve good men to the Raashani. There's a company of Immer Guards, The High King's Hammer they are called. Umm... actually they are your personal troops Jaa...I mean, High Prince."
"Cassy," Jack sighed, "I don't know who started all this High Prince crap, but if you or anyone else who has known me for longer than five minutes calls me anything but Jack for the rest of the day, I swear to God they'll be on their way to Thonbor as fast as I can chase them."
"Yeah, well...The Hammer's captain, Ardel d'Kenna, has been insisting you be placed under his protection since arriving. Only his respect of the Galekindar has kept him from...liberating you for your own safety."
"He seems a capable enough officer Jack. I mean...those Immermen have been doing nothing but battle drills for the last seven hundred years. I think they're looking to...if you'll forgive the pun, hammer something. They would prefer if it were Kiathan, but at the moment I believe just about anyone would do. It might be wise for you to talk to him before he goes hunting for an excuse to start a fight."
"Thanks Cassy," Jack said. "Please tell Captain d'Kenna I will speak with him at the earliest opportunity when we stop. Explain to him, diplomatically if you please, for the moment the Golden Lions and the Galekindar are to remain my guardians. At least while I get things sorted out. I need the comfort of…familiar troops around me? Inform the captain if they need to hammer something, I'll find them a nail soon enough."
"Very well. Is that all?" Cassaban asked.
"One last thing. Send Kirk or Cyran to find A’randrial and Cilandrion. I need to speak with them before we leave the city and we don't have time to talk."
"Are you going to give me some code word or should I just…"
"Just go Cassy."
"Right away...Jack," the captain grinned. "Princess," he bowed, then spurred his mount forward at a trot.
Annawyn acknowledged his bow with a slight nod, but her eyes never left Braedan. Though everyone she'd heard speak to him today was never farther than a breath away from cracking some jest, every one of them also obviously held him in the highest respect. Until an hour ago, she had thought Kiathan Ellgaer, despite his arrogance and maliciousness, was the best swordsman in all of Aralon. Until just an hour ago, he was the best swords-man in of Aralon! But Jack had beaten him easily. Her Jack...who hated being addressed by anything but his given name, yet issued thoughtful, concise and instant orders like he'd been trained for rule since birth. Malik Gamrin was the hardest man she'd ever met, yet the mercenary general seemed eager to carry out his commands like a fresh faced lieutenant. Now he was sending for two powerful Ailfar Princes' who would no doubt drop whatever they were doing and come running at his call. It suddenly occurred to Annawyn the man she loved, the man whose kisses set her heart on fire and her head spinning, would one day be the High King of Aralon. He would one day wield the Highsword Yhswyndyr. Which...which also meant he would one day have to face...
"Is something wrong Anna?" Jack asked, finally noticing her stare.
"I...I was just thinking," she replied.
"About what?"
"That I'd like another kiss," Annawyn smiled, reaching out to pull Jack close.
"I need to speak with someone," Annawyn said, pushing Jack away breathlessly. "Tarsus, could you see he stays out of trouble?"
"Trouble follows him as closely as a shadow Princess, but I will do what I can to keep him safe for you," the Amarian grinned.
"I won't be long Jack," Anna smiled. Now that they were finally together, she did not know if she could bear being from his side for longer than a heartbeat. But she needed to confirm her fears. If only to begin steeling herself for…for the dark days she suspected where ahead. "And for Yh’Adan’s sake, someone re-dress his wounds. Who looked at him earlier? A cattle herder? Can you see to him, Captain Einnael? I’m not going far."
“As my princess commands,” the grim Horsemaiden nodded.
Anna flicked her mounts reigns and the Val'anna bolted forward as if it sensed her urgency. Then again, maybe it did? It was a Val'anna after all.
“I’m fine, really,” Jack replied. He didn’t want the Horsemaiden to lay a finger on him. Perhaps he should slow down on all those kisses he was giving Anna?
“Nonsense,” Einnael growled. “Hannah, give me your kit.”
“Yes, Captain,” another of the Horsemaiden’s smiled.
“I’ll leave you ladies to it then,” Tarsus grinned.
“Where are you going?” asked Jack. “Don’t leave me alone with these Amazons!” his eyes pleaded.
“Not far,” the Amarian laughed. “Call out if you need help.” Whether directed at him or the Horsemaiden captain, Braedan couldn’t say.
“Climb down and let me take a look,” Einnael commanded.
“It’s not necessary, really.” Jack insisted.
The Horsemaiden gave him a disapproving scowl that brooked no more argument.
Jack climbed down.
“Have a seat.” She ordered.
He took a seat without protest.
“Let’s have a look at your cuts, Dream Lover,” the captain stated, turning his head left, then right. So she’d heard after all! Another of the Horsemaiden’s laughed quietly at the remark, but it was cut off instantly as the captain shot her a glare. They all bloody knew.
“It’s…complicated?” Jack answered.
“Complicated?” Einnael snorted, dabbing the cut on his brow with a cotton patch. None to gently either. “You have spent…what? Half an hour with her in the White Horse Tower.”
“You forget the morning of his escape,” one of the Horsemaiden’s added.
“And her dream?” Added another.
“All those kisses,” another smiled.
“You must be some kisser,” Einnael remarked, curiously. “Perhaps I should have one myself? Just to be sure you haven’t bewitched her with sorcery. Or a magic tongue?”
“Perhaps we all should, Captain?” one of the Horsemaidens suggested. “Only to be sure of course?”
“Hush Ailya,” Einnael said harshly.
“Yes, captain,” Ailya laughed.
“Captain Einnael,” Jack began hesitantly, “This…what has happened between us is difficult to put into words.”
“Jack Braedan,” she said slowly, moving now to the cut on his cheek. “I have been the captain of Annawyn’s guard for eleven years. I…wept when the king announced her engagement to Kiathan. I would gladly give my life for her without hesitation. Or kill anyone who harmed her,” she added coldly. “For…saving me from one day soon having to challenge the Swordmaster, you have my thanks. But High Prince or not…I will not tolerate any man who…”
“Captain,” Jack said, taking her hand from his cheek. “I cannot begin to explain how my feelings for Anna…developed.�
�� How could he explain something to this Horsemaiden he didn’t even understand himself? “How she came to feel the same way about a condemned pirate, only Yh himself could explain. I love her. That is all I know. I endured the dungeons of Agash Thugar, because of my love for her.”
Each of the Horsemaiden’s gasped at this revelation.
“When I decided I challenged Kiathan Ellgaer, foolishly everyone assured me, it was to save her from him,” he continued. “I have resigned myself to taking up Yhswyndyr and fighting the dark-King, not because of my blood, or duty, or because the Creator himself seems to demand it of me, but for one reason only, to protect her.”
“Then you and I have the same mission in life,” the captain said, taking hand and looking into his eyes. “Just know, should you fail her…”
“I would take my own life rather than cause her a single tear,” Jack vowed.
“So long as we understand each other, High Prince,” Einnael nodded. Then a slow smile reached her lips. “You are handsome enough, I suppose. Now that you have been cleaned up a bit.”
“Indeed,” Ailya observed wistfully.
“And not Kiathan Ellgaer,” another added.
“And not Kiathan Ellgaer,” Einnael agreed. “But…no more of this…kissing the princess’ like she is some painted courtesan? Not in full view of every soldier of the Whesguard.”
“I shall…try and restrain myself,” Jack grinned.
“See that you do,” the captain replied, patting his cheek. “Because it is obvious Annaywn can’t control herself around you. It is well you held your hand against the Swordmaster, Jack Braedan.”
“Why is that?” he asked. “I only did it because Anna…well, I did it for her too.”
“You will learn the reason soon enough I’ll warrant,” Einnael announced. “But not from me. Tell me instead of the Iron Tower.”
“Or of Prince Arrinor?” Ailya suggested. “Is he promised to anyone?”
Annawyn wove her way rapidly down the tightly packed street, her large Val'anna stallion often forced to bully its way through with its shear bulk. Though she offered hurried and sincere "my pardon" and "excuse me," to every soldier she jostled, it did not slow the princess as she sought to reach...
"Uncle!" the princess shouted, spotting the Duke of Dorshev riding with King Cilidon, King Theros and General Gamrin near the head of the column.
"My dear?" Morgan asked, pulling back on his stallion's reigns, "Is something wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong uncle," Annawyn assured him quickly, seeing alarm in his eyes as she reached his side. "I must speak with you. In private. Concerning...the High Prince."
"We were just discussing Jack," Morgan replied. "And you."
"Oh?" the princess asked suspiciously. Five minutes with Jack Braedan and she was the subject of soldier's tawdry gossip! Within the hour she would likely be the talk of all Immer!
"Annawyn, may I speak plainly?" King Cilidon asked suddenly.
"Of...of course your majesty," the princess nodded.
"Please. Call me Cilidon," the Ailfar king smiled. "Considering the circumstances, such formality seems so...formal."
"And to what circumstances do you refer...Cilidon?" Annawyn asked. Jack Braedan would be lucky if she ever let him kiss her again! Well, at least not until they could be alone.
"Jack is my kin," the Ailfar king explained. "Descended from my sister Ailanna. As are you descended from my niece Arianna. Both of you many times removed to be sure, but both, very dear to the House of An'Maer. In light of your...relationship..."
"I thought you meant to speak plainly?" Annawyn said, more sharply than she had intended but...Damn Jack Braedan for a shameless pirate! She had not let him kiss her once, but thrice! Well, to be fair, she had kissed him the third time.
"What Cilidon is trying to say," Theros smiled, "poorly, is we here...well I at least, have known of his feelings for you for some time. Seeing it is...forgive me Annawyn, obvious...you return his affection, we are most pleased."
"My dear," Morgan sighed, "you came to see me, did you not, because it has suddenly dawned on you just exactly who Jack Braedan is? What being the Heir of Ljmarn Bra‘Adan entails?"
"Yes uncle," the princess admitted. She had fallen in love with a pirate, and now her heart belonged to a man doomed to face a monster not even Ljmarn Bra‘Adan could defeat!
"The path Jack Braedan must tread is a dark one, princess," Malik Gamrin said quietly, echoing her thoughts. "And…dangerous."
Annawyn suddenly realized just exactly what the four had been discussing. "I don't believe it! Uncle? You were up here planning...what, our wedding? Wait? Don’t tell me! You...you were already making plans for another heir! In case...in case..." she could not bring herself to say the words. In case Jack was...killed! Either before he drew Yhswyndyr or after by the dark-King himself!
"Here us out, my dear," her uncle said soothingly. "I knew even before today...troubling times were on the horizon. But what Theros and Cilidon have told me today has convinced me troubling times are already upon us."
"Two opposing forces are about to resume their battle for dominion of Aralon. Perhaps for dominion of the entire earthe," Theros said.
"Twice before Sunheart and the Bloodstone have faced each other," Cilidon added. "Their last encounter left Graith defeated but alive and the Sunheart without an heir. If it should happen again...I fear Aralon will not survive."
"Do you love him, Anna?" Duke Morgan asked plainly.
"Uncle," Annawyn began haltingly, "I have known since I was old enough to care about such things my position...as the Princess of Doridan I was fated…I would wed whomever father chose for me. For the good of my kingdom...even someone as distasteful as Kiathan Ellgaer."
"Anna, I asked if you love him?" Morgan smiled. "Do you love Jack Braedan?"
"I love him, Uncle. I thought it was obvious for all to see?" Anna said, blushing as she looked at King Theros. Then her pride re-asserted itself. "But my womb is not some...prize! To be discussed like Val'anna breeders plotting to..."
"Anna, my dear, you mistake us," Theros replied. "You are certainly not some prize. What you are is a gift from Yh Himself! My dear, do you know how many times Jack's love for you has already saved his life? Did you know he wintered as a prisoner in Grethor? In the depths Agash Thugar itself? He knows well what destiny awaits him. He knows someday...very soon, he will face the powers of Hell itself. He does not want this burden. No sane man would. I have known Jack for only a short time, but I know he has no desire to sit on the Throne of Immer or be called High King. Yet he hurtles headlong toward this destiny nonetheless. Simply put, he has somehow managed to cross all of Whesguard, often alone, and faced all these dangers willingly...eagerly even, because of his love for you. He would face Graith with a willow switch and a smile, simply to keep you safe."
"Anna, as a Princess of Doridan," Cilidon concluded, "you have a duty to do what is best for Aralon. All here do. But in this coming struggle, I, Theros, even the Staffclave, will be but a footnote in history. Jack Braedan is Aralon's only true hope, and his love for you is the single...driving force...sustaining him. Is it any wonder we rejoice you love him in return?"
Annawyn said nothing. She did not doubt Jack would face Graith, or even the Dark One to protect her. Had he not saved her once already...in a dream that was more than a dream? "Will you...gentlemen at least do me one small favor?" she asked.
"And what would that be, my dear?" her uncle asked.
"Will you please not discuss our wedding or the possible...blessings of such a union," the princess blushed, "until after my engagement to Kiathan is annulled and Jack can ask me to marry him?”
Chapter Three
First Lesson
With Anna’s absence, Jack was filled by an almost physical...emptiness. Kiathan had escaped and was on his way to Dorshev. If he succeeded in reaching the protection of the city walls, valuable time and even more valuable lives would be wasted bringing him to justice. Yet all he c
ould think of was the scent of the princess' hair, the taste of her soft lips! A distracted soldier was only one mistake away from being a dead soldier. But his every thought was only of a woman with auburn hair and emerald eyes.
When to find Annawyn and hold her in his arms was the power that drove him, his choices were simple. Live, and he could find a way to reach, to protect her. Fail, and she would be defense-less against the schemes of Kiathan to suffer a fate worse than death. Now that they were together, had his situation changed? She was still in danger. As long as Kiathan remained free, as long as Graith still drew breath beneath Gorthiel, as long as the Bloodstone could threaten the earthe, Anna would never be truly safe. Not even with Captain Einnael to protect her. Not until the Bloodstone was destroyed would she be beyond danger, not until then would he be completely free to let his love for the beautiful princess consume his thoughts.
When A’randrial and Cilandrion arrived, Jack knew it was time to get back to work. He had a task for the Spellweaver's, and what he was about to ask them to do, would hopefully bring that day a little closer.
"You have asked..."
"...to speak with us, cousin." the twins bowed.
"How many roads lead to Dorshev from Immer?" Jack asked.
"There are many roads..."
"...but only one that will take him quickly to Dorshev," they replied.
"Through the Pass of Galhir," Captain Einnael stated.
"Through the Pass of Galhir," the twins nodded.
"Would it be possible," Jack began, "for you to escort a hand full of dangerous and willing men...."
"A bold plan," A’randrial nodded.
"And one of great risk for all involved," Cilandrion added.
"But it's possible?" Jack asked.
"You have traveled the Stream of Time..."
"...You know it is within our power," they replied.
"But for such a plan we would..."
"...need father's approval. And the help of Lady Ara’fael. "
"Very well," Jack nodded. "I will speak to Cilidon, if you speak to the Lady Ara’fael." Letting the twins handle her would be much safer. "How soon can Kiathan reach the pass?"
