Page 19

We ride hard through Montague's province, thankfully without incident, and by early nightfall we are within sight of Valensia.

We continue to ride for another few hours and enter the outskirts of the royal city just after midnight.

The Khaleeni camp is situated not too far from the castle on a small forested island on Lake Masca.

An ancient fortress had lain abandoned there for centuries, but the Khaleeni have repaired it and made it their own.

Unknown to anyone but me and the Khaleeni, there is a secret tunnel running between the fortress and my chamber.

This is how Kes and other members of the Khaleeni are able to enter and leave the castle unnoticed.

We make our way directly to the camp and immediately make Aaran and Barra comfortable in two separate beds.

Aaran opens his eyes and smiles as his body is laid upon the fresh sheets and a barely audible sigh of what sounds like relief escapes Barra’s lips.

I’m taking the latter as a promising sign and infer from the hopeful expression on the prince’s face that he is too.

Cara, one of the Khaleeni who stayed at the camp, has been dispatched to fetch Myreena.

The rest are in the dining hall, where those who have returned are availing of the ale and fresh food.

I invite the prince to accompany me as I join them.

We sit at the two seats that have been reserved for us at the end of the long table, beside the fire, and soon a jug of ale and platter of food is put in front of us.

The hour is late and I’m tired, but it is Khaleeni tradition to celebrate each time they have completed a successful mission.

I am looking forward to the comfort of my bed, but before I depart there is something I need to agree with the prince.

“My best healer has been sent for and she will arrive here soon,” I say to him as he drinks heartily from his mug. “She’s going to have questions as to why you and your men are here.”

He nods. “I imagine she will, but I’m sure you’ve got an explanation all worked out.”

“As a matter of fact, I have, and I’m hoping you’re amenable to it.”

He half-smiles. “You mean more so than being taken against my will and brought here?”

I look quickly into my ale. “Erm… yes. I thought we might leave that part out.”

He takes a swig of his ale and I can feel his gaze boring into the top of my head. “Proceed, Queen, and tell me what’s coming next in your crazy scheme.”

I pick a piece of bread up off the platter and pretend to busy myself with it before I speak.

I’m not sure how he’s going to take what I have to say next.

“It’s my intention to inform Myreena that you are an emissary of the Prince of Ellerban, and you and your men were travelling to Ardvalla to discuss the possibility of an alliance when you were set upon by bandits and viciously attacked.

I happened to be out riding with the Khaleeni and we came to your aid. ”

“Isn’t she one of your master healers? Won’t she know Aaran and Barra’s injuries are a few days old?”

I look up from the piece of bread I’m tinkering with and am surprised to see a questioning expression on the prince’s face. It seems he is not only prepared to go along with my story, but also to help me with the finer points.

“Good point,” I agree. “I’ll explain the attack was a number of days ago.”

“And why am I an emissary and not myself?”

I suspected this would be the part of the story he might have a problem with and it looks like I was right.

“I imagine half the Ellerban army are probably looking for you by now, and I don’t wish your presence in Ardvalla to be known just yet.

The threat from Lord Greythorne is enough for me to contend with at the moment. I don’t need to add to my woes.”

He takes a long drink of his ale and an even longer look into the fire before he answers. “I can assure you, Queen, there will be no soldiers looking for me.”

I am shocked at his response and taken aback at the quiet resignation in his voice and the emptiness in his eyes. However, before I get a chance to respond, Cara appears beside me. “The healer is here, my Queen, and already attending to the soldiers.”

“Thank you, Cara,” I reply. “Myself and the prince shall be there shortly.”

She gives a short bow. “As you wish, my Queen.”

The prince is already out of his seat. “I know you say she is your best healer, but I wish to meet her for myself and to speak with her about the prospects of recovery for my men.”

“I understand,” I say in a soft voice, “but you have travelled far and are weary and hungry. Will you not take a few moments to eat and partake of a mug or two of ale?”

“Have the Khaleeni leave some food and a pitcher of ale beside the fire for me. I will return after I’ve met this healer and seen my men.”

“As you wish,” I tell him as I lead the way back to the chamber where Aaran and Barra are being cared for.

***

I can hear Myreena giving orders to various members of the Khaleeni even before we reach the chamber. We enter the room to find Aaran and Barra have been stripped of their clothes and Myreena giving the order to burn them.

“My Queen,” she says, as she notices my presence. She doesn’t stop to bow. “I apologise, I must see to these men as quickly as possible. The first signs of infection are setting in.” She points to Aaran. “Especially in this one.”

“Please, Myreena,” I urge, “continue to do what you are doing. We will stay out of your way, but please let us know if there is anything we can do to aid you.” She takes a quick glance up, registering the presence of the prince with a questioning look.

“This is an emissary from Ellerban,” I explain, sticking to the story I have agreed with the prince, “and these are his men. They were riding to Ardvalla at the behest of the prince of Ellerban when they were set upon a few days ago by bandits and viciously attacked. Myself and the Khaleeni came across them when we were out riding earlier today.”

She looks at me with suspicion in her eyes.

“Really, my Queen? Then you have made a remarkable recovery from what ails you this past week. Only this morning I was yet again refused entry to your chamber by one of your Khaleeni, having been told that you expressly wished to be left alone. I have worried much about you these past days.”

I can tell from her tone she is most annoyed with me, and I decide to try to mollify her with a measure of an explanation for my absence.

I have enough enemies at court, I don’t need another one.

“I’ve had much on my mind, Myreena, and a great deal to consider.

I needed to try to find clarity in solitude and at times I was greatly fatigued.

Today I decided to try to energise myself with a ride in the fresh Ardvallan air, and I can attest that it has done me a power of good.

I feel much better, and I’m a lot clearer about my path forward.

Thank you for your concern, it is much appreciated. ”

She gives a tiny nod as if my explanation is just about acceptable as she administers some poppy-potion to Aaran and Barra.

“What is your prognosis for my men?” the prince asks.

Myreena continues to attend to them as she answers, “They are gravely ill and I suspect they have sustained some fractures to their ribs.” She points to Aaran.

“This one has a fever, which leads me to believe he could have serious internal injuries. Ailish did a good job cleaning and caring for their wounds, but some are showing signs of infection. I will need to go deep now and clean them thoroughly, hence I’ve given them something for the pain as it will help them cope with what I need to do.

But they are young and strong, if they come through the next few days then they should make a full recovery. ”

The prince’s shoulders visibly slump in relief and suddenly he looks tired as if he has been holding on until this moment, carrying the needs of his men with him.

“I thank you for the care you are giving them,” he says to Myreena.

“These men are very dear to me and I owe them a great debt. Please do everything you can to bring them back to health and I will be forever indebted to you.”

“Have no fear, Sire, your men will receive the best care,” Myreena informs him, “and may I suggest you get some rest. You look quite weary.”

I lay my hand on his shoulder. “Come Sir Ronan, Myreena is quite right, you look exhausted. A room is being prepared for you.” He turns to look at me, but there is a faraway look in his eyes and it feels like his body is here but his mind is not.

He follows me from the room and back to the dining hall.

Most of the Khaleeni have gone to bed, only a few from the mission remain, and those on night watch.

A pitcher of ale and a fresh platter of meats and cheeses have been placed on the table beside the fire.

He grabs the pitcher and fills his mug, then looks at me to see if I wish him to fill the other mug.

I decline. I’m tired and my body aches from so many days in the saddle.

I am longing for my bed. He sits and drinks from the mug, not saying a word but just staring into the fire.

He seems even further away now than he did a few minutes ago and I sense he wishes to be left alone.

“I imagine word of my ‘recovery’ will be all over the castle by sunrise,” I say in a matter of fact voice, “and I will have many demands on my time tomorrow, so I’m going to go to bed.

The night watch Khaleeni will bring you anything you need and I’ll have a chamber prepared for you in the castle.

One of the Khaleeni can guide you there when you wish to retire to bed. ”

“Don’t worry about me, Queen,” he replies.

“I’m just fine right here. Simply instruct one of the Khaleeni to keep me supplied with ale and you’ll receive no complaint from me on the morrow.

” His voice is heavy and laden with sadness, and I wonder at the change in him and what causes him such apparent sorrow.

My hand itches to lay itself upon his shoulder and I wish to ask him what troubles him, but I instinctively know he would not appreciate me probing into his affairs.

Instead, I bid him goodnight and make my way to my chamber.

“Goodnight, Queen,” he calls after me in a low voice as I am halfway across the dining hall, and the sadness in his tone seeps into my own heart so much that by the time I reach my chamber I feel quite melancholic.

“What ails you so, Prince Ronan?” I wonder, as my head hits the pillows, but I have no time to ponder the question as I instantly fall into a deep sleep.