Heirs of the Enemy (43 page)

Tedi did not wait for a reply. He crossed the threshold and closed the door. Natia had halted half way to the desk. Tedi crossed the room and took her elbow as he guided her towards Prince Harold.

“What is the meaning of this intrusion?” asked the prince.

“This mage has been tasked with examining you,” answered Tedi. “The examination will not be painful, but you may feel dizzy at times. Can you state what ails you?”

The prince’s eyes narrowed with skepticism, but he shrugged with indifference.

“Nothing bothers me,” the prince declared stoically. “Perhaps you should ask my brother what bothers him. He is the one who imprisoned me here so I would not embarrass him.”

The prince suddenly had a coughing fit, and the Knights of Alcea glanced at each other with concern. The prince was finally able to stop coughing, but it took a few moments for him to regain his breath. Natia stared at the prince as she walked around the desk, halting behind his chair. The prince’s skin was deathly pale and blotched with numerous red marks. Veins were visible on his head and arms, and a large bruise marred his right arm just above the wrist. Natia pointed to the arm so Tedi would notice it. He nodded in understanding as Natia placed her hands on the top of the prince’s head.

“You have a bruise on your arm,” Tedi said to distract the prince from Natia. “Are you being mistreated here?”

“No,” replied the prince. “I bruise easily. Captain Ergard runs a very efficient prison. He treats me well enough.”

Natia removed one hand from the prince’s head and loosed Button. The fairy crept out from under the cloak and darted upward. With a signal from Natia, Button cast a sleep spell on the prince. Natia caught the prince’s head before it slammed into the desk.

“What now?” asked Natia as she gently lowered the prince’s head to the desktop.

“We let him rest for a while,” answered Tedi. “We need to remain here long enough to make it look as if you have done a thorough examination.”

“He seems docile enough,” Natia commented.

“He has little choice,” replied Tedi. “He has been imprisoned here for years. Make no mistake about it; it is a prison, and the prince understands that.”

Natia sighed. “He is quite sickly. I am not sure if Garth realizes just how sick he is. I cannot imagine the people of any country welcoming such a ruler. We may be on a fool’s mission.”

Tedi grinned broadly. “This is Garth’s mission, and I would never call him a fool. Let’s play it out and see where it goes.”

The prince began to stir, and Natia walked around the desk and stood alongside Tedi. Prince Harold groaned as he awoke. He lifted his head off the desk and stared curiously at the two people in his room.

“That was more than just a little bit dizzy, wasn’t it? Is that it? Is the examination done?”

“The examination is complete,” answered Tedi. “I think you may have to be transported elsewhere for a more thorough examination. Do you feel strong enough for that?”

“Somewhere else?” frowned the prince as he looked around the room. “Where would you take me?”

“I am not at liberty to discuss the details,” answered Tedi.

The prince shook his head. “I am content to remain here with my books. I have been examined hundreds of times, and I am not about to get my hopes up yet again. Leave me in peace.”

“If you are worried about your books,” replied Tedi, “you will have more books available to you than you can possibly read. In fact, you will have whatever you desire.”

His curiosity aroused, the prince stared into Tedi’s eyes as if he could determine the truth of the captain’s statements. “What I desire is to be free and left alone. Can you give me that?”

Tedi hesitated before answering. “Not at first, but it may be possible in the end. The first task is to seek a way to improve your health. If that is impossible then I think you will get your wish.”

The prince’s brow creased with concern. “If that is impossible? What is in store for me if I am healed?”

“You are second in line to the throne of Ertak,” Tedi explained. “If your health is improved, you must stand by to discharge your duties should you be called to assume the throne. I will not lie to you, Prince Harold. There is little chance of you assuming the throne in such a state of ill health. The people would not accept you. Should our efforts fail to improve your condition, you will never rule Ertak. If that is to be the case, I see no problem with letting you do what you wish with your life. I certainly would not want to see you confined for the rest of your days.”

The prince stared at Tedi, but it was as if his eyes were looking far beyond the captain. He eventually shook head and focused on the captain. “You speak a truth that you believe in, but not one that I can have much faith in. My father will never allow me to be released to live as I wish. He would consider me a risk to the kingdom, whether it be from kidnappers or a foreign power. Surely, you can see that.”

“I disagree with you, Prince Harold,” Tedi replied, “but let’s assume that you are correct. That leaves two potential outcomes. You could be cured or returned here. Either way, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Add in the possibility that I am correct, and you might be able to live the life you desire, would you be a fool not to accept a minor distraction to your imprisonment?”

Prince Harold chuckled. “You have a gift of words, Captain. Asking a prince if he is a fool could lead to an early demise in many cases, but your words have a ring of truth to them. I am willing to risk yet another disappointment, if for no other reason than getting out of this prison for a while. Where are we going?”

“I have to report back to Colonel Belasko before arrangements are determined. We will be traveling light, so pack only a few things to take with you. Clothes will be provided for you, and there will be books at your disposal. If you have a keepsake that is close to your heart, pack it. Otherwise, just wait for my return.”

The prince nodded and the Knights of Alcea exited the room. The sergeant immediately led them to the small sitting room and ushered them into the room, remaining outside the door for further orders. Colonel Belasko and Captain Ergard looked up as they entered.

“What is the determination?” asked Colonel Belasko.

“Promising,” lied Tedi, “but the prince must be moved for treatment. It will take the power of many mages to restore his health.”

“Moved?” balked Captain Ergard. “General Montero will not stand for that. The prince could not be protected.”

“I have a thousand men in my regiment,” stated Colonel Belasko. “Right now they are stretched along the road to make sure that no one nears this castle until I say so. I take the prince’s safety very seriously. You can believe that the prince will remain safe in my custody.”

“You brought a whole regiment?” gasped the captain.

“Bringing an entire army would have alerted too many people,” Colonel Belasko smiled. “A regiment can slip away without public notice. When King Harowin demands secrecy and safety for the prince, did you think I would come with any fewer?”

“Where will you take him?” questioned the captain.

“I will not divulge that,” answered Colonel Belasko. “The king is adamant about his eldest son not learning about this. While you are to maintain the utmost secrecy regarding the prince’s departure, there is a possibility of General Montero showing up without notice. If you do not know our destination, you cannot speak of it.”

“Why not bring the mages here?” asked the captain. “I can alert them if the general arrives.”

“The mages will not demonstrate their magic to outsiders,” answered Garth. “Besides, it might take some time for a cure to take effect. The mages have other daily duties that must be attended to, and I could not move that many of them without notice by someone. Having them come here is not an option.”

“But the mountain air of the Black Citadel will kill the prince,” objected Captain Ergard. “I will not be a party to that.”

“Do you really think that the Black Citadel is the only place where mages gather? If you are trying to gain knowledge of our destination with such foolish statements, I advise you to cease now.”

“No, Colonel,” sighed the captain. “That is not my goal. You are asking me to place my life in your hands. If General Montero learns of my deception, I will pay dearly for it, even if it is on a direct order from the king. You have put me in a difficult position. Besides, I doubt that the prince would agree to leave this castle, and I would not allow you to force him to do so.”

“Prince Harold has already agreed,” offered Captain Markel. “He is thankful that his father’s heart has turned, even if the cure does not work. He is preparing to leave as we speak.”

With all of his objections crushed, the captain sighed in defeat and nodded in acceptance. “I do not want my men to know that the prince has departed. Can you wait for darkness?”

“We could,” mused Colonel Belasko, “but at a greater risk to the prince’s life. Could you gather all of your men to the rear courtyard for an inspection?”

“I could,” agreed Captain Ergard. “Will your people be able to find your way back to the prince?”

“I can find it,” declared Tedi. “We will need a spare horse.”

Captain Ergard frowned and glanced at Garth questioningly.

“I knew that there was a strong possibility that we would have to move the prince,” stated Garth, “but bringing in a riderless horse would have alerted every one of your men. I chose not to do that, but I think we can ride double until we reach the safety of the forest.”

“Wise.” The captain nodded. “The loss of a horse would be noticed far quicker than the lack of a prince. Only a couple of men have contact with him, and I will change that immediately following the inspection of troops.”

“Inform your men of the inspection,” ordered Colonel Belasko. “I am anxious to be away from here.”

Captain Ergard walked to the door and cracked it open. He issued orders to the sergeant and then closed the door and returned to the others.

“It will take a few minutes for the men to assemble. The sergeant will return to inform me.”

The room lapsed into silence as they waited for the sergeant to report. Captain Ergard paced the floor nervously, obviously still concerned about doing the right thing.

“I think Prince Harold will recover from his illness,” Garth said softly. “When he does, he will remember the courage you have displayed today. Do not worry about doing the right thing. Harold is a prince of Ertak, and you are helping him to regain a life that has been denied him. I suspect that you will earn a promotion if the prince is restored to health.”

“And if he isn’t?”

“As long as General Montero never finds out, you will have lost nothing,” smiled Garth. “If the general does come here unannounced, make an excuse to keep him away. Tell him some of the men have come down with plague, but assure him that the prince is isolated for his safety. You are an intelligent man, Captain. Keep the general away.”

A knock sounded on the door and the sergeant stuck his head in to inform the captain that the men were assembled. Captain Ergard saluted Colonel Belasko and left, taking the sergeant with him. As soon as the door closed, Garth took control.

“Bitsy, check out the castle and let me know if anyone is still around. Button, keep an eye on the rear courtyard and warn us if anyone leaves unexpectedly. Tedi, get the prince and return to the entry hall. It is time we make a swift exit from this place.”

Tedi raced off as the fairies split up. Garth led Natia into the entry foyer and waited. A few minutes later, Tedi returned with the prince. Garth led everyone out of the castle and into the front courtyard where Bacar and his men stood waiting.

“Can you ride, Your Highness?” Garth asked the prince.

“It has been years, Colonel, but I think I can manage it.”

Garth nodded and helped the prince onto Natia’s unicorn. Natia doubled up with Tedi while Bacar and his men opened the gates. Tedi and Natia led the prince out of the castle grounds. Bitsy fluttered down and landed on Garth’s shoulder.

“The castle is empty,” reported the fairy.

“Excellent,” smiled Garth. “We will close the gates, but we cannot lock them. Can you and Button handle that?”

“Need you ask?” grinned the fairy. “Begone and we shall cover your escape.”

Garth smiled and mounted his unicorn. Bacar and his men led their horses outside the gate and then swung the doors closed. Within minutes, they were all safely out of view of the castle. Garth rode to the front of the small column and led them off the trail to a small clearing.

“We will rest here for a spell,” Garth declared. “Bacar, I want all of your men on perimeter duty. Set them up beyond sight of this clearing.”

Bacar nodded and issued instructions to his men. The prince looked questioningly at the colonel, but Garth ignored him as Tedi helped the prince off of his mount. Garth walked into the trees, but not far enough to be spotted by Bacar’s men. Moments later, two fairies settled on his shoulders.

“Button, put the prince to sleep. Your part in this kidnap will then be over. Bitsy, into my pocket for now, but you will be required to keep the prince asleep once we depart this clearing.”

The fairies split up, following Garth’s orders. By the time Garth returned to the clearing, Prince Harold was fast asleep. Garth mounted his unicorn and signaled Tedi to hoist the prince up to ride double with Garth.

“You are now in charge, Tedi,” Garth said once the prince was secure. “Take Bacar’s men and quickly disappear. While we may have gotten away with this so far, I would not be surprised if someone suddenly had a change of heart. Leave no track if possible.”

The small band of men from the A Corps crouched at the edge of the trees. Several hundred paces away, the slopes of the Barrier rose almost vertically. The base of those slopes was quite irregular with canyons and ravines carved into the mountains by erosion over the ages. Sergeant Treman and another soldier crawled forward and wedged in between General Forshire and his elven scout. The soldier’s hand rose, pointing to one of thee larger ravines.