My Royal Pain Quest (The Lakeland Knight series, #2) (18 page)

“Listen, uh… I’m not that good at comforting enemies, but you did help—you took care of that archer. He would have shot us if it wasn’t for you.”

“I suppose.”

“Perhaps you shouldn’t talk, Your Highness,” Cassandra interfered. “Save your strength.”

The prince wouldn’t look at either one of us. “You’re right, Archibald. I’ll shut up.”

By the time we reached the tower Kellemar slipped into unconsciousness. Merwyn swam up as close to the shore as he could. Cassandra and I jumped off, I took the prince into my arms. I’d have to charge Ramian for carrying him this time.

“Thank you, Orman. And Merwyn, of course,” I added, noticing the serpent’s indignant stare. “You did all the work. I’m sorry to rush off like this, but this guy needs help.”

“I understand,” the merman nodded. “Go take care of him. Merwyn and I were happy to be of service.”

“Please relay my deepest gratitude to Lord Leomaris.”

“I will,” Orman nodded. “Farewell. Let’s go wash this icky river water off of us, Merw.”

They went underwater.

I carried Kellemar to the tower. His guards ran out of their tents; the looks they were casting at me indicated they thought I could be very likely responsible for their master’s condition. I didn’t care. As far as I was concerned, I’d kept my end of the deal.

“A slash wound, long but not deep,” I reported. “He said you know what to do.”

“Yes, Your Lordship.”

Two of them took the prince from me and carried him into one of the tents. The third one turned to address me.

“There’s someone here waiting to see you, Your Lordship.”

I wondered what this was about. Had the League already made their next move? They knew I’d be here.

“He did not give out his name,” the guard continued. “Just said he’d be expecting Lord Arkus of
Blackriver
Castle
. He is in the tower.”

At least I knew it was not Ragnar; he wouldn’t dare to come inside.

I caught Cassandra’s concerned look; she must have thought of the League as well.

Well. I’d have to face them sooner or later.

“Let me see who that is.”

I walked to the tower. I did not see anyone as I entered; then I noticed a figure in a corner, a man, sitting on the floor hugging his knees. The pose looked familiar.

I stepped closer. He rose. The flaming orange hair was unmistakable.

“Jarvi?!”

He stood in front of me, alive and whole, grinning from ear to ear.

“What, you haven’t yet checked the sword?”

“But…”

I drew the blade. It shone in full glory, illuminating the tower with bright orange light, making me squint.

“But this was the Second Deed,” I muttered. “Wasn’t it?”

“It was,” the sparkling nodded. “And you had accomplished the third one saving Reggie. Who says they can’t be done out of order?”

I stared, taking it in. The third one, the Deed of Noble Heart, was supposed to be the hardest. Not that the island adventure was in any way easy, but I did so many things wrong: I did not have the sword with me, I had all kinds of people—and creatures—helping. Cassandra, Triar, the Swirgs, Lord Leomaris. It was not supposed to work, and I wasn’t surprised when it didn’t. Now it turned out that the whole thing actually counted?

“So… It is done? I have accomplished all three?”

“You sure have.” Jarvi grinned even wider. “Well, are we going to stand here like strangers?”

“If you suggest some sentimental foolishness like hugging—”

He didn’t suggest anything, he just grabbed me in the most unceremonious manner, flew up and began circling the room.

“Jarvi! How dare you, stop it this minute!!”

He didn’t listen, of course, releasing me only when he thought he’d had enough fun. His strength was restored all right, and so was his mischievousness.

“Come on!” he laughed. “Technically, I am still in your service, but we are not just a master and servant anymore, we are friends, aren’t we?”

“Well, yes. But that doesn’t mean all kinds of disrespect is allowed.”

“Of course not.”

It was hopeless, I knew. The playful glint in his eyes told me I’d never be able to keep him in check now. Oh well.

“Would you allow me to go check on the prince?” Jarvi asked, his face growing serious.

“Yes, go ahead. Are you going to heal him?”

The sparkling shook his head. “No instant healing, but I will make sure the wound is clean and properly taken care of.” He looked me in the eye. “And if you give your permission, I will release the beast from the physical world.”

I frowned. “Why do you need
my
permission? That’s Faradin’s business.”

“Faradin, king of spirits, thinks Prince Kellemar’s offer to help you despite the danger he was in deserves a reward. He has authorized the beast’s release, but he is giving the decision to you.”

I did not like this at all. What sort of a game was this?

“I don’t want such decisions forced upon me. Do what you wish, keep me out of it.”

“But I can’t. I must carry out the order. If you say yes, I’ll go get rid of the beast; if you say no, things will stay as they are. Either way, I must report to Faradin.”

“As if he doesn’t know stuff already,” I grumbled.

Why did Faradin always mess with me? So he thought the prince deserved to be set free from his nightmare; fine. Why did a poor tired villain, now in trouble with the League, have to be involved?

“So what do you say?” Jarvi prodded.

“Release the ugly thing, I won’t miss him. Just don’t tell anyone, especially Kellemar, that I had anything to do with it.”

Jarvi smiled. “Very well. No public announcements.”

We left the tower. Jarvi headed straight to the prince’s tent; I didn’t follow. I had no intention of seeing Kellemar before I left to Arkusville.

Cassandra stood waiting nearby. Her eyes nearly popped out at the sight of Jarvi; she had met him back in Ulkaria and most certainly recognized him.

“That—that’s
Jarvi
, isn’t it?!” she exclaimed, running up to me. Then she caught herself. As Cassandra, she wasn’t supposed to know him. “You said he had bright orange hair,” she hurried to add.

So she still hoped I hadn’t figured her out.

“Yes, it’s him,” I answered. “Imagine that, Reggie counted as the Third Deed.”

Still not fully believing it myself, I proceeded to tell her everything Jarvi said. Except for the beast thing, of course.

She listened in excited astonishment. Then she said the very same thing I had earlier.

“So it is done? You have accomplished all three?”

“Yes. With your help. Actually, it would be more correct to say that
we
have accomplished it.”

Cassandra smiled. “Thank you. And thank you for getting me out of Morgard’s place. With everything happening so fast, I haven’t yet had a chance to say it.”

“You are very welcome… Princess Litinia.”

She looked startled, then pained. “You’ve recognized me.”

I shook my head. “No. You were unrecognizable. I had no clue all this time, and wouldn’t have any clue still if it wasn’t for the mirror.”

She stood biting her lip, eyes searching my face. “I hope you are not angry.”

I shrugged. “Not angry, no. But I can’t say I like being made a fool of.”

“Oh no, that was not my intention!”

“What was it, then? Why did you do it?”

“Well…” The princess sighed. “I had overheard you and Philip talking. I heard you reveal your identity; I couldn’t believe you were Lord Arkus. I was intrigued, there was so much I wanted to ask about, but I wouldn’t dare. I also knew you’d never tell me anything. You were leaving so soon, there was no time to think. I came up with the crazy idea to join you. I had to do it in secret, and use a disguise, of course. Otherwise it just wouldn’t have worked. My father would never allow it, and you wouldn’t have taken me with you, either.”

That was certainly true.

“How did you manage to get away from the palace?”

“I was lucky, I had a trip planned. I was supposed to go to Mellenburg. It was to be a long trip, so I had plenty of time. I sneaked away shortly after Madame Clementina and I had left. I gave her a bunch of letters to my father that she would be sending from Mellenburg every week. He thinks I am there.”

Poor, kind-hearted, trusting King Osmund.

“So when were you going to tell me?”

She shook her head. “I wasn’t. If you… became friends with Cassandra and wanted to have her around, I would have remained Cassandra for you. And if not… I would have returned home and cherished this adventure. Nobody would have known.”

So she wasn’t kidding when she talked about becoming a mermaid.

“You were prepared to be Cassandra for the rest of your life?” I asked. “To leave the royal palace for good? Abandon your station? Your family?”

She nodded. “I would have written to them, of course, to let them know I was all right. I would also make sure they couldn’t trace the letter.”

My, she had thought of everything.

The princess averted her eyes when she spoke again.

“So if I may be so bold as to ask… Would you still like to be friends with Cassandra, Lord Arkus?”

I waited until she looked at me.

“No. I don’t want to be friends, I want her to be my wife.”

As she stood there rooted to the spot, wide-eyed, with a hint of a smile forming on her lips, I looked over the boyish face with those overgrown bangs, the jerkin, slightly torn in the recent battle, the breeches, the boots, still wet after the serpent ride.

“I will, however, have to wait until Cassandra returns before I can officially ask for her hand. I am not proposing to Archibald.”

***

Laura Lond is an internationally published author of several novels and a collection of short stories. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. Having worked for 2 years at a literary museum, Laura entered the world of business, working for large corporations like Xerox Ltd. and Fluor Daniel. After moving from
Europe
to the
United States
, she has been self-employed as a freelancer.

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, Book 1 of
The Lakeland Knight
series

“Yes, I’m a villain. What? You wanted a noble hero?... Well, tough. You’ve got the wrong book then.”

A Merman’s Kiss
(A Novella)

The old legend says that a merman’s kiss will make a girl pretty and bring her luck. One poor working girl is desperate enough to try it. She is warned that she must do everything exactly as she is told… but never warned about the effect it might have on the merman.

The Journey
, Book 1 of
The Adventures of Jecosan Tarres
trilogy

“You will find the Unarmed Warrior, the Unlit Fire…”

A story of faith, friendship, and staying true to your calling.

The Palace
, Book 2 of
The Adventures of Jecosan Tarres
trilogy

Having completed his difficult journey, Jecosan makes it to his destination—the king's palace—but so has his enemy, whom he is yet to discover.

The Battle
, Book 3 of
The Adventures of Jecosan Tarres
trilogy

Having done his best to fulfill the commission given him by a supernatural messenger, yet apparently having failed to do so, Jecosan finds himself running for his life from the wrath of King Alvard III.

Side Effect
, a supernatural thriller

“
Western Europe
is tightening its control on genetic research,
America
is equally scared of cloning…
Russia
, on the other hand, is a wonderful country where you can do whatever you please.”

Five Million Dollar Cat
, a novella

When Amy’s sleazy ex reemerges, she is wary, for two good reasons. One, she is still paying off the debts Jack had gotten her in. Two, his scheme, as usual, smacks of fraud. Jack, however, insists that everything is perfectly legal, safe, and easy, especially Amy’s part. All she needs to do to earn her share, which would be a quarter million dollars, is… adopt a cat.

The Prisoner
, a fantasy novelette

Captain Torren, the warden of the Dormigan Prison, knows that the mysterious Prisoner 34 is much more dangerous than the authorities think. Torren does his best to guard him, going so far as to break some of his orders, but the new governor’s sudden wish to personally inspect the prison threatens to destroy the shaky balance the warden has achieved.

The Magic Bracelet
, a short story

“I am a very unhappy man… Misrepresented and misunderstood,” says the mysterious owner of the
Dark
Castle
, greatly feared by all. Is it true? Can he be trusted? And is his magical gift a wonderful blessing or a dangerous trap? That’s what Rogan, a careless wanderer and a gambler, has to find out.

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