signaled for me to follow. “Let us hurry and not keep the one prince who favors me waiting.”
A middle-aged man in gray robes ushered us into a tiny room within the tent. The man was unremarkable except for the fact that his eyes were beginning to cloud white, like what sometimes happens to the elderly. “Carefully, step over and do not disturb the circle.” He gestured with his hand to emphasize while straddling the line of glittering powder that circled the room within the pavilion.
The prince sat at a table and looked up.
The white-eyed man bowed and announced, “Fair Prince, the mercenaries Road Toad and Krish, plucked from peril by you.”
Both Road Toad and I bowed.
The prince smiled. “As you foretold, Lesser Seer B’down.”
“I serve as my skills permit,” the seer said, and bowed once more before backing out of the room. I watched as he deliberately stepped over the sparkling line.
“Please, take a seat,” said the prince. “I have but a few moments before I meet with my officers and military advisors.”
We sat on stools, same as the prince, but his was padded by a purple pillow with gold tassels. A rectangular table holding a large map sat between us. Four unlit candles in silver holders held down corners of the map. I guessed it was of the region, but quickly looked away, not knowing if there were plans drawn upon it. Four other stools sat off to the side within the circle along with an open crate partitioned into deep squares, all but one of which held rolled maps.
“I understand, Major Jadd, that you threatened then injured one of the healers’ guards. Is this information accurate?”
“It is, Prince,” said Road Toad in a monotone voice.
“Major Jadd, Mercenary Krish, speak freely here. We are alone and the circle prevents others from hearing. Why would you do such a thing?”
“A matter of honor, Prince Reveron.”
The prince grinned and suppressed a laugh. “And whose honor were you defending?”
“Your honor, Prince,” said Road Toad.
The prince lost his smile and sat up straight. “They do grow bold. Thank you, brother.”
It was then that I saw on the prince’s right palm an indigo tattoo. It resembled the one on Road Toad’s hand, of a fox leaping over a rising sun. The two men locked gazes for several long seconds.
“I did it to remind them of their status beneath the royal family,” said Road Toad, “but would have for a brother as well.”
Prince Reveron ran a finger over his thin white mustache. “Despite the circumstances you have remained loyal to my family, Major Jadd. You truly do us honor by your actions.”
“Prince, long ago I was stripped of rank. I am no longer a major and with my commission I left behind the name of Jadd.”
“Of course, Road Toad. Please, tell me of the battle on the Valduz River.”
Road Toad urged me to speak first of the battles in the Gray Haunt Forest. And I did, telling up until the moment Road Toad joined my company. Prince Reveron nodded while listening.
Then Road Toad took over and told the rest of the story, right up until Prince Reveron lifted us to safety. After finishing, Road Toad asked, “What became of the ogres and the bridge?”
The prince rubbed his chin as if in thought then, with a gleam in his eye, said, “Night Shard gave them the juice, after we attacked the bridge, sending one of the panzers into the Valduz.”
The prince scanned his map. “But only a section was brought down. The panzer’s machine gun fire was intense and once we lost surprise after our first pass, we could do no more. The ogres will have spanned the gap with timbers by now.” He emphasized by pointing at a spot on the map. “And will march by nightfall.”
“It was not your first encounter with panzers and their weapons?” asked Road Toad.
“Only two days worth of experience, Maj—Road Toad.” The prince looked at me and then back to Road Toad. “Did you know your action twelve years ago was a catalyst that
A middle-aged man in gray robes ushered us into a tiny room within the tent. The man was unremarkable except for the fact that his eyes were beginning to cloud white, like what sometimes happens to the elderly. “Carefully, step over and do not disturb the circle.” He gestured with his hand to emphasize while straddling the line of glittering powder that circled the room within the pavilion.
The prince sat at a table and looked up.
The white-eyed man bowed and announced, “Fair Prince, the mercenaries Road Toad and Krish, plucked from peril by you.”
Both Road Toad and I bowed.
The prince smiled. “As you foretold, Lesser Seer B’down.”
“I serve as my skills permit,” the seer said, and bowed once more before backing out of the room. I watched as he deliberately stepped over the sparkling line.
“Please, take a seat,” said the prince. “I have but a few moments before I meet with my officers and military advisors.”
We sat on stools, same as the prince, but his was padded by a purple pillow with gold tassels. A rectangular table holding a large map sat between us. Four unlit candles in silver holders held down corners of the map. I guessed it was of the region, but quickly looked away, not knowing if there were plans drawn upon it. Four other stools sat off to the side within the circle along with an open crate partitioned into deep squares, all but one of which held rolled maps.
“I understand, Major Jadd, that you threatened then injured one of the healers’ guards. Is this information accurate?”
“It is, Prince,” said Road Toad in a monotone voice.
“Major Jadd, Mercenary Krish, speak freely here. We are alone and the circle prevents others from hearing. Why would you do such a thing?”
“A matter of honor, Prince Reveron.”
The prince grinned and suppressed a laugh. “And whose honor were you defending?”
“Your honor, Prince,” said Road Toad.
The prince lost his smile and sat up straight. “They do grow bold. Thank you, brother.”
It was then that I saw on the prince’s right palm an indigo tattoo. It resembled the one on Road Toad’s hand, of a fox leaping over a rising sun. The two men locked gazes for several long seconds.
“I did it to remind them of their status beneath the royal family,” said Road Toad, “but would have for a brother as well.”
Prince Reveron ran a finger over his thin white mustache. “Despite the circumstances you have remained loyal to my family, Major Jadd. You truly do us honor by your actions.”
“Prince, long ago I was stripped of rank. I am no longer a major and with my commission I left behind the name of Jadd.”
“Of course, Road Toad. Please, tell me of the battle on the Valduz River.”
Road Toad urged me to speak first of the battles in the Gray Haunt Forest. And I did, telling up until the moment Road Toad joined my company. Prince Reveron nodded while listening.
Then Road Toad took over and told the rest of the story, right up until Prince Reveron lifted us to safety. After finishing, Road Toad asked, “What became of the ogres and the bridge?”
The prince rubbed his chin as if in thought then, with a gleam in his eye, said, “Night Shard gave them the juice, after we attacked the bridge, sending one of the panzers into the Valduz.”
The prince scanned his map. “But only a section was brought down. The panzer’s machine gun fire was intense and once we lost surprise after our first pass, we could do no more. The ogres will have spanned the gap with timbers by now.” He emphasized by pointing at a spot on the map. “And will march by nightfall.”
“It was not your first encounter with panzers and their weapons?” asked Road Toad.
“Only two days worth of experience, Maj—Road Toad.” The prince looked at me and then back to Road Toad. “Did you know your action twelve years ago was a catalyst that
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