Read Online The Invisible Hands - Part 1: Gambit by Andrew Ashling - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Andrew Ashling
Tags: Fantasy
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no, my sweet boy. Why would I be mad at you? You've given me some of the most beautiful and exciting times of my life. We may be at the end of the journey, but that doesn't make it any the less worthwhile. I enjoyed making it and I loved every minute of it while it lasted.”
Cariam stood up, pushed Rullio gently down on the bed and started pulling off the count's pants.
“I haven't thanked Your Lordship yet for punishing me,” he whispered.
7
Ehandar slowed down and made his horse fall in line beside
Rullio's.
“Sneaking away, are we?” he asked, smiling softly.
“You know I hate goodbyes. We said everything there was to say last evening anyway,” Rullio answered, raking a hand through his wavy hair.
“I'm seeing you off, whether you want me to or not,” the prince replied. “Just until we come to the road that leads to the Northern Highway.”
They rode silently, side by side, for a mile or so.
“Rullio,” Ehandar started, hesitatingly, “you know this is very important, this assignment, don't you? I know my brother didn't make much of it when he asked you, but we need dependable intelligence.
The future of Great Renuvia might depend upon it.”
Rullio grinned.
“The future of Great Renuvia, eh?”
“What about my future?” he thought.
Ehandar weighed his words.
“I understand you owe Father a debt of gratitude.”
“Not only gratitude, Ehandar. By creating me a count he gave me my life back. You know that very well. I owe him literally everything.”
“My brother could give you lands and a title.”
“Renuvian nobility?”
“No, Father almost automatically confirms Anaxantis's elevations.
You're a Ximerionian noble by birth. That won't ever change, only your revenues would come from Renuvian demesnes.”
Rullio looked at him with a twinkle in his eyes.
7
“It still wouldn't be the same, would it?”
“Listen, as the third son I was created count of two demesnes and duke of Ronickah at birth. They're all managed by the Royal Administration and I get the revenues. I think I visited the duchy twice, maybe thrice. I have money of my own. I can't give you the duchy. It has been reserved for younger royal princes for centuries. I could, however, give you one of the counties. They're mine and I can dispose of them as I see fit. I could, eh, fill the treasury of the county. You wouldn't have to worry about a thing.”
“Ehandar, what a strange offer. I'm almost offended. It's as if you think I might betray you.”
“No, no,” the prince said, far too quickly, “of course I think no such thing. I just want you to know that I can, that I will compensate you for any possible losses you might incur in the service of my brother. In lands, in standing, in money. So will he himself, I'm sure.”
Rullio gave him a radiant smile.
“Thank you, my prince, but you needn't have told me. I knew that already. You've never been less than a most generous friend.”
Ehandar laughed, relieved.
“Think nothing of it, Rullio. We always were the underdogs. Anaxantis was even more of one than us, you know? We should stick together.”
“Yes, we should,” the count assented.
“Except, my dear friend, your little brother might have been an underdog, but you can hardly say the Mukthar Slayer is much of one.
And he has other options as well. Ah, why can't you see that love is fleeting? Enjoy it while it lasts, but don't get attached to it, or it will destroy you. Friendship is far more enduring in the end. But, for better or for worse, you seem to have made your choice and as your friend I 7
will respect that. I'm sure I can manage to do that and hang on to Aldemon at the same time.”
They had reached a crossroads. Ehandar leaned over and slung an arm around his friend.
“Be careful, Rullio, and return safely to us.”
“See?” Rullio quipped. “This is exactly what I wanted to avoid. You getting all mushy on me.”
“Just take care,” Ehandar said, “and don't take any unnecessary
Cariam stood up, pushed Rullio gently down on the bed and started pulling off the count's pants.
“I haven't thanked Your Lordship yet for punishing me,” he whispered.
7
Ehandar slowed down and made his horse fall in line beside
Rullio's.
“Sneaking away, are we?” he asked, smiling softly.
“You know I hate goodbyes. We said everything there was to say last evening anyway,” Rullio answered, raking a hand through his wavy hair.
“I'm seeing you off, whether you want me to or not,” the prince replied. “Just until we come to the road that leads to the Northern Highway.”
They rode silently, side by side, for a mile or so.
“Rullio,” Ehandar started, hesitatingly, “you know this is very important, this assignment, don't you? I know my brother didn't make much of it when he asked you, but we need dependable intelligence.
The future of Great Renuvia might depend upon it.”
Rullio grinned.
“The future of Great Renuvia, eh?”
“What about my future?” he thought.
Ehandar weighed his words.
“I understand you owe Father a debt of gratitude.”
“Not only gratitude, Ehandar. By creating me a count he gave me my life back. You know that very well. I owe him literally everything.”
“My brother could give you lands and a title.”
“Renuvian nobility?”
“No, Father almost automatically confirms Anaxantis's elevations.
You're a Ximerionian noble by birth. That won't ever change, only your revenues would come from Renuvian demesnes.”
Rullio looked at him with a twinkle in his eyes.
7
“It still wouldn't be the same, would it?”
“Listen, as the third son I was created count of two demesnes and duke of Ronickah at birth. They're all managed by the Royal Administration and I get the revenues. I think I visited the duchy twice, maybe thrice. I have money of my own. I can't give you the duchy. It has been reserved for younger royal princes for centuries. I could, however, give you one of the counties. They're mine and I can dispose of them as I see fit. I could, eh, fill the treasury of the county. You wouldn't have to worry about a thing.”
“Ehandar, what a strange offer. I'm almost offended. It's as if you think I might betray you.”
“No, no,” the prince said, far too quickly, “of course I think no such thing. I just want you to know that I can, that I will compensate you for any possible losses you might incur in the service of my brother. In lands, in standing, in money. So will he himself, I'm sure.”
Rullio gave him a radiant smile.
“Thank you, my prince, but you needn't have told me. I knew that already. You've never been less than a most generous friend.”
Ehandar laughed, relieved.
“Think nothing of it, Rullio. We always were the underdogs. Anaxantis was even more of one than us, you know? We should stick together.”
“Yes, we should,” the count assented.
“Except, my dear friend, your little brother might have been an underdog, but you can hardly say the Mukthar Slayer is much of one.
And he has other options as well. Ah, why can't you see that love is fleeting? Enjoy it while it lasts, but don't get attached to it, or it will destroy you. Friendship is far more enduring in the end. But, for better or for worse, you seem to have made your choice and as your friend I 7
will respect that. I'm sure I can manage to do that and hang on to Aldemon at the same time.”
They had reached a crossroads. Ehandar leaned over and slung an arm around his friend.
“Be careful, Rullio, and return safely to us.”
“See?” Rullio quipped. “This is exactly what I wanted to avoid. You getting all mushy on me.”
“Just take care,” Ehandar said, “and don't take any unnecessary
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