Date: Sat, 12 Jun 2010 22:52:41 +0200
From: Adrie van Dijk <ganymedes62@hotmail.com>
Subject: Princes of the Realm - Chapter 2

Princes of the Realm

Chapter 2 -- Diversions

Carl had met with Kholtan a number of times before, but he had never seen
him like he was now. After Kholtan finished his story, he turned to Carl.

"You have taken up a grave task, and one that you cannot fulfil on your
own. I know of a few people that should be able and willing to help you. It
is your job now to seek them out as soon as possible." Kholtan proclaimed,
earning him a questioning look from Carl.

"I recognized the boy, and I can assure you that others will too. That
means that sooner or later, Thereld will find out that Thokan here is still
alive. As Thokan is the only one that can threaten his position as emperor,
I'm sure Thereld will do anything to prevent him from reaching the Dragon
Temple in Gar-Uth to claim his birthright. He'll be hunted." Kholtan
explained, as his face turned deadly serious.

"I didn't take up any task" Carl told Kholtan, "I met these boys only two
days ago, they needed my help and I gave it."

A weak smile spread across Kholtan's face: "But you offered them
apprenticeship, didn't you? You wanted to keep them safe and the only way
to do that is to make sure Thokan reaches the Dragon Temple."

Carl felt confused, but as he looked at the two boys, he knew Kholtan was
right. He did want to keep the boys safe and he had grown extremely fond of
them over the past few days.

"Who are those people you were just talking about?" Carl asked, a hint of
resignation resounding in his voice.

"First you will want to seek out Karim. You should be able to find him at
the winter mercenary camp near Talin. He used to be a general in the
Imperial Guard until he was charged with treason by some of the nobles that
supported Thereld. He fled Tiaell like I did and now earns a living with
his sword."

"Why would he help us?"

"His imperial highness Thokan, Khians' blessings be upon him, only needs to
show him the tattoo. Karim will recognize his true emperor just like I
did." Kholtan replied, nodding towards Thokan.

"And then?" Carl asked.

"Then you will need to find Boran. He was the court magician and his powers
will be of great value to you. His location is not exactly known to me, but
should be near the border between Usktura and Benehin."

"That's nearly two months travel from here," Carl exclaimed.

"If you travel with a cart, yes. If you travel by horse, it should only
take four to five weeks." Kholtan replied dryly.

"There is no way I can leave my business unattended to for that long. It
would ruin me."

"That is a problem easily resolved," Kholtan stated. He got up and, bowing
to Jorthun said: "With your highness's permission?"

Jorthun, having absolutely no idea what to do or say at that moment, just
nodded, and Kholtan hurried out of the room.

Throughout most of the conversation Daltin had just stared at Jorthun,
almost in disbelief. With Kholtan gone for the moment, he asked the
question that had been foremost in his mind: "You're and emperor?"

"I ... I don't know. This just doesn't make sense. I don't understand all
of this." Jorthun replied and, turning to Carl, continued: "Can't we just
forget about this? Just go to your home in Tanryan and forget this ever
happened? "

"I don't think we can," Carl said, shaking his had in sympathy. "Kholtan is
right, if he was able to recognize you, then so will others. It would only
be a matter of time before your true identity was revealed. I believe
Kholtan that, when that happens, all our lives might be in danger."

"But I can't be an emperor," Jorthun exclaimed, "I love Daltin and when I'm
an emperor they might make me marry some strange woman."

At that time Kholtan re-entered the room and Carl was sure that he had
heard most, if not all of the conversation that had passed in his absence.

After bowing again to Jorthun he said: "I understand that your imperial
highness is troubled. Please allow me to explain that your troubles are
unfounded."

Only after another nod from Jorthun did he continue: "It happened once
before that an emperor took another male as his mate. The priests of Khian
were charged with finding a suitable baby male to be the imperial successor
and when they did, he was adopted by the emperor and his mate. If I
remember correctly, that was your great-great-grandfather."

"You mean it would be ok for me to love Daltin?" Jorthun's jaw dropped and
his eyes widened at the prospect.

"If you choose Daltin to be your mate, he would become the emperor-dos,"
Kholtan simply stated. "But with you higness' permission, I would like to
address some other matters at hand."

Jorthun looked at Kholtan intently: "Could you please stop asking me
permission for every little thing."

A subtle smile stretched Kholtan's cheeks, "I will try to comply with your
wishes, your highness, but it is imperial court etiquette, and I'm used to
it."

"Well, I'm not, and it makes me feel uncomfortable," Jorthun replied
brashly.

Kholtan's smile broadened, "You are indeed Palina's son. There can be no
doubt about that. Your wish is my command your highness."

With that statement, Kholtan turned to Carl and handed him a small cloth
bag he had been carrying when he returned.  "This should be enough to
compensate you for your troubles," he said.

As Carl opened the small bag he was absolutely stunned to find it filled
with diamonds. "These are worth a fortune," he exclaimed, "I can't take
this!"

"Yes you can, and you will." Kholtan replied. "Remember, you will have to
get horses, food and other supplies. I am also sure that Karim and Boran,
when you find them, will also need supplies. Then you will have the expense
of travelling to the Dragon Temple."

Kholtan looked intently at Carl as he continued: "These diamonds are but a
trifle. I would gladly lay down my life to see my true emperor claim the
throne that is rightfully his." He explained, making another curt nod with
his head towards Jorthun.

Carl just shook his head. "You sure know how to cheer a man up, don't you."

Again Kholtan smiled. "I think you had better make for Talin as soon as
possible. Leave by cart tomorrow morning so as not to arouse any
suspicion. You should be able to get there in no more than six days. Once
you have found Karim, follow his lead. He's an old soldier, but he knows
what he's doing."

With a pouch full of diamonds in his hands, Carl resigned. He really did
love his two new companions and their safety was paramount.

The mood lightened slightly as Kholtan started to recount stories of
Jorthun's parents. Then Carl reminded the boys that they had to pick up
their new tunics and they would have to leave early the next morning.

That night both Carl and his two charges had a fitful sleep. Carl was
troubled by old memories and the boys tried to cope with a beggar and
prince love story. The two of them still ended up in a single bed though,
professing everlasting love to each other.

The three of them got up at daybreak and after a quick breakfast made for
the courtyard where they found their cart all hitched up and ready to
go. Soon the eastern gates of Chizum were behind them and they were on
their way to a new adventure.

As they travelled through the high hills between Chizum and Talin,
apprehension raised. Carl had only made the journey once, but that was
during mid-summer. Now, winter was fast approaching and snow could be
expected any day. The trail to Talin had some treacherous and winding
stretches, but somehow they managed to make good time.

Late on their fifth day of travel, the walls of Talin came into sight and
Carl decided to push on so they would have the comforts of an inn for the
night. The Blue Bell was a small inn, located on the main road near the
southern gate. The rooms weren't that great, but the food usually made up
for it for most of their customers.

When they woke the next morning some type of strategy had to be decided
upon. It was agreed that Carl would go out to try and find Karim, while the
boys would stay at the inn. When Carl had found Karim, he would invite him
over to the inn where Jorthun could show him his tattoo.

Like most larger towns up north, Talin had a mercenary camp where traders
could hire protection for their carts or caravans. As was commonplace, it
was located outside the gates of the town proper, that made control a
little easier. In Talin it was just outside the southern gates, about a
half hour walk from The Blue Bell. It was relatively small and soon Karim
was pointed out to Carl.

"Are you Karim?" Carl asked a black haired man that was polishing his
rapier in front of his small tattered tent. Like most mercenaries he wore a
simple leather tunic, the metal bracers he wore on his lower legs and
forearms though were quite ornate.

"I am," he answered, "and who might you be?"

I am Carl. I'm a trader, and I've just arrived from Chizum last night. I
have something back at The Blue Bell, where I'm staying, that Kholtan said
you should see." The mention of Kholtan's name earned Carl Karim's
immediate and full attention.

"If Kholtan said I should see it, then it must be something
important. Please give me a minute to put away some things here and I'll
come along with you." he said and within minutes Karim and Carl were on
their way to the inn.

As they climbed the stairs to the hallway where the room Carl had rented,
he could hear Karim loosening the rapier in the scabbard at his side.

"There is really no need for that," Carl said, getting a bit uncomfortable.

"That may be, but it's a habit that has saved my life on more than just a
few occasions." Karim replied, smiling.

As they entered the room the boys jumped off from the floor where they had
been sitting, waiting for Carl to return.

"So, where is this thing that Kholtan said I should see," Karim asked,
looking around the room suspiciously.

Carl nodded to Jorthun who had the top of his tunic already unbuttoned. As
the dragon tattoo came into view Carl could hear Karim stop breathing for a
few seconds. Karim alternately stared at the tattoo and at Jorthun's face
for a while, before finally kneeling and bowing his head.

"I have prayed for this moment, and now that it is here, I can hardly
believe it. You must be Thokan, Khian's blessings be upon you. I am your
loyal servant." As Karim raised his head again they could see tears were
forming in his eyes.

"Please get up," Jorthun said.

"Yes, can't you see it makes him feel uncomfortable," Daltin piped in.

"And who might you be?" Karim asked, as he got back up on his feet.

"I am Daltin and I'm going to be the emperor-dos one day," Daltin responded
defiantly.

"Well, it has been a while since we last had an emperor-dos," Karim
grinned, "but you two do look cute together." His final remark made both
Jorthun and Daltin's cheeks blush in an instant.

"Kholtan was right to send you to me," Karim continued, still eyeing the
two boys, "but then, he's always been a very wise man."

"He said we should also find Boran," Carl said, turning Karim's attention
back onto him and diminishing the embarrassment the two boys were so
obviously suffering.

"Indeed, Boran could prove extremely useful. Did Kholtan give you his
location?"

"He didn't know his exact location, but said it should be near the border
between Benehin and Usktura."

"Well, knowing Kholtan, I'm sure he will have his agents out looking for
him as we speak," Karim noted.

"Could the three of you please meet me at the southern gate in about an
hour from now? I don't feel comfortable talking here. The walls are too
thin and there are too many ears."

They agreed, and after a curtly bow to Jorthun, Karim quickly left the
room. The boys sat back down on the floor and Carl joined them. They talked
about nothing in particular until it was time to leave and meet Karim.

As they neared the southern gate, they could see Karim waiting for them. To
their surprise though, he was not alone. A boy stood at his side and it
looked like the two of them were having a serious argument. It stopped
abruptly when Karim saw the group approaching. He signalled for them to
follow him through the gate and out of Talin.

After a short walk they came upon an old stone watchtower that looked like
it had stood there for ages. "It was part of the original keep that was
overrun and all but destroyed by the Orcs about 100 years ago," Karim
explained.

He led them into the tower through a wooden door. The rusted hinges
shrieked with age as it opened and then closed. They climbed the winding
stone stairs and were soon atop the tower.

"That door will prevent anyone from coming in and eavesdropping on us
unnoticed." Karim indicated the doors location with a curt nod.

Turning to Jorthun, he gave a curt bow and said: "You highness, allow me to
introduce the bag of trouble I have here. His name is Keilan and even
though it would be in his own best interest to stay here, he insists on
joining us on our journey."

"That's right, you big bully," Keilan interjected. "We have been together
now for nearly a year. I love you and where you go, I go!"

Now there was little doubt what the argument at the gate was all about.

"Aren't you a little young to be his lover?" Daltin blurted out the
question.

"I am fifteen and a half years old, and I've lived and survived on the
streets for most of them. I've endured more than most people will in a
lifetime. Don't you ever question our love again, farm boy."

The fire and tenacity that came from Keilan's words almost scared Carl and
it seemed to have the same effect on Daltin and Jorthun. Karim on the other
hand started to laugh.

"These are friends, Keilan. There's no need to scare them. I should have
taught you manners first before showing you how to handle a rapier."
Turning to Carl and the boys, Karim continued: "My apologies for not
teaching my love to behave, but let's not waste any more time on this. We
have more pressing matters to discuss."

It looked like Keilan was about to object, but a quick gaze from Karim made
him pause.

"You came here by cart?" Karim asked.

"We have," Carl replied, "Kholtan suggested we continue the ruse of a
merchant travelling with apprentices until we got here. We would then sell
the cart and go on by horse to find Boran as that would allow us to travel
considerably faster."

"Faster, yes, but not necessarily safer I fear. A trader, travelling with
his apprentices and a guard would be far less conspicuous than two men and
three boys on horseback." Karim suggested.

Carl could hear Jorthun and Daltin groan. After having just spent five days
on the road he was sure they were not looking forward for the many weeks it
would take to reach the Benehin-Usktura border.

"How many horses?"

"Two."

"I would suggest you exchange your current cart for one with four
horses. It should allow us to travel a little faster and we would still
have the opportunity to leave the cart behind and continue on horseback if
necessary. I will of course have my own horse with me."

"Well, that's settled then. Now, do any of you know how to handle a rapier
or a bow?" Karim asked as he looked at the three of them from one to the
other.

The boys shook their head and Carl said: "I can handle a sword, but I
prefer my crossbow."

Karim smiled, "Spoken like a true merchant. And please, there is no
disrespect intended there."

"I believe that, and after all, I am a merchant, not a soldier."

"I would like to pick us up some weaponry, but I don't think I can afford
to get us all equipped properly."

"If you think it is necessary, we will get it."

Karim eyed Carl inquisitively. "Oh, no, I'm not that rich," Carl excused
himself, "it was Kholtan that made sure we would not be lacking funds."

"Well then," Karim proposed, "I guess we've got some shopping to do."

Spread out over the next five days the necessary purchases were made. Carl
had preferred to have things handled sooner, but Karim insisted on taking
it slow as not not draw too much attention. When it was time for Carl to
trade in his old cart he had felt strange. He had used it for many years
and it had become like a second home to him. The new cart was a bit larger
though and the boys would certainly be more comfortable.

Then it was time for them to set off. On Karim's suggestion they would
first travel south, to the town of Mandan, and then turn west. It wasn't
the most direct route, but the roads would be far more hospitable. The
former general was extremely sound in his reasoning and there was nothing
Carl could bring to bear against it.

It took them eight days to reach Mandan, which was longer than expected,
but they made camp early each day to allow time for weapons practice. Karim
turned out to be an able teacher and both Jorthun and Daltin were eager
students. He even managed to teach Carl a few new tricks. Even though
Keilan and the other two boys hadn't gotten off on a good start, it looked
like they were starting to become friends. Daltin and Jorthun shared their
knowledge of horses and nature and in turn, Keilan taught them how to pick
a purse unnoticed.

It was midday when they entered Mandan and they soon found an inn that
Karim deemed suitable. Carl didn't understand though why he picked one of
the largest and busiest inns in town. When he asked Karim about it, his
reply was another question: "Why do birds fly in flocks, bees form swarms,
or ants live in a hill?" The tone of his voice betrayed that the question
was meant to be rhetorical and the answer was obvious, but it was lost on
Carl.

"If we're the only guests in an inn, we'll stand out. If we're amongst a
dozen others, we won't." Keilan came to his rescue. Carl had never looked
upon it that way, but now it made perfect sense.

As they ate their evening meal the common room had become quite busy. A
bard had been entertaining the crowd and the mood was cheerful.

"My dear ladies and gentlemen," the bard interrupted his show, "I hope you
have enjoyed my humble performance so far. It would be greatly appreciated
if you found it worthy enough to share some of your obvious good fortune
with me. I will continue my performance after I have made a little round to
receive whatever you see fit to add to the horrid meagre wages the
innkeeper has promised me." The man was an obvious professional and knew
how to play an audience. The five silver Jazz Carl added to his collected
bounty were well earned.

As the bard began another song Keilan suddenly noticed something. It was a
small boy, not older than 8 or 9, and he was working the crowd. Keilan
could see the boy had not had much training in the art of pickpocketing,
but still managed to get his hands on at least two purses. Keilan knew that
if the boy got away before the theft was discovered, anyone remaining would
be scrutinized and he turned to Karim.

"You had better get to the door," he whispered into Karim's ear, "there's a
little boy about to make off with at least two purses and I don't think
that would do us any good."

Karim immediately understood and calmly came out of his chair and made his
way towards the inn's exit. He reached the side of the door well in time
and waited.

As the boy was about to open the latch, Karim got hold of the back of his
pants in an instant and lifted him up in the air. The boy screamed like a
stuck pig, arms and legs flaying in the air. Immediately the bard stopped
playing. Karim and the boy had the crowd's full attention.

"I might have let you get away with just one purse, but you've been a bit
too greedy for your own good" Karim bellowed. Taking hold of one of the
boy's legs, he held him upside down. Three well filled purses thudded onto
the floor from inside the boy's flimsy tunic.

This got most in the crowd to check on the whereabouts of their purses. On
of the boy's victims, a heavy set man with a pig-like face, started to
insist for the city watch to be called so the criminal could be hauled to
jail.

"I don't think that will be necessary." Karim interrupted the man's
high-pitched demands. "Unless of course tomorrow you want the whole town to
know you were robbed by a boy hardly out of diapers?"

The effect of Karim's quip was near instantaneous. The crowd burst out in
laughter and the man persisted no further.

"Get out of here boy, before I change my mind." Karim addressed the now
terrified young boy. "And find an honest job, you're no good as a thief."
He opened the door and the would be thief fled with all the speed he could
find in his trembling legs.

The three purses were returned to their rightful owners, one of them being
the bard, and Karim returned to take his chair at the table.

The bard, noticing the diminished atmosphere, began to play one of the more
popular sing-a-longs and soon the indicent was all but forgotten.

Most of the locals left and our group was about to retire to their room
when the bard joined them at their table. "Please allow me to introduce
myself. My name is Phritus and I would like to thank you for returning my
humble earnings." He told Karim, while making exaggerated gestures.

"The innkeeper informed me that your party is leaving us tomorrow and I
would like to ask what direction you will be headed? " He continued.

"We will be heading west." Karim answered truthfully.

"Wonderful!" Phritus exclaimed. "In that case, would you allow me the
honour to accompany you as I need to go to Selor, a small village but a
day's ride west of here. I would feel much safer in your esteemed company
than I would when making the journey alone." The man had a way with words,
that much was clear.

"You are welcome to ride with us." Karim declared, knowing it was custom to
allow single travellers to join a group. He didn't like the idea, but it
just wouldn't do to refuse.

"Magnificent! I shall be ready to travel when you are. For now I must take
my leave as I have some unfinished business with our nasty little
innkeeper." Another exaggerated bow and Phritus was off to find the man,
allowing our group to head up to their room and get some much needed sleep.