James Islington - The Shadow Of What Was Lost

“I wish I could understand why these men have been acting so carelessly,” said Karaliene softly.

Caeden glanced at her. “What do you mean?”

Karaliene sighed. “General Parathe has been reporting to my father that they have started to just… take days off. Drinking and carousing, presumably. One day they fail to report for duty; the next day they just turn up and act like nothing is wrong. Parathe disciplined them at the start, but the problem is so widespread now that he cannot afford to. If General Jash’tar cannot stop the Blind, we will need every man we can get.”

"Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that," said Caeden.

Karaliene turned to him; he felt his heart skip at how close she was standing. "That’s what everyone else is saying, though - and that’s why I’m worried," she said in a low tone. "My father, the Houses - they’re so confident that our advantage in numbers is all that matters. And until last night, I might have agreed with them, but now…." She shivered, shaking her head. "I know Laiman Kardai and my uncle have been preparing the city for a siege since the first day they heard about the Blind, so I suppose we at least have that. But aside from those two, everyone else just seems to think that this invasion is a chance to play politics."

Caeden glanced across at her; Karaliene’s tone was bitter. “How so?”

Karaliene hesitated, then grimaced. “Thanks to my father’s… instability, I’ve heard rumour of at least two of the Great Houses planning for the possibility of ruling. Not planning to rule, of course; that would be treason. But making sure that if there is an empty throne in the near future, they would be nearby to sit in it.” She shrugged. “And I’m a complication to those sort of plans, as you can imagine.”

Caeden looked at her in disbelief. “Surely they wouldn’t risk making things even more unstable. Not now.”

“You really haven’t spent much time around men of power, have you,” Karaliene said with wry amusement. “Take last night. In your place, half of the nobility would have demanded a heavy reward for saving me, and the other half would have just let me die.” She smiled, though with a hint of sadness.

Caeden looked at her with horror. “I’m sorry,” he said sincerely. “That must be hard.”

“Don’t misunderstand, Caeden. I’m a princess; there are plenty of benefits too. I don’t have to face many of the everyday trials that most people go through.” Karaliene’s smile faded. “But at times like this? Yes, it can be hard.”

They watched the soldiers for a while longer, then Karaliene said, “Who do you think they are?” She made a vague gesture to the north.

Caeden paused to think. “I believe what Taeris believes,” he said after a moment. “That these men have been sent by Aarkein Devaed.”

The princess nodded. “There was something… wrong about that armour last night. It made me feel sick just being in contact with it.”

“Then you believe too?”

The princess shook her head slowly. “I don’t know. It all still seems so surreal. A bedtime story brought to life.” She looked at him, expression curious. “Why do you believe?”

Caeden shrugged. “I just know,” he said quietly. “Somehow, I know that he’s not just a myth. When I think of him, I think of someone to be feared.” He sighed. “I seem to know a lot of things that no-one else does, though.”

Karaliene considered. “Perhaps that’s why your memories were removed,” she suggested. “Perhaps you found out too much about Aarkein Devaed?”

Caeden rubbed his forehead. “Maybe.” It was similar to Taeris' suggestion – it could certainly explain why the invaders seemed to be after him – yet he didn’t think it was correct. But then, he couldn’t even give a reason as to why he thought that. It was all very confusing.

Karaliene saw his disconsolate expression and hesitantly reached a hand out, laying it on his forearm. “Whatever it is, I’m sure you will get to the bottom of it.”

Caeden’s breath caught and he froze, as if Karaliene were a bird he could accidentally scare off with a sudden movement. The princess didn’t remove her hand straight away and for a long moment they just stood there, watching the soldiers.

Then there were footsteps behind them and Karaliene turned smoothly, letting her hand slip to her side again.

Caeden turned as well, cringing to see Aelric striding towards them. With the possible exception of the king or the Northwarden, Aelric was the last person he’d wanted to see him with the princess. He’d heard the young swordsman talk of her often enough over the past month or so to know that he was hopelessly in love with her. The black expression on his face as he looked at Caeden did nothing to dispel that notion.

“Your Highness,” said Aelric stiffly, bowing to Karaliene. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Your uncle was most upset when he discovered you had dismissed your guards - especially to wander off in the early hours of the morning with a servant.” He shot an accusatory glare at Caeden. “I thought it best to find you before he did, lest he start taking too close an interest in who it is you’re with.”

Karaliene hesitated, for a moment looking like she was going to protest. Then she gave an exasperated sigh. “Very well.” She turned to Caeden. “I’m sorry, but I really should go.”

Caeden smiled. “I have no doubt you have more important things to do, Your Highness. I’m honoured to have received as much time as I have.”

Karaliene smiled at him warmly. “I hope we can talk again,” she said. “Soon.” With a final, irritable glare at Aelric, she walked back towards the palace.

Aelric made as if to follow, then stopped, frowning. He turned back to Caeden. “What was that all about, then?” he asked. There was nothing untoward in the question or his demeanour, but Caeden could sense the underlying tension.

Caeden gave an awkward shrug. “The princess offered to show me around the palace.”

Aelric scowled openly now. “That’s not what I meant.” His eyes narrowed. “Yesterday, she could barely stand the sight of you. Now she’s talking to you like you’re her best friend?” Caeden breathed a sigh of relief. It at least sounded like Aelric had not seen Karaliene’s hand on his arm, however brief it had been.

Caeden gestured, indicating ignorance. “I don’t know why she changed her mind.”

Aelric stared at him for a few seconds in silence. “Very well,” he said eventually, “but let me make this clear.” He leaned forward, lowering his voice. “If I find out you’re using some sort of Augur power to influence her, I will end this.” He looked conflicted. “I have no wish to see you harmed, Caeden. I believe that there is something… special about you. But if it means protecting Karaliene, I won’t hesitate to tell Elocien and the king about you.”

Without anything further, he spun on his heel and stalked off, leaving Caeden to stare after him worriedly.

Davian’s stomach rumbled as he walked into the tavern.

The smell of stewing meat dragged him forward, despite knowing he didn’t have enough coin in his pocket to pay for it. He’d covered a lot of ground over the past week and now he estimated that at the same pace, he was only a few days away from Ilin Illan itself. Fortifying his body with Essence had given him stamina he’d once only dreamed of; whenever he began to tire, he simply drew more from the world around him. He’d slept twice since leaving Deilannis, both times only briefly, and more because he was worried about the effects of staying awake for so long than because he needed to.

The one thing Essence hadn’t been able to do, however, was stop him from being hungry. His stomach growled again, sucking at his insides. He glanced around. The village was small and so was the tavern; there were only a few patrons tonight, mostly farmers from the looks of them.