Richard Tuttle - 13 Day War

Harry grinned broadly. “Stop mothering me,” he replied with a chuckle. “I am no longer brittle.” Harry jumped to his feet and picked Bonnay off the ground and whirled her around.

“So I see,” laughed Bonnay. “What do you say we take a break and have some hot cocoa?”

“An excellent idea,” Billy responded as he led Rynda towards Harry. “While Harry and I might be used to this cold weather, I am not sure that the others are quite as hardy. The cocoa will warm everyone up.”

“I could use some warming up,” replied Rynda. “I have never seen this much snow in all my life. I’m cold.”

The three couples grabbed their sleds and started making their way to a small stand set up outside the city walls. Samana followed quietly, pulling her own sled. Billy purchased the cocoa and carried it to a small table set up alongside the wall. Everyone sat down and started drinking, but Samana sat quietly, looking at each of the others in turn. To her eye, Billy and Jeanie appeared to be in their element, but neither Sam nor Harry appeared to be used to such weather. Being a southern girl herself, it made her curious.

“How much snow do you normally see each year, Sam?” she asked.

“Nothing like this,” Sam answered. “A few flurries once in a while, but this amount of snow is awesome.”

“How about you, Harry?” asked Samana.

Harry frowned at the question. When she had asked Sam it sounded like normal conversation, but when she asked him it seemed as if she was fishing for something.

“I can’t remember ever seeing this much snow,” he answered, “but I am curious why it matters. Can’t we just enjoy the snow without comparing it to other years?”

“I don’t think this year is typical anyways,” interjected Billy. “The early winter seems to be fiercer than anything I ever saw, and I am used to a lot of snow.”

Rynda looked at her sister curiously. She knew that Samana was after something, but she wasn’t sure what it was. “What is the real question, Samana?”

“I would think that the real question would be obvious,” Samana replied. “Look at each other. Look closely. Bonnay has Occan features, but none of the rest of us do. Aren’t any of you curious who we all are?”

“Such topics are off-limits,” warned Harry. “You should know that.”

“I know that we are not to let others know who we are,” countered Samana, “but that should not include each other. We all occupy the same lair. Why shouldn’t we know about each other?”

“Because it is forbidden,” answered Harry. “There are reasons for the rules given to us, and I will not abuse the hospitality given to me.”

“I thought I was the only stranger here,” frowned Billy. “Now that Samana has pointed it out, I am curious, too.”

“You were just the last to arrive,” stated Samana. “Who are you, Billy?”

Billy really had nothing to hide, so he answered. “I am Bultar. I am from Candanar.”

“Prince Bultar?” asked Rynda.

“Yes,” the prince answered meekly. “Does that make a difference between us?”

“Hardly,” grinned Rynda. “Samana and I are the daughters of Emperor Jaar.”

Harry and Sam looked at each other with anxious gazes.

“We shouldn’t be talking about this,” warned Jeanie. “Nothing good will come of it.”

“Oh?” retorted Samana. “And what country are you a princess of?”

“She’s Tyronian,” offered Rynda. “I heard her talking about the Ur Woods.”

“Princess Jeanel,” smiled Samana. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance.” Samana turned to gaze at Harry, expecting him to be the next to reveal himself, but Bonnay interrupted.

“I am not a princess,” Bonnay declared. “My father is a minor baron in Zarocca. I think that ruins your theory about everyone here being royalty of some kind. Let’s just drop the interrogations and enjoy each other as friends.”

Sam had not heard Bonnay’s words. His eyes were staring at Princess Jeanel with adoration. He had feared that assuming the throne of Spino would mean having to forego his love for Jeanie, and it had torn him apart each night. His mouth widened in a broad smile as he looked into her eyes.

“I am Prince Samuel of Spino, and I love you.”

Princess Jeanel grinned and wrapped her arms around Prince Samuel.

“That, Harry, makes you Prince Harold of Ertak,” declared Samana. “Am I wrong?”

Harry sighed and shook his head. “What is the point of these revelations, Samana? You are purposely breaking all of our vows. There are reasons for the secrecy surrounding the Lair, and those reasons are more important than our curiosities. Have you given any thought to what effect this knowledge would mean to the poor people of Herinak who have been gracious enough to keep us safe?”

“You misunderstand me, Harry,” replied Samana. “I do not mean for this knowledge to leave the Lair. I just think we need to be open and honest with each other.”

“Why would our identities cause harm to the people of Herinak?” asked Rynda.

“Because your father would order his armies to crush the horse countries if he discovered any one of us here,” scowled Harry. “Are you totally unaware of what is happening in the world, or are you intentionally trying to sound ignorant?”

“What are you talking about?” snapped Samana. “I know that my father would be anxious to have Rynda and me return to Despair, but why should he care about the rest of you being here?”

“The Federation and the horse countries are enemies,” Prince Samuel said softly. “Did you really not know?”

Samana and Rynda looked at each other in disbelief. “I don’t believe you,” scowled Samana.

“It is true,” stated Prince Harold. “Both King Harowin and General Montero would kill thousands to get their hands on me right now, and I am quite sure that Emperor Jaar would agree with them and aid them. The Koroccans are taking a huge risk by sheltering us here, and I do not think we are repaying them properly by abusing their hospitality.”

“The same goes for Queen Samir,” nodded Prince Samuel. “Hopefully she has not even discovered that I have left Spino, but if one word were to reach her ears that I was living in Herinak, she would demand that the Federation attack.”

“We truly did not know,” Rynda said apologetically. “We have not heard about any hostilities between the Empire and the horse countries. Why are they enemies?”

“The Federation is trying to conquer the world,” offered Princess Jeanel. “If you do not know of such things, then you have been sheltered from the truth for some time. Are you aware that the Federation has taken over Karamin, Vinafor, and Tyronia?”

Samana and Rynda shook their heads, their faces betraying their amazement. Samana looked to Prince Bultar for confirmation. The Prince of Candanar nodded.

“Karamin and Vinafor fell last year,” he stated. “Tyronia was the last to fall. There have been rumors of an attack on the horse countries, but I understand that the invasion fleet was destroyed last year by rebels.”

“It seems that we truly have been kept in the dark,” sighed Samana. “I wonder if mother knows about this?”

“She would have told us.” Rynda shook her head. “I am sure that she is as much in the dark as we are.”

“All of this gives me pause,” frowned Prince Bultar. “I know why I am here. I was rescued from a deadly snowstorm, and I am grateful for the rescue, but it appears too much of a coincidence that we all are gathered here together. Do you think the Koroccans are holding us hostage to avert a war?”

“No,” Prince Harold said quickly. “In fact, that is the very reason that they have us isolated. They do not want the Federation to know that we are here, and they fear Federation spies among the populace. That is the reason for the false names, and why I have been urged to change my appearance. If there is the slightest chance that any of us will be recognized, Baron Stikman will confine all of us to the lair.”