Chapter Two

Ancient links united the cities of Orenheart and Kurabar, for the founders of both had been brothers. The royal families of these cities honoured their age-old ties by visiting one another every year. The Kurabarans had visited Orenheart the previous year, so this year, for the first time in his young life, Evalan was accompanying his parents to Kurabar.

He was aware of the ache in his jaw but could not stop smiling. He had ridden south of the city many times, always with a guard, but this was different.

“Evalan.”

He turned to the woman on his left, her amusement obvious in her wide smile. “Yes, Mother?”

“You haven’t stopped grinning since we left Orenheart.”

“I can’t help it. This is so exciting.” He looked around at the escort that surrounded them; the warriors in long, white tabards, emblazoned with the royal emblem in red, their backs covered by black cloaks, with the early spring sun sparking off their helmets, topped with black plumes.

“I’ve never ridden north before–”

“Yes, you have,” said the man on his right, the red plume atop his helmet flicking to the side as he turned his head.

“But no further than the first sentries’ outpost, Father.” They’d just passed the third of three such outposts.

“So begins your adventure,” said the man, his father, the king of the southern realm, Edmon.

Unlike Leah, who mirrored their father’s dark features, Evalan took after their mother, Maeve, with her hair the colour of spun gold, and blue eyes. As the company stepped onto the broad road that ribboned into the distance, he straightened in his saddle. This was the main thoroughfare used mainly by the warriors and large processions; it connected Orenheart to Arcspan, which led to hot Kurabar in the north-west. A branch of the road led east, to the mountains, and Eastvale beyond, with its silk, spices and mines.

He noticed a severely grooved lane branching off, so different to the road, and spied distant fingers of smoke rising to the sky. “That leads to a settlement?”

Edmon nodded.

“Why is the lane not like the road? It looks so... shoddy.”

“There are too many to maintain. They aren’t only the ones that lead away from the road; some settlements are connected to one another by lanes as well.”

“It can’t be easy to travel along.”

Edmon made a face. “Choked with dust in the dry summer, bog-like in the winter... no, it’s far from perfect, but the people are used to it.”

“Everything looks the same,” he said for the land to the right of the road, fertile and river-fed, was monotonous farmland.

“It may appear uninteresting, but this is what feeds us,” said Edmon.

“Evalan.”

He turned Maeve.

“Look, your first proper view of the mountains.”

His gaze flicked to the distant mountains, jagged against the horizon. “They look so...”

“Big?” said Edmon, raising his brows.

Evalan narrowed his eyes and frowned as a chuckle escaped Maeve. “I was going to say they look very grand, even from here.” He turned slightly in the direction of the road that led towards the mountains. “When can I go to Eastvale?”

“I leave that journey to the merchants,” said Edmon.

“But–”

“It’s an arduous journey, son. And if I spend all my time travelling up and down the land, who is going to see to the running of the realm?”

The youngster’s shoulders slumped. Now that he’d finally started travelling, he knew this was what he wanted to do, even more than becoming the king. What did it matter how hard the journey might be? There was so much to see; not only Eastvale but Porthaven in the south, by the sea, and grasslands further north...

“Maybe when you’re older,” said Maeve.

Nodding, still he couldn’t help sighing. He went back to perusing his surroundings, and only then noticed that, to the left of them, the warrior escort rode three-deep. “Father, why are there more warriors riding on that side of us?”

“Because of the brigands.”

The boy’s pale-blue eyes widened. “Oh,” was all he could think to say as he stared at the forest in the distance.

“Look...” Edmon pointed out a group of riders. “There’s one of the regular patrols, my patrols.”

Just as Evalan relaxed, a knot tightened in his stomach as the patrol gathered together and spurred their horses into a gallop, riding away from them. At the same time, Second Commander Geren ordered his warriors to close ranks around the family, and their pace quickened.

“Father?”

“It’s only a precaution. Evalan...”

Blinking rapidly, the youngster turned at the sound of his father’s soft summons.

“We are well protected. And I will not let any harm befall you.”

“Sorry, Father. I will try to be brave.”

Edmon’s smile widened; he reached over and gripped his son’s hand. “I do not doubt that you are.”

Despite his father’s encouraging words, Evalan struggled to return his smile. He didn’t want to disappoint his father but was already aware of how different he was to Leah, that he wasn’t as active as she was. Even though there was eight years between them, lately he’d developed a habit of comparing himself to her. Whenever Edmon spoke of Leah, it was clear how proud he was of her; Evalan wondered how much fatherly pride showed when his father spoke of him. He hoped, in five years’ time, when he started his warrior training, he would find something akin to his sister’s enthusiasm.

Evalan turned to Maeve as she laid a gentle but firm hand on his shoulder. She didn’t say a word, merely smiled, and he knew that, no matter what, at least one parent loved him as he was.

“Why so thoughtful?” Maeve reached out to smooth his sunny-gold hair.

“I miss... I wish Leah was here, with us.” With me...

“She can’t miss her training,” said Edmon.

“She used to, before.”

“True, but now that you’re here, she doesn’t have to.”

He opened his mouth but could not think of a good enough argument, and so forced his thoughts back to the brigands who made their home in the forest of Grimwood. “Father, isn’t there a way for the brigands to come away from the Grimwood?”

He shook his head. “There have always been brigands there, since before Oren built Orenheart. That’s their place, their home–”

“My lord.”

Edmon turned his attention to Geren.

The sturdily built man was not only the king’s second in command but a trusted friend as well. His beard and moustache hid his smile, but his mirth was always reflected in his grey eyes. Evalan was especially fond of him for Geren always found time for the young boy. “We’re approaching Turis, my lord.” He referred to one of the many settlements they would pass on their way to Kurabar. The royal party made it a point to stop at as many as possible without lengthening their journey by too many days.

“We will stop, Geren, but only briefly.”

“Yes, my lord. I’ll send two warriors ahead to inform them of our arrival.” 

*          *          *          *

The sun was just beginning its westward journey when the royal procession came within sight of the settlement of Sorin, where they would spend the night. To better protect the royal family, each night on the road was always spent in a settlement.

This one was slightly larger than the others they’d passed, but Evalan could see that it was laid out in a similar manner. A fenced border marked its territory. Simple wood houses with thatched roofs sprouted from the ground in no planned order. But further into the settlement, the houses grew slightly in stature until the elder’s house, which was much wider to accommodate, not only the elder’s extended family but also any visiting guest.

Realising that the people were all gathered around the well, Evalan smiled in what he hoped was an engaging manner. He waited for Edmon to dismount and help Maeve, who, despite her riding gown and cloak, came off her horse gracefully. He, however, almost got tangled up in his cloak, and hurriedly composed himself to be presented to the elder.

Then Evalan noticed the large table outside the elder’s house with some smaller tables dotted around. Because of the good weather, it seemed that the evening meal was to be served outside. Evalan’s stomach growled as the tempting aroma of roasted meats assailed his nostrils. Soon he was being led along with his parents to the head table as torches were lit to brighten the gradually darkening evening. Despite being the youngest at the elder’s table, he wasn’t left out of the conversation, adding to his enjoyment of a special night.