The Prince's Bodyguard by Bernadette Russo

Author:Bernadette Russo
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steam Books
Published: 2013-08-19T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 4

“It’s trade day,” explained Bari to the pouting prince. “While we do the best we can with what’s available in this forest, there are things we need that can’t be found here. Like tobacco, for instance.”

“And ale,” said another.

“We’ll be back before sunset, Leith, so stop pouting,” sighed Cholten as he gave the teenager a goodbye kiss on the cheek. “There’s more than enough food for you, so you won’t starve. By next week, you’ll be able to do without that stick, and we can take you to the edge of the fore…”

The room fell silent. They knew Leith still wanted to get out, despite becoming a part of their family. Nevertheless, they had given him their word, and they meant to keep it. Still, the thought of losing him hurt them all, and they avoided talking about it if they could.

The goodbyes were more subdued, as the seven Romi left the cottage and made their way deeper into the woods.

“Don’t forget to do your chores!” yelled Cholten as a final farewell before vanishing among the greenery.

“Yeah, yeah,” Leith sighed, as he set about doing just that.

* * *

“You sure that’s convincing?” asked Rajovic I of his new valet as he stared at his reflection in the polished brass shield before him.

“I absolutely do not recognize his majesty,” the other man replied. “Were it not for the fact that I did it myself, I would have thought you were some commoner who wandered in here by accident.”

“Hmmm… I do look rather scruffy, eh?”

“Convincingly low class, I’d say. Simply ghastly.”

“Ha ha! It’s perfect then. Let’s go.”

The two made their way into the servant’s halls, with “Glaucus II” leading the way. The new valet’s name was actually Cabot, a high-class servant who had served some blue blood before finding himself out of a job for some reason or other. But the king insisted that he adopt the new name. Rajovic I needed a constant reminder about the dangers of fully placing his faith in someone other than himself.

As soon as they entered the stables, Glaucus II threw away his deferential attitude and puffed his chest out.

“Be sure to carry that to the marquis right away,” he said in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “There’ll be no dilly-dallying, understand?”

“Indee… uh, yes sir,” Rajovic mumbled humbly, ever the accomplished actor. “I won’t be tarrying, I won’t. You can count on me, sir.”

“Well?” Glaucus II raised a haughty eyebrow at the lowly messenger boy.

“Ah? Ah! Yes. Yes, off I go. Bye-bye now,” and Rajovic mounted his horse to ride off in the direction of The Forest.

As soon as he was out of sight of the citadel, he whispered a few words into his horse’s ear. The creature moaned, then slowed down as its eyes glazed over. A shudder wracked the steed, then passed. Blowing out a steamy breath, the thoroughbred shot toward the forest, running at a pace no ordinary horse could possibly achieve.

What should have taken at least eight hours, only took four, so noon found the messenger boy at the edge of The Forest.

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