“He was terrified, Rain. What has gotten into the Prince?” Roasa asks as they make a very quick stop for watering the horses and a restroom break.
The Ladies speak behind a few bushes near the carts, as the men speak just out of sight.
“I do not know, but the look in his eyes was unsettling. Still, in Bellum we must always be ready to move. This feels like another drill to me.” The Lieutenant replies.
“A drill? I don’t think so. His fear was too obvious.”
“I agree something is not right, I am just saying being prepared is a good thing.”
“A good thing? I had a bathhouse reserved for today. That would have been a good thing.”
“A bath would be good.”
“But instead were on the move before daylight. The Prince doesn’t seem to be easily spooked. Should we be worried?” Roasa asks.
“Worried… No, just on alert.”
“You are the Prince’s second Mother, right? How was he as a child?”
“I do not remember. I do not really remember much from that assignment. I just hated every second of it. The King is a horrible man, and I was assigned to lay with him to produce a child. I was told that my sacrifice would ensure a unity between the Crown and Bellum for another generation. So, I did it. I remember some boys being around, four of them I think. I was just there to do my duty, and nothing more.”
“I am so sorry. I married a man that I was deeply in love with and being with him was amazing. I can’t imagine being with someone just to have a child.”
“It was one assignment from eight years ago. I have had many more fulfilling orders since then. I do not allow that one assignment define my career.”
“Ladies! It’s time to get moving.” Will shouts.
“Coming in just a minute.” Roasa responds.
“We need to see if we can find out what spooked the Prince.”
Lieutenant Rain agrees.
They make their way back to the carts to see David, and Stephan speaking to Aero. Aero seems standoffish.
“Okay the ladies are back.” Will tells the men in deep conversation.
“Okay let’s continue.” Aero says as he hops back on his horse. He then pulls in front of the wagons to ride point.
“Matthew, what’s going on? Why did Aero make us leave in the middle of the night?” Roasa asks.
“I don’t know, we were at the bar when he said he needed to step out for a minute. I sat at the bar and enjoyed the midnight wine until he returned about two hours later. He looked like he had tried to paint his tan away. I mean white, white. He was frantic and insisted that I gather the wagons in the Meadow while he brought you down from the Top. It’s all I know.”
“Except you loaded down the supply wagon with five barrels of wine. Why that many?” Will asks.
“Because six wouldn’t fit.” Matthew replies.
“Dave and I tried to talk to Aero, but he claims he is fine; he’s clearly not. Let’s give him a few hours. Next stop pull him to the side.” Stephan tells Matthew.
“Will do.”
The group rides with Aero at point alone for hours, it’s midday when the group insist on a break.
As soon as Aero dismounts, Matthew pulls him to the side. “What is up with you? You are scaring everyone.”
“Don’t you know what tomorrow is? We will arrive at the old palace, and then we will say goodbye. I’m just anxious.”
“We have all known this since we departed the Capital. Something else is bothering you.”
“Matt… I’m fine. I just have a lot on my mind.”
“If it was just that, you wouldn’t have pulled everyone out of bed in the middle of the night.”
“I saw the Meego Light disappear last night from the old platform at Tree City.”
“Is that where you went? Did you do it? Did you piss off the top?”
“No Matt, I followed you but when I got to the top you weren’t up there. I saw the light, it’s time to get this over with.”
“I never went up there. I stayed in the bar, and you said you needed to step out. I sat in that bar alone until you came back. But I do know that seeing the Meego Light disappear isn’t what’s bothering you. You are Prince Aero, you stared down a Halo Bear and killed it with nothing but a dagger. You’ve stared death in the face many times and never flinched. A light disappearing isn’t something that scares you.”
“Okay Matt, fine! Something is going on here that we can’t see; something magical.”
“How, why would you think this? Did something happen? Wait, did you go into that Cave in Brintz?” Matthew asks.
Aero looks Matthew in the eye, his best friend… His drinking buddy and answers him without hesitation.
“No.” (Crimson, you’re Welcome)
“Then what is it?”
Aero hesitates again. He is unable to say what he needs to say but was able to lie to his best friend without any reluctance.
“It’s the magic that draws me to Meego. I’m about to say goodbye to my entire life… Wouldn’t you be on edge too?”
“Hard to have an edge when you’re drunk.”
Aero doesn’t smile that slight grin that Matthew is so used to seeing on Aero’s face when he says something that shocks him. Aero doesn’t react at all.
“Matt, will you tell Stephan to give me a few minutes before we depart?”
“Sure, I will do it.” Matthew responds.
As Matthew steps away from Aero, he looks toward Stephan and gives a small no head nod. He passes along Aero’s request to Stephan.
The group gives Aero time. All seem to be worried about the Prince. But with him closed off, there is nothing anyone can do.
Aero walks out of sight for privacy. His thoughts dwell on the events of the night before. He can’t help but wish he could have one more conversation with his friend, Crimson. He would know what to do.
“Prince Aero.” Will says as he approaches the Prince. “I don’t mean to disturb you, but I wanted to let you know that I am nervous about entering Meego too, but I will be ready when the time comes. You can count on me.”
“I know Will. You’ve been a good hand on this trip.”
“I may be nervous, but I am not afraid.” Will says “I’m not afraid, because I will be entering Meego with the best commanding officer I’ve ever had. This entire trip has been a great honor for me, and it will be my greatest honor to stand ready at your side in Meego. No matter what happens.”
“I have no doubt of that, Will. You have proven yourself beyond expectation. I hope when I die, they allow you to bring my body back to the Capital. If you can, I want you to show my father what the cost was for a forgotten relic that he will never possess. Can you do that for me? Can you give me your word?”
“I do, you’re not dead yet. I believe in you, Prince Aero… I believe in my heart that you and I will enter the Capital together, alive. I will do everything I can to make sure that happens. Just like you took care of my family after I disrespected you… I never gave you a real apology… Truth is, I’m not sorry. If I hadn’t been so stupid and ambitious, I wouldn’t be here right now… And serving you is the greatest honor of my life.”
Aero smiles. Will is a good man despite his reputation. He has been an asset on this trip.
Prince Aero places his hand on the shoulder of Will “I wouldn’t change a thing, I’m glad you’re here. Will you tell the others I’m coming? I’ll be there in just a minute.”
Will agrees.
The young Prince with the heavy heart watches Will as he returns to the group. This journey has been long and strange, but Will took care of the small things so that everyone else could work on the details. He may have complained early on, but he was honest with the group about Marco putting him up to spy on the group. If Will, who’s family is at risk can get his act together, then the Prince knows he must do the same. He takes one last moment to gather himself, then he returns to the group. They ride for several hours before they make another stop in the mid-afternoon.
When they stop, Aero finds a fallen tree and sets down alone.
Or at least that was his intention.
This time, Roasa sets down beside him.
“Prince…”
“Roasa…”
Both hesitate.
“Prince Aero. Are you okay? You were as white as a cloud when you woke us up last night. I saw your face, you were terrified. I was so scared in that moment; I don’t know if you noticed but I didn’t complain. Not one word.”
Aero looks at the beautiful young widow and can’t hide his amusement. He laughs.
“I didn’t, but honestly I’ve learned to ignore it. I don’t even hear it anymore.” Aero says with laughter until Roasa punches his shoulder.
“You are horrible!”
“Am I that bad?”
“No. You’re a good man. You were the first to offer help when your group found me. When I found out that Rich betrayed us, it was you that offered me the sword. You promised to train me and get me my own sword. You’ve only ever let me down once.”
“Once? When was that?”
“Last night, I had used your name to set me up a private bathhouse for today and I’m not there.”
“I’m sorry, if you stay with Stephan after I depart the Old Palace, I will make sure they make that up for you.”
“Maybe I will make you pay for one for me in Meego… I’ll go just to hold you to your word.”
“Roasa, I forbid you to come. Most people don’t survive that trip, I couldn’t bear to allow anything happen to you.”
“I was joking, but if you really want to make it up to me… Tell me what has you on edge so bad.”
Aero takes a moment to collect his thoughts. He has been trying to find the right words all day and has stumbled over them every time. But now the young Durrie woman is showing concern for him. This woman, Roasa… Whom Prince Aero found in her most tragic moment, whom he has a soft spot for…
“Okay, Last night on top of the old platform…”
“Prince Aero! Prince Aero!” Lieutenant Rain comes running up.
“Rain! What is it?”
“There is a group of men approaching from Tree City. They are dressed in armor.”
“How many?”
“About thirty!” Rain responds.
“Let’s kill them all!” Roasa replies.
“We can’t, there’s way too many of them.” Aero responds immediately.
“I will shoot them all!” The passionate side of Roasa on full display.
“We don’t have thirty arrows. How far back are they?” Aero asks.
“Less than half a mile.”
“Mount up, we ride for the palace, NOW!” Aero screams.
The group mounts quickly. Aero has them ride at a steady pace. Are these men the reason the old man told him it was a mistake to go to the Meadow?
They were well beyond the Meadow when the Eastern Sun rose, shouldn’t they be safe?
Maybe the old man was bluffing, and this is just a coincidence. Either way, the knights that they tried to avoid by going through Bellum has found them.
Without having to say anything, the entire group knows that these men are what Aero was worried about last night. Now they all feel the same way Aero does.
Relics of the Old Age 