Gadolor

Andel

Andel wouldn’t let her out of his sight. He asked her to collect her things and follow him into Porton, where he was staying. Breaking camp was an odd experience without Sebastian there telling her what to do.

Retrieving his horse, Andel led her down a busy street that led back out of the city. People hurried this way and that, with carts and animals pushing for space. Just out of sight was the port, where boats of varying size floated beside wooden piers. Beyond the boats was the wide river Newr, its gray ripples lapping at the piers’ posts like a great sleepy dragon. That was where Sebastian wanted to take her, onto a boat and far away.

“We’re nearly away,” Andel said, as he led the horse. His next sentence was cut off as someone shouted. Sebastian ran into view, his face twisted in anger.

“Stop. What are you doing?” He challenged. Romni found she couldn’t speak.

“We are leaving,” Andel said, “Your affair with the lady has ended.”

“You can’t,” He pointed a shaky finger at her. “That woman is mine.”

“Not anymore. Stand back, trickster.” Andel’s voice was like the hard edge of a stone. Passersby began to watch the two men argue.

Sebastian spat. “No. I know who you are.” A smile spread across his face as he held up something that glinted—Andel’s ring. He must have stolen it. Sebastian’s voice thundered over the street, commanding the ears of everyone around. “I know who you are. Look, everyone! These two are foreigners. They’re enemies. That is the prince of Astor, and that girl is the princess. Sombron will pay a fortune for your head!” He leapt forward, shoving Andel, grabbing for the horse’s reigns.

Andel moved quick as lightning. His fist hit Sebastian’s jaw with a crack, sending him sprawling in the dirt. Setting the ring resolutely on his finger, Andel jumped in the saddle and pulled Romni up behind him.

Drawing his sword, Andel shouted to the growing crowd, “You heard right, people of Lortosa. I am Andel, son of Lorind, commander of the North and bane of your king. I’ve come to take my bride home where we belong. Woe to the man who stands in my way!” With a shout, he set the horse galloping down the street as people scrambled to move. She looked back to see Sebastian, her old lover, lying motionless in the dust before he was lost to view.

The prince galloped on. That ride seemed to last forever. They rode on a path that took them out into the countryside, away from Porton, away from Sebastian. Strangers, people who hadn’t heard that this was the prince, jumped out of the way as he rode past. Romni still couldn’t make herself believe that Andel the prince was here, yet here she was, hanging onto him on a running horse.

The forest’s colors were a blur of brown and orange and red and green. At first, Romni was afraid she would lose her grip on his waist and break bones on the ground that was rushing by. But one of Andel’s strong hands held hers in place. Eventually, it occurred to her that she ought to enjoy the ride; it had been a long time since she’d ridden a horse. The brisk wind tugged at her hair, and the pounding of hoofbeats was a rhythm she’d once known well. Her father used to ride with her sometimes, saying she was the best horse-lady in the whole kingdom. Thinking of home summoned a blur of thoughts that moved even quicker than the scene around them.

Andel wanted to take her home. Home? She had tried not to think of Esthena as home. Since leaving that country, she’d told herself that anywhere with Sebastian was home. But now Sebastian was far behind, lying unconscious in the dust, and this strong man was taking her away from him. Terror bit into her again. What if he’s going to kill me after all? Maybe he was only bringing her back so they could hang her for her crimes.

That girl is the princess. Sombron will pay a fortune for your head. Sebastian’s words rang through her head again_. I’ll never tell, I promise._ He had promised never to betray her secret. Andel always said Sebastian was a liar. Why couldn’t I see it? At least if Andel executed her, it would be justice. Maybe it would give Esthena some peace. But then, as he slowed the horse to rest, the other possibility pricked her mind. Maybe he was telling the truth. Does Father really miss me?

— § —

“Lady,” Andel said that evening, “I’m ashamed I cannot offer you better shelter than this. A man ought to be punished for bringing you here.” She glanced around the campsite to see what was wrong with it. There was a ring of stones for a fire, a wall of bushes to block the wind, and a little lean-to that previous travelers had made. It was luxurious by a gypsy’s standards. “The princess of a kingdom deserves far better,” Andel added. She blushed. Did he know the kinds of places where she had slept?

Despite his claim to shame, he seemed to be bursting with energy. She watched him closely, wondering what sort of man would travel all the way from Astor just to find one person. When darkness fell, he got out a flute and played the melody of a ballad. She remembered the words, thinking back to long winter evenings in the castle, full of warm furs and bright fires in the hearth, when the minstrels would sing of ancestral glories.

My sons, take heed of the kings of war
Beating upo-on our aging doors
And when, at last, with my fathers I sleep
Bury thy father and look to the East
For there, I hear, is wide open land
Brave men could tame it if strong are their hands

It told the long story of King Restlan and his brother Astor, the two rulers who led their people across a wasteland. Leaving their old war-weary kingdom behind, they found a fertile country that became Esthena and Astor. The two kingdoms had always been family. The recent war against Sombron had strengthened their friendship, and since one heir was a son and the other a daughter, they decided to unite the kingdoms into one. Already, poets had begun to make new songs.

That was what she, the princess, had run from. Instead, she’d chosen a son of Lortosa. The stories of this country were all blood and treachery and cunning, where only the strongest and meanest people could be happy. Here, the fates had the power, caring nothing for the righteousness that the sons of Torestin loved.

Andel had finished playing. “You know that song? My father and our men often sing it on the march. We say if our fathers marched across the wilderness, we can walk across our own land. I wonder if the songs will remember you and I. This adventure would make a good tale. Do you think?”

“Why?” ever since she’d seen the ring, the question had burned within her. “Why did you come? You could rule Esthena without marrying me, you know.”

He blinked, then frowned. “I don’t care for another crown. I care for you.” His face became grave. “You’re my bride; did you think I would leave you?”

“But I left you.”

“And I found you. And we’ll rule both of our kingdoms together.”

The moon soared slowly over the world, thinly veiled behind a cloud. Yellow flames became red embers as the fire settled down, lighting the man dimly where he slept, opposite her. Thoughts tumbled in her mind more crazily than Sebastian’s juggling knives. Ascan was Andel the warrior prince. Sebastian hated her but Andel said he loved her. Sebastian was behind them now. Andel was taking her home.