Chapter 10

© Copyright 2006 by Elizabeth Delayne



“I don’t understand you, Justen. I had hoped you left such reckless ways behind with your gambling rocks in Darbenton.”

Though the loss of his prize rocks had once bothered him, Justen only shrugged. “I was lost, the princess found me, showed me how to find you. And here we are.”

“If you had not wondered off this morning....”

“I know not how I was lost ... but I do suggest you stay to the common hallways. It is a confusing sight.”

“Prince Justen—“

”Look, I know ... the Kingdom of Darbenton is counting on me. The advisors of Dustiny, as well as the king himself, are waiting on me. If we could finish this argument, we could get to them.”

“It’s not just the argument.” Luther spat. “We will have to return home soon. We need to send word to Darbenton and to build a force against Gouten. I will have to leave you to make the arrangements.”

“Couldn’t one of the other men go? We have a small army with us.”

“Not enough. The arrangements are too risky,” Luther’s hand automatically went to his wound. Though it had healed—quickly with whatever Arkello had put on it—the wound still bothered him. Whether it was the pain, or the fact that he’d been insured in the first place, Justen was not sure.

It was probably a little of both.

“I would like to question the guides. Find out what they know.”

“The guides of the mountains are pledged to remain neutral.”

“Even if they are under attack?” Luther shook his head. “We have to know. We need as much information as we can afford.”

“And you’ll be able to get it by going to the guides? You can’t even speak their language.”

“Not all would be as difficult as Arkello.”

Justen laughed. “Maybe I should go.”

“And leave your princess behind?”

At the thought of Stephanie, Justen only shrugged. He would leave her, that much was certain. He would have to return to Darbenton. As was also clear, his duty was to the castle, as Luther’s was to him. Luther would go to the guides.

And as it was written, Justen couldn’t help but quip, “Better for me to meet with the guides of the mountains if we want to get home.”

“You just remember your duty, young prince,” Luther muttered. “And stay out of trouble.”



The arrangements were made quickly and Luther left dawn of the next day. The princess remained elusive, but more because Justen stayed at her father’s side. He sent his own men to the country side to gather information. He met with them, consulted maps, and looked through the histories of Fairingham for a glimpse of Gouten.

He could have sought her out. Her father would have called for her in the very least, if Justen had asked. It just seemed ... different. He tended to stay away from the ladies of the court he could hurt. He tended to stay away from the girls that had such beauty in their eyes.

And maybe, he thought, she was keeping her distance as well.

A few days had past when Justen settled in the map room with a heavy history and a pot of blond hair caught his eye.

It was not Stephanie, but her sister.

“You are well, my lord.”

“I am. The hospitality of Fairingham is beyond sufficient.”

“So it should be, for a mighty king.” She walked over to him and ran her finger tips over the arm of his chair.

Justen shifted. Not long ago he would have welcomed her attention—even though he considered her the enemy. There was definitely something off with her.

But now, he felt ... odd. It was definitely something to ponder, but not with her. It wasn’t just the look in her eyes. She wasn’t there for common chat. She wanted something, or wanted something more, or wanted to do something.

She didn’t like him to much, he realized. And the feeling was mutual.

He stood and closed the thick history. He suddenly had a whim to find Stephanie.

“I’m not the king and I’m down the line from becoming king.”

“That’s too bad,” she purred. “You just seem like a king. So regal and handsome.”

Words he had heard before, but they didn’t penetrate his ego this time. Maybe Luther was right. Maybe there were some things he needed to leave behind with his gambling rocks in Darbenton.


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