Four days…  Its only been four days since Tika told Sir Fionn and I about the spy in Erevale – and we still hadn’t uncovered her.  At least, Tika thinks the spy is female – either that or a convincing cross-dresser.  It’s also been four days full of diplomatic discussions about the concessions I’m expected to make to King Conner in exchange for his aid against Prince Michael and Queen Hemlock, I thought. 

 

                We still haven’t made any headway in how to deal with Queen Hemlock’s magic, either – although Princess Morag is eager to go cave diving…  If the King and Queen and I can’t come up with any idea’s soon, we’ll probably have to go on an expedition like Alyssa suggested.  Risky – but less risky than facing Queen Hemlock without a plan.  I’ll just have to hope whatever is in the cave – if anything – is less dangerous than Queen Hemlock.

 

                I also thought about Princess Morag… Some of the looks I’d received from her in the last couple of days had a more predatory look than I was used to.  Was she sizing me up?  Checking me out?  I had no idea, but I knew it might be awkward down the line. 

 

Queen Elissa had shown she had a good, tactical mind for supply lines, and Prince William the elder was a keen military mind – and both had proven useful.  Eacharn and Prince Lugh had done amazing work on organizing the supply trains with Queen Elissa, and Princess Morag had given some advice on the concessions I would need to make.  Sir Fionn had been a blessing in disguise for me as well, assisting me with courtly politics and comportment.  We had all decided from the beginning that involving a third party – such as the dwarves of Kharn – would be too much of a delay, so instead we sent messengers to let them know that if we failed, a hostile nation would be at their borders soon.  Perhaps the message would do some good – perhaps not, but as King Conner had told me, the dwarves of Kharn were generally a good and honorable people – they would not take advantage of Erevale’s military being absent while we battled Queen Hemlock and Prince Michaels forces. 

 

Meanwhile, Fionn and Eacharn seemed impressed with my judgements – with minor corrections, due mostly to not having all the available facts – and I think King Conner and I had pretty much hashed out the concessions I would make… I would cede to him a section of land between Erevale and Callenden that had been in dispute for decades – and I would give him certain mining and fishing rights in disputed territories, as well as some trade agreements, that while they favored Erevale mostly, would prove beneficial to Callenden in the end as well.  Sir Fionn agreed with Eacharn that King Conner was not being overly greedy, nor taking advantage of my situation unduly, and I think I agreed with them. 

 

All in all, I was pleased with how the discussion had gone, and frankly I was eager to be about the next part of our business – acquiring the herbs that Alyssa needed to negate or weaken Queen Hemlock’s powers.  I sighed, and stepped from the gigantic pool that was the bathtub in the suite King Conner had given me…  It was the size of a small pool, with steps up and out of it, and seats carved into the side.  It was absolutely decadent, and having a hot soak at the end of each day had helped me relax as I mulled over the events of the day.  Like today, for example.

 

I toweled myself dry, smiling when I saw and felt my hairless body.  Removing my body hair had been something I was glad to have done since I discovered my other half – Cassie.  It felt like I had done something right – and although I could see myself as either a man or a woman, I felt more comfortable somewhere in-between… but right now Callenden needed a King, so a King I would be.  Still, I couldn’t help but smile as I enjoyed the sensation of my hands on my smooth skin.  I wonder what it would be like, sharing a bed with someone else in time?

 

Still, it was late.  If I was to get some reading in my Book of the Divine Familia tonight, I would need to get cracking, or stay up late and be a bit tired.  The Book was a fascinating mix of history, myth, legend, and the cultures of the Free Peoples of Mercia…  It talked of the exodus of the People from Hserin, thousands of years ago, and of how they broke into the many cultures and countries that exist now – from Valris to Ghaelorn, Kharn to Harad, and Rillian to Iranor.  There was a chronicle of the Sea People, hinted at in the “Labors of the Sea Queen,” and a record of the harsh lands of Iranor in “The Annals of Fire.”  There was even a record of the creation of the Reechi and the Wolfen, and of other races on Mercia.  They even apparently had a catfolk type race here – although they lived in the very far north, or the very far south, and few places in-between.  I had discovered over the past few days I was becoming quite the history buff, and had started reading bits of other tomes from the libraries of Erevale as well. 

 

I guess no knowledge is ever wasted, I thought to myself.  I dressed in my nightclothes – I still wore boxer shorts and a T-shirt from Earth for the moment – and sat down to read.  Sir Fionn had headed to bed early – the discussions of the day had tired him out, and I’m afraid my inexperience at dealing with such matters had frustrated him considerably.  I’ll have to do better, I thought.  I can’t afford to make mistakes. 

 

As I sat down to read my sacred text, I noted the ticks on the blotter of my desk… Four days had passed.  Only 38 days until the Harvest Festival.  I wonder if Rachel and Alyssa felt as anxious about the date as I do?  I turned my thoughts back to the story I had been reading – about the rape of Adinor by Hrask, and the creation of the Reechi.  It was pretty dark – and it turned out it was the root cause of the ill will between Hrask and his mate, Tiamat – the rift that eventually separated the two Dragon Gods from each other.  She had not been seen on Mercia since those days, over three thousand years ago.  The texts also hinted that her return would spell disaster for Mercia – and I wondered if the Tiamat of Mercia had anything to do with the Tiamat I’d heard of from our myths on Earth.

 

I read until the candle burned low, and petted Kip as he bunted me for attention.  Kip had made this section of the palace his own, and after our first day had followed Tika around everywhere.  I even think I heard someone say they saw Tika RIDING Kip.  Awesome!  Eventually, it grew late and I went to my bed.  Tomorrow, Alyssa, Rachel, Myself, and Princess Morag – along with Tika and a few guards including Sir Fionn, would be leaving to find Alyssa’s anti-magic herbs.  Considering how antsy I was after four days of endless discussions, I was more than eager to be out and about!

 

 

*              *              *

 

 

                “Good morning, ladies.”  I said to Alyssa, Rachel and Tika.  “Looks like a nice day for a ride.”

 

                “Definitely.”  Rachel laughed.  “Let me guess?  You stay cooped up with the King in discussions another day and you’ll go bonkers?”

 

                “Maybe a little,” I replied bashfully.  The girls were dressed in riding garb – dresses, as usual, but with split skirts for riding horses.  Princess Morag had yet to join us – and Sir Fionn was taking care of a few minor things before meeting us here by the stables this morning.  Tika had some nice clothes on too – probably her temple-day best so she wouldn’t look too shabby in the palace. 

 

                “Good morning, Cass!  So it begins!  Yup! Yup!”

 

                I couldn’t help but chuckle at Tika’s excitement.  “It sure does, Tika.  How has Kip been?  I heard you were riding him the other day.”

 

                “He’s a good kitty.  He’s staked out our rooms, and brought me three mice this morning!  Three!  I’ve only been riding him because he seems like he wants to help, and if I don’t pay him attention he starts to wash me!  I’m a big girl, thank you! I can wash myself!”  Tika seemed a bit indignant, but it was easy to see she loved Kip, and they were fast becoming inseparable. 

 

                We waited for a moment or two, before Sir Fionn emerged from the stables, followed by a half-dozen stable hands (both boys and girls) who escorted horses over to us.  The steeds were quite large – definitely much bigger than the ponies you see kids riding at state fairs – and then it dawned on me that some of these steeds probably were bred to carry men in plate or chain armor.  They needed to be big.

 

                I was wearing my chainmail armor, and was fully armed – as was Sir Fionn.  Rachel and the other girls had no armor or weapons – but with their magics, they were probably better off without them.  Two guards were accompanying us, and would apparently be Princess Morags’ armsmen – and supposedly, Sir Fionn, mine. 

 

                The stable hands had already saddled and prepared the horses for us, so I waved a greeting to Sir Fionn while we waited.  “Good morning, Fionn.  Not a bad day for a ride, I take it?”

 

                “No, not a bad day at all, milord.  Have you ever ridden a horse?”

 

                “Once or twice.”  I replied.

 

                “Same here.”  Rachel replied.

 

                Fionn shook his head, chuckling.  “Then I suspect we’ll be needing some ointment for sore legs a little later today.”  Spending all day on a horse will leave a beginner tired and sore, at least in my experience.”

 

                I nodded, trusting him on this – he was the one of our group who had spent years as a mounted knight, so he would be the one to know. 

 

                “Will it be very bad?”  Rachel asked.

 

                “I suspect not bad, but you’ll all be sore.  I don’t expect Alyssa has had much experience riding horses, either, have you lass?”  Fionn asked.

 

                “No I haven’t, Fionn.  My father has a horse to pull a plow, and I’ve ridden her a few times – but I’m no expert rider.”

 

                “Well then, I guess it’s fortunate I have enough ointment for all of you.”  Fionn turned to me, and elbowed me to get my attention.  “Heads up.  Princess incoming on the left.  I swear lad, she’s been watching you like a hawk these past few days.”

 

                “That would explain why I’ve felt like a rabbit in her sights, then.”  I replied, laughing. 

 

                Princess Morag and her two armsmen arrived, and the stablehands rushed to get them their mounts.  Princess Morag was dressed in a green riding dress, which was rather plain for her normal attire – and her guardsmen, both burly young men in their twenties – wore chainmail armor and carried crossbows and swords.   Morag also had a lovely yew shortbow and a quiver of arrows with her as well.

 

                “Good morning, Castiel!”  Princess Morag called out.  “I see you and the others are ready to go. Sorry for keeping you.”

 

                “No problem at all, Princess.”  I replied.

 

                “Please, if you wish me to call you Castiel, call me Morag.  If we are to be friends, we shouldn’t let ranks divide us.  That goes for your friends too – all right, ladies?”

 

                “Of course, milady Morag.”  Allysa replied. 

 

                “Sure.”  Rachel replied.  Tika clambered off Kip and up to Rachel’s shoulder.

 

                “Good.  Then once we saddle up, we should be off.  It will take us the greater part of the day to reach the areas where the audorin root and bitter krovas leaf grow, leaving us near the caves where I think we’ll find the hankle root near late afternoon.  It’s going to be a long ride, Sers and Serras, so we might as well get started.”

 

                “Aye.”  I agreed.  “Let’s get mounted up, and move out.”

 

               

*              *              *

 

 

               Finding the Audorin root wasn’t too hard – after about an hour of easy riding, Princess Morag had led us to a small wetland, teeming with wildlife – frogs, turtles, snakes, and all manner of water fowl – from ducks to cranes to kingfishers.  The wetland was pretty – it was scenic – not some dismal swamp.  It only took Alyssa and Tika about a half hour to gather enough Audorin root for anything we might need to poison Queen Hemlock.

 

                I laughed a bit to myself at the irony.  We were going to poison a queen whose name is literally ‘poison’.  I didn’t think the irony was lost on my comrades, either.  If anything, Princess Morag looked like she was chomping at the bit to fight.  I couldn’t help but admire her fierceness, or the resemblance to a grown up heroine of a certain Scottish Disney movie.  So sue me, I thought.  It’s okay to look at the eye candy, as long as you don’t touch.  I smiled a bit at that thought.  That was something my dad had always said.  “It’s okay to look at the eye candy, son – just as long as you don’t touch.”   I would never dishonor myself or Rachel by doing anything untoward, but Princess Morag cut a fine figure of a woman.  I still felt like she was the predator and I was the prey when I was alone with her, though – and that made me a little wary of such situations.

 

                She had actually cornered me twice in the last few days, and we’d talked.  It all seemed innocuous enough, but there seemed to be a pattern to our meetings, and to the questions she was asking – but I had yet to figure it out.  Just then, I was shaken from my reverie, by Alyssa and Tika emerging from the shallow waters and reeds at the edge of the wetland. 

 

                “We got the roots.  Give me a few minutes to get them packed away and we’ll be good to go!”  Alyssa called out.

 

                “Sure thing.”  I replied.

 

                “Aye, that didn’t take too long.” Sir Fionn replied, swatting a mosquito.  There weren’t many of the annoying midges today – but if the stiff breeze coming off the marsh ended, we all knew we’d be inundated by clouds of the hungry beasts – it was late summer after all.

 

                A few moments later, Alyssa had the herbs packed and ready to go, and we mounted up and got ready to ride.  Princess Morag’s steed ambled close to mine, along with her owner the princess, and she took the lead, heading towards our next stop. 

 

                “So we seek a warm, dry hill next, then, Morag?”  I asked her.

 

                “Aye, Castiel.  And a few hills lay not too far off.”  She watched me for a moment, as if she was assessing me.  “You have not ridden a horse before today, Castiel?”

 

                “No – I have ridden horses before, but I’m not very skilled.  I guess we relied on our cars – the coaches that moved without horses – too much to be comfortable on a horse just yet.”

 

                “Don’t worry, Castiel.  It won’t be long before you ride like a master.  From what I have heard, you have mastered the ways of battle and your vigilant training in record time.”

 

                “Aye,” I replied.  “But part of that speed lies in the power of a magical amulet I brought from my home.  It tells me when I am ready to learn a new skill – and lets me acquire that skill instantly, without effort – with all the knowledge needed to be able to use that skill – and even some of the muscle memories that are needed, such as in sword-play.  Now, don’t get me wrong – I could have learned them in time – but it would have taken longer than I did.  It’s a shortcut – but I still have to be ready to learn.  All I’ve been able to discern is that the more goals I accomplish that are important to me, the faster I can learn skills and advance.”

 

                “And what are your goals, then King Castiel?” Princess Morag replied with a raised eyebrow.

 

                “First and foremost, I suppose is the defeat of Prince Michael and his mother, and my reclaiming the throne of Callenden.  Second would be to see Serra Wilson and Serra Seranel achieve their twin-soul ceremony with Serra Seranel’s family in attendance by the appropriate time.  I’ve seen how much they struggle, and I don’t want the war that is coming to delay that.”

 

                “You care for Serra Wilson, don’t you, Castiel?”  She asked.

 

                What is she getting at?   “Aye, I do.”

 

                “Do you have room in your heart for another?” she asked, quietly.  “My father has been considering asking if you would be interested in joining our houses through marriage.”

 

                I sputtered for a moment.  “What?  No!  How?”

 

                She smirked, and laid a hand on my thigh.  “’Tis easy, milord.  You simply marry the both of us.  If you love Serra Wilson, I understand – but I hope in time, you might also come to love me as well.  It would bind our clans together, and honor the friendship that your grandfather and mine shared for so many years.  I also have heard that the King would even be willing to waive all those concessions you granted him in exchange for the army he is providing.  He cares about this that much, Castiel.”

 

                This isn’t happening.  Oh gods, it really is.  “How can one man marry two women?  Isn’t that wrong?”  I asked, trying to buy some time.

 

                “No, Castiel.  The gods honor any who choose to show honest love.  Men may marry other men, and women, women.  Two men may share a wife, or two women a husband.   It is more common for pairings to be one man, and one woman – but that does not make the other matches invalid.  All that is required is that the participants be of age, and willing to love the other partners.  I take it it is not such in your homeland?”

 

                “Um… no.  The church there frowns on any kind of marriage other than one man and one woman.  It’s actually a crime to have more than one spouse.”  I replied.

 

                “Well, ‘tis not a crime here – but if a spouse doesn’t live up to their agreed role in a marriage, a wedding can be annulled – and if one of the partners was to leave, or choose not to support a spouse, they could be guilty of a crime, depending on the realm they live in.  In Ghaelorn, its not uncommon for the wealthier spouse to have to pay a stipend to the poorer spouse when they divorce, in order to achieve a semblance of fairness.”

 

                “They have that in our world, too.  It’s called Alimony, and in some cases Child Support, if the poorer spouse is taking care of any children from the relationship.”

 

                “Ahh.  So at least some of these ideas are not alien to you.  That’s good.”  Morag smiled.  “I think you are a handsome, honorable man, Castiel, and if you asked me to join you and Serra Wilson in wedlock, I would accept.  I think our houses would be stronger together than apart, and I can teach you to rule like a true king.  If love comes to us in time, I would welcome it – as I hope you would as well.  I would be proud to be Rachel’s sister wife.”

 

                “That’s uh… very forward of you, Princess.”  I replied, blushing bright red in embarrassment.  “I will think on the matter, and your offer.”

 

                “Thank you, King Castiel.  That’s all I ask.”  She smiled, and steered her horse away to give me space to think.

 

                What in the gods name had I gotten in to?  Politics!  This is how things were done in the middle ages – and its how they’re done here too, I guess.  How in the hell would that even work?   Gods, I hope Rachel didn’t hear anything of that!  What the hell am I going to do?  My thoughts ran amok as I slowly worked through my panic and tried to think rationally.  Princess Morag’s offer had really taken me by surprise – and I didn’t really have an answer for her – but I knew I was going to need one, soon.  I didn’t want to cause a rift between myself and King Conner if I refused – or between myself and Rachel, if I accepted.  What next!?

 

                I rode, lost in thought for a while, until I was bumped by Sir Fionn and his steed.  “I see the eagle has snared its prey.  Do you need to talk, lad?”

 

                “What do you mean?”  I asked, playing dumb.

 

                “I mean, that Princess Morag has been circling you like a hawk circles a rabbit for days.  She means to snare you, boy – and if you’re not careful, she will.  She told you her father wants to join your two houses, didn’t she?”   

 

                “Aye.  Not sure of what I think about that, yet.”

 

                “Well think long and carefully, lad.  And whatever you do, don’t insult the lady if you refuse the offer.  Not only would it be rude, but it could be dangerous.  Politics leads to muddy waters, Milord Castiel, so see that you aren’t drowned in them.  Princess Morag is a skilled leader – she has been trained to help run a country from birth.  She would make a good partner.  She could help you, if you accept her offer,”

 

                “Aye, thank you, Fionn.  I am undecided.”  I replied.

 

                “Very well, lad.  Just think on it.  There have been many political marriages in the past – you could still be happy with your true love,”   he said, nodding towards Rachel, “…and still be married to Princess Morag.  She could find solace with you and Rachel, if you so chose – or in the arms of another very discreet man, should she choose.  Either way, I’m sure you could work it out, if this was something you saw fit to do.  Morag would be a powerful asset to your kingdom, and a great boon.  I’d think on the matter carefully, lad.  I know your customs on Earth are different – but when you proclaimed that you and Rachel were going to live by Mercian customs at dinner with King Conner, you may have accidentally opened the door on this.”

 

                We rode quietly for a bit – I heard Tika idly chattering with Alyssa and Rachel – and I knew I couldn’t hide this – this offer of Morag’s and her fathers’ was too sensitive.  As soon as we have some privacy, I need to talk about this with Rachel.  Anything else would be foolish, and wrong. 

 

                Suddenly, Princess Morag announced we had reached a series of hills – and Alyssa and Tika were dismounting to look for the Bitter Krovas Leaf.  I looked to see if I would be able to talk to Rachel, but it looked as if Princess Morag was riding with her and I wasn’t ready to open that kettle of fish with her present.  I decided to keep my own counsel for the moment, and spend my time thinking about what to do.

 

                Soon, we would have the second of the three herbs we needed for the potion or venom to weaken Queen Hemlocks’ magic.  I hoped I would have some kind of answer by the time we returned to the castle…  and maybe I could find a chance to talk to Rachel privately at our next stop – a cave where the Hankle Root grew.

 

                What the hell should I do?

 

                Finding and packing the Bitter Krovas Leaf didn’t take long – apparently there were scads of it, just growing nicely on bushes near the crest of the hill.  Easy-peasy.  In about a half hour, we were back mounted, and heading towards the series of caves Princess Morag had told us about, where hopefully we could find the Hankle Root that Alyssa needed for her potion.

 

                I didn’t get much chance to talk to Rachel until well after we left the hilly area – the cave was perhaps another two hours away, and it was already mid-afternoon.  About two or three o’clock Princess Morag left Rachel’s side and rode ahead to find the way forward, so I nodded to Fionn, and let my steed fall back towards Rachel.

 

                “Rachel.  How are things going?”  I asked, trying to feel her out, and see what Morag might have been telling her.

 

                “How do you think, Cass?  I think we need to talk.”  Rachel sounded hurt, and angry, and something else I couldn’t quite identify… resigned?

 

                I nodded, and Alyssa and Tika rode ahead to give us privacy.

 

                “She wants you to marry her.”  Rachel stated flatly.  “And I’ll be graciously allowed to marry you too.”

 

                “I heard.”  I replied.  “Rachel, I want you to know I didn’t instigate this.”

 

                Rachel sighed.  “I know you didn’t, Cass.  But her offer – more a demand, really – puts us both in a serious pickle.”

 

                “Yeah,” I began.  “Like how do I say no without losing any support against Queen Hemlock or even worse, gaining King Conner and his family as an enemy?”

 

                “No, worse than that.  How do you say no, without eventually losing your kingdom to some random warlord who thinks Callenden is easy pickings with an inexperienced king on its throne.  Let’s face it, Cass – neither of us knows fuck all about running a country – and we’re going to make a ton of mistakes without guidance.  Those mistakes could lead to the country destabilizing, or even rising up in revolt – or cause other kingdoms to invade.  We need to retake Callenden, and then you need to show your neighbors that you’re a strong leader who reeks of ‘don’t fuck with me or I’ll hand you your head’ – because if you can’t do that, eventually, we’re going to lose the kingdom, and our lives.”

 

                “Are you seriously considering her offer?”  I asked, a little surprised.

 

                “Yes!  And if you want to live, you should too.  The sad part about the situation is that she’s right.  She knows how to rule – and she can teach both you and I how to be a King and Queen.  We need that, and as much as it hurts that I might have to share you with someone, I want us to live to a ripe old age, not be dethroned in five years by bandit kings who saw weakness in us.  I think we can make it work.”

 

                I thought quietly for a moment about what Rachel said.  I wasn’t a weak man – but I had to admit I was not an experienced leader, and I knew nothing about running a country.  As much as I hated to admit it, I needed Morag’s experience – but what surprised me more was that Rachel seemed to understand and accept it too.  Was she serious?

 

                “I don’t have feelings for her.  Just for you, Rache.”  I replied, quietly.

 

                “I know that, doofus.  I love you too…  But you don’t have to love her to marry her.  Hell, she even said you didn’t have to sleep with her if you didn’t want to.  She told me that, by the way.  She was very frank about it – and about what could happen if we didn’t take her up on her offer.  Politically its genius – but personally, if we were Mercians, this would be a no-brainer.  We’re still thinking by Earth customs, and if we’re going to survive, we have to adapt.  It’s like that show back home – The Game of Thrones.”

 

                “Yeah… I watched it.  ‘When you play the game of thrones, you win… or you die.’  Is that what our life is going to be from now on?”  I asked.

 

                “Maybe.  To some degree or another.  We need to show you’re a strong king, right out of the gate – and if Morag can help with that, I… I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think we both should seriously consider it.  Otherwise, all this might end in disaster.”

 

                I nodded.  “I promise to think about it, Rache.  And I’ll talk with you again, if I can, before I make a decision.”

 

                “Thanks, Cass.  I think we’ll be alright, no matter what happens.”

 

                “I hope so, Rache.  I hope so.  On another note, are you excited about your day drawing closer?”

 

                “Hell, yes!  Just over a month – I can’t wait.  Every night I try to go to sleep and the anticipation kills me.”

 

                “It’s starting to affect me too, Rachel.  I’m getting really excited for you – and for Alyssa too – and I feel the anticipation building too.  Remind me to talk to King Conner’s priest when we get back to Erevale, just so we can ensure that even if we can’t get back to Enders Hollow, we can still have the ceremony.”

 

                Rachel smiled, and nodded.  “Definitely.”  I reached out and held her hand, and we rode side by side for a while, just sharing time and space with each other.

 

 

*              *              *

 

               

                                A few hours later, we reached the cave.  Princess Morag had rejoined our group – and I had left Rachel’s side for the time being to ride next to sir Fionn, and get some advice from him – which amounted to ‘if you say no, you’re taking your life into your hands.’  It gave me a lot to think about, and I wasn’t sure I liked what I was being forced into.  Maybe there would be a way for Rachel, Myself and Morag to somehow make this work in a way that wouldn’t break hearts or cause grief – but if there was, I couldn’t see it, at least at the moment.

 

                As we approached a small cliff face, Princess Morag called our band to a stop.  “We’re here!”  She said.

 

                “I don’t see any caves?”  Alyssa replied.  “Are they nearby?”

 

                “Yes.  Some of them are concealed by bushes, and some are a short distance away from here.  I picked here because there’s a ready built fire pit and a flat area we can set up our tents.  It’s a good camping spot – and since we’ll probably spend quite a while in these caves looking for the Hankle root, I figured a comfortable camping spot would be a good idea.  There’s no way we can possibly reach Erevale from here by nightfall, even if we rode at a gallop.”

 

                “Oh!  Have you camped here before, Morag?”  Tika asked.  “It looks like fun to climb!  Yup!”

 

                Princess Morag smiled kindly at Tika.  “Yes, I camped here once or twice before – its how I knew the caves were here.  I’d bet you’d have some fun jumping off that cliff and flying, wouldn’t you?”

 

                “Definitely! Yup!”  Tika chattered.  “Can I go do some climbing, Castiel?  I’m too small to help with the tents anyway.”

 

                “Sure thing, Tika.  Have some fun – and if you happen to see the Hankle root out in the open, grab some – just don’t go into any caves by yourself, okay?”  I replied.

 

                “Okay!  Thanks, Cass!”  Tika chattered as she ran off towards the cliff face.

 

                We all dismounted, and Princess Morag’s two armsmen took the horses and began to rub them down and take care of them, removing their saddles, and letting them rest as well as ourselves.  After riding all day, my legs were stiff – but not too cramped, at least yet – but I could see Alyssa was not doing as well as I think she would have liked.  Rachel seemed about as stiff and cramped as I was – so not too bad overall.  I thought we might have been feeling worse, actually, so this was better.

 

                “Hey, Alyssa.”  I said, going over to see how she was doing.  “Sir Fionn brought some ointment, if you need some, to help with the cramps and aches.”

 

                “Thanks, Cass.  I appreciate that.  I think I’ll just sit here and rest until the tents are up and then go get some.”

 

                “Fair enough.  I’m going to help Fionn and Rachel with the tents.”

 

                Soon, Fionn, Rachel, Morag and I were busy setting up the tents – Rachel’s nylon tent was pretty easy – and Tika and Alyssa’s canvas one wasn’t too hard.  Morag’s tent was more of a palanquin – a large tent that could sleep eight, and it took the lion’s share of time to set up – over an hour and a half.  By the time the tents were all up, Morag’s armsmen had finished with the horses, and gathered firewood – and Tika had climbed to the top of the cliff at least three times, and jumped off, gliding around like a maniac thrill seeker, giggling the entire time she did.  Every time she zoomed overhead, I’d pause and watch the little Reechi glide like she was born to have wings, laughing at her antics.  At least Tika was having a great time!

 

                Meanwhile, Alyssa had been preparing a cookfire and was cooking a meal – there was roast rabbit, and a pot of stewing meat and vegetables for a hearty stew, along with some baked tubers and some sweet berries for dessert. Dinner smelled delicious and we were all famished by the time we sat down to rest and eat. 

 

The sun was low in the sky – it wouldn’t set for at least another hour or two – and two of the moons, Thuria and Selene, were in the sky.  Thuria was the white one, about the size of our moon, and Selene was the big red one, about half-again as large.  Doviar, the small green one would probably circle the night sky twice or more times tonight, while Selene might take another two nights to cross the sky.  I never failed to marvel and the magic and wonder of this place.

 

                “Milord Castiel,”  Morag began, distracting me from my reverie.  “I’d like to say I’m impressed that you took charge and assisted with setting up the tents.  Most Kings do not sully their hands with physical labor.”

 

                “Well, I was a working man long before I became a King, Princess.  I’d rather not leave work to others, when I can help and there’s more than enough work to go around.  I’ll admit, if we had more people here, I may have let them set up the tents – but there weren’t, and so I did what was needed.”

 

                “Agreed.  My father would be shocked that I assisted you as well – he would assume I would have my men assemble the tent for me.  I too like taking matters into my own hands.  It’s a good feeling, I think.”

 

                “I couldn’t agree more, Morag.  On the matter which you brought up earlier today, I have been thinking seriously on your suggestions.”

 

                “Yes?”  She replied, with an arched eyebrow.

 

                “While I have not yet made up my mind, I think your offer has serious merit, and I will consider it strongly.  I just need more time to get used to the idea.”

 

                Morag smiled broadly… “Of course, Milord.  Take all the time you need… within reason, of course.  Acting too late is tantamount to not acting at all.”

 

                “Of course, Milady.”  I replied, feeling like I’d just willingly walked into a crocodile’s jaws, and was politely asking it to gobble me up.  Morag was a very nice woman – but whenever I talked with her I felt like I was walking on needles, and fencing with words.  Nothing was ever plainly said – and it made each interaction seem like a fencing match… with a winner and a loser.  This is what courtly life will be like, won’t it, I thought.  Low voices and drawn daggers – where a knowing glance could end lives.  I am very much out of my depth…  Like it or not I need Morag, or Rachel and I won’t survive.

 

                I scowled, and frowned like I ate something bitter, but schooled my face to look neutral as soon as I realized I had let my emotions show.  Maybe that’s my first lesson?  I thought.  Learn to read between the lines.  Be in control.  I sighed.  This is going to be way harder than I thought.

 

                After all the stress of today, delving into the caves tomorrow was going to be a piece of cake!  I hope.