I woke to an aching back, and a soft hand wiping my brow with a damp cloth… As I opened my eyes, I saw a very worried Alyssa, Tika and Eacharn across from me – and Rachel next to me, cradling me a bit and wiping my brow with a damp handkerchief.

I couldn’t help but grin.

“Tika, you’re alive!” I smiled. “Thank the Twins.”

“And thanks to you, and Sir Fionn.” Tika said quietly. “Thank you for saving me, Cass.”

I smiled, and reached out to gently touch Tika. “Anytime, Tika. You’re my friend.”

Tika smiled, and touched my fingers. “And I’m yours. Thank you.”

“We’ve been riding in the wagon for a few hours – it’s nearly nightfall, and I suspect we’re probably close to fifteen miles from Callenden. We still have a long way to go – probably about four to five more days, less if we push hard and risk the horses.” Prince Eacharn commented. “You’ve been asleep a couple of hours. Everyone’s all right, and I don’t think we’re being pursued, at least not yet.”

“That’s good to know.” I replied. “We could use a breather.”

“I’m sorry about the King – your Grandfather.” Alyssa said. “Prince Eacharn says he’s… he’s probably dead.”

I nodded, feeling my eyes tear up a bit. “Aye. It seems he was suspecting it. It’s likely my arrival was the trigger for the Queen and Prince to do away with him. In many ways, my arrival signed his death warrant.” He didn’t deserve to die, I thought sadly. It wasn’t fair. I had just met him, and now he was gone? I had had so many things I wanted to ask him – about him, about grandma and their adventures… Gods damn Prince Michael! I brushed away a few tears.

“You shouldn’t blame yourself, Milord Cass.” Eacharn began. “I’m fairly sure grandmother had it all arranged for years, waiting for the right moment to get rid of him. I think the only thing that kept him alive this long is that he played at having no interest in ruling – and as long as he let them do as they wish, there was no reason to put the plan into motion… He knew far more about what was actually going on that anyone save perhaps myself or the Seneschal knew. He had more sway than anyone knew as well – King Colin was well liked by many – and many went out of their way to protect him and what he was doing from coming to the attention of the Queen and my father.”

“So why turn against your father and grandmother, Eacharn?” I asked.

“Michael may have been the father that spawned me, but King Colin was the father of my heart. Where my father considered me useless and weak, King Colin taught me that kindness was a strength all its own, and he accepted me, and raised me as if I was a son. He taught me how to be a man and a prince – and not a thug with rank like my father.” Now Eacharn brushed away a tear. “I will never forgive them for taking him from me… from us.”

“Neither shall I, Eacharn.” I replied. I shifted, and turned, getting a bit more comfortable. “Thanks, Rachel. Your shoulder was quite comfortable.” I smiled at her – and was happy to see she smiled back.

“It was my pleasure, Cass. Are you feeling okay?”

“Yes, I think. I’m still tired – but that must be from trying to heal Tika. I’ll be fine. How are you girls? Are you all suffering from the Call of Hrask?”

“I am, a little.” Replied Tika. “Although not as badly as Alyssa. It seems doing one big spell is less harmful than several spells that exceed your threshold, even if they are weaker. Not the way either of us would have liked to figure it out.”

“Aye, I am still feeling unwell from casting those invisibility spells, and I suspect it will be days before I am myself again.” Alyssa groused.

“I’m feeling the effects a bit, too.” Rachel said. “Exploding the damaged gate was a lot – but it was less damaging in effect than doing a bunch of tough spells. Maybe it would have worked better to do a mass invisibility on all of us, instead of several small ones? I’m not sure – but we’ll be okay in time.”

“Well, I’m glad you are all okay or close to it. Thank you for what you did.”

“We had to, Cass.” Rachel replied. “Otherwise you would have been captured and killed. I was glad to help. All of us were.” The other girls nodded in assent as well.

“Thanks. So what’s our next move?”

“I think we need to reach Clan Dremora and contact King Conner. I suspect he will offer you refuge – and if you wish to try and retake Callenden, you may have to bargain with him for soldiers and weapons. I am fairly sure that father will not outright attack King Conner’s lands – but he is a stupid brute – he just might, if he feels the need to destroy a risk to his throne… especially if he thinks he can add King Conner’s lands to his own.” Eacharn pointed out. “He is a greedy pig.”

“So by my coming to Clan Dremora, I’m bringing war and death?”

“Possibly. My grandmothers greatest wish was to see all of Ghaelorn united under her Clan of Glaimorgan as the High Kings of Ghaelorn, with all other holdings in the realm her vassals. I don’t even think she cares if it is her who lives to see it done – she simply wishes to build a dynasty of her own that will stand the test of time. But she will not go quietly – and she is very dangerous, My lord. She is a sorceress of great power – although she thinks she has kept that secret from me – and she will use that power to defend her son, my father – and to seize what she considers rightfully hers.”

“So she is the greater threat?”

“Aye, Cass. She is the thinker – and my father acts as her right hand. He is a skilled warrior, violent and powerful – but he lets Grandmother do most of the planning, while he enjoys the fruits of his power. He drinks, and wenches, and in general makes a pig of himself. He’s a bully, and although he may be strong, strength is not the only trait a ruler needs to rule well. He needs compassion, wisdom, and integrity – and in those traits my father is distinctly lacking.”

“I see. Thank you, Eacharn.” I replied.

“You’re welcome, Milord.”

I shifted, lifting myself from Rachel’s shoulder and lap, to a sitting position. I couldn’t help but feel my cheeks go a bit pink. Her shoulder was comfortable, dammit. “Thanks for caring for me, Rachel.”

“Anytime, Cass.” She replied, smiling. “Feeling better?”

“Yes, quite a bit. I’m still tired – but that’s no big deal.” I turned to the small hatch between the cabin of the coach and our driver – Sir Fionn. “Fionn! How are you doing?”

“I am well, lad. Better now that I hear you awake. You did well, healing Tika.” Fionn replied.

“Thanks, Fionn. How much further can we go while the light lasts?”

“Perhaps another eight to ten miles, if we don’t over tax the horses, milord. Three or four more hours as most – but no more, even if the light persists. If the horses falter, we’ll all be walking.”

“I understand. Thank you Fionn. Do you need a rest? I could take over for a while, if you like?”

“Thank you milord, but I’m doing all right. My arm is healed, and I still have much of my strength. I’m good for a few more hours. If you like, pass me some of the food Lucia sent with us – I can eat while I drive.”

“I’ll find out where Eacharn put it, and do just that.” I turned to Eacharn. “Eacharn, I assume we have rations – food – packed for the journey. Where would we find it?”

“It’s on a trunk on the backboard of the coach – along with some other supplies in trunks, and your personal possessions. The interior of the coach is too small to carry more than the five of us – and it’s still a bit cramped with just us, let alone our gear.”

I nodded, and took a look out the window… from the looks of it, it was shortly after noon. “Fionn! Pull the carriage over! If we’re to get you some food, we have to unpack one of the trunks.”

“Aye, lad. Give me a moment to find a place… ah – over there.” Fionn guided the team of horses to a large flat area on the side of the trail, and we pulled over and stopped.

“The horses could use a rest, too, Milord.” Fionn called down, before hopping down to the ground to stretch his old legs and unkink his back a bit.

“Aye. Eacharn, give me a hand and we’ll get some food for all of us.” I asked.

“As you wish, Cass.”

We climbed out of the coaches cabin, and left the girls resting, and went around to the back of the carriage. Three crossbow bolts were embedded in the coach, and one in the trunk of supplies. I gulped, realizing how close some of us had come to being perforated, and how lucky we were to escape relatively unscathed – except for poor Tika.

Eacharn unlocked the buckles holding the trunk closed, and lifted the lid – and both of us jumped as we heard an angry yowl! A large bundle of orange fur burst out of the trunk, and leapt at Eacharn, clawing and spitting – drawing blood as it scratched the young prince.

“Ouch!”

“It’s a cat! There’s a tomcat in our rations, Eacharn?!”

“I can see that.” He said, sucking on the bloody cat scratch. “He must have snuck in while I was loading it.”

“What’s going on?” Rachel called out.

“We’ve got a really pissed off kitty cat hiding in the rations!” I replied.

“Don’t hurt it!” Tika called out.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“I’m not going to hurt it, Tika – I’m trying to keep it from hurting us! It’s already bled Eacharn!”

Tika scrambled out of the coach, and over to the back window. “Kip! It’s Kip, from the inn! Don’t hurt him – he’s probably scared!”

At the sound of Tika’s voice, Kip calmed somewhat – and stopped hissing and spitting. “Mrow?!” Kip looked over at Tika, and climbed out of the rations trunk, and up onto the luggage to be near her… He gave her a bunt of his head, and started purring. Tika, not knowing what to do, scratched him behind the ears and whispered to him quietly.

“It’s okay Kip… you’re safe now.” Tika whispered.

“He’s safe? He should come with a bloody warning sign.” Eacharn groused. “At least we can get the food now.”

“Aye.” I agreed, and searched through the piles and bags of food for something portable we could eat as we travelled. Lucia had packed a bag of nice sausage rolls – that would do the trick – and maybe a small bag of nuts for Tika! “I’ve got what we need. Let’s close it up.”

“Aye, and what do we do with the damn feral cat, milord?” Eacharn laughed. “It’s tasted human blood. It won’t be safe to be around.”

I laughed a bit at Eacharn’s antics. “It’ll be fine. Tika? Do you think you can keep him calm enough to ride with us instead of stowing away in our luggage?” I asked as I closed up the trunk with the food.

“Yes… I think so. He seems to like me.” Tika replied. “Ack! And now he’s grooming me!”

Eacharn laughed kindly. “Well, maybe the brute is tamable after all. If he doesn’t keep attacking, I don’t mind if he stays.”

“Good, cause no one’s hurting him, or leaving him behind.” Tika groused back. “C’mon, Kip. Let’s go inside.” Tika headed back inside the carriage, and soon Kip followed her, substantially more docile than before.

“I think we got told, eh?” I said, kind of amused at the whole situation.

“I guess we just did, milord. Let’s take the food over and give it out to the others.”

With that, Eacharn and I headed back to the coach, and handed out some food – Alyssa and Rachel looked very hungry, and I realized I was feeling very hungry as well – maybe from the spellcasting? In any case, I felt famished, so I took some food as well, and Eacharn and I climbed back into the coach. Kip was sitting on Rachel’s lap, getting pettings, and purring loudly – and Tika was in Rachel’s lap.

After we got seated, I handed the food bag to Alyssa and Rachel, and let them have what they wished… Soon, we were back on the trail to Clan Dremora and making good speed. The sausage rolls Lucia had cooked for us were fresh and tender, and the pastry was flaky and buttery and perfect. The Sausage was nicely spiced, but not too spiced, and flavored by the rich cheese cooked in with it. It was filling and good, and after having our fill, we all felt much better.

The trail passed by as the hours slowly passed. We spoke a bit, or looked out of the window at the countryside we were passing by. The land was dotted with small farms – usually surrounded by small stone fences that came up to a man’s waist and no higher. Here and there there were roads that took different paths, with road signs proclaiming the distance to their destinations. It was a lovely landscape, marred only by the worry that we were possibly being pursued by agents of Prince Michael and his mother, intent on our destruction.

Eventually, the day came to an end, and we bundled out of the coach to ready a campsite for the night. An hour or so later, Alyssa and Rachel and I had our tents assembled and a short while after that, a fire ready as well. The mood was subdued, but positive… I mean, we were all glad to get away alive and well – but the events that led to that moment had everyone subdued. I had also been trying to come to terms with the fact that I was probably the legitimate true king of Callenden at the moment, and if I wished to keep my head, I’d have to commit to living my life in exile and letting that piece of shit Michael sit on my grandfather’s throne – or I’d have to man up and take it from him by force.

It’s a pretty sobering thought to realize you may have to kill hundreds of people – most of whom wouldn’t bear you any ill will otherwise – in order to set things right. In stories, being the king meant having parties, and presiding over tournaments – not admitting you’d have to order men to their deaths – and have those men kill other mostly innocent men – to accomplish your goals. It didn’t sit well with me, just yet – and to be honest, I hope it never did.

Someone – Rachel – handed me a bowl of soup. “Thanks, Rachel. Sorry for being out of it – I was woolgathering.”

“No worries, Cass. It’s to be expected. Are you okay?”

“Not really. Just thinking about what to do next, actually… In the long term, not the next few days.”

“And what have you decided, lad?” Fionn asked.

“I don’t think Grandpa would want Prince Michael or Queen Hemlock to rule his kingdom. If I can gather the forces, I intend to take it back from them, and set things right. If that means I have to take the throne, then I guess I have to take the throne, and I’ll do my grandfather proud. One of the last things he said to me was to save his kingdom from his wife and son, if I felt it was worth saving… Well, I think Callenden is worth saving – and so are the people who live in it. He said to be a better king that he was – and to be honest, I haven’t the slightest idea on how to be a king… But I’m damn well going to try! I’ll never get a chance to know my grandfather – and for that I’ll make them both pay.”

“Be careful, lad… Vengeance is a powerful force, but it can lead to corruption if you feed it too much. Far better to seek Justice.” Fionn replied.

“Aye, I suppose, but is it wrong to take satisfaction in their downfall, when it happens?”

“No – not if their downfall is just. If they deserve it. Vengeance has a way of making you feel that anyone who wrongs you is guilty – but it can blind you to the fact that sometimes it is you who is in the wrong. Vengeance is indiscriminate – it punishes anyone it perceives as a foe. Justice is precise – it afflicts the wicked, and rewards the just. That is what a vigilant strives for – not vengeance. Justice promotes hope and the belief that life is fair. Vengeance is just violence, and promotes despair. Try to understand the difference, Milord, and it will help lead you along the path.”

I nodded, thinking about what Sir Fionn had said. I think he had the right of it – but I felt it wasn’t going to be easy. I wanted to hurt them so badly for what they had done! I really did! And I understood that the Justice that Sir Fionn was talking about wasn’t the justice I was used to – a court trial with a jury or something like that; he was talking about divine justice, about striking down villains with righteous might and lifting up the oppressed and helpless. He was talking about being the better person, not being the strongest person, or the most powerful. He was talking about targeting my anger at those that deserved it – and not those that were forced to ally with them.

“I… I will try to understand the difference, Fionn. I think I know the difference, but I also think I may have let my anger get the better of me.”

“There is no harm in anger, Castiel.” He replied. “It can lend force to you when you need it, if it is controlled and channeled. But when you let anger rule your actions instead of your head and your heart, is when you will cause harm, and do evil. Be cautious of anger… it is easy to let it gain a hold over you, and not so easy to let go of, once it has taken root.”

“Thank you for the advice, Fionn.”

“No problem, lad. Now eat.”

I smirked, and looked at dinner… the stew was a little thin – about 50 percent broth and 50 percent vegetables and meat, but it was nice and hot, and it smelled like someone had added some salt and pepper. Along with it, Rachel had handed me a half loaf of bread – and judging by the others, I was probably going to dip the bread into the broth to eat it – the bread was a bit stale.

“What kind of meat is this?” I asked.

“It’s rock fowl.” Eacharn replied. “It’s related to a quail, except that its considerably larger and it lives in nests on the sides of rocky cliffs. It’s a popular game animal. Do you not have them on Earth?”

“I don’t know, never having seen one while its alive. We have game birds on Earth – but I don’t know what they taste like. My family wasn’t full of hunters. We bought our food at the market.”

“It tastes sort of like partridge, or maybe pheasant, to me.” Rachel replied. “My dad would go hunting all the time, and we ate game birds a lot. I’d say its sort of like those.”

“Thank’s Rache. I was just curious. It tastes good.” I replied.

“I’m glad you liked it, Cass.” Alyssa smiled. “We’ll probably be having it for breakfast as well.”

“Better that, than letting it go to waste.” I grinned.

“Kip likes it, too.” Tika replied, feeding some shredded pieces of bird meat to the hungry tomcat. “I think he’s adopted me. He’s been sticking to me like glue since you freed him from that trunk.”

“I’d like to know how the hell he even got IN that trunk!” Eacharn laughed. “But now that he’s with us, I suppose we’d best keep him fed and cared for, at least until he chooses to leave, or one of us adopts him.”

“He’s our mascot, is he, Eacharn?” I laughed. “Pspspsps.” I whispered, and motioned with a piece of rock fowl in my fingers. Gently, carefully, Kip uncoiled from around Tika, and approached, and took the meat from my fingers, and ate it. He looked at me, and meowed loudly, purring, and bunted me with his head. I gave him a scritch behind the ears, and it seemed all was good between us.

We finished dinner, and then as was our habit, Fionn and I – and this time Eacharn as well – joined in cleaning the dishes, since the girls did the cooking. Soon, we were clustered about the fire, relaxing after a very long, very stressful day.

“We should get to bed early.” Fionn said to no one and all of us.

“Aye.” I agreed. “We’ve six of us – each of us take an hour and a half watch. That should give us a good nights sleep. I’ll go first.” I volunteered.

“Then I’ll go last.” Alyssa replied. “That way I can have breakfast ready by the time the rest of you wake.”

“Sounds good, then.” I replied, smiling.

With that, everyone broke up from our huddle around the fire, and made their way to their beds. Eacharn placed his bedroll underneath the carriage (to keep dry if it rained) and Sir Fionn had a small tent to himself. Alyssa and Tika shared their tent, and Rachel retired to ours. I stayed by the fire, and thought about things to come… and what had gone before.

I thought of grandma’s stories – how she told me of her adventures with Prince Colin, and their friends. I thought of the tears in her eyes, every time she told me about him – how handsome he was, how brave. And he was – for the short time I had known him, he was handsome, brave, and kind… And now, he was dead at the hands of Prince Michael and his minions. I barely had time to meet him before he was stolen from me. Another treasure lost I’ll never get back. Another thing the Queen and her son will pay for.

I sighed and poked the fire with a stick, sending coals sizzling and sparks crackling into the night air. Above us the small green moon Doviar was racing across the night sky, while the large white one, Thuria, would only cross the sky once – while Doviar would cross two or three times, and Selene, the red one, would take three or four days to cross the nights sky once. I smiled at seeing the three moons do their slow dance, and felt at peace, even with the troubles piling upon me. Mercia didn’t feel like home the moment I arrived, like it seemed to for Rachel – but it was growing on me. I loved it here, and I had friends… Mercia was my home now – and I had a kingdoms worth of people who needed to be freed from my grandmothers and my half-uncle’s rule.

The fire hissed and popped, and I stared at the flames a short while, as if scrying into the fire would reveal what I needed to do. It didn’t help much – but it did relax me and put me at ease, which was something. I will get justice for grandfather if I can, I thought. And I will free his people if I can. I refuse to let them win. If it means I must become a King, then so be it.

I just wished I knew what I was doing.

About an another hour passed, and my shift was over. I moved to Eacharn, and gently shook him awake. “Eacharn, it’s your turn for watch.”

“Hrnnn… Already?” He groaned. “Alright, milord. I have the watch.”

“It’s been quiet, if it’s any help, Eacharn.”

“It is, my lord. Quiet is good. I wish we had been able to save grandfather.”

“Me too, Eacharn. Me too… but we can avenge him – and bring his killers to the gods justice. I’d have your help, if you wish to give it.”

“Definitely, my king. You have it. To be honest, I’m glad he chose you over me to be his heir… I don’t deal with large crowds well, and I don’t have much in the way of military training or talent – and right now we need a King who can do both. Like grandfather said, I’m more of an administrator – in which capacity I shall be happy to serve.”

“Thanks, Eacharn. Battles are won as often by logistics and organization as they are by force of arms. If the soldiers have nothing to clothe them, and nothing to eat, their ability in battle will be greatly reduced. I think we’ll work fine together – as long as you promise to bring any grievances you have with my rule to me in private before they grow into a canker between us, so that we can settle it together. We’re the only family we have left, Eacharn – time and fate have stolen the ones we love. We need to be brothers to beat this. Do you think we can be?”

“I’d be honored, Castiel.”

“As would I, Eacharn. We have a saying in my home – we’re “brothers from other mothers.” That is who we are – and together we will bring down your father and grandmother, and bring peace to Callenden.”

“I ask one thing, if it is possible, milord? I ask we try to spare as much of the populace of Callenden as we can from the horrors of war. I have read of the diseases and famines that sweep war torn regions, and of the sicknesses that kill due to shortages in healing herbs, or skilled healers – who have been drafted into the army. I don’t want to see our people suffer.”

“If I can do so, I will. Burning Callenden to ashes and letting what remains rot from sickness is not what I think grandfather intended when he told me to save his kingdom. If it is mortally possible and within my power, I will do as you ask Eacharn… But there will be a war, and people will die. Crops will be pillaged, and innocents will suffer. I can’t stop all of it – but if I can, I will keep it from spreading, and shield the innocent as best I can from wars ravages. That is the best I can offer.”

Eacharn smiled. “It is enough. You have a kind heart, like grandfather did.”

“Maybe so.” I replied. “But if he had chosen you instead of me, I would have been honored to serve you as Fionn serves me. You are a good man too – and perhaps with your training I can learn to be a king in time.”

“I’ll do my best, Castiel.”

“Thanks, Eacharn. I’m heading to bed. Wake whomever you wish for watch next – but let them know who’s been on so far so no one is woken twice.”

“I will, Cass. Get some sleep.”

I nodded, and headed to my tent, crawling inside carefully, trying to not wake Rachel. I didn’t succeed – the jingling of my chainmail and my struggles to remove it woke her, and she watched me as I undressed for sleep. I blushed a bit, but didn’t stop, nor ask her to turn away. By the time I removed my gambeson, tunic and shirt, she was blushing too.

“Too much?” I asked.

“I… I don’t know how many times I’ve dreamed of you doing that in front of me… but this time it’s real. Am I dreaming?” Rachel replied.

“I don’t know. Is it a good dream?” I asked, smiling.

Rachel bit her lower lip and looked very pretty in the dim light. She was looking more and more feminine every day – yet I could still recognize the part of her that was David. I didn’t care… The feelings I felt were for both parts of her – for who she was in her heart not who she was born as. She was Rachel, and that was enough.

“It… It’s shaping up to be a good dream.”

“Okay. Can I cuddle with you tonight, Rachel, like this? Can I kiss you maybe?”

“Oh… Oh gods, yes!”

I took her in my arms, and kissed her deeply, my arms holding her tightly in a hug. She kissed me back, and I felt her hands run themselves over my naked back. It felt nice.

As we pulled apart from our embrace, I could see the smile on her face – it was at least a mile wide, for sure, I thought. I lifted up our bedrolls and crawled under them, and snuggled up against Rachel – she was warm, and the bedroll was warm and comforting. She wrapped me in her arms, as if afraid I would leave her, and so I wrapped her in mine to tell her I would never.

“I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” She said quietly.

“I love you, Rachel Wilson.”

“What? You… You love me?” She asked, hopefully. “Can you? I’m not changed yet…”

“I don’t care, Rachel. I love you. I love your goofy smile, and your long hair, and the way you smell. I love your new clothes, and how hard you always try to be there for me. I love your determination, and your love of magic, and how you were so into this expedition to Mercia. And, if you’re worried about it, I love your male bits too, for as long as you have them, and after I’ll love your lady parts too. I want you to be part of my life.”

“I want to be part of yours too!” She whispered, tears in her eyes. “I love you too Jeffrey… Shit, I mean Castiel!”

“It’s okay. I’m both… Jeffrey and Cass. I’m still me, and I’m not mad.”

“Do you have any idea how long I wanted to hear you say you loved me?”

“No.”

“Since high school… Since junior prom. I… I wished you had taken me – that I had had the courage to be me for prom.”

I smiled, and held her close. “I’ll save my next dance just for you, then, Rachel – and all the dances after it too.”

She smiled, and nestled into my arms. “Thank you, Cass.”

“Anytime, Rachel. I love you.”

“I love you too, Dorkus.”

And together, we fell asleep.