Eventually their hearing returned well enough for the group to talk again. After seeing yet another terrifying thing that Alaron could do, his hands were retied. His mouth, however, was no longer gagged. It was unnecessary since the soldiers now knew the prince's identity.

As they came in view of Oblivion, Ashleigh sidled up beside Devrim. "So the rumors about His Highness are true?" she commented quietly so that the boy would not hear.

"Depending on the rumor, it may actually be worse than you heard," the Emperor responded with a shrug. "If you do not want us to enter the city, I will respect your wishes."

Duchess Ashleigh thought for a moment. "No, he has shown us a way to deal with the Monster. We at least owe him room to sleep in and a meal in his belly for his help."

"How long has that…thing been bothering you?" The Emperor wanted to know. He had seen no reports on the matter.

"Tales of it have been spreading for years. At first incidents only came from the far north, but recently has The Monster been spotted in the canyon." Ashleigh sighed. She had been a duchess for many years. This was the first time that she had not had a good solution to a problem.

Gandr raised his hand. "I have never seen that creature before, but I know others who have. She once lived close to the ice barrier." He stopped, realizing that telling them more would sound crazy. The gnomes had chased off the creature in order to expand their territory. Their selfishness had created this problem.

From over one of the smaller hills, a horse with a lopsided saddle came ambling slowly past them. "Is—is that the same horse we saw with The Monster?" Junayd pointed slack-jawed.

Duke Fedelmid nodded. "Yes, it looks like it. The Monster relocates those she finds. I am shocked the mare survived the ride. Humans are not so lucky."

Gandr could imagine the carnage that could cause. "When we have dealt with our current situation, perhaps I can help you return her back to her native land."

"What qualifies you to complete such a task?" Fedelmid queried with a suspicious gaze.

The halfling shrugged. "You would be surprised."

In the space surrounding Oblivion, the ground opened into a deep bowl. It was isolated and beautiful, with mountains creating a landscape on all sides. The gates admitted the party without question. Obviously the soldiers recognized their Duchess.

The afternoon sun gave the streets a golden glow. The prince quietly and calmly took in the city's people as he walked along the main thoroughfare. He realized now that he had no idea how most people lived. This was something he would need to study if he ever wanted to be a good ruler. As the sun bounced off the glistening fruit in the market place, he mulled over his options.

Once inside Oblivion's castle, the weary travelers were given fresh clothes and the opportunity for a bath. Their wounds as well as the wounds of the others were treated and mended. Gandr, Junayd and Devrim took turns guarding Alaron, and his bath and changing were also closely monitored. When the prince complained, the Emperor reminded him that it would be just as easy to leave him dirty. That was the final word on the matter.

"I do not suppose I could trouble you for a messenger bird?" Devrim asked politely when he found the Duchess again. He easily could have ordered her to comply, but he respected the older woman both as a wise and powerful lady of the nobility and as a relation of his wife's.

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"Everything I have is at your disposal, Your Majesty," Ashleigh responded easily.

"Thank you, Your Grace. Aurora will be very glad to know that we are back in civilization and returning home." The Emperor closed his eyes and gave a contented smile. Home. That is where his wife and heart were. He would get there as soon as he could.

Duchess Ashleigh led him through the small menagerie to the keeper of the animals. Devrim wrote a quick, short note to attach to the bird, and they released it into the twilight.

"Safe journey," the Emperor whispered. "I hope to follow you shortly."

"You came to Oblivion in the most unusual way, Your Majesty," Ashleigh interrupted his thoughts. "I thought I was the only one who could see the water nymphs, but it seems I was mistaken. Which leads me to my question. May I ask where you have been?"

Devrim gave a lopsided smile. "You might be one of the few people who would believe me."

The Duchess was saddened by his answer, but accepted his polite refusal. "Perhaps we can discuss it over dinner. Will the Prince be joining us?" Ashleigh's expression remained neutral, so her words did not exactly sound like an invitation.

"Do you want him to attend?" The Emperor asked directly.

Appreciating his deference to her wishes, the Duchess gave a gentle nod. "I would be a poor host indeed if I denied one of my last living relatives a seat at my table. But the final decision is up to you."

"I am glad you feel that way. Keeping His Highness from dinner would send a very distinct message that I am not willing to give just yet. But having him in our midst with his abilities poses its own problem. After conferring with my men, I think we have a solution." Devrim went on to explain his plan.

----------

(Earlier after bathing)

"I can stay with him while you eat with the Duchess and Duke. If the servants will deliver the food. I can help the prince eat," Junayd offered.

"This is ridiculous," Alaron whined. "I promise I will be good at dinner. It will be a nice change after the past few days."

Devrim narrowed his gaze. "I will not let you walk cavalierly into dinner just so you can attempt an escape. Word of your presence is already spreading across the castle."

The two stubborn men stared angrily at one another. Gandr tried to end the stalemate. "If I may, it seems that Prince Alaron has to use both hands in order to do magic. I have seen him perform spells thrice and each time it requires both hands to do the job."

"Is this true?" The Emperor turned a critical eye on the boy. When he caught the boy off-guard, Devrim could always tell when he was lying.

Alaron did not like where this was going, but he also really did not want to be left out. "I think some people can do magic one handed," he responded petulantly. Then he mumbled, "I am not one of them."

"If we tie one hand to his chair, he should be harmless. Well, as harmless as the prince gets. I will sit next to him in case anything goes wrong." Gandr's solution made sense.

"I will sit across from you, my boy. If I get even a whiff that you are about to do something foolish, I will give Gandr the word to knock you senseless," Devrim threatened. Gandr gave an unapologetic smile, which made Alaron shiver. "I do hope you can eat one handed," the Emperor said blandly to the prince.

"Do I have a choice?" Alaron countered.

Devrim nodded. "You can either try to eat one handed or you can dine two fisted with those ropes staying around your wrists."

Junayd chuckled, "I would pick the first, Your Highness. The second sounds too heavy-handed."

"….indeed," the prince agreed.

—————-

Dinner was arranged just as the Emperor prescribed. Alaron was flanked with Agent Gandr on his left and General Junayd on his right while Devrim sat across from them with Ashleigh at the head of the table on one side and Fedelmid on the other. As discussed, the prince's left hand was securely fastened to his chair. It would be difficult to escape. Fortunately, the first course was soup, and only required one hand to consume.

The conversation was strained but not unpleasant, as meeting distant relatives can often be. "I am happy you were all able to join us," the Duchess told her guests. "Tomorrow my brother, the new Duke, will leave me for Ravenna's former home. While I am sad for Ravenna and her choices, I am happy for my brother's boon. I will miss him terribly, though."

"I promise to visit." Fedelmid smiled at his sister.

"You better. I am lost without your company." The Duchess turned to the others. "I took the liberty of ordering my personal carriage for you to take in the morning back to Valiant."

"We appreciate your kindness, but—"

Devrim was about to say it was not necessary when Ashleigh interrupted him. "Please make use of it. I never go anywhere and my carriage gets neglected. Plus, it will keep prying eyes from spotting His Highness."

The grey-eyed man could see the sense in her words. Devrim had been trying to find a way to enter Valiant covertly. With the carriage, he would not have to. "Thank you, Your Grace."

Ashleigh dismissed the first course, and a second one was brought of delectable meat and creamy vegetables. The servants each held two plates and prepared to serve them simultaneously. It seemed the duchess enjoyed a bit of dramatic flare with her meal. Or perhaps she was just emulating the ways of the Castle Valiant.

From the doorway behind Alaron, Devrim watched a female servant tiptoe quickly to a middle-aged servant who was holding two of the plates. The woman whispered feverishly into the older man's ear. His eyes went wide.

"Is there a problem?" Ashleigh asked.

The man shook his head quickly. "No, Your Grace," he answered as he bowed slightly.

The older servant crossed his arms as the plates were served in unison, giving the plate initially intended for Gandr to Alaron and vice versa. The man's hands were shaking slightly. Devrim gave the servant a hard look as he recognized what was happening. The Emperor quietly set down his cup and folded his hands.

"Do not eat that," he warned the prince.