Wulfram’s party encountered two more groups of bandits before they reached the border. One of which just turned and ran when they realized they were up against trained soldiers and a mage. But the fact that they had been attacked so many times along the road made Wulfram concerned. Three attacks in four days was considerable, where were the patrols? Especially this close to the border there should be frequent patrols! They should have run into at least one by now.

The answer came to him in the very next town they came to, the last town before the border, Astash.

Rain drizzled down on the simple stone and wood structures, leaving mud between the buildings and barracks. Ideally, the barracks should have a total of twenty men: ten in residence, and ten patrolling the roads. But the stables were full, horses peacefully nibbling at their feed. He counted 17 horses in all, that meant only three were missing. So unless some of the men had decided to go on foot, someone was going to be in deep trouble. “We stop here, I need to talk to the Guard Captain.” Wulfram said darkly.

“He jumped off his horse, mud splattering as he landed and strode through the muck to the barrack. He pushed the doors open, another problem: there should have been someone at the door watching. Even in a quiet town, no one should be able to just walk into the barracks.

Heads snapped up from lounging men. They were playing cards, drinking, and a couple were even entertaining some women in the back, their giggles the only sound in the stunned silence that had fallen over the men at Wulfram’s arrival.

“Now who the ‘ell are you ta just barge in here like that?” A man with the emblem of a captain on his chest stood, his beard covered in a scruffy stubble.

“This,” Gryff stepped up just behind and to the side of Wulfram, a scowl on his own face. “Is Prince Wulfram.”

The silence grew considerably more tense, and then ended as men scrambled to their feet. there was a startled gasp from one of the women as she was dropped unceremoniously on one of the bunks, the man that had been entertaining her hastily pulling up his pants. Wulfram’s gaze darkened as the second man kept going at his own woman, apparently unaware of the sudden commotion behind him.

“Earl!” One of the soldiers hissed back at the man. He glanced nervously at Wulfram, then tried again. “EARL! Get yer pants on!”

“Just- another minute!” The man, apparently named Earl, groaned.

“Now Earl!” The captains voice snapped, the command making Earl’s head jerk up. He flushed and quickly pulled away from the woman, yanking his pants back on.

“What is it? Are we under attack?”

“The prince is here!” The captain snapped. His own face red, he strode forward and saluted Prince Wulfram. “Guard Captain Oluf, we weren’t notified you were coming your highness.”

“Well I am here anyways.” Wulfram said coldly. He wanted a hot bath and a warm bed, but this had to be dealt with first. His gaze traced over the men, counting heads. Out of the twenty there were supposed to be, there were only 15. 17 horses could mean that three were on patrol, but then where were the other two? “Is this your full contingent?”

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

He could see sweat form across the captains face, although he stood stiffly at attention, his face bland. “Morv is in town Sir, keeping the peace. I can send someone to fetch him if need be. Otherwise, yes Sir.”

“We were not notified that you were down four men. What happened?” Wulframs gaze raked over the group, noting dirty uniforms, unkempt hair and faces, and the stench of beer in the barracks. If his father had seen this he would be furious, but as it was Wulfram had little time to deal with it.

“Well, you see Kethi, he died month back to the cough. Frank, he got married and run off, and Bill and Pyr turned bandit on us.” Guard Captain Oluf reported as more sweat beaded across his forehead.

Anger boiled up in Wulfram, his eyes narrowing slightly, lips set in a hard line as he listened to the report. The death was a shame, but the other three were problems. To abandon their duties like that, and for two to turn bandit! Weren’t they getting paid enough? He knew full well that guards didn’t grow rich off their wages, but they were hardly mistreated! “I see.”

Guard Captain Oluf swallowed hard, his face paling slightly. “We’re just- takin’ a break today, you see? Been working hard. And I was going to send for more men, just haven’t gotten around to it.”

Wulfram let him ramble for a moment. He didn’t believe them for a moment though, if one of the men died a month ago then word should have reached the palace or the border well before now.

Finally, Wulfram raised a hand, cutting off further explanation. “Your barrack and men are in poor order Captain Oluf. I am headed to the border myself, you will have your men and horses replenished. Select four men to begin their patrol, one of which will be Earl, and another will be the other energetic young man that was... entertaining his lady when we arrived. That leaves two others. I will return in the morning to inspect the barracks and hear grievances and explanations.”

He raked his gaze over the group again, his voice low, almost a growl. “But there is no excuse for leaving the roads unpatrolled. My group was attacked by three different bandit groups on the way here, all in the last four days travel.”

He took a grim satisfaction in the paling of faces and exchange of startled glances. Guard Captain Oluf nodded, but it was jerky, his voice pitched ever so slightly higher as he spoke. “Understood your highness. You will not be disappointed when you return tomorrow.”

Wulfram gave a curt nod, and turned on his heel to stride out of the barracks, anger seething just beneath the surface. Gryff followed, both mounting their horses and heading for the lights of the towns main inn. He allowed himself to silently seethe on the way there, this was going to take time out of their trip, they were supposed to be meeting King Alastar tomorrow! But first he would have to deal with the guards here, and then stop at the border to have men sent back to make sure things didn’t deteriorate again. Only after those tasks were done could they continue to the rendezvous point.

But perhaps he could speed things up a bit.

They left the horses in the care of the stable-hands, proceeding inside to rent their rooms. Gryff and Owen, and Verrick and Harvick would both share. Wulfram got a private room due to his status. It was a silly little thing, but expected, as were so many other silly little things. “Gryff, meet with me in one hour in my room. I want to talk about our next steps.”

“Yes Sir.” Gryff nodded, and squelched off to his own room, Owen following behind. Havrick was the driest of them all, apparently he had a spell that repelled water. Unfortunately it was not a spell easily shared. A shame that.

Wulfram stepped into his own room, locking the door and immediately starting to strip. His muscles ached from the chill and days riding and fighting. He hung his clothes up by the fire, and padded barefoot over to the tub in the corner. It was a wealthy enough inn to have running hot water, likely fed from some nearby stream or lake.

He sank into the water with a groan of appreciation, his thoughts turning to Dani. She would like something like this, he was sure of it. It wasn’t like the water of the sea or ocean, she’d be able to see straight to the bottom. He focused his attention on the bracelet still bonded to his wrist, feeling her only faintly. Like the memory of an emotion felt long ago.

“What the hell am I doing?” He closed his eyes and relaxed in the tub, tearing his attention from the bracelet to more immediate matters: the guards of Astash, and the meeting with King Alastar.