Chapter 17 Toes

If someone is going to get it wrong, #17 will. It’s that kinked horn #17 has. That’s the problem. It caught on something and wouldn’t go through. The insubstantiation is designed to prevent that. He’s unbelievable. All he had to do was run the target through. — Prince Eater #34

A toe gave Alec hope.

One morning he set a bucket of warm water next to Jon’s bed, wrung out a washing rag, and began to bathe him. Jon didn’t speak. He neither cooperated nor made it more difficult for Alec. He simply lay in the bed, allowing his friend to fulfill his duties as Jon’s nurse. When Alec moved to wash Jon’s feet, he propped one heel in the palm of his left hand and used his fingers to spread Jon’s toes so he could bathe the interspaces. He reached the wet rag toward Jon’s big toe and all the toes curled shut. Worried, Alec shook the foot delicately, teased at the toes until they opened, and swiped the space with his rag only to have the toes curl shut again. This repeated two more times and Alec grew increasingly concerned that Jon’s injuries had hurt him in ways they had not initially determined. He glanced up anxiously, only to find Jon grinning.

When Jon saw the look on Alec’s face, he laughed out loud.

Alec stared. It was the first joke, the first normal, Jon-type behavior, he’d made during the entire, dreadful ordeal. Alec grinned and then laughed with hearty joy. After a moment, though, he plopped the washing rag into the bucket, sat on the floor at the foot of the bed with his face in his hands, and cried.

“Al…Alec,” Jon called out in concern. “Alec, I was kidding…Alec don’t.”

The former Royal Archer wiped his eyes and nose with the rag, plopped it back into the water, and heaved to his feet. He walked around the bed until he loomed over the frail man under the covers, and held out a hand. Jon reached up and clasped Alec’s forearm.

“Forever,” Alec said, closing his hand around Jon’s arm.

“Forever,” Jon answered.

“Before anyone else gets here, while we’re alone without the politics of the kingdom or SnakeIn to interfere,” Alec said. “There is something I need to do, something I need to say that you need to hear.” With that Alec bent to one knee, pressed his forehead against Jon’s hand, and pledged his fealty, his friendship, and his life to Prince Jon.

When he straightened, Jon was crying. He turned his face to the wall and whispered, “That…that isn’t what I want from you, Alec. I…I’m speechless, humbled, honored. But sad, too. We were planning our lives together. Remember the beautiful garden we were going to create?”

“I do.”

“I lost the flowers when the soldiers attacked me. Now we’ll be lucky if I can ever walk again. And thanks to my father, I look like a monster.”

“I don’t understand everything that went on but your father tried to save you. He sent the Grays Commander to help you.”

“What? He sent Gil?”

“I don’t know his kingdom name. And I’ve never seen him without his face covered either with his helmet or a three-sided brim protector, but I recognized him as the commander. Apparently, he not only spirited you out of Hilltown but remained to watch over you until I came.”

“He left me there.”

“He did,” Alec agreed. “But he came out from behind a boulder and some rocks to help as I put you on my stallion.”

“He did?” Jon questioned softly.

“And then he stood in the middle of that field peacefully and watched as I rode off to bring you here,” Alec concluded.

“I don’t understand why he acted that way,” Jon said.

“I don’t either,” Alec agreed. “He definitely sent mixed messages.”

“Still,” Jon said even more softly. “No one is going to want me with this awful face.”

“I want you.” Jon slowly rolled back over to face Alec, expecting a smirk at what had to have been a cruel joke, only to be taken aback by the tenderness radiating from Alec’s face. “I still want us to be together as partners, spouses, husbands.”

“You still want to marry me?”

“Of course, yes,” Alec paused for a moment to organize his thoughts and then continued. “There is much to say, but first and foremost, you need to understand that outside of Tom and Annie, the Dochertys, and the two of us, no one must know you are the prince. It isn’t safe for you to be in SnakeIn if your true identity ever gets around. Too many people hold too many grudges.”

“I understand,” Jon responded. “I think. What will we do?”

“Your name is Jon Holdingfree. Mine is Alec Holdingfree. I’ve had to tell people that we are…partners…”

“You told them we’re married.”

A FEW DAYS EARLIER

Alec looked around self-consciously as he noted the numerous sailors pretending to ignore their conversation. He’d hoped for work but was dismayed that even the cabin boy’s ears perked up as the boy stood patiently waiting for any instructions from Captain Reid. Alec looked twice at the cabin boy – a sturdy youngster with green and gold wings and similarly colored feathers on the upper part of his face. Out of politeness, Alec forced his eyes back to the captain.

“Eolian,” Captain Reid answered the unasked question. “The first time meeting one startles some folks. He’s a fine lad.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“I apologize,” Alex said to the boy. “I didn’t mean to be rude.” When the boy nodded kindly, Alec added, “My name’s Holdingfree. Alec Holdingfree.”

“I know who you are, Archer Mulrian,” Captain Reid said with a laugh. “You’re famous. A legend. Everyone knows how you disobeyed the king to single-handedly save the life of a helpless prince when wolves attacked. The Prince Rescued by Love. They say that you haul him around now wherever he needs or wants to go.”

Alec cleared his throat, shuffled his feet, and challenged, “Haul? You talk about him like he’s a slop bucket. I can see clearly that we aren’t a match. Thank you for your time, Captain.”

Captain Reid laughed again. He folded his arms in amusement and watched Alec walk away. As Alec put one foot on the gangplank, he called after him, “I meant no offense. I simply meant that a man like you can go places on a ship like mine.”

Alec turned back and eyed the captain warily without responding.

“We travel the world,” Captain Reid continued. “Have you ever been to New East Anglia? Most people haven’t. The mountains between our two countries are treacherous and hard to navigate. Most people die during the attempt. And to New East Anglia’s Eolians, like my cabin boy here, the mountains are sacred, divine, and they’re likely to make short work of anyone who dares set foot in them.”

“Why would a mountain range be divine?” Alec asked. “That doesn’t make sense.”

“Aye, it doesn’t. Not to reasonable folk like you and me,” Captain Reid agreed. “New East Anglians swear that those mountains are where the Veils lay their eggs. Given a chance, the Veils will absorb a person’s soul.”

“The Veils?” Alec asked.

“The Veils,” Captain Reid repeated without further explanation. “But by sea is another story. We travel to New East Anglia several times a year and to places you may not have even heard about. We travel the entire world.” The captain strode to where Alec stood by the gangplank, slapped Alec’s shoulder companionably, and went on. “I meant, only…and you know this to be true…I can see that you do…pretty young men like that prince don’t understand what it means to be faithful, to be part of an active, caring, loving relationship with another person. Your prince will drop you the moment someone else catches his eye.” Alec shook his head and opened his mouth to object, but the captain interrupted, “I mean him no ill will. He can’t help it. It’s how he was raised. A prince gets anything he wants. Well, he does until the magi kill him the way they did Prince Reginald. My point is that Prince Jon has no idea what a normal life is like. Not like you and me.” He waved at the crew. “Not like real men do. I’m offering you long-term, steady work. You’ll have to do regular ship’s duty, but I can use an archer like yourself for my own protection, and maybe, occasional assignments on land. But I pay well. I’m a fair captain. You’ll be rich in your old age if you stick with me. You aren’t going to earn much doing piecework like you’re doing. We sail tomorrow. The dimming is the day after, and we need to be well away from any rocky shorelines before the eclipse.”

“Jon was badly injured, as you seem to know already,” Alec said softly, taking in a slow, steady breath. “We’re together. He’s my responsibility. I won’t desert him. Everyone else has.” The ship’s captain’s eyes widened, and he canted his head. “Our name is Holdingfree. Alec and Jon Holdingfree.”

Numerous sailors milling around on deck turned to gawk, some coughed or laughed. Most of them whispered and nudged each other as they examined Alec with new interest.

“A couple,” the captain repeated thoughtfully. “That’s too bad. I’m sorry to hear that. Generally, I don’t sign on married men or women. Sometimes I’ll make an exception, but not easily. We’re gone for long stretches of time. It’s hard on a marriage.”

“I appreciate your time, Captain Reid,” Alec responded, relieved that he’d found a way out of the discussion.

“Well, anytime we’re in port, look me up. I’ll hire you for whatever work I can,” Captain Reid said. “Good luck to you and your husband.”

“Thank you, Captain Reid,” Alec answered and then strode down the gangplank to shore.

PRESENT TIME: SNAKEIN

“I had to explain why your well-being is my responsibility,” Alec offered. “Saying we’re friends wasn’t convincing people. They either laughed at me or were overly suspicious and willing to say so out loud. The ship’s captain concluded, in error, that I meant we were married so I let it stand. And it’s worked. Word has spread and no one asks questions anymore.”

“Oh,” Jon mumbled. He glanced around the ugly, diminutive attic room. He doubted that it would take someone his height who was healthy more than ten paces to cover the length or breadth of it. The smallest alcove in his former rooms at the castle was twice as large. “You pay for all of this by working odd jobs?”

“Tom paid for it. We’re good here for a year,” Alec responded. “We have only had to dip into my savings for incidentals. Tom generously sends us money. Annie didn’t think it was safe for them to take you in. People who know who they are might figure out who you are and cause trouble.”

“You’re spending your savings on me,” Jon responded, his voice revealing his discouragement. “You set it aside to pay for the commission and now you’ve had to spend it on me.”

“There won’t be a commission, not anymore,” Alec said tenderly. “But I don’t regret it. As long as we’re together, that’s all I want.”

Jon inclined his head to let Alec know he had heard, and then added, “I’ve never met Annie before, yet she’s done all of this.”

“She’s amazing,” Alec agreed. “I’m not sure that you would have lived had Annie and Tom not come to your aid. Now, stop wiggling around, and let me finish washing your feet.”

“Don’t be angry with me, Husband.” Jon pleaded as he tried to scrunch up his face melodramatically. Before Alec could respond, Jon let out a cry of pain and cradled the injured side of his face. Whether despite or because of the pain he brought on himself, he started to laugh, and then Alec laughed, too, and together they resumed getting Jon ready for the day.

“Alec,” Jon said as the archer walked over to put Jon’s used clothes in the pile of items ready to be washed.

“Yes?”

“Let’s get married. Perhaps Craig knows someone who will do a ceremony right here.”

About an hour later when Rory came up to help out, they told him about their plans and asked him if Craig could stop in when he had the chance to discuss how to work it all out. Not five minutes after Rory had left, they heard the innkeeper’s footsteps dashing up the stairs.

“It’s easier to get married here in SnakeIn than in the kingdom. No one has to go through all that magi obscuration. Any city official can marry two adults,” Craig Docherty explained when he sat down with Jon and Alec. “If the couple wants a religious rite of some kind, they are welcome to do so on their own after the city official has bound them together in a civil union, but only the civil union creates a legal entity. Most folks contact one of the Contingent. I can send Rory over to Annie to see if she is willing to help out. Being your sister, I imagine that she’ll be delighted.”

Jon glanced at Alec and smiled. “She is so generous with her help, both of them are.”

“Either Kenzie or I can be a witness. The city requires three, two of which cannot be related to the couple. I’ll have to think about who else,” Craig explained.

“Maybe Healer Callahan and Seamster McSwiney,” Alec suggested. “They both know us.”

“That’s a good thought,” Craig agreed. “Rory can approach them after he speaks with Annie. If it comes to it, I can simply ask two of whatever guests are here at the time. How fancy of a ceremony would you like? We’re equipped for large or small events.”

“Simple,” Jon answered. He gestured awkwardly with his broken arm. “Something simple that can be done up here. I can’t move around well enough to do more. Is that acceptable to you, Alec?”

“It’s perfect,” Alec assured him. “As long as you are there, nothing else matters. All the roses and tuxedos in the world won’t make a difference in how much I love you, Jon.”

©2022 Vera S. Scott