“Go, Reedl” King Domido directed Reedl, “Help him on his way, honored sageman, and hurry. He must not be followed.”

Reedl bowed his head in acknowledgement, then nodded expectantly towards me. I gathered the four babes’ weapons, not daring to lift my eyes to the Queen’s eyes, worried what she might be thinking about her fifth child, and followed Reedl out the door.

Reedl and I made our way to the main square of Grendhill. We traveled as quietly as we could, as our mission was vital and the kingdom could not afford its failure. Though we may have appeared to be unescorted, a non-descript pair out for a stroll except for my oddly-shaped bag, we both knew that the most elite Royal Guardsmen preceded and trailed us from a distance.

“I take it I already know your destination?” whispered Reedl.

I nodded, wishing he wouldn’t speak to me right now. “I believe so. I travel with–” I made my word choice carefully. “–I travel with my goods to an old family destination of my friend’s ancestors. I have been there before.”

“Very good to know that I can get you where you are going, and that you face no confusion on your journey.”

We reached the city square at the very center of Grendhill and paused in the shadows of the alley where we stood at the edge of the square. Reedl threw back his hood. A Sageman approaching the Thallenrose unaccompanied was an obvious tell that somebody was hying upon starlight to another world, but it was virtually too late for anyone to stop us now. We walked openly now, the guards coming out of obscurity but hanging back respectfully towards the edge of the square. I left my hood up. An individual traveler’s business was his own, so I would not look out of the ordinary. No point in announcing to the world yet exactly what happened tonight.

We two strode forward confidently into the square towards the Thallenrose. If watchers saw us now, it was all but too late to intercept us anyway. Assuming onlookers recognized me. Assuming they guessed my mission. Reedl would doubtless be recognized, being one of the few Sagemen in the land. But I would not have such fame to the common folk. Sure, a personal friend of the King, but I didn’t make his public appearances with him now, did I? In fact, my task would sooner be guessed correctly than my identity. I carried precious cargo and the whole country must know Mifalla Farella would have been due. Reedl’s appearance at the Thallenrose with a figure carrying a closed package would be as good as a tacit annunciation of the royal birth if anyone saw us, night though it was. The official announcement would be called from the rooftops the next day. It must remain private news until the newest Royal Arms were secured. Still, Reedl escorted travelers often enough in the course of his duties. Perhaps nobody would take note.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

To compensate for the inevitable loss of obscurity, the Guardsmen had ceased to take such care for stealth and favored stronger security, in easy sight now. Any watchers who decided to do anything to either Reedl or to me would have to reckon with a couple of dozen well-trained soldiers wielding matchless weapons that could not be broken, a discouraging prospect.

The people in the square were somewhat sparse, going about their late evening routines of winding down their business for the day. They hardly glanced as the we stepped into the square towards the Thallenrose. Nearing the platform, I threw my hood off as well. The people might as well know at this point what I was about, and they would know that I needed Reedl’s help to do it. They hadn’t known it would be right now, and the guards around the square made trying to interfere futile.

Many people must have wondered where I traveled that night. None of them actually knew. It had been this way for hundreds of years, but people could not help talking about it.

Oh, the weapons must be kept safe for their rightful wielders, some said.

We’re just curious about where they’re kept, others would reply.

It must be a secret, for our protection, they were reminded. Besides, they could be going anywhere right now, so it’s no use wondering.

We just want to know, the conversations always ended.

It felt like an eternity before we finally reached the Thallenrose, unworn despite centuries of use as a step, a pedestal, a soapbox, a stool. We stepped onto the uneven surface of the flower-shaped platform. “Dulo,” uttered Reedl, locking everyone else out. The din of the square immediately dropped in volume. “Right, so you have four weapons in your bag?”

“They’re all here.”

“And you’re going to the cave on Harrval?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Very good. I have business to attend to here, so I will not meet you at the other end. Is anybody meeting you?”

“No. Nobody there knows I’m coming right now, so with my hood up–”, I threw my hood back on, “–I’ll just be an anonymous traveler.”

I stooped over, ready to display a false gait when I would arrive at the other end, needing to hide my purpose from a new crowd. Reedl sent me off on my way: “Dulo miti Harrval niti pondere!"

The world vanished from my view.