Family of Lies: Sebastian (6 page)

“You’re slowing me down,” Sebastian said, but he stopped. His drop-off destination was still three miles away. “I have more fish. Do you want one?”

Turren grinned. “Yes, please. I didn’t pack much because I needed to catch up to you.”

“This could all be solved by you going back home.” Sebastian rummaged through his bag and sat down.

“I needed a chance to give you my present.”

Sebastian frowned. “What present?”

Turren collapsed next to him. “An item I picked up in Anerith.”

“Please tell me you didn’t scavenge valuables from that war-torn country.”

“Heh,” the prince muttered. “I knew your opinion of me was low the last time we met, but have faith that I grew into a decent man.”

“You were friends with Pratchett, so I wrote you off as a lost cause.”

“You were a large influence too.”

“I doubt that. Are you going to tell me what you have, or will you keep dancing around the issue?”

Turren sighed. “I hoped to make this memorable.”

Sebastian sighed. “Go on, blow me away.”

Turren reached into his satchel and pulled out a rectangular object wrapped in brown cloth.

Sebastian couldn’t help himself and scooted closer.

Turren held out the gift to Sebastian. “You do the honors.”

Sebastian meant to mock the man, but there could only be a book under the cloth, and he couldn’t hide his enthusiasm. He grabbed the package. “It can’t be anything too rare,” he said as he unwrapped it, revealing gold letters embroidered on red leather. It was barely worn and in better condition than his old book. “I’m not sure how I feel about this much of the people’s gold being spent on presents.”

Turren laughed. “I appreciate your fiscal concern, but it was a gift.”

“A gift worth a small fortune? What did you do to earn it?” Sebastian asked, but he didn’t return the book.

“I told an old woman about you and what I had done. She said that I couldn’t give you back your memories, but I could give you hers. She went through great lengths to hide it during the purge, and she had no children to appreciate it.”

“I’ll give you some credit. Not many are willing to talk of their misdeeds when they truly understand the callousness of their actions.” Sebastian laughed. “I don’t know if you’ve grown into a bigger fool or a clever man.”

“Fools don’t give out books.”

“I still wouldn’t call you a clever man, but I should stop underestimating you.”

“Honestly, I hope you don’t. Catching you by surprise might be the only chance I’ve got,” Turren said as he leaned forward. His head slid off Sebastian’s shoulder, and he fell on the ground.

Sebastian poked Turren’s back. “I show you a little kindness and you push your luck. Get up.” Turren didn’t move, and Sebastian glared at the unwanted baggage. “Am I supposed to check on you? If you think a ruse will force me to touch you, you’re wrong.” Sebastian rolled his eyes. “Fine, I’ll play along, but you’re going to owe me coin for this.” Still no answer. Sebastian turned Turren over, and saw sweat glistening on his face. “Turren?” He touched the prince’s forehead and it burned.
Far hotter than just being tired from a long trek after injury.
“What is this? Turren?” Sebastian shook him back to his senses.

Turren grinned weakly. “Frederick was unable to remove all the poison.”

“Poison?” Sebastian whispered. “You idiot! Why wouldn’t you mention such an important detail?”

“I knew you were trying to leave me behind. I didn’t want you to have a reason to do it sooner.” Turren’s eyes closed and they didn’t reopen.

Sebastian placed his hands on Turren’s chest and sensed for the poison going through his body. Where his hands touched skin, something dark within Turren pulled at Sebastian’s magic, and Sebastian jerked back. “You had to pick up something particularly nasty.” He mentally inventoried Harold’s supplies and failed to think of anything to combat the poison.
If Lord Pasley was treating the prince, then the only cure is probably at the castle.
Sebastian closed his eyes.
Dammit!
“If I had known that you planned on committing suicide by stubbornness, I would have left you to die.”

L
UCKILY
,
THE
prince had enough money in his pockets to pay for a horse. Sebastian couldn’t carry the heavy bastard, and Turren wouldn’t survive if he was left alone. The curse in Turren’s blood had drained his strength, so Sebastian transferred some of his energy to him.
Gods know what the castle guards are going to do to me.
I’m the man who found the prince hurt, twice.
The cloak covering the prince from head to toe gave him peace along the journey.
No one to call me murderer until I reach the capital.
Rain came down in sheets, making his situation worse. Sebastian gritted his teeth.
I don’t know what I did to anger the Gods, but I wish someone else would earn their ire.

They rode past Trellium’s gates, and Sebastian couldn’t think of a way to drop the prince off without anyone seeing him. Turren’s condition made another tavern out of the question. As he got closer to the castle, Sebastian drew many stares from merchants who flooded the city during the day. He bypassed the line of visitors and rode up to the guards. They held up their hands to stop him, and one of them walked toward Sebastian.

“It doesn’t matter how important you think you are, you need to get in line like everyone else,” the guard said.

“I would rather not be here, but your prince is having a bit of an emergency.” Sebastian pointed his thumb at the man sleeping on his back. The guard frowned and used his pike to lift up the prince’s hood. Several people gasped as Turren’s handsome face was revealed, and then Sebastian was surrounded. The city gates slammed shut, and guards pulled Sebastian off his horse. Under the aim of several crossbows, Sebastian remained still. “I’m not sure if he remembers me, but please inform Captain Pembrost that my name is Sebastian Orwell.”

“If you say so, boy, but if he doesn’t, you’ll be in trouble,” said a guard who seized Sebastian’s right arm. His hand slid away, and he drew his sword. “Drop the ward.”

“It’s not a ward, it’s my cloak, and no, I won’t take it off.”

“A grown man and you’re as troublesome as ever. Hello, Sebastian.” Captain Pembrost stood at the top of the steps in full armor and hurried to Sebastian’s side. “Let him go.” The captain held out his hand, and Sebastian clasped it. “What happened?”

“He came looking for me even though his wounds weren’t healed yet. I did not seek him out,” Sebastian swore.

“Unfortunately, I believe you,” the captain said. “Hm,” he muttered.

“What?”

Captain Pembrost placed his hand over Turren’s stomach. “The prince has received more healing. Did you stop by a mender before coming here?”

“No,” Sebastian said. “That is exactly how I found him.”

A man pushed them aside, and Sebastian recognized the court wizard’s robes. Lord Pasley swatted at Pembrost’s hands and touched the prince’s wounds. “Captain Pembrost’s assessment is correct. What is your name, boy?”

“Sebastian Orwell, and I have no magic.”

“He’s my other rabbit,” Captain Pembrost said.

Lord Pasley frowned. “Orwell?”

Uniformed men and women streamed out of the castle, and in their midst, taller and broader than his son, was King Harris.
Shit.
“I should go, Captain. Lord Bast is expecting me.”

“Harold will respect your reason for delay,” the king said. He turned to the captain. “Hold him until Turren wakes and tells his story.” King Harris lifted his son off the horse, and Pasley helped him carry the prince to the infirmary, leaving Sebastian alone with the captain and a group of guards.

“I should have minded my own business,” Sebastian said.

Captain Pembrost shrugged. “Doing the right thing does have its own consequences, but you’re in this mess because of the tavern incident. You and I need to chat.”

“I only found the prince and brought him here as my duty,” Sebastian said.

“Uh-huh,” Captain Pembrost said. “I’ll put you in the barracks tonight. You’ll be surrounded by guards without being a prisoner. You’ll also be protected from anyone who thinks you’re involved with the prince’s bad health.”

“Save a man’s life and then face accusations of a conspiracy. I should have stayed home. When your prince wakes up, thank him for putting me in this situation.”

Captain Pembrost smiled. “Only your deceit is responsible for this,” he whispered so the other guards couldn’t hear him.

S
EBASTIAN
’
S
EYES
drowsily opened to bunk beds and cabinets lining the walls from floor to ceiling. Steaming foods, looking more appetizing than military rations, sat on a nearby table. There had been nothing but interviews since the guards forced Sebastian into the castle. Sometimes the king watched, and Pembrost asked questions until night turned to morning. Sebastian smiled. Despite their efforts, his tongue didn’t slip from his original story. He quickly ate the biscuits and sausage so he could have energy for an escape. There were guards posted at his door, but the ones from last night weren’t mages. He opened his door to see if his bad luck still held, but the guards were gone.
Sleeping Beauty has finally awakened.
Looking both ways, Sebastian stepped into the hall and closed the door behind him. He turned around, and Captain Pembrost stood with his arms crossed.

“A latrine break?” the captain asked.

“Where else would I be going?”

“With me to see the prince.”

“Awake one morning and already making unnecessary demands. What’s in it for me?”

“We forget the tavern incident and call it a simple misunderstanding.”

“Which means I’ll be paid for saving the prince’s life twice?”

“Maybe.”

Sebastian mirrored the captain’s crossed arms. “Maybes are for weather forecasters and con men.”

“An expert on the latter, are we?”

“Insulting me increases my price,” Sebastian said.

“Fine! You’ll be rewarded for saving the prince twice, but you have to be civil,” Captain Pembrost bargained.

“That depends on you returning my book.” Sebastian thrust his hand out and waited.

Captain Pembrost smiled. “I accidentally left it in the prince’s room.”

Bastard.
Sebastian waved his hand at Captain Pembrost. “Go on, lead the way to the eager puppy.”

“And no calling him names,” Captain Pembrost said before turning on his heel and leading Sebastian to the pain in the ass who was responsible for ruining his peaceful week.

A
LONG
bandage was wrapped around Turren’s bare midsection, but he still managed to smile. Sebastian rolled his eyes.
No names, but I am tempted.
Silence became uncomfortable in the room when neither man would speak first. The king drew in breath to break it, but Prince Turren cleared his throat. “You keep seeing me at my worst, Sebastian. Thank you for saving my life.”

Sebastian shrugged. “Your death would have been inconvenient, to the country and definitely to my family if you died in my company.”

King Harris sputtered, but Prince Turren laughed so hard he doubled over in pain. He sank back against the pillows and smiled at Sebastian weakly. “It amazes me how nothing intimidates you. I never did ask how your family is doing.”

“Far more prosperous than they think or deserve,” Sebastian said.

The prince yawned and shook his head.

“Sleep now, son. Frederick can continue his work once you’ve built up more strength,” the king advised him.

“I can stay up longer. I enjoy speaking with Sebastian,” Turren said, but another yawn wedged his mouth open.

“Enough. Rest. Sebastian will be here when you wake again,” King Harris promised and gave Sebastian a stern look. The prince’s eyelids drifted down while Sebastian quietly stood by the door. After Turren’s breathing evened out, the king turned around and motioned for them to follow him. King Harris walked down the hall until they were out of Turren’s hearing. “Did you drop my son off in a tavern?”

Sebastian crossed his arms and studied the two older men. “Yes, and that’s because I knew this situation would happen.”

“Whoever harmed my son could have attacked him again due to your recklessness!” King Harris whispered fiercely.

“In an establishment run by former City Watch? He was as safe as with your castle guards.”

“Did you see the prince’s attackers?” Captain Pembrost asked.

“No, only the prince came through the woods on our property.”

“Are we supposed to take your word now after you lied for so long?”

“Twice I saved his life when ignoring him would have been more sensible, and twice I’ve returned your princeling with all his coin intact except for needed expenses. I’m not a knight, but I do have integrity,” Sebastian said.

“If you were like your siblings, I would have more faith in my ability to ascertain how much truth you’re speaking, but there is something of your father in you.” King Harris shook his head. “I almost envy his ability to twist the truth.”

Sebastian stiffened at the insult even though he was lying. “Other than a sliver of intelligence, we have nothing in common.”

“I’m sorry to hear that since he’s on his way. Your father sent word that your family will arrive tomorrow morning. It’s my duty to ensure that the subject responsible for saving my son’s life makes it home safely. Turren was ambushed and has no idea who the men were that attacked him. It would put us both at ease if you accepted our hospitality and left in greater numbers with your family.”

“And if I don’t accept?” Sebastian heard Captain Pembrost groan behind him but didn’t back down.

“Then I assume that such a rational young man making a hasty decision is too tired to travel or encountered the same poison as my son. I must have my cousin attend you at once.” King Harris pushed Sebastian back with a beefy hand, and Sebastian fell against Lord Pasley, who had quietly snuck up behind him.