Ties of Blood (16 page)

With a dejected sigh Brenda jumped off of Darryl and followed Eloen up to her room. The inn staff was still carrying buckets of steaming water to the tub when they got there so Eloen started packing the girl’s clothes in her travel sack.

It didn’t take long for the tub to be filled and the two ladies to be left alone. Brenda at least didn’t seem to mind taking baths. In the matter of moments she was undressed and jumping in to the bath. Eloen though about getting onto her for splashing water everywhere but decided to let her have a small bit of fun. By time Eloen had scrubbed all the dirt off the girl’s skin she was a bright pink and complaining it was starting to sting. Her hair was even worse. I had so many knots and tangles Eloen was tempted to grab her knife and simply cut it all off. She threatened to do it a few times when Brenda started complain about it hurting. She would moan and whine for a bit but she never tried to get away from Eloen or the brush.

As soon as she was dried off Brenda jumped into the bed and wormed under the covers tossing them about in a storm of sheets. Eloen laughed and jumped in after her, tickling the child until she begged her to stop. The two girls talked for a bit before Brenda fell asleep. Eloen watched her sleep and wondered how many more kids like Brenda were out there sleeping wherever they could find a place to stay out of the weather. The thought made her heart sink but she knew she couldn’t save every child. All she could do was help those she found. With that thought in mind Eloen drifted off into her own restful sleep.

CHAPTER XVI

The next morning came early but Eloen was ready for it, Brenda on the other hand was as hard to wake as Ballard after a night of heavy drinking. After four tries Eloen was able to get Brenda to a semi awake state. After they were dressed the two headed down to the common room where they found the prince sitting alone in the corner booth.

“Where are the other two buffoons?” Eloen asked though she was sure she already knew the answer to the question.

The prince turned to see Eloen standing behind him. “I made sure to wake them before heading down knowing you would probably have your hands full with your new charge. Darryl was easy enough to wake but Ballard didn’t seem all that keen on getting up while the sun was still in the sky. Darryl assured me he would make sure the man was down before we were ready to travel.”

“Sounds like those two.” Eloen said laughing as she took a seat across from the prince. “You said our next stop would be a place called Copperstone? How long will it take for us to get there?”

“It will take a little over a fortnight to get there. But don’t worry there are plenty of inns along the way and I have commissioned a coach and driver so that we can travel with some degree of luxury.” The prince said giving her one of his swarthy smiles.

“A coach? That alone will make traveling extremely slow.” Eloen said harshly.

“Yes I know?” The prince said dismissively. “While you may be accustomed to spending days in the saddle, sadly I am not.” The prince then looked over at Brenda. “I doubt your young charge is either for that matter.”

Eloen wanted to argue but she knew he was right. The prince was the one in charge so there was little she could say to him, but Eloen planned to make Brenda ride at least for part of the trip. I couldn’t hurt for her to get used to horseback riding if she was going to be spending any amount of time in her company.

“You’re the prince?” Brenda said as she plopped down in a seat next to William.

“That I am miss. I am sorry to say that I was unable to catch your name last night. Would you care to grace me with it?” William said elegantly as if he was addressing someone of equal rank.

Brenda blushed brightly and looked down at the table. “My name is Brenda.” She replied meekly.

“It is a pleasure to meet you Brenda and I hope that we may become better acquainted on our ride to Copperstone.”

Brenda gave the prince a sad smile. “You’re a lot different than I thought you would be. My daddy always said that you were more fit to be a washerwoman than a king, so I thought you would look like an old lady.”

Eloen was stuck between horror and amusement at Brenda’s harsh words. The prince on the other hand just laughed. “Your father said that did he. I fear he might be right. I was never interested in the throne when I was younger. All I wanted to do was enjoy a peaceful life, but we don’t always get what we want and sometimes the jobs most ill-suited for us are the ones we are stuck with. My role is to lead this kingdom if I want to or not. All I can do is try and make sure the country heads in the right path, and my people are taken care of and I promise you I shall do everything to ensure that.”

As the prince spoke his words were strong and sincere. It was the first time Eloen heard the man speak with conviction. He might be manipulative and dodgy at time but it at least looked like his heart was for his people. Eloen wasn’t sure why but she didn’t like the prince, but at least she could respect the part of him that wished the best for his people. He also seemed at home among the lower rungs of his people, and as much as she didn’t want to admit it that alone spoke wonders of the man’s character.

“William I must admit to a mild bit of curiosity.” Eloen said her eyes locked on the prince’s own sad blue orbs.

“Curiosity, yes I believe that little devil catches us all from time to time. What has peeked your interest as of late my dear captain.” The prince said as he handed Brenda a silver coin and asked her to go order breakfast for five.

Eloen watched as Brenda rushed off to find a waitress in the near empty inn. Once she was out of sight Eloen turned her attention back to the prince. “You’re a man of unique qualities William. You stay relaxed during tense situations. Your eyes are always searching for an advantage, and you seem at home no matter where you are. You seem intelligent far more so than you act sometimes. You know there is little chance that you can claim the throne in Abla. I don’t mean to sound harsh but you do not seem to be the kind of person an Ablaian soldier would stand behind.”

The prince nodded his head. “That’s true and I was hoping to get your help in that matter. Ablaian’s will follow the strongest leader. I am great at dealing with matters but I am almost worthless in a fight. My fellow countrymen will see this as a weakness. Why would they put someone on the throne that could not lead the charge in the time of need? That is where I need you.”

“I don’t think I understand.” Eloen said slightly confused.

“Before I can raise an army I need someone that the soldiers can look toward as an example. After I take the throne I will need a bridge to Farlan so that I can help reduce some of the animosity between our countries and also help our dying economical structure. You would be the answer to both.” The prince went silent and looked at Eloen with pleading eyes. “I have talked at great length with your companions and I know the young man you were here to save was your lover. I am greatly sorry to that end. After learning that knowledge I had hoped to get to know you better on our trip to Copperstone but it seems if I don’t come clean there is little chance of that. The truth is I hope to take you as my bride so that the country will see a future with a strong queen, one that could solve many of the problems we are facing. You would be our hope to a time when we no longer have to struggle to simply survive.”

Eloen’s mind began to swirl. It made sense she had to admit but the only man she had considered marrying at all had been Thad. In Farlan marriage had nearly disappeared among the nobility. The most important thing was she had no feelings of love for the prince. She searched herself hard and she couldn’t find even an echo of anything for the man who sat in front of her. “It sounds like a good idea but we don’t love each other and I doubt those feelings would ever develop.”

William gave her a sad smile. “That I understand all too well. I am not the kind of man a woman such as yourself could love but nobles seldom marry for love. It is a convention of political nature. The only thing I would ask is that the first born be of my blood after that I will leave you to your own dalliances. You need not answer now but I ask that you think of it as we make our way to Copperstone.”

“I will agree to consider the option.” Was all Eloen could seem to force from her mouth. Her heart was screaming that she should only marry for love but her head argued all the good she could do. Ever since arriving in Abla she had seen the devastation that the tariffs on the country had caused. She was not the closest person to the queen but it there was any chance she could ease some of the problems she had witnessed shouldn’t she do it? The question bothered her immensely and she knew it wasn’t something she should or could decide on quickly. She hoped the long ride to Copperstone would give her ample time to think over everything.

Brenda rushed back and jumped onto Eloen hanging on her from the back. She was light but still heavy enough so that her hands clasped together slightly choked Eloen. Coughing slightly Eloen dislodged Brenda and pulled her around to sit in her lap. Brenda looked up from her seat and gave Eloen a big toothy smile. The thoughts that had had Eloen worked up a few moments ago drifted away as she looked down at Brenda.

A short while after the food arrived Ballard and Darryl walked over to their table. Well walked was a bit of a stretch Darryl walked Ballard seemed to shuffle more than anything. As soon as Brenda caught sight of Darryl she hopped off of Eloen’s lap and rushed over to the thin warrior. “Uncle Darryl let’s play.” She screeched so loudly Ballard held his head and looked as if he was about to pass out.

“We can’t right now spitfire we have to eat then get ready to leave. We have a long trip ahead of us so I hope you enjoy sitting in a saddle.” Darryl said as he thumped the girl lightly on the head with the tip of his knuckles.

“I get to ride a horse?” Brenda screeched loudly in glee as she rubbed the top of her head lightly where Darryl had tapped her.

Darryl put on a pensive look and knelt down so he was the same height as Brenda. “You don’t have to. You could always ride with the prince in the coach.”

Brenda shook her head vigorously. “No I wanna ride a horse. I never got to ride one before. Can I pick out my own horse? I want a pretty white one.” Brenda rattled off so quickly Eloen was amazed she didn’t bite her own tongue.

“I don’t know Brenda. I don’t have the extra gold to buy you a new horse.” Eloen said to the now dismayed child.

William looked between Eloen and Brenda and smiled slightly. “We can’t have that now can we? When we go to the stable master we will just add one more horse to the lot. We already have to get a coach and horses to pull it I don’t think one more horse will stretch my budget too far.” The prince replied casually.

Before the prince could even finish his sentence Brenda was jumping up and down in small circles clapping her hands with a large smile on her face. “Thank you, thank you.” Brenda squeaked as she ran over giving the prince a big hug and kiss on the cheek.

Eloen motioned for Brenda to come over o where she sat and the little girl obeyed and skipped over to where she was. “Remember to be careful of men who come bearing gifts. Don’t want to think he can just buy your friendship, right?” Eloen said more than loud enough for everyone to hear.

Brenda looked at Eloen and tilted her head slightly to the side. “Right.” Turning back to the prince Brenda put her hands on her hips and looked at the young man square in the eyes. “You can’t buy us, but I still want the horse, ok.” Brenda declared loudly getting a round of laughs out of everyone including the prince. Eloen laughed so hard tears streamed out of her eyes.

William put on his best defensive face though it wasn’t very convincing since he too was laughing. “I would never try such a thing. It is simply that a lovely girl as yourself should be able to pick out her own wonderful steed.”

“Good.” Brenda said before running up and giving the prince another hug before running back to where Darryl sat so that she could begin harassing the man. Looking at the two objectively it looked like two siblings fighting. It was heartwarming to see the two getting along so well.

After the meal the five headed straight for the fort stable grounds. There was a large assortment of horses though none of them looked as if they were fit for a child. After a quick talk with the stable master they were lead to the back of the stable where six smaller horses were corralled. “We use these to train some of the kids of the solders to ride. They’re well trained and I give you my word they’re all gentle as can be.

To Brenda’s disappointment there were no white horses so she settled on a light brown filly. “I want that one. He looks like a cup of coco.” Brenda said with a smile.

As soon as they found a saddle for Brenda and the coach was ready they were ready to leave the only problem was who would drive the coach. That question was solved when two soldiers arrived to work as the prince’s guards and driver. Eloen didn’t like the idea of having Ablaian’s soldiers with them but there was little she could say against the fact.