My worry over my mother's health urges me to go straight to the palace without stopping, but that would be foolish. The sun hasn't quite gone down by the time I reach the capital, and cover of darkness will make it easier to sneak into my childhood home undetected. I land on a wooded hill to the east of the city, a good distance away from the main road. The high stone walls are topped with rows of iron spikes, painted gold and decoratively forged, beautiful as well as deadly.
I adjust my shirt and check my glamour before heading toward the south gate on foot. When I get there, only a handful of people are waiting to be let through. Most look to be travelers, with weather-worn cloaks, bulging packs and weary posture. The man at the front of the line has a small cart full of cabbages, pulled by an aging donkey who dances back and forth uncomfortably while the guards search his owner's wares.
As soon as it's my turn to go through, there is a shuffling among the guards as it looks like a shift change is about to take place. One of the men tells me gruffly to step back and wait, pointing his spear at me. I raise my hands up by my head and nod to show I understand.
The other guard, a younger and more cheerful fellow, turns to greet the newcomers. "Leon!"
Even though I'm careful not to react outwardly, Balsevor notices my attention shift. You know that man?
Do I? He's taller, broader at the shoulders, but he's facial features are familiar.
The younger guard beams at the golden-haired man who used to be my friend. "Look at you, on gate duty! I heard you were covering for Andreus. Poor guy can barely stand, eh?" He laughs. "I told him he shouldn't have eaten that squid. The thing had some kind of tusks."
"Oh? From what I heard, you dared him to do it," Leon says, smirking.
The other guard turns red, spluttering a protest, but Leon only laughs and gives one of his characteristic shrugs. Suddenly he looks the same to me, and I feel an odd tug of nostalgia in my gut.
"Don't worry, Nat, I'm not going to report you. It is hilarious how those things still wriggle when they're dead. I ate one once, you know that?" Leon grins. "My stomach's not as weak as Andreus's."
The other guards act appropriately impressed, and the nervous pitch of Nat's laugh tells me he's very relieved not to be in trouble.
"Alright, we've got it from here, you two!" Leon's burly companion says.
"I'll give you the juicy ogre squid details next time I see you in the mess hall," Leon says, waving to Nat as he leaves, jogging to catch up with the cranky older guard he'd been stationed with.
The other man with Leon steps forward and gives me a once-over. He's got a thick neck and a clean-shaven face. "State your business."
I smile. "Just a traveler, visiting family in the city."
"Weapons?"
"No, Sir," I say, holding my arms out to show I've no blades hanging at the hip. The man does a more thorough search, patting me down from armpit to boot. When I glance over his shoulder I catch Leon staring at me, eyes narrowed in puzzlement.
Does he recognize you as well? Balsevor asks.
It's possible. I almost want him to. He'd be happy to know I'm alive, wouldn't he? How nice it would be to return home and be greeted as a friend at the gate. But it's not to be, because after studying my features for a moment, Leon shakes his head and moves to question the couple waiting behind me.
Hmm. It has been many years, by human standards. You are not quite the fledgling you were.
I'm not sure if Balsevor is trying to be comforting. I know I should probably be grateful for the confirmation of my anonymity. It will make things easier. But still, as they wave me on my way, I have to resist the temptation to turn around and say something to Leon. Let him know that I may not be the prince I was, but I'm not so different from the boy he wandered through the forest with.
