Of Heroes and Happenings

The Perfect One, Chapter 21

Eventually, Askil joined the group, telling Gareth that Windy's lessons for the day had concluded. The Wilderwalkers were also pleased to see Askil but eventually, Gareth was able to find a moment alone with the younger mage.

"It's not the same without you here. I've missed you," Gareth told him quietly, earning a surprised grin from the younger man. "How long do you think it will take, before we can all be home together?" Before Askil could reply, Gareth thought better of his question and raised one hand to halt any answer. "Perhaps I should better ask, 'what can I do to help that day come sooner?'"

There was true affection in Askil's voice. "Can you find the Cinder king's true heir? Cinder can never be whole until someone strong enough to keep the generals in line may take the throne; it must be someone that the people will trust."

Gareth understood immediately. "Let me guess; there is a long line of contenders." Askil's short nod was discouraging. "The imperials did a good job of purging the line of succession, I fear."

Askin shook his head, denying it. "Not really; it's more that the king did a better job of hiding the royal family than he did at trusting anyone with the locations."

"And he had many wives, all of whom despised each other, according to my grandfather," agreed Gareth. "I doubt any of them would have been trusted enough with the locations of any others . . ." Gareth paused thoughtfully, trying to remember his grandfather's stories. "Except . . . ah . . . oh, what was her name?" He groaned in frustration. "It wasn't the queen, who the king loved best, of all his wives. I wish I could remember her name! She wasn't a wife, but a slave, a concubine who could never be a wife because she was so common . . . the daughter of . . . a farmer, I think? No, it was . . ."

"A sheepherder!" blurted Askil in surprise. "I read some poetry a while back about it, in your library at home! It was a tale of a young maiden who caught the eye of a nobleman, though. Are you remembering the poem, instead?"

Gareth shook his head. "Did you recognize the handwriting in that poetry book?" He hid a grin, remembering how much he'd hated the work at the time. What he wouldn't give to hear his grandfather tell those stories again! Askil shook his head, confused. "That poetry book is mine," Gareth delighted to tell him. "Grandfather wanted to keep Cinder's history alive, but we had to change the details so that the imperials wouldn't find out. Shall we find it now? I believe we packed it up with the rest of the library. Perhaps there's a clue in there, somewhere!"

Askil grinned. "I sure hope you know exactly which details got changed and what they were, to begin with!"

Hale's voice made both mages jump. "Details to what?"

Askil's eyes brightened. "Cinder's history, before the imperials wrecked everything. Wanna come?"

Hale's expression fell. "I don't read that kind of writing; not that well, anyway."

"Then you can practice," Askil returned evenly.

Hale was about to turn away, but Gareth held up a hand. "Hale, weren't you born in Cinder City?"

"I dunno. Don't remember traveling, except with the Wilderwalkers, so maybe?"

"Then I really do need your help! We're looking for a small, leatherbound journal sort of thing, and there are ten crates to go through. Once we find it, I'll read, and you can tell us if you've ever heard anything like it before."

Hale sounded dubious, but he agreed. With the three of them searching, it didn't take long for the men to find the slim volume and repair to where Askil could take notes while Gareth read. Hale listened with interest but didn't recognize anything that was read.