Daughter of Ice and Fire

Forty-Two

"Come to see what Daddy has done?"

Averit turned at the sound of the voice. A tall man with black hair leaned against the tree, legs crossed as he puffed a pipe. "Or are you looking for the criminal?"

"Who are you?"

"Nobody important. But you haven't answered the question."

"If you know who I am, you know I don't have to answer you."

The man pushed himself away from the tree, blowing rings of blue smoke that wreathed his head. Averit crossed his arms, refusing to budge. The man smiled and neatly sidestepped him without a second glance.

Averit gasped at the affront and clenched his teeth. The man seemed unconcerned with the guards that patrolled just through the trees. And his question had hit a little too close to the mark.

Waving the hand that held the pipe, the man gestured to the unseen guards. "If you wish to see what lies beyond, you'll need to find a way past those men. For unless I'm mistaken, you have no intention of letting Daddy find out you're here, am I correct?"

Averit nodded tightly. "I don't call him Daddy," he ground out.

The man looked over his shoulder with another huge smile. "But isn't that what he is? Daddy? After all, you let him treat you as a child. Isn't that what Daddies do?"

Averit jerked. Is that what the people thought of him? That he was nothing more than a young child, running after his father and trying not to make him angry?

The man was still smiling broadly but it didn't reach his eyes. Averit suddenly felt very uncomfortable, and he shifted without answering.

"That's what I thought," the man said, turning away again. "A Daddy."

Averit clenched his fists, determined not to hit the man. A part of him realized that if he did, it would only confirm what the man already thought but a much larger part realized the man was right. What he said seemed awful close to what Lihleih had said. His anger was replaced by shame. He had made a vow to her and had every intention of keeping it. He had to start acting like the Prince now. Swallowing his pride, he stepped alongside the man.

"I have been a coward for too long," he said softly. "But I intend on changing that, starting immediately. So in answer to your question, yes, I came to see what my father has done."

"And after...?"

"If what I have heard is true, to do what it takes to stop him."

"Even if it means you end up on the opposite side of him? Even if it means war?"

Averit swallowed audibly. He had considered that possibility on the long ride here. It wasn't what he wanted but if it came down to it, he would do what he felt needed to be done. Stiffening, he looked at the man seriously.

"On the graves of my ancestors, I will do what needs to be done. Even if it means going to war against my own father."

"Then come, Prince Vesterfahl, let's go investigate what remains of Swanhaven. Because I believe you may find it very interesting."

Averit staggered through trees, eventually dropping to his knees. Retching violently, he braced his hands on the ground to keep from falling flat on his face. The man stood quietly behind him, the pipe once more in his mouth as he waited for the Prince to recover.

"Better?" he asked once Averit regained his feet.

"Somewhat," the Prince answered, his voice shaky. "Although I'm fairly certain I'm going to have nightmares over this."