A True Prince

Chapter Six

Behind the wall, Edward sighed heavily. This was not what he had expected at all. Aslynn was to have gotten a lecture, or maybe a beating, not this classroom learning about posture. It would have been fun if Aslynn had resisted, but she was going along with it.

He shifted position and his foot kicked the wooden frame of the secret door. He cursed and shut the peephole cover, which snapped closed more loudly than he intended. Panicked, he listened for a moment, hoping the two in the room hadn't noticed.

"What was that?" the queen asked sharply.

"A rat, in the wall." Aslynn's voice was calm. Edward suspected she knew who had made the noise, but he was glad for her silence. It would not do to be caught here, now.

"Come on," Edward whispered, turning around only to find Katrona gone. In haste, he picked up the candle lantern and hurried back to the playroom.

***

Sebastian straightened from cleaning stalls when he heard the king call his name. He pushed the apple cart out of the way and stepped out into the aisle, brushing loose straw and dust from his trousers and sleeves. "I'm here, Majesty."

"Ah, Sebastian," King Isaiah said, approaching him.

Sebastian noted he was dressed to ride, and set aside his pitchfork. "Nomad is still turned out, sire. I'll go catch him for you."

"In a moment, my boy." Artemis bounded up and nuzzled her great head under the king's hand, begging shamelessly for attention. The king laughed and obliged her. "How is Artemis' training coming?"

"Artemis, sit," Sebastian ordered. The mastiff dropped obediently to her haunches, though she still wiggled like she was ready to go in ten directions at once. "Most of her mistakes are from youthful excess, sire, but she has the makings of a fine war dog. At least that's what Master Jabari says."

"She's improved greatly since last I saw you work with her. There could be a future for you in training my dogs."

"Thank you, Majesty. I'd like that."

The king reached out and ruffled the boy's short hair. "By the way, I do remember that yesterday makes it fifteen years since I found you in the sea."

"Yes, sire."

"I want you to know I have not once regretted that day. It would please me if you accepted this." The king slipped his hunting knife and its sheath from his belt.

"Oh, Majesty," Sebastian said, reverently taking the gift. "Thank you. I will wear it with honor."

King Isaiah smiled. "Come, let's find that horse of mine." As they turned together and headed for the pasture, the king dropped his arm across Sebastian's shoulders.

As a lowly stable boy, Sebastian knew he should feel uncomfortable at such a gesture coming from a king, but he never did. King Isaiah had always taken an interest in him, and the king was generous with his praise and attention.

But Isaiah cleared his throat awkwardly, now. "I meant to ask you.... Aslynn was upset last night—by something I've asked her to do, I'm afraid. I take it she stayed with you?"

"Yes, sire," Sebastian answered, not surprised the king knew where his daughter had gone.

"Good, good. I know she is happiest staying under Master Jabari's roof, with you. I wish she was happier in the family wing, but...well, she and my lady do not get along well. With these lessons, I'm hoping they will come to know each other a little and arrive at some kind of truce."

"I'm sure that it will work out, Majesty," Sebastian said, not believing his own words for a moment.

"Yes, I imagine so, but I worry about what will happen before it works out," the king said with a rueful laugh.