The Prince of Ilios

Sixty-Six

Alyn jumped down off of his horse, handing the reigns to the stable boy, ruffling the boy's hair. His jaunty stride in full swing as he walked through the kitchens, the younger maids fawning at him. He waved and gave a brief smile, grabbing an apple out of the barrel. He shined it on his shirt.

"You're soaked to the skin!" The cook screeched, throwing a towel at him, "You'll catch your death if you're not careful, Prince."

"Please call me Alyn. How many times do I have to tell you?" He dried his hair as best he could before cleaning up the floor.

Overhearing the stable boys through the door, he stepped aside. Their boyish tone, "... but I hate him John! Just once I would like to kick him in the pants, beat him good!" The other shier boy piped up. His black spikey hair bobbing on his head.

"By who?" Alyn turned around. He looked like a giant child with a goofy grin on his face. He offered each of them an apple.

"No one." John turned sheepish.

"Stupid Lord Cyrus!" The redhead punched his hand. A bruise was raising on his face.

"That is no way to talk about Royalty!" The cook smacked them both with her spoon. Enough to make them wince, but not enough to cause them harm, "The walls have ears."

"Woah, now. A Royal should be talked about in whatever way is true. If we only said good things about those in power, tyrants would rule. If he is a scoundrel then call him wicked. But if he is true royalty the words of the people will prove it, now, what happened?"

"He was coming in with his men. He was so happy. Happy about the rain. We didn't move fast enough so he kicked us and then I got mud on him so he slapped me."

"Where was Lady Ellora? She woulda never let that happen? She went out with him just this morning?" The cook remembered seeing them leave together.

Alyn's ears naturally perked at his sister's name.

"Wasn't there." The boy shrugged, "Must've stayed in town."

"Well, Cyrus is indeed a scoundrel and a coward. No need to fear such a man. But I will teach you how to land a solid punch." Alyn handed him a cloth soaked in cold water for his face.

"I hardly think that is the answer, "River frowned, coming down the stairs, halfway through the conversation.

The kitchen became silent and tense.

She strode over to the island, not looking up from a basket she was carrying, "Poison is far more effective."

Alyn laughed aloud, breaking the tension. His voice echoed around the room until the others joined in.

River asked the cook for the herbs she'd ordered that afternoon.

Alyn shooed the boys away. They laughed and chomped at their apples, happily skipping out of the kitchen. He sidled up to River, "How are the contestants doing today?"

"Some better than others, I believe. I've barely gotten a moment away. Lady Ambrosia has us working so hard I think my hands are soon to fall off." She began placing the small sachets in her basket along with some rolls and fruit for dinner.

Alyn handed her some cheese, "And the others?"

"Alyn, we both know you are only curious about one other contestant." River eyed him wisely, "And she is disappointed that the Prince has been out so much and she hasn't gotten a chance to see him."

"Do you think I have a shot?" He took another bite of his apple, hanging on her every word.

"If you work hard enough for it." She began to walk away.

"Wait!" He caught up to her in a long stride, tailing her as she made her way up the stairs to a side entrance, "What is that supposed to mean?"

River continued walking, "It means that all you have done is fawn over her and look like a baffled idiot..."

"Ouch." He chimed.

"You need to put in some effort, show her that you are worth the trouble." She continued, "Romance her for goodness sakes! She won't see you otherwise."

"Romance her?" He almost stopped and then caught up to River again, just as they were heading into the open air.

A carriage awaited her. Kiran took her basket to place inside. She turned back to Alyn smiling, "Yes. Get creative. Who knows, you may be just her type." With that Kiran handed her up into the carriage and they were gone.

Alyn turned back, pondering what he could possibly do to "get creative."