Spellscribed Tales: First Refrain (8 page)

Joven searched about as he walked swiftly through the expansive yard. Most of the bowl was dedicated to the military, and the yard could be used for training, practice formations, and handling all manner of drills. Balen had told him over twenty-thousand troops could form up in that yard and still have room to practice weapon drills. On the far side was the relatively tiny training ground for youths being taught weapon
basics.

Joven finally found Balen as he was exiting one of the buildings.

"Joven!" Balen called out to him as he approached. "Good to see you, what brings you here?"

"Good to see you, too." Joven said, waving.

"Ready to sign up?" Balen replied with a wink. "You'd have to start at the bottom, but I doubt you'd stay there long."

Joven chuckled. "I wish I was here for that. Actually, do you have a place we can talk?
In private?"

Balen's smile faded. "What's this about?"

"The future, brother." Joven replied. "It's very important."

Balen nodded. "Sure.
This way." The elder brother led the way to his quarters. A small room, it barely had space for a desk covered with maps, his chair, and a long but narrow cot shoved against the far wall.

"I can see why you stay at home." Joven observed.

Balen shrugged. "Once I make General, I earn the right to own my own property. Then I'll have to move out."

"House is already pretty empty." Joven replied.

"Then find yourself a girl and fill it with children!" Balen replied. "I know I'm trying."

"Holly?"

"Yep."

"Nice. I like her."

"So what did you need?"

Joven told him the story, starting from when Leona discovered the sabotage. Balen's scowl only etched itself deeper on his face as Joven related what he overheard.

"Ridiculous."

"I know."

"And they were just talking about it in the back yard?"

Joven hesitated. "What do you think?"

"Gurn's gone on his hunting trip. Will they attack him then?"

"No, they were talking about taking the castle while he was gone and turning him out."

Balen scratched at his chin. "Almost nobody knows when exactly Gurn goes on these hunts. He'd know that it was one of the guardian lines if Davik did this."

"Daelen would be with him, so it wouldn't be us." Joven concluded. "He'd know."

Balen balled a fist and slammed it into his open palm. "Shit. I don't have the authority I need to get manpower into position to stop Davik."

"What about Kalenden?" Joven asked. "Can we talk to him about it?"

Balen shook his head. "He'd just think we were being petty about losing the match."

"I don't know. I think Kalenden is wiser than that." Joven replied. "I say we tell him and ask what he would like us to do. We let him decide?"

Balen thought. "We can try that." he concluded. "I'll see what I can do about gathering a few men to help man the defensive posts."

Joven nodded. "I'll go speak to Kalenden now." he replied. "If the attack happens tomorrow, then we need to act now."

Balen waved a hand. "Go." he commanded. "I'll see what I can drum up here, brother. Be careful."

Joven nodded, leaving his brother's room and walking out of the grounds. He needed to get to Kalenden fast, but he had no idea where he was.

Joven found a patrolling guardsman on duty. After a few quick questions, he was able to determine that Kalenden had gone down the mountain to see his father off, and wouldn't be back for a few hours. Joven gritted his teeth. He needed to move fast to catch him.

Then an idea struck him. He took the ramps down to the sixth bowl, each bounding step carrying him hurriedly down the precarious slopes past others ascending and descending to the bowl. Though wide, the higher bowls had steeper ramps and one poorly timed
 slip could end with someone taking a tumble right off the side. Joven had much practice moving quickly with the added weight of his armor though, and he was able to navigate his way down in a third the normal time.

He trotted into the sixth bowl. There was someone here he needed to speak to.

Minutes later, he arrived at the stables that had been housing the horse he was interested in. The owner was in the middle of making a trade with another Balatoran as Joven approached. The warrior walked his new horse away as Joven caught his breath.

"Ah, Joven!"
The stable master exclaimed. "So good to see you! Are you here to take a look at that warhorse again?"

The stable master was a slightly overweight man named Jondo.
 He was a likable enough fellow, but his face looked like it had been permanently squashed. Joven surmised that that was the result of having been kicked in the face by a horse twice, both times crushing his nose. Despite this fact, Jondo was accepted as he was known to be one of the best horse breeders on the mountain.

"More than that."
Joven replied, tossing a pouch at the man. It clinked when it hit his chest, and the man caught the falling pouch adroitly. He quickly opened the bag and counted out twelve iron disks.

"Twelve vouchers?" Jondo asked. "What are you looking for?"

Joven raised an eyebrow. "You know what I'm looking for."

"Him?"
Jondo said, surprised. "No, no, that one's still too ornery. Haven't tamed him yet."

"Why not?"
Joven asked.

Jondo narrowed his brows. "It's not like I'm not trying. Some creatures just have the spite of the gods in them. I've been kicked twice in my life, and both times it's been because I tried to tame a horse when he wasn't ready. I've been watching that one for months, and I know he ain't ready yet."

Joven walked past him. "Let me give it a try. If not, I'll take a different one."

Jondo shrugged. "It's your life. Or face."

The horse was a big one; aggressive and muscular. The beast tramped his hooves as Joven approached. Instead of trying to soothe the animal, Joven pulled on the gloves he had worn during the duel with Korvos.

The horse turned
 to regard him with a hateful eye, and Joven swiftly wound up and delivered a powerful punch to the side of the beast's head. The horse squealed and fell down. Joven heard Jondo cry out in surprise, but Joven stepped back and let the horse stand again.

"What are you doing?" Jondo cried out, halfway into vaulting over the fence.

"I want you to be my horse." Joven said plainly.

The horse whirled, kicking out at him. Joven threw up his armored gloves and hopped back, taking most of the energy of the blow into the air. He landed a few feet back, and leapt back in as the horse turned, delivering a second blow to the opposite side of his head. The horse was a tough one, and bit at him as he recovered.

"You idiot!" Jondo cried out from the fence line. "He's a horse! He can't understand you!"

The horse nickered angrily and took an aggressive step forward. Joven raised a fist.

"Ah, ah, ah!" Joven warned. "I'll punch you again."

The horse hesitated.

"Now, I like you've got anger. I like you've got fire in your heart." Joven said. "Be my horse and we will go places. We will fight things, and you can kick as many enemies as you want."

Jondo was shaking his head. "You can't reason with a horse like that!" he shouted. "Are you even listening to me?"

The horse turned to the side, presenting his flank. Joven looked the horse in the eyes, and it tossed his head towards him.

"That's a good warhorse." Joven said, pulling himself up on the animal bareback. The horse walked around the enclosure calmly, though he snapped at Jondo as he passed him by.

"By the gods!" Jondo exclaimed, scratching his head. "How did you…?"

Joven winked. "You just need to know how to talk to this kind of beast." he replied. "My grandfather had done it before when he was young. I didn't know if it would work, though."

"What if it didn't work?" Jondo asked, concerned.

Joven shrugged as he passed a second time. "Probably have to pay for a different horse."

"You punched him in the head!" Jondo exclaimed. "Twice!"

Joven nodded. "And he noticed that."

"You could have killed him!"

"Stunned him a bit, maybe.
But this is not a normal beast. This thing has the strength of the mountain with him." Joven explained. "He just had to be taught who was boss. Which is me, in case that wasn't obvious." Joven grinned at the trainer. "Now, can I get the rest of the tack for this horse or am I supposed to ride it out of here without a saddle?"

* * * *

Prince Kalenden rode back into town, flanked on either side by two heavily armored warriors. Though he carried himself well, he appeared tired. Joven approached on the back of his new horse, waving as he approached.

"Kalenden!"
Joven called, slowing his approach as the two guards on either side of him perked up. They were pretty young for elite guards, but they had been well trained and were well armed.

"Ah. You're Joven, right?" Kalenden asked, looking obviously exhausted. "I've got a long night managing things while my father is away, so I don't have time for chatting."

"But it's about an assassination!" Joven cried out as Kalenden passed him.

To his surprise, the prince whirled his horse, bringing him around to Joven in an instant.

"What!?" Kalenden growled.

Joven looked surprised. He was not expecting to be believed so quickly. "It's Davik, of the other guardian line." Joven started. "I discovered they were planning on trying to take the castle while Gurn was away."

The prince seemed to ease up upon hearing this. "Ah," he said. "That's what you mean. How are you involved?"

Joven had a moment of hesitation. He didn't want to involve his brother any more than he had to, and calling him out here would most certainly get him killed. He couldn't let Kalenden know his involvement.

"I had overheard Davik and Korvos discussing their plans earlier today, sir." Joven said. "I thought I should warn you so you can be prepared for when they attack."

"You don't want me to take direct action?" Kalenden asked. "Why?"

Joven frowned. "I would be suspicious of my motivations if I were to come to you this way so soon after losing to the family that I'm declaring a traitor, so I'd rather just let you know what's coming, and if they do follow through with their plans, then you'd know I was right."

"But then I'd be dead." Kalenden replied.

Joven shook his head. "At least now you know what's coming and how. You just have to be prepared for the attack if it comes."

The prince scowled. "Well if it's a coup,
it's well timed." he replied. "Can I trust in your support?"

Joven nodded without any hesitation.
"Of course, sir."

"I am not going to punish these people unless they do cross the line." Kalenden declared. "But I am not going to pretend that it's not a possibility. If I was going to stage any kind of coup, it would have been now too."

Joven nodded again. "What do you wish of me, sir?"

Kalenden eyed him wearily. "I'm in need of rest." he replied. "How much of your family is available to assist me?"

"I have only my brother, Balen, and mother Leona." Joven replied. "I've not found Talen of late, and I fear he has been dragged into this rebellion."

The prince sighed wearily. "There's little I can do to protect him if he attacks me, you know." he said. "I will not discriminate."

Joven half-bowed in the saddle. "As long as you do not connect his dishonorable actions against the rest of my family, sir."

"We'll see." Kalenden snapped. "Now, gather your supporters. I want you to keep watch on the castle while I rest."

"Yes, sir!" Joven saluted, clamping a fist to his chest. He turned his horse and rode away. Kalenden leaned over to one of the new guard.

"I want you to station the other two of my guard with them in the courtyard." he began. "Keep an eye on them in case this is a plot."

The man nodded tightening the reins on his horse before setting off. The prince set off at a leisurely pace, his supporter taking the rear. If what Joven said was true, he'd have a problem on his hands. But if what he said wasn't true, Joven's family may have outlived their usefulness. 
 * * * *

Joven and Balen took that day to plan their defense, and contacted their mother to explain what they had discovered. She willingly joined in when she heard how Talen was involved. She mostly wanted to pummel him if he showed up, perhaps to prevent him from doing anything that could get him executed. Balen and Joven, however, were more driven by loyalty to the throne than to their brother. The news of his betrayal still stung in their hearts, and at the moment at least, Joven couldn't care less what happened to him.

As the night of the next day arrived, Joven and Balen stood just inside the castle courtyard gates. They had been preparing for the fight as best as possible. Balen had taken a two handed greatsword that Leona had crafted for him when he’d turned eighteen, and Joven had his assortment of weaponry and a bastard sword that he had taken from the armory. None of his weapons had been customized for him; Leona had been too busy to do anything like that. However, they were all well crafted, so he didn't suspect they would break like the sabotaged blade had. They both wore hardened leather armor with steel plates over their chests, backs, forearms and shins.