“Arthur we need to be rational, I understand you are worried for Maude, but we need to make sure we are smart about our actions. Otherwise, we could inadvertently cause her more harm.”

The North King watched as his son paced his office floor with his cheeks high in color and his hands clasped behind his back. It was not lost on Aidan how much his son took after himself at such a time. When he had lost his beloved wife years before, he had been much the same.

“So we send some of these Magee fighters you told me about to get her back, and some of the guards?” Arthur repeated back slowly, his efforts in calming down earning him an encouraging nod from his father.

“Yes. If we go ourselves we leave the North and our people too vulnerable. We cannot go yet. Forgive me, my son. I do not think you will be able to handle this matter rationally if I let you head there alone, and we cannot both be absent from the Kingdom during war.

Arthur nodded slowly taking a slow steadying breath.

“I know. It makes sense father, I do not blame you in the least for the decision.”

It was then that a knock interrupted the pair.

Arthur at long last, stopped his fidgeting, and straightened his shoulders with his hands still clasped behind his back. He was the exact silhouette of his father at his age.

“Enter.” Aidan called, ignoring the small relieved voice in the back of his head that was still rejoicing over the fact that all of the Servicer’s had officially left the continent.

In entered one of the royal messengers. A Beast Awares whom resembled a large swallow bird with startlingly human eyes.

“Your Majesties.” Wrapping a feather wing across his middle, he bowed deeply.

“Yes Sijes?”

“We received this notice directly from the South King himself.”

Aidan was on his feet in an instant, and Arthur’s hands dropped to his sides in fists.

The King snatched the scroll from Sijes and read it hastily.

He then read it again slowly, blinking in disbelief.

His mouth opened, but no sound came out as he continued to reread the letter once more.

“Father?” Arthur’s voice was strained. He was trying not to shout at being made to wait for what was obviously incredibly important news.

“Arthur… read this.” The King’s voice was soft from shock. His face drained of color, and he kept blinking as though expecting to wake up from a twisted dream.

The Prince snatched the letter from his father and read it, his expression quickly matched his father’s.

“He can’t… they can’t be serious.”

“I… somehow believe that it is.” The King managed his mouth still slightly agape and his eyes moving back and forth studying the floor as his mind began to resume working.

The messenger couldn’t mask his profound curiosity but knew better than to ask.

“Dad,” The shock of the missive dissolved any formality in the Prince.

“I know Arthur this… this changes everything.”

***

The Brawny Donkey Inn and Tavern lay only 5 acres from the man made lake that now divided the North and South Kingdom. The Inn’s worn wooden structure with its thatched peaks and glowing windows, was perfectly centered to the lake, with it being equal travel distance from the East and West sides of the continent.

There was very little surrounding the Inn aside the rolling green hills, and the occasional dotting of cottages and barns belonging to the locals.

Yet, it was where the helmsmen of the rafts and long boats would rest at the end of the day over a tankard, and where anyone traveling from the South would come should they need to change horses and rest.

The owners of the Inn had been on the brink ruin when, like an answer to their prayers, the lake had appeared. Ever since then, business had never been better, and the couple- Norm and Eva, were thinking of potentially expanding.

They still were not attracting their preferred clientele of the upper middle class, and instead seemed to still attract the seedier crowds, but the helmsmen and their friends at least now always had the silver to pay for the damages that seemed to happen with the weekly bar fights.

Norm was drying out one of the tankards for one of their regulars and let out a contented sigh. It was the middle of the week, and it was a quiet evening. Only 3 patrons had made it in, giving the innkeepers much needed re-cooperation time before the late night crowd came.

The inn had faded wooden floors that had scruffs and scraped thanks to the hundreds of guests that now frequented, with several beams running across the walls and across the vast room as they held up the vaulted ceiling that supplied excellent airflow when the Inn was packed with a hundred sweaty bodies.

“Here ya’ go Oxis.”

Norm placed the frothing tankard in front of the local farmer, whom provided him with their eggs and poultry. Oxis was a sturdy Beast Awares, his body hardened from years of brute farm work and handling all manner of animals. He had the eyes of the bulls, but the sign of his mixed blood ended there. The rest of him was perfectly human, and despite being rather short, no one would doubt his ability to handle himself in a fight.

“Thanks. Hoping I can get this down before the brutes come.” He grunted. Oxis was one of the few locals opposed to the new business.

“They have been more hotheaded than usual- I grant you that. All this anticipation for war has driven folks loony.” Norm absently rubbed his baldhead, while swishing the white rag he’d been using to finish drying the tankards over his shoulder.

“Heard that one of ‘em smuggled the Prince’s fiancé over to the South after she’d been kidnapped.”

“I can’t believe that someone woulda’ been so stupid.” Norm shook his head as he leaned against the bar.

“People are stupid for money.” Oxis muttered grumpily. The Beast Awares was rarely in a chipper mood.

No sooner had he spoken, when the tavern door swung open, bringing Norm’s attention to the 2 cloaked individuals that strode in.

“Welcome.” He called out with a half smile. While new business was always good, he still knew to be wary during uncertain times.

Only one of the travelers raised their hands in response to the greeting, while the other one hastily plunked down with his back to the innkeeper.

“What charmers.” Oxis snorted into his tankard. Norm grinned and shook his head.

He headed over to the table where his guests had not yet removed their hoods.

“What can I do for you fine fellows?”

“One room, 2 meals, and if you could point us in the direction of a fair priced helmsman, my companion and I would be grateful.” The voice came from the traveler whom had waved addressed the Innkeeper, but still did not remove his hood. His tone was soft but his enunciation was perfect- as prim as someone of nobility, which definitely drew a small eyebrow twitch from Norm. They were already deeply suspicious people, but their diction was raising some warning signs.

“Well I’d be happy to. Do you have horses you need to sell, or did you want to transport them across the lake?”

“We will sell the horses and buy some on the other side.”

“Very well. Oxis over there will give you a fair price for them.” Norm jerked his head over to Oxis whom was pretending not to listen.

The figure bobbed his head, and said nothing else.

Norm disappeared behind the bar back to inform Eva to prepare their dinners and rooms.

While he did so, the most communicative of the 2 cloaked figures approached Oxis whom tensed up immediately.

“I am sorry to bother you while you enjoy your ale sir, but if we could perhaps negotiate a price for my steeds outside, I would be greatly appreciative.”

“In a minute.” Oxis snipped while his right hand twitched.

“Very well. Thank you.” The reply was no less formal, and the figure immediately swept back to the table where his companion had not yet moved or spoken.

They sat in silence, and Oxis could feel the beastly instinct in him begin to itch mercilessly.

He knew there was more to the duo…

Something dangerous.

The unspoken threat was beginning to boil over in the Beast Awares, when Norm came out with 2 steaming bowls of stew and set them down in front of the travelers.

Norm had just instructed the travelers where they could find their room, when the first crowd of helmsmen began entering, all talking to each other with some of their passengers from the North and South Kingdoms. Everyone was abuzz as they exchanged stories and gossip from both sides.

Eva appeared then as though on cue, and immediately bean lining up the tankards under the ale spouts and began pouring.

When Norm returned to help her, Oxis waved him over.

“Did you want another Oxis? The missus won’t be happy with you but-”

“I don’t like those people Norm. Theys be hiding somethin’.”

Norm frowned. Oxis was usually paranoid, and suspicious of anyone new or unfamiliar, but the whites of his eyes were showing, and Norm had known the man long enough to know it took a lot to make that happen.

“Nothing I can do Oxis. They’re polite and are leaving in the morning.”

“I don’t like ‘em.”

“You don’t need to. Why don’t you go home, and put them from your mind.” Norm soothed knowingly.

“They want me to buy their horses.”

“I’ll suggest someone else, don’t worry.” Norm gave a reassuring nod before his wife yanked him back to help her deliver the ales as even more men filed in.

Oxis drained the last of his ale and headed out. He had made it all of five steps from the door when a voice called out.

h

“Did you want to take a look at the horses before heading out?” The tone was still as composed and polite but Oxis was already feeling the strong urge to start fighting or running.

Perhaps it was because the traveler that was doing all the talking was broad shouldered and obviously had a sword at his side, or maybe it was that he had only ever heard the clear words of nobility thrice in his 43 years of life.

“Find another man. My missus will kill me for buyin’ more.” Oxis lied as he continued trying to inch away.

“Oxis friend! Heading out already?” The farmer nearly jumped out of his skin as his neighbor emerged from the night into the Inn’s light.

“Wren- Gods make more noise when you walk!” Oxis barked trying to lock gazes with the towering young man that he’d known since his birth.

“What’s got you so jumpy?” Wren laughed and clasped a calloused hand on Oxis’ shoulder.

“Didn’t I tell you? There’ll be a bard here tonight!”

“I haffta get home to Kinny.” Oxis blurted before throwing Wren’s hand off of his shoulder and darting off on his own.

Wren placed his hands on his hips,9 and stared after the man with a cocked eyebrow. He’d never seen his neighbor so spooked.

When he turned to face the figure in the doorway to see if he was a particularly threatening looking brute, he found that the figure had disappeared back into the inn.

Wren was a young man of 21 with blonde hair, a charming smile, and while his face was always clean shaven, should he not shave twice daily, the unmistakable whiskers of a large feline would begin to sprout forward with great vigor.

He entered the bustling tavern, scanned the usual crowd of rowdy men, and found who he had been looking for rather easily. The hooded figure was at the table nearest the door, whispering something to yet another hooded figure.

Wren turned, and saw that Norm was watching the duo with a look of thoughtful concern concern.

Straightening his shoulders, the young man approached the mysterious visitors.

“What did you say to Oxis?” He demanded his tone a low growl.

In truth, he had been itching for a fight anyway…

Ewesa, one of the few available young women in the area, had turned him down just that afternoon, and he was still smarting horribly over it.

“I asked him if he’d be interested in buying our horses.”

The clear voice surprised Wren. He had anticipated far more gravelly tones, or for the man to lower his hood, but he didn’t.

“Then why’d he bolt out of here like his arse was on fire?”

“Perhaps ask the innkeeper.” The cloaked man turned to sit down.

Wren grabbed his arm.

“I don’t take kindly to strangers scarin’ my neighbor.”

“And I don’t take kindly to strangers jumping to conclusions and attacking the innocent.”

“You 2 don’t look too innocent to me.”

By this point, every eye in the tavern was on the confrontation, and Norm was already beginning to slide some of the stools behind the bar in a futile attempt to stop them from being broken.

The man wrenched his muscled arm from Wrenc’s grasp easily, and seated himself down casually.

The companion still hadn’t moved, though the tension in their slender shoulders was apparent. They seemed to be significantly smaller than the man whom had been doing all of the talking for them, and Wren glared at their back, silently daring them to turn around.

Wren prowled over to Norm whom was still holding his breath.

“Did he really only ask about selling horses to Oxis?” He muttered darkly.

“As far as I know. Oxis just got a bad sense from ‘em.”

Every eye in the tavern were looking at Wren expectantly, when in breezed a man wearing a bright red padded coat, black trousers and boots, and the unmistakable shape of a lute strapped to his back.

“The bard’s here!” The men cheered, immediately distracted from the charged atmosphere.

The man with wavy chestnut locks gave a dramatic bow before nodding to the relieved bartender, and swinging the instrument in front of him.

“I have come good people to share with you the songs about the hero of the North!” The tavern erupted in cheers.

“If the kind owner here could provide me with libations, I, Mel Sorkin, will be privileged to begin your entertainment.”

He gave another bow as the now full tavern shouted and applauded, while Norm, with a knowing smile, poured another ale and placed it on the bar. The large personalities of performers always pleased his customers.

After a quick sip, the bard toasted Norm, then turned to the room beaming comfortably.

He raised his hand and silencing the men, then adjusted the lute in his hands, and with the precision of a master, struck the first few chords, which began slowly, but swiftly began to increase in tempo.

“A Lady of the South did come to the North

Wealthy and wanted, she traveled to marry

A Duke of rank and respect had come forth,

Meaning to wed her and bed her for an heir,

But no one saw coming…

No one could know…

I mean who would’ve thought…”

The titters from the tavern were practically giddy as they all felt the pulses rise with the song.

“BEATHA WOULD RUN!”

The tavern burst into shouts and cheers.

“She left the old fogies for the ill-treated,

To bring justice to the villains of the land

Evil and wrong doers she then defeated

Too bold for the nobles too quick for us

Where would she go…

No one could know…

I mean would’ve thought…

BEATHA WOULD RUN!”

At that lyric the entire tavern shouted together.

The bard bowed, but as he straightened himself noticed 2 hooded figures attempting to discreetly leave the room.

“Did my singing scare you off?” He called after them while raising the tankard and smiling jestingly.

The pair seemed set on ignoring him, when Wren, once again grabbed the larger of the 2 strangers, and hauled him back into the crowded room.

“You should at least applaud the bard.” He declared loudly enough for everyone to hear while narrowing his eyes.

“Do all patrons get harassed thusly?” The calm voice demanded while once again easily freeing himself from the youth’s grasp.

“Wren, please stop heckling the guests.” Norm called wearily. He had been hopeful of avoiding trouble with the arrival of the bard, but he knew the pride of the young local was easily pricked.

“Are you that afraid of a real fight?” Wren challenged, his golden eyes dancing with the taste of a fight in his mouth.

“I am trying to set an example of non-violent conflict resolution for my companion.” Came the terse retort.

The bewildered silence in the tavern lasted for only a few precious moments as the man began to stride back towards the narrow stairwell that would lead up to the guest rooms, when Wren reached out to snatch at the back of the hood.

Before his fingers could curl around the thick fabric however, the stranger whirled around and had Wren’s arm twisted painfully behind his back before anyone could blink.

“I’d like to go to sleep. You all have a good evening.” The figure released Wren, but the youth wasn’t finished.

He once again aimed a punch at the back of the stranger’s head, when out of nowhere, an empty tankard sailed through the air and knocked him soundly between the eyebrows.

He stumbled back, his head splitting in pain as every eye in the tavern then swiveled to the silent companion of the man that was standing innocently leaning against the bar.

“It’s poor etiquette to attack a man with his back turned.” The broad shoulder man lectured despite his voice sounding strained, as though resisting laughing.

That seemed to snap the crowd out of its stupor as they surged forward, and all attempted to attack the pair that were half a room apart, at once.

While the chattier of the mysterious figures effortlessly knocked out each new assailant without drawing his sword, the one leaning on the bar kept casually knocking down those that rushed them by expertly thrown empty tankards- which Norm kept placing on the bar for them in hopes that nothing else would be broken.

When the only ones remaining on their feet were the Bard, Norm, and his wife Eva, they were stunned then to hear the bright hearty laughter of a woman from the cloaked figure with the accurate throwing arm.

“I told you it would still happen if I didn’t make the first move.” She managed after a moment as the man raised his hand under his hood, and presumably rubbed his eyes.

“Who by the Gods are you people?!” The Bard exclaimed while sinking the rest of his ale into his belly in one long draught as he slowly unfurled his body that had curled protectively over the lute during the fight.

“I… I wouldn’t mind knowing that myself.” Norm added quietly while his wife nervously sidled up beside him.

The cloaked figure that was, apparently, a woman, shook her head.

“Privileged information. We tried not to break anything.” She added as she headed back towards the stairs.

“I… well… thank you for that.” Norman managed as the hooded man followed his companion up the stairs giving only a bob of the head as a farewell.

*

Once in their room, the broad shouldered man locked the door, and once that was completed, the 2 drew back their hoods.

Aggie turned to gaze bemused at Arlen.

“So that’s how non-violent conflict resolution is executed?”

“It’d have been fine if that Beast Awares hadn’t become so cagey.” Arlen grumbled removing his gloves and stretching out his arms.

“Any idea why he hurried out like that? He couldn’t have known whom we were.” Aggie pointed out despite her tone conveying a measure of doubt.

“You never know. Let’s sleep in shifts to be safe.”

Aggie nodded in agreement as she procured their traveling satchel and drew out some of the fine clothing they had purchased from a traveling merchant.

“Are you ready to be back in a dress tomorrow?” Arlen asked teasingly as he shook out the wrinkles of the black silk tunic and matching cravat Aggie handed him.

“You know I really didn’t get to hit anyone downstairs…” She cracked her knuckles while making a threatening fist.

Arlen chuckled and turned toward the double bed, which is when his levity evaporated. He had forgotten to ask for separate beds.

“You take the first shift for sleeping.” Aggie pretended to ignore the uncomfortable expression on Arlen’s face, and the relief that crossed it when he realized he didn’t have to worry after all.

She wasn’t entirely certain why, but his reaction annoyed her a little.

After giving her head a shake, Aggie then dropped to the floor to begin her nightly pushups and sit ups.

Arlen gratefully crawled into the bed, and closed his eyes wearily. They had traveled at break neck speeds to get to the border before the Royal Guards would be dispatched to retrieve Lady Maude, and risk being found.

Though, once they crossed into the Southern Kingdom before the sun had risen the next day, that would be when the real danger started.

Arlen half opened his eyes as he could occasionally see the top of Aggie’s head as she lowered herself to the ground and wheezed.

He hoped they could pull the whole thing off without being caught.

If they were…

Arlen knew there would be no limit to what he would do to keep her safe.