Epilogue III: Sayen

Ten Years Prior

Caudin held his hand up to silence the doorman that was about to his presence. He ducked his head around the corner and surveyed the room. It was called the Portrait Room due to the massive amount of portraits covering the walls, both small and massive. There was a long, polished oak table with a runner and a bouquet of chrysanthemums in the center.

More importantly, there were two men seated at the end of the table next to each other, the place of honor awaiting him. He watched the two men, waiting to see what they would do. Finally, the one farthest from the end turned to the other and picked something off the others lapel.

“Stop,” the redheaded man said. “I don’t need you to mother me.”

“I just wanted you to look perfect for the Emperor,” the other man said. “Are you going to tell me who he is?”

“I don’t know!” he answered, crossly. “I’ve never met him in my life!” He sighed. “I’m sorry, I’m just nervous. We need this and I don’t want to let you down.”

Caudin smiled. That was what he had wanted to hear. He turned to the doorman and nodded. “His Esteemed Radiance, Emperor Caudin I of the Northern Midlands, King of Arvonne and Sayen.”

The two men rose quickly and bowed from their waists. Caudin strolled to the table and waited until the doorman moved the seat out for him. He sat. “Please sit, gentlemen.”

They did so, both looking up at him and taking similar expressions of surprise and awe. After a few moments, Corrin blurted out, “I thought you said you were the Count of Aubrige!”

He smiled. “I am the Count of Aubrige, and also the Duke of Kadriga and the Marquess of Comricauri. They give you a bunch of titles when you’re second-in-line to the throne.”

Vanif quirked his mouth. “Well, I’m pleased to see you took my advice about cutting your hair, Your Esteemed Radiance.”

“Yes, much more regal, I’m told.”

“So, the whole time you knew Vanif you were the Prince in disguise?” Vanif leaned over and whispered something in Corrin’s ear. “Your Esteemed Radiance,” he added.

“I think saying I’m a noble, just a few rungs below my actual station, wasn’t much of a disquise. But, yes, I’ve always been the Prince of Arvonne, until I was the King, then later the Emperor. Though, I will admit I am not quite as clueless as Marin Liasorn was. Any other questions, gentlemen, or should we discuss why I asked you to come?”

“No, please do go on, Sire,” Vanif said. “We’ve been very curious as to why you asked us here.”

“Vanif, when I arrived in Gheny as a foreign soul with no connections, you took it upon yourself to introduce me to society and make sure I was seen about in society. I never gathered you were all that interested in helping Arvonne remove the Kalronists, yet you stuck your neck out for me, twice. It always made me think highly of you.”

“Thank you, Sire.”

“Was there every a specific reason why?”

Vanif folded his hands on the table and took a few moments to think of his answer. “I’ve always had this fascination with people. Watching them, seeing them interact with each other, wondering where it will all go. I can almost look at a party and see the mechanisms, like who will work well with each other and who needs to meet another. It’s like…it’s like my friend Taiktol. He’s a clockmaker. He says he can take a bunch of gears and set their teeth together and tell before he turns a crank whether or not it will work. I can do that with people, knowing who will turn well in their own spoke when someone else moves them.” He met Caudin’s gaze. “You always had this aura about you, Sire, like you were the key that winds the clock. Whenever you interacted with people, things would happen.”

Caudin pursed his lips for a moment. “You should have a conversation with my friend Telbarisk. He’s a tall guy, lives in a cave on the grounds here. Hard to miss. Ask him about kouriya.”

“Does this mean we are invited to stay here in Dilvestrar, Sire?”

“Oh, yes. I’m sorry, I thought that was conveyed in the letter. Regardless of whether or not you take my offer, you may stay here.”

“Offer, Sire?” he asked, straightening his spine and sharing a quick look with Corrin.

“Have you heard about my recent good tidings?”

“That you had twins? Yes, Sire. We brought gifts, for all four of you.” Corrin handed him a bundle of boxes that were wrapped and strung together and Vanif placed it on the table.

“Thank you. I appreciate this, especially knowing that you have limited means. But, I was referring to my recent acquisition of Sayen.”

“Oh, yes, of course, Sire. It was major news even across the Gamik in Gheny. I think people enjoyed the change and cheered for the new empire.”

“I enjoyed the new change, too, until I realized how much work it is. There’s still so much to be done here in Arvonne. We’re still dusting twenty years of oppression off our shoulders. I have far too much work ruling one country. I need someone to rule Sayen for me.”

Vanif’s eyes widened. “And how may we help with that, Sire?”

“’I need someone who is very keen on industry and making money, connecting dots. I need someone unattached to Sayen. I won’t put someone involved with the Coup to rule as regent and that could be anyone of those vipers, my cousins and second cousins, scrambling for this job. I need someone, too, who has no ambitions for their own family, someone who wouldn’t want to see their own kin one day take the throne instead of my son, Kabidin.

“I had a list of some people who fit those criteria, but it was my emrys Alpine who remembered you. I will be honest with you, Vanif. I was involved in your family’s discovery of your relationship, which led to your annulment and your disownment. The guilt from it weighed heavily on me and I tried to warn you.”

“Warn me?” He thought about this for a few moments. “The piscarin?”

“When you have the pleasure of meeting the Empress, you’ll understand. I was so upset by what happened that I spoke with my companions. My emrys, Alpine, has a keen mind and I tasked him with trying to find a way out of my predicament. He couldn’t, then, but he remembered you and offered you as a candidate. And I realized that he hadn’t failed me in New Wextif, he had just taken his time with his solution.

“I am sorry and I hope you accept my apology.”

Vanif pressed his lips together. “Sire, I am honestly unhappy to hear that you were involved. I feel my trust in you is broken. Could you tell me why?”

“I cannot except to say that I was told to look into the matter without knowing who you were. I was not pleased when I realized it was you. I wouldn’t have involved myself otherwise.”

Vanif sat back for a few moments. “You were caught, then?” Caudin nodded. “That makes a difference. And I suppose I can’t be upset with you over the outcome. I had always weighed being with Corrin over being rich and titled, but the momentum was too strong. There was too much pressure. Gretza is a lovely woman who’s happy now with her husband and child. I’m happy with Corrin.”

He suddenly gave Caudin a sharp look. “The invitation was for me only.”

“Well, yes, I wasn’t aware of your situation.”

“If I’m to consider this position there are some contingencies.”

“Corrin?” Caudin asked. When Vanif nodded, he said, “Behind closed doors I am delighted you and Corrin are still together. I think that in a land full of spies, having a partner with an eidetic memory will be incredibly beneficial as well as having someone who makes you happy. So few of us get that in life. But, I cannot condone it publicly. I have the Church of Beliforn to contend with, and you know how they feel about homophilists. Therefore, I ask for discretion. Don’t let them, whoever they are, create an issue with your relationship. Don’t give them the excuse to press me to dismiss you. I suspect you will do well in this position and I would hate to have to do that.

“Other than that, I can offer you a moderate salary and an equal title to the one you had in Gheny as well as estates to match. Would there be anything else you’d want?”

“No,” he said hoarsely. He swallowed. “What exactly would this entail?”

“In the beginning, managing Sayen to create revenue for Arvonne. Dismantling some of the seedier aspects of the culture. Dealing with my extremely put out cousins, all who will be clamoring for your position. Later, you will be teaching Kabidin how to rule. When he turns twenty and takes the throne, you will be kept on as an advisor.”

“Might I, we, take some time to consider it?”

“Yes,” Caudin said, standing. The other two followed suit. “As I said, you are both guests here in Dilvestrar. Tonight we have a performance by musicians from Daubriska after dinner, both of which you are invited to attend.”

“Thank you, Sire,” Vanif said, bowing.

* * *

Eighteen Years Later

“They’re all sycophants,” Vanif said, disgusted, sipping on his brandy. “They spend countless hours complimenting him, showering him with gifts, crushing each other underfoot to get his attention. And he laps it up, like a starving kitten and cream.”

“He’s a boy,” Caudin said, sitting in a nearby armchair. “He’s still coming into his own.”

“Yes, but he’s not far from being an adult and I taught him better than this. I warned him, I threatened him, I gave countless lessons on this premise. I read him Tales of Count Dodrigue when he was a boy. Do you think any of that seeped through his thick skull?”

“Vanif…” Caudin warned. “This is a common problem with the aristocracy, from what I hear. I’m sure you went through something similar.”

“No,” he said, pointing at him. “I did not. I was smarter than this. I was approached by people like them starting when I was twelve and I saw through all of them.”

“Perhaps it’s due to your merit, then? No, I’m not asking. I doubt after twenty-five years you’d tell me now. I’m just highlighting that you have an advantage that he doesn’t. He’s a very powerful boy already and will only be more so when he inherits the crown. Of course he’s going to have leeches.”

“Leeches are beneficial in times of sickness. In health they only steal vitality.”

Caudin sighed. “How bad is it really?”

“He’s spent a fortune hosting parties for his young friends, often with copious amounts of alcohol, food, and gambling. They’re happening more and more frequently. He’s gifted several of them, as well as other nobles, lavish gifts. I don’t mean just jewelry and gold, but manors and land. And, he’s quite, well, promiscuous. Last count he had taken five different women to bed this week alone.”

“Five? But, it’s only Wednesday!”

“And not all of them are libertine nobles, Sire. In fact, most are courtesans or prostitutes, another great cost to keep them paid, quiet, and…once or twice…childless.”

Caudin blanched. “Here I thought you were exaggerating a few parties and beggars. This goes beyond acceptability.”

“I’m glad you see it my way, Sire.”

He clicked his tongue. “How to approach this, though? I assume you’ve been hard-lining this part of his education.”

“Well, yes. I think it’s best to explain to him how his actions have consequences.”

“That doesn’t really work with him, nor his brother.”

“How did you deal with Magridin when the same thing came up?”

“I haven’t had too much of a problem. People try to cozy up to me, then Anla, then Al, then so on down the line well before they think of Magri. He has a few acquaintances that I don’t totally like, but they’re kept in check. If what you’re saying is true, it’s the difference between weeding a garden and a forest.” He took a swallow of brandy. “Do you think it’s too late?”

“He’s still a good boy, at the core. It’s his friends that instigate everything. They have the brilliant ideas, they introduce the women, they plant suggestions for boons.”

“That makes me feel better, then. There is hope. I just need to…Hmm. Yes. I think I have a plan for us to work on.”

It was early the next morning when Caudin knocked on his son’s door. A pained moan, followed by “go away!” emitted from the room. He sighed and turned to one of the guards.

“What time did he get in last night?” he asked.

“It was about halfway through my shift, Your Highest Radiance.”

“And when did you start?”

“Cyurinin’s bell, Sire.”

Which would mean he’s been asleep since four, three hours. Or he’s been in his room for three hours. He nodded at the guard and opened the door.

The heavy, velvet drapes were closed save for a small beam that illuminated a pair of women’s gloves on the floor. He closed the door noisily. This did nothing to rouse the two occupants of the bed. “Kab,” Caudin said in a firm voice. “Wake up.”

Kabidin slowly looked up and yawned until he realized who was standing at the foot of his bed. “Father!” he said, sitting straight up. “You weren’t supposed to be here until tomorrow!”

The young woman grabbed at the sheet and wrapped it around herself. She picked up her clothing and slipped into the bathroom to change.

“Who was that?” Caudin asked, taking a seat in a chair facing the bed.

“Oh, uh, I don’t remember her name.”

“Hmm. Get dressed.”

Kabidin laid back down and pulled the sheets up. “I’ll rise in a few hours.”

“No, we’re leaving for Gilvregok this afternoon.”

“Tomorrow?”

“No, today. I’ll expect you in the stables in two hours.”

It was closer to eleven when he came into the stables with a group of seven boys around the same age, laughing and jesting with each other. The work had already been done. Valets had brought several suitcases and strapped them to the carriage as well as provisions for the road for a large entourage. “Can I ride with Adni and Revtro, Father?” Kabidin asked, gesturing to his friends.

“You see them all the time. I’ll be leaving in a few weeks.”

“Well, I know, but…” He gave an awkward shrug.

“Fine, travel with your companions.” He turned away, not letting the sting of that choice show, nor worsen, when his son thanked him with excitement.

He traveled in another carriage all the way to Vredonta, their first stop on the way to Gilvregok, a royal manor some hundred miles from the capitol. The town boasted five bars, all of which Kabidin and his friends visited. They brought three girls back with them to the hotel room late into the night, a waist in one hand and a bottle in another. Caudin was fifty, but he could still tail a man, or a boy, without them knowing. He hadn’t lost his skills, which he knew would be handy in the upcoming weeks.

Caudin was reading a book when his son finally awoke close to noon. He looked around befuddled for a few moments, then saw his father. “Is breakfast ready?”

“Closer to lunch,” he answered, pulling out his pocket watch. “Would you like me to have them bring you something up?”

“Yes. Fresh baked bread with a slice of mutton, a bowl of almonds, celery, and a glass of steel wine.”

He gave his son a hard look until he finally said, “Please.” The owner of the establishment arrived himself with some boiled potatoes, a slice of old bread, and a piece of salted ham. He placed a jug of water on his side table and bowed as he left.

“Not exactly what I wanted, “ Kabidin said, “but it will do, I suppose. Where is everyone?”

“Oh, they left a few hours ago. I said I’d wait here with you and that we’d catch up. There are a couple of horses in the stables. We’ll leave at your leisure.”

“Great,” he said. “I need to bathe and change after lunch.”

“I’ll put out some clothes for you.”

They were on the road some time in the early part of the afternoon. His son spent most of the time chatting about his friends and the antics they had gotten into. Caudin listened in annoyed silence.

“Oh, you haven’t met Givril yet!” he said. “Givril is in the circuit. Fantastic swordsman. He’s ranked in the top fifteen and-”

“Hold!” a man said as he and several others emerged from the woods. Their faces were covered in masks and two of them held crossbows. “Dismount and we won’t loose!”

“How dare you?” Kabidin said. “I am the Ki-”

Caudin knocked his horse into his son’s before he could say more. “Absolutely, sir. Slowly, Kab.”

“But, Father, we can-”

“Be quiet!” he whispered. “You’ll get us killed. Dismount like the man said.”

Once they were off, their horses were taken, saddlebags and all. One of the men patted them down and took the knife Caudin had and the pouches of coin on their belts.

“Surely you’d leave a man with at least enough for a meal tonight?” Caudin asked.

“What, and let the next robber get something? Sorry. But, thank you for being so cooperative.” The men mounted their horses and took off down the road.

“Father, what will we do? And why wouldn’t you let me tell them I’m the King? They would have listened.”

Caudin began walking down the road and his son followed. “They wouldn’t have. They’re outlaws. And do you know what ransom is? They would have taken us prisoner until the palace paid the fee.”

“But, we can afford it! Whatever they asked, Sayen would have paid it!”

“Can you? Tell me now, how are the mines doing?”

“Well, I think. I have a secretary who keeps track of that.”

“So, you don’t know yourself?”

“No, of course not. You don’t know how well your mines are-”

“We recently hit a vein of gold in Dumbrusher that’s going to pay well. There was a miner’s strike in Melconsta, but demands were not unreasonable and met. Three of my mines are running dry and we’re looking for a new source of silver.”

Kabidin closed his mouth and thought for a few minutes. “All right, so I don’t know about the mines. But, we have a lot of money. Nobody has told me we don’t.”

Caudin bit his tongue and continued walking. They could see the start of a village up ahead, a mill next to a river and a few houses with fields of rye and barley. They walked up to the open front door of the mill and Caudin knocked on the frame. “Hello?” he called in.

“Hello!” an older man said, coming in from the back. He wiped his spectacles and replaced them, getting a good look at the two men. “How can I help you two gentleman?”

“I’m the King and you’ll give us a place to sleep and food and fresh horses.”

The older man blinked and gave an absent chuckle. “Well, I’m not sure about all that…”

“Sorry, goodman. We were robbed of our possessions by a group of highwaymen. Could you point us towards a respectable man who’ll trade with us fairly?”

“Ah, mmm, the fellow at the general store in town is fair enough. He’s not stupid, mind you, but he won’t swindle you.”

“Thank you,” Caudin said and the two left, his grasp firm on his son’s arm.

“Father, why didn’t he do as I say?”

“Well,” he said, walking down the road, “why would he believe you? If a man came to the palace and said he was the King of Sonder, with no entourage, just his father, would you believe him? To him a king wears a robe and a crown and hold a scepter. He’s not a man who gets robbed on the road. And if you could keep our lineage quiet so the villagers don’t accidentally let slip to the wrong person who we are, that would be optimal.”

“Let them take us,” Kabidin said, bitterly. “At least we’d have a roof over our heads and food.”

“Oh, really? You can guarantee this? A man can survive three days without water. Why give us water before then? A man can survive a few weeks without food. Why feed us? And if things don’t go well, guess who will take the brunt of their displeasure?”

“They wouldn’t dare,” he said haughtily, but his father could read a little doubt mixed into his tone.

“Let’s not give them that opportunity. We have a few things we can trade or trade down. We’ll have to sleep outdoors tonight-”

“Outdoors?” he scoffed.

“You and Magri always loved sleeping outdoors when we went to Biashka.”

“But, that was Biashka…”

“Ah. It’s normal to feel fear about uncertain places.”

“I’m not afraid! I’d just rather sleep in a real bed with a duvet and pillows.”

“Wouldn’t we all? We’ll make do with what we have tonight. Hopefully the guard will realize that we didn’t make the rendezvous point and begin searching for us soon.”

Caudin haggled a few hundred sren from the shopkeeper for a few pieces of Kabidin’s jewelry, which he wore in excess and without much thought. It bought them a sack, some provisions, a knife, and a few items for camping.

“I can’t believe that we’re stranded here,” Kabidin said as he watched his father spark flint over dry grass.

“We should probably make the best of it. How are your studies going?”

“Well. I think I’ll be able to take over things from you. Vanif said he was proud of me.”

Caudin frowned at the lie. “He did? Where exactly did he say you were excelling?”

“Nothing in particular. Just overall.”

“Ah. So, you’re getting in several hours a day.”

“Yes.”

“After you wake up at noon?”

“A king needs to be social,” he protested. “You said that yourself. You made us attend all those parties and events when we were younger to ‘bolster good will’ or something like that. That’s what I’m doing, bolstering good will.”

“Yes, but we diversified who we saw. It wasn’t just the same seven or eight men.”

“You saw Triniste often enough…”

“He’s on my council, and when we do see each other at soirees, there tends to be hundreds of other people. I spend only a few minutes speaking with him. What I am suggesting is that you could have spent last night in better company.”

“What better company than my friends?” he spat. “You said that having friends that will support you no matter what, like Al, are treasured.”

The fire finally caught and he blew gently on it to stoke the flames. “You think those friends of yours will be with you no matter what?”

“Of course!”

“I’ll make a bet with you. A thousand sren says those friends of yours aren’t looking for us right now, nor will they. They’ll continue on to Gilvregok and wait for you. And when you don’t show, they’ll crack open their bottles and find their women and enjoy life without you.”

“You’re on!” he said. “You don’t know my friends like I do. Akildro once fended off a man from accosting me. He protected the King’s person.”

“And I’m sure he was rewarded handsomely for it, which he knew would happen since you give boons out to anyone who asks.”

“What’s wrong with having people like me? Ohhh,” he said, smiling knowingly. “I know what this is about. You’re jealous.”

“Jealous of…what, exactly?” He was still coaxing the flames into a fire, else he might have lost his temper.

“I have lots of friends, money, women. I’ve had more at my age then you’ve had in your entire life. How many women have you had, Father?”

“By the time I was your age? Let’s see. My first was at thirteen. By the time I was fifteen I’d had, oh, maybe five or six? At sixteen I did a round at an Aliornic temple for a few weeks. That was exhausting. Maybe twenty-eight or thirty women? And you’ll be eighteen in a month, so between then and eighteen perhaps another four dozen? I honestly didn’t keep count in my adolescence and I regret that.”

“Why?” his son asked quietly.

“Because those women were people. Some of them just wanted a good time. Some wanted money. Some of them loved me, and some of them I loved. I will say I remember those women in particular, but the rest…I wonder what happened to them. Were they brokenhearted? Did they ever rise above their situation? Did they want more but couldn’t ask? They deserved more than that from me.” He looked up at his son. “Now, did you want to go find a tree so we can continue this pissing match? I can tell you that since your mother and I have been together, there’s been no other woman for me. That’s going on twenty years now. Your mother is still my light. She still makes me happy, makes me laugh, pulls me out of the darkness. She still makes my breath catch when I see her, just like the first time I saw her. I wouldn’t trade or think to ruin that with anyone else. And if that means I lose, then I’ll tell you that we’re playing the wrong game.”

His son was quiet for a few minutes. Caudin piled on a few logs, sending the sparks floating up around them. “I don’t love anyone,” he said finally.

“How are you and Devtrika?” he asked of his son’s betrothed from Misitraen.

“Oh, same as it’s always been. She’s not interested in my hobbies and I’m not interested in hers, so we don’t say much to each other.”

“What are your hobbies?”

“She doesn’t like going to our parties.”

“Not everyone is interested in drinking, gambling, and carousing. She’s a good girl, an excellent painter and poet, from what I remember. Did you invite her to one of your parties?”

“Yes.”

“And how did she feel when you took a buxom lass onto your lap and stole kisses in front of her?”

“I don’t know.”

“You two have at least been friendly since you were children. You can’t guess?”

“She left early. Quickly.”

“Ah,” Caudin said. “Either you don’t know what that means or you don’t care.”

Kabidin didn’t say anything in response. Caudin let his son’s quiet do its own work. He made a stew of the pork, peas, and potatoes he’d gotten in trade and they ate in silence.

The next morning they were both up by mid-morning. “How long do you think it will take if no one finds us?”

“A hundred miles from Gilvregok. We traveled maybe fifteen. If we walk a little more than ten miles a day, then eight days.”

“But, we could also turn around and go back to Wisciene, get a carriage, and arrive in Gilvregok fairly soon.”

“Fifteen miles back is about two days, since we wouldn’t want to leave at night. Then, another day coming back this way, then the rest of the eighty-five miles.” He shrugged. “We could quicken the pace and get to Gilvregok faster. Perhaps six or seven days is all we’ll need. But, we’d be sacrificing comfort for time.” He handed him a bowl of porridge. “We’re also more likely to encounter the guard if we take the road we’re expected upon. I’ll leave the decision to you.”

“I think it will be good to head towards Gilvregok, that way we won’t be wasting time backtracking. Jaigib and Midelk have never done anything like this! They’ll be jealous when I tell them I walked to Gilvregok.”

“There is that. Let’s pack up and head east, then.”

Caudin gave instructions on how to leave a campsite as they found it, but Kabidin wasn’t listening. He was busy looking around for berries and mushrooms to contribute to their provisions. He didn’t find any, which was just as well since Caudin didn’t want to explain why he needed to throw out whatever he found.

Not a mile from their campsite was a fork in the road. “Which way?” Caudin asked his son.

“I don’t know. Why would I know that?”

“Because you’ve been by here several times before? I’ve never been to Gilvregok. Do you remember the name of the town it was near? Does either way look familiar?”

Kabidin winced as he looked back and forth. “Maybe that way?” he said. “Wait. Wait! Look at the tracks!” He ran to the middle of the road and pointed. “Those are carriage wheel ruts. This is the way they took to Gilvregok.”

“Let’s go, then.”

“This is exciting, Father. It’s like we’re paupers.”

“There’s very little difference between us, if you think about it.”

“How? They’re poor and we’re rich. They’re-”

“Are we rich right now?”

“Well, no, but that’s because we were robbed. It’s temporary, an illusion,” he said, sweeping his hand. “We will go back to being royal when we reach Gilvregok.”

“But, for the next week or so we are poor. What does that tell you about a man’s money?”

“’That it is fleeting and mercurious, and the best of men do not weigh their worth on golden scales.’”

Caudin laughed. “I’m walking a long distance and another man is quoting me Tichen. I’m feeling strongly nostalgic to my year in Gheny. But, yes, it is a good quote. When we are stripped of everything temporary, there is little difference between men.”

“But, I have things that are always with me. My experiences, my relationships, my education.”

“All true. That makes one man different, but not unequal, since even a pig farmer has those things.”

“But a pig farmer does not know Tichen’s works or even how to read!”

“No, but he knows how to care for his farm. And since in this moment you are not lecturing on Tichen and he has his pigs, he is richer than you are. He can use his education to eat a meal tonight whereas we will have to see where our meager coin takes us. Tichen will not fill our bellies on this trip.”

They were quiet for most of their walk, until they got to Hamagrieb, a large village set near a wide lake. “Father, could we go into a tavern? I haven’t had any entertainment for over a day now.”

“We don’t have much coin,” he began.

“Just for an hour.”

“For one hour.”

He smiled and dashed down the main road until he found a one-story building with a picture of a mug swinging from a post. His son was already inside at a table with a beer, listening to the band play a saucy tune, when he caught up. Caudin watched him, noting that he was not an excitable youth taking in the place. He was one who was well-accustomed to being surrounded by strangers, his whims attended to. He sat next to his son and ordered himself a beer, then ordered dinner for the two of them as well.

Caudin finished his meal slowly and counted five more songs before he began to pry his son away. By then it was already too late. He had been flirting unapologetically with two of the barmaids and had ordered two more beers when Caudin wasn’t looking. When he got up to settle his tab, he heard a loud “round on me!” from his son, followed by a cheer from the whole tavern.

“I don’t know who that kid is, but I like generous patrons,” the barkeep said.

“He’s my son and he can’t afford to pay it,” Caudin said after getting his change. “You might want to tell those girls that before he promises them pearls he doesn’t have.”

The barkeep’s face clouded and he yelled, “Kid can’t pay! No round!” He turned back to Caudin. “How’s he paying for those two drinks?”

“I’m curious about that myself.”

He gestured two men over and yelled something to them over the jeers of the crowd. Kabidin was already standing, sweeping his gaze until he found his father just as the two men grabbed his arms and forced him to the bar.

“Time to settle your tab,” the barkeep said.

“Father! Father will settle it!”

“Kab, I told you we didn’t have much coin.”

“But…” He looked frightened.

“Give them the silver chain.”

“That’s from Devtrika. She’ll be disappointed…”

Caudin folded his arms and waited, though he was surprised something held sentimentality to him. The men let go of Kabidin’s arms and let him take off the necklace and hand it to the barkeep. Caudin leaned in and spoke to the owner, who nodded and shook his hand before he joined his son.

“Why didn’t you pay?” Kabadin asked, standing and brushing off his clothes. The men had forcibly thrown him outside.

“Pay with what? If I had bought those beers you drank, then we’d have no money to buy food in a few days. You would have had to pawn your chain anyway.”

“But, she’ll be sad…” Caudin realized that his son was rather tipsy and put his arm around his shoulder to guide him.

“She’ll get over it. I’m sure she’d rather you were unharmed.”

“Unharmed?”

“Often if you can’t pay your tab and they think you’re skipping out, they’ll beat you for it.”

“That’s not nice.”

“Neither is stealing, which is what you would have been doing. Let’s go past the town and set up camp.”

Despite the danger, they had been walking all day and Kabidin had a few drinks and a warm meal inside him. He fell asleep before Caudin could even get the fire started. Caudin took the time to watch his son and remember the boy he had been years ago. He, and his brother, looked like Anla, with dark hair and sharp, brown eyes that went wild with mischief at the slightest ruse or game. They had always behaved, though. They weren’t as serious as their uncle had been when applying themselves to their education, but they hadn’t been as bad as Caudin himself had been. He was still a good boy, he hoped.

When Caudin woke up, his son had made a large pile of kindling and was feeding the sticks to the coals. He sat in sullen silence, his face heavy with thought. “Good morning,” Caudin said.

Kabidin didn’t say anything in return. Caudin got strips of salted bacon out and laid them on a flat rock he placed over the coals. “Anything on your mind?”

“Just missing home, I guess. How’s Mama?”

“Two days and you’re just now asking about her. She’s fine. Her latest project is working with Sevelrei on preserving traditional styles of art and culture. She’s going to create a program to bestow a mastership to those who have perfected crafts unique to Arvonne. Her reputation with the country folk couldn’t get any higher.”

“That’s nice. Any how is Magri?”

“When was the last time you wrote to him?”

“It’s been a few months.”

“Magri’s doing well. He’s starting to take over certain meetings and I’ve already sent him out on diplomatic missions to Breaverie and Kitstuar. He did quite well. I’m proud of him.”

“Are you proud of me?” Kabidin asked.

Caudin flipped the bacon with his stick. “What should I be proud of?”

His shoulders dropped and his head sunk. “I thought you were, but I doubted. I guess I was right.”

“Tell me what I should be proud of. I don’t know everything that you’re doing in your life.”

“I’m running the damn country, Father! I’m doing the best I can!”

Caudin said nothing. He found two flat rocks that served as plates and served the cooked bacon with a hunk of bread and hard cheese.

“You always taught me it was good to make strong connections with people. And…and I go to meetings, but my secretaries handle all the details for most of it. Vanif does all the serious stuff, like making decisions.”

“That should be you by now.”

“Well, he won’t let me!”

“And why do you feel that is?”

“Because, he doesn’t want to give control of the country over to me when I turn twenty.”

“Could it be because decisions need to be made at all hours of the day and you’ve only made yourself available from noon to five? He’s not going to try with someone who doesn’t seem interested. I’m assuming you aren’t.”

“Well, it’s boring. Why would anyone want to sit in dull meetings and go to banquets where they have to behave?”

“Oh, do you think I like doing that? Nobody enjoys that. It’s our job to do all those things.”

“Then why don’t you throw parties, Father?”

“First, I’m almost fifty. Competitive drinking is a young man’s game. Second, I am a family man who likes to spend time with his wife and children, which is also why I don’t womanize. Third, I have responsibilities, so I can’t go to bed in the morning and rise at noon. I’ve already done almost half my day’s work by then. And last, I can’t throw parties every day because it would bankrupt my country.”

“Bankrupt? But, they don’t cost that much.”

“How much do they cost? How much did your night out in Vredonta cost?”

“I don’t know, Cagardma handles all that.”

“Five hundred and twenty-eight sren, Kab. Food, dozens of bottles of liquor, women, the hotel rooms, paying for damages caused by your friends… And that was a rather tame night for you, Cagardma told me. You hold parties three or four nights a week steadily for a half-year now.”

“We can afford it,” he said weakly.

“Out of curiosity, how much does the average Sayenese farmer make?”

“I don’t know that.”

“About eight hundred and fifty sren per year.”

While Kabidin thought about that, Caudin cleaned up and kicked out the fire. He waited for his son, who eventually came back out on the road with a set jaw. “So, you want me to chain myself to a desk and have no fun? Sit around all day and listen to boring people say boring things and then go to sleep and do it all over again the next day?”

“Kab, what you’re doing is what they call ‘stacking ice blocks’ in Tondeiva, or ‘sowing your wild oats’ around here. Most kids around your age do it. It’s a right of passage, the death knell of childhood, a time to do all the things you want to do before you need to be a responsible adult. I don’t object to that.”

“Then what am I doing wrong if I’m doing what everyone else does?”

“It’s the excess and the disrespect. The first I can understand a little. You didn’t know how much you were spending or how frequently you were throwing parties. You didn’t know what a colossal waste of money you were costing your subjects. You should, but you didn’t. Ignorance. The disrespect, though…I thought I taught you better. You took the chastity of a girl whose brother wound up fighting a duel with your friend Akildro and died from his wounds. You’ve destroyed priceless heirlooms. And you hurt your betrothed. I was aghast when I heard this. My boy, my boy, did those things?”

Kabidin’s eyes narrowed. “She threw herself at me. And the vase and paintings were accidents.”

“Accidents that happened when you were drinking. Frankly, I don’t care what went on between you and that girl, but if you think girls are sleeping with you just because of your looks, you’re sorely mistaken. They sleep with you because of your power and your money.”

He snorted at this. “I can get any girl I want without all that.”

“Another wager, then. We’ll stop at a tavern tonight for dinner and one beer. Since you’re so amazing at it, you will have all evening to seduce one of the barmaids, or any woman in the tavern, with only what you have in this moment. No future promises of when you retain your wealth again, no lies about what you have, just you and your charm.”

“Okay,” he said quickly. “What are the wagers?”

“If you can do it, I won’t say one more word about how you’re conducting your life. If not, then you’ll pay reparations to the family of that young woman whose brother died defending her honor. Personally. With an apology.”

Without a word and with his jaw set, Kabidin shook his father’s hand and marched forward down the road. He spent the entire day leading the two of them, sneaking looks back to see if Caudin was still there. They passed through a small village and Kabidin spent some time trying very hard to be nice to the folks he saw walking about. They managed to make it to the small town that was next on the route by nightfall. Kabidin turned and gave his father a smirk before heading into the tavern.

Caudin took a seat in the corner and discreetly paid for his son’s drink and meal. After that, he watched. Kabidin tried for the better part of an hour to make friends with anyone, but most of the men were older and long-time friends who weren’t interested in speaking to boys who didn’t live nearby. The woman at the bar was clearly the owner’s wife and quite a bit older. Finally, after an hour, a young woman came in. She was quite pretty in a startled sort of way, but not as comely as the usual beauties that found themselves into his circle. Still, his eyes fixed on her and he was polite whenever she passed by. In return, she was busy serving dinner and drinks and hardly had any time for him. He managed to get her attention once, but she only listened for a minute before excusing herself and leaving him alone.

He made no headway with her over the course of two hours, but Kabidin didn’t seem upset by it. An older boy, perhaps a year younger than him, ducked in to say something to his father then noticed Kabidin sitting by himself. They struck up a conversation, and after a while the boy dragged him out of the tavern. Caudin followed, unsure of what was happening.

The boy led him to a tall tree where two other boys waited. The four took off down a side street and disappeared.

“Sire?” Lanintret asked, meeting Caudin on the street. He held the horses they had stolen from he and his son a few days ago.

“Have someone tail him, but only intervene if something sinister happens.” He took his eyes off the road and looked at the head of his Axwielders. “I wouldn’t mind some more provisions. And did you get the chain from the barkeep?”

“Aye, Sire. And he was fair about the price.”

“Good.”

“How much longer do you think?”

Caudin sighed loudly. “I’m not sure. Every time I think something’s soaked in, he fights back. It may be a few more days.”

“Think we need to continue making the fake carriage ruts?”

“No, he hasn’t commented on that in a while. I don’t think he’d notice.”

His men later informed him that Kabidin had spent the night at one of the boy’s houses and he met him the next morning in the center of town. “How was your night?”

“Good,” he said. “We had fun, the guys and I.”

“You didn’t cause any damage, did you?”

“Well, no. We spooked some horses, but they were all right.”

“What else did you do?”

“They brought me to a haunted field where ghosts live, but none showed. And we went swimming in a pond. And we stole some berries from a neighbor’s field and he caught us and we ran.”

“Sounds relatively normal. You had a good time?”

“Yes,” he said, frowning as he looked down the road. “Father, I was thinking…Would you mind if we stayed for a few days here? Dagrib said there was a harvest festival in a few days that was the highlight of the year. Dances and contests and merriment. It sounded wonderful.”

Caudin’s eyebrows lifted. “Kab, this is your holiday. If you wish to stay, then I have no issue.”

“Yes. I said I’d help on the farm today, if I could stay.”

Caudin almost choked in surprise. “Well, of course. You’re certain?” His son nodded. He tested this, hoping his son’s resolve was strong. “I ran into my men last night. It seems we were going down the wrong road. We could be at Gilvregok in a few days’ time.”

“I was thinking maybe we could ask for something special for the festival, like nice prizes or extra food.”

“That, I think, is money wisely spent.” His mother would love that, he thought. “Do they know who you are?”

His son looked sheepish. “They saw my ears and I didn’t give a false name, so they asked. I didn’t lie to them. They asked a few questions about what my life was like, but I asked the same of them. They seem fine with it.”

“Then I think it’s a capital idea. Let me speak with, what was his name, Dagrib? Let me speak with his father.”

“Thank you, Father.”

He started to take off when Caudin stopped him. “I want you to check in with me daily. I’ll be taking a room at the tavern we stopped in last night and I’d like to eat lunch or dinner with you.”

He nodded and took off at a sprint back down the road.

After speaking with Dagrib’s father about the strange scenario, he took to his room in town and laid on his bed for a spell. He hadn’t imagined the plan going this way; he had expected to isolate him from his friends and slowly correct his behavior. And while he didn’t think spooking horses was something a king needed to know, having friends that enjoyed him for his company and not his money was what his son needed.

What surprised Caudin were the memories this situation stirred in him. He had only been a few months younger when he had fallen in love with Mara in the small town in Hiben. For a season he had been blessedly content with his lot of farming fields, stealing time with his girl, and befriending the local boys. He should have thought of this. He understood what sort of healing a simple lifestyle could do for a boy coming into manhood.

He’d arrived in Sayen thinking his son was some spoiled child he hardly knew. He hadn’t expected Kabidin to be just like him.

Caudin was pleased at how happy his son was over the following days. He’d excitedly tell his father of the things he was learning from his friends, of what he was doing. The haughty boy who had tried so hard to be an adult had disappeared, replaced by a man who’d never really gotten the chance to live his childhood.

The festival was idyllic and quaint, not overly impressive, but very genuine. Kabidin was overjoyed to present the winners of several competitions with gifts greater than the had expected when they sewed their quilts or practiced for their foot races in the seasons prior. He hugged his new friends goodbye the following day and hopped into the carriage with his father.

They spent the time traveling to Wisciene discussing things. It wasn’t always pleasant; Caudin had tried to explain a few times why his ideas were too farfetched and Kabidin had argued and sulked. But, mostly it was a fine journey.

They arrived home close to ten o’clock at night. Kabidin greeted some of his friends that had stayed at court, then begged off for a bath and sleep. Vanif, who had stood in line, raised an eyebrow at Caudin, who nodded in the direction of his office.

Corrin joined them with chilled wine. “We’re dying to hear what happened.”

He told them both about the trip, which took a full half-hour in detail. Corrin swirled his glass. “I’m thinking he was forced too early into the pressure of leading and eventually rejected responsibility by trying to be the worst kind of adult possible.”

“That’s not my fault,” Vanif snapped.

“I didn’t say it was, dear. It’s what had to happen.”

“I think that was astute, Corrin. Negative influences were not your fault, Vanif. Neither was doing your job of preparing my son to begin his reign. He made some poor choices. Now, we have to step back and hope he makes better ones.”

“Do you think he will?” Vanif asked.

“He’s my son,” he said, smiling proudly. “It might take him a while, it might take some very strong friendships, but eventually he will.”