DoHP Part 3, Waylan's Diary

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+JMJ+

Diary of a Hunter Prince

Part 3

Being the Twenty-Third Day of the Blossom Time

Dear Little Book,

In response to my “rescue” there was to be a massive feast at palace tonight. I was highly interested to discover that Prince Philip would attend. Apparently he was returning from the Grimwarian Provence on the Southern most point of Kildimere where he having a meeting with the Sultan. I was curious to see him. I am not sure who would be the happiest once the wedding got sabotaged. But I had already come to the decision, Rushamorn was not going to get the aide of my people. He was a cruel heartless tyrant who lived off the blood of his own people. I would support no alliance between him and my people. I was now highly suspicious of anything given to me by Rushamorn, how was I to know what was a trap to kill me or what was safe?

The great hall was set in great magnificent, I sat by Rushamorn's left hand. Philip would sit at his right when he arrived. Food of the highest quality was served him. I noticed all of his dishes came on separate platters then what everyone else was eating. Toldedio, who sat to my left whispered in my ear,

“He has a taste tester that samples all of his dishes.” So Rushamorn was quite aware of the unrest in his kingdom. I was disgusted with him. My father said he would rather be poisoned then eat food that someone else had tasted first. I hardly blamed him, but then he was only a hard ruler and not a tyrant.

We had barely started sampling the magnificent dishes, when about five of the King's Wolves entered the room and bowed before the high table. My jaw nearly dropped, the Light was the leader. Everyone stood up expect Rushamorn, so I followed their examples. Everyone bowed. I did too.

“You are late, Philip.” Rushamorn said coldly, he gestured to the empty chair, “Take your seat and eat.” I nearly fell over. Philip was the Light. My eyes narrowed. In my opinion, when prince's started helping rebels, they were trying to get the throne prematurely.

As soon as Philip had sat down, Rushamorn gestured at me, then the Prince stared at me. I saw the faintest tinge of color on his cheeks. He recognized me of course.

“Your future brother from the Glittering Island.” he said coldly, “Prince Waylan of the Glittering City.” Philip bowed slightly to me. I bowed back. It was so awkward. Even worse, I would have to wait until tomorrow before I could confront him. He knew that I had heard him talking against the wedding. I wondered if he would have kept his mouth shut if he knew who's brother I was? I would have a lot to ask him about.

“I swear I have seen the Prince before.” Toldedio whispered, “Not in this city either.” I glanced at my companion and was about to make a comment, when Hugo, who was waiting on me, spilled wine on my velvet doublet.

“Kill him!” Rushamorn shrieked, “How dare the little swine humiliate me in my own court!” one of the Wolves who had come in with Philip, moved towards the quaking boy. I was furious, but not about my wet clothes. I leaped to my feet and drew my scimitar.

“First one to lay hands on my slave will feel my blade between their ribs!” I threatened, “I was the one humiliated so I may punish him as I wish.” I knew Philip was watching me, but I kept my gaze on Rushamorn. The King looked rather taken aback, but there really was not anything he could. I wanted to keep it that way.

Regards,

Myself

Being the Twenty-Fourth Day of the Blossom Time

Dear Little Book,

I was not sure how soon I should go to the Hanging Garden. But I figured I could have breakfast first. Surely Philip was eating too.

“Awake at last, Waylan.” Toledio said. He never said highness, grace, lordship or anything.

“I have been awake these three hours.” I argued, “I was doing some map studying.” This was true. But it was not for the crocodile hunt.

“Well, be careful.” Toledio said dryly, “I doubt that Rushamorn approves of you. Good thing that it is not you who is marrying into his family.” My companion said this all without even looking at me. I wished I could tell what he was thinking. So I opted for stupidity.

“That is not true.” I said belligerently and stalked from the room.

I spent about an hour wandering in the Hanging Garden on my own. Presently I pushed aside the red ivy and was surprised to find a hole in the wall big enough to seat three or four grown men. I crawled inside and waited some more. There was several candle stubs and some writing material on a shelf in the hole. Obviously this was not the first time it had been used. Someone had chalked some writing on the wall.

“When the LIGHT of truth shines, people begin to see.” I read in a whisper. I guessed Philip had written that. It would explain his codename. I picked up a piece of charcoal and scraped my own message on the wall. The HUNTER who hunts for truth, is better then the one who hunts for pleasure. I grinned, taking great pleasure in my work.

Suddenly, I heard a rustling sound. I froze. Was it Philip? Or was I discovered? The ivy was pulled aside and Philip slid into the hole.

“Good morning.” I said softly, “Shall we-”

“Hush.” Philip said sternly and arranged the ivy so it blocked out all the light. Then I could hear him moving about. I think he slid to the furthest corner of the cave.

“Ready?” I asked, a trifle irritated.

“Ready.” he sighed.

“Look.” I said indignantly, “I will not give your rebels any assistance if they are trying to dethrone your father so you may gain the crown prematurely.” Philip snorted.

“I have little use for a throne or a crown.” he said, “My soul desire is to help the people. I will never take up arms against my father. My purpose in this venture is to provide food and hiding places for the rebels and the wretched people. I will also defend the innocent against the bullying wolves.”

“To fight the Wolves is to bear arms against your father.” I pointed out.

“You are right.” Philip said after a short silence, “But if I do not the people will suffer more. Before I armed the rebels and taught them to defend the people they were at the mercy of every whim of the cruel Wolves. They were not treated well.”

“Stop making excuses!” I said through gritted teeth, “It annoys me. But I do see your point. You would be a rather scummy person if you were able to help those wretches and stood back and did nothing.” I sighed.

“Well thank you!” Philip muttered.

“For what?” I asked.

“For hinting that I was not a scumming person.” Philip said. I shrugged.

“Well, lets help some unhappy people then.” I said. We then left the hole and separated. But then I started watching both Philip and Rushamorn carefully. Philip is respectful, but Rushamorn is just plan nasty.

Regards,

Myself

Being the Twenty-Sixth Day of the Blossom Time

Dear Little Book,

Things have been rather busy these last few days. Toledio, Hugo and I have been preparing to go on the Crocodile Hunt. I barely had time to talk to Philip. It was best, we had both decided, not to let us be seen together to much. But he did manage to tell me that he was going on the Hunt too. Apparently, the rebels had been hoping I would take over as the main supplier from the palace since Philip was going on a hunt. Not only was Philip going on the Hunt but the other three secret rebels at the palace as well. I found this very strange. Either Rushamorn was getting wise, or it was a remarkable coincidence.

Regards,

Myself

Being the Thirtieth Day of the Blossom Time,

Dear Little Book,

It took us two days to get down to the swamps and another day to set up camp and picket the scrooms. I better describe a Scroom since they are not common on the Glittering Island. They are small and thing with shiny scaly bodies. Something like a fish snake dog. They have flippers instead of front paws, and giant thumper hind legs. Their tails are finned. They have huge eyes and two slits for nostrils. They can open their mouth like a snake and swallow things twice as big as their heads. I am not quite sure how, but I saw them do it. Anyway, the people of Kildimere use them to hunt anything in water. The big ones can swallow a full grown man. Well, we had the biggest ones with us. I went the long way to avoid them. I would rather hunt with ferrets and hawks.

There were about twenty men in our group besides Hugo and I. The ones I knew were Ambassador Grant, Philip, Toledio, and the Scourge a.k.a. Captain Ryker. Then there was Valerian a white blond haired Elven lord from some other island. His servant Carian, a very young elfling, who was probably a teenager. A really old elf with long white hair, who kept one leg bound up behind his back and hopped along on one leg. He was called Erago. Eleth, a female enchantress. Kalin, a soldier from Hazelmorn. He had more scars on his face then Philip. Master Batrayo of Sandstorm Lodge, Giselladona's brother. He recognized me and was almost cordial. He is her eldest brother. Sultan Melchior from the Grimwarian Provence. He was on very friendly terms with Philip. Jasper, his eldest son, who was not on friendly terms with Philip. Paliak, the Sultan's bodyguard. Prince Michael of Filmont, who had no desire to go hunting, and told everyone so. Elizana, a warrior maiden. Filmort, her warrior husband. I had seen both of them at the palace. Golden haired Princess Amelia of Ashtaran, who had never gone hunting in her life. Lord Constantine, her escort. A completely snot. Caligulo, swamp the guide. Sir Mockithorn, leader of the hunt. He was also of the order of Wolves. Cigore, a steward from Rushamorn's palace. And Galiak, a paid pirate.

I wondered which ones of these people were the secret rebels besides Philip and the Scourge. I could rule out Toledio, Valerian, Carian, Erago, Eleth, Kalin, Batrayo, Melchior, Jasper, Paliak, Michael, Amelia, Constance, Caligulo, and Galiak as none of them were from the palace. That left Elizana, Filmort, Mockithorn and Cigore. Two of these people were on our side and two were. Now the problem was, which ones were which?

Hugo showed me how to hold onto the leash of a scroom while balancing a crocodile spear in one hand. It was tricky work and my shots were wobbly. Jasper opted out of the scroom and shot his spear. He was the first to take down a croc. This made Mockithorn mad.

“Traditionally we throw the spear, not shoot!” he yelled.

“Hush, you scare crocs!” Caligulo hissed.

“Father?” Jasper cried.

“Jasp, my boy, you must be traditional!” Melchior said with a laugh.

“And I say do the way that works!” Jasper spat.

“Hear hear!” I cheered and earned a glare from Mockithorn and a grin from Jasper. I decided I liked him.

“Must we really carry these very dirty things?” Amelia asked with a frown at her spear.

“Here, let me assist you.” Michael said.

“Get back, boy.” Constantine snapped and took the spear himself. Michael shrugged. We were a very odd lot. I think we argued more then we actually hunted. Perhaps I would not have expected Grant's invitation if I had known it was going to be like this. But the actual hunting was fun and very intense. Some of the crocs fought back. Eleth turned one crock bright blue and tossed over our heads just by pointing at it. Michael got bit, which made Amelia cry. The elves took their knives and played platsticks on the water driving the crocs over to my side of the bank. I released my scroom right into one's mouth. Then Caligulo cried because we were so untraditional. I could hardly help it if the dumb beast choked the croc instead of fighting it.

Regards,

Myself

To Be Continued