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Diary of a Hunter Prince
Part 5
Being
the Twentieth Day of the Planting Season,
Dear
Little Book,
I
feel as if I have no time for writing in you anymore. But maybe I
should mention that I have been working side by side with Goldie,
quite a bit. She truly is the most wanted female rebel. She is quite
dangerous. But I have come to think of her as a good friend, and
enjoy her company. Perhaps that is the real reason why I have so
little time to write anymore. I spend all my evenings and early
mornings with her. Nights are when I work and day is when I sleep.
Anyway,
today the two of us went were a little walk in the evening. We were
not disguised, which is the best disguise if people are looking for
cloaks and masks. We passed a patrol of Wolves. One even kissed
Goldie's hand. But they did not hinder us. HAHA! What those idiots
would have thought if they knew that we were some of their worst
enemies, I can hardly think. But it is funny. Goldie showed me her
parent's grave. Her father had been accused of tax evasion, and cut
down. When his wife had protested, she was killed too. Poor Goldie
had barely been rescued by the Hag before the Wolves burnt her house.
Goldie was only four at the time, but she said that she could still
remember that terrible fire and the scene returned to haunt her in
her nightmares.
“Waylan.”
Goldie said as we walked across the rail that led over the sewer
trench, where the water rushed out of the pipe and into the Divide.
“Huh?”
I said, as I leaped across to a broken piling.
“What
is your family like?” she asked. I had never told anyone my
identity and neither had Philip, Hugo or Cigore. The less other
people knew the better for everyone. The Scourge and the other
contacts at the palace were not told that we were all still alive,
but they had not said anything about us being dead. In fact we had
not heard from them in a long time. I wondered if they had been
caught.
“Um-
my family?” I said, “Well, some are married and some are not,
that's about it.”
“Waylan!”
Goldie protested, “That's not fair! Besides you know all about my
family!”
“What
do you think they are like?” asked in the attempt to be evasive and
open at the same time.
“Well,
I know you came with the foreigners from Glittering Island.” Goldie
said. I was startled.
“How
so?” I demanded. She grinned.
“You
appeared the same day they did, and you talk funny.” she said. I
breathed a little sigh of relief.
“So?”
I said, “Does that make me an enemy?”
“Maybe.”
she said and danced off. I was left to mull over her words. How much
did everyone really know? Should I be more truthful?
Regards,
Myself
Being
the Twenty-Ninth Day of the Planting Season
Dear
Little Book,
My
fellow masked bandits and myself were masking up, when Goldie burst
into the room. Of course we all yelled, even though we were decent.
“Ditch
the plans!” she shrieked.
“Why?”
Cigore asked, “I want to kick some Wolf hide!”
“Me
too!” Philip growled.
“The
commander has called for a meeting!” Goldie cried. I had yet to
meet the commander and wondered who he really was. But apparently he
had praised us masked bandits.
“When?”
I asked. I had not been to a meeting since the very first one I
attended, when the rebels decided to make me a rebel.
“Now!”
Goldie cried, “In the cellar of the Royal Drum.” The Royal
Drum was a tavern in the very slummiest part of the Pit. It was
anything but royal.
About
half an our later, we were wedged into a crowd of dark cloaked rebels
in a stinking cellar that smelled of rotten wine. A terrible musty
smell. I single candle was wedged into a bottle on time a barrel. The
red cloaked commander stood on another barrel, his head only inches
from ceiling.
“Rebels
of the Capitol.” the commander said grimly, “We have heard from
the palace!”
“What
news?” Philip asked rather quickly.
“Welcome
back Light.” the commander said grimly, “But it is poor news.”
“How
so?” someone shouted, “What happened?”
“The
Glitterarian Prince has been slain and us rebels are being blamed!”
the commander cried. I cold shudder ran down my back. What was
Rushamorn up too?
“So
who is to say we did not slay the Glitterarian scum?” someone
shouted. I cringed. I could feel the eyes of Philip, Cigore and Hugo
on me.
“The
kid was not half bad.” the Scourge's voice rumbled, “I was unable
to get out of the palace. Everything was blocked off. Apparently news
went to the Glittering Island.”
“You
mean you were locked in the palace on purpose?” I said gruffly,
trying to disguise my voice.
“No!”
the Scourge cried, “But Rushamorn was keeping his strongest about
him and I could not escape without arousing suspicion.”
“Who
did it?” I asked, my voice hard.
“Prince
Philip was blamed.” the Scourge said unexpectedly.
“Excuse
me?” Philip gaped.
“Now
hang on one darn second!” I shouted, “Did not the Glitterarians
go on a hunting expedition with the Ambassador?”
“Yes,
and both princes, along with a steward and slave vanished.” the
Scourge said, “I know, for I was there!” I snorted. This was a
lie as we had not moved, it was everyone else that did.
“Ha!”
Cigore said.
“What
did you say? “The commander demanded. Philip and I clapped our
hands over Cigore's mouth.
“Nothing.”
Goldie said shrilly from the shadows.
“Well,”
the commander said slowly, “Then it is time for me to bring up the
most important fact.” I wondered what could be more important then
my own death.
“We
are not enemies of the Kingdom.” the commander said softly, “I
would die for my kingdom, which is why I am a rebel. But the
Glitterarians have declared war over the death of their Prince. To
save the Kingdom, I encourage to rebels to join Rushamorn's army.
Even if he is a tyrant and evil to boot, at least he will defend
Kildimere.” Low murmurs ran throughout the room. I felt like I was
rooted to the floor. This was one nasty mess.
“Now
hold on a second!” Hugo cried, his small voice, shrill in the
silence. Gasps ran throughout the room.
“Speak
up little man.” the commander said. Hugo darted forward and planted
himself in front of the door.
“NO!”
he yelled, “We have another way to settle this!” Of course, Hugo
was right. My heart sank.
“There
is no other way!” the Scourge barked.
“Oh
yes there is you two faced stinking traitor!” Hugo screamed and
pulled his mask off.
“No
unmasking!” the commander barked. The Scourge started and stared at
Hugo. Obviously he recognized him.
“I
will unmask!” Hugo protested, looking tiny and lost in the crowd of
masked grownups, “Stick to Rushamorn and Maldirk's plan?”
“And
what is that, little boy?” the commander asked.
“For
Philip to marry my sister, stupid!” I snapped as I ripped off my
mask. Gasps ran echoed throughout the room. The Scourge stared at me
as if I were a ghost.
“Obviously
Philip killed me since I am standing right here.” I sneered, “Your
master's plot failed. We made it out of the swamp alive. Philip, Hugo
and the steward you tried to kill to get rid of the evidence.”
“Someone
please explain what is going on.” the commander said. The Scourge
made a mad rush at me, only for Philip to reprehend him. Our
identities then came out along with the whole truth, including
Captain Ryker's treachery. So he had been Rushamorn's spy all along.”
The commander sent him off to be imprisoned by some of his rebels. I
fear they would be hard on the traitor. But I was furious with him,
so I could care less. Although, I did wonder why Toledio had decided
to abandon me. Some companion he had turned out to be. He was so
fired.
Regards,
Myself
Being
the Thirtieth Day of the Planting Season,
Dear
Little Book,
I
wrote a letter, and sealed it with my very own seal, then gave it to
Goldie. She was the appointed messenger. She would take our my letter
to the Glittering Island and deliver it to my parents. We hoped to
avert war, by enlightening them. I think Philip still hoped to escape
the marriage. But I hoped he would be stuck. It would be nice to have
him for a brother.
“Listen
carefully.” I told Goldie sternly, “Never stray from the path.
Head straight to the docks. Slip aboard the first boat you reach and
sail straight for the Glittering Island. Talk to no one on the way.”
“Waylan,
I have a been an outlaw when you were eating off gold dishes!”
Goldie snapped, “I know what I am doing!” I doubted that she
would ever forgive me fore not telling her that I was the visiting
Glitterarian prince. I was forced to be content and let her go. I
wished I could have gone myself. But the commander had ordered me to
stay. Philip and I were both being sort of held hostage now, to see
if we could be used for something useful. I doubted we would be very
useful as hostages though. Rushamorn had already tried to kill us
both. No one wonder Philip was rebelling against him. Well, at least
the Hag was going with Goldie. She would meet her on the docks by an
alternate route. I did not like the idea of both of them wandering
alone in the city. But together they would be more noticeable.
Regards,
Myself
Being
the Second Day of the Green Season
Dear
Little Book,
We
were taking a beer in the Royal Drum, when Hugo darted in,
yelling and dancing excitedly. We told him to calm down, because we
could not understand him.
“Soldiers!”
Hugo screamed. We leaped out of our chairs as the door was kicked in.
The Wolves swarmed the tavern, killing on sight. I scrambled up onto
the bar and leaped to the rafters. The rebels were cut down or taken
prisoner. I released an arrow into the door frame, causing the door
to be wedged shut. This confused the Wolves when they tried to fade
away with half the rebels dead or prisoner. I leaped out of the
rafters on top of them and the fight started over. Everything was
used as a weapon. By the time the Wolves escaped, there were only
twenty of us of the thirty-five rebels, still alive. All of us were
injured.
“How
did they know to find us here?” I gasped, as I tried to stop the
blood from flowing out of my shoulder. I had literally jumped on a
spear.
“Did
the stinking Ryker talk?” someone snarled.
“Ryker's
dead.” another rebel said with obvious relish, “I know for sure.”
I shuddered.
“Then
who?” Philip asked, as he limped out the door.
“Who
knows.” Cigore sighed, “Lets just get the heck of here.” But I
could not sigh away this new problem. Was there another traitor among
us? Speaking of knowing who people are, why did the Commander never
take his mask off? I still had not seen his face.
Regards,
Myself
Being
the Fourth Day of the Green Season
Dear
Little Book,
If
I took off my shirt and stood sideways in front of a mirror, I could
see the whole long untidy row of black sticks, from the top of my
shoulder blade to the center of my back. Hugo had sewed up my wound
with horsehair. It hurt worse then anything and looked ugly enough to
match. But it was a big wound. The idea of a six year old being my
physician was also rather nerve wracking, but everyone else was to
squeamish to sew up the nasty cut. When I asked what they usually
did, I was informed that none of them usually jumped on top spears.
This got a general laugh. I was not amused. But then I was the one
being sewed up like an old shirt.
But
anyway, that was two days ago. Today I was admiring and squirming at
the sight of my horrific mark when Cigore and Hugo burst into my
hiding place.
“Get
out!” I yelled and put my shirt back on. It was difficult since I
could not move my left arm above the elbow with stretching stitches.
“We
think we found out who talked.” Cigore cried.
“Take
me to them so I can rip out their throats!” I said savagely.
“Goldielocks
and the Hag were captured right after they left the Pit.” Hugo
shouted.
“They
are in the palace dungeons!” Cigore added. I blanched.
“How
do you know this?” I gasped.
“I
went back there.” Cigore said gleefully, “I have been nosing
about there trying to find out exactly what everyone's thoughts are
on Prince Philip being a murderer.”
“And
you discovered they were prisoners?” I asked in a low voice.
“I
heard some of the Wolves talking.” Cigore said sadly, “They said
they nabbed the girl and old lady the minute they stepped out of the
Pits.”
“Call
a meeting for tomorrow night.” I said grimly, “We have to get
them out!”
“No
way!” Cigore said, “Your life is worth more then theirs any day!”
“Call
the meeting, stupid!” I yelled, and kicked him, which caused my
stitches to stretch. I howled in pain.
Cigore
darted out the door, avoiding my badly aimed kick. I turned to Hugo.
He grinned faintly. He probably expected my wrath to turn on him.
“Get
a knife!” I barked, through gritted teeth.
“Why?”
Hugo asked, his childish voice tinged with suspicion.
“I
want you to cut the stitches out!” I cried, my temper flaring.
“But
they are not ready to come out!” Hugo protested.
“To
bad!” I snapped. So Hugo cut them out, and I vented my feelings by
screaming and cursing.
Regards,
Myself
Being
the Fifth Day of the Green Season
Dear
Little Book,
The
meeting started out poorly. I had barely voiced my decision to rescue
Goldie and the Hag when everyone interrupted me.
“Impossible!”
the commander said, “Every rebel runs the danger of being captured
and will not hear of a rescue!”
“That
is stupid!” Cigore said, “You will just be caught?”
“What
ever happened to patience?” Philip asked.
“You
do realize that since the ladies were captured my letter to my father
has failed to get through.” I said dryly, “The Glitterarians will
still attack, if Rushamorn does not attack first.”
“Kildimere
will slaughter the Glitterarians.” a rebel sneered.
“We
already beat you people, remember?” I cried angrily. My right arm
was in a sling, completely useless.
“Alright
Waylan.” the commander said at last, “What is your plan? It can
hardly be worse then what we have going on now.”
“I
have a companion who, if he was not murdered, must still be in the
palace and may be in the dungeons even.” I said, “I intend to
find him, explain the truth and send him to my father. My father will
certainly take his word more then Goldie's as she is only a girl and
he cares little for them.”
“In
that case, go yourself.” the commander said, “And save time.”
“Um-
not yet.” I said, “Once in the palace, I shall keep an eye out
for the girls. If I find them, I free them, if not-”
“You
leave immediately!” the commander interrupted. I sighed and nodded.
“This
is all a bad idea.” Philip said, then he groaned, “If we had just
gone through with this wedding immediately this would never have
happened.”
“Yes
it would!” I interrupted, “Zeno married the Giselladona of
Sandstorm Lodge and your father does not seem to be taking that into
consideration. We already have an alliance.” I had another reason
for wanting to snoop around the palace. I wanted to discover
Rushamorn's secret. Why were he and his son apposing forces, if
Philip claimed he was not truly after the throne?
Regards,
Myself
To Be Continued
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