Chapter 16: The perceptive old guard

The travelers spent a few precious days at the outpost restocking their provisions and preparing for the worst of the journey ahead, although they couldn’t afford to stay for long. The evening before they were to leave, Soren and Colonel Lennil discussed the possibility of bandits on the road. 

“If the bandit attacks have recently picked up as you say, would it be possible to assign a few additional men from the garrison to Princess Annalise’s guard? I don’t want to take any risks with such precious cargo in my care,” Soren said. 

Colonel Lennil’s fingers tapped a steady rhythm on the wooden desk in his office before he slowly shook his head. “I’m sorry, but I can’t allow that. We’re already spread thin enough, and with the tensions between Rhinnea and Dovea what they currently are, we’re in a near constant state of alert for a border skirmish. Your estate isn’t too far from here. Could you arrange for some extra men from there to assist you?”  

“I’d already thought of that, but no. It would take too long to reach my keep and ask for more men. If I’d known of the bandits the moment I got here, perhaps I could have sent a pigeon… but now, no, it won’t work. Not to mention the offense such a thing might cause the king,” Soren said. 

“Yes, King Evert’s feelings on the matter must be considered. He is a prideful man, and if he sensed you didn’t think his guards were good enough to handle some bandits, his displeasure at the perceived slight could make life very difficult for you, even if your father is in his high favor.” The glance that passed between Colonel Lennil and Soren was fraught with unspoken meaning. “Hopefully, the marriage between Princess Annalise and the Rhinnean’s King Nelan will help things to simmer down politically. I would love to have another twenty years of peace before my retirement. What about you? What are your plans after you’ve completed your mission and delivered the princess safely into the hands of the Rhinneans?” Colonel Lennil asked. 

Soren shrugged. “Once Princess Annalise no longer requires my services, I suppose I’ll come back to Dovea. After that, I don’t know; it’s not something I’ve given much thought to.” 

“Because you were hoping to spend your time with someone special, but fate had other plans instead?” The way the colonel phrased the question made Soren feel as though he was treading on very thin ice, and he narrowed his eyes at his counterpart.  

The Colonel nodded. “Yes, I know.”

Soren had only one question for him. “How?” 

“I see how you look at her and the way you hang onto her every word. Amelia maintains quite a healthy correspondence with her family in the south of Dovea and acquaintances at court and she’s heard the gossip about the newly returned son of High General Kierson, the first to brave a dance with the princess since her curse. It doesn’t take a master strategist to put two and two together.”

“I thought I was being careful.” Soren frowned and clenched his fists. “I’ll have to take even greater care in the future. I don’t want to make things difficult for her in her new life.” 

“If you can.” At Soren’s alarmed expression, the colonel shrugged and poured himself another glass of brandy. “It’s a wonder that King Evert assigned you as her protector, although it’s possible he didn’t recognize the signs.” 

“Perhaps he was too distracted by the news of his mistress’s pregnancy and the impending fortune of a new heir,” Soren suggested. 

“Perhaps… although I doubt it. The Serpent King is known for his cunning; he’s no small-minded fool.” Colonel Lennil frowned, then went to the door of his office, checked outside both ways, shut it, and also looked out his window before closing the curtains, returning to his desk, and lowering his voice. “How much do you know of his plans? Does your father keep you in his counsel?” 

“No, he doesn’t.” Soren paused, thinking of an offhand comment the high general made after the announcement of Annalise’s betrothal. General Kierson never spoke much, but he had a knack for saying a lot with only a few words. “He mentioned once how the betrothal put us in rather a difficult spot—something about Rhinnea using her as a weapon if they ever renewed hostilities, but how the peace was so delicate the king couldn’t easily refuse to honor their treaty.” 

“It’s been decades since the last war; enough time for the peasants to get fat on peacetime… that is, if they weren’t taxed to within an inch of their lives. Despite her curse, Princess Annalise is very popular throughout the kingdom. It anything happened to her on her journey, or once she marries the Rhinnean king, it would be quite the provocation for war.” The colonel looked at Soren meaningfully, as if he was trying to convey something important, but then in the next breath his face relaxed and he shook his head. “Ah, but all this talk of strategy and diplomacy isn’t meant for the likes of us, an old colonel only a few years from being put out to pasture and a young captain just at the start of his career.” 

“You’re in the prime of your life, sir. My father speaks highly of you,” Soren protested. 

“Perhaps I’ll remember that and apply for a transfer to one of the cushy outposts closer to our southern border with Lorvan that my wife keeps bugging me about.” Colonel Lennil smiled, but there was no warmth in the expression. “I’m sorry that I can’t give you more men, but keep a wary eye out, Soren. Methinks big things are afoot, and the journey ahead of you is long and cold. You may find it quite difficult to keep the princess safe, both physically and emotionally.” 

Soren heeded the warning in the words and dipped his head. “Yes, sir. I’ll do my best.”