Jasao was meant to be king. That is what his father wanted, but his uncle has taken his throne and Jasao fled his kingdom with his cousin Davi. A life of exile is not what Jasao expected, but neither is meeting a childhood friend, Matheu, to whom he has always been attracted, who offers his help.
Jasao also has a secret: he has visions of the future but is afraid of it. Soon his path of exile forces him to meet a dragon and a witch, and his road to regaining the throne is paved with magic and superstition. Despite his visions, his dreams don’t reveal if he will be victorious against his uncle and able keep the ones he loves safe.
Jasao stood several feet away from Matheu and the Blacksguard who arrived with him. He cocked his head. “Do you think this is the best thing? The best plan?”
“Matheu is right, if we don’t send four of them back, then Matheu’s father would be forced to send soldiers after us and for the missing guardsmen.”
“So, you’re back to liking Matheu again?”
Davi harrumphed. “I didn’t hate him or anything.”
“You didn’t like losing to him in the Vipascan games last year. You pouted for a week after your loss.”
“I’ve won the triguerra three years a in row. Until Matheu. I didn’t like that he swept me off the ground with his foot and forced me to yield in a cheat move.”
Jasao laughed. “It wasn’t a cheat move.”
Davi rolled his eyes. “Anyway, I made peace with him a few weeks after that. We drank a lot of mead at my favorite tavern.”
Jasao raised an eyebrow. “The Blacksguard doesn’t normally frequent the bars you do.”
“I don’t like that insinuation.”
“It’s just known that the Blacksguard keep to themselves, and traditionally go to the Royal Stag, not the dark, dingy pubs you enjoy.”
“I like to keep a low profile when I am not in the castle.”
“Maybe you just don’t like people to keep tabs on you.”
“Whatever you say cousin.” Davi paused for a second to observe the Blacksguard several feet away, who were saying their farewells.
Jasao watched as Matheu said good bye to his brother, Linus. Angus, Ethelwulf, and Rathelstan took to their horses first. They saluted Jasao with their swords then Linus nodded and saluted . As they left, Matheu walked to where Davi and Jasao stood.
“Linus is headed back to Vipasca, with Rathelstan, like we planned. Angus and Ethelwulf will delay their return.” Jasao nodded. The guardsmen who were leaving had put their helmets back on, modeled after the Northmen helmet, who had raided over the years.
“You think Xolphus and your father will believe them?” Davi asked. “If they don’t Xolphus will send your father, commander of the army, after us.”
“My father is not a fan of Xolphus. Nothing would give him more pleasure for Prince Jasao to return to Vipasca. There’s dissension among the army about supporting Xolphus.”
“I don’t want a civil war.” Jasao shook his head.
“Neither does my father.” Matheu sighed. “Linus knows what to say. That I didn’t want to give up, and they couldn’t find the two of you but they headed back.”
“That’ll buy us a week at most. May be two or three days at the least,” Davi said.
“That should be enough to get us to where we’re going.” Jasao whispered.
“Can I say something?” Matheu asked.
“Of course, Matti,” Jasao smiled as he used the name Davi and Jasao had called him when they were kids. “After all, you brought us some rations to eat.”
Matheu’s face brightened. “Is it really the best strategy to go to Karaceia? They’re murderers, double crossers. Half of Midi is still empty after the civil war there.”
“See, I’m not the only one who feels this way,” Davi chimed.
“I have a hunch we’ll be safer there. They have an army and navy large enough to pose as a deterrent. They can challenge anyone from Vipasca.” Jasao said.
“He isn’t sure he wants to take the throne,” Davi added.
Jasao narrowed his eyes. He wasn’t sure why Davi volunteered this information.
“Your father wanted you to be the next king,” Matheu said. “You were trained to lead and care for the people. Not Xolphus.”
“I don’t want bloodshed. Not on my account. Hasn’t Vipasca lost enough in war already?”
“I didn’t mean to offend,” Matheu said.
“You didn’t.” Jasao paused. “My father fought bravely for Vipasca. He brought peace to us for a long time. The last few years, though weren’t as peaceful.”
“He did bring peace.” Matheu said. “And he isn’t the only Vipascan that wants to fight for his country.”
“I don’t want anyone’s blood on their hands. Because of me.”
“Even if they are ... willing?”
Jasao shook his head.
“Xolphus could be a good king.”
Matheu cocked his head. “We’re talking Xolphus here. He burned several villages during the last border skirmish. He killed children and women who were in tents that had fled Midi. They were unarmed.”
Jasao didn’t say anything. “Being a king means making compromises, promises. Contracts, agreements, treasure, maybe arranged marriages.”
“Well, that’s part of the job,” Davi said.
Jasao nodded, and after Davi started walking up the hill, Jasao followed. Matheu adjusted the shield that was slung over his back, and moved the short sword off to the side. Matheu’s long sword was tied on the shield and once he made sure he had everything secured for walking with them was close on Jasao’s heels.
“Are you sure you want to go with us? If you’re found out, your father will have to disown you. So would Linus.”
