day 10 17978

 

Daren looked confused at the title, causing his father to laugh and he flushed remembering where he was. “That’s right you are talking to me. I forgot. Talk about being gone too long. I am not used to having a title. I don’t know why it confused me so, but it did. Sorry. I am deferring to them because they rank me. I am a member of the Ninjas, and Rick is the Captain of our unit and our holder, being as  it is a bonded team. We are biased in Alanta but for this trip have been seconded to Anna, making her our commanding officer, again. I do have a tester among those sworn to me, but there are some spices in those dishes they wouldn’t know so I was letting Oliver know I had checked as well. I didn’t think of how it sounded. To used to her being the one with the title, not me. I don’t hold rank and am not seeking to.”

Steven said. “No harm done, I would expect nothing else it was just you looked so confused. It is odd to me that you wouldn’t respond. After all there has never been a time when Devan forgot your title, even when arguing over a toy. Yet it was clear you didn’t see why it was used. Just shows me how we have changed. That still won’t get you out of sitting with us, but don’t worry the word will spread fast that you no longer live here and have given up your title so you shouldn’t hear it too much.”

Devan shook his head. “Just what all went on here? So we have a treaty with Alanta, not just a trade agreement? That is good, more so as it sounds like things are going to get bad here.”

I smiled a bit. “Come now, you know that there has been a treaty between all our lands since the fourth darkness war, and a few are even older. The distance did not in any way end those agreements. Weakened them, yes but it did not end them. Alanta reached out and started work on repair the separation between their land and this ten years ago, with the tests. That has only grown. We were slower to start talking, but never were there any hostilities just silence.”

Daren said. “I left my title here when I went to the school. His Majesty had no idea who I was for the first six months I was with the Ninjas, in fact. He only fond out then as there was an issue with Jordan that needed someone from here to solve. My place has nothing to do with the relationships that are being reformed. My only part was being one that went to the school as part of the exchange.”

Rick said. “I thought he was lying at first when he told me. There was nothing about him that said he was a prince, rich and a bit spoiled yes, but that was nothing odd. It was only Anna backing him that convinced me. I just didn’t see it, still don’t even with the bond tying us. It just isn’t him.”

Daven shook his head. “I just find it hard to believe, yet I can tell it is right. It is just a change, but then I have changed as well. It is just surprising how much I have missed.” The way that he looked made me wonder just what had gone on between them before Dav left. I wonder which of us shocks him more? He doesn’t look upset, just pulsed, there are cleary questions he wants to ask. Thankfully he realizes that this isn’t the place. Now I am wondering if Father even told him of the tests, he clearly was keeping a lot from him. Some might be for security reasons but surely some of this could have been put in a letter.

Henry said. “I thought I had told you that Daren was in Alanta. It must have been missed. So much has gone on here that it is a bit hard to remember what I said and didn’t. Only so much room. I have to say I never did think I would have a child making his home in another land. Little own one unknown. I am glad that you found a place, but it is odd to know so little about your home. Mertin Cove sounds like it is a good sized place, I feel I know the town from all the talk of the shops. Yet you have said nothing of your business, so are you still dealing weapons?”

He coughed. “Well I would like, but I have landed a place in the army and so I don’t have much time to make them now. I never thought to enter the service, but it fits me. I don’t know how I would place here we don’t have the same type of skill tests, but I think we would be competitive. Might be that a few with me will enter the open games to see.”

Henry said. “I told you that you would be good in the service, nice to hear you did give it try. For all you had to leave to do so. Now you need to tell me more about that colored fish that you said those gloves were from. I just can’t believe that they were made from a fish. There was nothing like scales to them.” With that he got a conversation about trade goods going, and the scary things were tabled for now. I was glad to get a break.

                                                                                                                      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope that I don’t look upset. I should have known that he would be the one form Jordan, as if Keven wasn’t enough, now there is Dale as well. It isn’t like I didn’t know they were coming and that whoever it was would be after me. I should have expected it I knew that there would be assassins in the party, I just didn’t think about which family member it would be. Well no matter, just don’t take the bait. Stay above it, just like you do when deal with them at home. He will shot himself in the foot just as he does there, just give him the room.

Dale looked around. “It does look like everyone has turned out this year. I expected it to be large, but this is more than any I can remember. I do think that all the members are here. It is shocking. I had no idea that you were speaking with Glacier, last I heard they wanted nothing to do with you. Yet I see they are here. Or are you just tagging along with Roland again Annabell? You do see a bit attached to him. It is odd to see you here and dashing off to some hill clan. You have been adding a lot these last years. Your empire is growing, isn’t it, child?”

I smiled. “Dale, I didn’t think you would be here, this is a surprise. You don’t seem the type to enjoy this games. It is strange to be here and not taking to one of our other neighbors, but it is nice to be out of the mountains for a bit. Glacier has not expanded its boarders in fifty years and has no plans to start. It has been far too long since we looked and spoke with our neighbors and so we are fixing that silence. We are hoping to expand on the trade we have, for it has scarcely been keeping up with growth, as well as find some new contacts.”

Dale said. “So you say Highness, but I know just how many of those you now patrol. It is interesting how you turn up when we have a border dispute. Yet you say that they are not a part of your empire. If that is so what right do you have to act for Cord in its trouble with Gracland? I do think you need to remember how I deal with lies, Highness.”

There was so much scorn in his voice it was hard not to react.          Yet I can’t. He is spoiling for a fight so don’t give it to him. “We have aid agreements with a number of our neighbors it is a normal part of all our trade agreements, as many here can tell you. W also ask if those near a boarder that sees more of the demon kin if they will let us use that are to train. Those that have patrols agreed to it, those patrols you have seen are train exercises. Those troops should be flying that lands colors as well as ours, but I will admit that doesn’t always happen. Still they are there by agreement with the land governing body. In the case of Cord, I was meeting with them when your armies showed and they accepted my offer to help. As I believe I told General Macner at the time, but perhaps that was not in report they sent to you. I am surprised you heard of it of, I didn’t know you had relations with Graceland. However that would explain the lovely spider silk gowns Her Majesty had on in their last visit to our court. It is hard to find in such good quality away from the coast.” Of course there is the fact that Graceland’s connection to it is Darkness, but few here will know and it is only right that I warn of the charges I intend to make. I do hope that there is a different answer than we expect.

He looked at me, still upset but his when he spoke his voice had lost a bit of its edge. “We have a few coastal contacts, and they have proved very helpful to us and our friends. There is an amazing number of good to be found at sea ports.”