Author's Note: Thank you for your reviews and e-mails. Here is the next instalment. I will definitely finish this story, I may not be able to update it as often as I like to, but I will definitely continue to write it. I have already started part 3. I hope you enjoy this next part of Knight James and Prince Blahr's story.

PART 2

The light faded and Blahr and James materialised in a field. The knight released his prince who sank to his knees. Blahr couldn't hold back the tears for his father. James left his friend to his grief for a moment as he checked their perimeter with his senses. There was nothing living for some distance. It was dark and peaceful.

James didn't say anything to the prince but before everything had faded he had heard Vahen laugh and then boldly say.

"Finally, Cascadia is mine."

The thought left James with a feeling of dread. Cascadia was now in Vahen's hands.

"My father!" Blahr cried. "How could you let this happen?" Blahr accused angrily, his tears turning to anger.

"Because of this," James replied and showed his prince the twenty-three year old brand on his arm. "When you were only a few days old your father had the wizard prepare a spell that would transport you away from the castle to safety should you ever be in danger. I was to accompany you to safeguard you."

"That was when I was a baby. I'm a grown man now; I should be back there defending my king, my people."

"Blahr, you know I am loyal to you. I would die for you. But I also swore allegiance to your father first that I would protect you for as long as I lived. I took that vow seriously, I still do. My king gave me an order that day to protect you and that is what I have always done. What I will continue to do for as long as this body draws breath. You would have died too if you had stayed."

"Do you think my father is dead?"

"I don't know, but it doesn't look good," James replied truthfully.

"I can't believe that snake Vahen is behind this. He pretended to be my father's friend and all the while he was planning a coup. Damn him! We have to get back to the castle. What if my father is…" and Blahr couldn't finish the sentence. He could vividly see his father fall to the ground.

"Don't think about that just now. There was a second plan after the Rainbow Spell was completed. We were to wait for the wizard to come for us when it was safe. Only…"

"Only what?"

"I think the spell has gone a bit awry."

"Awry?" Blahr wasn't liking the sound of this. "James?"

"We were supposed to materialise at a cave a few miles north of the castle where provisions have been stored ready, all these years, for such an occurrence." James closed his eyes for a moment. " I saw Terrax get run through with a sword. Performing the spell he didn't have time to protect himself. I don't think he's coming for us. We're on our own."

"Wonderful," Blahr replied standing up and brushing away his tears. Now the initial shock of the events of the castle were wearing off, anger was replacing the grief and the prince knew he needed to return to the castle as soon as possible. Blahr glanced round at the darkness surrounding them. "So, where are we?"

"I have no idea," James replied. "We need to wait until morning so we can check our position."

"Anything could have happened to my father and the people at the castle by then."

"Blahr, there's nothing else we can do."

James cast his senses out but there was still nothing and no one around them.

"We need to wait until daybreak, my prince."

"Daybreak!" Blahr shouted, "but..." his choler was gone, he knew his friend was right, he had protected him all these years unerringly. They dug in and settled in for the night. The sat with a large oak tree to their backs.

"Get some sleep, Blahr, we'll start back home at dawn."

Blahr nodded but wasn't sure he would be able to sleep. He couldn't get the scene at the banqueting hall out of his head: His father falling; falling beneath a wave of enemy soldiers. Blahr thought that scene would haunt his nightmares forever.

James catnapped all night, waking often, too concerned to protect his prince in an unknown situation to rest fitfully. Blahr was restless all night, reliving the terrible scene over and over in his sleep. Not just his father, but good men like Henrik and Rafus, men he had known most of his life, falling to the sword.

Morning came, offering a golden splendour of colour on the eastern horizon. As soon as the night had given way to the day, James stood up with a silent groan. He hadn't slept on a hard surface since his time in the army. He had been in teens then and he reasoned he was getting too old for this now. Then he glanced at the sleeping form of the heir to the kingdom and he knew why he did this.

The knight was checking their perimeter with his senses. All was quiet. Birds chorused the new day and it was already warming up. Jim looked down at his change who was still moving restlessly. The more sleep he got the better. Who knew where they were and how to even get home. Even if they did make it back to the castle, what would they find? The castle sacked, its inhabitants dead or enslaved to a new king? James knew it would be different to the life they knew whatever they found.

James gently shook Blahr's shoulder.

"Wake up, my prince, we need to move."

Blahr stirred and then shot up into a sitting position.

"James, I had the most terrible dr..." but then the prince realised where he was and that it wasn't a dream but all too real. Blahr's shoulders slumped and he felt such terrible desolation nearly overwhelm him.

James allowed Blahr a moment's grief and sadness but then he told him they had to move. The knight knew the prince would do what he was told. The prince might technically be his superior, but in all things security and military, Blahr always deferred to his judgement.

Blahr was still understandably in shock from the previous night's events. James understood that, but he also knew he needed Blahr fully functioning and alert. Anything or anyone could be in the surrounding woods, it would needs both of them to get them out of the situation they found themselves in.

James craned his enhanced hearing and could hear a small stream nearby.

"Come, my prince," James said and proffered his arm. Blahr grasped it and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. "There's a stream nearby."

The stream in question was a gurgling little brook that twisted between slightly higher moss encrusted banks.

James put his hand in the water and raised a palm full of water. He sniffed it and then dipped a finger in from his free hand and tasted it. There was a slight mineral taste but he could detect nothing in the water that could be harmful.

"It's safe to drink," he told his charge as he put both his hands in the water and raised a palmful of water to his lips, his eyes never leaving their surroundings. The water was cold and refreshing. After a few moments ne noticed Blahr was not drinking.

"Blahr, you need to drink."

"Huh," the prince replied still looking dazed and shocked.

"Drink," James reiterated gently.

The prince nodded and then began to drink. He hadn't realised how thirsty he was until the cold water was sliding down his throat.

James watched his charge with concern, it was understandable that Blahr was still a little dazed from the events of the previous night, but at the same time he had to snap out of it. They both needed their wits about them if they were going to survive.

James splashed water on his face and then glanced around them. They were surrounded by trees in all directions. They had to choose a direction to go in. Judging by the location of the sun and where it rose at Cascade Castle, the knight had a hunch that home was to their south. Could he risk everything on a hunch?

The other problem was food. James had been taught how to fend for himself during his time in the army in case there was ever a time he was separated from his men. He had taught Blahr certain things from when he had been a young child, the dangers of touching insects that could sting, not to eat berries that were poisonous. That had been out of necessity to keep his prince from harm; but this was now about survival.

Their thirsts slaked they set off to the south. James checked their surroundings constantly as they walked, partly to detect any danger but also to keep on alert for anything edible. James took the lead with Blahr a step behind him. The young prince was silent the whole morning.

"Blahr, are you alright?" James asked trying to be considerate to what his prince was going through.

"I don't know, James, I can't get the picture of my father falling beneath Vahen's men. I should have... should have..." Blahr looked away angrily.

"You blame me don't you for your father's death?"

"Don't say that!" Blahr snapped, his eyes full of anger whipped back to his protector. "He's not dead. He can't be dead."

"It's alright to feel the anger, Blahr, use it to fight back. We will do everything we can to get the kingdom back from Vahen's clutches."

Blahr hadn't thought of that, all he had been able to see was his father's form vanishing beneath warriors with swords, and how powerless he had been to do anything to stop it. Blahr pushed the terrible scene away. Of course Vahen had wanted Cascadia. Cascadia was a rich country, fertile with extensive woodland and good mineral deposits. Blahr wanted Vahen to die, like his father had, by the sword, his sword. A steely resolve crept into Blahr's eyes. James was right he needed to direct the anger and pain of loss. He knew he had to admit that his father was probably dead, his father was unarmed, his wizard procuring the spell that had saved his and James' lives, unable to help him. Reality began to sink in, as much as he wanted it not to be, his father, his king, was dead. Vahen had no right to be king of Cascadia. He was Caedmon's heir, the throne was rightly his. But more than that, the people of Cascadia deserved a better king than Vahen.

They had to return to Cascade Castle and free the people of Cascadia.

Blahr needed James for that.

"Well, my friend, we need to return home as soon as possible. Use your senses to help us get home as quickly as we can."

James smiled at his prince and nodded. There was determination in his charge, the shock had been replaced by resolve and purpose; that he could use. With renewed purpose they set off.

##########

They walked for most of the day steadily going uphill. Trees continued to surround them and not giving away any landmarks so they could assess their position. They encountered no people but James heard the occasional dear or rabbit in the undergrowth. Late afternoon they came to an escarpment, with a sheer drop in front of them. The floor at the base of the sheer drop was of interminable distance but James estimated it to be at least five hundred feet straight down. The cliff was steep and precipitous and they would be unable to climb down. The vista before them was magnificent, verdant forest lined the floor with a large river meandering through it. The sun glinted off the surface of the river. To the right was a large lake. James studied the shape of the lake. It was elliptical and extremely long, going off into the distance. James also recognised the lake.

"James, do you know where we are?" Blahr asked.

The knight was silent as he calculated the connotations of where they were in relation to home.

"Do you recognise the lake?" Blahr asked more firmly and again James remained silent.

It wasn't very often that Blahr pulled rank on his protector but his patience was wearing thin and he needed answers.

"James!"

"It's called Jasmin Lake," James eventually replied. "When I was in the army part of our training involved geography. We had to memorise all the kingdom's landmarks. Jasmine Lake is very unique in its shape, I would recognise it anywhere. We are a very long way from home, my prince. At least 200 leagues."

"200 leagues," Blahr whispered to himself. That was a very long way. Blahr had never been so far from home. Cascadia seemed almost unattainable. Would he ever see his home again? Blahr thought.

"So far," Blahr stated despondently. He had thought that they would only be a few leagues from the castle not hundreds. Blahr would not be defeated. "James, you know this land. We need to get home as quickly as possible. How can we achieve this?"

James was thinking. The trek would be arduous. Was the prince up to it? He had to be. They needed to find the quickest and easiest way. Would Blahr be recognised for the prince he was? News of the coup would soon spread throughout the kingdom. There would be unrest as some opposed the new regime. Should they avoid people at all cost? They needed horses otherwise it would take them a lot longer to reach Cascade Castle, but the problem was academic anyway as they had no money to purchase them. James did ponder for a moment if he should risk stealing them. Garford, the poacher, had had his hand removed for killing one of the king's deer. Horse thieves were unceremoniously hung. Was it worth the risk? He couldn't afford to leave his prince alone. Blahr was an excellent swordsman and could protect himself; but he was one man and Vahen's men might be looking for him. Vahen's army would have seen them disappear and would have searched the castle for them. They would be on alert as Vahen would expect Blahr to respond to the overthrow of his father and kingdom. James decided to take it one problem at a time. They had to circumvent the escarpment first.

James did keep one thought to himself; with the king more than likely dead and Blahr, the only heir missing, and the kingdom now in enemy hands. Maybe it was best for them to hide and go into exile, somewhere where Blahr wasn't known. The prince would be safe then. But James knew Blahr wouldn't go for it. He would want to avenge his father and also he had always had a sense of devotion and service to the people. He wouldn't abandon them now and leave them to be subjected to Vahen's reign.

hey followed the edge of the escarpment to the east for the rest of the day looking for a way down. James foraged as they moved. He'd picked edible berries, which they'd eaten on the move, but now it was nearing sunset and James decided to stop for the night. Blahr wanted to keep moving, each step taking them closer to home; but the knight pointed out how long their journey was and that they both needed rest and food or they wouldn't make it at all.

So far they had encountered no people and any animals that James heard steered well clear of them, so they were not used to people. The knight reasoned they were in a pretty remote part of Cascadia.

So far the weather had held, all they needed was for it to rain. The land began to descend and James steered them away from the escarpment and made for a river he had heard to their right. This was a fast moving watercourse, with white water foaming over unseen rocks below the surface. They left the escarpment behind them and then followed the river downstream to an area where it widened and was shallow and calmer near the bank.

"My prince, would you collect some fire wood, but watch out for snakes and spiders."

Blahr rolled his eyes at his protector who was constantly looking out for him.

"What are you going to be doing?" Blahr asked.

"Scaring us up some dinner," the knight replied cheerfully.

"I'm not eating grubs or worms, I remember you telling me of your army survival training."

"Grubs and worms are very nutritional."

"But disgusting," the prince retorted. "So what are we going to eat?"

"Fish," James replied with a grin.

"I seem to have left my fishing pole at home," the prince replied not a little sarcastically.

"Who needs a fishing pole," James replied grinning even more.

James could be insufferable at time, Blahr thought as he watched his protector remove his boots and socks and roll up his trouser legs. Then he drew his sword and waded into the shallow river.

Blahr watched the knight for a few moments and then went about gathering some firewood, mindful, as his protector had expressed, about the poisonous spiders and snakes that were indigenous to Cascadia.

Blahr gathered an armful of dead branches and then returned to the river. James was still in the water, he was knee deep in the water, and was bent over and intently watching the water. The prince knew he was using the enhanced sight his father had gifted to him. Thoughts of his father made Blahr sad for a moment and he felt his loss acutely but accepting he was gone had helped heal a little of his pain. There wasn't any sign of any fish yet Blahr realised wryly; hoping that it wasn't grubs and worms on the menu after all.

James was stock still as his pale blue eyes glided over the surface of the water looking for any movement beneath. Blahr watched him for a few moments and then returned to the forest to find more wood to see them through the night.

When next Blahr returned to their impromptu camp, James was on the bank and had formed a circle of stones and had crisscrossed layers of the dead wood Blahr had collected within the circle. He was also descaling and gutting two nice sized trout.

Blahr put his next load of firewood down next to the fire.

"I see the fishing is good in this part of the kingdom," Blahr remarked, a little in awe that his protector had indeed managed to catch some fish.

"Indeed," the knight replied, proud that he had been able to catch the fish and provide for his prince.

"How did you catch them?"

"A well timed jab with my sword?"

"How did you manage to do that? The surface of the water is very deceptive."

"It seems my eyesight naturally compensated for any difference. I hit where I aimed."

Blahr was looking at the wood. "How are you going to cook them?"

"Remember that stone I picked up this morning," and Blahr nodded. He had seen James pick up a small grey white stone that morning.

"Watch."

Blahr watched as James prepared some kindling and then he struck his dagger down against the sharp edge of the small stone. Sparks flew off and some landed in the kindling. James immediately blew on it and the kindling erupted into flames. He fed it onto the wood and soon a fire was blazing.

"It's flint isn't it, James?" Blahr suddenly realised.

"Yes, you do remember my lessons," the knight replied pleased. "I taught you how to create a fire by striking metal against flint when we went camping, when you were a child."

"I remember how exciting it was to see the sparks appear from nowhere," the prince reminisced.

James skewered the fish and soon had them roasting over the blazing fire. Darkness descended on them, the sun long since set. Blahr glanced up at the sky watching the stars twinkle into appearance one by one.

Jim and Blahr lay beside the crackling fire looking up at the stars. Blahr was deep in thought.

"What are you thinking?" James suddenly asked.

"When I was a child my father told me that my mother was a star in heaven. Do you remember?" Blahr was contemplative, his gaze still on the majestic sky above them.

"I remember." The knight had been everywhere the young prince had been; and that included being within sight and earshot when father and son shared personal time together. "Which one?"

"That one, right above us and to the right of those two stars close together," and Blahr pointed at a bright star.

James' superior eyesight followed the track where his friend was pointing. He could see a red tinge to the star as it twinkled.

"I always took comfort from that," the prince replied philosophically. "That mother was looking down and watching me. I wish I had known her," he added sadly.

"You're father loved your mother very much," James stated.

"Do you think so?" Blahr asked, almost needing the verbal verification.

James nodded. "He never looked at another woman, not before and not since your mother died. People in your father's position can have any woman they want, they often have mistresses even though they are married; but I know your father has never been with another woman, with my senses I would have known if he had. The King held your mother in such high esteem that no woman ever compared to her. That is rare and you should be very proud of your father."

"I am," the young prince replied. "Was," he amended sadly and then turned his attention back to the diamond studded sky, so his protector wouldn't see the tears well in his eyes.

"At least your father loved you, mine was glad when I ran away from home and joined the army."

"You never talk about your family," Blahr stated.

"Not much to talk about," James explained. "I was an inconvenience, I wasn't planned or wanted. My parents enjoyed a life of opulence and pleasure, the last thing they needed was an encumbrance. After I was born I was raised by a succession of nannies and housekeepers as my parents continued to entertain and make more money. They showered me with everything I ever needed but never love. I should have had a sibling, a younger brother or sister, but they terminated the pregnancy. Didn't want another brat to jeopardise their lifestyle."

"Oh James, I didn't know that. I'm so sorry."

"I left home three months before my fifteenth birthday. I couldn't stand another day in that house. I was big for my age and joined the army on my fifteenth birthday. Then when your father offered me the role of your protector I jumped at the chance. I could see the way your father looked at you as he held you in his arms. I knew you were loved and I wanted to become part of a family like that. Surrounded by the love of a family I never had."

"Do you know how your parents are? Whether they are alive or dead?" Blahr enquired.

"No and I don't care," James replied vehemently.

"They're still your parents."

"In name only. I never think about them. They've never tried to find me."

"Perhaps they have looked," Blahr replied trying to sound optimistic.

"No, my father is a very rich man. If he wanted to he has the resources to find me. He just doesn't, neither of them care about me. They never have done."

Blahr felt sad for his friend. He'd carried that round with him all these years, thinking that his parents, who gave him life, regretted that decision.

"I have often wondered," James began and then paused. "Why they didn't terminate me like they did my younger sibling. It would have been so much easier on them if they had done so."

"They had their reasons. Who knows what a parent really thinks," Blahr added. "I've often thought if my father would have been happier if you had have been born to him instead of me," Blahr confessed a little sadly.

"Blahr, how can you say such a thing!" James replied astonished.

"I've seen the way he looks at you. He thinks of you like a son."

"Blahr, I have never tried to usurp your position as prince with your father."

"I know that," Blahr replied. "It's just you're so good at making decisions."

"And it's scary now that you're king."

Blahr hadn't dared even contemplate that thought that he was now head of the kingdom.

"My prince, I…though I should be calling you, my king."

Blahr shook his head. "No, James, not until we reach home and I know the fate of my father. I still cling, no matter how desperate that is, that he is alive and still our king."

"As you wish, my prince."

"I might not have a kingdom to rule," Blahr added defeatedly.

"We'll get the kingdom back."

"We are but two, James, how can we possible overthrow a monarch like Vahen? His kingdom has one of the toughest armies in the known kingdoms."

"Our army is also to be feared. There are ways, my prince. The other kingdoms for a start, they will be worried when word reaches them that Vahen not only wants Cascadia but more than likely the other kingdoms as well. Vahen could soon be running back to Han Chelan with his tail between his legs."

"He may do a deal with the other kingdoms, that if he is allowed to keep Cascadia he won't invade the other kingdoms."

"A man like Vahen will always want more. What is not his to possess. My prince, I gave your father my oath twenty-three years ago that I would always protect you. I now give my oath to you," James said solemnly, "that I will not rest until you are crowned King of Cascadia."

James did not bandy such words lightly and Blahr felt reassured they would both do whatever was in their power to release Cascadia from Vahen's grip.

"Now if my nose doesn't deceive me," Jim said as he sniffed the air "the trout are ready. Let's eat."

##########

Next morning, they ate some cold left over trout, not wanting to bother relighting a fire. They washed in the sheltered area of the raging river and then set off once more on their journey.

They followed the white river for two more days stopping near sunset each day to camp, when James would fish and they would talk and watch the night sky. If not for the uncertainty back home Blahr enjoyed the simple life and his time with James. Here he was just Blahr not a prince of the realm, not a potential king. James and Blahr had often camped together when Blahr was young, the king wanting his son to learn about nature. The kingdom was as much about the animals and plant life as it was about her people.

Next day the river intersected a road so they decide to follow the road. There would be no more fresh fish but the road was heading in the general direction they needed to go. The road was rough but wide enough for carts to traverse. James kept his senses tuned for signs of travellers in either direction. Occasionally the road would intersect another which would go off to the right or left, but James and Blahr kept going south.

The trees began to disperse and become less frequent and the land became flatter with large areas of grassland.

It was afternoon and James was just wondering where they could camp for the night when he spotted a building ahead of them at the side of the road. As they got closer they could see it was an inn. There was a second building at the side of the main building with large doors, where travellers' horses were livered. The knight knew it was going to rain overnight so they needed shelter for that night at least. They had no money for a room but maybe the owner would let them sleep in the livery. It galled James that the prince should have to resort to sleeping in a hay filled barn but that was no worse than sleeping in the open. James weighed up the options of risk. They were a long way from Cascade Castle and no one should recognise the prince or have even heard of the takeover of Cascadia by King Vahen. And judging by their rumpled and soiled clothing and dishevelled appearances, no one would suspect Blahr of being royalty. One thing James knew was that they had to hide their swords. No normal traveller would be armed with such fancy swords. They decided to bury them next to the road before they reached the inn.

As they approached the inn, the sign above the door proclaimed it as "The One-Eyed Cat". James could hear voices inside but it wasn't overly crowded. With his senses on high alert, and prepared to defend his prince at a moment's notice, James pushed open the door of the tavern, with Blahr a step behind him. The interior was gloomy, even in the late afternoon sunlight. The windows were small affairs, hardly letting in any light. Lanterns were lit in sconces on the wall, adding a slightly oily odour to the air. All eyes turned to them as they entered the main room. Then the patrons, mainly men, went back to their drinks or meals. James and Blahr walked to the bar.

A busty barmaid walked over to them. She was tall for a woman with curly auburn hair that sat on her shoulders and she had sparkling green eyes.

"What'll it be gents?" she asked.

"Nothing, thank you," James replied pleasantly. "We are looking for work and were wondering if you know of anyone who is recruiting?"

Blahr glanced at his protector out of the corner of his eye. He had no idea work was involved, he wasn't above getting his hands dirty, but they needed to get home as soon as possible. How could they do that if they were working their way back to Cascade Castle?

"Not round here," she replied looking at the two men scrupulously noticing their unkempt hair and soiled appearance of their clothing. They had been travelling for some time by the looks of them.

"My name's Alliana and I'm the owner of The One-Eye Cat. I took over from my late husband."

"I'm Jeffrey and this is my nephew Byron," James replied a little surprised that a woman was owner of the inn. "We have no money but were wondering if we could sleep in the livery overnight."

"We'd be prepared to work for it," Blahr replied, wanting her to know even though they couldn't pay for their lodgings they weren't freeloaders and were willing to pay for it any way necessary.

"I can see you both need a little help," the inn's owner replied. "You're both welcome to sleep here tonight on the house."

Blahr glanced at himself and then at his companion and noticed that they were both distinctly dishevelled and dirty.

"Why don't you go make yourselves comfortable at a table and I'll bring you a meal over."

"But we can't pay for it," Blahr replied.

"I know," she replied and walked away from the bar and through a door. The smells that came from the open door indicated to Jim's nose that it was a kitchen.

James looked round the room. There were a dozen or more tables some with chairs and some with benches either side. The knight chose the table in the furthest corner. He sat with his back to the wall so he could observe the room. Blahr sat in front of him. No one seemed to be paying them any mind so the knight relaxed a little.

Alliana returned a few minutes later with a tray containing two steaming plates of food and two mugs of ale. She put the plates down in front of them. They were heaped with meat, potatoes and vegetables. She put a mug down in front of Jim and then joked when she put one in front of Blahr.

"I imagine you're old enough to drink this," she said referring to the prince's youthful appearance.

"More than old enough, good lady," he replied.

"Enjoy your meals," she added and then left them to eat.

As they ate James listened to the conversations in the inn. Blahr knew when his friend was concentrating his senses so he let him do that and kept his attention on the wholesome meal. Blahr couldn't believe how nice the owner of The One-Eyed Cat had been to them, giving them a meal and a place to sleep for the night. The prince knew he shouldn't have been surprised by her generosity; he had always been surrounded by people like that. But he did stop to wonder at times whether it was because he was a prince and no one would ever refuse him anything. Here no one knew who he was and it wasn't because of his position. Blahr hoped he could repay Alliana back one day when the kingdom was restored.

James concluded that there was no gossip in the room about anything that should concern them. He heard Alliana's name mentioned a few times and it seemed she was well liked and respected. It couldn't have been easy for her taking over her late husband's establishment but she had done it with success. The inn was known for its good ale and wholesome meals. A few of the patrons wanted more than a pint pulled but James knew that Alliana could take care of herself.

"May I join you?" Alliana asked after James and Blahr had finished their meals and were quietly talking over their ale.

"Of course," Blahr replied moving over the bench seat to give the bar owner room to sit down beside him.

James was immediately suspicious but her heartbeat and respiration were even, so he could detect no ulterior motives.

"Thank you for the meal," Blahr said gratefully.

"You're both welcome," she replied. "There's a bath house out back if you both want a hot bath."

"I could kill for one," Blahr replied, that was one thing he had missed. Washing in a cold river, where possible, just didn't cut it.

"I spoke to some of the men who are travelling through here, there's possible work in Andulsa. It's a small town about three leagues south west of here."

James had already heard the patrons talking to the inn's owner about it, but he didn't tell Alliana that.

"You've been so kind to us," Blahr said.

"I must admit to a bit of a selfish reason," Alliana explained. Blahr looked puzzled at the inn's owner. "Byron, you remind me a little of my son. He died six years ago."

"I'm so sorry for your loss," Blahr replied.

"He travelled all over Cascadia. He used to send me letters all the time about his adventures. Then one day I received a letter from a stranger. He told me that Myer, that's my son, was set upon by a group of men. They robbed him and left him for dead. The man who sent me the letter found my son and did what he could. But for the kindness of a stranger my son would have died alone. I vowed then that I would always help those in need who came in through the doors of my inn, as a stranger once tried to help my son. It makes me feel better," she said contemplatively and then smiled. "When I looked at the two of you, when you walked in, you both looked down on your luck and in need of a little help."

"We appreciate your hospitality," James replied, a little guilty for feeling so suspicious about her earlier.

Alliana smiled glad her generosity was appreciated.

"So where are you both from?" she asked.

"The south," James replied vaguely.

"Near Rainier," Blahr replied knowing their accents would likely give them away if he lied.

"I thought I detected Rainier accents in you both. Have you ever been to Cascade Castle?"

"Yes, many times," Blahr replied.

James' eyebrows rose at Blahr's admittance, not wanting the prince to give away who they were, but he didn't add anything to that admittance.

"So what is the king like?"

"Never met him," James replied quickly.

"I met the prince once," Blahr added.

"They say he's very handsome," Alliana said.

"Oh he is, very," Blahr replied mischievously as his protector rolled his eyes.

"Where are you going next?"

"We're not really sure," Blahr replied truthfully. He was relying on his protector to get them both home.

"I thought we might try and get work in Andulsa," James said.

"Alliana, I need another drink!" someone shouted across the room.

"Excuse me, I need to serve someone."

Alliana got up and moved behind the bar. James noticed that more people were entering the inn now as night fell. Not just travellers used the inn but locals as well. Blahr and James were both tired and wanted to retire. The bar was also starting to get smoky from the numerous people smoking. James began to cough a little, his sensitive senses picking up the odour in the air. Alliana came over a short time later.

"It always gets busy at night. I look after the bar during the day on my own but have help at night but even then you can be rushed off your feet. The bathing room's out back," and then she gave James a key. "Room three is free tonight."

"Alliana, you've been more than kind. The livery is more than adequate for our needs," James replied.

"Nonsense, the room is empty; you both might as well make use of it," she replied, not taking no for an answer.

"Thank you," Blahr replied coming to like the idea of sleeping in a real bed that night.

After they had bathed in the deliciously hot water in the bathing room, James and Blahr were now lying beneath clean sheets in pretty comfy beds. Blahr had missed sleeping on a mattress.

James could still hear people talking in the bar below but he felt reassured that there was no danger nearby.

Blahr lay awake in the darkness, he was tired but sleep wouldn't come yet. He was thinking about Andulsa and whether anyone would recognise him there. He was concerned that someone had been to Rainier and Cascade Castle.

"'Jeffrey', are you asleep?" Blahr whispered with a grin.

"No, 'Byron', I am not," came the tired reply.

"Would you do something for me?"

"Anything, my prince, I live to serve you," the protector replied earnestly.

"Would you cut my hair?"

James had not expected that.

"Why, Blahr?"

"I'm concerned if someone could recognise me in Andulsa. I know we can't avoid all places where there are people. We need horses and the only way to get them is to work for the money to buy them. I won't steal from anyone, even if that means it takes me longer to get home. Everyone knows the Prince of Cascadia has long curly hair, so I'm hoping that if my hair is short no one will give me a second look."

"That is a sound tactical decision, my prince. But your hair."

"James, it will grow back. We need to do whatever is necessary to reach home and if that means cutting my hair then I am prepared to do that."

"Then I will cut it before we reach Andulsa," James replied proud of his prince.

Blahr closed his eyes then, reassured he had made a wise decision and finally gave in to the tiredness he was feeling.

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End Part 2

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