Jason reined in his horse outside the tavern, automatically checking out the surrounding area, looking for anything that seemed the slightest bit suspicious. He had no reason to expect trouble, but his careful scrutiny of the immediate vicinity was an ingrained habit, the result of both training and, occasionally painful, experience.
Finding nothing amiss, the young man dismounted and loosely tied his weary horse to the provided hitching rail, noting absently that there were seven other horses.
"This place must be pretty good if this many people are dining here," he mumbled to himself, his stomach grumbling in agreement. It had been far too long since breakfast.
He entered the dimly lighted building, and immediately sidled to the right of the entrance, his eyes darting around the large room, getting accustomed to the near darkness. He saw four rough looking men at the bar, and another two well dressed young men sitting at a side table. Far in the back he spotted a familiar, and welcome, face. He strode over confidently, gesturing to the proprietor that he would want service while pulling the neckline of his shirt back to show his caste mark to the man.
"Trini, I've got to say this is a pleasant surprise," he smiled at the petite young woman sitting with a dark skinned young man.
"Jason! By the fates, it's good to see you again. Have a seat, it's been too long," she replied with a welcoming smile. "This is Zackary," she added, indicating her companion.
"Thank you, Trini. Nice to meet you, Zackary," he added, sinking gratefully into the rough chair.
"What brings you to this humble place?" Trini asked with a sharp look.
"I'm on my way to King Caplyn's court. Seems there's a princess needs rescuing," he replied casually as the owner set down a large platter of meat and vegetables in front of him.
"Princess Kymberly. Yes, I'd heard that. I was considering offering my services, as well. I met her a few seasons back. A somewhat flighty girl, but very sweet. She was organizing a jousting contest to benefit the victims of the spring floods. You remember how much flooding there was then, right?"
Jason nodded in remembrance. "Oh, yeah. Father waived all taxes that season to give the people a chance to get back on their feet again."
"And how is King Olscott?"
"Fine, fine. Already considering passing the reign to my brother Jacob. I think he wants an early retirement so he can spend his days fishing and hunting," Jason grinned.
"You're a prince?" Zackary asked, looking at the rather bedraggled young man.
"Yeah, though as the third son it's not a big deal. My father is King Olscott, our kingdom is to the west," Jason told him in a matter-of-fact manner. "What about you, Zackary?"
"Oh, I'm not royalty. I'm of the General Caste; I was working as a court jester when I was taken hostage during a robbery. Trini here rescued me along with the jewels," he told Jason with a warm smile at the young woman who'd rescued him.
"They wanted the jewels back, but declined to rehire Zackary. I thought I might be able to convince my uncle to give him a chance," Trini added with a slight smile.
"That sounds good. If King Hauward doesn't want him, perhaps I can convince my father to give him a job. Are you any good?" Jason queried with a gleam in his eyes.
"The best. I can dance, sing, and juggle all at the same time," Zackary told him, leaping to his feet and grabbing four potatoes from Jason's plate. He began to juggle them adroitly, while dancing with considerable grace. He added a spirited version of a local song to the routine; singing in a pleasant, mellow voice. Jason sat back with a grin, enjoying the impromptu show.
With a flurry of motion Zackary concluded his routine and returned his 'props' to Jason's plate.
"Sorry, I probably shouldn't have used your dinner," he said sheepishly, his breathing a bit labored from his exertions.
"That's okay. You are good, indeed. It shouldn't be hard to find you a position."
"I sure hope so. I hate being without a job. As it is I'm going to owe Trini three years' wages before we get to where we're going," he replied, looking down a bit shamefacedly.
"I told you I considered I was being paid by the work you've been doing for me," the young woman insisted, giving her traveling companion a stern look.
"Say, you said you were considering seeing King Caplyn, you want to work together on it? I have a feeling it's going to be a tough one," Jason asked after a moment's consideration.
"I could be amenable to that," Trini smiled back. "Last time we worked together it went well."
"That it did. And perhaps King Caplyn can be convinced to give Zackary here a position," Jason suggested.
"Or I could go with you," Zackary put in, hurrying on when he saw the doubtful expressions crossing the faces of his companions. "I could help you. I can cook, take care of the horses, and you know, move among the common folks, easier than you two can. Trini can tell you I'm a good cook," he pleaded his case.
"It could be dangerous, Zackary," Trini pointed out gently.
"I know. But I don't mind the danger. You saved my life, I'd like a chance to repay you if possible."
"I don't require repayment. I told you that. As a Warrior Priestess of Zahara, I do what I can to help people without regard to any form of payment," Trini chided him gently.
Zackary couldn't articulate why it was so important he be allowed to accompany Trini and Jason on their mission, but deep inside him something just knew he had to. "I understand that. There's no way I could repay you for saving my life anyway, I can't give a value to that. But I still want to go," he insisted stubbornly.
Trini looked at him searchingly, then sighed before turning to Jason. "Looks like you have two to help you, if that's agreeable."
Jason smiled warmly at them both. "Sounds good to me. Let's get some rest and we can start fresh in the morning."
They reached the castle late the next morning, having made good time despite the fact Zackary had to ride double behind Trini. Jason noted he would have to arrange for a mount for Zackary if the young man still insisted in accompanying them, riding double would slow them down too much. Jason's name and reputation easily granted them an audience with the distraught king, who was pale with worry and looking much older than Jason remembered.
"Jason, I've heard of your exploits. I'd be most pleased to have your assistance in rescuing my daughter. Anything you need to help you, I will provide. Any reward you demand for your success I will grant. I just want Kymberly back, safe and whole."
Before Jason could respond, another voice chimed in from the corner.
"I thought you were going to let me do this." The tone was quiet enough, but there was still a hint of anger in it.
"Tomas, this is Jason. He's the third son of King Olscott; his reputation is unparalleled. He has never failed to do exactly what he promises to do. He's offered his services, I'd be a fool to turn him down," King Caplyn said quietly. He stood quietly for a moment, thinking, as the two young men regarded each other warily.
"Jason," the king said, obviously coming to a decision. "I would like for you and Tomas to work together on this. Please, I can't help but feel it will double your chances to find my daughter. I understand you both usually work alone, but I would appreciate if you would make an exception in this case. Kymberly needs you both."
The two young men slowly circled each other, each taking the other's measure, both reluctantly impressed. Jason was the shorter of the two, but his sheer muscular bulk was enough to give anyone pause. Tommy's strength was less obvious, the muscles stretched out over a larger area, but visible nonetheless.
Jason saw a young man who had a certain native charm and ease with the world that he'd always lacked. Tomas might not have been born to a high caste, but that was simply a quirk of fate, from what Jason could see. Tomas had the bearing and air of nobility, if not the birthright. Those traits combined with a certain burning hunger, a driving force, in the longhaired young man that gave him a slightly dangerous air, which complemented the charm. But his attitude toward Jason was bold, but not aggressive.
Tomas saw in Jason all the things he wished he'd been allotted in life: the inborn confidence that came from knowing there was little, if anything, in the world that could be denied him. Tomas could tell with a glance that his rival had never spent long nights trying to sleep despite the hunger knawing in his belly, nor had he walked to work in the fields barefoot in the snow because shoes cost far too much to replace. Yet, the expression behind the cautious eyes was not arrogant, but warm and caring. The dark haired young man might have been born 'with a silver spoon in his mouth,' but he didn't use that to beat anyone down.
Jason cautiously smiled at Tomas, and was pleased to see a return smile sent his way, the expression on the narrow face accepting.
"It shall be as you wish," Jason said formally to King Caplyn.
"Thank you, and may the fates smile upon you both and bless your efforts. What do you need of me?"
"Trini and Zackary will be joining us as well. If Tomas has his own mount, then just two more horses with full tack, and enough funds to purchase one for Kymberly when we rescue her. Tomas?" Jason turned to the Tomas with a curious expression.
"No, I have everything I need," he murmured.
"Great, then if you can get someone to bring us the extra horses we can be on our way," Jason said, accepting the pouch of money from one of the King's servants.
"The horses are being fetched as we speak, and there is more money there than is needed for a horse. Please, Jason, use it for food, supplies, shelter, whatever you may need. It is in my best interest that you all be well fed and healthy to rescue my Kymberly, so do not hesitate to spend it," the king implored them, satisfied when Jason nodded in acceptance then indicated to the others that they should get on their way.
There had been no witnesses to Kymberly's kidnapping; no ransom demand had been made. However, there were ways and means of finding out who had taken the princess, and where she was being held. No one could commit such a crime and not cause a ripple in the fabric of fate; a ripple that could be followed to its source by one who is sensitive to such things. And both Tomas and Jason knew prophets who could help them.
"You have a plan?" Tomas asked as they rode out, Zackary now riding his own horse, the extra one being led. The former farmhand wasn't exactly thrilled to find himself following Jason's lead, but he was sensible enough to know they were more likely to succeed together than apart. And succeeding in Kymberly's rescue was definitely the most important thing at this point. So Tomas bit back any mutinous remarks and followed Jason's orders, though he knew that if he felt Jason was wrong he would not hesitate to disobey and follow his own instincts.
"I do. There is a prophetess a day's ride from here who is a devoted subject of King Caplyn's. She would be most sensitive to anything concerning him or his daughter. She'd be our best bet to get a lead on where she was taken," Jason replied with an easy confidence.
"That seems to be a sound plan. If she's loyal to King Caplyn then she would be the best one to see. May I ask why we have the extra horse?" Tomas queried.
"We're picking up someone else. He doesn't own a horse," Jason informed them. "He's only slightly out of our way, and we will find him extremely helpful."
They were heading into the deepest part of the forest, in places the trees grew so close together that even a child could not pass easily between them. The sounds of myriad small woodland creatures provided a soothing background for the peaceful splendor of the woods.
The clearing with its small cabin huddled on the northern side was as unexpected as it was welcome. The forest could make almost anyone claustrophobic, and all were grateful to see the sky once again arcing above them.
"Who would want to live in such an isolated place?" Zack wondered from his position riding next to Trini.
"Someone who doesn't want a lot of visitors, that's for certain," the warrior priestess replied, smiling a little at her companion. Zackary was one of the most social people she'd ever met, she could appreciate how he would wonder about someone living this far from civilization.
"Let me see if he's at home," Jason said, indicating the others should stop a ways from the cabin while he rode on alone. The burly young man stopped his horse and dismounted, walking to the base of the porch steps before calling out in a carrying voice.
"Will? Will, are you here? It's Jason."
They saw the door open just a crack, and sensed a presence in the darkness beyond, and for just a moment the three who were still a distance away felt an peculiar fear. There was the oddest atmosphere around the small dwelling, and the three who waited for Jason found themselves wondering for a moment if the house was even real; and if it was, what sort of being lived there. Then the door opened the rest of the way and the occupant stepped out on the porch into the sunlight.
Their apprehension turned to mild embarrassment as they could see the slight young man posed no threat. The slim body was encased in dark blue pants and a loose white shirt, he carried no weapons they could see, and his whole stance was tentative and nervous.
"Jason," the soft voice was pleased sounding. "What brings you out here?"
"Princess Kymberly has been kidnapped. We are going to rescue her, and I thought if you weren't busy perhaps you could help."
"You know you have but to ask, Jason. Let me gather a few things." With that the mysterious young man went back inside, shutting the door, only to emerge in a couple of minutes carrying a bedroll and with a carry-bag hooked over one shoulder.
"Do you have a mount for me?"
Wordlessly Jason handed the reins to the extra horse over, and watched as the other tied his supplies behind the saddle and mounted. His three traveling companions rode forward to meet him.
"Will, this is Tomas, Trini, and Zack. This is Will, he's a wizard and healer," Jason announced, his expression serious.
"Amateur wizard and healer," Will corrected quietly. "And it's nice to meet you."
The greeting was returned as they turned as one and continued south to find the prophetess who would hopefully direct them to the missing princess.
tbc
