chapter 12: A prince's warning
The afternoon was tiresome but passed in a blink of an eye. Kara was testing Luka on his knowledge on the correct storage of potent potion ingredients when the prince passed them by along with his cousin. They paraded proudly on horseback, laughing loudly and paying little attention to their surroundings. They were closely followed by the Darkling and his Oprichnik as well as a few soldiers from the First Army.
It was almost comical, such a troop of men having to follow the prince as personal security. Indeed, the last thing they needed after the prince's encounter with a bear, was for him to hurt himself on his way home. She wondered how the prince would tell the story. Would he avoid the story all together? Or would he place himself in a better light?
The prince caught Kara staring and his face lit up with a smile. " Dama Kara! It's a pleasure to see you again!". Kara bowed as well as she could while walking. " Moi Sovereigni, how are you feeling? And what of your cousin the count?". The darkling looked upon their conversation, looking terribly bored. The prince leaned over to his cousin, " We are doing very well are we not cousin? Were it not for this lady over here I might be gone from this world and you a raving lunatic!". The cousin laughed nervously, " Yes, we are indeed in your debt lady. Though I do hope that if the story is told, people will remember that I was tortured into that state of mind. I would not want anyone to think I have a weak disposition". Kara could see how this would be hard for the count. If indeed he had had the terrible childhood he had, finding solace with his cousin in the palace, he would wish to remain esteemed by those he cared for and not teased.
Kara continued to walk by the prince's young auburn stallion, keeping a safe distance, " My lord, if anyone tells the story without its proper context, you may count on me to set it to right. I know of few men who could come back to their senses after being physically broken."
The cousin was relieved, " Thank you lady. I am not as much attached to my honor as being rightfully considered. And the court is a place for gossip and conniving. I might indeed call upon you if needed as a witness". The prince laughed, " be not afraid cousin, Dama Kara is the mother healer of the First Army. She cares for the men as if they were all her brothers. You have nothing to fear". Kara was puzzled. The prince did not know a thing about her and yet he had weaved a very flattering image of how she went about her work. She realized that behind the prince's smile was a challenge. He dared her not to contradict what he had said. By flattering her, she was unable to say otherwise without him losing face, therefore protecting his cousin. Kara bowed again, " Thank you your highness. You are too kind". The prince relaxed slightly and looked onward. "I believe, cousin, that we are to be welcomed by the lord and lady of Ryevost for supper. How about riding forward to meet them early?".
General Kirigan frowned and pressed his horse forward, " Your highness, I would recommend that you remain with the main body of our armies. We do not know what dangers may await us on the road. Detaching from the soldiers would expose you." The prince waved his hand impatiently, " Not to worry, we are in Ravka now. With your company, General, what harm can come to us?". General Kirigan scowled but said nothing. The prince kicked his horse into a gallop and his cousin followed. The shadow summoner could do nothing else than to follow closely with his soldiers. He had no time to devise any plan to secure the perimeter. He stopped only a moment near Kara, "please call upon Ania. If the prince is to be naive and stupid I want both of you at the ready." Kara nodded and turned to Luka, " Can you warn Ania for me? I have to relieve Artyom from his duty with our infirmary wagon". Luka did not hesitate a second, and disappeared among the men, weaving his way through. The Darkling thanked Kara quickly and kicked his horse to catch up with the prince and count, his black coat bellowing behind him.
Kara had warned General Biryukov at the head of the column of First Army soldiers, of the prince's rash action to move on forward to Ryevnost without them. The General was livid but could do nothing but keep his post leading the army, who make slow progress to the city. The prince and his cousin were accompanies by none other than the most powerful Grisha they knew. They would have to trust that it would suffice to ensure his protection. Once, she was dismissed, Kara went back to the infirmary wagon to switch places with Artyom. " It's about time!" he grumbled as she came level with their pony. " My arse is so stiff, you could beat hot iron to make swords on it!". She chuckled, " And my feet have so many blisters, walking feels like hopping on hot coals. Care to trade?". Artyom grunted in approval at her banter and handed her the reins. He then grabbed the satchel of medical supplies Kara was holding out to him, and hopped off, clearly relieved to stretch his legs. He quickly disappeared in the throng of soldiers and wagons marching forward.
Kara settled on the bench at the front of the wagon and jumped when Yurii pocked his head through from the back of the wagon. " I'm bored, can I come and sit in the front with you?". Kara laughed and ruffled his hair, " What is Seraphine doing then?". Yurii pouted, " She's snoring in the back". Kara clicked her tongue to encourage the pony to stay the course and held out her hand to help Yurii lift his legs over to the bench.
" Why didn't you sit down with Artyom? You didn't have to wait for me to come back." Yurii settled happily next to her, " Since I got drunk on Kvas after we won, he keeps on teasing me. It's annoying". She raised an eyebrow, " Did you enjoy the experience?". Yurii thought for a moment and shook his head, " It tastes bad and my head hurt so bad the next day. It wasn't worth it". Kara pulled on the reins so the pony would avoid a large rock which would derail the wagon, " You'll see growing up that men like to indulge in liquor. However, the stuff makes your head fuzzy and your body terribly clumsy. I would recommend not having a drink if you have anything important to do or have to stay alert. The stuff can get you killed". Yurii nodded. He stayed silent for a moment but Kara could tell something was troubling him.
She nudged him with her elbow, " Come now Yurii, what's on your mind?". The boy was solemn, " I heard what you and Seraphine said about having to leave me in Os Alta." Kara sighed. They were about to have a difficult conversation. " We were going to talk to you about it, probably tonight after making camp." Yurii's eyes became watery, " I don't want to go. Can't I stay with you? I swear I'll learn quick! I'll even do what Artyom tells me if I have to". Kara placed both reins in one hand and cradled Yurii in her other arm, " Listen Yurii, being an army healer is something that takes years to master. Our daily activities are not suitable for one so young. I'm more than a decade older than you and I have nightmares with all I have seen". He sniffled and buried his head in her shoulder, " I'm sorry Yurii, but I want you to have a childhood. You'll face hardships soon enough. If you still want to become a healer in a couple of years, I'll take you on as an apprentice". He raised his head, his face wet with tears, " You swear? How long would I have to stay in Os Alta? And with who?". Kara thought for a moment, " Apprentices usually start at 14. You would have to stay 4 years in Os Alta. Seraphine has a niece who could take you in. We'll meet with her and see if she agrees".
Yurii wiped his face on his sleeve, " Is she nice?". Kara looked forward to avoid looking at him directly, " I don't know. If she's not, we'll find someone else to take care of you". Yurii sighed, reassured somewhat, " Ok, I don't like it but OK". Kara patted him on the shoulder and took up the the reins again in both hands, " We'll write to you often and if you have any problem, we'll get you out. I promise".
