Sauragia

Chapter 9

“Well, that was refreshing,” said Johnny, clambering out of the pond and shaking himself off.

“Didn’t I say it would be?” remarked Astron, drying himself with the towel he had borrowed from the washroom. “There’s nothing like it on such a warm day. Only back home, I would have just let the sun and wind dry me off.”

“Same,” replied Johnny, applying another towel to his own soaked hide. “I imagine we’ll be doing this more often as it gets warmer.”

“I imagine so. Should be fun.”

“Times with you always are.”

Astron blushed a little. He looked at Johnny to reply, but found himself tongue-tied on meeting his gaze. It felt rather awkward for a second just staring at him staring back, yet somehow perfectly natural. Only the chilly breeze against his skin snapped him out of his trance.

“We should get back soon,” he said, though supper was still at least an hour away.

“Right,” replied Johnny, and silently the two guards put their clothes back on as the sun began to sink. They started back toward Saurahall via the usual route, though they remained oddly quiet as they walked.

Suddenly the shrubbery shook, and the two stopped. A small lizard emerged onto the trail and paused to sniff the air. Its hide was pure white and its eyes pinkish red.

“Make a wish, Astron,” whispered Johnny in his ear slit. “They say white lizards bring good luck!”

Astron tried to think of a worthy wish, but could only think of the reasons he had come to Saurahall: renown and honour. The tiny reptile scurried up a tree on the other side of the trail, and disappeared into the foliage.

“In seventeen years on this earth, I’ve never seen the like,” said Johnny, shaking his head. He regarded Astron. “You’re a very lucky dino, Astron.”

Astron looked back and smiled. “So I am.”

He didn’t know how or why, but something in that moment seemed to snap inside him. The next moment, he found his arms coiled about his friend, their mouths pressed tightly together in an exchange of feelings more intense than he had ever experienced before. They pulled away gently after a moment, feeling dizzy but content. Neither said a word all the way home, but the smiles rarely left their faces for many hours afterward.

King Henrik and his Captain of the Guard were also taking a turn about the Palace grounds. It was a pleasant time for such activity, with a warm southerly breeze blowing and bringing with it a taste of summer. Already many of the summer blossoms were beginning to open up in the gardens in the northwest corner of the grounds where the two strolled along. It would not be long ere the dreaded heat came and enveloped all of Cardolin in the folds of discomfort. The slow-setting sun painted pastel hues of orange and red across the canvas that was the western sky. The perfect day indeed for a walk.

Henrik and Richard had been friends since before Henrik had taken the throne or Richard his current rank. Every evening for the past twenty-five years they had taken their tour through the gardens without fail, however hot, cold, rainy, or dry it had been. If one was ever absent for whatever reason, the other still took the walk without him. It made for good thinking time, and they often shared and discussed their troubles or the news of day.

Today was no exception to the rule, and as they walked alongside the ivy-strewn west wall, they spoke of many things.

“Tomorrow begins the summer festival,” spoke Captain Torilis. “The young ones of Saurahall are all excited about it as usual.”

“So it would seem,” commented the king distractedly.

“Most of the Guard seems to look forward to it as well,” added Richard. “Astron willingly obliged when I asked him to take part in the sword display.”

“Ah yes, Astron. How is he doing in his new post? Quite well, I suspect.”

“Indeed you suspect rightly, sire. He is easily the most disciplined and efficient new recruit I’ve ever had. His father taught him well, though I daresay he has his mother’s understanding and self-restraint.”

“Do you think so?”

“I do. Any hastiness he possesses is merely a product of his youth. I think, given time, he could become a fine Captain of the Guard someday, just as his father had once hoped to.”

“That is good. We need more like him. Especially these days.”

“Henrik?” spoke Richard with concern. “Something troubles you?”

“It is these rumours I have heard of late, Richard. Word of Edward, that savage usurping warlord, has been growing more frequent for the past few months. The latest report suggests he is amassing his forces near our border, as you are well aware.”

“Yes, I know what you mean, sire. It seems to me the old Slayer has been getting a bit big-headed of late. What with the following he’s been gathering, I reckon it’s only a matter of time before the old bounder challenges you for the crown of Cardolin.”

“I reckon you to be right, Captain,” said Henrik. “The Saltrak have long had their eye on Cardolin, and Edward is just ambitious enough to challenge us if he’s anything like the Edward of old. I only hope we are up to it should it come to that. Cardolin has not had a real war for a good two decades or more now, and our diminished fighting force shows it.”

“Of course we’re up to it, my king!” said Captain Torilis, taking on his most serious military air. “The troops may be young, but they’ve got the strength and spirit for anything that comes their way. With their bodies and the experience of our older minds, we could repulse any invader with the ease of plucking daisies.”

“I am pleased with your confidence, Captain,” said Henrik. “A few days hence, after the Summerday Festival, I want you to take a patrol of your ablest and all-around best guards to the eastern border and investigate what is happening there. Find out just what kind of force Edward has, and what he has been up to. Take a good scout, then report back here.”

“It will be done, sire. Any other instructions?” He paused. “Do you suppose I should bring young Astron along to get some experience?”

“I’ll leave such detailed decisions up to you, Captain. Just bring a decent patrol of ten or twelve with a couple of good runners.”

“It will be as you say, sire.”

“Very well. And thank you, Richard. You will be doing a great deal to ease my mind.”

“‘Tis merely my duty, lord.”

King Henrik smiled with satisfaction. He knew when his Captain of the Guard said he would do something, he did it. He patted his friend on the back. “Come, my old campaigner. Supper will be ready shortly.”

“Very good, sir. I admit, I’m quite famished after our little jaunt.”

Thus, the two old friends walked side by side back to the Palace.

In fact King Henrik had less time than he had guessed. For at that very moment several miles to the east, King Edward had made his crossing. He now watched as the tail end of his forces arrived on the western shore of the river in boats and over the bridges his troops had so cleverly captured the previous night. After killing the unsuspecting guards with nary a sound, they had secured the surrounding area and made sure no one would be aware of their crossing for days. Edward once again had reason to smile, for his surprise attack had gone off splendidly. He had drawn first blood in a war that no one in Cardolin even knew had begun!