Kared's Children - Chapter 11

"It’s just not being very King-like."

"I think it’s being very King-like." Gerald rested a hand on Nartho’s shoulder. "You whip this Guard into shape. When we get back, even moreso once we’ve solved this problem, we’ll need them to be the best fighting force in Kared."

Nartho forced his complaints to cease. "You’ll be an outstanding King, you know. You’re a brave and good friend."

"Thank you, Narth."

Tairp appeared from among the throng and headed for Karec. "Ah, here you are."

"Jack," Karec said, greeting his friend warmly. "It’s nice to have you come to see us off."

"It’s not that nice." He nodded at the others. "Several of us are here. Somewhere in this crowd."

Morgan seemed almost to be collapsing under his pack. "Paurlsen must have loved getting up this early."

"You know Withegood," Tairp said, briefly shaking Morgan’s hand. "He and Archibald both. Slough pits of worry and concern, those two."

"Have you released the fat one yet?" Gerald asked.

Tairp looked at the King uncomfortably. "We thought we’d wait until you’d departed."

Gerald scowled. "This morning, then."

"Yes, your Highness."

Jenker appeared from the crowd, his bald head pale in the early light. "A more raggedy group of adventurers I’ve never seen."

"Thomas." Morgan obviously was glad to see him.

"How go the preparations?" Karec asked.

"They’re going," Jenker said, clapping Morgan on the shoulder. "We have three catapults. Thanks to Morgan, we’re expecting to excavate an area today that should open up a shelter for our inhabitants. We’ve called in the reserves of our infantry. We’ve begun drilling our cannon teams. We’ll have a meeting today with our archers to inform them what to expect."

"I would like to attend that meeting," Nartho said.

Shaerden had approached the group. "Nartho is the head of the King’s Guard."

"By all means," Jenker said to Nartho.

Archibald and Withegood arrived, and, as Tairp had said, seemed more anxious than any of the travelers. They all exchanged greetings, then stood around each other awkwardly, with the patience forced of sudden shyness.

"We wish you luck," Archibald said at last.

"We wish you success," Withegood said.

"Thank you, men," Karec said. "That means a lot, coming from you two."

"Don’t get too comfortable as Historian," Morgan said to Jenker.

"I’ve already moved your office to a broom closet," Jenker said.

A darkly-bearded man wearing long boots and a cloak above his billowy clothing approached and nodded to Karec and Withegood. "Gentlemen. Are you almost ready?"

Karec glanced at Gerald, who shrugged. "Ned Jain is leader of the Caravan," he said to Tairp.

"Is it time to go?" Gerald asked.

Ned looked from Karec to Gerald. In his face was no indication he knew who Gerald was. "If the Chairman’s party is ready."

"We’re ready," Karec said.

"Then it’s time to go." Ned shook Karec’s hand, and with a last look at Gerald, moved on to the next group in the Caravan.

"It’s not going to be easy, is it?" Gerald asked.

"You’ll tell people if the need arises," Shaerden said.

"If you do that you’ll really be in a fix," Raven said. "Everyone will be looking to you all the time to make decisions."