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Leafblade

By: Isaac Coyote

Chapter 3: The Price Of Betrayal

Rayac was still fuming inside by the time he reached the front doors of the manor. She clearly wanted to be alone with Tarin. She didn't have to do it in such a way that might as well have been a dismissal. She was the Princess, that was true, but he also thought that they were friends. Something was bothering her, and she wasn't sharing. As angry as this made him, he had to push it out of his mind. Something important was occurring in the manor, and he needed to make sure he was a part of it.

Upon returning to the dining hall, Rayac found that Lady Aunair had already departed for the evening. King Alshaer and Lord Aunair sat alone at the table. Everything had been cleared away, leaving the two alone to discuss. Lord Aunair saw Rayac first and turned his attention to him. "Rayac, there you are." He hesitated before adding. "And Her Highness?"

"In the garden," Rayac replied, "She wanted time alone."

Lord Aunair's eyes narrowed a bit. "And the coyote?"

Rayac hesitated. He knew he had to lie, but he hadn't prepared one for this instance. Rayac was not very good at lying on the spot, so he was backed against the wall. "I don't remember." Rayac replied, hoping it would cover the hesitation. "She sent him on some menial task, busy work really."

"I can send someone to retrieve her Highness." Lord Aunair offered. "She should not be alone."

"That won't be necessary." King Alshaer cut in. "She is perfectly capable of handling herself in a garden, I assure you." He motioned to a chair, looking back at Rayac. "Have a seat, lad, we have some things we wish to discuss, and I believe you are coming of age that you should start taking interest."

Rayac moved to the chair indicated, which was on the King's right side, and sat. He wasn't sure if there was some sort of significance to the seating, or if this was treated as a casual environment, but it meant something to him. "That is actually why I came here." Rayac explained. "I was hoping you hadn't started yet."

Lord Aunair shook his head. "No, we have not. We were getting to it, though."

King Alshaer nodded. "I'll get straight to the point. We've been at war with Isaldir for nearly fifteen years now. It has been a harsh war, but with no active battles in the last three years, we had hoped that we could call up a truce and end the bloodshed." He placed a paw on the table. "I sent an emissary to the King of Isaldir, with hopes that he would feel the same. I was not pleased with what I received in response."

Rayac couldn't help but ask. "What returned?"

"My emissary, riddled with about twenty Isaldiran arrows." King Alshaer replied coldly. "I fear this may be a sign of a renewed assault." He looked to Rayac with a sternness to his gaze. "Our military is better equipped, but our numbers lack in comparison." He turned to face Lord Aunair again. "This is why I am calling for the men of the nation to enlist in the military."

Lord Aunair nodded gravely. "I will do what I must."

Rayac stood up. "What if I went in Father's stead?"

Lord Aunair's features were pure surprise, but the King appeared as if he had been expecting this. "If your father has no objection to it, I will gladly accept your enlistment over his."

Lord Aunair held his comment for a moment before nodding. "He has made his decision. I cannot go against it." There was a moment of thought before he added, "I will also send with him all of my servants able to serve as well. I don't have many, but I should be able to offer the ten I do possess."

Rayac had made it a point to know every servant in the manor by name. It didn't take him long to run all of the names through his head. The result concerned him. "There are only nine, Father. Eldran is too old now. He's beyond fighting years."

"Eldran is too old," Lord Aunair replied, "But the coyote is just reaching the age to serve."

Rayac fought back the urge to respond immediately. This was the reply he feared. "Tarin is too young." He said finally.

"He is the same age as you," Lord Aunair countered.

Rayac grunted. "He's two years younger than me." He corrected.

"It doesn't matter," Lord Aunair dismissed. "He'll be a foot soldier regardless. He just needs to know which end of the sword to hold."

"You never let him hold a sword," Rayac growled. "How would he know which end is correct?"

Lord Aunair studied Rayac for a moment. "Why do you care so much about him serving?"

Rayac did not use his initial response, but there was no hesitation. Despite not being the main reason, the explanation given was just as true. "I do not care who it is, I cannot stand aside and watch someone sent simply to die. He is too young, and too untrained. He would die in his first battle, and might cause the death of others. I cannot ignore that."

Lord Aunair seemed convinced by his answer, as he did not reply. However, King Alshaer spoke up instead. "I understand your concerns. Another soldier would be helpful, though. Would you feel better if I placed him under your watch?"

"If he were under my watch, then yes..." The meaning of the King's words finally set in. "Under my watch?"

"You didn't really expect me to accept you into my army without training you into officer-ship, did you?" King Alshaer smiled. "You have the tactical mind of a leader, you have the courage of a soldier already, and you are better with the sword than most of my personal guard, and you are half their age, at least. It would not do you justice to place you as a common soldier."

"And being betrothed to your daughter has no bearing on this decision?" Rayac commented before he could stop himself.

"Yes, yes." King Alshaer laughed, "That was part of it, I admit. Even so, you are fitting for the role of an officer, do not doubt that."

Rayac spent the next few moments taking it all in. He was going to war. Tarin was going as well, but he would be able to look out for him. Would that be enough? Could he teach Tarin enough to survive before their first battle? He could not allow himself to show favoritism on the field. He knew what it would do to morale, and could cost lives. He had to make sure he could trust Tarin to take care of himself. He knew exactly what he had to do in order ensure Tarin's survival. "May I be the one to inform Tarin of this?"

Lord Aunair frowned at this. "I'm not sure it matters."

"But it does," King Alshaer countered. "One so young as Tarin might be afraid of what he is about to face. Let Rayac bear this news to him, and give him his first chance at inspiring one of his soldiers."

Rayac nodded, "Thank you."

Lord Aunair stood. "I have business to attend to, and I believe the Lady would like to hear of this new development."

Rayac nodded, "I hope mother won't be too upset."

"She'll worry," Lord Aunair replied, "That is what mothers do."

Rayac smiled weakly. "I should find Tarin and inform him of this." He turned to leave, but a paw placed on his shoulder stopped him.

"It can wait a little longer." King Alshaer said. "You and I can discuss a few things before you go." Rayac nodded in response. He would not dare tell the King no, but every part of him wanted to run at this very moment and find Tarin. It was too important to wait.

* * *

Tarin stared in shock at Liandra. Of everything she had just said to him, his mind latched onto one piece of information. "You know my real name, your Highness?" He blurted out, unable to censor his words.

"Yes," Liandra stated bluntly. "I know your name, Tarin. I've known it for a while. Can we ignore that and get to the point at hand?"

Tarin continued to stare at her. "You called me Toroy for years, your Highness, and you knew my name was Tarin?"

"It was necessary," Liandra confessed. "It was part of the act."

"The act?" Tarin cut in, just angry enough to make him forget formalities. "So, for years you've been pretending to be someone else? Lying to Rayac about who you are?"

"Don't be so sure of yourself." Liandra snapped. "You do not understand what I have gone through to get this far. You do not know what sacrifices I have made to be here, alone, with you right now."

"I am here." Tarin replied coldly. "We are alone. You can try and make me understand."

"There isn't enough time to make you understand." Liandra stated. "I can explain the situation, but you'll have to gain understanding on your own."

Tarin wasn't sure if he should be insulted by that. The odd choice of words threw him off balance. "What do you mean?"

"Just listen to what I have to say." Liandra moved to sit next to Tarin. "Do you know what the Council of Nine is?" Tarin shook his head. "Father is the King of Alshaer, and he oversees the running of the kingdom. The Council of Nine is a group of nine men who see to the smaller details of the kingdom. They refer back to Father for all of their major decisions, as he is the King, and has final say in all decisions."

"So, they make sure what his Majesty decides is followed through?"

Liandra smiled a little. "That's a simple way of putting it, when it's running as it should."

"But it isn't." Tarin replied. It was not a question.

"I wouldn't be here if it was." Liandra commented flatly. "The Council of Nine recently took it upon themselves to run the kingdom as they see fit, and not as father wishes them to." Liandra grew angrier as she continued to explain. "Normally, father would just have them removed from position and replaced. However, they poisoned father, and now they control the antidote which will save his life. A full dose will allow him a full recovery," Liandra explained quickly, "however, the small doses they are giving him only combat the poison short term. He needs a dose once a month or the poison will overtake him."

"If he does not agree to their terms," Tarin finished for her, "They withhold the antidote, and his Majesty dies."

"Forgive me for underestimating your intelligence." Liandra apologized. "I was worried I was making a mistake when I chose you for the task." She placed a paw on Tarin's knee. "The reason father and I are here is so I can make my request to you." She smiled weakly, refusing to make eye contact. "Father has some announcement involving the war to cover for me. As he had hoped, Rayac was interested in the news, giving me a chance to be alone with you."

Tarin shook his head, "I am just a servant. I can offer nothing you could possibly require."

"It is because you are a servant that makes you perfect." Liandra countered. "It will make the task far easier for you, than if I sent a noble, or a servant of the castle." She reached into the front of her dress and pulled out a sealed envelope with a wax seal on the opening. "This letter is for the King of Isaldir. It details the entire situation, and our request for aid. I wish for you to deliver this to him and return with a reply."

"You wish for me to travel to Isaldir castle?" Tarin asked, taking the letter uncertainly.

"No letter leaves the castle without one of the Nine reading it first." Liandra replied softly. "Any messenger bearing a letter counter to their plans is executed."

Tarin stared at her for a brief moment. "You are not doing well in convincing me, your Highness."

Liandra places her paw on Tarin's shoulder. "I would dare not set you on this task without you understanding full well the dangers." She let out a small sigh. "There will be risk. Your life could be the cost of failure, but Father's life will be forfeit if we do not try."

Tarin ran it all through his head. The King was dying, and Tarin, at this very moment, held the one thing that could save his Majesty's life in his own paws. What she was asking was ridiculous. He did not know the way. He had no means of defending himself. It was a hopeless effort, yet there was something in her voice that made him want to try. There was something in his head that made him willing to die for her. She had always been nice to him, and that was more than he could say about most people.

"I understand if you do not want to go." Liandra offered finally. "It is a long way."

Tarin shook himself out of his thoughts. "I am shocked, your Highness, that you would ask this of me. I have never left the manor. I do not think I can do this."

"I underestimated your intelligence," Liandra said, "Do not tell me I overestimated your courage."

"My courage is not of question." Tarin replied flatly. "I cannot answer you now, your Highness."

"Of course you cannot." Liandra replied, not seeming even slightly surprised by his answer. "I will be returning home in three days time. Have your answer by that time, and I will be satisfied." She stood and started to leave. "I leave the letter with you. Keep it safe, it holds secrets that which no one save for the King himself should read. If you choose not to follow my request, burn the letter. I cannot safely take it home with me."

Tarin watched Liandra as she walked out of the grove. He almost let her go, but something crossed his mind just before she was out of sight. "Your Highness." He called out.

Liandra stopped just inside the grove, looking back at him. "Yes, Tarin?"

Tarin took a deep breath in before responding. "If I say no, who will you ask next?"

"It took me too long to choose you for this task," Liandra replied. "There is no one else." Tarin stared at her as she slipped out of sight. He heard her voice call out a moment after she was out of sight. "Now, Toroy, don't come out until you count to one hundred, then come looking for me!"

Tarin stared down at the letter. It was paper and wax, yet it seemed to hold his fate inside that seal. He just had to decide what he was going to do with it.

* * *

Rayac leaned against the edge of the balcony of the King's private room, watching the garden with a casual alertness. It had been several hours since he left Tarin and Liandra alone in the grove, so he was sure they had left already. Even if they remained, though, he would not have been able to see into the grove from where he stood.

King Alshaer stood behind him, watching the garden as well. He had not said a word since leaving the dining hall, and Rayac was starting to grow frustrated. If he had wanted to talk, then he'd have to say something. The silence was grating on him, and his patience was about to run out.

He finally mustered up the courage to take his leave with the King finally spoke up. "I worry about you."

Rayac turned to face the King. "Your Majesty?"

"You are the son of a Lord. You receive training in the most important subjects, you have your needs tended to. You live rather well."

If that was an explanation, Rayac did not understand it. "Why would you worry about me?"

"You don't know true hardship." The King replied. "You do not understand everything the world has. That is my one hesitation. Can you learn quickly enough?"

Rayac processed the idea for a moment. "I do not know." King Alshaer moved to respond, but Rayac continued. "I do know that I will never learn if not given the chance."

"Your words speak true." King Alshaer replied. "I will not stop you from doing what you want. Just know that once you arrive at the castle, there is no more I can do for you. You will be on your own."

"It would not be fair for you to hold me above any other." Rayac replied. "I understand."

The King nodded, but did not respond. Rayac turned again to watch the garden. He knew better, but a part of him still hoped to catch Tarin leaving. What had Liandra said when he left? This bothered him intensely. He needed to find out. It was possible Liandra would tell him, but he knew Tarin would share if asked. Rayac turned back, ready to leave, when the King spoke up again. "You know, your father's prejudices are his."

"I know." Rayac responded flatly. He didn't have to guess what the King meant by that.

"I realize you consider Tarin a friend." King Alshaer explained. "I've known for a while, despite how well you hide it."

Rayac stepped past the King, heading towards the doors back into the bedroom. "I cannot allow father to find out. He would react harshly."

King Alshaer hesitated. "That would be partly my fault." He moved towards Rayac a few steps, but stopped just short of reaching him. "I saw what he was doing to young Tarin, but I let it happen. I took the stance that it was not my place to tell him how to run his household."

"Why does he despise Tarin?" Rayac asked, facing the King again.

King Alshaer took the final step to close the distance. "That is not my place to say." He placed a paw on Rayac's shoulder, "What I will say is that he does not despise Tarin specifically. He despises coyotes. You would do well to forget it, though." He smiled. "In three days time, Tarin will be traveling with us to the capital, and he will not have to return here again."

Rayac almost glared at the King, catching himself just before he let it slip. "That is why you agreed to enlist Tarin? To free yourself of the guilt of what my father did to him?"

King Alshaer winced back from that comment. "I am trying to do what I should have done years ago."

"Forgive me, your Majesty." Rayac replied, turning back to the door. "It was not my place to say that."

King Alshaer chuckled a little. "Being King gives me a lot, but it also takes a lot from me. There are not enough people in my life who have the courage to stand up to me as you just did." Rayac did not look back at the King, but he could hear the amusement in his voice. "Just learn when to resist the urge to stand up to your superiors. The military is far less forgiving of that than I am."

Rayac nodded, "I will remember that." He placed his paw on the door. "If I may take my leave of you?"

"Of course." King Alshaer responded. "Forgive me for taking up so much of your time."

Rayac chose not to respond. He needed to find Tarin now, more than ever.

* * *

Tarin stared at the fire dancing in front of him, but he saw not the flames. Nothing made sense anymore. The letter held carefully in his paw had just destroyed his entire world, and his did not even know its contents. He would not know what it contained if he opened it. It did not matter, though. What mattered was getting it to the King of Isaldir, wherever that was.

Tarin had come to Princess Liandra's room, in hopes to talk to her about what she had asked. She was not in her room, though. He had decided to wait for her, and sat in front of the fire while he waited. He had lost track of how long he had been in front of the fire. His mind was still trying to wrap itself around what he was learning. Princess Liandra wasn't the person he thought she was. She had been deceiving everyone, Tarin included. She had let Tarin in on her secret now, but why? She needed something from him. It wasn't fair to see it like that; her father was dying, and she was doing what she needed to save him, yet Tarin could not get past the fact that she only told him the truth because she needed him.

She had given him a choice, though. She told him he could say no. At what cost though? King Alshaer would die if he didn't do this. Would he die regardless? It did not seem worth it to even try. He would not succeed, and the King would die. Why should he try just to fail?

He nodded to himself. That was the answer. He would destroy the letter, like Liandra had asked, and he would not look back. He lifted his paw to toss the letter into the fire, when the door behind him pushed open.

Tarin spun around, barely sliding the letter into the back of his pants before he saw Lord Aunair step in. "I was looking for you coyote."

"My apologies, my Lord." Tarin replied, bowing his head. "Her Highness requested I maintain the fire in her quarters while she was out." He knew the lie would be hard to believe, but with luck, Liandra would confirm it without question.

"You will explain to me why you embarrassed me in front of his Majesty"

Tarin froze. "I do not understand, My Lord."

Lord Aunair grabbed Tarin by the shirt and threw him across the room. Tarin impacted with the door hard. The next thing he remembered, he was being held off the ground, face to face with Lord Aunair. "In the dining hall." He growled.

"I meant no insult, My Lord." Tarin pleaded. "I was trying to please Her Highness!"

"You do not learn." Lord Aunair threw Tarin to the floor and stood over him. "It is time I handle your punishment, personally."

* * *

Rayac was growing frustrated. He had searched almost the entire manor for Tarin, but could not find him. It was well after sunset, and Rayac should have headed for his room for the night, but he needed to speak with Tarin.

None of the servants knew where Tarin was hiding, or if they did, they weren't telling. Lord and Lady Aunair had already turned in for the night, and a missing coyote wasn't worth waking them. He would just have to find him alone.

The dining hall had long been abandoned. The garden was completely empty, even the grove. Tarin avoided the kitchen completely, but Rayac still checked to be sure. None of the unoccupied guest rooms needed cleaning, Liandra would have gone to bed by now, and Rayac had left King Alshaer's room and started searching immediately. He had combed through the entire servant quarters, except for Tarin's room, where he was headed.

He was almost to Tarin's room when a familiar voice called out, "Tarin? Is that you?"

Rayac paused, "No, Liandra."

"Rayac?" Liandra asked, stepping out into view from behind Tarin's door. "Are you searching for Tarin?"

Rayac placed a finger over his muzzle in a gesture of silence. He scanned the hall quickly before pushing Liandra gently back into Tarin's room. He closed the door behind them, turning to face Liandra. "I have not been able to find Tarin since I left him with you." He glanced around the room quickly. It did not look like Tarin was present here either. "He is not with you, then?"

Liandra frowned. "I left him in the garden. I had a brief talk with him." She paused, a thoughtful look taking her features. "You don't think he..." She trailed off.

"Do I think he what?" Rayac asked, frustrated. "What did you tell him?"

"Only what I needed to." Liandra replied defensively. "He took it rather well, if I read him correctly."

"We agreed you would not discuss this with him until he could be more prepared."

Liandra's face dropped. "I know." She apologized. "I fear the Council may be making a move. They are getting anxious, something must be occurring."

Rayac narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "You did more than just inform him of the situation, didn't you?"

Liandra turned her back on Rayac. This prevented him from seeing her face, but from the sound of her voice when she replied, she was crying. "You know he is my only hope. I am out of time. I cannot let father die."

"What did you ask him to do?"

"I do not think it is right for you to know." Liandra replied. "You are going to be close to the Council soon. The less you know the better."

"His Majesty informed you of that?" Rayac asked.

"Just before he turned in."

Rayac nodded slowly, more for himself. "I knew you would not agree with my decision, but I need to do this."

"I agree with it," Liandra said, spinning to face Rayac. "A lot changes because of your decision. I need you to go."

Rayac frowned. "So I am just a tool to be used? Is Tarin as well?"

Liandra lowered her eyes, a deep sadness resonating from her every feature. "Forgive me, that is all you can be to me right now. My father is dying, my Kingdom is falling under control of tyrants, and I am powerless to do anything. I have no room for friends." A tear ran down the wet train left on her muzzle. "Perhaps when my Kingdom is freed, we can try again."

Rayac wiped another tear away that started to fall. "There will be no need to try again. I am your friend, and will always be. I will do what you need me to in order to help. I would appreciate you asking, as a friend."

"I do not deserve you." Liandra replied sullenly. "I do not deserve friends."

Rayac began to reply, but the breeze from Tarin's window brought a faint scent to his nostrils that stopped him. It was the scent of blood, and he could tell it originated from inside the room. The look on Liandra's face suggested that she had not picked up on it. "You should get some rest. I will find Tarin and everything will be alright." He gently guided her to the door. "Will you be alright returning to your room alone?"

Liandra nodded. "It is not too far."

Rayac opened the door. "Rest well, Your Highness." Liandra stepped outside the door, and Rayac closed it behind her. He waited until he was sure she left before speaking again. "You do not need to hide from me, Tarin."

"How did you know?" A muffled coyote's voice escaped from the pile that was his bed.

Rayac smiled and looked at the pile. Tarin's raw abilities and creativity never ceased to amaze him. Even knowing Tarin was under that pile, Rayac could not tell by studying it. He moved and knelt by the bed. "I smelled your blood. Did you cut yourself?"

"Just a small cut." Tarin replied. Rayac started sorting through the blankets. "It is late, I need to sleep."

Rayac did not get deterred. "We need to talk, it is important." He pulled up another blanket. "I have something I need to..." He stopped. He had found Tarin, and what he saw was not pleasant.

Tarin was stripped of his clothing. This was no surprise, as Tarin preferred sleeping like that, but this gave him view of his entire body, and the mess that it was. His face was battered and bleeding from several locations, his left eye was swollen shut, and he had several small lumps on his head. He had dried blood mixed in with his fur all over his body. There were cuts all over his arms and legs, though those had closed up already. They did not look deep, but they did not look comfortable either. Trace signs of cuts on his sides suggested that Tarin's back was cut just as badly, though his chest remained mostly untouched.

Rayac reached out and touched Tarin, who winced back. "What happened to you?"

"I was clumsy." Tarin replied weakly. "I had a bad fall."

"On a dagger?" Rayac replied skeptically. "Father did this, didn't he?"

"No!" Tarin insisted. "He did not."

Tarin's insistence was more proof than Rayac needed that his suspicion had been right. Seeing his friend like this, his entire view changed. He had come to prepare Tarin to become a soldier, now he had a different plan. "Get some sleep, Tarin. You're leaving tomorrow morning."

"Where are we going?" Tarin asked, sounding a little scared.

"I can't go with you." Rayac replied. "In three days, I leave to enlist in the King's army. If you stay, father is sending you to do so as well." He placed a gentle paw on Tarin's muzzle. "I can't see you die in battle, brother mine. You are going to leave here. Head somewhere safe, and away from the war."

Tarin sat up quickly, and despite his best efforts to hide it, Rayac saw the pain that action caused him. "I cannot go without you. Come with me! I know how to stop the war, help me."

Rayac stared at Tarin, unmoving. It was the only thing he could do without letting the anger inside him show. "If you leave, no one will look for you. If we leave, every soldier will be looking for me. I will not do that to you." Rayac stood. "I will leave you to sleep."

"Don't leave me!" Tarin cried out. "Please. Just until I am asleep?"

Rayac smiled warmly at Tarin. "I'll stay with you tonight. Until you wake." Rayac stripped himself down completely and knelt by Tarin. "That is, if you will allow me."

Tarin edged away from Rayac to give him room in the makeshift bed. "Thank you." He whispered.

"You know I find your bed far more comfortable than mine." Rayac teased. "You have to tell me your secret." Rayac slid into the bed and wrapped his arms around Tarin, being gentle so not to cause too much pain to the coyote. "Just close your eyes and get some rest."

Tarin buried his face into Rayac's chest fur. It wasn't long before his breathing slowed, indicating he fell asleep. Once he was convinced Tarin was completely asleep, he closed his eyes. He didn't want to sleep. He wanted to remain awake, to remember every moment with Tarin before he said his farewell. He knew, however, his day would be busy tomorrow, and he allowed himself to drift off to sleep. Morning would come far too soon.