Ch 62: The Captain's Request

It was another quiet walk through the camp, with the occasional soldier stopping them to ask a question, or a squire with a message for the Prince.

Calder led them past the War Tent, and off to a secluded area at the Eastern base of the hill, where a large, lone shelter was in place, with two guards at its entrance.

“This is ours.” He said as they approached. The young men bowed and he stopped before them. “Would one of you go and fetch Captain Talib please. He will relieve you of your post when he arrives.”

“Yes, your highness.” The older of the two responded before striding off into the growing dusk.

Cal held open the curtain for Astasha and motioned for her to enter.

She glanced at the other soldier and over her shoulder, sudden uncertainty about being seen entering the Prince’s private lodgings filling her mind.

“I told you, everyone here knows. There’s no point in hiding our relationship.” He said.

She took a breath before walking inside. “Just because they know, doesn’t mean everyone here is comfortable seeing it.”

There was a large makeshift bed covered in furs in the middle toward the back. Calder’s armor and weapons sat to the side, and on the other, were a selection of women’s clothes suitable for travel.

“Gifts from our supporters.” He said following her gaze. “The bed as well.” He walked over to a bowl of water on a stump. “I would have had a bath ready for you, but traveling with a tub seemed a little difficult, so I had some boiled water brought in at least.”

Of course he did. He was always considering her and her needs, whatever the cost.

She turned to him. “Cal--“

“I have to go meet with the armorer. I’ll have something sent to eat. I should return shortly after.” He closed the distance between them and brushed her hair behind her ear. “I promise, we will talk about it all.”

There were so many things she wanted to respond with, but she simply nodded instead.

He looked into her eyes. “I love you, Astasha.”

Perhaps too much.

“And I love you.” She said after a moment’s pause.

Calder leaned down and kissed her gently.

“If there is anything you need, ask the guard. Talib will be here shortly if you’re more comfortable asking him though. I will be back as soon as I can.” His eyes moved over her face, no doubt sensing all of the things she was feeling; the worry, the guilt, the determination.

She could tell he wanted to say more, but instead, he swallowed his words and left.

Astasha’s mind had been working furiously trying to determine what to say, how to say it, to get him to understand. Yet the words wouldn’t come. There was no point in fussing over it now, however, so she took the opportunity to clean as much of the dust and sweat from her body as she could, and change into a simple, warm frock. It wasn’t her typical style, by any means, but it surprisingly fit her and her form well.

“Sorceress Astasha?” The Captain’s voice sounded from outside. “May I have a word?”

She had heard him arrive only a little earlier, sending the guard to inform the Prince he was there, but had been silent since, until now that is.

Tasha exited the tent to a barrage of tenseness coming off of Talib. He stood at his post, his hand fidgeting with the hilt of his sword.

“Are you alright?” She asked.

His eyes darted around, no doubt checking for wondering ears, before speaking. “I know it isn’t my place to ask, and I know I have no right to… but…”

Astasha had a feeling she knew what it was he was getting at. The thing they most had in common was how much they cared for Calder, and she could feel how much the Captain worried for his friend.

“Talib—“

“You cannot let him give up the throne.”

She was right. She had known what it was he wanted of her. But she didn’t know if she could help him.

“I will do everything in my power to try to sway him, but you know Cal as well as I. Once he sets his mind to something, there is no stopping him. I have been trying to find a way to convince him since earlier, but…”

She was at a loss. For every argument, she knew his only response would be that he loved her. And how does one counter that?

“You didn’t see him out there, with the people.” The Captain had a far off look, like he was lost in memory. But he shook his head and turned his attention back to the sorceress. “He’s so damn natural at it all. They worship him.”

She chuckled lightly. “He does have a certain charm, doesn’t he?”

Talib’s head moved back and forth. “You don’t understand.” He motioned out toward the rest of the camp. “This, most of those here, they didn’t come because he promised them something, they came because they believe in him. Everywhere we went, the villagers sang his praises, and not fucking once, did it go to his head. He talked to them, listened to them, and did what he had to to aid them.”

Astasha had always known Calder was an amazing man, and ruler, but to hear it from someone who had been by his side for the years she could not, had seen him truly in his element… her heart broke as she began to understand what she would have to do if he refused to listen to her.

“Do you know what the people of the kingdom call the years he will reign?”

She shook her head.

“They say the years of hope are to come. King Josnen is a great ruler, but he’s forgotten what it’s like outside his circle of advisors and confidents. Calder truly sees his people, and how to improve their lives. He’s a man of empathy, and action, and change.”

She knew all too well about that. How many times had he sworn to her he would see the laws that kept them apart altered? Sworn to make right the wrongs that were done? She felt the emotions inside him, how they flowed so deeply in connection to the suffering of those he cared for.

But she also knew how stubborn he was. Which was why she had to brace herself to take the action she knew would be the only way to make sure those years of hope truly came to be.

Astasha looked at the Captain. “I promise you, you will see Calder sit upon the throne. But I have a request of my own in return.”

“If I can see it done, I will.”

A sadness settled on her heart. “You are his closest friend, and most trustworthy companion. Promise me, if we survive this, and he still insists on going through with the Transfer of Houses, you will be there to keep him true to himself.”

Talib’s brow furrowed. “Sorceress—“

“Captain, let’s not fucking dance around it.” She needed to make sure he understood how serious she was. “I said it myself earlier, there are always options. But we both know, the last and final one, should all others fail, is the same one that has been there since the beginning. The same one everyone but him keeps coming to. Remove the obstacle. I, am that obstacle.”

The conflict within him was so intense, it was almost overwhelming. But he had made his request, and now she had made hers.

“I will keep him as honest as I can, but you know damn well there is no one that guides him like you. You’re his beacon in the night. His Queen. So, I think it’s safe to say, we better try really fucking hard to find another option that works.”

She tried not to flinch at the title. It should be flattering that Cal already saw her as such, but instead it made her uneasy.

“I am not his Queen, not yet, more than likely not ever. You and I know the more probable outcome of all this.”

Talib looked off in the distance for a moment before looking back to her. “Aye, we can be as realistic as you like, but the fact of the matter is, you are his Queen. Always have been, always will be. If it isn’t you, there will be no other.”

The sound of footsteps drew their attention before she could respond.

A soldier approached them, a tray of dried meats and cheeses in his hand.

“Sorceress Astasha?” He said timidly.

“Any business you have with her goes through me first.” Said Talib standing to his full height and crossing his arms.

The man looked from Tasha to the Captain and held out the food. “I… His Majesty sent for this to be brought to Sorceress Astasha. I’m sorry sir. I—“

“Thank you.” Said Tasha stepping forward to take the tray. She threw Talib a look, but his eyes never left the soldier.

“You can go now.”

“Yes Captain.”

The man walked quickly away and once he was far enough, Talib’s stance relaxed.

Astasha’s eyebrow was raised, the look now set on her face. “Care to explain that?” She asked.

“Prince’s orders.”

“Does he not think I’m capable of accepting food?” She knew that wasn’t it, but whatever it was, she was sure she wasn’t going to like it.

The Captain looked around suspiciously again, like he had when she first came out to speak with him. “Like I said, *most* of those here came because they support the Prince, but, it is possible that there are some who might not be on our side, so to speak. Spies, if you will.”

Of course. The High Council.

“You think Alaric might have gotten to someone.” She said.

He nodded. “Not just that, but there are some who truly do fear whatever it is that’s happening between the two of you, magic wise. Calder doesn’t want to risk someone thinking they can get to him through you.”

Astasha took a deep breath. Nothing was ever going to be safe for her again. She thought back to the last time she had accepted food from someone, and how that had ended, even if it wasn't the food that had been tainted. Plucking a piece of cheese from the plate, she smelled it for poison, her heart slightly racing.

Nothing.

Her head bowed, in relief, and defeat.

“Thank you Talib.”

“Go eat. I’m sure you’ll need your energy for when Calder gets back.” He winked at her and she couldn’t help but blush and smile.

This was the Talib she liked. But she knew it was because he cared so much that his worry drown out his humor.

She shook her head and went to go back into tent but paused.

“I have one more request of you, Captain.”

He cocked his head. “Name it.”

“Tomorrow, we eat together, and you tell me all about your relationship with Sorceress Norelle.”