Rise of Heroes

Chapter 2 - The Messenger

Jaden jumped off the horse’s back before it even came to a full stop, nodding at the groom boy to take the reins. Tamara and the rest of his hunting party had already dismounted, leading their animals away or heading toward the small fires and newly built shelters where their comrades had set up camp.

Jaden’s eyes stopped on the girl that was pouring water for the horses, and she smiled at him, blushing heavily. He smiled back, trying to remember her name. They had spent the night together, from what he could recall, but it was all rather foggy. Tamara moved past him, shoving his shoulder and sending him another annoyed look.

By the time Jaden looked back at the horses, the girl was gone. He sighed, looking around instead. The village wasn’t big, with the houses built close together; the inn was located at its center and rose an entire floor above the other buildings, making it easily seen from all directions. From what he was told, not too many people came this way and even fewer stayed for the night, so the owner was more than happy to provide them with all of his rooms.

A few villagers were fussing on the street by the inn, throwing curious glances at the returning soldiers and whispering among themselves. Their expressions varied from fearful to ones full of hope and relief. Jaden tried to suppress his frown as his mind slowly started seeing beyond their skittish demeanor, beyond their painful silence. All of them were wearing worn-out, dull rags, most of which were patched up so many times that he couldn’t tell what the initial color of the clothing was.

He was about to head toward the inn when a short, elderly man limped away from the crowd, making his way toward Jaden with the help of his walking stick. His leg was bandaged almost all the way up to his torso, and he seemed so pale that Jaden doubted he was even supposed to be out of bed. Jaden slowed down just as the villager pulled his cap off and bowed as low as his body allowed him.

“May I have a minute of your time, Pelladian?” he asked in a low, hoarse voice. “Is the demon dead?” Jaden opened his mouth, but nothing came out. The title surprised him⁠ — more so at the forward way the man had said it — so he was still staring wordlessly when the man looked up. “We may be simple folk, Pelladian, but we serve the spirits and we can recognize their servants when we see them. You have their blood running through you. We knew our prayers would be answered, and you'd come to do their bidding.”

“You honor me, good man,” Jaden spoke when he finally returned to his senses. It hadn’t been the first time he was called Pelladian, the Chosen, since it was believed that every true ruler of Roder was chosen by the spirits to rule over their dominion. It was also believed that their powerful blood runs in the Driennon line and, therefore, nobody had disputed their right to the throne for thousands of years. Jaden knew many people believed the myths, some even thought him to be more than human, but he never had anybody call him that to his face. As if he needed any more titles to live up to. “We killed the two demons that attacked your village, so for now, you can rest easy.”

The villager straightened up, his face immediately brightening with a smile.

“May the spirits bless you and guide your sword, Your Highness!” he said, bowing his head. The others behind him did the same, muttering the words in one voice, like a prayer.

Jaden had to stop himself from grimacing. He had never liked people bowing down to him — it was one thing giving orders to soldiers, but that was in battle and he was good at that. He knew little of ruling these people, of ruling this kingdom. And now that he got a good look at them, it was more than obvious that he was not doing a very good job of it.

“We might have killed those two, but there may be more to follow,” he said. Hearing that, the villager nodded. “I’ll leave some of my men to help you build a fence. It won’t stop the demons, but it could slow them down and give you a fighting chance.”

Jaden’s eyes moved through the people in the crowd. Most of them were past their prime or barely reaching adolescence — the young and capable among them had probably left to train and join the army as most did.

‘But these people,’ Jaden thought bitterly, ‘they were not ready. They just lost seven brave souls who stood up to fight the demons and defend their families. They are not soldiers.’

“There is another option,” Jaden added, just as the man was about to walk away. “You can pack everything you can carry and seek refuge in the nearest city. The Chancellors have been instructed to give shelter to anyone who seeks it.”

“That’s very kind of you, Your Highness,” the villager smiled, glancing back toward his people. “But our life is here and the spirits protect us. If everyone deserts their homes and goes to the cities, then who is going to work the land? Who is going to provide food for the army, for the people in the cities? We’ll do everything we can to protect ourselves. But we have to stay and do our part.”

“Things are not that simple...” Jaden said, suppressing his sigh.

“I beg your pardon, Pelladian, but they are. For us, at least,” the villager bowed down again, then limped away. Jaden shook his head and headed toward the inn.

The inn wasn’t much different on the inside from the other houses — the same wooden floors and walls which seemed rotten in places; small, dirty windows with no curtains that let the sunlight in, making it just bright enough to see the outlines of the half a dozen tables and benches.

His eyes landed on Glendon, who was sitting on a chair by the only occupied table, his chest armor lying beside him while a healer was tending to the wound on his arm. Tamara was pacing nearby, close enough for him to see her disapproving expression.

Two men were sitting across from each other at the same table. One of them had his back turned to him, but Jaden didn’t need to see his face to recognize the broad shoulders and the dark hair laced with silver of one of his father’s closest generals.

The other man, or rather a boy, seemed barely over fifteen winters of age but wore the messenger’s uniform nonetheless — a black doublet with Roder’s symbol on the chest and the corresponding emblem on the right arm. When they noticed Jaden, the boy rose so quickly that he almost knocked down the bench with his feet.

“You look like crap!” General Mayern pointed out as his eyes measured Jaden from head to toe. “How come you always do the fighting, boy? Don’t you have men to do it for you? Or are we supposed to choose a new king among them when a demon finally manages to separate that empty head of yours from your shoulders?”

“Ahem!” Glendon cleared his throat, raising his hands in indignation. “His men do fight for him. He just sits on his ass ― or back ― and does nothing.”

“You’re both lucky the demon didn’t tear you to shreds,” Tamara muttered, loud enough for everyone to hear. Before Glen had enough time to retort, Jaden sat down at the table next to the General, turning his back on his sister and his cousin.

“I am sure you’ll find a good lad with a head less empty than mine in no time,” Jaden laughed, loosening up the bindings of his chest armor. It was thin and much lighter than the ones they used to wear before, but it gave them the advantage of speed. Besides, most demons could claw their way through any metal, so either way, the armor wasn’t going to make the difference between life and death in a direct hit — this way, at least they could move easier. “But I promise to do my best to keep mine firmly attached to my body.”

“Your father is not going to be happy to hear about your escapades,” General Mayern sighed, taking a sip out of his ale. “I am amazed he even agreed to let you lead this expedition.”

“The King has a better chance of turning Tamara into a well-behaved lady than making me sit and do nothing in the safety of the castle,” Jaden chuckled, dropping his chest piece on the table. He glanced at Tamara just in time to see her grimace.

“Hilarious, Jaden,” she murmured. He grinned at her, then finally looked at the boy who was still standing up, waiting patiently to be acknowledged.

“At ease, soldier,” Jaden said. “What’s your name?”

“Ryan Mayern, sire.”

Jaden glanced toward the General only to find a proud smile finding its way to his lips.

“Gordon’s youngest,” Jaden said, and the boy nodded, his cheeks flushing. The General's two older sons were already both serving in the army, so to have his youngest join too, must have been quite the prideful moment. “Well, speak freely, Ryan. What message do you bring?”

Jaden continued taking off the rest of his armor when the boy glanced at Glen and Tamara. The latter raised her eyebrows as if daring him to suggest she left. Jaden waved his hand before his sister’s glare could drill a hole through the boy.

“Proceed, Ryan. They can stay.”

The young lad took a deep breath before speaking, his eyes switching between the prince and his sibling.

“I carry a message from your father, His Majesty King Joel Driennon, regarding your betrothal to Princess Elaine Niabard, sire. He wanted me to…” the boy finally began, shoulders relaxing. Jaden closed his eyes as the words hung in the air, cursing himself for being so stupid. He should have realized what this was about — what else would his father send a messenger for when they had spoken just four days ago?

The expected reaction came a moment later.

“What?” Tamara shouted and Jaden sighed, opening his eyes while patiently waiting for her outburst to be over. “Betrothal? How? Why!” Jaden took an unnecessarily long time to take off his gauntlets, but she didn’t give up on staring at him by the time he was done. “Why didn’t you tell me? How long have you known?”

Her face flushed with anger, swiftly replaced by an expression of annoyance and hurt. Her hands were so firmly squeezed into fists that Jaden was afraid she may punch something. Or someone.

“Father asked me not to tell you,” Jaden replied calmly, still avoiding her eyes. If he had stopped for a moment to think, he would have realized why Ryan was there and he would have found a way to send her away without raising suspicion. But alas, the damage was done. “And he made the right call, judging by your reaction. Ryan, proceed.”

The boy was about to speak again when Tamara raised her hand to stop him.

“Jaden, since when do you keep secrets from me?” She threw her hands in the air. “Were you planning to tell me at all, or was I supposed to meet her on your wedding day?”

“That was the plan,” he said jokingly, but her glare wiped off his smile.

He wasn’t happy at all about the arrangement, but it was unavoidable, especially since their father was a step away from his deathbed and his final wish was to see his only son and heir suitably married. Apparently, that meant being wed to an Anamirian royal.

“I was joking!” he said, trying to keep his smile. He didn’t want to have this conversation now. Or at all, for that matter. “I was recently informed myself. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to hear what else Ryan here has to say.” He gave her a stern look, but she was, as usual, past listening to him.

“You were just informed? You can’t be serious! How can you let this happen?” She continued, almost fuming at the mouth. “It’s the law! Every man and woman in Roder is free to choose their companion in life! Father can’t just… marry you off to someone you haven’t even met!”

“He probably can, actually,” Glen muttered. She glowered at him.

“Tamara, calm down. It was my choice to proceed with the marriage.” Jaden tried to reason with her, his patience growing thin. He didn’t need her to remind him that he was more or less deprived of the basic right that each and every person in Roder was free to exercise — to marry for love. Not that he ever had any thoughts of marrying at all. They lived in a world where every day could be your last and he honestly had no desire to create a life with somebody, only to be snatched away from them in the next. He had seen too many people get destroyed by the loss of family or loved ones.

Love had no place in his world.

His sister opened her mouth again, but he interrupted her before she had the chance to shake his faltering confidence even further.

“Let me hear him out or leave!” he snapped, and she stepped back, surprised by his sharp tone. Jaden smoothed his face before turning toward the boy. “Continue, Ryan. Forgive my sister. She won’t interrupt you again.”

General Mayern’s son cleared his throat, awkwardly stepping from one foot to the other before finding his voice again.

“The king wanted me to inform you that King Andreas has replied to your proposal and your father has appointed a date for the wedding in two months’ time.”

“What?” Tamara’s voice filled the inn, but one look from her brother silenced her.

“You are to return home at once, as Princess Elaine is expected to arrive in about three weeks. Princess Tamara is to continue her round through Roaldan and Tigossa. She is expected to meet Princess Elaine and her sister at the harbor and escort them safely back to Roder.” Jaden shot his sister a glance at the same time she was about to let out another outburst. Her icy gaze averted toward the front door but kept going back to her brother as he spoke.

“Thank you, Ryan,” he smiled, exhaustion settling on his shoulders. His body felt stiff and tired and he longed to get away from all of them and just sleep. “Is that all?”

“Don’t do anything stupid,” Ryan added, “that was what the king said, not me.” Jaden gave him a warm smile.

Marriage. A woman to share this burden with. It wasn’t the worst thing that could happen to him. Still, he believed it was a mistake.

His mind immediately conjured the sight of the demon they had just killed and the numerous others that were roaming freely through the land. That was the exact reason why his father wanted him to marry a foreigner, a princess from another kingdom. And the precise reason why Jaden did not want it to happen — how could he condemn an innocent, helpless girl to a life of constant danger and death?

“Thank you, Ryan,” Jaden said again, realizing that he had grown quiet for far too long. “Eat, get some rest. We’ll head back tomorrow together.”

The boy nodded, glancing at his father for a moment, then quickly leaving the inn. The remaining four people didn’t move nor speak for a short time until General Mayern finally rose to his feet with a deep sigh, turning to face Jaden and the others.

“Come on. You three look like you can use a drink.”