Marked by Honor - 9

Chapter 9

What should have been another peaceful morning getting up did not turn out to be so in the end. Waking to a touch on his arm, Halua peered up at Mern who wore a troubled look on his face. He knew right away such a look could not mean good news.

Sitting up, he asked, “What is it?”

“The guard did not return last night. His body was found just outside the temple gates this morning.”

Halua’s eyes widened. “He was killed?”

“Yes. Stabbed, by the looks of it. It was no accident, nor suicide.”

“Then... what does this mean?” His brows drew together, his worry matching Mern’s.

The old man shook his head. “I do not know for sure. At best, it could mean that the bandits we encountered in the forest have come to seek revenge. At worst, it could be an assassination attempt. Upon you. The guard was either a mistake or a warning.”

“Neither sounds good to me,” Halua muttered and shifted out of bed. He quickly shed of his clothes and changed, tightening the sash about his waist.

“I have asked the temple to move Prina here as a precaution.”

“Thank you. What of Prince Reshar?”

“He has been informed and is taking care of the body as we speak. He is not pleased by the turn of events.”

Of course he wasn’t. Halua had no doubt this would upset the man greatly. Perhaps not because this meant Halua was without protection, but more so because of his own pride as a soldier. Halua almost wondered what their forces looked like in the man’s eyes if so much had been allowed to happen already.

“May I see him?”

“The prince? Yes, of course, though I believe he is preoccupied with the current matters. I assume he is on the other side of the temple, speaking with the head priest.”

With a nod, Halua left the room. Mern followed after him and suggested he be assisted across the temple grounds, but Halua refused. Now was not the time to be fretting over trivial matters like the state of his feet. Leaving quickly, he made his way across the temple grounds.

Several of the temple disciples were rushing about. The death of the guard had upset the peace and balance of this place and its followers. Halua frowned and kept an eye out for any sign of his betrothed.

He found Reshar conversing with one of his men in the middle of the courtyard, a crease upon his brow. When he headed toward the men, Reshar caught sight of him and that crease deepened. “Yes, Princess?”

“I had heard my guard was found dead. What happened?”

Reshar’s lips curled into a frown. “One of the temple boys found him by the steps. It is not clear how he got there, but I believe he left the grounds of his own volition. There was a stab wound in the side of his neck. It was clean.”

Reshar’s pale eyes narrowed. The distant look he wore suggested he was thinking back on the scene. “He had not been given time to scream... The kill was professional. What sort of person could harbor such skill?” he murmured.

Halua didn’t think the prince meant to voice this question aloud. The mystery of the murder troubled the man -- it clearly showed on his face. Mirroring Reshar’s expression, Halua looked toward the temple gates as if an answer would appear there. “What reason could someone have to kill a man on holy grounds?”

“It all depends on who that man is associated with.” Reshar’s words drew Halua’s gaze. “Did your captain leave alive any of the bandits who had attacked you?”

“I don’t know. I never asked. I wouldn’t think so...?”

Hearing the uncertainty in his voice, Reshar grunted in disapproval. “It is not unlikely that the remainders, if there are any, would want to take revenge for their fallen comrades. You are no longer safe on your own, Princess. I suggest you not wander about without company. Do you have another guard with you?”

Halua shook his head. “No. I did not think it necessary to have more than one, so the rest were sent home.”

“A foolish decision. Dhecir will be appointed as your new guard.” He gestured at the man whom he was talking with.

Halua looked up at him. He wasn’t sure he agreed with the idea of borrowing Reshar’s guard, but he knew it was better than being on his own. No matter what he wanted otherwise. “My life is in your hands.”

“I will do my utmost to protect you, Princess.”

Halua merely smiled politely in return before giving Reshar his attention once more. “Dhecir will stay with you and your company. Do not leave the premise without him at your side. He cannot protect everyone, so I suggest none of you leave without absolute need to.”

“And you?”

“I will have Sewan with me.”

“What of the temple advocates? What if they are attacked as well?”

Reshar shook his head. “We will try to secure the area, but there is no guarantee everyone will be safe. If we do not find the one who killed your guard soon, then we will switch tactics. Don’t be afraid, we may not be wed yet, but I will not let anyone harm you or those here.”

The way the prince looked at Halua as he said this made him feel secure. He had never seen the man in action, merely heard the rumors, but he had confidence that Reshar would carry out his promise without fail.

“Have you had your morning meal yet?”

“No. I came here right away.”

“Dhecir. Take her back to her quarters and see that she is cared for.”

“Yes, sir.” Dhecir turned to Halua and placed a hand at the corner of his breast. “Princess. Shall we?”

Halua, unsuspecting of Reshar’s mindful orders, stumbled over his response. “Um, yes, of course.” He gave Reshar a polite nod before turning to go, his newly appointed guard at his heels.

After returning to the eastern side of the temple, he settled in with Mern for something to eat. The atmosphere was a little stifling, pregnant with the thought of death. It did not bode well with Halua to be restricted to this small house for hours. He sat by his window during the lull and mulled over what had just happened.

He never knew that guard’s name. Mern probably didn’t know it either. No one knew who he was or his history, yet he had died so suddenly without witness. Did he struggle? Did he fight? Was his last moment in any way justified? Halua didn’t know the answers.

When the sun rose high overhead, Mern came to visit him. He told Halua that a few of the temple followers were going to retrieve Prina from below and bring her here. Halua was thrilled to have her near again, but he wondered if it wasn’t safer to leave her at the station where she remained unassociated with the danger.

Waiting with Dhecir along the patio, Halua watched as four disciples carried Prina on a cot. They brought her into the home and Halua directed them to set her in the room next to his. He originally wanted her to share his room where he could keep an eye on her condition, but he reasoned with himself that letting her have her own space would just be as sufficient. He could enter her room at any time he pleased.

Prina was carefully placed into bed. She was awake and though her face was pale with lingering pain and discomfort, she smiled brightly at Halua. Halua smiled back at her and sat by her. He told her all that happened since they settled here at the temple. At some point the conversation digressed to his new temple companion and savior.

“I am not sure how to describe him, to be honest. He is a frightening creature, not human at all. But there is a surprising gentleness to his actions that makes one forget how deadly he can be. I am indebted to him. He saved my life. I would offer him all the riches in my father’s possession if it were possible.” He shook his head.

“He is truly unique. But regardless my fancy, I am still betrothed to another.” Halua looked at Prina, a wry smile curling his lips. “Prince Reshar is a creature all on his own. I have never met a man like him before. The way he treats women is insulting; never have I been more ashamed to be part of the male population as when I first met him.”

He sighed softly. “Those two are nothing alike. Though they share a strict discipline of character, I think I much prefer Banthus’ company over Reshar. At least with him I do not feel lesser than.”

There was a quick draw of breath that caught Halua’s attention. He glanced at Prina who looked white enough to rival the shade of snow. Concerned about the stricken expression she wore, he quickly went to her side. “Prina? What’s the matter? Are you in pain? Should I get help?”

Prina shook her head but her expression did not change. As Halua studied her, he saw she was not in pain, but rather afraid. Why? He didn’t understand what could shake her so badly. With a quick glance around, Halua spotted nothing in the immediate vicinity that could be considered dangerous, and even as he looked out the window he saw nothing worth noting.

Confused, Halua frowned. “Why are you so scared? I don’t understand...”

Prina shook her head again. She reached out to him and tapped his chest. Halua, though he had gotten used to her gestures, did not know everything she “said” to him. Now was one of those times. He could only stare at her and wish she had a means of speaking or at least writing so he could know what she meant.

Taking her hand, he lightly held it and gave a reassuring squeeze. “Do not worry. If it is for me you fret, I will be fine. The prince is here and he has taken measures to ensure my safety. And Banthus is kind. If I ask, I might convince him to watch over us as well.”

He could only assume that Prina had heard about the death of the guard. Maybe talk of Banthus and his skill had made her recall the situation they were in and now she was worried about the killer. Smiling at her softly, though he still wondered what had spooked her so badly, Halua patted her hand.

A soft knock came to the door then. “Come in,” he admitted. He turned to see Mern in the doorway.

“Are you hungry? The temple has prepared us something to eat. I can have food brought here if you wish to dine together.”

Halua glanced at Prina. “I will take my meal here.”

“Then I will tell them.” The old man took his leave. When he returned, he came with a temple advocate and two trays of food. One for Halua and another for Prina. The trays were set before them, well within easy reach, before leaving the two “women” on their own.

Halua helped Prina eat, tearing off small pieces and essentially hand feeding them to her. He didn’t want her to get up and strain the stitching along her torso, so he did most of the job for her. She protested, of course, shaking her head and giving him looks that told him she was capable of feeding herself, but Halua ignored her silent refusal. He insisted on caring for her since she had done so much for him since the day they met.

When they both had finished eating, Halua removed the trays and set them for pick up by the advocates later. Upon returning to Prina’s room, he found her sleeping. Actually, it looked like she was pretending to sleep rather than actually doing so. Halua knew it was her way of saying that she didn’t want to trouble him by taking care of her, so he left her alone and went to his room.

It was in this lonely, quiet place that he was reminded of the confinement he was forced to. Rashar didn’t forbid him to leave, much like how Lord Teth didn’t forbid him to leave the house he shared with his mother, but he had insisted he didn’t go anywhere without escort. The only difference between home and here was the fact that there might be someone after his life. Which wasn’t much of an improvement, to be sure...

Sitting by the window, Halua longed for something to occupy his time. Now he understood why women often took up the craft of embroidery. Tapestries weren’t simply a creation of hobby, it was a way to pass the time when “wandering” was highly discouraged. Halua didn’t have much time to practice embroidery when he was learning the ways of a princess from his mother, so he had not bothered to take with him any needle and thread. And without any cloth, there was even less purpose for him to practice.

Sighing, Halua just stared up at the sky and watched as a couple birds circled the area just beyond the edge of the temple grounds. The hours passed by slowly, but soon evening came upon him. The sky melted into a rich orange, hinting purple and pink at the edges. Tired simply out of boredom, Halua rested against the window sill.

He was starting to doze off when he felt a hand upon his head. Startled, he lifted his head and found his notorious mercenary standing on the other side of the window. Halua smiled and shifted so that he could rest his head upon his hands. “You always seem to show up at the most random of hours. How do you find me wherever I go?”

“Perhaps I am simply that conscious of you.”

Halua chuckled softly. “I ought to claim you a stalker. A most welcome one at that.” He gave Banthus a teasing smile. “So tell me, what brings you to my window?”

Banthus gave that ghost of a smile of his. “I was passing by when I saw you sleeping there. I did not mean to wake you.”

“Oh but I’m glad you did. I was rather bored until you showed up.” Before Banthus could ask why, he explained, “I have been strongly suggested to stay put.” He made a sour face. “I understand why the prince does not want me to wander about, but I still do not like it. Have you heard of the murder that occurred in the area last night?”

“I have heard snippets of the story that has been milling about.”

“Then let me tell you. My guard was killed last night. We do not know why, only how. We are under the assumption that it might be an act of revenge for the bandits that attacked us on the way here. Perhaps some survivors managed to make their way here and killed the guard as a warning. It’s uncertain if this theory is true, but it is the strongest possibility so far.” Halua sighed quietly. “Whatever the truth may be, I have been granted one of Prince Reshar’s guards and must stay indoors as much as possible.”

“You do not enjoy staying still, do you?”

He knew the man wasn’t really asking him, only confirming what they both already knew, but Halua replied anyway. “No, I do not.” He looked up at Banthus. “Could I ask you to entertain me with another story?”

The man nodded. He seemed pleased to occupy Halua’s time. Leaning against the sill of the window, he once more wove a tale for him to hear.