Son of the Hero by Rick Shelley Read Free Book Online Page B

serious inroads on breakfast. “Your father went some two weeks ago, taking just his squire and two men-at-arms. Your mother came through four days back and set off at once. She didn’t even stop to eat. Of course, there really hasn’t been time for her to get to Thyme and back. Or scarcely enough. It’s two days each way, and that wouldn’t leave her time to do anything.”
    “Her note said she expected to be home yesterday afternoon,” I said.
    Pregel frowned. “Peculiar. She knows how long the journey takes.”
    “Could she have planned to use magic doors to get there and back?”
    “There are none in or near Castle Thyme. Too risky.”
    “Perhaps she merely wanted to ensure that Gil would follow as soon as possible,” Parthet suggested.
    “Could be,” I said. “She always used to say it was later than it really was when she was trying to get me up for school.”
    “Or perhaps she thought the situation would be beyond her ability to handle alone,” Parthet said.
    “Then I should hurry.”
    The king nodded. “Parthet, you do plan to accompany him, don’t you?”
    “Of course, Your Majesty. He knows nothing of our country.”
    “I don’t like this one bit. Turning a stranger loose on such a perilous mission.” Pregel stared at me. “I don’t like risking my heir like this.”
    I looked from him to Parthet. Neither was paying any attention to me at the moment. His heir?
    “The lad hasn’t proved himself,” Parthet said. “Much as I like him, you can’t know that he will be the heir you need.”
    “He is my heir,” Pregel said firmly.
    “You know, Your Majesty,” I said, just to remind everyone that I was still in the room, “I still don’t know what the hell anyone’s talking about.”
    Three pairs of eyes turned to me.
    “You are my only direct male descendant,” the king said. “Heir apparent to the throne of Varay.”
    I don’t think anyone heard the muted “Holy shit!” that I just couldn’t restrain.

4
Chamberlain
    Pregel groused and pouted by turn. His face got red. He left food on his plate, shoved it away, got up and went to one of the four tall, narrow windows in the room. I got up from the table with relief, Parthet with reluctance. We waited for His Majesty. Baron Kardeen remained as he had been. Waiting seemed to be his natural function. The wait wasn’t long, but as usual in uncomfortable situations, it seemed eternal.
    “We have to do what we can for my grandson,” Pregel finally said without turning away from the window. “I won’t risk him alone on this.”
    “Your Majesty, delay might put my parents at greater risk,” I said.
    “I know. Don’t worry, we’ll get you out of here quickly, as fast as may be. I think we can still find horses.”
    “Yes, Your Majesty,” the chamberlain said. Neither of them bothered to ask if I could ride. Maybe they took it for granted, or maybe my parents had talked about my riding—sometime in the past I knew nothing about.
    “A page to attend him and at least one soldier,” Pregel said, his voice starting to sound almost bitter. “The heir of Varay need an entourage, poor though it might be. And perhaps you can spare an hour to brief the prince and equip him properly.”
    “At once, Your Majesty,” Kardeen said.
    We waited some more. “Then get about it, man, while I dress,” Pregel said. He came over to me. “When this is over, we’ll have to spend some time together, get to know each other while we may.”
    “I hope to have that opportunity,” I said, meaning it.
    “I’ll see you in an hour then, in the throne room.”
    I nodded, and the king left the room alone.
    There was a moment of silence and then Parthet looked at Kardeen and said, “His health seems much improved.”
    The baron nodded. “When I told him his grandson was here, he virtually leaped out of bed.” Kardeen smiled wanly. “It feels wonderful to give him good news for a change. He’s been so besieged by worry lately, especially since