Michael simply shook his head. It was evident that the seriousness of their situation had finally sunk in, but as his eyes met Aedan’s, there was no reproach in them.
“We are in very desperate straits, indeed,” said Aedan, keeping his voice low. “We must try our best to keep our wits about us.”
Michael nodded that he understood.
Aedan hesitated. Should he share his suspicions with the prince? He had no proof that Lord Arwyn had a hand in their abduction, and he could hardly make such a serious accusation without evidence, although he wasn’t sure how much it really mattered now. Still, he felt he owed it to Michael to be honest with him about how precarious their plight truly was. He took a deep breath and then continued.
“I doubt there is much hope for rescue,” he said.
“At least we are still alive. It would seem they intend to demand ransom for us. There is, however, another possibility. They might intend to sell us into slavery.
A goblin lord who held the Prince of Anuire as his personal slave would gain immeasurable status, and as such, you would bring a considerable price. Aside from that, Thurazor and all the other goblin realms would greatly benefit from instability within the empire.”
Aedan paused and swallowed nervously, then plunged on. “And if the heir to the throne were killed … it would almost certainly lead to war, which could be of benefit to certain factions within both the empire and the goblin realms. The succession would be placed in doubt, and any number of powerful nobles in the empire would intrigue to gain the throne. In such a climate, armed conflict would be inevitable, and the goblins would be able to increase their territories and gain strength while the empire was torn by civil war.”
Michael’s gaze was somber. He shook his head slightly, his eyes asking the question.
“What are we to do?” said Aedan, guessing what he meant.
Michael nodded.
Aedan sighed wearily. “For the moment, there seems to be nothing we can do. We shall have to bide our time and wait for an opportunity to escape, if we can. I shall be honest with you … our chances are very slim. Still, we must try. In the meantime, we must not antagonize our captors, as you did before.
We must act frightened and submissive, and hope for the best. There is no shame in showing fear in a
situation like this, and it could work for us. Let them think they have broken our spirits. Then they may get careless, and we may get lucky.”
Michael nodded once again.
“You, there!” the goblin leader called out. “What are you whispering about?”
“I was merely trying to reassure His Highness,” said Aedan. “He is frightened and having trouble breathing. Can you not remove the gag, at least? I promise he will not trouble you.”
The goblin leader jerked his head at one of the wolfriders. “Remove the boy’s gag,” he said. “But if he does not keep his mouth shut, it goes right back on again.”
“Could we please have some water, too?” Aedan pleaded.
“Give them water,” the goblin leader said curtly.
“Thank you. You are most gracious,” Aedan said, bowing his head slightly.
The goblin leader chuckled. “Gracious, am I? Well, no one has ever said that to me before. You hear that?” he said to the others. “I am most gracious.
How do you like that?”
They all laughed maliciously.
One of the goblins removed Michael’s gag and cut Aedan’s bonds, but left the rope around his neck. He handed him a waterskin and said, “I will leave your arms untied, but mind that if you try to run, we shall set the wolves on you. We have the prince. We do not need you.”
“You think I would leave my prince?” said Aedan.
“You might to save your own skin,” the goblin said.
“If you believe that,” said Aedan, “you know nothing of honor and duty.”
“I know you’ve a rope around your neck,- the goblin said, sneering, “and you would dangle nicely from a tree, so mind your mouth, boy!”
Right, thought Aedan. Don’t antagonize them. He would do well to take his own advice. He offered the waterskin to Michael, but the prince shook his head.
“No, you drink first, Aedan. You have been running, and you must be exhausted.”
Aedan was in no mood to argue. “Thank you, my lord,” he said, and drank greedily. He then held the skin to Michael’s Ups so he could drink, as well.
“I do not blame you for this, Aedan,” Michael said when he was finished drinking. “it is all my fault. I should have waited for you instead of riding off alone.”
“And I should have been doing my duty, instead of…. Well, I suppose it really doesn’t matter now.
We shall get through this somehow, I promise you.”
“I am not afraid,” said Michael.
“I am,” Aedan confessed.
“Haelyn will not let us die,” said Michael with conviction.
Aedan sighed. “I wish I shared your faith, my lord.”
“Right now, I am lord of nothing,- Michael said, so you may as well call me by my name. After all, it is not as if we are at court.”
Aedan had to smile. “Very well, Michael.” He patted his shoulder.
“With any luck, we may live to see court once again.”
“Aedan, listen … if you have a chance to escape without me, you must do so.”
‘Absolutely not,’ said Aedan.
“I insist. I order it.”
Aedan smiled. “As you said, we are not at court now. When we return, you can have me punished for my disobedience. But I shall not leave you.”
“I will have you lashed for your impertinence.”
“As you wish.”
“I will make you marry Lady
