Chapter 16
The rest of the day passed in a whirlwind of planning, packing, and worrying. First, Relam sent a message to Aven, informing him of Tar’s approval to start training. He would have preferred to talk to the boy in person, but he simply did not have time to do so with the thousand and one details of commanding a mission demanding his attention.
The first of these details was picking the men to accompany him. That meant three hours of looking over rosters of squadrons and divisions with his father, learning about the workings of the army and what different types of soldiers were good for. At the end of the session, Relam settled on one-hundred light cavalry, all professional soldiers. Most had experience in the Vertaga War, and a few had fought in the Orell War. Every man was armed with a sword and dagger, and nearly half carried bows as well. And every one of them was under Relam’s command.
The prospect of commanding so many was a daunting one. The youngest of the soldiers was eight years older than Relam. The oldest, nearly three times his age. They had not been told what their mission was yet for security reasons. That could wait until they were on the road south, headed for the bandit camp.
Throughout the day, Relam’s father bombarded him with advice on commanding soldiers, how to put them in positions to win battles efficiently, how to inspire them to follow their leader to victory. Relam took mental notes as fast as he could, but he was still woefully unprepared for the difficulties that lay ahead. Finally, an hour before midnight, Relam realized he had done all he could to prepare and went to bed, passing out from exhaustion almost before he lay down.
The next morning came entirely too soon. Relam’s father knocked on the door an hour before dawn, setting the morning into motion. Relam bathed one last time, dressed, and checked his gear, which he had packed the previous day. Everything was just as he had left it, perfectly in order, every item exactly where it was supposed to be.
Relam shouldered his pack and went out to the main room, where his parents were already eating breakfast. His mother was sitting stiffly in her chair, as though trying to ignore the fact that it was nearly time for Relam to leave on his mission. She had only found out about the raid the previous evening, and Relam had listened to his parents argue about it ever since. This morning though, they seemed to have put that aside, instead showing solidarity and support for their son.
“Everything is ready,” Relam said by way of greeting, picking up two thin pancakes and rolling slices of ham in them. He took a big, delicious bite before continuing. “The soldiers are gathering at the west gate as we speak.”
“Good,” his father replied around a mouthful of eggs. “You’ll be fine son. Just remember your training. And make sure you’re back in time for the meeting with the Assembly. I’m hoping that if you are successful it will appease them for the time being.”
“And in the long run?” Relam asked before he could stop himself.
“You let me worry about that. You have quite enough on your own mind to get on with,” the king replied. “Is Oreius meeting you at the west gate as well?”
“Yes,” Relam said, finishing off the first pancake and starting the second.
“Good man to have along, if he’s anything like I remember,” Orram muttered. “Good fighter too.”
They continued eating in silence, the king wolfing down his food, Relam eating at a reasonable pace, and the queen picking at the contents of her own plate, mouth set in a thin line. Finally, Relam finished his breakfast and stood.
“I should be off,” he said awkwardly. “The men will be waiting.”
His father nodded and rose to embrace him, his napkin dropping to the floor as he did so. “Be safe,” he said gruffly. “You’ll do well. Clear those bandits out and come right back, understood?”
“Yes, sir,” Relam said, grinning.
“Good man,” his father replied, clapping him on the shoulder. Then, he promptly returned to his breakfast and the queen got to her feet.
“I still don’t approve of this,” she said, shooting Relam’s father a dark look. “But I will support you Relam. Be careful. Take no unnecessary risks.”
“Yes, mother,” he said, gently embracing her. “I’ll be back, I promise you.”
She smiled wanly, then resumed her seat at the table, biting her lip. Relam turned and made for the door, looking back as he laid a hand on the latch. His mother and father were still watching him, his father proudly, his mother anxiously. He tried to smile at them one more time, but his muscles didn’t seem to want to obey. Instead, he jerked the door open and marched out into the hall, nodding greetings to the guards as he made for the entrance hall and the world beyond.
Relam paused on the front steps of the palace and breathed deeply of the crisp morning air. The sky above was heavily clouded and there was a hint of moisture on the air, but none of these things could dampen Relam’s spirits. He was headed out on a mission of his own, free of the confines of palace life! He was off on a few days of adventure, riding straight into battle for the first time.
The young prince trotted down the palace steps and began making his way through the city to the west gate. Relam turned onto the River Road first, moving past the Citadel, past Tar’s facility. The gates were locked this morning, and cadets were just beginning to line up outside, ready for their morning drill. Relam grinned as he remembered those
