Love Is Always Write Volume 4

to the Shadow Pass."
    Allen grimaced. The Shadow Pass was the only way through the Cartha Mountains, and into the country of Benta, one of only six countries on the continent not under the High King's reign. It was no wonder Rene did not want to part with details. Whatever they were doing, it was dangerous. If they were caught in Benta it could start a war. And first they would have to contend with the Cartha Clans, who fell under the reign of the High King, but were an entity unto themselves. No one could pin them long enough to control them, and they would not surrender control of the Shadow Pass.
    So bartering for passage was the only way to get through it, and it was an arduous undertaking on the best of days. The mountains were brutal, the clans were territorial and happy to employ violence, and once the Dragons got through the pass they were in enemy territory.
    "If you want no part of this I understand—"
    "No, I want to help," Allen cut in. "I only worry that I am very much not a mercenary."
    "Your silver tongue more than makes up for your lack of sword. Can you fight at all?"
    Allen stifled a sigh and tried to squash his disappointment. "No, I cannot. I am afraid that growing up all of my time was poured into my scholarly lessons, especially language."
    "How many languages do you know?"
    "Twelve," Allen replied, smiling because whatever anyone said, he was proud of his abilities. He just needed a certain stubborn High King to appreciate his skills, rather than bemoan the skills he lacked.
    Rene stared at him. "You're jesting."
    "I am quite in earnest, I assure you," Allen replied. "My training was very thorough. All four of my brothers are skilled knights. My parents decided the fifth son would be better put to other uses."
    "Your parents are wise," Rene said with a grunt. "Soldiers, I have by the hundreds. There is no lack of men who can wield a sword in these days of war. But to my hundreds of soldiers I had only three silver tongues."
    Allen nodded, but said, "If I am going to be traveling with you into the Cartha Mountains, however, I do not want to be entirely helpless. That will only make me a burden."
    Rene shrugged. "Where we have time, I am happy to teach you, if that is what you are asking. But I need a silver tongue who can do his job, not one laid up by injuries he need never have acquired."
    "We will see how it goes," Allen said.
    Nodding, Rene said, "As to payment, since you're a silver tongue and not a soldier, you'll receive five piece a week. Soldiers are also allowed a take in whatever ransom we take in battle..."
    Allen gestured dismissively. "Five piece a week is plenty. I expect no share of a bounty I did not earn."
    "If you keep us from getting into fights with the clans, I will see you are compensated for it," Rene replied, then added wryly, "Though I suspect that you do not lack for funds. You dress like a damn prince."
    "I like fine clothes," Allen demurred. "No man is too good to refuse honest wages."
    Rene smiled, leaning back in his seat and rubbing thoughtfully at his goatee. "You're an odd one, no mistake, but I know when to accept the gifts of angels with a closed mouth." He dropped a couple of coins on the table and stood. "Come on, I'll take you to camp and get you acquainted, then you can go back to fetch your belongings."
    "Sounds perfect." Allen followed him out of the pub and through the streets, mind spinning as he tried to decide what he was supposed to do about belongings. He dared not return to the palace, so he would have to purchase what he needed. Hopefully he would be able to obtain what he needed quickly and easily.
    Guilt picked at him, but Allen ignored it. His family thought he was with the High King, and he very much doubted Sarrica would notice he was missing. At worst, Sarrica would think he had slunk off home. By the time anyone figured out he was missing, Allen would be back from his journey up the mountains.
    Hopefully the journey and whatever battle skills he picked up during the course of it would prove his worth. He refused to consider failure, because it simply was not an option. Allen glanced toward the palace, remembered that stinging rejection, the cruel laughter that had filled the court.
    Whatever it took, he would prove to them all that he was fit to be the High King's consort.
    PART TWO
    Sarrica was in a meeting with the council of agriculture when a messenger burst into the meeting room without permission. The tongue-lashing Sarrica started