Chapter 124: The Prince

Three weeks had passed from the departure of Hakimi and the rest. But there were not many changes in the town of Fillipo, except that something was happening to the Death Forest. Adventurers were coming and going out of the guild house, telling their tales of how the creatures were slowly coming back, how the foliage of the forest was turning green like no one had seen before in recent years.

Felix and Dune strolled down the main street after completing a job assignment, heading for the market area, when they noticed crowds of people passing by them in the same direction.

"What's with all the rush?" Felix slowed his pace and observed the crowd, with some jogging and some looking up at the northern wards.

He moved closer to a pair of women talking quietly beside the doorway of a shop. "Excuse me. Something going on in the north ward?"

"You don't know?" she replied with a look of astonishment. "The King's younger brother is visiting the town."

"Which one?" Felix asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Do you really think I'd know that?" The woman snorted, pulling her shawl straight. "I just heard that from a traveler who came through. They're also saying the King's youngest son is here."

Felix gave a little frown at that. "Better make haste then. You might have missed them already. If they're feeling generous, they'll be throwing around their gold."

The woman shot him an annoyed look before breaking into a quick stride after her friend, disappearing into the crowd.

"That's strange, isn't it?" Felix muttered to himself as he saw more and more people gather on the street below.

"Yes." Dune nodded beside him, her face neutral. "We'd better join the party and take some of the gold as well."

"What? No. That's…" Felix turned and regarded her from the corner of his eye, shaking his head slightly. "Come on. Think about it. Diana went off weeks ago, and now here come more royalty? The King's own son, in Fillipo of all places?"

"Shall we go and greet them? They know Diana." Dune tilted her head thoughtfully.

"No. Absolutely not."

The western gate was shining brightly in the sunny afternoon when several carriages stopped near the gate after passing the outer wall, with clouds of dust rising from their wheels. The guards were forming ranks on both sides of the road, holding spears straight ahead while more people gathered behind them, straining to catch sight, knights pushing away those who were trying to pass beyond the rope line.

"Move back, everybody!" shouted one of the knights with his arm gesturing widely. "Let them have some space!"

The door of the foremost carriage opened up and Edmond Rosberg emerged from the carriage, stretching his arms upwards with an exaggerated groan. He was wearing worn-out clothes, a dark green coat with gray dust at its hem and looking nervously around with restless eyes.

Osbel immediately went forward and made a deep bow, followed by Mirabelle who did the same. "Welcome, Lord Edmond, to the City of Fillipo. We're honored by your presence."

"Honored, honored." Edmond uttered the word twice, savoring it, before he waved a lazy hand at the road behind him. "A long way coming here. Jura's a nightmare during this season, there are too many trees, the mountains do not permit a coach to pass without trouble, we even had to go around half the province just to reach you."

"A challenging trip, I presume." Osbel stood up slowly, weighing his words. "Nevertheless, we are glad you reached us safe and sound."

"Safe, yes, if you regard three broken wheels as safety." Edmond gave a brief, sharp laugh and then stopped abruptly, looking at the crowd for a moment before he returned his gaze to Osbel. "Anyways. You got the letter."

"We did." Osbel nodded his head. "The call for Hakimi Morrow and my daughter, Diana. They left the capital some time ago, as commanded."

"Good, good." Edmond nodded, but his eyes wandered elsewhere, watching as a pigeon flew away from the adjacent roof top, as if he was more intrigued with that then with the discussion going on. "The King would be very happy to learn about this. Very pleased. How many times did I use pleased today?"

Mirabelle's smile remained fixed, although she glanced towards Osbel nervously.

Edmond seemed to recall something. Suddenly, he turned around to his carriage. "Espada!" Edmond shouted loudly enough for everyone in the square to hear. "Get out here and introduce yourself, you little brat."

There wasn't any answer from inside.

"Espada!" Edmond shouted again, even louder, moving towards the carriage. "Come and say hello to the Duke. It's rude to hide yourself inside sulking while the Duke is standing right before your eyes."

Someone finally replied from inside the carriage. "I am tired. I don't want to waste my time with greetings that I will have to give again later."

Edmond twitched a little in his eye, although the grin on his face did not change. He chuckled softly, turning to look at Osbel as if they shared a private joke between them. "Like I said, he's like that. Too much training too early in life, and he ends up forgetting his manners somewhere down the line." He knocked again, gently on the side of the carriage door. "Get out, Espada."

"Later," the voice replied, firm and conclusive, without another word following it.

Osbel bowed his head slightly in the direction of the carriage, his voice strong and deliberate in the square. "His Highness must be tired from the long journey he just completed. Please give him all the rest he needs, for it is indeed a great honor that our illustrious Prince graces us with his presence in Fillipo, even if but for a short while." He straightened again, and turned to Edmond with practiced poise. "I'm sure you'll have your chance at meeting the prince once he's done resting."

"Yes, tired." Edmond spun back around to wave a dismissive hand toward the waiting carriage behind him. "Always tired, or bored. Occasionally both at the same time, which I haven't yet figured out how he does it." He clapped his hands once, briskly. "Right then, Duke Osbel. Lead the way, I suppose, and I am sure your palace has wine of some proper sort."

"Certainly, my lord." Osbel waved his hand to indicate the road leading back into town; guards were already forming themselves into their positions as escort to the small party. "This way."

Murmurs went through the crowd as the group began to move, necks craning for one last look before the knights forced the rope into place behind them.

The hall in the palace had been hastily prepared for the meeting, a long table adorned with the best wine Osbel had stored in his cellars, the servants moving quietly around the edges of the room. Edmond slumped into his chair without waiting for anyone else to be seated, immediately taking hold of a glass.

"So." He swirled the wine, taking a sniff and then drinking. "I suppose your town is treating you well enough? Fillipo has grown since the last time I passed through, eh? That was what, about fifteen years ago?"

"Well enough," Osbel said, seating himself opposite Edmond. "And how is Savoie? I suppose it keeps you busy?"

"Bussy?" Edmond chuckled. "Yes, that's one way to put it. You know I have taken to alchemy in recent years? True alchemy, not the conjuror's trickery that people tend to associate with the term." He leaned closer to Osbel, his eyes shining with an excitement that was distinctly unsettling. "Working on separating a man's shadow and binding it to another body, giving it a mind of its own. Absolutely fascinating business, though two of my servants have died in the process."

Osbel's friendly smile slipped for the fraction of a second before he caught it. "Yeah, that does sound... Ambitious."

"Ambitious – exactly right!" Edmond gestured toward Osbel approvingly. "Most people refer to it as insane. Me, I say ambitious."

Mirabelle cleared her throat softly and guided the conversation along with practiced ease. "Now the mountain range in Savoie, have you heard that the animals there have become even more dangerous? We've heard some wild tales about it."

"The Jura has always been a wild area." Edmond nodded and settled down a bit. "There were wolves the size of a carriage roaming above the ridge. Lost three hunting parties to them last winter alone. Though to be perfectly honest, I've always wondered what would happen if you breed one with something just a little bit... Aquatic."

"Aquatic." Mirabelle whispered and looked at Osbel sideways.

"Oh, forget it, forget it." Edmond dismissed it with laughter and immediately changed the subject. "What about your family, Duke? I hear you have two sons now."

"We do," Osbel said, letting out a small genuine smile. "Emeric and Theo. Both of us keep each other sharp."

"That's good, good. Family is everything." Edmond nodded, suddenly remembering something. "Oh, talking about family. How the boy travels with me, you asked me about that, right?"

"Yes, that's true," Osbel replied. "Not many times does Crown Prince travel with King's brother."

"For ten years now, he has been with me." Edmond said it casually, refilling his glass while not even looking at Osbel. "Order of my brother. I kept it quite to myself, so now I suppose I've revealed something I was supposed to keep secret." Edmond laughed. "Espada practices under the First Step sword sanctum. Hard place, from what little I know about it. Keeps quiet for most part, stays to himself, but the boy definitely has a temper somewhere under his quietness."

"A temper?" Mirabelle raised an eyebrow slightly.

"He killed two of his instructors last year." Edmond spoke as though discussing the weather. "Got under his skin enough that he went over whatever boundary he sets for himself. I didn't witness it myself, but from what I understand, it was quick. At least efficient, if nothing else."

Osbel paused in his drink. "I understand."

"None of your concern." Edmond waved a dismissive hand and grinned. "He's a delight as long as people don't waste his time or insult him in any way. Really, simple rules." He took a drink from his own cup, looking out the window. "And now, perhaps you can tell me about your town. I understand there is an interesting market district. Have you seen anything interesting come through recently?"