The penetrating quiet made Dillon's brow furrow and his face turn hard. The streets on the outskirts of town were deserted, despite the sun's height in the sky. As they neared the market of Renden, the dull static of a crowd began to reach their ears. But this was not the light-hearted banter that should have existed in such a marketplace at midday. This was a frightened, disgruntled hush that rose and fell beneath the piercing instruction of a self-inducted authority.
Dillon slowed Perisseus as they met the edge of the crowd of locals. Curiosity framed Arabella's expression as Amadae moved up beside the great black stallion, and Gerard looked exceptionally nervous.
"By order of King Willian, all able-bodied men will offer their services to the crown," an armored officer announced to the rebuke of the crowd, reading from a scroll he held aloft. "All other residents of Renden will assist in readying the village and surrounding area for the stationing of King Willian's army. Failure to obey completely the orders of the King will be subject to punishment as seen fit by the commanding officer bearing this order. Should any man fail to report for service in the army, his wife and children will be held responsible and will serve the deserter's punishment."
The dread and dismay could be felt emminating from the crowd. Husbands held wives and children. Old men glared at the pompous suit of armor before them. Infants wailed, refusing to be hushed by their mothers. Dillon's face held only loathing and contempt as he suddenly pulled the reins and guided Perisseus away from the crowd. Arabella remained a moment more, her eyes filled with pity, before she followed Dillon's lead.
Gerard's big green eyes looked as though they would spill oversized tears, but his brow knit in anger as the officer's voice and the chatter of the crowd faded behind them. "What a bully! Why, I'd like to get my roots around the neck of that King Willian and--"
"It's not Willian that's the problem," Dillon snapped, his voice seeping with fury. "Willian has become a mere puppet in the hands of Maizus. It is Maizus' will that demands so much of the people, now. He will stop at nothing, not even the deaths of every soul in Reun, simply for the sake of power."
Gerard fell silent, and so did Dillon. They rode out of the town and towards the desert without speaking, but it was obvious that Dillon's mind could not rest. They stopped outside Renden where a small brook ran on the edge of the desert. Perisseus drank as Dillon swung down from the saddle. He let Amadae drink as well as he helped Arabella to the ground. Gerard slid down by himself and wandered a few yards off to drink of the brook's fresh water. As After seeing that Arabella drank, Dillon drank to his own fill and began to fill the water skins.
Arabella watched Dillon as she stroked Amadae's smooth coat, damp from sweat in the heat of the day. Arabella's eyes moved back to the horse as she spoke. "That's why we've come this far, you know." Her voice was soft as usual, steadied by a further determination in their cause. "To save the people from Maizus' rule."
Dillon stopped as he corked the second skin, staring blindly into the small river.
Arabella glanced in his direction, and continued when he did not respond. "/Your/ people, Dillon."
Dillon stood and tied the skins to the horses. "After what you've just seen, what makes you think the people will leave to follow me? Maizus knows there will be insurrection, and he's taken precautions against it. No man would leave his family to suffer for his desertion. What protection can I offer? A band of family-less criminals can hardly take on an army."
Arabella fell into silent thought and accepted Dillon's help to mount Amadae once more. Gerard came back and she helped the half-nymph onto the horse behind her.
Dillon stroked Perisseus' muzzle for a moment, gazing at his strong companion, before he swung into the saddle and led the horses onto the worn path through the desert. Silence hung over them as the sun set, allowing the travelers the amenity of the cool night. Holding tight to the back of Amadae's saddle, Gerard fell asleep. Dillon's eyes remained fastened ahead, though his expression never lightened.
"You must find help."
Dillon's head turned towards Arabella as she spoke. He stared at her for a moment before looking forward again. "And who you do you suggest I go to for help?" His lip curled in an angry sneer. "My father?"
Arabella watched him intently. "Your mother."
Dillon scoffed. "My mother is dead. What help could she be to us now?"
"Go to Gielkern, Dillon," Arabella urged calmly. Dillon shot her a glance, but did not attack the idea. Arabella continued. "You said yourself it is your mother's kingdom. Go to them. Tell them what has happened here, and what you plan to do. Tell them of Maizus, and ask for their help in defeating him."
Dillon remained silent for a moment. When he spoke, his voice had softened. He sounded almost hopeful. "Why would they help me? What proof do I have that I am telling the truth?"
"You have only your word," Arabella replied. "But you are Prince of Reun, son of Cammilia, Queen of Reun and once Princess of Gielkern. They will listen to you. What harm is there in trying?"
Dillon thought carefully. If Gielkern was on his side, the people might feel safe in joining him. Arabella was right: even if they could not help, the least Dillon could do was try.
Dillon washed the layers of caked dust from Perisseus' coat while Arabella bathed out of sight among reeds. Gerard had disappeared among the vegitation. Amadae, her clean white coat gleaming in the evenig sun, grazed on the lush grasses along the edge of the desert lake. Perisseus, though enjoying the bath at his master's hands, was anxious to do the same. The journey to the oasis had taken several days, which was evidenced by the dust that still clung to Dillon's face and clothes. When Perisseus was satisfactorily clean, Dillon slapped his faithful friend's flank and let him wander off to graze.
Dillon stepped deeper into the cool water and rinsed his arms and face. As the water dripped from his chin and carried away the filth, his attention was caught by the flame-like black streaks that would remain forever on his forearm. He traced the longest lick of flame with his fingertips, thinking of his goal. Maizus would pay not only for the pain brought on Dillon, but on every citizen of Reun.
"They seem a part of you, now." Arabella's voice nearly startled Dillon as she walked along the bank. Her silvery hair fell in loose wet curls about her shoulders, bare above a makeshift towel.
Dillon glanced up at her briefly as he straightened, then back to the strange black markings. "Maizus likely thinks I'm dead," he mused. "And were it not for you..." His eyes moved up to meet Arabella's once more. "I would be."
In the seconds that Dillon had looked away, Arabella had donned once more her traveling clothes and cloak, both clean and dry by a power Dillon would never quite understand. She smiled slightly as she moved to stroke Amadae's neck. "It's better for us, then, that he does. Let the rumors reach him first, once you have become powerful."
Gerard came from amidst the trees with a great green smile. His color had faded over the course of their journey, but being back with plant life seemed to have restored it immediately. "The plants here are very happy, great Miss Arabella. They say there are few travelers now, but the water is good. They knew nothing of the upcoming war, but they are happy to help as best they can. They won't mind us staying here."
Arabella nodded. "Good. Thank you, Gerard. Thank them for me, too, won't you?"
Gerard bobbed his slightly oversized head in assent.
Dillon pulled his cloak from his saddle, which was resting in the grass. He glanced at Arabella briefly as he removed his tunic and went towards the water to wash his both garments. "Gielkern castle is in the city of Harrick. It should be a three day journey each way."
Arabella stopped Dillon as he reached the water, extending a hand. "Here, let me."
Dillon watched her for a moment, then handed over his cloak and tunic. Arabella dipped both in the water, and when she shook them out, each was immaculate as well as completely dry. Dillon accepted them back with brief thanks, to which Arabella replied with a smile.
"Gerard and I will not be going with you to Gielkern," she stated as he slid into his shirt. "I have work to do here before you get back."
Dillon straightened, leaving the laced neck of the tunic open against his chest, as usual, and gave her a quizzical look. "What have you to do, here?"
Arabella only gave a mysterious smile. "I promised I would create a landmark no one crossing the desert would miss, and I intend to make good on that promise."
Dillon watched her for a moment; she never ceased to amaze him. Finally, he nodded. "All right, if you feel you must." He felt slightly uneasy at leaving such a beautiful woman unprotected in the middle of the desert, but something about this particular woman seemed more dangerous than any bandit could ever be.
Arabella nodded gracefully and turned to Gerard. "Would you please gather some food for Prince Dillon?"
Gerard nodded again. "Not too far down the bank there are some very tasty berries. They said so themselves."
Arabella thanked the miniscule man, who disappeared to collect the mentioned berries. Then she turned to Dillon. "Would you prefer to start out tonight, or wait 'till morning?"
Dillon considered his options as he watched Perisseus graze. "I think I'll sleep here and leave tomorrow morning. Perisseus deserves a break."
Arabella smiled. "Yes, he certainly does. And so do you."
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