In This Life And The Next

By the time the fourth day dawned on Alec and his company, they were exhausted and starving. Alec was the only one who had the same horse he had left camp with. Raven looked as though she were out for a leisurely stroll while the rest of the horses were exhausted. She would flick her tail at the others if they got too close.

Alec found Liam petting her nose and feeding her an apple that morning. He had dark circles under his eyes and his hand was bandaged from a dagger that he glanced away during an ambush. It had been a close call, but Caspian’s sword had ended the man’s life.

“Should anything happen to me-” Liam began when Alec approached.

“Do not finish-” Alec started.

“Should anything happen to me, provide for Lady Jessica.” Liam said anyway, ignoring Alec in the way that only a younger brother could. “Swear it to me, Alec. Swear it like you swore to protect our kingdom.” Liam’s hands were shaking and he was near tears. The bandage on his hand needed to be changed. Caspian approached them with fresh cloth.

“You do not need my oath,” Alec whispered and Caspian pulled the bandage from Liam’s hand. “But you have it. I will take care of her for the rest of her days. Her and the child.”

Caspian’s head snapped up. “What child?” He asked.

“Jessica and Liam were impatient for their wedding night.” Alec said and smirked at Liam.

"So were you and Aurora." Liam added, smiling.

“She’s having a baby?” Caspian asked and they saw the light in his eyes. He had a notorious soft spot for infants.

“Yes.” Liam said softly. There were too many emotions wrapped up in the word to parse apart. Alec had to settle on pride.

“Tell me the same.” Alec said. “Tell me that should anything happen to me-”

"Nothing can happen to you.” Liam snapped. Caspian had to hold his hand still as he continued wrapping. “You are the king-”

“And this is war. They have decided to make the whole of it personal, Liam, and if that’s what it is, then the kingdom comes before the king.” Alec pointed out. “And if that happens, if the kingdom must be put before me-” He shook his head and Liam looked away. Alec grasped his chin and made Liam look at him. “Promise me. Should I die here, that you will see that Aurora and our child is taken care of.”

Liam’s eyes flashed with anger before he nodded and Alec dropped his hand. “Say it. Say that you swear.”

“I swear it. So long as Aurora lives, she and your child will be protected by the throne.” Liam muttered.

They both turned to Caspian who was wiping blood off of Alec’s head with a wet rag. It took a moment for him to realize they had fallen silent, watching him.

“What?” He said. Then he snorted and wiped at Alec’s brow until Alec batted his hand away and took his chin in his hand like he did Liam’s. “The chances of me ascending to the throne of this country are slim.” Caspian pointed out. Alec’s fingers caused his mouth to squish and his words came out strangely.

They both stared at him. Alec did not let go.

Caspian sighed. “Should anything happen to both of you and the crown comes to me, I will take care of both Lady Jessica and Aurora until their days are no more.” Alec dropped his hand but then Caspian sighed and Liam and Alec turned back to him. “Should anything happen to me,” He started and glared at the horizon where the sun was beginning to rise. His eyes were bright. “Should anything happen to me, I want my inheritance to be split evenly between all of my nieces and nephews, present and future.” Caspian finally finished.

“The lot of you are morons.” Neil declared from a nearby tree.

“Shouldn’t you be pulling the wings from a butterfly?” Caspian snapped.

“Wrong season, darling.” Neil drawled and pushed himself up off the tree. “Breakfast, so we can get this torturous ride over.”

Liam gave Raven the rest of the apple and Caspian left, with one last glare at Neil.

“Sire, a word, before we begin.” Neil asked.

Alec nodded and began to strip off his riding armor to change into something clean. He nodded at Neil to continue.

“If I could be so bold as to advise you about Aurora-”

Alec turned and pulled a mostly clean tunic from his pack. “Tread carefully, Neil. Your skills are not so unique that I could not train another.”

Neil chuckled, “I would not believe otherwise.” He paused and Alec turned to face him as he laced the front of his shirt up. He seemed to be building some kind of nerve up and Alec had never seen him so antsy. “Neil.” He snapped.

“What were the names of Aurora’s stepsisters?” Neil asked suddenly, stepping close.

Alec raised an eyebrow and jerked his head towards Raven so that Neil could come closer. “Why do you ask?”

“I remember the queen inquiring about two young women amongst the guards. She said she wanted to know where they were and the reports came back that one was working in the taverns and another left the city to join Roman’s army. You know the women-”

“I know what you referring to yes, what is your point?” Alec asked impatiently.

“At the last two towns was the same girl. Blue eyes, dark hair.” Neil muttered. “And she seemed to familiar with the men. As though she knew some of them.”

Alec nodded and looked over at Neil. “What are your thoughts on the matter?” He asked.

“I don’t think it’s a matter of who is the spy but how many of them there are among us. Sire.” Neil went on and Alec glanced down at his hands. He was trembling and when Alec looked up to his face, he noted how pale Neil was. He even looked a little sick. Possibly from staying up all night to watch for an attack. Alec would be touched but he knew it was partly because if the Prince were killed, his life would most certainly follow the same ending. “I can vouch for myself, for Blake, Victor, Ash, Sam and obviously the princes.”

“And Will.” Alec muttered as the men began to wake and gather their camp. “How were the rest chosen?”

Neil shook his head. Alec caught Sam’s eye and waved him over.

“How were the men riding with us chosen?” He asked.

“They volunteered, sir.” Sam replied.

Neil looked to Alec and Alec looked to the horizon again.

“At the next village, we will stop. Sam, ride ahead now, inform the tavern keeper that we will need food and shelter for forty men. Insist that the place is cleared before we arrive. They will be paid by the Prince.” He turned to Raven, pulled a small bag of coins from his pack and pressed them into Sam’s hands.

Sam looked confused, looked from one man to the other and opened his mouth. Alec gripped his shoulder roughly and looked him in the eye. “Do as you are told and go now .”

“Sire.” Sam said. He went to his horse and swung up in it, settled his horse, and left.

“Where is he off to?” One man asked from near the fire.

Alec ignored the look that Neil shot him.

“Scout.” Alec replied shortly.

Alec purposely took his time readying himself that morning. He ordered one man to cook, another to check the horses, and he himself took to digging out rocks from Raven’s shoes. He adjusted her saddle and made sure that Liam and Caspian did the same.

The others began to get restless before long and he could tell that they wanted to hurry him but one look to one of the men suggesting that they do get moving shut them all down.

Liam and Caspian were exchanging looks but finally, camp was packed away and Alec swung up onto Raven.

He rode out, the others close behind.