Free Thursdays with the Crown by Jessica Day George Page B

comes down from the mountains would be having the better part.”
    â€œReally?”
    â€œOh, yes!” Lulath told her. “They are winning the battles, mostly always, the armies on the highest ground.” He laughed. “That is being my other passion, the military strategying.”
    â€œIt is?” She stared at him. She’d never heard this before.
    â€œYes,” Lulath said. “Since I am the smallest of boys I am in love with two things: the making of wars and the training of the small dogs!” He laughed, and then began to whistle.
    Celie reflected that Lulath was somehow the happiest, strangest, and most interesting person she knew, all at the same time.
    â€œSo,” she said a minute later. “Do you think you couldnegotiate with the Arkower? To make him send us all home, with the Eye? And Lorcan?”
    â€œOh, surely!” He nodded his head several times. “That is why I am having a liking of your family so very, very, my Celie! When I am coming to Sleyne I am thinking that it is but your father who is a very man, with his mighty Castle. But then I am having the acquaintances of yourself, our Rolf, our Lilah, and our others, and I am thinking, here are the people like you, Lulath!”
    â€œLike you?”
    â€œThe people who wonder at the world, and make it to be very better and mighty.”
    â€œOh,” Celie said.
    â€œWe are all strong friends,” Lulath said. “Together and apart. We will be getting home with honors.”
    â€œI hope so,” Celie said.
    â€œOh, but a surety, our Celie!” Lulath looked at her in concern. “Do you not believe your Lulath?”
    â€œI — I want to,” Celie said. “But it just seems so hopeless.” She lowered her voice. “And I — I’m so afraid. How can you never be afraid of anything?”
    â€œMe? Not being afraid?” Lulath threw back his head and laughed. Everyone turned to look at him, but he just kept laughing, and after a minute they kept plodding along. “I am knowing so many fears, our Celie!” he said at last.
    â€œYou are?”
    â€œOh, so many! In the bad times, when that Khelsh did control the Castle? It was a terrible fear that had me!”
    Celie gaped at him. “But you just walked all over the Castle, whenever you wanted! You brought me things, you were … you were afraid?”
    â€œOh, so much fear,” Lulath said. “But then I would look to myself in the mirror and say, Lulath, you silly big man! Here is being two beautiful princess and a noble prince in so much the danger! Have they food? Have they warmth? You must be putting on your shoes like a very man, and going forth! And so I am!” He nodded firmly. “It is why also I am studying the strategying when I am young. I am having so much the fear in the night, I think, I will learn all that is brave and very, and will also go forth with strongness!”
    Pogue, who had been behind them, walking closer and closer until he was almost on Celie’s heels, leaned forward then. “Lulath, that is the most astonishing thing you’ve ever said. You continue to surprise me.”
    â€œI thank you, friend Pogue,” Lulath said cheerfully. “It is because I am looking such a silly man. I am liking the clothes too much, it is a thing that I know. You are not thinking that I am having much brain.”
    â€œI … didn’t say that,” Pogue said, his cheeks faintly red.
    â€œOh, but you are thinking it, and it is not a bother,” Lulath said. “So many are thinking it of this silly prince!” He fished in his pocket and brought out a hard lump of cheese, which he broke into pieces for Lorcan, whistling as he fed the little griffin.
    â€œMy,” Celie said in a low voice to Pogue. “Goodness.”
    â€œI’m not sure whether I’m more impressed, or more guilty,” Pogue said under his breath. “I did