Free A Quick Sun Rises by Thomas Rath

bodyguard Jace. Jack was surprised to find the prince still in his traveling garb having thought he would be in full royal regalia for a meeting with his father but apparently he still felt it necessary to keep his identity shielded.
    Dor and Tam quickly materialized from his left and all converged on the spot where Thane and Jne stood. Dor looked drained. He’d tried a good part of the night to pull the water from the bag but never got any further than a wet hand. It was progress though and he was determined to make the connection. He knew Bren and Kat had been more successful in what they were learning but he also knew that calling water through a sold object was many grades higher than smelling water on the wind. Most non ArVen could do that when a storm was close enough.
    Tam had not stayed very long, deciding instead to get what sleep most of the others had forgone. Thane had promised he would teach her later and she didn’t doubt that. She also knew that though another set of eyes in the air might be helpful, Thane was more concerned about fighting right now and how best to use their gifts to their advantage. If he could get them to pull water from their foes, they would have one more tool to help tip the overwhelming advantage Zadok had.
    All remained silent, exchanging mere nods of greeting as they quickly fell in line behind Ranse and Jace who would lead the way to the palace and the king’s court. A sudden call shattered the silence and all heads turned to see Teek and Domis running up behind them calling out for them to wait. Everyone turned questioning looks to Jack who glared back. “What?” he snarled. “I didn’t invite them.”
    “Master Jack,” Domis called, “You didn’t wake us.”
    “For good reason,” he snapped. “What do you both think you are doing out here making such a ruckus? Do you mean to wake the whole camp?”
    The two boys looked at each other somewhat shocked and then put their hands to their mouths as they looked around at the people behind them, some currently stirring in their blankets. “Sorry,” They whispered in unison.
    “We thought you were leaving without us,” Domis added.
    “I was,” Jack retorted. “You were not invited.”
    “But Master Jack,” Domis continued, “isn’t it necessary for one representing Teek’s people to be present? After all, this is a war that affects us all.”
    Jack glared at the Waseeni boy but then quickly softened his features. In his frustration he wanted to point out that Teek was no longer the representative of a people but merely himself but knew such a blow would be worse than a sword stroke to the young lad. “Possibly,” he finally harrumphed, “but that does not explain your presence.”
    Domis looked surprised that Jack had even asked him to justify himself at being there. “Why Master Jack,” he said, the incredulity obvious in his voice, “one of your station should not be without a servant when addressing the king. It would not look proper.”
    “My station?” he roared, causing grunts from many in the near proximity who were still trying to get some sleep before the sun rose.
    Oblivious now to the volume of his own voice, he was preparing to unleash a barrage on the young boy when the prince appeared at his elbow and whispered, “Is there a problem, Jack?”
    He looked at the prince and then back at the two boys who were giving him their most innocent smiles. He sighed heavily. “No, my Lord,” he seethed. “We are ready.”
    Ranse smiled, knowing all too well the dilemma Jack faced. “Then let us be on our way,” the prince said lightly.
    Jack glared at Domis and Teek and held up a finger of warning. They knew they had gotten away with something enormous but they also knew not to press their luck any further. They would be as quiet as mice in a cheese shop if they knew what was good for them, and they did.
    Calandra, though touted as the grandest city, was something of a disappointment as they first