Page 12 of Minotaurs and other Magic

Which, logically, was a good solution for everyone.

Though he wanted Nate to spend a year in a day repaying him…and by the end, Nate might have grown fond of him. He resisted the temptation to nuzzle into the back of Nate’s head. There would be time for that later, hopefully.

The Strega rode her horse next to the chariot. Today, she was far too quiet, which set Rohan’s teeth on edge. It meant she was planning something, or she was intently observing everything, and both meant trouble was on the way.

“It’s just up ahead,” Nate said. “The forked tree.”

Rohan slowed the horses and stopped at the tree. “Two guards will stay here with the horses.”

Rohan slung the bag of supplies over one shoulder and led Nate out of the chariot. He jumped down to the ground and drew in a breath as if relieved that part was over.

Dressed in a tunic and long pants, he looked like he belonged. Except for the shoes. It had been quicker and easier to let him wear his boots than to find another suitable pair. Not only that, but humans, like elves and vampires, didn’t like breaking in new boots. As much as his guards appreciated the new issue of clothing, they always grumbled about blisters.

Rohan was glad that he never had to think about shoes.

“Lead the way, Nate,” Rohan ordered.

Nate glanced at the guards, the Strega, and then him. He nodded, but he stayed where he was, as if unsure. “What if I remember wrong?”

“Then we will backtrack until you remember right,” Rohan said.

Nate frowned and began walking. It became clear he’d followed an animal trail to the road. Given that he enjoyed hiking, Rohan doubted he would become lost, as he knew how to look for landmarks.

One of the guards walked ahead, and the other one took up the rear. Rohan wore a short sword on his belt as well as a dagger, but the most lethal weapon they had with them was the Strega.

“Can I ask why you didn’t ride a horse? Is it because you’re a prince?”

Rohan laughed. “You ask permission to ask the question, yet ask it anyway?”

“Am I not supposed to?”

There needed to be etiquette lessons in the near future, assuming Nate remained in Calla. “You will learn our ways. I do not ride because it is unfair to the horse. I am large, and my size cannot be hidden.”

Nate’s cheeks turned pink, as was Rohan’s intent.

“It would be cruel on the horse when a chariot serves my purpose. That it is emblazoned with the flower of Calla, and the knotwork is a boon.”

“What do the symbols mean?”

“The flower is my family. The knot work identifies the city. Every city-state has different knotwork, and the only people allowed to wear the symbol are those in positions of authority.”

“The city guards wear the flower but not the knotwork?”

“Correct. The rulers wear the knotwork. The king, the knight, the Strega, and the head of what you call the city guard, who is actually the leader of the army.”

“You wear it.”

Rohan smiled. “Because I assist my brother in ruling. Before he became king, I didn’t wear it.”

They walked in the dappled light, following the trail deeper into the forest. He hadn’t walked through the forest and what felt like forever. There was always something else to do. Sometimes, it felt as if he didn’t even have time to practice his harp.

Every so often, Nate stopped and checked a tree.

Rohan traced the lines that had been carved into the bark. “What is the mark?”

“It’s the letter N in English. How does the magic work? I can speak Tarikian, but I cannot read it.”

It was the Strega who responded. “Languages are learned by listening and feeling for the magic. What I did to you speeded up the process.”

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