Page 20 of Quest of Fools

"Rath, it's good to see you, I'm sorry to bother you."He turned to the king and queen and did his best to bow."Your Majesties, I'm sorry for troubling you as well."

"It's not troubling us to ask us to do what we're here for," the queen said."Mercy, I had forgotten just how impressive a figure you cut, Master Diggson.Whatever has happened to Lord Marian?It's not like him to cause even a whisper of trouble."

"He's vanished.I think because of his ex-lover, who has been harassing us," Warf said, and explained everything that had happened since the end of the tournament, from the strange encounter with the man and the carriage, right up to the letter Marian had received the day before he'd vanished.When he finally ran out of words, he drew out the letter from the desk."He left this for me, but I can't read."His face burned with the humiliation of it, and he couldn't bring himself to meet their gazes, but thankfully they said nothing as Rath gently took the letter.

"It's your name on the front, as you've likely already surmised," Rath said.He broke the wax seal and pulled out what looked like two sheets of paper.

Dear Warf,

I assume you have taken this to your friend Rath, but if you have not, I strongly urge you to do so, as Their Majesties will need to be informed of this matter.I am sorry that I am writing to you, making it so difficult to know all I have to say, there simply wasn't time to find a better solution.

For several years I carried on an affair with Lady Emendi Clarkson, youngest daughter of the Earl of Charr.We agreed from the start that it was for fun, that as we were both promised to the Tournament this would above all be a friendship, and anything else we were would end the year of the Tournament.

I thought, foolishly looking back, that we were in firm agreement on this.Lady Clarkson, however, has refused to stand by the agreement.She insists I belong to her, those are her words exactly, that we are meant to be together, and similar such.I have attempted time and again to drive her off, to make her leave me alone, short of anything that would cause our families a scandal.

Last night, I received yet another letter from her.Rather than the usual pleas and threats, however, this one vowed that if I did not run away with her, you and the children would pay the price.I could not let that stand.She has not told me where we are going, but I suspect we're headed for her private estate in the mountains, where she likely intends to force us to marry and, presumably, do whatever she feels necessary to ensure there can be no annulment.

I am sorry, so deeply sorry, that it's come to this.I meant everything I said, please never doubt that.If I can at any point escape her, I will do so.Please do what is best for you and the children.I would never begrudge you that, and cannot apologize enough I've let you down.

Yours truly,

Marian

"Below that are his official titles and seal," Rath finished before folding the letter and handing it back to Warf."Who is this vile woman who's kidnapped him?"

It was Rath's prince, whose name Warf simply couldn't recall right then, who replied, "Lady Emendi Clarkson, she's well known for having a… shall we say, tempestuous personality.Everyone was surprised when someone as sweet as Marian took up with her.She often seemed better around him, at least at first.Never hesitated to tell anyone who couldn't escape that they were oh so happy and the perfect pair, that kind of nonsense."

Rath smiled teasingly."You would certainly know all about romantic nonsense."

"Shoosh," the prince replied with his own smile."Anyway, everyone knew when they ended the relationship because she was not remotely decorous about it.Lord Marian seemed unhappy too, so there were all manner of rumors that they were broken-hearted, distraught about being torn apart… Lord Marian, though, greeted the tournament with enthusiasm and has been nothing but an ardent supporter of it for nearly as long as I've known him.So we thought the matter settled.Now this…"

"Now this," the king echoed grimly."Is this letter in earnest, or is it merely a spun tale to aid their escape?"

Warf frowned."Marian wouldn't lie like that."

Giving him a look entirely too full of pity for Warf's taste, the king replied, "With respect, Master Warf, you've known him a matter of days.You have no idea what he's capable of."

Maybe, maybe not.But Warf knew that Marian had been sincerely happy about the children.He'd done everything in his power to see them and Warf settled in comfortably.Marian hadkissedhim, and done a great deal more than that.Would he really do that, be so ardent and open, if he was still in love with a woman he considered worth throwing his entire life away to be with?

"I'm sorry," he said at last."I do not like to countermand Your Majesty, and it's certainly not my place to, but I know him well enough.Marian is in trouble.He did not leave of his own volition.He needs help.If no one else is going to help him, then I will.Rath—"

"Of course, I'll help you," Rath replied, hugging him tightly."You don't even have to ask.What do you need?"

"My children," Warf said, swallowing the lump in his throat at the thought of having to leave them for the weeks, possibly months, that he would be gone."They've already been through so much, and now I have to abandon them."

"I'll take care of them.I can stay in your home, or bring them here to the palace—"

"No, they need their home, new as it is," Warf said."You don't have to stay there, but if you could check on them frequently, see that they don't get too scared or sad…" He crumpled the note in one fist, the paper so small and fragile in his grip."I don't want to leave them, but I can't leave him either."

The king huffed."This is all unnecessary.Lord Marian made his choice—a stupid, foolish one—and he will be punished as he deserves whenever he returns, which he will have to eventually.He is hardly the first tournament participant to behave this way, and there are protocols in place.There's no reason for you to do anything foolish.You will be given—"

"I don't want it!"Warf said sharply, then bowed hastily."I apologize, Your Majesty.With respect, I neither need nor want whatever compensation you prefer to hand over.I am promised to Marian, and I am going to rescue him, even if I must do it alone.Even if it makes me a fool."

"You aren't alone," the prince said."Come on, we'll speak elsewhere."He shot his parents a venomous look as he led the way out of the room, and Warf could only marvel at the brazenness of it.Even if he was a prince, it took a lot of… something, bravery or stupidity or both… to give the most powerful man in the kingdom a look like that.

In a smaller room, the prince urged him to sit down before going to speak with someone in the hallway.

"You really think it's exactly as the letter says?"Rath asked."I don't doubt you, but this is no small thing you'd be doing."

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