Varian leaned against the trunk of a large oak, forcing himself to breath softly. Their dash from the walls had been done in panic. Now that he had time to think, Varian realized that they’d made a horrible mistake.

Varian leaned against the trunk of a large oak, forcing himself to breath softly. Their dash from the walls had been done in panic. Now that he had time to think, Varian realized that they’d made a horrible mistake. They were hiding in a small grove of trees not far from the wall. Varin knew it was the first place that the soldiers, now streaming from the gate, would look. It was too obvious. “How many does it sound like?” he whispered. Kerrin tilted his head to the side. For a moment they were quiet, watching the soldiers’ torches sweep back and forth, ever closer to the copse of trees. “I’d say close to twenty.” “Twenty!” Varian groaned.There’s no way we can escape from twenty. “Should we make a run for it?” Varian closed his eyes and rubbed the heel of his hand over his forehead. Took a deep breath. Allowed his training to slip in and take control of the panic. Then he saw the solution. “I’m going to run out of the trees and distract them. Head west—that’s the shortest route to the border.” “Vari’n, I’m not sure…” “Please, don’t argue. You want to get back to your family?” Varian barely waited for Kerrin’s nod. “This is the best way. You’ll get a head start.” “What about you? Your brother…” “Will rant and rave and maybe put me under house arrest for a few weeks. He won’t harm me. It’s better this way.” Kerrin bit his lower lip and looked down. “I hate to leave you like that. It’s not honorable.” “Please? We don’t have time to argue about it.” “All right, all right. If we must.” Varian gripped Kerrin’s hand tightly. The Highlander’s lips twitched into a faint smile, and he reached up to slap Varian’s shoulder. Varian felt himself breaking into a grin. “Godspeed, Vari’n.” “To you, also.” Kerrin slipped away to the western edge of the copse. Varian ducked under the low-hanging branches of the tree. Soldiers’ torches bobbed close about the small grove. He lowered himself to the ground and crawled through the long grass until he was close to the edge. The grass swished around his body, ruffled by a soft night breeze. The sound covered the soldiers’ noises, but Varian forced himself to remain alert. He raised himself, glancing about. The soldiers were at the edge of the woods. Varian bit his lower lip. He’d hoped to get farther out before revealing himself. “Hey! You!” Varian lunged to his feet, staggering into a sprint. Behind him, the soldier’s voice rang out, alerting his companions. Varian leaned forward, balling his hands tight. Above the pounding of his own feet, he could hear the soldiers’ pursuit. He looked over his shoulder. Only three were chasing him. He dodged to the right, away from the castle and parallel to the trees. Where were the other soldiers? Then he saw one man run out of the trees and drop to his knees in the grass. What was he doing? The moonlight glinted off something shiny as the soldier raised his hands. Varian skidded on the wet grass as he stopped and twisted, covering his head with his arms. Too late. A piercing whine split the air. White-hot pain lashed into his shoulder. Varian howled in rage and pain as the impact threw him spinning onto his back. He twisted to his side, blood rolling down his side. His shoulder throbbed as he tried to get to his feet, tried to run. But again, it was too late. Hands grabbed his arms, yanked him to his feet. Varian ground his teeth together and tried to wrench free. A torch flashed into his eyes. “Prince Varian! What are you doing out here?” He recognized the voice as Captain Beno’s. But before he could saw anything, another voice rang out, close by the copse. “Captain! We got the Highlander!” *** Jevran ground the heels of his hands into his eyes. Then he grabbed the shirt lying on the chair beside his bed, pulled it on, and rolled out of bed. He looked at his pants, wrinkled from a day and half a night of wear—but there was no time to change them. He had no doubt that Varian was behind this scheme. The servant who had woken him had only given him the bare details, that the Highlander had escaped and his guards had been found asleep by an open cell door. But there was no doubt. Varian’s half-Highlander blood had won out this time. Jevaran snatched up a tunic and his sword on his way out the door. His bodyguards were waiting for him. He growled a greeting to them and handed on his sword as he buttoned the tunic. By the time he got to the Council room, Danilos and several others were already there. Danilos fumbled as he began to rise. “Save your time,” Jevran snapped. “Are soldiers out looking for the Highlander?” “Yes sir.” “What happened exactly?” “The alarm was raised ten minutes ago. One of the patrols saw two men scaling the walls and gave a shout. Captain Beno had the sense to run down and check on our Highland prisoner. The cell was empty, and his guards were asleep. We couldn’t wake them either, and we think that they might have been drugged. One of the men is looking for the herbalist Onna at this minute—Beno suggested she might know what was given to them, and how to counteract it.” “Where is Beno now?” “Out with his men.” “Good. We’ll have to make preparations for a large scale manhunt if…” A loud rap sounded on the wooden door. Jevran jumped. He hadn’t realized how tight his muscles had been before. “Come in,” he shouted. Beno pushed open the door. “We found them, sir.” “Already? Good work. Where are they?” “Well, sir…” Beno cleared his throat. He looked unusually nervous. And his hands were fidgeting with his sleeves—he couldn’t seem to decide whether he wanted them pushed above his elbows or left at their proper length. Jevran wasn’t in the mood for this fussing. “Spit it out!” “The Highlander is dead, sir. Shot by one of our men.” Jevran grunted, though inwardly he winced. The idea of a man, even a Highlander, dying without trial, without conviction, was repulsive. He’d been planning to fight the Council on that very point. “We also captured his accomplice, sire.” Danilos spoke quickly. “Bring him in.” Jevran shot Danilos a warning glare, but allowed the order to stand. Beno reluctantly opened the door completely, allowing two soldiers and their charge to come in. Varian. Somehow, Jevran had both been expecting his brother and hoping that it wouldn’t turn out to be him. He scanned Varian quickly, noting his blood-crusted side and particularly his eyes, brimming with tears but too proud to let them fall. Let them fall, brother. They may win you sympathy. “You traitor!” Danilos was on his feet. Before Jevran could speak a word, Danilos strode to Varian and slapped him, hard. “You’re unfit to be called a king’s son!”