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for the barracks of the Cheridoni.
When they neared the barracks of Hemarchidas's tribe their noses were molested by a
penetrating smell.
 By the Gods, what is that awful stink? Anaxantis gasped.
 I reckon that's patriph, you know, their national staple, Bortram said disgusted.  Lucky for
me you brought the food and not them.
The fourth barrack they knocked on was the one where Hemarchidas and Lethoras were
lodged.
 Hem, visitors for you, the young tribesman who had opened the door yelled to someone
inside.
Hemarchidas appeared in the door opening, took one look at Anaxantis and Bortram and
started walking briskly down the path between the barracks without uttering a sound.
 Come on, Bortram said, giving Anaxantis a push in the back,  after him, and make it
sound good. I'll have a word with Lethoras.
Anaxantis went after Hemarchidas. For every step the young Cheridonian took, he had to
take two.
 Hemarchidas, wait, let me explain, wait... he shouted after him, without result.
After a few minutes they were out of the encampment and Hemarchidas walked down a
small path that led through the fields, with Anaxantis, almost out of breath, trying to catch up.
 Hemarchidas, damn you, slow down, I can't keep up, he yelled nearly in tears.  You're
the first friend I ever had and I don't want to lose you.
The Cheridonian stopped in his tracks and turned around.
 O, come on, you must have dozens of friends. Noble friends. Real friends.
 No, you don't know what it was like. I had servants, tutors, doctors... but never a friend.
Never someone who liked me for who I was. Never someone like you.
He had caught up with Hemarchidas, but was still breathing heavily.
 I wanted to tell you, honestly, I just didn't know how. I was afraid you would treat me dif-
ferently.
 So, you didn't trust me? Hemarchidas asked coldly.
 No, that's not true. Not exactly. I knew you liked Anack, but I wasn't sure if you would like
Anaxantis.
 How can he trust, where would he have learned it? Hemarchidas thought, while he
looked at the blond boy who now was really on the verge of tears.  If only half of what they
say about the royal family is true, it's no wonder that he has trust issues. He seemed to enjoy
our time together, and he wouldn't have wanted to jeopardize that. Maybe he's right. Would I
have treated him the same if I had known who he really was?
 You're the first friend I ever had and I don't want to lose you, Anaxantis repeated and
now the tears flowed down his cheeks.
All resentment, all anger, all hurt that Hemarchidas had felt dissipated as he looked at the
crying boy.
 O, come here, you little fool, he said and hugged him.  You're not going to lose me. You
can't lose me, even if you tried. I'll stick to you like a bad smell.
 Like patriph? Anaxantis smiled through his tears.
 The Gods forbid, Hemarchidas laughed.
 You're not angry anymore?
 No, I think I understand. A little anyway. I was only angry, and mostly hurt, just because
you are my friend. If you hadn't been, I wouldn't have cared.
When they turned around to return to the barracks, they saw Bortram and Lethoras com-
ing in their direction at a leisurely pace.
 Friends again? asked Bortram cheerfully.
 We never stopped being friends, Hemarchidas replied.  Even friends have a disagree-
ment sometimes.
 Yeah, I can vouch for that, Lethoras grinned at Anaxantis.  The man can be impossible
sometimes. But not a bad bone in his body.
On the way back, Anaxantis took Bortram aside and said softly:
 Thank you, Bortram.
 For what? I didn't do anything.
 Yes, you did.
 Bah, just looking out for my next meal, kiddo... I mean Anaxantis. Oh boy, this is going to
take some getting used to.
 Unbelievable. The impertinence, Ehandar fumed, waving a parchment in Anaxantis's
face.
 What is it? Anaxantis asked while he took off his mantle.
 He simply refuses to come, the insolent rogue. He has the temerity to say he hasn't got
the time.
 Calm down. Whoever are you talking about?
 Murno Tollbir, that doctor I mentioned. I summoned him to come here to examine you,
and he just won't do it. He flatly refuses to obey an order of the lord governor. He has too
many patients depending upon him, he writes. He can't spare the time for a voyage to Lorseth
Castle. But he graciously permits you to visit him in his practice, and he specifies, next Wed-
nesday when he will make some time to see you. Have you ever heard of such insulting be-
havior? Well, I'll teach him a few basic truths. I'll have him arrested and dragged here in
chains and let him rot for a week in the dungeons. Then I'll ask him if he has time to see you
or if he prefers to be left alone for another month.
 Or... I could simply go. I've wanted to visit Dermolhea for some time now. This seems the
ideal excuse to do so.
 Anaxantis, we can't let an insult like this pass without taking some action.
 Maybe it is true what he writes. I would hate it if people would suffer or even die because
he had to take a few weeks off, just to examine me for half an hour. Besides, he will have all
his instruments there.
 You're much too soft, Ehandar grumbled.
 O, come on, don't be such a grouch. I'm sure he meant no disrespect, and my dignity will
survive, you know, Anaxantis pleaded smilingly.  I'd love to go on a trip.
 All right then, Ehandar caved in,  but you're taking your guard and fifty cavalry men with
you. And don't you dare contradict me on this.
 OK, I won't, Anaxantis said meekly.
 And I'll take the guys with me. O, this is going to be fun.
Preceded by his guard, surrounded by his friends and followed by a fifty men strong cav-
alry detachment, Anaxantis rode to Dermolhea. He had never felt more alive, breathing the
crisp early October air, as the small column made it's way on the road that led past villages,
fields and through forests. After having asked his friends if they would like to accompany him
on his trip and having received a unanimous positive response, he had first sought out the
general of the Cheridoni cavalry unit. He had explained what services Hemarchidas and Leth- [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]