Poised in Providence - Part 4

Baptist followed his prince back to their chambers. He sat obediently beside him on the couch while his master fingered through the book he still had, detailing the history of Haroma.

“What are you searching for?” Baptist asked eventually, growing bored of simply watching him scan and flip, scan and flip.

Heiko didn’t bother glancing over when he replied.

“I have suspicions.”

Baptist cocked his head, exhaling a little sigh. He should’ve known he wouldn’t get a straight answer.

“Of what?”

“Haroma.”

Now he was toying. Baptist bit back a huff and stood, crossing for the pitcher that was placed on a table near the balcony. He took it in both hands, as it was both made of clay and filled heavily with wine, and brought it over to the prince’s goblet.

Prince Heiko exhaled a quick noise and put out a flat hand, covering the cup.

“Water, tonight.”

Baptist paused only momentarily before placing it on the floor beside the couch - mostly out of indolence, though there was also a possibility that later in the evening the prince might’ve changed his mind, depending upon the shifts of his moods.

“Because of the duke?” Baptist asked, taking his spot beside the prince again. This time he tucked his legs beneath him, his lean slightly towards the prince, as it always was. Leaning away from the prince would seem incriminating if anyone saw – a slave should always favor his master.

Heiko inhaled deeply and exhaled heavily.

“The ride to the border is four days. I’ve been in the palace for three. My brother sent Adelbert before he knew I was going to dally. This was not a final chance for reconciliation – he never trusted me from the start.” Heiko spoke, casting a devious look to Baptist. “I suppose he wouldn’t after I cooked his friends.”

Baptist looked down and away. He heard Heiko sigh.

“Not to mention King Vincente and his dog don’t believe what I said. They believe me to be a spiteful brat who wishes to dent my brother’s reign as much as I can. They believe that I wish to stop the treaty with whatever lies and deceits I can muster. I do wish to stop the treaty, of course.”

Baptist looked over. “I know of longbows.”

Heiko returned his gaze, brow pressed.

“What?” He asked.

“I… I know of longbows. I grew up… I’ve seen archers practicing with them. Perhaps I can be of help.” Baptist stumbled. He didn’t know why Heiko didn’t want peace with the Ilysians, but he wished to do anything he could to help his master.

The prince considered him.

“You’ve seen the archers.” He murmured, cold eyes on his slave, their attention far from the planes of Baptist’s face, where they rested.

“Perhaps I can convince the king.” Baptist said, returning Heiko’s gaze with a softer one, as the slave had yet to perfect the cold, appraising eyes that the prince had probably perfected long before Baptist’s ripe age of thirteen. “And the general.”

“And the general,” The prince repeated, before he posed, “And how are you going to do that?”

Baptist knew how, but he was afraid to tell the prince before he had actually done it. So, instead of replying honestly, the slave offered a little shrug.

“I do not know yet. But please let me try. I’m Burkean. I’m-”

“More reliable than your master.” Heiko finished, eyes narrowing in thought. “The general does favor you. Though, he may think that your information is tampered with by your loyalty to me.”

“Have we another option?” Baptist asked.

A flash of an expression crossed Heiko’s face, too quick for Baptist to catch its nature.

“We,” Heiko said, smirking. “We are a we, Baptist?”

Baptist stilled, unsure if this was a trick, stomach flipping.

But then his prince sighed. “It is worth a shot. It must be done tonight, however, out of the sights of Adelbert, before I am tied to my horse and brought to my brother as a traitor.”

Baptist relaxed at the diversion of his undivided attention.

“Do you reckon they’re out of their meeting,” spoke the prince. “The king and the duke?”

It wasn’t a question posed for Baptist. It was just a musing that his whirring mind had already answered. Baptist took the opportunity to respond anyway.

“I suppose you spoke of the archers because that is what King Ingo is asking for of Ilyos. If Duke Adelbert made mention of it, then King Vincente would certainly retire early.”

Heiko turned to him, brow pressed, and Baptist wondered if it would have been better to leave him to his thoughts. But the prince simply nodded.

“It’s been the better half of an hour. Adelbert is a straightforward man when he does not reminisce. I’m sure he’s spoken my brother’s terms by now. Which means Vincente has retired. Do you figure we could find his rooms?”

Baptist could. He knew where the king’s gardens were – and his rooms beyond it. But he couldn’t tell the prince. His assignation with the king and the general would not be met kindly by his master. In fact, Baptist was sure he would lose trust, what little of it he had in the boy. Still, making suggestions – ‘this hallway perhaps’, ‘to the left, I think’ – such could be played innocently enough.

Baptist nodded to the prince. “I figure we could.”