seymoure

Chapter 6

The Package

Hawk was doubtful.

“First,” he said, “I don’t play wet nurse for anybody. And secondly, how far are we supposed to transport the little prince?”

The ancient one replaced the babe in the basket as gently as if he were carrying a cloud that he hoped not to disturb. He then turned to the assembled odd company.

“Fava,” he instructed, “lies far beyond the Gaspan Sea, over the mountains of Blue Ice and the plains of the Whispering Winds. The travelers will encounter dozens of traps and hundreds of hardships.”

Sandor’s brow furrowed in concern. “How can a child survive a journey like that? We drove a herd over the Orange Hills of Dabro and it was a trial.”

“This blanket,” said the old man, holding up a soft blue cloth, “will envelop him for hours, and during that time he will be nearly invulnerable. He must be unwrapped for a few moments a day, but not for long.”

Sandor was obviously involved with the idea of caring for the child as he asked, “What food do we need to take? Will he need milk? What about changing his . . . garments?”

“The blanket will care for all of that,” the smiling monk replied, “Its magic will care for him. He only needs real human contact for a few moments a day.”

This seemed to relieve the big man.

His brother was more direct. “What do we earn for all these labors?”

“Almost any person would enjoy the things being a close friend and guardian of a royal house could gain him,” Cela of Tar said. The monk nodded in agreement.

Slip’s mouth curled into what on anyone else would have looked like a smile. “I’m sure the reward would not be tiny.”

“When do we leave?” Hawk asked.

“If you can get to the port,” the monk said as he wrapped the babe in the magic blanket, “we have arranged a ship to begin your voyage.”

“If we can get to the port?” Vernor snapped.

“My brothers have seen no less than 14 assassins waiting on this street alone,” said the Ancient Guardian as he handed the package to Sandor.

Hawk withdrew his rapier from his sheath.

“And I know at least one of them,” he muttered.