Originally published in Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine
	Fairy Prince "So, you know where Prince Zeteres is?"       I hesitated in the door, eyeing off the two men already in the room. The royal blue of their uniforms, at least what I could see under all the gold braid, marked them as being from the east. "Aye, that's what I said, didn’t I? So where's the reward?"       "First you tell us the story," the skinnier of the two guards said, gesturing to a chair.       The taller guard closed the door, then walked across to the table. "You will tell us the truth," he said as he passed me.       Obviously it was not intended as a question, but there was something in the way he said it that made me realise it was more than a statement. Another of those times when you wished you had a magic detector.       I took my time arranging myself in the seat. Not that I had anything to worry about, the story I'd worked out was the truth, after all. Still, it never hurts to be cautious.
Once I was settled, I leant back and studied the two men sitting opposite. Despite the insignia on the uniforms, I had no idea which country they represented. The nations in the east change their borders and names more frequently than most countries change their exchange rates. It's said that the only constant in the region is their pride in their calm approach to whatever life throws at them. These two weren't even a good example of that. Although they sat straight in their seats, with clasped hands resting on the table, they both oozed impatience.       "What're you waiting for?" the skinny guard finally asked.       "Just working out the best way to tell you." I hesitated as the taller guard narrowed his eyes, but nothing happened. A truth detector then, not a bar against lying. I hoped. Still, if I stuck to my story, I should be safe -- and get the reward. "It's something of a long story, you see, but you need to hear the whole thing or it won’t make sense." I paused.       The taller one clicked his fingers. "Get on it with it then."       "If you're sure you're ready?" I made myself comfortable in the chair before starting. "Just last night at the tavern it was. Manion, the cheating bastard, had beaten me at cards earlier in the evening and taken the little I'd managed to save. So there I was with nothing to do, but plot how to get back at him.
	"Not that there's ever much to do in Littlemont. The younger men sit around and discuss the rumours of war. I guess you know all about those rumours, seeing as you're looking for the missing prince and all. Can't say I paid much attention to their talk. I've had my share of wars and fighting. Getting away from all that was what brought me to this sorry excuse for a mining town in the first place. And while I'm sure there are other opportunities for an enterprising man like myself, it takes hard coin to buy supplies for travelling and thanks to cheating dwarfs, that's something I just don't have. So I'm stuck here.       "But getting back to last night. It was shaping up to be dull even by Littlemont standards. You know the night is oing to drag when the highlight is watching a trio of elves have a fly catching competition. We get a lot of elves in Littlemont, being close to the Forest and all, and they do like to show off. Gar is rather good at fly catching, him having long fingers even for an elf. He usually wins enough to pay our bills. I just wish he wouldn't eat them afterwards. The crunching gets to me after a while.       "Right in the middle of this excitement is when the three strangers arrived. The first to come in was an old wizard, complete with flowing white hair and a staff. I'll admit I stared at him. We don't get many old wizards up here in the mountains, not like you do in your lowland towns. Something about the steep paths not being good for their knees. So you can understand why he got our attention.
"Then I see the two lasses that follow him in. Wizards might be rare here, but lasses, well now, they're non-existent. So when two appear, let's just say the number of flies being caught is the last thing on our minds.       "They're only just through the door before Manion’s all over them. I've never seen the old dwarf move so fast. Still, he likes the big, shy sort. Him being a loudmouth dwarf and all, and I guess opposites attract. That first lass is as big and shy as any I've seen. All huddled up she is, like she'd rather be anywhere else, but here.       "The other lass, she looks worried more than anything. Rather a pretty thing though and not too tall. Just my type, as I tell Gar. He spits out a fly and sniggers. 'I guess she'd do if you're into human women but you're getting on a bit, Ra.'       "I point out that I'm also mature, experienced and wise in the way of the world. Then he has to go and say that I'm flat broke and likely to remain that way, in a voice no one could miss.       "I'm about to tell him to keep his voice down when the lass notices me staring at her. Not wanting to scare her, I move my attention back to her companion, who choses that moment to look my way. I find myself confronted with the darkest green eyes I've ever seen. I mean, I've heard stories of beautiful women with dark green eyes, but this lass is something else. Ugly as I've ever seen, and jumpy as well. She’s glancing at the door every time it rattles and looking like she'll jump right out of her clothes if anyone shouted. Maybe that's what Manion is hoping for. Even a dwarf couldn't find that one attractive. But whatever he thinks, I’m waiting for him to move on so I can move in."
	"This is all very interesting, but what does it have to do with Zeteres?" The taller of the gilded guards crossed his arms on the table and leant towards me.       "I'm getting there, I had to set the scene." It was hard not to grin at them. It'd been a long time since I'd had a captive audience for one of my stories, and I had what they wanted. Time was important, so I need to waste as much as I could. "The lasses, obviously uncomfortable with the constant stares of the other men, ask for a private room. As they head up the stairs, Manion starts after them, but the old wizard, he leans down and says something to the dwarf. You should have seen the look on Manion's face. I thought he was going to faint. It was all I could do to not burst out laughing. Thinks everyone adores him as much as he does himself, does Manion.       "So I guess that's why he sidles up to me as soon as the lasses are out of sight. Says he wants me to do him a favour and distract grandpa while he makes the ladies an offer.       "He has some cheek, after the way he cheated me earlier, but I’m looking for an excuse to go and check on the lasses. Make sure they've settled in after their journey and all that. So I asked him what's it worth.       "He flashes a few coins at me. More than I've seen in many a day, I'll admit. Still, I pretend to consider his offer before snatching the coins from his hand. After all, can't be seen to be desperate.
"Gar comes up with me, of course. He follows me everywhere, like a pet dog that pays for its own meals.       "The room is easy to find, there being only four up there and even a lass's voice carries through the thin walls. As I open the door, I give Gar a wink, but he's studying his boots. You'd think he could at least pretend an interest sometimes. The door swings open easily, as they tend to in the tavern, on account of the slope of the floors, and I went into the room.       "I swear by any god you want to name, I don't know who was more startled, me or the lasses. Lass, that is. You see, when they jump to their feet, it’s rather obvious that one is a, well, he's umm, a lad, seeing as he’s wearing naught but his underwear. Or her underwear. I doubt any self-respecting lad would admit to owning something so frilly.       "So we're standing staring at each other. I guess if I had any sense I would have backed out then but I'll admit I'm not known for being sensible. The lass, the real one that is, is the first to talk. Or should I say screech?       "'What do you think you're doing?' says she.       "'I should think that's obvious, Ashayt," I hear someone else say and then I remember the wizard. "Come in now and shut the door behind you.'
	"I obey, of course. I do have enough sense not to anger a wizard. Gar slips through the door as I close it. I’m not sure if the wizard's order applies to him or not, but there’s no voice telling us otherwise. Gar doesn't seem to care either way. He just stands there with his tongue flicking in and out. Something obviously had his interest now. Although, considering the way he’s studying the lad, should I say someone? I can't see why though, the lad is ugly, even for a lad.       "The lass gives me a mere glance before turning to the wizard and asking him what to do about us. Before I can say anything in my defence the wizard appears in front of me. Scares me half to death coming out of nowhere like that, so I take a step back, but run into the wall. The old wizard, he leans forward, staring at me, then shakes his head. 'Killing him would attract attention and I'm not sure he has enough of a mind for compulsion to work.'       "I frown at that. Is he insulting me? Sometimes it's hard to be sure. The old man doesn't appear to notice my confusion. 'Maybe I can conjure up a simple illusion and let him think he's had a good time.'"       "I'm not sure I like the way this is heading. Even Gar has stopped his tongue flicking for long enough to pay attention to the problem. 'You're talking about magic?' I finally ask       "'Of course we are,' the lass says and she's sounding irritable. A shame, I think, to waste a fine voice like that with anger.       "The wizard he says it's for our own good.
"Now a man of my experience knows that magic is never for my own good. I try to tell him that, but he just holds up his hands and asks for a chance to explain. "We're hiding," he says, "from some bad people who want to hurt us."       "So now he's treating me like a foolish child. I tell him there's no need for that in words no child would use.       "'Cheren, maybe I should explain," says the lass in her sweet voice, and I cut off my tirade. I'd forgotten she was there or I would never have used those words. I start to apologise, but she cuts me off with a wave of her hand.       "'I'm the one who should be sorry for letting you get involved, but you see Cheren is right. We have men close behind us who want to lock us up, and maybe kill us, just because we helped someone escape from a hideous, repressive society. So you’ll understand why we can't let you go, in case you say something.'       "I nod, trying to take this in. They want to magic me because someone is chasing them?       "Cheren steps back, muttering something under his breath. I ignore him, watching the lass instead. She being the most attractive one in the room. I'm rewarded with a smile. She says that she'd not hurt me and that I'm probably a nice person, once someone gets to know me. Obviously a lass who knows quality when she sees it. I return the smile. 'I am indeed nice and my name is Raoul.' I gesture over my shoulder at my distracted friend. 'That’s Gar.'
	"She says she's pleased to meet us, then she glances towards the wizard before introducing herself. Seems she was a former lady-in-waiting at the Tarsian court, by the name of Ashayt, and the lad, who is sitting there so quietly that I'd forgotten him, is--"       "Zeteres?" The skinny guard jumped to his feet, his braid jiggling. "You're saying the lad in the frilly whatevers is Zeteres?"       I smiled. "I didn't actually say that but, aye, you're right."       "He would not. A member of the royal family would not, not, do that " A sword appeared in the skinny guard's hand. "You lie!"       "No, I..." My chair fell back as I got out of his way. "I'm not lying, am I? Am I?"       The tall guard just sat there, his mouth wide open.       I stared at him, then at his sword wielding partner. "Tell him I'm not lying."       Finally the tall guard nodded. "He speaks the truth. Think of what tortures the abductors must have put the prince through to persuade him to act in this manner. I fear for his life."       The skinny guard returned to his seat, the sword disappearing as suddenly as it appeared. "That is why it is important he is returned to us as soon as possible." He leant across the table. "Where is he then?"       It was tempting to call them for the fools they were, so I took time to straighten my chair and calm down before speaking. "I'm getting to that."
"And you're taking your time. Not only is the prince in danger but there's a civil war about to start because the kingdom has no king and you're hiding the only known heir!"       To stay calm, I reminded myself of the reward. "You think if I'd come in here and said your precious prince is prancing around a trashy tin town in a lass's lacy lingerie, you'd have believed me?"       They admitted I had a point.       "So, I let Ashayt tell me their story to buy myself some thinking time. She tells me how they took off out of Cressmond not knowing that the next town on the road was a dead-end, little mining town. As she speaks, she keeps looking over her shoulder as if expecting someone to appear. 'I'm sure the Royal Guards are close behind, if they haven't already arrived,' she says. 'At best we've only been able to keep a day ahead of them. Now the only way out is to retrace our route and risk meeting them.'       "I've been in similar situations myself far too often, although it’s usually some cheating fool who claims I owe him money rather than guards of any sort. Them I always try to avoid upsetting.       "Ashayt holds out her hands in an obvious gesture of despair. She tells me they've run out of road, and now they've run out of ideas as well. She says Cheren has almost drained himself dry trying to help them. Although they've managed to get a respite by disguising Zetti, she's sure someone will see through that soon.
	"They’ve trapped themselves rather well, but I don't point this out to her. Although I couldn't see any easy way out, helping them escape looks to be the only way I can avoid being magiced. I poke Gar in the side. He's usually the source of our ideas, but all he's done since we came in is stare and flick his tongue. 'What do you think?' I ask him.       "He grunts and gestures towards the silent lad. 'I think Manion will get a shock when he gets alone with the lass there.'       "I almost kick myself, having forgotten about Manion but along with that reminder, comes the start of an idea -- a way to get out of this mess and make some coin in the process. Manion might be useful after all. As the new idea wiggled around in my head, I pressed my fingers to my forehead, giving it all the help I can. If only I can get Gar to cooperate. I tell to him to go find Manion and say the tall lass needs somewhere safe to hide, like his mine."       "Ashayt looks concerned when I mention the mine so I smile at her, trying to be reassuring. 'It's a big mine.'"       "So he's hiding in this dwarf's mine?" the tall guard asked, sitting down again.       I hesitated, taking time to choose the right words. "Let me put it this way. The last I saw of Manion he was heading out the door of tavern, wearing a big grin and escorted by a lanky lad dressed in drag." I smiled. "You can ask anyone who's at the tavern."       The two guards exchanged looks.
"He speaks the truth," the tall guard said. "The image is very strong in his mind."       "So where is this mine?"       "The reward?" I held out his hand.       "Of course." The skinny guard pulled a sack from his coat and dropped it onto my outstretched hand. The weight of it was enough that I almost dropped it. I took my time checking the contents. It was mainly Tarsian gold, worth less with the threat of war and another border change, but still more than I ever earnt in my best year as a hired sword.       "All right then. Take the west road out of town, the one that heads up into the mountains. Just past the cemetery there's a dirt track. Go up there and you'll find Manion's place. Probably smell it well before you get there."       I pocketed the money and headed out before they could ask any more questions, although they looked too preoccupied to bother with me. I took the east road out of town, heading towards civilisation, at least what passes for it in that part of the world       Once out of sight of the town, I headed off along a small path that lead to a forest clearing. Just as I got settled on a fallen log, Cheren appeared along the path.       "So they bought your story?" the wizard asks.       "Of course they did. It was the truth after all. The way they were jiggling in their seats, I knew they'd be up the mountain after your prince in no time." I rubbed the pouch in my pocket. Added to the money Manion paid me, there was more than enough to see us to the next country in relative comfort. "So nice of Manion to contribute towards our trip too. Are we ready to go?"
Back to My Work page Monissa Whiteley Monissa Whitely Monissa Whitley	Behind the wizard I could see the other two approaching.       Zeteres still looked nervous, swinging his head back and forth as if searching the trees. "Your friend will be all right, Ra?"       "Of course, as long as he doesn't trip over your skirt." I grinned as I remembered Gar trying to walk in the dress. "He's an elf, after all, and even those guards won't be stupid enough to upset an elf this close to the Forest. Manion will be too embarrassed to show his face for a week when he realises we tricked him."       Zeteres nodded. "I wouldn't want anything to happen to him. Because he helped us, that is."       Out of the lass's clothes, the prince was almost halfway to good looking, as well as one could be in a miner's cast-offs. Unlike myself, few people can look good in miners' garb. Ashayt, it seemed, was one of those few. Although a lass like her probably looks good in anything. She smiled when she realised I was watching her.       "So nice of you to help us, Raoul."       "My pleasure, really." I grinned. Not only did I have the money I needed to get away from that place, but the company on the journey was going to be very enjoyable too. If I could just find some way to distract the wizard...