After the youth had returned and Corwyn had slaked his thirst, he returned to his story. "Word was spreading that Lembda and the Southern Kingdoms were each building fleets and raising armies to sail the seas and return to Shanidar as conquerers. King Aelfwine, at the urging of Crown Prince Willam, took a step that would have been unthinkable a generation before. One day, not ten years past, a majestic, black-hulled warship sailed into the harbor at Corinth under a gold and white flag of a diplomatic truce. It was the first time that an Elkir ship had passed through the great Sea Gates since they were built three centuries ago."
"And Aelfwine bought the Elkyri's loyalty and protection!" the water-fetching waif had been silent as long as his youthful exuberance could stand.
"The King would never pay tribute to the damned black stick-demons!" Wat retorted and shoved the first boy to the ground, standing above him glowering with clenched fists.
Suddenly a huge arm swatted Wat aside and a split second later a similarly sized foot propelled the first boy alongside. Corwyn looked up and saw a Guardsman in a black oiled leather cuirass, with the crest of the Prince blazoned upon it. "We don't need a gaggle of squabling wharf-rats blocking the streets and-"
"Ulf!" a young, but strong, voice barked out. "We are supposed to be governing these people, not bludeoning them into submission!" All eyes turned to a slim handsome youth astride a black stallion, wearing the same armor as the guardsmen, but with golden hair flowing from beneath the helm.
"Apologies, Your Highness, but the King said we were to bring law and order to this backwater, and its the only language these blackguards understand."
"The King - my grandfather - put me in command of this town to govern as I see fit, and my orders are that the people are to be treated kindly as long as they do not break the laws."
"Yes, your Highness."
The youth turned to Corwyn.
"I hope we did not disturb your story. Here - perhaps this will make up for our intrusion."
He pressed a gold coin into Corwyn's hand.
"Gold!" Corwyn sneered. "Do you think one miserable coin can make up for scaring these precious children?"
"What!" roared Ulf. "Those gutter-rats? Take the Prince's money and be thankful I -"
"Ulf!"
"But Your Highness, this man is only playing on your -"
"If he is, it's mine to give. . ."
He pressed a few more coins into Corwyn's outstretched hand.
"Now come along, I want to see the market."
Corwyn bowed low, ignoring the Guardsman's black glare. When he straightened, the urchins were clustered about him again.
"Was that the Prince?"
"My dad says he's the best thing for this town."
"My dad says he's too young to do a good job."
"Izzat so!"
"They're going to change everything. Ask Corwyn . . .Corwyn?"
The urchins turned to their chosen mentor, but Corwyn had long since departed with his new wealth for the cool depths of a tavern.
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