Chapter 8
The New Champions
Reginwald, Lothria
The King did not make an appearance to see off Prince Wilfried's expedition. This did not dishearten the Prince, though. He expected nothing more. The partial blessing he received for this venture was the best he could hope for. If he would succeed, then perhaps some of the weight his father had been bearing all these years would be lifted. That was nearly as much reason as liberating the kingdom for the sake of his people.
The Prince was still a child at the time, but he remembered the last time the Five Champions had assembled. It felt strange comparing that time to the present. Of the original Champions, only Bishop Friedman and Captain Hengist remained. Sir Burkhardt had gone missing and so Sir Eckhardt was sent by the King to go in the Knight Champion's stead. Kolman was now the Court Sorcerer and in place of the ailing Far-seer, Gudrun joined their company.
As they were making their final preparations before setting out, Prince Wilfried approached Gudrun, who was stroking the muzzle of her palfrey while the groom was saddling it.
"Still you insist on accompanying us, Gudrun?" the Prince said. "This is no journey for a lady."
He had tried time and time again to dissuade her from joining them and, time and time again, she refused. This time would be no different.
"Shall I allow my prince to wander blind into the abyss when I can be his eyes?" she asked. "Remember that I was but a child when I joined the Five Champions on their expedition to rescue Her Majesty. If I could brave that hell on earth then, surely I can face my own homeland, fallen to darkness though it may be."
It was more than just gentlemanly concern for the weaker sex that compelled the Prince's efforts. The two had grown up together and the feelings welling up in his breast were more than those shared by two childhood friends. Even though he knew his duty would require him to accept a more advantageous match, he would not deny his affections for the fair seeress.
"If anything were to happen to you, Iā"
Perhaps because her station was inferior, Gudrun was more mindful of her position and better at restraining herself.
She posed the question to him, saying, "To whom does the scale tip when the future of our kingdom is at stake, Your Highness? To the son of the King or to a mere lowborn dreamer of dreams?"
"Humility can be a pleasing garment," the Prince replied, "but it does not suit you. You are the pupil of the great Udo the Far-seer. You will succeed him as the next Court Diviner. Even he has said that you will surpass him. Without you to guide the kingdom, what will become of it?"
"The staff is not greater than the man who leans upon it," Gudrun said, "and I cannot guide when there is none to lead. If this meager gift of mine can ensure that Your Highness lives, I would give myself body and soul to ensure our land will have her King."
Such resolve was formidable and it only served to inflame Prince Wilfried's passions further. If only he could dedicate himself to her as much as she was prepared to do for him...
"Is there nothing I can say to dissuade you?" the Prince asked.
"Nothing, Your Highness," Gudrun said firmly. "As your servant, I will obey you in all things, but not in this. If you would stop me, you must either lock me away or slay me where I stand."
"There are other ways," Kolman said, stepping forward. "Say the word, Your Highness, and I will put a charm on her that will keep her from vexing you further."
"Are you so confident in your arts, Kolman Curtmantle?" Gudrun asked. "I would welcome you to try."
The common observer would not have been able to tell as neither Gudrun's expression nor her voice betrayed her feelings, but for the Prince who knew her so well, he could see that Gudrun faced Kolman as a snarling she-wolf defending her pups. The Prince did not know what would happen in a contest of their abilities and he did not intend to find out.
"Enough, both of you," the Prince said. "I will not stand to see us pitted against each other. We would play right into the Witch Queen's hands."
Gudrun and Kolman both bowed their heads obediently. Though the Prince still looked conflicted, there was a clear resignation to be seen as well.
"If my entreaties cannot win you over, I will not force my will upon you," he said. "But I will not have you be the sole woman in a company of men. You will have attendants, two maids and two footmen."
Gudrun glanced over to where those very attendants stood waiting and said, "The fact that you already have them prepared is proof that you foresaw this outcome, Your Highness."
With some bitterness to his smile, the Prince replied, "I would not be fit for the throne if I could not see where a willful woman's stubbornness would lead."
"I am not the only willful woman in your life, Your Highness."
The Prince recalled Lys and regretted that he could do nothing to turn her from her mad scheme. His only hope was that he could accomplish his purpose before she could fail in hers.
"Do not remind me," he said. "What men must endure for the sake of women..."
"Is nothing compared to what women must endure for the sake of men," Gudrun said with a hint of teasing in her voice, "but we do it all the same."
"Your Highness, we are ready," Sir Eckhardt said.
The Prince nodded and said, "Then let us mount up and be on our way." He then extended his hand to Gudrun and said, "Lady, if you will permit me the courtesy..."
"I am unworthy of such courtesy, Your Highness, but it would not be meet for a lowly one such as I to spurn the Prince's chivalry."
She allowed him to take her hand and assist her into the saddle. Indeed, the Prince would have liked to set her upon his own mount, but that could not be. The least he could do was exert every effort to ensure her safety on this venture just as she would lend her powers to his success.