Calliope [Book 2]
CHAPTER TEN

Maria and Lily arrived in Librona by noon the following day. They got to Alryn as the day melted into dusk, and Maria let Lily rest in the castle’s stables. The mare seemed happy to return to her friends, grazing with them outside in the paddock. Maria watched the horses for a moment until a pair of arms lifted her into the air and lips kissed at her neck. When her feet were back on the ground, she spun and greeted Ian with kisses on his face.

“Where the hell have you been?” he asked her.

“Asmar, sittin’ in a damn cold cell!” Maria crossed her arms. “Thanks for the rescue!”

“I had no idea where you were or what happened,” Ian said. “We only just got word that the war ended.”

“Didja ’ear ’bout Mido?”

Ian’s heart stopped for a moment, afraid of what she would say. “No.”

“’S’all right,” she said, taking his hand. “He’s in Asmar.”

“What’s he doing there?”

Maria sighed. “s’a long story.”

“Fill me in.”

So Maria filled him in. “He brought Calliope back to Librona, but King Sloan didn’t want ’er ’round. ‘e knew she wouldn’t be safe, an’ with Kaya and Rowan gone, the people of Asmar wouldn’t stop at nothing to see ’er dead. King Sloan couldn’t protect ’er and ‘is kingdom, so Calliope left, an’ Mido went with ’er.”

“What do you mean he went with her?”

“’e disobeyed ‘is orders, an’ King Sloan banished ’im.”

“Christ.”

“Mido and Calliope went south, past the forest an’ to In’audis, but so did some men from Asmar. They warned the king that a witch was loose an’ the king shut down the kingdom in ‘opes of catchin’ the witch. Mido an’ Calliope just barely ‘scaped, but Calliope couldn’t run anymore. She jest disappeared, like that, in a blindin’ flash. Mido searched for ’er and decided to come back to Librona, ’oping she would be there or that King Sloan could ’elp. But, when ’e returned, King Sloan ’ad some news for ’im.”

“News?”

“Mido is King Sloan’s bastard.”

“No.”

“Yes. An old woman reported to the king when she ’eard Mido was banished. ’parently, she delivered Mido when ‘e was born an’ ’is mother died right afta. The woman brought ‘im to be raised by the family he grew up knowin’ as ’is family. ‘is mother was a cousin to Kaya, thus makin’ Mido the heir to the Asmarian throne.”

“What the hell?”

“An’, as if that weren’t bad enough, Mido ‘as a mark of the Asmarian children, provin’ ’is ‘eritage. King Sloan wanted Mido to take the throne an’ end the war. So, ’e did. ‘e went to Asmar, proved his royalty to the kingdom, an’ they welcomed him. ‘e told them to stop fightin’ an’ the army, as ya know, withdrew.”

Ian stared at Maria in shocked. “I don’t believe this.”

“Well, ’unny, believe it. I was jest there. Mido released the prisoners. ‘e told me everythin’ an’ sent me back ’ere looking for you. ’e needs your ‘elp replacein’ Calliope.”

“You know I’d help if I could. I don’t know about King Sloan, though.”

“I think ’e wants Calliope found jest as much as we do. ‘e jest can’t put his kingdom through anythin’ more.”

Ian nodded. “I’ll talk to him.” He pulled her into his chest. “I’m glad you’re alive.”

Maria scoffed. “Ain’t no one gonna kill me any time soon,” she said, kissing him.

“Don’t go anywhere,” Ian instructed her. “I need to talk to King Sloan.”

Maria nodded and watched Ian head toward the castle. She turned her attention back to the grazing horses, smiling as the evening breeze kissed her face.

“We’ll replace ya, ’unnie,” she said to herself, as if Calliope were listening.

Ian trotted up the castle’s stone steps and into the throne room where King Sloan stood with his family, safe and sound back home where they belonged. Ian bowed as he approached and Melinda greeted him with a warm smile. She spoke to her daughters and the women left Ian alone with King Sloan and Prince Lucas.

“Ian, welcome back.”

“Your Grace. I have come to ask for your permission-”

“To help King Mido,” King Sloan finished his knight’s sentence. “You’re a loyal friend. I knew you would come as soon as you heard.” King Sloan nodded to himself and continued. “I want Calliope found safe just as much as you do. You have my permission, Ian. Please help my stubborn son.”

King Sloan’s words lingered in Ian’s head. It was surreal to hear Mido being referred to, not only as king, but also as King Sloan’s son.

“Of course,” Ian said, bowing once more to his king.

“I want to go with you,” Prince Lucas spoke up. He walked to Ian, his sword at his side. “Let me help you replace Calliope.”

Ian turned to King Sloan, hesitant. Prince Lucas met his father’s gaze; King Sloan nodded slowly. A wide grin split the Prince’s face.

“You may take some of my men with you,” King Sloan instructed them. “Bring her back safe.”

Ian motioned to Prince Lucas and the young man followed the knight out of the castle and towards the stables. Maria greeted them as they approached, bowing her head to the young prince.

“That was quick,” she said. “Good news?”

Ian nodded. “He’s giving us some men to accompany us. It’s not much, but it should help.”

“Well, let’s go,” Prince Lucas said anxiously. Ian smiled.

“Gather your troops. We won’t waste a second.”

Maria collected Lily from her peaceful graze, saddling the mare once more as men gathered around them, preparing themselves for the trip to Asmar. Ian saddled his own horse, but a figure at the corner of his eyes caught his attention. Through the bustle of soldiers, he saw Jon standing quietly at the edge of the barn. Ian nodded to him and Jon approached, an old sword on his belt.

“I want to come,” he said to Ian. “I want to help Mido, too.”

“Do you even know what kind of shit he’s gotten himself into?” Ian asked, crossing his arms.

Jon shrugged. “Not really. But I’ve heard him being referred to as king now.” He smiled. “What did he do this time?”

Ian laughed. “The same shit he usually does.” Ian paused and sighed. “All right, I can’t stop ya. Get a horse. If you still wanna be a soldier, you’re gonna be under my guide.”

Jon hurried through the stables amongst their small party, readying himself for their trip to Asmar. When they were ready, Prince Lucas and Ian led the way through the kingdom, back towards the distant mountains, and to Asmar.