at him curiously before breaking the wax seal and unrolling the parchment. The two groups of men glanced at each other across the fire as Kiln read the letter. Finally, after many minutes, Kiln lowered the parchment directing his cold gray eyes toward the prince. “Have you read this letter?”
“No, I do not know its content. My father said that it was for your eyes only.”
“I see.” Kiln directed his hard gaze at Jonas. “Let me see the mark.”
Jonas looked at the prince for affirmation. Prince Baylin nodded his head and Jonas lifted off his tunic and chain mail shirt exposing his bare chest. Jonas stood so that the mark could be clearly seen. Kiln and his woodsmen leaned in close staring at the extraordinary mark. Even in the darkness Jonas could clearly see their eyes sparkle with interest as they gazed at Jonas’s chest.
“You may put your shirt back on,” Kiln said, rolling up the parchment he had just read. “Son, I would like to hear your story. Would you mind repeating it to me and my men?”
“No, sir, I don’t mind.” And so Jonas began his long tale again. He kept it short and to the point, but he didn’t leave anything out. There was something in this man that required honesty and truth. He felt that Kiln would recognize a lie no matter how subtle. The story went on for many minutes before Jonas got to the part about their journey into the Tundrens to look for Kiln. “That is it, sir. That is what happened to me.”
“You’ve had it hard and I’m sorry for that, but it seems that you have been given a gift, no one can deny that. The king has asked that you stay with me for a year. Is that what you want?”
“I don’t know, sir. I don’t know you or your men. But the king is a good man and if he trusts you then I must as well. You are all putting your lives in danger for my sake and for that I am grateful. I will not be a burden, of that you can be sure,” answered Jonas honestly.
Kiln smiled at Jonas. “That is a good answer and one that shows honesty. You obviously understand that if I take you, that I put my men and myself in danger. That demon that attacked you will probably be looking for you again.”
“Yes, sir, I do understand. I will face my destiny alone if need be, but if people are willing to help then I will accept their generosity with my own sweat and blood as payment,” replied Jonas.
“Well spoken, and with courage, the latter of which you do not lack or the king would never have sent you here. Prince Baylin,” Kiln said, turning his attention to the prince, “do you wish to know the true story of what happened between your father and me?” asked Kiln.
“I do…sir,” replied the prince.
“Very well. Many years ago your father and I were knight apprentices together. We became good friends, the best, and when he became king he brought me up through the ranks quickly. I was the best commander in Finarth and when I was thirty years old he appointed me high commander of all the armies of Finarth.” Kiln paused slightly and then added. “What do you know of your mother?”
The question startled the prince momentarily. “She was a commoner, the daughter of a metal smith. My father met her in his twenties and married her a few years later. She bore him two sons, me and my brother, Prince Nelstrom. She died when I was six giving birth to my brother. I do not remember much of her.”
“Yes, that is mostly true. What you do not know is that I loved your mother with all my heart. I was going to marry her, but your father met her through me and fell in love with her as I did. This all happened after I was appointed general,” added Kiln, deep in thought as the memories came back to him.
“I do not believe it!” stormed Baylin, standing up defiantly.
“Sit down, Prince,” said Kiln coldly, his stern eyes penetrating Baylin’s fury.
The prince hesitated, and then obeyed, sitting back down.
“It is true,” Kiln continued. “Your father used his position to take her away from me. I could do nothing. I tried to uphold the oath I took to him and Finarth, but it was impossible. I could face anything in battle, but watching