9 - The Journey to Vosgir
It was Peto who came to fetch Tak, once the horses had been readied. He sat on the bed beside the newly-freed Temple boy.
"Tak, there is much we need to talk about. Kasmine should have made a start last night but she chose to waste that opportunity. Look Tak, I know she did you a great wrong, but I also know that by nature she is kind, and certainly it is impossible for any man to remain angry with her for more than a day. And she feels great remorse for her behavior towards you."
Tak smiled for the first time since leaving the Temple.
"Well, at least let us keep her remorseful for a while longer." he said.
"That's the spirit Tak!" exclaimed Peto, in delight. And he slapped him on the back so hard that he almost slipped from the bed. "Tak, steady, don't fall off! And that reminds me - do you know how to ride a horse?"
"I was raised on a farm in the southlands, Peto," he said, with mock patience, "Of course I can handle a horse."
"Ah yes," joked Peto, "But, from what your Priestess was saying, it sounds like you spent more time on the farmer's wife than you did on a horse."
As they left the room, Tak asked Peto, "Is Kasmine a real princess?"
"Well, yes, in that her grandmother was a queen," replied Peto. "But she is of no relation to King Alfard of the North. I am happy to call her Princess, though. Most Sons of the North would trust her with their lives. Come, Tak, you and I will ride side by side and talk through the day. Princess Kasmine can follow behind on her own and she will know that she is in disgrace."
They entered the stable where Kasmine was waiting with the horses. The fur trader, amply rewarded for his services, had departed on foot earlier that morning, leaving his steed for Tak.
"We will get you some more appropriate clothing before we leave the City," said Peto. "And supplies for the journey, for it will take us three days to reach Vosgir. Let us speak in the language of the City at first, but later I would like to see what you recall of our northern tongue."
As Kasmine handed Tak the reins to his horse she tried to grasp his arm, but he brushed her aside as he mounted and followed Peto out into the City streets. Later, they left the City through the North Gate and the trail took them into heavily wooded country. Occasionally, when the trail was wider, Kasmine would attempt to bring her horse up between the two men, but each time Peto moved to block her. Eventually she resigned herself to riding behind them, occasionally picking pine cones from low hanging branches and throwing them at the back of Peto's head.
"So, tell me Tak," said Peto as they rode. "What is life like for a boy in the Temple? In the North it is said that boys are used for pleasure by the Priestesses, and each night they are passed to a different one. But also that obedience is expected, punishment can be harsh, and that boys are not permitted to put their hands on a mistress, even during carnal acts. How can they prevent themselves?"
"Normally we are restrained on special couches." said Tak.
"Not 'we' Tak; they. You are no longer a Temple boy, remember. You are free now. But these priestesses are of interest to me. In the North we talk of them as witches, half crazy with lust and religious zeal. And yet I found your High Priestess and her aide, Ashala, very reasonable. And what was the younger one's name?"
"Hanja." replied Tak.
"Ah, Hanja," repeated Peto. "She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."
Tak noticed that Peto spoke these last words loudly, to be sure that Kasmine would hear them. She said nothing but threw a larger pine cone at him.
"I think Hanja is in love with you Tak. I have always been perceptive when it comes to such matters, perhaps more like a woman than a man. Is that not right Kasmine? And if you do not stop throwing things at me you shall go across my knee and Tak shall see how we treat troublesome girls in the North."
Kasmine scoffed at Peto and called him a pig. But she stopped throwing cones.
"To tell you the truth Tak," whispered Peto "I only once put her over my knee, when she was very much smaller than she is now. And she kicked and bit and swore at me and made me regret it, although I was sure to complete what I started. I would not try it now though! But tell me, Tak, are there any other Priestesses named Ashala in the Temple?"
"No, she is the only one."
"Then it is indeed her. She came to Vosgir as an emissary fourteen summers ago, in the early days of the Republic. A little before my time at court Tak, but she is fondly remembered by those who knew her. And the King still talks of her today. Tak, this is important, what do you recall of your early life?"
Tak began to tell Peto about the farm in the South.
"No Tak, you misunderstand. Before the farm."
"I recall the forest, and rivers, and camps with tents and fires. I recall being cold in winter. I remember my father; he was a happy man, always smiling and with a big beard."
"Well, that describes most men of the North." replied Peto.
"And may I ask a question now Peto? said Tak. "Why does the North send the Captain of the King's Guard and a Princess to collect a simple lost boy from the City?"
