Page 47 (1/2)

"You cannot come back" came his father’s solemn answer

Jaron set his jaard, the way he often did when he fought against his anger "This isaway? To be disowned?"

"You’re not disowned and it’s not a punishment It’s what your country demands of you now"

Jaron rolled his eyes His father couldn’t shove the blame away from himself so easily "I’ Eckbert, or forget your name entirely?"

That hurt his father But Jaron hurt too, so he felt justified in his words

"You are always my son," Eckbert answered "But the situation with the pirates has changed everything Everyone believes you are dead, and I cannot allow that belief to change"

They were silent for several seconds Finally, Jaron spoke "If I ca that ship?"

Eckbert sighed heavily "I would have to, because you could provide the proof that it was Avenian pirates who attacked a ship with a royal onboard If I start a ith Avenia, Gelyn will aln with them, and we shall be nearly surrounded by enemies Carthya could not survive that war"

"And if I re, would you have to declare war?"

"If you re, I can tell my people that I will not declare war until there is proof of your death"

"Then we both knohat has to happen" Jaron had said it matter-of-factly He had considered this possibility, but hoped against it "What about Darius and Mother?"

"Darius … misses you But he knows there are sacrifices we ood of Carthya Your mother doesn’t know you’ve been found Obviously, she would want you to come home to her, but she doesn’t see the enemies that surround us, not like I do"

"We’ve always had enemies at our borders"

"But not all at the sa, they have backed off our borders Royal courtesy in our ti for you But the news is worse I have eneents who look at eance for you, they may not support me They are the ones I fear"

"Do you think they’re a danger to you?"

Eckbert forced a sreatest threat to a king But I have Darius If they get to me, the royal line must continue, or else Carthya will destroy itself in civil war That’s Darius’s duty, Jaron Do you understand yours?"

He understood it far too well for a boy of only ten years "Mine is to re To not come back"

"Do you understand that you cannot reveal your true identity out here? You hten your hair with sorow it out to alter the look of your face I’m told you speak with an Avenian accent Keep that"

"I can use my left hand," Jaron offered "I always preferred it anyway"