Bastien's Arc

Chapter 6 of 9

The knock came at dusk, while Fallon was bringing the goats in. Bastien opened the door of the cottage and found Zain standing there, alone, a scroll in his hand. He wore fine robes now, not a soldier's coat. Bastien's grip tightened on the latch. "I bring a message," Zain said. He held out the scroll. "The sultan invites you to the palace at Ashur. There is an award. For the life you saved." He paused. The pause was the truth before the words. "My life. I am his son. The crown prince." Bastien did not take the scroll. Behind him, Fallon stepped into the doorway, the goat kid at his heel. He looked at Zain, then at the leather band on Bastien's wrist, then at Bastien's face. He said nothing. He did not need to. Bastien took the scroll at last. "I will come," he said. His voice was steady. Zain's eyes moved once to Fallon's wrist, to the matching band, and held there a breath too long. He bowed and turned for his horse. Bastien closed the door. Inside the cottage, no one spoke. The quiet life was over.