Third Month of Summer

Third Era, Year 350

Ardan began looking for the best commanders he could find for Caolan soon after the prince's birthday. He traveled to the nearest city of Drolle and spent several nights in taverns simply listening to the conversations of the patrons. It was boring work with very few rewards, until what was to be his last night in the city.

There was a young man, probably just barely in his twenties, sitting at the bar and declaring his hatred for the Berk lord. He appeared to be drunk, but Ardan could tell that it was an act – Ardan barely saw him lift a drink. Some people joined in with him to grumble and complain, but there was no call for arms. Most of the complainers seemed willing to let things go to avoid war. Taxes and the loss of crops to the government weren't so bad, as long as everyone was still alive.

The young man ended the conversation by agreeing with them, maybe because he'd noticed the city guards watching him. He finally finished his drink, then left the tavern.

Ardan followed him a moment later, and caught up with the younger man almost immediately.

The man put a hand under his cloak when he noticed Ardan approaching from behind, but didn't turn.

"Do you fight for Phelin or for yourself?" Ardan asked when he was close enough. He used a spell that masked his words so that anyone not seriously willing to overthrow the king would hear something completely nonsensical.

The young man stopped and turned to Ardan, still with one hand on the hilt of his sword. "And if by fighting for Phelin, I fight for myself?"

Ardan smiled, relieved he hadn't gotten the confused reaction he was used to. "Then I wish to speak with you."

The man looked skeptical. "Who are you?"

"I will tell you when we're in a safer place, just know that we fight for the same thing."

Still hesitant, the man nodded and Ardan led him to another tavern, where Ardan was staying. He immediately locked the door of his room and set spells to keep eavesdroppers from hearing anything of value. Then he turned back to the younger man.

"My name is Ardan and I was the court sorcerer for King Caol."

The stranger stared at him for a moment before asking, "How am I to believe you? You could just be a sorcerer working for the overlord."

Ardan pulled a necklace from beneath his shirt, which held a charm in the shape of a dragon. "This is the symbol of the Phelin court sorcerer. I have no other way to prove this to you, I only ask that you consider what I say."

The other man finally took his hand off his sword hilt. "I'll listen."

Ardan gave an inward sigh of relief. "You've heard the rumors of the prince's return. You mentioned something about it tonight. What were you doing in that tavern?"

"Trying to recruit more followers. There can't be rebellion without rebels."

Ardan smiled. "Then it appears the gods wanted us to meet tonight. I'm also trying to recruit more followers, but not for myself. I am fulfilling King Caol's final request. Prince Caolan lives two days' ride from here, and was only just told who he is. I'm in search of his army. Until he has some supporters, publicly declaring his identity would be unwise. We wish to build a small army as quietly as possible first."

Ardan could see that the stranger was still trying to remain skeptical, but that Ardan had stirred a flame of hope deep inside him.

"What is your name?" Ardan questioned.

"Kian of Craywell," the younger man replied. "My father was a soldier and died during the battle when Ryal fell. My older brother, Crish, was trying to avenge him by starting a rebellion, but the overlord found out and Crish's entire army was decimated three years ago. So I decided to continue his work."

"How old are you?"

"Twenty."

"And have you been successful in continuing your brother's work?"

Kian looked away. "Not nearly as successful as he was. I have gathered less than one hundred men in these last three years. Many are afraid to fight after what became of my brother's rebellion." He looked up again and added, "But more would join if they knew the prince truly was alive."

"Are your men with you now?"

"They're camped in small groups outside the city."

Ardan nodded. "I will assess their loyalty, then we'll all travel in small units back to the village. Your men will camp in the foothills of the mountains very close to our home. There are streams and plenty of game this time of year, but we will arrange for supplies when we arrive."

Kian smiled. "This is a far better strategy than any I've had."

Ardan was impressed by the loyalties of the men Kian had already recruited. They all honestly wished to reclaim Phelin, and they would do it for the prince if they knew he was truly alive. It made sense when Ardan recalled what Kian had said about his brother's rebellion. Who but the most loyal would have joined another fight? When Ardan told them about Caolan, he saw them all fill with hope. Despite the prince's young age, they would fight for him. Ardan was sure that any unvoiced doubts they might have would be quickly dispelled. Caolan would show all of them that he was capable.

Ardan placed a spell over each rebel that would show him or her the way to the house where he lived with Caolan, but that would make it impossible for that person to tell anyone how to get there. Then they all left in small groups, beginning with Ardan and Kian.

When they finally reached the small farm, Lilea came to greet them. "So you were successful?" she asked, looking at Kian.

Ardan nodded. "This is Kian. He'll be one of Caolan's generals. There will also be close to a hundred men arriving over the next few days."

She grinned. "Caolan will be happy to hear that!"

"Where is he?"

"Practicing swordplay with Fen behind the house. It seems Fen isn't going any easier on him now that you've told him the truth."

"Good. I wouldn't want him to. Nor would Caolan."

They quickly stabled their horses, then Ardan led Kian to the back of the house. Ardan could tell that Kian was both excited and nervous about meeting Caolan by the way he kept fidgeting.

Even before Ardan saw Caolan or Fen, he heard Fen's voice. "Good, you're improving. Let's go again. This time move straight into an attack from the block. Don't hesitate."

They came around the corner just as Fen lunged for an attack that Caolan easily blocked, then returned almost as easily.

Fen stepped back and nodded. "Now you attack me."

"How about a moment of rest first?" Ardan suggested.

Caolan immediately turned at the sound of his voice, and his expression was instantly curious when he saw Kian.

"I found your first general," Ardan explained, motioning to Kian. "This is Kian. He's already gathered ninety-one followers who support the rebellion. They will be arriving over the next few days."

Kian took a step forward and knelt before Caolan. "It is an honor to serve you."

Caolan looked slightly flustered, but he put his sword away and nodded to Kian – despite the other man having his head bowed. "I am honored to have you serve me. Or fight for me. With me?" He looked up at Ardan, who smiled.

"You're doing fine. Just choose a response that you feel most comfortable with."

"I don't like 'serve'. It sounds too... controlling. I want people to fight with me because they want to, not because it's some dutiful service."

Kian looked up. "I will fight for you, with you, beside you, whatever you need of me."

Caolan nodded. "Thank you. And... uh... you can get up. I'm sorry, this is all still new to me," he added as Kian stood again. "Less than a month ago I was just a farm boy."

"It must be difficult," Kian commented.

"Incredibly. It all hasn't completely settled into my mind yet." He glanced at Ardan quickly. "I mean, am I even supposed to talk to anyone in this way?"

Ardan smiled. "The more trustworthy friends you make now, the better, and the generals I find will be the most trustworthy of all those in your army."

Kian nodded. "I will do my best."

"You'll do just fine," Ardan assured him. "Both of you."

Kian's followers arrived slowly over the next few days. Caolan grew better at acting the part of a prince the more times he greeted the members of his new army. But with Ardan, Lilea, Fen, and Kian he was much friendlier. Kian sparred with him whenever Fen wanted a rest, and it seemed like the friendship Ardan was hoping they would find did spring up. He knew it would be helpful for Caolan to have a friend as the times grew more challenging. He just hoped Kian made it through everything that was to come, too.

Ardan tested the loyalties of all the villagers around them, and was pleasantly surprised to discover that they were all much more willing to go against Overlord Kane Ferchar than he had originally believed. Some were certainly more loyal than others, but none would actively work against them. It was therefore easy to set up a supply system to get fresh food and other supplies for the encamped army. He used a powerful spell to make it impossible for anyone in the village to tell their secret to anyone who would work against them, then brought Caolan to a meeting of the village elders. The meeting was followed by a few days of excitement, and countless people of all ages pledged their service to Caolan. The army camped in the foothills grew to over two hundred.

As the army grew and began training under the skilled eyes of Fen, Ardan continued to search for more fighters and generals.