“Do not faint at trials, for they come only to heroes.” B. E. S.

Raul walked quietly along the dim hall. He had failed to engage with the old man earlier. Now, he felt guilty. He couldn’t sleep. It was not as if the old man went along for show. He did his part. He was there for the team.

It was the old man who saved his father from the poisonous leeches. It was the old man who flew in to rescue the Captain at Woolly Swamp. The old man found their ride out of the lost farm, and it was the old man who found the rope that helped them escape the crevasse. Raul owed him an apology.

It was well past eleven when Besh opened the door, and Hazel slipped out into the hallway. She tugged at her clothing and turned back with a happy smile. She threw her arms around Besh and pulled him into her bosom. She held him for a long tight moment and whispered into his ear.

“Be safe. I’ll wait for you,” she said softly.

“I will,” he answered.

Besh kissed Hazel’s lips, turned her, and gave a pat to her ample bottom to send her on her way. He pulled his bathrobe tight under his chin as he watched her spin at the corner of the hall and blow him a kiss. Hazel turned and ran into Raul. With a giggle, she darted past him like an innocent schoolgirl. Raul shook his head and approached.

“Got a minute?” asked Raul as Besh quickly tightened the belt of his robe.

Unwilling to invite the young man inside, Besh closed the door quietly. “Sure,” he said. “What’s up?”

“I couldn’t sleep,” said Raul.

Besh motioned to a hall bench between potted plants, and they sat. Besh gave a pat to the young man’s knee and said, “You must have a lot on your mind.”

“I barely spoke to you all day,” said Raul. “It’s not right. Lo Siento. Forgive me.”

“It’s all good,” said Besh. “New freedom. A heavy reunion. I understand.”

Raul looked at his clasped hands. “I was remembering the adventure we had. Looking for the Prince. Sure, the Captain kept us safe, but you were always there for us. Like when you found that rope?”

“It’s what friends do,” said Besh. “I count myself fortunate to have had such good men at my side. Finding the Prince was my deal. None of you owed me a thing. But, you joined in. I never adequately thanked you.”

Raul hung his head. He felt better. He turned to Besh with a grin. “Do you think it was fate?” he asked. “That we met, I mean? I met my best friend through you. I discovered who I am.” 

Besh shrugged and smiled. “We were a good team,” he said.

Raul sighed and stood. “It’s late. I won’t keep you. I just wanted you to know I know. You know?”

Besh answered happily as he struggled to his feet, “I know.”

“Good night, señor Besh. It’s really good to see you again.”

Besh accepted a hug from the young man and watched him leave. He sat on the hall bench to consider the late meeting. Besh got an odd sense from the meeting. It smacked of finality. He shook it off and rose to his feet. Raul was a fine man. The last seven years had banged him around a bit, but he came through. 

His hand was on the door handle when a soft voice came from the other end of the hall. Beasley called in a raised whisper, “Mister Besh. I’m glad I found you. I need your advice.”

Besh turned to the hall bench with an outstretched hand. “Step into my office,” he said.

Crispin sat beside Besh, quietly composing his words. He turned to the old man and asked in an urgent whisper, “Do you think I should go? I’ve been weighing my options. I might be useful on the mission, but I might also be of use if I go with the King and Raul. What do you think?”

Besh scratched behind his ear and considered his answer. “Well,” he said slowly. “I know the adventuring lifestyle is not exactly your cup of tea.”

“That’s not it,” said Beasley. “I’m not afraid to go. It’s just if I go on the mission, there’s a chance we might not return. I might not see Raul again.”

Besh said, “So the question is, do you love King and Queen more than Raul?”

Crispin sat back and gaped. “I wouldn’t call it love,” he said. He opened and closed his mouth several times before finding an answer. “Raul is my best friend.”

“More than Albert?” asked Besh.

Crispin nodded slowly. “Don’t get me wrong,” he said. “The King is my friend, but our relationship is professional. I love the King and Queen, and will definitely help if asked.”

Besh completed the thought. “But, Raul is a friend on a personal level.” Seeing the young man nod in response, Besh continued. “It’s hard to see a friend for what might be the last time. Sam will doubtless take his son to Orlain. They might remain. It would seem you only have two choices.”

Beasley turned on the seat to better face the old man. His hands were clasped, and his face displayed impatient anticipation. Besh felt for the young man. No answer he could offer would suffice.

Besh said, “You can wait here and do nothing, or you can join the mission and bring home the King and Queen. As for Raul, give him a big hug and let him know you’ll miss him.”

Crispin turned away in disappointment. His sigh was heavy and sad. He turned back. “You’re right,” he said.

Besh said, “When we were looking for the Prince, it felt really good to have you by my side. I know Raul can’t go, but if you could, it would mean a lot to me.”

Beasley stood. “I should go see Raul.”

Besh stood and replied, his hand on Beasley’s shoulder, “Go see Raul.”

Besh returned to his room. He looked at the clock. It was after midnight. Two thoughts assailed him. He could throw up the covers, lay down, and watch the ceiling, or he could sit in the chair with a tall shot of comfort. One truth nagged at the back of his thoughts. If he was to be any good on the morrow, he would need sleep tonight.

The guest in his head said, “So, Hazel was nice.”

Besh replied, “I hope you didn’t infect her.”

The parasite answered, “I’m saving myself for the perfect partner.”

Besh sat in the chair and slid his feet into fleece-lined night shoes. He reached down to scratch Warrior behind the ear. “Can’t wait,” he said to the parasite. Then he said to himself, “I wonder if they have warm milk in the cafeteria.”

The cafeteria was dim and quiet. A lone patron sat in a corner booth under dim light. Besh padded over and sat across from Heaven. She looked up from a work tablet and smiled. Her hair was loose. She wore an over-large white shirt that reached her knees. The sleeves had been rolled back.

“Still up?” she asked.

“Couldn’t sleep,” said Besh. “I was wondering if the cafeteria still served.”

“I can get you something,” said Heaven. “What would you like?”

“A cup of warm milk,” he said with an apologetic smile.

“I’ll be right back,” said Heaven. Besh watched her walk to the kitchen on bare feet.

A memory of sitting in the cafeteria with Rico flashed through his mind and occupied him until Heaven returned. She placed a cup of warm milk before him and slid back into her seat.

“Thanks,” said Besh. He sipped cautiously, smiled, and nodded toward her work tablet.

“Oh,” said Heaven. “I was going over a list of ordnance provided by the King of Orlain.”

“From Sam?” asked Besh.

Heaven smiled, and Besh said no more.

Heaven leaned forward with a twinkle in her eyes. She spoke softly. “I’ve put together a team of the King’s Elite. You might remember them.”

Besh could remember only those brave soldiers who stormed Fort Behemoth. He sat back with a smile slowly crossing his face. “You mean?”

“Yep,” Heaven said with a happy face. “They’re all in, and looking forward to meeting you.”

“As am I,” answered Besh. He leaned over his cup of warm milk and said in a conspiratorial whisper, “Please tell me their names, so I don’t embarrass myself.”

Heaven laughed sweetly. She said. “There’s Simone, the communications expert. Olaf in demolitions. Then, there’s Saltry the mechanics specialist, and Hack.”

“The big guy,” said Besh.

Nodding, Heaven concluded the list. “And Lieutenant Colonel Driscoll.”

Besh sat back and drew a deep breath. Before he could speak, Heaven reached across the table and put a hand atop his. Changing the subject, Heaven said, “I have a cache of handy items for your little bag.” She smiled and waited.

“Oh?” asked Besh.

Heaven asked impatiently, “Would you like to see?”

“Okay,” said Besh slowly.

Heaven gathered her tablet on the way to her feet. “They’re in my room,” she said.