Again Gwaynn said nothing. His mind was buzzing with the possibilities of where he would go, what he would do. He had no idea what would become of him. He was sure that if he left the Temple Islands the Zani would hunt him down, and eventually find him. He had to make sure that did not happen until he was ready to be found.
“I can not stay then?” Gwaynn asked.
“Stay?” Amon asked.
“Yes,” Gwaynn replied.
Tar Amon shook his head. “In order to attend the Island you must have been invited and your presence approved by the High King.”
Gwaynn was silent for a time while they walked along the water line, weaving slightly so that they came higher up the beach when a wave threatened to soak their feet. “Perhaps I can serve, help with the livestock, maintenance, anything?”
“Our support personnel are actually part of families that have been on the Island for countless generations,” Amon began. “It would be highly irregular to admit someone from the outside, highly irregular indeed.”
“An exception could be made though?” Gwaynn asked hopefully.
“There are always exceptions,” Amon answered with a smile. “But for what reason? Would it be made just to save a fisherman’s son from the drudgery of his former life?”
Gwaynn said nothing.
“You have not told us anything about who you are,” Amon observed. “Should an exception be made for an unknown?”
Gwaynn thought about this for such a long time that Amon began to believe that the boy would indeed stay silent.
“It may be dangerous for you to know who I am,” Gwaynn finally answered, impressing the High Tar. ‘Indeed it could be dangerous,’ Amon thoughtfully agreed.
“It is a very dangerous time,” the Tar replied as they continued down the beach. “And there is risk for us in either case is there not?”
Gwaynn still admitted nothing; in his mind admitting who he was increased his own danger many times over.
“Prince Gwaynn was said to have escaped the Deutzani attack on the Massi,” Tar Amon stated in an even tone. “King Arsinol Deutzani was said to be livid, even killing several of those in charge of the offensive.”
Gwaynn’s head jerked up and looked at the High Master of the Island. Amon held his hands up, palms out, hoping to calm the boy. “Who was killed?” Gwaynn asked and actually took a menacing step toward the Tar, who was not intimidated.
Amon shrugged at the question. “A few lieutenants, but no one of any real importance. King Arsinol cannot afford to give anyone of real value up at this time.”
“Why? Will the High King intervene once more?” Gwaynn said his voice rising in anger.
Amon frowned. Could it be possible that the boy was aware of the High King’s rash decision? If so the boy may indeed have to die, otherwise chaos could be charging down on them all. As he silently studied the determined young man, Amon realized that the boy’s death would not come at his hands, or any Master under him. “What do you mean by that remark?”
“The Zani could not have defeated my father so easily without the help of the High King and his Temple Knights,” Gwaynn stated his voice low and calm.
“So you admit to being Prince Gwaynn Massi.”
Gwaynn sighed and nodded. The High Tar knew in any case. “The High King aided the Zani,” he accused once more.
“Perhaps,” Amon said evenly. “Perhaps the Deutzani just used surprise and superior tactics?”
“The Temple Knights were there,” Gwaynn insisted.
“You know this for fact?”
Gwaynn shook his head positively. “Yes.”
Amon sighed. “Yes, the Temple Knights were among the Deutzani,” Amon admitted, again wondering why the High King would be so foolish.
“Why would the High King help the Zani?”
“Yes, why indeed,” Amon wondered once more. “The High King, of course, is not aware of our knowledge in his little deception….nor of yours.”
“Little deception?” Gwaynn asked, suddenly very angry.
Tar Amon bowed to him. “My apologies. I have misspoken.”
They walked for nearly a mile in silence then Amon led them to a large piece of driftwood well up on the beach away from the ever-pounding surf. He sat and invited Gwaynn to do likewise, but the boy stubbornly remained standing for a time, then he realized how tired he was and joined the older man.
“We are very interested in knowing just why the High King would jeopardize his rule and upset the delicate balance of the High Families,” Amon finally said, suddenly looking much older to Gwaynn than he had earlier.
Gwaynn had no answers for him.
“You have become a very great danger to not only the Deutzani, but to the High King himself,” Amon finally stated. “You are right to keep your identity close. Let no one else know. I would call you Karl if I could, but too many people here already know you as Gwaynn.”
Gwaynn cursed to himself. He should have thought to use a different name, but still Gwaynn was not all that uncommon, perhaps he could make it work.
“We have students from all the High Families, including I believe two from the Massi,” Amon explained, and Gwaynn’s heart fell. He had completely forgotten about the two Massi students here. Krys was the name of one. He was older, his studies near completion, Gwaynn thought. The other was a young girl, only eleven, in her first year, but he struggled to remember her name. The girl he had never met, but Krys had come to the castle several times in the last few years, and Gwaynn remembered him well. He was a fantastic swordsman, tall, blonde and very handsome. Gwynn was smitten with him, pretty as he was. Yes, Krys of the Massi was sure to recognize him.
Amon could easily read the dismay on the boy’s face, and smiled. He had a very quick mind, but he would have to learn to keep his thoughts from forming on his face so readily.
“Master Krys was one of those that found you on the beach. He’s told no one but me and I have given him strict instructions to hold his tongue, even though I think such instructions were unnecessary. Both he and Lady Bethany are dismayed by the turn of events, but as yet there has been no trouble between them and the three Deutzani students.”
“There are Deutzani here?” Gwaynn asked intensely, abruptly standing.
Tar Amon turned a hard look on the boy and Gwaynn suddenly realized that this man was Tar of all Tars, and he could now see why in the old man’s eyes. “If you are to stay, there will be no trouble. We, on the Noble Island, are from all families. The students here had nothing to do with the attack on your country, and will not be subject to any repercussions. Am I clear?”