chapter 28

They walked for most of the day in silence. Sampson attempted to make conversation with the Prince to fill in the spaces during the day but he remained silent. He had woken up in a sour mood and had barely said anything all day. Sampson wondered if he was angry about the prank last night and had asked him several times if that was the reason he wasn't speaking but was met with no response.

After a while he had stopped trying. His voice had grew hoarse from the lack of water and his body was weak from the lack of food. He trailed behind Linshanth who walked as if he hadn't been half starved for days.

When Linshanth did eventually stop a few hours after they started Sampson blew out a breath of thanks and collapsed on the forest floor. "Here". Sampson opened one eye to see a brass bottle being held out next to him. "What's in it?". "Water". "Water? You've had water this whole time and you're only just telling me now". Sampson snatched it from him, unscrewing the lid and guzzling the contents. "We wouldn't find a water source for a while. It's best to save it", he spoke before taking the bottle back from Sampson and tucking it back into his pocket.

"We'll need to find some horses soon or we'll never get to the next kingdom", Sampson complained. His stomach rumbled and he clutched onto his stomach. His body had gotten used to eating proper meals and it was now feeling the effects of having to be starved again. "Get up, we don't have time to stop".

Sampson dragged his body up from the floor when he smelt something sweet in the air he immediately perked up. "Linshanth can you smell that? I think I can smell food". Linshanth sniffed the air and immediately his lips strained into a displeased scowl. "We must be nearing a village. We should go back the other way".

"Isn't that a good thing? They may offer us food". "Once they realise who we are we will be killed. It's not a risk we should take". Sampson moaned, clutching at his stomach. He felt so hungry that even the small bugs that roamed around on the bark of trees looked tasty. "Can't you magic us some food?", Sampson begged. "I don't know a spell that can do that. Besides you should get used to going long periods of food. Think of it as part of training".

"I feel like you're trying to torture me", Sampson grumbled and continued walking forward. They walked for another few hours and in all that time Sampson could smell the sweet smell. It became stronger the further they walked. "I think the village is up ahead". "We won't be going there if it is", Linshanth snapped, having had enough of Sampson's complaining. "Why can't we? We'll stay to eat and leave straight away. We won't stay long enough for them to get suspicious".

"Are you forgetting how we are dressed? Common folk don't wear fine silk robes", he barked indignantly. "We can always say we stole them". "I am not pretending to be a thief". "Why not? Thieves are only people who have to steal to survive. You shouldn't put your nose down on them. I have often stolen to get by". Linshanth gave him a deathly look. "I know you're a thief. I caught you stealing my apple pie, remember".

"I wasn't stealing it just for me. It was for Santes". "Santes? What is that?". "It's the day servants celebrate their birthday. Most of us don't know when our birthday is so we celebrate Santes instead". Linshanth furrowed his brows like it wasn't as simple as how Sampson described it. "It's nothing extravagant like how the royals do it. Minnie and Perity make drinks and as I have easy access to the kitchens I have to bring food".

"How many times have you stolen food from the kitchens?". Sampson curved his upper lip indignantly. "I wouldn't have to if servants were fed properly. We're work every day until we're so tired we can barely stand straight and after a days work we're fed scraps". It was a battle to get the Prince to understand how harrowing the life of a servant was but it would be one he would never stop fighting.

"Enough now. It was your duty to serve. I have never met a man that complains half as much as you do". Linshanth began on a fast stride again and Sampson could only follow him so he didn't get lost. "One of these days Linshanth I'm going to get you back for all the things you've done". "And how will you do that?".

Sampson wracked his brains for something inventive. "I don't know…I'll lock you in the dungeons and throw away the key. I wouldn't let you out even if you begged me to". "I look forward to it. I would finally get some peace and quiet". Sampson scoffed. "No one told me to keep me by your side. You could get rid of me anytime you see fit. In fact once this mission is over you will never have to see me again", Sampson spoke, as matter of fatly. With the amount of bad things Linshanth thought about Sampson that he was lazy and good for nothing, it was a wonder why he wanted to keep him around at all.

He thought Linshanth would be overjoyed with his words but instead he scowled harshly, his brow deepening on his forehead. "Stop talking". "You can't tell me to stop talking when you were just…Hmmmm". Linshanth clapped his hand over Sampson's mouth and dragged him to a nearby tree before he could answer. "Be quiet. I hear something".

He removed his hand from Sampson's mouth but kept him pressed up against the tree. Sampson listened out again but he couldn't hear or see anyone. "Are you sure you heard something. I can't hear anything".

Sampson stomach rumbled and he put his hand over his stomach. He looked back up to Linshanth who pinned him with a fierce glare. "Why are you looking at me like that?". "It is the noises from your stomach I can hear", he snapped incredulously. Sampson took one look at Linshanth's violent expression and burst out laughing. "Ahahaha, how could you mistake the noise for a person".

"It is so loud. What else would I think?", Linshanth snapped impertinently. When Sampson stopped laughing he found the Prince still fiercely glaring at him. "Okay, okay I apologise for being hungry. We wouldn't have this problem if we found something to eat". "We have a long way to walk. There is no time to think about food".

"We'll never get there unless we eat something". "If I find something for you to eat will you stop complaining until we reach the next kingdom". "I will promise you now. I won't ever complain in your company again". Linshanth's face only darkened. How faceless it was that someone that complained constantly could promise they would never complain again.

"Stay here and I will hunt for something". "Can't I come with you?", Sampson begged. Linshanth could be hours and there was nothing to do in the forest but roll dirt around on the floor and pick the leaves that grew on branches. He would be bored out of his mind without something to do. "No. You will only scare the animals away". Linshanth left with clear instructions that if Sampson dared move a muscle he would sew his mouth shut for the rest of the journey and knowing Linshanth it was no idle threat.

Sampson waited in the same spot for almost an hour before he dared to move and still he only walked aimlessly around the area Linshanth had left him in. His hunger only worsened the longer he waited. He had drank water several hours ago and he felt so thirsty his lips were pasty and dry.

The sweet smell that had already wafted in the air for several hours had only grown stronger the longer Sampson went without food. He wasn't even sure if what he was smelling belonged to food at all but it smelt so good it was intoxicating.

Linshanth had yet to return and with the smell being as good as it was he had no choice but to investigate. He promised himself he would only take a look at the source of the smell and go back to spot Linshanth had left him before he returned. Linshanth had developed a short temper lately and his patience was hanging loosely by a thread that got closer to snapping every time Sampson opened his mouth.

He followed the smell for several minutes and in that time his stomach rumbled incessantly. The only thing Linshanth could bring back was a rabbit or a fox at best, nothing appetising like this sweet smell. Sampson eventually came out to a clearing after walking blindly for some time. It was like he had told Linshanth before, the smell was coming from a village. The village was dimly lit and Sampson could see a stone wall as their only form of protection from outsiders. He climbed over the stone wall, walking cautiously as he neared the sound of voices.

The first thing he saw was a girl dancing. She was no more than ten years old but was holding three lit torches and juggling with them. The villagers sat around her, clapping and marvelling as she threw them up in the air and caught all three without lighting her hands on fire. Sampson had never seen such tricks before. The Toombak's often held performances for their esteemed guests but Sampson had never been invited to attend such an event before.

When the girl had finished her performance she bowed and the villagers clapped. Having seen the show Sampson made his way to leave when all of a sudden his shoulder was poked. "Who are you?". An elderly woman stood before him, peering at him closely. "I…I was passing through, I heard the noise and I thought I should come take a look", Sampson spoke. The lady carried a thick accent and so Sampson knew they must have been close to the next kingdom.

"Who is he?". It wasn't long before Sampson had captured the rest of the villagers attention. It was clear given the pondering looks and unwelcoming gazes that they weren't used to outsiders. Sampson who was growing more wary by the second decided to take his leave. "Thank you for the show. I will be going now". As soon as he spoke the words his stomach started to rumble. "Grandma let him stay for dinner. It isn't often we receive guests". The girl that spoke looked a little older than him and had the same black hair as a older relative. She smiled, almost shyly at Sampson and averted her eyes when he looked at her to express his thanks.

"We don't even know him. Go, leave now. We don't want any trouble". She attempted to shoo Sampson away but not before a hand gripped his shoulder "Let him stay. He looks harmless". The voice belonged to a man who rivalled the older woman in age. Meanwhile Linshanth had been hunting in the forest for the best part of a couple of hours. The forest was dense and thick with trees and easy for his prey to hide.

He had been hunting rabbit for the last hour and had no luck in catching one as of yet. He was conscious of the fact that he had left Sampson for a couple of hours by now and he would be growing restless and hungry. His chest tightened when he thought of him staying in the woods alone. His body was weaker than what Sampson thought.

The journey wouldn't be easy when his body was already so battered and bruised and yet he had so much spirit you would never know all the physical scars he had on his body. Linshanth hadn't meant to catch him swimming. He had only gone down to the river to fill his water pouch up when he saw Sampson swimming through the river.

He had a white shirt on but it was see through and Linshanth saw the fresh scars that accompanied his old ones. At that moment he was so filled with rage he had pulled Sampson with the full intent of scolding him for being so reckless to not run away whilst he had been in a coma. The moment he looked at his flushed features with water dripping senselessly down his body he lost his nerve and lied that he had a crocodile instead to not make him suspicious.

Danger followed Sampson and Linshanth cursed him continuously in his head whilst he continued hunting. In the end he caught two rabbit and brought them back to the clearing where he had left Sampson. Part of him thought that Sampson would have ran away again when he returned but most of him believed he would still be there waiting so when he saw the area was deserted his head filled so much with rage the blood vessels in his brain threatened to burst.

He sniffed the air, smelling the sweet smell Sampson had been salivating over those few hours prior. It made his own stomach rumble when he did but his resolve was much stronger than Sampson. He knew immediately that Sampson had taken the chance that Linshanth had left him and had gone in search of the origin of the smell hoping that it would be food.

Linshanth followed the trial Sampson left, coming to a small village. He unsheathed his sword and followed the sound of voices. The first thing he saw was Sampson in the middle of a large crowd of people, holding three lit torches in his hands. He threw one up in the air and caught it and the crowd cheered. Linshanth had been wanting to scold Sampson the moment he saw him but now he was surrounded by unfamiliar people there was an air of uncertainty. Instead he stayed behind the crows and waited for the performance to be over until he approached.

Linshanth had always thought Sampson to be clumsy and lacking any sort of skills to entertain others given his upfront attitude for anyone that wasn't a servant. He couldn't help but marvel when he saw Sampson juggle the torches with ease as if he had been performing the act his whole life. He smiled as he did so, his lips so wide that he looked like a giddy child that had been praised for the first time in their life. It made him want to go over and pinch his cheeks and scold him.

He was angry but not because Sampson had defied him but because he had never shared such an expression when he was in the presence of Linshanth. The only expression he wore was that of annoyance or bored, the only time he ever did smile was when he was teasing Linshanth to no end.

When the performance was over the villagers clapped and produced a banquet of food. Sampson was busy helping that he had hadn't noticed the figure standing behind him and glaring at him. It was only as he turned around did he notice Linshanth standing before him. His blue silk robes were painted with mud and his skin was red and flustered. He had completely forgotten about Linshanth and the fact that he had gone to hunt for food for them both. Seeing him, he couldn't help but feel a little guilty.

"Linshanth the villagers has offered us food and a place to eat. I was just coming to find you". With no disregard for the fact Linshanth had just spent hours getting rabbits, it only made his sour mood deepen until he could only taste vinegar in his mouth. He turned on his heels and began walking back towards the forest where he had left the rabbits. Sampson watched his retreating figure for a few minutes before he hurried after him, putting his hands on his shoulder to stop him from leaving.

"Where are you going? Didn't you hear what I just said, the villagers have given us a place to stay tonight". Linshanth glared at him, more harshly than Sampson had ever seen him before. "So stupid". He pushed past Sampson and began on a heavy stride once more.

Sampson carried on taking after him. "Why are you so angry? I was going to come back". "You seemed like you were enjoying yourself. Don't bother me. Go back to the villagers that have offered you a bed for the night". "I didn't realise you were so sensitive. Are you really so angry that you had to hunt for hours when if we followed the sweet smell it would lead us straight to food". It wasn't the reason why Linshanth was angry but hearing those words had him abruptly stopped in his paces.

"Nonsense", he spat in Sampson's direction before he continued on his way again. Given how angry he was there was no reason for Sampson to continue running after him so he stayed. When Linshanth realised Sampson was no longer following him he too stopped. "Do you want an apology? I can promise you this cannot compare with all the things you have done to me", he spat, almost hatefully.

"What things?". Sampson sighed with a heavy heart. He thought that Linshanth was too embarrassed to admit all of his wrong doings when Sampson was a servant but now he could see that Linshanth really didn't know what he did. It only made Sampson as angry as Linshanth was.

"It doesn't matter. Go back to the forest, come and find me in the morning". With that, Sampson turned on his heel and left. Linshanth watched him leave for precisely ten seconds before he strode after him.

"Could you not be so careless for one minute? You have no idea what those villagers intend to do with you?". "They are just showing kindness. I can understand why you of all people would be confused with such a gesture", Sampson barked. "It isn't safe", Linshanth urged. Sampson planted both of his hands on Linshanth's shoulder and moved in close to his face. So close Linshanth forgot how to breath. "Not everyone is trying to kill you or claim your title. I am a good judge of character. You have to trust me".

Sampson left shortly after leaving Linshanth to ponder his words. In the end despite how annoyed he was he didn't want to leave Sampson on his own. No matter if he was a good judge of character or not, he was defenceless on his own.

Sampson had sat down with the villagers when Linshanth appeared. He had been talking to the old woman's niece, Emily for some time before Linshanth appeared in front of him. "Ahh, my brother has decided to come and join us". They turned around with broad smiles, that dropped the moment they saw the cold snarl that met them. Linshanth sat in front of Sampson and the banquet started.

Sampson conversed naturally, it was often he mixed with so many people and so was at ease in large crowds. Linshanth on the other hand didn't breath a word through the whole meal, nor did he eat a thing. He was still convinced that the villagers had ulterior motives. He hoped Sampson would adopt the same strategy but he ate until his hearts content, chowing down food quicker than he could swallow. Emily spoke to him continually, sticking to his side like they were glued together.

When the banquet was over they were shown to their room. The village huts had limited space and so they were given one room with a single bed to share. Emily came to visit Sampson before they went inside the room whilst Linshanth watched insolently. Their conversation was cosy to say the least and just as she left she pressed a few cherries into his palm.

"Which side will you sleep on?". "I'll sleep on the floor", Linshanth murmured. "There is enough room. You won't get a good sleep on the floor". Sampson virtually dragged Linshanth to the bed and let him sit down on it before he sat down himself.

"Here, eat this". He pressed one of the cherries into Linshanth's palm. "They're a gift for you, not me". "Don't think I didn't notice you didn't eat anything. You're too suspicious for your own good". He pulled the stalk off the cherry that still lay in Linshanth's palm. "Eat it, it's good". "I'll take your word for it". He gave the cherry back to Sampson and lay down, rolling to the far end of the bed.

He wouldn't let his guard down for the whole night and Sampson knew that. He ripped the stalk of another cherry and dug the pit out of it before pressing his hand to Linshanth's shoulder. "Eat something. You'll become weaker if you don't eat", he gently coaxed. Linshanth scowled indignantly, and kept his back turned to Sampson. His behaviour was childlike and out of the ordinary for his usual upfront and serious demeanour. It made Sampson want to poke fun at him.

"Do you want me to feed you? Is that why you refuse to eat?", he mocked. Linshanth got up from the bed in an instant and went to the far side of the room, standing by the window. "Don't be so paranoid. We are safe here". "We will never be safe until we are in the walls of a palace. We're exposed out here". "No more exposed than if we were sleeping out in the woods. At least we have a roof over our head for the night", Sampson protested.

Linshanth didn't answer. "Suit yourself. Stay awake all night for all I care". He rolled to the far side of the bed with his back turned to Linshanth. He closed his eyes and tried to rest but a nagging voice in his head kept him from sleep. It was his own doing that Linshanth was so mad. Truthfully at the time he cared little for the fact that Linshanth had gone to hunt for hours to bring them back food. He had only done it because Sampson was hungry and not for himself.

Sampson got up from the bed and approached him slowly, staring at the window with him. "If you really don't want to sleep here. We don't have to, we can go back to the forest if you want". Linshanth stiffened at his soft words. "Am I ruining your fun? It is clear the reason you want to stay here".

"What's that supposed to mean?". "You were very cosy with that girl. I wonder did you tell her you were getting married", Linshanth snapped. Sampson rubbed at his brow, wanting to hit him over the head with all the nonsense that was coming out of his mouth. "It was one of the first things I told her. She gave me the cherries as a kind gesture. Is that why you're so angry? I thought you cared little for Minnie".

"I don't care about her at all", Linshanth huffed. Sampson sighed, rubbing at his eyes that begged for sleep. They had been travelling all day and now that his stomach was full he felt satiated enough to sleep for a few days. "Sleep. We will be leaving early in the morning".

"Can't we stay for breakfast?". "We have no time to waste", Linshanth barked. He shook his head and then walked back to the bed, facing Linshanth. "Are you going to sleep or not?". Linshanth didn't answer and kept his back turned to him. Sampson could only stare at the smooth column of his neck and his long tufts of brown hair. He looked almost peaceful at the back but he knew if he were to look at his face it would tell a different story.