The Elephant Gate

The next morning, Kevin was in the barn, mucking out the stalls. The work was hard and sweaty, but every bit of exercise was needed to hone his muscles. After piling the used straw into a cart, he wheeled it out to the compost pile. He forked out the first pile, then ducked and wheeled as a knife embedded itself into the side of the cart with a thunk.

"Well, look who decided to return," a female voice sneered, "Have you finally come to share our misfortune? Or to just disappear again for another fifteen years?"

She was a tall, willowy young woman, wearing a long skirt and blouse in blue, with a leather vest with various pockets and straps. Her right hand was poised over another throwing knife, still in the arm sheath. Her hair was pulled back from her face but cascaded down her back in long, brown curls.

She was older and more tired, but Kevin could recognize this person anywhere.

"Sur'kya!" He surged forward, intending to give her a hug, but the knife she pulled out looked anything but inviting. He pulled up short with a puzzled frown. "What's wrong?"

"How long have you been here? We just got word today about a strange man from another country at the training facility. Don't you think you should have let your best friend know you were back?"

"That was my decision, Princess." Thadchai walked down the steps from the porch. "We needed to procure proper credentials, and evaluate his fighting skills. I had intended to see the king tomorrow as we just returned from Safe Haven yesterday afternoon."

The knife slipped back into the sheath and she bowed a greeting to the captain. "You could have sent word," she grumbled, hands on her h.i.p.s as she glared at Kevin like it was his fault.

"I also knew you would do something like this if you realized he was back. Are your parents aware of our location? And where is Khun Wiset?"

She shrugged and tossed her head. "He is easy to ditch when I want to." Thad shook his head.

"He is there for your protection, princess. Do you not think he will be punished for allowing you to escape?" She looked guilty for a moment, before switching to a more imperial facade.

"I want to know everything that happened so far." Kevin completed closing the distance between them and caught her in a bear hug, pinning her arms to her sides.

"Suri! I really missed you." She softened a bit and lifted her hands to his back. He gave her a quick spin before setting her back down and releasing her.

"Let's go inside and chat, if that is okay, Dad?"

The older man nodded. "It would be safer inside as well. Welcome to my humble home, princess, and stay for a snack and some conversation."

She gave a regal nod before sticking out her tongue and impishly jumping up the porch steps.

* * *

Over plates of fruits, the three of them chatted. Duchess had temporarily abandoned Kevin to sit near Suri and receive the occasional treat. Suri was intrigued about his profession.

"So you wrote stories about us, and that made you money?"

Kevin nodded.

"In my world my fictions are mostly read by teenagers and young a.d.u.l.ts. Most people enjoy the idea of talking elephants in a magical land."

Suri propped her head on her hands. "So they think it's magic. Can you talk to the elephants there, too? And the other creatures?"

Kevin nodded. "I think that it's actually stronger than it was when I was a boy. But I'm just getting used to it again."

She jumped up excitedly. "Then we need to get you close to the Anachak border and see if you can pick up the thoughts of Kandi and the other elephants!"

"Absolutely not." Thadchai said resolutely. "I'm sorry, Princess, but there is much more at stake here than our elephants, even though it pains me to say that. Kevin must be brought up to a sufficient fighting level to assist us in taking back our country. If we can accomplish that, we can look for Kandula and the others then."

She got ready to argue, but there was a knock on the front door. A harried-looking young soldier gave a smart salute to Thadchai when he opened the door.

"Captain, we have been looking for...there you are!" He kneeled for a moment. "Princess Surikitiyia, please return to the safe house with me now."

The captain turned and looked at her. "Go, and we will talk more tomorrow when we arrive at the safe house." She still looked rebellious, but nodded and flounced out, followed by the relieved guard.

"She's just as bratty as ever, Dad." Kevin commented as Thad shut the door.

"The exile has been hard on her and her parents. They have to remain in hiding until we can again put them on the throne. Neither King Phuna or Princess Suri like inaction. And it's even more important that she stay undetectable. Our spies in the palace report that Prince Antanum plans to force Surikitiyia into marriage to legitimize his claim to the throne. If she is captured, it is all over."