A Change in Plans
Copyright© 2006 by Asa Strong
Chapter 15: To Know a Prince
Science Fantasy Story: Chapter 15: To Know a Prince - George Rice, a dying, emotionally detached scientist who plans to stage his own accidental death after losing his wife and receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis. At the brink of suicide, he is intercepted by a higher being named Alama, who offers him a chance to “right a terrible wrong.” George accepts and dies—only to be reborn into another world and another body.
Caution: This Science Fantasy Story contains strong sexual content, including Ma/Fa Ma/ft Consensual Romantic Science Fiction Isekai First
The journey to my house gave me time to think about what had occurred. I wasn’t happy when the prince insisted on coming with us, but I really had no reason to deny him. Besides, it didn’t appear he would have heeded any arguments from me on the matter anyway.
My real concern was the safety of my family. I had a real family now and was loath to be placing their safety in jeopardy. Until the prince’s intrusion into our lives, we had been relatively safe. The isolation of our farm was our buffer against what was happening in the rest of the world. I felt that having the prince and his retinue in residence at my farm, or even in the vicinity, could imperil all of us.
That evening, before starting up the mountain to our home, we camped in the mountain meadow. I was still in a somber mood. Prince Rogar must have somehow sensed my trepidation. After the evening meal, he sat down at the fire where I was sitting, drinking a cup of tea, and was probably looking a little forlorn.
“What is it that troubles you, Donta?” he asked, sitting down on the log next to me.
How do I answer a question like that? He obviously had an agenda that included me. I doubted he would have any concerns beyond what I had that would be useful for his cause.
“Prince Rogar, my family and I have managed to survive because we are hidden away in the mountains. With your coming, in all likelihood, the isolation that has protected us will be lost. Sooner or later, one of your enemies will find where you are, and that puts my family at risk. That is what troubles me.”
Rogar nodded his head in understanding and then paused for a moment.
“What you say is true, Donta. I could tell you that what you fear will not happen, but both you and I know it would be a lie.”
The prince paused a moment in reflection and then continued. “Donta, have you thought about how you can live so isolated? Sooner or later, your secret will be found out. Your trips to Bagor have not gone unnoticed. The spies in that town are not all in my camp.”
This was something I had not considered and should have. I swirled the tea in my cup and paused to reflect on his comment.
“Rogar, to be honest, I really had not considered that, and as I sit here and think about it, I can see where you are correct. I also don’t know what I can do about it.”
The prince looked at me with an expression that showed the age and worry in his face, reflecting the turmoil and responsibility of a much older man.
“Donta, there is only one solution. This madness around us must be stopped. Men and women of strength and character must take up the mantle of the warrior and fight for a peaceful world to live in. I don’t see any other way.”
This was an interesting observation for one so young. However, I wanted to follow up on his thought. People did not fight unless there was something in it for them.
“What you say may be true, Prince, but why should they fight and possibly lose their lives when they may be trading one master for another?”
My question caused a look of astonishment to appear on his face.
“What do you mean, Donta? The people have the obligation to support the crown.”
“I can see you believe that idea,” I said, then continued, “But for a man with a family, his most important need is to first protect his family, not necessarily to support the king, regardless of what you may want.”
“That is outrageous! Peasants and freemen have always heeded the call of the crown.”
“I see, and how many of them do you have in your group?”
The prince stammered for a few moments. It was evident that I had caught him completely off guard with my comments.
After a few moments, he paused and said in a quiet voice, “Donta, there are none. All of the men you see with me are what is left of my father’s guard. We have tried to talk with the peasants and freemen, but they are too afraid. I don’t know what to do.”
“Well,” I said, tossing the dregs of my tea into the fire, “we are not going to solve that problem tonight.”
I stood up and offered my hand to Rogar, and he grasped it and pulled himself up.
“Donta, you have given me much to think about. I would like to talk to you again after I have considered your words.”
I laughed and, sweeping my arm in a circle, indicating all of his men, then said, “Prince, I don’t think I will be very hard to find for a while.”
“Yes, of course,” he said with a small smile, then walked away.
I crawled out of my blankets early the next morning without waking Rocha. I worked my way from underneath the wagon and was greeted by a misty rain. Thankfully, someone had already beaten me to the fire, as it had already been restarted from last night’s embers.
I sat by the fire, sipping a cup of tea to warm my bones as the camp came alive with moans and groans of people who had spent the night sleeping on the ground. Within an hour, everyone was ready to travel, and we resumed our trek to the farm.
As we climbed the mountainside trail, the prince was ahead of me. Occasionally, he would turn in his saddle and look at me with a contemplative look. I figured that there must have been more food for thought in our discussion than I realized.
We continued our journey without stopping for a noon meal and breached the forest in the early afternoon. The sun had decided to come out for the day, and the moisture clinging to the meadow grass looked like a million diamonds, gleaming in the sun. It was a breathtaking sight to see, with the farm buildings across the valley creating a peaceful backdrop.
When our troop broke from the trees, the prince halted his horse and waited for my wagon to reach him.
When the wagon drew even with him, he turned in the saddle and said, “Donta, I now understand your concerns. I have never seen such a beautiful place.”
He then nudged his horse and was off towards the front of the column.
When we got close to the house, I could see that the doors and windows had been shuttered. I could not see Kata and Celle anywhere. Of course, they had no idea who all these people were and were probably in the house with the children. We had not planned on what had occurred in town or joining with the prince’s group. I was sure that they had their crossbows ready to defend the children.
I slapped the reins harshly on the lead horse and quickly made my way to the front of the column. I found the prince’s man, Cassa, in a heated discussion with Rogar. The house had obviously been secured, and my wives and children were inside, fearing the worst.
“Your highness, I’ll secure the house with a few men,” I heard Cassa say as I came close to the prince.
“They will die then,” I answered as I came nearer.
The prince glanced at me and then said, “Explain to him what you mean.”
“Cassa,” I said, “if you get close to the house, my other two wives will kill you. They don’t know who you are or what is going on. I will go talk to them, so please don’t do anything yet.”
“Women, kill me! You must be out of your mind.”
I turned to the prince, “Remember the two you found on the road to Bagor?”
The prince nodded his head in understanding.
I had about enough of this pompous fool. “Rocha, give me my crossbow.”
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