Page 14 of Songs and Spun Gold
And he most certainly would not let himself hope to profit from another man’s misfortune.
~
Since he preferred to limit the knowledge of his unscheduled excursions, Axel made himself wait to visit the theater until Otto was back on shift two days later.
Lady Ilse’s story had been confirmed by multiple sources in the meantime. Every time he heard about it, his stomach squeezed and his throat tightened. Surely it had to have been an accident. Because who would want to hurt Georg?
Much to his dismay, the thoughts pestered him throughout the day, making him distracted at the worst possible times. He had nearly bitten off the head of Father’s favorite advisor when the man needled him for failing to catch a question. Thankfully, Axel had caught the words in time and dispersed the choler before it could escape onto his face. The unknown was driving him mad.
But now, it was time to see for himself.
The sky was still studded with stars, not even the barest sliver of light visible over the trees to the east, when Axel carefully closed the castle door behind himself. Dressed as usual in a thick cloak over his rough brown tunic and trousers, he stood still as his eyes darted around, watching for any guards strolling through the grounds. It was too early for servants.
A puff of white steam drifted away as he allowed himself an exhale of relief. Drawing his hood low and wrapping the dark fabric of his cloak tighter around his body, he jogged across the open space to the familiar gate in the outer wall.
Otto raised his eyebrows. “A little early, isn’t it, Your Highness?”
“How did you know it was me?” Axel asked, startled.
“No one else comes out here this early.” When Axel tilted his head with skepticism, the guard added, “And by your gait.”
“My…gait?”
Shrugging, Otto said, “It’s a game I play, identifying people from a distance. Build, clothing, the way they move – enough details, and I don’t need a face.”
Axel blinked at him.
“Standing at a small gate for hours is rather dull by itself.”
“I’m not sure you’re in the right line of work,” Axel finally said.
“Oh?”
Shaking his head, he explained, “Your observational skills are extraordinary. There must be some job that would put them to better use.”
“Thank you, Your Highness,” Otto said, the starlight reflecting faintly off his teeth as he grinned.
“At the same time, though…” Axel peered intently under his hood at the other man. “In the dark and without being able to see my face, how could you be certain it was me wanting to pass through the gate and not a ne’er-do-well trying to escape after committing some terrible crime?”
“You notice I challenged you this time.”
“You didn’t…” He paused. “You don’t normally greet me.”
Otto’s grin widened.
Axel opened his mouth, then closed it again. “Huh.”
“So, whereareyou off to so early?” Otto asked cheerfully. “Sneaking off to see a young lady?”
In a manner of speaking…
“Probably best I don’t tell you.” Ignoring the twist in his stomach at the reminder of his purpose this morning, Axel lowered his voice and leaned closer, shifting his eyes from side to side as if searching for eavesdroppers. Although the gesture was probably lost in the dark, especially with his hood low over his face. “That way you can claim ignorance if they grill you.”
He then assumed a jaunty pose, his right elbow level with his shoulder and his fist at his chest. “And now, it is time for me to be off. Be not bored for a few hours, and I shall see you when I return.”
Otto waved him off. “Don’t cause too much trouble.”
By the time the gate clanged shut behind him, Axel was already half a block away. His surprise at the guard’s recognition had dimmed it temporarily, but his unease over the accident at the theater had returned. Something wasn’t right, and he hoped that Lotti, as a near-resident of the building, would have more information.
