An Arranged Marriage - 23

     “No honorable people should be ruled by such a man.”  Detlef and Timothy plunged into the forest, resuming their search for Ilona.  “He is rotten to the core.  Once Ilona is found, I will see him deposed.”  They trotted from there in silence until he reached the wolf’s pyre.  Then he continued north. 

     The sound of movement arrested his attention and he reined Timothy to a stop, straining his ears to catch further sounds.  For a moment, all was quiet except for a few bold birds. 

     Then… “De-e-e-t-le-e-e-f!”

      Recognizing his brother’s call, Detlef half expected to hear his name followed with “su-u-pper-ti-i-i-me” or “ma-a-a-ma wants you!”

     “Here!” Detlef turned Timothy toward the call and soon found his brother.

     Matthias was astride his fleet black courser.  He shifted in his saddle and grinned.  “I knew I’d be able to find you.”

     Detlef snorted.  “Only because I have good ears.”  Matthias’ idea of finding him always consisted of yelling at the top of his lungs until Detlef appeared.

     “Apparently not good enough.  Did you hear the blast from the recall trumpet?”

     Detlef’s head snapped to attention.  “They found her?”

     Matthias shrugged.  “That’s my assumption.  I heard the horn about an hour ago and set out to find you.  We’ll return to the castle together.”

     Numbly, Detlef followed at Matthias’ side.  His mind was racing.  Had Ilona been found?  Was she okay?  Who had found her? 

     “I’ve been thinking a lot.” Matthias interrupted his thoughts.  “Out here for two days gave me time to think as I haven’t had at home.”

     Detlef grimaced.  Matthias schemed enough as it was.  It was wearying to think of the plots he might have laid after two days to himself.

      “I was thinking of what you said…about what kind of prince you want to be.  I spend too much time thinking about what kind of prince my father wants me to be.  And what kind of princess my mother wants me to marry.”  He shook his head.  “I always thought she would eat Gretal alive.”

     “Not literally.”

     “No, not literally.”  Matthias made a face.  “But you know what I mean.  The expectations placed on an eldest son and his bride…”  He twitched his reins impatiently.  “But who, if not the prince, is to set an example for change.  I’ve been watching King Adalbert.  Even when Amalia made her confession, he still…cared about her.  It didn’t change his love.”  He fell silent.

     “What are you going to do?”

     “I…” Matthias clutched his reins like a drowning man.  “I…”

     The blast of the trumpet ripped through the air, echoing through the gorges of the forest.  A three-beat rhythm of horse hooves interrupted anything Matthias was going to say.  Moments later, Emil appeared, cantering by them. 

     “Snails!” Emil taunted as he passed.

     Matthias snorted as Emil disappeared in the forest ahead of them.  “He must be out of breath.  His brilliant metaphors are getting shorter.” 

     Detlef and Matthias both chuckled and urged their horses to a faster pace.