Chapter Fifteen
Patin
Serron might have thought he was being encouraging telling Jaq about Patin’s mountain climbing skills and he wasn’t lying. But that was back at a time when Patin wasn’t used to castle life. His shoulders twinged the moment he reached up and grabbed the rope, tugging on it to make sure his knots were going to hold.
With his hands as high up the rope as he could reach, Patin used a combination of hand climbing up the rope and “walking” up the tree trunk, where the rope, his body, and the tree formed a triangle. His boots weren’t really suitable for walking on bark. Patin had a momentary pang thinking about the climbing boots he probably had somewhere deep in his closet.
“You’re climbing a lot faster than I did,” Jaq said from his position above him. “Factoring in the distance between branches was something else I didn’t bother to do when I started this idea.”
“You had the right idea, Your Highness,” Patin grunted as he pulled himself higher. “And you didn’t give up.”
“I probably should’ve given up. Then you would’ve found me sitting by the creek, bored because I didn’t have a book with me. That would’ve made things easier and a lot less embarrassing.” Jaq actually chuckled, and that hit Patin’s insides with a flutter of warm fuzzies. The prince was frightened but doing his best not to show it.
“We’ll have to create a way that you can carry a book on your saddle, Your Highness.” Patin got level with Jaq. His relief was evident. “I am honored by your caring and that you came after me when you thought I’d been insulted. That means more than you can ever know,” he said, keeping his voice low, conscious of the people watching their every move. “Thank you.”
“We can’t have a throuple if one of the three is missing,” Jaq murmured. “Can I get down from here now? How do we do this?”
“I think the easiest way would be to climb on my back. Can you do that?”
“I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I think my arms are frozen around the tree,” Jaq whispered. “I’m terrified that if I move at all, I’ll fall. It’s a long way down.”
“First rule when climbing a tree is don’t look down. Climbing anywhere, for that matter.” Patin quickly checked the branch Jaq was standing on. It was broad and would take their combined weight. “Can you move closer to the trunk by shuffling your feet a little bit closer to the tree trunk?”
“I guess.” Jaq pressed his whole body against the bark.
“Don’t make any sudden moves. I’m going to swing myself onto the branch beside you.”
“Beside me?” Jaq closed his eyes and pressed his face into the tree.
If that’s what he needs to do. Using his feet’s leverage against the tree, Patin swung himself one way and then the other on the rope, his heart in his mouth as he judged the distance… Just right. He had to let go of the rope with one of his hands when his feet landed on the branch – it would’ve been truly annoying if he’d dropped it completely…
“Take care, Patin. You might both fall.” Now Serron sounded anxious, which was understandable, but he could’ve not added the second part.
“We’re fine.” Patin took a moment to calm his breathing. Heights didn’t bother him, but the combination of Serron’s and Jaq’s anxiety did. “Your Highness, I am going to have to touch you now – so I can remove your arms from around the trunk. Is that acceptable?”
“Please get me down, Patin. Do whatever it takes but get me down, please.”
Poor Jaq was clearly at the end of his rope, and making sure Patin didn’t drop the actual rope he had, he reached around Jaq’s body, taking hold of his forearms. “You need to let go,” he urged quietly. “Try relaxing your muscles. You have a death grip on that bark.”
“My fingers have cramped, I think.” Jaq shuddered out a long breath. “You’re sure you won’t let me fall?”
“Never. Even if for some reason you stumbled, with you holding onto me, and me holding the rope, we won’t hit the ground.”
“I’m not sure that’s as reassuring as you thought it was.” Jaq let out another long breath. “All right. I’m going to let go of the tree and you’re holding my arms…” He frowned. “I’m still not sure how I’m meant to get onto your back.”
“Patin, what’s the hold-up?” Serron called from the ground. “Is Jaq hurt in some way?”
“My fingers have gotten very attached to the bark,” Jaq called back. “They’ve been getting acquainted for a while now. Patin is just going to explain how I go from facing a tree trunk to climbing on his back, and we’ll be right down.”
“Logistics, Your Highness,” Patin agreed. “Just working out the logistics.” He dropped his voice. “Jaq, you’re overthinking. I just want you to relax, and I’m going to turn you around. One, two, three, now.” He carefully spun Jaq around, making sure to keep hold of him and the rope. “There. Now I’m going to turn around, and you are going to grab hold of my shoulders. Is that agreeable to you?”
“I really thought, if I ever got a hug from either one of my husbands, it wouldn’t be while I was stuck up a tree,” Jaq murmured. “All right, let’s do this.”
I’m not averse to that idea, Patin thought, especially seeing as Jaq looked as though he could do with a hug. Forcing his mind into rescue mode, Patin made sure that Jaq was secure on his back, “Like piggybacking someone,” he suggested when Jaq asked what he was meant to do with his legs and gripped the rope securely with both hands. “The descent is going to be fast, but perfectly safe,” he said gruffly. “Close your eyes if it helps.”
“I can do that.” Jaq’s body was still trembling. “Let me know when we’re down.”
“Just don’t let go.” Shoving a sudden vision of Jaq falling off his back away, Patin focused on the tightness of the rope as it took their combined weight. A branch creaked. Patin wasn’t sure if it was the one supporting the rope or not, but he moved fast, using his feet to keep them both away from the trunk as he shuffled his hands down the rope.
“Jaq. Thank goodness.” Serron was there, helping Jaq climb off him, and Patin shook out his shoulders and circled them as Jaq’s weight fell away. “Are you all right?”
“I’m a lot better now my feet are on the ground.” To Patin’s surprise, Jaq turned and bowed to him. “You have been a true hero this day, Patin, Duke of Folkon, and it won’t be forgotten. I intend to write to my mother and inform the queen of Elembaum of your bravery as soon as I am able.”
He's still looking out for me. No royal would ever bow to someone who didn’t have royal blood and the fact Jaq did that publicly – no one could ever doubt Patin was still under royal favor. Stunned, all he could do was bow in return as Serron took Jaq’s arm.
“Let’s adjourn to the Folkon estate,” Serron suggested with a smile. “I’m sure a hot bath and some refreshments indoors might be more helpful for you than the picnic I had planned.”
Jaq patted the tree as he went past. “I still think my idea was solid,” he said. “It’s just the execution needed work.”
Patin wasn’t surprised to hear Tommy and his friend hiding their chuckles behind them. It was a funny thing to say, and yet it was pure Jaq.