Ladet gazed at the scenery, his body relaxed and his hands gently holding the reins of his horse. Only moments earlier, their large party had been resting their horses by a small creek that wound its way through the forest. It had been over a week since two of the palace scouts, Lady Annalei and himself had joined Princess Estina and the mountain men. After crossing the River Trenia, they were back in the Keglan Kingdom and already, Ladet noticed a change in the scenery and weather. The dark, wet forest stirred memories from his childhood so different they were from the more tropical forests of the Talbecan Empire.

He sensed someone moving up beside him and turned to see Princess Estina nudging her horse to match his pace. She smiled warmly, but Ladet’s relaxed disposition immediately turned tense. He was confused on how to interact with Princess Estina and Prince Alain. He was so used to the strict protocols for interacting with the Emperor and his inner circle that he interacted with those above him with confidence and professional ease. But, Princess Estina, despite being royalty, conducted herself and interacted with the mountain men as equals and as her confidants. He also wanted to constantly reprimand himself, for he was always distracted by her beauty.

“Do you know anything of Old Lake Tehlea?” Ladet asked Princess Estina when she didn’t say anything.

“Only the bare minimum,” Princess Estina responded, giving him a quick glance. “My mother informed me of what it looked like when it was announced I would be betrothed to Old Man Tehlea.”

“So, how are you going to take control of it with Old Man Tehlea living there?”

A coy smile came over Princess Estina’s mouth. “As you know, I’m a strong believer in controlling my own fate, but sometimes other people can step in and decide things to my liking. Sometimes kind people can have your best interest at heart as well.”

Ladet frowned, and Princess Estina laughed.

“I can see your confusion,” she said. “Menelt had him murdered for me.”

“Oh!” Ladet said surprised. “I guess that will make things easier for you.”

“Very much so,” Princess Estina agreed, seeming unperturbed by the man’s death. “It was quite a smart move, really. He had strong ties to Prince Yernal,” she continued. “I only just thought of taking it up as my permanent residence when I considered all the people jostling for power in the capital’s court after my father’s death. It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to take this area of the kingdom and start to build alliances. It’s also not too far from Arina Pass and the mountain men’s original home.”

“And that’s close to Gleegan Tower?”

“Not too far away,” Princess Estina assured. “About half a day’s ride. Apparently, my mother said you can see the two twin peaks from the Tehlea Estate,” Princess Estina glanced at him kindly. “We will be able to come up with a plan as soon as we get settled. I have to do this. The Emperor allowed for us to stay in Talbec. They gave us resources, food and horses. He even sent some soldiers to help train me as well.”

“I had no idea,” Ladet said, shaking his head in amazement. “But that does explain some of the equipment and tents I have seen. I thought they were very similar to the Empire’s.”

They fell silent again, and Ladet allowed his eyes to wander back over the trees. It was a habit of his to scan the surrounding terrain at regular intervals for hidden bandits who might want to try their luck. Good luck to them, he thought smugly, thinking of the long line of mountain men on horses.

To be honest, Ladet was quite intrigued to see how the Keglans were going to react to Princess Estina’s return. For the most part, Princess Estina’s large party avoided towns and cities and stocked up on their supplies in villages. Initially, the small populations hurried away and hid, but after much coaxing even the wariest eventually came out. Items were traded and Princess Estina made it her duty to let them know who they were and that their actions were peaceful. Word of mouth, she had told Ladet, was going to hold them in good stead in the future.

Ladet breathed in deeply and the smell of the pine trees gave a sudden overwhelming sense of nostalgia. “I can’t believe after all this time I’m going to be near Arina Pass. I never thought I would see it again.”

“That’s how you met the mountain men, isn’t it?” Princess Estina asked.

“It is indeed. I was only twelve,” Ladet responded. He looked over his shoulder back down the long line of mountain men on their horses. He dared to lean in a little closer to Princess Estina. “I have to say, I am curious. I have never seen a mountain woman.”

“Neither have I,” Princess Estina said, and she lowered her voice conspiratorially. “Apparently, all the mountain women and children fled through the Arina Pass to the Brandeen Kingdom while Menelt and his men stayed behind to ensure they made it.”

Ladet shook his head. “It’s terrible that their clan has been separated for so long. Prince Yernal is a very unsympathetic man.” He paused remembering himself. “Forgive me for being so forward,” he said quickly.

Princess Estina locked eyes with him, and he forced himself to not let her see that he was affected by the sheer size and color of them.

“No need to apologize,” Princess Estina informed him. “Prince Yernal is a brute,” she stated grimly. “I hope the mountain people can be reunited soon.” She leaned in closer to Ladet, and Ladet swallowed down a sudden wave of unprecedented nervousness at her close proximity. “They need to reunite soon as there would have been no new mountain children born since they were separated.”

Ladet filled with surprise. He hadn’t considered this.

“Yes,” Princess Estina said. “Did you know that they have a very different courtship ritual than to ours.”

Ladet shifted in his saddle, surprised by the direction of the Princess’s conversation. “How is that?”

“From what I’ve heard, the mountain people tend to live as one large family,” Princess Estina explained. “When a woman is ready to conceive, she chooses whichever mountain man she wishes and simply enters their tent or cave depending on their location. There are different other clans out there that they also sometimes meet up with, although I think they went further into the mountains when they heard what had happened to Menelt’s clan.”

“They do not get promised?” Ladet asked.

“No. The whole community helps to raise the child. People can be with whoever they want or with just a single person if they choose.”

Ladet met Princess Estina’s eyes again and quickly looked away.

“Are you shy, Ladet?” Princess Estina asked. “We talk of such natural interactions between a man and a woman for the creation of life, and your cheeks turn red.”

Ladet coughed. “You see through me too clearly,” he said, embarrassed. “I think I have spent too much time with soldiers to be used to be talking about something so candidly with a woman and a Princess at that.”

“I think maybe I have been around the mountain men too long,” Princess Estina laughed. “You’re right. I would never have dreamed of talking about such matters so openly two years ago.”

“If you let me correct you, Princess Estina,” Ladet suddenly said. “At least a half mountain child could be born soon.”

Silence followed his words and then all of a sudden, Princess Estina burst into loud laughter. It echoed through the trees. The sound of it surprised Ladet, and he realized he had never heard Princess Estina laugh before. She was always serious and appearing to be deep in thought. Since he had met her, he had never heard such a delightful happy sound escape her lips. Even several of the men around her, cast their gaze in her direction.

“Ladet, what you say is so humorous,” she replied once she managed to get her giggles under control. “Menelt and I have a relationship built on mutual respect and trust. I would give my life for him and he would in turn, but we are not lovers. This betrothal is simply a working arrangement that will not be consummated. By doing this, he can take back his lands as his own, right from under Prince Yernal’s nose.”

“Oh!” Ladet said, and he tried to rein in the sudden leap of excitement within his chest. He berated himself internally. He was so glad no one was privy to his thoughts. As if Princess Estina would hold any interest in him who was only a mere soldier. He frowned to himself. He was not one to let a woman dominate his thoughts. While he visited the well-known bars and inns in Dalenia on occasions to meet his needs, he was a man who dutifully focused on his work.

All of a sudden, Princess Estina’s words caused him to pause in his train of thoughts. “Hang on a second,” he burst out, relieved he had something else to talk about. “How can the mountain women flee to the Brandeen Kingdom when it no longer exists!”

“Ah, the things that we are told,” Princess Estina responded cryptically, and she gave him a wink.

Ladet frowned, but before he could ask for more information, a mountain man came riding down from the front of the long procession.

“We have received news from one of our scouts,” the mountain man said.

“What has Clagen discovered?” Princess Estina asked authoritatively.

Ladet was still trying to remember everyone. After several moments of going through the different people he had met over the past week, he quickly recalled Clagen had been part of Princess Estina’s original personal guard and was now also trained as a scout.

“News has traveled from the Talbecan Empire. Emperor Rathner is dead, murdered on his journey back to Dalenia to see his twins,” the mountain man stated, his expression morose.

A silence hung over the mountain man’s announcement as shock numbed their brains.

“No!” Ladet gasped. “That’s impossible! I don’t believe it!” He cast a frantic look at Princess Estina. He did not believe it. He could not believe it.

Another horse cantered up beside them, and Ladet was only aware that Princess Estina turned to inform Menelt. His mind was racing struggling to comprehend such news.

“I’m sure he managed to escape and it’s been some sort of misunderstanding,” Ladet blurted at the sight of Menelt’s features turning dark in anger. “It is common knowledge the Emperor always travels with a double for his protection. I’m sure it was his double that was murdered, and he survived and is alive.”

Princess Estina’s face turned sympathetic. “For the Empire’s sake and yours, I hope so.”

“There’s more,” the mountain man interrupted.

“More?” Ladet asked, suddenly feeling weary.

“Word has come through that the Lombock has been moved?”

“Where to?” Menelt asked.

“He’s no longer at Gleegan Tower,” the mountain man said. “He is being moved to Prince Yernal’s estate.”

“Where is Prince Yernal’s estate?” Ladet asked, eager for more information. He was afraid of losing Teal in the depths of the Kingdom and not being able to find him.

“This will make it harder to rescue, Teal,” Princess Estina sighed. “Prince Yernal’s estate is further inside the Keglar Kingdom, closer to the capital. Getting in and getting out will be harder.”

Ladet swore, forgetting the royal company he was with. He dropped his reins and rubbed his face with both his hands, exhaustion filling his entire body. His thoughts kept jumping back and forth between Teal and the Emperor. In his heart, he believed that the Emperor was hiding somewhere having escaped and once it was safe, he would travel back to Dalenia and reveal that it was all a big terrible mistake. His other thoughts couldn’t stop thinking about Teal, drugged on the Ashkin darts and suffering from whatever evil plans Prince Yernal had in store for him.

Ladet sighed. Emperor or no Emperor, Teal still needed to be saved. He had not acted kindly towards Teal when he had first arrived. Ladet shoved down the guilt. It was true. He had blamed Teal for Brelen’s death. That ache would never fade. Brelen was the last of his family and his only connection to his childhood and home. But the enormity of what lay ahead weighed down on him. He couldn’t believe he was here dependent on Princess Estina and Menelt’s men.

“I need to think,” Ladet stated quietly.

“All you need is a new plan,” Princess Estina stated softly. “As I said before, the Emperor supported us and for that, I will repay my debt even if he already walks with his ancestors.” She reached out and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Do not give up, Ladet. It does mean it’s going to take longer than we planned, but we will find away, I’m sure. Once we are settled at Old Lake Tehlea we can work out what we can do from there. You are welcome to stay as long as you please.”

Ladet met the Princess’ gaze. “Thank you, Princess Estina. How much longer until we reach it?”

“About a month,” she stated. “It will be near full winter when we arrive.”

Ladet paused for a moment. “How do you plan to take Old Lake Tehlea?”

“Easy,” Princess Estina said with a smile. “I’ll walk my horse through the front gate.”

Ladet quirked an eyebrow. “I like your confidence,” he said.

Princess Estina’s smile only widened and from within her jacket, she pulled out a Keglan sealed scroll. “It’s from my brother, Prince Weston, the man who will soon be king.”

Ladet tried to refrain from showing his surprise. He had somehow forgotten about the other Princes. Were they the same as Prince Yernal?

“Fortunately, Prince Weston is older, wiser and of a different disposition to Prince Yernal,” she stated, answering Ladet’s unspoken question. “Here I’ll read it to you.”

Ladet’s eyebrows rose in surprise that the Princess would share such personal news with someone like him. She obviously saw his expression.

“I have long believed that being open with those around me creates trust. My brother and I were always not included in the running of the Kingdom. For one, I was seen as just a girl and no one expected my brother to survive childhood. There is nothing of a secretive nature in it and nothing that I would consider a security threat.”

Ladet nodded, yet he was still surprised by her offer.

“To my dearest sister and brother,” Princess Estina started. “It’s so pleasing to hear that you are both well and have returned to the Keglar Kingdom. Your disappearance over the past two years has been greatly felt, and I worried for you safety. I am delighted to hear of your desire to reside at Old Lake Tehlea’s Estate since Tehlea’s passing, and I am also glad to hear of Princess Estina’s proposed betrothal to Menelt the mountain clan leader.” Princess Estina stopped and winked towards Ladet.

“While an unexpected union, it is pleasing to know that the mountain men will be able to provide their defences on the mountain borders once more at Arina Pass. I will send word to Old Lake Tehlea Estate to be expecting both of you and to have the estate ready upon your arrival. Be careful. The Kingdom is at a perilous time and people are vying for control. My attentions are currently in the capital, but I have received word of unsettled times in other parts of the kingdom. I hope to assert my influence in those areas as soon as possible. In the meantime, I hope the both of you can be a positive influence in the western part of the kingdom where others in the family have not.”

Princess Estina lowered the scroll.

“He certainly sounds like a more reasonable man than Prince Yernal,” Ladet said.

“Agreed. Prince Weston was distant when we were children, but he was always kind. So, I’m hoping our arrival at Old Lake Tehlea Estate is going to be a smooth one.”

“And if not?” Ladet asked.

“I will offer gifts,” she said, and Ladet was surprised again to see that she was being serious. “I will not fight these people. They have been through tough times over the past couple of years and I wish to gain their trust and most importantly, improve their livelihoods. You saw the last couple of villages we passed.”

“Yes,” Ladet agreed. He gave the Princess a pleased smile. “I think the Keglar Kingdom will see much fortune at your return.”

Princess Estina tilted her head as she was thinking of something else while she secured the scroll inside her jacket.

“It will take time and I do believe that things will be tough, very tough in the future,” she said, “but hopefully I can be successful.”

Ladet had no doubt she would be.