Chapter Thirty

The snowstorm raged for two days. Two long, dreary days with Prince Yernal’s soldiers only a short distance away. Fortunately, however, it appeared that Prince Yernal’s soldiers were more concerned with how much ale they could consume and were far less interested in the occupants of the small town.

The tension in the caravan was suffocating. It was too small for four people especially when two of them were angry at each other. She maintained civility towards Ladet, but it was hard when he only gave her short answers and rarely made eye contact. His coldness hurt, but for Marlina and Areen’s sake, she put on a pleasant and mature attitude and pretended nothing was wrong.

After the storm finished, Princess Estina trudged through the snow with Marlina to the edge of Clopena. The road that would lead back down the mountain and to Latrena was blocked. It would take a good couple of days for the locals to clear it to enable travel to commence. She tried to take it in her stride, but impatience itched at her nerves. Was her brother safe? Had Menelt and Weldlan made it with Teal and Jale? How were Teal and Jale faring now that they had been rescued?

Frustrated and annoyed, it was a whole week before they could restart their journey.

The snow slowly disappeared as they wound lower and lower, and a damp warmth started to reach them. Princess Estina sat next to Areen and enjoyed the quiet as the caravan creaked its way down the path. Ladet was on her other side while Marlina rested in the cabin behind them.

A man suddenly broke from the tree line and stood before the caravan blocking their path. Areen pulled sharply on the reins and Meadow Dreamer came to a stop, bobbing his head up and down. Princess Estina’s hand lowered slowly to her dagger on her belt at her hip. From the corner of her eye, she saw Ladet tense and his hand edge nervously to his as well. Despite the distance between them, over the past week while trying to keep themselves occupied, she had discovered that he was also quite proficient at knife throwing.

The man in the middle of the path was young, in his early twenties, and he wore simple trousers and a thick coat the same colour as the surrounding scenery. A dark green hat forced his brown bushy hair to frame his face and a thick beard grew down his chest. They wouldn’t have seen him in the shrubs unless they had been diligently looking for him.

“Princess Estina?” the man suddenly spoke.

They didn’t answer, but Princess Estina’s fingers clasped around the hilt of her dagger. Any sign of aggression and she would throw it. Her peripheral vision kicked in and she tried to take in the scenery. Were there more people hiding and waiting to pounce?

“Princess Estina?” Areen answered. “Isn’t she the Princess who went missing?”

“Cut the lie,” the man said, taking a step forward. He gazed straight at her, and he shook his head, as if in disbelief. He took off his hat and held it close to his chest.

“I’m a scout for Lord Clep. I will send word immediately that you are safe. Everyone will be rejoiced to know you are well. It has been a long week of silence. We feared the worse.” He dared to step closer. “You can call me Stole.”

Princess Estina narrowed her eyes and lifted her chin. “How many personal prized horses does Lord Clep have?” she asked.

The man smiled. “Ten, not including the other five that he has hidden from his promised.”

Princess Estina’s shoulders relaxed. He knew the code. She let her eyes sweep over the man before she scanned the forest on either side of the path.

“Are you alone?” she asked.

“No,” he replied. “There are more scouts scattered along the road as you go down. We all have messages for you from Menelt and Weldlan if we came across you. The journey down to Latrena will be difficult. Prince Yernal knows you have not arrived. He has soldiers lying in wait at all the major towns along the Clepen River.”

If what this man said was true, it was not good news.

“Lord Clep has taken a huge risk. He has made a stand and will not let any of Prince Yernal’s soldiers cross to his side of the river in Latrena. He has declared his side of the river as your supporters. Prince Yernal is furious but has not started anything as he knows you are not there.”

Princess Estina leaned back, the news sinking in. She would have to do something grand in the future in thanks to Lord Clep’s actions. He was putting his life on the line. If Prince Yernal decided to cross the river, and Lord Clep was caught or defeated, there was no doubt in her mind that he would be slaughtered.

Stole dug his hand into his pocket and instinct told Princess Estina to remain on alert. Ladet was still tense beside her as well. Stole retrieved a small and dirt-stained scroll.

“As far as I’m aware, Menelt and Weldlan do not know how to write in Keglan,” she said slowly.

“It was written by Lord Clep himself from Menelt,” Stole informed them.

Still on edge, she remained in her seat, but motioned for Stole to approach. Ladet took it from him.

“Step back,” he ordered. Stole obeyed, and Ladet passed the scroll to Princess Estina. She opened it immediately and quickly read its contents. A laugh escaped her lips and heat filled her cheeks. Menelt had left her a message in code to indicate it was from him, but she understood it. He had included information that only he would know from their intimacy. It was an honest and true note. Stole really was working for Lord Clep.

To avoid unnecessary awkwardness from Ladet, Princess Estina didn’t explain her outburst and instead, tucked the scroll into her jacket.

Happiness thrummed through her. She could tell him the good news though. “Prince Alain, Lady Annalei and the mountain men made it over the bridge first. The two other parties, Menelt and Weldlan, and Teal and Jale, had all arrived safely back to Lord Clep’s side of the river over a week ago.”

“That’s great news,” Ladet said, and Princess Estina visibly saw his shoulders drop as he relaxed. The burden he had been carrying was lifting slightly. “Thank you, Princess Estina,” he said, looking at her directly. Their eyes met for one of the first times in days. “I couldn’t have done this without you.”

Princess Estina held his gaze for a moment longer before she nodded sharply and turned her attention to Areen.

“Only our small group, it appears, has been caught up in the snowstorm after travelling the high route through the mountains. We are the only ones who have not arrived yet. Stole,” she said, turning back to him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Stole bowed swiftly. “Likewise, My Lady. Your reputation certainly precedes you. A lot of people hold hope in your efforts.”

“Thank you,” she responded. “We need to discuss Menelt’s message,” she said, looking at Areen and Ladet. “Let’s stop here. Apparently, they were all able to cross before the barricades went up.”

“Barricades?” Ladet asked.

>>

They stood over the map they had drawn in the dirt, arms folded, expressions pensive. Princess Estina bit into a hard piece of bread while she thought. She could see two options and neither were that enticing.

“There’s two choices as I see it,” Marlina said. “Either you stow away in the hidey hole and we walk you in the front door, or we cut across the river further upstream and wind our way down, which will of course add even more time to reaching your destination.”

“Only problem is,” Stole said, pointing to another section on the map. It was on Lord Clep’s side of the river. “Prince Yernal has already thought of this. This town is full of his men as well. They’re fighting as we speak with the House that governs there. They are your supporters too, Princess Estina. If that town falls, they are one step closer to reaching Latrena city.”

Princess Estina swore and Stole looked up in surprise. She ignored him. That path was just as risky. They would have to sneak through the fighting as the surrounding terrain would not allow them to go around. It wasn’t like they could surge from behind and take Prince Yernal’s men by surprise. There was only four of them.

“I don’t like either idea,” she said.

“Neither do I?” Ladet agreed. He looked at the caravan at his shoulder. “Do they know how we’re travelling?”

“Yes,” Stole said. “You’ll have to ditch the caravan. That’s what they will be looking for.”

“It looks like your time is finished,” Princess Estina said to Marlina and Areen. “I can’t risk you losing the caravan and Meadow Dreamer.”

Marlina shook her head. “I promised Lord Clep that I would ensure your safe passage. I will take the caravan back up to the small settlement we passed earlier today and leave it there. We’re on the last stretch and the weather is warmer here. We can survive without it. I have coin that should keep Meadow Dreamer safe until I can retrieve him later.”

“I hate to suggest it, but I think we should split up,” Areen said. “They will not be expecting solo riders or people on foot.”

“We can travel in pairs,” Marlina stated. “Areem and Ladet can travel together. She looked at Princess Estina. “You and I can travel together.”

“I don’t like it,” Ladet said. “I can’t agree with it. I’m not leaving you by yourself.” He turned to Princess Estina, but she placed a firm hand on his arm. It was the first time they’d had physical contact since they had kissed.

“It’s fine, Ladet,” she said. “I have an idea.”

He ran an agitated hand through his hair and swore. “What is it?”

Princess Estina took another bite of her bread and chewed it down. “First,” she said, turning to Stole. “Send a message to Menelt and my brother, informing them I’m safe. Tell them,” she paused with a coy smile on her lips, “tell them, I’ve thought of a new name for Tehlea Estate. Nothing else.” She turned back to the others once Stole was gone. She didn’t want to discuss her plan in front of him just in case. He was still a stranger. “Listen carefully,” she said. “I think it will work.”