Two hours later, they finally came to an agreement. Ladet had argued relentlessly with her, his face turning red with rage. She had allowed it and hadn’t used her position to quieten him. He only wanted to protect her, but she was sure that staying together would only draw more attention. They would separate on their journey into the city and reunite before trying to cross the river.

The small village agreed to take care of Meadow Dreamer. They didn’t reveal their identities and the villagers didn’t ask. The amount of gold coins handed over was enough for the whole village to live handsomely for the next five years if they were careful. The gold was for their silence. The village head eyed them with much suspicion. He knew. He gazed deep into her eyes, but he never said anything.

In the end, they only bought two horses that Ladet and Areen took as their own. As part of their disguise, Ladet left his bow and arrow behind. It was a tell-tell sign of who he was from the Talbecan Empire. Stole had informed them that Prince Yernal was also aware of his presence and involvement in Teal’s rescue. His bow and arrow would be a dead giveaway. Princess Estina could tell he was not happy about it, but eventually he relented.

The gold coins were also to pay for the five villager women they asked to accompany them. Wanting to blend in, Marlina and herself, changed into similar villager clothing. The material smelt, as if it had been wet and not dried quickly enough. Dirt and remnants of food clung to the front of her dress. Princess Estina wanted to gag every time she opened her mouth, but she had survived the tunnel of nightmares, so she could survive this.

They were now poor villagers, travelling down the mountain to sell their crafts and wares in a bid to raise more coin to help them last out the cold winter. It was the first time in over two years she had worn a dress, dreadful as it was. Underneath however, she kept her usual everyday clothing and was armed with her axes and knives, hidden under the heavy thick cloak she wore. If it came to it, Princess Estina was confident that she would be able to dispose of the coat and dress swiftly to enable to her to fight freely if needed.

It took four days to reach Latrena on foot. They slept on the side of the road or huddled under trees when it rained. Food was scarce, but Marlina insisted they ate frequently to keep up their strength. The women hunted rabbits and squirrels and they ate nuts and found berries. Princess Estina bought bread when they could and shared it with the other women.

Latrena was the fifth largest city in the Keglar Kingdom. Its centre hung around the edges of the Clepen River where it then dispersed out, covering a large area. The buildings were only two to three stories high, apart from Lord Clep’s manor house. As they wound their way through the streets, its grey thick towers appeared through the gaps of the smaller buildings, slowly and slowly edging closer. It was her beacon. Once they could touch its stone walls, it would mean they were safe.

The city was dirty. The winter rain meant the roads were covered in mud, food waste and human excrement. Hawkers filled the streets, children shouted in alleyways and women lounged provocatively outside of brothels while men eyed them from the streets. Markets broke off from the main walkways, booths filled with winter vegetables sat opposite others where the carcasses of dead animals hung from large hooks. A carriage splashed water up on their clothes as it went past and a cat slept peacefully on the window sill of a second story building oblivious to the fast-paced world below it. It was a kaleidoscope of colour and noise. Princess Estina tried to take it all in. It was overwhelming but exciting and wonderful all at the same time.

A sudden tension started to creep through the air as they edged closer and closer towards the centre of the city. They turned one corner and nearly stopped short. Here the city was swarming with Prince Yernal’s soldiers. Marlina dug her elbow into Princess Estina’s ribs and she nodded her head towards the side of a building they were walking past.

Disbelief and dread hit her stomach. Rough paintings of a woman and young man, that could have been anyone really, were stuck to the building’s side. She read the words before quickly looking away. A price had been put on her head, but Prince Yernal wanted her alive. It surprised her initially, but then her thoughts raced as to why. What would he do with her once he got his hands on her? Would he try to use her to get Teal back again? Would he ask for Teal in exchange for her freedom? She didn’t think for one moment that Prince Yernal would let her go once he got her hands on her now.

Fortunately, to the everyday people of Latrena city, dressed as she was, she was a peasant, the scourge of society. No one paid them much attention. It was eye opening. Never before had she experience such treatment. People pushed passed her as if she didn’t exist. And if they dared lay their eyes on them, they either spat or cursed. She kept her head down, not out of fear of being recognized but to stop the vile attention that was being hurled at their way.

There were three bridges that crossed the Clepen River dividing the city in half. As they wandered the streets, trying to sell their wares, Princess Estina frequently glanced out over the river. She didn’t like what she saw. Each bridge had two barricades in the middle created by large logs and stones. A small access point on each side of the barricade had been left for individuals to walk past over to Lord Clep’s side of the city.

From the looks of things, even though there were two barricades on each bridge, there were three checkpoints to go through. Two checkpoints were on Prince Yernal’s side. It appeared as if the first was to access the bridge where civilians were being divided into two groups before being patted down and their items checked. The first barricade on the bridge was manned by Prince Yernal’s soldiers, a second point where people were being slowly herded through. The second barricade was full of Lord Clep’s men and supporters, distinguished by the bright yellow sashes they wore on their arms. People were still allowed to cross, but the barricades had been designed to slow down the chance of an army from pouring over.

Soldiers also lined either side of the bridges. Along a seven hundred strip of river embankment, there was easily one thousand soldiers belonging to Prince Yernal. On the opposite side of the river, a mixture of Lord Clep’s men and the mountain men patrolled and lined the embankment. A fragile peace was holding. Princess Estina shuddered. It felt like it could all fall apart at any moment. If Prince Yernal demanded it, she wouldn’t doubt that his soldiers would sweep across the river and try to attack.

Their small group of women stood on the side of the road in between two of the bridges, selling their trinkets and artwork. Princess Estina stayed vigilant. After about half an hour, she spied Ladet and Areen standing outside of an inn only twenty meters away. They started to approach, walking idly side by side. As they came within hearing distance, Princess Estina turned to the woman beside her. Covered in old leathery skin, she was the elder to the other women.

“Blea,” she said the woman’s name. “When do you think we’ll cross the bridge?”

“The night markets are this evening,” she said. “We’ll cross in a couple of hours. We’re doing well here for the moment.”

“I think you’re right,” Princess Estina said loudly. “Two hours later will be the best time to head over the bridge for the night markets.”

Neither Ladet or Areen stopped, but she shared a quick glance with Ladet. He brought his hand to his head and tilted his cap in their direction. Princess Estina took it as indication that he had heard and understood.

Princess Estina turned her attention back to a woman who was interested in the two clay vases in her hands. She was of similar age to Princess Estina but in contrast, she had long blonde hair cascading down her back. Vivacious, she winked at several soldiers and giggled when she got a response. When she focused back on the village women, her demeanour turned flat.

“What’s the fuss?” Blea asked. She had a kind, warm smile and was always patient with the other women in her charge. The young woman finally settled on the smaller of the vases taking it in her hand.

“Haven’t you heard?” she asked, finally making eye contact with them. “Prince Yernal has announced his younger sister as a traitor. She’s a fugitive on the run. Stole something apparently. Who knows what she’s done though. She hasn’t been around for over two years, running off with those mountain men.” She flung her head in disgust in the direction of the other side of the river. “We don’t need people like that walking around with our rulers, don’t you think?”

Blea nodded her head in agreement. “We agree. So that’s what they’re doing then, is it? Looking for the Princess in case she tries to cross over the bridge.”

“Yes, it is. Keep an eye out. There’s a large reward going to whoever can find her. If she gets to the other side, it’s over. Lord Clep has certainly sealed his fate, siding with her men.”

The young woman swept her long hair over her shoulder, placed several coins in Blea’s palm and stalked away. Blea turned and met Princess Estina’s gaze.

“You need to be very, very careful,” she said.

Princess Estina nodded and swallowed. These villager women were not fools. They knew exactly who was in their company.

“The evening will be the best time for us to cross,” Blea told her. “The traffic will be heavier due to the night markets being set up. It’ll make it more difficult for the soldiers to check.”

“I agree,” Princess Estina responded. “Thank you,” she said. “Thank you for your help.”

“Anything has to be better than Prince Yernal,” Blea said in response.

Princess Estina watched the young woman who had just bought the vase disappear around a corner. Unfortunately, not everyone agreed.

>>

They waited for the afternoon to pass. The anticipation built in her veins. It was hard to believe that only a couple of meters away, on the other side of the river, was all the people she cared for. She wished she could grow a pair of wings just like that forsaken eagle that had followed them and fly straight over the river. Princess Estina blinked. She had been so pre-occupied she hadn’t realized that the white eagle had disappeared after travelling through the mountains. She shrugged off the thought. Now was the time to concentrate on what lay ahead. All she needed to do was keep her head down and follow the other village women across the bridge.

Her heart pounded in her chest. It was exhausting.

The hours ticked over. They stayed where they were, but she spied Ladet and Areen frequently as they walked in circles around several blocks of buildings, trying to bide their time as well. As the sun started to lower in the sky, city workers came out and were allowed on the bridge to light the large copper torches that lined each side of the bridges.

After what felt like an eternity, the throng of people wanting to travel to the other side started to build. Blea nodded towards Princess Estina and Marlina, indicating it was their time to try to cross. They had a good cover. They had plenty of trinkets and pottery to prove they were on their way to the night markets.

The soldiers at the checkpoint were much more organized than the soldiers they had met in the mountains. The stakes were higher. She knew this was the last place where they could check to see whether they were crossing. Once they were on the other side of the bridge, they would be lost to Prince Yernal for good.

They edged slowly among the throng of people that were working their way towards the first checkpoint at the entrance of the middle bridge. Princess Estina spied Ladet and Areen following closely. Her mouth was dry. She reached under her coat and placed her hand over her dagger. It didn’t help to alleviate her concerns. When they were near the start of the bridge, several soldiers were separating the crowd into two lines. Here, she spied young women with dark hair being pulled aside and questioned by the soldiers. She tried to examine the scene further without staring too much. They were choosing women in dresses who looked affluent. Obviously, they didn’t think that she would lower herself to wear the attire she was currently in.

Marlina, herself and the other women were ushered to the left line. She looked over her shoulder to see Ladet and Areen sent to the line on the righthand side. Princess Estina frowned. She did not want to be separated. To her dismay, Ladet and Areen travelled through the first checkpoint before them.

The first four soldiers on her side were eager to check their bags. They were rude. One or two items were thrown over the bridge into the water. Others were pocketed. One of the village women protested, but she cowered when the soldier lifted his arm as if he was going to backhand her. Once they had finished checking their bags, they shoved them forward. Marlina and herself barely walked two steps where they were greeted with four more soldiers.

They were uncouth. The soldiers roughly grabbed her, their hands not actually checking for weapons, but instead grabbing her roughly on the breasts. Another swiped his hand in between her thighs through the thick material of her clothing. She glared, but she quickly lowered her head as he leaned in close.

“You smell like a sewer,” he hissed.

The only positive aspect after such an assault, was that if he had searched her properly, he would have found her weapons.

The soldier pushed her through the checkpoint with so much force she went flying through the air. She landed on another soldier who yelped in disgust. He shoved her away and in the force of the push, she stepped on the front of her dress and fell onto her stomach. The soldiers howled and laughed as she lay sprawled along the cobbled stone now on the cusp of the bridge. One even threw a piece of fruit at her that splattered onto her clothing as she rose to her hands and knees. She ducked as an apple core bounced off her head.

“Stay there long enough, love. I’m sure someone will take up the opportunity to pull your skirt up.”

The men cried out in laughter while others groaned. “No chance,” one yelled. “I’d rather walk with my ancestors than ride that stench and filth.”

More laughter reached her ears. Heart in her throat, Princess Estina pushed herself up onto her feet.

“Wait!” one of the soldiers ordered. She looked over her shoulder to see him take a step in her direction.

The soldiers howled in surprise. “Don’t Feavan! We’ll get you a whore from one of the taverns.”

From the corner of her eye, the soldier ignored the other men and stalked towards her. He grabbed her roughly by the arm. Princess Estina kept her head down and tried to lean away. Her free hand sunk slowly into her pocket.

“Those are some expensive looking boots for a beggar like you,” he said. His grip tightened on her arm. “Where did you get those?”

He tried to pull her around. In her peripheral vision, she saw the other soldiers rise to their feet as well and start to edge closer, a newfound curiosity in their faces. Ladet and Areen were no longer in her sight at all. They had already been sent through the first barricade.

When she didn’t answer, the soldier pulled her closer. She could feel his eyes examining her face. “Where did you get them, love?” He pulled at her hood, revealing her long black hair. He tugged at the cloak covering her, taking in the sight of her boots and then high enough again to see that she was wearing trousers underneath.

“What the…?”