Birthright

by Missouri Vaun

  “How do you know so much about Balak?” Kathryn asked. “How can we trust you when we don’t know you?”

  Though the question came from Kathryn, Venn’s gaze never wavered from Aiden. It was a bit unnerving. “I was once a member of the royal guard in Belstaff.”

  “You’re from Belstaff?” Aiden’s voice rose a notch, and Kathryn half raised her crossbow as though preparing to aim.

  “I was delayed or I’d have been at the monastery before you left.” Venn shifted her stance, but not her focus on Aiden.

  “How did you even know I was leaving, when I hardly knew myself?”

  “Brother Francis sent word that you were anxious to depart from the monastery. I expected as much since you just turned twenty-one. I had planned to arrive well before your birthday, but things conspired against me.”

  “Wait…I’ve seen you before.” Aiden searched her memory. A vague mental image was rising to the surface. She’d seen this woman once at the monastery when she was a teenager. “You were there.”

  “I’ve always been there.” Venn’s expression softened just a little.

  “Well, that sounds ominous.” Gareth spoke from the ground.

  For the first time since she’d arrived, Venn looked down at Gareth and actually acknowledged him. “Maybe we should see to your friend.”

  Kathryn uncocked her crossbow and walked over to the body of the man Venn had killed. She rummaged through his clothing, and after a moment, removed something from inside his coat. She handed it to Aiden. It was blood-soaked, but the broken seal was unmistakable, another missive from Balak.

  Aiden unfolded the paper and read it. The message was the same. Balak wanted her dead. She dropped the paper and walked

  a few feet away from the group. She scanned the tree line and ran

  her fingers through her hair. Why couldn’t people just leave her alone?

  Gareth groaned and she turned back to the group. Kathryn and Rowan helped Gareth sit up and held him while Venn broke off the arrow point that had passed through the soft tissue of his shoulder.

  “Hold him steady now,” Venn said as she gripped the remaining shaft and pulled it free.

  “Aaugh!” Gareth grimaced and cried out as she pulled the rod out of his shoulder.

  Rowan was quick with a cloth, putting pressure on the wound.

  “Keep pressure on it until we can cauterize it.” Venn tossed the bloody shaft into the tall grass.

  “I’ll get some wood for a fire.” Kathryn seemed almost in shock.

  “Do you think it’s safe to build a fire? Won’t we be noticed?” Rowan asked.

  “I think we’re safe enough.” Venn got to her feet. “We should build a fire, see to the wound, and then keep moving.”

  Aiden was worried about Kathryn and grateful to Gareth. He’d taken an arrow for her even though she wasn’t his favorite person. But for the moment, Gareth was under Rowan’s attentive care, so she followed after Kathryn, who had disappeared into the surrounding woods.

  Kathryn was leaning against a tree with her forehead against her arm and holding her stomach with her other arm. Aiden hesitated. Should she say something or give Kathryn space?

  Uncertain if Kathryn was aware she had followed, Aiden spoke softly so that she didn’t startle her. “Hey, are you not well?”

  Kathryn abruptly moved away from the tree, shook her head, and smoothed her palms against her thighs. The knees of her riding pants were soiled from kneeling beside Gareth. She brushed at loose wisps of hair around her face. “No, I’m fine.”

  But she didn’t seem fine. Her gaze darted about the forest, avoiding eye contact with Aiden. On impulse, Aiden reached out to place her hands on Kathryn’s arms. “Gareth is going to be all right.”

  Kathryn looked down at Aiden’s hand on her arm and then looked up at Aiden. Tears gathered along her lashes. Instinctively, Aiden pulled Kathryn into her arms. She made slow circles on Kathryn’s back. “Hey, don’t cry. Everything is going to be okay.” She didn’t really know if everything would be okay, but Rowan had said the same thing to her earlier and it helped, whether it was true or not.

  She felt Kathryn’s arms encircle her waist. The boys in the orphanage hadn’t been big on displays of affection, nor had the monks who cared for them, so being held like this by anyone was a new experience for Aiden. She’d reached for Kathryn out of an impulse to comfort her, but as soon as they were in each other’s arms she was flooded with emotions she didn’t fully understand.

  As they held each other, sensations washed over her like successive crashing waves. Affection, need, desire, relief, and an array of protective impulses powerfully coursed through her body. Kathryn shifted in her arms, so that her cheek rested against Aiden’s chest. She gave in to temptation and swept her hand gently over Kathryn’s silky hair.

  Kathryn sniffed. “This feels good.”

  Such a simple statement, but Kathryn’s words made Aiden’s insides flutter as if a hundred butterflies had just taken up residence in her stomach.

  “We should get some wood for a fire.” Kathryn’s face was still pressed against Aiden’s chest. She gently moved out of Aiden’s arms, and Aiden reluctantly released her.

  Kathryn wiped at wet paths on her cheek. They didn’t speak further. They each collected small pieces of dried wood and then walked back toward the clearing. The horses had been gathered and tied to a stand of small saplings. Rowan sat on the ground beside Gareth who was propped up on blankets watching Venn spark tender for a fire.

  Who was Venn? She’d never really answered Aiden’s question about how she knew her name or how she knew she was at the monastery. And she’d openly admitted that she’d been part of Belstaff’s royal guard. Sure, she’d come to their aid, but why? For all Aiden knew, Venn carried one of Balak’s death memos in her pocket even now. If Venn were working for Balak, then she’d just put Kathryn and the others at risk. If she’d had any notions about leaving the group and going her own way, she couldn’t do that now. She needed to see Kathryn safely back to Olmstead or she’d never forgive herself.

  Aiden dropped the wood at Venn’s feet and stepped back from the group. Gareth smiled up at Kathryn as she fussed over him, his eyes never leaving her face. Aiden wouldn’t have minded being in his place—Kathryn doting over her—except for the pain awaiting him once Venn’s fire was hot enough to cauterize his wound.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Kathryn watched Venn kick dirt over the fire with her boot to smother the flame after Gareth’s wound had been tended and bandaged. She was grateful to Venn for coming to their aid. Although she felt confident they would have prevailed, the victory might not have come without further injury.

  “You know who Aiden is. Do you know who I am also?” Kathryn wanted to pull more information from Venn in hopes of finding out who she really was.

  Venn glanced up from her task. “You are Kathryn Warrington, Princess of Olmstead.”

  “Queen of Olmstead,” Kathryn said softly, wishing again that she was still princess, that her father was still waiting at home for her return.

  “My condolences.” Venn stopped and gave Kathryn her full attention. “Your father was a good man. Kind and thoughtful.”

  “Thank you.”

  They were silent for a moment as they studied one another. Gleaning information from Venn was going to be a little like pulling teeth, painful and slow. Maybe Rowan would have better luck.

  “We should keep moving.” Venn bent to assist Gareth to his feet. Then she and Aiden helped him climb onto his horse using his uninjured arm.

  Aiden held the stirrup for Kathryn. She studied Aiden’s hand for a moment and then placed her boot in the stirrup and climbed into the saddle. She looked down as Aiden released the stirrup with a brush of her hand against Kathryn’s leg, but Aiden’s expression was impossible to interpret. Kathryn wanted more than anything for Aiden to see her, to really see her. If only things were different. If only she and Aiden could linger here, in the sun, in t
he soft grass. It would be such a pleasure to just lounge in the warmth of the sun and talk, to really talk with someone. Someone other than her cousin, Rowan. But there was no time for that now.

  She smiled at Aiden once she, too, was mounted and turned Blaez to resume their eastward trek. They’d covered a lot of ground because they’d ridden halfway through the first night without stopping. Barring further incident, they’d breach the boundary of the salt flats by late afternoon. A wind ship would carry them to the border of Olmstead, and then another day’s ride would bring them to the palace. She was anxious to be safely within the stone walls of Starford Keep.

  Even though Venn was a newcomer to their group, she led the riders. Gareth followed with Aiden riding close behind him. Rowan dropped back alongside Kathryn.

  “What do you think of Venn?”

  “I’m not sure what to think yet.” Kathryn squinted at Venn’s back, probably thirty feet ahead of them. “It’s hard to get any real information from her. Maybe you can talk with her when we reach the wind ship.”

  “I find her very intriguing.”

  Kathryn turned to look at Rowan, surprised by her flirtatious tone. “I see.” Rowan rarely if ever showed a romantic interest in someone. “Maybe speaking with her further won’t be such a burden for you then.”

  Rowan laughed. “I’ll manage to suffer through.”

  “How old do you think she is?”

  “My best guess? Early forties.”

  “She’s not too old for you?” Kathryn grinned at Rowan to let her know she was joking.

  “Experience has its merits, cousin.”

  *

  Aiden shifted in her saddle. She was tired and achy in odd places. Her previous travels had been mostly on foot or by wagon. She’d never journeyed this far on horseback. She couldn’t imagine how Gareth must be feeling, although he hadn’t complained.

  They had been gradually descending for the better part of the day, the terrain transitioning from the shade of thick conifers to a more open landscape of scrub brush, juniper, and large, loose rock formations. Soon Aiden could see an enormous expanse of white stretched out before her. A great salt basin—white and perfectly flat with no discernible topography—was all that remained of what had once been an ancient inland sea. She’d heard of the Great Salt Desert, but she’d never been this far east.

  As they drew closer to the boundary of the barren white expanse, Aiden could see the outline of a large object that appeared to be a ship. She’d never actually seen a wind ship, although she had heard travelers talk of them when they visited the monastery. She was excited to see one up close.

  It was exactly as its name described, a wind ship. The enormous wooden craft looked like the square-rigger ships Aiden had seen in port cities to the west, except this ship had a broad flat bottom mounted on a series of axles set close together, with large, solid wooden wheels several feet wide lined up along the axles that were tucked under the flat undercarriage of the craft. The ship had three masts. One main mast and two smaller ones fore and aft, along with what looked like a jib mount at the front.

  Aiden wondered who owned the vessel, but before she could finish the thought, a woman appeared near the railing and looked down at them. She walked down the access ramp and strode toward them as they dismounted.

  She was tall like Venn. The woman’s skin was dark brown, her strikingly beautiful face was framed by a mane of long black hair, and her full feminine curves were draped in a loose-fitting crimson shirt open at the neck to reveal deep cleavage. She wore thigh-hugging pants tucked into knee-high black leather boots. A wide leather belt draped around her waist from which hung a sheath with a dagger. The jeweled handle of the large knife was distractingly ornate.

  Aiden stiffened, then took a half step back as the woman walked directly to her, encroaching into Aiden’s personal space. Venn remained stoic, apparently not intimidated in the least by this brash woman whom Aiden assumed was the wind ship’s captain. The captain cocked her head to the side and surveyed Aiden from head to toe through squinted eyes as if to size her up, before turning to address Kathryn.

  “The ship is prepped and ready for departure, Your Highness,” she said to Kathryn.

  “Nilah, this is Aiden. And this is Venn.” Kathryn motioned in Aiden’s direction and then in Venn’s. “This is Nilah. She and her crew will handle our transport across the salt desert.”

  Nilah nodded to Aiden before she turned and strode back toward the ship. Several other crew members had gathered near the bow of the ship, and Nilah began issuing orders for them to disembark and assist with loading the gear, horses, and passengers.

  Aiden had a sinking feeling in her stomach and turned to walk a few feet away from the group. She began to walk in small circles trying to calm herself.

  Up to this point they’d traveled through a territory she was at least somewhat acquainted with. If she’d wanted to leave the group, she was within a few days’ walk of familiar territory. Now she was about to cross the desert into a completely unfamiliar land.

  Not to mention that the closer they got to Belstaff the sooner she would have to make a decision. She wasn’t stupid. She knew Kathryn and the others carried some silent hope that she would help them instigate a coup to unseat Balak, the ruler of a kingdom she felt no kinship for, a place she had no memory of.

  Aiden tried inhaling and exhaling deeply to get her heart rate to slow. What am I doing? I don’t want this. I’m not ready for this.

  Kathryn offered Blaez’s reins to one of Nilah’s ship stewards. The horses were being led into the lower portion of the ship where they’d be shielded from the desert sun in dark stalls, where fresh hay and water awaited them.

  As the steward walked away, Kathryn watched Aiden who was several yards from the ship, walking back and forth, shaking her head, and gesturing with her arms as if she was carrying on a conversation with some unseen presence.

  Kathryn hesitated but then decided to approach because Aiden appeared to be in some sort of distress. She heard Aiden muttering as she neared but couldn’t make out what she was saying.

  “Aiden?”

  Aiden stopped pacing as Kathryn approached. She had a startled look on her face as if she’d forgotten she wasn’t alone.

  “Why are you doing this?” Aiden asked.

  “What?”

  “This.” Aiden motioned toward the ship. “Why did you come for me? I didn’t ask you to do any of this.”

  “You’d prefer that I’d left you in that dank cell in Eveshom?”

  “Of course not.” Aiden shook her head and started to pace again. Dust from the parched earth gathered in puffs around her boots. “I’m just not sure I should get on this boat.” She halted her march and looked at Kathryn. “What’s going to happen when we get to Olmstead?”

  “We will make plans for you to claim your throne as the rightful heir.”

  “Just like that. You make it sound so easy.”

  “No, I don’t think it will be easy.” Kathryn was feeling frustrated by Aiden’s apparent reluctance. “When I came to Eveshom I had no idea if I’d actually find you. I had no idea who you’d be if I did find you. But now that I have found you, I’m willing to help you claim your throne.”

  “You don’t even know what kind of person I am. A birthmark doesn’t make someone a leader.”

  “It’s not a birthmark.”

  “Whatever.” Aiden ran her fingers through her hair briskly. “That’s not the point.”

  “Then what is the point?” Kathryn stepped closer and put her hand on Aiden’s arm. Energy pulsed through her palm; the casual contact sent chills up Kathryn’s arm. Aiden stilled and focused on Kathryn’s hand and then turned her focus to Kathryn’s face. Those eyes, Kathryn swam in them for a moment.

  “The point is that I’m not sure I’m the person you hope that I am.” There was a note of sadness in Aiden’s words.

  “We don’t have to know all the answers right in this moment.” She squeezed Aiden�
�s arm lightly. “Let’s just get to Olmstead where you’ll be safe. Okay?”

  Aiden didn’t say anything. She turned and looked out across the vast nothingness of the simmering plateau.

  “Aiden?”

  Aiden looked back at her and nodded. “Okay.”

  “Come with me. We’ll get some food. The ship will be ready to leave soon.” Kathryn placed her hand on Aiden’s back as they walked back toward the ship.

  *

  Nilah’s crew climbed the rigging at the forward mast.

  “Stepping off!” one of the men yelled to his mates as he stepped off the yard footrope, and a large white sail dropped and caught the wind.

  Aiden put a hand on the railing as the heavy wooden land craft began to move forward. They had at least four hours of sunlight left, and Kathryn was anxious to cover as much ground between where they were and Olmstead as possible.

  The main sail dropped and the wind ship picked up speed.

  “Set the sail!” Nilah barked orders from the rudder wheel.

  The ship creaked and rocked as it sailed across the vastness of the salt flats. Kathryn leaned against the railing in the shade cast by the broad main sail. She closed her eyes and savored the warm air blowing across her skin. It stirred loose tendrils around her face, and she brushed them off her cheek. The wind ship was moving at a good speed. They would be halfway across by sunset, which settled Kathryn’s nerves a bit.

  The openness of the desert would allow them to see any who tried to approach their position. It would be easy to spot anyone who followed, and there were no other ships anywhere in sight. She knew the central region was Nilah’s domain. By treaty, the Great Salt Desert was neutral territory, sharing its borders with all four kingdoms—Taiga to the north, Fainsland to the west, Olmstead to the east, and Belstaff to the south. She was sure Nilah guarded her desert trade route with vehemence. Kathryn knew she could relax for now, safe under Nilah’s watch.