by Vicky Savage
I lay back on the rock, allowing the good feelings to wash over me, cleansing me of the pent up sadness and fear I’ve carried around for so long. I refuse to let thoughts about the future intrude on this moment. A sweet serenity descends slowly upon me making my limbs feel heavy and my mind go pleasantly fuzzy. And, for a moment I sleep, a blissful sleep beside Ryder Blackthorn, my new crush.
TWENTY-ONE
I’m not sure how long I’ve slept, when I’m roused by Ralston’s voice carrying loudly across the water. He’s talking to someone. I raise my head to get a better look, and a wave of icy panic passes through me. Ralston is speaking with two soldiers.
They’re standing with their backs to the lake, so I figure they haven’t seen Ryder and me yet. I touch his shoulder. “Ryder! Soldiers!” I hiss in his ear.
In a split second, he rolls onto his stomach, silently slipping into the water. The alcove behind the waterfall will hide him well. I also slide into the water and make my way for the shore as soundlessly as possible. I pray the soldiers won’t spot me before I reach our clothes.
I locate the spot where we entered the water. I hide Ryder’s clothing under some bushes, and pull my dress on over my wet swimsuit. Walking quickly toward the soldiers, I wring the water from my hair and straighten my dress. I steel my nerves and try to calm my trembling hands.
When they see me, the two men bow. “Your Highness,” they say in unison.
“Princess, this is Captain Hill and Sergeant Scott of the Queen’s Royal Guard,” Ralston says. I recognize the mustached Captain Hill. One of LeGare’s men.
I nod to them. “What is it? What’s the matter?” I say.
Captain Hill speaks, “Nothing’s the matter, ma’am. Although I must say, I am greatly distressed to see you here without your guard. There will be some serious reprimands when we return to the palace. I will personally see to it that more reliable men are assigned to your protection.”
“Please Captain, that isn’t necessary. It was on my personal insistence that the guards didn’t accompany us. I needed a little… alone time.” I smile. “I do not want the men punished for allowing me my privacy.”
“As you wish, ma’am,” Captain Hill says, lips pinched tightly below his black mustache.
“What brings you here, Captain?” I ask.
“A significant increase in the number of highwaymen and livestock thieves has been reported in this part of the realm. We’ve added patrols to all the major roads. We’re also warning the residents of this district to limit their nighttime travels, and to be extra vigilant in guarding their livestock. We think the Unicoi are growing bolder in their incursions into Domerica.”
“Unicoi? What makes you think it’s the Unicoi?” I ask.
“Just a hunch,” he glances knowingly at the sergeant. “In light of the recent kidnapping of Your Highness, it is evident they are becoming more desperate.”
“I wouldn’t assume too much, Captain,” I say tartly. “Very well, continue with your mission.”
The captain and sergeant exchange looks again. Captain Hill gives a little cough. “Yes, uh, we didn’t expect to find you here, Princess Jaden, but since we have, we will remain with you and Professor Ralston to ensure your safety.”
“Thank you, Captain. There’s no need for that. We were just about to pack up and return to the palace anyway,” I say.
“In that case, we will accompany you back to Warrington, ma’am,” Captain Hill says.
“It’s only three kilometers, Captain. Ralston and I are perfectly capable of making it safely on our own.”
The corners of Captain Hill’s greasy black mustache rise in a fake smile. “Princess, I’m certain the queen would be most disturbed if she learned we had left you alone in this dangerous area. You do not even possess weapons.”
“Ah, but we do,” Ralston says, fishing two swords from the back of the carriage. He hands one to me and straps the other around his hips.
I buckle the sword over my damp dress. It feels heavy and awkward.
“Well, there you have it Captain,” I say, straightening the sword on my hips. “We are set and ready for battle. That will be all.”
“But Princess—”
“Surely you don’t question my ability to defend myself,” I say, raising my eyebrows.
“Of course not, but—”
“Fine. You’re dismissed.” I use a tone of voice I’ve heard my mother use with tiresome subordinates.
Captain Hill winces as though I struck him. “Yes, ma’am.” He bows to me and glowers at Ralston, his face growing red as pommera juice. “You’d better make certain she arrives safely at the palace,” he says to Ralston, “or you’ll have me and the queen to answer to.”
Ralston bobs his head in reply. The two soldiers climb on their horses and gallop away.
The second they are out of sight, my knees give out and I crumple onto the blanket. To my surprise, Ralston falls on the blanket too—writhing in a fit of laughter.
“What’s so funny?” I ask irritably, waiting for my heart rate to slow.
“You’re dismissed?” he chortles. “That was priceless, Jade. How did you come up with that? I thought the Captain was going to burst a blood vessel.”
I laugh too. “Oh, I’ve heard Mother use it a few times. It works every time. But, you were the brilliant one, Rals. Where did these swords come from?”
“I thought we might get in some practice this afternoon, so I threw them in, just in case. Where is our young friend?” he asks, scanning the lake.
“Behind the waterfall. He probably saw the whole thing. I’d better get his clothes out of the bushes.”
By the time I retrieve Ryder’s clothes, I can see his dark figure swimming across the lake. I wait for him on the shore.
“That was close,” he says shaking the water from his hair. “How did you get rid of them so quickly?”
“They weren’t looking for you, thank God.” I hand him his things. “They’re out here warning the residents about a rash of highway robberies and livestock thefts. They were going to stay to make sure I get home safely, but we talked them out of that.”
“Did the sword have anything to do with that?” he asks, eyeing my new accessory.
“I didn’t threaten them, if that’s what you mean. They just needed to be convinced we can take care of ourselves.”
“I take it you’re pretty good with a blade?” he says, slipping into his shirt.
“My reputation is far greater than my skills.”
“Nevertheless, I think you should wear it when you’re not at the palace, especially if highwaymen are about. You never know… someone may try to kidnap you.”
I smirk at him. Funny guy.
He finishes dressing, and we walk back to the carriage where Ralston is packing away the remnants of our picnic.
“They headed due south,” Ralston says. “I believe they intend to stop in on the surrounding lake residents. Keep your eyes open, my boy. They say extra patrols have been assigned to all major roads.”
“I shall return the way I came,” Ryder says. “It will take longer, but it is more isolated.”
“Ryder, please be safe,” I plead, still shaken by the close call.
He lifts my hand. “I promise I will, if you will promise me the same.”
“I promise.”
He pushes the wet hair off my face, and smiles down at me. “Jade, you’ve made me very happy today. All of Unicoi will rejoice at word of your upcoming visit. Send a message to Lorelei when you know your travel plans. I will meet you on the road and escort you to the Enclave. We shall travel together to Unicoi.”
“No! Ryder, don’t come back. It’s not safe,” I say.
“That is why I shall escort you.” He whistles for his horse. “I am in your debt once again,” he says to Ralston and me. “You have saved my neck for a second time.” He takes my hand, pressing his lips into my palm. “Until we meet again…”
He climbs on Tenasi’s back, and rid
es away with a small wave—taking that part of me that always goes with him, leaving the emptiness behind.
* * *
The ride home is uneventful. We don’t run into any highway men or fargen thieves. But we’re late leaving the lake, so at three o’clock on the dot the afternoon rain begins to fall. The carriage is uncovered, but Ralston pulls a rain poncho from the back and hands it to me.
“Better put this on,” he says.
“You’re not wearing one?”
“No, I don’t mind the rain. I find it rather refreshing.” He reaches for his hat. “It does fog up my glasses, though.”
We ride along in silence, raindrops plopping gently on our heads. After a while I say, “Hey Ralston, can I ask you a question?”
“You can ask.” His stock reply meaning I may not answer.
“You said Princess Jaden was supposed to have died from that fall?’
“Yes.”
“Well, what was going to happen after that, before everything went off track?”
“The scenario, if you had not arrived on the scene, would have unfolded like this: Queen Eleanor would have discovered Ryder’s involvement in the princess’ death and would have declared war on Unicoi, believing that Domerica would easily crush its much smaller neighbor. She would be wrong.” He glances at me meaningfully.
“You mean Unicoi would have won? But how could they?”
“The Unicoi have been unfettered by treaties not to develop weapons or wage war, which the Domes entered into hundreds of years ago. Consequently they have developed advanced weaponry. They also have a sizeable army of highly skilled warriors. Domerica has only the Queen’s Royal Guard consisting of a few thousand trained soldiers and a volunteer militia of farmers and townspeople. Also, the Unicoi are experts with explosives, which were perfected early on for underground expansion.”
“So how would they have won? Would they have blown up the dome?”
“Heavens no! I said they were skilled warriors, not idiots, Jade. You watch too much American TV. The declaration of war would have reached Unicoi, and triggered a secret attack by the Unicoi army through the series of tunnels that pass beneath Domerica. The war would have been short-lived and relatively bloodless. Warrington Palace would have been captured almost immediately and, with the Royal Guard out of commission, the militia would simply have given up. A few local skirmishes would have ensued, but nothing big. The Unicoi population would have relocated, lock, stock, and barrel to Domerica.”
“What would’ve happened to my mother?”
“The royal family would have been spared. Queen Eleanor and Prince Andrew would have been exiled to the Enclave, on your father’s word that no talk of sedition or of retaking the throne would be tolerated. They would have lived out their lives in relative peace.”
“And what about Ryder and Chief Blackthorn?
“Chief Blackthorn would have died shortly after the war. Ryder would have become chief. The Unicoi parliamentary form of government would have been put into place in Domerica, and the country would have been renamed the United Federation of Unicoi.
“Over the years Ryder would have led the combined country through some difficult times and, as I alluded to before, he would have eventually been responsible for saving the planet from needless destruction. End of story.”
“Wow!” I say, thinking through what he told me.
The horses and wagon squish along the muddy road, and the quickening rain trickles down the front of my poncho, soaking the bottom of my dress and my shoes. Ralston’s hat soon becomes soggy, the brim drooping over his forehead.
The sixty-four million dollar question still looms in the air above my head, begging to be asked. I’m not sure I have the courage to hear the answer, but I swallow hard and turn to Ralston. “So, what’s going to happen now?” I ask. “Now that I showed up and threw everything off course?”
“Nobody knows for certain, Jade.” His glasses are all fogged up, so I can’t see his eyes, but his voice is somber. “We can run some models, make some educated guesses. At this point, nobody knows. Once you’re back home, things will be easier to predict.”
“Is there something special I should be doing in the meantime?” I ask.
He grins at me, rain dripping from the tip of his nose. “Just continue being yourself, old girl.”
I smile back. “I think I can handle that.”
TWENTY-TWO
It’s a typical morning, Ralston and I spend the early hours working on my studies. I don’t see the point since I’m going home soon, but he takes great delight in lecturing on the differences in the governmental structures of the three dome nations. Bor-ing. Especially because the two other domes are stuck in backward monarchies similar to Domerica’s.
My mind wanders back to the lake, to Ryder, and stolen kisses. My hand idly touches the small bump in the fabric of my tunic beneath which lies the delicate wolf-head pendant. I wonder if Ryder can sense me thinking of him. The feel of him is with me all the time now, like a promise waiting just out of reach. I count every heartbeat until I’m with him again.
Finally responding to my obvious lack of interest, Ralston calls off the lesson and suggests we sneak away for some fencing practice. We stride across the courtyard, swords strapped to our sides.
“I have a little surprise for you,” he says.
“What kind of surprise?”
“I’ve found a spot on the palace grounds where we can train without worrying about being discovered.”
I follow Ralston to an old barn used for storing hay and old saddlery. Not much of a chance anyone will interrupt us while we spar here. A large area of clear floor space in the center of the barn serves as our training area, offering plenty of room for pursuit and retreat.
We take our positions on the floor. “All right,” Ralston says.”What are we always focused on?”
“Tempo, measure, and footwork,” I say.
“Very good. Let’s begin.”
We spend an exhilarating two hours thrusting, parrying, and perfecting my form. I’ve been working on my technique, which is improving daily, but I suspect that I’d still be bested by my eight year old cousin, Max—an expert with a light saber.
“It just takes time and practice,” Ralston says, handing the water canteen to me. “You may want to check into some lessons when you get back to Madison, if you are really interested.”
The mention of home is bittersweet. I miss my dad and all the old familiar places and faces that used to bring me comfort. But my new life in Domerica is so novel and exciting. I feel to be an important part of an unfolding drama. For the first time ever, I believe I can make a difference in the world. It’s a potent sensation, and I worry about how I’m going to readjust to my old, mundane existence back in Connecticut.
I sit on a bale of hay, wiping the sweat from my brow. “Can we talk for a minute, Rals?” I ask.
“What’s on your mind today, old girl?” He props his foot up on the side of the bale.
“It’s just that yesterday when I was with Ryder he said something to me, and I wondered if it means anything.”
“What did he say?”
“He said there’s this sort of connection between us, that he feels drawn toward me like a magnet’s pull. The pull is so strong he’s able to find me no matter where I am. Why is that, Rals? What’s that all about?”
An odd expression flits across his face, but he resumes his previous light air. “Well, you are two very attractive young people. I suppose it’s only normal that you would feel drawn toward each other.”
I scowl. “Oh please, Ralston. I’m not talking about a couple of kids with raging hormones here, and you know it. I feel a connection too, and it’s not normal. Give me a straight answer.”
“Forgive me Jade, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be flippant.” His tone is gentle, and I detect a trace of pity in his eyes. “All I can say is that the two of you were never supposed to have met in this life.”
“That’s no
t an answer! Anyway Ryder says we already met when we were kids.”
“That is true, and it was significant, but that was not you, Jade. That was Princess Jaden. Their paths were not meant to have crossed as adults. You were never supposed to have met Ryder Blackthorn.”
“What in the hell does that mean? I did meet him and now there’s this thing between us. I want to know if it means something… something about why I’m here, what I’m supposed to be doing here. I mean, am I here for a reason?”
