by Sara Gaines
“Why didn’t you say anything when we got here?” Ori kept his hand on the hilt of his sword.
“Thought it best to show I was gonna help.” Muerra shrugged. “Bet ya would have run if I drew attention to the fact that the Duchess was standin’ at my door after men had been lookin’ for people like you. But, if yer gonna try and blend in, try losing those table manners, Yer Grace. And you, boy”—a gnarled finger shot out toward Ori—“you carry a sword marked with the Meloran crest on your hip. Meant yer either a guard or a deserter. Trouble will follow either way.”
“My name is Ori, guardsman for the Duchess Aleana Melora of Eniva.” The guard relaxed considerably and examined the hilt of his sword. “I thought it was better to carry around an identifiable blade rather than none.”
I stood, attempting to move past the moment of tension by extending my hand toward the old woman for the traditional royal greeting. As Muerra touched the backs of my fingers to her forehead, I finally offered an introduction.
“I am Duchess Aleana. We are thankful for your help, but I must wonder why you were so willing to offer your home to us.”
“I told ye before, I knew who ya were, Yer Grace.” Muerra looked at me with a warm glint in her eye. “Didn’ think it best to turn ya away. Make no mistake, I am honored to have ya standin’ in my house. Don’t suppose you’d tell me why those men were lookin’ for you and yer friend?”
“I….” I did owe her an explanation, but I really did not know if I could form the words to tell her everything I had lost so recently.
Ori stood beside me, placing his hand on my shoulder, and I silently thanked him when he picked up the retelling of the story.
“Traitors attacked our convoy alongside Dakmor’s soldiers. I was only able to pull the Duchess to safety because the soldier going after her was briefly distracted.”
Distracted. The word caught in my mind, pulling up memories of the attack and forcing me to re-watch Surea’s death. I swallowed the lump in my throat and struggled to keep my voice even as I addressed Muerra.
“Can you tell us anything about Eniva? Has the castle fallen?”
Muerra saw the tears forming in my eyes. “Oh, ya poor dear, you’ve certainly had a rough time, haven’t ya? I’ve heard nothin’ of Eniva, but I don’t keep up with the latest tavern chatter. You should know, though, yer welcome here as long as ya’d like.”
I managed to keep the tears from falling. “We should not stay long. But if we could sleep here, just for the night, it would be greatly appreciated.”
“Of course, of course.” Muerra began shuffling around the room again, pulling blankets out of places I did not even realized existed in her small home. “Milady, ye can sleep on my mat. It’s not the best, but it’s better than this dirt. Boy, you can sleep by the fire. You’ll be warm there. I can sleep on a bed of twigs, and this ground ain’t much better than that.”
Ori seemed content and began eyeing the space by the fire, most likely trying to decide how he could position his body around all the furniture in order to sleep comfortably. I eyed the small mat suspiciously, imagining what kind of vermin could be inhabiting it. Realizing the unease had spread across my face, I composed myself and took one of the blankets. Stretching myself out on the lumpy straw mattress, I was grateful it did not smell too much of mildew. At least it was better than another night spent on the hard ground with a blanket stitched together from rough burlap. It wasn’t entirely comfortable, but it was better than nothing. By the time I shut my eyes, Ori’s snores were already threatening my sleep.
“FORGIVE me, but the less we tell you, the better.” Ori’s sword was already belted around his waist.
Muerra had wondered where we were going, but as Ori had told her, she did not need to know more than what she had already been told. It wasn’t a means to protect ourselves as much as a way to keep her safe should the Dakmorans find out she had helped us.
“I’m one of the lucky ones, enough food for myself, with some to spare.” Muerra handed over a sack of food to Ori as we prepared to leave, letting him stash it along with our other belongings.
“Thank you, ma’am.” Ori tucked the food into his pack and then added, “For everything.”
“For the last time, boy, stop thanking me. But Yer Grace, ya should have shown me those sores on yer feet last night. I could have had ’em feelin’ great this morning.”
“They already feel better, Muerra.” The salve she had placed on my feet as soon as she saw the blisters and swelling was already helping me more than I thought possible.
“Good ta hear it, dearie.” To my surprise, Muerra wrapped her arms around Ori and then turned to me, offering the same warm embrace. “I wish ya well, wherever ye might end up.”
The hug surprised me; no servant or commoner had dared touch me in such a familiar manner. That is, none except for Surea. Despite what propriety demanded of me, I relaxed in the old woman’s arms. As her embrace ended, I knew Muerra deserved more payment than the tattered dress I already provided. Motioning to Ori, I asked for the necklace he had stored in his bag. The tears that welled up in Muerra’s eyes as I handed her the jewelry were enough to convince me I had done all I could to repay her.
As Ori and I said our last good-byes, the sun peeked over the horizon. We hurried in the dim light, leaving Muerra’s cottage behind us as we tried to slip away without any other townspeople seeing us. The morning’s mist provided extra security, letting us disappear into the trees once more without drawing any attention.
My new clothes were already making travel easier, and thanks to Muerra’s help, my feet were barely bothering me. However, my muscles ached, protesting every movement as I followed Ori on the narrow trail. I focused on following the guard in front of me as he pushed through the foliage. Settling into a rhythm, I was able to ignore the worst of my soreness.
“Maybe we can purchase some horses at this next town.” Ori had rolled his sleeves up, a vain attempt to cool off in the sun’s unseasonably warm morning rays, “From there, we can ride toward the outpost at Ferrum. The King will have soldiers there to watch the border. It might only be a handful of men, but they can escort you on toward Seyna. Your future husband is waiting for you, and with horses, we might be able to beat any rumors of your death and inform the king what really happened.”
I felt my brow crease. “But we don’t have the coin for horses….”
“I can sell my armor and sword.” Ori stopped and handed me the canteen. “Muerra was right, the sword makes recognition too easy. We can’t afford that risk so close to Eniva.”
“We’d be vulnerable to attack.” I tipped the canteen to my mouth, tasting the warm water while I tried to weigh the options before us.
“On horseback, we might be able to avoid such confrontation.” The guard suddenly looked confused. “Milady, you are able to ride, yes?”
“Of course, my father taught me when I was little.”
“Then we are most likely safer with horses than with weapons.” Ori scratched at the patchy stubble on his cheeks. “You must forgive me, Your Grace, but if we were to be attacked by a group of soldiers, it would not matter how many weapons I had. I could not protect you alone. At least with horses, we could attempt to escape any misfortune until the soldiers at Ferrum can take you south.”
I let Ori’s statement go unanswered. Even with horses, we would be lucky to escape—it was a fact we were both well aware of.
“We should keep moving.” Ori’s deep voice cut through the thick silence that had fallen between us.
I nodded and fell in step alongside the guard, letting the monotonous beat of our feet against the ground distract me from my thoughts.
Chapter 6
ORI was taking advantage of the small stream neighboring our campsite, using it to shave the patchy beard that had grown in the three days since we left Muerra’s. I watched him, almost expecting him to slice into his flesh with the blade in his hand. Skillfully, he slid the knife along his skin. When he fin
ally walked back toward the campfire he had built earlier, I quickly examined him for beads of blood and was surprised when I found none.
“Here, I think there’s enough left for us to eat our fill.” As he sat beside me, I handed the guard a large piece of dried meat from the supplies Muerra had given us.
Ori took a large bite, thanking me and returning the blade with which he had shaved to its sheath.
“Good to see your face remains unmarred.” I smiled, aware that I had actually grown comfortable around the man in the few days we had been traveling together.
“My sister claims I look like a little boy when I shave.” He rubbed his cheek, grumbling, “She also says I look like a rabid animal when my sorry excuse for a beard tries to grow in.”
A small laugh escaped me. “And what else does your sister say?”
“Many things I will not tell you, milady, lest you turn them against me and become even more like her.” Ori threw a smile at me, continuing a familiarity that was beginning to grow between us.
My head shifted to the side slightly, a loose strand of hair falling into my face, which I quickly tucked behind my ear. “More like her?”
“Your Grace, you once asked why I was so willing to help you.” Ori began constructing our campfire with the wood he had gathered earlier. “Yes, I have been—and will always be—loyal to your family. And, if I may be so bold to say, through such service, certain observations are made.”
“Observations such as?” I felt my brow crease, unsure of what Ori was attempting to say.
“Of character.” Ori’s eyes connected with mine. “My sister was forced to grow up almost too soon. And yet, she often ignores what she was forced to learn so early on. It left her with a quality I could not even begin to explain, but it is something you also seem to possess, Your Grace.”
I was silent, unsure if I should be offended.
“Milady, do not mistake me, it is not a characteristic to be ashamed of. It is just….”
The guard trailed off, only continuing at my insistence.
“As my wife explains it to my sister, the lessons cannot be ignored. There are times when you must step into the role you were forced to fill so soon, even if it is inconvenient.” It was obvious that Ori knew he was tiptoeing a line. “I do not mean to say anything negative. It is something I love about my sister, for I wish she would have had a better chance to enjoy her youth.”
Rather than address the gnawing feeling of an attack on my character, I smiled at the guard building a fire and switched to what I hoped would be a more jovial topic, figuring courtly tricks could work on commoners. “Ori, why is it you haven’t mentioned your wife before? You must tell me of her.”
The guard looked up and he saw the smile on my face, I could see the relief washing over him that I had not taken offense—or at least that I had not shown it.
“We are expecting our first child in three months’ time.” He finished stoking the flames to a respectable height before he continued. “Teya and I have been married a little over a year now, yet we have been in each other’s lives from the time we were children.”
Even mentioning his wife so briefly had managed to put a light in the guard’s eye that had previously been hidden.
“Do you fear she thinks you are dead?” There was genuine concern in my voice. The thought of just waiting to find out if someone I truly loved had been taken from me was heartbreaking.
The brightness in Ori’s eyes faltered only for a moment, returning as soon as he smiled. “Milady, it is impossible to know what she has been told by the traitors who attempted to kill you, but I do know she has faith in me. I have no doubt that when I return, I will find her waiting. It is my duty to protect you, as much as it is your duty to marry Tallak. My wife would expect nothing else.”
It took me a moment to respond.
“You know, I envy you.” I smiled at Ori, even though I knew my voice was hollow.
“Why would a duchess envy my mangy self?” The guard laughed nervously.
“You had a choice.” I watched the flames of our campfire devour the last bits of a branch. “Your whole life, it was something that could change depending on what you wanted.”
“Milady, forgive me, but you are mistaken. There was little choice in my life. I was born a farmer, and would have gladly become that if I had been able. I am only a guard because it pays my family enough not to starve.”
I felt the annoyance building within me. “And yet you have a woman waiting for you, a woman chosen by you to marry.”
“Did you truly have no say in your marriage?” The guard at least had the grace to bow his head after his challenge.
“Ori, I have known Tallak since I was young, which is more fortunate than many women in my position, but I was promised to him as soon as my father’s reputation elevated our family’s name high enough. Of course, when the final arrangements were already being planned, my father asked my opinion, but what choice did I really have? I had to agree, despite having no feelings for him. Despite the fact that—”
I caught myself just before the words escaped. Faltering slightly, I finally continued.
“My duty is to make sure my family’s line does not fade into obscurity, something only prevented by marrying Tallak. Had I said no, my family’s already depleting coffers would have most likely been left in the hands of some elderly widowed nobleman wanting my hand only so that he might pass my castle off to his already born son. Who would I be then?
“What I envy, Ori, is that you will finish with your duty now and return to the woman you love, while I will only be at the start of what is required of me. I wish I could have chosen who I would share those splendors with. I wish I had the freedom found outside of nobility. When I was young, I would sit at my window and wonder what it would be like to ride my horse freely in the woods, without my guards by my side. I used to play pretend that I was a peasant, of all things. Free to do as I wished. Of course, the next day I would be back to playing queen.”
I laughed, but even I heard the haunted inflection.
When he looked at me, there was genuine concern in Ori’s gaze. “Do you hate the idea of marrying him so much?”
“No, there’s a definite thrill to the realization that I will be a queen. Not wanting for anything, the best food in the kingdom, elegant dresses previously only existing in dreams….” I paused, smiling to myself. “Being a queen is something I have dreamed of for so long.”
Ori smiled at me kindly. “There is always hope you will grow to love him.”
I tried to return his smile, but knew I had only managed a sad grimace. How could I explain to him that I knew I could not love Tallak? There was something deep within whispering to me of my loneliness upon the throne. I had heard it from the moment I knew of my engagement. Instead of attempting an explanation, I stared at the stars brightening against the night’s sky.
I WAS gently pulled from my troubled sleep when raindrops fell upon my face. Clouds blocked the early rays of the sun, almost disguising the fact that it was morning. The rain was not heavy, at least not yet, but the ominous clouds pointed to a storm later. Wrapping the blanket Muerra had given me around my shoulders, I made my way to where Ori was struggling to build our fire once more.
“Good morning, Your Grace.”
I said nothing to the guard. I eventually gave up trying to find a dry place to sit and dug into Ori’s bag. Seeing there was still plenty of food from Muerra remaining, I eyed the hard bread with distaste, pulling out a slightly spotted apple instead.
“The rain may slow us down a little, but we should make it into town around midday.” The guard looked to the sky. “Hopefully before a storm hits.”
I packed up our belongings, already feeling the rain seep through my clothes to kiss my flesh.
“I am ready to go if you are. I’d rather find a table in a tavern to avoid this weather if at all possible.”
I suddenly realized we couldn’t be sure the town was even safe for us
to enter. If there were signs of Dakmorans, or even my own men, we would be stuck in the rain, praying that we would go unnoticed. The look in Ori’s eyes begged me not to get too hopeful that we would actually be able to find comfort. Still, refusing to believe the Dakmorans would bother with such a small town, I kicked dirt on the sizzling embers of our fire and urged Ori on.
It was obvious we were both tired. Even Ori seemed to finally be suffering the effects of traveling without proper gear and sleeping on rough ground. We were afraid to say it, but we both knew how much we wanted the town to be clear. If we didn’t have enough money to buy warm beds, we would at least be able to find a place to sleep in the stables. It would be a situation far from what constituted acceptable for a future queen, but unable to call upon my station, I was willing to take anything that might pass as a warm bed.
We had walked for a couple of hours before either of us spoke. With our clothes completely soaked and clinging to our bodies, we were too busy focusing on our own discomfort to exchange pleasantries. Eventually, the sight of smoke billowing from chimneys in the distance forced us to break our silence.
“Milady, fortune might just shine on us today.” Ori’s smile betrayed his excitement at the thought of a comfortable place to rest.
I returned his smile, but issued a warning simply to remind us both that things might still turn away from our favor. “Let’s just hope we are the only visitors here.”
The guard’s smile faltered slightly, an effect I almost felt guilty for.
“Of course, Your Grace, of course.”
I looked at Ori, his blond hair plastered to his forehead, and the honorific falling from his lips suddenly felt wrong.
“Ori, will you do me a favor?”
“Milady, you are fully aware I am at your service. You need not ask.” The guard’s attention remained focused on the town in the distance.
