Realm of Knights

by Jennifer Anne Davis

  He kept glancing at her between bites.

  “What did you want to talk about?” she asked.

  He rubbed his forehead with his free hand. “I need to know why you’ve pretended to be a man your entire life.”

  “You don’t know?” she asked, taking a bite of the potatoes. She assumed Ackley had already told him.

  “I want to hear your explanation.”

  To decide if this had been forced upon her or if she’d willingly agreed? Did this mean they could arrest her for treason along with her father? Since Gordon was a prince and lying to him was punishable by death, she had no choice but to tell the truth. “I’m the duke’s fifth daughter. I’m sure you’re aware that land can only pass from father to son.”

  He nodded.

  “I grew up with my father always dressing me in trousers and tunics. He told me to play with the boys, so I did. At first, it was fun being able to run around like a banshee. But as I got older and started to understand the differences between boys and girls, I had no clue why my father insisted I play this role. Then he told me that we would lose everything—the land that had been in our family for generations would be taken from us. All I had to do was pretend to be a boy, and my family was saved.”

  “Did you father intend to pass his land to you? I can’t imagine how he saw this working.”

  Reid noticed he said did your father and not does your father. Did Gordon know about the deal between her and Ackley? “My father is waiting for one of my four sisters to have a son. Then he plans to designate a new heir.”

  “And what about you?” Gordon asked. “What will happen to you then?”

  She shrugged because she didn’t know.

  “How did you manage to pull this off for so many years? I would think someone would have figured it out by now.” Squinting, he examined her face.

  Focusing on her plate since his scrutiny made her uncomfortable, she said, “People see what they expect.”

  “Have you ever resented your father for doing this to you?”

  At that, she jerked her head up, trying to formulate an answer. He lifted his eyebrows, waiting. “This life is all I know.” She had no idea if she would have been happier had she been raised as a girl.

  “And the future?” he asked. “Do you look forward to the life laid out before you?”

  The question made her stomach clench. The idea of announcing she was a woman and being married off did not sit well with her. Neither did having to be a doting wife who catered to her husband’s every need.

  “You just answered my question for me,” Gordon replied, his deep voice rumbling in the tent. “Thank you for your time.”

  She stood and exited, feeling off-kilter.

  Chapter Six

  The Gast River came into view. Reid nudged her horse, urging it to go faster so she could get a good look at the sight before her. The horse trotted around Gordon and his men. At the riverbank, she pulled the horse to a halt. The crystal-clear water rushed by, rolling over rocks. On the other side of the quarter-mile-wide river was the county of Axian. Dense trees lined the bank with not a single person in sight. The setting sun cast an orange glow over the water.

  Gordon rode alongside her.

  “It’s beautiful,” she whispered.

  “Don’t ever leave formation like that again,” he said, his voice low and furious. “I didn’t know if you were hurt, if you saw something of concern, or if you had to take a leak.”

  “Sorry. I was just excited to see the river.” She dismounted.

  Gordon shook his head, then steered his horse back toward the soldiers. He started hollering instructions, dividing the men into groups of a hundred, placing an officer in charge of each. Reid’s three friends ended up in the first group.

  The man who took care of the animals came over to take Reid’s horse.

  She remained staring at the river, unable to tear her gaze away. It went from the east end of Marsden, through the Modig Mountains, into Lake Folme in Alder, along Cartr, past Ellington, and into the Wendan Ocean on the west side of Marsden.

  Ackley came and stood next to Reid, his hands clasped behind his back. “You appear to be deep in thought.”

  Was he mocking her? Shifting the conversation, she asked, “What is your position in the army? Do you even have one?” He didn’t seem to have any sort of job.

  “I’m not in the army,” he said. “My father groomed Gordon for this life. My brother trained as a soldier for almost six years before taking command.”

  Odd considering Ackley seamlessly blended in with the soldiers. “So what are your duties as a prince then?” What had his father groomed him for?

  Before he could answer, Gordon joined them. “I’ve organized the soldiers and spoken to the officers.”

  “When do we leave?” Ackley asked.

  “Tonight.”

  “The slow pace driving you mad?” he asked with a wry smile.

  “That and I’m eager to see how Eldon and Idina are.” Gordon rubbed a hand over his face. “I fear the castle will be attacked from the lake.”

  “I thought you stationed men along Lake Folme,” Ackley said.

  “I did. But I’ll feel better when I’m there to oversee everything.”

  “Since we’re only traveling with a dozen men, we should reach the City of Buckley in less than a fortnight.”

  When Gordon didn’t say anything else, Reid finally asked, “What do you need me to do once you leave?” Both men stared at her as if she were a daft cow. Had a bird landed on her head? Did she have dirt smeared over her face? “What?” she asked, rubbing her nose just in case.

  “We have a deal,” Ackley said.

  “Yes.” Which was why she was asking what he needed her to do.

  His eyes narrowed. “You’re coming with us. I thought you understood that.”

  “I did come with you.” To the Gast River where her father’s soldiers would be stationed. No one had said anything about her leaving the county of Ellington.

  “Ackley,” Gordon said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Make sure your men are ready to go within the hour.”

  After inclining his head, Ackley left.

  Reid didn’t know what Gordon meant by Ackley’s men since Ackley had just told her he wasn’t in the army. Before she could ask, Gordon leaned toward her.

  “You’ll be coming with us to the City of Buckley. There, Ackley will explain how you can be of service to the crown. Once we no longer have use for you, you can return home.”

  Reid folded her arms over her chest, not liking how any of this sounded. “Service to the crown?” She tried ignoring the warning bells going off in her head. When Ackley struck the deal with her, he’d never said anything about leaving the county or working for the royal family. She closed her eyes, thinking back to that day in the sitting room…what had he said? In exchange for your full cooperation, I will ensure your father is pardoned for lying about who you are, and I will make sure Ellington county is entailed to any heir the duke chooses, male or otherwise. Her eyes flew open when she realized her error. They could make her do pretty much anything. She was a fool for not limiting the scope of her actions.

  “I am not at liberty to extrapolate any further here,” Gordon said in a clipped tone.

  “My father is not aware of these plans.” And he would not be happy. Too many things could go wrong.

  “No one is aware of these plans. For now, all you need to do is what you’re told. Go grab your supplies.” He walked away, not giving her a chance to argue.

  Reid rubbed her eyes, exhausted from traveling. She had no desire to go any farther. Having no choice, she found her horse and retrieved her bag and bedroll. When she spotted Harlan, Knox, and Royce seated on the ground shoving food in their mouths, she went over and joined them. “I thought you would have set up camp by now,” she said as she settled beside them.

  “Can’t,” Royce said around a mouthful of food. “We only have ten minutes before we set out. We’re hea
ding two miles west. We’ll set up camp there.”

  “Why?” she asked.

  Harlan replied, “Each unit is responsible for defending a different section of the border.” He set his food down. “Don’t you know this?”

  She shook her head.

  Knox sneered. “Guess the prince didn’t bother to run his plans by you.” Disgust etched through his voice.

  “Doesn’t really matter,” Royce mumbled. “He isn’t going with our troop.”

  “Which means we’ll be able to leave tomorrow morning,” Knox said. “I’ll be glad when we can finally head home.”

  “Wait,” Reid said. “Why are you leaving tomorrow?”

  “Your father said we were to bring you home as soon as the princes left.”

  Reid took a deep breath, knowing her friends would not take her news well. “I’m sorry, but I can’t go with you tomorrow. I am leaving with the princes. Tonight.”

  An uncomfortable silence filled the air. Finally, Knox said, “I assume that means we’ll be coming with you instead of going west with the soldiers.”

  “Prince Gordon didn’t say you’d be joining me.” Anxiously, she clasped her hands together. She had no idea what Ackley wanted her for, so she couldn’t explain it any better.

  “You father hired us as your guards,” Harlan protested. “We signed a contract with him.”

  “I know. And I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

  “Lord Reid, it’s time,” Ackley said from a few feet away.

  Ignoring the nervousness his words brought, she rose and picked up her bag.

  “Where she goes,” Knox muttered, “we go.”

  The corners of Ackley’s lips curled as he fought a smile. “Not anymore.”

  Knox jumped to his feet, balling his hands into fists. Harlan and Royce clamored to their feet as well.

  “Your Highness,” Harlan explained, “we are under strict orders to protect Lord Reid.”

  “I know.” Ackley grabbed Reid’s bedroll. “But now you’re under royal orders to protect the border. I have use for Reid elsewhere.” Not sparing him another glance, he turned.

  Knox launched his body at the prince. Reid didn’t have time to yell a warning, but Ackley deftly sidestepped the attack, spun around, and slammed Knox to the ground in one fluid motion. He’d moved faster than Reid thought possible.

  “Attacking a prince is punishable by death,” Ackley said, his voice low and menacing. It sent a shiver through Reid.

  Knox laid there, stunned, his face red.

  “This is your one and only warning. If you so much as look at me or one of my family members with anything but respect, I’ll kill you. Understood?”

  Knox nodded.

  Ackley picked up Reid’s dropped bedroll. “Let’s go.”

  Reid glanced at Harlan and Royce. Both men stared with wide eyes, their mouths hanging open. She was sure her face revealed a similar look of shock. While she’d known Ackley was a prince, he’d just revealed he was also lethal and not to be trifled with. She hurried after him, her stomach twisting with worry. Whatever use he had for her, it couldn’t be good. Holding her bag tightly against her chest, she clung to the deal they’d made—if she did what Ackley asked, her father would be pardoned and his land would be safe. Holding onto that notion, she was able to put one foot in front of the other.

  Ackley led her to the horses where a dozen men were preparing to set out. These were the same men who’d arrived at her castle with the princes. While they’d traveled with the Ellington soldiers, the men had blended in, wearing the same clothing as her men. Now, they donned black pants, tunics, and capes. Whoever these men were, whatever branch of the army they were in, they weren’t ordinary soldiers. Which had to be why the princes were comfortable traveling with so few men.

  Reid climbed on an unfamiliar horse, suddenly apprehensive.

  Ackley mounted the horse next to her. “When my brother is ready, we’ll leave.”

  “Where is he?” she asked, not seeing him among the men.

  “He’s having a conversation with your friends.” Ackley looked sidelong at her. “They’re an interesting group.”

  “I grew up with them,” she murmured as if that explained everything. She still couldn’t believe Knox had tried to attack the prince.

  “I see.” He patted his horse’s neck. “Tell me, do you have any friends of the female variety?”

  She didn’t have a single female friend, but he didn’t need to know that. “I have four sisters. That is more than enough.”

  Ackley barked out a laugh, garnering the attention of a few nearby men. “I have a sister, so I understand completely.” His horse began prancing around, eager to move, so he adjusted his hands on the reins.

  “Let’s ride,” Gordon said as he approached, pulling on his gloves. Not once looking Reid’s way, he hurried past Ackley to where his own horse waited. After he mounted, he raised his right hand. At his gesture, the group rode out.

  They headed north, Ackley and Gordon riding next to one another with Reid directly behind them. The rest of their party rode two deep, half in front of the princes and the others behind Reid. No one spoke as they left the road and made their way through the forest. She wanted to ask why they hadn’t remained on the road, which would have allowed them to travel faster. When it became too dark to ride safely, they stopped and made camp for the night.

  Gordon approached her. “I want to make sure you are comfortable traveling without your companions.”

  If he was concerned, he should have asked her before they left her friends, not after. What would he do if she said she needed them? She almost said so just to see. However, she decided against it, not wanting to upset the prince. “I’m fine.” This was the first time in her life she had truly been alone. And she didn’t know if that scared or thrilled her. Maybe a little of both.

  “Once we reach the City of Buckley, I will send your father a letter to inform him you are at the king’s castle.” Gordon strode away before she could respond.

  Everyone silently set out their bedrolls, then went right to sleep.

  Sighing, Reid stretched her arms above her head, cracking her back. She arranged her own bedroll and snuggled under her blanket, cold without a fire. Regardless, the fresh smell of pine trees lulled her to sleep.

  Soft voices woke Reid. It was still dark out, so she kept her eyes closed.

  “I’m worried the duke will be a problem,” Gordon murmured.

  “I said I’ll take care of it,” Ackley answered.

  “How?”

  “I have a plan. Don’t worry.”

  “That’s what concerns me,” Gordon said. “You always have a plan. So many plans I wonder how you keep track of them all.”

  Ackley chuckled. “You’re just jealous because my position allows me more freedom than yours does.”

  Gordon didn’t deny it. Again, Reid wondered what Ackley’s position was.

  “Make sure Reid is taken care of so there aren’t any issues with the duke,” Gordon whispered.

  “Like I said before, I have it all figured out.”

  “I hope you do.”

  After a minute of silence, Ackley asked, “What do you think of Reid?”

  “Seems nice. A bit quiet.”

  “She or he?”

  “What?” Gordon said.

  “Reid can be a man or a woman.”

  There was a rustling sound, as if Gordon had rolled over. “Is that why you like her?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Reid has no predetermined future. No path she has to take. She is playing the role of a he, and he does not exist.”

  Ackley chuckled softly. “You’re overthinking it. As always. I like her because we need someone like her. I don’t have time to train someone.”

  “Just remember,” Gordon said, “even though male Reid doesn’t exist, female Reid does.”

  “Legally, that’s not the case. Legally, only male Reid exists.”

  “Duke Elli
ngton is a powerful man. I can’t imagine he will take to your idea.”

  “He doesn’t have a choice,” Ackley said. “The moment he lied to everyone and said he had a son, the duke’s fate was sealed. He’ll go along with anything I want because he has no choice.”

  “All I’m saying is to be careful.”

  “I’m always careful. Especially since the quiet ones are always the dangerous ones.”

  Was Ackley implying Reid was dangerous? She’d never considered herself threatening or harmful in any way. She listened to the steady breathing of the sleeping men around her, mulling over the conversation she’d just overheard.

  Reid devoured the sights as they made their way through the forest toward the county of Cartr. The trees were taller and wider than any she’d seen before. When they splashed across a creek, she even managed to catch a glimpse of a wild boar.

  After riding all morning, they broke for a brief midday snack, then set out riding again. When the group exited the forest, Gordon gave the order to remain close to the trees instead of riding in the open.

  For the first time since they’d left, Ackley rode alongside Reid. “Tell me, did your father provide you with an education?” The way he asked the question seemed rather businesslike instead of a friend striking up casual conversation.

  Not seeing any harm in answering, Reid assured him that her father had. It had been far more rigorous than her sisters’ education. However, she hadn’t minded. She enjoyed learning and absorbed everything her father taught her.

  “Obviously, you know how to fight with two swords,” he said. “What about with just one?”

  “If it’s light enough, I can manage a single sword.” Although she preferred two. It allowed her to keep her attacker farther away from her body.

  “Can you use any other weapons?”

  She studied him. He rode his horse with ease, holding the reins in one hand. Why did he want to know about her fighting ability? Carefully, she answered, “I have some basic combat knowledge, but that is all.”

  He tapped a finger on his chin. “You can think quickly, talk your way out of a situation, and disappear into the shadows.”