“Lady Alia, good, now our party is complete we can commence.” Evagene tugged absently at her red fitted jacket, that looked like a hurriedly made copy of the dark green one Alia was currently wearing. Niah similarly attired, but in sensible dark browns, looking much more relaxed, as if she was used to donning trousers and hunting boots. And from the way she wore her quiver on her back, the belt buckle tarnished from wear, all signs suggested she was a regular hunter.
Damn. Alia’s plans to slip away from her hunting party crumbled into dust as they began following their two Palace assigned guides into the Royal Woods. Three Palace servants trailing along in their wake. Out the corner of her eye Alia noted Deacon signalling her; what now? She replied with a quick few hand gestures, advising him to wait and be ready.
Perhaps there might come an opportunity they could take advantage of yet. Hunting was dirty, hot, and arduous work, she doubted Evagene was up to the challenge. Niah, on the other hand, given her lithe silent stride, looked like she was capable of surviving alone out in the wilderness for days on end.
Alia refused to get discouraged, there was still hope that by the end of the day Regal would be dead.
With that in mind, she sped up a little, crowding their guides slightly, forcing them to veer more to the right, in the direction she knew Regal’s hunting party would be located.
“My grandmother, the Queen-Dowager’s lady in waiting, always told me that lies cause wrinkles. Since the high tea yesterday, I’ve begun to question her words.”
Alia didn’t mind Evagene striking up a conversation and crashing through the woods like a wounded boar. The last thing she wanted was for her party to actually kill anything. Although there seemed little chance of that as the deer that inhabited these woods struck her as lightning quick and easily spooked.
“I mean, if that were true, then you would look much more haggard than you already do.”
Oh, that had been well done, both a slap concerning her looks and an accusation that Alia was a liar. Still, she didn’t slow her pace or in any way give an indication that she was bothered by Evagene’s digs.
“I have it on exceedingly good authority that you are the Beast of Gloomenthrall.” The words rang loudly, full of venom, though losing a little of their emphasis as Evagene’s breath came in quick hard pants, as she tried to keep up with the pace Alia was making the guides set. “What, not going to deny it this time?”
Okay, Alia saw the problem with her plan now. Allowing Evagene to talk was happily scaring away all the game, but unfortunately, it would also alert all the other hunting parties to their position and they would immediately head in the opposite direction.
Holding in a sigh, Alia finally looked Evagene’s way, fighting the urge to laugh. They were barely an hour into the hunt and the woman looked flushed and bedraggled. There were leaves and twigs in Evagene’s raven hair, and several smudges of dirt marring her new jacket.
Keeping her expression bland, her voice low, Alia finally responded. “You are very brave, Lady Evagene.”
This provoked a small choked chuckle from Niah, that she promptly turned into a clearing of the throat.
“What do you mean by that? Why did you laugh?” Evagene included Niah in her glare.
“I believe Lady Alia is intimating that if she were this Beast you speak of, then confronting her, in the middle of the woods, with very few witnesses around to protect you, is either the actions of someone very unwise… or very brave.”
“I’m armed.” Evagene held her bow up, but her grasp on it was loose and clearly amateurish.
Quick, like lightning, Alia grabbed her bow from her quiver, twirled it with a flourish and then within a blink had once more holstered it back in her quiver. “Weapons are only as good as their users. But tell us more of this Beast, what are they renowned for again? Razor sharp teeth, wasn’t it? And I’m assuming they would sport rending claws. A mindless ravening hideous creature, no doubt.” Alia halted, the party coming to a stop around her, naturally giving her the role of leader. “Awakening such a Beast makes you either very brave… or what was the other thing you said, Lady Niah? Oh, yes, very unwise.”
Evagene lifted her chin, eyes glittering with dark emotions. “You would never harm me, I’m a lady.” The two guides were the ones fake clearing their throats this time.
“I should imagine your bones would be just as tasty and useful to keep teeth razor sharp as a man’s. But this is growing tiresome, it’s the second time you’ve made this accusation. Where is your proof?” Alia flashed a wide smile. “I do not believe my teeth are particularly pointy.” Taking a few more steps Alia leaned down, so only Evagene would hear her next words. “But come at me again with this accusation and you shall discover how wickedly sharp my blade is, woman or not.” She took a breath, paused, and then took a deep sniff.
“Look. Look. You are all witnesses, she’s smelling me like a hound sniffs their prey.”
“Lady Evagene… you didn’t happen to rub up against a shrub with pungent yellow flowers and leaves so dark they look purple?” Evagene looking around as everyone in the party took a large wary step back away from her as Alia asked her question.
“Yes. What? What is it?” Everyone in the party had retreated even further away now. Evagene’s gaze landing back on Alia who had also retreated several steps.
“Do you itch anywhere?”
“A lady does not scratch.” But unbidden Evagene’s hand moved to her throat, and she began to scratch.
“You’re making it worse, don’t touch yourself, and whatever you do, don’t rub your eyes. You had an encounter with the yerisabe shrub. I suggest you find some mud right now and cover any bit of skin that itches. If you wait, blisters and welts will erupt, and the itching will drive you to tear at your skin.”
“You’re such a liar.” Evagene appearing to be unaware she was scratching at her throat even more vigorously.
Damnation. Okay. This day could still be saved. The group would escort Evagene back to the tents set up at the edge of the forest, delivering her into medical care. And somewhere along the way Alia could feign sighting another hunting party and decide to join them.
“Everyone knows I’m the favourite. His grandmother is good friends with mine. Lady Cecelia personally chose me over my four sister and nine cousins. I’m getting hot.”
“Yes. It’s far too hot out here today. Let’s head back the way we came.” Alia held her arms out wide, herding Evagene backwards a few steps.
