It felt like forever before Aerity made it to the outskirts of the town of Dovedell, where the path intersected. She took the southern route and immediately began to question herselfas she entered the forest. Thankfully the path was plenty wide, but it was even darker amid the trees. Her ears were perked for sounds of people or creatures. Her head swiveled from side to side, and she tried to remain calm so as not to startle the horse. She pulled her cloak tight to ward against the chill.
Aerity rode for a long while until the tree canopy gave way to a cloudy night sky and she heard the sounds of water. She spotted the bay bridge to the southern lands and made her way across, feeling as if the horse’s hooves echoed on the wood for all of Lochlanach to hear. Her heart did not slow until she got to the other side of South Bay. Thankfully it was a narrow waterway.
She moved into the tree line, patting her horse’s head and caressing its neck to keep both herself and the horse calm. Her eyes darted around to every leaf rustled by the breeze, every frog croaking by the water’s edge. A cool wind shook the trees. Above her, the clouds crept out toward the sea, revealing the moon and stars in all their glory.
Finally,finally, a single horse crested the hill, coming toward the bridge. Aerity could make out the form of her old friend, even from afar. A smile stretched across her face, and a sense of adventure hummed through her blood once again.
“Oh, you will be in such trouble with your parents in the morning, young lady,” Harrison said when he reached her.
“As long as I’m back to make good on their deal with the coldlands, that’s all that matters,” she responded drily.
“Aer.” She looked at him, her eyes adjusting to themoonlight. “You’re more to the people than just the bride of Lord Alvi. Remember that.”
“Thank you, Harrison. For everything. For coming with me.”
“As if I had a choice, Your Highness.” But he grinned. “I am at your service to a fault. But I hope you will let me be in charge on this journey?”
Aerity spread a hand to the path in front of them. “All yours, Lieutenant. For the next month I am your subject. And if anyone asks I am Callie Hazlett.”
“That is what I like to hear. I’ve mapped out a journey to Zandalee tribe land in Zorfina. It is best to stay in Lochlanach as long as possible. We will cross south creek and journey along Eurona River down to the border of Kalor. We’ll follow the border until we come to the junction of Toresta. The ridgelands are not lenient with foreign travelers. As you know, they require papers. So at that point we will go south into Kalor, following the Kalorian border until we nearly reach the sea. Kalor is known for its lax borders. Only then will it be safe to pass into Zorfina. They are even less trusting than Toresta, but since the Zandalee control that portion of the country I’m hoping we won’t run into any issues.”
Aerity swallowed hard and nodded. Oh, seas. What had she gotten them into?
“Good. Now follow me, Miss Callie, and have no fear.”
Chapter
7
Dearest Mother and Father,
I am in need of time to myself before my marriage takes place. I am leaving of my own accord and I swear to return. There is no need to alarm the kingdom. Perhaps it is best if no one knows of my absence outside the family. It is not my intention to cause you to panic or worry, though both are likely imminent. It is my sincere hope that you will someday forgive me. Please do not use your army to search for me. They are of more use searching for the enemy and keeping our people safe. I have a solid plan in place for myself.
In respect and love,
Your first daughter, Aerity
Dearest Vixie,
As far as adventures go, I can think of no one I’d rather have at my side than you. Please don’t think I’m on a grand journey without you. This time will clear my head and put a lid on the things of my past that I cannot afford to take with me into my marriage and future. I promise to regale you with anything of interest that may happen during my time away from you, but in all honesty I’m hoping for an uneventful quest to embrace the woman I need to be. I will return to you very soon.
In the meantime, you are the princess of the castle. Enjoy.
With all my heart,
Your sister, Aerity
Vixie must have read the letter a hundred times. Blast that Aerity! How could she leave like that? Without telling her? Without a good-bye? Uneventful adventure or not, Vixie could have helped. She would have been willing to act as her maid if that’s what it would have taken to get herself out of this confining castle and into the wild lands beyond.
Ugh! Vixie crumpled the paper and threw it at her bed. It hit far too softly. Jealousy and hurt and absolute boredom fought against her better nature.
She’d been left to deal with a mother driven mad by worry and a father who wanted to tear Eurona apart to find his oldest daughter. Vixie had squeezed her way into the family meeting that morning next to Wyneth. Her cousin couldfeign doe-eyed innocence all she wanted, but Vixie was no fool. Wyneth knew—Aerity would have told her everything. She’d stared hard at Wyneth during the meeting until Wyn gave her a sharp elbow in the ribs when no one was looking. Aye, so guilty, that one.
The final verdict from her father was to wait until they heard back from Lieutenant Gillfin, who had been on night watch the prior evening. His men said he left to check on activity at the guest stables, and the royal guards at the gate told of a dark-haired maid who passed through late during the night. Harrison came to the gates, asked who had just left, and told the guards he had suspicions about the young woman and was going to follow her.
“Lieutenant Gillfin has known Aerity all his life,” the king explained. “And his instincts are strong. I believe he saw her from afar on his night watch and suspected it was her. It is my hope that he will find her and talk sense into her, or return her by force.”
It all seemed highly suspicious to Vixie, Harrison being a longtime friend of Aerity’s and all. But their father spoke of him as the utmost professional.If anyone can keep her safe, it’s Lieutenant Gillfin, blah, blah, blah. In the meantime no one outside of the family and royal guards shall know she is missing. I’ve never been more ashamed . . . worst possible timing, blah, blah, blah.
