“Or part of Rozaria Rocato’s ranks?” Harrison added.
Aerity chewed her lip. It did seem a little worrisome. But she couldn’t shake the feeling that Paxton would have seen this notice and been curious too.
“Come on,” Harrison said, mounting again. “We’ll check it out when we get closer.”
Onward they rode for hours. Aerity munched a handful of dried berries and nuts to appease her ceaseless hunger pangs. She was ashamed at how vastly she’d underestimated the heaviness of her castle meals.
Just as her thoughts were headed dangerously along the lines of coconut cake, Harrison held up a hand and signaled her into the woods. Dusk was falling, casting dimness over the already shadowed forest.
“I think I smell smoke, and I saw fresh hoofprints on the trail,” Harrison whispered. “We’re not far from the lake now. This is right where we’d need to veer off to cut through to the Zorfina border.”
She could tell from his imploring tone that he wasn’t comfortable going forward, and he wanted to cut through now. But what if Paxton was here and they wasted all their precious time traveling to the Zandalee tribe?
“Just a wee bit closer?” Aerity pleaded with her eyes until his lips tightened and he blew out a breath.
“Fine.We’ll have a quick look, but we’ll have to tie the horses in the forest and go on foot to stay quiet. If we don’t see Paxton straightaway, we’ll continue to Zorfina—”
“Entrudios.” Intruders . . .
Aerity gasped, and Harrison spun his horse toward the voice. He reached back for an arrow, but one whizzed between the two of them, a warning shot.
Great seas!At least five men stepped out from deep within the forest, all pointing arrows at them. Harrison held up the palms of his hands and leaned slightly to the side as if to block Aerity.
The princess took in the sight of their dark bodies, shirtless, and hair that was shaved on the sides. Kalorian tribesmen. Aerity put her hands up as well, giving them a wary smile. She’d met tribesmen during the hunt and they’d been perfectly reasonable.
“Hello,” she said in Kalorian. “We are traveling through. We mean no harm to anyone.”
All eyes went to her with interest. The largest man moved forward. He sniffed the air and eyed the two of them. Aerity saw his hands, clutching his bow, and her stomach tightenedat the sight of purple lines on his nails.
“You are not Lashed?” he asked with a grunt, speaking in Kalorian.
Aerity swallowed and responded in his native tongue, “No, sir, we are not. But we are Lashed supporters.”
His eyes narrowed with skepticism. “How do you know Kalorian? You appear Lochlan.” He spit on the ground.
Aerity’s heart sank. She hadn’t thought about how she would explain her language knowledge. Generally, only wealthy families learned foreign languages. Curses! She should have pretended not to understand. She fumbled for a quick idea.
“My family does trade mostly with Kalorians. Coffee beans and spices for wheat and soybeans. I befriended a Kalorian merchant’s daughter and we taught each other.”
Harrison watched their exchange carefully, most likely not understanding more than a few words here and there.
“Tell your man to throw down his weapons,” the tribesman ordered. “Allof them.”
“He says to throw down your weapons.”
Seeming unsurprised, Harrison slowly slid his bow and quiver off and lowered them to the ground. Then he pulled the daggers from the sheaths at his waist and boot and tossed them out too. One of the men rushed over and snatched them up, turning them over with a grin.
Aerity kept a sizable dagger in her horse’s saddlebag, but she didn’t dare tell. The large man told them to dismount,so they complied. Two of the men took their places on the horses, though the horses were unsure about it all, whipping their heads side to side. Aerity wanted to stroke Jude and tell him it was okay. Then again, maybe with any luck he’d throw the man to the ground.
The large Kalorian and one other took ropes from their waists and grabbed Aerity and Harrison by the wrists.
“Please,” the princess said, starting to tremble. “We are harmless.”
Quick, blinding pain stung the side of her face. He hit her!
“No!” Harrison shouted. “Keep your hands off her!”
Aerity had never before been hit by another person, and she was shocked by her urge to cower at the simple act of brutality. Then she heard a scuffle and thump, followed by a prolonged grunt from Harrison. She lifted her head to see him bent over, clutching his abdomen.
