Chapter Six (Pt.2)
Leah looked up as Edmon and Maeve made their way down the wide steps from the palace to the cobbled courtyard. The king was dressed similarly to his warriors, a white tabard over his mail shirt, and a black cloak covering his back. The only thing that set him apart was the red plume that adorned his helmet.
Her hand resting on his left arm, Maeve’s full-skirted oak-brown riding gown with blossom-pink stripes was barely visible under her charcoal cloak. As she always did when she travelled, her gold hair was braided and fastened in a coil to the back of her head, to keep it out of the way.
Turning her attention back to Evalan, Leah insisted that he had to make his way to his horse. Muttering under his breath, he reluctantly did as he was told. Without having to look, she could tell how amused her colleagues, the assembled warrior-escort, were at Evalan’s open adoration of his sister. They’d listened with ill-concealed hilarity as she’d explained to her brother, yet again, that even though she was a member of the royal family, she was here in her capacity as assistant commander and had to take her place as such. She glanced across at Harlan, an assistant commander like herself, and glared as he smothered a snigger.
“Mount up!” commanded Deputy Commander Daven and the assembled host obeyed. Before the fateful brigand attack three years previous, the second commander had always led the warrior escort. But since Edmon’s faithful second and close friend, Geren, had lost his life and Edmon had nearly lost his, it had been decided that the second commander would remain in the city. In his stead would ride two deputy commanders supported by assistant commanders.
Leah settled herself onto the saddle with a slight grimace. Her shoulder was still sore even though the wound had healed. After Conor had discovered the serpent scar that marked her as Belosh’s possession, she’d slashed across it with her knife in an attempt to disguise it, all the while wondering why she’d never thought of doing that before.
A frown crumpled her brow. She could ‘feel’ Conor’s gaze on her even though he was placed about ten warriors behind her. Not for the first time, she questioned her decision; had she done the right thing, allowing herself to be talked into persuading the commanders to include Conor in the escort for the progress?
Conor had come to her the day after he’d discovered her secret, seemingly uncomfortable in her presence, yet demanding a favour in return for his silence: to be included in the escort as he was tired of mundane duties, and saw this as his opportunity to be placed on the road to promotion.
Leah had agreed, believing herself to have little choice in the matter, but now she couldn’t help feeling nervous, having him so close when he knew of her powers. Yet she had to admit that he’d kept her secret safe for the past two months since he’d found out.
“Leah.”
Harlan’s voice jolted her attention back to where it should be; her family and the commanders had already begun moving forward. She quickly dug her heels in; her mount, Free, tossed his head and snorted his displeasure at her abruptness. “Sorry,” she murmured, patting his neck.
He’d been her steed for almost two years now ever since a brigand arrow had killed her faithful Rashan. A chestnut gelding, she’d carefully set up a mind-link with him, which had proved invaluable many times over.
Having walked their horses sedately through the city and out the main gates, the royal progress turned their steeds north and urged them into a steady canter. A wide smile lit up Leah’s face; she enjoyed nothing more than being out of doors. She was proud being a commander for she knew that this role was reward for her own hard work, and not simply because she was the king’s daughter. But with that promotion had come intense responsibility, which tied her, more often than not, to the barracks. It had been a long time since she’d ridden out on a long duty.
As they rode past each of the three outposts, situated in three-mile intervals from the city, the four guards that occupied each lodge saluted them. In the distance, ribbons of smoke climbing the sky showed the position of various settlements, the homes of Edmon’s people who lived and farmed the fertile land that fed them.
The horses stepped onto the broad road wide enough for six to ride abreast; this was the main artery that connected Orenheart to Arcspan, the ancient tract of land linking them to Kurabar, in the north-west. Daven ordered the warriors to re-form to ride three deep to the left of the royal family. More warriors formed to the front so the family were boxed in, in the middle. The warriors remained constantly alert to any possible attack from the brigands of the Grimwood.
Evalan turned his horse and trotted to Leah’s side. “Father said I can ride with you now.”
With a smile, she moved Free around Evalan so he ended up riding between her and Harlan.
* * * *
“Harlan...”
He glanced at Leah, a smile already hovering about his lips, almost hidden by a bushy moustache. Although he was more than ten years her senior, he was not much taller than her but was sturdy in build with large, powerful hands. Hazel eyes regarded the world with humour, and he was always keen to have a laugh. Long chestnut hair was permanently pulled back in a neat ponytail.
“How’s... how do you find Conor?” she asked softly, moving her mount closer to his.
He shrugged. “Alright, I suppose. Why do you ask?”
“No particular reason. Could I ask a favour?”
“Anything.”
“You don’t even know what it is yet.”
“You’re the king’s daughter; how bad can it be?”
“You could be in for a horrid shock, you know.” His expression of fleeting apprehension made her laugh out loud. Lowering her voice again, she continued. “Seriously, Harlan, could you keep an eye on Conor for me?”
He raised his brows. “Why?”
“It’s... well, you know he’s having problems with his marriage...”
“Ah, yes. Don’t worry, you can trust me to be discreet.”
“I know; that’s why I asked.”
They carried on in silence for a while, which was finally broken by Harlan. “May I ask you something?”
“Depends,” she said with a smile.
“Why did you ask for Conor to be included when you seem so, I don’t know... nervous around him?”
Not having expected that question, Leah found she couldn’t answer straight away. “He’s still my friend and I thought this might help him, what with all that’s going on in his life.”
“Oh...”
“What?” she prompted as he kept glancing at her, seemingly not convinced.
“He... he seems... hostile towards you.”
“We had an argument.”
“Must have been some argument. Shame.”
She regarded him with raised brows.
“You seemed such good friends, you know, growing up together. Yet now...”
“Friends can grow apart sometimes,” she replied, looking away. And no more was said.
* * * *
Not long before sunset, the royal party approached Elanas, one of the larger, older settlements. A pair of tall, built up stone pillars marked the entrance, and from them ran a low wall outwards to encircle the dwellings within. Many coloured banners fluttered from the stones, and a cheer arose as the party came into view.
The elder and two others waited on foot, ready to lead their king in. Edmon approached, they bowed then turned to lead the way. Maeve and Evalan followed, flanked by Daven and Deputy Commander Kayla with Maeve’s maid behind. Leah signalled the eight-man guard to follow as she walked Free forward. Once they passed the boundary markings, Harlan commanded the warriors to set up camp on the open ground by the low wall.
They approached the large house in the middle of the settlement, the way either side lined with the settlement folk, all waving and cheering. Leah could hardly stop herself grinning; she’d forgotten how enthusiastically settlement people greeted royalty, so unlike the indifference she normally faced as a warrior for few outside the city ever recognised their princess in warrior garb.
As she breathed in the delectable aromas, her mouth began to water in reply. Home cooked fare and a comfortable bed; she spared a pitying thought for Harlan and contemplated sneaking him some food.
* * * *
Kayla, who’d been riding alongside Edmon, trotted her horse to Leah’s side. “The king has requested your presence, Leah.”
She glanced at Maeve.
“Don’t worry about me,” said her mother. “I’m sure Kayla won’t mind keeping me company.”
“That would be an honour, Your Majesty.” She inclined her head, straw-coloured braids framing her smiling face.
With a fleeting smile, Leah moved her horse up to join Edmon. “Father.”
“Ah, Leah...” He sounded as awkward as she felt. “How are you finding your duties?”
“Fine. A little tedious sometimes with all the paperwork.”
He smiled. “Yes, paperwork. It seems the grander the title, the greater the volume of paperwork required.”
She nodded, and they lapsed into silence until, finally, Leah had to ask, “Is there something you need me to do?”
Blinking rapidly, he said, “No, nothing...”
“In that case, I’d better get back with the others.” She started to turn Free.
“Leah, wait. Ride with me for a while longer.”
“My place is–”
“Your place is where I tell you it is.”
She glared at him.
“I-I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. I merely want us to spend some time together.” When she didn’t respond, Edmon continued. “Have I done something wrong, Leah? Something that’s upset you so much–”
“It’s nothing, Father.” Her customary reply cut him short.
“Then why do you seem so distant? We used to be close, yet now, when we’re together, it’s like... like we’re strangers.”
Keeping her gaze fixed straight ahead, Leah shrugged. “I don’t know what you mean. We’ve both been busy. I’m still getting used to my promotion...”
“You’re sure that’s all?”
Her gaze flicked sideways before she nodded. To her relief, Evalan came trotting up, followed closely by Maeve.
“Have you asked yet, Leah?”
Frowning, she shrugged.
His wide-open eyes threatened to bulge out of his head.
“Oh... that.”
“Asked what?” Smiling, Maeve tilted her head to one side.
But Evalan only ducked his head.
“It’s not a big issue,” said Leah. “He wants to bed down with the warriors at least one night while we’re in Kurabar, and again at a settlement.”
“Ah–” Edmon didn’t get much further as Evalan found his voice.
“Please, Father, say I can. I want to know what it’s like to sleep out in the open, that’s all. I want to experience this from a warrior’s perspective. Say yes, please, Mother, say I can.”
“Kurabar won’t be a problem, son, as it’s well protected...”
He grinned at his father.
“But I’ll reserve judgement about the settlement.”
The grin faded as his shoulders slumped.
“Don’t look so glum, Curly-top,” said Leah. “One’s better than none.”
Sighing, he straightened up again. “That’s true. And thank you, Father.