“And what about potential weather delays? Have you prepared for that?” the prince asked.
“We are fully prepared, Your Highness,” Wilkin replied. “With the supplies we have, we could last a year, should fate allow.”
“Good,” Gadriel said. “And the knights? Have they secured their weapons and belongings?”
“Everything is in order,” Wilkin answered. “The four knights are already settled in their coach, ready for departure.”
“And my courtesan? Has she been brought to the carriage?”
“Yes, Your Highness. Sir Regis escorted her there not long ago. I’ve seen to her things and made sure she’s resting inside.”
“Excellent. How soon can we depart?” Gadriel asked. “With the solstice at its peak, the sun won’t rise for another sixteen chimes, but we still need to cover ground. We have only three months to reach the devil land.”
“We’re almost ready, Your Highness,” Wilkin replied. “We just need to stow the final barrels in the supply coach. Once that’s done, we’ll be set to leave. If you prefer, you can head to your carriage, and I’ll handle the rest.”
“I’ll stay,” Gadriel said. “I want to see to the final provisions. Have the horses checked one more time. They need to be ready to travel for at least ten chimes.”
“As you wish, Your Highness,” Wilkin answered, and his footsteps faded as he made his way out.
“You,” Gadriel’s voice rose. “And you. What are in these barrels?”
Two voices unfamiliar to me responded, “Provisions, Your Highness.”
“Take them to the supply coach,” Gadriel instructed. “I plan to leave by fourth high-chime. Move quickly.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” they responded.
“I need to speak with the stable master,” Gadriel added. “I’ll return shortly.”
The voices, now muffled but growing nearer, filled the air. A sharp wave of panic clenched my gut. I pressed deeper into the shadows, my heart thundering in my chest as their footsteps echoed against the stone.
I heard a chuckle as one of them asked, “Did you get a proper eye at the courtesan?”
“Aye, when I was stashin’ her things,” the other replied.
“Worth lookin’ at?”
“Best lookin’ whore I ever laid eyes on.”
The two men’s cackling sent a jolt of anger racing down my spine. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay still. The barrel farthest from me shifted, then was lifted onto a shoulder, followed by the second. My breath grew shallow, and I pressed myself harder against the wall near the barrel covering me.
Doubt and regret flooded my mind faster than I could push them away. What had I been thinking? Was I really foolish enough to believe I could slip out of the castle with such a ridiculous plan? Had my squire already alerted the watch to my disappearance? I was trapped. Once the last barrel was moved, I’d be exposed. And then what? Gadriel wouldn’t hesitate to have me killed. Maybe even with his own hands.
This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. I was an idiot. My plan had been nothing but a desperate, foolish dream, and now I was paying for it. I couldn’t believe I’d gotten this far, against all odds. There was no escape now, not with Gadriel so near. Even with the cloak, he’d recognize my silhouette and the fabric. If the carriage master were still watching the barrels, I could’ve hidden deeper in thecastle, but that would only lead me farther from the carriages leaving Hyrall.
The heavy footsteps came again, and I pressed my hand to cover my nose and mouth as a third and fourth barrel were lifted.
Only two barrels stood between me and being caught.
There was nothing left to do. I was defenseless, cornered and ready to be caught. I tried to take some pride in how far I had gotten, telling myself that was something, at least. If I had waited just a little longer to leave the courtyard, maybe it would’ve worked. I could’ve seen Gadriel coming and kept my distance, but I suppose fate had other plans.
The second-to-last barrel was lifted, and I swallowed hard, the knot in my throat growing tighter. As hands reached for the final barrel, I furrowed my brow and shut my eyes, bracing myself for whatever came next.
“Oi! Hamon!” a voice called from a distance. “We’ve got room for just one more barrel. Gregor’s taking the last one we can fit.”
The hands holding the barrel in front of me loosened, and a man’s voice asked, “You think we should leave this one behind?” A thump echoed as his hand slapped the top of the barrel.
“Not sure. Might be best to check with the prince, eh?” the other man replied.
