There’s a handful of men moving past me, Discerni soldiers who walk right by without so much as a glance.
“They cannot,” Desmond replies, walking between Keane and I as we all head to the stables unseen, “the summoning will hold until you both step foot in Gaumond.”
I look over the Master Informer in pure astonishment, marveling at his summoning. Keane mentioned that Desmond’s magic worked in stealth, but I could have never envisioned that it would be anything like this. The three of us move as we normally would past the barracks and to the stables, though none of the soldiers are aware of our presence. I laugh in open wonder and situate my traveling bags more comfortably on my shoulder, shaking my head in amazed awe.
Both brothers look at me with a grin, their brown eyes amused.
Keane and I decided to pack light last night, hoping to cut the three, nearly four day leisure ride to Gaumond into two and a half. We would ride hard and only stop for the horses, beginning our travels in the early dawn and finishing into the evening.
Part of that light packing meant that I had to hand over my smaller traveling bag to Desmond for the trip. When the Master Informer arrived at my door this morning, the three of us and Golem had a quick conversation and decided it best that the magical creature stay behind in the castle with the remainder of the family, most notably the Queen. Desmond agreed to work on stealthing my bag while we were away and promised he would keep it and Golem’s home safe in his quarters until we returned.
“There will be a stable and room ready for you in Dalloway at the Twin City Inn,” Desmond nods to his brother as we enter the stables, “Ash and Millie will share a stall at the end, left hand side. Room will be on the second floor and the hallway on the right, last door.”
“Thank you, brother.”
Keane and I part our separate ways to ready our horses as Desmond stands back at the stable entry to wait for us. I greet my gentle mare with a smile on my lips and reach for the half apple I have waiting for her.
“You ready for another ride, girl?” I ask softly, running my hand down her neck and giving her a hard rub. Stormfall shifts on my shoulder and gives his own greeting to Millie, the horse and bird sharing their hellos as I throw my packs over Millie’s back. Keane, I noticed over his shoulder earlier, would be traveling with a separate and smaller bundle of hay andextra canteens of water, confirming that the two of us would be spending the night tonight somewhere off the Great Road and under the stars.
I walk Millie out of her stall just as Keane does the same with Ash, the two of us catching quiet glances, though mine is accompanied by a small blush.
“The stealth will fade in Gaumond,” Desmond reminds us both as we get situated on our saddles, “news may travel back to Bardot of your arrival in the Black Capitol…”
“We will be sure to travel back with it swiftly, brother,” Keane nods.
There was nothing that could be done about being spotted in Gaumond. People would take notice. But Desmond’s stealth offered us a few days of privacy to get out of Castle Bardot before anyone suspected we were gone, and it was better to have those hidden days then none at all.
Desmond reaches a hand out to his brother in departure, the two of them clasping arms, “I will watch over things here.”
“Thank you,” Keane smiles, looking down at Desmond with deep affection. Desmond gives him one final look before turning to me with his own small smile. I find that I like that smile on him… it softens his hard Discerni features, features I used to avoid for fear of grabbing the attention of Disce’s Master Informer.
“You’ll let my group know?” I ask, not wanting Cal or the twins to worry about my absence.
“I will,” he nods before taking a step back.
I glance at Keane and watch his grin pull wide, the Prince kicking Ash into a gallop as we set off for the Shadow Oak.
We rode through Bartley’s clearing in the mid-morning, stopping only when we were past the small village to give the horses a rest. We took our breakfast in silence and enjoyed the spring morning breeze around us, the two of us watching the other quietly through not so hidden glances. The silence that consumed us wasn’t awkward at all, and in fact leant a deeper appreciation for the moment that was to come.
We reached Brierman well before sunset, the fastest ever that I had traveled to the drunken ale town. Keane mentioned earlier this morning that he had only been under his brother’s summoning a handful of times, but he did know that the action didn’t save us from running into others. We had to navigate unseen through the rowdy patrons of the town as slowly as possible, the two of us taking as many side alleys as we could and remaining careful not to come too close.
Once we made it through Brierman we were back on the road and moving swiftly along the river, continuing that stride until the sun dipped well below the horizon. Keane led us through the dark forest to the edge that bordered the water, then glanced at me with a small nod of command that we would rest for the night here.
I dismount from Millie and walk towards the Prince, reaching for Ash’s reins. Stormfall begins to wake up on my shoulder and stretches his wings, taking in our surroundings before he darts to the river. The water is flowing peacefully at our front as Keane passes me Ash with a grateful smile. He then walks silently into the woods and disappears into the darkness as I take our horses to the bank.
I let them drink heavily before steering us back to a small, open piece of land, tying them in for the night and getting rid of the travel packs on their backs. Once Ash and Millie look fully relaxed I pull out a large brush and pamper them both for such a good day’s ride.
Keane returns when I have the horses settled, his arms bulging with broken logs and heavy trunks in his grip. The two of us stop and catch each other’s gazes in even more silence before Keane’s eyes flick down my body. He gives me a small smirk and drops his wood in the center of the clearing, not missing the trembling breath I let out at the sight of him. I turn back to Ash and pat him fiercely on the neck, thanking him for his steady help as I reach for our bedrolls and food.
Keane sets to the fire before it roars to life, licking up the backs of my legs and sending a comforting warmth. He reaches out a hand when I walk towards him with our bedrolls, careful with his grip.
“No touching,” he grins at my curious glance.
I let out another breath and shake my head.
Ancients.
This is going to be a long night.
