He was there when I woke up this morning, dressed and sitting in a chair, quietly studying a map. He had a cup of tea waiting for me, which I accepted, then awkwardly sipped in silence as he continued looking at the map. After that, I excused myself for a bath, which is when he said he’d be waiting for me downstairs.
Now here we are at a long wooden table, and everyone has joined us. Except for poor Rhydra, who we’ll bring food to after. She’s hiding somewhere outside, waiting for us to start our journey.
Raef has attempted to ask Phaedra about herself, but she’s not really talking. She’s sort of folded into herself more and more since we left the island. I don’t blame her. She’s probably scared, probably has no idea what she’s going to do now. On the boat, I apologized to her when we had a private moment. I explained to her that that wasn’t the real me, the elf she knew on the island. I had gone through some traumatic events and I was coping horribly. I told her as much, and she seemed to understand. She always knew that I was dealing with some dark things, but it’s no excuse for how cold I was to her at times. I might never fully forgive myself for the person I became there.
After Raef gives up on her, he shifts his focus to me. I can’t help but laugh a little as he looks at me with those fake pieces of elf ears on. It actually looks incredibly real, but knowing Raef on a personal level, him being an elf justisn’t right. Same with Daegan. But I’m trying extremely hard not to focus on him.
There are a few travelers scattered around here this morning, but it’s still very quiet, so we keep our conversations to a minimum and eat quickly.
We waste no time heading for the exit when we’re done. It’s going to be a long journey on foot to the closest town, where we’re hoping to secure some horses. Raef explained that they left a few there before their rescue mission to the island.
As soon as we get outside, Rhydra joins us, happy to accept the food. We all have packs strapped to our backs, mine stuffed full with Lemakis, and we have all the weapons we can possibly carry. Luckily, mine are all small. Daegan, Raef, and Rhydra are adorned with multiple swords and daggers, and Rhydra even has a bow and her staff.
Before we can make it five steps on the road, three figures emerge from the barn, looking like they’re about to head out themselves. We must have missed them inside somehow, because they don’t look familiar. We really should have checked the barn.
It’s too late to hide Rhydra now, as the three males have already looked our way. I don’t have a good feeling, so I start walking the dirt trail with my head down, hoping everyone will follow.
I hear their horses getting closer, and I say a silent plea in my head for them to ride right past us.
Of course, we’re not so fortunate.
“Morning,” one of them says.
“Morning,” I respond, along with Phaedra and maybe Raef. It’s hard to tell.
“Where ya headed on foot? Morne?”
“Yes,” Daegan says.
“That’s a long journey.”
“We enjoy the walk. Beautiful scenery out here,” Raef replies.
I glance at the soldiers, who all have pointed ears and are clad in the armor of the king’s army, and I see two of them eyeing Rhydra.
“You’re a tall lady,” the tallest, skinny one remarks.
“I am,” she responds.
Silence falls over us all for a moment, and then the taller one speaks again. “Well, you folks have a safe journey.”
“Sure thing, fellas,” Raef says.
I release a breath of relief as the soldiers get ready to take off. They look ahead, kicking their horses, and gallop up the dirt road.
“She’s princess Elysande!”
My head whips to Phaedra so fast I almost hurt my neck. My mouth hangs open as betrayal burns through me, and she looks at the guards in a panic.
I glance back at them, wondering how we can possibly get out of this one, but they’re already riding the short distance back. They hop off their horses when they reach us and draw their swords.
“She’s lying,” I say in a pathetic attempt to mollify the situation. “Don’t listen to her, she’s a little bit loony.”
The soldiers continue to approach, their weapons at the ready.
Daegan steps between the soldiers and me, his sword drawn, his stance ready for bloodshed.
“Drop your weapons,” the tall soldier says with authority. He doesn’t seem to be intimidated by us at all.
