“Well that was just child’s play. How was I supposed to know she would run off like she did? This is…” she trailed off. “This is dangerous.”
“It will be difficult, yes,” said the Duke. “But it doesn’t seem like this is a very large rebel group at the moment. The men going with Philippe are all well-trained. It is unlikely she will be caught up in the fight.”
“I will watch out for her, Mother,” said Philippe looking back down to the map.
She eyed him. “I know you will,” she said. “But you must protect the men. And yourself. This may prove to be an unnecessary burden.”
Just then came a knock at the door.
“Entre,” said the Duke.
The door opened and Alex closed it behind her as soft as a blush. “My Lord, My Lady.” She nodded her head.
“Come dear, sit with me,” said Laure. The girl approached the long table and sat, looking from the Duchess to the Duke.
“Tell me, Alex,” said the Duke. “What do you make of this map? Do you know this area well?” He pointed to the circled section they had just been over.
Alex looked over the parchment. She ran her fingers over the markings. “Here,” she said. “There are a great number of caverns in this region that aren’t marked on any map I’ve seen. Even this is muddled and unclear. This valley exists, but the map has it covering far more area.” She leaned forward and pointed to a section that was covered by trees. “Where this shows the valley leading into forest is incorrect. This is the beginning of the caves. The rock juts out of the ground and before the trees realized they weren’t growing on land, they rooted themselves into the stone. It can be very deceiving if you hedge the area, but once you get into it, you can begin to understand the secrets.” She leaned back and addressed the Duke. “If your marauders wish to hide, this would not be a bad choice.”
“You have traveled this area?” asked the Duke.
“Indeed,” she replied. “I’ve used it as a shortcut into the Mercantour Valley.”
“Is it very treacherous?” asked Laure.
“It is not easy. It’s dark and muddy. I wouldn’t take a group of dandies through there, but the well-traveled Cliffsdu Solieltowards the south are far more perilous.”
The Duke addressed Alex, his countenance softening as he spoke solemnly to her. “We always marveled at your ability to hold whole maps in your head when we would take you on hunts as a child. It’s no surprise you have built a reputation of your skills as a guide.” He put his hand over hers. “I wouldn’t put you in danger for this mission if we didn’t need you. Are you prepared to take this burden on?” He watched Alex carefully.
“OuiMonsieur,I am happy to assist in any way I can.” She smiled. “Besides, I believe I shall enjoy traveling with you once more.”
“Oh no,” the Duke responded, “‘tis not me leading this one. I have been away from home too long.” He leaned back into the cushion of his chair. “No,” he continued. “You shall travel under the lead of Philippe.”
Alex blinked a few times as the smile fell right off her face. “Right,” she said with a quick nod to her head. She looked back down to the map and traced the lines with her finger.
The Duke continued, his tone commanding again as he addressed Philippe. “I should like you to be off in the next day or two.”
“There is much to prepare,” Philippe replied. “I haven’t even brought all the men together yet. Not all have traveled that far north. They must be briefed on the conditions.”
“And also,” interjected Duchess Laure, “It would be a shame if they had to miss the tournament. Many of them are competing this year. Surely, the mission can wait until the day after.”
“That is five days hence?” asked the Duke.
“I could have everything organized by then,” Philippe said. “I should like a few opportunities to review the plan with everyone.”
Laure noticed that Alex spoke no more, nor had she looked up from the map. The men continued to discuss the task while the girl was silent. Laure also noticed that Philippe’s eyes kept darting back to Alex as he spoke to the Duke and then away again. Well, she thought, it seemed they hated each other again. If those two could just cool their heels, Laure was sure they could be good companions. She said a quick prayer for the safety of the journey. She hoped her husband was not underestimating the trouble they would encounter. If nothing else, it would be an interesting adventure, she thought, as she let a worried sigh escape her lips.
Chapter Five
The Chevalerie sword fighting tournament blazed through the town at the end of every summer. What had begun as a regional display of skills and power, had grown into a massive competition in which rivalries were settled, alliances strengthened, and entire wars were avoided. It wasn’t just entertainment; it was one of the most important political events of the year.
All put together by the Duke and Duchess.
Around the Chevalerie city walls, contenders, merchants, and spectators camped for days before the event, painting the valley into a tapestry of multicolored tents that displayed the colors of families and cities from hundreds of miles away. The camps butted right up to the base of the city walls, topped with its own blue and gold flags and banners. South of the valley, set high on a hill, was the ducal palace presiding over the town. To the far north was the massive circular arena where the event was held, which had stood since the Romans had settled the city a thousand years before.
The morning of the competition, Alex denied passage with the Duke and Duchess in favor of travelling the streets herself and experiencing the festivity. As she wandered towards the arena, she was fascinated by the exhilaration flowing through the streets. The marketplace was more chaotic than she had ever seen it. The churches were overflowing with last-minuteprayers for victory, while gamblers spewed odds at everyone passing by. By mid-morning and just before the games were to begin, Alex arrived at the base of the arena, where the fervor was at its peak. People wove around each other, clogging the walkways. Meat roasted on spits, singing rained down from balconies, children squealed and tumbled through the crowds. The air was heavy with sweat and excitement.
On the steps of the arena, a juggler whooped and tossed knives, trying to steal the crowd’s attention from a troubadour orating a story of the great warriors who had battled in the arena. To the left, two women used liquid dyes to paint a man’s chest with Chevalerie’s city colors. In the shadows were lovers, tangled up together, not at all hidden. Caught off guard, Alex watched for a moment until a toothless old lady knocked into her and thrust a bite-sized piece of honeyed bread into her hand and then demanded a coin. Alex dug for her coin purse before entering the stone arches that would lead her to the Duke’s private entrance. As she entered the arena, she nibbled on the sweet bread, enjoying it so much she licked every drop of honey from her fingers.
