“YourHighness,I’msorry.”
Butthis wasn’t about me, “I’msaying this, wellIguess because if even a spoiled princess can become completely lost in it, of course someone who has been through what you have has every right to be.”
Ciarareached out and squeezed my arm now, “Tori,I’venever thought of you like that.”ButIshook my head.
“I’veseen how strong you are,Ciara.Andyou are good.I’llhelp you in any way thatIcan.”
Anew, dark look crossed her eyes. “I’mnot good,Tori.”Shelooked away from me then, andIhad to admit this confused me, but she looked back with that warm smile replacing her sadness, “and you have already done enough.Thankyou.”Shegave my arm one final squeeze, and thenIsaw that wickedness return to her grin, “Nowtell me, how much longer amIgoing to have to keep waiting for you to sneak back to your room in the morning for me to bring you breakfast?I’drather just end this whole thing and bring it straight to the king’s room.”Shewinked at me, andIscrewed up my face which made her laugh.
“Oneof these days you’ll give in,YourHighness.”Ididn’t like how at that moment, her words felt very right.Ihad thought revealing the secretIhad held so long would have left me anxious, butIfelt myself feeling unusually light.Icould hearJun’svoice in my head,I’mproud of you, sister.
Chapter45
Tori
Ispent the next week out with my cohort again, freely walking the streets ofXyr.Wemade our way through the city, and down the long main road,Icould see the docks in the distance.Atiny part of me whispered this was my chance, but a small shopkeeper waved me over, asking for help in hanging a new lantern, and the thought drifted away.
Wespent the morning as we always did, finding citizens who needed our assistance in one way or another, and delivering.Butas our group was helping load barrels of dried meat into a wagon, a young soldier,Klys, ran down the street toward us.
“Kaleos!You’reneeded outside the city, urgently!”Klysshouted.
“What’sall this?”Nokipopped his head out from behind the wagon.
Klysbent over, his hands on his knees, panting from his sprint.Butthrough his labored breathing, he said, “Reportsof an attack…bandits from theBarrens…LadyBogata’s…closest cohort.”
Kaleossnapped to attention, but not before his eyes had flicked to me.Iwas a liability, and we both knew that.Buthe seemed to decide it was worth the risk and commanded us into lines.
Wemarched at a breakneck pace out of the city and past the outer wall.Itwas still winter, and snow covered much of the land outside the city.Justoutside the wall, a small stable run by the castle held a few horses waiting for us, and my heart dropped.
“I’venever ridden before.”Horsesweren’t common inNiataexcept for hard labor.
“Thenyou’re withRaula,”Kaleosyelled.Istood next to the orc woman and she practically tossed me up onto the saddle, then landed behind me, snapping the reigns.
Raulawrapped an arm around me as the horse took off at a gallop, which was unnervingly fast.
“Gripwith your knees, don’t just bounce in the saddle.”Idid as instructed and it did make it easier, until my legs were burning.Butsoon we crested one of the main hills surrounding the city, and our target lay in sight.
Agreat field, free of almost any snow, grew grass that was a deeper green and taller than any of its neighbors.Winterwheat,Ihad learned fromLadyBogataat some point during our many hours of idle chatter.Ifluttered in the wind, but it was covered in clouds of smoke that billowed from the manor house in the distance.
“Fuck, these bandits were bold,”Raulaspoke behind me.
Kaleosrode up by our side. “Howdid they get this far into the kingdom without detection?” she asked.
“Itdoesn’t matter,”Kaleosreplied, “Allthat matters is we get anyone still alive out safely.Stayin formation, be on the lookout, and don’t hesitate to strike.”
Werode up to the house but saw no one.Thegrounds were eerily quiet, andIworried we were too late.Butthe cohort quickly dismounted, andKaleoskicked open the front double doors of the mansion.
Smokebillowed out, andKaleosshouted orders, sending us into different parts of the manor, “Youthree, top floor, get anyone you find still alive, out.”
Ihurtled up the two flights of stairs to the top landing,NokiandRaulaclose behind.Theyran to the right, andItook the left, where only one set of doors lay.
Ithrew open the doors, and smoke engulfed me.Ikneeled down, closer to the ground, and saw her lying on the floor prone.LadyBogata’ssoft auburn hair sprawled out across the floor, blood surrounding her.
Icrawled to her, trying my best to avoid the smoke.Iflipped her gently, and she moaned softly.Bloodran down from a huge gash on her face.
Hereyes fluttered, “PrincessTori?AmIdead?”
IsupposeIwas not the sight one expected to see when being rescued, “Notyet,MyLady.Let’sgo.”
