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“None taken. I’m about to go ask the wench who made this to marry me,” Otto says, his serious expression proof of the truthfulness of his statement.
“And what if she’s mean and smells like the pigs this place is named after?” I ask, a sign outside literally marking it asHog’s Place.
“Then, I make sure I’m only home for supper time.” He winks at me before putting another spoonful in his mouth, and I let out a huff in response. If men actually used their head when choosing a wife, there would be much happier couples roaming the country.
Once our minds have cleared from the turbulence hunger brings, Captain Montgomery brings us back to business, as always. “With no signs of the princess here, I think we should move on.”
“Fort Lowsan is a decent sized city. We only had time to roughly scan through it today. She could still be here,” Aiden replies.
“She could. But I don’t think she is,” the captain says. “The Santanas may wish to run their city separately from the Crown. However, they would never sanction or allow the princess to knowingly be taken. It would make more sense for Aldren to simply pass through than try and hide her here. Lord Santana would find out soon enough, and put an end to their plotting.” Otto opens his mouth to speak, but must think better of it, staying quiet instead.
“The sun will be setting soon, but there’s enough daylight to continue forward for a little longer,” the captain continues. “We passed through the south entrance of Fort Lowsan. If they are taking the princess to Thenstra, they will need to head out the north gate.”
“And if the Western Seaport is their goal? We never did see that theory through.” Otto interjects, locking eyes with the captain.
“It makes sense they would be headed to Thenstra, from a logical stand-point. To a more neutral and unknown territory. Whether they go north through the Prythan Mountains, or, perhaps, west to the sea,” the captain concedes. “They could potentially sail to Thenstra from the seaport, and cross into the country through one of their ocean ports—”
“None of this is neutral, and none of this makes sense. Kidnapping a princess, for what? They must've known we would come after her. What does taking her accomplish exactly?” Aiden quietly exclaims.
“It brings confusion and fear. With the prince gone, and the princess now taken, the country is vulnerable. Could be for money, political gain, power, revenge.” Otto replies. “She's a priceless bargaining chip for whatever their plans are.”
The Captain stiffens, his face an unreadable mask. If it weren't for his unsteady breathing, I would guess him to be the most life-like statue I've ever seen.
“Who’s to say they didn’t just pull one over our eyes, turn around somewhere and head to Jadeya or Venes?” I ask. “There are a thousand places she could be right now.”
Captain Montgomery holds up both hands to silence us, our thoughts and theories getting jumbled together as we all try to speak. “All we have are the few clues Lady Margaret found and the logic I know Aldren to possess. He’s no fool. He thinks like a leader. Initially trying to throw us off, poisoning the guards at each gate, that made sense. It could easily be done without detriment to travel, speed, and time.
Once they had her, he knew I would be coming. Like I know Aldren, he knows me. He knows we would come for her, as Aiden said. There wasn’t time to take the chance that they could throw us off. It became all about how quickly they could move her out, and get her to their planned destination. Lady Margaret said she sent more guards to investigate paths they could've taken to Venes or Jadeya. We have been tasked with Thenstra.”
He makes more sense than I want to admit.
“Why don’t we split up then?” I suggest. “Two of us go north to Thenstra, two of us go west to the sea. Since those are two of the most logical places he could take her. Marg— Lady Margaret— didn't say she was sending anyone to the Western Seaport.”
There’s a moment of quiet before Otto speaks up. “It’s not a bad plan.”
“And if something happens to one of the pairs?” the captain asks.
“And what if we all go together in the wrong direction, and we don’t find her? At least this way we cross off two possible destinations,” I reply. The captain pauses, my question clearly hitting against his good sense.
A few more moments tick by in silence as we wait for his final word. “We will split up,” the captain says. “Otto— you and Aiden will go west to the sea. Thethiefand I will go north to Thenstra.” I try not to let a smile cross my face, but I can’t help it this time. I don’t even care that he used the demeaning term, its label starting to grow on me a little bit anyway.
The bar maid comes to clear away our dirty plates, and Otto hands her a coin.
It takes a moment for the idea to sink in that I will be traveling the next few days, or longer, alone with Captain Montgomery. My earlier smile wavers.
Why couldn’t I spend my time with Otto, filled with stories that make me laugh? Or even Aiden— he could talk about his sisters all day and I wouldn’t be annoyed.
They may all be part of the Royal Guard, but the latter two are decent company at least.
“Any opposition to our new arrangements?” asks the captain, eying each of us separately.
“None,” Otto says, Aiden nodding in agreement.
“And you, Ari?”
I stare at the table a moment before reaching his gaze with my own. “I’ve always wanted to visit Thenstra.”
21
