Camilla wanted them gone. The handmaidens her brother had sent to assist her in getting prepared for her journey had been fussing over her for the better part of an hour. Their overfamiliar hands groped and prodded her as they applied makeup to her face and brushed her long brown hair. She didn’t know any of them and their constant questions only made her more and more frustrated. Each of them spoke excitedly about how envious they were of her and how lucky she was to be getting married. Their smiling and cheerful faces were totally oblivious to her suffering. She despised them, and yet she’d have given anything to be able to trade places with one of them.
After her makeup and hair were finished, it came time for her to put on the dress. Even though Rhys had been the one to pick it out for her, and she hated the reason for having to wear it in the first place, Camilla had to admit she found the dress rather beautiful. The dress was mostly dark green and made of silk. The sleeves were lined with a silver-coloured fabric and were so large that they drooped down to her knees. The neck of the garment was wide and lined with squirrel fur.
Once Camilla was properly outfitted in the dress, the handmaidens wasted no time in helping her put on her shoes. Finally, they set her up in front of the mirror and had her try on dozens of necklaces, rings, bracelets and even a tiara. She hated everything they put on her. She didn’t want to look pretty for her betrothed, in fact, she wanted exactly the opposite. She was even tempted to fake a slip and smash her face upon the wall in an effort to make herself swollen and ugly. If her husband to be found her to be undesirable, maybe he’d want to call the whole thing off, she thought desperately.
Camilla sighed.
She knew it was foolish of her to think this way. Rhys would force her to go regardless of her condition, especially if he suspected she had inflicted said condition upon herself in an attempt to get out of it.
The squeal of an excited handmaiden brought her focus back to the present. The handmaidens pulled out another piece of jewellery and excitedly rushed to place it around her neck. They seemed certain it was the one they were looking for. The final item to complete her look. It was an emerald necklace with a silver chain, the stone sparked a wonderful dark green, the colour of House Callidus. Again, Camilla thought, if not for the circumstances, she might have found the necklace a thing of beauty. However, all it represented to her now was how everything that had gone so terribly wrong, especially her impending marriage to a man she’d never met.
The handmaidens continued to fawn over her, but with her outfit now sorted and prepared, Camilla had no reason to put up with them any longer. Her patience was at an end, so she dismissed the handmaidens, politely at first, but when they dawdled and continued to bother her, she snapped at them and told them to get out. An awkward silence followed her outburst, but Camilla regained her composure and calmly thanked them for their assistance. Thankfully, the handmaidens obeyed her command without protest and left her alone in her chambers.
It took all of her willpower to not break down in the presence of the handmaidens. No doubt if she had they would have reported it to Rhys, she thought angrily. She didn’t want her brother to have the satisfaction of knowing how badly she suffered. Her feelings didn’t matter to him, he had never cared what she wanted and she knew that he wasn’t about to start caring now, she told herself. He wanted her to play the part of a pretty sister who did as she was told without question, much like her father, she realised. Despite this, Camilla decided then that she would try one last time to reach her brother, to reach out as his sister, but she wouldn’t beg. No, she’d done enough begging for one lifetime. She may be forced from her home against her will, to leave behind everything that made her, her, but she would not grovel. Not to him.
There came a sudden knock at the door.
The knocks came one after the other, but not like what one might expect. They were slow and hesitant, as though whoever stood outside wished to be anywhere else other than where they were. Not Rhys, then, Camilla thought to herself. She stood up and walked over to her chamber door and opened it.
General Falke and her retainer, Edgren, stood side by side out in the hallway. Both wore ceremonial armour emblazoned with the Callidus family crest and had weapons sheathed at their hips. The General looked at her, his face seemed aged and wizened.
“My lady,” He nodded his head in a polite bow. “You look remarkable.”
Camilla frowned. “Thank you.”
“I have come to escort you to Lord Rhys. The carriage is ready for you.”
Camilla felt a stabbing sensation deep within her stomach which almost made her sick. She cleared her throat and swallowed back the feeling and put on her best smile. One she’d had to use often within the walls of her home.
“Edgren,” She said dryly, gesturing to the travel chest in the centre of her chambers. “If you would.”
Her retainer nodded. The former blacksmith’s arms were muscled and strong. He walked past her and picked up the chest with little effort and returned to the hallway.
“Shall we?” General Falke said as he offered his arm to her.
Camilla took a deep breath and then nodded. She took the general’s arm and allowed herself to be led away from her chambers. She’d spent her adult life living within that room and now she doubted if she’d ever see them again.
“My lady,” The General said, slowing his pace and turning to look at her as he spoke. “Before we join your brother, I just wanted to say that the men and I remember what you did during the barbarian invasion.”
“What I did?” She asked.
Camilla turned her head to look at him. The way he spoke seemed almost soft, even wistful. She normally associated the General’s voice with an austere authority, an aura of command, but now she sensed the genuine feeling behind his words. A kindness she hadn’t expected.
“You helped to inspire them,” He continued. “And myself, when we were at our lowest. And you risked your life to warn the army when the knight fled the camp. I just… want you to know that both I and the men hold you in the highest regard, my lady. Many of them are saddened to see you leave us.”
“The General speaks the truth, milady,” Edgren added. “The men think very highly of you.”
Camilla didn’t know what to say. She was incredibly touched by the General’s words. To know that the soldiers also thought so highly of her was comforting to hear, but as nice as this revelation was to hear, she knew that it did little for her current situation. Still, she appreciated the sentiment. To be acknowledged for her efforts had always been something she had always craved for. To receive it now meant a great deal to her, even if it didn’t come from her brother or father.
Camilla thanked the general and the three of them, including Edgren who carried her travelling chest, made their way down the stairs and into the Great Hall of Varde Castle. The Great Hall was filled with people. She saw handmaidens, kitchen servants, stable boys, pages, cleaners and even the kennel master. It seemed everyone had gathered to see her go.
Standing by the door that led out into the courtyard of the castle was her brother, Lord Rhys Callidus of Vinum Province. He too, like the General and Egren, wore ceremonial armour and looked every bit as a lord as their father had. She could tell even from this distance, however, that his posture seemed off. His back was arched forward and his head was held low. She guessed that he must still have been refusing to take the pain medicine and thus suffered a considerable amount of discomfort. She had to admit that the spiteful part of her could not help but enjoy her brother’s difficulty, though the feeling faded when he spotted her and smiled.
Rhys’s smile was even more fake than her own, she thought. She could sense the malice behind his lips, his eyes followed her like a hawk as she and the General made their way through the Great Hall and throngs of people, who now cheered her departure as if it were some great thing worth celebrating. She could hear them talking about how she moved and looked. They discussed her dress, her body and her hair, as well as her face. With all these people staring at her, Camilla felt as though she were little more than a prized cow going to auction, to be sold to the highest bidder. It made her feel sick and incredibly uncomfortable. Never before had she felt so judged.
Despite her knowing many of the faces in the room, the truth was that they were all strangers to her. In fact, she could say the same of the entire household of the castle. The people she’d grown up with, the ones she truly had cared about, had either left or perished in the invasion of the late Lord Severus. Those people, she knew, would have been able to see that she wanted nothing to do with his marriage.
Rhys lurched toward them and met Camilla and the General midway through the Great Hall. Before any of them could speak, he reached out and took hold of her arm in a tight grip and pulled her to his side. With his arm now intertwined with hers, he ordered General Falke to follow and began walking toward the door that led outside to the courtyard of the castle.
“Beautiful as ever, sister.” He muttered as he waved and smiled to everyone around them. “Lord Sudrow’s eldest will surely fall for you in short order. Though I must say, I half expected you to refuse to leave your chambers.”
“I considered it.” She replied.
“Good that you saw reason, then.”
“I see no reason in any of this,” She protested. “Rhys, there is still time for you to reconsider. You—”
“General Falke,” Rhys cut her off as he stopped walking. “Is the Sudrow delegation ready to receive us?”
The General cleared his throat and nodded. “They wait outside the gate, to come in at exactly the right time, just as you requested.”
“Send word that we are ready,” Rhys said, then turned to her and gestured with his head for her to continue to come with him. When she hesitated, he roughly pulled her arm until she acquiesced. “Do not make this more difficult than needs be, Camilla.”
“Difficult? I could make this far more difficult if I chose to do so.”
“I’m very well aware you could.” He admitted. “But all you would do is bring shame upon the Callidus family. For everyone to see you kicking and thrashing like a spoilt child, it would only serve to make a fool of you, and me. The result will be same, regardless.”
Camilla felt her blood begin to boil. She hated how calm, self-assured and smug her brother was acting, as though he’d considered every possible scenario and its outcome. She was tempted to do exactly as he had said to kick, thrash and scream until they tossed her into the carriage against her will. Rhys was right in that it would have been a shameful moment for the family, but it was almost worth the loss in reputation just to see her brother squirm.
Rhys led her through the large door of the Great Hall and out into the open air of the courtyard. Camilla guessed that there were nearly a hundred soldiers in the courtyard all told, gathered in smaller formations all around. Some of them held aloft the Callidus family banner while others simply stood at attention. Their captains stood apart from the formations and faced her and her brother.
It was all a show, she realised. A show her brother had put on for their Sudrow visitors. To show power and wealth, to tell all others that the Callidus family was strong and united. But it was all a lie, she told herself. Their family had never been weaker. The Severus and barbarian invasions had devastated the land and practically destroyed the economy. Rhys was desperate for new allies, ones that were not Kaewyn or those affiliated with him.
The carriage and escorting Sudrow soldiers entered the courtyard from the far side. Two dozen or so riders rode behind the golden gilded carriage. At the head of the column was a rider with a long flowing cloak, and when the carriage stopped in the middle of the courtyard, the rider dismounted and bowed low.
Rhys nudged her to move and then led her down toward the rider with the cloak, and as they came closer, the man introduced himself as Lord Sudrow’s youngest son, Karishyn. He was about as tall as Rhys was, of medium build and had rather long brown hair for a man that rested upon his shoulders. His arms seemed a little too long to Camilla for some reason, but his most striking feature was upon his face. A thin scar ran the length of Karishyn’s face that began above his right eye and ended at his cheek.
Karishyn immediately bowed his head and reached for her free hand. Camilla resisted the urge to pull away and instead, faked a smile. He then took her hand and kissed it, lingering for far too long for her liking. The youngest son of Lord Sudrow then lifted his head and released her hand only after his grey eyes met hers. He held the gaze and stared as her as he spoke with her brother.
“A fine reception Lord Rhys,” He said with a chuckle, still eyeing her with an intensity that made her uncomfortable. “I am sure if my eldest brother were here, he would be grateful for such a fuss.”
“Do not ogle my sister, Karishyn,” Rhys said with a measure of seriousness. “She is betrothed to your brother, not to you.”
Karishyn broke away and lowered his head, but Camilla noticed a wry smile. “Oh, forgive me, my lord. Truly to see such beauty is rare in my lands. The mere presence of your sister will certainly put shame on the women of my family.”
Rhys grumbled, and Camilla found herself almost appreciative of how quickly he had leapt to her defence.
“As agreed, you will take Camilla back to Karikhan Province,” Rhys continued. “But no wedding is to take place until I am well enough to be able to travel there.”
“Of course,” Karishyn said. “The Lady Camilla will be our honoured guest until that time comes.”
“My physician estimates that I will be able to travel in less than a month, so tell your father and brother that they will not have to wait long,” Rhys explained. “If I arrive and find her already wedded, there will be consequences.”
“I assure you that will not be the case,” Karishyn said with a wicked smile. “I will guard the honour of your sister, personally.”
“And the matter of trade your father and I discussed in our letters?” Rhys asked.
“Consider it done,” Karishyn answered. “The first of the carts should begin arriving within the month. The carriage is prepared and ready to leave whenever you are ready, my lady.”
“Leave me and my sister to have a word in private, if you will,” Rhys said.
Karishyn bowed and moved out of earshot. Camilla watched him as he stood by the carriage door patiently.
Rhys nodded to himself and then turned to face her. “Camilla, it is now the time for you to do your duty as a Callidus. But I wanted to you know that if you are mistreated in any way, please send word to me.”
Camilla narrowed her eyes. “You picked an odd time to start caring about me, Rhys.”
Rhys sighed. “I know you believe that I am doing this simply to spite you, but the truth is that this is bigger than you or even I. Our family needs to make alliances if we are to survive the coming chaos.”
“Then you must know that marrying me to the Sudrows will only destroy your alliance with Kaewyn!” She nearly shouted at him. “You know, Rhys. You know how we feel about each other. This is a betrayal.”
Rhys shook his head and Camilla saw for the first time, the look of regret upon her brother’s tired face.
“In a perfect world unmarred by chaos and the ambition of man, Kaewyn and I would still be friends and you and he would be free to…” Rhys sighed. “Kaewyn has proven to me that he cannot be trusted.”
“Kaewyn fought for us at every opportunity,” She said angrily. “He saved your wife and me, your own sister, from the clutches of Lord Severus! He defended our lands from the barbarian invasion without a second thought. How can you even suggest he isn’t worthy of your trust?”
“You speak truly, but he himself has benefitted immensely in the process. You only see what you want to see, dear sister,” Rhys said softly, but as he continued to speak, she noted that he became increasingly agitated. “Kaewyn has welcomed the barbarian menace into the Empire and has them building a settlement on our border. The very same people who ravaged our lands and killed our people, Camilla. In every battle, he ensures that it is only he who benefits. We got nothing from taking over Oscua and yet he gained a new vassal, loyal only to him. We got nothing but death and destruction from the barbarian attacks, yet he bends them to his will, to be used as he sees fit. Don’t you see? I will not allow myself and our people to be used as pawns to be thrown against Kaewyn’s enemies any longer. Vinum must stand on its own and it will. This alliance with the Sudrow family will mean we no longer rely upon Greystone.”
“Kaewyn believes we need to work together, all of us,” She said. “Lord Valehran of the Heartlands will come for us eventually, and when he does, Kaewyn believes we should all stand together.”
Rhys scoffed. “Yes, dear sister. Kaewyn would have us all work together but under his direction. The soldiers of Vinum already think of him as some heroic figure. I’ve heard them whispering about him. I will not allow our soldiers to idolise him! They are my soldiers, not his!”
Rhys began to shout, but then he winced in pain and held his side. He breathed deeply and seemed to be waiting for the pain to subside, and when it did, he continued to speak, albeit more calmly.
“I will work to ensure Vinum survives and your marriage is but one of many steps I intend to take to strengthen our position.”
“…You’re deluded Rhys,”
“Go,” Her brother said, pointing toward the carriage. “Your retainer seems to be done loading your belongings into the carriage. It is time for you to leave Varde Castle.”
Camilla wanted to argue with him, to try to convince him to see things her way, but she knew it was for naught. Rhys was stubborn and his way of thinking was set in stone. She turned away from him and walked toward the carriage that would carry her to the next phase of her life, but before she left, she had one final piece of advice for her brother.
“Take care of Lucilla, Rhys, for the world is not kind to girls.”
***
“How much longer until we stop for the day and rest?”
“It’s getting late milady, so I imagine it’s not much farther now.” Edgren replied. “One of the Sudrow guards told me that on their way to Varde Castle, they encountered a group of barbarians near here, so I suspect they want don’t want to stop until we’re a bit farther along. Just to be safe.”
Camilla felt claustrophobic being confined inside the gilded carriage for so long, but she was thankful that she had been able to speak to Edgren through the window in her carriage. Her loyal retainer rode alongside on horseback and occasionally they spoke of what was going on outside during the long road north. When she wanted to speak with him, she simply slid the wooden panel across and closed it when she was done. She couldn’t see much out of it save for a narrow slit of vision, but it allowed some light and air inside and made her feel better.
They had been travelling for hours and hours since their departure from Varde Castle and despite being seated in a relatively comfortable carriage seat, she was exhausted. She’d have much preferred to ride on horseback rather than be locked inside what she’d nicknamed her portable prison, but she suspected they didn’t trust her on a horse lest she attempt to flee. None of them could catch me, she thought to herself proudly, I’m probably a better rider than all of them. Not that she could even ride a horse wearing this dress, she admitted.
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With a sigh, Camilla flung herself back into a slump against the cushions and cursed loudly. It wasn’t fair, she thought angrily. All her life, her fate was held in the hands of her father and now her brother. She’d hoped for that to change once she had come of age, but if anything, Rhys had proven even more controlling than her father had ever been. Only Kaewyn had ever afforded her the courtesy to choose her own path and she had foolishly chosen her family over returning to Greystone with him when she had the chance, a fact which she regretted more than anything.
Her anger began to fade as the carriage continued north, only to be replaced with a deep melancholy. There was so much she regretted in her life, so much that she still wanted to do, but now she felt as if she were trapped. The new life that awaited her in Karikhan Province terrified her. She had no knowledge of her husband-to-be other than that he was the eldest son of the aging Lord Sudrow. She didn’t know whether he was a kind man or a horrid one. She realised with a shudder that she didn’t even know how old he was. He could be twice my age!
A sick feeling took root in her stomach then, and she buried her face in a cushion to prevent herself from gagging or being sick. The fate of a noblewoman was cruel. To be taken from her home with no say in the matter was unfair, to be married at the whims of their fathers and brothers and having no say in the matter was unfair and, in her case, her father and Rhys had always been in control of her life down to the finest detail. Even this dress she wore was picked out for her by Rhys, and it made her hate it.
The carriage came to a sudden stop.
Camilla slid the wooden panel open and tried her best to look out the window, curious as to what was happening outside. Through the limited slit of vision, she saw the Sudrow escorts dismounting their horses and chatting amongst themselves. Immediately, she shuffled over to the door of the carriage and shouted out for them to open it. When no one answered her, she began to bash on the door, until finally, she heard the sound of someone fiddling with the latch outside. She waited until the carriage door opened and then saw Karishyn had been the one to open it. The youngest son of Lord Sudrow extended his hand in assistance to help her climb out and down to the ground, but she refused and did so without his help. His smile and overly friendly demeanour faded in an instant and she recognised the look of a man scorned.
“It has been a long day of travel, my lady,” Karishyn said with a wry smile. “Now why don’t you come and entertain my men and I while we share our afternoon meal? Perhaps a song or dance?”
Camilla recoiled and made a face. “I just wanted to stretch and get some air. I’ve no intention of entertaining you or your men.”
“I’d suggest not getting on my bad side, my lady,” Karishyn said through his narrow, beady eyes. “My men are all that stand between you and a grim fate at the hands of bandits or those savage barbarians. I have seen what happens to women who travel unguarded.”
“I am not your betrothed, Karishyn,” She said as bravely as she could manage. “I am not beholden to your wishes. Your duty is to escort me to Karikhan Province and nothing more.”
Karishyn looked at her and a flash of anger passed across his face. It didn’t seem to her that he was used to being talked back to, especially by a woman, but as quickly as his anger had appeared, it had disappeared. Now he was back to his smiles but somehow that bothered her and scared her, even more than his anger did.
“You’ll be a Sudrow woman soon enough,” He said with a roll of the eyes. “Sudrow women do as they’re told. You would do well to remember that.”
An intense look then appeared on Karishyn’s face as he walked toward her and snarled. “Now do as I say and come with me.”
As he reached out for her, Camilla instinctively backed away only to stumble into something solid behind her. When she turned her head to see, she saw Edgren standing there with his hand hovering over the hilt of his blade.
“I believe the lady is tired,” Edgren said with his gruff voice. “I will help her back into the carriage to rest.”
For a moment, no one spoke. Camilla watched as Karishyn and Edgren eyed each other up and down. She suspected they were sizing each other up if it came to blows. Not that it mattered much, she thought, as Karishyn had two dozen of his own men all around them if he needed their help.
“I have trained extensively in the use of the blade,” Karishyn said with an intense look in his eye. Camilla watched as his hand slowly moved to the hilt of his weapon. “And tutored under the finest instructors in the Empire. I daresay there isn’t a soul for the next three provinces who could match my skill.”
Edgren didn’t seem impressed, nor intimidated by Karishyn’s words in the slightest. In fact, he moved in front of Camilla and continued to eye his potential opponent. Just when she was certain a fight was going to break out, Karishyn backed off and smiled.
“Very well, let the lady rest for now,” he said aloud, then looked directly at Camilla. “Though know this. If your brute should interfere again, I will cut him from throat to groin before he can even reach for his weapon.”
Edgren stiffened at his words and she heard him growl softly. Karishyn, on the other hand, simply turned and left them be and joined his men. She watched as they broke open a crate on the back of the carriage and began handing out food and drink. She heard Karishyn tell his men to enjoy their time of rest while they could, for they were not stopping for long.
“I do not like that one,” Edgren shook his head and breathed deeply. “He has the look of one of my old mercenary captains. Men like him are used to getting their way, milady.”
“And we have to put up with him for another four days at the very least.” Camilla sighed as Edgren helped her up into the carriage.
“Normally I’d know how to handle a man like that,” Edgren explained. “In my company days, we’d have got to him in the night and beat him silly. And in the morning, everyone would play dumb and he’d have no idea who was responsible.”
“That’s… one way to do it, I suppose.”
Edgren shrugged. “Eh, it worked. Those arrogant types act all high and mighty until they get humbled.”
“Karishyn is the son of a powerful lord,” Camilla said. “I do not think anyone can do anything, least of all us.”
“You might be right, milady,” Edgren sighed. “Are you hungry?”
Camilla nodded.
“Then I will fetch you something.”
Edgren left her inside the carriage and disappeared to where she could not see him. Her mind began to wonder how the rest of the Sudrow family was. Were they all like Karishyn, arrogant and self-assured? She told herself that surely not all of them would be as bad as he, and then she shuddered. Perhaps some of them would be even worse.
After the soldiers had eaten their fill and rested, Karishyn decided it was time to continue. Camilla looked at the sky through her small window and guessed that there were still a few more hours until dark and supposed that Karishyn wanted to keep moving until the light of day was completely gone.
Camilla found herself wondering about where she would be now if she hadn’t decided to remain in Varde Castle and instead left with Kaewyn as they had originally promised. The imaginary scenario brought her pain as well as a warm feeling deep inside of herself as the images entered her mind.
She first thought of the morning. Perhaps she would have spent the early hours of the day going for a leisurely ride outside Xu Castle. Kaewyn could have even joined her if he hadn’t stayed up the night before reading his books. During the day, she pictured herself attending the court of Greystone alongside him as he dealt with the many issues and dilemmas of statecraft. Unlike her brother, she imagined Kaewyn welcoming her advice and input as he included her in the decision-making process. And in the evening, she wondered if they would be preparing for the end of the day meal before finally retiring to bed together come dark. The thought of it brought tears to her eyes. She regretted not going with him more than anything in the world and now she might not see him again.
The thought of him then had her thinking of how he’d take the news of her marriage. She knew that he’d learn of it soon enough. She worried that somehow, he would think that it was her decision and that she didn’t want to be with him anymore. She worried that it would hurt him or drive him into doing something reckless. Most of all, however, she worried that he and Rhys would turn on each other with more than just their fists and plunge their corner of the empire into war yet again.
As Camilla sobbed into her cushions, she heard shouting from outside. She quickly wiped at her eyes and slid the wooden panel aside and peered out. She couldn’t see anything of note, but when the carriage abruptly stopped, the momentum threw her head and shoulder against the wooden wall. A wave of dizziness and pain swept over her and for a moment, she completely forgot about the commotion outside. She rubbed at her forehead and shoulder and thankfully the pain subsided to a manageable level. There was more shouting outside, and this time she recognised the voice of Karishyn.
Does anyone see who they are?
No, milord. Could be bandits.
Or more savages.
Camilla felt her heart begin to race. As much as she hated the idea of being forced from her home and being married to some man she’d never met, the thought of being abducted by bandits and possibly killed was a sobering one. She would still live a life of relative privilege as a noblewoman. She’d never have to worry about food or coin and she would be safe. Her coming marriage to Lord Sudrow’s eldest son suddenly no longer seemed so terrible a fate as it had been only a moment ago.
Form a circle around the carriage!
They’re coming closer!
There’s only a dozen or so, we can take em!
Camilla peered out of the window again and called for Edgren. He answered with worry in his voice and told her to close the window and stay inside. She did as she was told and retreated away from the window. She heard shouting and cursing all around the carriage, but the sounds were all blurred together with the neigh and whinny of panicked horses and men’s shouts. She was blind to the outside of the carriage and not being able to see made it difficult to tell who was speaking and where they were.
Then, the sounds outside settled and she heard someone talking. Their voices were muffled and she could not understand them, but the tone of their voices suggested to her that the discussion was a tense one. The overwhelming curiosity and fear drove her to slowly move back to the window. She pressed her ear against the wooden panel and listened, but still, she could not tell what was going on. Slowly, she carefully slid the wooden panel open just enough for her to be able to see.
Camilla recognised many of the Sudrow soldiers facing away from the carriage. They had their weapons drawn and stood side by side in a defensive wall of bodies. She couldn’t quite see past them to whomever it was that they were guarding against, though, with the window now open, she could hear them speak more clearly.
“I am Lord Karishyn Sudrow,” She heard him say. “This travelling party is under the protection of my father, the Lord of Karikhan Province, as well as the Lord of Vinum Province. I order you to let us pass unharmed.”
Camilla could hear the trepidation in Karishyn’s voice. He was trying to project himself as confidently as he could, but even she could tell that he was on the verge of panic.
“Well?” Karishyn said. “Are you going to let us pass or continue to gawk at us and block our way?”
“You, stay.” A voice replied.
The voice was gruff and sounded odd to her. She shifted her weight and moved to the side to try and get a better look at the ones who had stopped them, but still the soldiers were blocking her vision.
“Damn barbarian scum.” Karishyn cursed. “You blocked us for nearly an hour on our way through here last time. I will not be stopped unnecessarily by the likes of you again!”
“You will stay,” The voice answered, this time she thought it sounded more like a command than a suggestion. “Stay for the lord.”
“I’m not waiting here for some tribal dolt to question me,” Karishyn said in anger. “Come men, we are double their number. Let them try to stop us if they wish to die. We are leaving.”
The soldiers blocking Camilla’s view began to move, allowing her to catch a glimpse of those outside. She saw several men on horseback, their faces and horses were painted with many colours and they held spears which they pointed toward the carriage. She had seen these people before. They were Ralerai. She remembered seeing them as she wandered the camps after the great battle. She recalled how friendly they had been and how much they loved their horses. It was then that she remembered her brother’s words. Kaewyn has welcomed the barbarian menace into the Empire and has them building a settlement on our border. These people, she realised, served Kaewyn.
“You go no further,” The Ralerai leader said.
“I’ll not take orders from a savage!” Karishyn spat. “Ready your weapons, men!”
Camilla watched as the soldiers pushed forward waving their weapons threateningly at the Ralerai who surrounded them. The riders backed off out of range of their spears and rode away. Suddenly, the carriage began to move again. She continued to watch the Ralerai outside the window and noticed that they were following at a safe distance, stalking their every move. It seemed to her that they had no intention of leaving them be. Camilla continued to watch them through the window as the carriage hurriedly travelled north. Why were they here, she wondered, and what drove them to follow despite Karishyn’s threats of violence toward them? She didn’t dare allow herself to even consider that it had something to do with her. After all, Karishyn had encountered the Ralerai on his way to Varde Castle, she told herself. It must be a mere coincidence.
The pace at which the carriage moved caused Camilla much discomfort. Each bump was worse than the one before, though she knew that her desire to be looking out of the window compromised her ability to prepare herself for each rock or hole in the road the wheels smashed against. Still, she couldn’t take her eyes off of the Ralerai who followed them. Soon though, she could no longer see them. She didn’t think it was likely that they had escaped them, but rather they had given up on following them. The carriage was moving quickly, but a rider on horseback would have little trouble in keeping up with them. With a sigh, Camilla fell away from the window and back into her cushions. A few minutes later, however, there was another shout.
The carriage slowed and then stopped. Camilla heard the men whispering amongst themselves outside, some cursed while others spoke softly in fearful, panicked voices. She looked out the window again and this time, she saw not just a dozen riders like before, but a hundred of them. They sat in their saddles stone-faced and their spears were pointed at the soldiers guarding the carriage. One of the riders came close to the carriage and Camilla saw Karishyn ride over to him.
“You, stay,” The rider said. It was the same Ralerai as before.
Karishyn grumbled but otherwise said nothing. He knew that there was no point in trying to flee this time.
“Edgren,” Camilla whispered through the window. “Edgren, are you there?”
The lumbering shape of Edgren came into view and leaned his head in close to the window. She saw the concern on his face as he spoke. “Yes, milady. I’m here.”
“What is happening out there?” She asked. “What do they want?”
Before Edgren could answer her, there was a shout, followed by the sound of dozens of blades being unsheathed at the same time. Edgren pulled away from the window and moved to the carriage door, blocking the way with his own body. Camilla tried to see what was going on outside, but she could only see one side of the carriage and she was blind to whatever it was that was going on at the front. Instead, she tried to listen.
“My men and I are in the service of my father, Lord Sudrow,” Karishyn shouted. “And we are in the lands of Vinum Province, the domain of Lord Callidus who also grants us his protection. If you act against us, then you act against them as well! Do you savages not understand the consequences of your actions?”
“The Ralerai might not understand,” A familiar voice answered. “But I do, and yet here I am.”
“Who—” Karishyn stammered.
“Release her.”
“That voice,” Camilla whispered to herself in disbelief. It was Kaewyn. She’d recognise the sound of his voice anywhere. “Kaewyn! I’m in here!”
Camilla screamed out and bashed upon the door of the carriage, but she wasn’t able to open it from the inside. She heard a click and felt a wave of relief as the door creaked open. She then reached out for Edgren who helped her out of the carriage. Now on the ground, she looked around frantically and saw the nervous faces of the men charged to escort her. They had formed a circle of bodies around the carriage facing outwards, but she saw that all around them were Ralerai riders armed with spears and blades. There were so many of them, she thought, they could have easily overwhelmed the defenders at any time, yet instead, they seemed content to hang back.
Camilla tried to rush to where she had heard Kaewyn and Karishyn speaking, but Edgren put his hand on her shoulder and told her to wait. She struggled and tried to break free of his hand but Edgren then grabbed a hold of her waist and held her back.
“It’s too dangerous, milady.” Her retainer said. “Wait, let’s see how things unfold.”
Camilla didn’t want to sit back and watch. She wanted to go to him, to tell him that she was sorry and that she regretted her decision. She wanted to tell him so many things and the idea of waiting to do so hurt more than even Edgren grip around her waist. She continued to struggle until Edgren relented and allowed them to move to the front of the carriage, though she noticed that he still held on to her. She didn’t care though, she just wanted to be closer to what was going on and as far away from the door to the carriage as possible.
In front of the carriage, she saw Karishyn dismount his horse and stand out in the open space between the Ralerai riders and his own men around the carriage. He shot a glance back toward her and snarled as if she was to blame for everything that had gone wrong. She noticed that his hand rested upon the hilt of his sword.
Across from Karishyn and amongst the Ralerai, she saw a beautiful white-grey horse. It stood out from all of the other horses around it and riding this magnificent animal, was the man she loved. Kaewyn sat in the saddle, a look of utter determination in his eye. Camilla had never seen him so serious before, not even before the battle of Taneby nearly a year ago. He wasn’t wearing armour, nor a helmet, instead he wore what looked to her to be his travelling clothes. Beside him on their own horses, she recognised Arlan who had once offered to train her, and of course, the loyal Yohren. When she saw that he had noticed her, he smiled warmly and nodded his head. At that moment, she knew that they had come for her.
Kaewyn either didn’t see her, or his focus was elsewhere. He dismounted his horse and handed the reins to Yohren, and then joined Karishyn in the area between the two forces. He too, she noticed, had his hand on the hilt of his weapon.
“Lord Edderfield himself,” Karishyn chuckled. “What do you and your savages want with us?”
“I’m not interested in bandying words with you,” Kaewyn replied. “Release her and we will allow you to continue unharmed.”
Karishyn scoffed and shook his head. “My father charged me with bringing the wench back to Karikhan Province. If I lost her on the way back, I’d be a laughing stock. No, I am afraid you have wasted your time coming here, Lord Edderfield. Leave, before I have my men slit her throat.”
Camilla felt her muscles tense as the men around her suddenly turned and pointed their weapons at her instead of the Ralerai. Edgren threw her against the carriage and drew his own weapon, putting himself between the sharp points of their weapons and her.
“If Camilla is harmed, you and your men will die.” Kaewyn exclaimed with a fist. “I swear it!”
The Ralerai all around began to get restless, their horses moved to and fro and the riders upon them stared with angry faces. Some of them began to chant their odd, rhythmic war songs that seemed to make the ground itself shake. It was getting louder and louder and Camilla could tell that it was making Karishyn’s men more nervous than they already were.
“I thought one with your reputation would show more sense,” Karishyn said, showing none of the fear that his men did. He gestured back toward the carriage with an open hand and then laughed and shook his head. “You’d risk war with Karikhan and Vinum? For one woman?”
“And you’d risk the lives of you and your men?” Kaewyn countered. “For one woman?”
Kaewyn then stepped forward and spoke loudly and clearly. “I have no quarrel with any of you. Leave the Lady Callidus with me and go. I promise as the Lord of Greystone Province, that neither the Ralerai or I will harm a single one of you.”
Karishyn growled. His men began to whisper amongst themselves and Camilla thought that they might be considering Kaewyn’s offer to let them leave. But before long, Karishyn began to speak again.
“You have a reputation of winning battles, Lord Edderfield,” Karishyn began. “But the way I see it, you rely on trickery and ambushes rather than skill and bravery. You prove as much by coming here with hundreds of savages and not your own men. I think you are a coward.”
“I do not care what you think,” Kaewyn said angrily. “Let her go before you force my hand.”
“Here’s what I suggest…”
“Enough of this, let her go now.”
“Tsk tsk, Lord Edderfield.” Karishyn then signalled to the men surrounding her, and they immediately closed in with the points of their spears. Edgren pushed her back and shielded her with his own body.
Kaewyn let out an exasperated sigh. “Speak, then.”
“I knew you’d see reason,” Karishyn smiled and then he slowly drew his longsword. “I have been trained by the very best our empire has to offer, and therefore I propose a challenge. If you can best me, you can take her. But if I prove the victor, you will take your savages and leave us be.”
Kaewyn drew his sword and rushed at Karishyn whose eyes widened in fear and hesitation. Before they came to blows, Camilla saw Karishyn stagger backwards and place his weapon’s point out in front of him, but Kaewyn swatted the tip away with the flat of his own blade with ease, starting the fight in earnest.
Camilla hadn’t seen Kaewyn fight or spar since her time at Xu Castle watching him train with Arlan. Back then he was clumsy, slow and even to her he had seemed predictable in his movements. Now though, he was completely different in how he carried himself. She watched as he stayed mobile on his feet. His blade probed Karishyn’s defence again and again, but he didn’t commit to a risky attack. Whenever Karishyn took the initiative and moved forward, Kaewyn matched his movements and backed off just enough to stay out of range. Several times after Karishyn had failed in his estimation of the range between them and lunged, Kaewyn and deftly moved back, then stepped forward and countered. Twice he had come close, but on the third attempt, his blade cut flesh.
Karishyn screamed out in pain as he suffered a cut that ran the length of his arm, and before he could recover, Kaewyn was all over him. Karishyn tried in vain to parry the next attack, but Kaewyn expertly disarmed him and sent the blade flying into the ground. Without a second thought, Kaewyn pointed his blade at the chest of his defeated enemy, and the look in his eye told Camilla his intentions. Arlan had dismounted during the duel, and rushed over with a crying shout for his lord to stay his blade. Kaewyn hesitated and allowed Arlan to reach him.
“You’ve won, my lord,” Arlan said as he held onto Kaewyn’s arm. “We are already committed to an act that will warrant retribution. Let us not make an irrevocable mistake by killing this one too.”
Camilla saw the conflict in Kaewyn as he pointed the blade at Karishyn’s chest, but Arlan’s warning seemed to have had the desired effect as he withdrew his weapon and sheathed it. She was glad that he didn’t kill him. Despite her dislike of the man, she didn’t want to see him dead, nor did she want Kaewyn to be the one to do it.
As several of Karishyn’s men rushed over to assist him, Kaewyn lifted his head. She saw his eyes search for her, and when he found her, he smiled. He then left Arlan and walked toward her. All of Karishyn’s men backed away as the Lord of Greystone walked by them, not a one brave enough to challenge the one who’d defeated their leader. When Kaewyn reached her, she felt an immense sense of peace and relief wash over her. She let out a breath she didn’t realise she had been holding. She took his outstretched hand in hers and allowed herself to be taken away from the carriage. She looked back once and gestured with her head for Edgren to follow them as Kaewyn led her back to his horse.
“The lady is being abducted!” She heard one of the soldiers say.
“Doesn’t look much like an abduction to me.” Another replied.
Yohren and Arlan nodded their heads in acknowledgement as she and Kaewyn made it to his horse.
“Easy, Kelphi. Easy.” She heard him whisper.
He then climbed up into the saddle and then reached down for her. Camilla paused at that moment and simply stared back up at him. He seemed older, somehow, she realised. Probably because of the full, but neat beard he had grown. His eyes were full of love and kindness for her, and unlike her brother who looked at her with mixed regret and disdain, she could only see the desire in him to simply be with her. He had risked everything to come here and she loved him all the more for it. She knew there were going to be consequences with her brother and indeed, Lord Sudrow, but at the moment all she saw was him. For the first time in many, many months, she was happy.
Camilla reached out and took his hand, but then stopped herself. Her dress would not allow her to climb onto the back of a horse. To everyone’s surprise, she pulled a small blade from its sheath on Kaewyn’s saddle and began to cut the inflated skirt that puffed out underneath her dress. All were silent as she worked the edge of the blade through the fine and rather expensive material. Camilla didn’t care in the slightest, and she wasn’t about to let a dress, however beautiful, prevent her from leaving with the man she loved. Once she was done, she re-sheathed the blade and took Kaewyn’s hand. He then helped her up onto the back of Kelphi and called for the Ralerai and his companions to follow him as he turned to face the west.
The sun had begun to fall in the last few minutes, revealing an orange glow in the direction they were to travel. It may have been a beautiful sight, but Camilla barely noticed it. Instead, she hugged Kaewyn’s waist and closed her eyes. No longer did she have to rely on her imagination to escape her reality into her ideal world. She didn’t have to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming either, as riding on the back of the horse wasn’t quite as comfortable as she’d have liked, but in her mind, it was still far better than her portable prison. In fact, she knew in her heart that there was no other place she would rather be.