CHAPTER 10 (KPOV)
Prince Kelton woke early the following morning and saw heavy snow falling outside. It would slow their travels to Salgon Town, but would also help put out any of the embers they hadn’t gotten to the night before. He got up and prepared for the day. His thoughts were less than helpful as they spun with his night with the Dragonwoman and the strangeness of the fire the night before. It shouldn’t surprise him that magic was involved, and yet something about the whole situation seemed… off somehow.
“I would rather kiss a mud covered pig then see her on the throne,” Prince Kelton heard Sir Hamnet scoff as he stepped into the hallway.
“And what did the pig do to deserve such treatment from you?” Prince Kelton asked, wondering what had his knight all riled up this morning.
“I… I… I’d o...only kiss the most willing pig, of course, My Prince,” he stammered.
Sir Droyn brought a fist up to his mouth to keep himself from laughing. It did nothing to stop his shoulders from shaking with the suppression.
“Do I even want to know how the topic of kissing pigs came about?”
Sir Droyn snorted. “...Sorry, Prince Kelton. It’s probably best we not say.”
He nodded then headed downstairs to get something to eat before they turned their travels eastward. The quick coming and going of the Dragon left him feeling that searching Abundare for the Dragonwoman would be a waste of time, and would be better spent heading to their homeland. The rest of his knights were demurely eating their breakfast. They all turned to him with varying expressions as he stepped away from the stairs. After the help they had given so soon after their arrival, he didn’t feel disappointed to see them this morning. He motioned for them to keep eating before the woman in charge of the inn approached him.
“What can I get you, Prince Kelton?” she asked. “I have oatmeal, eggs and bacon. A combination?”
“The oatmeal will be fine. Thank you,” he replied.
The woman’s eyes widened for a moment before glancing at Sir Hamnet and Sir Droyn.
“Same,” they replied in unison.
She nodded then left the bar to step into the back.
Prince Kelton sat at the table near the window. Sir Droyn and Sir Hamnet sat with him.
“Do I want to know what other oaths the two of you were swearing this morning?” he asked quietly.
Sir Hamnet and Sir Droyn looked at each other.
“...No,” Sir Droyn said.
“At least not while we are in mixed company,” Sir Hamnet supplied.
Prince Kelton nodded then looked out the window. The thick snowflakes continued to fall, albeit lightly. He hoped it stayed that way since they were going to need to spend at least one night in the snow. A heavier snowfall would be the last thing they needed.
He turned away from the window as the innkeeper brought out large bowls of oatmeal for the three of them. “Anything else I can get you?” she asked.
“No.”
She nodded then headed back to the bar to keep an eye on everyone.
Prince Kelton ate without thought. His mind was focused on the road ahead and trying to shove aside all of the gruesome ways he might find the Dragonwoman and Lady Iredys. When his bowl was empty, his mind came back to the inn. He couldn’t tell if he was hungry for more or not, but it didn’t matter. They needed to travel as far as they could, so they could reach Salgon Town by the following day.
“Anything else I can get you, My Lord?” the woman asked, as Prince Kelton sat back.
“Any new news in Hope Village?” he asked.
“Just the passing of Heathson, the blacksmith’s youngest son. Everyone was at his wake when you arrived the night before last.”
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Prince Kelton nodded.
“And the village midwife, Debra, gave birth the other day to a healthy baby boy.”
“Are they both well?”
“Indeed, Sire.” She bit her lip as she looked outside then said, “... I am sure you are anxious to continue your journey, is there anything I can send with you?”
He shook his head. “Thank you for your hospitality,” he replied.
“Always my pleasure, Your Highness. I’ll make sure Henry has all your horses ready.”
He nodded.
“Will we be weaving back and forth between the cities, towns, and villages on our way to Pride Town, Prince Kelton?” Sir Hamnet asked as Prince Kelton turned his head to look at the snowfall once more.
Prince Kelton fisted his left hand, feeling the band of the Garnet ring that Lady Iredys had given him shift, as a strangely familiar knowing tugged on his heart. “No,” he replied, feeling a new measure of confidence that he would be able to find the Dragonwoman and Iredys. “We ride straight for Pride Town.”
Prince Kelton then headed upstairs to grab his things. He wasn’t sure why he felt pulled toward Pride Town specifically, but his heart seemed to know something his mind did not. So, he would follow the feeling. Especially if the strength of this feeling was correct and it would finally allow him to find Lady Iredys, and find her in time to avoid being forced to marry a certain someone when he returned to the castle.
Because of the snowfall, Prince Kelton and his knights were lucky if they had reached the halfway point. Reluctant as he was, they stopped to set up camp. While his knights built a large fire and makeshift shelters, he turned his attention toward the direction he knew Pride Town to be. The pull to keep going was strong in his heart and gut, but he remained where he was. He knew that, even with well worn trails, it wasn’t safe to be riding their horses in the snowy darkness. Especially since the Timberwolves would have an easier time taking them and their horses down while they traveled.
“Sensing trouble already, Sire?” Sir Thomas asked.
“No, Sir Thomas,” Prince Kelton replied. “Just hoping we’d be further down the road than we are.”
He nodded. “We’ll have food ready shortly.”
Prince Kelton nodded, but kept his attention on the road.
He fisted his hand so he could better feel the Garnet ring on his finger, knowing the Diamond band was just beneath it. The memory of his betrothal surfaced in his mind.
Lady Iredys’ smiled softly as she slipped the Garnet ring onto his finger. A little sadness bled through her expression as she adjusted it slightly. He gently lifted her chin to get her to look at him, just as a tear slipped from her eye. He wiped it away.
“This Garnet ring was given to me by my brother,” she said softly, as her lips trembled. “He told me to give it to the one I knew I would forever be happy with so he wouldn’t worry about me. He…. I’m sorry,” she whispered as more tears flowed from her eyes.
Prince Kelton pulled her against him and held her tightly. “I am saddened that I will never have the opportunity to meet your brother, Iredys,” he said, “but I am honored that you still chose to give this ring to me. I vow to cherish it and, most importantly, to forever cherish you.”
The sound of someone clearing their throat brought his attention back to the present.
“Food is ready, Prince Kelton,” Sir Fran said when he turned.
He nodded then followed his knight to the fire. He accepted a bowl of beans and meat. He ate. He entered his crudely formed tent and tried to rest.
He jerked awake to a sound just outside his tent.
“If he stoops that low, I am painting his door—and mine—with fresh manure,” Sir Droyn vowed.
Prince Kelton shook his head. It was nice to hear Sir Droyn and Sir Hamnet joking around, but he also wasn’t in the mood to deal with whatever antics they were planning. “Does your plotting mean it’s morning?” Prince Kelton asked loud enough to be heard.
The fabric of the tent shook as one or both of them jerked or twitched at the sound of his voice.
Sir Hamnet guffawed.
“...Just about, Prince Kelton,” Sir Droyn replied. “Dawn has yet to break.”
“Then let’s be on our way.”
“Right away, Sire.”
He heard Sir Droyn leave, but soft giggles let him know that Sir Hamnet was still beside the tent.
“Are you ready to leave this very moment, Sir Hamnet?” he asked.
“Not quite, Prince Kelton. A problem I will remedy immediately.”
The scrunch of snow and the snap of twigs indicated his leaving.
Prince Kelton got up and started to gather his things. He stepped out with everything that had been inside before Sir Juleak and Sir Hett started to take his tent down. He noticed the rest of his knights were packing swiftly. The fire had already been doused and buried in snow. As Prince Kelton tied his bedding to his saddle, Sir Hett tied the tent to the other side. Once the tent was tied on, he left to finish gathering his own things.
Climbing up into his saddle, Prince Kelton gripped the leather of the reins firmly in his left hand. He wanted to dash off toward Salgon Town to make up for lost time, but he made himself wait. The sun wasn’t even starting to peek over the distant mountains and riding alone wasn’t the smartest of ideas. Thankfully, in the few minutes it took his knights to finish gathering their things, the sun started to peek over the distant ridge.
He watched as each knight approached, ready to continue. Sir Droyn, Sir, Juleack, Sir Thomas, Sir Hamnet, Sir Gruph, Sir Fran, Sir Hett, and Sir Houton. Once all of his knights were ready, he led them on toward Salgon Town.