The carriage catches up to us, and we continue out the town gate and into the surrounding lands. The air is chilly, but the winter sunshine warms my skin with promises of spring just around the corner. It’s my favourite season, when all the colourful flowers bloom, dotting the countryside with little bursts of happiness.
The well-worn road passes through the fields and into the North Anemoi Woods. It will take almost two days to reach the boundary of Auradale. We pass into the trees, and the air cools further. I pull my cloak around my shoulders to ward off the chill. The road isn’t wide enough for the carriage and the horses to travel side by side, so Sir Darren takes the lead while Sir Caleb and I follow behind.
“Is everything all right, Your Highness?” Sir Caleb asks.
I force a smile. “Yes, yes, Sir Caleb. Everything is fine.”
“Please. You may call Darren and me by our first names. No need for titles. And you will let me know otherwise, yes?”
This time my smile is genuine. “If I have any concerns, Caleb, I’ll bring them straight to you.”
Falada nips Caleb’s horse, and it whinnies.
“Enough of that,” I say.
“He got too close.” Falada tosses his head and pulls his reins from my grasp.
“You need to learn to be nice.” I gather the reins again and grip them tightly.
Caleb chuckles. “I’m not sure Falada knows the meaning of the word.”
“Careful, or I’ll nip you, too.” The fairy horse flicks his ears.
“Hush now. I’d prefer not to talk for a while,” I say. “Let’s travel quietly, please.”
“As you wish, Your Highness.” Caleb keeps step beside me and busies himself with scanning the surrounding area. He doesn’t talk again, and Falada behaves himself. I’m glad to have some quiet after the stress of the morning and dealing with my mother.
The carriage bumps along in front of us. Falada sways with his steps, rocking gently, and I settle into the saddle and listen to the forest sounds. Birds flit amongst the branches. Now and then, something scurries in the undergrowth. The stream that runs through the North Anemoi Woods burbles in the distance. It’s peaceful out here, away from the hustle and bustle of the castle.
My thoughts drift to Prince Bryson, and what Rivergate Castle might be like. I imagine it would be similar to Auradale. A castle is a castle, and I’m sure they will provide for me in the same way Mother has. I also hope it’s as welcoming as Auradale has always been.
I sigh, and a weight settles onto my heart. How will Rivergate become home when I’ve left behind the people I love? Malay’s absence at my departure was a little annoying, but he’s my older brother by eight years. He’s never had much time for me, so why would he start now?
Still, I will miss him. I already miss him, and everyone else. From Fenian, the castle physician, to Elise, the kitchen maid, the castle staff have become my friends over the years. I’m glad I’ll have Joceline, who is like a sister to me.
I hope I can find happiness with Prince Bryson, but I also wish I could have the chance to get to know him first. Spend more than a few weeks with him before I’m expected to share his bed and bear his children.
We continue through the woods, then our journey takes us across the outskirts of Tempest Plateau, before heading into the Forest of Ether. We pass through an outlying village, and the townsfolk come out of their homes to wave us on. By the time the sun dips below the horizon, we’ve made it to Stormdale, where the local innkeeper puts us up for the night. The inn is tidy, and I’m glad for the comfortable rest.
We leave early the next morning. My body is sore from riding Falada the previous day, so I travel in the carriage with Joceline, blocking out her chatter now and then as I contemplate my fate for most of the day. I resign myself to the fact that this marriage will go ahead whether I like it or not.
We make it to the edge of the Forest of Ether, and the boundary of Auradale land, by nightfall. The temperature drops, and I pull my cloak around my shoulders to stifle a shiver. Torches shine brightly up ahead.
“The village of Brookdale is not far,” Caleb says. “We’re on Rivergate land now, but I’m sure they’ll be hospitable, since you’re to marry their Prince.”
“I trust your judgement,” I say.
“It’s that, or we camp in the forest,” Darren adds.
“I would much prefer a bed.” There’s no way I’m sleeping on the ground.
“Brookdale it is then.” Caleb spurs his horse on.
We continue on into the village and stop at the Brookdale Inn. A rusty sign over the door swings in the chilly breeze. The hinges squeal. I hope the inside of the building is not as rundown as its sign. It looks drab compared to the inn at Stormdale.
I slide from Falada’s back. “Please behave for the night.”
“I’ll do my best,” the fairy horse replies, and I hand his reins to Darren.
“Joceline, fetch my night bag,” I say.
“Yes, Your Highness.” She opens the box on the back of the carriage and takes out my personal case.
We leave Darren to tend to the carriage and the horses while Caleb leads Joceline and me inside. The air in the inn is stale, and my boots stick to the floor. The patrons stop talking and stare while Caleb takes a coin purse from his tunic and speaks to the innkeeper. I smile and force myself not to wrinkle my nose at the unsavoury smells and dirty tables.
“If King Marlowe and Queen Lynna knew I took your money, they’d have my head,” the stout man says, loudly. He ignores the money on the bar and hands Caleb some keys before offering him a shallow bow.
“Thank you for your kind hospitality,” Caleb replies, returning the coins to his purse.
“I’ll have someone bring food soon.” The innkeeper returns to his station behind the bar.
Darren comes inside, and we all follow Caleb to the accommodation upstairs.
“Princess Aria.” Caleb opens the first door for me.
I enter the room, and my heart sinks. Shadows dance across the wall, cast by the flame from a candle on the nightstand. The dim light reveals the thin straw mattresses on the beds, and the unswept floor. It’s a far cry from my chambers back in Auradale. No sheets. Nothing but a scratchy looking blanket.
“Is this the best they have?” I ask Caleb.
He uses the keys the innkeeper gave him to open the door to the next room. “I’m afraid this one appears to be the same, Your Highness.”
“Very well, I’ll make do. Joceline, fetch another blanket from the carriage.”
“Yes, Princess.” She disappears out the doorway.
“Excuse me, Your Highness.” A small, mousy woman steps into the room, holding a tray with two bowls on it. “Dinner for you and your maidservant.”
“Thank you.” Caleb takes the tray and puts it on the rickety table in the corner.
“I’ll have food for your men shortly. I hope everything so far is to your liking,” the woman says.
I give her a curt nod. “Everything is fine.”
There’s no point telling her otherwise. It’s not as though she can change the mattress, but she could sweep the floor. It’s one night. I remind myself I’ll be out of here tomorrow. But will the next town be the same? Hopefully the conditions will be far more suitable. The woman leaves, and Joceline returns with my blanket from the carriage.