Murmurs rippled down the line of guards at her words, with a single shout of surprise quickly stifled.
“Attacked?” The guard at the front of the column sounded horrified. “Who can have dared such a thing? And so close to the capital!”
“That I cannot answer,” Sierra said. “But it occurred in the small wood behind us, and I beseech you to accompany us back to check on the safety of my traveling companions.”
The guard, an older man with a commanding presence, frowned. “Naturally we will go to their rescue, but I cannot permit you to ride back into potential danger.” He rose in his saddle, surveying the riders behind him. “I will take one carriage on, while you make use of the other for the rest of your journey to Arcadie. One squad shall accompany you, of course, although I cannot imagine even these criminals would be so brazen as to attack a royal carriage on its approach to the city.”
“In that case,” I whispered to Sierra, “tell him to take more of the guards with him. The rest of our people will have more need of them than us.”
Sierra hesitated for a moment, glancing at me before speaking again.
“Surely two or three guards will be a sufficient escort for us. Please take the others to assist in finding and protecting my delegation.”
The man gave a partial bow from his saddle. “Your concern for your people does you credit, Your Highness, but I cannot allow it. Once my squad has seen you safely to the palace, they will return, with reinforcements, in case I find myself in need of greater numbers.”
I worried at my bottom lip. The return journey would take considerable time, but I was in no position to argue the matter. Not least because of our charade.
The guard barked a series of orders and his followers had soon split into two equal groups, each with a carriage. Sierra nudged me, and I dismounted. She hesitated, not sliding down after me, and I realized she was waiting for my assistance. She was better at this game than I was.
Offering a hand, I helped her reach the ground, falling into step behind her as we were directed to climb into one of the carriages. As we passed the guard in charge, I looked up at him.
“They took Princess Daisy, I saw them. But Daria and Cassandra might have gotten away. You may need to comb the forest for them.”
Sierra paused, her brow creasing slightly before clearing.
“Yes, indeed, thank you, Sierra,” she said to me. “This whole ordeal has quite disordered my mind. I was traveling with three other young girls, Captain, and I fear greatly for their safety.”
He bowed again. “It is I and my people who must apologize, Your Highness. I can assure you that everything in our power will be done to find them.”
And with that assurance I had to be content and follow Sierra into the carriage. As galling as it was to abandon them all, any further protests would only slow the rescuers from departure. With a sharp cry, the captain wheeled his mount and took off down the road at speed, his squad hard on his heels, and the second carriage trailing more slowly behind.
Our own vehicle did not begin to move, however, and when I stuck my head out the window, I could see why. I hurried back down onto the road as a puzzled looking guard edged his mount toward Arvin. The poor man held a lead rope but had clearly been thrown into confusion by the lack of either halter or bridle.
“He’s a magnificent animal.” The admiring voice came from slightly above me. I looked up to see our coachman regarding Arvin with an intrigued expression. “And he doesn’t look in the least fatigued from carrying two riders.”
“He’s quite the most elegant and noble horse anyone has ever seen,” I said. “But don’t let him hear you saying so. He has quite a high enough opinion of himself already.”
The coachman let out a surprised laugh. He neither looked nor spoke like the coachmen I was used to, being considerably younger, for a start. Perhaps they did things differently in Arcadia and coachman was not a senior position, acquired with age.
For all his youth, he held the reins with competent ease, despite his attention remaining on Arvin. His golden skin glowed in the afternoon sun, his brown eyes warm, and his dark hair tousled in the wind. My mind had no business thinking of such things during a crisis, but I had to admit to myself he was also a great deal more handsome than the average coachman.
Sierra stuck her head out the window of the carriage and took in the scene.
“Arvin is a special horse,” she said. “He doesn’t need to be restrained.” She looked at the horse, a strange expression of concentration on her face. “Isn’t that right, Arvin?”
Arvin disdained to even glance in her direction, continuing to pretend he was unaware of the scene he was causing. Her eyes narrowed.
“He is a troublesome creature. Pay him no mind. If he doesn’t make it back to the palace with us, it will be no great loss, I assure you.”
I glanced at her, startled, as the coachman also twisted to look down at her. Apparently the events of the day were beginning to strain Sierra, something I could hardly blame her for—especially since Arvin was rather trying at the best of times.
“There is no need to restrain him,” I said to the guard. “He will stay with us.”
Arvin tossed his head. We should definitely have left her back in the woods.
“Be nice,” I told him sternly. “We’ve all had enough excitement for today.”
He whuffed but didn’t protest, which I took as agreement. When I turned back to the carriage, I found the coachman’s attention had now turned to me.
“I’m Philip.” He gave me a friendly nod.
“I’m…” I hesitated. “Sierra,” I said in a rush.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said, “despite the circumstances. And I promise you, if it’s possible to find your friends, Captain Markus and his guards will do it. King Henry and Queen Eleanor sent the captain of the king’s guard to meet you, along with some of his finest troops.”
“Thank you.” I wished his words were enough to ease the constant feeling of dread which had settled in my middle.
They did spur me to action, however, since the faster we could get to the capital, the faster reinforcements could start back for the wood. As soon as I was settled on the well-padded seat, the carriage began to move, picking up speed faster than seemed possible.
I sighed and closed my eyes, my hand drifting to my left sleeve. I froze, my eyes snapping open. My handkerchief.
I sat bolt upright, sliding along the seat toward the door, as I tried to remember the distracted, terrifying moments while Sierra and I swapped dresses. How could I have forgotten about the object tucked into my sleeve?
“We have to turn back,” I said, breathlessly. “I’ve lost something very important. We have to return to the woods.”
“No, I don’t think so,” Sierra said.
I frowned, out of patience with my maid’s strange mood.
“Yes,” I snapped, “we do.” My mother had entrusted the family heirloom to me, and I had lost it before I even made it to the Arcadian palace. I had to recover it.
Sierra leaned forward, her eyes suddenly intense on mine. “No, Sierra, we don’t. I think you’ve forgotten that it is the princess who gives the orders, not the maid. We will be continuing on to Arcadie so I can be presented to King Henry, Queen Eleanor, and Prince Percival.”