I swallowed, working to breathe beyond the large lump suddenly lodged in my throat. I fought to hold out hope for my uncle, despite Arrick’s mounting evidence against him.
“And we have horses,” Arrick continued. “We would reach Elysia in a third of the time it would take you on foot.”
My desperate need to get home and dig my realm out of this mess made me wonder if the pros to Arrick’s offer outweighed the cons. I looked into his eyes and saw his determination. I didn’t believe any of his reasons for accompanying us. I wasn’t sure about his dedication to the realm and his mission to fight my uncle. Those reasons weren’t enough for him to accompany Oliver and me.
But he was willing to escort us to Elysia. With his horses. He would bring his muscled men with their weapons and forest experience. He could solve our pesky problems with papers.
“Fine,” I heard myself say. “You may accompany us to Elysia. I, er, we shall allow it. But be warned, Commander, we have nothing of value to pay you for your time and services.”
That wasn’t quite true. Once we made it to Elysia, I would have stores of gold and coin to heap upon him and his army. But I would hold back that offer until we’d crossed the Marble Wall and the crown was situated firmly on my head.
“We do not expect payment, m’lady,” Arrick said with a bow of his head.
I noticed that his men stared at him agog. Apparently, they expected payment. Was I being manipulated into a sense of safety? A quick glance at Oliver told me he didn’t know what to think either.
I put away my feelings of unease for now but vowed to keep my guard up. “When will you be ready to leave?” I asked, ignoring the tremble in my voice. “We are eager to be on our way.”
Arrick’s lips twitched before he swept his hand toward the doorway. “That much has been made clear. But have no fear, your escort awaits.”
With stiff legs I moved to the door and saw that he had not lied. A guard of about twenty men sat in perfect formation on horseback waiting for the command to ride.
The rebel army was more than a bunch of ragtag bandits. Arrick had apparently developed capable soldiers with a sense of propriety and loyalty any kingdom would be happy to have on their side. But they had no loyalty and they fought for no particular kingdom.
I wondered if Arrick would fight against me, too, when I was queen. Would I be forced to hunt him down and end his rebellion?
The thought left me hollow.
I decided to think about those things later.
Much later.
“We’re ready to leave when you are, m’lady,” he murmured behind me.
I jumped at his closeness. I had been too lost in my thoughts to hear him approach. “Tess,” I insisted. “You can call me Tess.”
“Only if you call me Arrick.” I could hear the smile in his voice, but I resisted one of my own.
I turned to face him. “Arrick.”
“Tess.” He held out a hand to me. I slipped mine into his, allowing him to shake it. “I look forward to our business together,” he said.
“Is this business?”
He answered with just a wink. He was up to something.
But what?
Arrick disengaged my hand and stepped back. With a commanding voice that carried across his fortress, he called out, “We ride as soon as our guests are ready! Be on your guard.” To me he said, “We await you below.” Then he walked from the room, his men at his side.
I turned back to Oliver and let his silence speak for him. “Did I make a mistake?”
He picked up my sword from a low table against the wall and tossed it to me. I caught it at the hilt and rolled my wrist, testing the weight and familiarity. Arrick’s men must have returned them to us while we spoke.
“It remains to be seen,” Oliver admitted. “But keep your blade close.” He nodded at my satchel on the floor behind me. “And your possessions closer.”
A few minutes later we mounted borrowed steeds. Arrick rode at the front, while Oliver and I rode in the middle, either still imprisoned or protected. I couldn’t be sure.
With a click of his throat and a call of command, Arrick led us into the forest. Our horses were born and bred in Tenovia. Slimmer than Heprin’s steeds, they were reared to pick their way through the tangled forest. Their fat hooves remained steady through the rough terrain and their long legs easily stepped over the white roots that blocked the paths.
By early evening we’d cleared the Blood Woods and found the road again. Arrick’s caravan stayed to the right of the road and moved through Tenovia with a grace and authority that continued to surprise me.
By the end of the first day, we had recovered our lost time and set a steady course toward my homeland.
I was back on the right path.
And yet, looking at the dark head of the rebel commander, I felt more upended than ever.
10
After a week of traveling, our caravan had fallen into a routine. Or rather, Oliver and I had adapted to the stringent schedule of the rebel army.
We woke before dawn and set out on the main roads, unafraid of law enforcement. At first, I had been surprised at the support the Tenovian people showed for the rebel army. People would often wave as we passed and when we stopped near an inn, the inn keeper would send out hot food and cold drinks.
When I was at the monastery, I’d heard a few rumors of the rebel army from workers passing through. But their whispers were usually terrifying
