My beautiful readers, it is finally here.

The Daughter of Iberion.

Firstly if you have just stumbled across this story it is a sequel to The Thief of Caraway. If you have not read Part I then you will have no clue what is happening, who my main character is and basically it is a bad idea to read this without reading the first.

Secondly i have also officially finished The Thief of Caraway and just posted the prologue. If you are a regular please read that first. And please review! I would love to see all of you guys send me a review especially as i have finally finished something that has been 2 years in the making and is more than 500 pages long if it was in bound form. I would really appreciate it especially as i see so many people follow and favourite who never even communicate with me!

Anyway...so i'm sorry the prologue of TOC didn't happen yet but it'll happen in this book. What do you think of my new prologue? I'm excited hehe

More formalities:

This is set after the events of the Lost Stories and ignores the Royal Ranger.

John Flanagan owns the world and his characters but by now i do own a few of my own

Prologue

The rattle of the chains jerked me awake. I already knew what was to come and it seemed that my last hope had failed me. I smoothed my skirts and stood, chin tilted up and prepared for the inevitable.

Many would have babbled out incoherent apologies or stumbled on their knees to beg forgiveness. I refused to give the bastard the satisfaction. I would face the consequences of my actions with more strength and courage then fully grown men would. It would be my final act of defiance. My proof to everyone that I was good enough. I hoped that they would remember it for the rest of their days and that my face would haunt them.

The guard pulled on my chains like I was a dog on a leash. I stepped forward and followed him, wordlessly. I refused to be treated like some sort of animal. I had done so much for them yet they were blinded by misplaced loyalty.

Out of the darkness I was lead onto the platform that had been prepared for occasions such as this. In times of trial and tribulation for a country, this was always the natural reaction. A fear that they only knew of one way to rectify. It was naïve and ignorant. An approach that took action first and asked questions later.

When the harsh morning light hit my face I wanted to look away. Instead, I let my eyes adjust and kept my head steady. I was not going to show an ounce of weakness. Then the jeers started. Peasant farmers stood in their ragged clothes, throwing not only rotten vegetables, but rotten words my way. The nobles were more eloquent in their speeches of condemnation but it didn't make their words hurt any more or less. Each tongue was like the lashings of a whip on my bare back. I wanted to cry out and tell them to stop. Hell, I wanted to run for the hills. But I forced myself to stare with a blank face, appearing emotionless.

Their words were damning and they called me everything that I appeared to be.

A liar.

A thief.

A traitor.

None of their words were fair. If they just knew the truth, they would be scrambling to thank me. Alas, life was not just.

I was pulled to the platform and my jailer struck the back of my knees. I fell to my knees, at the foot of the ominous log of wood. Blood stained what once had been a beautiful oak tree. There were indentations and nicks from where weapons had struck. I wondered how many strokes it would take and hoped that it would be clean. Yet the screams I heard from my cell every day were evidence to the contrary. Many men had got their just penance, I just wished it didn't have to be dragged out so.

I put my chin on the wood and looked out at the people who had gathered to watch such a gruesome spectacle. There were a few rangers in the crowd but I knew they wouldn't do anything to help me. I had burnt down that bridge long ago and desecrated the ashes. Some nobles I had once spoken to stared daggers at me. I could see Peters in the back row; furiously talking with a blonde man I had never seen before. Then he gazed sadly at me. He couldn't do anything about it.

The only people who knew the truth weren't here to stop it. Halt and Will had said that we could easily fix this situation through a few words with Crowley. He would understand and then the rangers would be on my side. Alyss had said that a Royal Decree would clear up the matter with the rest of the realm. Cassandra had been all too ready to sign it. Edmund had wanted to put me in the Royal Quarters next to him and had thrown a fit when everyone agreed that my name had to be cleared first. Their intentions were good, but it was too late now.

"Monique Bowman you have been found guilty of treason against the crown of which the punishment is death." His nasally voice rang through the courtyard. The crowd cheered and I could picture him smiling that smug grin of his.

"Do you have any last words before you head is separated from your shoulders?" He asked in a sneer. I kept my lips shut, refusing to give them what they wanted. The people stared at me, waiting for an answer but they weren't going to get one. I wasn't going to explain myself to them. They would find out after I was dead and realise how wrong they were. I wasn't afraid of dying. Especially when my death would mean that my name would never be forgotten. The only thing I would regret are the people I have to leave behind. I hoped they would find peace.

"Very well." I heard the steel scrape against its scabbard. It was a double-edged broadsword. A blade more than capable of removing my head cleanly, but I had a feeling that I would have to endure a number of badly aimed strikes. I swallowed the lump that was developing in my throat. I needed to be strong. I sneaked a sideways glance and saw the blade hanging above my head. My heart began to thump. Oh gods I wasn't ready but if this was going to be my last breath then I was going to go out on my own terms.

Suddenly a cry rang through the air, but it wasn't one of my own pain. The sword stopped as the people began whispering among themselves. I smiled sadly. It was the sound of a newborn babe. An heir to the throne had been born. A life came into existence, just as mine was ending.

I opened my mouth and spoke clearly to everyone assembled. "Long live the future king." Then I smiled.

"Insolence girl!" he hissed, hefting up his sword once more. The steel glinted in the morning light and I knew it was time. I closed my eyes and prepared for the end.

Months earlier

As Caesar's hooves rattled across the drawbridge, I knew that I was leaving everything for good. Nothing would ever be the same again. Once, I had entered the castle with high hopes for the future. I had been shown something bright and shiny that I longed for with my entire heart. Now that toy had not only been held out of my grasp, but it had been thrown on the ground and smashed into a thousand pieces. I should have known that nothing would ever be that easy. Things in life were only ever gained through hard work. Even that wasn't enough. You needed to have the audacity to demand what you wanted and not just meekly ask.

And I was no longer going to ask.

The wind whipped my hair into my face painfully. The cold draped on me like a wet cloak. I could see the snow begin to fall and knew that this ride was going to be dangerous but I didn't care any more. I leaned over Caesar's neck and tugged at the reins harder. She responded immediately, her muscles bunching up as her legs moved faster. At my side Wolf picked up the pace. The sight of him was blurring in with the snow but I knew he wouldn't leave my side. He never had before.

It would be about now that Halt and the others would find out that I left. Alyss had known and even if Edmund wouldn't tell, she would. I wondered if they would set out after me. A part of me hoped that they would but another part didn't. If Halt was half as good at reading people as everyone thought, he would know that I needed to do this.

The miles were eaten away under Caesar's strong body. My teeth began to chatter. It was freezing out and for once my cloak was vastly inadequate. I hugged myself closer to the horse and could hear her heavy breathing. Despite the cold, there was a sheen of sweat covering her neck. I knew ranger horses were tough and that she could run for days on end if necessary. Not at a gallop perhaps but at a decent speed. I slowed Caesar down to a canter and she turned her head to look at me. Her eyes bored into me and I felt like she was reading my mind.

"I can go faster," she said with a tilt of her head. If I had been in a better mood I would have smiled.

"We should rest," Wolf countered, looking up at me with his piercing eyes.

"If Caesar says she can go faster we will," I replied. My dog wasn't going to overrule my decision.

"It's almost nightfall. We should find somewhere to stay for the night and then go on. Caesar can't possibly gallop through the night and it's dangerous in the dark," Wolf reasoned. I wondered when my dog had decided to become such a thinker. He was usually impulsive and prone to do whatever pleased him. I frowned at his idea. We were approaching a town which I could tell by how the road was widening. It would be easy to rent a room for the night but it also meant that anyone who had set out right after us would inevitably catch up and that was something we needed to avoid at all costs. Ranger horses were tough and I was going to use that to my advantage.

"That's not fair to Caesar," Wolf warned. I could hear Halt's wisdom in his words. The grizzled old ranger would no doubt echo the warning. I had a niggling doubt, remembering that the ranger's forced march involved a rider walking at intervals. It was too cold for me to even consider that. I shook Halt's voice out of my head. I knew what I was doing.

"I know what I'm doing," I repeated for Wolf benefit and to strengthen my conviction. I would also save money this way and get my trophy of a head on a pike much quicker.

"Caesar, lets keep on going," I whispered before pulling on her reins hard. She responded immediately and the force with which I was propelled left me breathless.

The darkness soon came and I struggled to keep my eyes opened. Wolf, though not happy with my decision was helpful in directing the way. Apparently mutts had the ability to make their way through the pitch black. My eyes had sand in them and I tried to rub the irritant out. My eyelids drooped and it took all my willpower to force them to remain open. I would not let the animals do all the work.

After a lifetime, the sun finally began to inch its way over the horizon. In its shades of maroon and purple it contrasted breathtakingly with the snow covered ground. The trees on the edge of the Queen's Highway were depressingly bare with naked branches. There were no farmers in the fields as the harvests had already been gathered long ago. We stopped for a quick lunch but then continued in the gallop. While Caesar didn't make any complaint, I could feel her strides become wearier. Wolf would occasionally give me a knowing look, but I ignored it. We stopped only for meals but otherwise we travelled at almost a gallop.

It was two days before I could finally see the industrial town of Caraway in the far distance. If I squinted then I could make out the castle and garrisons as well as the spirals of smoke that rose from chimneys.

"We made it," I whispered, pleased with my effort. It took a Ranger three days at a forced march pace to make the journey while I had done it in just over two. Who thought that ranger horses weren't tough enough?

"I told you she could make it," I told Wolf, as we stopped on a hill. Wolf bared his teeth at me, not pleased in the slightest. "Just one more little stretch and we'll be there." I slapped Caesar's reins and the horse seemed reluctant, but obeyed.

As we got closer I immediately could sense that something was wrong. Something was off. If you had asked me later what it was, I couldn't tell you exactly but some sixth sense warned me. I pulled my cowl over my head and kept my face in the shadows. Looking down at Wolf, I noticed that his ears were pricked as well in search of any source of danger. My eyes darted around, assessing the town. There was nothing obviously wrong. No dead bodies or screaming women. There was instead in eerie silence. All the houses were boarded up and there was not a single soul on the frozen streets. It was approaching nightfall and in the winter the sun set quite early in the afternoon. Usually people would head home a little earlier and prepare for the freezing darkness. Yet there was still a decent amount of light. People should have been rushing through the streets. Caraway was empty and I knew that something was wrong.

"What happened?" I asked, just loud enough for Wolf to hear.

"Something bad." Was his ominous answer. Wolf sniffed the air, trying to ascertain the source of our discomfort.

"There's something else happening here. There hasn't been a mass murder but the smell is off. As if all the normal people have been replaced by new ones," Wolf said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked. Wolf shrugged but continued to look troubled.

"The tavern should be a reliable source," I said, leading Caesar down the main road. If you ever wanted to know the local gossip in an area the first people to ask were the owners of the local tavern. They heard many drunk men and women spewing out stories that weren't even theirs to tell. Will had told me the story of how he had once dressed as a jongluer so that he could travel the country and collect information regarding a supposed sorcerer. Despite the tendency for details to get lost in translation, it proved rather useful and I was now going to use this idea for my own information garnering.

I was so immersed in my own thoughts that it took me a while to notice that Caesar's hoof beats were irregular. One two and three and four was the usual beat but now the last hoof was too slow. I was just going to stop Caesar when she suddenly stumbled, her front legs all but collapsing. She shrieked in pain and I winced at the sound. I knew what was going to happen before it did. However, that didn't mean that it hurt any less.

My backside left the saddle and my body went airborne. I sailed over Caesar's head as my body twisted and I landed awkwardly on my side. Pain shot through my back and travelled to my legs. All the air was knocked out of my lungs and I gasped to take a breath.

The last time I had been bucked, Caesar had looked down at me with amusement in her eyes. This time the only eyes to greet me were the blue ones of Wolf. I rubbed my back and got up.

"Look what you did," Wolf accused. I turned my gaze immediately to Caesar who was lying on the ground in clear pain.

"Oh gods," I cried, rushing over. What had I done? I inspected her carefully and she appeared to be alright physically, but a glance at her front hooves and I knew the problem. She had thrown a shoe and now her hoof looked damaged. My heart sank. I had done this to her by my insistence on galloping through the night.

"I'm so sorry Caesar," I said, stroking her mane. Caesar looked at me through her brown eyes but didn't appear angry. It made me feel even worse. I had no idea what to do now.

"Should we take her to a blacksmith to get a new shoe?" I asked Wolf. He didn't look impressed with me, baring his teeth.

"You were the expert," Wolf replied.

"You know I don't appreciate this. You could at least try to help me," I shot back. What was wrong with everyone? I couldn't lose Wolf now as well. I thought he would be loyal forever.

Wolf gave a doggish sigh. "There should be a blacksmith somewhere."

"Caesar can you get up?" I asked the horse. Her eyelids were half closed and she looked to be in excruciating pain. Her ears recognised the orders of a careless master and despite my stupidness she began to rise with my help. I decided to get her to the tavern stable and then ask for a blacksmith to be called. Although it was late, in winter with not many travellers a blacksmith should be all too happy for some extra work to do. My fingers went to the bag of coins Alyss had given me. She had been more than generous and Caesar deserved the care.

Approaching the tavern I could hear hushed voices inside. Apparently Caraway wasn't as abandoned as it seemed. I opened the door to the stable and breathed in the smell of fresh hay. It was warm and inviting and I just wanted to snuggle into its depths for a second. I helped Caesar into a pen, wondering why there was no stable boy to assist. In a dock town as big as Caraway the tavern owners would be able to afford one in their employ. I stroked Caesar gently as she lay down.

"Sorry girl," I whispered. "I'll get you some help." She gave no reply. Her exhaustion was evident by her heaving breaths and fur wet with not snow but sweat. I could feel my own exhaustion creeping in. I hadn't properly slept in days and my body was aching.

"You need to rest," Wolf told me as we walked to the door of the tavern. As much as I wanted to argue with him I knew that my mind was going fuzzy.

"What should our story be?" I asked.

"You're a young farmers boy and I'm your dog," Wolf answered. I twirled my hair, copying the snobbish airs of Emily and her sister.

"Do you really think I could pass as a boy in these clothes and my long, well cut hair?" I asked. I shouldn't have worn this tunic. It was too bright and it's cut accentuated my womanly curves – as Cassandra would point out. I was tempted to cut my hair with my saxe right then but decided that I might have to stop my childhood ruse.

"Well with your face…" Wolf started but didn't finish as I swatted his tail. I took off my sabre and put it in my bag, leaving just my saxe knife. If I was going to pose as a normal Araluen I couldn't have any Nihon-Jan steel.

I hung my head and pulled my cloak tighter before hefting the door open. I was accosted by the smell of hearty soup that set my stomach grumbling. I could also smell the liquor in the air as people used it to warm the parts of their bodies that a fire could not reach. The tavern was packed, with most of the customers happy to nurse a tankard of ale a bowl of soup. It was a cheap meal that could be had in the company of their friends. Yet there were no loud shouts or chuckles of laughter. Heads were bent and there was quiet discussion. At my entry a motherly looking woman with streaks of grey hair, locked eyes with me. I had no idea what was going on so I decided to play the innocent stranger. Being a girl actually helped me this time. I met her gaze and smiled. She didn't return the gesture and instead bustled through the crowd towards me.

"Hallo," I greeted, pushing my hair out of my face. "It's so warm in here. I was wondering if you have a room that I could stay in for the night with my dog Sweetpea here." I stole a glance at Wolf who looked like he was positively fuming at the name. I ruffled his fur, feeling him bristle in annoyance.

"Sweetpea?" She asked. I bit my lip. I should have chosen I different name but I couldn't help myself.

"When I was little I thought he was a girl and called him Sweetpea. The name kinda stuck," I said with a grin. My grin widened at seeing Wolf's bared teeth.

The woman who looked like she was about to give me a worried spiel, relaxed and let her shoulders sag a little. She was worried about strangers. I wondered why.

"Of course we have a room for you dear. My name is Edith. It's too cold for many to venture north. Is your husband or father with you?" Edith questioned. My mind worked quickly. What was the most believable lie?

"I'm Georgie. I'm heading north because we got word that my mam is sick and they say she doesn't have long to live. My husband Con and I have a farm in Greenfield. He would have come but the children are sick and we couldn't all just leave. Poor little Olly and Helena. They were coughing so hard but the minute they improved I headed off to see my mam. I couldn't bear the thought of not being there for her. So here I am on my own with the prayers of the gods and Sweetpea. She may have a sweet name but she can look after me," I explained. Wolf gave a growl for good measure even though he glared daggers at me. Edith looked placated. Now I had established myself as the wife of a good farmer who was looking out for both her children and being a good daughter.

"Does your horse need tending?" Edith asked. "I'm assuming you didn't travel all this way on foot."

I frowned. "I would have collapsed long ago if that was the case. Browner threw a shoe a little while back and I was wondering if there was a blacksmith here that I could have fix it for her."

It was a simple question with an easy answer. Every town had a blacksmith but at my words Edith's blue eyes immediately clouded and her lips pursed.

"Is something wrong?" I pressed.

"We'll see what we can do in the morning," Edith answered. "Right now dear you look plain knackered. How 'bout I get a room ready for you?"

"That would be heavenly," I replied, following her through the tap room and up the stairs. A lot of people turned their heads my way suspiciously. I tried to make light conversation with Edith about my journey and my sick mother. When people heard they seemed relieved. It just made me all the more puzzled.

I smelt horrific and while it didn't bother me in the past, my short time at the castle had made me pay more attention to personal hygiene. I had a bath. A warm bath, courtesy of my gracious hostess. Then I put on a new set of clothes. Riffling through Evanlyn's outfits I finally found a dark green tunic that almost matched the shade of a Ranger's cloak. As much as a despised the institution I had to applaud their ability to camouflage. It was also one of the looser outfits so I looked less like a girl in it. Wolf and I gobbled down lots of food and I asked Edith to get someone to feed and brush down Caesar. I hadn't even made a dent in my bag of coins. As much as I wanted to find out what was happening the soft down of my mattress was calling and I practically blacked out.

† † †

It was the next afternoon when my body was finally rested enough to even think about getting up. I was sore from being thrown and now that I had gotten off my feet my backside was complaining from the long hours in the saddle. I bit my lip and forced myself to get out of bed.

"Well if it isn't sleeping beauty," Wolf said, raising his head to peer at me.

"Oh my darling Sweetpea," I gushed. "What a noble dog you have been to me."

"I will get you back for this," he warned.

"Whatever," I said with a dismissive wave of my hand. "Are the crowds gathered again? We should go down for food and listen to their conversations." I knew Wolf would have already gone downstairs to see what was happening. He was a smart dog.

"It's getting fuller by the minute. You would think they had better things to do than gather around and drink ale," Wolf said.

"The drunker the man, the looser the tongue," I answered. I stopped midstep to muse at my own words. I seemed to be a well of wisdom. I stored the little nugget away for telling Halt some day. He would appreciate it and probably pass it off as his own to tell apprentices. Sadness gripped me and I shook my head. I wouldn't think about that.

"You've finally emerged, my dear," Edith said as I took a seat at a table.

"I was so tired," I answered with a smile. "And now I'm starving." It wasn't long before a leg of lamb and half a loaf of bread was before me. I sat in a little corner and ate my meal slowly. While I kept my head bent, my ears were trying to find anything that could be useful. It was no coincidence that El jefe had set his base in Caraway and now the people were acting strangely. If I was going to catch him I needed to know everything so nothing would come to bite me in the bum.

It didn't take long for the fateful words to reach my ears and if I wasn't so shocked I would have punched myself for being so stupid and not realising it sooner.

"I would have never believed that this would happen to us," an old man said, banging his walking stick for good measure.

"And stuck here in this infernal winter. We all saw what happened to Jonas. Like flies in a spiders web," a much younger and impatient man answered. "All those bloody nobles celebrating when the castle is besieged and the Iberions are knocking on our shores."

I couldn't stop the gasp that escaped my throat.

The invasion had begun.