The rest of the night went by quickly and by midnight most of the guests had either trickled to their rooms or home. The only people left in the ballroom other than a few intoxicated guests were the prince and his family, my father and me, and Prince Gabriel and his fiancé.
"Would anyone care for a coffee or a brandy in the study?"
The king gestured for our small group to join him in the adjoining room. I was a tired but I took the offer graciously. The seating was plenty but the couples sat cuddling on the couches and I took Daniel's offer quickly wanting a chance to relax with him finally. We gossiped back and forth about this and that. Who wore what, who came with who, who left with who, the normal court gossip. The topic changed slowly to matters of state and queen Lily gave me a grimacing look as a joke. I started to doze when I heard the word dragon. Sitting up on the couch I gave Daniel a jolt.
"What about the dragon?"
"It's nothing darling. We just heard rumors that there was a dragon in Pirus area."
My father leaned forward and patted my knee trying to calm me.
"Javel it was not rumors. Gabriel and I went looking for him and found the lair and barely got away with our lives. We need to send knights to help Pirus fight this pest."
"I agree. If only your mother was still alive Adalaina. She was the best fighter I have ever seen."
"What do you mean?"
I looked at my father for conformation but he only looked down and away.
"Your mother was a knight Adalaina. The best in the realm."
"My mother was a knight? Like a fighting knight? A knight who went to war and fought with swords and bows and on horses?"
"Yes Ada. That is how we met. She was sent in to place an order for swords. She was the late kings best fighter."
"If only I had been able to have her in my guard."
The King responded not realizing the tension in the room between my father and me. But Daniel sure did and wrapped his arms around me kissing my shoulder.
"So what you are saying father is you have banished swords and bows from the house not so that no one would hurt themselves but so I did not follow in my mother's footsteps. Knowing that my mother was probably killed by the same dragon that is now flying over Pirus."
"I did not banish everything. I still keep your mothers sword in my den. I did it so that you would not follow in her footsteps in death. Your mother never wanted you to go into the guard just because she was."
"Do you think maybe I would have been less confused on where I got my fighting ability if you had not lied to me?"
"Adalaina I think there is a better place for us to discuss this than in the king and queens presents."
I nodded and stood.
"I agree. Thank you for the wonderful party your highnesses but I need to get home. Such a late night that I am un use to."
This was all a lie of course since they knew the real reason I was leaving. Daniel stood with me and walked me to the front trying desperately to calm me down and apologize for bring up such a strife between me and my father. I turned to face him and placed a hand on him face.
"Daniel it is not your fault. My father has been lying to me for the past 18 years. I deserved the truth. I do love you."
With that I kissed him deeply and swiftly before dashing out the door to the stables. I had made a decision. A decision to leave Sarier and find this dragon and kill it. It had killed my mother, and even if it meant the end of my own life, I would take my skills and end the monsters life with mine. I took the first horse I saw and we bolted out of the stables towards my home. Daniel had tried to chase after me but did not get to the stables before I mounted the horse so it was no good. If only I had destiny. She was the fastest horse in the land and I needed speed to place enough distance between the carriage and I to leave before he got home. I was so close to the back door when I dismounted the horse was almost in the kitchen. I ran upstairs and stripped from my gown quicker than I thought possible with a lace up bodice. But then again cutting the sting tends to loosen it greatly. I barely even thought of the consequences of cutting such a beautiful gift.
Slipping into a loose fitting riding outfit I grabbed a pack of clothing I always had packed. Father may not have told me that my mother was a fighter but he did warn me of house fires and this pack had warm clothes, blankets, and everything needed for a good 2 weeks of house hopping in style. There were a few light dresses but I did not even bother to remove them. If anything I can use them for bandages or to light fires. My next destination was the kitchen where I packed salt, jerky, some bread, cheese, and fruit. I would have packed meat but I knew it would only attract predators and I could hunt for my own meat. Luckily Zane taught me not only fighting but survival skills. I grabbed the canteen from the cupboard and I was packed. One thing was left to grab. My mother's sword. I put everything by the backdoor and headed cautiously around the servants quarters to his den. I opened to door and looked straight to the fireplace. I had seen the sword many of times but I just assumed it was decoration. Knowing now that a piece of my mother's life hung there so unattended the fire in my stomach started again.
With my mother's sword in hand I snuck outside and grabbed my packs. I knew I did not have long before father got home and realized the sword and I were gone. He may be a liar but he was not a dumb man and he would put two and two together. I reached the stables and made sure that no one was there to stop me from leaving. Of course there was no one there since it was so late at night. Saddling Destiny I attached my bags and whatever weapons I could find. Three sheaths of arrows, four daggers, one short sword, a sharpening flint, a backup bow, and the bow Zane had gotten for me on my 14th birthday. It was a light bow but sturdier than any bow she had had before. There were also little carvings in the wood that made it aerodynamic. I could hear the carriage at the house now and I knew I had to leave immediately. I took off towards the forest and looked back at the house only once when I heard him call my name. A small tear left my eye since I was not sure if I would ever see my father again.
I knew I needed sleep, but the adrenaline in my system kept me going for a few hours before my body began to hurt. I decided that I was far enough away that they would not find me before the night was over. Destiny had been my get away horse more than once and she knew when I was trying to stay hidden. Like always when I dismounted she walked to the tall tree grove and found a hidden area where she could stand and not be seen. If we were stopping for a bit she would just lay on the ground in a low patch, but all night was harmful to her body. I took a blanket from the pack as well as a dagger and found the base of a tree to curl up into. I slept hard that night and well into the morning. It wasn't until I heard rustling that I awoke. Luckily I did not shake or it would have given away my position. I motioned to Destiny to keep quiet and I slunk into the shadows dagger poised and ready. A body slunk past me into the clearing and the hood kept me from seeing who it was. The only thing I could do would be tackle and ask questions later. I sprung forward and took their legs out from under them and pinned them on their stomach. It wasn't until I heard a horse whinny that I let up. Destiny does not make noise when she is hidden. I looked up to see Shadow standing by Destiny nuzzling her nose. He was not as well trained as Destiny, but then again Zane never had to hid the fact he was fighting in the forest.
"You almost got yourself stabbed. What idiot would walk up on a clearing with no weapon knowing I was near."
Though I was taunting him I did not loosen my grip on his body and kept him down.
"An idiot who didn't think you would attack without provocation."
"You are wearing a hood in a forest rank with thieves. Who wouldn't question my attack. How did you find me anyways. I took a very untraceable path through the forest. And I obviously did not want to be followed."
"You forget Ada. We have planned this escape for years. You took a path I had written for you. I think you wanted me to find you. In fact this was the clearing we chose if we were separated."
I had completely forgotten that. I must have done it out of instinct.
"If I wanted you along I would have told you I was leaving. How did you find me so fast. I know my father could not have gotten to you that fast."
"I came to see you. I figured you wouldn't let me talk but I thought I would try at least. When I arrived the servants were in a fluster and I overheard that you had gone. I was just the only one who knew where to look. But I am sure your father will have told lover boy by now and the royal guard will be hot on your trail."
"Shit. Well Then I best be off."
"You mean we…"
"No I mean I. This is none of your concern. I don't have time for someone who is just going to keep bringing up how my current love situation is a problem."
"I promise I won't Ada. I swear on my father grave. You may not think you need help and you probably don't, but I would never forgive myself if I let you go alone."
"Fine. But if you get in my way I will tie you to a tree and set a signal fire for the closet party. Whether it be guard or thief."
"Fair enough. Lead on."
I finally let him up and walked over to Destiny. I knew there was a stream nearby and I lead her to the shallow part of the river where I could fill my jug for water. We had a long while till we reached Pirus. Since we couldn't go the traditional route it would take a good month and then who knows how long until we find the dragon's lair. It was going to be a very long month with Zane watching my every move and me doing my best to ignore him. I just wish I could have said my goodbye properly, but then again when I made my decision at 8 to kill the dragon I never planned on saying goodbye.
