Whew...I was afraid I wouldn't get this done. We had a heat wave and my laptop threatened to overheat after an hour! Thankfully, the wave only lasted five days.
LII
Between King Leo's Flag City and Mardoc, the Military Encampment
(Masen POV) A couple days later...
By now, I had a better idea of who I had with me. What troubled me, was that Micheal wasn't among them. When I had found out he wasn't here, I feared that he would still be in the city. He was not well and could do so many stupid things without us to stop him.
"Masen?...Masen!"
I jumped in Blane's new saddle and looked to see Brandon staring at me.
He seemed a little worried, "Are you all right?"
I sighed, "I'm fine...Just...thinking of Micheal. I worry what he might do..."
He nodded. All of us were worried. What could happen?
"Worry not about that right now," John's father said, "You have other things to attend to."
I sighed, "I know..."
"Rider!"
I looked behind me, hearing the warning call. A scout rode up and stopped by me, "Young Cullen. Forgive the sudden appearance but I must warn you. The King has suspected Mardoc. He sends a force there now and they would be well armed. I fear your father is walking into a trap."
"Oh no," Rosie gasped, "What will we do?"
I thought, grinding my teeth. I looked at the scout, "Do you have a map on you?"
"I do," he answered, handing it to me.
I opened it as best I could while sitting on a horse and looked it over. The lessons father gave me ran in the back of my mind, gently reminding me how to come up with an effective strategy. It took me a good couple of minutes but I was able to think of something.
"All right," I muttered, turning to John's father. I showed him the map and pointed to a clearing in the very opposite direction of Mardoc, "You know this place?"
"I've been by there before," he responded.
"I need you to lead the caravan there. It's the only place as open and big as Mardoc. We can station there. Tybalt, you're the fastest rider. Can you ride down this road to my father and stop them from reaching Mardoc?"
"Of course," he smiled, "We're fairly close."
I smiled and turned to the scout, "I know you have ridden hard, but could I ask of you to ride to Mardoc and warn everyone there?"
He nodded, "All I need is another horse. I'm afraid to ride this one to death."
I nodded and turned to Brandon, "You and I will ride to stall the King's force as much as we can."
He gripped his bow with a smile.
I handed the map back to the scout and made sure he had a new horse. Then, we all went our seperate paths. Brandon and I rode with the scout until he had to turn to make for Mardoc. I only hoped my plan would work. There were some loose factors I feared would make my plan go ary. Mainly, the speed of Leo's army and father's force. I only hoped we were the faster.
The Knight's Den
(Belle POV) A day later...
We had found the Knight's Den and the owner was more than welcoming to us. Many were there ready to fight alongside father as well. I felt hope in seeing so many. It seemed almost all of the kingdom was on our side.
Father was going over maps and mother was with other women, discussing the nature of our kingdom and what position we were in.
I quickly grew bored of all that and journeyed outside. The inn was rather large, as far as inns go, with a large stable and a decent front area. Being built at a crossroad where each of the four roads led to a city or village was certainly favourable.
The front of the inn could only be described as a small courtyard, with late blooming flowers all around the edges. Behind the flowers was a low wall that gave the place a lovely, safe feel. The owner had joked with us, saying it truly was a safe house.
I sat on the edge of the wall and looked at the flowers. They didn't compare to the gardens in the castle. The gardens were so much more beautiful and vibrant, even more so by moonlight.
I smiled faintly. The castle might as well be the center of Hell but, in it, there was a little bit of Heaven. Mine and Tybalt's place. It was our santuary.
I smoothed the stone of the wall with my hand. I missed Tybalt, a lot. Seeing mother and father show each other their love through looks, kisses, and hugs made me wish I could share those things with him. I blushed in remembering when I first kissed him, and then when he kissed me in the gardens. I still couldn't believe I had fainted like that.
My thoughts were disturbed when I heard a horses hooves. It was moving at a fast canter and coming toward the inn. I looked up and saw a rider. What shocked me was that I recognized the figure. I jumped up, "Tybalt!"
He road up to me, panting, "Belle!" I watched as he swung off his saddle and hit the ground.
I swung my legs over to the other side of the wall and jumped to hug him. His arms enclosed around me and squeezed me. Feeling is hold again made a chime of safety ring in my mind. I always felt safe with him. He pulled back and kissed me, hard. I jumped at the sudden kiss but didn't push away. I had missed kissing him too.
A cough disrupted our moment and I saw my parents looking at us. I blushed furiously, "It was a welcome kiss!"
"Of course it was," mother smirked, "to an old friend, no less."
I bit my lip and looked down, making no effort to move ffrom Tybalt, just like he made no move from me.
Father only laughed and walked to us, "Be thankful it wasn't Emmett that caught you. He would never let you live it down."
Tybalt was blushing and only nodded.
"It is good to see you again Prince. Last I saw you, you had only just been born."
"I am glad I could meet you formally, Lord Edward. I have heard many accusations from my father but turn them all aside."
He smiled, "Well, I am thankful at least one of the royal family likes me. But enough of that, what brings you here?"
I felt him straighten a little, "My father has sent a force to Mardoc. He suspects it. Masen, Brandon, Rosie and I were on our way there when a scout told us. Masen has sent the scout to Mardoc to warn them while I came to you. I was the fastest rider. Masen and Brandon are going to stall the force while a friend from the city will lead the caravan we were guiding to a meadow just as large and defendable as Mardoc."
"I see. You would have us make move to the meadow."
"Yes. I do not know how much Masen and Brandon can stall for time. We must make haste."
"You're right and I thank you for coming, young Prince. If what you say is true, than we should move quickly before any scouts loyal to your father stop us." He whistled and a stable boy came up, "Go around and warn everyone that Mardoc is being attacked. We make for a different route and ride in the marrow."
"Yes, my Lord." He ran off.
Father smiled, "For now, you should get some rest. There are still some rooms inside. Just, detach yourselves from each other. You know how much fun Emmett will have with this Isabelle."
I blushed and let go.
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