"Jeremy," Raven called into the field, "what are we doing today?"
"Same thing we've done everyday," he called back from the rows of corn. "Grab another pannier before you come in here though."
" 'Kay!" she yelled back before trudging over to the shed. The shed was rather large actually, being more of a small barn. Opening the door, she was greeted with a whinny.
"Morning Stone," she replied, the horse snorted in return. "You're so impatient. Don't worry, you won't be living here forever...just until I decide what we do next." The gelding snorted again; Raven ignored him this time. Finding the requested pannier, Raven went back to the shed's door patting Stone's nose on the way.
Right before she was about to exit, she heard the sound of a galloping horse. The rider stopped, Raven pulled back into the shadows and peered out cautiously. The rider looked official to her. Dressed in finery that she had only seen on nobles and royalty's eunuchs, the man dismounted and headed towards the house that she had left only a half hour before.
Rosanna answered the door and talked with the man, sometimes nodding, sometimes shaking her head. The man then gave a stiff nod and turned towards the fields...closer to her. Setting the pannier down she drew back inside the shed and watched the man from a small window. She saw Jeremy come out of the field and repeat the same actions as his wife. The man then stepped away, gave a nod of his head, handing Jeremy a roll of parchment. He then went back to his horse, remounted and proceeded to trot down the road.
Sighing audibly, Raven picked up the pannier and stepped out of the shed, carrying the basket over to the farmer. 'What if the found out about me!' she suddenly thought. 'What do I do? Whoa, calm down girl, just relax and act natural.' Jeremy had cracked the message's seal and wide smile sliding across his face. Upon seeing her, he waved her over.
"Yes?" she asked tentatively. Oh no, they knew didn't they?
"Katherine, it believes you are more popular than you give yourself credit for." He began, the grin never leaving his face.
"What do you mean by that?" she asked setting down the pannier.
"It means, that you've been invited to the palace." He stated simply with a bit of laughter. Raven's jaw dropped, she had always wanted to see the Tortallan Royal Palace, in fact she and the other 'Roses' had planned a trip there, and now she was invited and-wait! Shit, curses upon curses! She was a fugitive, so they had likely found out about her and 'invited' her. She would be shipped back to Maren and executed. There was no way she was going!
"Why?" she finally managed to croak; she knew her horror was clearly written on her face. Seeing her look, Jeremy laughed.
"Oh don'cha worry lass, it's only a music competition. 'Parently, one of the grain transporters heard ye practicing one day and word found it's way to the younger prince's ear that a talented musician was wasting away on a farm." He said glee plainly writ on his face. "Prince Liam. It's his birthday in six days and he's a big fan of the arts. Last year it was a art exhibition, this time it's music."
"Oh..." she said in disbelief, so this wasn't her doom...but if she went someone was bound to recognize her.
"You don't have to stick with me, kid, you could go and enter the contest. There's prize money and popularity that goes along with it; you could be a musician without a sponsor and be comfortable too. Think about it." He said. He obviously wanted her to go and check it out. She looked at him unsure. "I'm not tossing ye out, you can always come back and stay wiv me and Rosie if ye want."
She nodded; she would check it out. It was a stupid idea, but at least if she was caught she would likely have a chance to prove her innocence. Draguen had said that the Tortallan king was more just then both Barnesh and Gaile.
"Alright," she agreed. "When do I have to leave?"
"We'll leave tomorrow. Corus is only three and a half days of hard riding from here, so we should make it in time. We can register ye when we get there and then go find an inn."
Raven nodded again and then grinned up at Jeremy. "Y'know, "she said mimicking his accent, "them corn won't harvest themselves." Jeremy laughed and the two went into the field to pick as many ears as they could before lunch.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gaile paced, no word on the girl. The Tortallans had found nothing, same with the Tusench. It was as though she had disappeared. Growling in frustration, he sat down at his desk and rummaged through the papers on his desk. Finding the note, he glared at what it said:
'-Gaile,
We are going to Tortall for the competition. If I can find out anything important, I'll send word. We left this morning.
-Your loyal servant,
Cairn ''Loyal servant, my ass,' the king thought crumpling the week old note. He hadn't received a single peep from Cairn since he left. Not only that but if the boy really did respect him, then shouldn't he refer to him by title, not name. Why did being king have to be so difficult?
Sighing, he looked out the window into the rain. He knew the answer.
"It's difficult because it's not the Gods' will." He muttered to the downpour.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Packing, packing. Home, I will be soon." Merric sang as he gathered all his stuff together.
Esmond shook his head at his friend's actions, while he'd admit, that being taken off border control would be a nice change, it was not as if they'd be idle long. Before they could go to their fiefs, duchies or baronies, they needed to stop by Corus for the younger prince's birthday. This year it was a music competition and Esmond seemed to find the event most fitting for the current happenings. After all, what better way to find a fugitive musician, than to hold a competition with a considerable prize?
Esmond nodded in satisfaction with the plan, they were not being let off; they were being brought back to watch for the murderer.
"Are you finished?" Merric's voice broke into his thoughts. Esmond looked at his friend whose packs were are sealed.
"Almost, just give me a moment." He responded, Merric nodded and dragged his bags outside.
Esmond quickly packed all his belongings and brought his stuff outside the tent with a bit of unease. While he approved of His Majesty's plan, did he really have to put his family in danger? What if the assassin did show up, what would they do? She could likely turn them into stone in an instant. No, that wouldn't happen. There were too many strong mages lingering about for that to happen.
Tossing his stuff onto the wagon, he went to fetch his horse. Man, he missed having a squire, he needed to grab another one soon.
'I can do that in Corus.' He thought saddling up. Leading his horse out from the portable pen, he mounted and rode over to Merric.
"What are we waiting for?" he asked the redheaded knight.
"You." He responded. With a grin the two, along with another seven knights, started back on the five-day ride back to Corus.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"According to the map, this is the River Drell." Thetar said looking at the map. It was noon and the quartet had just passed the Tortallan border. They had been questioned by a bored looking knight on their business and then ushered in after hearing of the destination and purpose.
"Then, the party of knights the border-man mentioned, should only be a couple hours ahead of us if they had a wagon." Korosh stated. He held the lead to their packhorse, which carried his cello and cooking supplies. "Do you think we should join them, if we catch up?" He asked Draguen, the eldest and most experienced of the group.
"I do not see why not." he replied simply.
"Then it is settled," Cairn said, "we'll catch up to these knights, learn Tortallan gossip and arrive in Corus with an entourage."
"Yeah, something like that." Draguen shrugged, grinning at Cairn's enthusiasm. "Now, let's have lunch and then we'll go chase after the knights, agreed?" he asked, once again thinking with his stomach. The other three musicians nodded and they began to set out things for their mid-day meal.
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