Thank-you all so much for reviewing. Seriously. All the kind comments truly make my day. Hopefully I can get the story to the half-way point and really build up from there. Until then, thanks again my friends.
Chapter 7- Intrigue
"You men head back to the castle and let their majesties know that the prince is safe. He does not want to leave the mare so we will stay at the Thandyhawl Inn in the town for the night." Elias commanded all attention from his troops to him.
"What about protection?" one of the guards closest to him questioned.
Elias was in a very sour disposition after Alethea's fall. "Do you not think I can protect him for one night?" he snarled at the trembling guard.
"N-n-no, I mean, Yes Captain. I would never be so bold or ignorant!"
Elias' heart softened at the sight of the muscular man down on one knee begging forgiveness. His men did look up to him and this intolerant attitude was not what they needed to be shown.
"Forgive me Gaut. You are very right, Aiden needs more protection then from just one man. You and another shall stay behind and protect him as you have always done."
"Thank-you my Captain." said Gaut as Elias hauled him from the ground.
"Mother please." Liana stroked Alethea's fingers lovingly. "What is the matter?" She felt fingers on her shoulder.
"Come little mouse, you don't need to be cooped up here all day. She'll be fine, mother just needs rest." Tempest stroked the child's head gently. "The best thing to do now, is to keep your mind off of this matter or it will make you ill. Can you see to the horses in the stable? I haven't put fresh hay in yet today, so they must be getting antsy. Especially that fancy royal horse. I'm sure she's used to divine treatment."
"Of course Papa." and with a glance back at the limp figure on the bed, Liana ran out the door.
"Liana! I'm sorry to hear about your mam." A shaggy shock of red hair with a round freckled nose protruding though it popped up behind a hay bail.
"Oh, hi Breck." Liana said gloomily as she stood on a stool and reached up to the highest shelf, feeling around for a brush. Breck sidestepped the stool and grabbed the brush, handing it to her. "Thanks." she said, taking it from him, and hopping off .
"So do yeh know whatsa matter with her?" Breck asked, following her to Milos' stable.
"No." replied Liana.
"Do yeh have any idea?" Breck pressed
"No." Liana said, beginning to brush the horse's neck softly.
"That prince said that she was caught in the middle of seeing and real life." At this Liana whipped around and stared at him full in the face.
"Do you really think that this prince, a hoighty toighty snob knows what is going on? He is no physician, he isn't one of the working people. He thinks he is so high and mighty just because his father rules over us? Well he doesn't!"
"Not yet…" put in Breck mildly.
"Well when he does become king, I am fleeing the kingdom!" Liana huffed as she brushed the horses flank furiously.
"Hmm, he seemed like a nice chap to me." Breck mused, glancing over at his friend getting the snarles out of Milos' mane.
Liana scoffed. "You would."
"Now what exactly is that supposed to mean?" Breck said, playfully yanking one her Liana's golden curls. Despite herself Liana grinned.
"Would you knock it off and go do what my father pays you for!"
"It's nearly dusk, I should be gittin' home. I just wanted to stick around to letcha know that the fellows are meetin' tonight." Breck casually put his hands in his pockets and started to stroll out the stable door. Suddenly he felt two arms around his waist and turned around to look at a pair of large green eyes looking up at him.
"Meet me 'round midnight at the Inn, yeh troublemaker." Breck ruffled the girl's head and stepped out into the light of the setting sun.
Liana waited in her bed until her open window looked as is black velvet had been draped behind it. Carefully she pulled off the heavy woolen blanket that had been covering her already clothed figure. Warily she swung her legs off the high wooden bed and pressed her toes to the cold floor. Liana knew where every creaking board, every spot that would betray her lay.
Tiptoeing to her wardrobe she opened the heavy doors and almost screamed when something fell onto her face and slid down her body. The lavender scarf her mother had given her lay at her feet as if proud if itself. She scowled at the piece of fabric at threw it into the wardrobe. Reaching behind one of the fancier dresses she never wore her hand fell on what she had searching for. Retracting her hand, Liana pulled out a felt boy's cap. Setting it down on the bed, she carefully began rolling her long hair into a neat little bun at the top of her head.
Grabbing the hat with one hand and holding the bun with the other, she quickly jammed it down on her head, trapping her beautiful tresses under the dark fabric. Pulling out a few short strands as to make her look messier Liana observed herself in the full length mirror on the door of her wardrobe. The breeches she had put on before going to bed were much too big for her slim frame, and the dirty work shirt she'd "borrowed" from her father came down almost to her knees, but overall Liana was pleased. She looked like every ragamuffin boy in town that didn't have the money or time to buy nice clothes.
Quietly shutting the door behind her, Liana crept through the hallway keeping every step in check. Her hand brushed a small silver platter making it clatter to the ground. She held her breath. The soft ragged breath of her mother, and the deep resounding snore of her father continued without a pause. Replacing the platter with glare Liana stole quickly over the hard kitchen floor and out the door. Liana was met with a brisk cold brush against her dry lips as she raced over the hill towards the village. The night was still and the usually clear sky was shrouded in cloud
"Fall is here" Liana thought to herself as she stopped to catch her breath before sprinting the extra few yards to the Inn.
Liana glanced over her shoulder as she slunk around to the back of the building. Sitting herself down onto a low stump, she sighed with relief. She'd made it, but only just. Now she had to do was wait. Massaging her calf she looked up at the night sky. The hair on her arms stood on end as the church bell rang twelve. Suddenly cold, hard fingers gripped the back of her neck.
"You made it." a deep whisper came to her ear.
