"The point is," Fiera's voice rang outside into the hall, "you should not have come."
Odette and Derek quickly went down the guest corridor to see what the problem was, but they were stopped by Angel, who was already there. He held up his index to his lips, signaling them to be quiet. Seeing he wasn't going to ask them to leave, Odette and Derek stood by the door, listening in as he was. They knew it wasn't really their business, but they had taken a liking to Fiera, and they wanted to help if they could.
They could hear something slam on the wooden desk that was provided for the room's occupant. Whatever was going on in there definitely wasn't good, nor would it be resolved any time soon, if at all.
"It was just her hand," Angel whispered, seeing the startled look in Odette and Derek's eyes. He explained that Fiera had a temper when provoked, and those she wasn't considered 'violent,' she often hit her hand on whatever was nearby to keep from hitting the person she was arguing with. "She always does that when she's angry. Leda really ticked her off this time."
"I came to make sure Odette found out the truth," Leda answered. Her voice was indignant and superior as it had been the night before. Even if she didn't look old, she certainly had an authority complex over those who were apparently younger than she was.
"You came to make sure Odette would hear what you wanted her to know," Fiera corrected accusingly, a sharp edge in her voice. "You can't fool me like you do everyone else. I'm not nearly as stupid as you seem to think I am."
"What on Earth would I not want her to know?" Leda demanded.
"Don't tell me you were going to tell her that her mother was queen. Even if you had planned on it, you would have put off saying it. And you know that if it wouldn't be mentioned, she would be less willing to go. I know you covet the throne, even if I'm the only one that knows. I don't trust you, Leda, and when I don't trust someone, things tend to get a little… strange."
Everyone, Derek and Odette included, could hear the threat in Fiera's voice. She definitely didn't want Leda anywhere near, that much was certain.
"Who are you to pass judgment?" Leda growled, her voice reinforcing her dishonor. She sounded guilty, whether or not she was. Odette was finding she liked Leda less and less as time passed.
"Who are you to butt in on my mission? I'll remind you, Leda, this is a military assignment, and since it is, I decide what goes. As First Captain, second only to the monarchy itself, my orders are held in highest law when the safety of the heir is concerned, even if it means I have to protect her from you. Remember that."
"You remember that since there is no monarchy at the moment," Leda contested, "the elders are in highest power, not some loose cannon ex-demon."
Odette glanced at Angel questioningly. How odd that Leda would call her that. In response, Angel waved his hand as if it didn't matter at the moment. "Another time," he whispered.
"Recognize who you speak to, and recognize the law, Leda," Fiera shot back, fire in her voice and steel in her tone. "The elders are in charge, true, but they make laws by vote. No one elder can act alone and override my orders and decisions. It takes a vote, and the vote was to let me act as I see fit. You have no business here, Leda, and you should have just stayed away."
The last being the final argument, the room went silent, save for the sound of footsteps approaching the door. Odette was just about to cover up the fact that she and the others had been listening, but she stopped when she saw that Angel was fearlessly and unapologetically still standing by the door.
The door opened with a calm click. Obviously, Fiera had worked to control herself before thinking of rejoining society. The oaken door slowly opened and Fiera wordlessly stepped out, not allowing her stoic expression to fall until she pulled it shut, leaving Leda alone inside.
"Are you alright?" Angel asked, putting his hands gently on her shoulders, which were stiff. She looked like she was hurt as well as angry, but why, Odette didn't know.
"Yeah," she answered somewhat breathlessly. "I've just never been so… violently frustrated and irate."
"I noticed," he answered, his voice striking a calm note. She seemed to relax a little more. Fiera turned to Odette to address her and Derek.
"I'm sorry about that," she apologized, inclining her head to show respect and remorse.
"It's alright," Odette assured her, still wondering what the 'ex-demon' remark was all about. Knowing better than to ask it aloud, she let it drop. However, she would make Angel explain it to her later, as he seemed to know.
"If you were wondering," Fiera continued, her voice giving the slightest bit of a joke, "Leda will not be joining us for breakfast, thought I can't say the same for our journey…"
While they ate breakfast in private, the four of them discussed their plan for leaving.
"We could have a carriage made ready very quickly," Derek suggested, thinking of which horses would be the fastest.
"No," Angel declined. "If we use the carriage, it'll be easier for the demons to find us, as people will know you left."
"Well, we certainly can't make them go on foot," Fiera noted, knowing that neither one of them would make the trip if they had to resort to that.
"True," Angel agreed, thinking.
"We could take our horses," Odette ventured, "but we could just say we're going for a leisure ride."
"Good plan," Fiera said, liking it. No one would question them if all they were doing was going for a little ride in the forest. "And Angel, Leda, and I could leave first, that way people won't be suspicious."
After everyone was in agreement of this plan and the details were ironed out, Odette suddenly felt a pang of regret, as if she missed her home already. "What should we bring?"
"Nothing that you can't sneak out of here without anyone asking questions," Fiera answered, compassion in her voice. "Anything you need will be in Elmswell, so there's no need to pack clothes or anything like that."
"What about tonight?" Derek asked. "Won't we need to stop somewhere?"
"Yes, but not at an inn," Angel replied. "If records of our travels are kept, we could be tracked. Demons are endlessly crafty," he stopped and addressed Odette, "and they'll stop at nothing to catch you, Odette."
Knowing what that meant, Derek fell silent as Angel went on. "We'll have to stop in the woods for the night. If you two give us some time after we 'leave' we can buy some supplies in town. It'll only be for one night, and trust me, after a day of traveling, it will go by fast."
As soon as everyone, including Leda, was in agreement, Leda, Fiera, and Angel made a show of leaving, as did Derek and Odette. No one was the wiser, seeing as hardly anyone really knew who was staying in the castle. Since the three seemed to be of no real importance, no one really cared when they left.
But Derek and Odette took no chances, either way. They even stood at the gate and waved for added effect. When asked how the three made it there without horses by Rogers, Odette lied smoothly, almost surprised with how easily it came out.
"They were staying in town, but Fiera happened to be hunting, and she took care of those monsters that attacked Derek and me. Then her friends tracked her here, and Derek and I insisted they stay here for the night, in return for Fiera's bravery."
Well, it was only a half lie, but Odette was still glad she didn't have to explain too much. Fiera had barred telling anyone of their plans, including Rogers, well trusted as he may be.
Of course, Rogers didn't question her, outlandish and strange as the explanation seemed. Then again, he was growing used to that. He was getting old, and now that he was dealing with it, he knew when to back off of things and situations he didn't understand or want to know about.
The plan went off without a hitch or any further explanations. The time seemed to drag a little after Leda, Fiera, and Angel left. However, they had been instructed to give the others some time to shop for supplies. They also needed time to make it seem like Odette and Derek weren't following after them, which was more important, so as not to raise the suspicions of anyone in the castle or any demons that might have been lurking about.
About two hours after their new friends 'departed,' Derek and Odette went out, giving their excuse of going out for a short ride.
Easy.
Since Elmswell was to the west, Derek and Odette met the others on one of the quieter western roads. As promised, the three of them each had small traveler's bags – Leda's being the smallest – which they immediately fastened onto Odette and Derek's horses. Again, it was easy.
And just like that, Odette was on a journey to another city, but through her past as well.