Page 100 of An Archer's Reckoning

The horse whinnied in a way that sounded like laughter and nudged my arm with his nose.

“All right, fine. I’m getting up.”

Bright sunlight streamed through the windows as I looked around the cramped cottage. The place was falling apart worse than I remembered from the night before. I was amazed Dittler had not fallen through the flooring.

I walked the horse outside and fed him some oats from my saddlebag, then fished out dried meat and fruit for my own breakfast. A short time later, I was mounted and scanning the horizon, trying to decide which way to go.

“We must avoid the coast. I will be recognized if we go anywhere near Kitchton. Atikus said the cave was about halfway between Fersh and Kitchton, somewhere on the eastern shore. We can head that way and hope we find it—and them.”

Dittler snorted.

“Not helpful, but thank you for the support.” I stroked his neck as we trotted east.

We reached the road quickly.

I was distracted, lost in daydreams of a well-laid dinner table at the Palace.

My stomach grumbled as Dittler’s hooves clacked against the edge of the road, snapping me from my reverie. I scolded myself for not paying attention. Anyone could be on the road—or watching it for a runaway queen.

My head swiveled, searching for men lurking beyond the bend, but there was no one in sight.

I urged Dittler forward. “Come on, boy. I dislike being out in the open.”

We made it across, then another hundred paces before a voice called out.

“You there! Halt!”

A jolt shot up my spine.

I spun around to find three men, their snow-white cloaks flapping in the wind as they glared from atop their mounts.

“Nice and slow, miss. Hands where we can see ’em.” Two of the men trotted their horses toward me, careful to make a wide arc around either side to box me in. The third, the man who’d called out, remained on the road with his bow nocked but resting across his lap. “We’re Queen’s Guard, ma’am. Nothin’ to fear from us.”

“Sergeant, it’s her. It’sthe Queen,” one of the men shouted to the man on the road. He turned toward me, concern creasing the sun-scarred skin around his eyes, then bowed his head respectfully. “Your Majesty, are you all right? Are you hurt?”

I fought to lift my chin as my mother would. “I am quite well. What is the meaning of this? Surely, you do no mean to detain your Queen?”

The man’s brow quirked in confusion. “Your Majesty? I don’t understand. You were kidnapped and—”

“Nonsense! Do you see any captors? Am I wearing chains or ropes?” I raised my wrists as dramatically as I could, then lifted both eyebrows. Only then did I notice how dirty and road-worn I looked. Still, I persisted. “I see three men sworn to protect and serve the Crown delaying their monarch.”

As if on cue, Dittler let out an angry snort and stamped one hoof to the ground. The closest man nudged his horse back a stride. If I hadn’t been so afraid in the moment, I would’ve grinned at the stallion’s reaction.

The men looked to their sergeant.

They were likely sent to rescue a frightened, fragile, possibly injured sixteen-year-old girl. So they likely never expected to find a clear-headed young woman who radiated command. What were they supposed to do now?

The sergeant trotted his horse up and bowed his head. “My Queen, forgive us. We were sent by High Sheriff Wilfred to find and aid you. He believed your life was in danger, though he wouldn’t say from whom. Rumors are spreading throughout the land that you were kidnapped by two Melucians who disappeared from the encampment at Cradle. They are also suspected in the murder of the King and Prince.”

At the mention of my father and brother, my regal bearing faltered, and a bit of the damaged girl emerged. I tried to recover but couldn’t hide my torn emotions.

The sergeant’s eyes lowered, and his voice saddened. “I’m so sorry for your loss, Majesty. The Kingdom mourns with you.”

“Not thewholenation, Sergeant.” My eyes flared. “Askmy motherwhat happened to the King and Prince. The Royal Guard should be seeking their murderer, not chasing after the rightful ruler.”

“Your Majesty?” The sergeant’s jaw dropped as he looked to his companions.

One nodded. “Heard that one, too. There’s lots of rumors about what happened to the King and Prince floating out there. Most garbage, though.”

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