Page 81 of An Archer's Reckoning

A moan behind Keelan caught our attention as Atikus stirred to life.

“Why do I not smell bacon?” he grumbled.

“IknewI was forgetting something while we made our desperate escape from a mad queen and her army.” Keelan smirked up at me.

Atikus harrumphed and tossed a wadded sock into Keelan’s back. “Young man, the success of most journeys rests on the quality of the food.Nevermock bacon.”

Keelan and I laughed.

The Mage cracked a grin.

I reached into my pack and tossed a hard roll at him, earning another round of chuckles when the Mage fumbled his bread.

It felt good to smile. I couldn’t remember how long my heart had been heavy.

After a quick breakfast of dried meat and fruit, we resumed our trek eastward with Keelan driving a steady pace, insisting we maintain our lead on any pursuers who might follow. Aside from a few stray clouds that dropped flurries on our heads, the sky remained mostly clear. Snow from the past couple of days remained on the ground but thankfully wasn’t growing. The bright sky did little to ward off the cold that dug into every part of my body.

I trotted Dittler up next to Keelan. “Keelan, I should apologize for snapping last night. It was not fair, and certainly was not worthy of a queen.”

Keelan regarded me a moment.

When he spoke, his voice was that of a seasoned Guardsman, a leader forged through years of trial—and error. “I’ve never known a queen, but I do know some pretty serious leaders back home. Some even call me one on occasion. You will need that passion if you hope to win people’s hearts. After everything you’ve been through, I’m glad you’re fighting back rather than turning inward. Many lose themselves when faced with loss and grief, never to return to who they once were. Your openness shows strength, even if it might be a little misplaced at times.”

My mouth opened to respond, but nothing came out. I didn't know what to say.

Too often, people only saw me as the Crown Princess, little more than my title. I was either a means to a higher station or looked down at for my youth and inexperience. I wanted to be so much more than just a princess. I was a strong young woman with even stronger thoughts and feelings—and fears. My father warned me to expect no less from people, but it still hurt to think I was little more than the crown I wore to many. They didn’t seeme.

Yet, Keelan continued to surprise me.

This wasn’t some reckless young man, blinded by his own strength and masculinity. He was thoughtful and deliberate. He even accepted my anger and walked away rather than throwing it back in my face. He treated me with respect—not exactly the respect I deserved as Queen—but the respect of an equal. That was a lot more than I was used to from most of the fawning fools who strutted about the throne.

I was also surprised he spoke with suchwisdom.

Was that the right word?

He actually sounded like my father after one of his Council meetings, when the King would spend hours walking me through the finer points of strategy, politics, and governance I witnessed in the Throne Room.

Atikus urged me to give him a chance, to get to know the man beneath the mask. He hadn’t said anything about Keelan battling his own demons, but I thought the Guardsman’s eyes revealed something much deeper. He was often quiet and stoic. Even now, as genuine as he sounded, his tone was as rigid as his back on his horse, as though he was briefing his commander rather than offering advice to a friend about grief and loss.

I stared at his back while we rode, reassessing my opinion of the foreign Constable with icy blue eyes.

Several days passed, blurring together in frigid succession. We traveled nearly forty leagues and had still not encountered another soul. The constant bounce and sway to traveling through untended fields made me long for the comfort of a carriage.

On the fourth night following our flight from Cradle, we again camped around a small fire. There were no trees, houses, or farms in sight.

“This place is like an endless ocean made of grass and dirt. It just goes on and on,” Keelan groused as he stirred the kettle of bubbling, thin soup dangling over the fire.

I nodded. “My father wanted more people to settle this land, to farm it. He thought the leagues between Cradle and Bo could feed the whole Kingdom if someone would just work the fields.”

Atikus elbowed past Keelan, bowl and ladle in hand. “I am less concerned with feeding the Kingdom than I am its most illustrious guest. Let me test that soup out, make sure it is fit for our Queen.”

Keelan snorted and stepped back.

Suddenly, he staggered and gripped his head with both hands.

“Keelan?” Atikus forgot his soup and stood.

Keelan wheeled around, seeming to search for something. He wobbled as his eyes grew distant and dark.

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