Page 5 of Quest

A flicker of discouragement threatened to dampen my resolve, but I hastily squelched it. Whatever obstacles lay ahead, I would steadfastly face them one by one. I cast one final, lingering look at my father, a silent promise etched in my heart that I would see him again.

I put on some of Father’s clothes that were too big and awkward even for my enchanted frame and gathered the supplies I'd hidden away during the week. Beside Father’s bed I left a carefully penned note of apology and explanation, hoping it would ease the sting of my departure, before ensuring his medicine was well-stocked and visible.

After one last look around the shop that had been my world, I stepped into the night. The door closed softly behind me, concluding the chapter of my life spent within its walls and marking a new, uncertain path stretching out before me as I embarked on my quest.

CHAPTER 3

Idoubled over and rested my hands on my knees in an effort to remain upright, gasping for each ragged breath, utterly spent. Weakly I lifted my head, peering through sweat-drenched bangs that exertion had plastered to my brow to stare wearily at the final hill looming before me. Dawn cast a soft glow over its crest, promising rest if I could only muster the strength to reach the summit.

The distance seemed insurmountable as I squinted through the brushstrokes of golden light. My aching body protested at the thought of enduring another strenuous climb, especially when I remained uncertain whether this path even led to my destination.

The journey had already proved far more grueling than even my worst imaginings had anticipated. Years spent confined indoors by the cursed darkness and my relatively sedentary life as an herbalist had done little to prepare me for the demands of traveling through the entire night with a heavy pack. Unfortunately the magic broadening my shoulders was merely an illusion; I still bore the weaker upper body of my natural feminine frame.

Though every muscle cried out in protest, with a steadying breath I pushed onward. With every step I muttered the prince's name like a dark oath, a habit born from my journey that helped propel me forward. What had begun as mere dislike had evolved into seething hatred with each passing mile. How could that heartless royal have expected my frail father to endure such a strenuous journey that I found myself barely capable of? Even if he’d taken a carriage as was probably expected, the hours of jarring on the winding and deeply rutted roads would have been torturous with his condition.

I pressed my lips together as I recalled the small leather sack of coins that the prince’s attendant had passed to my father with a few words about providing for his travels. The pouch lay in a drawer in my father’s room, but I hadn’t been able to bring myself to take it. Who knew what trials Father might face in my absence, and how greatly he might need that money? Instead I had brought my own meager savings, but refused to dip into them for something as simple as saving my legs from walking.

My route had been a circuitous one; I found myself venturing farther from the familiar paths as I searched for a destination indicated only by a few cryptic letters magic had revealed under duress. I had spent most of the restless night poring over the enigmatic missive, dabbing it with tinctures and whispering half-mastered incantations in hopes of revealing any hidden words.

Eventually a few hazy letters had shimmered reluctantly into view, offering only the faintest hint at a northern direction towards the dense, mist-laden forests of eldergrove. With nothing more than this scant clue I set out in that unfamiliar direction, my heart a mix of trepidation and resolve. Each step led me deeper into unknown territory, where the sounds of the waking forest seemed to both beckon and warn. Despite my growing apprehension, I clung to the hope that these sparse magical breadcrumbs were leading me to my true destination.

My legs trembled, threatening to give out, but I knew I couldn’t afford to rest. The deadline to meet the prince and his entourage loomed, barely an hour away. If I were late, His Highness might seek my shop, discover my deception, and force my father on this excursion instead.

I pushed through the drowsiness plaguing my senses as I traversed the mountain, searching along the road for any herbs that might aid in crafting a spell for strength or a potion to dispel fatigue, but despite the ingredients for such a concoction being common the recovering vegetation was sparse, a testament to decades of sunless gloom. Occasionally, I noticed small buds of life emerging from the dead underbrush, but none that could be combined into a useful concoction. I thought longingly of the herbs in my pack, but couldn’t risk using something that I might need for the quest ahead.

I protectively clutched the satchel that housed the plants I had gathered from my garden for the journey, along with as many carefully-wrapped glass bottles of tincture as I could logically bring, considering I had no idea what I might find myself needing on this mysterious journey. I’d initially wondered if I’d packed too much, but given the desolation of the still-healing landscape this might be my only supply for the duration of the quest. If I failed to prove my worth to the prince due to my lack of supplies, I feared he would dismiss me in favor of recruiting my father, forcing him to confront the very danger I sought to spare him.

As I finally crested the hill, three figures emerged against the skyline, one draped in a cloak adorned with the royal emblem. Relief filled my next painful breath. At long last I had finally reached my destination. The early morning mist clung to the edges of the forest as I approached the small gathering, attempting to quiet my ragged breathing and give my strides a confident, manly appearance.

At the sound of my approach the prince glanced over his shoulder and our eyes met. My breath hooked as a surge of heated emotion overwhelmed me, one I was too tired to discern between attraction and hatred…though the rapid way my heart perilously pulsed suggested the former. I struggled to suppress any feelings inappropriate towards a man I considered my enemy, but the sunlight highlighting his handsome profile in an almost heroic light didn’t help my resolve.

Confusion puckered his brow at my appearance. He excused himself from his companions and approached me with an intense stare. “Who are you? Only those with permission from the royal family should have been able to locate this place.”

I possessed a basic understanding of the spells used to conceal hidden areas that typically required a charm or specific invitation to be granted entry. Fortunately, a precise mix of herbs had effectively broken these magical barriers, allowing me access to the secluded meeting area.

Too weary to feign a masculine tone, I silently extended a trembling hand to offer him the royal missive I’d stolen from Father.

Prince Darcel snatched the paper from my grasp and quickly scanned its contents before lifting his gaze, his eyes sharp with suspicion. “Where did you get this?”

It took me a moment to catch my breath enough to stammer an answer. “My—father?—”

“Your father? The herbalist?”

I nodded, struggling to stand firm despite my fatigue.

Prince Darcel’s frown deepened. “I surmise you are his son? I wasn’t aware he had any relations other than that headstrong daughter of his.”

A wave of anger momentarily dispelled my exhaustion. “If protecting our loved ones is considered headstrong, then it is a trait my family will bear proudly. It isn’t a good sign that the prince of our kingdom finds such a characteristic lacking when caring for others is the very role he is charged with.” In my indignation I forgot to deepen my voice, but thankfully my lingering breathlessness softened my feminine lilt.

Disapproval rippled through the prince’s companions. One stepped forward, hand grazing the hilt of his sword…only held back when Prince Darcel lifted a hand in silent warning, which his guard obeyed with a bow. His Highness otherwise didn’t immediately react, only continued to scrutinize me thoughtfully.

“Must run in the family.” A hint of grudging respect colored his dark mutter, likely not intended for my ears. “Your relation to the herbalist has been established, but you have yet to explain your presence here in his stead.”

“My father has suffered a fall and is incapacitated,” I replied, the lie smooth but my heart pounding with the deceit. “He cannot possibly undertake this journey.”

The prince frowned deeply. “The missive made it quite clear that it was his expertise we required, not that of his less experienced son.”

“Does His Highness truly intend to force a man who can barely stand to endure such a strenuous endeavor?” I lifted my chin in defiant challenge.

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