Page 51 of Besotted
“I wish you Godspeed and good fortune in taking a stand against Queen Margery, brothers.” I wrapped my belt around my waist, my axe on one side and my sword on the other. “I have every confidence you will find a way to triumph over her.”
Vilmar stood and clamped my shoulder. “Just not with your help?”
“I shall be of no use to you.” I kept my focus on my belt. “My time would be better spent finishing my Testing.”
The benches scraped against the floor as the rest of the men stood. Mikkel held himself stiffly, again watching me with a keenness that made me want to squirm.
Vilmar dipped his head and then took a step back. “If that is your decision, then I wish you the same. Godspeed and good fortune as you complete your Testing. Rest assured, I shall support the Lagting’s decision to give you the kingship and will pledge you my fealty.”
“I shall as well.” Mikkel bowed his head.
A pang shot through my chest, one I didn’t understand—except that their subservience didn’t feel right. “I look forward to the day in the not-so-distant future when we will all be home again. Until then, I shall pray for your safety.”
With that, I spun on my heels and hobbled out the door. I made a point of thanking Walter and his daughters while I waited for Jorg to collect our bags. When my faithful companion took his place by my side moments later, I nodded farewell to my brothers and the others who’d come outside, and then we started on our way back into the forest.
We walked for what seemed like hours. I wanted to put as much distance as I could between myself and anyone searching for Aurora. I was only frustrated I couldn’t traverse faster.
Navigating the woodland was difficult under normal circumstances, much less while having a major wound that still pained me. When I was assured we’d gone a significant distance, I halted and searched the thick brush and windfall for signs of anyone who may have followed us as well as any basilisk that might be nearby.
Jorg did likewise, taking in every detail of our surroundings.
“Has anyone come after us?” He’d be able to glean more clues than I would with his sharp attention to detail.
He studied the woods behind us. “If they haven’t yet, I have no doubt they will be on our trail erelong.”
“Do they suspect my association with Rory?”
“They suspect you know more than you told them, and they’ll be watching you closely.”
“She is the one, is she not?”
“She has to be.”
For the first time since I’d realized Rory’s true identity, I allowed myself a real smile. “I should have figured it out sooner.”
“I should have too.”
“All the signs were there.” How could I have missed them? And did it really matter? I loved her for who she was and not because of her status.
Jorg again glanced around, then lowered his voice. “When I saw Chester fight yesterday, I knew he was too well trained to be a charcoal burner. He has the skill of an elite guard.”
The elite guards were specially trained to protect royalty, knights who pledged to remain single and solely devoted to their charges. They were the best of the best. “He easily could have slain me and maybe even you.”
“Not me,” Jorg retorted. “At least, not without a good fight.”
Jorg was an exceptional fighter too, but not to the extent of an elite guard. Even so, I was grateful to have him as a friend and not a foe. “I won’t rest until I’m able to warn her of all that’s transpiring.”
“Especially since they are so certain she’s here in the forest. It’s only a matter of time before they stumble upon her trail.” The severity in Jorg’s expression and tone added to my worry.
“She needs to get away now. Perhaps return to the royal fortress in Delsworth. Even if Queen Margery decides to attack the capital, Aurora will be safest there, behind the castle walls and with Mercia’s army to defend her. Surely Delsworth can hold out a month until she comes of age.”
I veered toward the direction that would take me to the ravine, but before I could take two steps, Jorg grabbed my arm. “We can’t leave yet.”
I was under no illusion I could safely guide her to Delsworth, but Chester could. In fact, he probably already had decided upon a means and a course of delivering her there. He’d just have to do it sooner than he’d planned.
I shrugged out of Jorg’s grip. “The sooner we reach her, the better.”
He stepped around me to block my way. “If you go now, you will lead your brothers right to her.”
