Page 18 of Quest for her Knights
I stick my head in through the window in the door as she plops down on the seat, rather ungracefully. “If you need anything, just yell. Arrow and I will be right up front.”
I pull back as Draven and Blaze approach on their horses. “Blaze, take the lead, we’re heading toward Drysdale first. Draven, you’ve got the rear.” Everyone nods, and Arrow and I take our seats. I grab the reins and set the horses into motion.
We’re only on the road about five minutes before Arrow quietly prods me for conversation.
“So, what do you think of her?”
“The Princess?”
“Yeah. What do you think?”
“She’s definitely an upgrade from the other one, at least from the short interaction I had with her. She’ll make a fine wife to any deserving lord. I’m sure she’ll be engaged in no time.”
“Yeah, probably,” he says glumly. I glance at his face and notice a small frown there.
“You don’t agree?” I ask with a frown.
“It’s not that…”
“Then what is it?”
“It doesn’t matter. I don’t want to talk about it. Why don’t you tell me what’s new with you? It’s been a while since you’ve given me any updates.”
“You know me, same old, same old.”
“You still training the new recruits?”
“Yeah. Got a real green group this time, too. Some of them have never even held a blade, but they seem really committed. I admire their tenacity. What about you? What have you been up to?”
“Oh, not much. There was all the fun when Princess Freya went missing and we had to search for her. After that, the princes were busy getting ready for their wedding.”
“But what about you, not the princes,” I ask, genuinely wanting to know what’s going on in my brother’s life.
“It’s just like you, I suppose. Nothing really changes. I did make myself a new bow, though.” He pulls the bow from hisback to show me. “See? I used a stronger string and managed to find some yew this time.”
“Yew?” I ask in surprise. “That’s a good find.”
“I know! It cost me a pretty penny to trade for it, but when I saw it at the market, I knew it’d make the perfect bow.”
“You did a good job.”
“Thanks,” he says, smiling at me before placing the bow on his back. I can feel the pride radiating off of him, and I’m glad he knows how I feel. I just wish he understood how truly proud of him I really am.
He’s twice the man I am.
Chapter seven
Elora
Igaze out the side of the carriage at the beautiful forest surrounding us. The scenery is lovely, although the ride is rather bumpy.
I’m not sure why I was surprised that Ranger closed me in here on my own. For some reason, I assumed at least one of them would ride with me. It definitely would’ve made the ride more interesting.
The carriage looks exactly like something I’ve seen on historical shows on TV, a wooden carriage with a plush interior. The top half of the doors are cut out like windows, and there are curtains pinned back on either side. I guess I could close those if I wanted privacy or to sleep. As if I’d ever be able to sleep through this bumpy ride.
These roads clearly aren’t maintained at all, just a dirt trail through the forest full of bumps and dips.
I wonder how long until our first stop. What had Ranger called it? Drysdale? I wonder what awaits me there. I really wish one of the knights were in here with me so I could ask a few questions. Maybe if we stop for a break, I could ask if one of them would join me.
