Chapter 2

  When Camellia finally awoke, she was inside a carriage which she didn’t recognise. The events of the previous night repyed in her mind as she tried to make sense of where she was and how she got here. It wasn’t a fancy carriage but it was far nicer than the one that the merchants had been towing along with them and the seat offered a comfortable respite from the hardwood she had been seated on in the past week. She peered out of the windows and immediately realised that they were no longer in the forest but out on a luscious open field following what appeared to be a path that had been carved out from years of cartwheel tread and footfall. She could hear the sound of the wind as it beat against the grass and the vast blue sky was a welcome sight for her eyes as she bathed in the sunlight.

  Reality came crashing down on her as the vision of Ragn’s lifeless body fshed through her mind. Both him and Lewsef had fallen victim to the bandit’s greed. Being from a privileged background, she had never witnessed anything like what she saw st night. The look in that bandit’s eyes as he touched her body sent a shiver down her spine and it was one thing she didn’t think she was going to forget for a very long time.

  After a little while of travelling with her head perched against the cold window, a horse strode up alongside her and someone tried peering in. She recognised him almost instantly as her saviour, Frederick. “Ah you’re awake,” he announced as he made eye contact with her and lifted up his hand to request everyone come to a halt. He handed his horse off to someone else, before opening the door to the carriage and cmbering inside. It was quite a small carriage due to being built specifically to traverse difficult terrain which meant he looked comically rge when he sat inside. “Continue!” He shouted, causing all the men to start moving forward again and the carriage shook as the horses dragged it down the road. “How are you fairing?” Frederick asked, his eyes tinged with concern.

  “I’m well,” she practically whispered, unable to make any eye contact with him.

  “Well we’re making good time and we think we may actually make it to Limereckstead before nightfall,” he expined, the bumpy path causing him to sway from side to side. “I’ll ensure you are provided with some secure lodgings for the night before you continue on your journey.”

  “Might I ask where Hemshire might be? One of the gentlemen who was escorting me?” She questioned, sounding completely exhausted.

  “He is just up ahead,” Frederick responded, a slight smile pying on his lips. He had been led to believe that this was just some common girl that the merchants had picked up on the dirt. But no common girl spoke like that. He was sure of it and the intrigue was somewhat entertaining to him. Did the merchants know they had been escorting a woman of noble blood? Why was someone of a high status travelling with a bunch of merchants in the first pce? What horrors awaited her at home that she chose a life of violence and uncertainty over the privileged lifestyle she would have been given with her family?

  “I should like to reintroduce myself as when we met st night, it was under some pretty unfortunate circumstances,” he began, although he wasn’t sure that was the right words to use. Two of her friends died. “My name is Frederick and you are currently travelling with members of the King’s Guard. We have offered protection for your friend as far as Limereckstead where I believe he will likely need to hire some mercenaries to escort him to the capital.”

  Camellia nodded along to what he was saying, there was no way Hem would be able to travel to the Capital by himself, well not safely at least.

  Frederick took a deep breath, as if he was unsure about what he was about to say next, or perhaps nervous about how Camellia may respond. “I believe it would be best for your safety if you stay with us for the remainder of your journey to the capital. I would not trust a few men for hire with your safety or virtue.” She had been travelling with a group of men up till now, he had no idea if her virtue was still intact. But he wasn’t about to let her get caught up in more dangerous predicaments.

  “Are there women amongst your ranks?” Camellia asked, gncing at the window to see who she could spot.

  “There are not, but I would trust these men with my life. Any one of them would sooner thrust a sword through their own eye before they disobeyed me,” Frederick expined, his tone suddenly very serious. “I am sorry for my boldness but you were almost compromised st night and I do not wish to see or hear of you being put in such a position again. Please allow us to escort you to the Capital. We will be there in less than 2 weeks after we take care of some business in Nyeacre.”

  Camellia sighed to herself as she continued to gaze out of the window. She knew he was right and she would most likely be safer with the King’s Guard than if she stayed with Hemshire. But leaving Hem on his own after everything that happened just seemed wrong. “May I have some time to think about it?” She questioned.

  “Of course,” he replied, that gentle smile of his gracing his face again which made her suddenly feel a bit warmer inside. Now that she could see him properly, the way the light through the window caught the edge of his jawline as he smiled made her heart rate quicken slightly.

  “Are you accustomed to fighting?” Camellia asked, intrigued by the fact that despite being a knight he didn’t seem to have a single scratch on or around his face.

  “I am indeed,” he responded, flexing one of his arms jokingly. “I consider my sword to be one of my best companions.”

  “That man…” Camellia paused for a second as she thought back to the moment when Frederick killed that bandit in front of her eyes. “You killed him so quickly and with such little remorse.”

  “Well, he would have done the same,” Frederick sighed, this was not a gentile conversation that he would normally have with a noblewoman. But then she had seen enough to warrant an expnation. “It only takes one person you let escape to stab you in the back when you least expect it. You learn that the hard way.”

  Camellia nodded reflexively, there was no telling how he would have carried her back while trying to keep him in line. Either way you looked at it, he had to die. The man who sat across from her was clearly the man who saved her, but also completely different. The aura he emanated, the look in his eyes, everything was a far cry from what she was experiencing now. What did it take to kill a person and not let it affect you in the slightest? How many people would you have had to have killed to just be used to it? That was a question she wasn’t sure she wanted the answer to.

  After a little while, he offered to leave her in peace and returned to his horse which allowed her to rest a little longer as the night drew in and they finally arrived at the town.

  Camellia had all but forgotten what it was like to lie in a bath full of warm water. As she immersed herself in the hot tub she let out a deep sigh of contentment. She could finally scrub off everything that had built up on her skin over the past couple of days. The mud, the grime, the sweat, the… blood. Who’s blood? Maybe it spshed on her from the bandit as his head was removed from his shoulders. She hadn’t even noticed until now and it suddenly made her feel even more dirty.

  She told herself, life wouldn’t be like this when she reached the capital. She would find a job and a pce to live and spend the rest of her days living carefree without having to worry about marriage or any of that nonsense. She recalled the moment her Father told her that she was to be wed to a brute of a man.

  “Camellia, come in and take a seat,” he commanded as she entered his study.

  “Yes father,” she replied, treading over to his desk and sitting in a chair in front of his desk.

  “As you are well aware, we have been in talks regarding your marriage prospects,” he began, leaning forward on his desks and csping his hands in front of him. Her breath caught in her throat, she had spent months agonising over when this would happen and it seems that it was finally time. “Thanks to my connections, I have managed to secure you a proposal from Lord Aldric.”

  Camellia had heard of him. Who hadn’t. He was a ruthless man who’s cruelty knew no end. Willing to cut down anyone who stood in his way. How could she marry someone like that?

  Her Father could see her hesitation pstered on her face and sighed. “There is no use pouting child,” he scolded. “You are lucky any man is willing to take you.”

  She knew what he meant by that, despite being a noblewoman, her features were quite pin and she wasn’t as well endowed as her sisters were. Not to mention that she had had no success with magic which was frightfully uncommon for a woman of noble birth. This had made her a subject of her Father’s ire for years. Did Lord Aldric know about her shortcomings? And if he didn’t, what would he do to her when he found out?

  After listening to the barrage of insults that followed from her father, she stood and took her leave. Her face crestfallen as she accepted the reality before her. What could she do? She was just some poor little noble girl, she couldn’t go against her father. Could she?

  There was a knock on the door that shook her from thoughts. “Come in,” she called out, submerging herself in the water more.

  “Evening madam,” a woman dressed in a maid uniform announced as she entered with two other servants. One of them was carrying a tray with an assortment of food on it and the other was carrying a bunch of clothes. “We were requested to bring you some food and clothes to wear,” they expined. “Thank you,” Camellia responded, trying to figure out what kind of clothes she had been brought. It hadn’t even occurred to her for some reason that she would need some new clothes. The maid picked up her dirty clothes from the floor and advised that they will get them washed and returned to her as soon as possible before exiting the room.

  When she was finished, she dressed in a pin white shift that she had been provided before cmbering under the covers of the bed in her room. It was so comfortable that she felt as if she could melt into it and she quickly drifted off to sleep. But no amount of comfort would protect her from the nightmares that pgued her after her ordeal.

  When the morning arrived, the sun peeked through the curtain, resting softly on Camellia’s face as she stirred from her sleep. Every muscle in her body ached as she pulled the sheets free from her and stood up in the room she had slept in. It was cold and dusty, a far cry from her bedroom back home which was kept in pristine condition by the servants. But something about it felt homely and put her at ease.

  She shifted through the clothes that she had been given, they were all dresses. She hadn’t worn a dress since the merchants had found her the linen shirt and trousers she had been wearing for the past week. But women wear dresses. Even common women so there was nothing unusual about it.

  One thing she did struggle with was putting it on by herself. She was used to being swarmed by a group of dies maids who would help her dress and ensure she looked presentable for whatever arrangements she had that day. But today, she just chucked the dress on over her head and pulled a comb through her hair before tying it up in a ponytail. She was a far cry from the gentle noblewomen she left behind just a week prior. But she certainly didn’t hate it.

  Enticed by the smell of breakfast, she slowly made her way out of the bedroom and started descending the stairs down into the dining area.

  This area of the tavern was a cozy, rustic space, its low ceiling supported by heavy wooden beams that gave the room an almost intimate feel. The air was thick with the mingling scents of hearty stews, roasting meat, and the faint smell of burning wood from the hearth. The knights from the King’s Guard were dotted around the room, the sound of their hearty ughs and boisterous banter filling her ears as she approached.

  “Ah Catherine,” Frederick called out to her, gesturing for her to come and sit with him. I was just getting to know your friend here.”

  Hemshire nodded to her as she sat down, he still looked disheveled from the ordeal they had gone through. “My men have gone in search of some mercenaries to escort him back to the capital.” Frederick expined.

  “That is very kind of you sir,” Camellia noted as she sat down opposite them both. Frederick gestured to the waitress to bring her some food before taking a deep rexing breath and leaning back in his chair.

  “I love pces like this, your own home couldn’t even begin to match the warm coziness that comes with staying in a family run inn,” Frederick commented, a soft smile on his face.

  Hem nodded in agreement, but didn’t speak a word. It was clear there was something else on his mind.

  “How long do you think we will be here?” Camellia asked him, as she savoured a mouthful of the warm soup she had been handed by the waitress.

  Hem looked up at her and noted she was speaking to him. Had she decided she wanted to continue travelling with him after all. He gnced sideways at Frederick who didn’t look best pleased with this development. “Cat look,” he began, breathing a deep sigh before rubbing his forehead with his hand. “I think it would be better for you if you travel with the King’s Guard. They will be able to take care of you better than I would.”

  Camellia’s heart dropped. She knew he was right of course. Why would she choose to travel with some strange men for hire when she could be personally escorted by the King’s most esteemed guards. But Hem was her friend and she had a feeling that once they parted ways here, they would likely never see each other again.

  While she was deep in thought, a man carrying a bag of papers stopped by their table and did a slight bow to Frederick. “M’lord, I have been asked to deliver this to you with haste,” he announced, handing him a rolled up paper and bowing again. “Please read it at your earliest convenience.”

  The two of them stared at Frederick and the letter with great curiosity, not that they expected him to divulge the contents. One thing Camellia did find curious was the man’s use of “m’lord” when addressing Frederick. It wasn’t unusual for members of the King’s army to be given nobility status such as a Knight Banneret. But a lord? She wasn’t aware of many people in the King’s army that could boast such a title. It also begged the question about why he was so interested in her. If he is such a high ranking noble why does he feel the need to escort her around?

  He quickly tore the seal open and unrolled the parchment, a slight anxiety creeping in as he tried to guess what could possibly be so urgent. As his eyes scanned the paper his face softened to an expression of curiosity and his eyes flickered over to Camellia for a second. Something about the way he looked at her unnerved her slightly and she quickly averted her eyes. Once he was done, he folded the paper and pced it inside his jacket before returning to his drink.

  “He made that sound quite urgent but it is of no concern,” he announced, chuckling slightly. “Let’s get back to this business of your journey to the capital. I am also of the belief that you would be better suited to staying with the King’s Guard. My men will protect you with their own lives until we reach our destination. I insist you accompany us.”

  Hem looked at her for a moment before gncing back down at the table. “I must also insist that you go with them. I will not be responsible for any further harm that comes to you.”

  Tears started to well up in Camellia’s eyes as she began to accept what the two of them were telling her. What else could she do? She nodded dejectedly, accepting Frederick’s offer to escort her to the capital before thanking Hem for all he had done up till now.

  “Don’t thank me,” he requested, standing up from the table. “I’m going to go and get my wares ready to set off.”

  “I will come with you,” Frederick announced, also rising from his seat. “If you wish to take a walk around the town then please ask one of my men to escort you.” Camellia nodded in agreement, but internally she had resolved to do nothing but lie and rest for the day before they travel to Nyeacre over the next week.

  Outside, Frederick and Hemshire approached his goods caravan and he began auditing his wares to see what he had lost in the battle. Frederick stood back for a second and observed him. But Hemshire was a smart man and could tell that Frederick had ulterior motives for following him outside. “Was there something you wanted to know?”

  “As a matter of fact there is,” he began, drawing a deep sigh and folding his arms across his chest. “You said you picked Catherine up from the side of a dirt road. Where was this?”

  Hemshire thought back to when he had come across her, sitting down on the cold hard ground, shivering in the dead of the night. “It must have been just outside Grandiock from what I can recall.”

  “I see,” he nodded to himself, his suspicions firming with each word. “What was she wearing?”

  Hem jumped slightly at the question as he came to the realisation of what Frederick was really asking. He didn’t expect to look over at him and find a cold, unyielding expression on his face. A far different expression from the one he’d donned whilst speaking to Camellia. “Oh erm, I’m not sure. It was simir to what she was wearing yesterday I’m sure.”

  “It takes a brave man to btantly lie in the face of the Captain of the King’s Guard,” Frederick muttered, clearly unimpressed by Hem’s deceit. “What was she wearing?” He commanded, stepping forward with a hand on the hilt of his sword.

  “My apologies, but she wished to keep it a secret,” Hem began to expin, his body now starting to shake involuntarily. He reached into the back of his goods carriage and handed him a bag. “That is what she was wearing, I assure you though, that is all I know.”

  “Did she mention why she left home?” Frederick questioned.

  Hemshire sighed, his reluctance to divulge further was evident. “She mentioned something about running from an arranged marriage to some tyrant, she seemed pretty frightened by the idea.”

  After inspecting the contents of the bag, Frederick nodded, before pausing to reflect on the information he had given him.

  “I trust the dy's virtue was not compromised while she was travelling with you,” Frederick questioned, his cold steely gaze boring into Hemshire as he interrogated him.

  This question offended Hemshire greatly, as he had protected Camellia and her virtue for more than a week and would never have dared to take advantage of her. “Of course not, the run in with the bandit was the only incident that we failed to protect her from.”

  “Good,” Frederick stated, an air of finality in his tone, he didn’t appear to think that Hem was lying. “If I find out otherwise, I will have you beheaded without a second thought.” With that, Frederick disappeared back into the inn. Hem’s stomach churned at the bluntness of the threat, the chilling certainty in Frederick’s eyes. Frederick didn’t appear to be cruel but he knew how to utilise his authority.

  Hem grappled with his inner thoughts, as much as he wanted to say goodbye to Catherine, he knew nothing good would come of interacting with these men any further so he chose to leave without another word passing between them. Maybe one day they would meet again under more fortunate circumstances but for now he could only hope she had a brighter future ahead of her.

  When Camellia emerged from the room a little ter in the afternoon, Frederick was awaiting her downstairs in the dining area.

  “Nice sleep?” He questioned as he stood up to greet her. “I’m afraid your friend left just over an hour ago.”

  “Excuse me? Without so much as a goodbye?” She cried, rushing towards the door so she could try and see for herself. Frederick rushed after her, conscious of the fact that she shouldn’t be running about the town on her own. When she turned the corner to see Hem’s cart had in fact gone, her heart sank to the pit of her stomach and tears welled up in her eyes. “He’s really gone,” she mumbled, wiping her eyes with her sleeve.

  “I do apologise, he didn’t want to wake you and was keen to set off for the capital,” Frederick expined, pcing a hand on her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her. “If you wish, you can draft a letter to send to him. I believe a messenger should pass through town in the next hour.”

  Camellia thought about his offer for a moment, her fists balled at her sides as she contempted her options. She wasn’t just upset, she was angry. After everything they went through and he just ran off without a word. He was right, he was a coward.

  “Never mind,” she mumbled, choosing to accept that ties had now been severed and she had to continue on without him. “When are we to leave Limereckstead?”

  “In the morning,” Frederick replied, “we will have to go first thing so be sure to retire early.” Camellia nodded and turned with him to head back into the inn.