A Princess Torn (Alys Book #2)

Chapter 40

Once they were in Balear, every second counted.
Endolynn and Sir Willem agreed to give the men a few hours to rest after the ride on the river, but that was all.
They had lost four boats while on the river, making a total of 32 men lost. Three of the boats had been holding Dastrehan's men.

The loss effected Endolynn like a rotten limb, weighing her down and making her feel sick.
"If it raises your spirits," Leofrick said plainly, "I expected to lose more boats than just four."
This statement did not help her.
They all agreed that Zaiden and Sir Willem would take a small group of 50 men with him to find the nearest outpost and try to convince the guards to help them keep their cover and not alert Royce.

"We'll meet at Country Palace," Endolynn pointed to the location of the summer palace on the map of Balear that was laid out in front of them, "It will be loosely guarded and mainly unoccupied right now."
"Would it not be wiser to head straight to Royce after we recruit more people?" Zaiden questioned, studying the map himself.
Endolynn shook her head, "High Cloud Palace is too protected by the mountains. They could pick us off too easily if we try to enter through the mountain lifts. Scaling the mountain in the winter is out of the question. I want her to come to us."

"That is fair," Sir Willem added, "But is the summer palace set up enough to house us all?"
"No," Endolynn admitted, "But I am planning to recruit enough of my people that we can get rations from the nearby villages."

"You are betting a lot on the help of your people," Leofrick commented, sounding doubtful, "They might not be as loyal to you as you think."

"I am fully aware of the risks," Endolynn replied firmly, "We do not have a lot of options. Country Palace will give us the best location to set up and prepare before Royce attacks. If..." she looked up to her younger brother, "You can stop the outposts from revealing that we are in Balear."

Zaiden straightened and nodded, fully aware of how important his mission was.
"If you cannot stop it, try to feed them some information that will stall Royce for a few days. Weeks even."
"Like what?" Leofrick asked for Zaiden, who seemed too lost in his own thoughts to reply.
"I do not know," Endolynn straightened and backed away from the table, "Tell the outpost we are heading to High Cloud Palace. She will sit and wait for us, not realizing we are heading to the summer palace."
"Do you really think she will fall for that?" Zaiden questioned, sounding doubtful.
"I think she is overconfident, and we can use that to our advantage."
All the men in the room nodded their agreement, though they seemed to do so half-heartedly.
It was a good plan. She and Rohan had come up with it themselves, and she had run it by Dastrehan the night before she left. He had told her himself that it was the best option she had.
"We should send a surgeon with Prince Zaiden's group," Leofrick suggested, but Zaiden started talking before the man could speak further.
"Rose will be coming with me."
If anyone was surprised, they did not show it. Endolynn had already known Zaiden would not let Rose out of his sight throughout this entire conquest. It brought her comfort that her brother would have someone watching out for him whenever she herself was separated from him.
"Very well," Sir Willem agreed, "We should set out right away. We have to scout for the nearest outpost, and that might take some time."
With that, everyone dispersed, leaving Zaiden and Endolynn alone in the temporary tent that had been set up.
"Stay safe," Zaiden said firmly, taking both of his sister's hands in his own, "Anyone in this kingdom could be paid off to assassinate you."

Endolynn nodded. If she had learned anything while living in Tarkam Palace, it was that assassination was always a risk.
"I will keep Leofrick and my personal guards close at all times.' She assured him, hoping to relieve his fears a little.
Zaiden looked at her and sighed, his blue eyes troubled.
"What?"
"It just does not feel right to split up after being separated for so many years."