The Rising Pheonix

Chapter 33

Emily POV

Thump

I was jostled awake by a big bump and nearly fell off my seat. Sitting upright fully I look around to take in my surroundings. Though my eyes are still blurry I can see a man laying across from me, seemingly asleep. I believe he is a guard Everett brought along.

Looking to my left I see Elnora laying in her basket, fully awake. When she sees I'm looking at her she smiles and I respond in kind.

"How are you, my lady?" I ask while pulling her basket closer.

She says nothing and just blinks at me.

"When was the last time you were changed or fed?" I asked more to myself than the baby.

I reached down and pick her up. Thankfully, she isn't wearing a soiled cloth diaper, so she must have been taken care of recently.

It honestly pains me that I haven't been able to perform my duty of taking care of her. Not too long ago Queen Jazlyn entrusted me to take care of her daughter, but lately, I haven't done anything. I'm worried I won't be needed and I'll be sent away.

Pushing those thoughts aside, I put Elnora down and go look out the window. Night has fallen but it doesn't seem like we are going to stop anytime soon. I look around and I notice only a few people walking and riding with the caravan.

Hoping to spot Everett so that we could finally talk, I lean forward out the window a bit but I cannot spot him. Instead, I see a young man who grew up with Everett, Grant.

"Sir Grant" I call out.

Immediately his head snapped back and found me. He then slows his horse until the carriage is riding next to me.

"How may I help you, ma'am?" He asks politely.

I could tell he didn't recognize me. It has been over six years. I laugh quietly before speaking.

"OH, don't tell me you don't remember me, Little Grant," I say with a smile on my face.

It takes a while but when his eyes light up in recognition, he gives me the biggest most sincere smile. I can't help but to smile back and laugh a little.

"Emmy! How I missed you," he said while grinning ear to ear.

"Emmy? It's been a while since I've been called that. Not since you and Jacobe were 6 or 7. You make me feel old. After you left, Jacobe stopped calling me Emmy," I said trying to keep my voice light.

Then realizing my slip up I add in a hushed voice, "I guess I should call him Everett now. It'll be a little hard to just call him that, I've known him since he was a babe."

"That is something we should talk about in the carriage." He said while looking down to make sure nobody overheard us.

"Right, of course. Well, I wanted to know if we crossed the border yet?" I asked.

"Yes, we crossed the border not too long ago. Everyone agreed it would be safer to get further away from the border to rest." He said, relieved to have a different topic.

"That's fantastic! Might I ask who the man sleeping in here is?" I said while looking at him.

"OH! I forgot you were unconscious when we joined. That's Nico. He was injured during the attack. Miraculously, he didn't die from his injuries," Grant replied.

"Yeah, miraculously." I thought. My mind goes back to when Elnora emitted a bright light. The light was so soothing and immediately I started to feel better. I wasn't better all the way but enough so I didn't faint. Nico must have been healed too in the same manner.

Noticing I had been silent for some time I began to speak.

"Do you know how much further we will travel before we stop for the night?"

Grant thought for a while before he answered.

"Well, I believe we should be stopping soon actually. We are about one mile in Tarnithia and we will go one more mile before stopping close to a river. That way we will be able to refresh our water and give some to the horses."

"Ah, I see. Thank you for the information. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to rest a bit more so I can help when we stop for the night." I said and gave a polite smile.

"Of course! Forgive me, Emmy, I was so excited to speak with you again that I forgot you're still injured. Please get as much rest as you need. I'm sure Everett won't mind if you cannot help tonight if you're still unwell. I'll take my leave now," Grant stated and made the horse speed up, to find Everett I presume.

After he left I did relax in my seat. I really did need the rest, our conversation tired me out from all the excitement. After checking on Elnora once more I had fallen asleep once again.