The Princess's Servant

27. The Dream

The moon had long since set by the time the two reached camp. Holden had noticed some leather huts and a fire pit, but had hardly had time to take in the scenery before collapsing from exhaustion.

Nara helped him over to a tent, which was little more than a few sticks covered in hide, but Holden welcomed the space as though it were his own bedroom. He'd never been so happy in all his life to see a sleeping bag.

He fell upon the furs and felt as someone rolled up his pant leg and washed away at his injured shin...

Holden opened his eyes to a royal bedroom. A silk-lined bed rippled with the light of the roaring fire as he shifted across his sheets. He found himself dressed in wool and linen robes the whites and grays of clouds. Without another thought, he exited the bedroom.

The open-aired courtyard, with all its checked tiles and spiraling topiaires, was empty — save for a guard or two. That was strange, Holden thought. There was always a couple of courtiers or servants gossiping in the shadows. Maybe the falling rain had driven them out, though that had never stopped them before.

Holden exited the courtyard and walked down the graveled hill to his garden. The Wardian palace was surrounded on all sides by high stone walls, and one gate led to his forest. As Holden got closer to the key stone arch, the guard moved to block the prince. The prince stopped where he was and watched as the guard shook his head. He furrowed his brow at this movement and tried another step closer. The guard's hand went to his belt.

Holden frowned but said nothing. No worry, he thought. He had thanks to give, anyways. With a concerned glance behind him, the young prince turned from the guard and made his way back up the hill towards the temple.

The temple was laid in the same dark stone as the palace, though it was considerably pointier than Holden's home. It was a large building (though not half as large as the Cathedral) typically bustling with pilgrims. Today, however, there were no priests nor pray-ers round the spires, nor townsfolk either. The streets were empty, save the rain. Strange, Holden thought, but he thought nothing more.

The thick doors shut out the sounds of drizzling as Holden entered the place. The prince was happy to have recourse from the rain, though he found that he was not wet. The altar that faced him was dressed in gold and reflected candlelight upon him. He approached as he'd approached a thousand times and knelt before the stained windows.

His thoughts were silent as he felt the gratitude of his return. To be in that familiar place in that quiet time as the rain poured overhead — he had no words to express the feeling. He bowed his head in silent appreciation as he spread his hands open for a blessing.

Clop. Clop.

The sound of shoes behind him.

Clack. Clack. Clack clack clack clack.

He knew that gait. His heart filled with horror. It wasn't possible. He was safe.

Clack clack clack clack clack clack

Holden froze. He wanted to turn around and yell at the footsteps for invading his space but he couldn't find the strength.

Clack clack clack clack

The footsteps grew louder and a hand landed on his back.

Holden jostled awake and sucked in breath. The cold night air hit his bare face as he sat up under the covers. He was there. He was safe. Well, not safe, but safer. He was on his way home.

The prince fell back into his blankets, and felt his stomach growl. He tried to recall the last time he had eaten and realized he'd passed another day without food. Holden remembered back to the time before that fateful gamble when he'd gone tavern hopping and had had his fill of the fruits of Lailoy. How naive and careless he'd been then.

Holden rustled out of bed up and wrapped himself up in a deer skin. With Nara's curse, he was certain she wouldn't mind if he helped himself a roll or two. All he needed was a spot of food in his stomach and he'd go down like a baby, he was sure of it.

Holden emerged to the cold night air and a sky full of stars. They had to keep their food at the center of camp, away from wild animals.  Holden spied a large round tent in the middle of their settlement. Bingo.

As Holden approached, he noticed that a flicking fire projected the shadows of two sitting figures. The young prince headed for the entrance and prepared to ask the strangers if they could spare a bit of bread or jerky.

It was as his fingertips touched tent hide that his breath caught in his through.

"I know he's here, Eris," She said. "I know you stole him, and I'm taking him back."

A/N: Thanks for reading! Here's the chapter a little early — please remember to vote!

I'm think about shifting to two releases a week so stayed tuned for more on that :)

Takk til alle som har lest så langt!! Thanks to everyone who's read this far!!