A Princess's Heart and Pendant

Chapter Two: Princesses are Meant to be Gawked at Boys

We've been on the move for nine hours now, Cannon and Hanson restlessly discuss strategies, and I just try to comprehend everything that happened and is happening without having any space for what is going to happen. That is between crying and then hyperventilating until the boys tell me to breathe and get me to drink water. I cannot believe I finally got to see my mother again. I have waited for what feels like so many years. I have imagined running into her arms every night as I would cry to sleep. I imagined her face bringing light to my father again and the kingdom and suddenly it was here and then left again. I do not go into the bag my father gave me. I can't yet. I don't know how to think without pain completely taking over my lungs. But suddenly something feels off again.

"Guards. There's something wrong." I say low, trying to figure out what I'm sensing.

With their faces concerned they go to stop the carriage. I shake my head and peep out the side, I see the misleading perfect white clouds and sunny sky, the freshly blooming trees and then I look up to see the rider Charles, his small body forward but neck turned backwards facing the road behind I jump back in.

"It's him!"

They stop the cart and quickly snap his neck. I look away.

"He's one of the eyes. He's been sending them our journey!" Cannon said unsettled.

Chills went down my spine. The darkness has spies possessing the body of the innocent. They're able to see through them. Using their bodies for eyes or ears. The one lucky thing is they can be spotted. Eyes rolled back, sort of glazed over. Admittedly incredibly creepy. The terrible thing is so far, we have not found a way to save them- the souls of the bodies that did not have a choice in being used. It's awful. I cannot focus on that too long either.

"Sorry Piper" Hanson looks at me with apologies in his brown eyes.

And now I do not have the luxury of my family to make the harder choices as I get to cry. What a privilege. How pathetic of me to feel sorry for myself when my parents are...I must keep moving. I pull out the map.

"We must reroute. This path was obvious anyways, it's too discrete! We must go through the falls and then stop at the village for the night here" I pointed, "they won't expect us to be bold to go into a crowd of people. They'll think we we went west towards the mountain to stop to make camp for rest"

They look at me surprised then look at each other. They agree. Cannon is taking over the carriage which makes me uneasy, for him. I feel like he's vulnerable on the outside, so I make sure to be extra aware. Cannon set in as a royal knight 10 years ago. His father was a drunk and mother passed from illness when he was only a young boy. When my mother was trapped in her coma I leaned on him a lot. He said you always must remember the kindness in your mother's heart, even if it is painful. It is our responsibility to keep celebrating them, to have their honour remembered. He did not speak so kindly about his father though. He was a drunk before his mother had fallen ill. He is still selfish. The only times he comes to the castle is when he is demanding money. I know as much as Cannon despises him; he checks on him regularly. My father brought him in to figure out what he is good at- as my father has done so with many orphans in our kingdom. He believes everyone deserves a fair shot at a decent life. That's one of many reasons why our people respect him so much.

Cannon was a natural knight. His instincts are strong. He was practically withering away when father found him but still managed to beat everyone in combat besides Hanson and my brother Noah. Since, Cannon has filled out. He has a rugged build, blonde hair and emerald eyes. My favourite feature of his is his modesty and warmth though, even more than his talents.