Fates and Thrones

Plans

My thoughts haunted me, shadows taunting me from the corners of my eye. I feared the dark and being alone when the light faded. That's why I was happy when Prince Kgosi showed interest in me. But now, Ajita wants me to tell the servants we're going camping together. I shook my head; this plan would fall apart. Mother would never allow it.

I pushed open the kitchen door, and the staff froze, staring at me. "Rylee, I need a favor. Prepare two packs for a camping trip. We'll be gone for a few days." I tried to sound confident, but my voice trembled.

Rylee's expression turned skeptical. "What do you need, M'lady?" I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal.

"Just the basics. Food, water, and some extra supplies. And please, make sure they're ready by 5 am."

Rylee raised an eyebrow. "And what do I get in return?"

I thought quickly. "I'll mix a new hair color for you. Something to make you look younger." Rylee's face lit up.

"Deal, M'lady."

I turned to the staff. "I need a volunteer to help me fetch the camping gear from the shed." A young man with brown hair stepped forward, his eyes cast down.

"I'll do it, milady." As he approached, I flinched, and Rylee positioned herself between us. "I am Jaxom, but I prefer to be called Jax."

"Easy, M'lady," she whispered. I took a deep breath and nodded. "Let's go." In the shed, Jax efficiently gathered the gear. I watched, trying to appear calm, but my mind raced with thoughts of the task ahead.

As we walked to the shed, I asked, "Jax, what made you volunteer?" He looked up, his eyes locking onto mine. "I wanted to help, milady. And maybe...get out of the manor for a bit." I nodded, feeling a pang of guilt for my earlier reaction.

"Thank you, Jax. When we return, I will repay your kindness by giving you the day off."

"Milady, if you do not mind me asking. Where are you going? And with whom? Rumors have spread about what the prince has done to you. I cannot imagine you wanting to go out with him on a camping trip."

Rumors? Mother had not put a stop to that. What is she up to? "Well, what I am doing is none of your concern Jax." I paused and watched as his eyes fell. "But I will answer that if you promise not to spill. You will have to swear it on the stars."

"Under the starry sky, I swear to keep your secret. May the stars shine bright if I'm true, and fade to black if I'm false." Jax raised his right hand while laying his left over his heart.

"Fine. But know if you break this, I will string you up while you are dressed in the most embarrassing clothes of your life." I smiled widely at the terror that came off him in waves. His throat bobbed as he nodded. "Ajita and I are going to the Village of Errans and taking a small mental health break."

As I watched his face, it changed from shell shock to denial to anger to sorrow. "Jax, are you okay?"

His head swayed back and forth. "You aren't stopping there are you?"

I wanted to deny it, but the pain and hope in his eyes stilled the lie on my tongue. "We will be staying a night, but then we will continue to the Den of the Forgotten." Two nights to the Village, then restocking and the rest of the trip after. The Den of the Forgotten was only three hours from the village on foot. Giving us one day to get through the tests and then two days to get back. "We are on a tight schedule though. So, we cannot afford delays."

"Sorry, Milady, but I will not be letting you go alone. Even with your sister. I will take you to the village in a day and a half. But we need horses. I can oversee that; Ralph and I are good friends." He paused and ran his hand down his face. "Please tell me your sister is packing weapons so I will not have to."

I was frozen. I never thought he would want to come with us, so I did not mind telling him what we were doing. AJ was going to be pissed at me, but we could use the help, and the extra time would be nice. 'Better to ask forgiveness than permission I suppose.' "Yes, she is."