The Seven Deadly Kingdoms

Chapter 29

      The rest of their journey was rather quiet, the silence occasionally being broken by a few yawns here and there. Adelaide assured the group that they should't camp out near the road, setting up their tents much deeper into the woods than necessary, and that they should get to the camp as quickly as possible. She told them she was only taking precautions in case they were being followed, but really, there was just something about walking on the long road that made Adelaide's stomach sink, and she wanted to be off of it as soon as she could.

By the time Adelaide led her group off of the path and towards their cabin, the sun was already dipping over the horizon, casting rays through the breaks in the trees on their second day of travelling, golden light turning the autumn leaves to various shades of fiery reds, oranges and yellows. Adelaide breathed in the crisp air, happy to be within the boarders of Avartia. She had never actually entered the kingdom, but she liked to imagine what it was like. How different it was from Extollentiam. Whereas king Diederik had enchanted the most part of his kingdom to resemble a cool spring at all times, King Gradulf of Avarita kept his kingdom in a constant state of Autumn. Adelaide thought about how if she were a queen, she would definitely keep her kingdom in autumn. The crisp breeze, fiery leaves and cozy fires had always been her favorite part of the year. Diederik's magic didn't reach the Beckett's cottage out in the woods, so they got to experience all of the seasons, which Adelaide was grateful for.

The faint sound of voices took Adelaide from her thoughts. Her body tensed at the sound. There were multiple of them.

Adelaide raised a hand behind her, signaling for her friends to stop as she squinted to better see through the thick forrest. It was only Mira who made no noise as she came to an abrupt stop, whereas Henry and Andrew were so loud as they crushed leaves underfoot that Adelaide hoped they would pass as a buck strolling through the wood. Adelaide walked forward, Mira silently following behind her. Luckily the boys took a hint and stayed behind.

The voices only grew more as Adelaide approached. And the closer she got, the more of them there were. Fear struck her spine as she continued walking, praying it wasn't what she thought it was. She wasn't even sure she knew what she thought, but she was positive it couldn't have been anything good. Mira put a reassuring hand on Adelaide's shoulder as they grew near. Adelaide was able to see specks of color moving between the trees ahead of her, not stopping until she couldn't see between the treeline anymore. Her confusion trumped her fear at the sight. She picked up her pace, the voices now growing too loud for anyone to hear if she was approaching them.

Adelaide broke through the tree line, a gasp escaping her lungs. There were people. Hundreds of people. Dozens of fires put together in small clearings and even more tents propped up in various places. People scurried about, hauling materials, setting up tents, and sitting around fires. Adelaide could hear some people laughing, and others bickering over their supper. There was even a group of people playing instruments under a maple tree, a joyous tune emanating from them as others sat around them to listen. Some were even chopping down trees, making more room for tents. There was even a large, squared off area to her left where dozens of people fought each other with wooden swords, training just as Adelaide had at Extollentiam's base. Adelaide noticed that most of the people were wearing leather corsets atop white long sleeved blouses and matching leather pants, iron patches covering their joints, sewed into the fabric. It looked almost like a uniform.

Adelaide put a hand to her heart, realizing she hadn't taken a breath for a few too many minutes. Mira stood beside her, just as stunned. Men and women smiled at Adelaide as they walked passed her, a few people even whispering things to each other as they locked as with her. Adelaide stammered, unable to speak. This wasn't an invasion. She hadn't gotten caught.