The Duchess

The vale whispers back

Chapter 17: Whispers Among Us

The next morning dawned gray and cool, with clouds gathered low over the distant mountains. Duchess Hanna rode ahead, her horse's hooves soft against the damp forest path. Puppers, her ever-loyal wolf companion, trotted silently beside her. Behind them came Prince Allen, stoic as ever, though his eyes flickered toward the old man riding further back-a diplomatic emissary sent by one of the neighboring realms.

The emissary had arrived late last night, just as they returned to camp from the forest encounter. He spoke in measured tones and claimed to bring news of a summit between the Western Houses. Hanna hadn't trusted him from the moment he opened his mouth.
They hadn't spoken much since then, but the air was tense. Hanna sharpened her blade at the morning fire, Allen sat nearby, frowning as he examined a map, and the emissary whispered too much to the trees.

"I don't like him," Hanna muttered quietly.

Allen glanced up. "Because he doesn't cower when you enter a room?"

She gave him a sharp look, but a half-smile played on her lips. "Because he watches everyone like he's waiting for them to fail."
That evening, while camped near the edge of a ravine, Hanna noticed the emissary slipping away into the woods. She signaled to Puppers, who perked up, then followed silently. Allen, catching her look, rose to follow.

They moved through the underbrush like shadows. Hanna motioned for Allen to stay back as she crept closer. The emissary stood near a bent tree, speaking in hushed tones to a hooded figure.

"They'll divide soon. She doesn't trust him. He still loves her, which makes it easier. It'll work."

Hanna's blood turned to ice.

"They?" Allen whispered behind her.

She nodded. "He's planning something."

Before the hooded figure could disappear, Hanna stepped forward, blade drawn. Allen followed, sword in hand.

"Who are you talking to?" Hanna demanded.

The emissary turned, surprised but not afraid. "Only the future," he said, smirking. "The ones who'll replace you."
Hanna lunged, pinning him to a tree. "Try that again."

"I don't need to. You've already lost. You just haven't realized it."

Allen stepped between them. "Enough. He's coming back with us. In chains."

They bound the emissary's hands and returned to camp. Neither spoke much that night.

At dawn, they rode on.

Puppers padded ahead, sniffing the wind. Hanna glanced at Allen. "Thank you," she said.

"For what?"

"For not letting me go too far."

He shrugged. "You'd have done the same."

"Maybe."

As the mountains came into view, Puppers barked once and ran ahead. Whatever was waiting for them now, they would face it together-without magic, just grit, steel, and trust.

And perhaps, a wolf who knew more than he let on.