The High Road (On Hold)

Chapter Fifteen

"How long did King Malcolm say this journey would take?" Christelle asked.

"A week? Five days?" Something to that effect", responded Madewin. "It is only the second day but it feels like we have been on the road for far longer."

"Sooth", said the Princess dully.

Christelle wanted to stretch her legs in a way she could not inside the carriage. "Madewin", she said, "Do you think that captain Stéaphan would let us walk outside instead of here in the carriage?"

"Perhaps", responded the maiden. "Do you fancy a walk?"

"My legs are getting stiff. It might be good to work them some."

"A fair point. Ask him the next time we stop."

It was just past midday. As it always seemed, the sun shone behind dark clouds hovering in the sky. Although the sun was directly overhead, it offered little warmth. The sheets from the previous night were still in the carriage with them. Christelle pulled these around herself to keep warm. Curious, she peered outside to the soldiers. The Scots were all clad in their thick wool cloaks and looked like shuffling masses of brown and gray. They didn't seem to mind the cold. Her own English troops, however, gave out the occasional shiver or shudder, but immediately brushed it off.

Stéaphan's voice called out "Units, halt!" The caravan came to a stop right after, as commanded. He spoke again, "Rest up a moment, lads! We start the march again soon!"

Christelle and Madewin looked at each other, then heard a voice from outside speak to them.

"Will you be coming outside, milady?" asked a knight from the column.

"Yes, just a moment", she responded. "Will you come as well?" she asked her friend.

"Surely. I'll not stay cooped in here longer than I must", responded Madewin.

Christelle smiled and nodded. She then opened the door of the carriage and stepped out. Just as she did, a swift, chilled breeze blew across the road they traveled on. She shivered and pulled her arms around herself. "Knight, go and bring my cloak from the trunk. And bring my lady's also", she said to the man next to her.

"Yes, milady", he said and hurried to the wagon at the back of the column.

The Scots had dispersed and began to sit down on nearby rocky outcrops or even the ground. There were few trees on the plain they traversed. Stéaphan could be seen at the head of the column, still on his horse. Meriadoc was on the opposite side, also mounted. The Captain began to trot his horse to the middle of the formation where Christelle was. When he reached the Princess, he spoke to her.

"Good day, Princess. How fare ye this day?" he said, oddly formal in Christelle's mind.

"Well, Captain. My maiden and I have been quite comfortable in the carriage. Though I would ask, would we be able to walk alongside the soldiers for a time? The carriage, comfortable as it may be, can be fairly dull."

"I have orders from my king to keep you and your lady inside the carriage as a precaution. I fear I cannot disobey the good king" he said to the pair of ladies, now that Madewin stood next to her friend.

"Ah, I see. Madewin and I will be in the carriage then", she said with face downturned. She ever so slightly hoped her expression would persuade Stéaphan.

The captain frowned. "Perhaps", he said as Christelle turned back to listen to him, "it can be overlooked for only a little. So long as you stay close to the troops, I do not think it would be a problem."

Christelle smiled and looked back to Madewin who was also smiling. "I sincerely thank you, good captain" she said and curtsied.

The captain showed a brief smile, but heard a commotion near the rear of the column. "Just a moment, Princess", he said and rode to the back of the grouping.