A Royal Ryde

A Dreadful Mistake

Bliss waked down the stair being careful to skip over the creepy ones. It was early Sunday morning and she had been unable to lie in bed. Tiptoeing into the kitchen, she lit a lamp and sat at the table with her unreal open before her.

'Dear Mama,

I remember how Aunt Belle's ways would horrify you. I remember you scolding her and encouraging her to throw her wild side away. I also remember you hugging her. Telling her that you loved her as she left for this 'wild wild west'. She was important to you, just as she has become to me. She has managed to get into some scrapes, Mama. I won't tell you about them because you would probably faint. She has a good heart and I believe she loves me too.

I haven't heard from my dear brother, Cullen, since I arrived. I would say that it doesn't really matter but the truth is that it does! I want to know that he is alright. I would think that he would have some worries over my well being as well. He raised me after you and Papa died. How could he just forget about me, Mama? He was always such a responsible young man. I would hate to think that my leaving changed that.

The sun hasn't even risen yet but I can feel it coming. The birds have started to chirp, they expect the sun soon, I'm sure. I would almost like to be a bird, Mama. I could fly all over this countryside without a care. I could see so many things. If I flew this time of morning, I could see who was up and who was sleeping in his bed. I wonder if Jude rises early. He farms his land so he might rise with the birds.

I feel the need for a walk. Don't worry, though. I shall have plenty of company with my dear birds. I love you, Mama.

Your Faithful Daughter,

Bliss'

Bliss left the lamp on the table and hurried to her room to change into a day dress. Returning several minutes later with a smile on her face, she extinguished the lamp and left it on the table. Stepping onto the porch, Bliss closed her eyes and took several deep breathes of morning air. This was going to be a beautiful day. Her step jaunty, she skipped down the steps and began her morning walk.

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"We've been riding too long." Drake growled at his valet. "Are you sure you know where to go?"

"Now you ask." He valet mumbled. He turned his map first one way, then another. Finally he looked up with a sigh. "It would certainly make our venture easier if I could read a map."

Drake's face turned a startling shade of purple. A vein bulged near his temple. "I thought you could read a map! You've been leading us by that one for almost two days!"

"Yes, well." The valet returned his attention to his map. It would not do to laugh before his master. Especially when he was so upset. "I might have been reading it upside down. It's so hard to tell. Can you read a map, sir?"

"Give me that thing!" Drake snatched the offending paper from his valet's hands and spread it open before him. He turned it first one way, then another. Imitating the actions of his valet just moments before. Finally he stuffed the map in his saddlebag. "We shall continue without a map. It hasn't done us any good this far! Come. We will ride into the next town and find somebody to ask."

The valet allowed his mouth to tip into a smile as he followed behind his master. If he had figured it properly, they were almost two towns past their desired destination. It's a beautiful morning for a ride.

Nearly a half an hour later, Drake called a stop. "Look." He pointed. "We'll ask that girl. Surely she knows where she is."

The last sentence was spoken with a great amount of sarcasm that normally would've had the valet fighting a smile. Now, however, he felt only concern. "What will you ask her?"

Drake didn't answer as he rode close to the girl. She had her boots and stockings off and had been letting her feet into the river. At the sound of their arrival, she stood and turned to face them.

"Good morning, miss." Drake said, his voice far more friendly then his valet had ever heard.

"Good morning. Are you out for a ride?"

"Trying to end one, you might say."

"Sir, forgive my being forward, but are you of any relation to Jude Rydir?"

Drake, although being unable to read a map, made the connection in seconds. His brother Stefon Jude Ridry. The man she mentioned, Jude Rydir. Knock off the first name. Rearrange the letters in the last name and there you have his brother's alias. "Do you I look like Mr. Rydir?" He attempted a rather rusty smile.

"The hair is different but your eyes are remarkably similar."

"Jude is my brother. I'm actually on my way to see him. It seems that we've misplaced our map when a grizzly attacked our camp."

"A grizzly! You must have been terrified. I haven't heard of grizzlies in this area but I suppose they move around just as people do. Would you like me to take you to your brother?"

"That would be most kind. It won't do to have you walking while we ride. Come, you can ride in front of me." Extending his hand, he pulled her up. Once she was settled, she gave the first direction and they were off.

"Jude never mentioned he had a brother." Bliss commented as they drew nearer to Jude's house.

"I'm the brother that most families try to hide."

Bliss wasn't sure what to respond to that so she kept silent.

"How much further?" Asked the valet.

"Not much. It's just on the other side of those trees."

Jude was saddling his horse when he heard riders gallop into his yard. Leaving his horse, he stepped outside to see two riders. Bliss was sitting with one of them. His eyes narrowed as he saw just who it was Bliss sat with.

"Jude!" She cried out with a smile. "Look, I've brought your brother. He's been looking for you."

"You don't say." Jude took several steps closer.

"That's fine." His brother spoke. "Shall we just take care of business and we'll be on our way?"

"Bliss." Jude was furious. "Why did you bring them here?"

"They lost their map when a bear attacked their camp. They couldn't find you. They seemed so lost."

"Lost was how I wanted them, Bliss. They've been lost for the last several years."

Bliss realized several things in that moment. One, Jude was not happy to see his brother. Two, Jude's brother now had his arm around her waist, holding her firmly to himself. It was then that she knew she had made a dreadful mistake.

"It's been a long time, Stefon."

Jude studied his brother, the valet, and Bliss. How was he going to get her away from them while remaining alive himself. He knew what his brother wanted and the only way he would achieve his goal is to kill Jude. "Not long enough."

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