Cloak, Torn: Book 2 [ON HOLD]

Chapter 7

"As soon as you come out of that tunnel I want you to get to the main road as quickly as possible. Travel quietly. Jayla shouldn't even know you're there. It should be a short trip, but if you can't be home well before dark, spend the night in town. Don't take any chances," Father instructed. Sandy haired Jameson was listening intently, as were the rest of the knights. There was red haired, skinny Padraic, hulking, coal haired Blackburn, chestnut headed Kolby, and dark haired Tilney, all in their armor and sweeping green cloaks. I think Father had them dressed that way for protection since more camouflaged hunting leathers provided little resistance to wolf teeth and claws. So of course that meant I didn't get cool armor. Just a bright red dress and cloak, because someone decided that was logical.

That was us, remember?

Oh...yeah. Right.

Father made eye contact with me and said, very deliberately,

"Protect the Princess. Everything else is secondary."

I nodded and he gave a slight dip of his head in return. He took my arm while the knights finished preparations near my tunnel and led me to the side.

"Scarlet," he said, "I know you don't think it, but this is a worthy mission. It's not an insignificant matter. This is also a chance for you to gain back our trust. If you can do this, we might be willing to give you a little more freedom, you understand?"

I nodded, but here was a pang in my stomach.

I'm hungry, that's all. Besides, even if I do it right, it's not like he'll follow through. It's just a ploy to get me to behave.

He placed a hand on my shoulder and nodded to me.

"You make us proud, alright? Don't let us have misplaced our trust."

The pang turned into more of a twisting sensation. Maybe I should have eaten some more earlier.

"You're sure you'll be alright?"

I turned my attention to Mother.

"It's just a quick walk through the woods. I'll be back soon."

"Don't stray off that path," she said. "And don't talk to strangers either. If you hear wolves, leave it to the knights. I don't want you getting involved."

"Really Mother, I'll be fine," I said, my patience to be off wearing thin.

She sighed.

"I know. You can take care of yourself. But just...don't get in a situation where you have to use your knife."

"Okay."

Mother wrapped her arms around me and squeezed. I hugged her back, but after a few moments I said,

"Mother, you can let go you know. I'm not leaving forever. You'll see me again."

She let out a long sigh and let me go.

"I know, I know. I'm just- well..."

She straightened and gave me a half hearted smile.

"Don't mind me, Scarlet. Go have your adventure. I love you."

"Love you too," I said.

Jameson took a deep breath and handed me the lantern.

"Lead the way, Your Highness."

I gave a silent wave and a grin to my parents, then turned and headed into the darkness of my not-so-secret tunnel.

The only sounds were the shuffling of boots and the crunch of pebbles under our feet. There was a squeak in the unilluminated shadows and the next second Blackburn shouted and swore.