Fighting For What?

Trouble Surrounding Trees

    Six hours later, and we're in the middle of the forest—two hours out of the city's walls. I hadn't asked questions all day. Pohon and Robert had taken a trip to the market before we left town. They needed medicine for Tate's wound before it became infected. Now, he's in the back of the wagon with Pohon and Robert. Corvin and I were granted our own horses while the wagon was hauled by an ox. Robert had originally fought against the thought of me riding on my own.

"I don't care who she thinks she is. Women are not allowed to ride on their own."

"C'mon, Remy. She's not gonna hurt anyone by riding a horse." His older brother joked with reassurance. "She's already agreed to help us, why would she lie?"

And with that, the discussion was dropped and my horse was prepared for the trip.

    The forest seems quiet. We've been traveling off the main road for close to an hour and no signs of inhabitants have arisen. The muddy earth packs itself beneath the horses' hooves while the leaves above rustle in the wind. My eyes scan the nearby trunks and roots for anyone nestled between them. Nothing: but the snap of a twig causes me to jerk my reins. The mare backs up with a whinny as I dig my heels into the stirrups. Off below a group of shrubs, I see a small white rabbit hop along the foliage. Relaxing into my saddle, I exhale deeply.

"Fearful of rabbits, M'lady?" Corvin rears up beside me. His long, muscular torso uprights his arms.

Annoyed at myself for making a fuss out of a small hair ball, I slouch atop my horse. "Seems that way, doesn't it?"

He chuckles. "We're almost to camp, so you'll be able to actually rest for a while before we rush into any decisions."

Corvin begins to trot ahead, until I call him back. "Corvin." He halts his steed and faces me. His amber eyes glimmer in the low sunlight.

"Thank you, for keeping the princess out of this."

"It wasn't my choice, you'll have to tell them eventually." He shrugs with a smirk. "I'm just happy you decided to help."

"Maybe I just decided that it was in the best interest of the Tuer Circle—"

"Circle my ass," He interrupted with a joyous shout. "You just wanted adventure away from the castle and their restrictive eyes."

"I'm a founder of the bloody Circle. I'm an ambassador for peace. I get my hands dirty to keep my brother's power at a minimum."

"Ah, your brother. Did you tell either of them that you were leaving? Or should we be expecting them soon?"

I had forgotten entirely about them. About the feast and the arrival of Lark with his lovely bride. About Cedar and Terra. About Preston.

"Oh, shit..." The realization hit me like a fierce winter breeze. Harsh and piercing to my skin.

"What is it?" Corvin's concern comforts me, but only for a brief moment. Then I hear him. The howling I should've noticed before. Pax had been tracking me and I nearly forgot. Surely he would have bolted home to the castle after losing me last night. He would've tracked down either Preston or Cedar, if not both.

"We have to hurry," I say. Jerking my reins, I follow Corvin further into the forest.

He doesn't say anything other than to warn Pohon to drive the wagon faster on the final stretch to camp. That ox can really move. He's plowing through the forest's brush and trees like it's only a thin sheet. Over the rolling hills of the forest, the cloth tents finally come into view. Pax's howling has grown, but if he can't pick up my scent then it will die in a few hours. The horse should drown out my scent, but if it doesn't, I pray to Polaris that Cedar is with him. Not Preston.