The Children of Riverfield

Chapter 16: Oakheart Manor

Rose

I was awake reading when he burst into my room. His tanned face was set as hard as stone, but he had a frantic look is his pine green eyes.

I looked up from the ancient pages that were teaching me about the myths and traditions of Riverfield and our eyes connected.

As soon as our eyes connected, it was as if I was whole again.

I opened my mouth to speak, but his eyes moved away from mine as he disappeared into the wardrobe.

I stood up abruptly from my armchair and made a gesture to move towards him, when he dragged out a wooden trunk, its old structure scratching the floor.

"You need to pack, we leave in ten minutes." He ordered without looking me in the eye before knocking on Lana's door.

"My Lady you must gather your things at once." His voice was gentler, rendering me furious..

"Where are we going?" I asked as he walked back into my room. He hesitated, his hand on the door handle ready to leave.

"The King is transferring you." He finally said, keeping his back to me.

"Why?" I demanded urgently, taking a step closer to him. Despite the whole situation I needed to touch him, to be close to him.

"He found out." Was all he said before leaving.

Anxiety rose inside me. I had known it would happen at some point, that Claudius would find out. I was just hoping he didn't.

What does this mean?

Ignoring the pain I felt deep inside my chest, I started to throw clothes into a trunk. Blanche and the maids appeared and started to help us, apparently knowing what was needed for our exact location.

As they packed, I changed out of my night gown and into a plain but warm dress with boots and a thick coat to protect me from the cold air that had slowly swept into Riverfield over the past few days.

Ten minutes later, guards appeared and without a word took our trunks away.

Lana joined me in my room, dressed in a similar fashion.

"I am not to go with you." Blanche announced taking our hands in hers. "Be safe my ladies, may Fate bring us together again." She said with a deep bow.

"Thank you for everything that you have done." I smiled, taking her hands in mine. "You are a true friend."

"May Fate bring us together." Lana repeated before the impatient guards ushered us out of the room and escorted us down to the courtyard.

"Why is he moving us?" Lana murmured to me.

"I don't know." I sighed, pulling my cloak tight around my body.

"Did Ace not say anything to you?" She frowned.

"No." I shook away my pain.

"He wouldn't let anything happen to you, so we should be safe." Lana concluded as we reached the courtyard.

Despite the pitch-black night sky, flaming sticks illuminated the ground in an eerie orange light, exaggerating figures and shadows. Two horses were attached to the carriage and four men were mounted on horseback. A large wooden carriage that looked highly uncomfortable was parked by the gates.

Ace was on one of them and after a second observation I identified the other three riders as Hayes, Gabin and Blaze. Four guards were also placed on the carriage, two at the front and two at the back.