Hoodwinked: The Summoning Book One

Chapter 7

The following day seemed much too slow. Otti had never been so bored in her life. The only entertainment she found while perched in the captain's room was when Greggor, Sashia, and Matteais came to report their findings.

Otti instantly took a liking to Sashia. She spoke with a low voice. She didn't draw attention to herself; attention was drawn to her. When she did speak, it was vital or pertinent and those around her paused to listen to what she had to say.

Moreover, Sashia's beauty matched well with her refined and gentle mannerisms. She looked like a female version of Matteais, with a few exceptions. Sashia was slightly shorter and her hair was more black than brown. Sashia also had a smaller nose and sharper eyebrows. Otti wondered if they were twins with their similar appearance.

Sashia did share features with Greggor as well. They had similar noses and the same shape of chin. Greggor had lighter brown eyes and hair than either of his siblings. He was taller than Sashia as well as the captain, but shorter than Matteais. Greggor was more nonchalant. His humor made Otti smile and laugh to herself more often than she would have liked to admit.

Otswana did not deny she favored the food Greggor gave her. He fed Otswana her preferred fruits, breads, and even the pastries, he and Matteais snuck from the daily meals. The captain also saved some of the breakfast and dinner meats for Otti. She found the castle food very delectable. It was just as savory as Lanni's food at the manor.

With not having much to preoccupy her day, Otti's thoughts often turned to her friends and family at the Traughlin estates. She imagined what her father, Andra, Jethro, Abryan, and Gracelyn would be doing if not worrying for Otti's well-being. They would be busy with their duties, running errands and addressing everyday issues that required their attention. Charlek and Sir Frinz would be distracting the younger pupils with lessons and preparing for the following week's curriculum.

These thoughts brought comfort to Otti. She missed them all so dearly. Otti tried not to concern herself with worrying about how distraught they all must be with Otti being absent for nearly three days.

With her being at the castle surrounded by their enemies, Otti hoped her father had not made the locating spell in an attempt to rescue her. With his lame arm, he could only fly upon Otti's back. Otherwise, he would be traveling on his mare, Yanesli. Even then, he would have to arrive in secret, searching for her at night. The princess knew he would not think to look in Captain Greypol's room.

It was in the morning of the third day that Captain Greypol and his lackey, Caslon, assembled to take their leave. Otti had anticipated their departure to travel south to Firshire and from there, to Traughlin manor.

Otti had been preparing herself for the worst possible scenario. Worrying about the Draconian's intentions had kept her awake and restless most of the previous eve.

"Here is your armor bag. I mended the hole as you requested," Caslon said as he presented the very pouch in which the captain stuffed Otti. Otswana glowered at the bag of weapons, wishing she could cause it to be engulfed in flames. As if sensing her glare, Klav approached Otti.

"I know you don't approve, Cyan. However, it's for your own good. It's now time for you to be hoodwinked. Let's cover those lovely eyes of yours."

Otti struggled with accepting the hood. Being mute was difficult enough. His taking away her sight, gave the princess all the more reason to detest the captain.

A few minutes later, the disgruntled hoodwinked falcon heard Matteais and Greggor enter Klav's room one last time before the captain's departure. They gave Captain Greypol and Caslon a few parcels of food to take on the short journey.