Carnelian

Chapter 9

Lady Carnelian and Cub took advantage of a warm summer morning to visit the villages. The winter had been harsh, so even though the snows had mostly receded, she wanted to be certain everyone were well. Tabitha had been kept busy over the previous winter, for sickness had set in and claimed more than one life.

Cub and the lady were just returning from one of the further encampments when they spotted the knights. There were five of them, all on foot, all advancing through the forest with drawn swords as if they were afraid. Cub woofed at them, then growled a warning when they looked his way.

The lady hid a smile, knowing that his warning sounded far more menacing than the bear was actually capable of being. Seated primly on his back, Lady Carnelian raised a hand when one reached for a bow with a startled curse. "Gentlemen," she called as Cub neared. "You are quite a way from the road. Are you lost?"

One of them studied her for a moment before answering. "Not at all, Milady. It seems as if we've just found our way."

"And what way is that?" asked Carnelian curiously, for the men hadn't changed direction at all. Quietly, she spoke to Cub. "Walk toward the gap in the wall, but don't let them too near us." In response, Cub angled his path, keeping the same pace as the men.

Fearlessly, the men advanced. "The way in retrieving Baron Whittaker's daughter." The knight with the bow drew back, aiming at Cub. "Come here, or we'll shoot the bear."

Carnelian smiled. "You think an arrow is going to take down a full-grown bruin?" Quietly, she said to Cub, "run."

"I can't," Cub protested, "there's nowhere to go."

At the same time, someone behind Carnelian replied, "no, but ten of them can. Quit your mount, or we'll tack the hide to the baron's wall."

Surrounded, Carnelian realized that Cub would be killed if they tried to run. Cub snarled an impressive warning as she slid from his back. He stood up on his hind legs beside her. "You be nice to my mama, or else!" warned Cub, not realizing that the men wouldn't understand him.

"Don't shoot," Carnelian begged. "He just wants to be sure I'm safe."

"We mean you no harm," the speaker behind her said confidently. "Call off the bear or we'll shoot it."

Carnelian obeyed. Cub dropped back to all four feet, sniffing the air and still obviously alarmed. "Cub, listen to me," Carnelian told him. He sat and studied her face obediently. "Go to the first place we visited today, just so they can see you, then head straight for King Proud Obsidian, do you understand me?" Cub nodded balefully.

"I stay with you though," he whined.

"No, tell the king that my papa has stolen me. You go, now!" Finally understanding the urgency of the situation, the simple bear loped off, away from the wall. With any luck, Thomas Tallman or one of his sons would see the bear without Carnelian and know that something was amiss.

The archers watched the bear go, and Carnelian could see the relief on their faces. The first speaker, however, wasn't so relieved. "Where did you send the bear?" he asked. "And don't lie. I know you speak to animals and that they obey you."

Carnelian lied. "I sent him into the forest to hide. He's a smart bear, you'll never find him."

"We don't want him," the second speaker reminded the other men, who looked as if they'd like to disagree. "We came for you. Baron Whittaker has heard tales of the wild noblewoman who wears a gold collar in this forest, and he wants to see for himself."

Carnelian studied the men, turning in a slow circle as she did so. "I've met the baron, but I don't see him among you. If he wanted to see me so badly, why is he not here?"