The Summer Solstice

Chapter 11: Rue

🦋 Rue 🦋

    I feel unlike myself as I dress in my iron armor, meant to protect me from both the blade and entrancement of the Faie.

    Though I am used to heavy dresses, the weight of the bodice underneath and the breastplate above is astounding. I don't don knight's clothing often, only a few times during training and once for a theater performance.

    I tie my hair back into a braid that circles my head as if it were a crown, then shrug into a lightweight black cloak.

    As I slip a sword into the sheath at my hip, my conscience screams out at me—Have you lost your mind? Think of what father will say!

    I do my best to silence it. If I have it my way, father will never know that I intend to witness the Pooka attack myself.

    Slinging my prize weapon across my back, Windwhistler lands comfortably between my shoulder blades. This bow is easily my favored, made from strong and pliable yew. The arrows in my quiver have points hard as steel.

    I peek at myself in the mirror briefly—I look strong. Powerful, even. And I can't ignore how my crown made of hair embodies that of a Queen.

    I turn away from my figure before I can dwell on it or change my mind. Strategy courses through my head. If I wish to witness and intervene the Pooka attack, I must first get out of the castle, then find my way to the kennels. A horse would be faster, but I want the strength of an amarok.

    When I open my bedroom door quietly, it seems my first task of leaving the castle unnoticed has already failed. Calum is there, as dark and brooding as ever. He takes in my outfit with controlled surprise.

    "Princess Rue?" His voice is a question.

    "Of course now you show up," I say, then strut past him. Perhaps if I act as though nothing is out of the ordinary he will leave me be.

    I'm again mistaken. He follows closely, his own sword beating against his leg.

    "Where are you going? You've been called to the tea room. Queen Nardiello wishes to share information with you."

    "Well, I don't wish to hear information right now," I say without slowing my pace. If I don't figure out a way to shake Calum off I'll never make it to the Dryad forest.

    "You're wearing battle garb under that cloak," he notices. "Why?"

    I'm losing patience. I turn through the hallways, passing my brothers' sleeping quarters, then the courtyard. Despite my silence, Calum remains my shadow until we reach the stairway leading down towards the cellar.

    He grabs my arm gently, but with enough strength that I turn around.

    "Let go," I command. "I'm your princess and I have the right to leave my stronghold when I wish."

    "Not during an active threat," he says. His brown eyes are stern. It strikes me how different he and his elder brother are. "You are geared for battle. Not even a fool would guess wrongly about your intentions."

    I give up any falsehood I might try to spin, desperate for time. "Calum, this is something I have to do." I think of my proposed plan to the Summer Solstice Council and wince. "I can't be a good princess and make informed decisions if I'm blind. All that I hear about the Pooka's unrest comes from the mouths of others. It is time to see for myself the extent of the issue."

    "A valiant thought, but what could you possibly gain to put yourself in such danger? Let the Gentry handle this."

    I square my shoulders, the chain mail clinking. "No. I've been trained for this as much as they, and I can shoot an arrow far better than any soldier." Then I narrow my eyes, seeing a way out of this. "Shouldn't you be there? Protecting and defending?"