The Reformation Wars: Conflicts Rekindled

Chapter 2

A whole week dragged on in preparing for Princess Kate's expedition, gathering food provisions, horses and a carriage, bedding and other comfort items, and much more. The various courtyards and pastures outside the castle buzzed with activity as servants and aides in abundance scrambled to provide necessities and luxuries alike for the princess' journey.

By the time the sun had fully risen above the eastern mountaintops, the whole entourage had assembled in an expansive pasture on the west side of the castle. Arrayed in an orderly train with mounted bodyguards in the front and rear and several supply wagons surrounding the princess' carriage in between, the fact security had been an utmost priority was visually apparent.

Kate strolled outside and took in the sight of her retinue with smiling lips and a nodding head. She eyed the bodyguards in their heavy suits of plate armor, with spears in their hands and bows in the side pockets of their saddles. Each bodyguard carried a quiver of arrows on his hip, and a quarter of one of the supply wagons was occupied by a crate full of replenishment.

A wiry servant spotted Kate and hurried over to her with a pleasant face. "Good morning, your highness! I hope you slept well."

"Well enough." Kate said absentmindedly after sparing him only a second's glance. Her attention was fixed a noticeable lack in her entourage. "Where are the knights?"

"Knights? Uh...guess they haven't showed yet. If you'd like, I can—"

"No, you keep doing your job. I'll look into this dilatoriness myself."

After giving an awkward salute, the servant hurried off. Kate narrowed her eyes and headed back toward the door she'd just exited.

Once Kate had stepped up to the entryway, it swung open before her, revealing King Maxwell's face. He gave his daughter a brief smile before noticing her own troubled countenance. Then with concerned eyes, he laid his big hand on her shoulder.

"What is troubling you, darling?"

Kate rolled her eyes. "My knights haven't shown themselves, and I intend to find out why. Surely a week is enough time for them to have picked out their candidates and sent them my way."

Maxwell nodded. "I would certainly imagine so. Juan has told me nothing of any delay, so this baffles me. Are you sure—"

"I'm sure they're not there, Father, and they ought to be. So excuse me while I find out what this delay is about."

Maxwell stepped through the doorway to allow Kate through. Once she'd stepped inside, she hurried her pace to find the passageway that would take her to the exit nearest the knights' hall. Hardly even glancing at anybody along the way, she soon emerged and crossed the expansive stretch of grass between the two buildings. Then she swung a side door open to enter the knights' hall.

Kate quickly made her way to the High Council chamber and rapped on the door. A few seconds passed, and no response came her way. With a huff, she knocked again, harder this time. Still no answer. She narrowed her green eyes at the wide door and grasped the knob. An unsuccessful twist informed her it'd been locked.

Princess Kate buried her face in her hands while letting out a long sigh of frustration. Not another delay! she shouted inwardly, What could possibly be so hard about simply picking four knights and putting them on horses?

The thump of footsteps accompanied by heavy breathing drew Kate's attention up, and she removed her face from her hands. At the sight of Alden Holt, with his downturned mouth and labored gait, she pursed her lips and stepped his way.