The Hidden Princess: Secrets Revealed (Book Two)

Chapter Seventeen: Raised as a leader, a warrior, and a friend,

"What?" I cried glancing between Nate and the bandits. The one bandit that was conscious froze at the statement, his eyes filled with fear.

Nate shrugged his shoulders. "Well, actually I can't," he said. Then pointed to me. "But, you can. A Dragon has authority to carry out punishments if the need arises," he said.

A moment of silence hung over our heads as the bandit and I took in what Nate said. Before I could respond Nate smiled, shaking his head.

"Although it is true a Dragon has that authority, I don't know about apprentices. I also kind of just wanted to see how you'd react," he said chuckling as I punched his arm. "Backinton isn't far. Tomorrow the three should be able to walk. We'll hand them over to the local authority and continue on our way," Nate said.

And that's what we did. The following day we made our way to Backington where we handed the three bandits over to the local authority and headed for The Rats Inn.

"Sam!" Three voices called. Smiling, I opened my arms as Kate, Hannah, and Nora ran into them.

"She said yes! Mrs. Rudder said we can come to Jarrow! Only for a week or so but at least we get to," Kate grinned.

"Oh that's great! You girls will love Jarrow," I said. My eyes traveled around the room looking for Aaron. The kitchen door swung open and Aaron walked out holding a few plates. The girls ran over taking his plates and with a small shove from Kate, Aaron made his way over to me. "Hi," I smiled.

"Hi," he chuckled, pulling me into a hug. "I was worried this was all a dream, that you wouldn't come back," he said quietly.

I slowly pulled away and took his hands in mine. "It's not a dream, I'm here," I said.

He nodded looking me over. His brows came to a frown as he saw my new wounds. "Sam, what happened?" he asked.

"It's nothing," I said. "You should see some of my wounds from training," I smirked.

Aaron shook his head. He gently took my arm examining the wounds. "What happened?" he asked again.

"Bandits, last night three came into our camp. It's okay though. It wasn't too hard to take them down and now they are getting to know your local authority," I explained.

"You should see this girl with a sword. I don't think there are many in the kingdom that could stand against her," Nate said, walking in from putting the horses away.

Aaron didn't take his eyes off me as Nate spoke. "Even as a child that was obvious. She has something in her that makes the sword an extension of the hand," Aaron said.

"Must have come from a lineage of warriors, I've heard it's something that can be passed down. Then from what I heard she had quite the father bringing her up," Nate said. His words of my lineage made my heart skip a beat.

"Richard was amazing. He could have easily made his name in Jarrow as a knight, but he chose to stay in Hillsdale to raise his family," Aaron said, looking at Nate for the first time.

"It seems we owe Richard a great deal of thanks for raising Sam the way he did," Nate said, smiling down at me. "Raised as a leader, a warrior, and a friend," he said.

I ducked my head at his words. Aaron nodded in agreement, not understanding the depth of what Nate had just said.

After a quick lunch Nate and Aaron packed up the small wagon that the girls would ride in. Once they were finished we were on the road again.

"Do you think we'll get to meet the princess?" Kate asked as she sat beside Aaron. The twins were in the back while Nate rode on one side of the wagon and I on the other.

"I'm sure you'll meet at least one princess," Nate said. Smiling at me when I glared. "The royal family is always hosting dignitaries in the castle. You are never sure who will be at the castle," Nate continued.

Talk continued of what the girls were hoping to see in Jarrow. Nate was more than happy to supply the girls with endless details and all they would do and see.

That night as we camped, Nate entertained the girls while Aaron and I slipped away.

"I never thought we'd do this again," Aaron said as we sat under the stars.

Nodding, I pulled my knees to my chest. "I never thought I'd see anyone from Hillsdale again. When I first found Chloe I didn't believe that was real either."

"But it was, and this is too," Aaron said, turning to look at me. "I still can't believe you're a Dragon though. We had such fantasies about joining, but never thought anything would come of those ideas," he said.

I laughed and nodded my head. "I still didn't believe it when it happened. Sometimes it feels like so long ago since the massacre and other times it feels like no time at all," I said.

"Are you planning on staying with the Dragon's once your apprenticeship is over?" he asked, turning to face me.

Sighing, I shook my head. "I want to. It's all I've dreamed of and more. They have become a family to me. A lot can happen in two more years though... a lot happened in these past two years. I can't say for sure what will happen," I said honestly. "What about you? Do you plan to stay in Backington?" I asked.

"I think so. It's been a good place for the girls. After visiting you they may want to move to Jarrow, although I think it may be too big a city for them," Aaron said.

"It is big," I laughed. "I think you are making the right choice keeping the girls in a smaller town. You'll have to make regular visits though, now that I know you guys are alive, I can't not see you," I grinned.

Aaron smiled, pulling me close. "You'll see us so much you'll be begging us to leave," he joked.