After the initial excitement of departure, the ride became monotonous. Princess Variana and Nan talked and played several rounds of Scrit, but Nan wasn't very good and beating her over and over just was no fun.

"How long do you think we will be on the road," she asked Nan.

"I should think at least two days." Nan's needles clicked and clacked. "Unless the roads are particularly bad, in which case it shall be more."

"I wouldn't mind a bit if it took more."

Nan stopped knitting. She looked at the Princess over her half moon glasses. "Princess, I am certain he will be charming and delightful."

"Oh, I am certain that is how he shall appear," said Variana.

Nan chuckled. A soft, clucking sound that reminded Varian of a mother hen. "You are perceptive, dear Princess." She began to knit again. Click, clack, click. She stopped for just a moment. "But you must remember, that what you do is for the good of the entire kingdom, not just for yourself."

Princess Variana sighed. And as she did, the coach came to a sudden halt, throwing Nan nearly out of her seat and pushing Variana back into hers.

The Princess got up quick and opened the door. "What is happening?" she asked the driver.

He shrugged. "Don't know, milady. The horses up ahead stopped and so I did as well."

Nan whispered from inside, "What is it Princess?" she asked.

Variana shrugged. "The driver says he doesn't know." And because she wanted to know, she got out of the carriage and began walking towards the stopped horses.

"Princess," called Nan.

Princess Variana was certain she was going to be told that Princess do not walk forward to question the servants and soldiers. But in her mind, if she was old enough to be bartered for the safety of the rest of the kingdom, then certainly she was old enough to question those who were helping her to her doom.

Up ahead, she could see five horses in a semi-circle. All five were facing another rider who seemed to be explaining something to them. Besider her, two soldiers sat atop their horses, waiting for the discussion to end. Soldiers seemed, to Varian, particularly adept at waiting patiently. It was good she wasn't born a soldier, she thought to herself.

"Excuse me, good soldier," she said to the nearest rider.

Astride a magnificent brown stallion, he seemed surprised by the sudden voice beside him. "Oh, Princess," he said as he sketched a hasty half bow from atop his horse, "I didn't notice you there."

She nodded. "I just got out of the carriage. I don't know how you could have," she said. "What is your name and why are we stopped?"

The soldier looked over at the other beside him. The other gave a slight shrug. "Princess, it seems that our outriders encountered a fast dispatch rider from the Baron of Firsall. There are two escaped prisoners that were last seen traveling this road. The outrider is just describing them to 1st Lieutenant Badren so we can keep proper watch."

"And your name?" she asked.

"Private Velltrop, at your service, your Highness," he said.

"And where is the Captain, Private Velltrop?" she asked.

The soldier looked surprised. "Your Highness?" he asked.

"Captain Bellham. Where is he?" she asked.

The soldier shook his head. "He never came with us, Your Highness. I wouldn't know where he is."

The Princess felt a thrill of concern run up her spine. "And who is in charge of this expedition?" she asked.

"Lieutenant Badren," said the soldier. "And an officer here on loan from Grand Duke Agro. The two are sharing the command."

"That isn't right," muttered the Princess as she walked quickly back to the coach. Before getting back in, she looked back at the two soldiers. "Private Velltrop," she called.

When he turned towards her, she continued, "Please send Lieutenant Badren to my coach as quickly as possible. I would speak with him," she told the young recruit.

He saluted her. "Right away, Your Highness."

The Black Oak Sword

Chapter 1: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
Chapter 2: Part 1 , Part 2
Chapter 3: Part 1 , Part 2,Part 3
Chapter 4:Part 1,Part 2
Chapter 5: Part 1
Chapter 6: Part 1, Part 2
Chapter 7: Part 1, Part 2
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14:Part 1
Chapter 14:Part 2
Chapter 15:Part 1
Chapter 15:Part 2
Chapter 16:Part 1
Chapter 16:Part 2
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19:Part 1
Chapter 19:Part 2
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22:Part 1
Chapter 22:Part 2
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25

© 2017, Stone Golem Publishing, All rights reserved--no part of this may be used without express written consent.

**All pictures used are labeled for reuse. They come from Pixabay

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