Nicolasa's words hung in the back of my mind as I left the camp, headed north toward the border. Part of me knew I'd always been skirting a line as The Veil, but another part knew that my intentions were pure. If I was using the magic to help people, perhaps that was good enough for the Mother.
Celia's forest ended right at the border to Kulka and I only supposed Celia had run the Severians out of the forest, or perhaps they were too afraid of her to step inside her domain, because there wasn't a single guard—Forcadelian, Severian, or Kulkan—manning the border fence that stretched across the entrance to the forest.
The problem, though, was that I didn't quite know how to get back to Ammon's fortress. Walking westward was a good bet, but at some point, I might need to veer south, if the map in my mind was to be trusted. The darkness, which had been a blessing at the border, was now a hindrance, slowing me as I fumbled through dark fields and farms.
Worse still, as the hours drew on, my stomach began to growl. Along this long stretch, there were farms, to be sure, but no inns or taverns. Not that I had any coin to purchase, but some sign of civilization would've been welcome.
Kulka is fairly spread out. Truer words, Asdis. My kingdom for a horse.
Midnight came and went, and I finally found a sign that said I was going in the right direction. A few more hours later, as the sun rose, I happened upon a kind farmer who gave me directions to that road, and also a few apples to take with me.
"I can't sell them in Neveri," he said with a sad shake of his head. "It's a shame to waste the Mother's bounty."
I thanked him, wishing I could give him money, and continued on my way.
Once I hit the main road, I was joined by a couple of wagons and men on horseback every so often. There were Kulkan soldiers in the bunch, too, but I didn't give them a second glance. Out here, I was just another peasant.
Finally, as a headache pounded at my temples, I found refuge under a tree out of the way and catnapped for a few hours, sleeping on my slingbag to protect it from poachers. I awoke still hungry and thirsty, but no longer completely miserable. I packed my things on my back and continued along the road, praying Ammon would provide food and water once I arrived.
The sun was high in the sky when I spotted a line of waving flags in the distance. It could've been the encampment, or it could've been a city. Either way, I picked up my pace and headed toward it, every step a silent plea to the Mother for a reprieve.
I nearly cried when I saw the Kulkan flags and made out the white tents. I tightened my slingbag against my back and broke out into a run. Perhaps it was my delirious mind, but I thought I smelled succulent pheasant and roasted vegetables. Oh, but I might kiss that prince if he gave me even a piece of moldy bread.
But before I could dash through the fence, I was met with two spears in my face.
"State your business," they snapped in unison.
"I'm here to see the prince," I replied, putting all the energy I had left into a confident gaze. "Surely he mentioned he'd be expecting me. Brynna."
They hesitated then dropped their spears and lunged for me.
"Just get Ammon," I said as the two Kulkans locked me inside a makeshift jail.
I paced in the cell for a few minutes then picked a stick off the ground and banged it against the bars.
The flap opened and a young Kulkan soldier said, "Quiet down in here."
"Did you get Ammon?" I asked, leaning my face against the bars. "It's time-sensitive."
"No, I didn't. Because we don't trouble the prince with little insects who try to break into the camp." She smirked. "Not too bright, are you?"
"Very bright, considering Ammon's expecting me," I said. "Also, while I wait, can I get some water and some food? Nothing fancy."
She rolled her eyes and walked out.
I waited, keeping my face pressed against the bars for another few minutes, then realized she wasn't coming back.
I sighed. "Hello? Anyone going to help me out here?"
This time, another soldier came in—this one an officer. "Quit making noise in here or we'll have you executed."
"Ammon might not like that, because then he won't get his city," I drawled. "So go get him, bring me some water and some food."
The officer eyed me. "What do you want with His Highness?"
"His Highness is expecting me. Brynna." I paused. "Princess Brynna-Larissa Archer Rhodes Lonsdale. Of Forcadel."
He didn't show any sign of recognition. "So not only are you an annoying little peasant, now I find out you're Forcadelian."
I blew air out of my nose. "Just tell Ammon that Brynna is here with an update on his little quest. You won't regret it."
He rested his hand on his pommel then turned and walked out. Again, I was left with my thirst, my hunger, and an increasingly nervous feeling. Maybe getting myself arrested wasn't the brightest plan—especially since Ammon hadn't let anyone know I was returning. Probably for the best, as word might seep into Neveri, but still… It didn't make for an easy explanation.
Finally, the flap opened and the prince himself strode in with two guards. If he cared about me or my predicament, he didn't show it.
"Well? Do I have a city yet?" Ammon asked.
"Kind of hard to do that when I'm stuck in a prison," I replied with a flick of my wrist. "You should've told your guards to expect me."
"I expected you days ago. Thought you were dead."
"You gave me a week."
He released a tired sigh. "I only assume you're here for something."
"Let me out of this jail cell, give me some food and water, and I'll tell you what you want to know." I flashed him a grin. "Please? I've been walking for a while and it's hard to talk."
He grimaced and motioned to one of the two guards behind him. The guard disappeared for a moment then returned with a small cup of water.
"Thanks," I replied, tossing the infinitesimal water down. "So, here's the thing: There's a gate."
"If that's all you're here to tell me—"
"I have a plan to get it open," I finished with a dirty look. I gave him the synopsis—fudging my numbers on how many Celia had kicked in—after all, when I'd rehearsed this speech, I'd had more than one-and-a-half thieves with me.
"It seems you have it all thought out," Ammon drawled. "I fail to see how or why you need my help."
"Well, things are a bit dicier than I anticipated," I said, hoping he didn't see through my bluff. "The point is we both want this, so—"
"Correction, you want this," Ammon said. "I could go my entire life without getting the city of Neveri back under Kulkan control. Our agreement was that you would deliver me a city already taken, not that I would help you do it."
I gripped the bars. "You have hundreds of soldiers here. You can spare twenty."
"I don't think I can. Because I've yet to hear a plan that sounds in any way feasible. Drugging and rousing soldiers. Using water to move metal." He sniffed. "You must think me a fool. Or you are."
"Ammon, I swear to you, I can give you a demonstration—"
"Enough!" He held up his hand and damn if it didn't silence me. He surveyed me for a long time, and I wasn't sure if he was going to agree or order my execution. Finally, he broke his gaze and turned it out toward the camp.
"I've completed my inspection of this encampment and we will be setting sail for Delina in two days. At that time, I'll take a short detour down to Neveri's gates. If they're still closed, we will return to Delina and this very idiotic exercise will be completed."
My jaw dropped. "I can't do this in two days."
"Then I suppose we'll be returning to Delina, and your efforts have all been in vain."
He turned to go, and I cried, "Wait!" He stopped. "Just wait a second. Fine. Just give me a horse to get back to Neveri quickly and I'll see what I can do. But what about when you get to Neveri and the gates are open? Will you help me then?"
"We'll just have to see what shape things are in, won't we?" Ammon flicked his wrists and the guards went to open the gate. "Two days, dear Brynna. Better hurry."
Ammon's timeline pressed like a weight on my neck, but at least I was moving faster than on foot. The horse he'd given me was a beautiful mare, and she was more than willing to keep up a brisk pace as I dashed back toward Neveri. Although it took more time, I doubled back to the forest and Celia's camp to cross the border. It was a weak spot, and I didn't have time to try to outsmart the border patrol somewhere else.
With the dawn rising behind me, my heartbeat pounded with the mare's hooves. I was woefully under-equipped for this plan—a plan that, even if I'd gotten everything I wanted, would've been far-fetched. Luard was surely not going to be pleased that neither Ammon nor Celia had offered any support. Did that mean he'd walk away? I didn't want to think about it. I was running out of time, I was out of ideas, and I just prayed I was returning to a city that would give me a break.
Almost at the last minute, I remembered that Riya had left me something at Norah's house, so I pointed my horse toward the northern side of the city. But when I arrived at the small farm, she was nowhere to be found. I left Ammon's horse in her paddock with some hay and walked up to the house.
"Hello?" I knocked. "Norah?"
When she didn't answer, I picked the lock on her door. Inside, her kitchen was as immaculate as it had been when she'd fed and watered me the first day I'd been in Neveri. On the kitchen table, however, was a folded-up Severian uniform.
"Ah, Riya," I said softly, running my fingers along the fabric. I didn't want to wear one of these again, but the timeline made me desperate.
After I dressed, I left Norah a note thanking her and explaining the new horse in her paddock then continued toward the city. But when I reached the main road, the queue of carriages I'd expected to see wasn't there. There was nothing but soldiers, standing idly with their swords and talking with one another. I was relieved to see that more than half were Forcadelians. Perhaps Riya had been able to work her magic on Maarit after all.
Pulling down my uniform, I marched toward them, as if I was absolutely supposed to be there. But before I even reached the border, two spears crossed in front of me, blocking my path. A pair of young Forcadelian soldiers—Felix's cousin one of them—stood at attention.
"Halt," his partner, a light-skinned Forcadelian with high cheekbones, said. "Name and rank."
I froze, looking down at my uniform for any identification. But I didn't recognize Severia's officer rank badges, and there was no name tag on the uniform.
"I…uh…" I said, taking another step toward them. "Kellis sent me."
"And?" the female guard said, clearly not impressed. "Kellis sends you without a name and a rank?"
"Aline." Felix's cousin—Jorad, I think his name was, gave his partner a look. "What did Kellis send you to do?" he asked me.
I sighed, looking up at the sky again and wondering how much I could trust him. Time was of the essence, and if I didn't do something soon, it wouldn't matter if they knew who I was.
So I pulled the Forcadelian seal from beneath my tunic and flashed it in the sunlight. "She said I should come on this road if I needed to get inside. That there were those here who could help…help a disgraced princess."
Jorad's eyes widened and his partner lost her scowl. "Are you…serious?"
"Listen, it's imperative that I get inside the city," I whispered. "Or I need to find Riya and talk with her. Is there anything you can do for me?"
Aline shook her head. "They don't let us do anything, unfortunately."
One of the Severians caught her eye and marched over. "Oi! What are you three doing talking? Should you be working? Who is this person?"
"Yes, sir," Jorad said, saluting him. "There was some miscommunication. Guard Rodilla here should've been at the southern gate."
The lieutenant eyed me, but clearly had some semblance of trust for Jorad and Aline because he nodded. "Fine. But if I hear of you running late to your position again, I'll have you written up and demoted."
"Yes, sir," I said, saluting him as Aline had done. And with a final smile back at the two of them, I hurried toward the town.