Despite our leaving behind at least one criminal, Opla insists we continue on with our journey. The people wave their goodbyes as I get into the carriage. The door is closed behind me, and I wave out the window.
We ride long and fast. We stop to change when we're close enough not to make too many wrinkles in our clothes, but far enough the people can't see me yet. A fresh dress for me and Inyi. Inkga helps tidy up our hair, and we’re off again.
I worry about what we left behind, for Opla to deal with—Daros or some other foe. It’s not going to go easy, either way, but I hope it’s someone else. Without any clues as to where that person might be, I’d rather deal with a stranger than Daros.
Why would Daros toy with me like that? What could he possibly gain? Not knowing is giving me a headache.
“Are you all right, Your Highness?” Inyi asks across from me.
“Fine.” As fine as one can be, with either a sadistic madman toying with her or someone wanting her dead.
“Good, because we’re almost there.”
It’s a lovely stop, with citizens who are a mix of happy and frustrated with me. They wear drab colors that either don’t match their lovely, bright-smiling faces or perfectly match their sour expressions.
I know I can’t please everyone, but it’d be nice to, anyway. The town doesn’t have much for me to do. It’s small and still growing. I make plans to help them develop their refuse system, so the streets are cleaner and there are more jobs available.
After a couple days of riding in the carriage and watching for signs of Daros, we come to another stop that has more cheerful people than not. I smile at a girl about my age. She grins back, and I can’t help feeling a connection to her. We probably have nothing in common. It’s doubtful that she’s an assassin, and she’s definitely not the queen. But we both seem to care for Valcora. It’s enough that I wish I could stop and talk to her.
There are a lot of people I wish I could stop and speak with. They are interesting, with their bright eyes and colorful jewelry made of stones and beads. I want to learn their stories, but there isn’t time for more than cursory talk.
I get more in depth with the leaders, but I only have a couple of days to spend with even them. I want to get a better idea of what they are like. How they are helping the country, and what I can do to assist.
There is a town named Ilsar we stop at where I make jobs to make better streets. Theirs are small, dirt roads that kick up a lot of dust. In a growing town, they need something better. I wish it was mason work, and I could give Carver work, but it’s a stone-layer’s job. There are many men willing and eager to get started. They seem grateful for the work and are lined up waving and smiling as I leave.
When we reach the next town, Dunin, it’s almost dark, the sun’s rays goldening the sky. Inkga gives me an encouraging smile. I return it, pretending everything is fine when all I want to do is watch for Daros. A dull ache is behind my eyes, growing by the moment. I’ll have to grin and bear through it, though. There’s supposed to be another celebration tonight.
We pass houses that are more like the shacks the Poruah live in, only they remain that way all through the town. Nothing is big or fancy. Like the last town, there are no bright colors when we go by the crowds. Browns and grays dominate their wardrobe.
I push thoughts of Daros and my headache aside in favor of thinking about the country. The people need something more than the last town; that much is evident. But what can I give them? How can I help them? What do they need? There must be something I can do.
We roll to a stop in front of a crowd. A servant opens the door to my carriage, and I glide out. The servant yells loud enough for all to hear, “Presenting Queen Ryn.”
The crowd cheers, a deafening sound for how much smaller their numbers are than the last town. I smile and wave, even as the noise makes my head pound.
Off to the side and toward the back, there’s a group that’s not cheering. Not that I demand praise, but these people look downright ornery. What did I do to offend them? It’s probably my being an assassin who dithers over laws. It’s enough to make me upset. Why not them as well?
I suppress a sigh and lower my hand. A man walks up to me and bows. “May I present our esteemed leader, Fulla of Trentin?”
The crowd parts, no longer cheering. A woman moves between them, coming at me with a grin and clothes fancier than the ones I’m wearing. Her yellow-green dress and its many flounces appear to be made of silk. The people are careful to stay far away from her. Once she’s several feet from me, she gives the smallest curtsy necessary. “Greetings, Your Majesty. We are overjoyed by your presence.”
“Thank you for your people’s warm welcome.” Because hers certainly wasn’t.
“You and your guests will be staying with me. My man will show you the way when you are ready. Feel free to linger with the townsfolk as long as you like, and then you will have dinner with me.”
Not a celebration? Maybe she thinks a dinner with her is celebration enough. Not that I have to have one, but every town has given one so far. I nod and smile. She gives her excuses and departs. As soon as she’s gone, I hear a cry that grows nearer. I turn to find Shillian coming at me, tears in her eyes.
“I heard what happened. Why didn't you tell me sooner? I can’t believe someone tried to kill you, and you don’t want to return to the palace. I want my little girl safe.”
I glance at the crowd watching us. Some are close enough to hear our words. I give them a smile and a wave before turning my attention back to her.
Carver comes up behind her and puts a hand on her shoulder. “We don’t want to frighten everyone off,” he says in a low voice.
I give him a genuine smile. I appreciate the effort he’s going to. “I’m safe. We’re taking extra precautions. Everything will be fine, but I need to be with the people now. Why don’t you both go on ahead and get ready for dinner? I’d be happy if you would join me there.”
“We would love to,” Carver says, guiding his wife the way Fulla went.
For a moment, she looks as if she’s going to protest, but then she goes along with him smoothly.
There’s a tingling at my back. I turn, ready to draw my daggers.
“It’s just me,” Nash whispers.
Great. I overreacted in front of a crowd. As if they don’t already have reason to fear the Shadow Wraith.
“Do you want to go out among the people or to follow Fulla?”
What I want is some alone time to talk to him. And to kiss his face off. “Let me go among the people.”
He motions to the guards, and they reform into two lines, one on each side of me in the middle of the crowd, nothing between them but hard packed dirt. Nash holds a hand out in front of him, indicating I should go first.
I walk forward, anxious. Whether it’s to meet the people or because of them, I’m uncertain. I step through the pathway and grin first at one side, and then the other. Some people smile back while others scowl. I pretend they’re all smiling.
A little girl waves wildly at me, eyes wide. I stop and bend down to her level. “What’s your name?”
“Wapli.”
“How old are you?”
“This many.” She holds up a hand with all her fingers extended.
“Five years old is a big girl.”
“I always wanted to meet the queen.”
I grin at her. “And I always wanted to meet a five-year-old girl named Wapli.”
Her eyes grow wider. “Really?”
“Yes.”
“Wow.”
Nash bends down beside me and holds out a gold coin. “For the beautiful girl named Wapli, who the queen always wanted to meet.”
“For me?”
“It is.”
She takes the coin from Nash. “Thank you, sir. Thank you both.”
She holds the coin close to her. I stand up straight and walk on. When I make eye contact with Nash, he winks. A flutter goes through my stomach. It takes great strength not to take hold of his hand. Instead, I wave to the crowd.
I stop and talk to a few more townsfolk, but none as interesting as the little girl. Nash passes out more coins. The crowd is eager to get to him, and hold their coins with a reverence I’ve never seen. Judging by their thinness and drab clothing, they need them.
The part of the crowd that looked on with scowls before doesn’t try to approach. They stay far away, watching. The guards walk with me, maintaining the alley. The houses on both sides of us are bigger than before but dilapidated.
There’s one house ahead that stands out from all the others. It’s a mini palace in its own right. It towers over the rest of the buildings. A yellow wall surrounds it, making it so you have to go through the front gate. The group avoids that gate, only following us until we near it.
My guards cluster around me and Nash as we go through the gate, some leading the way and some staying behind. The great building looms over us, not nearly as big as the palace but so much bigger than everything else here that it’s disarming.
A servant shows us in and to our own rooms. I force myself not to make eye contact with Nash when we part. Inkga helps me freshen up for dinner, and I soon find myself waiting beside Inyi, Shillian, and Carver. The host has not yet arrived, which surprises me since she left before us. That, and everyone usually makes the world revolve around me. Not that I like it, but the difference is noticeable.
I turn to Shillian and Carver after the others bow at my entrance and make small talk. “How are you enjoying the trip so far?”
“It was lovely until someone tried to kill you,” Shillian says. “How often does this happen?”
More than I care to admit. At least to her. “Often enough we have precautions in place. I’m apt at keeping myself from harm.”
“How do you do it?” Carver asks.
I shrug. “I had a lot of training growing up. Where Daros was a horrid father figure, he was a great example of self-preservation.”
“I’m sorry we left you with a madman, but I’m glad you were able to learn the things you needed to keep yourself alive.”
I wave away his concern, though it stirs something inside me. “It is what it is. Being immune to most poisons and keeping up the skills that will protect my life is a good trade off.” Now anyway. Before, I would have given anything to grow up differently, but it’s made me the person I am.
“It’s good you’re able to protect yourself. I wish I’d made a better judgment call,” Shillian says.
I want to reach out to her. To comfort her. But I can’t risk her life. Family should be allowed to touch, but no. Not even that is allowed. According to the rules, they might tarnish me with their common nature. It's daft.
“Welcome to my home,” Fulla says from behind me.
I turn to find her dressed in an even more elaborate dress. It’s green with lace flounces and more ruffles than I’ve seen on one dress. Her wide skirt is split to reveal a pink underskirt with even more ruffles.
She walks straight to me. “I hope you find everything to your liking.”
“It rivals the palace.”
She grins.
It wasn’t a compliment.
“Dinner is served,” a servant says from the door.
Fulla moves toward the dining room and then stops herself with a giggle. “Forgive me. You first, of course.”
I’d rather not put my back to everyone, but I’ll have to trust my guards and daggers. I move forward, ready to turn and attack should things come to it. I am directed to the head of the table, and Fulla takes the place across from me. Members of my party sit between us—Nash at her side, Inyi and Sidle by me.
The first course is brought out—a plate of light, fluffy biscuits, butter, and jam. Not something I’d normally have for the first course, but Fulla must like it.
As I butter my biscuit, Sidle asks, “Have you any plans to make visits outside the country?”
I hadn’t thought about it. “Not at this time. Though perhaps it would be good to do so in the future.”
He nods. “It’s difficult to travel abroad anyway, and potentially unsafe, depending on where you go.”
“I’m not sure we should share our resources outside of Valcora,” Inyi says, surprising me.
“Why not?” I ask.
“They are barbarians. Savages, who want our gems and precious stones.”
“I heard Torhun was run by a person who was more beast than man, but I didn’t know the same held true to other countries.” Which is about all I know. I wish I knew more, but I need to get my country in order before focusing on others.
“They are dangerous,” Sidle says. “We should be grateful the mountains are so hard to traverse.”
“Indeed.” Fulla’s voice crosses the table with its vivacity. “We don’t talk of such things during dinner.”
I want to glare at her, but I restrain myself. “What should we discuss?”
“Anything fine and grand. We like to keep topics over dinner appetizing.”
The food would be more appetizing if I could throw my daggers at her hideous dress. What is it about this woman that grates me so? “What would you like to converse about?”
“I’m dying to know—how did you decide to take the Mortum Tura? It’s a far stretch from being an assassin.” She smiles, but there’s an edge to it.
My thoughts go dark, as I’m pulled back to that time. I’ve changed much since. I don’t want to ever go back there, and I’ll be daggered if she pulls me down. “Doesn’t every little girl want to be a queen?”
“Not when it means the possibility of death.” She takes a dainty bite.
“Those of us who have been with Queen Ryn have seen she has no fear, even for death,” Nash says.
I refrain from sending him a grateful smile. If only he knew how often I fear things… I don’t show it to many.
Fulla lifts an eyebrow, as if challenging me to say something for myself. Little does she know a challenge like that is no challenge at all.
I take a bite of the salad that was just brought out and placed in front of me, the oil and vinegar tangy.
When I don’t respond, she goes on to other topics. I try not to look relieved, but I am very much so.
After she’s been talking a while, I catch Nash’s gaze. His expression is so neutral, I’m dying to know what he’s thinking. But I can’t ask. Not now. Not here. I may not get another chance to speak with him until we’re back at the palace. I sigh.
“Are you all right?” Inyi whispers.
“Fine. Thinking of my bed back home.” Home. Is that what the palace has become? I’ve lived in a house before, but I never had a place I could call home. The palace is such a strange place to think of as such, but I’m happy to, anyway.
“I don’t blame you. I’d rather have my own bed as well.”
The rest of the meal continues with us talking of trivialities. No one makes a misstep, though Fulla keeps a close eye on me. I wonder what she’s thinking.
When we finish dinner, Fulla says we can go to our rooms because we probably need the rest. Another urge to throw my dagger at her comes to me. The woman is far too bossy. I’ve had more than enough for a lifetime.
Still, it’s a good excuse to get away from her, so Inkga, Julina, and I converge in our assigned room.
“It’s not often we have a dinner like that,” Inkga says.
“No. It isn’t.” I let her unpin my hair.
“One might think Fulla wanted you to be disgraced in front of everyone.”
“That’s the feeling I got, too. It wouldn’t have been hard to do a few months ago.”
“But you’ve grown a lot since.”
One can only hope.