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The next morning was easier. I got up with the sun, washed, dressed, fixed myself up, and packed everything of mine that I’d needed to get ready, which wasn’t much. I woke the girls myself and helped both of them get ready for the day. Both were happy and excited to go on the road and chatted animatedly the entire time, racing about the room as they remembered last minute things to pack. When the servants came for our bags, I ushered the girls downstairs to the limousines. We weren’t eating until we reached the train, which was about half an hour away, and the train would take us to Linson territory, where we would ride our horses to our destination. Breakfast would be rather informal today, but neither minded.
“We’re going to see Grandma!” Mari sang, bouncing instead of walking. “And Grandpa!”
“Do you have to call them king or queen ever?” Cathy asked, wrinkling her nose at the thought.
“No,” Mari said instantly. “No one cares ‘cause I’m family and royalty. Besides, Mom doesn’t call Dad ‘king’ or anything.”
Cathy looked to me. “Will I have to call them king or queen?”
“Yes. You’re not related. You’re a diplomat, like me.”
“Oh.” She mused over this. “Will I have to call Mari ‘princess’ too?”
“No.”
She brightened. “Good. Otherwise I’d forget.” She squealed as she saw the limousines and raced across the drawbridge towards one. “This one! I want to ride in this one!”
Liam and Remy were waiting outside the castle, by the limos. “You can pick whatever you want,” Liam said. “We’re moving out in ten minutes.”
“Go on, girls,” I said. “I’ll be there in a moment.” I waited for them to clamber inside before speaking again. “What’s this? A mutual apology?”
“We figured if you were going to yell, you’d want both of us at the same time. Plus, we figure we can stop you from killing us if we stick together.” Remy flashed a smile, but his eyes were asking how much trouble he was in.
I waited a minute. “I don’t like that you got Martin. Mostly I don’t like it because you know my problems and I don’t like people in my business. But you got Randall too, so I guess I won’t maim or kill you.”
They both relaxed at that.
“But you have some serious making up to do for giving up my hiding place to Martin and boxing me in like that.”
“Your wish is my command, my lady,” Remy said solemnly.
I looked at Liam.
“I just brought coffee.” He grinned and offered it to me. “And the reasoning that you won’t need to use the cellar as a refuge so I didn’t spoil your hiding place.”
“Forgiven,” I said, accepting the beverage.
“Hey!” Remy protested. “What about me?”
“Uh-uh,” I said through a full mouth, wagging my finger at him. I swallowed. “You just promised me life-long servitude. I intend to use that.”
His face fell. “Thanks a lot,” he muttered to Liam as he sipped his coffee.
“I’m not stupid enough to promise that,” Liam said, snorting. “Where was your head?”
“I hadn’t had my coffee,” Remy defended.
“Tell you what, Remy,” I said to him. “You make sure Randall’s nearby during the ride to Linson and to the other eleven countries and you can consider yourself pardoned.”
Remy brightened. “My pleasure, my lady.” He turned and headed to do that.
“You’re in a good mood this morning,” Liam said, studying me. “You’re sure it wasn’t vodka?”
“I’m trying this positive-outlook thing. Glass is half-full mentality. I figure it’ll last about thirty minutes on the road, and then I’ll revert to the ‘life sucks’ mentality, but I figured I didn’t want to hate two friends along with other unnamed people.”
He smiled slowly. “Thank you for calling me a friend. I wasn’t sure you would, not today anyway, maybe not for a while since I know you’re pretty torn up about it.” His words were careful now. “Martin said he needed to talk to you. We were hoping it would work out, but we sent Randall in case it didn’t. I figured you wanted it done before the ride out, and last night gave you time to deal with it.”
I nodded slowly. “I guess it was what needed to happen.”
“I’m sorry it didn’t work out,” he said quietly.
I accepted this silently. “Can I ask about Maria?”
The beginning of worry lines on his forehead deepened. “She’s moved back with our parents. She’s over the worst of the withdrawals and working to get better. She’s spending a lot of time working out and working with weapons. She’s supervised, and she has nothing in her room. Just a bed and a few clothes. The counselor suggested that, partially so she wouldn’t have a place to hide the drugs should she relapse, and partially because she needs to know that she has to earn it back, and have rewards and something to work for. If she stays clean, then she can rejoin the pages in September.” His face relaxed a little at that. “Their Majesties have agreed to let her stay in as long as she stays clean. She’ll stay clean, if only for that.”
I squeezed his arm. “Yes,” I agreed. “I’m glad she’s doing all right, Liam.”
He rested his hand over mine. “I’m glad you’re still my friend and care,” he said quietly. “And I know Remy is too. Thank you for that.”
We shared a smile and then he let go and I headed towards the limo with Cathy and Mari.
“Moving in five minutes!” came the call. “Everyone find a car!”
Cathy loved her first limo ride. She and Mari darted all around the backseat, investigating every nook and cranny inside the car, giggling madly as they rolled the various windows up and down, including the one between us and the driver.
We passed castle staff staying behind and the crowd of people in Nottinghamshire that lined the roads to see us off. Cathy and Mari waved out the windows, Cathy briefly out of the sunroof in the limo before I put a stop to that. Half an hour later, we were boarded on the train and I took the girls to get breakfast. By the time we reached the end of the train that held the food, everyone had boarded and the train was moving towards Linson.
“And so it begins,” Pierson remarked.
“Did you do this the last time?” I asked.
“I did. Took almost a month of travel last time to get all the countries. We’re only supposed to be traveling for two weeks this time.”
I shuddered. “You rode horses every day for a month?”
“That’s why it took so long. Now that there are more passenger trains, it should move twice as fast. Most of the riding we do is for show. Processional and such. We shouldn’t have more than three hours of riding most of the time.”
“Long processionals,” I muttered.
A rare grin creased his face. “Last time we sent most of the staff on ahead to Geidy. It made for some rougher travel, but what took the longest was setting up and taking down campsites.”
“Hopefully that will all be ironed out this year,” Nate said, joining us.
Cathy came out. “Joan? Norma wants to know if you want coffee and she won’t let me have any.”
“You’re too young, and no, I don’t want any. Don’t you lie to her, Cathy.”
She sighed and disappeared into the kitchen.
“Where are we staying?” Pierson asked Neal.
“Most of the stops are at castles. No actual campsites that I saw, unless something goes wrong. Some of the longer travels will be done overnight, so we’ll be sleeping on the trains. I’m told it’s actually quite comfortable.”
Pierson grunted. “That’ll save us having to set up and take down before we move each day. How often will we switch trains?”
“At least at every country line, we’ll have to stop and switch trains.”
Pierson grunted again. “Could be worse.”
Cathy emerged with a loaded tray. “Here,” she said, offering the tray to me. “Meals for all of us. Mari’s getting the drinks.”
I relieved her of the tray. “Why don’t you help her with the drinks, and I’ll get this?” I nodded to the two men. “See you at the next stop.”
Breakfast, despite being limited, was excellent. Servants who traveled with us came by to collect the dishes and I watched out the window while the girls chatted and played games of checkers. When we stopped at the station, with the call for everyone to disembark, I ushered the girls outside where our horses were waiting.
Outside, Remy had already saddled all three of our horses and gestured to Randall, who was leading his mount over to us. “Good morning,” he greeted all three of us. “Ready?”
“Yep!” Mari chirped. “I’m going to see Grandma and Grandpa and my aunt and uncle!”
Randall smiled. “Yes, you are, Your Highness.”
“I’m riding with her,” Cathy said, giving a nervous glance to me in case I was about to contradict that.
“A fine idea,” Randall said calmly. “Go take your place next to Princess Mari then.”
Cathy ran to her horse and climbed on while Mari did the same.
“And you?” Randall asked me.
“I’m good.” I gave him a hug. “Not great, but I’ll get there.”
“It has been suggested that I ride with you.”
“I would appreciate it, if you wouldn’t rather be up with the king and queen.”
“I don’t mind at all. Mount up. We’ll be moving out soon.”
I fed my horse a sugar cube and swung up on her back, guiding her next to Cathy. Others assembled over a half hour, and I spotted the king and queen up front, and Martin with them. Unfortunately, Charlene was only a row behind me. I only let out a sigh and ignored her and her angry glares. Whatever promise Martin was keeping, he apparently wasn’t doing it to her satisfaction. That suited me just fine and perked up my spirits just a little more.
Finally, Martin let out a whistle and called, “Move out!”
Since I had an idea of where we were going, and a good idea of how long this was going to last, I made conversation and set about having some of my questions answered. I entertained Mari and Cathy, but as we entered a forest, I moved up in front of the girls to talk to the other guards and let the girls talk to each other. “Why are we going to all the countries?” I asked Randall.
“Because it’s our turn. It switches between countries, going alphabetically. It’s an honor to go to each country as the bearers of the invitation to the peace conference. If the war had gone on much longer they would have skipped over us and we would’ve had to wait until it came back around. As it is, we deliver the message, and after the ball they head to Geidy.”
“And once we’re there, there will be another, bigger, ball,” Liam said wickedly.
“Of course,” I said resignedly.
There were chuckles scattered among the group at my clear wish to avoid such social functions.
“Do you mean to say that you don’t like balls?” Charlene asked innocently. “The very pinnacle of elegance and grace?”
I knew she was implying that I didn’t have elegance or grace. “There are things that I can’t believe still thrives,” I said coolly. “In my world, balls like this are pretty much a thing of the past.”
“A shame you come from such a deprived world where such beauty is lost. Your world has so little to offer.”
I turned and met her gaze. “Unless my history is mistaken, most of your modern-day inventions are from my world. I would say that my world has quite a bit to offer.”
Charlene flushed slightly. Cathy opened her mouth indignantly to back me up but I said, “Cathy, up here, please.”
“But...” she started to protest.
“Cathy, please.”
She urged her horse next to mine. “Why can’t I stick up for us?” she demanded in a fierce whisper. “You just let her...”
“We’re not having this discussion now.”
“But...”
“Cathy, we are diplomats right now. You and I don’t just represent Valeria; we represent America and the entire Flip Side. In public, we stay polite and we don’t say whatever we want to.” My voice was low enough that only those nearest could hear. “We don’t cause problems and we avoid fighting while this goes on.”
Cathy looked furious.
“Wait until we’re alone,” I said again. “There are things that not everyone needs to hear.”
She subsided with ill grace, glaring at the ground. Mari was watching anxiously from her spot, worried about her friend, but unable to move from her spot next to her governess. When Charlene started again, I saw Cathy’s back stiffen, but she kept her mouth shut. I didn’t pay attention at all, lost in my own thoughts until Liam spoke. “Joan.”
I looked at him. “Yes?” I looked back and saw Charlene’s face was tinged red. “Were you saying something, Charlene?”
Her face went a darker shade in fury. “I asked if you had a partner for the Linson ball,” she repeated through clenched teeth.
I kept my tone even. “I don’t believe I do.” Charlene’s face filled with triumph and superiority. “It’s been mentioned that I should refrain from aligning myself with one person from Valeria, since I am a diplomat of America, and there aren’t any other Americans here.”
“Yes, you are very...unique.”
“Why, thank you, Charlene,” I said sweetly. “You’re very...unique, too.”
There were muffled sniggers, and a not so quiet one from Cathy.
Charlene wouldn’t let it go. “And what are your thoughts on how you’re able to see us?”
I shrugged. “Does it matter?”
“But of course it does! Your heritage means everything here.” Her voice was smooth. “Of course, you know of what the possibilities are? One is that you simply have a genetic mistake of some kind, and another is that your kind left our world to go to yours and you are a descendant of that line. Of course, the only people who left were traitors, and those who thought themselves above the law. Unless...”
“Unless what?” Cathy demanded before I could shush her.
“Unless whoever it was didn’t stay there. Your family is dead, so you cannot learn if perhaps someone from here decided to...how shall I say this...pay a nighttime visit.”
“That’s enough,” Randall said sharply amid gasps. “Charlene, you will watch yourself and watch what you say.”
I stared straight ahead, body relaxed, but fury boiled. I saw by Cathy’s rigid posture that she understood what Charlene had said. I wasn’t quite sure how yet, but I knew Charlene would be paying for this.
*
MARTIN COULD HEAR EVERY word of the conversation behind him, and he hadn’t missed Charlene’s barely veiled hint that Joan might be illegitimate, nor had anyone else; Charlene had spoken loud enough that everyone heard. He contained his anger, but vowed that he’d have a talk with Charlene later. He wasn’t the only one angry either.
“Geez, Remy,” Norma murmured. “Get your woman under control.”
“She’s not my woman anymore,” Remy answered, scowling, part of it directed at Martin.
When Martin glanced back, he saw the absolute fury in Joan’s expression and the similar expression in Cathy’s. Charlene looked unconcerned and gave a little wave to Martin. He turned back to the front without acknowledging the motion.
*
I WAS IMAGINING KICKING Charlene off the castle roof into Lendia’s disgusting moat when Cathy turned around to see Mari. “Hey, Mari! Do you want to hear about this story I read?” she called.
Mari nodded eagerly.
“It’s called ‘Warrior Princess’.”
I eyed her. That was very similar to the title she’d put on my journal. Once Gina had discovered it, we’d developed a system of lies to ensure she didn’t think it was anything close to a diary. “Cathy,” I warned softly.
She ignored me. “Once there was a princess named Morgan. She was beautiful, and smart, and brave, and the best fighter known anywhere. She was loved by her people because she was kind and she protected them, and she loved her people in return. Princess Morgan also was in love with a prince and they were engaged to be married. Then, one day, an evil witch entered the castle under the guise of a maid.”
“Catherine,” I warned again. The parallelism here was so clearly obvious I was sure everyone could figure it out.
Cathy barreled on. “The maid was jealous of the princess, so when the princess went away, the evil witch seduced the prince with her magic.”
“Catherine Alexandra Ilion!” I shouted furiously.
Cathy winced and quailed as I glared, infuriated. “Not...another... word,” I growled through clenched teeth. There were glances from those around us, but I refused to look at any of them. Cathy remained silent, aware she’d crossed a line with me.
We stopped to take a break a few minutes later. I instantly dismounted and motioned to Cathy sharply. She moved slowly and fidgeted with the reigns, trying to stall.
“Catherine...”
She winced again and walked to me, reluctantly. I walked father into the trees and stopped when the caravan was out of sight. “What did I say about causing problems?”
“I wanted to get back at Charlene! She said Dad might not be our dad, and you didn’t do anything to stop her!”
“So you called her a witch and informed everyone that Martin cheated on me? Did you stop to think that maybe I didn’t want everyone to know that? You don’t say those kinds of things in public! Do you think what you said makes you any better?”
“What about her?” Cathy cried. “What about Charlene?”
“I will deal with Charlene, but you get to keep your mouth shut and behave. I don’t need you making this harder than it already is. Don’t provoke Charlene, don’t tell anyone more stories about my life, and don’t sneak up behind me!” I whirled around at this last, my hand on my knife, to see Mari. I sighed and dropped my hand from the hilt. “Mari, what are you doing here?”
“I didn’t want Cathy to be in trouble, so I was going to see if you were really angry at her and give you this if you were.” She held out a small flower.
“Does anyone know where you are?”
She shrugged, still holding the flower.
“Come on, then,” I said, taking the flower. “Cathy, do you understand me?”
Cathy nodded. I gave another sigh and motioned for them to come with me.
They had just noticed Mari was gone. I noted with satisfaction that Charlene looked terrified as she clung to Martin’s arm. I figured she’d been flirting with Martin and left Mari alone. Martin was snapping out orders and everyone was scurrying around, moving into search parties to look for Mari. I was sorely tempted to hold Mari back for a moment as I watched Charlene’s panic grow, but saw Florinda’s worried expression and kept my mouth shut.
Randall spotted us first and let out a piercing whistle that got everyone’s attention. They saw Mari and instantly relaxed. I waited long enough so that someone had reached Mari and Cathy before disappearing back in the trees. I hadn’t missed Martin’s eyes on me or Charlene’s chagrined and furious expression, but soon they, and everyone else, were out of sight.
I pulled out my knife and flung it at the nearest tree. It sank into the wood and I pulled it out and flung it at the next tree. Eight trees later, I stopped and pulled out the whetting stone to sharpen the blade again, then froze and swallowed hard. This had been a gift from Martin, just after my father had died. Charlene had upset me, and I’d come back to find him waiting for me. He’d handed me this stone. “For your knife. If you’re going to keep throwing it at trees, then you’ll need something to keep the blade sharp. Nothing dulls a blade faster than wood. It’s not the most modern thing, but you can throw it at Charlene’s head the next time she speaks to you in such a way, if you wish.” He winked at me.
“Things have changed, Martin” I whispered. “It’s not the same between us anymore.” I dropped the stone on the ground. I could sharpen my knife in Linson.
Less than twenty steps away, I heard a cracking sound and half-turned, pausing, knife in hand. After a minute and no further sound of movement, I slowly went back to the caravan, thinking.
They were mounting again, preparing to move. As Mari settled herself in the saddle, she asked, “What happened to the evil witch?”
Cathy didn’t see me. “She was eaten by a dragon.” Then she saw me and instantly quieted, although she did look pleased when she heard Mari laugh, and Randall wasn’t the only one with a smile.