Chapter Four

Chapter 4

  I sat on Zi, my brown horse, listening to the trumpeters sounding their horns, and watching the brilliant blue and purple pennants fluttering high up on the castle walls. My heart was pounding almost double time, and my palms were dampening the reigns with their sweat. I was going. I turned to look at the stables as I heard heavy hoof steps. My muscles tensed. Reynold. He was on his jet black steed, which he had named “Bat”. His explanation for the unusual name was merely that the horse was so quick and nimble, just like a bat. I quickly looked away, but not fast enough to escape the look of fury burning in his eyes. I gulped, wondering to myself how I had dared to take on the quest. 

I recalled the moment when I had stated to father that I would go. Reynold had just agreed to go, and father had turned to me.

“And how about you, my daughter? Will you go, or stay?”

I swallowed, trying to speak clearly.

“I will go.”

His eyes expressed amazement for a moment; his deep blue eyes looked over my face for an explanation. After a moment of vain searching, his face smoothed into a gentle smile.

“Very well. Then I wish both of you the best of luck. May the true heir to the throne find the queen.”

I darted a glance at Reynold. His face was dark with anger, his brow sank lower than I thought possible. I gulped. Until the next day, which was appointed for leaving, I was glad for any company to be safe from Reynold. Now, I was leaving all protection and setting out into the world of dangers. A world with plenty of dangers without fierce brothers as enemies.

Looking at Reynolds party, I started to wish I had brought someone while I had a chance. At the time I had decided it would be simpler to be alone, but now “Strength in numbers” sounded much more reassuring. Reynold had brought four companions, the maximum company. Two strong guards, a servant boy, and Sir Leyton. I vaguely wondered why he had brought Sir Leyton, but that question was quickly pushed aside to make room for my worries. Why hadn’t I taken someone? I reasoned with myself that I wouldn’t have known who to bring. 

My thoughts were interrupted by a sudden loud blast from the trumpets. The signal to start.  Reynold galloped off, his party trailing closely behind. I hesitated, wishing desperately something would happen so I wouldn’t have to go. Nothing happened, of course. So, with a sinking feeling, I lightly slapped the reins against Zi’s neck, and we were off. The smell of damp grass and a gentle breeze flowing against my face soothed my tense muscles. Where should I go? I wondered, possibilities flooding over me. I decided I would head to the only village I knew of only a few miles from the castle. I could buy provisions there. I flew along, feeling as free as a bird, but somewhat vulnerable. After about a half hour I reached a sign. Penelly -1/2 mile. I smiled. Almost there! 

Around a bend, I saw a girl trudging beside the road looking very forlorn and dusty. Who would go walking on a road like this? I wondered as I drew nearer. I nearly fell off my horse. It couldn’t be! Maryanne? I jerked Zi to a stop and hopped off.

“Maryanne?! What are you doing?”

She looked up, an expression of fear written on her face.

“Oh! I’m sorry, but, but,”

She choked.

“What is it?”

I asked uncomfortably, trying to act as if I hadn’t seen the tears. She sniffed.

“As you’ve gone, they were going to move me to a different job,”

I nodded.

“And, I just couldn’t bear being a servant to Lady Priscilla,” 

She blurted out.

“I’ve run away. And oh, please don’t tell anyone. I know I oughtn’t to have, but I couldn’t bear the thought of living years serving Lady Priscilla!”

 I tried not to laugh at the horror in her eyes.

“I won’t tell a soul.”

I said.

“Oh, thank you milady!”

She said, relieved.

“But what will you do now?”

I asked.

“I’ll probably be taken on as a maid at one of the inns in Penelly.” A thought struck me. Would she agree though? 

“Would you like to come with me?” I asked hesitantly. Her eyes lit up and she caught her breath in a delight.

“Oh, could I? I’ll do anything I can to help, if you will really take me!” She said in delight.

“Of course!” I exclaimed, almost as delighted as she.

“It may be dangerous,” I said rather regretfully, hoping that she wouldn’t take back her agreement. Her face grew anxious for a moment, and I caught my breath.  Then her face reverted to the look of excitement.

“I’ll come. Nothing is as scary with two.” I silently agreed as I climbed back on Zi, and after a bit of tugging and slipping, Maryanne managed to get up behind me. We started off at a slow pace. After a bit I looked back to see how she was. A huge grin was spread over her face. I turned back to face the wind, my spirits buoyant with the comfort of a companion.

~

As we entered the town a strong scent of smoke, leather, and waste collided with my nose. I wrinkled it, in an attempt to keep out to offensive smells. The town was busy, full of peasants trying to sell their goods, for it was market day. As we rounded a street in the town I realized the mistake I had made. A group of black horses stood near a trough outside an inn bearing the sign “The Black Bat”.  Reynold had come to Penelly as well. I shuddered at the thought of Reynold, and, foolish as it seems, the inn’s name that coincided with Reynolds horse. Why hadn’t I thought of that? I berated myself. I should have known he would come here for provisions as well. The closest town for miles, and I thought he would skip it? I tried to turn Zi around, but the flow of people was too strong. Twirling the end of my braid, I considered my options. Option. The only way was to go straight past the building he was in and hope he didn’t look out and recognize me. Taking a deep breath, I continued forward. I twisted the leather reins in my sweaty fingers as we drew near the inn. Why couldn’t the crowd let us go faster? I thought, in irritation. Almost there, almost past, I comforted myself. I tried to keep my head averted, but couldn’t help sending a swift glance at the black building as we passed. A face looking out the window met my gaze for a split second, before I looked away, breathing hard. 

It hadn’t been Reynold, but the face had look familiar, in some sort of sinister way. Who, then? Not one of the guards, for the face was not one of a strong guard. The servant boy? Too old for a boy. My face froze as my options were reduced to the last person. Sir Leyton. Why did he keep showing up? A note in a foreign language, signed with his name, and then Reynold inexplicably taking him on the quest. Something fishy was going on. And I wanted to stay as far away from it as I could.

~

  Zi cantered along, myself enjoying the air flowing around me, and Maryanne, well, bouncing, as she had never learned to ride. She clutched me tightly as she tried not to bounce off. We slowed to a trot and Maryanne’s grip loosened slightly. I had spotted the dark forest ahead, and my confidence slackened somewhat. The peasant I had spoken to had warned me of the forest, but now that it was before me, it seemed much more real. She had said it was a two days journey by horse to get through. 

“Many travelers take the long road around, and though it takes closer to 5 days it is much safer.” She had commented.

“The forest of Grem is infamous for being home to some of the wildest beasts alive. You would do well to take the longer road.” I had thanked her for this information, and moved on, deciding, somewhat reluctantly, that I would have to take the forest road. Reynold, though not a coward in a fight, was no Lionheart and given the choice, would most probably take the longer road. Thus it would give me up to three days head start, which would most likely come in handy. 

I forced myself on. We were soon among the thick trees, which let little light in. A smell of damp wood and grass swept to meet us. Maryanne whispered 

“Do we have to go through these woods?”

“If we want to have a chance in finding my mother.” I replied, ashamed at having to take the eight year old girl into danger. Her sigh made me feel awful, and I pulled Zi to a stop.

“Are you still sure you want to come?” She looked at me reproachfully.

“Of course!” she answered. 

“This is much more interesting and, scary than being a maid at an inn!” Despite my own nervousness, I smiled and gave her a hug. She smiled back and I coaxed Zi on. I felt Maryanne’s head bury it self in my cloak, and I smiled, feeling motherly and protecting. The deep unnatural silence made me grow more and more uncomfortable. More than ever, I was grateful for a companion, despite the years of difference in age. 

Suddenly, I felt thin, sticky strands of something cold plaster themselves to my face. I just held back a scream. It came out more like a gasp. Maryanne poked her head out of my cloak, her eyes wide in fear. I turned to look at her. She broke into a grin of relief. I must have had an extremely startled expression on, for she started to giggle. 

“What, what is this on my face?” I asked, in a weak voice. She burst into another fit of giggles, and then announced, hiccupping slightly, 

“It’s,” she giggled again, 

“It’s spider web!” 

“Oh,” I said, timidly, touching the sticky strands. I had heard of spider webs, but the palace was always dusted so carefully, no spider had a fair chance of completing a web. My dazed expression was replaced with a smile as I wiped my face with the sleeve of my dress, and rode on. Maryanne had stopped giggling, and tunneled her small golden head back under my cloak. The gloom started to weigh on me once again. The words of the peasant rang in my ears;

“It’s home to some of the wildest beasts alive…” I shivered, trying to block out her words. The sun was setting, and the air was rapidly growing cooler. I spotted a small clearing ahead and led Zi into it. I clambered off Zi and helped Maryanne off.

“It’s time to stop for the night,” I explained. 

“All right,” she said, looking around her cautiously. The cool air started to bite at my arms as I fastened Zi’s reins to a nearby tree. 

“Maryanne,” I began, looking uncomfortably at her, 

“you wouldn’t happen to know how to start a fire, would you?” Her eyes grew wide. 

“Oh no, milady. Only the pages light the fires!”    I looked uneasily at her. 

“We are going to get very cold.” She nodded. 

“We should have brought a page boy,” she said seriously. I rolled my eyes, feeling somewhat annoyed that I hadn’t thought of fires. 

“Just to light a fire?” I asked incredulously. 

“Oh no,” she said in a matter a fact way. 

“Also to catch the food, protect us from wild beasts, and look after Zi!” 

“Oh,” was the only comeback I could think of. It was going to be a long, cold night. I sat down on the only log I could find, which unfortunately was very damp, and opened my saddlebags for some food. After a meal of cold bread, cheese, and blackberry juice, I hunted around the clearing for a dry patch of grass to spread our blankets. I shuddered as I noticed a large spider web with a black spider in the center. We spread our blankets on the driest patch of ground, which proved to still be rather wet. Though I was exhausted from the day’s journey, the lumpy, wet ground was very uncomfortable. My eyes were almost closed when I felt a cold drop of something wet hit my cheek. My eyes flew open in alarm. I looked up and saw dark clouds rolling across the full moon. A streak of lightning sliced the sky and a deafening roll of thunder made me clap my hands to my ears. I glanced at Maryanne, who had pulled her blanket over her head. A moment later the clouds broke open and let the rain fall in torrents. I stood up, wondering what on earth I should do. Maryanne peaked out of her blanket, now soggy with rain water. 

“What should we do?” She asked in a timid voice. I looked around hopelessly. 

“I suppose we could ride farther and hope to find a drier spot.” 

“All right,” said Maryanne, shivering. I scrambled onto Zi and helped Maryanne up once again. Zi trotted forward, the rain stinging my face. I pulled my dripping cape around my face, leaving only enough room to see. 

After perhaps 10 minutes, I saw a glimmer of light ahead. I blinked. Was it really light? I urged Zi forward. As we drew nearer, I realized that indeed, it was. A small hut, built of pine wood, sat nestled in a grove of smaller trees than the ones that made up the forest. A glimmer of light was coming from a window in the side of the house. I climbed off Zi, my limbs weary from the damp and exertion. After helping Maryanne off, we trudged to the door dripping, over all looking like a couple of drowned rats. I hesitated a second before knocking on the door. Was it safe? Could it be bandits or something else worse? A gust of wind blew my damp cloak and convinced me to knock. Almost anything would be better than this wet and wind. I raised my stiff arm to the wood door and knocked.