Page 39 of Warrior Princess
The Keldaran woman gave a relieved sigh. “At least that means Princess Avery is safe for now.” Her dark eyes darted to me. “No offense.”
“None taken.” I handed both women a steaming cup of tea. “Considering the situation, it's probably safer if Caelan thinks you're spies for us and not his sister.”
The women nodded, cautiously sipping their tea. “How will we rejoin with Princess Avery?” the woman from the Crimson Clan inquired.
“We've arranged to meet tomorrow in the Silent Mountains,” I explained, then glanced at Ronan and Silas. “We'll need to figure out a discreet exit from Lomewood.”
“I recommend we wait until night to leave,” Silas suggested, finally turning from the window. “Or just before dawn. I can go find Princess Avery and confirm the time.”
I nodded. “That sounds like a plan. You'll find her at the Rose Petal. Look for a woman with a red wig and hazel eyes—unmistakably the same as Caelan’s.”
Silas nodded that he understood and moved towards the door. “I'll head out now.”
“Be careful,” I called after him. With a quick nod, he slunk out into the street. Ronan closed the door behind him and turned the bolt with a decisive click.
Once the door closed, the clinic fell into a strained silence, broken only by the soft clink of teacups as the two women sipped the warm tea. The Keldaran woman glanced around the modest space, her gaze lingering on the medical charts and herbs lining the shelves. “This is quite a modest setup for a princess,” she commented with a wry smile.
I shrugged, a small laugh escaping me. “Well,princessis just a title. Healing is what I do.” I settled into a chair opposite them as we tried to piece together our next move. The clinic, usually a place of calm and healing, felt like the eye of a storm.
Ronan finally stopped pacing and leaned against the wall with his arms folded and his brows furrowed in thought. “It’s worrying that Caelan was expecting something. We need to be more cautious.”
The Crimson Clan woman set her cup down with a decisive clack. “He’s been a step ahead more times than not,” she admitted. “But this time, we have an edge. He doesn’t know we’re working with his sister.”
“True,” I mused, wrapping my hands around my own cup for warmth. “And Avery’s information could change everything. We just need to get it.”
Ronan nodded, his face hardening with resolve. “Once we meet back up with Avery, we’ll have a better understanding of what we’re up against.”
18
We left the village under the cover of pre-dawn shadows while chilled air nipped at our faces. The sky was deep indigo, peppered with the last few stars stubbornly clinging to the night. Our boots crunched softly on the gravel as we made our way up the Silent Mountains.
As the eastern horizon began to hint at morning light, we navigated the rugged terrain that bordered Lomewood. Our party of five moved silently, announced only by our rhythmic footsteps and the occasional rustle of wildlife in the underbrush.
After a tense, cautious trek, a whistle pierced the quiet mountain air, followed by flickering lantern light weaving through the trees. We hastened our steps and cut through a thicket until we came face to face with Avery, who waited in a small clearing.
“Sarah! Mary!” Avery's voice broke through the morning stillness as she caught sight of the women we had rescued. Their reunion was heartfelt; they rushed into each other's arms, their embraces speaking volumes of their relief and close bond.
“Thank you, Lyanna,” Avery said, her voice thick with gratitude as she turned to me.
I dipped my head in acknowledgement. “Of course. But it wasn’t just me. I couldn’t have done it without Ronan and Silas.”
She nodded respectfully and thanked them both. Then her expression turned serious as she met my gaze. “I believe I owe you some information.”
“What's happening with my father? Is he okay?” I asked, anxiety threading through my words.
Avery shook her head somberly. “No, he's not okay. He's being poisoned.”
My heart sank. “That's impossible!” My voice was barely above a whisper. “My mother tests his food herself every day.”
Avery's eyes narrowed slightly, as if weighing how much to reveal. “How much do you truly know about Queen Derinda?” she asked pointedly.
I bristled at the question. “She’s my mother! I know her well—”
“Are you aware that you're not her firstborn?” Avery interjected sharply, cutting me off mid-sentence.
Stunned, I could only stare. “What are you talking about? Of course I’m her firstborn.”
Avery shook her head. “No you're not. There is someone else... Queen Derinda'srealfirst child. You might want to start looking into the story of a midwife by the name of Abigail who fled to Keldara. Everyone involved in that birth mysteriously died, except for her.”
