Page 44 of Warrior Princess
After paying for a small basket of berries, I took a moment to observe the sights and sounds of the market. Children ran between the stalls, playing tag, while their parents shopped or manned their booths. To make it easier to shop, similar goods were grouped together in the market. After moving past the fruit vendors, we came across a baker's stall, the air rich with the aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries. Despite Ronan’s earlier comment about it being too early for sweets, he caught me eyeing a tray of pastries glazed with shiny, sweet syrup.
Already reaching for his coin pouch, he asked, “Want to try one?”
I nodded, and soon we were sharing a flaky, buttery pastry, the syrup sticking sweetly to our fingers. We laughed, enjoying the simple pleasure of food and each other's company,momentarily pushing aside the heavier concerns that awaited us.
Finishing our treat, we slowly continued our stroll through the market. Artisans displayed their works, everything from woven baskets to carved wooden figures, each piece telling a story of the Grasslands’ rich culture and traditions.
“When do you want to leave for Keldara?” I finally asked.
“This afternoon,” Ronan answered. “Is that okay with you?”
“That’s fine. We should probably leave early so we can reach Keldara by nightfall. Should we send word to Mykal ahead of time?”
Ronan nodded. “That seems like the best course of action. Since things are a bit rocky in Keldara, I’d much rather be safe than sorry.”
20
As we left behind the familiar landscapes of the Grasslands, anticipation and unease knotted in my stomach. The sun had already begun its slow arc across the sky, with long shadows that danced playfully across the ground as our horses galloped over the soft earth.
Ronan rode beside me, his presence a constant comfort. He seemed at ease as he scanned the horizon, ever vigilant. I tried to mirror his calm by focusing on the rhythmic thud of our horses’ hooves against the ground, but my thoughts kept drifting to what awaited us in Keldara. The last time I was there, I was assaulted and a war broke out. I shook my head and tried to push it out of my mind. I didn’t have the best memories in the Grasslands either, but with Ronan, I could look past it. I had to do the same in Keldara.
The scenery shifted as we neared the border. Gentle plains gave way to rugged terrain, with rocky outcrops and steep hills that hinted at Keldara’s harsh beauty. The brisk air forced me to pull my cloak tighter around me, grateful for its warmth.
We slowed our horses as we approached a narrow pass that served as one of the few entries into Keldara. My heart poundedwith both excitement and dread. This land, with its stark landscapes and complex politics, was daunting and strangely compelling in equal measure.
When we rounded a bend, a figure emerged from the early evening shadows. It was Mykal, waiting for us just as we hoped he’d be. He was on horseback, his posture relaxed yet authoritative.
“Leila; Ronan,” Mykal called out, his voice carrying over the wind. He rode toward us, his horse moving with an elegant, practiced gait.
“Good to see you, Mykal.” Ronan’s tone was warm but reserved. I could tell he was assessing Mykal, trying to gauge if the man before us was an ally or another complication in our already tangled affairs. He still didn’t fully trust him, and I couldn’t blame him.
Mykal nodded, his eyes flashing with sharp intelligence. “I'm glad you made it. From your message, it sounds like we have much to discuss.” His piercing gaze flicked to me, as if he could see right through to my apprehensions.
“Indeed, we do.” I forced my voice to sound more confident than I felt. “But let’s not linger here. Lead the way.”
Mykal turned his horse and led us into Keldara, past the border that seemed like a threshold between worlds. Many challenges awaited, filled with dark secrets and potential alliances.
As we followed Mykal through the rugged landscape, shadows deepened around us and the last light of day retreated from the sky. Ronan finally broke the silence that had fallen over us. “How have things been since we were here last?”
Mykal sighed, a sound that carried the weight of unspoken struggles. “It's been challenging,” he admitted. “The loyalists are more entrenched than I anticipated. Rooting them out has proven difficult.”
“Do you need help?” Ronan offered tentatively.
A brief chuckle escaped Mykal. “I appreciate the sentiment, Ronan, but I know you'd prefer to keep your distance from Keldara's internal strife.” He gave Ronan a knowing look. “If things become dire, I'll let you know.”
Ronan nodded. “Understood. How much farther to the camp?”
“Not much farther.” Mykal gestured toward a break in the trees ahead. “I thought it best to meet away from the capital, given the current tensions.”
The path grew steeper as we approached the base of the mountains. A few minutes later, we broke through the underbrush and entered a clearing where a small, tidy camp had been established. Soldiers appeared as ghostly figures in the twilight. We dismounted and our horses were swiftly led away to be fed and watered.
The commander guided us to a large tent situated at the heart of his camp. The door flap rustled gently in the evening breeze as we entered, a reminder of the fragile peace that hung over Keldara like a thinly veiled promise.
Inside the tent, the atmosphere shifted from the rugged wilderness to a semblance of military orderliness and strategic comfort. The tent was surprisingly spacious and much larger than it appeared from the outside, with enough room to comfortably accommodate several people. Plush rugs covered the ground, muting our footsteps and adding a layer of insulation against the cool earth. The fabric walls were reinforced with a lining that helped shield against the chilliness that descended with night, lending the interior a warm and inviting atmosphere.
At the center, a low wooden table stood, scattered with maps and various documents that spoke of ongoing strategic discussions and communications. Small stones held the cornersof the maps in place, preventing them from curling up. Lanterns hung from the tent's support poles, radiating a warm, steady glow that illuminated the space with soft light and made the detailed topography on the maps easier to discern.
Against one side of the tent, a small field desk held a portable writing set complete with ink, quills, and a stack of parchment, suggesting that this space doubled as a mobile command center. Nearby, two sturdy wooden chairs were positioned, offering a place for more formal discussions or planning sessions.
