“Movies?” He blinked at me before focusing back on the horse. “Try again.”
Three tries later, I finally managed to pull myself up and swing my leg over—not so gracefully. I wobbled at first but then found my balance. The ground looked too far away. “It’s so high up here.”
“Your personality amuses me.” After making sure I wouldn’t fall to my death, he grabbed the reins and walked beside the horse, leading me down the dirt road.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
“Callum. And yours?”
“Evan.”
“Well, Evan, I hope for your sake you are no spy.” Callum offered me a weak smile. “Or this horse ride might be your firstandyour last.”
The sinking feeling in my gut had nothing to do with my roaring hunger. Sure, I’d dialed up my sarcasm and played along with their little charade, but the truth was, this whole situation was freaking me out.
And that feeling only got worse.
A short while later, the quaint countryside faded and gave way to more houses and people. The dirt road transitioned to stone as we entered some kind of marketplace. Buildings stretched on both sides of us, and crowds visited the various vendors selling food, jewelry, leatherware, and other goods along the bustling street. Smells of cooking meat and baked treats mingled in the air. There wasn’t a single person in modern clothing. No one broke character.
I definitely stood out in my blue hoodie, jeans, and Vans.
“This is kind of elaborate for a LARPing retreat,” I said. “Or is it a Renaissance festival?” I’d been to a few of them before, and it had looked a lot like this. However, this was the biggest and by far the best I’d ever seen.
“I do not know those words,” Callum answered. “What is a Renaissance festival? Is it like the Festival of Lights?”
“What’s that?”
He spoke over the noise of the surrounding market. “A festival held each year as we welcome summer. There’s music, dancing, and merchants who travel in from other kingdoms. When the sun sets, we then light lanterns and release them into the air with our wishes for the coming season. You’ve never attended one before?”
“Can’t say I have.” The rocking motion of the horse was becoming a bit uncomfortable. My ass would be so sore later. Also, in fear that I’d fall off, I kept squeezing with my legs and gripping the saddle tighter. My whole body was tensed up. “I’d kill for a dip in a hot tub right about now.”
“Hot tub?” Callum asked. “We have a hot spring. Perhaps you can visit later.”
“Later. You mean after Captain Ice grills me?”
“Captain Maddox does what’s necessary to keep our people safe. He’s dedicated his entire life to the kingdom. It’s quite admirable.”
“Well, he could learn how to smile every once in a while.” Callum almost had me believing this shit was real. Why would anyone go to such lengths to trick a nobody like me? “How long are you guys going to keep this act going? I think I’ve been pretty patient, considering how nuts all of this is.”
Callum offered me a thin smile before facing ahead. He wasn’t going to respond? Fine. I’d play along for a little longer, but once I got off this damn horse, I wouldn’t rest until someone gave me real answers.
We continued along the street, leaving the busy marketplace.
“No fucking way,” I muttered as a castle came into view. It wasn’t some building that had been thrown together for a retreat or festival. The thing was an honest-to-god medieval castle with all the bells and whistles. White stone turrets and probably a hundred rooms. The gates opened as we approached.
“Sir Callum,” a man in a guard’s uniform said with a curt bow of his head. His dark eyes trailed to me before moving back to the knight. “What business does the boy have here?”
“Captain Maddox ordered me to bring him in for questioning,” Callum responded.
The guard nodded and allowed us to pass, but not without giving me another wary glance.
Callum led us to a grassy area where other men were gathered, most of them shirtless. Some sat beside a firepit and ate from wooden bowls, while others carried supplies to and from a small shed. Horses neighed from a fenced-in pasture to the left, and a few men brushed their coats.
“Do you need me to help you dismount?” Callum asked.
Not wanting to fall flat on my face in front of all those muscled studs, I swallowed my pride and took his hand. “Thanks.” Once on my own two feet again, I walked beside him. “Where are we going?”
“I’m taking you to Briar,” Callum responded. “He’s the chief herbalist.”
