I felt warmed by his concern and gave him a soft look. “I make no decisions. I merely offer an opinion. Which we all know I do often, and well, on many subjects,” I teased.

“I will miss you while you’re gone.” He raised my hand and kissed it softly, his eyes twinkling as they captured mine. Such a charmer, I shivered. I knew deep down that as soon as I was gone Jarek would be flirting with the next prettiest maid that came along. But there was comfort and ease in being with Jarek, in being in Silvera, and to leave him was to leave the city and all the security I had known since I was blown adrift from my family so many years ago. I felt a sudden panic at having to leave and abruptly pulled my hand from his.

“I won’t be long, Jarek,” I replied and let him help me into the saddle. “Take care of everyone.”

He nodded, patting the rump of my horse, and stood back as Wolfe cantered into the courtyard from the stables.

Wolfe eyed me gravely. “Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

I was surprised and annoyed as Wolfe sent Lieutenant Chaeron before us so that Wolfe could ride beside me, the Guard at our backs. Before I could offer suggestion of an alternative travelling formation that involved him being gone from my side, Wolfe cleared his throat, “Vovjoda Jarvis has instructed me that we will have to stop in Peza for the night to visit with Grof Krill Rada, and in Caera to visit with Vojvodkyna Winter Rada.”

Visiting nobility on social calls on a journey to save Haydyn’s life?! Were they insane?! Remembering rumours of an affair between Wolfe and Vojvodkyna Winter a few seasons ago I wondered if Jarvis had actually been the one to come up with those instructions at all. I threw Wolfe a disbelieving look. “That’s ridiculous.”

Wolfe shook his head. “No, it’s not. We can’t expect to travel through the land with fifty of the Royal Guard and not have word reach the Rada that the Handmaiden of Phaedra is on a diplomatic trip to Alvernia. The Rada would be insulted if we didn’t stop in to visit with them. Just be thankful we’re only travelling through Raphizya and Daeronia.”

“Thankful,” I scoffed. “Thankful! It’s your fault for making me bring fifty bloody men with me. We could have gotten through the provinces undetected otherwise.”

“Oh really?” He asked, his eyebrow arched mockingly. I glowered at him. “So if you took off through Phaedra with a couple of men you would retrieve the plant faster, is that right?”

I sniffed. “Exactly.”

“And how would we explain your disappearance at the palace?”

I smirked. “I’m at the cottage with Haydyn.”

Wolfe grunted at my quick response. “Fine. What about the fact that even if you were disguised as a lumberjack people would know you were raised a lady. You’re a target, Rogan; everything about you is, and I doubt even a few men would be able to help you out of the trouble you would get in if I weren’t here supervising you.”

I was stunned by his utter arrogance. My expression must have said as much because he chuckled at having irked me, so much so I was speechless.

“Perhaps I better swap places with Lieutenant Chaeron?”

I wanted to kick him off his horse. “I think that would be wise,” I muttered through gritted teeth.

Very quickly I had the soothing presence of the older Lieutenant Chaeron, who was happy to oblige me with pleasant, easy conversation. We passed slowly through the city as folks dodged out of the way of the massive entourage, not to mention some of the streets narrowed greatly here and there, slowing us even more. I was surprised when Wolfe began leading us toward the Flower District, the wealthy neighbourhood where Matai and Wolfe lived, where all nobility and wealthy business owners had beautiful townhouses. This route lengthened our journey out of the City. I was even more surprised when we drew to a halt outside one the townhouses.

“What’s going on?” I queried Lieutenant Chaeron.

He nodded to Wolfe as the Captain dismounted from his horse. “Captain Stovia wanted to personally inform his mother of his departure. She worries.” He smiled at me as if I would be moved by the familial image he created. Instead I had gone cold inside at the thought of Wolfe and his mother. Of the man missing from their lives. I shuddered and looked away from the house, fighting to keep my composure as images of Syracen flashed through my mind, always followed by my parents’ horrified faces as they died, of my little brother lifeless at my feet.

“Miss Rogan, are you alright?” Lieutenant Chaeron asked softly.

I nodded, throwing him a brittle smile. I liked Chaeron. A few years ago I had asked him to stop calling me my Lady like everyone else. He swapped it for Miss Rogan, and it felt a little easier to swallow.

I was about to speak, to reassure him, when the door to Wolfe’s home reopened and he appeared with a short woman at his side. He turned and kissed her hand and she smiled sadly, worriedly at him. Then she turned and waved at the Guard.

“Safe trip, good men!” She called softly.

“Thank you, my Lady!” Some of the men called back. She smiled prettily, still very attractive for her age, not even a hint of a grey hair in her chestnut tresses. Her eyes travelled over our entourage and then finally found me. Vikomtesa Stovia froze, her lips falling open, looking aghast. She turned to Wolfe and whispered something and he too stiffened, shaking his head and muttering to her. She nodded, seeming to gulp, and then looked back at me. I could have sworn the woman looked scared. Seeming to shake herself, her blue eyes switched from me to Chaeron. “Lieutenant Chaeron, take care of my Wolfe won’t you?”

Lieutenant Chaeron grinned as Wolfe rolled his eyes at his mother before patting her hand and bouncing down the stone steps to mount his horse with an ease and agility that made me envious. “Of course, my Lady!” Chaeron called back.

I looked away sharply, shaken by the Vikomtesa Stovia. Even more so by her reaction to me… as if I was the one to be feared, not them.

***

As soon as we were out of the city, Wolfe pushed us on at a fast pace. When we could we skirted around villages, when we couldn’t we slowed so as not to cause suspicion. I hated those moments, having to wave to the villagers like I was royalty, when in truth I was a farm girl just like many of the Sabithians. Once we were out of the village and onto the main trade roads, Wolfe picked the pace back up and we followed suit. My body began to ache three hours in, my bottom numb in the saddle. I tried not to show my discomfort. We wouldn’t be stopping today as we had gotten a late start. We would be riding on until night fall.

Lieutenant Chaeron seemed to sense my ever growing discomfort and began to talk to me about his family. We shared stories of farm life, how similar the people in Vasterya seemed to those in Sabithia. But not once did I actually ever mention my family, and Chaeron didn’t pry. Everyone knew my sad tale. Everyone knew I didn’t talk about my sad tale. Instead, the Lieutenant made me laugh as he spoke of his younger sister and her comical attempts to catch the man of her dreams in their village in the north west of Sabithia near the stone quarries.

“Donal is from coal mining country in the north east of Sabithia,” the Lieutenant grinned. “Quiet, reserved people. He moved to Laerth to live with cousins, start a new life in farming. He wasn’t prepared, I don’t think, for the overwhelming attentions of my sister.”

I laughed as he described her outrageous tactics to get Donal.

“She succeeded though?” I asked laughing, not nearly as uncomfortable as I had been.

Lieutenant Chaeron snorted. “Kirsta had him wed in under two months. They’ve been married three years now, and have two children; more to come I suspect.”

His was a warm sounding family, what I’d always imagined my own would have been like, had we been given the chance to grow with one another. I swallowed my numbed grief and encouraged him to tell me more about his own wife and children.

As night fell we crossed first the River Silvera, and a while later, the River Sabith, and as we passed through small woods we saw lights twinkling in the distance between the trees. Coming out of the woods, I swatted at another insect that had decided my skin was a tasty treat. Not even twenty four hours in and already I was feeling the irritation of travelling.

“Sabith Town.” Wolfe stopped his horse, turning to us as he pointed at the large town in the distance. “We’ll rest here for the night.”

I swear I almost swooned in relief. And I was not a swooner. I grinned at the Lieutenant, and with renewed energy the Guard loped into a canter, the men and the cart still trailing behind us in the woods. I was assured they would catch up, however.

Seeming to know the town, Wolfe took us straight to a large inn on the outskirts of it. I was thankful that we wouldn’t be trotting our way through the quiet streets at this time, waking everyone from their beds.

The inn keeper, a tall, stout woman with arms like rolling pins, came swaggering out to us, and I raised my brow at her manners. Then I smiled. Her robust confidence reminded me of Cook.

“Well, what a fine sight!” She called heartily, as Wolfe dismounted. They shook hands and it became clear to me that she and Wolfe were already acquainted.

“You bring me much business, Captain Wolfe.” She nodded to us all, her eyes landing on me. She dipped me a graceful curtsey at complete odds with her ambling gait. “My Lady!” She called up to me. I was beginning to realise that this woman never spoke. She barked. “Well.” She turned to Wolfe. “You’ll be needing a room for that fine lass. As for you and your men, well, I have five rooms free that I’m sure a good few can share. The rest will need to bunk down in the stables, I’m afraid.”

“That’s fine,” Wolfe assured her. He spun around to address Lieutenant Chaeron who dismounted. “Lieutenant, I’ll ask you to take a room in the inn. See how big the rooms are, see how many of our men can share. I’ll bunk in the stables with the rest.”

Taken aback by Wolfe’s order, having thought he would’ve been too spoiled to ‘rough’ it with the rest of the men, I forgot myself and began to dismount. I was almost to the ground when I felt a hand on my lower back and was eased to the ground. I knew his scent before I even turned. “I can manage,” I bit out.

“I know,” Wolfe replied coldly. “But appearances, my Lady, appearances.”

I made a face and he rolled his eyes at me.

“Child,” he muttered and then took my arm like a gentleman. I tried to tug it away but he held me fast. “Can you behave for one night, Lady Rogan?” he hissed. “I have to show you to your room.”

“You’re such a fusspot,” I exhaled and allowed him to walk me into the huge inn. I gaped in wonder at the openness of it. To our left was an arched doorway that led into a large eating area and bar. A fire crackled at one end and I shuddered at the thought of its delicious heat. To our right was a narrow hallway I guessed led to rooms and before us a massive open stairway that led to the rooms upstairs.

“Room 11, Captain.” The inn keeper approached us grinning broadly. She thrust the key towards us and Wolfe took it before I could.

“Thank you, Mags, you’re the best.”

She blushed at his smile and I groaned inwardly. Dear haven, if a woman like Mags fell for Wolfe’s charm, no woman alive (except me!) was safe.

“You know I’m sure I can find the room all by myself. I’m a big girl you know.”

He grunted at that and led me upstairs.

The room was surprisingly nice. And large. A four poster with clean cotton sheets and woven quilts sat at one end, and lo and behold a lovely fire already lit, flickered brilliantly at the other. Very nice. Not that I gave positive commentary in front of Wolfe.

“I’ll have Mags bring you up a meal.” Wolfe strode around the room, peering here and there. What in haven was he looking for? “Everything seems in order.” He marched stiffly back to the doorway.

“What? No rookery thieves behind the changing screen?” I asked sarcastically.

I was rewarded with a disdainful look. “Just lock the door behind me.”

I shrugged in answer just to annoy him and as the door was closing in his wake he said, “And stop flirting with my men, my Lady. Some of them are married.”

My cheeks flamed in outrage, and without him to bear it, the door took the brunt of my thrown travelling bag.

Chapter Seven

Although Wolfe had promised to take it a little easier on us after having hurried us through the first day, he still kept up what I considered a gruelling pace. He was only giving us a fifteen minute break, and although I understood (more than anyone) the importance of getting the plant in good time, I didn’t think we’d get there any faster if we all died from exhaustion. Plus the men were a little befuddled by how quickly we were moving, considering this was supposed to be a casual diplomatic trip.

I managed to antagonise Wolfe into giving us a half hour break.

By the third day of our journey we were close to reaching the northern border of Sabithia. The night before we had been given shelter by one of the wealthiest farmers I had ever met. Chaeron told me no one knew how they bred their sheep, or worked the wool, but the Farmer Soel and his family made plenty of money around Phaedra, providing the rich with the finest wool. And as Farmer Soel had welcomed me into his home, I had found his face familiar. Clearly, I had seen him at the marketplace in Silvera. I had been led inside with Lieutenant Chaeron. The rest of the men were either camping outside or in the stables. Wolfe had insisted I be chaperoned, but at the glare I drew him he had immediately suggested Lieutenant Chaeron accompany me while he kept an eye on the men.

After a wonderful sleep it had been jarring to get back on the horse, but as the hours wore on I realised my aching muscles were growing used to the saddle. Thank haven for small mercies. The light was fading as we cantered into what Chaeron called Lumberland. Most of the northern Sabithia was covered in forestation, and the province purchased most of its wood for housing, furniture etcetera from these companies. Wolfe carefully followed signs that had been posted to allow travellers to pass through safely, careful not to put us in the path of falling trees and such. By the time we drew clear of the forest and into a clearing where a small village stood, a lumber factory on the outskirts marring its quaint beauty, the day had grown dark as it gave into night.