She changed her direction and walked to the farmer. He stood in the bed of the wagon, holding a sack of grain he intended to pass to a cook. When he looked up, his face paled. He knelt on one knee, still holding the sack of grain.
“Rise,” she ordered. “You know who I am?”
He nodded as he stood, still holding the bag and appearing very awkward. “Have you been intimidated to provide food and a place for us to rest?”
“No, Princess. I was paid generously.”
She smiled. To Brice, she said, “Find where you and I will sleep and arrange a meeting with the general as quickly as you can.” She turned back to the farmer. “Can we talk?”
He leaped to the ground, despite his middle years. His hair was dark with a few gray streaks, his eyes clear, and his clothing reasonably clean. He was a man she liked instinctively. She stuck out her hand to shake.
He almost refused, but finally touched it gently with a palm as hard and crusty as the feet of barefoot children. “Sir, I have questions, but one that is . . . delicate.”
“Ask anything, Princess.”
“I need a woman. One my age.” She saw misunderstanding on his face and went quickly on. “She needs to be a strong woman, willing to take risks. One who can travel and help me. Again, there may be a danger, but I’ll do all I can to protect her.”
“Risks in what way?” His change in attitude revealed he still misunderstood.
“I cannot tell you that.”
“Then I cannot help you.” The farmer rose, his demeanor reluctant, but he said, “I will ask, but know of none foolish enough to take on a task they cannot know about or understand, yet face danger. The women who live around here are pretty rational.”
Hannah flashed a smile. The farmer didn’t return it as she spun and left to locate the general. She found him standing calmly in the middle of chaos, directing his army with cool concern. She watched, learned, and then approached.
“Princess, how does it feel to be out of the mountains?”
“And have flat ground under my feet?”
“Did you need something?”
She shrugged, hating to pull him from his duties. They stepped away to where they had privacy, but his eyes kept watch on the activities. “I have need of a volunteer, a small man about my size who is willing to impersonate me.”
“You? I can’t think of a man who wants to dress and act a woman, let alone a princess, but who knows?”
“One my size. I’ll take care of the rest.”
The general gave her what Sara called the stink-eye, then said, “And what will you be doing while he’s pretending to be you?”
She suddenly felt trapped and unsure of herself. A discussion with the general earlier would have saved her the embarrassment of the moment, but she tried to conceal all that as said, “I know I should have talked to you earlier, but you were so busy. Here’s what I’m thinking. Rumors of the Peermont Army appearing from the mountains are already flying across Wren. By tomorrow, Princess Elenore will hear of it and instantly know I’m with you.”
“And she will throw everything she has at us. At you.”
Hannah paused. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
“It’s why we’re here. She can attack with an army of her own, a dozen mages, or whatever else she comes up with, but we are an army that has been at war for years. My men are seasoned survivors. We know how to defend ourselves. No matter what, she will need at least a day to hear of us, another day to devise a plan and implement it a day later. That is the schedule if she is very quick and has the resources at hand, which I doubt so you can add another day or two to my guess.”
“It’s a five-day walk to the King’s Palace because it’s at the head of the valley.”
“How are you going to get there?” he asked.
“Horse.”
“Well, I don’t suppose anyone will stop a princess riding to her castle. Will it be a white horse and will you wear a long gown?” The general didn’t seem to try leaving the irony or iron out of his tone.
“My plan, simple as it is, will have Brice and I travel as brothers. We’ll ride bareback like farmers and use rope bridles. No gowns, but work clothes. You and your army will be the distraction that draws attention while you march in plain sight up the King’s River Road. Wren will be filled with rumors, the Wren Royal Guards will prepare to defend the King’s Palace, your invasion will be on the lips every rumor-monger. No washerwoman will hang her clothes to dry without talking to her neighbor.”
“Too bad I didn’t bring drums and a band.”
Hannah paused and tried to anticipate where the argument would take them. “General, what should I do? Do you think I should walk to the palace with you guarding me?”
“I thought that was the plan.”
“You don’t know Princess Elenore. I don’t know what she has waiting for me, but I intend to circumvent it and go directly to my uncle, the King before she knows I’m there.”
He stepped closer and placed his hands on her shoulders while he looked into her eyes. “If you do not keep your word and stop the Peermont war with Ansel I will see you dead.”
“You already have my word.” She refused to break eye contact.
His hands fell. “Then I will support you in any way. I don’t like your plan but will do my part.”
“And why do you not like it? Is my plan that bad?”
“No. Your plan would only be better if I had thought of it, and if there was a way for me to protect you, but your plan makes sense. It may save many lives if it works. The man imitating you must be clearly exposed to those we pass, or other rumors will fly. He must flaunt himself, and I have doubts a man can do that.”
“Perhaps he should wear a veil.”
“Perhaps.” He didn’t sound convinced.
“I need to depart as quickly as possible.”
The general waved to an aide who raced to his side. Orders were issued, and the aide raced off. Hannah left to find Brice.
Later, they were packing and discussing what to take when a private arrived with two horses, neither saddled. They wore old rope bridles. “Can you ride?” the private asked as he handed the reins to Brice. The horses were short, their hooves large, and their coats shaggy. Either would look at home in a harness in front of a hay wagon.
“Both of us ride bareback.”
“The general wanted to know.” The private sounded sheepish at having asked the question and almost ran as he departed. Over his shoulder, he called, “He wants to see you before you leave.”
Another soldier arrived carrying worn canvas shirts and pants favored by farmers because of their durability and low cost. They changed clothing while discussing how the general managed to find what they needed so quickly.
They walked the horses to where the general waited. He beamed when he saw them. “The straw hats complete your look. I suggest a little soot smeared on your clean, shiny faces. I hear you ride?”
“No problem,” Hannah said shortly, a little angry that the general had so quickly pointed out their cleanliness, an item that could have made their impersonation fail. What else have I missed?
He said, “I would like to introduce you to someone.”
A beautiful young blonde woman wearing a pale blue dress that fell to her ankles stepped from inside his tent and moved forward with grace and poise. She gave Hannah a small smile that turned into a giggle.
“How?” Hannah asked.
“She lives at the Crossroads and has agreed to travel with us. I promised to protect her, and that when crowned, you will richly reward her family.”
Hannah shook her head in wonder and fear. “General, you are so good at helping me—but I cannot allow this girl to risk her life for me. Princess Elenore will stop at nothing to kill me.”