That idea demonstrated how poorly we were prepared. If the Young Mage had notified the Council of Nine in Dagger, which we were sure he had, they would not only have armies posted and waiting for us at obvious choke points like those narrow passages that connected the lakes, but they would also send out scouts who would provide information on our arrival date as well as where. If they were good scouts, we might never see them and blunder directly into the ambushes.
The Wyvern could fly and keep track of us from a distance. They only had to fly within sight a few times a day to know our exact route—and from that our destination and probably plan could be anticipated. We had no choice but to continue and quickly. Speed seemed our only ally.
Anna came into my mind, *I’m scared.*
I considered trying to lie, to tell her all would be alright, but couldn’t do it. Even if she didn’t detect the lie, it was one. *We all are.*
*What’s going to happen?*
Even a sorceress who claimed to see the future couldn’t answer that. Anna was a child, no older than fourteen, and probably younger. But she deserved the truth or at least a version of it. *We are going to try and evade the traps they will set. Maybe we can outrun them. And don’t forget, there is a dragon looking out for us.*
She turned in her saddle and flashed me a smile that was as insincere as it looked. She was scared but controlling it, as we all were.
That only left one train of thought for me to consider, and probably everyone else. The Young Mage assumed we were going to Dagger, our path pointed right at it and the Wyvern had certainly told him that, but our true destination was far south of there. Instead of traveling along the north bank of the river as expected, or on one of the many boats, we should cross the river and ride far to the south until we could reach the ocean. However, we should continue our present course as long as possible. That would give him less time to react when we changed.
How far south we should travel was a question I couldn’t answer. The Brownlands extended there, even more, barren and bleak than the featureless ground we rode on.
I also didn’t know what the others were thinking, and hopefully one had a better idea. It wouldn’t take much to improve on the little I had.
CHAPTER FOUR
We arrived at the bank of the river without incident. While it was technically a river, a dozen dams spread the water into a chain of lakes which were often called “pearls” by the locals. A string of pearls, the old legends said. Water is more valuable than pearls in the Brownlands.
Maybe it was not technically a river anymore, but a lake stood before us, wide and without a current. The far side was lost to sight, but several boats traveled up, down, or from side to side under sail or oars.
I said, “If nothing else, we need to find a boat to cross.”
Will agreed. He turned to look behind and down the river before saying, “If we can get across, our chances of avoiding them improve from slim to barely possible. Our pursuers will naturally be on this side, thinking they have us trapped between the lakes and the Brownlands north of here.”
Being more direct and grounded, my sister pointed to a shack near the water’s edge with a poor excuse of a dock leaning to one side. Tied to the dock were three boats. One was large, wide, and without a sail. A cargo vessel. It probably carried farm goods to market in Dagger. Since there was little current, its means of propulsion was questionable, but easily answered by asking.
She said, “Maybe we can at least get a suggestion from whoever lives there.”
We turned and rode in the direction of the hut, the only structure in sight. A gruff old man wearing a wide straw hat emerged from the shack before we could dismount. He snorted, “Got myself three strong sons, inside, each with a bow and arrows fitted. All aimed at you. Get out of here while you can. We don’t want no trouble.”
Both Will and I urged our horses to move back a few steps. Kendra and Anna turned theirs to the side to pull respectfully away. However, Princess Elizabeth drew herself up taller and said in that tone I hadn’t heard from her often, “Sir, nobody in the five kingdoms speaks to a royal princess in that manner. You will apologize our I’ll have your head removed from your shoulders. You will immediately kneel before me, or I will lose my temper and you will lose your head.”
“W-what?” He turned to look behind him as if to have someone explain what was happening. He had just threatened us, and the woman was ignoring it.
Her voice grew stronger, if not louder, “I am Princess Elizabeth of Dire on a diplomatic mission to meet with your king.” She dismounted in a smooth motion and approached him in a few long strides. “And you are not yet on your knees.”
“Princess,” Will raised his voice as he leaped from his horse and chased behind her as if to stop her, but I saw he was really just establishing her power. “Please spare that poor man’s life. He does not know who you are, and he means no insult.”
Before all the words were out of his mouth, the man had dropped to his knees; his head bowed in respect. She stood before him for the space of a few breaths, then said, “Arise. I need information and perhaps service. And if you do have three strong sons inside with drawn bows, you had better order them to stand down before I send my men inside to take the bows away and spank them.”
Will moved to his left as I moved right to flank her on the other side. Neither of us had a bow, but we had drawn our swords. Kendra moved ahead to shield Anna.
*He’s being honest with you,* Anna said. *And he’s scared.*
She could tell that? I would investigate if she could tell what others thought later. *How many are inside?*
*Three. Not that I can tell that by myself, but I can see he tells the truth.*
The old man called in the direction of the shack with a surprisingly strong voice, “Come on out. Leave your weapons inside.”
Two men came out first, and a third reluctantly. The last one held a knife at his side, which he tried to hide.
Will caught the attention of the third one and took a couple of steps closer to him. In a curious tone, he asked, “Is this it, son?”
“Is it what?” the young man snarled with a curl of his lip.
“The day you die,” Will spoke softly, calmly, and without emotion.
All three of the sons matched their father in that they were dirty, smelled of old fish, were oversized, rude, and quick to fight. It only took a glance to see all four were related. The color of their hair and beards, the slump of their shoulders, and a hundred other similarities stood out.
They were poor and lived at the edge of nowhere, probably because they were either outcasts or outlaws. But they were not highwaymen or thieves. Fishermen, from the smell, combined with sweat. Not as unpleasant as it might sound.
Will said evenly to the youngest again, “Well, is it?”
The knife fell to the dirt from limp fingers. Will said to him, “Retrieve your knife, so someone doesn’t step on it and cut their foot. Treat it as well as it treats you.”
“You talk funny,” the last man to emerge said as he scooped up the knife and wiped the blade on his leg.
Will nodded. “When I served my king, I trained many young insolent men like you to fight in our wars. All of you think you are tough because you can whip the boy who lives down the road. The problem comes when you have to fight the man in another army, one stronger and better trained.”