Chapter 39: Interlude: Embers II

Kiara Lyns bent further over her horse’s neck, feeling the wind in her hair as she thundered down the road. Her smile was unrestrained, free where no one could see it.

After a long moment of enjoyment, she sat back and lightly tugged on the reins. Her horse, well-trained as she was, slowed down immediately, dropping from the gallop into an easy trot. Kiara sat deep in the saddle, weathering the bumpy gait with the ease of long practice.

It was not a minute too soon. The area around them opened up, and after the curve in the road they came upon the castle right away. Kiara glanced back at her escorts. They had fallen back a little during her wild gallop, but had caught up now.

She slowed down further to a fast walk, straightening up. The men gathered beside the path and guarding the gate did the same as she approached. She noted that most of them saluted with the local fist-to-chest gesture instead of bowing, which she approved of. Maybe it was because of her own more martial appearance.

She already knew some of the ladies in her father’s court would be scandalized. Here she was, not just spurning the side-saddle, but actually wearing trousers! Of course, if she did wear skirts, they would be either an annoyance, stifling in the summer heat or she’d risk more impropriety, especially at a fast gallop like before. In any case, Kiara did not care too much. She wasn’t the only woman to act like this, whatever the sticks-in-the-mud might think, and normal court life was far away.

War tended to do that, she’d been told. She smiled to herself at the thought.

She was wearing not just trousers, but also light chainmail over a thin gambeson, though her helmet dangled off the saddle for now. The short riding sword at her side felt comfortable, and while she was not hoping she would have to use it, she was confident in her ability if it came to that.

The castle and its surroundings were still a bustle of activity, although Kiara knew that this belied how many people were actually here. She’d been to this castle before, of course, several times, and knew well that it was considerably smaller than her father’s main seat in his capital. There weren’t so many more soldiers around than normal, and many of those men who had been called up in addition were with the king’s army, gathering to leave for Nerlia, for the actual war. Most of the rest had been sent to various forts and holdings closer to the forest.

Still, there were several hundred men gathered here, a sizable reserve force. She had heard the reports on the levy and the conditions of the roads and knew it would not take too long to reach any spot where trouble might break out, either.

She was aware that her father, Marquis Lyns, hoped that none of them would be needed, that they would not have to fight the elves, in the forest or otherwise. Although a part of Kiara couldn’t help but think about the glory and valor that might be earned in such a case, she knew he was right. She had been raised to put her duty to the march before her personal desires as well as to support her father loyally, and she didn’t doubt her ability to do that, either.

He might not quite see it the same way, though. After she dismounted in the outer courtyard and handed the reins off to a servant, she looked around, hoping to catch a glimpse of her father. Instead, she saw the latest addition to his court, and her own entourage, come towards her.

“I hope your ride was pleasant, Milady,” she said, smiling tentatively.

You are reading story Path of the Hive Queen at novel35.com

“It was productive,” Kiara replied. Then she forced herself to return the smile and continue in a more pleasant tone. “We familiarized ourselves with the surroundings and checked on the progress of the fortifications nearby.”

Janis nodded seriously. Kiara peered at her for a moment, looking for a sign of aversion or confusion, but found none. Perhaps she should not use her usual standards, she chided herself. The red-haired girl was young, more than a year younger than Kiara, but she was a mage. And a largely self-taught one at that. Her background likely only made that more true. Kiara was not blind to what it meant about the girl’s talent and potential, or her usefulness.

She still couldn’t help but feel a little disgruntled that her father had foisted Janis off on her. The girl barely knew any spells and was still at a relatively low level, and hardly the knowledgeable, educated advisor you wanted in a court mage. But Kiara knew it could simply be that her father saw her potential and wanted his daughter involved in cultivating it, forming bonds early that might earn her the loyalty of a powerful asset later.

And having a mage along was probably a good thing in these times, all else aside. It wasn’t like they could just be found on the street.

“Milady, a high-level man arrived from the direction of the capital a few minutes ago,” Janis reported, interrupting her thoughts. “From his aura, I estimate he is at least over level 40, more likely 60. He came on a horse, but did not seem used to riding. I believe the marquis is meeting with him either already or very soon.”

Kiara nodded and gave the mage a more genuine smile. “That is good to know. Thank you, Janis.”

The other girl bowed her head, then fell into step with Kiara as she hurried around the other horses and men and towards the doors.

The soldiers at the sides of the gate snapped to attention and pushed it open for her. She nodded at them before she stepped through. Showing respect to her men was one of the lessons her father had drilled into her, even if he had always done it with a bit of a strange look on his face.

It wasn’t hard to find her destination. A familiar servant greeted them and showed them up the stairs to a side room. The castle’s main keep was in good shape, but not big enough to get lost in.

Kiara slowed down as she approached and entered. It looked like her father was entertaining the messenger, and she saw a servant walk in holding a tray of refreshments. When she entered, she found that he was accompanied by two of his senior commanders and advisors. They all looked up as she entered, but Kiara was focused on the middle-aged man sprawled on a comfortable chair, his boots and clothes dusty from riding.

---