Desperate Forest Read online

  If I could make it to Galesmore with this group, I could send word to Darius and stop my uncle. I would need to be patient, but perhaps I had found a solution to my desperate situation after all.

  Chapter 7

  The next morning, I awoke from deep sleep to one of the most horrible noises I’d ever heard.

  Clang! Clang! Clang!

  It sounded like a metal spoon banging on an iron pot, combined with Jay’s voice. “All right, everyone, wake up! We need to be packed and ready to go in half an hour!”

  “Auurrghh!” I moaned and rolled over. “The sun’s not even up yet.”

  “True.” Gianna was already folding her blankets. “But we like to get an early start so we can cover as much ground as possible during daylight. That way, we can be packed and ready to go at dawn.”

  Grumbling, I left the warm cocoon of my bedding and brushed my light brown hair away from my face, securing it with my hair clip. I dressed and began folding blankets like Gianna. By the time we emerged from our tent, everyone else was already hustling about the campsite, throwing packed tents and cargo into the group’s one wagon.

  Jay passed by and shoved a hot cup of tea in my hand. “Hard morning for you, Princess? Not used to roughing it?”

  “For your information,” I said, “I’ve spent the last week sleeping on the forest floor. A tent was a welcome change.”

  He smirked. “Ah, no wonder you couldn’t tear yourself away from your precious sleep to lend a hand. Try to be more punctual tomorrow if you want to be part of this team—we have no use for freeloaders.” He handed Gianna a cup of tea and strode away before I could point out that I hadn’t exactly asked to be part of the team.

  “Ignore him,” Gianna said, taking a sip of tea. “He’s just trying to intimidate you so you don’t make trouble.” She hoisted our bundled blankets. “Come on, let’s get these in the wagon and then pack up the tent.”

  As we wrestled the tent, my frustration grew. My hands were so cold in the early morning air I could barely grasp the pegs, and they were driven so far into the ground, I couldn’t pull them out.

  “Here, let me give you a hand.” Gavin knelt beside me. “The key is to twist, not pull.”

  I rubbed my forehead with the back of my hand. “Thanks, I’m completely hopeless at this. And my guess is setting it up will be twice as complicated.”

  “Don’t worry.” He smiled. “You’ll get the hang of it.”

  After the tent was loaded into the wagon, Gianna showed me how to cover the fire pit with fallen logs and pine branches.

  “It’s important we cover our tracks when we leave a spot,” she said. “That way, if any soldiers come across the area, they won’t get suspicious and attempt to track us.”

  “I see.” If only I knew which knights would cross the area first, my uncle’s or Darius’s, I could leave some clue of my whereabouts behind for Darius. But the risk was too great. If my uncle found us, not only would I be in danger but also my new friends.

  As Gianna and I prepared her horse, Jay rode up next to us on a black stallion, with Gavin close behind on a chestnut mare pulling the wagon.

  Gavin nodded toward Jay’s horse. “You’re with Jay, Princess Roselynn.”

  I frowned. “I’d rather ride with Gianna.”

  Jay laughed. “I’m afraid you can’t, Princess. Gianna’s horse is much smaller than mine and wouldn’t last the day with both of you.” He gestured to his horse. “Amon is the only one who can handle two riders, so you’re stuck with me.”

  I glanced at Gianna, who nodded.

  “He’s right,” she said with a sympathetic smile and patted her white mare. “Belle can barely make it through the day when it’s just me.”

  Reluctantly, I grasped Jay’s outstretched hand and allowed him to pull me up behind him onto his horse. The moment I was settled, I withdrew my hand from his and clutched the sides of the saddle, attempting to put as much distance between us as possible.

  “Amon . . .” My curiosity caused me to momentarily forget my annoyance. “That’s a strange name for a horse.”

  “It’s Greek,” Jay said. “It means ‘the hidden one.’ I thought it was fitting.”

  “The hidden one . . .” I liked the cryptic meaning. “Are you hiding from something?”

  “Isn’t everyone here?” Jay gathered the reins in his hands and glanced at me. “You better hold on tighter than that, Princess, if you actually expect to stay on the horse.”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  “Suit yourself.” Jay snapped the reins and directed Amon forward. I noticed we were leading the group with the others following single file behind us, Gavin bringing up the rear.

  We plunged into the forest, and although we moved slowly, the terrain was incredibly rough and jarring. Several times, I swayed sideways, almost falling off the saddle.

  As we maneuvered up a particularly steep hill, Amon stumbled, and I lurched dangerously. Instinctively, I threw my arms around Jay’s waist.

  “You okay there, Princess?” Jay called back, a hint of amusement in his tone.

  “Fine.” I could picture his I-told-you-so smirk as I steadied myself, but my desire to remain on the horse outweighed my pride. I couldn’t help but notice Jay’s abdomen was firm and muscular beneath my grip—much steadier than the sides of the saddle.

  Now more comfortable and less fearful of falling, I took a moment to appreciate the feel of being on horseback again, even if it was with less than ideal company. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, smelling the freedom.

  But you’re not really free yet . . .

  I still had a long journey ahead of me before I reached Marcsnovia. And I remembered enough from my father’s maps to know the direction we were heading in, east toward Galesmore, was taking me away from—not toward—Marcsnovia, which was due north from Tover.

  Would I ever make it to Marcsnovia? Last night, I was relieved to no longer be traveling alone, but Galesmore was never part of my plan. What if my uncle’s knights found me there? How much more damage would Abrax do to Tover in the extra time it took me to get to Marcsnovia? And what would happen after we reached Galesmore?

  I could send word to Darius about my whereabouts, but I had no idea what I would do while I waited for him to come. I had no money and few possessions. The longer I was there, the greater the chance my uncle would learn of my whereabouts and come for me himself.

  My mind swam at the possibilities, and I pondered how much help I could get from this group. I trusted Gavin now and genuinely liked Gianna, but I couldn’t be sure of anyone else yet.

  “Watch your head.” Jay’s voice interrupted my thoughts, and I glanced up in time to duck below several large, leafy branches extending overhead toward opposite boughs. Jay and I both leaned forward, and I looked past his shoulder to see we had entered a seemingly endless tree tunnel.

  As we brushed past the greenery, the leaves swayed to allow in slices of light, creating a speckled effect on Jay’s back and Amon’s mane.

  “This place is amazing,” I said as I admired the shimmering light mixed with the full foliage.

  “Isn’t it?” Jay’s response was soft, as if he didn’t want to disturb the majestic place. “It goes on for about a mile. First time I was here, I was worried it was never going to end. Then when it did, I was a bit disappointed.”

  I nodded, appreciating the gentle tree cover beside and above us. I felt hidden here. Like nothing bad could reach me. “It almost seems like it could be a portal to another land . . . or maybe back in time.”

  Jay chuckled. “Wouldn’t that be something?”

  “How did you ever find it?”

  “I’ve spent a lot of time exploring this forest. Still can’t say I’ve seen it all, though. Just when I think I’ve learned all its secrets, it throws something new at me.”

  “Why have you spent so much time here?” I tried to keep my voice casual, but my thoughts were apprehensive. No one lived in the forest—it was too dangerous
. The only people said to venture in it were outlaws who couldn’t take the main roads to travel.

  I recalled how Jay had demanded to know whether I was traveling with knights when he first questioned me. Of course, the group was avoiding Tover knights for Gavin’s sake—he had deserted my uncle’s army, so he would be considered a traitor—but what about Jay? Had he come from Tover like Gavin? Or perhaps he was hiding for another reason.

  “I like a challenge,” Jay said. Either he was oblivious of my suspicions of him, or he was clever enough to pretend he was. “Now my skills come in handy for this group. I know the land well, so I know the best route to take to get to Galesmore safely and avoid knights.”

  “You seem pretty confident in your abilities.” I should have known. Arrogant was the perfect companion to obnoxious.

  He shrugged. “I’ve got a good memory, I guess. And maps come in handy for everything I don’t know. Yours are especially detailed. The best maps I’ve ever seen, in fact.” He laughed. “See? You’re already carrying your weight. And here I thought you’d just be a stuck-up nuisance.”

  Ignoring his insult, I straightened my back now that the overhead branches weren’t so low and released a frustrated breath. “It’s not like I had much choice in the matter. You took my maps from me.”

  “Relax, Princess. Consider it a donation to the greater good. Weren’t you the one going on about serving your people?”

  “Are you from Tover?” Maybe that was why he looked familiar.

  “Nope, sorry to disappoint you. Bet you were hoping I was one of your lowly subjects so you could order me around, eh?”

  “I don’t order people around!” I shook my head. “And even if I did, I doubt you’d listen.”

  Jay just laughed again. I was beginning to wonder if he had insisted I ride with him so he could antagonize me all day.

  A few minutes later, we broke through the tunnel of trees. As Jay said, I was relieved to see the sky again but also sad to leave the magical place behind.

  We rode for several more hours until we stopped to give the horses and ourselves rest. Jay dismounted, then held out his hand to help me down. Ignoring him, I descended the saddle on my own, landing surely on my feet.

  Jay raised his eyebrows. “You handle yourself very well on a horse.”

  “I rode often at home.” I turned my back to him, giving Amon a reassuring pat. “Before my father died, we would take afternoon rides almost every day. It’s one of the things I miss most.” My voice cracked slightly, and I scolded myself. Why did I tell him that? The last thing I wanted was to seem weak in front of him.

  To my surprise, Jay lightly touched my shoulder and said, “I’m sorry. You must miss him very much. I know what it’s like to lose someone you love and never feel the same.”

  I stood there slightly stunned. When I turned to face him, he was already walking away.

  While Macie passed out bread with jam made from forest berries, Gianna came over to me.

  “How are you holding up?” She handed me a slice of bread. “A whole day in the saddle can get tiresome.”

  I smiled at her. “I don’t mind. Riding’s one of my favorite activities.”

  “I wish I could share your enthusiasm for it.” Gianna laughed. “I’ve never cared for riding—I feel far too stifled. But I try to remind myself that it’ll get me closer to Galesmore.”

  “What will you do when you get there?”

  “Work in my aunt’s shop. She’s a seamstress.” She wrinkled her nose “It’ll be boring, but once I’m there, I’ll send word to my father, and he’ll come meet me after the war. Things will be like they used to be.”

  “Gianna, there doesn’t have to be a war. If I can make it to Marcsnovia and marry King Darius, my uncle will no longer be King of Tover. His power, his war—it will all be over.”

  “I don’t know, Roselynn,” Gianna said. “Some people say Marcsnovia isn’t the land it used to be . . . and if your uncle doesn’t start a war, then King Darius will.”

  “What?” My voice rose louder than I would have liked. “That’s a lie! Who says that? Darius would never do that.”

  Gianna turned her head, and I followed her gaze to see Laurel striding over to us. I attempted to regain my composure.

  Laurel eyed me coolly, then said to Gianna, “Shouldn’t you be feeding your horse?”

  “Right.” Gianna gave me a sympathetic smile before she walked away.

  “Here.” Laurel shoved a bag of oats in my hands and gave me a smile that was more a baring of teeth than anything. “I take it you can make yourself useful and feed Amon.”

  She headed over to a tree where Jay had maps spread out by his feet. I felt a twinge of annoyance upon seeing him studying my father’s maps as if he owned them, the purple crests of Tover visible in the corners. When Laurel reached him, he spoke to her and pointed to a map.

  I finished my bread, turned back to Amon, and attached the bag of oats to his bridle.

  As he ate, I gently stroked his mane and talked soothingly in his ear.

  “He seems quite taken with you.” Gavin walked toward me. “It’s rare for a horse to feel so comfortable around someone he’s just met. He must think you’re something special.” He flashed a teasing smile. “But then again, I suppose you are royalty.”

  “Some royal I am,” I scoffed. “For the past few months, I’ve known nothing of my people and done nothing for them. Take Macie and Gianna—I had no idea Macie made the best bread in the village. Or Gianna was separated from her father for a war based on greed.”

  “Being uninformed is not a crime, Your Highness, especially when it was through no fault of your own.”

  I turned to Gavin, wondering if I could convince him to let me take a horse and go to Marcsnovia alone. “But don’t you see why I can’t just run away? My people need me.”

  “What good will you do your people if you’re dead? You’d never make it to Marcsnovia alive by yourself.”

  He reached out and stroked Amon’s neck. “When your father died and your uncle came to power, I left my position as a knight once I learned of the terrible things Abrax was planning for Tover. I didn’t want to have any part in it. As I started my journey, I met villagers who were fleeing Tover for safety as well. Most of them were ill-equipped to handle the expedition on their own—they had little food and money, and no clue how to properly track the land.

  “After I helped my first group reach Galesmore, I realized this was how I could serve my kingdom. So, I returned to Tover and I’ve led two successful groups to Galesmore. When I’m done with this one, I’ll go back to Tover and help more.”

  “Gavin, my father would be so proud of you. Tover is lucky to have you as a knight.” I chose my next words carefully. “But you must know . . . if my uncle discovers what you’re doing, you’ll be tried for treason. He’ll have you executed.”

  “I’m well aware.” He smiled wryly. “That’s why it’s important I help as many people as I can before Abrax catches up with me.”

  I nodded, thinking about his selflessness. I suddenly felt narrow-minded for having assumed my plight was the most important.

  “I do understand,” I said, “but your goal and mine are not much different. I want to stop my uncle and see peace restored in Tover. If I can get to Marcsnovia and marry King Darius, I can do that.”

  He pondered my words. Finally, he spoke. “I’ll make you a deal, Your Highness—”

  “Roselynn,” I corrected him.

  “Roselynn . . . You come with us to Galesmore and let me see that everyone here is taken care of, then I’ll take you to Marcsnovia myself. We’ll get you your own horse and proper supplies. We’ll map out the safest route and teach you some basic self-defense. What do you say?”

  I only thought for a moment, knowing this was likely the best offer I would get.

  “Deal,” I said, holding out my hand.

  “Deal.” Gavin shook it.

  “We should keep moving.” Jay’s deep voice s
tartled me. I turned to see his mouth set in a firm line and his eyes narrowed.

  “Of course.” Gavin seemed unperturbed by Jay’s grim expression. “We need to cover much more ground before dark. Is everyone ready?”

  Jay nodded.

  “Good. All right, everybody, we’re heading out again!” Gavin gestured to the horses, and everyone began mounting.

  As Gavin walked away, Jay’s steely gaze fell on mine. I wasn’t sure how much of my and Gavin’s conversation he had overheard, but I could tell he wasn’t happy about it.

  He looked away and swiftly mounted Amon. Once settled, he extended his reach to me.

  I grasped his hand and pulled myself up.

  “So Gavin’s taking you to Marcsnovia?” he asked as I steadied myself behind him.

  “Yes.” I tensed. His words were unassuming, but I could sense an undertone of hostility.

  “You really think that’s wise? With your uncle’s soldiers hunting you down? Marcsnovia is exactly where they’d expect you to head. You could essentially be walking into a trap.”

  “You think I don’t know that? I know it’s a risk, but it’s one I’m willing to take.”

  “What about Gavin? He’s in as much danger as you if you get found by Abrax’s soldiers. You think nothing about risking his life along with your own?”

  My anger rose. “Gavin offered to come with me! I never asked him to.”

  “You wouldn’t need to! He’s so noble he’d sacrifice himself for you in a heartbeat. Besides, he knows you wouldn’t survive the journey on your own.”

  “With a horse, my maps, and a compass I’d do just fine,” I said more confidently than I felt.

  “Keep telling yourself that.”

  “Look, I don’t want to put Gavin in unnecessary danger.” Which was true. I could already tell Gavin had a self-sacrificing nature by what he was doing for this group. “If Gavin would let me go alone, I would. But the way things stand, I don’t really have much choice but to accept his help.”

  “You could stay in Galesmore, where it’s safe.” Jay snapped the reins, leading the group single file again.