Princess Wars Read online

  "So which of your sisters do you think I'm working for?"

  "That depends upon whether you try to kill me yourself or try to take me back to the palace. If you try to take me back to the palace you're working for Bedonna."

  "Because?"

  "She wants all three of us to die at her hand."

  "But if I kill you, I'm working for Salisha?"

  "Salisha would never kill me herself."

  "Why not?"

  "She'd be afraid my blood would stain whatever beautiful gown she happened to be wearing."

  "You don't give Salisha enough credit. She likes you. She says you're the only one of her sisters that she can talk to."

  I couldn't respond because I had another vision. In this one, Vomeir, Zore, and I had reached the stone bridge at Cross Creek, about a mile from our current location. There were three guards on the bridge. I ordered them to let us pass, but they refused and drew their swords.

  Vomeir drew his sword and charged two of them. I drew my sword and attacked the third. Just as Vomeir managed to slay the first of his opponents with a slicing blow to the neck, an arrow flew from the trees just south of the bridge. The arrow hit Vomeir in the side, stunning him just enough to enable his remaining opponent to plunge his sword into Vomeir's chest.

  "Princess, are you all right?" Vomeir's hand was on my shoulder and he was shaking me.

  "I'm fine." I tried to sort through what I had just seen. Apparently, Bedonna had men watching the roads leading from the palace, with orders to stop any of her sisters from leaving. That was the bad news. The good news was Vomeir wasn't part of that trap. He might still be working for Salisha, but at least he wasn't working for Bedonna. "There's trouble up ahead."

  "How far up ahead?"

  "The bridge at Cross Creek. Three members of the palace guard are waiting for us on the bridge. And a fourth hides in the trees with a crossbow."

  "And you know this because?"

  "Because it's true."

  Vomeir dismounted and handed the reins of his horse to Zore. "Wait here."

  He took off running down the road, crouching so as not to be seen. He returned a short while later and mounted the stallion.

  "You were right. At least about the three on the bridge."

  "And the archer?"

  "If there was an archer in the trees, I couldn't see him."

  "He's there," I said with certainty.

  "I recognized the guys on the bridge. They're three of Bedonna's strongest supporters."

  So what do you suggest, Captain?"

  "We go north. There's a shallow crossing a couple of miles up stream. The cattle use it."

  Vomeir turned his horse north and I did the same. We left the road and cut through a field of green wheat. We were making an easy trail to follow, tramping the wheat down. Not that it could be helped. I trusted my visions. They were my gift from the gods, just like Salisha's beauty was her gift, Iderra's intelligence was hers, and Bedonna's strength was hers.

  About a mile north of the road, the wheat field ended, replaced by a grass pasture littered with cows. A stone fence separated the wheat from the pasture but it wasn't even waist high. Vomeir's stallion cleared it without hesitation. My mare and Zore's gelding did the same.

  Once inside the pasture, Vomeir continued north, slowing his pace so I could ride alongside of him. "Can I ask where we're headed?"

  "I'm heading west," I said. "To the Pass of Nod."

  "The Pass of Nod leads to the Western Palace."

  "Yes, it does."

  "The Army of the West defends the Western Palace."

  "And gaining their support is the only chance I have of defeating Bedonna. General Dacus leads the Army of the West and he has never been fond of Bedonna. He thinks she's dangerous, reckless even."

  Vomeir found the cattle trail that led to the shallow section of Cross Creek. There were no guards there and we crossed without trouble, the water not even reaching our stirrups. We were still climbing the bank on the other side of the creek when the palace bells started ringing.

  "The queen has passed," Vomeir said. He stopped at the top of the creek bank and looked at me. "If you need a moment alone."

  "I'm fine." I reached the top of the bank and stopped next to Vomeir. "I've had ample time to prepare for this day. Mother has been ill for some time."

  Vomeir extended his hand toward me. "May I have your hand, Princess?"

  I hesitated for a second, then extended my left hand, the one bearing the ring with the royal seal. At the same time, I slipped my right hand beneath my cloak and wrapped it around the hilt of my sword. Vomeir might not be working for Bedonna, but that didn't mean he wasn't working for Salisha. He couldn't harm me when mother was alive, but now that she had passed, no one would bat an eye if he killed me.

  Vomeir took my hand in his and kissed my ring. "Queen Bella is dead. Long live Queen Lila."

  Just like that, Vomeir removed any doubts as to who he supported. With that act, he had taken an oath to defend and support me as the next Queen of Adah.

  "Your support is acknowledged and appreciated," I said, releasing my sword. "We shall not forget you when we assume our place on the throne."

  "This trail continues west for another ten miles," Vomeir said. "It will take us all the way to the forest."

  "Let us make haste. Before Bedonna realizes that she doesn't have every route covered."

  Vomeir turned his stallion west and took off at a gallop. I fell in behind him and Zore brought up the rear. The butterflies in my stomach were still fluttering, not from the jolting ride, but from the realization that my mother was dead and I was running for my life.

  Chapter 2

  The sun was just beginning to rise when Vomeir, Zore, and I reached the Western Forest.

  "We'll have to turn south," Vomeir said. "Reconnect with the road."

  "You think it's safe to use the road?"

  "I doubt if Bedonna has anybody stationed this far from the palace. The first place she'll search is the city, figuring friends have given you and your sisters refuge. I suspect that's where Salisha and Iderra have gone."

  "Assuming they managed to slip past the guards Bedonna posted on the roads."

  Vomeir nodded. "Assuming."

  We turned south, skirting along the edge of the forest. Most of the trees were mountain ash and pine. We were at a high enough elevation where it was too cool for anything else to grow.

  I held my breath as we neared the road. This would've been a perfect spot for Bedonna to post a second guard. Not that I thought she had. I agreed with Vomeir. The first and most logical place to look for us would be the city of Morcesha.

  As the road came into view, I spotted three mounted guards waiting at the mouth of the forest. I wondered why I didn't have a vision, warning me about them, when Vomeir explained why. "Those are friends. All three of them served under me, and like me, came to the same conclusion, that you are the best choice for queen."

  I wanted to believe that, but when you spend your life known as Lila the Insignificant, you tend to get a little cynical when people start tossing flattering statements your way.

  "You make it sound as if they're waiting for us."

  "They are waiting for us."

  "How would they know to meet us here?"

  "I told them last night that we'd rendezvous with them at the edge of the Western Forest."

  Vomeir started down the hill, but I remained where I was, still skeptical. "I was the one that suggested we head west, Captain."

  "If you hadn't suggested it, Your Highness, I would have."

  "How do you know these men haven't taken an oath to support Bedonna?"

  "I've fought with them and trust them with my life."

  I followed Vomeir down the hill, but kept one hand on the hilt of my sword. He might trust them with his life, but I wasn't ready to trust them with mine. Not until they proved their loyalty.

  "You convinced her to come this way," the biggest of the three said. "We
weren't sure you would."

  "Coming this way was her decision." I couldn't be sure, but I thought I detected a hint of pride in Vomeir's voice. "I told you she was smart."

  "Bedonna posted guards at Cross Creek. How did you avoid them?"

  "To tell you the truth, I'm not really sure." Vomeir glanced at me, then turned back to his friends. "What news have you?"

  "Bedonna has posted guards on all the roads leading away from the palace. Yet her sisters still allude her."

  My heart lightened. I wasn't sure if I was happy over the fact that Salisha and Iderra were still alive, or over the fact that as long as they were alive, Bedonna couldn't concentrate on me.

  “And the bulk of the guards?" Vomeir said.

  "Bedonna sent them into Morcesha. She believes her sisters have taken refuge in the city, hiding among friends."

  "And have they?"

  The big man shrugged his broad shoulders. "Your guess is as good as mine."

  Vomeir looked at me, and noticed that I still had my hand on the hilt of my sword. "Princess Lila questions your motives for being here. Perhaps you should relieve her of her anxiety."

  The big man moved his horse alongside of mine. "May I have your hand, Your Highness."

  I held out my left hand. The big man took it in a callused hand that dwarfed mine and kissed it. His bushy mustache tickling the back of my hand.

  "Queen Bella is dead," he said. "Long live Queen Lila."

  "Your support is acknowledged and appreciated. We shall not forget you when we assume our place on the throne." I felt ridiculous using the plural we. It made it sound like I had lice.

  The big man introduced himself as Sardis. He wasn't as tall as Vomeir but he was twice as broad. Like Vomeir and the other two, he wore the uniform of the palace guard, gray leather breeches tucked into black riding boots, a green tunic that hung to mid-thigh, topped by a silver breastplate with the royal seal of Adah on the chest. His silver helmet had a plume of green feathers on top and a nose guard that ran between the eyes. A crossbow and a quiver of arrows hung from his back. He carried a broadsword on his hip. His mustache and eyes were brown, but there was a hint of gray in both.

  I was embarrassed that I hadn't known his name, couldn't even remember seeing him around the palace. I told myself that wasn't unusual, there were two hundred guards at the palace and every year some retired and others rotated in from the army. Still, I couldn't help but be embarrassed. The man was willing to die for me and I couldn't even remember meeting him.

  The other two guards took the same oath. They were both younger than Vomeir's thirty years, or Sardis's forty some years. Both wore the uniform of the palace guard. The taller of the two went by the name Miletus. The shorter was Derbe.

  Miletus was taller than Vomeir, but less muscular. His blond hair hung out the back of his helmet in a ponytail. His cheeks were scarred with pockmarks from a childhood disease. Derbe wasn't tall or husky, but he was hairy. His most distinguishing features were his bushy eyebrows, which ran together to form one big eyebrow.

  "We'll go about a mile into the forest then stop for breakfast," Vomeir said. "There's another spot where the road intersects with Cross Creek."

  "You don't need to stop on my account," I said. "I can ride as long as you can."

  "Of that I have no doubt, Your Highness, but the horses need a rest."

  We followed the road into the forest. It was just wide enough for two horses to ride side by side. Vomeir and Sardis did just that, riding in front of me. Zore followed right behind me. Derbe and Miletus brought up the rear.

  We lost the morning sun as soon as we entered the forest. The road took a sharp turn to the right to avoid a rock outcropping, then continued west. By the time we reached Cross Creek, the canopy over our heads had grown thick enough to block out the sun.

  Vomeir drew his horse to a halt and dismounted. "We'll rest here."

  He looked around, checking to see if someone was hiding behind the trees. Satisfied that no one was waiting to ambush us, he led his stallion to the creek and let him drink.

  The creek was narrower here, narrow enough that I could jump across it with a running start. It looked ankle deep. It moved quickly, running clear and cold. I could hear birds chirping in the tree tops, welcoming the morning sun.

  After watering his horse, Vomeir led him to the other side of the creek. Sardis watered his horse, then led him to the other side. I dismounted and led my mare to the creek. While she drank, another vision swept over me.

  In this vision I saw Salisha. She was hiding in a secret room. The room was really no more than a closet. She was trying to calm her labored breathing and her cornflower blue eyes were wide with fear. She could hear people rustling through the house. Men searching for something or someone.

  Their voices drew closer, until nothing but a wall separated her from them. Salisha placed a hand over her mouth, stifling the fear trying to escape her throat.

  A second later, a hidden door swung open and blinding light flooded the small room. Heavy hands grabbed Salisha and yanked her out of her hiding place.

  Two members of the palace guard dragged her to the center of a large and ornate sitting room. Three more guards kept three handsome young men pinned against a wall, holding them there at sword point. I recognized the three men. They were Salisha's wealthiest and handsomest suitors.

  Salisha demanded the guards release her, but they ignored her, focusing on their commander, who chose that moment to enter the room.

  Bedonna provided a sharp contrast to Salisha. She was tall and muscular, bigger than most men. She wore a full military uniform, black riding boots, a gray leather skirt that reached the knees, and a green tunic topped by a silver breastplate. Instead of her helmet, she wore the Battle Crown. There were no jewels on it. It was just a silver headband topped by seven miniature swords with each sword pointing up. Her brown hair was cut so short that it was stubble.

  "A bit presumptuous, Bed," Salisha said, when she saw the crown. "You're not the Queen of Adah yet. And if that's the only crown you got, then you're not even the heir hopeful."

  Salisha provided a sharp contrast to Bedonna. Whereas Bedonna was all strength and muscle and power, Salisha was grace and elegance and beauty. She wore a pale blue silk dress with bell sleeves and a scoop neckline that displayed her ample cleavage. Her long blond hair hung in a braid that reached to the small of her back. She had a heart-shaped face dominated by big blue eyes and full red lips.

  By contrast, Bedonna had a square face with heavy black eyebrows and just a hint of a mustache. Rumors floated around the palace that she was really a boy. They weren't true of course. I had seen her naked and could attest to the fact that she was a girl. A big strong girl, but a girl none-the-less. None of us looked alike because we had different fathers. The Queen of Adah didn't marry, didn't take a king. She took consorts. Lots and lots of consorts.

  "In a few minutes, I'll be one step closer to being queen." Bedonna drew her sword and nodded. The two men holding Salisha released her and stepped aside.

  "Are you going to kill me in cold blood? Is that how you want to start your reign, as the queen that feared her sisters so much, she was afraid to fight them?"

  "You think I'm afraid to fight you?" Bedonna turned to one of the guards. "Give her your sword."

  The man drew his sword and offered it to Salisha, hilt first. Salisha hesitated, then snatched it out of the man's hand. It was heavier than what she was used to and she needed both hands to wield it. Once she had gotten used to the size and weight of the blade, she raised it above her head and widened her stance, taking up a defensive posture.

  "So, you remember your lessons after all," a grinning Bedonna said. Her sword was bigger than the one Salisha held, but she needed just one hand to wield it, holding it in front of her like a butter knife.

  Salisha looked at the guards in the room. "Is this who you want as your queen? A woman with more facial hair than all of you."

  Bedonna's dark e
yes flashed with anger. "That's the last time you'll make that crack."

  She had always been sensitive about her looks, her too square jaw, her bushy eyebrows, the wisp of a mustache she plucked and plucked but which always grew back.

  Bedonna looked just like her father, one of the biggest burliest guards in our mother's service. He helped mother become queen and she rewarded him by making him one of her consorts. Unfortunately for Bedonna, she inherited none of our mother's beauty.

  Salisha on the other hand, looked nothing like her father and everything like our mother. Same blond hair, same blue eyes, same heart-shaped face. Because she looked so much like mother, she just assumed people would want her as queen, that when mother died, everyone would rally around her. Even as she prepared to square off against Bedonna, she was looking at the guards, thinking, expecting, hoping, that they would turn against Bedonna and rally around her.

  "Do you know that when she becomes queen, she plans to make war against the Dark Wizards of Sorea. Is that the kind of person you want to serve under? The kind that would send you to your deaths in a foolish attempt to make herself a legend."

  A couple of the guards looked at each other, surprised by the news, but did nothing else.

  Bedonna sneered. "You are beyond the help of men, sister. You'll have to save yourself this time."

  Bedonna rushed forward, attacking Salisha. Salisha fended her blows as best she could, but with each blow, Bedonna forced Salisha to retreat, quickly backing her into a corner.

  When Salisha hit the wall, she took a deep breath then charged forward, still swinging her sword with both hands. Bedonna retreated, but still only needed one hand to wield her sword.

  “Killing me will not make you queen. You still have Iderra and Lila to contend with, and you will not find them as easily as you found me."

  Bedonna handled Salisha's attack with ease, toying with her. "Iderra is hiding here in the city, which is locked down. It's just a matter of time before I find her."

  "And what about Mouse?" Salisha said, using the nickname they had given me. "You could never find her when we were kids playing hide and seek in the palace. How will you find her now that she has an entire world to hide in?"