Paxton didn’t know what he’d been expecting when they got to the border of Lochlanach. An army, perhaps? But there was nothing. The Kalorian troops had kept them a mile away from the coast on a very specific path, and they entered what seemed to be private Lochlan property. They converged on a large home and Paxton wondered whose it was. He wasn’t familiar with the south or its dukes and landowners. Whoever owned this property seemed to be gone.
They began setting up camp on the property, erecting makeshift tents and building fires. The prince’s carriage pulled up right in front of the stone house. Paxton watched as Prince Vito and Rozaria went straight inside with their handful of elite Kalorians as if they owned the place. He waited to see if any Lochlans were inside, but there wasn’t a sound from within. It was all very strange.
Paxton set to taking care of his horse before washing up at the well with the other men. While some napped or lounged, playing cards, Paxton decided to explore the garden he’d spied earlier. The plot was overgrown and weedy, as if it hadn’t been tended in a while. He stared down at the crops with his hands on his hips. The garden’s fall vegetables were full-grown and had not been harvested.
He squatted and grasped the leaves of a carrot, tugging it back and forth until it came loose. Though the weather was colder than Kalor, the southern Lochlanach grounds weren’t frozen, so the carrots were still in decent condition. He wiped it on his breeches and took a bite. Definitely edible. The sweet crunch sent a burst of homesickness through him. He grabbed a small shovel at the garden’s entrance and began to dig.
Paxton relished the feel of Lochlan soil on his hands. He’d amassed a nice pile of differing root vegetables when he heard footsteps behind him and turned to see Rozaria with damp hair and a clean scarlet dress. She gave him a half smile.
“An all-around provider, aren’t you?”
Paxton stood and brushed his hands together.
“We’ll put your wares to good use for the troops tonight.” Rozaria glanced at the pile of food. “But I’m afraid it’s time for you to prepare to leave.” Her eyes gleamed as she took him in, and Paxton held his breath while she continued. “It’s two days’ ride to royal lands from here. That should put you there by sundown tomorrow. We will arrive in the early morning hours before sunrise the following day. Do you think you can have the castle ready for our entry by then?” He felt his pulse thump in his throat as he swallowed. They had two nights before Kalor would attack.
“Aye, Rozaria. I can make it happen.”
She smiled seductively. “I know you can. From what I can recall during my time there, the castle has entrances in the front facing the sea, on the side facing the markets where the maids and staff do their business, and on the back of the castle at the garden.” The thought of her on royal lands gave him chills. Paxton nodded along as she continued. “We think it will be easiest if you get rid of the guards at the back entrance. The gardens will keep us hidden.”
“How many are you sending in?”
Rozaria chuckled. “All of them. The royal lands will be well protected. As we attack, the primary mission is to keep the Lochlan soldiers and navy busy so that we may get Prince Vito into the castle with his personal guards.”
Paxton nodded. Forced a partial smile. “And what of the king and queen? Will you barter for them?”
The moment he said it, and her wicked smile spread, things seemed to slow down and fall into place. A sickening sense of understanding settled like sludge. Rozaria’s head tilted. She peered up at him as if he were something adorable. And then she gave that husky chuckle that tingled his scalp.
“Oh, no, no, no, hunter. We have no use for prisoners. Once Prince Vito is in . . . it is ours. No bartering necessary. And there is no question we will take the castle.”
Do not react. “So they are dead?”
“As of this morning.” His stomach roiled and bile rose, burning the back of his tongue. Rozaria reached up, and he forced himself not to flinch as she stroked his cheek. “The people in your lands who once oppressed you will now grovel at your feet. The Lashed will rise. You are free of your bigoted rulers now, Paxton Seabolt. Free in every way.”
Nay. He was more burdened than ever before.
“I’ll prepare my things straightaway.”
Paxton was probably pushing his horse too hard, but he was desperate to get to the castle. The only thing that stopped him in the dead of night was the village of Fetchko in his path. He slowed when he saw several men gathered on the path, holding bows.
“I am Lochlan,” Paxton called from a distance as he came closer.
They squinted at him in the lantern light. One bravely brandished a club while another hesitated and then raised his bow, pointing an arrow. Paxton realized he was wearing a Kalorian tunic and was fully armed. He held his hands up.
“I am Lochlan,” he repeated. “Whose land is this?”
“Duke Gulfton’s,” one of the men answered. “If you’re Lochlan, why are you wearing that?”
“It’s a long story,” he said. “But you need to be warned. Kalorian troops are currently at the main estate in the south. They will advance on royal lands sometime tomorrow. Prepare your village.” Their eyes widened in fear. Paxton pointed to the one who’d brandished his bow. “And when they arrive, raise your bow without hesitation.”
Paxton didn’t stop to answer the questions they shouted as he left. He took to the path again and hoped to the seas they would get their children out of the line of the Kalorians, and quickly.
In the light of the morning he crossed the Bay Bridge and took the path northeast to stop at the town of Dovedell before he reached royal lands. It took him out of the way, but it would give his horse a rest, and he couldn’t live with himself if he didn’t warn the people. He accepted offers of food and set back toward royal lands. He was nearly there. For hours his mind had been turning, working. He tried to devise plans to fight the forces that were headed their way, but the thought of Aerity anywhere near Prince Vito made him sick. Nay, the only thing he knew for certain was that he wanted to get her out of there before the Kalorians arrived. They would take what they wanted and kill anything in their way.
Paxton still couldn’t believe King Charles and the queen were dead. He thought of Aerity, Vixie, and the lad Donubhan. Aerity was now queen and she had no idea. They would all be holding out hope that their parents would return. He hated that he would have to be the one to tell her. But better him than Prince Vito.
Paxton leaned forward and urged his horse due northwest. The sun was lowering. For the first time that day he realized how cold it had become. His ears and face were freezing in the wind, but he felt no pain. All he felt was determination.