Shadows on Snow: A Flipped Fairy Tale (Flipped Fairy Tales) (18 page)

“I imagine if you tried to get down on your own, you’d likely break your neck. I like you better breathing, so please do be careful,” he said.

Looking down at the ground, I realized he was probably right. Rather than a graceful dismount, I’d end up as a walking pile of bruises or worse. Still, it irritated me to no end that I was being handled that way.

With me taken care of, we set out once again for the army encampment. Dinner was no more than dried fruit and slightly stale bread, as there wasn’t time to stop and hunt that day. I dozed off and on over the course of the ride, but was jerked awake when Cora stopped abruptly.

“What’s—”

“Shh,” the prince whispered beside me. “There’s a patrol up ahead. I need to see who it is. If I know them, they’ll recognize my signal.”

As he moved to go, I caught his shoulder with a hand. “Wait. Are you sure it’s a good idea to approach while it’s dark? Why not wait until morning when—”

“Thank you for your concern, but we can’t stay out here another night. Our food stores are nearly gone, and you aren’t fit to disguise us any longer. I’ve trusted these men with my life on more than one occasion. Tonight will be no different.” He flashed me a reassuring wink, and I released him, unable to argue with his reasoning.

“Be careful,” I said.

With a small nod, he ducked out of the thin cluster of trees and crept towards the approaching patrol. I saw them then, three men on horseback, their crossbows and swords glimmering in the light of the full moon. They rode across the great, wide valley at a slow clip, all three mindful of their duties. Prince Leopold’s figure cut through the tall grass toward them, and he stopped a hundred yards away, crouching low and out of sight. The high-pitched, musical whistle of the blue-crested swallow drifted to my ears.

“Oh, he’s very good,” Belinda whispered. “That call would almost fool me were it not for the slight warble he has at the end of it.”

Dismissing her comment, I kept my eyes on the scene unfolding in the valley. The soldiers had stopped and looked to be discussing something amongst themselves. My heart thudded in my chest so loud I was sure it would give us away. Despite the weakness in my arms, I readied my bow and nocked an arrow, aiming for the soldiers should any one of them make a sudden move. Sheer force of will kept me from wavering in my dedication.

Another whistle came from the men, this time the call of a mountain lark, though not nearly as convincing an imitation. I drew back on my bow as Prince Leopold stood.

Clarice set a hand on my boot. “You’ll not need that tonight, sister.”

I looked at her from the corner of my eye. “I’d rather not leave it to chance.”

She shook her head. “The spirits are listening. They tell me he’s met with good company. Look.”

Casting my gaze back to the valley, she appeared to be correct. The three on horses had dismounted, and they knelt as the prince approached. Within moments, he had them on their feet, embracing each in turn. I didn’t lower my weapon, however. Even when one rode away, I kept my arrow at the ready while the other two came toward us with the prince.

He broke through the trees, grinning when he saw me. “You see?” he said to the soldiers behind him. “Did I not tell you a marksman stood ready to fire?”

They balked when they saw me, and Prince Leopold laughed. “Stand down, M’lady. That’s no way to greet my friends.”

I narrowed my eyes at the soldiers, only lowering my readied arrow when the prince approached. “I swear to you, Raelynn, they’re on my side. More than once we’ve saved each other’s lives. I trust them almost as much as I do you.”

“Circumstances change, Highness,” I said, reverting to formality in the presence of strangers. “In my opinion, it’s better to be cautious than dead.”

“We’re just happy to see he lives, M’lady,” the soldier on the left said. “When word reached us that he’d been killed in an ambush on a hunting trip—”

I snorted. “Is that the lie the snake is spreading? Your prince was indeed ambushed, but by his own guard.” I leaned forward to peer at them. “Know this. I killed two before putting arrows into a third that day. If you so much as speak ill of Prince Leopold, I’ll have your tongues as trophies.”

“Raelynn!” Adelaide said, utterly aghast. “What a horrid thing to say!”

The prince barked a laugh. “She speaks the truth, I have no doubt.” He turned and clasped the men on their shoulders. “You’ll do well not to cross her, but she’s quite lovely if you catch her well-rested.” I rolled my eyes to the heavens, but let him continue. “Now, would you be so good as to escort us to General Turgis? I’ll have words with him tonight if he’ll see me.”

“We’ll see you there at once. Manx should have reported in by the time we get there,” the soldier on the right said. “He’ll be relieved and happy to see you well, Your Majesty.” The man grinned. “Although you look a little worse for the wear.”

The prince laughed again and led us out of the trees. “Yes, well, attempts on one’s life by magical means does wear on a body. But we’ll discuss all this later. Tell me, is there any movement from the other side? Any disruptions in supplies? Are the men holding up all right?”

I followed along, listening as they talked about the status of the front. I tried hard to pay attention and hold on to the details, but my exhaustion thwarted every attempt. Before long, I was dozing again, woken by the sounds of a great gathering of men. I looked up, beholding a sprawling mass of tents, the darkness dotted with large fires surrounded by moving shadows, the occasional strain of a pipe or lute carrying through the night. The smell of roasting meat set my mouth to watering, but nauseous anxiety kept my stomach’s growls at bay.

At last, we’d reached the army’s encampment.

I only panicked for a moment when the soldier approached to help me down from my horse, my pulse speeding to a frantic gallop before I could catch it. Immediately knowing my hesitation for what it was, Prince Leopold stepped in with a smile, lifting me down to save me from my own fears.

“Thank you,” I whispered as he released me.

He nodded. “My pleasure. Are you all right to walk?”

“It’s only a few feet to the tent,” I said, yawning. “I’m not broken, just tired.”

“Is he here?” a man’s deep voice called from inside the large tent, and the source of the voice pushed aside a loose flap to see for himself. Lit from behind, I couldn’t see his face, but when he hurried out to us, I knew him for the aged soldier I’d seen the day the prince arrived at the palace.

“Your Highness,” he said as he took a knee. “I cannot tell you what a relief it is to see the news we received was untrue.”

The prince tapped his shoulder. “Rise, General Turgis. Our time is short, and there’s a need for haste. Save the formalities for when we’re at court again.”

The general stood and bowed. “Of course, come inside and we’ll discuss. I’ll have the men see the ladies to a tent so—”

“With your permission, General,” I interrupted, stepping forward. There was no way I’d be left out of the happenings at this stage. “My sisters and I possess information you’ll need. We’ve not come all this way to be shuffled aside now.”

As the general tried to recover from his shock at my insistent words, Prince Leopold stepped in. “I would agree with her. These seven are the only reason I still live. They have as much to lose in this as I have.” He motioned to the tent. “If you would, we’ll explain everything inside.”

“Of… Of course, Highness,” General Turgis said. “This way.”

It was a bit snug with all of us gathered around the massive table covered in maps and figurines arranged for battle planning, but we made do, cramming in around the edges of the table. My sisters and I listened patiently as the prince recounted his story, in as much as he knew it.

“It was the lady here,” he said, motioning to me, “who saved me from the guards sent to kill me, as well as the two other attempts on my life.”

“I see,” the general said, rubbing at the stubble on his chin. “And who are these ladies? I’ve yet to hear their names.”

I looked to Adelaide, assuming she would make our introductions, being the eldest of us, but, instead, she motioned to me to answer him.

Nervous, I swallowed. It had been a very long time since I’d laid claim to any title, and I was still hesitant to admit so much in the open. But, as the duty fell to me, I squared my shoulders and took a deep breath.

“I am Raelynn Grace Amalthea, youngest of seven princesses of Bern. My sisters and I, Adelaide, Belinda, Clarice, Delphine, Erata, and Farah…” I motioned to each in turn, and they dipped their heads as I said their names. “We fled from our kingdom ten years past, hunted ever since by the man who now claims the throne of this land as well. He is a murderer, a liar, and a master of dark magic. We could not save our own mother, nor your beloved queen, but I will not allow him any further gains. If it costs me my life, I will see the usurper dead.”

The General, eyes wide with shock, gaped at me. “The Princesses of Bern? I…” He closed his mouth and straightened himself. “My apologies, ladies. I’ll speak with more care in the future.”

“Have no worry over it,” Adelaide said, ever patient and forgiving. “After so many years away, I’m sure our manners are not as they should be. No offense is taken for our part.”

Maybe not for
her
part, but I was irritable before the General’s dismissal earlier.
 

“The man in question is either descended from the Dinnarians, or has studied their magic at length. We know that much,” Delphine said from her side of the table. “You’re aware of Dinnarian history, I presume?”

The General nodded. “I am, mostly from old wives’ tales now, but a bit of military study. Their campaign at the Rolling Rocks of Abernathy was a thing of beauty, strategically speaking.”

Delphine frowned. “Yes, well it was also that particular battle that caused nine nations to ally against them. The Dinnarians plowed across the land like a plague, in constant need for more power, more control. It was only when the fairy kingdoms came to humanity’s aid that the Dinnarians’ enchanted objects were wrestled from their grasp. Because of the atrocities they committed over long years of war, they were wiped out or scattered to places that allowed the peaceful ones to settle. It was rumored the Dinnish king escaped, vowing revenge on the lands responsible for his defeat.”

Clarice hummed thoughtfully. “If I remember correctly, both Sericea and Bern were the first to join forces. You think he’s carrying out his ancestor’s vow?”

Delphine shrugged. “It stands to reason. The Dinnish were neither forgiving nor particularly content with anything other than absolute power.”

“But that’s over a thousand years passed since the fall of the Dinnarian Empire,” I said. “Can a family line survive that long in hiding? It’s been a scant ten years for us, and I daresay we might be the last of our blood thanks to his treachery.”

“The Bernish queens are legendary survivors,” General Turgis said. “There are seven of you yet, so your odds are fairly favorable.”

Ignoring Adelaide’s amused look, I waved it off. “That’s hardly of importance at the moment. We have a much larger problem before us. Not only does he have command of the army in Bern, but the Sericean palace is filled with his own people now. I watched him systematically replace guards and servants alike in the six months I was there, and all but a scant few remain loyal to the Benforno house. The people themselves are a different story, but those within the castle are the ones we need to concern ourselves with.”

The General looked confused. “A Princess of Bern was under King Al—“

“Don’t’!” I shouted, stopping him. “Don’t say his name. He may not know we’re here yet, but an enemy speaking his name is the surest way to alert him.”

General Turgis cleared his throat. “Yes, well then, how is it you managed to lurk directly under his nose for so long without detection?”

Nervous, I glanced at the prince, unsure of the wisdom of revealing my abilities to this man.

“It’s all right,” he said. “No harm will come to you for it. There are no laws here against magic, though its use is uncommon.”

Nodding, I closed my eyes, calling to my memory of the boy in the market one last time. My reserves were dangerously low, but I managed to bring forth the glamour. There was a strange comfort in that appearance, like slipping into a pair of favorite gloves in the dead of winter.

The general sucked in a breath as I opened my eyes. “I know you,” he said. “You cared for the horses.”

“I worked in the stables, as well as seeing to anything else they thought beneath them. I was privy to a considerable amount of gossip looking this way. None ever paid me any mind unless I did something imperfectly.” I shifted my gaze to Prince Leopold. “Well, almost none.”

The prince grinned at me. “Your competence betrayed you, as well as the other.”

Flushing, I looked away, desperate to change the subject. “Have you a map of the castle and grounds?” I asked. “It’s possible we could plan a small assault and sneak in using the secret passages within the walls, as well as—”

“Assault?” General Turgis asked. “My, er, My Lady, while your story is compelling, I’m not yet convinced an attack is in order.”

“What?” I said, stunned. “After all you’ve learned, you refuse to do anything—”

“We’re on the brink of war,” he said, interrupting me yet again. “Withdrawing our forces at this stage would all but guarantee an invasion from Moran.”

“Moran?” Clarice said, her voice cracking. She coughed to clear it, but there was significant color to her cheeks now. “And who leads the forces for them?”

Belinda giggled, but Adelaide nudged her to silence it. Clearly there was a joke I wasn’t in on.

“Prince Ormand is overseeing those troops in his father’s stead, but it’s King Dornan causing the problems. He has more sons than crowns and is looking to give one of them a kingdom of his own.”

“But Ormand would never—” Clarice began, instantly stopping herself.

My eyebrows shot up my forehead, suddenly putting the pieces together.