thanking me. But Yer Grace, ya should have shown me those sores on yer feet last night. I could have had ’em feelin’ great this morning.”
“They already feel better, Muerra.” The salve she had placed on my feet as soon as she saw the blisters and swelling was already helping me more than I thought possible.
“Good ta hear it, dearie.” To my surprise, Muerra wrapped her arms around Ori and then turned to me, offering the same warm embrace. “I wish ya well, wherever ye might end up.”
The hug surprised me; no servant or commoner had dared touch me in such a familiar manner. That is, none except for Surea. Despite what propriety demanded of me, I relaxed in the old woman’s arms. As her embrace ended, I knew Muerra deserved more payment than the tattered dress I already provided. Motioning to Ori, I asked for the necklace he had stored in his bag. The tears that welled up in Muerra’s eyes as I handed her the jewelry were enough to convince me I had done all I could to repay her.
As Ori and I said our last good-byes, the sun peeked over the horizon. We hurried in the dim light, leaving Muerra’s cottage behind us as we tried to slip away without any other townspeople seeing us. The morning’s mist provided extra security, letting us disappear into the trees once more without drawing any attention.
My new clothes were already making travel easier, and thanks to Muerra’s help, my feet were barely bothering me. However, my muscles ached, protesting every movement as I followed Ori on the narrow trail. I focused on following the guard in front of me as he pushed through the foliage. Settling into a rhythm, I was able to ignore the worst of my soreness.
“Maybe we can purchase some horses at this next town.” Ori had rolled his sleeves up, a vain attempt to cool off in the sun’s unseasonably warm morning rays, “From there, we can ride toward the outpost at Ferrum. The King will have soldiers there to watch the border. It might only be a handful of men, but they can escort you on toward Seyna. Your future husband is waiting for you, and with horses, we might be able to beat any rumors of your death and inform the king what really happened.”
I felt my brow crease. “But we don’t have the coin for horses….”
“I can sell my armor and sword.” Ori stopped and handed me the canteen. “Muerra was right, the sword makes recognition too easy. We can’t afford that risk so close to Eniva.”
“We’d be vulnerable to attack.” I tipped the canteen to my mouth, tasting the warm water while I tried to weigh the options before us.
“On horseback, we might be able to avoid such confrontation.” The guard suddenly looked confused. “Milady, you are able to ride, yes?”
“Of course, my father taught me when I was little.”
“Then we are most likely safer with horses than with weapons.” Ori scratched at the patchy stubble on his cheeks. “You must forgive me, Your Grace, but if we were to be attacked by a group of soldiers, it would not matter how many weapons I had. I could not protect you alone. At least with horses, we could attempt to escape any misfortune until the soldiers at Ferrum can take you south.”
I let Ori’s statement go unanswered. Even with horses, we would be lucky to escape—it was a fact we were both well aware of.
“We should keep moving.” Ori’s deep voice cut through the thick silence that had fallen between us.
I nodded and fell in step alongside the guard, letting the monotonous beat of our feet against the ground distract me from my thoughts.
Chapter 6
O RI was taking advantage of the small stream neighboring our campsite, using it to shave the patchy beard that had grown in the three days since we left Muerra’s. I watched him, almost expecting him to slice into his flesh with the blade in his hand. Skillfully, he slid the knife along his skin. When he finally walked back toward the campfire he had built earlier, I quickly examined him for