Cassia stared at the towering trees. She knew theoretically the Vesperans mined, which meant mountains, but she'd never been on a mountain before and had never seen trees as tall and massive as this one or the other hundreds that surrounded them.
"Your Highness?" Maconhay stood a respectful distance behind her.
"Yes, Captain?"
"You requested an escort to check on the horses?"
Cassia smiled in relief. She'd been sure she wouldn't be allowed to spend any real time with the horses. The royal guards had gotten progressively more nervous the farther they had gotten into Vesperan territory.
The horses were strung just outside of the circle of wagons, tents, and guards. She wasn't nervous about being with the horses, but the guards and her mother were.
"Thank you." Cassia followed him outside the firelight to where the herd milled. She'd been surprised at the number of horses with them at first: the royal guard's horses, the carriage horses, and the small herd of fifteen horses which were her wedding gift to Torr.
What had shocked her even more was when she'd spotted Luki keeping the herd together behind the Royal Caravan. They'd spoken briefly the day before they'd set out and he hadn't mentioned he would be a part of the royal party. He'd been polite but distant last night when she'd checked on the herd.
Maconhay stopped just outside the rope strung as a makeshift corral and held it for Cassia to slip under. She immediately felt more at ease. She would always prefer the company of horses to people. Cassia buried her face in the first horse she found and breathed in deep. Only one more day and they'd be there. She would marry Torr within three days of arriving. Life as she knew it was over. She was still trying to come to terms with that fact.
"Princess," Luki said.
Cassia glanced up from the horse and stepped back, trying to get back some royal decorum. "Are they journeying well?"
"Yes, Your Highness." He looked out over the sleeping horses. "Kali's on the other end of the herd."
She glanced back at Maconahay. He nodded, signaling he'd heard Luki. She hesitated, regretting the distance she'd put between Luki and herself after telling him of her impending marriage. Not sure what to say to make it up to him, she waded through the herd to where she found the petite dark mare.
Their connection grew stronger with each passing day. Kali nickered and turned so they were facing. A wave of warmth flowed from the mare to her. She gratefully stepped up and wrapped her arms around the mare's neck. They stood still for several minutes and for once Cassia was able to just be, without any thoughts.
Kali raised her head as Luki stepped up. She snuffed his hand in approval.
"Captain Maconahay says you need to return to camp," he said.
Not wanting to leave the herd, she sighed in resignation. If she could have bedded down with the horses she would have. Cassia gave the mare a final pat.
"Cassia," Luki said with hesitation.
She turned to him in surprise. He hadn't said her name since she'd told him she was to be married.
"We'll be arriving in Castle Vespera tomorrow." He shuffled his feet.
"Yes." She prompted him to continue.
"I'm unsure if I'll be able to see you once we arrive." He looked at the camp and then back to her. "I probably won't."
"Are you going back to Karah?"
"No, I'll be there, but I doubt you'll have much time for old friends."
She stepped closer and grabbed his hand. "I always have time for my friends."
"I know." He smiled. "I meant you'd be busy with preparations for your…wedding. I-I wanted to wish you long life and happiness."
She smiled at the old blessing. "Thank you, Luki, I wish you the same."
"I know." He huffed out a breath. "Look, I'm probably stepping over the line here, but I couldn't not tell you --"
"Your Highness," Maconahay said from behind them.
Cassia glanced over Luki's shoulder to where Maconahay had moved around the makeshift corral.
"I'm sorry, but the Queen has requested your presence," Maconahay said.
"In a moment, Captain." Cassia looked back to Luki expectantly.
But his face had closed up and he bowed his head. "I won't keep you, Your Highness. Safe journey."
Luki retreated back into the herd to where he'd laid his bedroll and small campfire just outside the corral.
Frustrated, Cassia followed Maconahay into the main camp. Sarahann beckoned her over to her tent as soon as she stepped into the firelight. Cassia headed over obediently, but her thoughts were focused on what Luki hadn't told her.
****
The descriptions of Castle Vespera didn't prepare Cassia for the reality of its grandeur. It wasn't that the castle was huge. Well it was, but no larger than Castle Karah. It was the fact that it appeared to grow out of the mountainside behind it. She hadn't understood what they'd meant when they'd said it was built into the mountain. Now she did. It was built into a gigantic mountain, the back half of the castle safe from attack by the cliffs surrounding it. You had to go up a hill to approach the main gate which afforded the guards an excellent view of anyone approaching.
The mountain rising above them made the castle seem larger. Cassia obediently ducked back into their carriage when the caravan set on the final climb for admittance into the castle.
As they were expected, and a royal party, there was no delay in getting through the gates. Her mother had drawn the curtains on the carriage so Cassia couldn't see out and no one else could peer in. Cassia fussed at her skirt and sleeves as they rumbled into the courtyard. Noises bounced loudly off the castle and courtyard walls. Sarahann looked impeccable as usual. Cassia wasn't sure how she did it considering they had both been on the same journey and sitting in the same carriage. Yet, Sarahann looked like she was on an afternoon jaunt while Cassia looked like she'd been on a hard journey for nearly three days.
"Relax," Sarahann said softly.
The carriage jolted to a stop. Cassia twisted her fingers as she tried to go over her lines. The door opened, washing them in the afternoon light.
Sarahann climbed out and Cassia followed behind her, blinking once to adjust her eyes to the sudden brightness. She smiled politely at Maconahay as he helped her out. The horses and other wagons were not in sight and Cassia wondered where they were. She glanced around. They weren't unprotected. A full detachment of Karahan Royal Guards accompanied them. Some still sat on their horses while others surrounded the carriage and walkway to the large door.
It swung open and Erich stepped out with Torr by his side. It felt like an eternity since she'd seen them, but it had only been about a week since the Vesperans had left Karah to begin the wedding preparations.
"Princess Cassia, Queen Sarahann," Erich said. "Welcome to Castle Vespera. My people are at your disposal."
"Thank you for your hospitality, King Erich," Cassia said.
Erich quickly descended the stairs and kissed both of their hands. Cassia wasn't quite as charmed as she had been the first time. Torr followed his father more sedately. He did not offer to kiss either of their hands.
"The news of the wedding has been met with great joy," Erich said. "There's nothing like a royal wedding to fill the people with hope."
"I'm pleased to hear that," Sarahann said. "I wish I could say the same for my people. I'm afraid the announcements weren't met with as much enthusiasm."
"I'm sure once the wedding has occurred," Erich offered Sarahann his arm, "your people will settle down."
He led Sarahann up the stairs leaving Torr and Cassia alone at the base. Cassia sighed. Her mother was going to openly run the show instead of using Cassia as her puppet. She looked at Torr. He silently stared at her. It was hard to believe he'd be her husband.
"Prince Torr." She bowed her head. She'd been brought up with manners even if he hadn't.
"Your Highness." He rested his hand on the hilt of his sword. Maconahay and one of her other guards stepped up and he shot them a look of disgust. "
Shall we go in?"
"Of course," she said as she hesitantly took the arm he ceremoniously offered.
"They left us so we'd have a few minutes to talk before we finish up the wedding plans."
"Oh." She couldn't think of anything to say.
"Do you have a beau?"
She shot him a look in surprise. "What?"
"You're a lovely young woman. All princesses have suitors."
"Not all of us," she said thinking briefly of Luki. "No, I didn't leave a beau at home. You have a lady friend?"
Torr was quiet for a moment. "Yes."
He led her down a side hallway.
"So, not everyone is looking forward to a royal wedding," Cassia said.
He slanted her a look of appraisal as they stepped into the small meeting room and sat down at the thick mahogany table. A blush heated her cheeks as everyone turned their attention to her.
"You look well, Princess." Erich broke the silence.
"Yes, thank you," Cassia said.
"Good," Erich said. "I know you're probably feeling overwhelmed at the moment. A courtship would have been preferable, but drastic times…the wedding will be as scheduled."
"I understand," Cassia said.
"Very well," Erich said. "I've made arrangements with the friar, and a seamstress is ready to start your gown."
"I brought my gown to be fitted for her," Sarahann said.
"I'm sure the seamstress can work with that. The ceremony will be held on the castle battlement so the people can watch. Even with the short notice this wedding will be a full royal wedding with honor guards and everything that accompanies it, so you needn't worry, Princess Cassia."
She looked at him in confusion as he turned to her. "I'm not."
"Good," Erich said. "If you'd like to be shown to your chambers the seamstress is expecting you."
"Of course," Cassia said, recognizing the dismissal.
"We'll speak later?" Sarahann asked.
Erich nodded. "Once you've seen to those wedding details that can't wait any longer. There was only so much Torr and I could do." He motioned to a chambermaid. "Show them to their rooms."
"Thank you," Cassia said with a curtsy as she rose from her seat. "Prince Torr. King Erich."
"Princess Cassia," Torr responded with a small bow, both he and Erich standing as the ladies did.
The chambermaid led them down multiple hallways and up several flights of stairs before they saw the small group of Karahan guards clustered in the hallway. They snapped to attention at the sight of their princess and queen.
"Madam Celeste," Maconahay said, "is waiting for you." He motioned to the door behind him.
"Thank you, Captain." Sarahann led the way into the room.
A small crowd awaited them. Cassia and Sarahann's handmaidens, Mistress Witen and the boys, and two Karahan guards out of uniform. The only reason Cassia knew they were guards was because she'd seen them talking with her father many times. The crowd was completed by two ladies Cassia didn't recognize.
The two guards stood, set their tea cups on the table, and bowed.
"What do you have to report, Captain Kenrick?" Sarahann said without preamble.
Kenrick, the senior of the two guards, glanced to the two strangers in the room. Sarahann followed his gaze to the two women standing nervously together.
"How may I help you?" Sarahann asked.
"I'm Madam Celeste, the seamstress," said the more elegant of the pair of red heads. "This is my assistant, Lola."
"Of course." Sarahann gestured to her handmaiden. "Jenica, where would you suggest Madame Celeste set up?'
"Cassia's bedchamber should do nicely," Jenica said, stepping from her customary position by the serving table. She traveled well just like her mistress and her simple green dress matched her eyes and looked like it had just been pressed.
"Would you help her get ready?" Sarahann said. "You know where the dress is? I'll send Princess Cassia in a moment."
"Yes, Your Highness," Jenica said as she headed back into the hallway. Celeste and Lola followed.
"Witen," Sarahann said. "Perhaps you could settle the boys into one of the rooms." Sarahann turned to Ula and Yaffa. "Set up the princess's room."
They bowed and hurried out of the small sitting room.
"Now." Sarahann turned to Kenrick. "What have you learned?"
"They know nothing for sure," Kenrick said, his command presence clearly showing he was a high ranking Captain within the Karahan Guard. "There's been no sign of Talent Westleigh. Both of us have searched the town and castle grounds to no avail. According to the gate guards they were unaware King Robet and Talent Westleigh had even left the grounds. Let alone why. We questioned and searched where it occurred."
Cassia stepped closer. This was the first time she had heard anyone really discuss the circumstances of her father's death. She was shocked Sarahann hadn't sent her out of the room as well.
"It's in the poorer section of the town," Kenrick reported. "The alley led to a seedy pub which isn't easy to find unless you're looking for it."
"Why was he there?" Sarahann asked.
"We haven't been able to ascertain that, Your Highness," Kenrick said. "We searched his rooms here in hopes of finding some information, but there was nothing by the time we got here."
"Are you suggesting King Erich's people removed the information?" Sarahann asked.
The two guards glanced at each other. "No, Your Highness. The Vesperan Guard, though slightly put out, has cooperated with us fully and we haven't been able to find any fault in their investigation. "
"So, we still know nothing," Sarahann said in frustration.
"You didn't find anything?" Cassia asked quietly.
Sarahann looked at her in surprise like she'd forgotten Cassia was in the room.
Kenrick shook his head. "There are no witnesses, we scoured the neighborhood and beyond, no one saw anything. We haven't even found anyone who saw them leave the castle grounds."
"There's got to be something," Sarahann said.
"Just the absence of Talent Westleigh," Guard Nolan said. His lean frame made Cassia wonder if he could even hold the massive sword hanging at his waist.
"What do you make of that?' Sarahann asked.
Kenrick was silent for a moment. "I don't know. We should have found him whether he's alive or dead. No one just vanishes. His horse is unaccounted for as well."
"I wasn't aware of that," Sarahann said.
"King Robet's was found tied to the hitching post closest to the pub," Kenrick said. "Talent Westleigh's was not and it wasn't in the castle stable. He must have taken it with him wherever he went."
"Do we know for sure that Talent Westleigh was with His Majesty?" Sarahann asked.
"No," Kenrick said.
"What of the Karahan guards who were with him?" Sarahann asked.
"They saw nothing," Kenrick said. "I questioned them extensively. I can find no hint of treachery."
Sarahann paced away in frustration. "You've found nothing."
Kenrick kneeled down. "I'm sorry I've failed you, My Queen."
Cassia didn't understand how nothing could have been found. How could they not know who killed her father and why he'd been out of the castle? It wasn't like a king could go anywhere without being noticed.
"You must find Talent Westleigh." Sarahann turned back to him.
Kenrick looked up. "We'll intensify the search."
"Take who you need from the guardsmen," Sarahann said, dismissing them with her hand. "I want answers, Captain Kenrick."
Both men bowed first to Sarahann and then to Cassia before they exited the room.
Sarahann sighed. "You'd think they would have discovered something."
Cassia didn't know what to say. It was hard to think past him being gone. Let alone who had taken him and why. She began to get angry at that thought. Someone had taken him from her. They'd stabbed him in the back and left him to die.
"How can no one know anything?" Cassia
finally spoke up. "Why did he go out? There has to be a reason."
"Yes, there does." Sarahann paced about the room. "But we have other things to think of. Go to your chambers and get Madame Celeste started. She has very little time to get your gown ready."
Cassia chaffed at the bit. She didn't want to be a pin cushion. She wanted to figure out who had killed her father and why, but she bowed her head obediently and left the room. The group of guards saluted her.
"Which one?" Cassia asked.
"The door on the right," Maconahay said with a grin as he escorted her to her room. "Let us know if you need anything."
"I will, Captain." Cassia attempted to give him a smile in thanks.
CHAPTER FIVE
Cassia entered her room and was yet again greeted with a crowd. Not only was the seamstress, the assistant and handmaidens there, but Witen and her two brothers were as well. The boys raced around the room.
"They wanted to see you," Witen said in explanation.
Tully and Faolan ran to her and she nearly catapulted backward as they grabbed onto her skirts, chattering excitedly.
"Hold on," Cassia said. "I can't understand you if you're both talking at once."
Tully pulled on her hand. "Look out your window." Cassia allowed him to tug her forward. "Our room is right next door."
"We are soooo high," Faolan said as he took her other hand.
She obediently followed them and looked out. The windows faced out and away from the mountain and over the valley giving the illusion the rooms were in the sky. Cassia leaned forward pressing her head against the glass to look down. She could just make out the front gate and courtyard. A stable sat inside to the left with a small gate open to the servants' wagons.
"Don't you think?" Faolan tugged on her hand.
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