Page 46 of Thorns and Echoes

“Leave her be,” Anais suggested. “Vern’s keeping an eye on her.”

The rebel jerked his head and gave a startled scan of the camp. “That man is a ghost, I swear.”

She smiled slightly. Her amusement faded as she rose to her feet. “Excuse me.”

Her sword slid out of its sheath as she strolled to the duchess' tent. Coming to the front of the closed flaps, she tapped her blade against one of its poles.

From within, the duchess hissed, “What?! Don't come crying to me, girl, if he–”

The flaps flew open. As soon as the woman lifted her head, Anais' blade swung beneath her chin.

The lady's face went pale. “Highness.”

The Queen pressed the cold steel up. “I should not need to tell you that the hospitality of my court ended when we left my court. My people are not for your protection, and they are certainly not for your pleasure.” Leaning forward, she smiled,“I’ve instructed them to cut off your hand if you touch them again.”

The Nadraken lady blinked. “Yes, of course. My apologies.”

Anais considered the lady. As much as she appreciated the apparent compliance, it wouldn't last. Slitting her throat would be easier. Slaver, abuser, coward. No better than a noble of her own court. Not particularly worse, either.

She put away her sword. “Once we cross the border, it would be in your best interest to continue cooperating. My Escorts may ask you questions. As I said before, so long as you are interesting, you continue to live. Useful is interesting.”

The lady only ducked her head, murmuring agreeable sounds.

Chapter 18

Anais

One moment, there were trees, then an open, summer-dry grassland spread out before them.

They had crossed the border.

A passing patrol had cost them a few hours to avoid. So far, they had managed to avoid conflict, and hopefully, detection. The lack of fighting should have been welcome.

Anais’ palm itched to draw a sword. She knew their luck wouldn't hold. Forests were thinner and fewer in Nadraken. The sea of tall, golden grasses brushed their legs, fed their horses, and made it easy for them to be spotted out in the open. Archers could also hide in the grass. Ambushes. Traps. The travelersmightbe mistaken for a friendly patrol squad or mercenaries. One shout from either duchess or maid would destroy that illusion. For that matter, those two were also the only ones without armor.

While Pelios and Jerome searched for traps, Vern rode beside her. He surveyed the horizon. “We need to blend in.”

“I agree,” Anais admitted. “We'll be the lady's guards. I suppose I'll be her captain.”

They had removed their bracers and any rose paraphernalia at the border. The Queen's armor was the most ornate. Clawed women served in the Nadraken’s military. She'd fit in.

Calling the duchess forward, Anais asked, “Where is the nearest town with a market? We need supplies, and you may get your wish for a bath.”

Lady Isabel’s eyes lit up, then she frowned at the endless grass. “If we've headed directly south since crossing the border, I believe the town you want is… to the east. Over that hill there. We should reach it by midday tomorrow.”

“None closer?”

“Well, unless you see something I don't… highness.”

The lady hadn't entirely lost her bite. A day and a half away from the border might be safe enough for a brief visit. Anais presented her with a cold, humorless smile. “No doubt you're considering escape. Don't try to deny it. Simply understand that if you say a single wrong word, make even a slightly suspicious gesture, and we won't hesitate to gut you. It would take very little time to show you the color of your entrails.”

Isabel paled and put a hand to her stomach. “How crude. I've done nothing deserving of such ill treatment.”

“You exist, Nadraken.”

The Queen did not suffer a slaver to live.

Pressing claws to her temple, the duchess sighed. “I understand perfectly, highness, and I have an offer. I never renege on my deals; it's not good for business. The town has a tavern with rooms. Let us stay there a night – even if it's only five hours, it'll be five hours on a blessed bed beneath a solid roof away from the wind and spiders and snakes and whatever else is out here. In return, I'll be quiet as a mouse, and you can continue dragging me to the castle for goddess knows why.”