Page 27 of Dalla's Royal Guards

“Is that a real bow? It looks like the one from my picture books,” a childish voice said.

“Cianna, come back into the room,” a woman instructed.

“Aw, Nanna. We’ve been hiding for so long. I want to see the lady from my book,” Cianna complained.

Dalla chuckled. “My sisters also hated being confined, especially Runa. Come, I will show you something.”

Cianna hurried forward. She clutched a fabric dog in one arm and a rainbow-colored unicorn under the other. Dalla knelt and held out her bow. Over the centuries, she had carved on itthe dates and scenes from each of her appearances. Only space remained for one more story—and this would be it.

“Oh, how beautiful,” Cianna whispered, running her fingers along the symbols. “What does it say?”

“The carvings tell of my journey since I left my homeland. You see this one. This is my parents and my sisters and brother,” she explained.

“I don’t have any sisters or brothers. What does this mean?” Cianna asked.

The smile on her face faded as she touched the numbers carved into the ancient oak. She studied the curious expression on the little girl’s face. Reaching out, she tucked a loose strand of Cianna’s hair behind her ear, the action hauntingly familiar.

“It is the last time I saw my family.”

“I’ve heated some meals,” Nanna said.

Dalla rose and smiled at the older woman. “My stomach thanks you.”

Nanna chuckled. “Wait until you eat it before you say that.”

Dalla took the pouch and long spoon Nanna held out to her and bowed her head in thanks, then turned and walked outside. She needed the open space.

The temperatures were dropping, and there was a chill in the air. The pouch was warm, a welcome contrast to the night’s chill. She walked over to a grouping of rocks that had been placed around a low-burning fire. This was a place frequented by travelers.

She sat down, leaned her bow against the rock, and removed the quiver from her back before leaning it against her leg to keep itfrom falling. Her clothing helped protect her from the heat of the day and the cold of the night. A sense of peace flowed over her as she stared up at the stars.

“We’ll set up a place to sleep in the back of the vehicles,” Musad said, placing a jacket next to her before he moved to sit on a rock across from her.

She fingered the material before dragging it over her lap. Nasser walked around the fire to sit on a rock next to his brother. He stretched out his long legs and stirred his meal. Both men had shrugged into jackets.

She sniffed the food Nanna had given her. Surprise filled her at the delicious aroma coming from the pouch. Her stomach rumbled in anticipation. She stirred the meal before taking a bite of the rich stew contained inside.

“This is very good,” she said, holding up the pouch.

Both men laughed. “It tastes like a gourmet meal when you’re hungry,” Nasser agreed.

“I like the desserts,” Musad mumbled.

“Musad has a sweet tooth,” Nasser shared.

Dalla chuckled. “Olaf and Runa shared a love of sweets. They loved to suck on the honeyFarwould bring back from his travels.”

“Far?” Nasser asked.

“My father,” she clarified.

“Where are you from?” Nasser asked.

She shrugged and took another bite before she replied. “I believe you call it Norway.”

“Norway is beautiful,” Musad said.

“Ja. It was very beautiful. I have not been there for a very long time.”