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The flames from the campfire dance into the night sky and I’m glad of their comforting heat as it falls upon my skin.

We’ve just crossed the border into the south of Ellerban and it’s much cooler here than in Valensia, the capital of Ardvalla and location of my castle.

However, I am thankful for the fact we can at least light a fire tonight, which is something that wasn’t possible for the past two nights as we travelled through the lowlands of Greythorne’s province.

If we are caught in Ellerban we can concoct a story that we are merely travellers passing through and pay a tithe to be on our way, as nobody here knows who I am.

However, if we were to be apprehended on Greythorne’s lands by his men, I shudder to think of the consequences.

We’ve ridden hard over the past two days as time is of the essence on this mission and I didn't wish to spend any more time in Greythorne’s province than was necessary.

My legs and buttocks ache from so many hours in the saddle over unforgiving territory, but I pay them no heed as I wash down the cheese and bread Kes hands me with a swig of wine.

It’s a simple meal but better than anything I’ve tasted in a long time, sweetened as it is with the sense of freedom I feel in my heart.

These past few days have been gruelling in so many ways but they have also been liberating.

Riding with the Khaleeni through some of the most unpopulated but beautiful parts of my realm, answering to no-one and feeling the wind against my face as I galloped at full speed across the plains of Arywyth has been freeing on a level I never thought possible.

For the first time since I became queen I feel as if I am in complete control of my destiny, and it’s intoxicating.

I look around at the collection of women gathered around me and marvel at how different they all are, but also how at ease they are in each other's company. They come from all over Ardvalla, and one or two, like Kes and Ailish, from other realms. They came to the Khaleeni via a number of ways, and I marvel at how Kes has formed them into a formidable fighting force. We are sixteen in total for this mission, as we can’t draw too much attention to ourselves by travelling in a larger group.

At first, they were all a little reticent at having me along on this mission, even though I have trained with them regularly over the past year, so I’m glad to see this evening they are paying me little or no heed.

The aim of the mission is to sneak into the castle at Bawna, the capital of Ellerban, and abduct the prince who currently rules the domain.

According to Kes’ sources he has not yet been crowned king, as his brother has not been deemed completely unfit to rule and it seems there is a possibility he may fully recover.

This makes me feel a little better about my plan to abduct the ruling prince, not that I'm feeling overly guilty as the Ellerban aren’t exactly averse to a little abduction themselves.

So, as far as I'm concerned, they can hardly object when someone, such as a neighbouring queen, decides to abduct one of them.

At least they'll be left with a prince who will probably rule someday.

“More wine, my Queen?”’

I look up to find Ailish standing over me with a bladder of wine in her hands. I hold out my cup and she fills it nearly to the brim.

She smiles. “It helps one to sleep after a hard day in the saddle, and we shall all need a good sleep tonight to prepare for the day ahead tomorrow.”

I take a drink of the wine and return her smile. “Thank you, Ailish, and thank you for all you have done in relation to this mission, your knowledge of Ellerban has been invaluable.”

“No, my Queen, it is I who needs to thank you for all you have done for me. My knowledge and input in relation to this mission is but a small contribution I can make towards the debt I owe you and Kes. Sleep well, my Queen, and know that I and my fellow Khaleeni guard you through the night with our lives.”

With that she makes a small bow and continues to make her way around the rest of the Khaleeni until the bladder of wine is empty.

I drink from my cup and stare into the flames, thinking about the day ahead and my plan to kidnap a prince who I hope to make my king. The plan is dangerous and depends on many things going right, but I feel with the inside knowledge Ailish has provided it’s something we can pull off.

Whether abducting a prince I’ve never met with the intention of making him my king is a good idea or not is a whole other matter.

I feel the moonstone in my pocket and wonder if the prince I plan to abduct is anything like the warrior from my dream.

Even if he isn't, I can't help thinking he can't be any worse a prospect as my future king than the Highborne Lords of Ardvalla and the repugnant Lord Greythorne.

***

The White Mountain has been in our sights since dawn and it’s an impressive sight, but none more so than when the sun is setting on its crystal planes and it lights up like an immense beacon of red and orange flames.

I watch as the mountain itself seems to burn, and then the flames fade as the sun disappears and gives way to the night.

The Khaleeni and I are concealed in the Dark Forest which covers most of the high terrain we have traversed in the past few hours. Slowly, one by one, lamps are lit in the city below us which starts at the outskirts of the castle and meanders along the length of the valley.

The castle itself is located at the base of the mountain and is a formidable fortress. Thankfully, Ailish spent time there as a child when she visited with her grandmother, who was a seamstress to the queen, and she has told us of the quickest and safest way to access the king’s quarters.

I look on its cold stone facade as it shimmers in the early moonlight, and a shiver of anticipation ripples through me. Down there, in that castle, is the man I intend to make my king. A man I’ve never met and who I first have to get out of that castle without being heard or seen.

“No problem,” I whisper softly onto the early evening breeze, and no sooner have the words left my mouth than the boom of a huge drum being struck breaks the silence as it travels up from the valley below.

Ailish smiles. Everything is happening just as she predicted.

The sun goes down and every night, when the king is in residence, as soon as darkness falls over Bawna the castle drum is sounded.

To the people of Bawna and Ellerban this is a call to home and signifies that the king is at his table and his people should do the same.

Family and community are sacrosanct to the people of Ellerban and Ailish has explained that soon after the drum sounds is the best time to make our way into the castle.

This is the time when the castle guard is at its lowest and some guards have even been known to indulge in too much ale at dinner, making them much less alert afterwards.

I kick my heels into Maneeha’s flanks and urge her forward, out of the cover of the Dark Forest and down the mountain. This is it. There's no turning back now and my heart is in my throat as I lead the Khaleeni down the mountain and onwards to the castle.

Night has well and truly fallen as we secure the horses to a grouping of trees in a copse about half a mile from the castle. Gildea and Tyree stay behind with them to have them ready for our departure, which must be smooth and swift.

Not long after, I watch as Kes flings a climbing rope over the top of one of the battlements at the back of the castle and then tugs on it hard to make sure it’s properly in place and will hold.

Ailish has explained how this part of the castle is the least guarded since it houses the kitchens and the quarters of the senior staff.

Nevertheless, I am more than a little surprised at the absence of any guards at all.

However, the complacency in relation to the security of the castle can probably be explained by Ailish’s other revelation that no-one has ever been stupid enough to invade Ellerban or launch an assault on the castle.

The fierce reputation of the Ellerban natives and how they would deal with any such invaders would seem to be enough of a deterrent.

I ponder this as I slowly make my way up the side of the castle wall with the aid of the climbing rope and try to decide if my desperation has made me the stupidest queen in all of the realms. However, I don't have time to answer my own question as I reach the top and Kes pulls me over.

I no sooner have my feet under me when she moves to the other side of the parapet and removes an extendable ladder from the pack on her back.

She extends it all the way and then places one end on the next parapet and the other end on the edge of the parapet wall on which we stand. Then she turns to me.

“My Queen, we can still turn back. It’s not too late, but once we cross this ladder and put the rest of our plan into motion there is no turning back. Are you sure you wish to continue?”

I nod. “Yes, Kes, this is something I must do. It’s the only way I can defy Greythorne without bringing war to Ardvalla, and if this prince’s seed proves good it will bring hope to my people.”

She smiles and doesn't say another word but turns and starts to shimmy along the ladder across the death-defying gap between the two parapets. My heart is in my mouth as I watch her go, but after what seems like an age she is signalling for myself and Ailish to follow. We quickly do her bidding and soon the three of us are standing on the terrace of the king’s chambers.

It's large, much larger than my terrace at the castle of Valensia, and thankfully it has plenty of places where we can conceal ourselves.