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I want to demand of Barra that he tell me, but I fear I will only get the reticent response I got before and also know how hard he has to concentrate to follow Aaran’s signs in the dark.

The last thing I wish to do right now is distract him and risk losing the trail to the prince.

So I hunker down into my saddle and follow his broad shoulders into the dark.

Our progress is slow as the path deteriorates more and more into an ever narrowing trail which becomes increasingly challenging to navigate in the dark.

Thankfully, the dawn is breaking as we leave the thickness of the forest behind and enter more rocky terrain, where the landscape consists of scraggy trees, grassy hillocks, gushing streams and stony grey soil.

This is Awtchnashee – the place of the fairies – and as we pass by a beautiful waterfall shot through with the golden pink of the rising sun, it’s easy to see why. It has an other-worldly feel.

“Perhaps we should stop here,” Kes suggests, “and break our fast before we go any further.”

I know why she is anxious to stop here, because once we leave Awtchnashee we enter the Craglands, the craggy foothills of the Black Mountain.

It will be difficult terrain to navigate with the horses and is full of hidden dangers such as groundholes, wolves and mountain lions.

There are also those who believe it is frequented by the Callachs, a tribe of old crones, generally believed to be witches.

However, I suspect this is an old wives' tale conjured to keep adventurous children out of the Craglands and prevent them from falling down a groundhole.

Barra turns to face us. “That sounds like a good idea,” he agrees and dismounts from his horse.

We settle the horses beside the stream and sit on some nearby rocks.

I pour some milk for each of us and hand around the oat biscuits.

The air is fresh and we break our fast to the sound of the waterfall tumbling over rocks as it joins the stream, and gentle birdsong as our feathered brethren greet each other.

“This place has a certain ethereal beauty,” Barra observes, “almost as if it is enchanted.”

“Funny you should say that,” I reply, “it’s known as The Place of The Fairies.”

His eyebrows curve slightly upwards. “Oh, friendly fairies I hope?”

I give a low chuckle. “Well, I’ve yet to hear of any unfriendly ones, but it’s probably best if we don’t do anything to irk them.”

He smiles, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. “It never pays to irk a fairy.”

“No, apparently not,” I agree, and return his smile, grateful for a light-hearted moment. “Tell me, do you think we are close to the prince? Has Aaran left any clue? We have covered a significant amount of ground and I’m not sure if it’s a good idea to take the horses into the Craglands.”

“The Craglands?” he asks. “They don’t sound too friendly.”

“It’s the expanse of land that lies between here and the base of the Black Mountain, and it will be increasingly difficult for the horses to safely navigate it.”

His face becomes serious and he is silent for a few moments.

“I think Aaran is close by and will join us soon, we can discuss it with him then, but now I think we'd best be on our way.” He looks around as he speaks as if speaking to someone unseen and I wonder if Aaran is closer than he is letting on.

***

The sun has reached the midpoint of the day when we find ourselves surrounded by the eerie landscape of the Craglands.

The ground is mostly made up of dark grey shale interspersed with sharp schist and the trail winds its way through huge boulders.

Every now and again there is an open, grassy area and in some cases a few trees, but for the most part it is a gloomy and barren landscape.

I can well understand why some people believe it to be inhabited by Callachs.

The only thing I find hard to believe is how the prince has managed to come this far on foot, but Barra assures me it’s more than possible.

“He’s fit and healthy, Your Majesty, and when he has one of these episodes he becomes quite focused on where he wants to go.”

His face is set with sadness and regret as he speaks and I’ve no doubt he knows exactly what causes the prince such pain.

“Is it possible you will share with me what troubles the prince so?” I ask, an undeniable measure of hope in my voice.

He closes his eyes for a second as if he wishes I didn’t ask my question.

Then, in a regretful voice, he says, “All I can tell you, Queen Elinor, is what happened to him would destroy a normal man. All things considered, the prince is doing well, despite his episodes. However, I’m afraid you’re going to have to ask him for the details of what happened.

As I said before, it’s his story to tell. ”

I’m more than a little frustrated with his answer and I can’t help huffing out a rather childish response. “Well I have to find him first.”

He looks wounded at my words, and I immediately regret them. “I’m sorry,” I say in a low voice, “that was childish of me. I just feel if I knew what ails him then perhaps I could help him.”

“I understand, Your Majesty,” he replies, “but believe me when I tell you the prince is greatly improved since coming to Ardvalla. I never thought I’d see him smile again, but you’ve lifted his spirits no end. I believe just being here and spending time with you is help enough.”

I smile at his kind words. “Thank you, Barra, let’s hope that continues to be the case when we get him back to the castle.”

“I’ve no doubt it will prove so,” he replies, and he gives me a smile of such warmth and depth it causes a flush of heat to my cheeks.

We continue picking our way along the increasingly narrow trail for some time when suddenly the silence is broken by a horse’s scream behind me. I look back and see Kes pulling the spare horse to a stop.

“What happened?” I ask, as it becomes obvious the horse is reluctant to stand on its front left leg.

“I think he twisted his leg on the uneven ground,” she replies, and I can tell she’s not happy with this turn of events.

She jumps from her horse and starts to inspect the leg of the wounded one.

“Damn it,” she exclaims, “it’s already starting to swell.

I shall need to treat it and he will need to rest.”

I look at Barra. “Do you think we have much further to go? Has Aaran left any clue as to how close we are to finding the prince?”

He looks at the trail and back at me. “It’s hard to say, Queen Elinor, but I can proceed from here on my own. You can stay here with the commander and the horses.”

I know what he is suggesting makes sense, but the memory of the prince’s tormented eyes and soul deep apology pull at me, and I believe I need to be with him and Aaran when they find him.

Even in his distress back at the castle, the prince knew who I was, and I wish to be there for him when he is found.

However, I am reluctant to leave Kes here on her own.

She senses my indecision. “I’ll be fine here on my own, Elinor,” she says.

“The prince can’t be very far away at this stage, so I won’t be here for too long.

The trail becomes treacherous from here and if the prince is following it, then it will soon start to climb steeply and won’t be suitable for the horses.

I will remain here with them and wait for your return.

The horses will be well rested and prepared for a swift return journey to Valensia. ”

I look around. We are standing in a small grassy clearing and even though it is surrounded by large boulders, there is a fresh stream, and a few scraggy trees clumped together offering some shelter and a place to tether the horses.

I nod at Kes, if there is anyone capable of staying here alone, it’s her.

“Fine,” I reply. “Barra and I shall continue from here on foot, but if you are in need of assistance sound your horn and we shall come straight back. Hopefully, it won’t be too long before we locate the prince and return. ”

***

It isn’t long before the trail narrows to nearly nothing and we start to climb upwards, picking our way along jagged rocks and around huge boulders.

The going is tough and requires all our concentration to avoid injury.

However, as hard as I’m concentrating, there are times when I’m aware of a presence and have the distinct feeling of a pair of eyes upon me and I wonder if they are blue topaz in colour [SL1] [RM2] .

“I feel Aaran must be close by,” I say to Barra, as he looks for the next sign.

“Yes, he is,” he replies but doesn’t elaborate any further.

“Do you not think it strange he doesn’t join us?”

He smiles. “No, Your Majesty, another man maybe, but Aaran? No. He will wish to use all his faculties to track the prince and not want to be distracted. He will join us soon enough, when he has either found the prince or is in need of our help.”

He reaches out his hand to help me navigate a steep twist in the trail and I gladly accept, a warmth moving through my body as it reacts to his strength and touch.

“Thank you,” I say in a low voice, as my curves are forced to rub against his muscular frame due to the narrowness of the trail.

“My pleasure,” he replies with that warm smile I’m beginning to realise is very much him.

Whereas the prince can be mercurial in nature, Barra is solid and stable, with a natural warmth and affable character I find very appealing.

He’s easy to be around and there’s something about him that brings out the carefree part of my nature.

When I’m with him, I imagine we could have been childhood sweethearts in a world where I would have been allowed such a thing.