Chapter 2
The Border of Everness and Norrandale
Cai
The sun was high above the clouds as we reached the bridge between Norrandale and Everness. I glanced out of my carriage window at the rush of water below the bridge. Norrandale and Everness were situated on a small mass of land isolated from the continents. High mountains and deep gorges created a border between the two kingdoms. Norrandale, in the south, had lush land for prosperous farming, whereas Everness was covered by dark and ancient forests.
An angry river gushed in the ravine as the Evernean guards approached us.
The bridge was wide, with Evernean guards on the left where people entered, and Norrandish guards on the right, on the other side of the bridge. It was a fairly quiet day, with few faces to look up at us as we passed.
“I present the royal prince and heir to the throne of Norrandale,” Jack, my front rider, stated.
Our identities were made obvious not only by our uniform colours, but also the luxury in our travel accommodation. That and the ring on my finger, which bore the crest of the royal family.
“Your Highness.” The Evernean soldier bowed at us in greeting. I lowered my head to return the gesture. “We have been expecting your arrival. Welcome to Everness. We shall let the King know you’re on your way.”
Jack nodded and led our party onwards. I leaned back in my seat then, closing my eyes, and listened to the world outside. The sound of water quickly faded as we entered the Evernean Forest that covered most of the kingdom. It was replaced by birdsong and the breeze making its way through the leaves.
Once we were out of sight of the border, we swerved left off the forest road and into the thicker brush. Keeping an eye out for anyone passing by, we quickly got rid of our uniforms. We abandoned the carriage and mounted the horses, heading back to the main road.
“I still don’t see why we had to do that,” Conner said. He was the youngest of our party of five, barely fifteen. I was concerned about bringing him along, but Jack, who was in charge of his training, assured me the boy would be fine. And Jack wouldn’t be my second-in-charge if I didn’t trust him and his opinions with my life.
“Haven’t you heard stories about the Evernean Forest, boy?” he asked Conner.
“You mean those fairy tales about it being a magic forest or something?”
“Those are no fairy tales.” Jack’s tone was teasing. “They say these woods are filled with creatures who have been cursed to roam the darkness of the forest for all time.”
“And you know what they say about the trees.” I couldn’t help cutting in and Conner gave me a glance of uncertainty. “Didn’t you know that the trees here have eyes? They are believed to be the guardians of the forest, protecting it from those with ill intent.” We’d all grown up with stories of the Evernean Forest and how one should never be alone in it at night. But the myths were centuries old, almost as old as the kingdom itself.
Conner looked towards Jack. “I don’t believe you and I know you’re just trying to scare me.”
I glanced at the branches of green surrounding us. If anything, the forest appeared to be sleeping. Calm and serene. Besides, as far as my knowledge went, there were much more realistic things to be frightened of than the possibility of mythical trees.
“Even so,” I spoke up, “These woods are filled with bandits. We cannot risk making ourselves a target of any kind.”
“I hear rumours that the infamous Masked Bandit has been busy recently.”
“How so?” I asked Jack.
“Merchants of Norrandale have been complaining they fear to travel across the border. But the bandit seems more focused on Evernean aristocrats. I heard this bandit is often encountered on the east side of the city of Levernia, so we shouldn’t be too concerned. Though it is affecting the Norrandish economy. Perhaps you should take up the matter with your future in-laws.”
“Who’s the Masked Bandit?” Conner asked.
“People say it’s the most infamous and mischievous thief in the history of Everness, but it’s all rumour,” I replied. Conner seemed intrigued, but asked no more.
Above all, bandits aside, I didn’t trust Prince Lance and King Magnus as far as I could throw them. I hadn’t been all that surprised when my father announced the alliance between our two kingdoms by my marriage to the princess. After all, the relationship between our nations had been dire for centuries. We’d been at war so many times, I hardly thought anyone knew what the reason was anymore. Perhaps now we could finally heal a wound of the past.
I was, however, suspicious at the odd request by Lance that I come to meet his sister alone. Father trusted that I would safely find my way, but my men and I weren’t taking any chances. Prince Lance had a reputation after all — loyalty was not a characteristic known to him. I would be willing to marry a stranger if it meant peace for my kingdom, but I certainly wasn’t too eager to walk into a trap.
Loosening my grip on the reins, I nudged my steed forwards with a squeeze of my calf. I sat back in my saddle comfortably once I had caught up to Jack.
“Beautiful day, is it not?” he stated and I nodded in reply. “What is it, my prince?” Jack asked and I raised an eyebrow in question. “You look rather concerned.”
I shook my head slightly. “The strangest feeling. Like we are being watched.” Jack glanced around at my words, scanning the area and the branches above. Then he met my smiling gaze and both of us looked towards Conner, who appeared to be desperately hiding any hint of fear or concern. I didn’t believe the stories about the magic forest myself. So why was a strange feeling of unease swelling in my gut?
“May I suggest you’re simply nervous?”
“Nervous about what?” I asked.
“About meeting your future wife.” Conner’s voice came up from behind.
“Why would I be nervous about meeting the princess?” I dared to ask, somehow knowing that I would soon come to regret it.
“I would be,” Conner stated. “Ladies are nothing but trouble, if you’re asking me.” His words earned a chuckle from the rest of the group.
“Is that so?” I glanced behind to meet his eyes. “And what made you come to that conclusion?”
“You get in trouble even if they were the ones who broke Mother’s vase and you had nothing to do with it. And if you don’t do as they say, they drag you by the ear.”
All of us were smiling now.
“I see,” I replied and even felt a hint of remorse for Conner, who had grown up with an annoying younger sister, it would seem.
“Are you, though?”
I turned back to Jack. “Am I nervous?”
He nodded.
“Truth be told, I hadn’t given it much thought.”
“Of course you haven’t,” Jack replied and his tone was biting enough to suggest more to his comment.
“What is that supposed to mean, Jack?”
“It means, I don’t think you’ve thought about any girl since the war.”
I pretended not to know what he was talking about. In fact, I didn’t want to think about that period of my life at all. Much less have a discussion about it.
“I have a kingdom to think about.”
He snorted. “It appears you’ve forgotten the pleasure and the pain that goes along with having a woman in your life.”
I didn’t give him the satisfaction of a reply.
“All I’m saying is,” he continued, “that spending the rest of your days with someone faithfully is life-altering. She can either be the best or worst thing that happens to you.”
I raised an eyebrow in his direction. “How is that supposed to be comforting?”
“Who said anything about comforting?” He chuckled. “You don’t pay me for that.”
I couldn’t help smiling at my old friend.
“The marriage is still advantageous in many ways, is it not?” Alastor, our weapon keeper, questioned.
“Yes. We have lots of crops and raw materials such as gold and silver, which could be beneficial to Everness considering how many of the people live in poverty. But Everness has military enforcements that Norrandale’s army simply can’t compare to. After the war, we have been a meek army at best. There is a reason so few dare to threaten them.”
“The only reason King Magnus has such a large army is because most of the people are hungry enough to sell their souls. At least that’s what I’ve heard,” Jack said. “He doesn’t pay them nearly enough, but threatens their families — which makes them loyal to the monarchy and to them alone.”
“Loyalty out of fear isn’t real loyalty,” Alastor said.
“I agree.” I nudged my horse forwards. “But creating an alliance with them is safer than fighting them. There may be peace in Norrandale now, but until we are able to protect ourselves, we stand the risk of being invaded by almost anyone.”
“But still.” Jack would not give up the conversation and I was beginning to sense that perhaps it had been too long since he’d had a lady in his arms. “You must wonder what she’ll be like.”
“If she’s anything like her brother, you’re in big trouble.”
Alastor’s comment was muttered as a joke. Most of the time he didn’t have anything to say at all. Alastor was the quiet sort, but deadly. His words, however, did have some merit, which created an even bigger sense of concern in the pit of my stomach. Stories of Lance travelled to Norrandale, but I’d never heard much about Princess Eloisa. Didn’t know of her reputation or if she had a mind as devious as her brother’s.
“Now you really do look concerned,” Jack commented and I frowned.
“You are here for my protection,” I reminded him. “Instead, you have made me fear for my life.”
Jack laughed. “Don’t worry yourself so, Your Highness. It won’t change anything.”
“You’re right, I’m sure she will be perfectly charming.” I made an attempt at convincing myself.
“For your sake, I truly hope so.”