Road to Gilgunronh
The carriage rocks side to side as it follows the winding roads down Mount Saladin.
I feel bad for the horses and the driver up front, facing the blistering winds, as I sit protected inside.
Snow drifts across the window and just looking at the endless white makes me shiver.
I pull the violet curtains closed.
The carriage itself isn't too much to brag about.
Gold painted wood peels off in shimmery flakes on the carpeted floor and the fabric of the seats I'm sitting on are faded.
A perfect representation of the state of Murdoch.
It looks normal until a close inspection reveals the cracks in the walls.
My heart still stings a little at the cold goodbye I got when I left this morning.
Mother came down to give me a quick hug and a pat on the back before she headed back inside.
Father didn't bother coming down at all.
I shouldn't be upset. I would have felt worse if he had turned up but there's just something about the knowledge that I was going to my almost certain death and neither one of parents seemed to care.
The only heartfelt goodbyes I got were from my maids - Susie, Millicent and Alma - who hugged me as tightly as protocol would allow before pecking my cheek.
It was the kind of goodbye I'd hoped my Mother would have given me.
I force my thoughts away and try focusing on something else.
The Kingdom of Gilgunronh sits a good day and a half's travel away from Murdoch so I settle myself in for a long ride.
The small trading town of Collingridge and the Forest of Sholle sits between us and the Eastern Isles of Gilgunronh.
We'll make a stop at an inn in Collingridge for the night before continuing on.
By this time tomorrow I'll be in Gilgunronh meeting my future husband.
It's been years since I've left Murdoch. I was more focused on keeping away from my father and his anger to work up the courage to ask him to leave. All trips have to be formally approved by the King and that requires me being too close to my father for my liking.
My lady-in-waiting sits across from me absently knitting with green wool.
"What are you making, Daria?" I prod.
She looks up startled at my sudden conversation.
"Just a jumper for my grandson, Your Highness.
He turns three in a couple weeks and I hope to be finished by then.
You never know with these old hands - my fingers aren't quite as durable as they used to be.
"
I nod in understanding and smile softly, "I brought some medicinal cream with me if you'd like to borrow it.
It helps when my knee acts up."
Daria smiles back and nods, "I appreciate that Your Highness.
"
"How many times have I asked you to call me Juliette?
" I laugh softly.
Daria grins, "you'll have to ask a few more times yet, Your Highness.
"
I shake my head, still grinning and grab a book of the seat next to me. May as well settle in.
Daria helped me down the step and glanced at my knee.
"Shall I grab your cane, Your Highness?
"
I shook my head. Even after all these years the cane was an embarrassing necessity of my life.
"Just the cream will do, Daria. You can grab some for yourself after it's applied.
"
She nodded and grabbed some of my bags, the driver grabbing the rest. I thanked them both and headed inside the inn to freshen up.
My room was quite small but in terms of Collingridge, luxurious.
A queen bed was shoved into the corner next to a large window and a small fire burned directly opposite it.
The room was cozy and I appreciated the effort the innkeeper had gone to, to make the room comfortable.
A small door led off to a bathroom and I headed there first, needing to wash off the grime of the day.
It was going to be a long night.
After a hearty breakfast of spicy stewed vegetables and local berries, we were back in the carriage again.
My pink gown dug uncomfortably into me and I knew once I finally had it off there would be red indents marring my skin.
The pink gown itself was beautiful although something I wouldn't have picked for myself.
Mother had insisted upon it and I knew from the determined way she shoved it in my luggage that it was her way of apologising.
That deep down she was sorry for what was going to happen to me, even if she couldn't fix it.
It was the only reason I chose it as the dress to meet King Richard in.
Daria sat across from me still knitting with her green wool, although a couple of completed squares sat in a basket next to her.
Her progress made me smile but I didn't want to bother her with conversation so I looked back out the window.
We were entering the Forest of Sholle now and large trees took up the majority of the view.
There were only a few pathways through the Forest of Sholle due to the lack of people who wished to travel through them.
It wasn't necessarily a dangerous trip but the chances of running into the Thieves of Sholle definitely increased.
Most traders refused to travel through due to the risk of losing their valuables, instead choosing to travel by boat along the coastline.
My Father had shrugged off Mother's concern about the trip.
Going by boat added two extra days to the journey and he hadn't wanted to keep King Richard waiting.
I could only hope the Thieves of Sholle were somewhere else today.
Or maybe King Richard had finally sorted out the problem after the death of his first wife.
Unlikely.
"Is something the matter, Your Highness?
"
I glance at Daria to find her putting her knitting to the side, her eyebrows drawing together.
I realise that my thoughts are playing across my face and quickly snap my mask back in place.
"Of course, Daria. Nothing to worry about.
"
She looks like she's about to say something else but decides against it, her mouth closing softly.
Guilt fills me as I go back to watching out the window. This was a risky trip to take and Daria was only here because of me. She would know as well as anyone what lived in this forest. Or who.
A large snap and thud draws my attention. The carriage jolts to a sudden halt and I can't help the small cry that escapes me.
"All good, Your Highness! A branch just fell across the road, we'll have it moved in no time," the driver shouts from outside. I settle back in my seat still wary.
Daria twists the knitting square she's working on between her fingers and I smile at her reassuringly.
"It'll be all right, Daria. They'll have the branch moved in no time.
"
My voice sounds more sincere than I feel.
Something doesn't feel right and the unknown danger sends a twisted knot of worry to my stomach.
It takes a few seconds to register how quiet it is.
A part of me wishes to live in blissful ignorance inside the carriage.
To hide under the sheets from the monster outside.
But real life doesn't work like that.
I place a hand hesitantly on the handle of the carriage door but before I can begin to open it it's wrenched open.
"Lovely to meet you, Your Highness."