Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Mikhail watched the dispute between his sovereign and princess and couldn’t decide who he should bet on. Though given the low blow the Princess just delivered to her father about her injury, Mikhail realized she might just win.

They royal family was getting ready to sojourn north to the funeral of Inessa, Duchess of Emerald Woods. Avalyn wanted to ride horseback instead of being in the carriage. She insisted the carriage would hurt her back. Mikhail didn’t actually doubt that to be true, but she just wanted to ride and be out in the open.

King Avery took a hard look at Ava before his gaze turned on Mikhail. He saw a lot in the depth of his gaze, but wasn’t certain what he was reading before the King looked back to Avalyn and acquiesced. Mikhail’s to-do list changed now that his princess was riding. He changed the mental line up of his guard, and added Graham to the precession. He had requested the night before that he was groom just incase and was glad for it. Mikhail had seen to the tack himself, making sure all the stitching was good, the leather healthy, and buckles rust free. His shoes were new too.

Avalyn bounded away from the breakfast table, Mikhail trailed only after he had relayed new orders to his men. The King gave him another look and he nodded to his king. He would take care of everything.

When he arrived to her room she was bustling about, half dressed grabbing things here and there. Sometimes putting things back. She beamed when he would walked in, then frowned. “I suppose I shouldn’t be in such good spirits. My apologies.” Her eyes glanced over to her jar of ointment and she muttered to herself as she went for it.

“You’re leaving the palace. The city. That’s exciting.” Mikhail had been keeping himself so mentally loaded, he hadn’t let himself think about why they were traveling. Avalyn had noticed his rather subdued demeanor this morning and she was conflicted. She was traveling. To Mikhail’s home city no less but it was for a funeral for his mother. She should have known better than to let her feelings leave her. She was used to letting Mikhail know how she felt about something. Though hiding her thoughts and feelings was a second nature. “You don’t need to hide your excitement on my account.” Gods know he didn’t for her, and not just his excitement.

“I’m not sure exactly how I ought to feel, frankly. I’m excited I get to be out and see something. Go somewhere. I feel like I should be sad, but I didn’t… know… her.” She cringed as she said it out loud and looked at Mikhail apologetically who didn’t seem phased. “I am upset though that you’re hurting.”

Mikhail gave her a sad smile, “It’s alright Your Highness. I understand completely.” There was a heavy pause between them. “Finish dressing.” She gave a curt nod and walked into her dressing room while he gathered her things. A small beaded bag on her table was awkwardly full. He peered inside, finding two books, her diary, her sketch journal and an assortment of writing instruments. Mikhail shook his head, she always had to have a book. One of those books alone would strain the stitching of the delicate bag.

He checked her chest and he sighed exasperated. There were three more books. More writing junk and only a couple slips. He walked to the door and leaned out to look at Theodrid. His lieutenant looked at him expectantly as Mikhail took a moment to remember where his bag was. “In my quarters, there’s a chest in the bottom of my wardrobe. In it should be an old leather bag. If it isn’t there, then it’s in the crate beneath my bed. Go grab it for me.”

He gave a crisp “yes, sir” and trotted off. Mikhail went back and collected everything she would need. She came out of her bathing chambers, arms full with dresses when a knock came from the door. Theodrid announced himself before entering. Mikhail nodded to the table and thanked him, “Is the squad ready to go?”

Theodrid confirmed they were.

“And Captain Weiss, he rounded up third company?”

“Yes, sir. All companies are prepped and mounted aside for the platoon currently on duty, through we are prepared to leave. We just need to mount and go. First Company has taken Palace Guard Reserves and have already left to scout and secure the roads to Emerald Woods.”

“Very well.”

“Last thing, sir. It has come down that Captain Weiss is Acting Commanding Officer. You’re technically you’re on forced leave. Though, of course, your orders still stand.”

Mikhail was silent a moment. There were only three people who could supersede him. His head snapped to the most likely culprit. She shrugged, looking guilty.

“Thank you, Lieutenant. As you were.”

She dropped her load into the chest. Mikhail restrained a huff. This girl did not know how to pack. He took three out. Folded the ones in there nicely. “Where is your gown for the funeral?”

She looked at the pile Mikhail took out and gave him an awkward look, before whispering, “What do I wear to a funeral?”

“You’ve never been to a funeral?”

She shook her head. “Okay, let’s go take a look at what you have available.” She turned and he followed her into her bathing chambers and to her closet wardrobe. Mikhail studied everything carefully but none of it was suitable. This was a dilemma he hadn’t been expecting. She had a plain dark blue dress but it was worn. She worked in it and looked it. “This is all you have?”

She hummed to herself thinking, “I can ask papa if I can look through mother’s things?”

“Let’s go take a look.”

000

“I’m sorry, Little Love. I didn’t even think of something proper for you to wear.” Both Mikhail and Avalyn followed her father into his closet. Against the far wall were two large beautiful chests. He knelt before one and unlocked it, then passed his key Avalyn as she knelt beside the second one. They pulled things out, passing things to Mikhail to hold. They had been digging through when he spotted a gown he recognized. He said as much to the king. Avery looked over the gown, picking it up.

“You have a long memory Knight Commander. You would have been quite a young boy when Christie wore this.” The king laughed. “She wore this to the Winter Solstice party your parents hosted.”

“She announced she was with child.”

Avery beamed, “She did.” Both he and Mikhail looked to Avalyn who was still studying the gorgeous gown. When she realized her father was giving her an odd smile her eyes flickered between the two men feeling uncomfortable.

“Will it fit?” She stood and held the dress up to herself, “Mother and I were similar in size?”

“Yes, though you’re taller. Here.” Her father stood and took the dress again for Ava to take off her coat. He helped her slip the gown over her clothes.

“My shoulders are a bit wider.”

“The hem is high too. Have your handmaid take it out on the ride up.”

“Mary isn’t coming. Do you think you could ask Elise if her handmaiden could? Or even maybe Madam Dolores?”

“I’ll go ask.”

She pet the soft fabric and looked up at her father feeling conflicted, “Is it appropriate that I wear this?”

“Why not, baby?”

“I mean, isn’t it a bit symbolic?”

One of her fathers brow raised, “If you don’t have any significant news to share, does it matter?” After she was silent a moment Avery pressed, “Unless you have news to share, Queen Consort?”

Avalyn’s face turned bright red and chuckled nervously, “I forgot you heard that.”

“Go on. I’ll take care of this.”

She handed over the gown excitedly and bounced out dragging Mikhail behind her. Though not before Mikhail witnessed the dangerous look Avery sent his way.

000

Avalyn had the best of intentions, wanting to stay and sketch every little thing outside the city that captured her interest. She sketched as quickly as she could as the progression ambled down the road. After a couple hours of riding, she was overly warm, and the whole of her backside started to ache dully. Mikhail caught Grahams bridle as Avalyn’s fist with the rein fell.

She wasn’t sure how long she had been dozing when she felt the startling alarm of predator. Bolting up right nearly made her fall right out of her saddle. She took a moment to get her bearing, when she finally looked to Mikhail, he was looking at her with barely contained amusement. “Sleep well?” Avalyn didn’t give a response as she tried to focus where she had sensed the danger.

“Can you stop the progression?” Mikhail looked at her as if she had lost her mind, “Now, Mikhail!” He did as he was told and halted the line. The King’s Guard Captain at the front looked about confused as he made his way towards the commander. Avalyn ignored him as she rode past him towards the carriage her siblings were in. She knocked and her littlest sister pressed her face against the glass. Elise opened the curtain to peer out before she opened the door.

“Everything alright?”

“Yes, of course. Can I borrow Matt?” Matthias was slouched in the corner, bored from the ride. Though he watched interested. The moment Avalyn asked for him he was climbing out of the carriage. He clambered on Graham clumsily, Avalyn helping him get situated. Graham didn’t make it one step before he was intercepted by the King’s mount.

“Is all well, my love?”

"You can't sense it?"

He shook his head.

“You’re getting slow in your advancing years, papa.” She maneuvered around him to the front of the line.

He gave a scoff at her audacity and trailed behind her. She stopped at the lead of the train. Mikhail and her father on either side of her. Just then, a bull elk leaped out of the forest and darted to the either side. Taking no notice of the large train of people. A couple cows followed a moment later. The earth started to shake, making the horses fidget nervously. Matthias leaned forwarded watched with excited anticipation. The thundering of hooves filled the open space around them.

A herd punched through the foliage, stampeding back into the forest on the other side of the path. Matthias laughed, nearly leaping out of the saddle. As the massive herd continued on, bugling and shrieking started. The animals screaming were running desperately. Avalyn looked to her father when he scoffed. He sensed what was coming. A wolf came out beside the herd snarling snapping at heels.

The herd was thinning as it came to the tail end. A bull hit the earth hard as a wolf pounced, sinking its teeth into its haunch and pulling it back with all its might. The elk managed to kick the wolf and jump to his feet but a pack member intercepted, lunging at the elk’s throat.

“They’re going to kill it.” Matthias said quietly.

“Yes. They are definitely going to try.”

“Can’t you do something?”

A bugle interrupted her. A bull rushed out, charging the wolves that had surrounded the first, “Why do you believe I should do that?”

The wolves scattered in a circle, trying to keep the two bulls contained and separated from the herd. As the second bull skid to a stop, a massive wolf flung himself from the forest leaping into the elk’s neck. The elk made a strangled cry as the wolfs weight continued forward. Throwing the beast onto it’s back. Other wolves attacked. Preventing the struggling beast from kicking.

“Because they’re going to die. You can stop it, can’t you?”

“It is probable that I could. Though it doesn’t mean I should. If this hunt doesn’t succeed, then these wolves may die from starvation. If not them, then perhaps pups waiting back home? Would you condemn them to go hungry?”

“No…”

The first bull tried to help the one Avalyn knew was his kin. They were brothers. But they were wounded and tired. The wolves had won. The bull knew all of this but it didn’t stop him from charging the big one. He ignored the wolf that leaped on his back and rammed the offending wolf. It yelped as it was thrown a few yards.

The horses backed up anxiously as the wolf was a lot closer than what was comfortable. Another wolf screamed. Gutted as it had been charged by the desperate bull. The large wolf struggled to roll to his belly. He panted heavily, trying to catch his breath, he finally noticed his audience. His mouth closed and stared at the three of them. He rose smoothly to his feet as if he hadn’t just been rammed by a creature that had six-hundred pounds on him. His eyes pinned on Avalyn and he took a step towards them.

Avalyn was floored. This was not how a wolf should behave. She used her magic to make him forget about them and get back to his hunt. But his head tilted to the side. Her magic had no effect. It shouldn’t have been possible. A flaming arrow landed right in front of his paws and he jumped back surprised. Mikhail leaped off Ash and landed heavily in front of them. Obscuring the wolf from view. She felt his flare of fear and trotted back to the elk he had taken down. Mikhail straightened, his bow still in hand. He watched the wolves drag their kill back into the shelter of the forest before retrieving his arrow.

As he turned back, his eyes seemed almost golden as the sun shone in his face. But he ducked his head as he trekked up beside Avalyn, “Are you alright, Princess? You seem a bit spooked.” He gently laid a hand on her knee.

It took Avalyn’s brain a moment to form words, “my magic didn’t work.”

He shared her concern, “I’m not an expert on magic, but sometimes that happens, doesn’t it?”

“It’s not that my magic didn’t work. I should have said, he ignored my magic.”

“That’s not possible, my love.” Her father interjected, “Mikhail is correct.” He turned and reached for Matthias, who eagerly climbed onto his father’s lap. He whined that he didn’t want to go back in the stuffy carriage.

“I don’t think so.” Avalyn whispered to herself as he walked away. She looked down at Mikhail who still watched her with worried eyes, hand still on her knee. His eyes really did appear lighter than normal. “We should continue on.”