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Scornfully, I curled my lip back How dare he questionhat needed to be done "We’ll send word ahead to Vojvoda Andrei Rada that I and so to visit his province Let hi me to feel out a possible betrothal between her and the Markiz Everyone knows Haydyn defers to my opinion, so no one will question it In reality, I will spend only a day or so at Arrana and head into the mountains to retrieve the plant" I looked around at the a moment for a breath "Back here, Haydyn has decided she would like soe in Land’s End Only Matai, Raj…" I took a moment to think ould be most trustworthy "She’ll need a chaperone for appearances sake so we’ll send Seamstress Roith you She can be trusted" I stared them all down "No one azed at ave me what could pass for a waran"

"How long will it take you to retrieve the plant?" Valena asked quietly, her fingers worrying the handkerchief in her hand She hadn’t stopped crying since she’d helped Raj uncover Haydyn’s illness

Unwillingly I looked to Wolfe He was the only one who knew the provinces well He cocked his head to the side thinking about it "Without interruption? With the Royal Guard-"

"Not all of the There is no way I’ the Handmaiden of Phaedra across our land without an arged "Just being respectful"

"I’d believe that if you didn’t add thistone to the title every ti childish "Fine Twenty men"

"A hundred"

A hundred ave hiht it was ridiculous

Wolfe snarled, "Fine, fifty"

I opened ue and Jarvis held up a hand "You will take fifty riht, so how long will it take us?"

Wolfe shook his head "Difficult to say Depending on weather and any other unforeseen circu between three to six weeks What will I tell my men?" He queried Jarvis

"I assume you can trust Lieutenant Chaeron with the truth Otherwise, just what Rogan outlaid This is merely a diplomatic trip on behalf of the Princezna If trouble brews and you must tell your an and Chaeron May I suggest you leave Second Lieutenant Worth back at the Palace, just in case you and Rogan don’t make it back in tiht of crime in Sabithia, as did we all as we shared anxious looks

"Of course" Wolfe stood, projecting strength and capability They all looked to hi I hated him for that "I’ll see to my men"

"I’ll see to Haydyn’s quiet re unsteadily to her feet "Lord Matai, will you find Sea She will need to pack a few things Raj, Valena, Lord Jarvis, we need to get the Princezna out of the Palace" She turned toI stiffened at the touch No one but Haydyn and Valena ever hugged an I know you can do this We shall see you in a feeeks’ ti not to choke on ether" I strode to Valena and drew her into a tight hug, and she bent down to soak her tears on my shoulder "You take care of her And yourself"

"Be careful, Rogan" Valena pulled back, brushing at her tears "Please"

I pro what Haydyn ht of an entire world onto ask someone else to help me carry my burden

Chapter Six

Haydyn lay before me on her bed, peaceful and pale, her eyelids not even twitching to assuresoht, so sore, and I gripped the bed post lest I reach forward to shake her as I wanted to; to shake her awake and scold her for terrifying the living daylights out of o of the breath I was holding

"You’re going to be alright," I whispered, bending down to brush a kiss across her forehead I knew every feature, every freckle of her as well as I knew htened sob and pulled away from her "I promise"

I strode out into the courtyard where the Guard were busying themselves with their horses and the cart that would travel with us with supplies I tugged onat my back as wind rushed in from the east My heart thudded rapidly in ht with tension I willed my expression to relax into a soft s ht

"Thank you, Jarek," I acknowledged, taking Midnight’s reins and stroking ht nickered and bounced her head towards me in hello

"So" Jarek eyed me sceptically "A diplo his eyes, I nodded as I continued to stroke Midnight "Yes Haydyn’s interested in i relations with the Alvernians"

"It’s such a hastily put together outing" Jarek shook his head "My boys nearly broke their backs getting the horses ready under Wolfe’s command Usually a trip such as this would take a week of preparation at least"

I shuddered, hating to lie to an old friend Instead I opted to trust him with a little of the truth I looked into his eyes and he froze instantly at the seriousness ofaround towith Captain Stovia to discern the situation for myself and see what can be done Speak of this to no one, Jarek, but Haydyn may consider a betrothal to Vojvoda Andrei’s son"

Jarek’s eyes widened "Are things really that bad?"

I nodded

He sighed wearily, shaking his head at the news "I swear, I’ll tell no one, Rogan It would cause unnecessary panic"

S, I took his hand "Thank you, Jarek Haydyn will be staying at her cottage in Land’s End while I’one The news has troubled her and I think it would do her good to get away from palace life"

Jarek squeezed an? You’re to bear the burden of travelling and worrying andthe decisions? It hardly seems fair"