River Heart

Chapter Fifteen - Unexpected

They had retreated to their wagon once more, and in the morning Lyris woke beneath Arn’s arm. His limb tucked around her waist. She considered rolling away before sinking back instead and returning to her dreams, comfortable. Stange how she had never been able to share with anyone before. There had been something irritating about the weight of their limbs, or the heat of their body. With Arn, sleeping alongside him came with a sense of rightness, of comfort. He was strong but never possessive.

Later she woke again, and turned to find that Arn had already left for breakfast. The day then proceeded as the ones before. Camp was broken down and the wagons set off. The caravan rattled along the path and through villages and small towns.

By the third morning, Lyris felt as though she could have been part of the caravan for years and enjoyed waking up in a new part of the wilderness with the new dawn. In the evenings, the chores were evenly distributed, dinner made and the large fire lit. Lyris grew used to the smell of wood smoke following her and settling into her clothes. It became her duty to find the freshest, cleanest water for the party and ensure there was enough for everyone to use. Arn would lope into the forests with Kit, Humstom and Brun and the four young men would emerge, laughing and challenging each other in stupid ways. Who could carry the most wood? Who could chop the large branches the quickest? Watching the youths, Lyris realised that it was hard to tell Arn apart in his mannerisms and easy laughter, he was to be relaxed amongst the roaming family and didn’t seem any more of a Prince than the others.

After the evening meal, songs were sung or sometimes stories exchanged over the crackle and hiss of fresh wood. Each night, Lyris and Arn would sit beside each other, shoulder to shoulder and then retreat, usually last to their wagon, and sleep. Every morning, Lyris would wake up in the Princes’ embrace and she began to wonder, what was so wrong with the comfort that she found sleeping beside him? They never discussed their decision to remain in the caravan together, and Kit stopped his teasing.

On the seventh day since leaving the borderlands, the Great Lake spread out before them, beyond the spur of a hill. It stretched like a sea, shining in the mid-day sun and vanished into the distance. Across the lake, Lyris knew that there was another land, Khama then Staven and at the far end was the fortified town of Toscun that perched on the border of the two countries.

As they continued around the hill, she could see the fort that had been protected behind the final spur. It had a round tower and was circled in high sandstone walls. The river had carved a path like a moat over centuries and was deep enough to offer protection. The main road through Milany led directly to gates and a portcullis. Inside the walls, Arn had explained that there was enough space for a garrison and everything an army would need, a black smith, stables, and servants for the Lord of Redstone, as the settlement was known.

The main road split at the top of a final slope. To the right it descended to the bridge and gates and to the left, it slipped down to follow the edge of the Lake. The caravan paused at the top of the hill and Lyris found herself drawing a deep breath. The bright sun lit across the walls of the fort and displayed why it had received its name. The sandstone was a pale yellow in colour, but with the sun shining upon the walls, it turned the hue of molten lava and was beautiful to behold. She could hear the excited rush of tributes running down from the mountains and finally reaching the large body of water. Without needing to see her magical ability, she could sense the joyous energy of the water moving through ancient caverns beneath their feet. The water was singing, but the lake itself looked quiet and peaceful. To an outsider it was calm, with barely a ripple on the surface. An unusual colour, it was the pale blue of a glacier with crystal clear waters for as far as she could see.

‘We’ll be staying at the fort tonight,’ Kelanin had pulled the Blue caravan up. Kit was perched on the roof and Lyris had been trying her hand at the reins. All she could see of the travelling youth were his bare feet, dangling over the edge of the roof. Arn had saddled Storm and was riding on the far side of the road, gaze fixed on the sloping land beyond and the endless expanse of lake. The young woman could barely contain her surprise, after all they had always managed to camp in the wilderness. Kelanin had explained how much she preferred it to civilisation. The rest of the travellers had agreed, they preferred their space. But before Lyris could question the decision, she followed Kelanin’s gaze to Arn who looked around at that moment.

The Prince and the Caravan queen exchanged glances and Lyris was left baffled. Then Kelanin carried on past and took up position at the front of the group. The descent of caravans began with a low rumble. Lyris gave a flick of the reins and the horses moved forward at their easy pace. Arn nudged Storm towards the wagon, closing the gap between them.

Lyris couldn’t help but wonder if Arn requested that they stay at the tower? If so, why? Had he decided that he no longer wanted to travel with them, with her? Why the sudden change of heart? She realised that asking her questions silently, wasn’t going to get her any answers so she turned to Arn. He looked away.

‘My brothers are looking for me, there was word in the village yesterday’ he explained, ‘I’m going to make myself known to Lord Redstone, so he can assure them of my safety.’

‘Will you travel on with us?’ Had she taken his continued presence for granted?