Arelle

Arelle

Book One of the Legend of Arelle Henne

James McKenzie

Copyright © 2015 by James McKenzie.

ISBN: Softcover 978-1-5035-2902-1 eBook 978-1-5035-2901-4

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 03/09/2015

Xlibris1-888-795-4274www.Xlibris.com701246

This book was written for and dedicated to Fiona.

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Chapter 1

Arelle Henne sat on a horse on a bluff overlooking the capital city of Au Claire, the capital city of the kingdom of Garinn. The city was burning. She was dressed in furs, and her breath steamed in the winter night. The big white stallion was restive, and she fought to control him. “Patience,” said Arelle. “You can’t go home to the stables and have oats. The stables are no longer there.” The big horse calmed down.

Arelle was a tall well-built girl of eighteen. Her hair was brown and in a ponytail down to her shoulders. Her brown eyes smoldered as she watched her city burn. Arelle had a bow slung over her shoulders and a sword at her waist. She had saddlebags over her shoulders. She was not alone.

Mayall Wursh sat on a big red stallion next to Arelle. She was dressed the same as Arelle, and she too had saddlebags on her shoulders. “Well, my lady,” she said, “you are now queen of Garinn.” Mayall was nineteen, and she had been the personal servant and constant companion of Arelle for five years. Mayall was as tall as Arelle; her hair was red, and her eyes were green.

“I don’t think that either one of us is going home any time soon,” said Arelle.

“I am glad you had a plan,” said Mayall. “Do you think any of your sisters got out alive?”

“I hope so,” said Arelle. “I hope your parents and your brother are all right.”

“Well, my lady,” said Mayall, “what do we do now?”

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“We head north,” said Arelle. “We have to get out of our kingdom and go to the free kingdoms to the north, where there aren’t so many people. We should probably ride all night.”

Arelle and Mayall headed down Durn road to the north. There was enough moonlight that they could see the road. There was no wind, but it was cold enough that the snow was squeaky. They had been riding for four hours, and they were both very cold when they came across a man camped out in a field with a fire burning. “What might you two ladies be doing out on the road at this time of night?”

“Garinn has fallen to the armies of the count of Penn,” said Arelle. “We are making our way north.”

“Two noble ladies out on the highway,” said the man. “This is my lucky day.” The man was in his twenties and well built.

“I tell you the truth,” said Arelle. “You need to come with us, or you will die.”

The man had his sword out, and he approached Arelle. He lifted the flap on her saddlebag that was on her horse. It was full of gold. He looked up at Arelle just as Mayall put an arrow into his shoulder. He went down on the ground and Arelle knelt over him. “Who are you?” whispered the man.

“This is the queen,” said Mayall. “She has told you the truth.” The man passed out.

“If he has a fire that no one can see,” said Arelle, “then we are safe for the night. I will take care of the horses. You try to stop his bleeding.”

“As you wish, my lady,” said Mayall.Arelle found a small brown mare tethered to a tree. She ran a rope

between two trees and tied the three horses to the line. The saddlebags that she had over her shoulders had oats in them. She fed the horses. Then Arelle went back to the fire. “He will live,” said Mayall.

“Nice shot,” said Arelle.“I didn’t think you wanted him dead,” said Mayall. “He has hot

food here and some ale.”Arelle and Mayall ate, and then they went to sleep under the horse

blankets that were under the saddles of their horses.When Arelle opened her eyes a few hours later, it was early morning.

The skies were still cloudy, but there was no wind. Mayall was up, and she was cooking oats in a pot over the fire. “I fed the horses, my lady,”

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she said. “I made tea for you. I have pan bread and honey. He had some sausage, so I cooked that too.”

“Thank you, Mayall,” said Arelle. “Has he shown any signs of life?”“No,” said Mayall. “But he sleeps well.”“Mayall,” said Arelle, “it would probably be best if no one knows

who I am. Besides, you can’t be a queen without a kingdom. If I am a queen without a kingdom, my kingdom exists of you and me. That would make you the crown princess, and it would not do well for you to call me ‘my lady.’”

“My . . . Arelle, can I ask you a question?” said Mayall.“Go ahead,” said Arelle. “You never have to ask me if you can ask

a question.”“Why is it that you treated me so differently from how the rest of

the royal family treated their ladies-in-waiting?” asked Mayall.“Do you know the only difference between me and you?” asked

Arelle. Mayall shook her head. “I was born a princess, and you were not. That is an accident of birth. It doesn’t make me a better person than you. You have been my constant companion for the last five years. Everything that I have done, you have done with me. I figured it was your job to be with me forever, and if that is true, it would be better if we were friends and not master and servant. Besides, I cannot imagine you being the lady-in-waiting for my mother or Annette.”

Mayall snorted. “You’re right about that,” she said. “I can’t imagine being a lady-in-waiting for your mother or your sister either. All their ladies-in-waiting can do is make lace and adjust gowns.”

“There is another difference, Mayall,” said Arelle. “We are alive, and the rest of my family may not be. We have four saddlebags full of gold that we have to stash somewhere. I imagine our horses will be happier when they don’t have the weight on them anymore.”

“You knew this day was coming, didn’t you?” asked Mayall. “That is why all the saddlebags were packed and ready.”

“Nobles can be phenomenally arrogant,” said Arelle. “They can also be phenomenally blind to reality. I watched as my father’s army decayed, and he went into a life of debauchery and drunken stupor. I have more gold hidden for us . . . if we ever get back home. Well, have some more tea with honey. We will be cold when we leave the fire, and I want to make it to Manistee before nightfall. And we have to wake our host.”

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Soon Arelle slapped the young man to wake him. “My shoulder hurts,” he said. “Did you have to shoot me with an arrow?”

“You were robbing us,” said Mayall. “What was I supposed to do? I didn’t kill you, and it was a clean shot that will leave you no further injury. Now sit up and eat. I cooked the last of your sausage. Have some tea and honey. We will all be very cold soon.”

“Do you have a name?” asked Arelle.“Gavin,” he said. “Gavin Lott.”“Well, Gavin Lott,” said Arelle, “you are no highwayman. I can

tell from the condition of your sword and your hands that you are not. What are you doing out here?”

“I am an apprentice blacksmith,” he said. “I got tired of being beaten.”

“Gavin, you are coming with us,” said Mayall.“What if I don’t want to?” he said. “You shot me with an arrow

after all.”“The three of us are fugitives,” said Arelle. “You might as well come

with us. You’ve nothing better to do. You might even live through the winter this way. You are almost out of food, and you don’t even have a penny to your name. You’ve no bow, so you can’t even shoot anything to eat. Your horse needs shoes, and you need a bath. Now finish your tea, we have a long ride ahead of us. I want to make it to Manistee before nightfall.”

They rode all day, and they ate cold pan bread and honey while they rode. They rode through forests, and they rode by fields that were white, waiting for spring. The air was very still, and the sun never shone. They rode through two towns without ever stopping. They rode around Manistee by side trail and came to a rocky place. That was where they hid the four saddlebags of gold.

They went back into Manistee and went to a stable. “I want our horses boarded for a week,” said Arelle as she gave the stable master a gold piece. “I want the mare to have new shoes first thing in the morning.”

“The smith is still here,” said the stable master. “He can do it now.”They took the mare next door to the shop where the smith was still

working. “Give me a moment while I finish this,” said the smith. “I have a set of shoes that are ready now.”

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A few moments later, the smith was ready to put new shoes on the mare. He filed the mare’s hooves down smooth. “You aren’t going to put those shoes on my horse,” said Gavin. “They won’t last a week.”

“Oh?” said the smith.“Yes,” said Gavin. He dropped one of the horseshoes, and it broke

when it hit the floor. “These shoes have not been made properly.”“I suppose that you can do better?” asked the smith.“I can,” said Gavin. He took four horseshoes and went to the forge.

“Your fire will never be hot enough. It needs moving air to get the heat. Mayall, would you fan this flame for me, please?”

Mayall took a piece of sheet metal, and she began to fan the fire, which got hotter and hotter. Gavin put the shoes in the red-hot embers. “The steel needs to be glowing red,” said Gavin. “That is what gives it strength. You should have a barrel of oil to quench them in, but since you don’t, we will have to improvise.” He took the red-hot shoes one at a time and threw them into a snow bank, where they hissed and steamed in the cold.

“The steel is strong now,” said Gavin. “But it is brittle. We must put them back into the forge and heat them until they are blue. Mayall, you can stop fanning now.” Gavin cooled the shoes, and he began to drawfile all of them. Soon, all the shoes were shiny and smooth. “I will buy some oil in the morning. That way, they won’t rust.” He put the shoes on his mare.

“Where are you a smith?” asked the smith from Manistee.“I was a smith in the royal stables in Au Claire,” he said. “Garinn

has fallen to the count of Penn. We were all servants of the crown. They are all dead, and we left. You might consider leaving too.”

“It doesn’t matter who my master is,” said the smith. “They always need a smith. Would you like a job, lad?”

“I have a job,” said Gavin. “We will only be here for a week, and then we have to get on the road to the north.”

“Well, there will always be a job here for you if you want it,” said the smith.

“Here’s your shirt, Gavin,” said Arelle. “The smith has a pump, so I got you some water too.” She tried to give the smith money, but he would not take it.

“Young Gavin did all of the work,” said the smith. “I just watched and learned.”

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“At least let me pay you for the cost of the shoes,” protested Arelle.“Young miss,” said the smith, “I don’t for a moment, believe that

either of you women are servants of the crown. I imagine that the both of you are at least baronesses. I don’t know what has caused you to flee the capital, but if you ever need a friend, you have one. My name is Aurin Thomas.”

“Thank you,” said Arelle as she hugged the smith. “We told you the truth. The king and queen are dead. The count of Penn is the new master, and he is a cruel man.”

“Masters come, and masters go,” said the smith. “It makes little difference to us little people.”

“It is all the little people that make all the difference, Aurin,” said Arelle. “We will see you in the morning.”

They left the blacksmith shop and walked to the nearest inn. “That was nicely done, Gavin,” said Arelle.

“Thank you, my lady,” said Gavin.“Gavin!” said Arelle.“I know both of your horses,” said Gavin. “I put the shoes on them.

I know who both of you are, and I remember Mayall saying that you were the queen just before I passed out.”

“The kingdom is lost to us, Gavin,” said Mayall. “The kingdom that we have is just the three of us, and if you ever let it slip that Arelle is the queen, you could get us all killed.”

“I won’t slip, Mayall,” said Gavin. “It’s my neck too.”“What were you really doing out in the woods?” asked Arelle. “The

royal stable master does not beat people.”“I was on leave for a year,” said Gavin. “I ran out of money, so I was

on my way back. I guess that plan is out the window.” They went into the inn. All three had saddlebags over their shoulders.

“We would like two rooms, please,” said Arelle. “We will be staying for a week.” She gave the clerk a gold coin and signed the register. “Come on,” said Arelle. “I don’t know about the two of you, but I need food.” They took their saddlebags to their rooms and went next door to the tavern.

They sat at a table, and a serving girl came to them. “We have stew tonight,” said the girl. “It is pretty good.”

“Thank you,” said Arelle. “Could we have some ale too, please?”“Sure,” said the girl. She came back with three tankards of ale.

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“This stew really is good,” said Arelle. “What is your name, girl?”“Abrin Thoms,” said the girl. “You can call me Abbi.”“Abbi, I am pleased to meet you,” said Arelle. “My name is Arelle.

This is Mayall, and this is Gavin.” Abbi curtsied. “Take this for your trouble, with our thanks.” It was a gold coin.

“Thank you, my lady,” she said as she looked at the coin in her hand.Arelle, Mayall, and Gavin enjoyed their meal and one another’s

company. Gavin flirted with Abbi. They were almost finished eating when a woman came in with two men-at-arms. She was dressed in rich furs, and her blonde hair was piled on her head. Too much makeup, thought Arelle. Abbi went to wait on her. When Abbi brought the food, the woman backhanded her and knocked her down. “You stupid cow,” said the woman. “This isn’t what I ordered.”

Arelle and Mayall rose to their feet, and Arelle helped Abbi stand up. “You’re bleeding, Abbi,” said Arelle. “Go to the kitchen and get some help.”

“Do you have any idea who I am?” asked the woman.“No,” said Arelle. “But I am not really impressed by what I have

seen.”“I am Arabella Dayne,” she said. “I am the cousin of the queen.”“You don’t say,” said Arelle. “I know all the queen’s cousins. You

aren’t one of them.”“Are you calling me a liar?” asked Arabella. Arelle just shrugged.

Arabella’s eyes narrowed. “I think that the two of you are serving girls that have stolen your mistresses’ clothes and are on the run. I’ll bet that there is a bounty on your head. Armsmen, take them!” Arelle’s sword rasped free. In just ten seconds, one of Arabella’s armsmen was staring at Arelle’s sword pointed at his throat. The hand that held the blade was steady as a rock. The other was unconscious on the floor with a broken nose hit by the bottom of Mayall’s boot.

“We are free women,” said Arelle. “We are warriors. If it is true that you are a cousin of the queen, you must be a really distant one. You should know that the king and queen are dead. The count of Penn has taken Garinn. If you really are related to the queen, you should make plans to leave here. Your life, such as it is, is in danger.” Abbi then came out of the kitchen with a rag on her lip.

“Come on, Abbi,” said Arelle. “You just quit.”

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“If any of you follow us,” said Arelle. “You are dead.” Her eyes were hard.

A short time later, the four of them were gathered in Arelle’s room, and Arelle was treating Abbi’s lip. “This ointment will make the swelling go down,” she said. “Do you have any family?”

“No, my lady,” said Abbi. “I was working at the tavern so I could eat for free, and I have a rented room in another inn. The three of you are nobles, aren’t you?”

“There isn’t a noble in this room,” said Mayall.“You gave me a gold coin,” said Abbi. “I have never even seen a gold

coin before.”“Can you keep a secret?” asked Arelle. Abbi nodded. “We looted the

royal treasury before we left.” Mayall started to laugh.“You are having me on, aren’t you?” said Abbi.“Yes, we are,” said Arelle. “Gavin would you be so kind as to go get

Abbi a bowl of stew and some bread. That Dayne woman should be gone by now.” Gavin left.

“How old are you, Abbi?” asked Arelle.“I’m fourteen,” said Abbi.“I’m eighteen,” said Arelle. “Mayall is nineteen, and Gavin is

twenty-two.”Gavin came back with the stew, and Abbi took the bowl from him.

“Thank you, Gavin,” she said.“You’re welcome,” he said. “And, Abbi, you are safe with us.”“I never had a doubt,” said Abbi.A short time later, Gavin said, “I’m going to bed. I will see you ladies

in the morning.”“You and I will have to share a bed,” said Arelle. “I will make other

arrangements tomorrow. You’d better not snore.” Mayall just laughed.In the morning, they met up with Gavin. “Does your tavern serve

breakfast?” asked Arelle.“They do,” said Abbi.“Does that Dayne woman come in for breakfast?” asked Mayall.“Only once,” said Abbi. “The day shift manager told her to never

come back.”“I think I’m going to like the day shift manager,” said Arelle. They

went into the tavern and sat at a table.“Hi, Mikki,” said Abbi.

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“I heard you quit last night,” said Mikki.“I did,” said Abbi.“What are you going to do?” asked Mikki.“She’s going to go on an adventure with us,” said Mayall. “Mikki,

my name is Mayall, and this is Arelle, and this is Gavin.”“I’m pleased to meet you,” said Mikki. “I’ll be right back with your

breakfast.” Mikki came back with four plates filled with bacon, eggs, and toast. The day shift manager was with her.

“I heard Arabella Dayne hit you last night,” he said.“She did,” said Abbi. “See my fat lip?”“I heard the two of you intervened,” he said.“We did,” said Arelle. “I am Arelle. This is Mayall, and this is

Gavin.”“I am Geneer Threen,” said the man. “Enjoy your breakfast.”They enjoyed their breakfast and one another’s company. When

Arelle tried to pay for breakfast, Geneer Threen would not let her. “Your money is no good here, miss. You just take care of our Abbi and keep her safe.”

“Can I ask you a question?” asked Arelle.“Sure,” said the day manager.“How is it that the owner lets you get away with turning down

business?” asked Arelle.“There are two reasons,” said Geneer Threen. “The first reason is

that I have the cost of one breakfast deducted from my salary every day. The second is that the owner knows Arabella Dayne.”

They went to a boarding house next. “This will pay for Abbi’s room for a year,” said Arelle. “Whenever she shows up, she will stay here. Make sure that you keep her room clean and livable.”

Arelle, Mayall, and Abbi then went to a clothing store. “This girl needs some clothes,” said Arelle. “She needs two pairs of knee-high wool socks, two pairs of black wool pants, two wool hats, two flannel shirts, a lined leather coat with a hood, lined leather gloves and lined leather mittens, a wool scarf, and lined knee-length, lace-up leather boots.” Soon, Abbi looked a lot like Arelle and Mayall.

“Okay,” said Arelle. “Now we need to get you a horse.”“A horse?” asked Abbi. “You’re getting me a horse?”“Uh . . . Abbi,” said Mayall, “have you ever ridden a horse?”“Me?” asked Abbi, as they walked into the stables.

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“Abbi,” said Arelle, “this is John Crewes. He owns this establishment. John, this is Abrin Thoms.”

“Pleased to meet you, young miss,” said John Crewes.“Abbi needs a horse, John,” said Arelle. “What do you have for sale?”“I’ve not seen you in here before,” said John to Abbi. “But I have

seen you waiting tables at the tavern. Have you ever ridden before?”“No,” answered Abbi.Mayall and Arelle looked at each other. “We’ll fix that this

afternoon,” said Arelle.“Miss Arelle,” said John, “I have three mares that will fit the bill

for you.”A short time later, they had seen all three mares. “Okay, Abbi,” said

Arelle, “which one do you like the best?”“I like this one,” said Abbi. “She’s beautiful.” The horse was dark

brown with a light mane and a white blaze on her face.“Her name is Missy,” said John.“Okay, John, we also need a saddle, a saddle blanket, saddlebags, a

bridle and reins,” said Arelle.“I don’t have any saddles as fancy as you and Miss Mayall own,”

said John.“That’s okay,” said Arelle. “They just have to work.” Arelle gave him

five gold pieces.“Miss Arelle,” said John, “this is twice what the horse and the gear

are worth. Why are you doing that?”“Because I can,” said Arelle. “We will be back later this afternoon

to ride.”“I’ll be here,” said John.“What a nice man,” said Abbi after they had left and were walking

down the street.“People generally are,” said Arelle, “if you are nice to them. Come

on, we have to go into this shop.”“This girl needs a sword and a knife,” said Arelle.“Okay,” said the clerk. “How about this blade?”“That would be fine if she were seven feet tall and were fighting

ogres,” said Arelle. “Come on, man, get real. You aren’t dealing with idiots.”

“I have a nice cutlass here,” said the man. Arelle just looked at him.

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“Look,” said Mayall, “you are trying my patience.” She drew her sword. “Do you have one of these?”

“This sword is H’ren,” he said. “It has the mark of the queen of Garinn on it!”

“Oh really?” said Mayall.“This is a warrior’s blade,” said the man.“I know,” said Mayall. “Do you have another like it?”“I have one,” he said. “It is very expensive.”“We know they are expensive,” said Arelle. “Let me see it, please?”

Arelle picked up the sword and handed it to Mayall. Mayall nodded. “Do you have someone who can fit it to her hand?” asked Arelle.

“We do,” said the man, and he summoned a girl. “Take this woman to have this sword fitted to her hand.”

“We need a sheath for it too,” said Arelle.“Do you want one over the shoulder or waist?” he asked.“Waist, please,” said Arelle.He brought out an ornate jeweled sheath. “Good god, man,”

said Mayall. “We’re warriors. We use these blades for what they were intended. Take this thing away and bring us something that a warrior would wear.”

He brought out a plain sheath. “No,” said Arelle. “This isn’t good enough. I want it plain, but I want it top of the line.”

“This is better,” said Mayall, a short time later.“We need a knife for her too,” said Arelle. A short time later, she

said, “We will take this one. We need a sheath for this as well.”“And don’t jerk us around,” said Mayall. “We don’t have time for

this. We have too much to do.”A few moments later, the clerk asked, “Do you really know the

queen?”“I do,” said Mayall. “But the queen is dead. You should prepare for

changes and they aren’t going to be good changes.” Abbi came back, and she was wearing the sword.

“Lady,” said the clerk to Arelle as she laid three gold pieces on the counter, “may I see your blade?”

“No,” said Arelle, and she put another gold piece on the counter. Then they left. They went down the street further and went into an archery shop.

“Can I help you?” asked the salesgirl.

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“I know you,” said Arelle. “You are Apella Zagruddi. You won the archery tournament in Au Claire last year.”

Apella’s eyes widened in surprise. “I know you too,” she exclaimed, and then she knelt.

“Get up, get up, get up,” said Arelle. “Don’t ever do that again. The queen is dead. Penn controls Garinn. Take this, Apella. Make whatever plans you need to make to keep you and your mother safe.” It was a bag with ten gold pieces in it.

“Send word when you are ready,” said Apella. “I will be there.”Arelle hugged Apella. “This girl needs a bow,” said Arelle.“This is a war bow,” said Apella, as she held it. “Its range is two

hundred yards on the flat. It will work fine as a hunting bow. Arelle will teach you to shoot from a horse. I will also give you twenty target arrows and two hundred hunting arrows.” Arelle put a gold piece on the counter.

“Will you come to dinner with us tonight?” asked Arelle.“Yes,” said Apella.“Who are you, really?” asked Abbi.“Arelle is the queen of Garinn,” said Mayall. Abbi knelt.“This is the kind of stuff I am talking about,” said Arelle. “Every

time you kneel, you could get me killed. Every time you say ‘my lady,’ you could get me killed. We will go home one day, but I would like to see that day too. I don’t have a kingdom right now. The only thing I know is that Mayall and I have to get out of the kingdom.”

“How do you know the queen?” Abbi asked Mayall.“I am Arelle’s lady-in-waiting,” said Mayall. “I have been her

constant companion for the last five years. We did things that none of the other princesses did.”

“No, Mayall,” said Arelle, “I want these women to know the truth. You aren’t my servant. You are my closest friend. If I ever get the throne back, you will be a princess.”

“Where are you going?” asked Apella. Arelle took out a map.“This place is across the border,” said Arelle, pointing to the map.

“Mayall and I have already been there before. This is the town of Chapleau. If you take the trail here out of Chapleau for about five miles, you will come to a rock outcropping. You will find us there on the leeward side.” Apella copied the map.

“After I have memorized this, I will burn it,” she said.

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“We are going riding,” said Arelle. “Do you want to go?”“I can’t,” said Apella. “I am the only one minding the store.”“We will see you at dinner then,” said Arelle. “Bring your mother.”“My mother thought the world of you,” said Apella. “She didn’t

think much of your sisters.”“We will see you both at dinner,” said Arelle.Arelle, Mayall, and Abbi went riding for an hour. “I feel like I am

being split in two,” said Abbi.“You will be fine by the time we leave,” said Mayall. “This cream

will help the pain in your butt.”“My butt doesn’t hurt,” said Abbi.“It will after you sit down for a while,” said Arelle.They went to the tavern, and Apella and her mother met them.

“Child,” said Apella’s mother, “it is so good to see you again.”“Are you well?” asked Arelle.“I am old,” said Apella’s mother. “Every day that I am alive is a

blessing.”“Come,” said Arelle. “Let’s go eat.”Arabella Dayne was there, and when she saw Arelle, she and her

armsmen ran out of the tavern. “Hey!” shouted the night manager. “You need to pay your bill!”

“I’ve got this,” said Abbi, and she handed him a gold piece.“Abbi,” he said, “you look like a princess! And this is way too much

money, and you know it.”“Split it with Cherelle,” said Abbi.“Abbi, why?” asked the night manager.“Because we can,” said Abbi. “I am a warrior now. Save the extra

money that I give you. The dark times come. Protect the people that I love.”

“I will, Abbi,” he said. Abbi went back to her seat.“Is this how it feels?” she asked.“How what feels?” asked Arelle.“How it feels to help the people that we love,” said Abbi.“It does, Abbi,” said Mayall. “The trick here is to make sure that all

the people that we love don’t end up being dead because they love us.”“Will it come to that?” asked Abbi.“Yep,” said Arelle. “It will.”“I will become a warrior,” said Abbi. “I promise you.”

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“No, Abbi,” said Arelle. “You will be a princess of Garinn. Now shut up. Sit down and eat your fish.

At the end of the week, they left Manistee. They went to where they hid the gold. Three men faced them, and they had the saddlebags of gold on their shoulders. “I figure,” said one of the men, “that if you have this much gold here, you have more somewhere else. I want it.”

Mayall buried an arrow in the heart of one man, and Arelle buried an arrow in the heart of another. The last man turned to run, and Mayall shot him through the heart from behind. “Great,” said Mayall. “Now we have to bury them.”

“Why don’t you just leave them?” asked Abbi.“We don’t do that, Abbi,” said Arelle.They piled rocks over the bodies so the bodies would rest in peace,

and then they rode through forests all day to the last town in the kingdom. The town was Ypsilanti. The tavern that they went into was very rough. The serving girl was a very big girl. She wasn’t fat. She was just big. “We have mutton tonight,” she said.

“That would be fine,” said Arelle. “Can we have some ale too?”The girl brought back some ale. “What is your name?” asked Arelle.“My name is Aora Denz,” said the girl.“Look,” said the girl, “you are all nobles. You need to eat and get

out of here.”“We are?” asked Abbi. Arelle winked at her.A fight broke out, and a man was knocked into Arelle. She rolled to

her feet and she hit him. His feet went over his head. When he stood, her sword was at his throat. All the fighting stopped, and everyone was looking at Arelle. Arelle slashed his cheek, and the man began to rise. Arelle’s eyes opened up wide. She looked at his feet, and they were six inches off of the floor. Someone or something began to shake the man like a rat, and his teeth rattled. The biggest man that Arelle had ever seen had the other man by the collar, and the big man took him to the door and threw him out. “Ladies should be allowed to eat in peace,” he said. “My name is John Travers. Eat in peace.”

“Aora,” said Abbi, “you need to come with us.”“I am a serving girl,” said Aora. “What would the likes of you want

with the likes of me?”

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“Aora,” said Abbi, “my name is Abrin Thoms. Just a week ago, I was a serving girl in a tavern in Manistee.”

Aora looked at Arelle. “You are a warrior,” said Arelle. “It is your heart we want.”

“Aora,” said Abbi, “trust us.”“You are a princess,” said Aora to Abbi. “People like me mean

nothing to people like you.”“Excuse me, Arelle,” said Abbi. “I need to have a talk with my

friend.” Abbi jerked the woman that was bigger than her to her feet and led her outside. Abbi returned in a few minutes. “Aora has decided to accept your offer,” said Abbi. Aora had a bruise on her face.

“You learn fast,” said Arelle.“I have the best teachers,” said Abbi.“There isn’t a decent horse in this town,” said Mayall. “I am going

back to Manistee with Aora.”“Do you need more money?” asked Arelle.“I do,” said Mayall.“We will wait for you here,” said Arelle.They returned from Manistee in two days, and Aora now looked

like the rest of the women. “Arelle,” said Mayall. “the princesses are still alive. Penn has them all chained in the north tower.”

“Let’s hope he doesn’t kill them,” said Arelle.“He knows one of the princesses is missing,” said Mayall. “He

knows who it is.”“We will keep an eye out for her, Mayall,” said Arelle.They rode to the border. “This is the Rogue River,” said Arelle. “It

is the border of Garinn.” There was a wooden drawbridge that could be raised on either side across the fifty-foot-wide river. Horses turning a capstan winched up and down the bridge.

“Hey, Henry,” said Arelle.“Miss Arelle, Miss Mayall,” said Henry, “I haven’t seen you two in

a while.”“We’ve been busy, Henry,” said Arelle.“It is usually in summer when the two of you come up here. Hard

to fish when the water is frozen,” said Henry.“We decided to hunt for deer and see how we are at camping in the

winter,” said Mayall.

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“My wife left something here for you, Miss Mayall,” said Henry. It was a beautiful blanket.

“That is so sweet,” said Mayall. “Tell her I said thank you.”“Here, Henry,” said Arelle, and she gave Henry a gold piece.“George,” yelled Henry, “let down your side of the bridge.”They crossed the bridge. “Welcome back to the free territories,” said

George.“I have something for you, George,” said Arelle. She took a pint of

bourbon out of her saddlebag and handed it to him.“You are a saint, you are,” said George.“Don’t you be drinking that bottle in the next hour,” said Arelle.

“You don’t want people stuck with no way to get across the river.” She was laughing, and her eyes twinkled.

23

Chapter 2

They rode north. They rode through an old-growth forest, and the firs that grew there were immense. It was silent in the forest, and the only sound was made by the horses, breaths steaming in the cold. In ten miles, they came to a town. “This is Chapleau,” said Arelle. “We will stay here for the night. They took the horses to the stable and went into the inn. Arelle rented three rooms. Then they went to the tavern. There weren’t many people in the tavern, and it was quiet. “Most of the people up here are hunters and trappers in the winter, and they go to bed early,” said Arelle.

“Marie,” said Arelle to the serving girl, “may we have some ale, please?”

“Oui,” said Marie. “I will be right back with it.”Marie came back with the ale. “We have moose stew with cabbage

tonight,” she said.“Moose stew?” asked Aora.“As far north as you live,” said Mayall, “you should know what a

moose is.”“I do,” said Aora. “But I have never eaten one.”“Well, now is your chance, my lady,” said Marie. She went to get

the food.“Did she just call me ‘my lady’?” asked Aora.“It’s perception,” said Abbi. “You thought I was when you first met

me, but now you know that none of us are nobles.“Marie,” said Abbi, “may I ask you a question?”“Oui,” said Marie. “Ask it.”

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“You are such a beautiful girl,” said Abbi. “Why do you stay in this little nothing of a town this far north when you could make a lot more money in the south?”

“I am from here,” said Marie. “Besides, who would be there to wait on you if I were not here? Who knows, my lady? Perhaps one day I will go to the south with you.” Marie smiled. “The north is much better in the summertime. That is when all the people come back.”

“This stew is good,” said Aora. “May I please have some more?”“Oui,” said Marie, and she left. While she was gone, the old couple

sitting by the fireplace left.Marie came back and set the stew before Aora. “Arelle,” said Marie,

“why is it that you and Mayall are here this time of year? You usually come in the summer months.”

“We just decided to get away from things for a while,” said Arelle.“Does this involve a man?” asked Marie.“Yes, it does,” said Arelle.“I thought as much,” said Marie. “It always does, doesn’t it?”“Oh, I’m over it,” said Arelle. “I am at the point where I am plotting

revenge.”“That is the most important part, is it not?” said Marie.They finished supper and went back to their rooms. Arelle and

Mayall were in the same room. “When are you going to tell them what Marie really is?” asked Mayall.

“Soon enough,” said Arelle. “Well, we are done with the easy part of the journey.”

“True enough,” said Mayall. “But there is still about a month of hard winter left. How do you think Abbi and Aora will do?”

“I think that both of them are tougher than we give them credit for,” said Arelle. “Especially Abbi. I would hate to be Arabella Dayne and hit Abbi now. Abbi would turn her inside out.”

The next morning, they all went down to breakfast together, except for Aora. Apparently moose stew did not sit well with her. Marie met them, and she joined them for breakfast. “I got the supplies that you requested in your letter,” she said. “Robert and Phillipe broke a trail for you yesterday, and they will be waiting for you. Robert and Phillipe are my brothers,” Marie said to Abbi and Gavin. “If either of you girls break one or both of my brothers’ hearts, I will slit your throat.”

“Uh . . . I thought you were a waitress?” asked Abbi.

Arelle 25

“I was a waitress last night,” said Marie. “Today, I am something else.”

“Have you heard from Ange?” asked Arelle.“Ange says that your brother has left Au Claire, Mayall,” said Marie.

“I have Bekka and Treena looking for him. If they find him, they will bring him here.”

“Thank you, Marie,” said Mayall.“That is what friends do for each other, do they not?” said Marie.

“Here, Abbi, try this. This is northern bacon. It isn’t that sissy stuff that you have down below.”

“This is good,” said Abbi.“Wait until you catch a trout from one of our streams and you cook

it right then,” said Marie. “You will never be able to eat fish in one of your taverns again.”

“Marie,” said Abbi, “what do you really do here?”Marie looked at Arelle. “You can tell her,” said Arelle.“Arelle is my cousin, Abbi,” said Marie. “I am here because I am

safe, and I can monitor all of our communications from the south. My mother is the queen.”

“That would make you royalty,” said Abbi. She got out of her chair and knelt.

“Will you get up,” said Marie. “Don’t do that again.”“That would make you a princess, Arelle,” said Abbi. Her eyes were

very large.“Not necessarily, Abbi,” said Arelle “As it happens, I am not a

princess.”“Are you a princess, Mayall?” asked Abbi.“No, I am not,” said Mayall. “I am a commoner who is now a free

woman.”“My mother is coming down in the spring,” said Marie. “She said

if I won’t come home, then she will come to me.”“Is your stepfather coming?” asked Arelle.“No,” said Marie. “I refuse to allow it.”“You should know that Marie’s mother is the queen of Athabasca,”

said Arelle. “Marie is the crown princess. She will be the queen one day.” Abbi’s eyes were very big.

“Don’t look at me like that,” said Marie. “I put my pants on the same way that you do. I will go into battle the same way that you will.

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I will teach you to be a warrior, and I will stand at your side. If we die, we will die together as warriors and free women. This I tell you, young Abbi, one day, you will be a princess of Garinn. If we both live, I will stand with you that day.”

“Are you coming with us today?” asked Arelle.“No,” said Marie. “I have too much to do here. By the way, ladies,

the people that own this place do not know that I am a princess. I would like to keep it that way.”

They finished breakfast and set off out of Chapleau. The road was immediately gone, and there was only a horse trail through the snow. For five miles, they went through the snow that was up to the bellies of the horses. “This is an area that had a forest fire in the last ten years,” said Arelle. “There is plenty of game here.” They came to a cliff. On the leeward side, under the cliff was a house and a barn, and a few other buildings. “Richard, Phillipe,” yelled Arelle.

Two tall handsome men came out of the house, and they hugged Arelle and Mayall. Arelle made introductions. “We brought Arranne and Danielle to take care of the horses,” said Richard. “They will be staying here.”

“Thank you, cousin,” said Arelle.“We made dinner,” said Phillipe. “We cooked bear steaks.”“Damn, this is good,” said Aora. “You can cook for me any time. I

just hope I don’t get sick this time.”“You are a prince,” said Abbi. “How is it that you know how to

cook?”“We spend a lot for time traveling, Miss Abbi,” said Phillipe. “In

the north country, there are not always inns.”“Abbi,” said Arelle, “at first light, you will work with Phillipe on

your swordsmanship. Learn well, he is very good. Aora, you will work with Richard. The barn is heated and we have an area there.”

“Here are the rules, people,” said Arelle. “You are never ever to leave sight of this house alone. If you go into the forest, make sure that you are with me, Mayall, Richard, or Philippe. There are predators out there, and some of them walk on two legs. The alone part applies to Mayall and myself too. Mayall almost got killed by a bear once.”

“Arelle,” said Richard, “I brought Athabaskan brandy.”“Oh, did you?” said Arelle.

Arelle 27

In the morning, Arelle and Mayall cooked breakfast. “I give you fair warning,” said Arelle. “We will all take turns. If you can’t cook, you’d better learn.”

Arelle watched Abbi and Aora for a while. “Come on, Gavin,” she said. “There is something I have to show you.” She took him to another building. There was a forge in it.

“Arelle,” said Gavin, “the royal stables weren’t equipped this well.”“We didn’t know what we would need,” said Arelle. “This is your

domain.”“Thank you, Arelle,” said Gavin, and he hugged her.“I am going away now,” said Arelle. “I will see you whenever you

come out of here. I will send food. You had better eat it.”That afternoon, Arelle was with Abbi and Aora. “The snow is too

deep in the forests,” said Arelle. “If you go out to hunt, you will have to wear snowshoes. You need to learn how to walk in them.” Arelle laughed as Abbi fell over and floundered in the snow.

A week later, Abbi and Arelle were in the forest. Both of them were wearing snowshoes. They were looking at a deeryard. Arelle had already spread hay in the deeryard so the deer wouldn’t starve. “Pick one,” said Arelle. “Hold your breath while you shoot.” Abbi shot her first deer. Arelle and Mayall taught her how to skin it and butcher it. They had venison for dinner that night. Arelle and Mayall cooked.

“You are a pretty good cook,” said Aora.“Mayall and I have been taught by some of the finest chefs in the

land,” said Arelle. “Mayall set it all up. I didn’t.”“You don’t care what it tastes like,” said Mayall. “You just care about

quantity.” Abbi laughed. She was sitting with Phillipe.There was a knock on the door. Instantly, everyone was armed.

Arelle went to the door. She opened it with her sword behind her back. It was John Travers. “I asked myself what women like you could be doing coming up here in the dead of winter,” he said. “Then I asked myself how much a snow white stallion would cost. I asked myself who would own such a horse. I had thought that I would help you carve out a home in the wilderness, but I see that you do not need it. I only ask that I can stay the night and I will be on my way.”

“You aren’t leaving, John,” said Arelle. “Come, it is warm in here. There is food. There are friends. We may all die tomorrow. We have

James McKenzie28

tonight. This is Richard and this is Phillipe. You already know Abbi. We have venison. We have ale. Sit and enjoy the company.” They talked until late into the night.

In the morning, they met for breakfast. Mayall and Richard cooked. “Abbi,” said Arelle, “you will go with Phillipe. You will go to St. Catharine to meet his mother, and then you will go to St. Ange. Phillipe, Genevieve awaits word from me. I would have you take this letter. Phillipe, stay out of Abbi’s pants. She is only fourteen.”

“You are fourteen?” asked Phillipe.“I am,” said Abbi. “And if a man gets into my pants, it is my choice.”“Abbi has learned well,” said Mayall. “Watch your heart, Phillipe.”“John,” said Arelle, “I need you to go to Manistee. We need some

things, and you need to have a horse. The horse master is a friend, and he will help you. Mayall and Richard, I need you to go to Timmins. I need you to take this letter to Catharine.”

“Aora,” said Arelle, “you and I are going down below. We are going hunting.”

The people in the house were gone all day long. The last people that left were Arelle and Aora. “Make sure that Gavin eats,” said Arelle to Arranne and Danielle. Arelle and Aora left for Chapleau. Marie was sitting with a young dark-haired woman when they went in the tavern.

“Marie,” said Arelle as she hugged Marie. “Marinne,” she said as she hugged the dark-haired woman.

“Marinne has brought word from Northport,” said Marie. “Penn’s men burned a family for no reason. I have given Marinne’s people leave to kill the count’s men.”

“So, we are starting,” said Arelle.“Oui,” said Marie. “It would seem so.”“I have sent word to your mother,” said Arelle. “I have sent word to

Catharine and Genevieve. Can you send word to Danielle and Theresa and Marissa?”

“I can,” said Marie.Arelle gave Marinne a bag of gold coins. “Do what you must,

Marinne, but make sure that you keep your people safe. If you need to leave Northport, you know where to go.”

“Yes, my lady,” said Marinne.“Stop that,” said Arelle sharply.“Yes, Arelle,” said Marinne.

Arelle 29

“Marinne,” said Arelle, “this is Aora Denz. Aora and I are going hunting in Holland.”

“I wish you good hunting, my lady,” said Marinne to Aora.“I wish you good hunting as well,” said Aora.Aora and Arelle left Chapleau, and they rode through the primeval

forest to the south. “It is never an easy thing to take a human life, Aora,” said Arelle. “There are only two types of people that do. One type loves to kill. They love to see the terror in the eyes of their victim. They enjoy watching the life of a person leave his or her eyes. The other type kills because they are forced to. We are of the second type. We kill in defense of our homes and our people. We kill for justice for the victims that have no longer have voices in this world. Do not think about it as you kill them. You are killing the same thing as a rabid dog. Do not weep for them. They would kill you without a second thought. But never become one of them.”

They crossed the bridge over the Rogue River, where they hugged George and Henry. They rode into the town of Ypsilanti and stopped at the tavern where Aora had worked. The people that worked there were stunned at how much Aora had changed. She wasn’t pudgy anymore, and she carried herself like a warrior. They had just finished eating when five men of Penn came in. They all had red capes with Penn’s mark on them. Their leader pushed a man away from the bar. “Give us ale,” he said.

“That will be a dollar, sir,” said the barmaid. He ignored her.“I suppose that you think it is fine to steal from our people,” said

Arelle. She and Aora were on their feet and faced the men in red capes.“To the victor belongs the spoils,” he said. “Besides, there isn’t a real

man in the whole lot of you. That is why Penn only sent the five of us.”“You owe Heidi a dollar,” said Aora. “Are you going to pay her?”He laughed and set his glass on the bar. “Who is going to take it

from me,” he said. “Two women?” Arelle’s sword rasped free from its sheath.

Arelle and Aora struck as one, and they struck like lightning. While Arelle killed one man, Aora grabbed two of them by the hair and smashed their skulls together. They were both quite dead, and by the time they hit the floor, another man was dead with Aora’s sword in his heart. The leader was the only one of the five still alive, and Arelle’s sword was in his belly. “These are my people,” hissed Arelle. “They are

James McKenzie30

free people. Await your master in hell,” she said. “He will be along soon.” She ripped upward with her sword.

“Here is your money, Heidi,” said Aora as she flipped the barmaid a gold coin. “Break this glass. It isn’t fit for human beings to use anymore.”

“Take these bodies outside of town and bury them,” said Arelle. “Do not mark the graves. Get rid of any sign that these men were here. Their horses bear the mark of Penn. Take the horses to the bridgekeeper on the Rogue River. He will know what to do with them. Arelle and Aora went out into the bright sunshine and rode southward.

“Are you okay?” asked Arelle.“I’m fine,” said Aora. “I can’t believe that he would steal a dollar

from Heidi like that.” Arelle snorted.They rode through the village of Kinde, where Penn’s five men died.

They stayed in Tawas for the night. Penn’s garrison of ten men died that night. In the morning, they traveled on to Holland, a small city of ten thousand people. They went into an inn and sat down. A serving girl joined them. “Aora, this is Janette Fife,” said Arelle. “Janette, this is Aora Denz.” Janette took a piece of paper and handed it to Arelle.

“This is the garrison,” said Janette. “It houses one hundred men. At night, there are only two guards, and they are here and here. They change guards every four hours. I got the things Marie requested, and they are in your room now.”

“Arelle,” said Aora, “do you recruit serving girls?”Janette laughed. “Yes, she does,” said Janette. “There is a good

reason for that. We know everybody. There are ten of us in Holland, and between us, we know everyone in this city. I have known Arelle and Mayall for years. They travel more than most people. I would guess that you were a serving girl in a small tavern in the north.”

“I was,” said Aora. “Does it show?”“Only when you talk,” said Janette. She smiled. “You two need to

get some sleep. I will wake you when it is time.”During the night, Arelle and Aora were awakened by Janette and

nine other young women. They were dressed in black, and their faces and hands were painted black. “I brought you some stew,” said Janette.

“Thank you, Janette,” said Arelle. “Aora and I will take out the two guards. After we have done that, I want Katherine and Molly to put these broomsticks through the handles of both doors so the guards can’t open them. I want you three to put the liquid on one side of the

Arelle 31

building and you three to do the same thing on the other side. Use up all the liquid. Make sure you concentrate it around the doors and the windows. Stay on your sides of the building. If anyone comes out, put an arrow in them. Aora and Molly will watch the back door, and Janette and I will watch the front door. Alexis and Katie, I want one of you at this corner of the building, and I want the other at this corner of the building. It is your job to watch and go where you are needed.”

Two hours later, twelve women were watching as the garrison burned. Flames shot into the sky. Not a man got out. The women melted into the night. Jennette, Aora, and Arelle went back to their room. “What is next?” asked Janette.

“We wait to see what Penn does,” said Arelle as she was washing off the black paint. “We hit every garrison in every city, town, and village in Garinn in the last two days. Thousands of his men are dead. The only garrison we did not hit was in Au Claire. He has four thousand men there, and we aren’t ready to take them yet.”

“I’m guessing that it will take him some time to even realize what has happened to him,” said Arelle. “If he has any sense, he will leave the kingdom. But I expect he will send for reinforcements. If he is stupid enough to put men all over the kingdom again like he did, we will bleed him dry. Watch for any signs of retaliation. If they try to hurt innocent people, intervene if you can.”

“Aora and I are going home,” said Arelle. “Are you coming with us?”“You have too much snow there right now,” said Janette.“You sissy,” said Arelle with a laugh.At first light, Arelle and Aora went to breakfast with Janette. Arelle

gave Janette a small bag of gold coins. Janette hugged Arelle and Aora, and then they were off.

In two days, they were at the bridge over the Rogue River. “You have been busy, miss,” said Henry. What did you do, steal all of Penn’s horses?”

“No,” said Arelle. “Their owners had no more need of them, so they gave them to us. Are things going smoothly here?”

“I just lower and raise my side of the bridge,” said Henry. “George is the one with the problem.”

They crossed the bridge, and Arelle hugged George. “How goes it?” she asked.

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“Theresa and Marissa each sent two thousand men,” said George. “The horses are being moved to the far east and far west, where Penn will never find them and no one knows the brand.”

“Thank you, George,” said Arelle. “I brought you another pint of bourbon.”

“Bless you, lass,” said George. “I don’t know why you are thanking me, though. I just lower and raise the bridge.”

They reached Chapleau and went into the tavern. “Onri,” said Arelle, “where is Marie?”

“Marie, Richard, Abbi, and Mayall went south two days ago,” said Onri. “Which route did you and Miss Aora ride?”

“We rode the western route,” said Arelle. “Why?”“Penn had mobile patrols out too,” said Onri.“Onri, I didn’t think about that,” said Arelle. Her hands went to

her face.“You can’t think of everything,” said Onri. “Three days ago, a

serving girl came by. She had been beaten. I had someone take her to your house.”

“Henry and George never said anything to me,” said Arelle.“She must not have crossed at the bridge,” said Onri. “It is winter,

you know.”“Onri,” said Arelle, “we have to get back to Manistee.”“Marie and Mayall will handle it,” said Onri. “You go home and

see to that serving girl.” Arelle and Aora left.Robert Wursh met them at the door, and he picked up Arelle in

a bear hug. “Aora,” said Arelle as she wiped her eyes. “This is Mayall’s brother.”

“Marie’s mother is here,” said Robert. “Nice lady. Pretty good cook too.”

“Where are Phillipe and Gavin?” asked Arelle.“They are out in the barn, butchering a deer for dinner,” said Robert.They went to a bedroom where an older woman that looked a lot

like Arelle was feeding a girl in the bed. Arelle put her hand fondly on the woman’s shoulder. “I’ll greet you when I can, dear,” said the woman. “You already know that I love you.”

“I thought you weren’t coming until spring,” said Arelle.“Spring came early, dear,” said the woman.“Cherelle, what happened?” asked Arelle.

Arelle 33

“They came in and demanded to know where the princess was,” said Cherelle. “We told them we didn’t know, and then they just started beating us. I only got hit a few times before I got away. I stole one of their horses and rode north. I just kept riding. I don’t really know how I got here.”

“Well, you are safe now,” said Arelle.“Arelle,” said Cherelle, “I think they killed Kristin.”“If they did, there isn’t anything that we can do about it now,” said

Arelle. “You just rest and get better. My aunt is a very good cook.”“Yeah,” snorted the woman. “When they actually let me.”“Aunt Greer, is there any more of that soup left?” asked Arelle.“It’s simmering on the stove, dear,” said Greer. “I didn’t know when

Phillipe and Gavin would be done with the deer.”“Come on, Aora,” said Arelle, “Food is calling us.”“Mind if I join you?” asked Robert Wursh.“No, Robbie, of course not,” said Arelle.“They tell tales down below,” said Robbie.“Do they now?” asked Arelle.“They tell tales of the lost princess,” he said.“I haven’t lost any princess, Robbie,” said Arelle. “Have you?”“No, Arelle,” said Robert. “I have not.”“How about you, Aora?” asked Arelle.“I wouldn’t know the princess if I bumped into her on the street,”

said Aora. “Besides, what would a princess want with me?” Arelle and Robert both laughed. Greer came in, and she hugged her niece fondly.

“Some say that the lost princess is dead,” said Robert. “They say she rides a coal black stallion from hell that breathes flames. Penn’s men die in the night. People say that she escorts their souls to hell.”

“I hope that part is true,” said Arelle.“Others say that she is alive because they never found her body,” said

Robert. “There have been hundreds of claimed sightings of the princess, even in Au Claire.”

Arelle snorted. “Nice tale, Robbie,” said Arelle. “Now if you are done, we need to start preparing dinner. You and I are cooking tonight.”

“We are?” asked Robbie.“We are, Rob,” said Arelle. “This isn’t like your mother’s house

where everyone waits on you hand and foot.” Aora and Greer both laughed.

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The next morning Marie, Mayall, Richard, and Abbi returned. There were ten people with them. Every one of them doubled up with each other on a horse. Mayall’s horse pulled two poles with a blanket lashed to it. There was a young girl on the blanket. “Get her up the stairs,” said Mayall. “Put her in the room with Cherelle.”

“We were too late,” said Marie. “They burned down the tavern and left. They weren’t even in town anymore. Mayall and I left some money with John and Aurin to rebuild the tavern. They will send word when it is finished. These people have nowhere to go, and they have lost everything they own.”

“We have enough room here,” said Arelle. “You are all welcome to stay here until we can put your lives back together.” She looked at Abbi. “Are you all right?” she asked.

“No, I’m not,” said Abbi. “These people are my friends. They weren’t doing anything. They didn’t know anything.” Abbi started to cry.

“I promise you justice, Abrin Thoms,” said Arelle as she held Abbi.An hour later, John Travers arrived on his horse that was also pulling

someone. It was Arabella Dayne, and she had been beaten cruelly. “Oh shit,” said Abbi.

“Hush, Abbi,” said Arelle. “This woman needs our help.” Richard and Phillipe carried Arabella into the house. After they had gone, she said, “Who knows, they may have beaten some sense and some humility into her.”

“Her armsmen had killed five of Penn’s men when I got there, but all of her armsmen had died,” said John. “Five of them were beating her. They are all dead. I paid to have her armsmen buried decently.”

“You did a good thing, John Travers,” said Arelle. “Now come in and get out of the cold. We have some hot cider, and you need a shot of whiskey. Danielle, will you take care of this horse, please?”

When Arabella Dayne came to, she was in a room full of people. “Where am I?” she asked weakly.

“You are in my home,” said Arelle. “You are in the free territories. I told you that you should get out of town. I hope that this has taught you to keep your mouth shut.”

Greer was sitting on the bed, and she was working on Arabella’s face. “I’m sorry, dear,” said Greer. “You aren’t any cousin of the queen.”

“How would you know?” asked Arabella.

Arelle 35

“Arianna was my sister,” said Greer. “I am the queen of Athabasca. Arelle is the oldest daughter of the queen.”

“But that would make you . . .” Arabella trailed off.“That’s right, Arabella,” said Arelle. “I am the rightful queen of

Garinn.” Aora’s intake of breath was audible, and she went down on her knees.

“Get up,” hissed Abbi, and she jerked Aora to her feet. “Don’t ever do that again. The only thing that will do is get Arelle killed.”

“Did you know she is the queen?” asked Aora.“Yes,” said Abbi.“What are you?” asked Aora.“I am a free woman and a warrior of Garinn,” said Abbi. “I serve my

queen and her kingdom. Up until a couple of weeks before I met you, I was a serving girl in the tavern that Penn’s men burned down while they were looking for Arabella.”

“I hope you learned your lesson, Arabella,” said Abbi. “And I will also tell you this. If you ever hit me again, I will turn you inside out.” Arelle hid a smile with her hand.

“How about you, Mayall,” said Aora. “Who are you?”“I am Arelle’s personal servant,” said Mayall.“And friend,” said Arelle.“I have spent every day of the last five years with Arelle,” said

Mayall. “We did everything together. We didn’t spend much time in the palace.”

“Is that why you know so many serving girls all over?” asked Aora.“Yes, it is,” said Arelle.“Do they know who you are?” asked Aora.“Yes, they do,” said Arelle. “Who do you think started the tale of

the dead princess that rides the horse from hell in the dark of the night? I thought I was going to laugh out loud when Robbie was telling you the story.”

“But you said . . .” Aora trailed off.“I said there were no nobles among us,” said Arelle. “And there

aren’t. I am royalty. You, Abbi, and Mayall will be too, Aora. If we live through this, the three of you will be princesses.”

“Me?” squeaked Abbi.“Yes, you, Abrin Thoms,” said Arelle. “Your days of being a servant

are over.”

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“Did you know about this, Mayall?” asked Abbi.“Arelle and I had actually talked about it before Penn killed the king

and queen,” said Mayall. “I have never seen Arelle treat anyone like a servant. Why do you think people follow where she leads?”

“Arelle,” said Abbi, “the day you bought me my sword, you refused to show yours to the clerk. May I see it now?”

“Sure,” said Arelle. She drew her blade. It was inscribed Princess Arelle.

“Arabella,” Arelle went on, “you are to enjoy our hospitality until you are well, and then you will have to pull your own weight. There are no servants here. Besides, you will look better once you lose some weight. Remember that kindness costs you nothing. And remember one more thing, Arabella. You were fortunate that neither Mayall nor I beat you that day that you hit Abbi.”

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Chapter 3

The next day, Arelle, Mayall, Marie, Abbi, Aora, Greer, Richard, Phillipe, and Robert met in the great room by the fire. “I agree,” said Aora. “This will be our best chance to get the princesses out before Penn can bring reinforcements. How many sisters do you have?”

“Five of them,” said Arelle, “but Ariel is only ten. Listen, I have to go find John and Gavin. I’ll be right back.” She returned shortly with the two men.

“We are going after my sisters before I irritate Penn enough that he starts killing them,” said Arelle. “Gavin, how tough are the chains in the north tower?”

“They are actually fairly soft steel,” said Gavin. “A good set of bolt cutters and you would have them out in less than five minutes.”

“Can you get us a set of these bolt cutters?” asked Arelle.“I happen to have two of them right here,” said Gavin. “John and I

will have them out in three minutes, tops.”“Okay,” said Arelle. “This is what I want to do . . .” An hour later,

all the details were settled.“I’m on Arabella duty today,” said Arelle. Arelle got a bowl of stew

and a cup of apple juice and went to see Arabella.“How are you today?” asked Arelle.“I hurt all over,” said Arabella.“Well,” said Arelle, “that was quite a beating you took. They weren’t

trying to kill you, though.”“They weren’t?” asked Arabella. “It sure felt like it to me.”

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“They beat you because they are mean,” said Arelle. “If they had meant to kill you, you would have broken bones. I think that they actually had you mistaken for me. Here, see if you can chew this stew.”

“It hurts to chew,” said Arabella. “But this stew is good, and I haven’t eaten since they beat me.”

“Well, you will be as good as new in about a week or two,” said Arelle, giving Arabella another spoonful of stew.

“You are a lot younger than I thought you were the first time I saw you,” said Arelle. “You can’t be more than twenty-five or twenty-six, and you look much better with no makeup.”

“I do?” asked Arabella.“You really do,” said Arelle. “I think that if you let your hair go back

to its original color and wore it long and lost a little bit of weight, you would be stunning.”

“You do?” asked Arabella.“I do,” said Arelle.“My grandfather died when I was sixteen,” said Arabella. “He left

me all of his money. My father got mad that I wouldn’t give it all to him, and he kicked me out. I’ve been on my own ever since, and I’m so afraid of losing all of my money.”

“Arabella,” said Arelle, “I lost an entire kingdom. I lost both my mother and my father the same day. You can have all the money in the world, but you can’t take it with you. All you can take with you is the love of the people in your life. Enjoy them like you have no tomorrow because you never know when you will have no more tomorrows.”

“Listen, Arabella,” said Arelle, “I am going to get my sisters back. I will be gone for about a week. There will be someone here to take care of you.”

“Godspeed, my lady,” said Arabella Dayne. Arelle smiled at her.

The next morning, at dawn, Arelle, Mayall, Marie, Abbi, Aora, Richard, Phillipe, John and Gavin rode off. In every little town that they went through on the way to the capital, they picked up a few more people until there were a hundred of them riding. They had also picked up six extra horses. When they were an hour’s ride from Au Claire, the group spread out and disappeared into the woods they were riding through.

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After dark, the group reassembled. They were all wearing dark clothing and had their hands and faces painted black. All the hooves of the horses had been muffled. Those who had white horses had black blankets covering the horses and black hoods over the horses’ faces. They rode until they reached a park about half a mile from the palace. There, the horses were roped together, and ten women were left to tend to the horses and keep them quiet.

When they reached the palace, it was one in the morning. Arelle opened the secret passage and went in. Five women sat among the bushes in the dark to guard the exit. Mayall was the last to go in, and she pulled the door shut from the inside. They followed the dark passage to the north tower. A small space with a ladder went up. Seventy-five people stayed to guard the exit. Ten people went on. There was a guard, but he was asleep. Arelle cut his throat. John broke the lock with a steel bar, and they were in.

All the princesses were chained to the wall in the same room. A torch flickered weakly. Arelle woke Annette first. She placed her hand over Annette’s mouth. “Hush, Annette,” whispered Arelle. “Don’t make a sound. It’s Arelle. I have come for you. Arelle went to the rest of her sisters and did the same. John and Gavin cut the chains. Arelle had a black overcoat for each of the princesses, and she painted their faces black. “Come,” whispered Arelle. Half of the group went in front of the princesses and half followed them. They retraced their steps. The group went back into the secret passageway and down the ladder. When they reached the bottom of the tower, they went back through the tunnel. They left the palace and closed the secret door. They vanished into the night like shadows. When they got to the horses, there was still no sign that anyone in the palace was awake. They rode silently into the night. When they were an hour away from the palace, the group stopped. They unmuffled the horses. Janette faced Arelle. “This is a good spot for an ambush,” said Janette.

“Remember,” cautioned Arelle, “if there are more than you can handle, get out of sight.”

“I’m guessing that he will send about two hundred in every direction,” said Janette. “We can handle two hundred.” Arelle and her party headed down the road.

“Arelle,” said Ariel, “aren’t you going to get Mommy and Daddy?”

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“Mother and Father are dead, Ariel,” said Arelle. “I watched them die. I’m sorry, baby.”

“They told us that you were dead,” said Avette.“They lied,” said Arelle.“You are the queen now,” said Annette.“I know that, Annette,” said Arelle. “Penn knows it too. Come on,

we have to ride.”“Where are we going?” asked Arwen.“To the free territories,” said Arelle. “Aunt Greer waits for us there.”“Who?” asked Arwen.“If you had paid attention, you would have known that Mother

has six sisters,” said Arelle. “If you had gotten out of the palace and traveled more, you might have known them. Arwen, this is your cousin, Marie. She is the crown princess of Athabasca. All of Mother’s sisters are queens. You will get to meet them all this summer.”

Arianne, the middle princess, had not said a word. She had always been shy and quiet. “Are you all right, Arianne?” asked Arelle.

“I’m afraid, Arelle,” said Arianne.“Everyone is afraid sometimes,” said Arelle. “Courage is not the

absence of fear. Courage is what makes us do what we must in spite of that fear. I know that you miss your room and your books and your paints, but the time for that is not now.” Arelle held her sister’s hand as they rode in silence for a while.

They rode in the darkness through a town, and they were just entering the next town when the sun was coming up. “Marrah, this is your stop,” said Arelle.

“Let’s have breakfast where I work,” said Marrah. “My aunt runs an inn. You need to stop and rest, or you will get into trouble.” They went into a tavern. “Guy, we need food,” said Marrah. “We also need to use the washrooms to get this paint off.” Guy was staring at them. “Guy, did you hear me?” asked Marrah.

“Okay, everybody,” yelled Marrah, “listen up. I am only going to say this once. Yes, this is the queen. Yes, these are the princesses of Garinn. We broke them out last night. Penn will probably send large detachments of men looking for them. If one of you so much as hints that the queen was here, I will cut out your liver. Do you all understand me?” There wasn’t a sound. “Guy, I said we need food.” There was a sudden flurry of activity and food appeared. One by one,

Arelle 41

the warriors went to take off the paint, and then one by one, Arelle took the princesses.

“Eat up,” said Arelle when she was finished. “It doesn’t look like Penn fed you very well.” An old woman came to the table.

“I am glad that you are safe, princesses,” she said. “Garinn needs all of you.”

“Thank you, Old Mother,” said the queen, as she hugged her.They ate, and then they went to the inn. “Aunt Mim,” said Marrah,

“I’ve brought guests. Mim dropped her pencil.“Oh, my dear god,” she said.“Hi, Mim,” said Arelle. “I’m Arelle, and I am the queen. I would

appreciate it if you do not bow or kneel. That could cause me to get killed, and I don’t want to get killed right now. We need a whole bunch of rooms right now. One of my sisters will stay with one of the warriors. The two gentlemen with me will share a room. I ask that you have people watching for Penn’s men, and that you wake us if you see them. Otherwise, wake us for dinner. Will that be a problem?”

“Uh . . . no,” said Mim.“Good,” said Arelle. “Thank you,” said the young queen, smiling.

Ariel and Arianne slept with Arelle and Mayall. They all slept until dinnertime, and dinner was delivered to Arelle’s room, where everyone sat in every conceivable place to sit. The princesses sat on the beds.

“We will stay here for one more night,” said Arelle. “There is no sign of pursuit. At first light, we will ride for Manistee. Abbi, you will ride ahead with Aora and alert John and Aurin. Mim, will you please have breakfast sent to us before dawn?”

“I will, my lady,” said Mim.“I told you, Aunt Mim,” said Marrah, “don’t do that.”They left the next morning, and Arelle hugged Marrah. They rode

north. They rode all day, and they ate in the saddle. All the princesses knew Mayall, and Mayall had a serious talk with Annette. Annette nodded as she listened to Mayall. Arelle couldn’t hear them, but she smiled. “Come, baby girl,” said Arelle to Ariel. “Hold my hand.”

They reached Manistee at dark. John Crewes had a full crew waiting for them, and Arelle hugged John. “Can I buy these horses?” asked Arelle.

“No,” said John.“No?” asked Arelle.

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“No, Arelle,” he said. “There is not one of these horses that is fit for a princess. You ride these horses north, and then you send them back. I will look for horses fit for your sisters and I will send them on as I find them.”

“Thank you, John,” said Arelle, and she hugged him again.“Go eat,” said John. “Leave an old man to his job.” Abbi kissed him

as she left.They went to the smith next door, and Aurin and Gavin removed

the manacles from the princesses. Then they went to the inn where Arelle usually stayed. “You do know this is the queen, don’t you?” asked Annette.

“I have known Arelle and Mayall for years, Princess,” said the woman. “I know who she is, and I also know what she is. You would do well to forget you are a princess for a while. You will live longer.”

“How dare you!” snarled Annette, and she raised her right hand. That hand was grabbed by Arelle. Arelle’s grip was like iron.

“Betty serves me,” said Arelle. “She always has. But Betty is not a servant, she is my friend. Penn has men everywhere. The only reason that I am still alive is because of people like Betty. They kept me invisible.”

“Garinn will be rid of Penn one day, Annette,” said Arelle as she let go of Annette’s wrist. “But we will owe our freedom to people like Mayall, Abbi, and Betty, who were our servants.”

“There is one more thing you need to know, Annette,” said Arelle. “Betty is Mayall’s aunt. If you are mean to Betty, I will turn Mayall loose on you. You will not be happy.” Annette was deathly afraid of Mayall.

“Just a moment,” said Betty. “I have something that belongs to Arianne.” She left and came back immediately. She had a framed drawing of a horse that was running. Every muscle of the horse was visible. It was a remarkable drawing. “Arelle gave me this a few years ago. Would you sign it for me?”

“Do you really like my drawing?” asked Arianne.“I think you are a remarkable artist,” said Betty as she took the

drawing out of the frame. Arianne signed the drawing, and she looked up at Arelle and smiled. It was the first time Arianne had smiled since they left the palace, and it was like a sunrise in Arelle’s heart.

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Then they went to eat. They had to go to a different tavern because the one they usually went to had not been rebuilt yet. “Abbi!” yelled a voice.

“Rose,” said Abbi, and she hugged the girl, “what are you doing here?”

“I quit the other tavern and came here three months ago,” said Rose. “I heard about Kristin.”

“Everyone,” said Abbi, “this is Rose Plethern.” Rose’s eyes got very big.

“Oh my god,” she said.“Put us in a dark corner,” said Abbi. “Make it a corner where we can

see the door. What do you have tonight?”“We have corned beef and cabbage,” said Rose.“Keep it coming,” said Abbi. “You can see that the princesses have

not been fed well lately.”The next morning, Arelle, Abbi, and Mayall took the princesses to

a clothing shop. “Remember me?” asked Arelle. The girl nodded, but she was looking at the princesses. “These girls need the same thing.”

“These are the princesses of Garinn,” said the girl. “What are you doing here?”

“We removed them from the palace,” said Mayall.“We don’t have all day,” said Abbi. “We have to be somewhere.”The girl looked at Arelle. “You are the queen, aren’t you?” she asked.“I am,” said Arelle. “You would be wise to forget that. There are

many people that want me dead, and they would slit your throat for a piece of gold.” When they were done, Arelle gave the girl a bag. “There are five gold pieces in here. If it gets bad, go to the north. Don’t let anything happen to your parents or your sister.”

“How do you know about them?” asked the girl.“Abbi knows you,” said Arelle. “What Abbi knows, I know. Abbi

protects you even if you cannot see it.”“I thank you, my lady,” said the girl.“My name is Abbi,” said Abbi, but she did look back one last time

as she left the shop.They then went to the sword shop. “I swear if he gives us a hard

time today, I am going to beat him,” said Mayall.“I have what you want,” said the clerk. He laid five blades on the

counter. Every one of them was like Mayall’s blade and Arelle’s blade.

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They had the names of the princesses inscribed on them. “I know what your sword has on it and I know why you didn’t want to show it to me. It says Princess Arelle.”

“Penn’s men raped my sister,” he said. “She was only thirteen. Then they killed her. They tortured her to death.” Tears were running down his face.

“I promise you the queen’s vengeance, Benjamin Fogel,” said Arelle.“How do you know who I am?” he asked.“Abbi knows you,” said Arelle. “What Abbi knows, I know.”They rode out later that day to the north. “I want to make Ypsilanti

by morning light,” said Arelle. “Aora, if you and Richard would please ride ahead and arrange for rooms and breakfast, I would appreciate it,” said Arelle. Richard and Aora galloped off.

By morning light, they reached the inn and had breakfast. Then they went to sleep. They awoke for evening meal in the tavern where Aora used to work. Everyone was glad to see her, and the place was already rowdy when they got there. A girl came to wait on them. “Jules!” said Aora.

“Aora?” said Jules. “My god, you’ve turned into a princess. Let me look at you!”

“Everyone,” said Aora, “this is Julie, my friend.” Julie’s eyes stopped for a second on the princesses.

“We have rabbit stew tonight,” said Julie. “The bread is fresh. We have honey, and we have butter.”

“Jules, can we get some ale too, please?” asked Aora.“Yes, you can, my lady,” said Julie.“Hey, Jules,” said Aora, “can you bring mead for the three littlest

princesses? They will probably like that better.”They were eating their meal when a fight broke out. A man caught

his balance on the table in front of Arelle, and she had her sword out, pointed at his throat. “I’m sorry, my lady,” he said. “This isn’t a public brawl. Would you be so kind as to hold my hat for me? Thank you.”

Arelle sat down again, bemused.Aora got up and yelled, “Hey! Hey, you! Don’t you be hitting Julie’s

brother.” Aora waded into the fight. Aora was now a trained fighter, and she was a good one. In a short time she was the only one left standing. She grabbed one of the men by the shirt. “What do you think you are doing?” she asked.

Arelle 45

“Jimmy here owes us five dollars,” he said.“So the five of you were going to beat a man over five dollars?” asked

Aora. “What is the matter with you people? What do you think other people must think of us?” They could tell because all the princesses were wide eyed and stopped eating. “Here, Richard Doolan,” said Aora. “This covers Jimmy’s debt. And don’t you be getting drunk on it tonight and make me have to deal with you again.”

“And you, Jimmy Ryan, you have no job, and the only money you get is from Julie,” said Aora. “What in hell are you doing borrowing money you can never repay?”

“I wanted to get something to impress Cara,” he said.“You would impress Cara a hell of a lot more if you would get a job

and grow up,” said Aora. “If Cara is so important to you, why are you here and she isn’t? Get your sorry ass out of here right now!”

Aora sat down. “I’m sorry,” she said.“Don’t be,” said Mayall. “I’ve done worse.”“Me too,” said Arelle.“I thought you did well,” said Abbi. “That was a nice touch, flipping

him a gold piece for a five dollar debt.”“I would go into any tavern with you,” said Richard. “It would take

an army to beat you and me, and you don’t find armies in taverns.” Aora kissed Richard. Arelle smiled. Marie frowned.

They left Ypsilanti the next morning after breakfast, and they made their way to the bridge. Arelle hugged Henry, and then they made their way across the bridge. All of them were almost across the bridge when an arrow suddenly hit Aora high in the shoulder, and she went down. Twenty of Penn’s men were there, and they had two archers. Arelle put an arrow into the right eye of the archer that shot Aora. Mayall, Marie, and Abbi shot three of Penn’s men at the same time. They each shot two more before Penn’s men retreated. “Henry!” screamed Arelle. “Get across the bridge!” Henry looked at Arelle, and then he looked behind him.

“Henry, get across this damned bridge now!” screamed Arelle.Henry started running, and Penn’s men ran after him. When the

archer stood, Mayall shot an arrow to his brain. Arelle and Abbi shot two more of Penn’s men. “Get the bridge up, George,” said Arelle. As the bridge was coming up, Arelle looked at Penn’s men. Suddenly, they all went limp. A single young woman came out of the underbrush. She

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walked out to the side of the bridge that was down, and she raised her sword and said, “To the queen.” Arelle knelt, and then she bowed.

“George, please put the bridge down,” said Arelle. The bridge creaked as it came down. Arelle went to the center of the bridge and hugged the young woman.

“Heidi,” said Arelle, “use this money to bury these men. Leave no trace of them. Leave no trace of the last place they ever stayed.”

“I want to see Aora before I go,” said Heidi.Richard was holding Aora, and she was biting her lip so hard that

it was bleeding. Heidi took a locket hanging from her neck and put it on Aora. She smoothed Aora’s hair, and she kissed her. “Come back to me, princess,” said Heidi.

Mayall and Abbi had cut two poles and lashed them to a horse. Arelle and Marie had a blanket and rope ready, and they put Aora on it and started for Chapleau. Richard rode beside her. Every bump hurt Aora cruelly, but no one could do anything for her. “Get her on the table,” said the surgeon in Chapleau. “The rest of you, get out of here.”

“I’m not going,” said Richard.“Okay, fine,” said the surgeon. “I don’t have time to argue with you.”Three hours later the surgeon, came out of the room. “She will live,”

he said. “She will suffer no permanent damage, but she has lost a lot of blood. She will probably be very weak throughout spring and half the summer.”

“Can we take her home with us?” asked Arelle.“Yes, you can,” said the doctor. Arelle paid the fee. Richard rented

a wagon, and they went home through a foot of snow.Greer greeted them. Marissa was with her. “Aunt Marissa!” said

Arelle. She grabbed her Aunt and lifted her high in the air. “Sisters,” said Arelle as she wiped tears from her eyes, “these two women are Mother’s sisters. They are your aunts. This is Greer, Mother’s oldest sister. This is Marissa. She is Mother’s youngest sister. Marissa is only a year older than I am.” The princesses looked at them.

“Come,” said Greer. “It isn’t your fault that you don’t know who we are, but we are family. Marissa and I made dinner.”

Dinner was festive. Greer sat next to Ariel. Marissa sat next to Mayall and Arelle. Arabella Dayne served, and she only limped a little bit now. Cherelle helped her. “I can put six thousand men in the field right now,” said Marissa. “Genevieve will be here within the week.

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She can also put six thousand men in the field. Do you want to take Penn now?”

“No,” said Arelle. “He can’t really hurt us anymore. I want to enjoy the summer with my family. I want to bleed Penn more.”

“Do you want his lands?” asked Marissa.“His lands are rich,” said Arelle. “They would make us a lot of

money. But they would be an even better buffer for the kingdom to the south. Penn doesn’t begin to understand the treachery of his neighbor. But the real reason is that I want to enjoy the summer with my family. We can go to the south in the winter for war, and they can’t come north.”

Arabella Dayne poured Arelle another glass of ale. “How are you doing, Arabella?” asked Arelle

“I can move much better now,” said Arabella. “Greer has been teaching me to cook. Cherelle has been teaching me how to cut wood. Danielle taught me how to saddle a horse.”

“How do you feel about that?” asked Arelle.“I feel that I belong for the first time in my life,” said Arabella.

“Thank you.”“You are welcome, Arabella,” said Arelle. “Arabella, do you have

any relatives?”“Only my father,” said Arabella. “I don’t even know if he is still

alive. All he cared about was the money.”“I’m so sorry, Arabella,” said Arelle. She hugged Arabella. Arelle

noticed that her sisters were attracted to Greer and Marissa. Ariel’s eyes lit up every time she looked at Marissa. Arelle smiled.

The next morning, Arelle was in a room with Abbi, Mayall, and Cherelle. “Kristin,” said Arelle. “Do you think you are ready to stand?”

“I need to do this,” said Kristin. “Abbi, Cherelle, help me.” Kristin stood for the first time. “I feel much better now. Help me down the stairs. I want to eat around people and talk to them.”

They helped Kristin walk to the stairs. “Just a minute,” said Kristin. “I have to see Aora.” Aora was sitting up in bed, and Richard was feeding her. “Hey, Aora.”

“Look who’s up,” said Aora. “Good for you. I will join you in a few days.” Richard had not left Aora’s side since she had been shot with an arrow.

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Kristin limped down the rest of the hallway, and then Abbi and Cherelle helped her down the stairs. She went into the dining room, and all the people there cheered. They had a cake for her, and Kristin wiped the tears from her eyes.

The ice let go of all the rivers of the north country as the snow rotted, and the rivers were full of fish that were going north to spawn. The rivers were so full of fish that it was said a person could walk across the rivers and not get wet above the knees. Either Arelle or Mayall led fishing parties to a river nearby. Some of the people caught fish using nets while some of the people hunted for bears. Gavin, John Travers, Phillipe, and Richard manned the smokehouse twenty-four hours a day. They smoked thousands of pounds of fish, and they ate bear steaks every day. Richard would not go on the fishing parties. He would not go that far from Aora. Abbi and Phillipe killed a lot of bears.

Then the rains came. It rained every day for three weeks. They were very gentle rains, and when the rains ended, the land was alive again. Theresa and Catharine had arrived during the rains. Theresa had three children, two boys and a girl. Catharine had four sons and two of them were married. The cousins got to meet. “Danielle will be here in two weeks,” said Catharine.

Out in the rain for long days, Gavin and John had plowed the ground after the frost had left it. Somehow Gavin had gotten his hands on a draft horse and a plow. They had a garden of some ten acres that they planted when the rains ended. John and Gavin had become fast friends, and John Travers was well on his way to being a very good smith.

Arelle was in the barn when she heard a scream, and she grabbed her bow and ran. Ariel was running across the meadow, and a bear was chasing her. Arabella Dayne had a two-by-four in her hand, and she ran to Ariel. She hit the bear with the piece of lumber, and she screamed at the bear. She kept hitting it and kept screaming. Suddenly, the bear sprouted arrows on both sides, and it fell dead at her feet. Arabella turned and hugged Ariel who was crying. “I thought you were dead. I thought you were dead.”

Arelle held both of them. “Everything is fine,” she said. “Ariel, there is a reason why each one of us is never alone. Even Mayall and I won’t go away from the house alone.”

“I just wanted to get Aunt Marissa some flowers,” said Ariel.

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“I will take you to get flowers,” said Arelle. “This is a beautiful land, but it is not forgiving.”

“Arabella,” said Arelle, “you have done well, and you were very brave. I shall serve you at dinner tonight. But don’t ever do that again. You were lucky it was just a young bear. Now come, you need a shot of whiskey. You are shaking.” All the warriors hugged Arabella.

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Chapter 4

Spring passed and summer arrived. Arelle set up a tent that was one hundred square feet. Musicians came and they played for days, night and day. Food was constantly cooking. Arelle was constantly with all the people that came. Janette came, and then Janette, Mayall, and Arelle disappeared for a week. Apella Zagruddi came, and she brought her mother. Apella and her mother would never leave. Apella taught warriors how to use the war bows. Heidi came and she danced with Richard. Aora smiled, and then she danced with Richard. Greer smiled as she watched them dance. Marie smiled too. The princesses of Garinn swam in the river while people watched for bears. The princesses began to get stronger. Annette was now a warrior, and she was as hard as Arelle or Mayall. Mayall trained her. She was no longer deathly afraid of Mayall. Annette and Marissa then went fishing for a week.

“I have heard that Penn has a daughter,” said Marissa.“Did you put some of your people in Penn?” asked Arelle.“I did,” said Marissa. “He has his own daughter chained in a tower.

She is too independent for him.”“Do you think that we should get her now?” asked Arelle.“They aren’t beating her,” said Marissa. “They are treating her well.

She hates her father. She sent word. She asked that we kill as few of her people as we can.”

“You got people in to speak to Erinne?” asked Arelle.“I did,” said Marissa.“Do you watch Southerbee?” asked Arelle.

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“I do,” said Marissa. “I have five hundred people in Penn. Are you sure that you don’t want to take Garinn back now?”

“I need Penn alive,” said Arelle. “We will bleed him the whole summer. I will take him in the winter. I know that all of you want me to take him now, and I know we can. But I want Penn’s people to have nowhere else to turn. I want Erinne to be a princess of Garinn.”

“Why?” asked Greer.“I want her to be the princess of her people, as a friend,” said Arelle.“Penn has ten thousand people as reinforcements,” said Arelle. “He

only has three thousand back home. We will cut off every link that he has with home. He is on an island. He has no way off of that island. I mean to bleed him one day at a time. My people mean to make every one of a thousand cuts.” They had steaks and they listened to music and danced until Arelle went to bed. The music was still playing.

Arelle, Mayall, and Abbi went north the next morning. They rode for three days through old-growth forests that were very still and peaceful and where the air was fragrant. They camped by a fire each night. Then they came to the rocky shore of a great lake with crystal clear water. They visited an old woman tending a cauldron. Abbi thought that maybe she was a witch. “Old Mother,” said Arelle. “I think that you should come with us.”

“I have lived here my whole life,” said the woman. “I do not want to leave.”

“You do not have to live out here by yourself,” said Arelle.“Arelle,” said the woman, “you and Mayall are like daughters to

me. You have taken care of me. It is your time, Arelle. It is your time, Mayall. It is also your time, Abbi.”

“How do you know me?” asked Abbi.“My daughter’s name was Elizabeth,” said the old woman. “Her

daughter’s name was Anne. Anne was your mother. Your roots go deep into the soil of Athabasca.”

“Arelle, did you know this?” asked Abbi.“I did,” said Arelle. “There is more.”“I was queen of Athabasca,” said the woman. “I gave my throne to

Greer.”“Abbi,” said Arelle, “you are already a princess. You have been since

the moment you were born.” Abbi fell to her knees.

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“Abrin,” said the old woman, “you were named after my sister. My sister was a great princess. She is buried in the graveyard at Bella a Noch. Arelle and Mayall know where it is. They will take you there, and they will show you the graves of your mother and her parents. Abbi was crying as she hugged her great-grandmother.

“Catharine,” said Arelle, “are you sure you don’t want to come back with us?”

“My place is here,” said Catharine. “Abrin, your mother died in battle. Your grandmother died in battle. They were queens of Athabasca. They were warriors. They were free people. They lived for their people, and they died for their people. I charge you to do the same.” Abbi nodded as tears fell from her eyes.

“Abrin Thoms,” said Catharine, “you are the rightful queen of Athabasca.”

“It is true,” said Arelle. “Greer has already signed the documents.”Abbi went down on her knees, and she cried.“Abbi, I know that you were alone for a very long time,” said Arelle.

“You will never be alone again.” Abbi cried and cried as she held her great-grandmother and Arelle. “Catharine, are you sure you won’t come back with us? All of my aunts are there.”

“I would like to see them,” said Catharine. “Maybe just a short visit, then. Would you girls like some fish stew?”

“Abrin,” said Catharine, “you favor your father’s people. He was of the fair race of the people of the far north.”

“This fish stew is very good, Catharine,” said Mayall.“Thank you, dear,” said Catharine. “It’s always nice to be appreciated.”“Abrin, how old are you?” asked Catharine.“I just turned fifteen a week ago,” said Abbi.“When I was your age,” said Catharine, “Elizabeth was two. When

Elizabeth was your age, your mother was two. When your mother was your age, you were two. Your mother was only fifteen when she died.”

“But that would only make you fifty-four,” said Abbi. “Why did you give up the crown?”

“I gave it up because I thought that Elizabeth should be the queen if she was going to fight for us,” said Catharine. “Your mother was the queen when she was four years old. I was the regent for her.”

“Your father left the kingdom when your mother was killed,” said Anne. “He was heartbroken. He didn’t live a year, and then we lost you

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when you were three. Arelle and Mayall have been looking for you for five years. All we knew was your name.”

“Did you know who I was that night in the tavern when I introduced myself to you?” asked Abbi.

“We did,” said Arelle. “Mayall and I had narrowed it down to the area where you were, but we did not know that you were a serving girl. Don’t ever tell Arabella Dayne how close she came to dying that night. She has changed her life, and she deserves a chance.”

“That brings me to something else,” said Catharine. “I read your letters and I did some checking. Arabella Dayne really is related to you.”

“What?” asked Arelle.“She had the relationship wrong,” said Catharine. “Arabella Dayne’s

grandfather and your grandfather were brothers. Arabella’s grandfather was my cousin. I remember him fondly. His daughter married Arabella’s father. I didn’t like him at all.”

“Arelle,” said Catharine, “there is something that I have never told you. I made Greer promise not to tell you. I am sorry for not telling you. My grandfather and Greer’s grandfather are the same man. You and I are related, and you and Abrin are related.” Arelle just looked at Abbi. Abbi’s mouth was open. “More stew?” asked Catharine.

“Abbi, Mayall, and I are going on to Bella a Noch,” said Arelle. “There are things there that Abbi and I need to know.”

“So, Catharine,” said Arelle, “what secrets do you know about Mayall?”

“Mayall,” said Catharine, “your great-great-grandfather was the count of Trionne. He died in the battle of Au Trionne. He is buried in the same cemetery with St. Abrin, and there is a statue of him in town. There is more that I have to tell you, Mayall. I was the first person that ever held you when you were born. You were never a lady-in-waiting. I watched you grow up, and I made sure that you and Arelle met at the right time.” Tears were streaming down Mayall’s face.

“Go to Bella a Noch,” said Catharine. “I will await you here.”“We can’t leave you all alone, great-grandmother,” said Abbi.“I have a cottage over the hill,” said Catharine. “It is full of servants.

I look like this because I have been fishing all day. The capital is five miles that way.”

“Abrin, go with Arelle and Mayall and find your past,” said Catharine. “Your future awaits you, and it can wait a few days.”

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Arelle, Mayall and Abbi went to Bella a Noch. There was a huge cemetery there, and it was very old. The guide showed them many graves; and Arelle, Abbi, and Mayall realized the lineage that they had come from and the people that had died to get them where they were. They went to dinner in a tavern in Bella a Noch. They were in the far north, and the serving girl was a very fair blonde like Abbi. They ate dinner, and they went to bed. They rode south in the morning. “So many of our people have died,” said Arelle.

“They were warriors,” said Abbi. “They fought for their people.”“But they all died so young,” said Arelle.“We are young,” said Mayall. “We might die that way.”“Have I told the two of you how much I love you?” asked Arelle.

They were all somber as they went back to get Catharine.

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Chapter 5

Catharine had a beautiful carriage and servants as they rode south through the great forests. Arelle, Mayall, and Abbi were pensive. They reached Arelle’s house, and they were greeted by all the queens of the free territories. Greer hugged Catharine. A thousand people were sleeping under great tents. The air smelled sweet with the first cutting of hay. Food was cooking, and people were dancing to the music. Aora and Richard danced very close. “Tomorrow,” said Arelle, “we crown a queen.” She sought out Arabella Dayne, who was ladling out stew. “Arabella, would you sit with me a moment?”

Arabella had lost a lot of weight, and she looked really good. Her hair was short because she had cut off the frizzy blonde part. “Arabella,” said Arelle, “do you know of Catharine the Great?” Arabella nodded. “Arabella, this is Catharine the Great.” Arabella went down on her knees.

“Please rise, child,” said Catharine. “Arabella, you need to know that your grandfather and Arelle’s grandfather were brothers. You and Arelle are cousins. That makes you a princess. Your grandfather was my cousin. I remember him fondly. I’m sorry, but I didn’t like your father.”

“You are also related to Abrin,” said Catharine. “You are also related to the queens of the free territories, and you are related to Mayall.” Arabella hugged all the women.

“I will show all of you that I am worthy,” she said.The next morning dawned hot and bright. Arelle, Abbi, and Mayall

had run together before the sun came up. Arelle and Abbi both wore white gowns, and they both looked spectacular as they ate breakfast.

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Hundreds of people came up to them. The day was festive with much food and music.

That evening, there was a formal dinner. The food was very good. Arelle rose. “This night, we crown a queen,” said Arelle. “We crown Abbi, Queen of Athabasca.”

Abbi came out in a snow white gown, and she hugged Arelle. She went in front of her great-grandmother, and she knelt. Catharine had a golden crown. “Abrin Anne Thoms,” said Catharine, “I name you . . .”

“Stop,” said Abbi suddenly, and she stood up. “I’m sorry, I can’t do this.”

“What?” said Catharine.“I am a stranger to my own people,” said Abbi. “Greer has been their

queen for ten years, and Marie is the crown princess.”“Abrin,” said Catharine, “we have an agreement, and it has been

signed.”Abbi ripped the parchment in half. “I love the people of Athabasca,”

she said. “But they have a queen. They have a crown princess. I grew up in Garinn. These are my people, and I love them. I am a warrior. I will be a princess of Garinn one day. I serve Arelle. My place is with her. I serve my people.” She drew her sword. “To the queen,” she said. “Enjoy the party.” All the people rose to their feet and drew their swords. Arelle hugged Abbi. The cheers echoed from the woods, and over a thousand people hugged Abbi that night.

“Abrin,” said Catharine, “the crown was yours.”“Great-grandmother,” said Abbi, “the crown belongs to Greer. She

has been the queen of our people for ten years. Marie has been the crown princess for those ten years. Arelle made me what I am, and she did it because she was my friend and my mentor. I am a princess. I am a warrior. I might be a queen someday, but today is not that day. Perhaps when Phillipe and I marry, I will be queen.” Abbi looked at Greer, and she smiled. Greer smiled back. “But this day,” said Abbi, “I am a princess of Garinn.” Abbi knelt before Arelle and she rose as a princess. Mayall and Aora also rose as princesses. The party went well into the night.

Arelle awoke late the next morning, and she and Mayall went down for breakfast. Men and women were serving breakfast to all the guests. Arelle and Mayall got bacon and eggs and sat with the queens. “Danielle,” said Arelle, “your men and Marissa’s men are between Penn and his home. He cannot get word to them, and they cannot get

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word to him. He sends out patrols from time to time. He always sends two hundred men at a time now. They never return. Your men are not garrisoned. They all seem to have taken up with barmaids and serving girls.”

“Catharine,” said Arelle, “your men are mid-kingdom to the east and Theresa’s men are mid-kingdom to the west. Genevieve, your men are in the north, and Greer’s men are at the ready here. Marie is with them this morning.” Arelle’s sisters came, and they sat among the queens and princesses. Annette sat with Mayall, Abbi, Aora, Richard, and Phillipe. Ariel sat between Marissa and Arabella. Arianne sat with Theresa, who was also a middle child. Arianne and Theresa left, and shortly, Arelle saw them head off to the river with Apella. All of them had fishing rods. All of them had bows.

Marie rode up and Arranne took her horse. “Arelle,” said Marie. “Penn sent a thousand men to the north. We have a thousand more horses.”

“Our people will take care of them,” said Greer. “Have you eaten?”“I had breakfast with the men,” said Marie.“Well,” said Arelle, “we have to pick green beans today. Is everyone

ready?”Gavin and John had planted an acre full of green beans, and they

and Danielle had been in the field picking them since first light. Soon there were fifty people picking green beans. They sent hundreds of bushels of beans to the canning house where the queens were overseeing the operation. The sisters were very close in spite of the distance and duties that separated them, and the operation was running smoothly. They were sending hundreds of containers of canned beans to the storage house. The storage house was cool. There were still several tons of ice in it that had been cut in the winter and insulated with sawdust. It was late afternoon by the time that they finished picking beans. “Well,” said Gavin, “that’s that.”

“Yeah,” snorted Arelle. “That’s that for a week, and then we get to do it again.”

Arianne, Theresa, and Apella returned shortly and all three carried two large fish. “The summer fish run is on,” said Theresa. “The bears are back. Arianne shot her first bear. We gutted it and hung it way up in the air.”

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“I will go get it tomorrow,” said John. “I will bring the bear while the rest of you fish.” The smokehouse was fired up again for three days.

Life was peaceful for them as the summer went on. The sweet corn ripened. They had fresh corn, and they also canned corn. The tomatoes ripened, and they canned those too. All the while, Arelle’s people bled Penn at every opportunity.

“I got word from my people in Penn today,” said Marissa, and her lips were tight. “They beat Erinne. The men that did it are dead.”

“How is Erinne?” asked Arelle.“She will be fine in a few days,” said Marissa. “I don’t think that

they will beat her again.”“Every man in Penn’s land knows that if they touch Erinne again,

they will die,” said Marissa. “My people have made sure of that. Erinne sends you this.” It was a locket with a picture of Erinne and her mother.

“Send word to Erinne that I will be there when the first snow falls,” said Arelle. Arelle put the locket around her neck. “I will cut her chains off myself.”

“There is more, Arelle,” said Marissa. “My people found out how Erinne’s mother died. She was poisoned when Erinne was five. He killed his own wife so he could have other women.” Arelle threw her glass into the fireplace, and her eyes burned with anger.

Time passed and summer waned. The fall harvest was done, and a thousand guests feasted around fires in the cooling autumn air. “This night,” said Arelle, “a princess of Garinn weds.” The people all cheered as Richard walked toward an altar that had been set up. He wore the formal attire of the royal house of Athabasca.

Abbi, Heidi, Arelle, and Marie came out in white gowns. Each was escorted by a member of the royal families of the free territories.

Aora came out. She was dressed in a simple white gown. Her dark hair was piled on her head and diamonds were woven into her hair. She sparkled in the firelight. Phillipe escorted her. He wore the dark blue uniform of an officer of Athabasca. Aora looked magnificent. She had become a big, strong, beautiful, and confident woman.

Aora knelt before Catharine the Great, who had never ended her short vacation. When Aora rose, Catharine kissed her and placed Richard’s hand in hers. “We are here this evening to join the royal houses of Garinn and Athabasca,” said Catharine. “We come as free

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people to be among our friends as we celebrate this wedding. Let this day be a beacon of light in the gathering darkness. Let the love of Richard and Aora be a beacon of light for us to follow.”

“May their children grow up to be free and strong and proud,” said Catharine. “May they walk together the honored paths of their ancestors, and may they blaze new trails together, hand in hand.”

“I charge everyone that is here to support the union of Richard and Aora,” said Catharine. “Give them your strength in the hard times and take from them their love in the good times.” A full moon was rising in the night sky as Aora and Richard said their vows and became man and wife.

Arelle sat with the wedding party at the reception. There were easily a thousand people there and the smell of food filled the night air. Musicians were playing and children were playing together. “Well, Aunt Greer,” said Arelle, “that’s one down.”

“Those two are perfect for each other,” said Greer. “They are both such kind people. It is always nice when kind people find each other. Aora has turned into such a beautiful woman. Their children will be gorgeous.” Phillipe then came up to them.

“Come on, Mom,” he said. “Let’s dance.”Aora sat next to Arelle. “I can’t believe that gorgeous man just

married me,” said Aora. “He thinks I am beautiful.”“You are beautiful, Aora,” said Arelle as she swallowed some wine.

“You just haven’t looked in a mirror lately. Now go dance with your husband before I do.” Abbi sat down with two plates of food.

“Where is Phillipe?” asked Abbi.“He is dancing with his mother,” said Arelle. Catharine, Marissa,

and Annette joined them.“Well, Abrin,” said Catharine, “what of you and Phillipe?”“We will not marry until Garinn is free,” said Abbi. “We want to

be married in the palace where the queens of Garinn were all married.” Phillipe and Greer returned.

“Here, babe,” said Abbi, “I brought you food.”“Thanks, Ab,” said Phillipe. “I needed this.”Arelle had built an apartment over the top of the canning house

so the newlyweds could have some privacy, and Aora and Richard left. Mayall came and sat with a plate of food. “I’m headed down below with

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Marie and Annette tomorrow,” said Mayall. “Are you sure you don’t want to come?”

“I have too much to do here,” said Arelle. “I’ll meet up with you in Ypsilanti in a little over a week. Aora and Richard are going to take a week off for their honeymoon, and then they will be coming with me.”

“I have sent word to Marrah and Janette,” she went on. “It will frost in about a week. It is time. Our destiny awaits us, Mayall.”

“We both come from a long line of kings and queens,” said Mayall. “It is your time, Arelle. If anybody is ready for it, it is you.”

“For as long as I can remember,” said Annette, “you have always been sure of yourself. You were the sister that was so strong, and you protected all of us.”

“Arelle,” said Annette, “Arwen is going with us.”“Arwen is only fourteen,” said Arelle.“Arwen asked permission from Catharine,” said Annette. “She has

had the blessing of the archbishop.”“She has been to Bella a Noch?” asked Arelle.“I took her there,” said Annette. “The archbishop blessed me as

well. He remembers Mother from when she was a child. He sends you this.” It was the sword of Abrin de Currin, who had been sainted by her people. It was Abrin de Currin that Abbi was named after. Abbi looked at the shining blade.

“I think Abbi should use this sword,” said Arelle. “Abrin de Currin was one of the greatest warriors that the free people of the north have ever known. Stories of her will be told forever in the fires of the north. Stories of you will also be told forever in the north, Abbi.” Catharine smiled, and she disappeared into the darkness.

The next morning, Mayall, Marie, and Annette left after breakfast. Arelle hugged them. Aora and Richard also left for their honeymoon. Arelle spent five days alone in the forest, and when she came back, they began to load wagons. Five great wagons were there, and they were loaded with food and other things. Great kettles hung on the sides of the wagons. After two days of preparation, they were ready to go.

The queens of the free territories mounted on horses in the morning sunshine. “This is not your fight,” said Arelle. “You don’t have to go.”

“You are wrong,” said Greer. “Arianna was our sister. Her people are our people. Your people are our people, Arelle, and we are going.”

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“We all have a dog in the fight,” said Marissa, as her stallion wheeled. “We are going.”

Catharine walked toward them, and there was an old man with her. It was the archbishop of the church. “I ask you to kneel, Arelle Anne Henne,” he said. Arelle knelt, and he put his hand on her head. “I give you the blessing of the church of the free territories. Your cause is just, and your heart is pure. Fight with a clear conscience. You do no wrong. Free your people and avenge your mother, and may the saints be with you.” Arelle rose, and Catharine hugged her.

“Go to your destiny, child,” whispered Catharine.Two hundred people left with Arelle and the five great wagons. They

rode through the primeval forests to Chapleau. The several hundred people of Chapleau lined up the streets, and they threw roses before Arelle.

They rode on, and they came to the bridge over the Rogue River. “I wish you Godspeed, my lady,” said George as he lowered the bridge. Arelle hugged him. They rode on to Ypsilanti.

A great cheer erupted in the tavern as Aora walked in hand in hand with Richard. Heidi hugged her, and then she knelt before Arelle. “My queen,” said Heidi.

“Princess,” said Arelle, “let us celebrate this night.” Mayall, Marie, and Annette were there.

They rode the next morning to Manistee, and Mayall rode next to Arelle. Heidi and several women rode behind the queens. Each one of them had a man riding with her, and more and more men and women joined up with them as they rode south. A thousand of them rode into Manistee. The streets were roped off, and there were tents in front of the tavern where Abbi had worked. Several thousand people knelt before Arelle. “We will take back our kingdom,” said Arelle “This is our land. We ride south on the morrow, but tonight is for us.” There was a great cheer.

There was much food and drink, and Abbi was hoisted on many shoulders, and she raised her glass and screamed.

They rode to the south, and more and more people continued to join them, but some of the men began to leave. They reached Au Claire in two days, and Arelle stood outside the palace gates with eight thousand women in the morning sun. She sent an arrow through the brain of one of the men patrolling the palace, and all the men on the

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walls and parapets vanished. “I know that you can hear me,” said Arelle. “Send word to Penn. This land is my land. You will not have it. There is nothing that you can do. We are prepared to batter the palace to bits. You can live, or you can die.” Three thousand horsemen erupted from the front gates of the palace, and they rode south. “Come on,” said Arelle, “They are trying to make a break for it.”

They reached their horses and rode. Aora, Mayall, and Abbi rode with Arelle. They rode hard after Penn all day long, and they rode hard all night long. Penn’s men were just coming over a rise, and Arelle was hot on their trail. Penn’s men faced sixty thousand warriors as they rode over the rise. Arelle’s people waded into Penn. Arelle cut her way through Penn’s men, and her aunts and the princesses were with her. It wasn’t long before Penn’s men wanted nothing to do with Aora and Richard. They wanted nothing to do with Abbi and Phillipe. And they sure as hell wanted nothing to do with Arelle.

Arelle plunged her sword into Penn’s belly. “This is for my mother,” said Arelle. “This is for Erinne.” Arelle ripped her sword up, and Penn died. “Come,” said Arelle. “We ride south.” They reached Penn’s lands that afternoon and they rode hard. The people that they passed by as they rode all had a haunted look. They reached a castle as dusk was settling in. They went inside.

“Where is Erinne?” said Arelle with her sword drawn out. The man said nothing, and Arelle held her sword to his neck. The queens of the free territories and the princesses of Garinn were behind her. “I said, where is Erinne?”

The man took her to a tower and Erinne was there, chained to a wall. She was dirty and disheveled. The dress she is wearing, she had worn for months, and it was coming apart at the seams. She didn’t look like she had been fed that well. “May I have the bolt cutters, John?” asked Arelle. Erinne collapsed in a heap when Arelle cut the chains.

“Can you stand?” asked Arelle.“I’m sorry,” sobbed Erinne. “I can’t. They stopped feeding me two

weeks ago. I was sure I was going to die before you got here.”“I have her, Arelle,” said Aora, and she picked up Erinne like she

was a baby. “Let’s get out of here. Richard, would you please go get her some stew broth?”

“I’m on it, honey,” he said, and he ran off.

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They laid her down on a couch by the fireplace and lit a fire. There were no other people that they could find in the castle. Arwen and Abbi lit all the candles and torches in the room. Richard came back, and Aora fed Erinne. That was when they found out she could not feel her hands.

“I am sorry now that we did not come sooner,” said Arelle. “I wanted to bleed your father all summer first to make our job easier.”

“You came,” said Erinne. “That is all that matters to me.”“We brought a hundred wagons of foodstuffs, clothes, and medical

supplies,” said Arelle. “We will begin to distribute them tomorrow. Another hundred wagons will come in two days’ time. We will take care of your people through the winter. Then there is the matter of the horses. We have fifteen thousand of your horses in the free territories. They have all been sold. I have the money for you in gold.”

“For me?” asked Erinne.“You are the countess of Penn,” said Arelle. “You are the legitimate

heir of your father. These are your people. Serve them well.”“But you conquered us,” said Erinne.“I did not come as a conqueror,” said Arelle. “I came as a liberator.

I would ask that you sign a treaty of annexation as the ruler of your people, and your people will become part of Garinn. I would also ask that you become a princess of Garinn. When I take the crown, I intend to sign a formal treaty with the queens of the free territories. They are all my aunts. They are here. Erinne looked at the magnificent women sitting in chairs around her.

“I would also ask you to sign that treaty as a princess of Garinn,” said Arelle.

“I will,” said Erinne. “My people have suffered enough. I have suffered enough.”

“Would you like to eat another bowl of stew, Erinne?” asked Aora.“I would like that,” said Erinne. “Can I have some meat and

potatoes, please? It has been so long since I have had stew.”“If you start to feel sick you will say something?” asked Aora.“I will,” said Erinne. Annette came toward her with a soft blanket.“I brought this for you,” said Annette. “It will keep you warm after

the fire goes out and you are asleep.”“You are so kind,” said Erinne. “Are you Arelle’s sister?”

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“I am,” said Annette. “Your father chained us in the north tower of the palace, but Arelle got us out before your father could do to us the things that he did to you. I am so sorry.”

“When you get better,” added Annette, “we will make sure that no man will ever do that to you again.”

“My army is mostly made up of women,” said Arelle. “They are free women. They are strong women. They are all volunteers. They are all here.”

“Before my father put me in chains,” said Erinne, “I saw so many men that were taken away from their families. I saw women crying as their husbands were taken. I saw fathers crying as they were taken away from their children. It made me sick, and there wasn’t anything that I could do about it. My father was obsessed with taking Garinn.”

“That nightmare is over for you and your people,” said Arelle. “Come, it is time for us to sleep.”

“Please, Arelle,” said Erinne, “I don’t want to be alone.”“We are staying here,” said Arelle. “You will never be alone again.”

During the night, Erinne’s circulation returned to her hands, and she was in agony. Aora massaged her arms and hands while Arelle held her. Finally, she went to sleep.

At first light, Arelle was at the mess tent. Abbi, Phillipe, and Mayall were with her. “Thank you, Tommie,” said Arelle as she took a plate of bacon and eggs. “Are you guys ready for today?”

“We are, my lady,” said Tommie. “Every person that walks in here will be fed. We are prepared to do it for a year if we have to.” The queen reached out over the counter, and she hugged him.

Arelle was about halfway through her breakfast when she saw a man coming down the street. “I’ll be back,” she said as she rose. She met the man in the street, and he knelt.

“You must be a princess of Garinn,” he said. “I mean no harm. I am only going to work.”

“Who are you?” asked Arelle.“I am Aubrey Wentz,” he said. “I am a bookbinder.”“Come,” said Arelle. “This is the mess tent of the armies of Garinn.

There are a hundred wagons here, and they have food, clothing, and medical supplies for your people. I ask you to spread the word.”

“I am sorry, Princess,” he said. “I cannot, or I will lose my job.”

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“You will not lose your job,” said Arelle. “I promise you that. I am the queen of Garinn.”

“Aubrey Wentz,” said Arelle, “rise, come and have breakfast with me, and then spread the word to your people.”

She took him to the line and said, “Take what you want. The bacon and eggs are good this morning. We have tea or hot cider to drink. The mess tent will be open all day to feed your people. We also have clothing, blankets, and medical supplies for your people. They will switch to lunch at eleven and dinner at four. They will serve till the last person comes through.”

“There is a quartermaster at every wagon, and they can tell you what is in it and help you get what you need,” said Arelle.

“Can I get my wife boots and mittens?” Aubrey asked.“You can get her whatever she wants,” said Arelle.“Why are you doing this?” asked Aubrey as he shoved a spoonful of

scrambled eggs into his mouth. “We attacked you.”“Penn gutted his country to have this war,” said Arelle. “He gutted

you of your resources, your money, and your people. You will be hard-pressed to survive the winter, and you have a neighbor to the south that is even worse than Penn. I am annexing your land and making it a part of Garinn. Erinne will sign the treaty voluntarily when she is well enough to do so, and she will become a princess of Garinn. We will then sign a treaty with the queens of the free territories. They are all my aunts.”

“Abbi and Phillipe,” said Arelle, “if you are done with breakfast, would you be so kind as to help Mr. Wentz and his wife? Mayall and I are going to take food to Erinne.”

Mayall got a plate full of scrambled eggs and another plate of toast. Arelle got a pot of tea with honey and lemon in it. When they got to where Erinne was, she was awake and sitting up. “Annette gave me a bath this morning,” said Erinne. “She washed my hair and combed it. She also gave me new clothes to wear.”

“We have brought you breakfast,” said Arelle. “Things are looking up.”

“I have sent out riders to every corner of your land,” said Arelle. “Your people look and act like they have been beaten down for years. A hundred wagons shall come from the north every month and they shall go where they are needed most.”

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“Arelle,” said Erinne, “I can never repay you.”“It is enough for me that you are alive, Erinne,” said Arelle, and her

eyes shone as she touched Erinne’s face. “It is enough for me that you are a free woman.”

“What did you do with my father?” asked Erinne.“We brought him home,” said Arelle.“Burn his body,” said Erinne. “Scatter his ashes to the wind. The

sooner he is forgotten, the better.”“It shall be done, lady,” said Arelle, and Annette left. “How are the

eggs?”“Good, thank you,” said Erinne.Annette came back into the room with a device. “This is something

that Gavin made,” said Arelle. “He calls it a wheelchair. Annette will take you out among your people after you are done eating so they can see you and you can see them. Mayall, Arabella, and I shall walk the streets of the city to help your people. We will meet up with you at lunch.”

Arelle, Mayall, and Arabella went out into the streets. “Never have I seen such poverty,” said Arabella. “Penn absolutely ruined his lands and his people. They tried to kill us, but I feel sorry for them. And there are so many widows. What are we going to do with them?”

“We are going to give them jobs,” said Arelle. “No matter what it takes.”

“How much gold do you have stashed, Arelle?” asked Arabella.“Mayall and I took all the gold in the royal treasury,” said Arelle.

“We damned near died because we took the time to do it. Penn never found it. Mayall and I don’t actually know how much there is.”

“We were in kind of a hurry,” said Mayall.They came to a little girl that was begging on the streets. The girl

could not have been more than five or six. She was dressed in rags, and she was using socks for mittens. “Please, great princesses,” said the little girl. “May I have a coin?”

Arabella put a coin in the girl’s cup. “Where are your parents?” asked Arabella.

“My mother died giving birth to me,” said the girl. “My father was taken to become a soldier, and he is now dead. I am an orphan.”

“What is your name, child?” asked Arabella.

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“My father told me I was named after a beautiful fairy princess,” said the little girl. “My name is Arelle.”

“Oh, my dear god,” said Arabella, and she sank to her knees and held the girl. She looked back at Arelle.

“Arelle,” said the queen, “where do you sleep at night?”“I sleep in the orphanage,” said the little girl.“Take us there now,” said Arelle. The little girl took them down the

block to a shabby building, and they went in. “I want to know who this girl is,” said Arelle.

“Her name is Arelle Nainth,” said the woman that Arelle was talking to. “She has been out begging again, hasn’t she? Arelle, I have told you over and over not to do that.”

“It’s the only way my friends can have anything,” said little Arelle.“I am adopting this girl,” said Arelle.“Princess, you are not from Penn,” said the woman. “You cannot

adopt her.”“I am telling you that this girl is coming with me,” said Arelle. She

knelt to look into the little girl’s eyes.“Do you know who I am?” asked Arelle.“No,” said the little girl.“My name is Arelle,” said Arelle. “You were named after me. You

will grow up as a princess of your people. We will call you Ari, so they won’t confuse us.”

Arelle stood, and she looked at the woman. “I am not a princess,” said Arelle. “I am your queen. Little Ari is coming with us.” Arabella hugged the little girl.

They took little Arelle to a wagon “I want all new clothes for her,” said Arelle. Then they went to eat. Erinne met them at the mess tents.

Erinne could now feed herself, and she got a large bowl of stew. “Erinne,” said Arelle, “this is Arelle Nainth. I have adopted her. She will be a princess of Garinn.”

Erinne struggled to get out of her chair, and she hugged the girl. “I know who you are,” said little Arelle. “I hope I am as beautiful as you when I grow up.” Erinne cried as she clung to young Arelle.

“Do you eat like this every day?” asked little Arelle.“We do,” said Arelle.“There are days that we don’t even eat,” said the little girl.

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“We will fix that after lunch,” said Arelle. “This is a BLT. You can have as many of them as you want.” Little Arelle had two of them.

They then went back to the orphanage. Several wagons went with them. “We have brought you food,” said Arelle. “We have brought you clothing. We have brought you people that will fix the orphanage. A wagon will arrive every month to see to your needs.” The woman that ran the orphanage knelt.

“We have made most of these children orphans,” said Arelle. “I am very sorry about that. Take them now to the mess tent. They can all have a BLT. Go to the mess tent for as long as it is here.” Little Arelle played with her friends, and she hugged all of them. “We will meet all of you for dinner at five.”

Arelle, Erinne, and Annette walked through the city with little Ari. Annette pushed Erinne in her wheelchair. Many people came up to Erinne and hugged her. At times, she struggled to get out of the chair to hug them. All knelt before Arelle, and Arelle hugged them too. Arelle directed all of them to the wagons. Theresa and Genevieve then came thundering up on their horses.

“Southerbee sent two hundred men over the pass,” said Theresa. “But they are all dead now, and snow falls in the mountains. Southerbee will not know that they are dead until spring.”

“So we have until spring,” said Erinne. “My people will be ready.” Her face was stern.

“You are not alone, Erinne,” said Arelle. “When we sign the treaty, we will have the protection of the free territories. The queens can put a hundred thousand men in the field now, Southerbee cannot.”

“How do you know this?” asked Erinne.“The men that sneaked in to see you were Marissa’s men,” said

Arelle. “A few of them that came from the mountains of the far west were sent on. We watch Southerbee. We have been doing so for a while.”

“Rest easy, Princess,” said Theresa, “but prepare.”“Arelle,” said Theresa, “I am going to write a letter to Arianne. Do

you want to say anything?”“Tell my sister that I love her,” said Arelle. “Tell her that I love her

drawings. “Oh, and tell her that she has a new sister.”“Ari,” said Arelle, “this is my Aunt Theresa and this is my Aunt

Genevieve. They are queens of the free territories. You will get to see them and meet all of your family. You will love the north in the summer.”

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Little Arelle knelt before the queens. “Great ladies,” she said.“Arelle,” said Arelle, “no more begging. You are a princess now. All

you have to do is ask.”“Take this locket,” said Genevieve. “This is the image of St. Abrin

de Currin. It will keep you safe. St. Abrin will watch over you.”“Thank you, great lady,” said little Arelle.“You may call me Aunt Genevieve,” said Genevieve, as she hugged

the little girl.Mayall and Arabella then came up to them. “We hired about two

thousand women today,” said Mayall.“For what?” asked Arelle“I don’t know yet,” said Mayall. “They were all widows.”“I need an army,” said Erinne. “Most of your warriors are women,

Arelle.”“I can live with that,” said Arelle. “Mayall and Arabella will handle

it. You will have to send word back to Garinn for swords and horses. Make sure they are all paid right now.” Arabella and Mayall left.

It was now later in the afternoon, so they went to the mess tent. “We have fish stew, baby girl,” said Arelle. “You will like this. We also have fresh bread with honey.”

“My lady,” said little Arelle, “what am I supposed to call you?”“Mom would work, Ari,” said Arelle. “I suppose that when you are

angry at me you will call me Mother, but I can live with that.”“I never have to leave you?” asked little Arelle. “I have had to leave

homes before.”“You are stuck with me,” said Arelle, and she kissed the little girl on

top of her head. “Now eat.”Abbi and Phillipe came and sat with them. Arelle introduced little

Ari to them, and she stared at Abbi. “You come from my people,” said Abbi. “Your hair is blonde and your eyes are blue. That is the line of the people of the far north. Your mother must have been one of them.”

“Are you a fairy princess?” asked little Arelle.“No more than you, little princess,” said Abbi. “Try this. This is

chocolate cake.” Little Arelle’s eyes lit up when she took a bite.“Aunt Abbi,” said Ari, “this is really good!”Abbi laughed. “Just don’t eat too much of it, or you will get sick.”“What are you two eating?” asked Arelle, who had stepped away

for a moment.

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“I am introducing Ari to chocolate cake,” said Abbi.“Where are Aora and Richard,” said Arelle, as she sat down.“Aora and Richard needed some ‘alone time,’” said Abbi. “They shot

a deer. It must have fallen over them.”“Where are they now?” asked Arelle.“They are having some ‘alone time,’” said Abbi. “Here, baby girl, try

this. This is venison steak.”Mayall and Arabella then arrived with two thousand of their new

best friends, and all the people cheered. Musicians started to play, and soon, two thousand women became very rowdy. “Come, Ari,” said Arelle. “You need to go to bed.”

Arelle and Ari went to the castle hand in hand, and they went to the room where Erinne was. Erinne was already asleep. Annette was beside her on the floor, asleep. Arelle and little Ari went to another couch where there was another blanket. Arelle cuddled up to the little girl. “Will you be with me in the morning?” asked little Arelle.

“I will be with you forever,” said Arelle. They cuddled under the warm blanket, and they went to sleep as the fire died.

In the morning, Arelle woke Ari. “Come on, baby girl. It is time for breakfast.”

“I had a dream last night,” said little Ari. “I dreamed I was a princess.”

“You are a princess,” said Arelle.“No,” said Ari. “I dreamed I was a great princess and a warrior.”“Well, warrior,” said Arelle, “you stink and you need a bath. So do

I.” They bathed together and Arelle washed Ari’s hair. Arelle combed Ari’s long blonde hair. “Come, princess, let’s eat breakfast. You are beautiful enough.”

Arelle sat with Mayall and Arabella at breakfast. Two thousand women came to have breakfast, and most of them were hungover. “They are going to have a rough day today,” said Mayall. “Arabella and I will have to be mean today, but they will learn a lesson. Arwen will help us. I was hoping that Aora and Richard would be here today, but no one has seen them. They didn’t even come back to the castle last night.” Arelle smiled.

Erinne arrived in her chair, pushed by Annette. “Are you ready for tonight?” asked Arelle.

“I am,” said Erinne. “Catharine has tended to all the details.”

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“Thank you, Aunt Cat,” said Arelle. “Please sit down and join us.” Little Arelle was staring at Catharine.

“That is right,” said Catharine. “You are of my people. My father was from the far north. You must come from a long line to be so far south and still have blonde hair and blue eyes. This summer, I will take you to your people.” Catharine kissed little Arelle on top of her head.

That evening, several thousand people waited in the courtyard of the castle. “Tonight you will become part of Garinn,” said Arelle. “Erinne will sign the papers that make it so.”

“Help me stand,” said Erinne. She went toward the parchment and signed it. Then she went to the balcony, despite her wobbly legs. “We join the kingdom of Garinn this night. We are a free people. I give my signature freely and with no coercion. The time of my father is done. I say again, we are a free people. Let the word out. I will be a princess of Garinn. I will be a warrior. I will be a free woman.” The people cheered. “The mess tent will be open for celebration.”

Arelle walked around the tables, hand in hand with Ari. Both of them were dressed in white furs, and little Arelle’s hair was up and decorated with diamonds. People knelt before Arelle, and she hugged them as they stood and asked them their names. Ari also hugged them. Arabella Dayne was sitting with Mayall, Arwen, and Marissa. Aora and Richard were actually there, and they were sitting with Greer, Genevieve, Catharine, Abbi, Phillipe, and Marie. Theresa and Danielle sat with a peasant family. Annette was pushing Erinne around in her chair. Erinne was still quite frail, but she glowed among her people. When she came near her soldiers, they all stood and let out a roar.

Arelle and little Ari came across the woman that ran the orphanage. “I have Arelle’s things,” said the woman. “She didn’t take them with her.”

“Ari,” said Arelle, “why didn’t you take your things?”“I am always sent back,” said little Arelle. “It is easier for me if I

leave my things.”“They send her back because people get orphans to do labor,” said

the woman that ran the orphanage. “Arelle is too small to do much physical labor. That and she is too beautiful. Any of the people that have taken her that have other children have had problems. This locket is hers. It has a picture of her mother and father.”

“Do you know what this is?” asked Arelle.“What what is?” asked the woman.

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“This mark on Arelle’s mother’s blouse,” said Arelle, pointing to the locket.

“No,” said the woman. “Should I?”“It is the mark of the house of Catharine the Great,” said Arelle.

“Ari, your mother may have been a princess!” Arelle and Ari then went to her Aunt Theresa.

“I am sorry to bother you,” said Arelle, “but do you know what this mark is?”

“It is the mark of St. Ange,” said Theresa. “St. Ange was Catharine the Great’s aunt. She came from the far north. St Ange is buried at Bella a Noch. She was a mighty warrior. They still tell tales of St. Ange in the far north.”

“Do you know the name of the woman in this locket?” asked Arelle.“No,” said Theresa. “I’m sorry, I don’t. Why do you ask?”“Because this woman is little Arelle’s mother,” said Arelle.Theresa stood up, and she knelt before little Arelle. “Do you know

your mother’s name, child?” asked Theresa.“Her name was Elizabeth,” said little Arelle, “Elizabeth Anne. I’m

sorry, I don’t know what my mother’s last name was.”“Catharine will know her,” said Theresa. “We will show her this

locket when we return to Au Claire, and we will know your family, princess. But you were probably a princess from the moment you were born.”

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Chapter 6

Arelle rode north with a hundred people the following day. They rode slowly, and Erinne and Ari rode in a carriage. It took them three days to reach Au Claire, and thousands of people awaited them. People threw roses at Arelle’s feet as they went to the palace, which had been completely cleaned in their absence. Eight thousand warriors in black leather were in the palace square. Most of them were women. Arelle dismounted her white stallion, and she knelt before them. The queens of the free territories knelt before them. Annette, Arwen, Mayall, Aora, Abbi, Arabella, and Marie knelt before them. Erinne got out of the carriage, and she knelt. There was a great cheer. They went into the palace and were greeted by Catharine the Great. “Welcome home, Arelle,” she said. “Tonight, we will have a coronation for a queen. All the preparations are done.”

“Catharine,” said Arelle, “this is little Arelle. Ari is my adopted daughter.” Catharine the Great looked at the little girl for the first time, and she took a step backwards with her hand to her breast. “Catharine, what is the matter?”

“Child,” said Catharine, “you are the spitting image of my sister when she was a child.”

“She has a locket,” said Arelle. “Would you know who the woman in the picture is?”

“This woman wears the mark of St. Ange,” said Catharine. “Where did you find this little girl?”

“She was in an orphanage in Penn,” said Arelle. “Her mother named her after me. Her mother’s name was Elizabeth. That’s all we know.”

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“St. Ange was my aunt,” said Catharine. “She had two daughters, Elizabeth and Anne. I knew my cousins well. Elizabeth died at Au Trionne with Mayall’s great-great-grandfather. But Elizabeth had a young daughter when she died. The child’s name was Anne. Anne, Elizabeth’s sister who had no children, was killed at St. Cyr. That was how the crown came to me.”

“Anne had a child whom she named Elizabeth,” said Catharine. “I remember her growing up. She is the woman in the locket. I welcome you back into your family, little princess. You have many relatives to meet. Your mother had two sisters, and they are both alive.”

That night, Arelle faced Catharine the Great in the great hall of the palace. Arelle was in a white gown, and her brown hair was up, which sparkled with gems and jewels. Her sisters were to her right. And they were all in white, and they shone with jewels too.

All of Arelle’s aunts were to her left. They, too, were all in white, and they looked spectacular. Mayall, Abbi, Aora, Arabella, little Arelle, and Marie were behind her. They were also in white gowns with their hair up. Little Arelle approached Catharine the Great with a bouquet of white flowers from the north. Catharine knelt before little Arelle, and she kissed her when she rose. Mayall then took the flowers, and Ari stood next to Arelle. “Please kneel,” said Catharine the Great.

“I name you, Arelle Anne Henne, Queen of Garinn,” said Catharine. “Love your people. Protect your people. May you serve your people for a long time. Rise, lady, and greet your people.” Arelle rose, and she hugged Catharine the Great and kissed her. She walked hand in hand with Ari and knelt before the queens of the free territories. She kissed them when she rose. Ari did the same thing. Arelle knelt before Mayall, Abbi, Aora, Arabella, and Marie. She kissed them when she rose. So did Ari. She knelt before her sisters, and she kissed every one of them as she rose. So did Ari. Arelle took Ari to Mayall and went to a lectern. “People of Garinn,” she said. “My people. My mother’s people. We are free.” Arelle had to stop speaking as the people cheered loudly.

“I owe my life to people that were servants,” said Arelle. “Mayall, Abbi, and Aora were servants. They are no longer servants. They are now princesses of Garinn. Most of my army were serving girls and barmaids. They hid me. They lied for me. They killed for all of us. I name them the army of Garinn. They are paid warriors. The next time a girl serves

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you, look into her eyes and see her for what she really is.” Eight thousand barmaids and serving girls cheered.

“I name Marinne a princess of Garinn,” said Arelle. “I name Marrah, Heidi, and Janette princesses of Garinn.” A great cheer arose as the women were made princesses.

“I also name princess a woman that was not from Garinn,” said Arelle. “Erinne is from Penn. I would have her be a princess of Garinn. Her father is dead, and she is the rightful heir of Penn. Garinn has annexed Penn, and her lands now belong to us. Before you judge Erinne, know that her father imprisoned her in a tower. Her father had her beaten, and she was very nearly dead when we got to her. She has suffered as much as any person in Garinn.” The cheers were very loud for Erinne as Catharine the Great made her a princess of Garinn. Arelle hugged her very fondly.

“My father was a cruel man,” said Erinne, to the crowd. “He poisoned my mother when I was very young. I have memories of men being whipped and women being raped.”

“He coveted Garinn,” said Erinne. “He raped his own land to take Garinn. He caused the death of fifteen thousand men. I do not blame Arelle. I do not blame any of you. The only reason that the widows and orphans of Penn will live through the winter is because of the kindness of Garinn. I thank you for my freedom. I thank you for the freedom of my people.” Thousands of people knelt.

“I am a princess of Garinn,” said Erinne. “I will be a warrior for my people. I will serve you all to my very death.” Erinne drew her sword. “To the queen!” she yelled. Thousands of people cheered.

“I sign a treaty this night,” said Arelle. “I sign a treaty with the queens of the free territories. Garinn will be a member of the free territories. We will have no treaty with Southerbee, and we will have no treaty with Eastland. I will send word to them in the morning. We will not send one of our sons to ever serve them again. I would rather die first.” Thousands of people stood and roared. Their swords were all raised. Arelle knelt. The people partied all night long. Arelle and Ari slept well into the morning. They had breakfast with Princess Marinne, Princess Heidi, and Princess Marrah.

“Eastland will not be happy,” said Arelle. “Southerbee wants Penn, but he will never be able to take it. Erinne’s people will die to the last man, woman, and child. I want you to be ready to take your people to

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the south at a moment’s notice. Southerbee will come over the pass as soon as he is able. The armies of the free territories are still in Garinn. They will spend winter here. They are not garrisoned. They will stay with barmaids and serving girls. Southerbee and his lands will belong to Garinn and the free territories. Eastland is the threat.” The princesses knelt and left. Abbi, Phillipe, and Catharine joined them.

“Are you starting your reign with a hangover, dear?” asked Catharine.“No,” said Arelle. “I am a mother now, and I have to set a good

example.”“Arelle, you have always been a good example,” said Catharine.

“Where is Mayall?”“Mayall has a breakfast date,” said Arelle.“Oh really?” asked Catharine.“I think he is from Ontonagon,” said Arelle.“He is one of Marissa’s people?” asked Catharine.“He is Marissa’s cousin,” said Arelle. “Handsome man, very nice,

good warrior.”“Do you approve, Arelle?” asked Catharine.“It isn’t for me to approve,” said Arelle. “We don’t do that anymore.”“That wasn’t what I was asking you,” said Catharine.“It makes me feel good to see Mayall with him,” said Arelle. “Mayall

deserves to be happy.” Aora and Richard joined them. Abbi and Phillipe as well as Aora and Richard would be leaving to watch the southern pass for the winter.

“Abrin,” said Catharine, “when are you going to make an honest man of Phillipe?”

“Maybe in the spring,” said Abbi. “Will you be here?”“Yes. I will marry the two of you,” said Catharine. “Don’t do

anything stupid in the south.”“We are going to be there with several thousand of our best friends,”

said Abbi. “Phillipe is going to teach me how to ski and shoot a bow at the same time. I have met many people that live in the southern districts of Penn. They didn’t have it as bad, but they are very worried. I have already taught many of their daughters to be warriors. They all have horses that bear the stamp of Penn. There are two thousand of them.”

“You have runners set up?” asked Arelle.“I do,” said Abbi. “They have already started to build the signal fire

towers.”

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“Remember, Abbi,” said Arelle, “we will send a hundred wagons a month. If you need anything other than what we send, you need to tell us. Erinne will be in the north with me, and you will have to make those judgments.”

“I will, Arelle,” said Abbi. “You taught me well. Have faith.”Theresa came with Arwen and Arianne. “I will run Garinn while

you are in the north,” said Theresa. “Ariel wants to go with Marissa. Catharine wants to stay here for the winter. Genevieve wants to go to St. Cyr for the winter, but she will leave her men here. I will make sure they all get paid. Marie has already gone on. Gavin and John went with her.”

“Thank you, Theresa,” said Arelle.“What is family for?” asked Theresa. “It was our family that made

the free territories what they are. We paid the price in blood, and most of our ancestors died very young. I am older than St. Cyr was when she died. I am older than St. Ange was when she died. Elizabeth and Anne were younger than me when they died. However, Arelle, you are older than St. Ange was when she died.”

“The tribes of the north are united, and they are united by blood,” said Arelle. “They are kingdoms now, and there is peace among them. The wars we will have from now on will involve thousands of warriors. They will not be like the battles of St. Ange and St. Cyr. They will be truly awful. We cannot stop it. We can only hope to survive.”

“How much time do we have?” asked Theresa.“I’m sorry, Aunt Theresa,” said Arelle. “I don’t know.”Arelle left the next morning on a horse. Ari rode a pony that was

pure white. Arabella Dayne showed up. “I want to go home for a week,” she said. They took no supply wagons. They made Maple Rapids by nightfall, had dinner, and stayed in an inn. The next day, they made it to Manistee, and the whole town was laid out in flags. Tents were set up in the streets, and there were thousands of people. Arelle went into the tavern that Abbi had worked in, and there was a huge portrait of Abbi on the wall. Arelle and her party sat down, and a serving girl came up to them. “We have venison stew tonight,” she said. Another serving girl came over.

“Janice,” she said, “do you know who this is?”“Some noble,” said Janice. “Some royal.”“Janice,” said the woman, “this is the queen.”Janice went down on her knees. “I am so sorry, my lady,” she said.

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Arelle rose, and she hugged the woman beside Janice. The woman did not kneel. “It is of no matter,” said Arelle. “How are you, Rose?” Arelle hugged the woman.

“No person that serves another person kneels to me,” said Arelle. “Rose and I have known each other for a long time. We have hidden together in a hayloft. Does she teach you to be a warrior?”

“She does,” said Janice.“Let me see your blade,” said Arelle. The blade was stamped with

the mark of Penn.“This will not do for a warrior of Garinn,” said Arelle. She drew

her sword. “Take this blade. This is the blade of a warrior of Garinn.” Arelle winked at Rose.

“My lady,” said Janice, “this is the sword of the queen.”“It is,” said Arelle. “It is still better than the steel of Penn. Use it well.

Be a warrior. Defend your people. Take care of your brother.”“You know my brother?” asked Janice.“Abbi knows your brother,” said Arelle. “What Abbi knows, I know.

Your brother was in the hayloft that night with Rose and me.”A tall handsome man was talking to Arabella Dayne. “Are you new

to these parts?” he asked.“No,” she said. “I lived here for a long time, but I have been gone.”

Arelle smiled as she listened.“Will you dance with me?” asked the man.“I will,” said Arabella. Her brown hair was now down to the middle

of her back, tied in a ponytail, and she was dressed in skintight black leather.

“You are one beautiful woman,” said the man.“Thank you,” said Arabella, and she kissed him tenderly on the lips.“My name is David,” said the man.“My name is Arabella,” she said. “Arabella Dayne.” He pushed her

away.“You are not Arabella Dayne,” he said. “Arabella Dayne is a fat

blonde bitch that deserves to be in hell.”“I am Arabella,” said Arabella. “The queen saved my life. This is

what I really am.” The man walked away.“Hold,” said Arelle as she stood. “This is really Arabella Dayne.

Arabella really is a princess of Garinn. Arabella completely changed her life. Arabella trains the warriors of Penn for battle. If you walk

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away from Arabella Dayne this night, you will be making the biggest mistake of your life.”

“Are you really Arabella Dayne?” asked the man.“I am,” said Arabella. “Would you dance with me?”Later the man said, “You aren’t Arabella Dayne.” His nose was on

hers and they were dancing close.“I am,” said Arabella. “Kiss me.” Arelle smiled.“Come on, Ari,” said Arelle. “We have to go to bed.”In the morning, Arelle and Ari went to breakfast. Genevieve and

Heidi met them there. “I am going to Grayling for a couple of weeks,” said Genevieve. “Most of my men are living in that area, so I am going to see them. I will catch up with you when we return.”

“Okay, Aunt Genevieve,” said Arelle. “They have a winter carnival in Grayling. You will enjoy it.”

Erinne came in and sat down. She could walk much better now, and she was starting to put on weight. The waitress brought her a heaping plate of scrambled eggs and potatoes with biscuits covered in gravy. “Do they always serve this much?” asked Erinne.

“May knows how you were treated,” said Arelle. “This is her way of saying eat up. Besides, you will burn up a lot of energy today out in the cold.” Arabella Dayne came in, and she sat down.

“So how did it go with David?” asked Arelle.“He is really nice,” said Arabella. “He is kind and considerate. I can

talk to him. I like him a lot. He is a noble too,”“He is?” asked Arelle. “I don’t know him.”“He isn’t a noble of Garinn, Arelle,” said Arabella. “He is a noble

of Eastland.”“What is he doing here?” asked Arelle as she took another bite.“Selling steel,” said Arabella. “His people come from the Iron

Hills. Most of them are miners or smiths. David is different. He is a professional soldier.”

“What?” said Arelle.“He was a captain in the king’s army,” said Arabella. “He deserted

rather than lash his men.”“Arabella,” said Arelle, “that means there is a price on his head. You

need to be really careful around him.”“Eastland had an agent in the area that was closing in on David,”

said Arabella. “He died early this morning. Cut his own throat shaving.”

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“Does David know you did this?” asked Arelle.“No,” said Arabella. “The barmaids have been watching this man

for weeks.”“What did you do with his things?” asked Arelle.“Everything is gone,” said Arabella. “But he had a diary and some

letters. We now know who all of his contacts in Garinn were. I sent a runner to Janette and Marrah.”

“Does Eastland have any people in my lands?” asked Erinne as she took another bite of her breakfast.

“Only one that we know of,” said Arabella. “I have sent word to Abbi.”

“Thank you, Arabella,” said Erinne, and she took Arabella’s hand.“We are in this together, babe,” said Arabella. Marissa came in, and

she sat with them. Ariel was with her.“Ariel,” said Arelle, “I hope you enjoy the winter in St. Ange with

Aunt Marissa.” Ariel hugged her aunt.Arabella sat down with Marissa, and they had a conversation as they

both ate. David then came in, and he kissed Arabella. Both of them then sat down. “David,” said Marissa, “I need to talk to you. There is a price on your head. Last night, Arabella killed a man that was sent to kill you.”

“You did that?” asked David.“I did,” said Arabella. “The barmaids told me about him.”“You need to become invisible,” said Arelle. “You will go with

Arabella to Penn. We can hide you better there.”“I know where most of Southerbee’s agents and most of Eastland’s

agents are,” said Marissa. “But we don’t know all of them. You need to get the hell out of Garinn because they are looking for you here, and there is a hell of a price on your head.”

“But,” said David.“David,” said Arabella, “I killed a man last night that was sent here

to kill you. You need to listen to Marissa and Arelle. It is the only way for you to stay alive.”

“David,” said Marissa, “you are the crown prince of Eastland. Your father has put up more gold than you weigh as a reward for your death. Get on a horse. Get to Penn. Arabella will keep you alive.” Marissa hugged Arabella and David as they rose. Arelle did too.

“Keep him safe,” said Arelle as they went out on the street.

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“I plan to,” said Arabella as she wheeled her stallion.“I packed food for you,” said Arelle. “Eat it while it is still warm.”“Thank you, Arelle,” said Arabella as she took the bag, and they

rode out.“What do you think?” asked Marissa as Arabella and David rode off.“I think that Arabella wants David to be the one,” said Arelle.“I don’t know if I can keep him alive,” said Marissa.“He is with Arabella,” said Arelle. “She will keep him alive. Arabella

has needed a relationship like that since she was a child. She will fight to the death for the person that she loves because her grandfather did that for her. Arabella Dayne never told anyone, but I checked. Her grandfather died at St. Cyr. Arabella held him. Arabella was only ten. It was her other grandfather that left her the money.”

Arelle rode north at midday, and they made it to Ypsilanti as night was falling. Heidi was the first to walk into the tavern and it erupted with noise. It was full of people, and they were partying. Many of the men in the tavern had the insignia of St. Catharine on their breast. They were Danielle’s men. “Jules!” yelled Heidi. Everyone had to hug Arelle before she sat, and Erinne noticed that not a single person knelt to the queen. She noticed that the queen hugged many people she knew. She was introduced to each of the soldiers, shook each man’s hand, and thanked each of them for his service. Finally, Arelle sat next to Ari, who was sitting with Erinne.

“It is really good to be home,” said Heidi.“Have a good winter,” said Arelle. “We will pick you up when we

come south in the spring.”Julie Ryan brought them all bowls of stew, and then she brought

them all ale, except for Ariel and Ari for whom she brought hot chocolate. “My brother finally got a job,” said Julie. “He works as the bellows boy for the smith, but Cara broke up with him because she said he isn’t good enough for her.”

“I would imagine that Aora will have a few words with Cara when she comes home on her leave,” said Arelle. “Jules, are you coming south with us when we go?”

“I am,” said Julie.“What do your parents think?” asked Arelle.“They are not happy,” said Julie. “Heidi got me a beautiful horse,

and she bought me a blade like hers. Apella was here for a week, and

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she got me a bow and showed me how to use it. I shot my first deer. Heidi has told me that she will teach me how to shoot from a horse as we ride south.”

“I honor you, warrior,” said the queen.“These are my people too, Arelle,” said Julie. “These are my lands

too. You might be the queen, but we all serve.”“I honor you, warrior,” said the queen. Arelle then rose and hugged

Julie.The next morning, they left Ypsilanti, and they rode north. Arelle

sent Erinne ahead with Arwen. They came to the bridge over the Rogue River, and Arelle and Marissa both hugged the bridge men. “This is where we part,” said Marissa.

“You have a good winter with Aunt Marissa,” said Arelle to Ariel. “I will see you in the spring.” Arelle was now riding with Ari only, and they went north. They went through the primeval forest, and it was still. The path through the snow was wide enough for them to ride side by side.

“How are you doing?” said Arelle.“Mommy, I’m cold,” said Ari.“I have some more hot chocolate for you,” said Arelle.Ari held a mug that steamed in the cold. “Thank you, Mommy,”

said Ari. They heard a wolf howl, and little Arelle looked at Arelle.“Oh shit,” said Arelle. Arelle took Ari’s face in her hands. “Drink

your hot chocolate until I tell you to run. Then throw it and run. I want you in front of me. Stay on your pony no matter what and follow the path. If my horse goes down, keep going. There is nothing more that I can do. Find Marie. I love you, Arelle.”

“I love you too, Mommy,” said Ari.The howls came closer and closer, and they came from in front of

them. “Shit,” said Arelle. “Ride hard now, Ari.” They rounded a bend to find a pack of wolves facing them in the path. Arelle rose in the saddle, and she shot one of the wolves with an arrow. The rest of the pack fell upon it and began to tear at it.

Ari’s pony went down as it stumbled over a wolf. The pony rolled, came back up, and ran. Arelle grabbed Ari by the collar and jerked her into the saddle in front of her. “Hang on,” said Arelle.

Several of the wolves had been killed by Arelle’s stallion as it waded through them, and the wolves were angry, snarling demons. They followed Arelle and Ari. One of the wolves bumped into the legs of

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Arelle’s stallion, and it went down. Arelle went off of the back side of the horse, and she protected Ari. Arelle rolled and came to her feet, and she shoved Ari behind her. Arelle’s stallion ran off.

Arelle had her sword out, and she began to kill wolves. There were ten of them, and they rushed toward her. Arelle’s sword was a blur, and she screamed as she killed them. The last wolf died as it tried to grab her throat. Arelle had the wolf by the throat. Arelle sank to the ground, bleeding.

“Mommy,” said Ari.Arelle put her hand on Ari’s shoulder. Arelle was covered in blood.

“We will not die this day, Ari,” said Arelle. “Help me stand.”“Mommy,” said Ari, “what are we going to do?”“We are going to walk,” said Arelle. “Here, baby, I have some hot

chocolate left for you.” They walked for a while and then came to some lowlands with a swamp.

“We will stay here for the night,” said Arelle. Arelle began to hack at dead trees with her sword. She built a fire on higher ground. “Get close to the fire. Stay warm. I will be back.” Arelle came back with a rabbit. She put it on a stick over the fire, and then she went and hacked some more wood.

“Mommy, this rabbit is good,” said Ari.“Eat as much as you can, Ari,” said Arelle. Arelle put more wood

in the fire.“I want you between the fire and me,” said Arelle. “I want you to

cuddle up to me as close as you can.”Arelle woke the next morning, and she had a hard time moving. She

put more wood on the fire. “Wake up, Ari,” she said.“Mommy,” said Ari, “I’m so cold.”“Put your hands down your pants, baby,” said Arelle. Arelle moved

Ari closer to the fire. “I have some beef jerky. That is all I have. When you are warmed up, we will leave.” Arelle and Ari set off, their breaths steamed in the cold. After a few hours, Ari fell. Arelle picked her up. “Stick your hands down my shirt,” said Arelle. “Hold on to me, baby, and don’t ever leave me.” Arelle walked for a few more hours carrying Ari. She then sank to her knees and struggled to get up. “Arelle,” said Arelle. “Are you still with me?”

“Mommy,” whispered little Arelle, “I’m so cold. I’m so tired. I just want to sleep.”

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“No, baby,” said Arelle. Arelle could not go another step, and she was on her knees weeping when Marie arrived with a hundred riders. Marie took Ari from Arelle. Arelle pitched face first into the snow.

Arelle opened her eyes and saw Mayall and Marie. She was in her bedroom in the big house. “Ari!” she said, and she sat up.

“Ari is safe,” said Mayall. “She is in her room. She has no frostbite. You don’t either. You just have a lot of scratches.”

“Arelle, you were lucky,” said Mayall. “You violated all of our rules. You were alone out there with a child.”

“I wanted to spend time alone with Ari,” said Arelle. “I’d never seen wolves there before, and I didn’t stop to think.”

“Your horse came here with the pony,” said Marie. “John has taken care of their cuts and scratches.”

“Arelle,” said Mayall, “don’t you ever do that again.”“I won’t, Mayall,” said the queen. Erinne poked her head in the

room. She had a wheelchair for Arelle.“I have stew for you and Ari,” she said.“Erinne,” said Arelle, “have you met everyone here?” Arelle had a

staff of fifty people that ran the farm.“Kristin and Cherelle will not let me out of their sight,” said Erinne.

Kristin and Cherelle poked their heads around the door too.“Come on,” said Mayall, “You and Ari need hot food.”They wheeled Arelle to Ari’s room. The walls were bright and sunny,

and it had ponies painted on them. The room faced the morning sun, and the sunlight streamed through the windows. Arelle sat on the edge of the bed, and she placed her hand on Ari’s face. “Good morning, Mommy,” said Ari.

Arelle took the little girl in her arms. “Oh, Ari, I’m so sorry,” sobbed Arelle. “I almost got you killed.”

“I knew you would keep me safe, Mommy,” said little Arelle.“Come on, you two,” said Erinne. “I have stew for you.”Later that day, Arelle met Mayall’s boyfriend. “This is Richard De

Aubinville,” said Mayall. His name was pronounced Rishard.“I’m pleased to meet you,” said Arelle. “I hope that you enjoy the

winter here.”And they did enjoy their winter there. The deer were yarded up in

the deep snow and they had much venison and smoked fish. Erinne got

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stronger day by day. Arelle taught her how to use a sword, and Apella taught her how to use a bow. Erinne cut wood with Arelle and little Ari, who used a hatchet.

They cut tons of ice from the river and hauled it back to the storage building. Gavin now had ten teams of draft horses on the farm, and they hauled the ice and kept the road to Chapleau open. Arelle and Ari would ride to Chapleau many times either with Mayall and Richard or with Marie. They also cleared an acre of snow to let the horses run around, and Ari would ride her pony there under the watchful eyes of Danielle.

But all too soon, winter was drawing to a close. There was still a foot of snow, and the maple trees were being tapped for their sap. Arelle laughed as little Ari fell with a pail of sap. “It’s all right, baby,” said Arelle. “Come on, let’s get you some dry clothes.”

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Chapter 7

Arelle, Mayall, Richard, Ari, and six of Marissa’s men that were traveling south left together. They picked up Marie and some more men at Chapleau. Men were streaming out of the free territories, and they met up with the women of Garinn and headed south in pairs and in small groups. By the time they got to Au Claire, there were fifty thousand warriors. They camped outside the city, and Marie and Janette had made all the arrangements to feed an army. Hundreds of great wagons were being loaded for the journey south. Twenty thousand men were already in the south, and Abbi awaited them at Charlotte.

Arelle only stayed in Au Claire for one night. She held her daughter closely the next morning and kissed her. “Please come back to me, Mommy,” said Ari.

“I will do my best, baby girl,” said Arelle. “If I don’t come back, remember that I love you. Be a good queen.” Arelle got on her white stallion.

They rode south, and people threw roses at the queen’s feet as they left, but the queen was a stern-faced warrior as they rode. Erinne rode at Arelle’s right, and Mayall rode at her left. They reached Charlotte in three days, and Erinne strode into her castle. She was not the same girl that had left there. She was a strong woman now, and she was a warrior princess. She faced several thousand of her people from a balcony. “Southerbee comes for our lands,” she said, and she drew her sword. “Arise, daughters of Penn that have lost your husbands. Southerbee will not have our land. I promise you that on my life’s blood.” Two thousand women drew their swords and cheered.

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“I ride south with the armies on the morrow,” said Erinne. “I am not the girl that left you. I am a warrior princess. To the queen!” Arelle came out on the balcony, and the people yelled her name.

“We leave tomorrow,” said Arelle. “This night, we party with Erinne.”

Arelle and Erinne met with Abbi and Phillipe, and Aora and Richard. “This is the perfect place for a trap,” said Abbi. “I sent word to all the commanders. The queens of the free territories will command their own men. I have spoken to your aunts, and they are all with their men.”

Then Arelle met with Arabella and David. “I want you to stay here,” said Arelle. Arabella started to protest, but Arelle put up her hand. “We don’t know how many spies Eastland has in Southerbee. Any of them would know who David is. There might even be men there looking for him. You are safe here. Your chance will come, Arabella.” Arelle could tell that they were in love.

They rode south the next morning, and they rode for two days. Arelle was with an army of ten thousand who were mostly women when Southerbee came over the hill with ten thousand warriors. Arelle and a small party came out to meet them under a flag of truce. Erinne and Mayall were to Arelle’s right, and Aora and Abbi were to her left.

“I have come to protect the lands of my brother and take my lawful place here,” said Southerbee.

“These lands do not belong to you,” said Arelle, who wore the red cross of St. Ange on her chest. “If they did, you would not have ten thousand men with you.”

“Penn has a rightful heir,” said Arelle. “She took control of Penn.”“She is but a girl,” said Southerbee. “She cannot rule her people.”“Oh really?” said Arelle.“It takes a man to rule,” said Southerbee.“There is a woman here that you should meet,” said Arelle. “Erinne?”Erinne drew her sword. “My name is Erinne Penn,” she said. “I am

the rightful heir of these lands, and I signed a treaty that makes us part of Garinn. You have no business here nor any right. Would you like to try my blade right here and now?”

“We have a treaty with the free territories,” said Arelle. “We are part of the free territories now.”

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“That piece of paper will do you no good when you are dead,” said Southerbee.

“Oh?” asked Arelle. “Look behind you.”Southerbee turned around in his saddle, and he saw warriors as far

as he could see on the hill. “There are twenty thousand warriors there,” said Arelle. “They all come from the free territories.” Twenty thousand warriors also appeared to Southerbee’s right and left.

“We can do this the easy way, or we can do it the hard way, Uncle,” said Erinne.

“I will not surrender to a woman,” said Southerbee.“Look in the sky,” said Arelle. “Already, the carrion birds await. You

throw your men’s lives away for nothing in this valley of death.”“Their lives are mine to decide,” said Southerbee.“They are not,” said Arelle as her stallion wheeled. “The only life

that you can decide is yours. There are ten thousand women behind me that are free people. They are here for the love of their country and their love for me. They will fight you to their dying breath.”

“Then let them die,” said Southerbee. He wheeled on his horse and rode back to his people.

Arelle rode in front of her warriors, and she touched their swords with hers. “This day, we fight for Erinne!” she screamed. “This day we fight for our people. This day we fight for our children and their future. Southerbee thinks that we are the weakest link, and he will come at us. I tell you, we are not.”

Arelle wheeled her horse and charged at Southerbee. Ten thousand riders followed the queen as her brown hair flew in the wind. Ten thousand women rose in their saddles and shot arrows. A thousand of Southerbee’s men died. They did it again, and another thousand men died. Arelle and her people hit Southerbee’s people, and the noise was horrific. Arelle’s horse knocked over a horse and killed the rider. She wheeled and killed another rider. Arelle’s people were dealing death all around her. Soon, Southerbee’s men wanted nothing to do with Arelle, Aora, Abbi, Marie, or Erinne. Then Danielle’s men smashed into the back of Southerbee’s men.

Arelle came toward Southerbee as Erinne faced him. Southerbee sought to use his strength to beat down Erinne’s blade. Erinne turned it aside, and she cut his cheek. He tried it again, and she cut his other cheek. He took another swing at Erinne, and she let her sword slide

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down to her guard, and then she turned the sharp side of the sword to his blade and grabbed it in her gauntleted hand. His sword snapped, and she spun and plunged her sword into his belly. “This is for Cherise,” she said. “I know you poisoned her mother too. You are so much like your brother. You need to meet him in hell.” Erinne ripped up with her sword. None of Southerbee’s men were still alive.

Arelle held Erinne. “I’m fine,” Erinne said. “We have to get over the pass to Southerbee. Cherise needs us.”

“Take your warriors and the supply wagons over the pass, Arelle,” said Marissa.” We will tend to the dead and the wounded, and we will ride after you as soon as we are able.”

The nine thousand soldiers that Arelle still had who were unhurt or not seriously wounded set off for Southerbee at a walk, and they headed south out of the valley. They rode south for a day and camped. The land rose with every mile as the rolling hills gave way to the foothills of the mountains. At the very foot of the mountains, they reached the border of Garinn and crossed into Southerbee. They followed a path that was barely wide enough for the wagons, and the mountains towered above them. Abbi and Aora were the only two that had been over the pass before, so they led. They watched for archers from above and for falling rocks. Every so often, they would have to clear a rockslide before they could go on.

At the very top of the pass, some of the warriors had to rope their horses to the wagons and help the draft horses. Then they were over the top of the pass, and they had to let the wagons lead and had to tie ropes to the backs of the wagons in case the brakes failed.

They came around a bend in the path, and they could see a city in the distance. Then they were out of the mountains and into the rolling hills. They saw ten bodiless heads on poles as they left the mountains. “Not the most hospitable place, is it?” asked Arelle.

“It gets worse,” said Abbi. They camped for the night a mile further on.

In the morning, they left after breakfast. Two miles further on, they came to a section of the woods that had hundreds of bodies hanging. They had all been hung, and they were in various states of decay. The air stank of rotting flesh, and the carrion birds watched Arelle’s army ride by. Then they came to a road.

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They rode ten abreast down the road. They rode past fields that had people in them, and the people looked sullen. “Do they hate us?” asked Erinne.

“They don’t know what to think yet,” said Arelle. “Your people looked like that.”

“I feel so sorry for them,” said Erinne.“We felt that way about you too,” said Aora.They arrived in the city at midday, and the horses’ hooves clip-

clopped on the streets. They could see people peering out of windows, but there weren’t any people on the streets. When they came to the castle, there were a few people by the streets. A little girl walked in front of Arelle’s horse, and Arelle stopped. “Are you the queen?” asked the little girl.

“I am,” said Arelle.“I wanted to give you this,” said the little girl. “Southerbee hung my

father for nothing,” It was a red rose.“What is your name, child?” asked the queen.“My name is Samantha,” said the little girl.“How old are you?” asked Arelle.“I’m six,” said the little girl.“My daughter is six,” said Arelle, and she got off of her horse. She

hugged the little girl. “Where is your Mommy, Samantha?”“Mommy is there,” said Samantha, and she pointed. Arelle walked

toward the woman and hugged her, one mother to another. The woman looked down into her hand and there were five gold pieces in it.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” said Arelle. “Take care of Samantha.”Arelle got back on her horse, and they rode to the castle. “Open the

gates in the name of the Queen of Garinn and the free territories,” said Arelle. Nothing happened. “We can do this the easy way, or we can do it the hard way.” Still nothing happened.

“I am Erinne Penn,” said Erinne. “I am a princess of Garinn. My cousin is Cherise, and she is in your castle. Southerbee and all his men are dead. Please let me see my cousin.” The gates creaked open, and they rode in. A very nervous man took them into a dungeon that was very wet and smelled. Cherise was chained in a cell and hung from a wall. She was unconscious and she had been lashed. Erinne touched her cousin’s face. Cherise came to and screamed in pain.

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“Cherise,” said Erinne, “I’m your cousin Erinne. Your nightmare is over.”

“I have some salve for her lashes,” said Abbi. “It will take away the pain.” Abbi began to put salve on the lashes, and Cherise screamed again. Abbi put a rolled up piece of leather in Cherise’s mouth. “Bite this, princess. I have to do this, and it will hurt. If you pass out from the pain, it will be okay. You are still bleeding and we need to stop the bleeding. You will live.” Cherise screamed again, and Erinne held her face as tears fell from her eyes.

“I wish we had brought a set of bolt cutters,” said Arelle.“We did,” said John Travers.“What are you doing here, John?” asked Arelle.“I’m keeping you out of trouble,” said John. “Gavin and I are both

here. We’ve been traveling with the wagons.” The queen hugged the big man. He cut the chains and Cherise fell into the arms of Erinne. Erinne picked her up like she was a baby. Abbi found the nearest bed, and Erinne carried Cherise and laid her face down on the bed. Then Erinne turned Cherise’s head to the side so she could breathe. Cherise whimpered, and Erinne rubbed her on the arm.

“You are free,” said Erinne. “Go to sleep. In the morning, I will be here when you wake. You are safe. Your people are safe.” Cherise went to sleep. Erinne wiped a tear from Cherise’s face.

“Damn the man that can do that to his own daughter,” said Erinne.“Your father did it to you,” said Arelle.“Damn the man that can do that to his own daughter,” said Erinne

again.“Come, Erinne,” said Arelle, “let us walk the streets while mess

gets ready.”There were people coming out now, and Arelle, Erinne, Abbi, Aora,

and Marie walked by shops that had been burned down. It looked like a war zone. “What is going on here?” asked Arelle.

“If Southerbee thought you disagreed with him,” said a woman, “he burned down your business and house, and then he hung you.”

“Those days are gone,” said Arelle. “I promise you that.”“Thank you, great queen,” said the woman.“The mess tents are up,” said Arelle. “Food will be served soon.

Come with us and eat. Do you have a name?”“I am Sally Bight,” said the woman.

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“What do you do for a living, Sally Bight?” asked Arelle.“I am a seamstress,” said Sally.“Can you fix this?” asked Arelle. The material on the back side of

her forearm was ripped.“I can,” said Sally.“Let’s eat first,” said Arelle. Mess was serving beef stew.“This is good,” said Sally. “Do you always eat like this?”“We do,” said Arelle. “Don’t you?”“No,” said Sally.“That will change,” said Arelle. “I make you that promise.”They ate, and then Sally began to sew up Arelle’s sleeve. Abbi and

Aora came by with bowls of stew and sat down. “When you are done with Arelle,” said Abbi. “Can you fix my sleeves?”

“I can, my lady,” said Sally, and she knelt.“Don’t you ever kneel in front of me again,” said Abbi. “Don’t you

ever kneel in front of Arelle again. You are a servant, and it is your job to serve people. What do you think our job is?”

“I don’t know, my lady,” said Sally as she knelt before Abbi.“Get up,” said Abbi as she jerked Sally to her feet. “People that serve

one another do not kneel to one another.”“But you are a princess,” said Sally.“I serve my people,” hissed Abbi. “I am no different from you. I was

a serving girl. I am a princess. I am a warrior. There is no difference. Do you know what Arelle is?”

“She is the queen,” said Sally.“She serves her people, just like you and I do,” said Abbi. “Arelle is

just another serving girl that we all love. We all make sure that she stays alive and gets the help she needs for that reason.”

Sally looked at Arelle, and Arelle knelt. “It is as Abbi says,” said Arelle. “The people that serve people kept me alive. They hid me. They lied for me. They killed for me. They fought for me. I love them. I would die for them. Your people are now free. I would have you have no less.”

Sally rose, and she hugged the queen. “Sally, if you don’t mind,” said Aora, “I have a sleeve that is ripped too.” Sally laughed.

“There are nine thousand of us here,” said Abbi. “You will be busy for a while.”

“Abbi, I can’t take care of nine thousand people by myself,” said Sally.

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“Then you will have to hire some people, won’t you?” asked Abbi.“Abbi, I can’t do that,” said Sally.“You can,” said Abbi. She laid a bag of gold coins in Sally’s hands.“We are all servants,” said Arelle. “All of us. The people who are

evil take from us. They use, they abuse, they kill, they rape, and they beat. You are not one of those people. You have a princess that lies unconscious because of her father. Do not fail her.”

“I will not fail Cherise,” said Sally. She hugged Arelle.“Cherise is my cousin”’ said Erinne. Sally knelt. “Get up,” said

Erinne. “Didn’t Arelle just tell you not to do that?”Gavin and John then came up to them. “We found a decent forge,”

said Gavin. “I want to look at all the horses while we are here. Gabrielle came with us.”

“You three are supposed to be minding my house,” said Arelle.“Kristin and Cherelle can do it,” said John as he shoved food into

his mouth. “Kristin hired another fifty people after we left. They are clearing more land even as we speak.”

“Where is Gabrielle?” asked Arelle.“She is tending to your horse,” said Gavin. “He needs new shoes and

he was cut. Gabrielle will have him ready to shoe when we get back, and John and I will bring her some stew. Arelle, you need to take a wagon for the horses when you do this.”

“I hadn’t thought of that,” said Arelle.“I know,” said Gavin. “That is why John Crewes is here with a

wagonload of his people.”“John Crewes is here?” asked Arelle.“He is,” said Gavin. “Someone has to look out for you.”“You,” said Sally Bight to Gavin. “Hold up your sleeve. You have

all these burn holes. I’m taking you and John to the tanner to get new pants after you eat.”

“I don’t need new pants,” said Gavin.“Yes,” said Sally, “you do. You and John both need someone to look

out for you.” Arelle smiled, and Sally winked at her.Arelle, Erinne, Abbi, and Aora went to Cherise and woke her.

“Erinne,” whispered Cherise. “Please, just let me die.”“You aren’t going to die, Cherise,” said Erinne. “You are just going

to hurt for a while. You aren’t the first princess that has ever been lashed.” Abbi and Arelle sat her up in bed and Erinne fed her.

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“Where are your sisters?” asked Erinne. “We could not find Catharine or Anne anywhere.”

“Father sent them to the witch queen of the mountain to be sacrificed,” said Cherise. “I hope they died quickly.” Erinne’s face and Arelle’s face were tight.

“You are alive,” said Erinne. “That is all that matters. Your people need you, and you need your people. Aora and I will stay with you today. We will rub more of the healing salve on you. We will try not to hurt you.” Erinne put her hand on her cousin’s brown hair and kissed her cheek. Erinne looked at Arelle, and Arelle nodded. Erinne turned back to Cherise. Abbi and Arelle left.

“We can’t go to the realm of the witch queen of the mountain,” said Abbi. “We will die.”

“Abbi,” said Arelle, “I hate to point this out to you, but we will all die someday.”

“I hadn’t planned on dying as a sacrifice,” said Abbi. “I sort of wanted to die of old age with Phillipe.”

“We have to get Cherise’s sisters back or get their bodies,” said Arelle.

“Who will go?” asked Abbi.“I will go,” said Arelle. “Mayall, Aora, Heidi, Erinne, Marie, Janette,

Marrah, Annette, and you shall go.”“I will make the arrangements,” said Abbi. “When do you want

to go?”“I’m thinking in a week,” said Arelle. “Cherise will be on her feet

by then and Marissa will be here.”“You and I are mad,” said Abbi. Abbi and Arelle looked out over

the parapet, and they could see Marissa coming. “She will be here at evening,” said Abbi.

“Come, Abbi,” said Arelle. “Let’s get ready for them.”In the early evening, sixty thousand warriors came and camped.

They had hundreds of wagons. Arelle took the queens of the free territories to Cherise.

“Cherise,” said Arelle, “your father is dead. You are the queen of Southerbee now. These are my aunts. They are all queens of the free territories. Would you join us?”

“I would,” said Cherise. “Erinne, please help me get up.”

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“Stay where you are,” said Marissa, “We will crown you queen when Arelle comes back.”

“Arelle,” said Cherise, “where are you going?”“I am going to get your sisters back or retrieve their bodies,” said

Arelle.“Arelle, you can’t do that,” said Cherise. “The witch queen of the

mountain drinks the blood of every person that enters her realm.”“We will go,” said Arelle.“Arelle,” said Cherise, “the witch queen commands the wolves. She

commands the bears. Armies have been broken in the mountains.”“I am going to get your sisters back,” said Arelle. “Or I will retrieve

their bodies, or I will die trying.”Arelle left in the morning with ten other women. They shone in the

sun and they rode hard toward the mountains. They rode higher and higher until the horses could go no more. Gabrielle took the horses. They climbed higher still, and the women helped each other. They came to a high valley in the mountains that was filled with sweet grass and white flowers. A woman then rose out of the grass, and she had an arrow pointed at Arelle. Arelle looked around, and there were more women rising out of the grass with arrows pointed at them. “Take me to the witch queen of the mountain,” she said.

Arelle faced an older woman who was tall and blonde. “Why have you come here?” asked the woman.

“I am looking for Catharine and Anne Southerbee,” said Arelle.“What do you want with them?” asked the woman.“They are the sisters of the queen of Southerbee,” said Arelle. “I

promised Cherise that I would either bring her sisters back or retrieve their bodies.”

“That was a very bold promise,” said the woman. “How are you going to keep it?”

“I will offer my life,” said Arelle, and she knelt.“I will not take your life, Arelle Henne,” said the woman.“How do you know me?” asked Arelle.The woman opened her furs, and she wore the cross of St. Ange.

“My name is Anne,’” she said. “Arelle is my granddaughter.”“You are dead,” said Arelle.“I did not die,” said Anne. “They must have buried someone that

they thought was me. Five of us went into the mountains, and we carved

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out a life. Rumors began to circulate, and people began to send their daughters here to be sacrificed. I have never killed any of them. These warriors are all girls that were sent to be sacrificed. There are three thousand of them here.”

“I lay my sword at your feet,” said Arelle.“Pick up your sword, Arelle,” said Anne. “My mother died to unite

the tribes of the north. My sister died to make them a nation. The northern lands are united and they have no more wars. Your task is to unite the south and the east. We cannot grow as a people until we are united. As long as we have these wars, we cannot ever be one people. There are more people that you know of, and they struggle with the same thing. They struggle to be free.”

“There is someone that you need to meet,” said Arelle. “Abbi?”Abbi drew her sword and handed it to Anne. “This is the sword of

St. Abrin!” said Anne.“She was my great-great-grandmother,” said Abbi.“That makes you my grandniece,” said Anne.“Where did you get this sword, child?” said Anne.“I got it from Catharine the Great,” said Abbi.“Catharine still lives?” asked Anne.“She does,” said Arelle. “She is in Au Claire.”“Petra,” said Anne, “we leave in the morning for Southerbee. Let

my people know.”“Yes, Anne,” said Petra, and she left.“Petra is the eldest daughter of Penn,” said Anne. “Penn sent her to

be sacrificed when she was two. She was the first.”“Wait!” said Erinne. “That is my sister! Please bring her back.” A

girl ran out of the room.“I didn’t know, Erinne,” said Arelle. “I’m sorry.”Petra came back into the room and Erinne went to her. “I never

knew I had a sister,” said Erinne.“Neither did I,” said Petra, “until recently.”“I grew up so lonely,” said Erinne. “I wished for a sister, but Father

killed Mother.”“I know,” said Petra. “I also know that it was Arelle that killed our

father.”

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“Rise, Erinne,” said Petra. “I grew up in the land of the witch queen of the mountain. She is my mother. I am a warrior. Come, sister, we have to get our warriors ready to move.”

Erinne was crying as they left.“What else is there, Anne?” asked Arelle.“Not much,” said Anne. “We will feast this night, and then we shall

be off for Southerbee. “Abbi, you are my grandniece. You will sit at my right hand this night.” Abbi embraced her great-aunt, and Arelle smiled.

“Arelle,” said Anne as two girls approached, “this is Catharine Southerbee.” Catharine was sixteen, and she wore a sword and the cross of St. Ange. “This is Anne.” Anne was twelve.

The feast took place in a great cavern. Abbi sat at the right hand of Anne. Arelle sat at the left hand of Anne, and Erinne and Petra sat at Arelle’s left hand. “This is a mountain goat, Abbi,” said Anne.

“This is good, Aunt Anne,” said Abbi.“It is very difficult to kill the goats of the mountain,” said Anne. “I

will teach you.”Later in the evening, Anne turned to Arelle. “Arelle,” said Anne,

“you have a sister. She is older than you. She was brought to me as a baby. This is Arinne,” Arelle looked at a woman that looked exactly like her.

Arelle knelt. “You are the rightful queen of Garinn,” said Arelle.“Get up, Arelle,” said Arinne. “Father gave me up for dead when I

was one. I am a princess, but I am a princess of the witch queen. She is the only mother that I have ever known. I am a warrior. Mother and I killed my first person together when I was seven. You are the queen of Garinn. I will stay at my mother’s right hand.”

“How could father give up his oldest daughter?” asked Arelle.“They come from a different time,” said Anne. “They come from

a time when they believed in magic, and it was not uncommon for the firstborn daughter to be sacrificed. Most of the women here are firstborns.”

“We know what real magic is,” said Arinne. “Real magic is love. Real magic is hard work and dedication. Real magic is in faith in the love.”

“Arinne,” said Arelle.“I stand with you, sister,” said Arinne. “I stand with you just as Petra

will stand with Erinne. But you need to understand that we were given

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up for dead. We serve Anne, and that is where our heart is. I know you loved Mother, but Anne is the only mother that I have ever had.”

“Did they do this in your time, Anne?” asked Arelle.“In my time, they made the firstborn queen,” said Anne. “They

sacrificed her in war. I have no memories of my mother. I was only two when she was killed. My older sister, Elizabeth, was sixteen when she died in battle. I have memories with all the women here that I would not trade for anything.” Anne caressed Arinne’s face and kissed her. “I have three thousand daughters here that are warriors. I love every one of them. We will go with you in the morning. It is your time, Arelle. May the gods walk with you.”

In the morning, Arelle left with nine other women. “We will meet you at the bottom of the mountain,” said Anne. “Be careful.”

They met up with Gabrielle and the horses. “What of Catharine and Anne?” asked Gabrielle.

“They will meet us at the bottom, with the witch queen of the mountain,” said Arelle.

“You met the witch queen, and you are alive?” asked Gabrielle.“The witch queen isn’t anything like what people say,” said Arelle.“She’s actually my great-aunt,” said Abbi.“But, Abbi,” said Gabrielle, “your great-aunt died in battle.”“No,” said Abbi. “She didn’t.”They rode out of the mountains, and some three thousand women

were there to meet them. All wore the cross of St. Ange. Gabrielle got off her horse and knelt before Anne. “I am Gabrielle d’Aubraville,” said Gabrielle. “My grandmother was your servant.”

“You look just like her,” said Anne. “How is your grandmother?”“She is dead, my lady,” said Gabrielle. “She died of the wasting fever

a few years ago.”“I’m so sorry to hear that,” said Anne. “She was such a kind-hearted

person. I would have liked to have seen her again. But come, you don’t need to waste time kneeling to me.” They rode on, ten abreast and Arelle and Anne were at the head of the column. When they got back to Grand Blanc, the queens of the free territories were waiting for them on horses.

“Aunt Greer,” said Arelle, “why did you not ever tell me I had a sister?”

“Your sister died before you were born,” said Greer.

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“No, Aunt Greer,” said Arelle. “Arinne did not die, like they told you.” A woman took off her hood and looked at the queens.

“Oh, my dearest god,” said Marissa. Annette and Arwen were by her side.

“Arinne,” said Arelle, “these are your sisters, Annette and Arwen.”Arinne got off of her horse and walked toward Annette and Arwen,

who had also gotten off their horses, and she hugged her sisters.“Who are you?” asked Greer. “And who are these women?”“I am Anne,” said Anne. “I am the granddaughter of St. Ange. Abbi

is my grandniece.”“But you are dead,” said Gabrielle. “I’ve seen your grave.”“Whoever is in it isn’t me,” said Anne. “I am the witch queen of the

mountains, and all of these women are warriors. They were all sent to me to be sacrificed. I didn’t kill any of them. These are the women that broke the army of Trumbull in the west. I have several enclaves in the mountains, and we can put ten thousand warriors in the field. There are thousands of villages in the mountains, and the people all support me.”

“But the tales,” said Marissa.“They are just that,” said Anne, “tales. Come, we have to get camped,

and Catharine and Anne have to see their sister. We can probably all talk better when we aren’t sitting on a horse. And to tell you the truth, I could use a beer.”

Anne’s people camped, but Arelle rode on with Catharine and Anne. People were moving around Grand Blanc again, and they began to cheer when they saw Arelle with Catharine and Anne. Thousands of people followed them to the castle, and they went in. Cherise began to cry when she saw her sisters, and she held them gently. “Be gentle,” she said. “Father had me lashed.” They went out to the balcony, and thousands of people cheered.

Arelle went to the edge of the balcony, and she held up her hands. “I have returned your princesses to you,” she said. “Tomorrow, we will crown your queen. This night, the mess tents are open.”

Anne came to the edge of the balcony. “This is the granddaughter of St. Ange,” said Arelle. “She is the witch queen of the mountain. None of the daughters that were sent to be sacrificed were killed. Some of you may have daughters that are camped outside of the city. I proclaim the sacrifice of daughters to be ended.” A great roar came from the people.

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Arelle sat at a mess table with her sisters. Anne and the queens sat with them. Mayall was with Richard. Aora was with her husband. Abbi was with Phillipe. Cherise sat with her sisters. Erinne sat with her sister. Marie was with a man that wore the colors of Athabasca.

“Arinne,” said Arelle, “are you coming north with us when we go?”“I am,” said Arinne. “But you need to understand that my life is

in the mountains. I have a husband there, and I have two daughters there. I want to be part of your life, but I also have my own life. I have a beautiful cottage on a small farm on the edge of a lake with the greenest water that you have ever seen and sweet fish that are as long as your arm. My daughters are six and ten, and they favor Abbi’s people. Their names are Elizabeth and Anne.”

“Have you had a good life, Arinne?” asked Arelle.“I have,” said Arinne. “It is usually peaceful in the mountains. It is

too hard to wage wars up there.”“Do you resent what Mother and Father did?” asked Arelle.“I did for a long time,” said Arinne. “But I have been blessed in my

own life, and I have no right to hate or judge someone else for their life.”“What were you doing with Anne when I got there?” asked Arelle.“Anne knew you would come,” said Arinne. “She sent for me. Anne

is usually right.”“She did?” asked Arelle.“She did,” said Arinne. “You are you. You can’t be any other way.”

Arinne took another bite of stew.

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Chapter 8

The next morning dawned bright and clear, and the queens of the free territories were in the throne room of the castle. They all wore white, and Cherise came in with her sisters. Cherise and Anne were in white gowns, and Catharine was in white armor with the cross of St. Ange on her chest. Cherise knelt before Arelle. “I name you queen of Southerbee this day,” said Arelle. “I charge you with the protection of your people. Please rise, queen of Southerbee.” Church bells began to ring. Cherise went to the balcony.

“I will be a good queen,” she said. “The days of our fathers are done. This day, I sign a treaty that makes Southerbee a member of the free territories. I thank my sister queens for freeing us, and I pledge to support them. No person in my kingdom will ever be lashed again. No child will ever go to bed hungry. No mother will ever cry because she is alone and cannot help her children.”

“I sign this document in the name of my people,” said Cherise. “We are a free people!” Thousands of people roared their approval.

Anne came to the balcony. “I sign this treaty in the name of the people of the mountain kingdoms. All of us, from the far north to the south of Southerbee, are now united.”

Arelle went to the balcony, and the people let out a great cheer. “People of Southerbee,” said Arelle. “I welcome you as free people of the free territories.”

“Our engineers are already working on the mountain pass to make it easier and safer to travel,” said Arelle. “The pass will be kept open in the winter at all costs. You will not be cut off from us in the winter.”

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“The greatest danger to Southerbee lies to the east of you and to the south,” said Arelle. “You are a natural buffer for us, and Southerbee would have done more for you had he looked there instead of coveting his niece’s lands. Eastland is a very ambitious and covetous man himself.”

“But we will not leave you alone on an island,” said Arelle. “We will always garrison troops here, not as oppressors, but as protectors. Our troops will help you rebuild as they have been doing since they arrived. They will help you wherever Cherise decides that they are needed.”

“Signal towers are being built throughout the free territories,” said Arelle. “The one from here can be seen at the top of the pass, and we will always have it manned.”

“Freedom is always paid for in blood,” said Arelle. “Southerbee has already paid that price. Ten thousand of your men lie dead in Garinn. They died because of the folly of one man. I am sorry for all the widows. I am sorry for all the children that will grow up without fathers. It has been a long bloody process as we have gone from tribes to kingdoms, to a nation. I hope that it will end in our lifetime.”

“This day is a day for hope,” said Arelle. “This day, you have a new queen, and the ways of our fathers are gone. Rise from the ashes, Southerbee. Rise from the ashes as does the Phoenix. Rise and be the shining southern star.”

Arelle walked the mess tables with Cherise, Abbi, and Mayall. They had just come up to Aora, Marie, and Annette when a little girl came up to them. “Please, great queen,” said the little girl, “I came to get food for my Mommy. I only have a penny. My Mommy needs to eat, and she is sick.”

“You can get all the food you want here for free,” said Arelle. “Where is your father?”

“He is dead, great lady,” said the little girl.“Take us to your mother,” said Arelle.The young woman was living in what was left of a burned down

building, and she was burning up with fever. “I’ll get to the river,” said Abbi, and she ran out of the ruins. “Build a fire, Annette,” said Mayall. “If you have to break some furniture, do it.”

“Cherise, help me get her in the tub,” said Arelle.“There is a hand pump outside,” said Aora. “The water should be

cold. Come on, Mayall. There has to be something here that we can use as buckets.”

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“What are you doing?” asked Annette.“We have to get this woman’s body temperature down, or she will

die,” said Arelle. “Get a fire started, and then find something that you can use as a pot. Abbi will be back soon, and you need to boil the roots.”

Aora and Mayall were bringing cold water in as fast as they could and poured it in the tub. Arelle held the woman by the face. “I know it hurts,” said Arelle. “Stay with us. Your daughter needs you.”

Abbi ran back in. “Boil this as fast as you can, Annette,” said Abbi. She ran to get some water.

“Mommy?” said the little girl.“Stay with Cherise,” said Arelle. Arelle’s sleeves were dripping.

“Annette, what is the holdup?”“How long does it have to boil?” asked Annette.“It just has to boil,” said Mayall. She placed the pan in a pan of

cold water.“I have another pan,” said Abbi.“Annette,” said Aora, “help me get this water out of the tub. We

need to change the cold water. Just pour it on the damn floor.”The woman’s eyes started to roll up in her head.“Damn you,” said Arelle. “Don’t you dare leave me!”“I have it, Arelle,” said Abbi, and she held a broken glass to the

woman’s lips.“I have the poultice,” said Mayall.“Put it on her face,” said Arelle. The woman relaxed.“She is asleep now,” said Arelle. “Her fever will break soon. Do you

have any blankets?”“No,” said the little girl.“I’ll go get some,” said Aora.Mayall laid the woman in what was left of a burned bed. Then she

put some of the poultice on the woman’s chest. “Abbi brought more than you boiled Annette,” said Mayall. “Would you please boil the rest of it now? You don’t need to cool it. It will be fine as it is.”

Arelle lifted the woman’s eyelids. “She will live,” said Arelle. “She is sleeping. Her fever will break within the next two hours.”

“Come,” said Abbi to the little girl, “you need to eat dinner. Your mother will be fine.”

“Where did you learn that?” asked Cherise.

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“The four of us are warriors,” said Arelle. “We have been together for a while. Most of the time that we have been together, we have been on the road. Most of the time there were no doctors.”

“We have taken care of each other,” said Aora. “That is what sisters do.”

“But you have ruined your gowns,” said Cherise.“Every gown becomes a rag one day,” said Mayall. “There isn’t any

of us that has a mother that is alive. All of us would trade a gown to see our mother. This little girl will hold her mother in the morning. I cannot. Come, Arelle, help me move the bed.”

Arelle, Mayall, and Aora moved what was left of the bed closer to the fireplace. Aora had also brought back a canvas tarp, and she and Annette arranged it such that the light snow did not reach the woman on the bed. Arelle’s sleeves steamed in the cold. “Arelle,” said Mayall. “Go put on some dry clothes. Aora and I have this covered.”

Arelle was back in half an hour, and she was dressed in furs and carried blankets. “I have it covered, Mayall,” said Arelle. “The rest of you go get warm clothes and blankets.”

“Did you eat?” asked Mayall.“No,” said Arelle.“We will bring food back,” said Aora.They all returned in about half an hour, and Abbi and the little girl

were with them. Abbi carried a pot of stew. Arelle had taken a blanket and arranged it so the woman breathed in an enclosure. Arelle handed Cherise a bowl of stew and a couple of biscuits. Arelle busied herself with eating. When about half of her stew was gone, she looked at the little girl. “Have a biscuit with honey,” said Arelle.

The little girl took it and had a bite. “Aunt Abbi has already given me two,” said the little girl. “They are very good.”

“Do you live here?” asked Arelle.“We have nowhere else to go,” said the little girl. “The king killed

my father. Mother and I are all alone. Mother cries a lot.”“What does your mother do for a living?” asked Cherise.“My mother is a seamstress,” said the little girl. “But she has not had

much work. Our church feeds us, but they are poor too.”“I will get Sally Bight,” said Aora, and she left.

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Arelle and Mayall had lifted the blanket tent from the woman, and they were cleaning her and replacing the poultice. “Please,” said Cherise, “she is one of my people. Let me.”

“This draws out the poison in her system,” said Arelle. “This has to be done for two days, and she will get well.”

“How can they live like this?” asked Cherise.“I would remind you that we found you chained to a wall and

lashed,” said Arelle.“People do what they have to do to survive,” said Mayall, and she

caressed Cherise. “All we can do is love them and help.”“How many more of my people are like this, Arelle?” asked Cherise.“I don’t know,” said Arelle.“Our people look for them,” said Abbi. “But there are so many.”“This is the true cost of war, Cherise,” said Arelle.Annette had not said much, but she came toward Cherise. “Abbi

brought me more roots,” she said. “This poultice is fresh.”“Annette,” said Arelle, “you need to go change your clothes. You

have ruined your gown.”“I don’t care about the gown,” said Annette.“I remember a day when if you got a spot on your gown, you had

a fit,” said Mayall.“That day is gone, Mayall,” said Annette. “That woman is dead.”

Arelle smiled.“Go change,” said Arelle. “This will be a long night.”“Mayall,” said Annette, “how many times have you and Arelle done

this?”“I don’t know,” said Mayall. “A lot. Arelle and I have buried too

many friends. We do the best we can.”“What is your name, child?” asked Arelle.“I am Merille,” said the little girl.“How old are you, Merille?” asked Arelle.“I am seven,” said Merille.“What is your mother’s name?” asked Arelle.“Her name is Sonya,” said Merille.“You are not from here, Merille,” said Arelle. “Your hair is dark, but

your eyes are blue. Where are you from?”“I don’t know,” said Merille. “This is the only home I have ever

known.”

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“Hmm,” said Arelle.Sally Bight came in, and she hugged Arelle. “Thank you for coming,

Sally,” said Arelle.“I can’t believe you found someone living here,” said Sally.“She had nowhere else to go,” said Abbi.Sally looked at Merille. “She is Oroni,” said Sally.“What is Oroni?” asked Arelle.“She is a refugee,” said Sally. “She comes from Eastland or

Southwicke. There aren’t many of them, but they leave to get away from persecution. They come here for jobs and a better life, but they don’t find them here. They are very kind people, but they keep to themselves. They work very hard. I have already hired eighteen of them. I will take the girl home with me.”

“No, please,” said the girl, “I want to stay with my mother.”“I can live with that,” said Sally. “I will move the both of you in the

morning, and your mother will work for me. I have made tea for you. It is from the midlands. It will help you sleep.”

“This is the tea my mother makes,” said Merille. “Where did you get it?”

“I got it from a friend,” said Sally as she smoothed the girl’s hair.“Arelle, this girl is from Eastland,” said Sally. “You will find that her

father was a deserter of the king’s army. You will find that the girl wears a silver St. George’s cross on a silver chain around her neck. Even when this girl starving, she would not part with it. They are deeply religious, but their churches are very small and very poor.”

“We have to put new poultice on her every hour.” said Abbi. “Aora and I will stand watch for the first two hours.”

In the morning, Sally Bight came back with a wagon, and they put Sonya in it. She did not awaken as they went through the streets of the city. They arrived at the large house that Sally had bought with some of the gold that she had been given. “People can stay here for as long as they need to,” said Sally. “You and your mother will stay here, so I can make sure you both eat.”

“Please, Miss Sally,” said Merille, “I have to go to mass. St. Gregory is just down the street.”

“We will go with you,” said Arelle. They walked up the block to a small run-down building and went in. The inside of the building was as shabby as the outside. There were about thirty people of all ages in the

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room, and the priest stopped in midsentence as they came in. Everyone in the room turned to look at them.

“I’m sorry,” said the priest. “Warriors are not welcome here.”“We will not disturb you,” said Arelle. “We are here so Merille can

hear mass.”“Why do you have Merille?” asked the priest.“Her mother was dying of fever,” said Arelle. “We saved her life last

night.”“Warriors do not save lives,” said the man. “They take them. War

is wrong.”“I agree,” said Arelle. “But there are bad people in this world. We

only fight because they force us to.”“What is the cross on your chest?” asked the priest.“It is the cross of St. Ange,” said Arelle.“Why is yours different?” said the priest to Abbi.“I wear the cross of St. Abrin,” said Abbi. “I am a direct descendant

of hers.” Abbi drew her sword. “This is the blade of St. Abrin.”“You are a princess,” said the man, and he knelt.“I am a princess of Garinn,” said Abbi. “Please rise, and never kneel

before me again in your house of worship.”“Are you all princesses?” asked the man.“No,” said Arelle. “This is Cherise, your queen.”The man’s jaw dropped, and he went down on his knees. “I thought

Abbi told you not to do that,” said Cherise, and she looked at Arelle. Arelle shrugged.

“And who are you?” asked the priest, and his voice trembled.“I am Arelle,” said Arelle. “I am the queen of Garinn.” He went

down on his knees again.“I thought you were told not to do that,” said Arelle.“There is a prophecy by St. Gregory,” said the priest. “A queen that

is even greater than St. Ange will arise. She will unite all the lands, and the time of war will be undone. Are you her?”

“I don’t know the answer to that,” said Arelle. “I only know that war has changed in the last year. Nation fights nation. If we are ever to have what you foretell, it will be bought in blood. If it is my blood, so be it.”

“You are her,” said the priest.“I hate war,” said Arelle. “I hate what it does to the people that are

left behind. I would ask that all of you rise. I am not a saint. I am not

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a goddess. I am a woman. I serve the people of Garinn, and I serve the people of the free territories. That is you people now. But I do have a question.”

“Ask it,” said the priest.“What do you know of Sonya?” asked Arelle.“Why would you know this?” asked the priest.“I know a man,” said Arelle. “He wears the cross of St. George on

his chest, but it is not red. It is blue, like the mark on your wall.”“How do you know this man?” asked the priest.“He is a friend of mine,” said Arelle. “I know who Merille is. I know

who Sonya is. Listen, we are not here to disturb your service. Merille just wanted to hear mass.” After the service, the priest found a lot of gold pieces in his offering basket, and he knelt in his study and prayed.

“We leave to go north,” said Arelle, and her breath steamed in the morning cold. There was an inch of fresh snow on the ground. “We leave ten thousand warriors. They will rotate every six months. Anne will come whenever you need her. The men that are here will plow your fields. You are not alone, Cherise,” said Arelle, and she hugged Cherise and Anne. Catharine went with Arelle.

They rode out of the city and into the plains. They rode ten abreast. They reached the foothills and rode on until they reached a man-made flat space where they could camp. Mayall and Arelle caught trout in the stream that ran down the hills. They laughed as they cooked them on sticks over a fire. Abbi and Phillipe had shot a deer, and they had venison, too. Aora and Richard were nowhere to be found. Neither were Mayall and Richard.

In the morning, they went into the mountains. There was a broad road for them, and the engineers were still working. They reached the top of the pass, and the top of the pass had been lowered by two hundred feet. They rode out into the plain of Penn, and they camped. Erinne kissed the ground before she built a fire on that ground. They rode all day again, and they reached the capital city of Penn. Arelle and twenty or so people stopped at a cottage, and thousands of warriors and hundreds of wagons rode on. Arabella Dayne opened the door. Arelle hugged her. “Arabella,” said Arelle, “I have someone I want you to meet.” Arabella’s eyes got very big when she saw Sonya and Merille.

“I’m right, aren’t I?” asked Arelle.

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“David!” screamed Arabella. “Get out here, now!”David came out of the kitchen and he looked at Sonya. “Oh, my

god,” he said. “Sonya!” He hugged his sister.“I thought so,” said Arelle as David, Sonya, and Merille hugged one

another. “Sonya, you and Merille will stay here. You are safer here than anywhere else. They are all friends of mine. Merille, there is a church nearby that you can go to.”

“Thank you, Arelle,” said Merille.“It is a bigger church than you are used to,” said Arelle. “But they are

still all of your people. Maybe they will even teach you to sing.” Arelle had already heard Merille sing. Merille loved to sing.

“Arelle,” said David, “will you stay with us a while?”“I will stay here for a week,” said Arelle. “Arabella and I have some

catching up to do, and I need to see some old friends. I have sent ahead for Ari, and she and Gabrielle should be here tomorrow.”

“I made dinner,” said David. “It isn’t much. I can’t cook as well as Arabella, but it is my turn to cook. It won’t kill you, I think.” Arelle smiled.

“I will see to the horses,” said Aora.“Just make sure you and Richard come back to eat,” said Arabella,

and she grinned. “I could understand if it were Abbi and Phillipe, but you two have been married for a while.”

“I enjoy my husband’s company,” said Aora. “Is that a crime?”“No,” said Arabella. “No, that is not a crime.” She had her hand on

David’s waist, and she kissed him. “Come, Sonya. We have hot cider and fresh doughnuts. David makes the best doughnuts.” Arabella was even more beautiful than she had been. She had absolutely blossomed in David’s love, and it showed. No one that knew her from before would even recognize her now. “Sonya, we are going to evening mass. Would you like to go?”

Sonya looked at Arelle. “I’m going too,” said Arelle. “I need to talk to Father John.”

“You would go to a church of St. George?” asked Sonya.“I have friends there,” said Arelle. “Besides, I want to hear Merille

sing.”An hour later they were in a large church that was well lit. The

wooden walls and the high ceilings gleamed, and Arelle sat in the front with Arabella and David, Aora and Richard, as well as Abbi and

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Phillipe. Arinne, who was with her family, sat with them. Annette and Arwen sat with Sally Bight. Princess Catharine sat with them. The choir came down the aisle in blue robes, and the priest followed them.

“I welcome you this evening to celebrate the mass of St. George,” said the priest. “I welcome old friends.” He was looking at Arelle. “I welcome new friends. He was looking at four families that wore shabby clothing and looked haunted. “All find sanctuary here. All find love here. God finds you all equal. We will begin with a hymn.”

They sang and Arelle could hear Merille’s beautiful voice even though she was some distance away. The song ended, and Father John went to the podium. “There is an old friend among us this night,” he said. “Arelle, if you would speak?”

Arelle rose, and she went to the podium. “I know that you are all followers of St. George,” said Arelle. “I know that all of you left your homeland because you believed that war was wrong. I know that most of the men here deserted the king’s army.”

“It is not for me to judge your beliefs or your actions,” said Arelle. “I also personally believe that war is wrong. I have seen the real cost of war. I have seen widows and orphans. I have seen whole nations ruined. I have held the cost of war in my arms as they died, never to see the people they loved again.”

“I do not fight because I want to,” said Arelle. “There is great evil in this world, and I fight because I must, because someone has to oppose the evil. I know that your religion opposes war, but I know that two hundred of you wear the cross of St. George in blue.”

“Get your people out,” said Arelle. “Don’t let any more men be hung because they do not want to fight for a war of conquest. Don’t let any more women become widows who are left to starve. Don’t let any more children become orphans. I beg you.”

“You do not come from this land,” said Arelle. “All of you are far from the homes that you came from, but you are my people. As long as one person wants to be free, I will be there. As long as one woman does not want to give up her husband to fight for conquest, I will be there. As long as one father does not want to give up his life and his children for wrong, I will be there.”

“People that serve other people kept me alive,” said Arelle. “They hid me. They lied for me. They killed for me. I know that there are people in this room that did the same.”

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“You honor me,” said Arelle. “You honor your beliefs, and you honor humanity. I kneel to you.” Arelle knelt as every person got out of their seats and cheered.

After the service, Arelle met with Father John. Arabella and David were there. Aora and Richard were there. Mayall and Abbi were also there. “Father John,” said Arelle, “this money is for you.” She handed him a bag of gold coins “I know that you will put it to good use.”

“Thank you, Arelle,” said Father John. “You are very kind to my people.”

“I love your people, Father John,” said Arelle. “It is their leader that I am not very fond of.”

“Send word to your people,” said Arelle. “Southerbee is dead and his daughter, Cherise, is the queen. She has joined the free territories. The witch queen of the mountains has also joined the free territories. If any of your people go to either place, they will be safe. And for heaven’s sake, Father John, don’t go yourself this time. You know that there is a price on your head. You aren’t safe anywhere but in Penn.”

“How did you know I went?” asked Father John. Arelle frowned at him.

“Okay, Arelle,” said Father John, and he held up his hands.“I will send word to your people in the south,” said Abbi. “Philippe

and I will honeymoon in the mountains. Are you coming to the wedding?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world, Abrin,” said Father John. “You have already done so much for my people.”

“Would you say the invocation at my wedding?” asked Abbi.“I would be honored,” said Father John.“Sonya and Merille will be staying here,” said Arelle. “That idiot

Southerbee hung William. Southerbee never knew that there was a price on all their heads.”

“How did you find my sister?” said David.“David,” said Arelle, “it was just sheer dumb stupid luck. Annelle

is somewhere in the free territories hiding. We are still looking for her.”“Well,” said David, “that means that only two of my sisters are still

there.”“Marissa watches your sisters,” said Arelle. “If anything happens to

them, she will get them out.”

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“How many of Marissa’s people have died to protect my sisters?” asked David.

“None so far,” said Arelle. “We have been very careful and very lucky.”

“I heard you were back in town, and the women have prepared supper,” said Father John. “Would you stay? It is roast duck.”

“We wouldn’t miss it for the world,” said Arelle. Father John went to his study and the women began to serve them.

“I’m glad you are well, Arelle,” said one of the serving ladies as she put food before Arelle.

Arelle stood, and she hugged the woman. “Thank you, Giselle,” she said. “I hope all is well with you.”

“My daughter sent me a letter from university,” said Giselle. “She loves it there. She has already joined the choir, and she has sung at Le Maraine.”

“That is a pretty prestigious place,” said Arelle. “Give Marianne my regards. There is also a young girl you need to hear. Her name is Merille Eastland. She is David’s niece.”

“I will,” said Gisele. Gisele was the choirmaster.“This is so good,” said Abbi. “How do you make it?”“Well, the first thing is,” said Father John, “you need a duck . . .”The next morning, little Ari arrived with Gabrielle, and she threw

herself into Arelle’s arms “Mommy!” she screamed as she hugged Arelle.“I’ve missed you, baby girl,” said Arelle. “Let me look at you. You’ve

grown a foot.”“I have not, Mommy,” said Ari.“It just seems like it,” said Arelle. She cupped Ari’s face in her hands

and kissed her. “I have a surprise for you.” Ari looked at the woman standing there with her hands together.

“This is your grandmother,” said Arelle.“But you are dead,” whispered Ari. She looked at Arelle.“I am not dead, Arelle,” said Anne. “I have no idea who is buried in

my grave. I am the queen of the mountain kingdoms.”“Mommy?” asked little Ari.“She is your grandmother,” said Arelle. “You have a right to know

her, and you have the right to know all about your mother. It will not make me love you less, Ari.”

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“Come, Ari,” said Anne. “It is cold out here. We have hot cider, and David made doughnuts.” Arelle took Ari by the collar of her furs and kissed her. Little Arelle went into the house with her grandmother.

“That went sort of well,” said Arinne. “When are you going to tell her about us?”

“At dinner,” said Arelle.“This would have all been so much better if all of them hadn’t lied

to one another so much,” said Arinne.“Tell me about it, Arinne,” said Arelle. “Come, let’s get some cider

and doughnuts. Where are Tom and the girls?”“They are ice skating,” said Arinne. “Abbi and Phillipe went with

them. Phillipe said someone had to watch for bears.” Arelle and Arinne both laughed.

Arinne and Arelle went into the house where it was warm. People were in the great room with a fire going. Anne had Ari on her lap, and they were talking. Arabella was sitting on the floor, lying back against David’s legs. Sonya was next to them, holding Merille between her legs. Aora and Richard were waiting on people, and Sally Bight was sitting with her daughter. Mayall was sitting with Richard on the floor. Catharine and Annette were talking, probably about boys.

They spent a week together, and then they rode north. They came to Penn, where Erinne had a great feast. Abbi and Phillipe did not stay and rode north. The morning after, Arelle left for Au Claire. When they got to Au Claire, the city was lit up with lights and ribbons. Arelle rode to the palace where thousands of people were cheering, and musicians were playing. Arelle smiled and waved. Tents were set up in the side streets and people were partying. Arelle’s breath steamed in the cold as she got to the palace. She got off her horse, and Gabrielle took it. She took Ari by the hand, and they went into the palace. Guards saluted her as someone opened the door for her and trumpets sounded. Catharine the Great was there to welcome her. She hugged Catharine.

“I have a great feast planned,” said Catharine.“I have no problem with that,” said Arelle. “But there are a few

people that you should meet first. This is Anne.”“Oh, my dear god,” said Catharine. “You are supposed to be dead.”“I don’t know who you buried,” said Anne. “It wasn’t me.”“This is my sister Arinne and her family,” said Arelle. “This is my

older sister Arinne. Why did you never tell me I had another sister?”

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“She is supposed to be dead,” said Catharine.“Catharine,” said Arelle, “did you know what they did?”“Arelle . . .,” said Catharine.“I asked you, Catharine,” said Arelle. “Did you know what my

parents did to Arinne?”“Arelle . . . please,” said Catharine.“Did you know?” asked Arelle.“I did,” said Catharine, and she went fell to her knees. “Your mother

did not want it, and she cried. Your father insisted. I took you to the foot of the mountain, Arinne. I am sorry.” Tears were running down Arinne’s face.

“Do you have the sword of St. Ange?” asked Anne“Anne, I . . .,” said Catharine.“Do you have it?” asked Anne.“I do,” said Catharine.“Get it,” hissed Anne. Catharine left the room. “That went well,”

said Anne.Catharine came back, and she had a sword in a leather scabbard.

She handed in to Anne. Anne drew the sword, and it gleamed in the light. The blade was inscribed Ange.

“This is the blade of the greatest warrior to ever walk the north,” said Anne. “She was my grandmother, but I never met her. She was too young when she died.”

“This blade belongs to the greatest warrior that we have ever known. This blade belongs to Arelle,” said Anne. “She is the rightful owner of it, and we all know it.” Arelle went down on her knees.

“Arise, great queen,” said Anne. “Take the blade of St. Ange. It is yours to wield.” Arelle rose, and she was weeping. All the queens of the free territories came to her one by one, and they knelt. They hugged Arelle as she cried. “Let us eat now,” said Anne.

Arelle sat at a great table and wiped the tears from her face. “Your task will be greater than St. Ange ever faced,” said Anne.

“I know,” said Arelle.“I will be with you,” said Anne.“Thank you,” said Arelle, and she hugged Anne, but she was still

crying. “Anne, we will have to bury so many people.”

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“We will, Arelle,” said Anne. “But we will finally get to end the war. If we do not do this, there will be many, many more widows and orphans. There will be so many more people that are poor.”

“I can’t do this, Anne,” said Arelle.“You can, child,” said Anne, and she cupped Arelle’s face in her

hands. Anne kissed Arelle. “You can. We will all be with you. You won’t be alone.” Anne caressed Arelle, and she caressed Ari. Ari hugged and kissed her mother.

The next day, Arelle and Ari were up early, and there was already a great deal of bustle in the palace for this day was a very big day. At exactly noon, Arelle walked to the throne in the great hall, where a thousand people waited. The archbishop of the church of the free territories came in from the other side, and he knelt and then stood to Arelle’s right. Arelle was dressed in white with the emblem of St Ange. Her hair was up, and she wore the crown of the queen of Garinn. A thousand people knelt. “Please rise and be seated,” said Arelle.

Aora and Richard came down the aisle first. Aora was in white and she wore the crown of a princess on her head. Richard wore a full dress uniform. Aora knelt and then went to the right hand side of the queen, and Richard knelt and went to her left.

Arabella and David came next. Arabella was in white and wore the crown of a princess. David wore the dress uniform of Garinn, but he had the cross of St. George on it in blue.

Then came Mayall and Richard. Richard wore the formal dress uniform of Marissa’s people.

Then it was time for the groom. Phillipe was in the dress uniform of a prince of Athabasca. Phillipe was escorted by his mother, Greer, who wore the crown of Athabasca. She left Phillipe and sat with her sisters.

Then everyone stood and faced the rear of the room. Ari and Ariel led Abbi. Ari was the flower girl, and Ariel was the ring bearer. When they were halfway to the altar, the music started, and Abbi took her first step. Abbi was escorted by Father John, and he wore white robes with blue vestments. She was dressed in white with a train that was twenty feet long, and Arelle’s sisters handled the train. Abbi wore a crown on her head, but it was a very old crown. It was the crown of St. Abrin De Curran.

When they reached the altar, the music stopped. “You may all be seated,” said Arelle.

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“We come this day to join the lines of St. Abrin and St. Ange,” said Arelle. “This is a very special day in the free territories.” All the people cheered.

“Who gives this woman to be a bride?” asked Arelle.“I give this woman to holy matrimony,” said Father John. He hugged

Abbi and kissed her on the forehead, and then he took his place to the left of Arelle.

“So it is written,” said Arelle. “A man gives his daughter. A woman gives her son.”

“The invocation today will be given by Father John of the Church of St. George,” said Arelle.

“Before I start,” said Father John, “I have known Abrin only for a short time, but I have never known such an honorable warrior and woman. I wish her union well. It is the custom of our people to kneel and bow their heads when we pray. I ask you all to do that now.” Father John said the invocation, and the people all rose and sat down.

“Abrin Anne Thoms,” said Arelle, “do you take this man to be your husband of your own free will?”

“I do, my lady,” said Abbi.“Phillipe Richard De Geer, do you take this woman to be your wife

of your own free will?”“I do, my lady,” said Phillipe.Arelle joined their hands, and she stepped back. The archbishop of

the church led them in their vows.“I now pronounce Abbi and Phillipe man and wife,” said Arelle.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please rise and greet the bride and the groom.” A thousand people cheered as Abbi and Phillipe went to the reception hall in another part of the palace.

Arelle was sitting with the bridal party when Arabella and David got up. “We’re going to the balcony for some air,” said Arabella. She kissed David tenderly. A few moments later, there was a tremendous crash from the balcony, and Arelle, Aora, Mayall, and Abbi were up and running. Twenty men had Arabella and David cornered.

Arabella and David both bled from a score of cuts, but they were fighting unarmed. Arelle tackled a man, and his sword slid toward Arabella. She began to deal death in earnest, and it wasn’t long before all of the men were dead.

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“Dammit,” said Mayall. “One time. Just one time I want to wear a gown and not have it ruined. Why is it, Arelle, that every time you and I wear a gown something happens?”

“Just lucky, I guess,” said Arelle. The look that Mayall gave her wasn’t good.

“Look, Abbi,” said Aora, “you’ve ruined your wedding dress.”“Phillipe and I are no less married,” said Abbi, and she kissed her

husband.“We all need to change,” said Arelle. “I will tell everyone what

happened.”Arelle walked back into the hall. Her gown was ripped and covered

with blood. “Ladies and gentlemen,” said Arelle. “There has been an attempt on the life of a prince and a princess. The men are all dead, but the entire wedding party needs to change clothes. Go ahead and celebrate, and we will be back. Father John, would you please come with me?”

“These men need the last rites,” said Arelle.“Arelle,” said Father John, “these men just tried to kill you.”“They are human beings, Father John,” said Arelle. Annette and

Catharine came up to them at that moment. Both of them had changed from gowns to armor as soon as the wedding was over, and neither of them had been at the reception.

“We will take care of it, Arelle,” said Annette. “Father, as soon as you give them the last rites, we will take care of this mess.”

“Annette,” said Arelle, “why are you in battle armor?”“Catharine and I changed as soon as the ceremony was over,” said

Annette. “Erinne expected something to happen, and we have been up on the battlements watching and making sure everyone was alert. Arwen is up there now with Erinne. I’m sorry we missed them, Arelle. I don’t know how they got twenty men in here. I really don’t.” Arelle knelt before her sister.

“I will send food up to the battlements,” said Arelle.

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Chapter 9

Abbi and Phillipe went off on their honeymoon, and Aora and Richard went north. Arelle and Ari settled into a routine, and Arelle spent a lot of time with her daughter. They rode a lot with Mayall and Richard, and they spent a lot of time with Arianne and Theresa. Arianne was teaching Ari how to draw. Arinne and her family left for the mountains. “I expect you and Ari to be there for a week in late summer,” said Arinne.

After a month or so, Abbi and Phillipe came back. “Eastland prepares to attack Southwicke,” she said. “He has a hundred thousand men.”

“Maybe we will get some peace this summer,” said Arelle. “That would be nice.”

“Are you going north?” asked Abbi.“No,” said Arelle. “I have to stay here. Marie and Aora are staying

at the farm. Are you going north?”“We are only going for a couple of weeks,” said Abbi. “Greer is at

the farm, and we want to see her.”

Anne sat down with Arelle and Catharine. “Catharine,” said Anne, “this is a different world. I can put fourteen thousand warriors in the field, and the most people you have ever commanded was two thousand. Arelle will command eighty thousand people if it comes to that. War isn’t any romantic thing that you imagine it to be.”

“Catharine,” said Anne, “have you ever seen a battlefield where ten thousand men are buried?”

“No,” said Catharine.

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“There is a graveyard just inside Penn,” said Anne. “I have seen it. Arelle killed ten thousand men that day, and she lost three thousand people. Do you know how many people that is?”

“Catharine,” said Anne, “I am twenty-eight years old, and I am a grandmother. We had children young, and we died young. That has to stop.”

“Catharine,” said Anne, “if there are any more secrets, if there are any more lies, I want to know about them now.”

“I’m sorry, Anne,” said Catharine.“If you were truly sorry, you wouldn’t have done it,” said Anne.“Anne,” said Arelle.“You’re probably right, Arelle,” said Anne. “I’m sorry I said that,

Catharine.”“No,” said Catharine. “You are right, Anne. Ange wanted all of us

to be one, but we were busy trying to build our own power. That is why the crown came to me. Ange was so young. I watched her die. I helped carry her body. I’m so sorry, Arelle.”

“The world might be different,” said Arelle. “But you still have a place in it. My people tell me that Eastland prepares to attack Southwicke. Do you know why?”

“No,” said Catharine.“He knows that he cannot take us,” said Arelle. “He knows that

even if he kills me, even if he kills every person in our armies, he will never know when the poison or the blade will come from a serving girl or a maid or a clerk.”

“Every person between Southerbee and the north pole is an enemy of his, and he cannot kill that many people,” said Arelle. “Seven thousand of his own people would ride against him tomorrow. One of them is his eldest son, and one of them is his eldest daughter.”

“He rides against Southwicke because he hopes to get enough men and enough gold to fight us,” said Anne. “Let them batter one another. I want to fish this summer with my granddaughter.”

Abbi and Aora went south again, and they came back to Au Claire just as winter was breaking. “Arelle,” said Abbi, “I have never seen anything like that. Eastland smashed into Southwicke from the front. Southwicke had poles that impaled horses and riders. Arelle, Eastland lost forty thousand men that day, but he won. There were so many dead

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that they didn’t have enough people to bury the dead. They left the bodies to rot. They left the wounded to die.”

“That still means that Eastland has sixty thousand men,” said Arelle. “Do you know where they are, Abbi?”

“I do,” said Abbi.“What of Southwicke?” asked Arelle“Marissa’s people tell me that he has sixty thousand men left,” said

Abbi. “They tell me that men are deserting and taking their families. I have alerted Anne, and I have alerted Cherise. I left a bag of gold at St. Gregory.”

“Well, Abbi,” said Arelle. “There is nothing left for us to do but hope they batter one another again and enjoy the summer.”

“I would like that,” said Abbi as she kissed her husband.Winter broke and the warm rains came. Arelle and Ari rode in

the warm rains and watched the farmers plow their fields. Some of the farmers showed Ari how to plow and laughed as she went face first into the mud. They caressed her as they picked her up. The smokehouses were full of fish, and the people were happy.

The rains stopped and the land was green again. Arelle rode every day with Ari, and Ari talked with all the farmers and the tradesmen. Arelle smiled as the farmers showed Ari how to lift up a horse’s foot to take out a pebble. She thanked them as they all gave her a rabbit, a bale of the first cutting of hay, horseshoes, or berries, and Arelle always hugged them.

Midsummer came, and the corn and the wheat were high in the fields. Then one day, the signal fires were lit. “Ride,” said Arelle. “Ride to the signal fire.”

They rode south, and they did not sleep. They rode through Penn and into Southerbee. Ten thousand of Eastland’s men had been bottled up by the forces of Anne and Cherise. Arelle rode out to them under a flag of truce with a few people. “What are you doing in Southerbee?” asked Arelle.

“We claim this land in the name of Eastland,” said a captain. He looked at David. “You are a traitor.”

“Oh really?” said Arelle. “By what right do you claim this land?”“By right of conquest,” said the captain.“Don’t you have to do that first?” asked Arelle.“I have warriors,” said the man. “You have women.”

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“Oh?” asked Arelle. “We are at a disadvantage because we are women?”

“You are,” said the captain.“Come, Captain,” said Arelle as she slid off her horse. “Let us do

this the easy way. If you can take me, you and your people will live.”“Your people cannot take mine,” said the captain.“I think you need to look again,” said Arelle. “I have forty thousand

people here. You have no chance whatsoever.” The captain looked at all the people that had suddenly appeared, and he licked his lips.

“But,” said Arelle, “I will keep my bargain with you. Get off your horse.”

The captain got off of his horse, and he drew his sword.“Come for me,” said Arelle. “You don’t want me to come for you.”He ran toward her and held his sword high. He slashed down with

his blade, and she blocked it with her sword hilt. “You move your hands too much,” said Arelle, and she hit him. He went over backwards, and his lip was bleeding as he got up.

He ran toward her again, and this time, he pointed his sword directly at her. Arelle swept the sword aside and knocked him on his face. She slapped him on the butt with her sword. “That was pretty stupid,” said Arelle. “You can do better than that.”

He got up again, and Arelle could see the anger in his eyes. “I know you are angry,” said Arelle. “That anger will get you killed.” Arelle dropped her sword, and she turned away. He ran toward her and lifted his sword. Arelle whirled, and her sword point was at his throat. “I’m talking to you, but you aren’t listening,” said Arelle. “Do you want to die? Do you want all of your men to die? Don’t their lives mean anything to you? Don’t their wives and their children’s lives mean anything to you?”

“I am a soldier of the king,” said the captain.“That is an accident of birth,” said Arelle. “You have the right

to choose your own life, but you do not have the right to throw ten thousand men’s lives away.”

“I will be hung if I go back,” he said.“No one said you had to go back,” said Arelle. “Now pick up your

sword.”

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He came at her again, and Arelle blocked his sword. She bit him on the nose. “I promise you that I will get all of your people out,” said Arelle.

“You bit me on the nose,” said the captain.“Aye, I did that,” said Arelle, and she smiled.“You don’t bite men on the nose in a battle,” said the captain, and

he smote again and again at Arelle. Arelle blocked every thrust, and she laughed. He got madder and madder. Arelle threw her sword aside.

“How stupid are you?” asked the captain. He swung his sword in an arc, and Arelle stopped it in front of her face with both of her hands. She grabbed it with her gauntleted hand and jerked it out of his hands. She grabbed him by the collar and rolled, and when she came to her feet she still had him by the collar and had his sword at his throat.

“You lose,” said Arelle. She kissed him. “Your people will live this day.”

“Who are you?” asked the captain.“I am Arelle,” said Arelle. “I am a queen of the free territories.” He

went down on his knees.“I would like for my people to live,” he said.“That is a wise choice,” said Arelle. Arelle turned, and she picked up

her sword. “How many of you want to live?” yelled Arelle. Ten thousand men went down on their knees.

“I grant you sanctuary in the free territories, you are free men now,” yelled Arelle. “Set up the mess tents. Come, Captain, you will dine with me this evening.”

Arelle took the captain through the mess line, and the server piled his plate high with roast beef and mashed potatoes. “Thank you, Henry,” said Arelle, and the serving man smiled.

“Do your people always eat like this?” asked the captain.“We do,” said Arelle. “We spare no expense for the people that fight

for our freedom.”“You know the name of the man that served you,” said the captain.“I do,” said Arelle. “I know the name of every man and woman in

this outfit. They are no less important than the warriors.”A woman joined them. She wore the cross of St. George in blue.

“Your husband was a deserter,” said the captain.“He was not,” said the woman. “He was no soldier.”

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“You wear armor,” said the captain. “But your people are cowards. They will not fight.”

“We will fight for a cause that is right,” said the woman. “We will fight for our homes. We will fight for our children. We will not fight for your king.”

“Where is your brother?” asked Arelle.“He and Arabella went to make sure that their tent was inflated,”

said the woman.“What?” asked the captain.Arelle smiled.“Lighten up, William,” said the woman. “And for heaven’s sake, tell

your men to be at ease. All the men watching you are not guarding you. They are waiting for your people to finish so they can eat.”

“How do you know who I am?” asked the captain.“You danced with my sister once,” said the woman. “She has always

wanted a second dance.”“I’m sorry,” said the man. “I don’t know you.”“Captain May,” said Arelle, “this is Princess Sonya.”Captain May got out of his seat. “Annelle,” he said. “Is Annelle

here?”“No,” said Sonya. “We do not know where Annelle is. She is hiding.”“Relax, Captain,” said Arelle. “You will not get that second dance

today. You need to eat. My men are starting to look at your food with evil intent.”

After they had eaten, Arelle walked through the camp that was being set up. Cherise’s people had already set up a camp for Arelle’s people.

“Captain,” said Arelle, “I expect that some of your men will try to escape tonight. Maybe you will even be one of them. We will have guards posted, but you will never see them. They will let your people go. You are technically prisoners of war, but I will not hold a man that does not wish to be here of his own free will since you chose not to fight. Personally, I think it would be a bad idea for anyone to go back. And I meant what I said about getting your loved ones out.”

“I will spread the word, my lady,” said Captain May.“My name is Arelle, Captain,” said Arelle. “If you are still here in

the morning, I expect you to join me for breakfast at six. Please tell

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your men what I said. You can rest easy this night, William. You and your men are safe.”

In the morning, all the tents were wet with dew and so was the grass between them. Men were getting cups of steaming coffee and tea and huge stacks of pancakes. “Good morning, William,” said Arelle. “How did you sleep?”

“Peacefully, for a change,” said Captain May. “I did not lose a single man last night,” he said as his shoved pancakes into his mouth.

“Where are your supply wagons?” asked Arelle. “We couldn’t find any.”

“We were told to forage,” said William.“Forage?” said Arelle. “Ten thousand men, forage?”“You’ll notice that all of us are eating a lot,” said William. “The

forage part didn’t go that well.”“Did your men fight against Southwicke?” asked Arelle.“Yes,” said William, “but it wasn’t like that. We were the last unit

in, and it was almost over by then. Southwicke was already retreating. The carnage and the waste of life were horrifying. General Morton just left his men to die. We took a few wounded with us and nursed them ourselves. Morton was displeased and had all of us lashed, and that, Arelle, is also the reason why we are here.”

“He sent you to die, didn’t he?” asked Arelle.“The men and I think so,” said William. “That’s why there wasn’t

much fight in us. They are good men, though.”“Oh, I don’t doubt it,” said Arelle. “Listen, I want all of your men

to go to the medical wagons. Someone will tell you where the wagons are. They are off that way.” Arelle pointed to her right. “Have all of your men get salve. And William, lashing is prohibited in the free territories.”

“I have never lashed a man,” said William. “None of my officers have either.”

Abbi and Phillipe joined them. “You two are up early,” said Arelle, and she introduced them to Captain May.

“Arelle,” said Abbi, “Phillipe and I are going to go back as soon as we’ve eaten. Aora and Richard are going too. We’ve each taken a hundred names and I am going to start making the arrangements and see Father John. Mayall and Richard are going back to start to make a barracks for your men, Captain May. You probably don’t want to sleep in tents in the winter in Au Claire.”

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“Thank you, Abbi,” said Arelle. “Have either of you seen Arabella and David?”

“Sorry, no,” said Abbi.They were almost done eating when Arabella and David finally

showed up. “Nice to see you could make it,” said Arelle. “You know that mess does not serve brunch.”

“It was so cold last night that we were still trying to get warm,” said Arabella with a straight face.

“Arabella, it wasn’t cold last night,” said Abbi.“Oh, it was ever so cold,” said Arabella. “We had to hold each other

to keep warm. Isn’t that right, darling?”“Frightfully cold,” said David. Arelle rolled her eyes.“David,” said Arelle, “do you know Captain May?”“I’ve never had the pleasure,” said David, and he held out his hand.

“David Eastland.”William May got out of his seat in mid-bite and knelt. “Please get

up,” said David. “And please don’t ever do that again.”“I saw you yesterday with Arelle, my lord,” said William. “But I

never realized . . .”“My name is David, William,” said David. “It is not, ‘my lord.’”“Are you going early with us?” asked Abbi.“No,” said David. “These are my people. I will ride with them.”“That brings me to another problem,” said Arelle. “You and your

men are infantry and you have no horses. We will go back with twenty thousand of our own warriors, and our people do not use infantry. We will have to double up. You will ride with me. We have to talk. Do you know how to ride a horse?”

“No,” said William.“This is going to be interesting,” said Arelle.“Why?” asked Captain May.“You will see, Captain,” said Arelle. “You will see.” Arelle was

smiling as she took another sip of tea.

The next morning, they were mounting up to leave, and Captain May was standing next to Arelle, who was mounted. “Give me your hand, and I will pull you up,” said Arelle. “Just swing your leg over his rump. Make sure that whenever you mount a horse you do it from this side.”

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William did as he was instructed, but he kept on going when he got on the horse and fell off the other side. Arelle was laughing. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I don’t mean to laugh. Are you okay?”

“Only my pride is hurt,” said William as he walked around the white stallion. This time, he did not fall off.

“Put your arms around me until you get used to it,” said Arelle. “Uh . . . William?”

“Yes, Arelle?” he said.“You have to let me breathe,” she said.“Oh . . . sorry,” he said.“Okay,” said Arelle. “We are going to move out now.”She raised her arm and was answered with a whistle, and they set

off at a walk. Arelle had instructed her troops that they were to proceed at a walk. The people that had no second riders with them went back and forth, checking to make sure everyone from Eastland was okay. They rode five abreast on the road out of Southerbee. Arelle rode with David, Arabella, Sonya, and Anne. Each of them had a person from Eastland behind them and all the men looked scared. “Are you okay back there?” asked Arelle.

“I think so,” said William. “I haven’t fallen off.”“That is a good sign,” said Arelle.They rode through green fields full of crops. “It is beautiful here,”

said William. “Eastland doesn’t look like this anymore.”“Why not?” asked Arelle.“Eastland conscripted sixty thousand men,” said William. “If he

comes to fight you, Eastland will be a land without men. He conscripted my two brothers, and now my mother and father have no one to work the land.”

“Would you like me to get your parents out, William?” asked Arelle.“Can you?” asked William.“I can,” said Arelle.“I shouldn’t be so selfish,” said William.“William, do you want your parents out or not?” asked Arelle.“I do,” said William. Arelle let out a shrill whistle, and a woman

rode up.“Sveta,” said Arelle, “would you do something for me?”Sveta took note of the information. “William, would you like your

brothers out too?”

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“I would,” said William. “They are not soldiers.”“Can you do this, Sveta?” asked Arelle.“I think so, Arelle,” said Sveta.“Get William’s parents first and get them to a safe house,” said

Arelle. “Do not endanger yourself to get his brothers.”“I already have some plans, Arelle,” said Sveta. “I have done this

before.”“You have?” asked Arelle.“Abbi, Aora, and I did it,” said Sveta. “Have heart for the people that

you love, sir knight,” said Sveta, and she wheeled her horse and went back the way they had come.

“Why do you do this for people that are your enemy?” asked William.

“There is only one person in Eastland who is my enemy,” said Arelle. “That is Eastland himself. He doesn’t value his people or his land. Both are valuable. Every person has a right to live. Every person has the right to be the best that they can be. They have the right to be safe. They have the right to be secure. Every person has the right to live free of fear.”

“I put my sword at your feet, Arelle,” said William. “I would join you.”

“Not right now, William,” said Arelle. “You are on a horse.”They rode all day and ate in the saddle. They reached the camping

spot before the mountain pass. A camp had already been set up, and the mess tents had dinner waiting for them.

“Oh my god,” said William. “What has happened to my legs?”“You aren’t used to riding a horse yet,” said Arelle. “You only have

to go through this pain once. The salve your people were given will help that too. It would be better for you if you eat standing up and try to walk as you eat. You won’t stiffen up as much that way. I suspect that all of your men are hurting. I will see you at morning mess.”

In the morning, William limped to breakfast with Arelle. “Arelle,” said William, “I thought that you were a nice person. How can you be so cruel?”

“I’m not being cruel,” said Arelle. “This is something that everyone has to go through unless they have learned to ride when they were very young. Your people will have to learn how to ride. You will have to learn how to shoot a bow while you are riding. We have no archers like you.

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We are all archers. We have no infantry like you. We can all fight on horse or on foot. Your people will be trained as our people are.”

“Why would you do this?” asked William.“William, I suspect that there is a price on your head,” said Arelle.

“I expect that it was there the second that you left Eastland. There is no safe haven for you, and the only thing that will keep you alive is to become what David has become.”

“David is a coward,” said William.“No,” said Arelle, “he isn’t. David deserted because his father lashed

one of his people unjustly. The man was barely alive when David got to us. David will fight with us when we fight Eastland. He will fight his own father, and my money is on David and Sonya. I have fought with David many times. He is a fierce warrior.”

“You would have him kill his own people,” said William.“Yes, he will kill his own countrymen,” said Arelle. “But he doesn’t

fight them to kill them. He fights to free them. We try to kill as few as possible. Eastland will decide how many of his people will die. Now eat your eggs before they get cold.”

They left camp and rode steadily higher all day long. Arelle looked up at one point, and she saw Arinne sitting on a rock. Arinne raised her bow. Arelle drew her sword and raised it. “My sister,” said Arelle, and she pointed at Arinne with a nod. “She lives up in the mountains.”

“You can see a long way from up here,” said William.“You can see farther from the realm of the witch queen of the

mountain,” said Arelle.“She is a myth,” said William.“Actually,” said Arelle, “she is not. She is riding right behind you.

She is my daughter’s grandmother.” William turned to look, and Anne smiled at him.

They were almost at the summit when Arelle whistled, and a rider came. “Benjamin,” said Arelle, “would you be able to get your hands on some hot chocolate and a biscuit or two?”

“I would,” he said. “I’ll be right back.”“It’s a lot colder up here,” said Arelle. “The hot chocolate will do

you good.”At around noon, they started riding downward, and by evening,

they were out of the mountains, where another camp awaited them. That night, they ate fish.

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By the next afternoon, they were riding through an old-growth forest, and the trees were towering giants. They came around a turn, and a woman sat on a white mare. She was dressed in the black of a pilgrim of St. Maud. A cowl covered her face. “You are a long way from the tower,” said Arelle. “What do you do on this road?” Arelle looked around for any sign of a trap.

“I have heard rumors,” said a woman’s voice. “I have heard that you have taken the seventh regiment of Eastland. Is that true?”

“It is,” said Arelle. “Why?”“I would have words with one of them,” said the pilgrim. “I would

also have words with my brother and sister.” She lifted the cowl from her face and raised the hood.

“Annelle!” exclaimed William, and he fell off the horse.Annelle hugged her brother and sister, but Arelle saw that she looked

at William. “I thought that you would ask me for a second dance,” said Annelle.

William looked at the ground. “I am just a simple soldier,” said William. “You are a princess.”

“Did you not get the letter and the token I sent you?” asked Annelle.“I did,” said William. He took the most beautiful cross of St. George

that Arelle had ever seen from around his neck. He also held a letter that had been opened thousands of times. “I have always wanted to know what this letter said,” said William. “I can’t read. But I have looked at it every night since I got it.”

“You can’t read?” asked Arelle.“No, Arelle,” said William. “I can’t.”“Let me read it to you,” said Annelle. She read the letter, but she

did not look at it once.“Dearest William,” said Annelle. “I hope this letter finds you well.

I send a cross of St. George to protect you. I had hoped that I would have had a second dance with you.

“My brother and my sister have left the kingdom, and I leave too. I go to Garinn where it is safe, and I will make a place and await your coming. I have loved you since the moment I saw you. I don’t care if you are a soldier and I am a princess. I want no other man.

“I pray to the gods that you stay alive and safe. Come to me in your own time. I will wait forever. Your love, Annelle.” Tears were running down her face.

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“Hug the girl,” said Arelle. The whole caravan stopped as William May hugged and kissed Annelle Eastland.

“William,” said Arelle, “you can ride behind Annelle. Annelle, I want you to ride next to me. There are some things I want to ask you.”

“William, are you okay?” asked Annelle.“I’ve never ridden a horse before,” said William.Annelle looked at Arelle “You didn’t . . .”“No,” said Arelle, “I didn’t, but this is his third day.”“I will take care of it,” said Annelle. Arelle smiled at her.“Come, William,” said Annelle. “We must be off. A mare isn’t as

wide as a stallion. This will hurt less.”“Anything would hurt less,” said William, and Annelle and Arelle

both laughed.“Annelle,” said Arelle as they rode on, “I have thousands of people

looking for you. Where have you been?”“The best place to hide is in plain sight,” said Annelle. “I have an

apartment next to your palace. I work as a serving girl in the tavern across the street.”

“Do you know Father John?” asked Arelle.“I do,” said Anne. “But he has no idea who I am. I was there when

you addressed the congregation. I made sure that David did not see me.” They rode on through Penn and came to great fields of crops with many people out working those crops. People hailed Arelle as they rode on.

“I have never seen such prosperity,” said William.“Penn is rich and fertile, and they prosper,” said Arelle. “The people

prosper under freedom and under Erinne’s care. You will find many of your people here. Some of them have done quite well.”

They came to an encampment. “This has been set up for your people,” said Arelle. “You, however, are coming with me to the castle. Erinne is having a feast this night. Annelle, you will come too.”

A small party rode through the streets of Charlotte, and there were tents everywhere with people partying. They cheered as Arelle rode by. The palace courtyard was full of people when Arelle got there. “Mayall,” said Arelle, “there are so many Oroni here.”

“It’s fine, Arelle,” said Mayall.They dismounted and went into the keep of the castle where Arelle

hugged Ari and kissed her. Arelle held Ari’s hand, and they went to the castle wall where they saw thousands of people.

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“I wish to welcome Arelle back home,” said Erinne. “I wish to welcome all of you tonight. Tonight is the seventh birthday of Princess Ari.”

Arelle looked at Ari. “It is?”“It is, Mommy,” said Ari.“I asked her what she wanted for her birthday,” said Erinne. “She

said that she wanted a feast for the people of Eastland for her birthday. Here for the blessing is Father John.”

“Father John,” said Arelle, “what are you doing here today?”“It’s Ari’s birthday,” said Father John. “She asked me to be here.”“Ladies and gentlemen,” said Father John, “before I say the blessing,

we will be treated to a duet by two of the finest singers ever to come from Eastland. Ladies and gentlemen, Marianne Du Shon and Merille Eastland.” People were on their feet, and the cheers rang as Marianne and Merille finished their song.

“I wish, at this time, to thank Arelle for all that she has done for our people,” said Father John. “Arelle, I will not give the blessing tonight, the blessing will be given by the archbishop of the church of St. George. Your people got him out of Eastland. Thank you, Arelle.”

The archbishop came out with acolytes bearing incense. “This is a special day for our people,” said the archbishop. “We will have a high mass.”

The archbishop said a prayer. Marianne and Merille sang again, and their voices blended in perfect harmony. They had communion, and Arelle knelt with Ari and looked up at the archbishop. “Arelle,” said the archbishop, “you are not a member of this church, but you are its daughter. May the blessings of the saints go with you and Ari.” Then he said the blessing, and people began to eat.

“Father John,” said Arelle as she sat to eat, “this is Princess Annelle.”“I know you,” said Father John. “You are a member of my

congregation.”“I signed the card Anne Williams,” said Annelle. “I’m sorry I lied.

Father, this is William May.” Annelle had her hand on William’s chest.“Ari,” said Arelle, “I didn’t know it was your birthday. What would

you like?”“I already got what I wanted for my birthday,” said Ari. “I got what

I wanted for all of my birthdays. I’ve got you, Mommy.” Tears streamed

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down Arelle’s face as she held Ari. “Come, Mommy, try this chocolate cake.” Annelle got her second dance with William.

Arelle took a bite, and she kissed Ari on the nose. “I am so proud of you, Ari,” said Arelle.

The next morning, they left for Au Claire. Erinne hugged Arelle, and they set out. Arelle rode next to Ari, Abbi, Aora, Mayall, Marrah, and Annelle with William behind her. They had ridden for about an hour when Annelle said, “I have to ask Father John something.” She wheeled her horse and set off at a gallop. William fell off, and he was knocked unconscious. Annelle leaped off her horse, and she ran to William. She cradled him in her arms. “William!” she screamed. “William, come back to me. I need you. I love you, William,” she sobbed.

“Someone help me!” screamed Anne.“You just knocked him out,” said Arelle. “He has never ridden a

horse other than in a straight line walk.”Annelle held William, and she rocked him as he opened his eyes.

“I’m so sorry, William,” said Annelle, and tears ran down her face. “I’m so sorry.”

“Yours are the first eyes I want to see when I open mine,” said William. “They are the last eyes I want to see when I close mine.” Annelle was laughing and crying at the same time, and she was kissing William. “Help me up,” said William. Annelle helped him up as he rose unsteadily on his feet, and she held him close.

“Don’t you ever leave me,” whispered Annelle.“Not this side of death, Annelle,” whispered William. Arelle was

the only person that heard them, and she smiled and took Ari’s hand.“What was so important that you almost killed William?” asked

David“I wanted to ask Father John if he thought love at first sight was

possible,” said Annelle.“It is,” said David, and he looked at Arabella and took her hand.They reached Au Claire, and they rode to the palace. Marie greeted

them. “I have dinner this night,” said Marie. Arelle hugged Marie, and Marie hugged the rest of them. They met for dinner in a smaller room and serving girls came and went. “Eastland lashed the conscripts,” said Marie. “I am sorry, William, but he has already lashed your brothers once.” William’s face was hard as Annelle held him. “Sveta got your mother and father out,” said Marie. “They are here.”

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Two older people came in the room, and William hugged them as tears streamed down his face.

“Arelle,” said Marie, “Eastland had his two daughters lashed.” David came to his feet. Sonya came to her feet. Annelle came to her feet.

“Can you get them out, Marie?” asked Arelle.“Abbi, Aora, would you help me?” asked Marie.“We will,” said Abbi, and her face was hard.“I will go too,” said Annette.“I will also go,” said Arwen.“Arwen . . .,” said Arelle.“I am going,” said Arwen.“I am going too,” said Catharine, Cherise’s sister.“I grant you all leave to go,” said Arelle. “Take Gavin and John

with you.”“I am going too,” said Mayall.“If you are all going,” said Arelle, “then I am going with you.”“No, you aren’t,” said Mayall.“Mayall,” said Arelle, “I am the queen.”“You aren’t going,” said Mayall.Arelle looked at Abbi. “You aren’t going,” said Abbi.“You aren’t going, Arelle,” said Annette. “If we have to tie you down,

we will.”Arelle knelt. “As you wish, sisters,” said Arelle. “You will come back

to me?” Abbi and Mayall drew their swords in reply. They all left after dinner.

The next morning, Arelle was at breakfast when William came with his parents. Arelle was with Ari, and Arelle had her hand on Ari’s shoulder. “I wanted to thank you, Arelle,” said William. “My parents are safe.”

“Franklin,” said Arelle to William’s father, “I have a farm just outside of the city that needs someone to run it. Half of it raises sheep and half of it grows crops. Would you be willing to run the farm?”

“My lady,” said Franklin, “I know nothing of sheep.”“You will not be left there alone,” said Arelle. “I know that you are

a farmer, and this will give you something to do until you can go back home, and it will keep you close to William.”

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Chapter 10

Arelle stood before Captain May and his troops. The barracks compound had been finished, and every day, more and more of the men’s loved ones showed up. “All of your men volunteered?” asked Arelle

“Yes, Arelle,” said William. “They did.”Arelle walked toward the men, and she picked one at random. “Did

you volunteer?” asked Arelle.“Yes, my lady,” said the man.“My name is Arelle,” said Arelle.“Yes, Arelle,” said the man.“What is your name?” asked Arelle.“Patrick Johnson,” he said.“Are your loved ones out of Eastland?” asked Arelle.“They are,” said Patrick. “My son is only two.” He was standing at

attention and looked straight ahead, but he looked at Arelle. “Thank you so much, Arelle.”

“I will expect you tonight at the palace for dinner with your wife and son,” said Arelle. “Thank you, Private.”

Arelle went back to where Captain May was standing. David and Arabella came by, and Arabella was wearing the cross of St. George in blue. All the men began to cheer when they saw her. Arabella knelt before the men, and she lowered her head.

Annelle also came by, and she was wearing the blue cross. “Do you intend to fight?” asked Arelle.

“I do,” said Annelle. “I will not leave William’s side this side of death.”

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“Princess Annelle intends to fight with you!” yelled Arelle. “What say you?”

Ten thousand men knelt, and every one of them had his hand at his heart. Then they rose and cheered. Annelle also knelt before her people.

“Captain May,” said Arelle, “you are to take your men to the quartermaster. Your men all need to have a different tunic. Then you are to take them to the paymaster. They have already been authorized.” The men cheered again.

That night, Patrick, his wife, and son sat with Arelle and Ari at dinner. Patrick’s wife’s name was Elizabeth, and she was awestruck. “Here, Elizabeth,” said Arelle, “try this. You don’t have it in Eastland. This is cabbage, bacon, and onion.”

“Thank you, my lady,” said Elizabeth.“My name is Arelle,” said the queen.“I’m sorry,” said Elizabeth. “I’ve never met a queen before, and we

look so shabby.”“You look fine,” said Arelle. “Tell me, Patrick, do you know how

to read?”“No, Arelle,” said Patrick. “I don’t.”“We shall have to fix that,” said Arelle with a smile.Just then, Abbi came in and her tunic was covered with blood.

“Arelle,” said Abbi, “you need to come with me. David, Sonya, and Annelle, you need to come too.”

“I’ve got this, Mommy,” said Ari. “They will be my guests.”“Thank you, Ari,” said Arelle, and she quickly kissed her daughter

and left.Abbi took them to a room where doctors were working feverishly

on two girls. Both of the girls were princesses of Eastland, and besides being lashed, they had been beaten. The youngest was only ten.

“Abbi,” said Arelle, “you girls can go change.”“No,” said Abbi. “I promised Catharine I would not leave her.”“Arelle,” said a doctor, “the oldest girl will live, but the youngest

may not make it through the night.”Sonya went to her sister, and she caressed her face. “I’m dead, aren’t

I?” whispered the girl.“No, baby,” said Sonya. “You aren’t dead.”“I saw Mommy,” said Catharine. “She held out her arms to me.

There was so much light around her.” Sonya’s tears fell like rain on

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Catharine. Mayall came into the room, and she was also covered with blood. Father John was with her. Father John administered the last rites to Catharine.

“Help me up,” said the other girl. “I said help me up!” The other princess that had been beaten limped to her sister and took her face in her hands. “Open your eyes,” said the girl. “Look at me.”

“You have been all that I have had for the last two years,” she said. Blood dripped from her nose to Catharine. “I can’t do this without you.” Catharine sighed and she closed her eyes. A doctor put his hand on Catharine’s chest.

“She sleeps,” said the doctor. “Her heart still beats.”“Margarette,” said Sonya, “we need to get you back in bed.”“No,” said Margarette. “I will stay with Catharine.”“Princess,” said one of the doctors, “I need to work on your nose.

You are still bleeding.”Arelle sent for blankets, and no one left. There was always someone

on watch over Catharine. Arelle woke up in the morning, and Ari was cuddled up against her. Abbi sat on the bed with Catharine, and she fed Catharine some broth. “The son of a bitch broke her jaw,” said Abbi. “Catharine will not leave us, but it will be very hard for her. Margarette has a broken leg, and they broke her nose and a rib. Aora carried her and I carried Catharine.”

“You told me when they beat me that they did not intend to kill me,” said Arabella. “They meant to kill these girls.”

“They were beating them when we got there,” said Abbi. “We had to cut our way in, and we had to cut our way out. Eastland’s mistress was in charge. She is dead.”

Annette was feeding Margarette. They were the same age as Catharine, Cherise’s sister, who also sat on the bed. Arwen was with them. “When you’re up,” said Annette, “we will go to Holland. They have a fall festival, and the boys will be there.”

“Down, girls,” said Arelle. “Margarette has to heal first. Then you have to make her a warrior.”

“Arelle,” said Annette, “you can kiss boys at the same time.”“Annette,” said Arelle, “you are impossible.” But Arelle was smiling.Arelle left with Ari and Father John. “Things are getting bad in

Eastland,” said Father John. “Eastland has not spent any time preparing for winter.”

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“Can you hide wagons, Father John?” asked Arelle.“I can,” said Father John.“I will send food to them in the winter,” said Arelle“Arelle,” said Father John, “Abbi met with Paul d’Aine.”“Who is that?” asked Arelle.“Paul d’Aine was David’s executive officer. He now commands the

first regiment,” said Father John.“Does David know?” asked Arelle.“No,” said Father John. “Abbi will leave tomorrow to go back to

Eastland. Aora and Mayall will go with her.”“How much risk does Abbi take?” asked Arelle.“She risks her life,” said Father John. “She said it was her life to risk.”Arelle ran back to the room. “They have already gone,” said Annelle.

“Sonya went with them.”“Where are Annette, Catharine, and Arwen?” asked Arelle.“They are chasing boys,” said Annelle. Arelle smiled.“I want to meet with the queens now,” said Arelle. “I want Heidi

here. I want Marrah here, and I want Janette here.”Arelle met with all the queens and all the princesses of Garinn

that were there. Father John was also there. “I am taking the war to Eastland,” said Arelle. “We are going to bleed him like we did Penn. Heidi, send word to Erinne and Cherelle. Marrah, go to Anne in the mountain kingdoms. Janette, make sure that your people can go into Eastland.”

“I already have five thousand women that are serving girls and barmaids in Eastland,” said Janette. “I can do whatever I want in Eastland. Abbi is safe.”

“Is she?” asked Arelle.“Their boyfriends all went with them,” said Jennette. “Abbi is safe.

I promise you that. We’ve all spoken to her.”“Thank you, Janette,” said Arelle.“Father John,” said Arelle, “what would be the best way to distribute

food and clothing?”“Like we did with the money that you gave us,” said Father John,

“through the churches. We start with the outlying churches where it is the safest, and they take care of moving things where they should go. All of our churches have gone underground. Eastland burned the cathedral after we got the archbishop out.”

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“Eastland will come for us when winter breaks,” said Arelle. “I want us to be ready.”

Later, Arelle met with Captain May and Annelle. Two strong young lads were with them. They all wore a tunic with the cross of St. George in blue.

“Arelle,” said William, “thank you for getting my brothers out.”“You’re welcome,” said Arelle. “How are your lash marks healing?”

she asked.“They are getting better,” said the older brother, Patrick.“Patrick,” said Arelle, “you and Robert do not have to fight. You can

stay and work the farm with your parents.”“I beg your pardon, Arelle,” said Robert. “You weren’t there when

fifty thousand of us were lashed that day. Four hundred innocent men died. Eastland’s regulars raped women. Sometimes they torture them to death afterward. I have seen Princess Catharine with her jaw wired shut. Those are my people, and I will fight.”

“I want you all to know how very sorry I am,” said Arelle.“We know you are,” said Anne. “We also know that you will stop it.”A girl came into the room on crutches. She had a broken leg. “I

want to go too,” she said.“Margarette,” said Arelle, “there will not be enough time to make

you a warrior, and you are only sixteen.”“Arwen is only fourteen,” said Margarette. “Annette is only sixteen.

Catharine is only sixteen. St. Ange died when she was sixteen. St. Abrin died when she was sixteen. You are only twenty. I will go whether you train me or not.”

“Annelle?” asked Arelle.“Margarette has suffered as much or more than any other person in

Eastland,” said Annelle. “She has earned the right to go. William and I will train her personally. You will stay close to me in battle.”

“You can ride a horse with a broken leg,” said Arelle. “Take Margarette to the stables and get her a stallion. Get her a bow too. And get her an armor and a tunic.”

As summer came to an end, Arelle and Ari spent a week with Arinne and her family. They went to Southerbee and spent a week with Cherise. They stayed with Erinne for a week in Charlotte. They spent a week in the far north with the queens at Arelle’s northern place. They fished the

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fall fish run, and thousands of pounds of fish were smoked. Ari went on her first bear hunt, and they ate fresh bear steaks. They watched the leaves change color. The leaves of the maples were blood red. Then the first snowfall came in the far north, and Arelle and Ari went back to Au Claire. Arelle and Ari were hugged and kissed at every tavern that they stopped at and every inn that they stayed in. The people of Garinn loved their queen, and they loved Princess Ari.

Winter solstice came, and Arelle and Ari were in St. Gregory. They were there for a wedding. It was not a grand wedding. Only the bride and her family were there. Only the groom and his family were there. Arelle was there with Ari. Abbi was there with Phillipe. Aora was there with Richard, and Aora looked like she could have the baby at any moment. Mayall was there with Richard. Arabella was with David.

The bride was Annelle, and the groom was William. Annelle wore a simple white dress and no adornments. Her hair was unbound, and it hung to her waist. William wore the dress uniform of a simple soldier. They knelt before the archbishop of the church of St. George and received his blessing. Merille sang a song, and her voice soared. Then they had high mass, and Arelle took communion with the rest of the people. The couple said their vows, and the church bells began to peal.

Thousands of people were out in the streets and tents had been set up. The palace was well lit and warm, and thousands of Oroni were in it. Annelle raised William’s hand as they came in, and thousands of people cheered. The party lasted for three days.

Winter finally went, and Arelle stood at the battlements of the palace in the early spring breeze. “Are we ready, Mayall?” she asked.

“We are,” said Mayall. “We have been headed for this moment since you and I rode the heights. We have been headed for this moment since you and I took our first fishing trip. All the lands will unite under you. The only question is how much blood Eastland and Southwicke are willing to shed.”

“Mayall,” said Arelle, “there will be so much blood on my hands that I will be damned forever.”

“That blood is not of your choosing,” said Abbi. “We have always done right for our people. We have always done right for the people of our enemy. Arelle, most of Eastland’s people would be dead right now if

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you had not fed them. Erinne would be dead. Margarette and Catharine would be dead. We have found out who we are, Arelle. We have found out what we are. We have found that our people are strong. We have found that our people are free. We have found that our people will fight for that freedom, and they will fight for other people to be free. We fought for Penn. We fought for Southerbee. Now, we fight for Eastland.”

“I don’t want to kill that many people,” said Arelle, and she began to cry.

“No one does,” said Mayall, “unless you are Eastland or Southwicke. Come, let us go to dinner.”

The next day, Arelle met with seventeen thousand men. They all wore the cross of St. George in blue. “I grant you all one week’s leave,” said Arelle. “Go, be with your loved ones. We leave to take Eastland in two weeks.”

Men and women were streaming out of the northlands, and they all went south. Arelle spent the last night alone with Ari. “Mommy,” said Ari, “I know that you are the queen. I know that you are the queen of destiny. I know what you have to do. Please come back to me, Mommy.”

“I will try, Arelle,” said Arelle. “If I do not come back, know that I love you.”

“I know that, Mommy,” said little Arelle.“If I do not come back,” said Arelle, “you will be the queen of your

people. You will be a great queen.” Arelle held her daughter all night long.

The next morning, Arelle faced twenty-seven thousand warriors, and they cheered. The archbishop of the church of St. George and the archbishop of the free territories both blessed Arelle as she knelt. They rode out of the city five abreast, and Arelle rode with Mayall, Abbi, Aora, and Heidi. They rode south at a run, and the horses ran all day. They reached Charlotte the next night, and signal fires had been lit. Erinne joined them with ten thousand women, and they rode south. They reached the mountain, and they rode over the pass. Twenty thousand of the warriors of the mountain kingdoms joined them, and Arelle hugged Arinne and Anne. They reached Southerbee, and they stopped to rest and eat. Cherise had the whole plain ready outside of the city for them, and food was cooking. They rode west the next morning, and Cherise rode with ten thousand of her people. They rode west for two days. They met Morton on a great bowl of the plain of the river

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Raisin. Arelle rode out with twenty thousand warriors. She met Morton with a small party.

“I have a hundred and ten thousand people,” said Morton. “You have twenty thousand. If you surrender now, I guarantee that your death will be quick.”

“If it is all the same to you,” said Arelle, “I would prefer to die slow.”“We outnumber you five to one,” said Morton.“So it would seem,” said Arelle.Morton looked at David. “You are a coward,” said Morton. “You

might as well leave the battlefield now. You will not fight.”“Okay,” said David, and he rode over the hill.“You fight with women, and you fight with cowards,” said Morton.

“You are outnumbered, and you will all die.”“The manner of my death is my choosing,” said Arelle. “It is not

yours. Go back to your men. Prepare for battle. I ask for no quarter and I will give you none. I do have one question, though.”

“Ask it,” said Morton.“Where is your king?” asked Arelle.“The king does not fight,” said Morton. “Unlike you, we have a

professional army.”“Our queens do,” said Arelle. “There are eight queens of the free

territories here today. I am one of them. My name is Arelle.”“Then you will die this day, Queen,” said Morton. “You are

outnumbered, and you are women. Prepare to die.” Morton went back to his people.

“That went well,” said Mayall.Morton sent fifty thousand soldiers on foot “That is a lot of men,”

said Aora.“Don’t worry, Aora,” said Abbi. “I won’t let you get raped.”“I would think that rape would be a blessing at this point in time,”

said Anne.“Hold the lines!” screamed Arelle. “Dammit, hold the lines!”The men advanced on Arelle’s forces, and they were almost there

when Abbi screamed. “Hold! All of you hold!”“Abbi,” said Arelle.“Trust me,” said Abbi.“Abbi,” said Arelle.

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“Trust me, Arelle,” said Abbi. The men sheathed their swords and marched in between Arelle’s ranks. The last man kissed Abbi. “Paul, everything is as you asked,” said Abbi. “You will sit this one out.”

“Thank you, Abbi,” said Paul d’Aine.“Abbi,” said Arelle, “what did you just do?”“Paul and I had a deal,” said Abbi. “We never hit the first regiment,

and we never hit the last group of draftees. They are all behind us now. There are wagons that have tunics waiting for them. If we need them, they are there.”

“Abrin,” said Arelle.“We have work to do, Arelle,” said Abbi. “Morton moves his forces.”Morton had fifty thousand men left, and they formed a circle. They

had logs that were twenty feet long, and they held them out to face the horses. The logs were sharpened, and their only purpose was to impale horses. Arelle held up her sword, and they charged. They wheeled to the right just out of the range of Morton’s ten thousand archers, and they rode around the circle counterclockwise. Every woman rose in the saddle and let loose an arrow. Thousands of Morton’s archers died, and men that were manning the poles died too. Ten thousand more warriors joined them and they rode in a great circle around Morton, firing arrows.

Seventeen thousand warriors rode over the rise, and they wore the cross of St. George in blue. David led them as they thundered down on Morton and joined the circle. Annelle, Sonya, and Margarette were there, and they shot arrow after arrow.

By now, Arelle and her people were out of arrows, and they broke off. They rode hard to their own lines where tripods had been set up in rows, by the thousands. Each tripod had four quivers of arrows on it, and the warriors threw their empty ones down and grabbed a full one. Men turned the tops of the tripods as the riders thundered past. By now, twenty thousand more men had joined the circle. They were Greer’s men from Athabasca. Greer and Marie led them. Aora and Richard broke off to join them. Abbi and Phillipe stayed with Arelle, and fifty thousand men wearing the blue cross of St. George cheered them on.

Arelle and her people rejoined the circle, and Arelle could see Marissa’s people coming from one direction and Catharine’s people coming from another. “There is a breach!” screamed Mayall, and she pointed. There was a spot where enough of the men holding the poles

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were dead and there was a gap. Arelle thundered through the gap. Mayall rode to her right, and Abbi rode to her left. Cherise, Erinne, Anne, and the witch queen of the mountain were right behind her. Arinne rode with Anne.

Arelle’s horse bulled his way into men, and so did Mayall’s big red stallion. Arelle and Mayall carved a path in blood. Abbi and Phillipe were right with them, and Annette, Catharine, and Arwen joined them.

Arelle’s people formed a wedge, and they cut their way even deeper into Morton’s men as more warriors appeared and came through the breach. Danielle’s men now joined them. Morton’s exterior defense was gone, and Arelle’s forces went over Morton’s like a tidal bore.

David took an arrow high in the shoulder, and he went down. Arabella got off of her horse, and she stood over him like a lioness. Arelle carved her way toward them, and she slid off of her horse. “I have your back, Ara,” said Arelle. Anne and Abbi joined her, and the bodies piled up around them.

David struggled to his feet. “Break the arrow,” said David.“What?” said Arabella.“I said break the arrow,” said David. “Break the arrow and pull it

out. I can’t fight with it sticking out like this.” Arabella snapped the arrow and pulled it out of David.

Theresa’s people poured through the breach just as Mayall went down. Arelle stood over her. “I’m okay, Arelle,” said Mayall. “I just slipped on some blood.”

“We are going to end this,” said Arelle.Arelle, Mayall, Abbi, and Aora cut their way toward Morton. “You

can end this now,” said Arelle. “I have had more warriors than you since the beginning. They are better than your people. How many more of your people do you want to die?”

“Die, bitch,” said Morton, and he came at Arelle. He grabbed her by the hair, but instead of pulling away, she gave him a head butt. She broke his nose and several teeth. Blood ran down his face. The sword of St. Ange slid into his belly.

“Your time is done,” said Arelle. “The time of your king is done. A new age dawns. I promise that I will put your name on your grave. I promise that your widow will be treated well. If either of your sons are alive, they will be treated well.” Arelle ripped upward, and the battle

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was done. Arelle went down on one knee. Mayall’s hand was on Arelle’s shoulder, and both of them were covered in blood and gore.

Arelle sighed, and she rose. “We have things we have to do, Mayall. Where is Abbi?”

“I’m here,” said Abbi. “Paul’s men have taken control of the prisoners. Only five thousand of them live. We start to dig graves.”

“How many of our people died?” asked Arelle.“We lost ten thousand people,” said Abbi. Arelle went down on her

knees, and she wept.“You said that from now on, war would be a terrible thing,” said

Anne, the Witch Queen of the Mountain. “You were right, but we cannot change that. Come, Arelle, you need to get cleaned up, and we have things that we need to attend to. You too, Mayall.” They set up a tent where Arelle could take a bath in hot water. Marissa came in. Annette was with her.

“We bury our dead,” said Marissa. “We will bury our dead first, and then we will bury theirs.”

“I promised Morton that I would mark his grave,” said Arelle.“I heard you,” said Abbi. “I did that.”“You need to eat,” said Marissa. “I have a bowl of stew for you. Let

Angie wash your hair, and I will feed you.”“Marissa,” said Arelle, “seventy thousand people died today. They

died because of me.”“No, they didn’t, Arelle,” said Marissa. “They died in spite of you.

If it were up to you, how many of our people would have died?”“None,” said Arelle.“If it were up to you, how many of Eastland’s men would have

died?”“None,” said Arelle“You told me that Eastland would decide how many people would

die,” said Marissa. “You were right.”Marrah came into the tent. “I’m sorry, Arelle,” she said. “Arwen

just died.”Arelle leaped out of the tub, and she ran with nothing but a robe

on her. Arwen was lying on an operating table, and blood still ran from her mouth. Arelle held the face of her sister.

“There is nothing that you can do for her, Great Queen,” said a voice. Arelle turned to look at six sisters of St. Maud. They were all in

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black, and the only thing that Arelle could see were their eyes. “She belongs to us now.”

Arelle went down on her knees and cried as the sisters of St. Maud took Arwen’s body. Annette came, and she held Arelle through the night as Arelle cried.

Arelle rose in the morning, and her face was hard. “Half of us will be burial detail,” said Arelle. “Half of us will ride on to Eastland. David, you will ride at my right hand. It is your time. Mayall, come to me when you are done with your task.”

Mayall hugged Arelle, and Arelle left. Arelle rode with seventy thousand warriors behind her. The first seventeen thousand wore the blue cross of St. George. They entered the outlands of Eastland and rode by farms. The outlanders lined the road, and they threw roses in front of Arelle, who had David, Annelle, and Sonya at her right hand, and Abbi at her left hand. They rode on all day, and they camped on a farm where Father John knew the family. In the morning, they set off again for the capital, and on the afternoon of the third day, they arrived and camped outside the city of Clio. Arelle went to the palace with ten thousand men that all wore a blue cross of St. George. David and Arabella rode together. Annelle and William rode together. Sonya rode next to Abbi, and the queens of the free territories followed them. Men, women, and children lined the streets, but they were silent, and they knelt as Arelle rode by. Her face was hard.

They arrived at the palace. Arelle went in, followed by the queens and the princesses, and David was at her right hand. They went to the throne room, where they found Eastland. “Your time is done,” said Arelle. “Your kingdom is mine.”

“Morton will take care of you when he comes,” said Eastland as he rose from the throne.

“Morton is dead,” said Arelle. “I killed him myself.”“Oh, come now,” said Eastland. “A queen that fights?”“All of our queens fight,” said Arelle. “All of our princesses fight.”“Let us see if you are any good,” said Eastland as he drew his blade.He took a tremendous cut at Arelle, who blocked it. “You move

your hands too much, Eastland,” said Arelle. “You will not last long in a battle.”

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Eastland cut at Arelle again, and Arelle went down on her knees as she blocked his blade, and then she snapped his sword. “Get another one,” said Arelle. “I will wait.”

“Give me your sword,” said Eastland to David. “A coward does not need a sword.”

The next time that Eastland came at Arelle, the sword went skittering back to David on the floor, and Eastland held his wrist. “You aren’t fit to even carry David’s sword,” hissed Arelle.

Eastland rushed toward Arelle and picked her up in a bear hug. Arelle gave him a head butt, and she broke his nose and some teeth. His arms opened involuntarily.

Arelle threw down her sword. She spun and kicked Eastland so hard in the face that he was stunned, and then Arelle slammed her palms on his ears, and he began to bleed from the ears. Then she broke his throat with her elbow. “You have two minutes to live,” said Arelle. “Know that the only thing decent that you have ever done in your life was to have the children that you do not deserve. Go to your wife and beg for her forgiveness.” Arelle held him by the hair and watched his eyes as the light went out. Her eyes were like steel, and they were unforgiving.

Arelle rose, and she went to a balcony. Several thousand people waited in the large courtyard. “The king is dead,” said Arelle. “Your nightmare is over. You are a free people now. As soon as the rest of your princesses are here, we will crown David king.” The people all cheered.

“I want this throne melted,” said David. “I will not sit on it, and I want the gold given to the church.”

“I will handle it,” said Abbi. “Gavin and John will be here tomorrow or the next day with the wagons.”

“Thank you, Abbi,” said David.“Come,” said Arelle, “we need to go to the cathedral.”The cathedral was a burned down wreck, and it was open to the sky,

but seventeen thousand men wearing the blue cross of St. George were already cleaning up. The archbishop was with them, and he cried at the sight. “Father,” said Arelle as she knelt, “I have so much blood on my hands that I will be damned for a thousand lifetimes.”

“Arelle,” said the archbishop, “you have always fought for people who could not fight for themselves. You helped my people live through the winter when their own king would not help them. Fifty thousand

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more men are alive because of you and Abrin. As far as the church is concerned, you are already a saint, Great Queen.”

Arelle knelt, and the archbishop administered the blessing of the church of St. George on her. Arelle still wore the armor that was stained with the blood of Eastland.

Arelle went to the tent she shared with Abbi, and they ate trail rations. The next morning, great wagons began to arrive, and the great mess tents were set up. Abbi and Arelle had breakfast with David and Arabella. David’s shoulder was bandaged, and Arabella caressed him lightly.

“Phillipe should be here today,” said Abbi. “He brings Catharine, Ari, and Merille. Annette rode in with Arinne and Catharine this morning. Theresa’s people will bring the rest of your sisters. Mayall and the rest of your army will be here tomorrow. Aora and Richard are somewhere in between, and Heidi and Marrah are with them.”

“Come, Abbi,” said Arelle. “Let us walk the streets and steer people here so they can be fed.”

“We will go with you,” said David.“We will go too,” said Annelle. She had just arrived with William.“Eat first, Annelle,” said Arelle. “We are in no hurry anymore.”They went out into the streets, and people were coming and going

about their business. People knelt before Arelle, and she hugged all of them when they rose. David and Annelle hugged their people. Thousands of people followed them as they went to the palace. David went to the balcony. “My people,” said David, “seventeen thousand of our people have come here with the queen. She has gotten every one of their loved ones out of Eastland, and they live in Au Claire. The first regiment under Paul d’Aine lives, and with them are fifty thousand of my father’s last conscripts. All of them swear to fight for Arelle. They will be here tomorrow, and you will have all of your sons back.” A great cheer went up from the crowd.

Arelle was walking the streets with Abbi and looking at all the people, who now had more hope than they had in years. They came across a woman that was way out of place. She wore the black hood and cowl of the sisters of St. Maud. “Sister,” said Arelle, “what are you doing here?”

“I came to deliver this,” said the nun. “The abbess summons you to the tower on the night of the winter solstice.”

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“Tell the abbess that I will be there,” said Arelle. “Please take this for your troubles.” Arelle gave her a small bag of gold coins.

“You are most generous,” said the sister. “We are a very poor order, and this will help a lot.”

“Tell me, Great Queen,” said the woman. “Can you get us an audience with the king?”

“Us?” asked Arelle.“There are five of us here,” said the nun.“We can go find David now,” said Arelle, and four more sisters

appeared. People stared at them and whispered or pointed. Many of them turned the heads of their children. They found David and Arabella in the cathedral amid organized chaos.

“What are you doing in this place, witch?” asked one of the workmen.

“She serves the same God that you do,” said Arelle. “That will be enough from you.”

The archbishop himself came over with Father John. “I extend to you the hospitality of my church,” said the archbishop. “You have traveled a long way. Have you eaten?”

“We have, Holy Father,” said the nun.“Are you staying for the coronation?” asked Father John.“We are,” said the sister.“What would you have of me?” asked David.“We know that Eastland is dead,” said the nun. “We were hoping

that under your rule, it would be safe for the sisters of St. Maud in Eastland.”

“It shall be, sister,” said David. “Why?”“Because there are about a hundred of us that are from here,” said

the nun, and she took off her cowl. It was David’s cousin, Cherie. The rest of the women also took off their cowls. They were all young women. Father John knew them all. “The abbess has instructed that we are to no longer wear the cowls. Too many people think that we are witches, and we are not. We will be away from the tower more, and the abbess does not want us to suffer for tales and rumors.”

Just then, there was a great crash. A huge block of stone had fallen on the workman that had called Cherie a witch, and his leg was ripped wide open and his blood was spraying everywhere. Cherie took her cape off, and she wrapped her belt around the man’s leg. She pulled the belt

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tight, and the blood stopped spraying. One of the sisters lifted the man’s head, and gave him something to drink. The man passed out. As the man passed out, Cherie put a band around her head that had several sets of lenses on it, and she flipped the first set down.

Cherie cut his pant leg off and exposed a gash that went all the way to the bone, and then she flipped another set of lenses down. She grabbed something in the gash and pulled it. “Clamp it, Anne,” said Cherie. “Rose, while I am looking for the other end, thread me a number five needle and a number three needle.”

“Oh shit,” said another sister. “His heart stopped. Andrea and I are on it.”

One sister began to pump on his chest, and the other sister began to blow air into his mouth. “What are they doing”?” asked Father John, who didn’t know whether or not to give the man the last rites.

“Julie is being his heart right now,” said Rose. “Andrea is breathing for him. We can keep him alive for quite a while by doing this.”

Cherie was now sewing intently, and after a bit, she said, “I’m going to release the clamps.” She released the clamps and the belt and looked intently into the wound. “He doesn’t seem to be leaking.” The man gave a gasp and started to breathe on his own.

“His heart is working again,” said Julie.“I’m going to close him up now,” said Cherie, and she expertly

closed the wound and wrapped it with a bandage. She gently slapped the man, and he opened his eyes.

“You don’t feel any pain because we gave you something for it,” said Cherie. “I am going to give you some more, and it should keep you pain-free for about twelve hours, but you will want to sleep. We will come and see you tomorrow. You will be weak for a while. You lost a lot of blood. And one more thing, don’t you ever call me a witch again.”

“Thank you, sister,” whispered the man.“You aren’t witches,” said another man. “You are healers. I have

never seen a doctor do what you did.”“Arwen was the only one you took from the battlefield,” said Arelle.

“Arwen isn’t dead, is she?”“No,” said Cherie. “She isn’t. We started working on her the second

we were out of your sight, even before we left the battlefield.”“When were you going to tell me?” asked Arelle.

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“When you came to the tower,” said Cherie. “Arwen has to serve for a year, and then she will be home. She is well, but she intends to serve for a year.”

“How come you aren’t in every town, village, and city throughout the land?” asked Arabella.

“We are a very poor order,” said Cherie. “The fact of the matter is the tower is the only building we own, and the local people like to spread rumors because they don’t want any of us to leave.”

“If there are a hundred of you that are from Eastland, would you be willing to come here?” asked Arabella.

“My lady,” said Cherie. “We are a poor order.”“My name is Arabella,” said Arabella. “And that isn’t what I

asked you.”“I will take your question back to the abbess,” said Cherie. “But I

don’t see how we can.”“There was a convent out back,” said the archbishop. “Eastland had

them all killed. “Two hundred of you could live there easily. You can have it.”

“Archbishop!” exclaimed Cherie.“I will pay to make it livable,” said Arelle. “I will pay for whatever

changes you need to make in the building.”“Great Queen!” exclaimed Cherie.“The life of my sister is worth all the money in the world,” said

Arelle. “Tell your abbess that life just changed for the sisters of St. Maud.”

“Tell your abbess that I will pay for all of your moving expenses,” said Arabella.

“There is one thing that I would like,” said Cherie. “I would like to get clean, and a beer isn’t a bad idea either.”

“We will meet you in one hour at the mess tents,” said Arelle. Word spread like wildfire from the cathedral about the sisters of St. Maud.

Arelle met the sisters of St. Maud at the mess tents, and all of them were with family that smiled. They sat down to a happy meal together, and they were talking and laughing. A woman then came up to them with her daughter. The girl had one leg that was atrophied, and she walked with a crutch. The girl could not have been more than seven or eight, and both mother and daughter were dressed in rags. “Please,

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great lady,” said the woman to Cherie, and she knelt in the dirt, “help my daughter. You can have my life.”

“Contrary to popular belief,” said Cherie, “we do not do human sacrifice.” Cherie got out of her chair, and she knelt and looked the little girl in the eyes.

“My name is Cherie,” she said. “What is your name?”“I am Jenna,” said the little girl.“How old are you, Jenna?” asked Cherie.“I’m eight,” said Jenna.“Have you eaten, Jenna?” asked Cherie.“We don’t have any money,” said Jenna.“I’m on it,” said Julie. “Come on, Anne.”“Food is free here,” said Cherie. “You and your mommy will eat

with us, and then I will look at you.”“What is your name?” Arelle asked the girl’s mother.“My name is Laurie, my lady,” said the woman.“Laurie,” said Arelle, “my name is Arelle. It is not and never has

been ‘my lady’.”Julie and Anne came back with bowls of stew. “This is a biscuit with

honey,” said Arelle. “My daughter likes them, and so will you.” Laurie and her daughter ate a second bowl of stew.

“I am not the expert at what has to be done,” said Cherie. “I am a surgeon. Rose is the one that knows what we have to do.”

“Arelle, do you have a blacksmith?” asked Rose.“I do,” said Arelle.“Is he really, really good?” asked Rose.“He is the best there is,” said Arelle.“I need him to make me some things,” said Rose. “Jenna, we are

going to put braces on your legs. That will let you walk without the crutches, but it will be really, really hard. The thing is, you need to walk without the crutches. It will hurt, but I can give you something for the pain. As you grow, you will need several operations, and Cherie will perform them. “You need to be brave,” said Rose. “One day, I promise you, you will run like the wind.”

“Thank you, great lady,” said Jenna.“Don’t thank me yet,” said Rose. “I am sure that there will be days

when you would think that I am the very devil.”“Laurie,” said Arelle, “where do you live?”

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“We live under a bridge,” said Laurie. “I don’t work that much. Jenna needs a lot of my attention.”

“Sally is here,” said Arabella. “I’ll be right back.” Arabella was back in five minutes with Sally Bight and Gavin.

“Whether your people decide to or not,” said Sally to Cherie “I am taking over the abbey today. I have a thousand girls here, and we have been making gowns. We are done with that. You will live in the abbey. Laurie, I am not asking you. Arelle, I need a few moments of your time for the final fitting.”

“Right after we eat,” said Arelle. “Ari should be here later today. Is her gown done?”

“It is,” said Sally. “Megan will do her hair. I will do yours.”“Are you a great lady?” asked Jenna.“No,” said Sally. “I just have good friends.”“Ara,” said Sally to Arabella, “I need you too. Both of your gowns are

done. Abbi, both of yours are done too. Where are Aora and Mayall?”“They will be here soon,” said Arelle.“I need to see them when they get here,” said Sally. “Abbi, I got your

letter, and I bought a house in Glennie.”“What is in Glennie?” asked Arelle.“Hundreds of widows and orphans,” said Sally. “Eastland had a

particular hatred for the area. Abbi and Aora have been there several times. I have only been there once. Cherie, if you could send word to your abbess, those people could use a team of your people.”

“I will,” said Cherie. “But how do you know of my order?”“I have a sister,” said Sally. “Her name is Faith. She is a sister of St.

Maud. Abbi, Aora, and Mayall have been most generous to Faith.”A great shout arose from the people as another group rode up, and

Ari threw herself into Arelle’s arms. Arelle picked up Ari and hugged her and kissed her. “Mommy, I have missed you so,” said Ari.

“I have missed you too,” said Arelle. “I wrote every day. Did you get the letters?”

“I did,” said Ari. “But it isn’t the same.” Arelle kissed her daughter.“This is my daughter,” said Arelle, and she introduced little Arelle

to the people that she did not know. Mayall and Aora came up to them. Arelle hugged both of them, and they sat down to eat. Aora sat with Richard, and she had a baby with her.

“Can I hold Abbi?” asked Arelle. “She’s so beautiful.”

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“You can hold her,” said Aora. “But don’t let her drool all over you. She’s teething.”

Ari sat down next to Jenna. “I am Arelle,” said Ari. “And you are?”“I am Jenna, Great Princess,” said Jenna. She tried to kneel, and she

fell in the dirt. Ari helped her up.“Don’t ever do that again,” said Ari. “My mother does not allow

people to kneel before her, and I don’t either. My mother is the great queen of the northern lands. I am an orphan that was adopted. I love my mother. You are no different.” Arelle smiled, and she caressed Ari.

“Have you eaten, Ari?” asked Arelle.“No, Mommy,” said Ari.“We have stew,” said Arelle. “We have biscuits with honey.”The next morning dawned bright and clear. Arelle and Ari slept

together in a tent, cuddled up in a blanket. “Today will be a long day,” said Arelle. “You need to be patient today. You need to be a princess today. I have things that I have to do.”

“I know, Mom,” said Ari. “I know who you are, and I know what you are. I will be okay.”

“I love you, Arelle,” said Arelle.“I love you too, Mommy,” said Ari. “We will get through today.”

Arelle held her daughter.At eight, they were in the cathedral. Hundreds of people were there.

Arelle stood at an altar, and the archbishop stood next to her. Ari sat with the queens of the free territories, and the sisters of St. Maud sat with them.

“Eastland is free,” said Arelle. “Your people will be free forever. You have paid the price in blood and sorrow.” Arelle was in a magnificent white gown, and she wore a golden crown.

“This day, you join the free territories,” said Arelle. “This day, you have a new king. I ask David Andrew Eastland to come before me.” David came, wearing the simple armor of a soldier. The cross of St. George was on his tunic in blue.

“Would you be the king of your people?” asked Arelle.“I would,” said David.“This I charge you with,” said Arelle. “You will protect your people

and keep them safe.”“I will,” said David.“You will do so even at the cost of your life,” said Arelle.

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“I will,” said David.“Even though you are king,” said Arelle, “your people are a free

people.”“They are,” said David.“I ask the blessing of the church,” said Arelle, and the archbishop

arose. Cherie rose with him. David, Arabella, and Arelle took communion. The archbishop blessed Arelle, and then he blessed David and Arabella.

Marianne Du Shon and Merille Eastland came to the balcony, and the great organ in the cathedral began to play. Their voices soared in harmony as they sang one of the great songs of the church. Merille smiled at Arelle as they finished. My, how she has blossomed thought Arelle, and she squeezed Ari’s hand.

Father John rose, and he went up to the great pulpit. “This is a great day for the people of Eastland,” he said. “But it is also a great day for all who believe in our God. There are great queens among us today. There are great warriors among us today. It is proper that we thank them and thank those who have died to bring us to this day.”

“Their great deeds will be remembered forever,” said Father John. “But it is more than their great deeds that got us to this day. I remember the day when a simple warrior girl came to me and gave me a bag of golden coins. ‘Protect your people,’ she said, ‘I will help you.’ She has been like a young lioness for our people, and I would ask that Princess Abrin Thoms stand.” Abbi stood to great cheers.

“There is a great queen,” said Father John. “She is the greatest queen that we have ever known. But she took the time to talk to a simple parish priest who was not of her own faith. She took in our people and succored them. She loved us like we were her own. She fed our people when our own king wouldn’t. She united the free territories that we join today. I give you, Arelle, Queen of all of our people.”

Arelle squeezed Ari’s hand one more time, and she went to the pulpit. Arelle was a magnificent creature in white, and the diamonds and gems in her hair shone in contrast to the crown of St. Ange.

“Our history has been written in blood,” said Arelle. “We have almost finished writing all of the chapters. The time when men are ripped from their families is done. The time when men and women are lashed is done. There are princesses here that bear lash marks. No king or queen will ever do that again. I charge you, free people of Eastland,

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to keep that oath that I make today.” Arelle had to stop as the people rose and cheered.

Arelle looked at Ari. “We have so many widows and orphans,” she said. “Take them into your heart and love them. Too many children in Eastland have lost their fathers. The sisters of St. Maud will open a shelter here for women and children. Cherie Eastland will not go back to the tower. She will stay here for a while.” Cherie rose and went to Arelle. She was a beautiful girl, and she wore the simple black cape of the sisters of St. Maud. She knelt before the queen, and when she rose, Arelle hugged her.

“Our time of suffering is done,” said Arelle. “My armies will stay in Eastland as long as they are needed to work the land and rebuild.”

“I now require David Andrew Eastland to come to me,” said Arelle. David came with his sisters at his side.

Arelle drew her sword. “This is the blade of St. Ange,” she said as she held it aloft. “It is the blade of a free people. Please kneel, David.”

“In the name of St. Ange,” said Arelle. “In the name of St. Catharine, St. Anne, and St. George, I name you king of Eastland. Rise sir, and greet your people.” Church bells began to ring.

David rose to cheers, and he went to the podium. Wearing the plain tunic of a common soldier, he faced his people. “The times of our fathers are done,” said David. “I hold a treaty with the queens of the free territories and I sign it in the name of my people. We are all one people now, united under the banner of Arelle Henne. Long live the queen!”

There were great celebrations throughout the lands that day, but Arelle changed into a warrior’s garb and went to several places with the sisters of St. Maud and Ari. The first person they visited was the workman that Cherie saved. An awestruck woman opened her door to find herself facing Arelle. “We are here to check on your husband,” said Arelle.

“Has he been conscious?” asked Cherie.“He comes and he goes,” said the woman.“Have you fed him anything?” asked Cherie.“No,” said the woman. “He hasn’t been awake long enough.”“You need to feed him rich food,” said Cherie. “His body will burn

up a lot as it tries to heal. Give him a teaspoon of this every day.” Cherie gave the woman a bottle. “This will help build up his blood.”

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“People think that we are witches because we spend so much time looking for things that heal people,” said Cherie. She pulled off the blanket and looked at the man’s leg.

“You will have to change the dressing on his leg every day,” said Cherie. “You need to make sure that it does not turn red and swell. If you see red streaks on his legs, you are to go to the palace immediately. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, great lady,” said the woman. “I do.”“I am not any great lady,” said Cherie. “I am a sister of St. Maud.

Make sure that the dressing never gets wet. If he is in pain, make tea from this.” Cherie gave the woman a bag. “You cannot give him enough of this that it will hurt him.”

“I cannot pay you,” said the woman.“You and your husband will serve St. Maud for a year,” said Cherie.“My lady, we can’t,” said the woman.“You can,” said Arelle, and she put five gold pieces in the woman’s

hand and folded up her fingers.“Great Queen,” said the woman, “my husband wouldn’t make that

much in two years.”“I know,” said Arelle. “You owe the sisters of St. Maud a year. Then

you owe it to yourselves to be happy.”“We will be back tomorrow,” said Cherie. “We will change his

dressings every day for the first week. Then you will have to do it for probably three or four more weeks, after which I will take his stitches out.”

They went to the abbey, and there they found Sally Bight with Paul d’Aine. He was there with ten thousand men. The inside of the abbey had been cleaned and repaired, and they were working on the outside. Great wagons were bringing firewood and food. “I have already hired a kitchen staff,” said Sally. “We have already taken in seventeen widows who were homeless. We have twenty-six children here between the ages of one and sixteen, and I haven’t even been here for a day.”

“Sally,” said Arelle, “this abbey might not be big enough.”“That is exactly what I was thinking, Arelle,” said Sally.“Well, if we have to build,” said Arelle, “we have to build.”“Cherie,” said Sally, “I moved Laurie and Jenna here this morning.

They are waiting to see you.”“Thank you, Sally,” said Cherie. “Where are they?”“Right this way,” said Sally. Arelle went with them.

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“I’m sorry it took us so long to get here,” said Cherie. “There was a man that was hurt quite badly yesterday that we had to check on. Have you had lunch yet?”

“Sally had the kitchen staff make cabbage soup and beef for us,” said Laurie. “It was a lot better than Jenna and I have been eating.”

“I’m sorry,” said Sally. “It was so much harder for us to smuggle food into the capital.”

“Okay, little princess,” said Cherie. “This is what is going to happen. A very nice man is making you braces today and tomorrow. When the braces are done, I will have to put some pins into your legs. You will be asleep, and it will not hurt. Your braces will be adjustable, and we will straighten your leg bones a little at a time. That will not hurt you. The hard part will be to make all of your leg muscles strong as they come into alignment. You will have to work with Rose every day at therapy. It will hurt, but you have the heart of a warrior, and you will be stronger than you know. In the meantime, your job is to eat and get used to living here.”

“Laurie,” said Cherie, “tomorrow you will see Anne, and she will start to fix your teeth. You have too many of them that are broken and crooked. You are too pretty not to have a pretty smile.”

Mayall walked into the room. “I did as you asked and sent runners to the tower. The abbess has sent you word.”

“We are to stay here,” said Cherie. “And the abbess sends two more teams. Sally, Faith is in one of those teams. The abbess also said thank you, Arelle. What did you do?”

“I told you that the life of the sisters of St. Maud was about to change,” said Arelle. “Mayall, Abbi, Aora, Arabella, and I made a sizable donation to the sisters of St. Maud.”

“The simple fact is that we need the sisters of St. Maud,” said Arelle. “There aren’t enough good healers in the free territories. I’m hoping your order will grow, and I wrote the abbess a letter to that effect.”

“Are you going to the coronation ball tonight?” asked Arelle.“No,” said Cherie. “There is too much that we have to do here. We

have to examine all the new people. We have to get settled in, and we have to see what changes we need to make to the abbey.”

“Hopefully, I will see you tomorrow,” said Arelle. Then she, Ari, and Mayall left. They went to the mess tent for lunch.

That night, they went to the coronation ball, and Arelle and Ari wore magnificent gowns, as did Arabella. The king was in white dress

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uniform, and Arelle sat at his right hand. All the queens of the free territories were there, and they all sat with David and Arabella. All the princesses sat at their own tables, and Ari sat with Abbi and Mayall. The archbishop gave the blessing and serving people began to serve the feast.

Sally Bight had taken over the palace kitchens, and the meal was tremendous, but David noticed that some of the serving girls were leaving the room. “Arelle, is there another banquet going on?” asked David.

“Not that I know of,” said Arelle. She, David, and Arabella stood and walked out of the room. Sally Bight had brought all the people that were in the abbey, and she was feeding them in a separate room.

“This will not do,” said David.“I’m sorry, David,” said Sally. “I thought that you wouldn’t mind

if I fed them.”“You misunderstand, Sally,” said David. “These are my people. They

will eat with us, and they will enjoy the evening with us. I want these people moved now.”

They began to move the hundred or so people that were in the room, and they set up more tables in the grand ballroom. “Father John,” said David as he rose, “some of our guests have arrived late. Would you be so kind as to say the blessing again so we can do this right?” Arelle noticed that Ari had moved to another table. She was now sitting with Jenna and Laurie. Rose, Anne, and Cherie sat with them.

Marianne Du Shon went up to the balcony during dinner. “I leave for a tour tomorrow,” she said. “I want to thank all of you who have helped me get out of Eastland and helped me with my music.” She sang a haunting song about home and the mountains, and her voice filled the hall. There wasn’t a person eating while she sang, and they all rose to their feet when she sang the last note.

There was a great crash to the right of Arelle. A serving girl accidentally dumped a tray on Mayall. Mayall stood up, and the food ran down her dress.

“Just once,” said Mayall, “just one time I would like to wear a gown and not have something happen.” Mayall stopped, took a deep breath, and held up her hand to the serving girl.

“Accidents happen,” said Mayall. “You are just doing your job. At least this time, no one’s life hangs in the balance. I need to go change. Richard, I will be back.”

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Chapter 11

The next morning, Arelle and Ari went to the mess tents and had pancakes for breakfast. “Come on, Ari,” said Arelle. “We have to get into our gowns, and we have to have our hair done.”

At eleven in the morning, Arelle and Ari were in the great cathedral, and they were being waited on as they got ready. At noon, the ceremony began. Every queen of the free territories was escorted down the aisle. And every queen wore a gown that was more magnificent than the one worn by the queen before her. Arelle went last, and she was absolutely stunning. She walked down the aisle with Father John, and she knelt before the archbishop and took communion.

Then David came down the aisle escorted by the witch queen of the mountain. He wore a simple warrior’s tunic, and she wore an armor and the cross of St. Ange.

Then came Arabella. She was dressed in the simple peasant dress of her homeland, and her hair was in a ponytail. She wore no jewelry or makeup. The archbishop of the church of the free territories escorted her, and he wore magnificent red robes.

Arabella Dayne, who used to be a vain pompous woman, took the hand of the king of Eastland. The woman that she used to be was dead, and her eyes shone as she took her husband’s hand. She was now one of the queens of the free territories, and she knelt before the archbishop of the church of St. George and took communion with her husband. Church bells pealed throughout the free territories as she rose and kissed her husband. The parties lasted for a week.

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Summer came and summer went, and the armies of the free territories labored in Eastland. The crops were planted late, but they were bountiful. Arelle rode with Ari every day, and the people of Eastland loved the queen and the princess. Another abbey was built next to the one behind the cathedral. Abbi and Arabella were both pregnant now. Merille joined Marianne on tour. Ari walked every day with Jenna, and she bought Jenna a pony.

Arelle left for the tower a week before winter solstice. Aora, Mayall, Heidi, Marie, and Ari went with her. They rode through the flatlands, and they rode through the hills until they came to the foothills of a mountain. They were riding through a full-growth forest when they came across twenty men.

“Ladies,” said a man, “you will give us all your money.” Mayall looked at Arelle. They had bags of gold.

“You will not rob us,” said Arelle. “You will die first.” Her stallion wheeled.

“You are outnumbered,” said the man. “We have robbed better people than a bunch of women riding through the forest.”

“You are all dead men,” said Arelle. He laughed at her.“She tells you the truth,” said another voice. A sister of St. Maud sat

on a horse. Twenty sisters were with her. They all wore hoods and cowls.“You are witches,” said the man. “You are healers. What are you

going to do to me?”“I was the best student that Apella Zagruddi ever had,” said the

woman. She loosed an arrow, and it hit the man in his throat. All the sisters shot once, and all the men went down. They were all dead.

“Come,” said the sister that shot the first arrow. “The abbess awaits you.”

“We have to bury these men,” said Arelle.“Another team will be along to bury them,” said the woman.

“Eastland has a lot of men that run wild in the lands. They are former soldiers and outlaws. They do not follow your laws, Arelle Henne. It is my job to hunt them.”

“But the sisters of St. Maud protect life,” said Arelle.“I do,” said the woman. “But some men are so evil that they do not

deserve the life that is given to them. The abbess has decreed that we protect our own, Arelle. And you are one of our own.” The woman took off her cowl. It was Faith Bight.

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“I was trained by the finest warriors that you have,” said Faith. “I was trained by Mayall and Aora.”

Arelle looked at Mayall. Mayall was smiling. “Come, Arelle,” said Faith. “The abbess awaits.”

They rode on through the forest, and they came to a tower. The tower was a hundred feet high and a hundred feet in diameter. Ivy grew on it, and it had the look of great age. Faith led them to an underground stable, and a girl took all their horses. Then Faith led them up a stairway. They were led to a study, where a woman awaited them. The woman was old, but her hair was still the color of spun gold, and her face was without lines. “I welcome you, Great Queen,” she said. “You and your people have been most generous to St. Maud.” Arelle knelt, and then she rose.

“Did you get my letters?” asked Arelle.“I did,” said the woman. “I am thinking that you are right. I have

thought for some time that the sisters of St. Maud have to change. Come, Arelle, dinner is prepared for us.”

The dining room in the tower was very small, and they all barely fit. A girl came to serve Arelle. It was Arwen, and she wore the simple dress of St. Maud. Arelle got out of her chair and held Arwen tenderly. “I am well, Arelle,” said Arwen. “I serve here, and I am happy. I will come home when my year is up.”

“There are only three hundred of us,” said the abbess. “We generally work in teams of five or six, except for the two teams of hunters that we have that are groups of twenty. I am sending Faith back to Southerbee so she can be close to her sister. Sharra’s team will go to Eastland. Some of the king’s men had deserted before the battle, and they will be a problem for David until Sharra hunts them all down.”

“I am trying to put the sisters as close to their homes as I can,” said the abbess. “We will begin to actively recruit and seek out healers to train. One of the training centers will be in Au Claire. We will no longer be a secretive sect.”

“I will handle the finances for all the facilities that you require,” said Arelle as she took another bite of food.

“Arelle,” said the abbess, “that is most generous of you.”“The southern lands are hurting, Abbess,” said Arelle. “Their wars

have been more bitter, and they have lost more men. Eastland and Southwicke both lost fifty thousand men when they met in battle.

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That is a lot of widows. That is a lot of misery. That is a lot of poverty. The free territories are very wealthy, and we can rebuild the south. The only thing I am worried about is if we can help all the people in time. It is winter, and we have no idea how many women and children are homeless. Cherie is swamped, and I cannot send wagons of food and clothing fast enough. The armies of the free territories are still helping in Eastland, but it may not be enough. And I am hearing rumors out of Southwicke.”

“Will you have to go to war when the weather breaks?” asked the abbess.

“I think so,” said Arelle, and she sighed.“What will you do?” asked the abbess.“I will fight,” said Arelle. “I have no other choice.”“Abbess, there is already so much blood on my hands,” said Arelle.

Arelle held the bridge of her nose.“Arelle,” said the abbess, “I have never heard of you taking a life

willingly, nor have I ever heard of you giving up a life of one of your people willingly. You will do whatever you must, but you will do whatever is right. None of the people of the free territories believes otherwise. That is why you are a queen of the free territories, the queen over all the other queens. They would follow you to hell, so would all the princesses. So would all of my people. So would I.”

“I don’t want to bury any more people,” said Arelle, and she began to cry.

“I know you don’t, Arelle,” said the abbess. “But I know you will keep your people safe. I know that you will kneel at the grave of every one of your people that you have to bury. I know that you will kneel at every grave of the enemy that you have to kill. You can be no other way.”

“Am I damned?” asked Arelle.“No, Arelle,” said the abbess. “You are loved.” Arelle cried, and the

abbess and Ari held her.Arelle went back to Au Claire, and two hundred sisters of St. Maud

rode with her. Arelle went into the palace and was greeted by Catharine the Great and Theresa. Abbi was there with a newborn baby.

“Abbi,” said Arelle, “she is so beautiful. What did you name her?”“Her name is Ange Arelle,” said Abbi.“Oh, Abbi,” said Arelle, “can I hold her?” Abbi handed the baby to

Arelle, and Arelle’s face lit up as she held the baby.

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“May I hold her too, Aunt Abbi?” asked Ari.“You may,” said Abbi. “But you have to support her head. She isn’t

strong enough to do that yet.”They went into the banquet room, and it was full of people. All the

people rose and cheered. “I bring two hundred sisters of St. Maud,” said Arelle. “Please welcome them.” Word spread like wildfire about the sisters of St. Maud, and all the people stood and cheered. Faith Bight was asked to sit at the right hand of Theresa. Abbi sat next to Arelle, and Ari sat next to Phillipe. Ari would not put the baby down.

“Ari,” said Arelle, “you have to eat.”“I can eat later,” said Ari.The next morning, Arelle and Ari rose, and they bathed. Arelle

brushed Ari’s hair. Then they went to breakfast. Mayall, Aora, and Marie met them. “We are going to Southerbee,” said Mayall. “We are hearing rumors. We will take Genevieve’s people, and I have sent word to the queens.”

“How much time do we have, Mayall?” asked Arelle.“Southwicke has conscripted again and he has a hundred and ten

thousand men,” said Mayall. “He can’t afford to feed them through the summer. He will have to come.”

“How many people can we get together?” asked Arelle.“We have a hundred and sixty-five thousand warriors,” said Mayall.

“We are already making the arrangements to move them. Sally Bight is handling it.”

“Sally?” asked Arelle.“Sally is the best you have,” said Mayall. “She can organize anything.”“We need to send out word,” said Arelle.“Marie did that already,” said Mayall. “Wagons are already going

into Southerbee. Erinne is there with Cherise, and they are making the arrangements. All we have to do is ride when the signal beacons are lit.”

“I don’t want to do this, Mayall,” said Arelle.“I know, Arelle,” said Mayall, and she hugged the queen.Winter went on, and Arelle spent as much time with Ari as she

could. They went to Eastland, and Ari spent a week working with Jenna. Ari and Jenna wrote each other regularly, and when they left Eastland, Ari gave Jenna a locket and hugged her.

Arelle and Ari went to her farm in the north with Aora and Richard. They ate deer and played in the snow as Aora’s daughter had her second

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birthday. When the snow was starting to rot, men began to pour out of the northlands, and Arelle left for Au Claire. “Come back to us,” said Kristin as she hugged Arelle. Arelle had not yet turned twenty-two.

Arelle reached Au Claire, and Sally Bight was there to meet her. “Camps have been set up on the way,” said Sally. “They are manned by widows from Eastland and Southerbee that I have hired. They are permanent encampments.”

“Faith has gone with the sisters of St. Maud,” said Sally. “None of them will fight, but they will augment our medical corps in any way they see fit. Faith will handle that with Cherie.”

“Abbi has gone on with Marissa and Greer,” Sally went on. “Mayall left yesterday with Theresa’s men. Heidi is with Catharine, and Janette and Marrah are with Genevieve.”

“Gavin and John left with the first wagons,” said Sally. “Aora and Annette await you in the dining room.”

“Will you be coming, Sally?” asked Arelle.“I will,” said Sally. “I will ride out with you tomorrow. The women

that tend the last camp before the battleground are all my people.”“I don’t want to do this, Sally,” said Arelle, and she looked so sad.“I know you don’t, Arelle,” said Sally. “But I also know that you

always do what is right for the people of the free territories, and you are their queen.”

“I just wish that I could crawl under a rock right now,” said Arelle.“There doesn’t seem to be any rocks here right now,” said Sally

Bight.Arelle and Sally went to the mess tent instead of the palace, and

the people there cheered when they saw Arelle. Arelle went through the line, and she joined her daughter and Aora. “Where is Richard?” asked Arelle.

“He went with Abbi,” said Aora. “He wanted to be with Greer.”“Are you okay with that?” asked Arelle.“I am,” said Aora. “This will be a very bad battle, and Richard wants

Greer to know how much he loves her.”“Who is taking care of little Abbi?” asked Arelle.“She is in Ypsilanti with the people that I used to work with,” said

Aora. “If anything happens to me and Richard, they will take care of her. Ange is in Manistee. Abbi’s friends will take care of her.”

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“Arelle,” said Aora, “Ari will stay with Arianne and some of Theresa’s people.”

Arelle looked at her daughter, who could not hear her. “Have the arrangements been made if I do not come back?”

“They have,” said Aora. “Ari will be hidden in the tower. The abbess has given me her word.”

“Ari will be a great queen,” said Arelle, and she wiped a tear from her eye.

Arelle slept that night in a tent, holding Ari close. Arelle was caressing Ari’s long blonde hair, and she awoke. “Mommy, I love you,” said little Arelle.

“I love you, too,” said Arelle.“Mommy,” said Ari, “you will come back to me?”“One way or another, I will come back,” said Arelle. “You must be

very brave. If something happens to me, you will be the queen of our people.”

“I don’t want to be the queen of our people,” said Ari. “I want you.”“Ari,” said Arelle, “I have no choice.”“I know, Mommy,” said Ari. “I’m sorry.”Arelle and Ari went to breakfast, and Arelle was wearing a battle

armor with the cross of St. Ange on her tunic. After they ate breakfast, Arelle knelt before the archbishop of the church of the free territories as he blessed her. Then Arelle knelt before a bishop of the church of St. George and took communion. Then she knelt before the abbess of St Maud and received a blessing. Arelle kissed her daughter and got on her stallion. “We ride,” said Arelle, but she only looked at Ari.

They rode all day through the rich farmland of Garinn and reached the first camp. Arelle and Aora shared a tent, and after mess, Arelle sat before a small fire outside of their tent. Aora came into the light. “I have Athabascan brandy,” said Aora.

“Aora,” said Arelle, “what am I doing?”“You are going to war,” said Aora.“I will send more human beings to their death than any person who

has ever lived,” said Arelle.“Arelle,” said Aora, “you took a serving girl and made her a princess.

You gave me a life that I never could have even dreamed of. If I died tomorrow, I would be leaving my daughter a life that very few people have.”

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“I don’t want to bury you, Aora,” said Arelle, and her voice squeaked. “I have buried too many people that I love.”

“They have to kill me first,” said Aora. “And Mayall and Abbi taught me well. Have some more brandy, and then we will sleep. The morning will be here all too soon. I will take care of the fire.”

In the morning, they rode through the rest of Garinn and went into the mountains. They reached another camp, and Cherise met Arelle. “Everything is ready,” said Cherise. “Tomorrow the rest of us will ride to the final camp. Southwicke comes with his men, and we will meet them here.” She pointed at a map. “Everyone is ready.”

Arelle nodded, but she was somber, and she ate dinner alone in her tent. They left the next morning for the final camp, and Arelle rode with Aora, Erinne, and Cherise. They reached the camp at about noon. Mayall was there. Abbi was there. Arabella was there with David. Annelle was there with William. Arelle cried because she knew that some of them were going to die. She could not eat dinner.

The next morning they rode to the final camp, and there were a hundred and sixty-five thousand people camped. All of them cheered when they saw Arelle, and she wept. Arelle had dinner alone, and she went to a small stream alone. Arelle knelt in the dirt. She cried, and she prayed.

Arelle felt a touch on her shoulder, and she turned. It was Arwen.“I do the rest of my service here,” said Arwen. “We will look out for

you tomorrow.” Arelle cried, and she held her sister.In the morning, Arelle mounted her stallion in full battle armor

with the cross of St. Ange on her tunic. She rode at the front of a great army. They rode into the great plain, and they met the army of Southwicke. Arelle went to meet him under the flag of truce. Mayall and Aora rode at her right hand. Abbi and Heidi rode at her left hand. “You have no business here,” said Arelle.

“I have come to take your lands,” said Southwicke. He was a middle-aged man with blond hair.

“You will not have my lands,” said Arelle. “Our people are free.”“I have a hundred and ten thousand warriors,” said Southwicke.“I have more,” said Arelle. “How many of your people do you want

to have buried? How many widows do you want?”

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“You have so many warriors that are women,” said Southwicke “It doesn’t matter how many people you have. You will all die, and I will leave you to rot.”

“Sixty thousand of your people are green troops,” said Arelle. “If you send them into battle, most of them will die.”

“They will bleed you enough,” said Southwicke.“No, they won’t,” said Arelle. “And you have no right to ask that

many men to give up their lives.”“I do not ask them,” said Southwicke. “I am their king. I command

my men.”An arrow shot from behind sprouted from Southwicke’s chest, and

Arelle and all the queens and princesses drew their swords. A young woman sat on a horse with a bow in her hand, and she looked at Arelle.

“You cut that close, Princess,” said the man who sat to the right of Southwicke.

“What is going on here?” asked Arelle.“I am General Richard Onsted,” said the man. “This is General

Winston Frederick. This is Princess Maria,” said General Onsted, “Maria, for a second, I thought you would quit.”

“Never,” said Maria.“What is going on?” asked Arelle.“We aren’t going to fight you,” said General Onsted. “You would

beat the daylights out of us, and I have buried enough men and made enough widows. Marie, Winston, and I have talked a lot in the last two weeks.”

“My father lashed my mother two weeks ago,” said Maria. “He killed her, and I held my mother as she died.”

Arelle got off her horse and held the girl as she cried. “I give my life to you, Great Queen,” said Maria.

“No,” said Arelle. “You won’t. You are the rightful queen of your people.”

“I just don’t want any more of my people to die,” said Maria, and tears fell from her eyes.

“There are no more enemies,” said Arelle. She looked at General Onsted, and he smiled. He also laid his sword at Arelle’s feet. Arelle picked up the sword. She kissed it and handed it back to him.

“We need to eat, and we need to talk,” said Arelle.“I want our people to be part of the free territories,” said Maria.

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“Would you be their queen?” asked Arelle“I would,” said Maria.“What do you think of that, General?” Arelle asked General Onsted.“I am a general,” said Onsted. “It is my job to make war. I buried

fifty thousand people in the last war. Arelle, do you know what it’s like to bury fifty thousand people?”

“I do,” said Arelle.“I don’t ever want to do that again,” said Onsted.“Maria will be a good queen,” said Onsted. “She loves her people.”“We will have no more wars,” said Arelle. She drew her sword. “The

dream of St. Ange has come true!” Two hundred and eighty thousand warriors knelt. Arelle knelt before them. And she wept.

“There were sixty thousand men that my father conscripted in his last draft,” said Maria. “I would like to release them so they could go home now.”

“That’s fine with me, Maria,” said Arelle. “They will have some time to get in crops, and my people will help them.”

“Please do so, Richard?” asked Maria. General Onsted raised his left arm, and men began to leave by the thousands. All of them left their weapons.

“Richard,” said Maria, “there are forty thousand men that survived my father’s last conscription. “I would like them to be released too.”

“With pleasure, Maria,” said the general, and he sent a rider off.“General Onsted,” said Arelle, “lashing is prohibited in the free

territories.”“Winston and I have never lashed our men,” said General Onsted.

“We kept them away from the king. He and I both command the twenty thousand men that will remain. They are good men, and they deserve better.”

“They will have better,” said Arelle. “We will allow you to keep an army of twenty thousand men. Do you have horses for them?”

“Uh . . . no,” said General Onsted.“We will fix that,” said Arelle. “Your men will have to learn how

to ride.”“Uh . . .,” said General Frederick.“You learned to ride as an adult, didn’t you?” asked Arelle“I did,” said General Frederick.

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“So you know what is coming, don’t you?” said Arelle, and she smiled, but her eyes were twinkling.

“Uh . . . Yes, my lady, I do,” said the general.“General, my name is Arelle,” said Arelle. “I would appreciate it if

you used my given name instead. We also have a lot of salve for your people’s rear ends. They will also be taught how to use a bow and shoot from horse. Our war bows have a range of two hundred yards on the flat.”

“Our archers don’t have that range,” said General Onsted. “That means that all this time, we have been within arrow range of your people.”

“That’s right,” said Arelle. “You have, but we only had to worry about one of you who is stupid enough, and he is dead.”

“I have heard great tales of you, Arelle,” said Maria.“Oh, have you?” said Arelle. “Where did you hear these great tales?”“From serving girls,” said Maria. “They told me your army was

coming. They told me to have faith and be strong.”“How did they know this?” asked Arelle.“They tell tales of a great princess,” said Maria. “That great princess

came to Southwicke to bring word to our people. I am told that she is descended from St. Abrin.”

“She is here,” said Arelle. “Abbi, have you been in Southwicke?”“I have,” said Abbi. “Mayall and I have been here. We know a few

barmaids and serving girls.” Arelle snorted.“Maria, release your men that are left and come with us to lunch,”

said Arelle. “We can double up on the horses. Our camp is half an hour that way. Tell your men that they can eat as much as they’d like.” They rode to the great camp and went to the mess tents.

“Arelle,” said General Onsted, “do you always feed your people this well?”

“We do,” said Arelle. “You come from a world where your king bankrupted his people to make war. He took the best men, and he took so many men that the kingdom could no longer function. You could just barely feed your army, and you had to attack us at the first opportunity, and we knew it. Southwicke will have a hard winter, but we will help.”

“The wars in the north were small wars,” said Arelle. “St. Ange never commanded more than two thousand people. St Abrin was with two hundred people when she died. War will never be like that again.”

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“St. Ange and St. Abrin were both sixteen when they died,” said Arelle. “I am twenty-one. Our history is bloody. People had children very young, and they died very young. We have a chance to change it. I lead the greatest army our world has ever known. It is also the best army the world has ever known. I have a hundred and sixty-five thousand people that will fight for the free territories, and there isn’t one of them that is a conscript.”

“We will stay here tonight,” said Arelle. “After breakfast, we will leave for your capital. Many of my people will leave us along the trip. They will go to help your people. You are no longer alone. Now you need to meet the queens and the princesses of the free territories.”

“I also suggest, General,” said Arelle, “that you have another BLT.”That night, Arelle sat by a campfire by the tent she was sharing

with Annette. Mayall and Richard were there. Aora and Richard were there. Abbi and Phillipe were also there. Maria came to them. “May I join you?” she asked.

“Sure,” said Arelle, and she introduced Maria to everyone. Maria smiled shyly at Abbi. “This is Athabascan brandy,” said Arelle. “Want some?”

“I’ve never had anything to drink,” said Maria. “My father forbade alcohol in the palace.”

Arelle snorted. “In about a week, you will be the queen,” said Arelle. “Who is going to tell you no? Besides, we will stop you when you have had enough.”

“How old are you, Maria?” asked Abbi.“I’m eighteen,” said Maria.“I just turned eighteen myself,” said Abbi.“But they tell such great tales of you,” said Maria.“Many of them are just tales,” said Abbi. “There are tales about all

of us that can’t possibly be true, especially of Arelle and Mayall.”“So what is next for my people?” asked Maria.“They heal,” said Arelle. “This isn’t the first kingdom that has fallen

to us, and we have a lot of people that are really good at rebuilding kingdoms. What your father did is that if you had actually defeated us, many of his people would not have lived through the winter. At least now, your people will live, if we can get crops in fast enough. Otherwise, we will be shipping a lot of food to you.”

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“You have many widows and orphans,” Arelle went on. “You will find that many of them live in great poverty and hopelessness. I suspect that fact was hidden from you. My daughter, Ari, was an orphan. All they need is a chance, and they will do some remarkable things.”

Maria took another swig of brandy, and Arelle regarded her. “I was surprised about one thing,” said Arelle. “Both generals of your army seem to be honorable men.”

“They both hated my father,” said Maria. “It was Onsted that cut my mother down after father had lashed her. He carried her to me, and he was there when she died. That was when he told me that my mother was his childhood sweetheart, and he vowed that this war would never happen. I think that if I hadn’t killed my father, Richard would have before the fighting even started.” Maria started to cry.

“I’m sorry for the loss of your mother,” said Arelle. “I lost my mother when I was your age. She and my father were murdered, and Mayall and I became fugitives.”

Sally Bight came into the light, and she hugged Arelle and took a swig of brandy. “Your people are all taken care of for the night, Maria,” said Sally.

“You didn’t kneel before the queen,” said Maria.“Maria,” said Arelle, “when Mayall and I were on the run, serving

girls and barmaids kept us alive and hidden. At some point, I realized that I was no different than they were. I am just a serving girl for my people, and people that serve one another do not kneel. Mayall was a servant. Abbi was a serving girl. Aora was a serving girl. They are princesses now, but they are still serving girls. It would be best for your people and for you to realize that you serve them. It isn’t the other way around.”

“I will heed your wisdom, Great Queen,” said Maria.“Great queen my ass,” said Mayall, and Arelle swatted her on

the arm.“Sally did all the logistics to deliver our army here,” said Arelle. “She

is the best organizer we have ever seen. Sally, would you help Maria rebuild Southwicke?”

“I would,” said Sally. “I already have a tentative list of where our people are going in Southwicke. In the extreme south, it is possible that if we get the crops in, they can feed the whole of Southwicke. Fifty

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thousand people will leave for there tomorrow. I will send wagons with them and some of the sisters of St Maud.”

“You will send witches?” asked Maria.“We will send healers,” said Arelle. “Everything that you have heard

about the sisters of St. Maud is a lie. All of them are here, prepared to heal people wounded in battle. They would have even healed your people.”

“They would?” asked Maria.“Yes,” said Arelle. “They would, and they are the best healers that

you have ever seen.”“I have some cheese,” said Mayall. “It is from the mountain

kingdom. Who wants some?”“You have to try this cheese, Maria,” said Arelle. “It’s made from

goats raised in the mountains. Mayall, do you have some crackers?”“I do,” said Mayall.They ate cheese and crackers for a while, and the conversation

flowed. “You have all been friends for a long time, haven’t you?” asked Maria.

“We have,” said Abbi.“Father never allowed me to have friends,” said Maria, and she

looked wistful. “It would have been nice to have a friend growing up. It would have been nice to have had someone to talk to and do things with.”

“You have friends now,” said Aora. “You are stuck with us. Here, have some more cheese. It will keep you from having a hangover.”

“What is that?” asked Maria.“You don’t want to know,” said Aora.They spent the rest of the evening talking and teasing each other.

When it came time to go to bed, Maria staggered a bit. “I’ll help her,” said Annette. Annette did not return that night, but in the morning she appeared at mess with Maria.

“How is your head?” asked Arelle.“I’m fine,” said Maria. “Annette helped me.”Annette appeared with plates of eggs and plates of toast. “Eat the

toast first,” said Annette. “It will stay down better.” Annette winked at Arelle.

General Onsted joined them, and he had a huge plate of scrambled eggs. “I could learn to like this,” he said.

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“I hope you do,” said Arelle.“After breakfast, we leave for Kingsford,” said Arelle. “Maria will

ride to my right, and you will ride to her right. Mayall, Abbi, and Aora will ride to my left. General Frederick will ride to your right. Erinne, Heidi, and Marrah will ride to your right. The queens will follow us. Since your men do not fight on horse, they will have to ride with someone. Sally has arranged all of that, including the salve for their rear ends.”

After breakfast, they mounted up. “Maria,” said Arelle, “I have a gift for you.” The biggest man that Maria had ever seen brought a white stallion. “This is John Taylor.”

“His name is Windswift,” said John. “He is a horse fit for a queen.”“Arelle?” asked Maria.“He is battle trained,” said Arelle. “Blow on his nose and then

whisper in his ear that you love him, and he will be yours until he dies. He will see you through any battle. Should you get hurt, he will get you out.”

“Arelle,” said John, “Gavin went on yesterday. He said he wanted to organize the royal stables.”

“John,” said Arelle, “you are free to go join Gavin.” Arelle hugged the big man, and he got on a horse and galloped off.

They rode out ten abreast, and they reached the border in four hours. Two hundred people were there, and they threw roses at Arelle’s feet. Arelle nodded to them as she went by, and two hundred of her warriors left the great line. Sally Bight also left, and she returned half an hour later.

Two hours later, they rode through a town named Jones. It was a small shabby town, and five hundred people lined the streets, and they knelt as Arelle went by. Sally Bight and Abbi disappeared for a short time. Faith Bight also disappeared with twenty of the sisters of St. Maud. They did not come back.

After six hours of riding, they came to Kingsford. It also was shabby, and the people that lined the streets were poor and wore rags, but they threw roses before Arelle. Arelle nodded to the people, but her face was grim.

They rode to the palace and went in. Arelle went to a balcony. There were thousands of people in the courtyard. “Southwicke is dead,” said Arelle. “He did not die by my hand. He died by the hand of your

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princess, Maria.” Maria came to the balcony, and all the people knelt as word of what she had done had spread like wildfire.

“Please rise, my people,” said Maria. “I killed my father because he was a madman. He was going to send a hundred and ten thousand men to their death. How many more widows did we need? How many more orphans did we need?”

“My father lashed my mother about two weeks ago,” said Maria. “I held my mother as she died.”

“I have had enough of war,” said Maria. “General Onsted and General Frederick have had enough of war. Our widows and our orphans have certainly had enough of war.”

“Our people have had enough of violence perpetrated on them by their own rulers,” Maria went on.

“My father was at war with Southerbee or Eastland since before I was born,” said Maria. “All we have gotten for our trouble is poverty. True, I am a princess, and I never got to experience poverty, but I have seen enough of it that I do not want to see it anymore for my people. We will live from this day as decent human beings. There will be no more lashings.

“There will be no more conscriptions,” said Maria. “No longer will people be torn from their farms, their businesses, and their families. The true wealth of this nation does not lie in its conquests, but in the labor of her people as they build solid lives. Nor will you have to worry about the crown, or any noble for that matter, taking the results of your labor away from you. Those days are gone too.”

“We will join with the free territories,” Maria went on. “Arelle has pledged their help to rebuild Southwicke. Make sure that you thank them for their efforts on our behalf.”

“I have prayed for this day since I realized how cruel my father really was,” said Maria. “I will not rest until I have undone all that he wrought and the very memory of him is gone from our people.”

“Let the word out,” said Maria, and her voice rang from the stones. “We are free!”

Then Arelle invited everyone to the mess tents. “I hadn’t realized that my people were so poor,” said Maria.

“You never do,” said Erinne. “It is just what you’ve been accustomed to. If it is any consolation to you, things will get better right away. It took Penn about a year to become prosperous.”

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“It was about the same for Southerbee,” said Cherise.“The important thing is that things will get better,” said Arelle.

“And you aren’t alone anymore.”“And your people have two important things that they’ve never had

before,” said Abbi. “They have hope, and they have you.”“Just look at your people that are here,” said Arelle. “They have

smiles on their faces, and none of them will go to bed hungry this night.”

“But they are all dressed in rags,” said Maria. “Didn’t my father have any sense of shame?”

“No,” said Mayall as she took a sip of her wine. “They never do. That is why we are different. I have seen Arelle go hungry so a beggar could eat. I have seen Abbi spend her last penny to put a roof over someone’s head. I have seen Aora kill her own horse to feed a family in the highlands of Eastland.”

“You have done your share, Mayall,” said Arelle.“I have,” said Mayall. “But that isn’t the point. The point is, from

now on, times will be different.”Annette joined them, and Arwen was with her. Arwen no longer

wore the black cape of the sisters of St Maud. She wore an armor and the tunic of St. Ange. “My year is up,” said Arwen. “I would join my comrades at arms.”

“Arwen,” sighed Arelle, “you have already paid enough of a price.”“You cannot stop me, Arelle,” said Arwen.“I know,” said Arelle.“Annette and I will leave with Catharine after the coronation,” said

Arwen. “We will go to the mountain kingdoms and stay with Arinne for a while.”

“There are handsome princes in the mountain kingdoms,” said Arelle. “Does your decision have anything to do with that?”

“No,” said Arwen. “I didn’t get to know Arinne as well as I wanted to, and I would really like to get to know my nieces and fish in the lake.” Arwen looked innocent and guileless.

“Okay, Annette,” said Arelle. “This has to be your doing. Does Arinne know that you are coming?”

“Arinne knows,” said Annette.“Does Anne know?” Asked Arelle.“Uh . . . no,” said Annette.

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“Is Margarette going with you?” asked Arelle.“Uh . . . yes,” said Annette.“Does David know?” asked Arelle.“Uh . . . no,” said Annette.“Annette, you need to talk with David and Anne,” said Arelle.

“They are both here. I think that your agenda is different from Arwen’s. You are to let her do what she wants.”

“Yes, Arelle,” said Annette. Annette and Arwen both left.“There are times when I wish that we could still arrange a marriage,”

said Arelle. “Annette just runs roughshod over the boys.”“She was very kind to me,” said Maria.“Annette is kind,” said Arelle. “And she is a great warrior. But she

just uses men and then throws them back in the lake. That isn’t fair to the men. I have seen Annette walk into a tavern and make every man in that tavern ready to give up his life for her. I don’t think that she is mean about it, but I have never seen anything like it. The girl is a man magnet.”

“Are you jealous?” asked Mayall. “You don’t have anyone.”“I have my daughter,” said Arelle. “And I have responsibilities.”“But still,” said Mayall.“I just don’t understand how she keeps track of them all,” said

Arelle. “And I don’t understand why half of the people that get involved with her don’t kill the other half.”

“Annette is brutally honest,” said Abbi. “All the men that throw themselves at her know right from the start that they can’t have her. I have heard her say as much and then sleep with the man. They always part as friends, and I am sure that none of the men will ever forget her.”

“It just doesn’t seem right,” said Arelle.

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Chapter 12

The next morning dawned bright and clear, and Arelle had breakfast alone with Maria. They went to the palace at eight. Maria was in armor with the cross of St Ange on her tunic. So was Arelle. Maria knelt before Arelle, and she became the queen of Southwicke. Church bells rang, and the people cheered.

Money began to flow into Southwick, and the armies of Arelle helped rebuild the country. Fall came, and there was a great harvest from the south. The people of Southwicke would live well through the winter. The sisters of St. Maud set up more facilities, and Faith Bight left before the snow did. There were no more renegades. They were all dead. Faith and Sally went home together.

Mayall went to Bella a Noch, and she married Richard. Marissa presided over the ceremony, and they partied for a week. Arelle and Ari had magnificent gowns. For once, Mayall did not have her gown ruined.

The queens and king of the free territories met once every two months. Arelle presided. Arabella Dayne became a great queen.

All the free territories maintained a standing army of about twenty thousand people. There was no threat of war anymore, but they found that it was helpful to have a large group of people available if a natural disaster occurred.

It was the golden age for the free territories. There was no more war, and they could focus all of their resources on making life better for everyone. There were thousands of widows and thousands of orphans, and the queens worked hard to make those people’s lives better. The

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economies of the free territories boomed, and the people were safe and happy.

Arelle spent her time with Ari. They traveled through all the free territories. Ari met all the members of her family. Arelle loved her daughter, and she would caress Ari’s long blonde hair. They slept in a tent together when they traveled, and Arelle would hold Ari as they slept.

The years passed, and the free territories prospered. Arelle loved her daughter, and she rejoiced in every moment that she could spend with little Arelle, but the golden time was not to last.

J. McKenzie, September 29, 2014