The Princess Fugitive_A Reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood by Melanie Cellier

Author:Melanie Cellier [Cellier, Melanie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction & Literature
Publisher: Luminant Publications
Published: 2016-06-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

There were eight of them who met in the courtyard of the palace early the next morning. Max and Alyssa had both come to see them off but otherwise there were just the six travellers. Max had sent a missive requesting that Sarah and Evelyn be at the palace before first light.

“It’s the twins,” he said. “I want you packed up and gone before they’re even awake. They talked of nothing but your quest at our meal last night and I don’t want them getting any ideas. They’re devious those girls and I wouldn’t put it past them to find some means of stowing away.”

His dire predictions amused Ava, especially since there was no possible way two twelve-year-old girls could stowaway with a group of six adults travelling on horseback. She appreciated the effort he was making to keep the tone of their farewell light. Every member of their traveling band was aware of the real reason for their early departure.

The fewer people who saw them leave the better. If Konrad thought Ava was in Arcadie, he wouldn’t be looking for her on the road to Rangmeros. Once they were in the Rangmeran capital, her witnesses would serve as her protection. But if a band of travellers was attacked by brigands on the road, it could be chalked up to an unfortunate accident. They would have to travel both quickly and inconspicuously.

Mathilde turned out to be a friendly girl who instantly hit it off with Sarah. Within minutes they were trading outrageous stories of life as a travelling merchant and life as a palace servant.

“I’m not actually a servant anymore, though,” said Mathilde. “Even before my recent temporary promotion.” She grinned at Alyssa. “I’m an apprentice nurse.”

“Oooh,” said Sarah, with appropriate levels of appreciation. “You’ll be a handy person to have around then. I can’t stand the sight of blood, myself. I have to lie down or I risk going off in a faint.”

“That’s after she’s thrown up, of course,” said Evelyn, apparently finding pleasure in pointing out this less romantic aspect of her cousin’s aversion. “Basically she’s completely useless and I’ve got no idea why anyone is letting her come on this quest.” Her scowl returned with her final words.

“Evelyn!” said Sarah in disgust.

“That’s so mean,” said Mathilde, indignant for her new friend of ten minutes. “Sarah seems like a very useful sort of person to me.”

Ava hoped that Evelyn would soften towards Sarah soon. She hated seeing the cousins bickering and knowing that it was her fault. She also wasn’t sure if she could bear listening to so much inane chatter all the way to Rangmeros. As soon as she had the last thought, she retracted it. She had enjoyed the conversation of both Evelyn and Sarah when they had last travelled together and she was determined not to let stress turn her back into a cold person without friends.

“Sarah is extremely useful,” she said, attempting to live up to this resolution. “Just not when it comes to anything involving injury.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.