Chapter 54: Chapter Thirteen

ADA

That evening before dinner, I was summoned to the king’s chambers. I was worried I may have overstepped. I had not asked the king’s permission to train with the men.

I shook out my nerves standing in front of Toren’s door. One of the guards next to it smiled suggestively at me, which made me wonder if Ciaran had shared anything about our kiss.

I gave the guard a disgusted look and focused on the door. Taking a deep breath, I lifted my hand to knock.

“You may enter,” King Toren’s voice called. I pushed it open to find him and Ciaran sharing a drink. I walked over and greeted the king. Ciaran bowed as I walked past him.

“I heard you trained with the new soldiers this morning,” my father said, his tone not indicating whether or not he approved.

“Yes, my lord king. Lord Ciaran was kind enough to allow me to join the group.”

“It seems you did not do your talents justice when we first met. Our commander tells me you have great skill with the sword.”

“It was just luck that I knocked my partner to the ground today.”

“What I observed today was not luck. I believe your skill could be very valuable to our efforts,” Ciaran chimed in, with Toren nodding his head in agreement.

“Lord Ciaran is a man that I trust. I have shared with him a little bit of your background with the Northmen. Do not worry, that information will not leave this room.

“But we both agree you may have witnessed things, possibly been unknowingly trained in Viking battle strategies. Any information you possess could be essential in the defeat of their pagan army.”

King Toren’s tone did not carry its usual friendliness. It was more direct. Wherever this conversation was going, I assumed my fate was already sealed.

“Our commander wishes you to accompany him in training the new soldiers in the valley.”

“Yes, it would only be for a few days. There is not enough room here to simulate a real battle. The valley is only a quarter day’s ride away.”

“What do you say, my daughter?”

“I would be happy to aid in Oranmore’s defense any way I can. My only request is that Sable and Cay travel with me. I cannot be parted from my son for too long.”

King Toren stroked his beard for a second, before saying, “Of course. I suggest you begin packing. The commander wishes to leave first thing tomorrow morning.”

“That soon?”

“Yes, we must be prepared when your future husband arrives in a few months. They will want to see we are ready to ride into battle,” King Toren said, looking out the window.

He seemed deep in thought about something, but it was obvious he was waiting for me to leave them.

I looked over at Ciaran, who was watching me ever so closely. How convenient that I would be alone with him for the several days right after he kissed me.

“Yes, my lord. I will go prepare my things,” I said, and left the two men together. Walking back to my room, I found it hard to breathe.

I had waited patiently these past six months for a chance to escape and return to Cayden. This would be the first time I traveled past the town’s limits, and possibly my last.

I would have access to a horse, weapons, and my child. Everything I needed to leave this kingdom and never look back.

***

As planned, we left at daybreak the next day. I had secretly said my goodbyes to Myrna the night before as she helped me pack my things. She handed me two daggers she usually kept on her at all times.

“If you are not able to leave with proper protection, at least you will have these. They are small, but they will get the job done,” Myrna told me, trying not to cry.

She placed a small parcel filled with food in my trunk.

It was small enough that I could take it with me in a saddlebag, since it would be impossible to steal anything from the camp without looking suspicious.

“Now look at me, child. I will recite the same words to you as I once did to your mother. Take your child and go live the life you have always wanted.”

We reached the area where we would set up camp on the edge of the forest. The men put together several large, white tents, some with walls, others with just canopies.

The servants carried in small wooden beds for the noblemen in the army, as well as for me and Sable.

With the help of another servant, I carried Cay’s crib into my tent, where I found Sable rocking him to sleep. I could not help but smile whenever I saw his sweet little face.

“He looks so much like his father,” I said softly.

“His father must have been very handsome indeed then.”

“Yes, very handsome.”

Sable glanced up at me. “Do you miss him?”

“Every time I look at our child, my heart aches for him. I wonder if it will ever subside.”

“With time, Ada. Surely your new home in England will help to heal all pain.”

The rest of the day was dedicated to settling in and preparing for tomorrow. The servants who had traveled with us served dinner around a big fire in the middle of the tents.

I was thankful to have Sable by my side. Otherwise, it would have been just me and forty men. We joined them for dinner, deciding to retire early to our tent after finishing our meal.

Ciaran escorted us back, which seemed overly cautious. “May I make sure your quarters are secured?” he asked. The three of us entered and Ciaran looked around.

The tent only held our two beds, Cay’s crib, and our two trunks. He lingered by one of the beds, staring at me.

“Sable, could you excuse us for a moment?”

Sable looked at me and I nodded for her to leave. She took the baby from my arms, careful not to disturb his sleep. Ciaran was casually dressed in a shirt and pants.

With his bread trimmed, I noticed how strong and pronounced his jawline appeared. As I stood there looking at him, I was wary that he had an ulterior motive.

“I just wanted to make sure you are okay,” he said, reaching out to touch my arm, though I shied away.

“In what regard?”

“I cannot imagine this is easy for you. It must be difficult to know that by assisting with the training, in some way you are betraying your late husband.”

“I am the king’s daughter. What one may see as a betrayal, others will see as a saving grace,” I shot back at him. I felt as though he was analyzing me, ordered by the king to spy on me.

“And we are grateful for it, my lady,” he said, taking a few steps closer to me. He looked at me for a second, as if waiting for my move.

When it became clear I would not accept any of his advances, he turned for the exit and left.

The next morning, we awoke before sunrise. The men were gathered around the fire, most of them eating in silence. Sable joined me for breakfast and would stay at the camp during the day.

Ciaran agreed I would travel back to the camp every three hours to feed the baby. This would be my window of opportunity.

My plan was to wait two days before leaving, after trust and routine had been established. My biggest concern was whether Sable would try to stop me.

A part of me hoped she would join me, but I knew her allegiance was to Oranmore.

We walked over to the open field and began reviewing the basic fighting techniques Ciaran had taught us the other day. It was another overcast day with a storm looming in the distance.

I was surprised that instead of actively participating, Ciaran asked me to review each of the men’s stances with him.

It was strange how much he respected the suggestions I had for the men, but I only saw this as a way for him to gain my trust.

As the morning carried on, Silas joined our training, to my great displeasure.

“I did not know that you would be attending the training,” Ciaran said, greeting him. He looked over at me, seemingly out of genuine concern.

Apparently, everyone in the kingdom knew of Silas’s hate for me.