The color that had drained from Cole's face quickly flooded into Rose's. A man was straddling her stomach with a look of shock on his face. The closest anyone else had ever come to touching her so intimately was Silver when he took her captive.
'I've got a knack for getting captured, it seems,' she thought wryly.
When Cole, and then Philip, continued to stare in disbelief, Rose realized her initial comment was not enough to break through their shock.
"I can explain," she tried, biting her lip. Her face was redder than the king's tomato patch, and her body felt like it was on fire.
For a moment, she wondered if the men might have some terrible motive for leading her off the path. What if they weren't the upstanding men that she and Rabert had assumed they were?
"If you would release me, we can discuss this further..." Rose added timidly.
Finally coming from his trance, Cole leapt off of the woman below him. "Please, don't behead me!" he begged quickly, falling to his knees. "I did not know it was you!"
Rose sat up from the ground, pulling her cloak tightly around her. She struggled to understand Cole's words. "Behead you? Is that even an option in Birle?"
The anxious soldier turned on his comrade. "You are the one who told me to assault the princess. This is your fault," Cole spat. "Why do you want me dead?"
"I didn't know she was the princess any more than you did. I am just as likely to lose my head! You may have tackled her but it was my idea." Philip released Belle's reins. The lovely horse snorted in the man's face before lowering her head to munch on the grassy terrain.
"I didn't want to confront the stranger at all, but you insisted. I had my whole career ahead of me!" In the heat of the moment, Cole's mind was full of the doom brought on him by Philip's coaxing.
The two soldiers began to bicker bitterly, and a small shoving match ensued. If left unchecked, they might begin a real fight very soon.
Rose had never viewed two common men argue before. Noblemen usually argued more covertly, using slights and harsh words instead of physical violence. Occasionally a duel would come about, but those moments were rare.
When she dug deep, the princess could remember only one time when two barons came to blows. It had happened in the throne room in what started as a petty fight over a fertile tract of land. By the time the men were separated, one man had a bloody lip and the other man...
Rose's eyes opened wide. "Stop!" she yelled. The two soldiers suddenly stopped scuffling, surprised by her sudden outburst.
They fell to their knees before the princess, ashamed.
Seizing the chance, the princess corrected them. "No one is getting beheaded today, gentlemen. I do not think you meant to harm me, and there is no need to bring this up to my father at a later time. I will likely be in enough trouble as it is..." Rose paused as both men, who had been averting their eyes, snapped their gaze toward her. She blushed anew. "Now I will be happy that we keep this unfortunate incident a secret, but we really should be on our way."
"On our way, You Majesty?" Philip tried not to sound as concerned as he felt. Now that the excitement of the chase and ensuing fear of death had passed, the stoic man had many questions. The biggest one being why the princess was out without an escort so far from the palace.
Rose brushed the dirt from her brown tunic. "Yes, we need to get back on track. The faster we get to Rynnlee, the sooner we can get some answers and head home to the palace. I know you both must be anxious to return as well."
"You cannot go to Rynnlee!" Cole exclaimed.
Philip coughed. "What Cole means is that we were not informed that you would be accompanying us. Captain Rabert's orders were quite specific about this mission. It is our duty to take you back to the palace where you are safe."
These were the most words that Rose had heard the man put together at once. The strain had taken an obvious toll. Rose felt guilty, but not enough to comply with his request.
"I do not want to deny you your duty, and after we go to Rynnlee, you can escort me home as fast as the horses can carry us." She approached her horse and prepared to mount. Belle lifted her head slightly to greet her mistress with a mouthful of luscious grass.
Cole stepped in front of the stirrup to block Rose from placing her foot into it. "Your Highness, we must object. We have to take you home immediately."
The fear of being sent home ignited a stubbornness to fight her fate. The princess got an idea. Rose pulled herself to full height. She was still shorter than both of the men, yet somehow looked more imposing. "Your objection is noted. As for taking me home, unless you plan to put your hands on me again and forcibly bring me to the king, I will not be going to the palace today."
The brown-haired soldier choked. Cole looked to Philip for help, but the stoic solder had gone back to being silent. He merely held up his hands in resignation.
"I have no intention of assaulting you twice in one day, Your Highness..." Cole hung his head. The moment of shock and embarrassment would permanently be etched in his memory. He had no desire to repeat the horrific event.
Touching his arm gently, Rose smiled at the soldier. "That is good to hear. It is probably for the best."
With a resigned sigh, Cole moved out of the way. Rose placed her foot in the stirrup and gracefully mounted Belle. Well, as gracefully as she could in the simple frock she was wearing.
"Do you have any more objections, Philip?" the princess challenged the other soldier. He was her last stumbling block in her quest.
"Many," Philip answered, "But none that I think would sway Her Highness." The stalwart soldier disappeared behind a tree and returned with his own black gelding. He mounted with an inscrutable expression, though if Rose had to name it, she would have called it disapproval.
Seeing that the others were ready to go, Cole was quick to retrieve his horse. His mare was more energetic, unlike the calm gelding of Philip. Rose noticed the difference in the two horses mirrored the two soldiers who rode them.
"I think Cole's horse has the right frame of mind to set the pace. Would you lead the way out, Cole?" Rose asked politely.
"Yes, Your Highness, if I must." the soldier answered reluctantly.
"I can always travel alone as I was doing..." The princess offered with a sweet smile. It was clear she knew that she had won.
"No thank you, Your Highness..."
"And would you follow behind, Philip? I will feel much better knowing I have your support so I do not get lost." Rose dipped her head graciously.
"As you command, You Highness," Phillips bowed in his saddle.
With a happy sigh, Rose pulled her hood back over her head and wrapped the scarf around her face. It once again became difficult to distinguish if the rider was male or female. Only the blue eyes hinted at femininity. The princess nodded. "Good. Then, let us go."
Cole turned his horse around, but not before passing his partner sarcastic grin. "Now you get to do some following of your own. Never thought you would miss when you were the one being stalked, now did you?"
"Indeed," Philip answered as he rubbed his forehead. He moved away and got in line with a heavy sigh. There was one good thing about being in the back though. He could finally stop talking.