"All the servants have already left in the caravans, Miss Charlotte. Only us, the butler and the coachman remained" – With a backpack on her back, Ofelia looked agitated due to the evacuation preparations from the mansion.
Distant on the horizon at the height of the territory of the marquisate, a sinister aurora drawn in the clouds by the fire, was a sign of the proximity of the enemy troops. Being only two days away on horseback, the distance between the pursuers was far from comforting for the experienced mercenary. Who had seen warriors fall countless times who took the chance of retreat lightly.
"Mama Carlota, aren't we going to wait for daddy?" – Putting her thumb to her mouth out of nervousness, Vanesa looked expectantly at the maid waiting for a response.
Trying to comfort her by taking her against her chest in a hug, Carlota picked her up and carried her into the carriage with her without letting go of her for a moment. Giving the order to the coachman to drive towards the place that Edmundo indicated.
Advancing without stopping, marching at full speed over the cobblestones that resounded with the wheels of the cart, the last convoy entered little by little into the forest until it reached the secondary roads.
The sound of the owls added to the howl of the wolves, made Vanesa shudder clinging to Carlota's chest.
Three days after leaving the mansion, Carlota looked at a map verifying the marks put by Duke Voltaire. Following with his index finger on the paper the path drawn to an intermediate point to his destination.
"Mauricio, take the cart to that cave" - Guiding the coachman extending his right arm in the direction of a path where the bushes were overgrown, the wheels of the carriage passed over them to the point that the rear axle almost detaches from the cart.
"Edmundo, just let me see you and I'm going to punch you in the stomach" – With her hair disheveled due to the hustle and bustle of the car, Carlota looked at Ofelia who was trying to hold back vomiting due to dizziness. While Vanesa raised the visor of the hat she was wearing to match her ruffled dress.
"Mom Carlota, you shouldn't hit dad or I'll stop loving you" - Pouting, slapping the maid's lap, Vanesa didn't hide her discontent at having heard Carlota say that threat.
Laughing at the way the girl tried to correct her, the maid picked her up with both hands holding her back while trying to smile at her to reassure her.
"From here there are no more secondary roads. We must continue on horseback to reach the riverbank; I suppose that, if we make few stops, we will achieve it in no more than five days" – Putting her hand to her chin, Carlota devised a plan that would allow them to move with greater ease. Although she could take Vanesa with her, the problem was Ofelia; who after having suffered torture and harassment by the Marquis, experienced a trauma that prevented him from being close to a man.
-" Mauricio, take Vanesa and protect her with your life. I will take Ophelia with me."
-" Miss Ofelia, I can ride a horse with Mr. Mauricio"
-" Girl, have you not seen how your hands tremble while you tell me that?" - Completely embarrassed by that fact, Ofelia turned her face while Carlota took her by the shoulders comforting her.
Mounting themselves on the steeds, the small contingent undertook their journey once again under the shelter of the starry night. Dodging the branches of the trees that rose in front of them.
"It seems that the sky is beginning to cloud over" - Carlota knew that the rainy seasons were near in the kingdom of Tigris. But he wished deep in his heart that they could arrive before the first rains began, before the rising of the river was difficult to cross.
At the other end of the river four days away, Princess Sofia and Princess Elena, accompanied by a small handful of servants, crossed the inhospitable sands of the Tigris desert.
Unlike the searing heat felt during the day on the sand, the nights of this desert were frigid to the point of killing any unsuspecting traveler who succumbed to sleep in the open.
With poisonous vermin prowling through the sparse vegetation, carriage drivers kept their eyes on the ground to prevent their horses from running amok when they encountered a threat.
"Eunice, do you still have a fever?" – Putting her hand on the warm forehead of the maiden, Princess Elena looked at her with deep sorrow at who, due to the lightness of her actions, had paid the consequences with her body.
Despite having lost her tongue, Eunice didn't think for a moment that it was her mistress's fault. But the shock of being cruelly stripped of her ability to speak prevented her from fully opening up to the woman who was trying to care for her.
"Stop trying to impose yourself just because you have feelings of guilt. How can you become a good ruler if you act in such a way?" -Seated at the front of the car next to the coachman, Princess Sofia took a sip of water from a small vase, passing it to her companion to cool her throat.
-" How come being worried about her is imposing on me?"
-" Four days have passed since we left the palace and you have not left her. You don't just escort her to bathe or feed her personally. Do you know what it's like for a servant when his master changes roles? You are practically giving her to understand that she has become useless, losing her reason for being. Isn't that being cruel? - Feeling how that reasoning hit her in the face, Elena reacted to think of the time that Eunice has served her since they were young.
"Forgive me Eunice, I did not consider your feelings" - Lowering her face because she recognized her clumsiness, Elena tried to turn around when her hands were held by the maid. Who tried to articulate some words making efforts with what was left of his tongue.
Elena leaned her head against Eunice's, feeling relieved to understand that brief message her maid had given her.
-" My lady, there are lights a few meters away"
-" Allies or enemies?"
-" I'm not sure ma'am, I..." -Soaring the distance in the dense darkness, an arrow dealt a lethal blow to the coachman's neck. Who was left with the body lying on the seat, leaving free the reins of the horse, which began to run wild due to the shock.
The wagons that came behind the princess's carriage increased their pace trying to catch up to him, while Sofia fought with the steed to stop him before he took them directly to their adversaries. The force with which the horse was whipped from the bridles caused the straps to hurt the princess's hands. Who despite the pain continued to hold them with the haste of confrontation.
"Antonio , go to the back and signal the convoy with the flashlight! Tell them to prepare immediately to fight" – The eunuch did as his mistress ordered, lighting the wick of the oil lamp. Covering the light with the hand pauses in order to send the coded message.
The morning after a day after arriving at the Tigris riverbank, on the side of Arabella's territory, Carlota could already see part of the river's flow in the distance. Despite having a partly sunny sky, the rain had started to fall for hours in a light way. Giving relief to the servant, who thanked the gods for listening to her prayers before the company that had been entrusted to her.
"If we continue down this path, we will be only half a day's journey away. According to the map there should be a pier that fishermen usually use in the spring season" – During the summer that ravaged the land with the dry weather, the fishermen left their boats tied to the piers downstream, unable to fish duly. Waiting for the following spring when the river was in its bed after the tributaries of autumn.
Aware of this, Edmundo had paid the fishermen to leave their boats at the docks near the delta, with the risk implied by the increased flow of the river during the first days of the monsoon.
When the sun was at its lowest point on the horizon, leaving the sky dyed red before giving way to the dark night, the four travelers descended from the horses heading to get into the boats.
-" Mama Carlota, will I go with you on the boat?"
-" I'm sorry my lady, but the boats are too small for three women to go in one. She will have to go again with Mauricio" – A little crestfallen, the girl nodded obediently to Carlota, taking the coachman's hand. At Ofelia's gaze, she couldn't help but feel guilty for making her young mistress uncomfortable.
- " Please forgive my weakness miss"
-" Don't worry Aunt Ofelia, I like Mauricio" – Smiling at the maid with an innocent expression, the girl got on the boat that was pushed from the shore by the coachman. The one who hurried up to her hardly felt that the water was already touching her above the knees.
After a few minutes, when they were already a quarter of the way from the shore with Arabella, Mauricio began to feel that it was difficult for him to move the oars against the current of the river.
-" Lady Charlotte! Did you notice too?"
-" Yes, the river has begun to change its flow. But the rains that fell were light, this should not be happening" – It was then that Carlota realized a detail that she had overlooked regarding the orography of the high ground that connected with the river delta.
Every three years the masses of snow that accumulated in the mountain ranges of the eastern Tigris suffered landslides due to the weight. Rushing to the lower tributaries of the delta, drifting on the current gradually melting.
"Row fast Mauricio. I don't like this at all, do it quickly" – Seeing that the tributary increased its violence, the coachman swallowed saliva as he struggled to lift the oars from the water as quickly as possible. Seeing how the filth that had mixed with the melted snow accumulated darkening the crystalline torrent of the river.
-" Miss Carlota, the current is dragging us away from the meeting point. If this keeps up…"
-" Mauricio shut up once and for all! If you have time to talk, better use it for paddling! – The sky that until recently was almost clear, began to cloud over accompanied by a strong wind that shook the boats.
Suffering the onslaught of the cold rain and the tumultuous torrent of the river, the boats were about to reach the other side when suddenly the boat where Miss Vanesa was coming was hit by the fence that was following the riverbed.
The impact shook the small boat causing the little girl to fall into the water, before Carlota's helpless gaze. Who, seeing how the small body was dragged down the river, did not hesitate to risk his life by throwing himself into the flow in an attempt to reach it.
"Mom... Mom Carlota!" – Moving her arms desperately swallowing part of the muddy water of the river, the girl began to feel that the strength of her legs abandoned her to the point of not being able to stay afloat any longer.
" Vanessa! Vanessa! Hold on to the logs, don't let your body sink! – With her ears covered by the water, the girl could not hear her nana, when the worst happened.
Before she could cling to a trunk, the girl did not notice that one of them was about to hit her on the head, opening a profuse wound that stained the water with blood. Leaving her unconscious at the mercy of the flow that dragged her away from Carlota.
-" I am very sorry for this terrible confusion, your highness Sofia! We hadn't been notified that he was coming and we thought they were Prince Eleazar's contingent. We have committed a grave sin, take our lives as payment!"
-" Idiot! If you take the value of your life so lightly, then lose it on the battlefield. Not here. Atone for your sins by serving and not by useless things like honor" – With her face contorted into an aggressive expression, Sofia lashed out with a slap on the face of the lieutenant in charge of the rebel battalion.
Three days had already passed since the night the princess had been attacked by confusion in the command line. Time in which, together with Elena, he had arrived at one of the rebel camps distributed throughout the desert.
Still puzzled by what her eyes saw, Elena could not believe the military organization they had achieved in the short span of five years. Thanks to the efforts on the part of the principality of Arabella and Begonia; Providing not only supplies of weapons but also military training, men who had only known farming became soldiers with unwavering determination.
"Isn't that amazing to you? Surely you thought that I was just a beautiful vase like the rest of my sisters in the palace. But I'm more like a sand snake, I contract giving the impression of being submissive so that my enemy can't see my fangs ready to attack" – Chatting her teeth at Elena through the veil, Sofia smiled playfully taking Elena's hand. his comrade-in-arms heading to one of the military strategy shops.
"Hail your majesty! Long live the morning star of Tigris." Clicking their heels with their hands to their chests as they gave their salute, the soldiers made no secret of the fact that they already considered their mistress the rightful ruler over her brother. Calling her by the title that was only reserved for the direct candidate in the line of succession.
Giving such a salute was considerable to recognize the crime of high treason, but on the lips of these men, it was a firm declaration of principles. Of those who had abandoned their lives in pursuit of their goal at any cost.
-" What do you plan to do with that girl? Are you going to eat it?"
– " So much time living in that wolf as a container has made you an animal, my dear Enoch?
-" I have not become anything. I am still the same spirit for thousands of years, but even I am often hungry."
-" Don't worry, soon I'll have the mutton stew ready. Just be patient" – The aroma of the meat cooking with the potatoes and the touch of sour cream in the broth reached Vanesa's nose, who woke up suddenly due to the growling of her stomach.
"I see you've woken up girl" – A gentle-looking man, but with a longing look in his eyes, back-length black hair, and a pair of ruby gem earrings. On his face with delicate features similar to those of a woman, a scar ran from top to bottom of his lips.
To one side of him sitting passively without moving a single thread of his fur, a black wolf with red eyes kept his gaze on the girl, causing the creature to begin to cry as it was vulnerable to that beast unknown to it.
-" Enoch! Why did you make our guest cry?
-" Stop blaming me! That brat only started crying because I was looking at her, can't I look at her?" – Taking his hand to his head, stirring his beautiful black hair giving a deep sigh, the man left the ladle inside the pot and approached the girl, extending his hand.
The warmth of the touch of his fingers running over her cheek made him calm, as if that feeling was so familiar. Vanesa looked up looking for the man's eyes, discovering that a bandage covered them.
"Are you also sick of your eyes like my mommy? She also covered her right eye with a bandage. I know because I saw his portrait every day in the mansion before going to sleep" – Stopping his hand at that moment, the man took his fingertips feeling the fabric that had time on his skin, to the point that he had forgotten that was there. As a reminder of his distant past.
"I'll go serve the stew, please try to stand up and come to the table. If you take too long, Enoch will also eat your part" – Giving the girl a complicit smile, that man approached the pot again, serving two plates on the table and one more on the floor, which overflowed leaving the pieces of lamb meat overflowing.
Vanesa felt hunger tighten her stomach, forcing herself to walk clumsily step by step to the table, leaning on the chair to get on it to the point that the legs rocked almost letting her fall.
Filled with fear, the girl closed her eyes for an instant as her head was about to hit the rock floor of the hut. When he felt a current of air that supported his body, opening his eyes to realize that he was floating.
"What is this? Sir, you are a fairy!" - With the pure look characteristic of children, Vanesa's mouth was open with an angelic smile that surprised Enoch himself. Who raised his eyes for a moment leaving his plate aside to contemplate her.
-" Heh, heh, heh. That was funny Ignis , the brat has you confused with those weak forest creatures!"
-" Enoch just shut up!" – With his face flushed and his lips slightly raised showing his teeth, the man put his index finger to his mouth trying to silence his partner.
-" Ignis ? "
-" Yes, little lady. My name is Ignis Salvaterra . A humble hurie at your service" – Standing up with a bow, banging his head against the table, Ignis appeared before Vanesa who laughed when she saw how the man rubbed his forehead while Enoch did not stop making fun of him.
"Your Majesty, we have already arranged the messengers on their way to the camps. In two days we will meet in the plains of Esmerios with the rest of the army" – With his knee bent and bringing his arm to his chest, the soldier informed Sofia that the preparations to launch the battle for the throne of Tigris were ready .
– " It seems that your plan is going perfectly. Soon I will have to swear allegiance to you as your vassal from what I see"
-" Princess, no, Queen Elena. I don't know why you are confused with my statement of intent, if it was clear enough about it. The fact that you had to marry that bloody bastard of a brother has nothing to do with who you swear allegiance to.
In the eyes of some you will be a hero, in the eyes of others a mere villain. The world will have a perception and opinion about you, but none of them will matter. The only person whose opinion should really matter to you is the one you see reflected in the mirror every morning.
Sometimes you will be an angel, other times a demon. But in the end, it is the mere sum of everything, it will always be you" – Saying those words while holding her shoulders firmly, Sofia looked at Elena as an equal. Someone who shared the feeling of having been trampled, despite having the ability to surpass anyone, just for the simple fact of being a woman.
Giving him a hand to help him into the carriage, the two women led the contingent that was already preparing to leave.
- " My lady, a problem has occurred"
-" Be clear and say it at once" – Contemplating the man who looked agitated, with his skin bathed in sweat and his heart rate accelerated. Sofia stepped down from the carriage for a moment to attend to him in view of the curious looks of the officers around her.
-" The people entrusted to us by Duke Edmund have suffered an accident due to the flooding of the river. We formed a small patrol to walk along the riverbank and managed to find three of them. But…"
-" But what?"
-" The daughter of Duke Voltaire has not appeared! We have been searching for hours, but we have not been able to locate her" – Upon hearing that report, Sofia put her hand to her forehead, lowering her head a little with a dark mood.
She was aware that they had to leave immediately, to take advantage of the fact that the royalist troops were still several days away in Arabella. But that army that was now at his disposal could not have been possible without the help of his benefactor.
- " Colonel Arturo, come immediately!"
- " Order my lady"
-" Take the contingent and continue with our original plan. I will go as soon as I have confirmed if the duke's daughter is still alive or has died. It's the least I can do with the man who has supported us so much" - Obeying his mistress's orders, the colonel mounted his horse and gave the signal to the contingent to leave immediately.
"I'll go with you" - Holding a cape over her shoulders, Elena had placed a sword at her waist with the firm determination to be useful to the woman who trusted her.
"Then let's not waste time and hurry up to meet the patrol. The faster we resolve this, the sooner I'll settle accounts with Eleazar" – Nodding their heads, Elena and Sofia got on the horse, hitting the stirrup to start the gallop over the soft sands of the desert.