Dawn brought a cool wind that swept through the trees, carrying the smell of wet earth and leaves. The inn at the edge of the forest was beginning to come to life, inside you could hear the farmers bustling about, preparing a simple meal for the guests, and outside, the carriage horse snorted softly, as if impatient for the further journey.
Kellan sat on the steps of the inn, his elbows on his knees, staring at the rising sun. He still felt the weight of the night on his shoulders, but it was a different weight than usual, not so suffocating, not so intransigent. The memory of the stars and the warmth of Anabell, leaning on his shoulder, still lingered in his thoughts.
– You got up early. Anabell's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
He turned his head as he saw her approaching him. She was wearing a cloak, and a shawl was thrown over her shoulders, as if to protect herself from the morning cold. Her hair was a bit tousled, but her eyes were clearly more rested than yesterday.
– You too, – he replied quietly, moving up the step to make room for her.
She sat down next to him, pulling her knees to her and looking out toward the forest, the edge of which was illuminated by the first rays of sunshine. For a moment, they were both silent, listening to the sounds of the waking day.
– Your father... From your stories, he is a strict man who commands respect. I do not know how he will react to all you have to say to him. Shadow magic, sects, summoning.
Anabell bit her lip, as if his words confirmed her own fears.
–I knows. However, I want and have such a duty to inform him about it. So that he is aware of what he will face at the border.
Kellan looked at her from the side. She was calm, but he could see a hint of anxiety in her eyes.
– I believe in your gift of persuasion, – he said at last, though even he was surprised by the words. – But what will happen if he does not accept it? How will he think it stupid and order you to return to the capital?
Anabell looked at him, surprised, and then smiled slightly.
– I have never been close to my father, but if he thinks I will let it go. This will be very surprising for him.
Before he could answer, the voices of Seraphine and the knights came from inside the inn. Preparations for the further journey were already in full swing. Anabell stood up, shaking off her coat, then held out her hand to him.
– Come. We have a long way to go – Kellan looked at her hand, and then at her face. He grabbed her confidently and stood up.
The day was lazily ending, and the caravan was slowly moving toward Fort Blackorn. The road became bumpy, and the wheels of the wagons creaked at every major stone, as if complaining about the hardship of the journey. The landscape around him changed from plains to hillier, with forests stretching across the hills like green patches of ink.
Seraphine, tired of sitting on the wagon, began her whining.
– How much longer? – She said to Kellan, who was riding their horses in front. – I have the impression that we are driving in circles.
– Don't whine, – Kellan said, looking at her sideways. – According to the map, this is the last section.
– It is easy for you to talk, you are sitting on the horse's back. – And me? I was shaking all day on the wagon until I could feel every ankle in my spine.
Anabell giggled, looking over her shoulder.
– Then maybe try to focus on something else. Look at what a beautiful sky.
Seraphine gave her a look of disbelief, then rolled her eyes theatrically.
– Oh yes, sunset. How romantic. It is a pity that you cannot see any inn here.
Soon the road began to lead steeply uphill. Seraphine began to complain again, but this time more as a joke than out of real frustration.
– If this is what my life adventure is supposed to look like, I think I have miscalculated. I had visions of magic, glory, a prince... And here is mud, mosquitoes and a path that goes on endlessly.
Anabell laughed.
– Who knows, this prince is waiting in Fort Blackorn? –
– If so, I hope he does not smell like his guards, – Seraphine said, raising her eyebrows.
When they finally approached the fort, Seraphine paused for a moment and looked at the massive walls that towered above them.
– Well, I must admit, – she said with a smile, – she looks impressive. All is not lost.
Fort Blackorn was an imposing structure that towered over the surrounding landscape like a guard looking down upon the lands in his care. Built of dark gray stone, quarried from the nearby mountains, it had solid massive walls. High watchtowers, set up at the corners of the fortifications, allowed observers to see every movement on the border, and a wide moat, filled with water from the surrounding streams, surrounded the entire complex. The main gate of the fort was reinforced with an iron gate, and in front of it was a drawbridge, the chains of which creaked every time it was lowered.
– Tell me they have hot food here. Or at least some decent beds.
They rode into the courtyard, where several soldiers were watching them with interest. Seraphine jumped down to the ground and immediately began to look around.
– Okay, where is the welcome feast? – She said, straightening up proudly, as if she had just returned from a battle.
Kellan just sighed and shook his head.
– You really live in your own world.
–Perhaps. But at least my world is not as bleak as yours, – she said with a mischievous smile as she walked toward what looked like the fort's headquarters.
There was movement in the courtyard. The soldiers were bustling about, carrying crates of supplies that had arrived earlier in carts. It was clear that the preparations for the expedition were in full swing. The weapons were carefully stacked on racks, and the armor gleamed, though many of them showed signs of use. Through it all, Seraphine maneuvered gracefully, watching it curiously.
– I wonder if they would let me shoot with a crossbow, – she muttered, approaching one of the soldiers.
– You'd better not start, – Kellan warned her, jumping off his horse. – We want to go through this place, not end up in a dungeon for your antics.
Seraphine shrugged and stuck her tongue out at him.
– I am just watching!
Anabell looked around carefully, trying to assess the atmosphere in the fort. Everything looked calm, although she could feel the tension in the air. The soldiers were talking in a whisper, and their faces were serious.
– You can see something is going on, – she said quietly to Kellan, who stood next to her.
– I am not surprised, – he said. – The proximity of the border, reinforced patrols... This place looks like it is ready for war.
At that moment, the doors of the main building opened with a bang, and a large man in heavy armor came out of the interior. His cloak was adorned with the emblem of an eagle that looked as if it were about to take to the air.
–Newcomers! He called, heading towards the group. – Who are you, and what brings you to Fort Blackorn? –
Anabell walked over to him, straightening up proudly.
– I am Lady Anabell, daughter of the Earl of Edmont. We travel south to meet my father.
The man looked at her attentively, as if weighing her words.
– Lady Anabell... I have heard of you. Your father mentioned that we could expect you. I am called Sir Rainhart, and I am pleased to meet you. These two, I suppose, are your companions.
Anabell was a little surprised, the news in the intelligence must travel much faster than the pace of the wagon journey. However, she nodded in affirmation, in response to the knight's question.
–Come. We will talk inside. The fort is not a place to talk in the middle of the courtyard.
Seraphine rolled her eyes at Kellan giving her a warning look but followed them without saying a word.
It was cold inside the building. The walls were lined with stone, and above the fireplace hung a huge sword, which looked more like an ornament than a weapon of war. The man showed them seats at the table and sat down at the front.
– How much do you know about the situation at the border? He asked, folding his hands on the counter.
Anabell exchanged a glance with Kellan, then began to speak. This time, she did not reveal everything, limiting herself to more official information, which could have been less controversial.
Seraphine, sitting to the side, stared at the fireplace as if it were the only place of interest in the entire fort. Sometimes she looked up at her interlocutors, but remained silent, as if waiting for the right moment to speak.
The conversation lasted for a long time, interrupted only by noises coming from outside – the clatter of weapons and the calls of soldiers. Finally, the man stood up.
– I cannot promise that meeting your father will be easy, and you know him better than I do. – He said to Anabell.
Anabell thanked him with dignity, though there was a hint of unease in her eyes. When they went outside, Seraphine stretched lazily and smiled at Kellan.
– Well, it was better than I expected. Nobody threw us out, and the food was quite good.
– When did you manage to steal their food? – Kellan muttered.
Seraphine just shrugged and adjusted her hood.