Hidden Knights (Knights of the Realm #3) - Jennifer Anne Davis Page 0,85
as you march south into Axian.”
“There may be fighting,” he informed them.
“We understand. And we will make sure to stay out of the way. However, we want to see the City of Radella, we want to see the false king removed, and we are eager to be reunited with our loved ones.”
“Very well,” Dexter said. “Ready yourselves. We leave within the hour.”
Reid couldn’t help but think about when she and Harlan had traveled into Axian on their own. It had been much simpler than this. Dressed in thick leather armor, sitting atop her horse with Dexter at her side, she headed south toward Lake Folme. Owen, Gordon, and Ackley were riding toward the front of the procession, Dexter and Reid were with Leigh, Nara, and Idina in the middle, and the duchesses were riding toward the back with Harlan and Gytha.
With only a hundred or so men remaining behind at the castle, the rest of the army, which consisted of five thousand men from the combined counties, now marched under the Marsden banner. Word had been sent to Colbert to send the Axian soldiers north. Dexter hoped to box Eldon in, forcing him to surrender.
Traveling with so many soldiers proved to be a lengthy process, especially since most were walking. Reid hadn’t considered the logistics of getting that many men across the Gast River. Thankfully, Gordon had already thought of it. He’d been sending supplies along with men across Lake Folme over the past week.
Around midday, the majority of the soldiers veered east, heading toward the pass-through in the Modig Mountains. Owen, Gordon, and Ackley accompanied them.
A small contingent of fifty now traveled with the duchesses and royal family members to Lake Folme, where they would cross in small boats. Both groups would reconvene in three days.
When they reached the lake, Reid patiently waited her turn. When Dexter ordered her on a boat, she climbed in and sat. Gytha jumped in beside her.
“It takes forever to travel with so many people,” Reid complained.
“You’re bored because you don’t have a job to do,” Gytha pointed out.
Reid blinked, realization sinking in. “Why don’t I have a job?”
She shrugged. “That is a question for your husband, not me.”
As they made their way across the lake, Reid couldn’t help but think about the last time she’d made this trip. She’d been about to meet her fiancé, whom she’d wanted nothing to do with. She’d also thought she was on an exciting mission for the Knights. She remembered clutching the bag holding her next assignment. So much had changed since then.
When they reached the dock, Gytha disembarked. “It is good to be on familiar land.”
Reid climbed out of the boat, following Gytha to the gathering place of those who had already crossed.
An odd sensation filled Reid. She glanced around, looking for someone or something out of place. She didn’t see anything. “Gytha,” she said to her friend. “Why didn’t we go with the other soldiers?” Why had they split the group in two? She understood they all couldn’t cross via the lake since there weren’t many boats. But why couldn’t they have all gone through the mountain pass?
“Someone pointed out the trek up the steps would be too difficult for the duchesses.” Gytha tilted her head, assessing Reid. “Is everything all right?”
Reid nodded.
Once everyone had crossed, they traveled a bit farther until they reached the spot where they were to meet up with the rest of the army. After they set up camp, Reid crawled into her tent, snuggling under the blankets. A few minutes later, Dexter joined her.
“I feel like I haven’t seen you all day,” he said as he nuzzled her neck. The temperature had dropped, making the air frigid.
His cold nose tickled her skin. Twisting toward him, she was about to place a kiss on his cheek when the odd sensation she’d had earlier returned. What could be making her feel off-kilter?
“What is it?” Dexter asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Always trust your instinct.” He propped his head on his hand, waiting for her to explain.
She realized what was bothering her. “Is the way we’re traveling expected?”
“What do you mean?”
“Assuming Eldon knows we’re coming for him and he wants to plan a counterattack, would he be able to figure out the route we’re taking?” Since they’d arrived in Axian, she feared they were walking into a trap. After all, that was what they’d done to the king during his journey to the palace when they’d tried to assassinate him.