Chapter 109 An Incomplete Victory
On the western road.
The large caravan of people, horses, and Unicorns traveled throughout the night. The storm finally passed over the city and began to move northeast, towards the Ridges. The mud made the journey difficult, but they were determined. A group of Unicorns quickly passed back and forth behind, checking to see if anyone was following them. A small village moved towards the hunting grounds on the edge of the Greenwood. A group of men riding horses and unicorns gathered to watch the people passing by.
Esteban: Captain Rodrigo, you have saved the army of the queen.
Rodrigo: Count, you always misunderstand me. We had been turned into pets for the nobles. The queen has saved us.
Peador: The people will need a leader. There are many men here whom they could follow, but if they try to follow several men at once, they will fail.
Pedro: The count was appointed Count of War by the queen. I propose that he remain in command until we manage to contact the queen.
Rodrigo: Perhaps a servant of a coward could serve another servant of a coward.
Without a signal from the man, Cobalt Storm moved to the side of the horse carrying Esteban. He extended his left hand. The count grabbed his forearm, and Rodrigo did the same.
Peador: Good. If you want to kiss, we can close our eyes.
The warriors laughed softly. They knew that the coming days would be very difficult and that each of them would die if the queen did not emerge victorious.
In the castle.
Six hundred knights arrived at the castle half an hour late. After their captains gathered information about the situation, they realized they were almost an hour away from the caravan.
The soldiers in the castle were collecting their wounded and dead. The east wing was thoroughly searched. Some servants were found, and many wounded prisoners were captured.
In the royal chambers, the winners gathered to determine everything that had happened.
Valero: My son, please explain it to me.
Victorino: The queen left here before we arrived. Someone warned her. Perhaps the Herald.
Octavio: Do you know where she is?
Victorino: I think she left with the Pegasi. They flew southeast. Possibly to the peninsula. Or to an island.
Valero: And what about her supporters?
Victorino: They escaped when the Unicorns entered the battle. They left through the gate of hunters. Probably towards the Greenwood or perhaps towards Puerto Blanco.
Octavio: How many days will it take to get to Puerto Blanco?
Victorino: Three or four. They would have to cross the old bridge. It will be slow.
Valero: And the nobles there supported her. If she manages to hide in Puerto Blanco, we will not be able to attack them and defend ourselves against Aurelio.
The count grabbed his wine glass and threw it against the wall.
Victorino: Father...
Valero: Silence! Tomorrow, send scouts to look for them. If they are in the Greenwood, we can offer titles to the captain of the unicorns and a reward for them to surrender.
Octavio: And the bastard?
Valero: We need to capture the ports and the ships. If she is on the islands, we can use the soldiers from the prison to attack them until we find her. If anyone sees a Pegasus, kill it.
Victorino: Yes, Father, I am sorry.
In the air, southwest of the city.
Chara guided them across the bay until she could see the mountains to the east. They flew closer to the mountains to avoid Isla Forteleza. When they reached open water again, she could see some small bonfires that indicated the location of the island. The storm did not reach the islands. The Pegasi and their riders were wet and cold as they flew through the autumn air.
Golden Arrow was looking for a clear area to land on the northern part of the island. Chara mentally pictured the dirt road that was intended for the Pegasi. The male Pegasus landed seconds before Little Feather. Both found enough space to land without difficulty. When they stopped, the rider untied the ropes and jumped to the ground to help the queen. After a few minutes, both were standing and safe.
Some people came running. Four of them were armed soldiers. They pointed long spears at them. Golden Arrow reared up and kicked his hooves in the air.
Chara: Everyone, calm down! She is Queen Olivia.
A soldier: Stay here! The master will arrive soon. If you try to escape, we will attack.
Chara used her mind to calm the Pegasi. Twenty minutes later, two more pegasi appeared over the island and landed on the path. Two soldiers ran towards them, brandishing their spears. A large group walked from the manor house to the area. Twelve more soldiers with crossbows arrived, accompanied by some servants and an eight-year-old boy.
The boy: Who are you?
Olivia stepped forward with the riders behind her: Olivia, Queen of Costa Lunas. I need help from my noble lord of Royal Island.
The boy: I am Eneko, son of Beñat, the lord of this island. Men, light the bonfires now. They need to dry their clothes before they freeze. Servants who know how, help the Pegasi.
Olivia: Thank you, Lord Eneko. You are very kind.
Eneko: My father supports my queen. My island is your island.
Hernando: Your pardon, two more Pegasus will be arriving soon.
Eneko: Fine, what happened?
Danilo: Two counts attacked the queen and her followers. We had to escape. I hope our army won, but I do not know.
Wulfhelm: I think the battle was fierce. I saw unicorns near the castle below as we were flying away.
While the humans were resting by a campfire, the Pegasi used a larger fire to dry their wings and fur. The riders looked up at the sky and shouted when they saw a large shadow approaching.
Grey Wing landed carefully. When she came to a stop, Nestor called for help. The men helped him and the girls get down.
Nestor: She has an arrow stuck in her wing. We must remove it and bandage her.
The riders held the wing firmly while the man heated his dagger in the fire until it was red-hot, and then he extracted the arrow from the wing. Nestor felt every bit of the pain he inflicted.
Floriano: I do not think it is serious. It was not in a muscle.
Late at night, White Mask arrived on the island. Very carefully, the riders helped Volker dismount, and the soldiers carried him to the manor house to treat his injured leg. The priests were unsure how severe the wound was.
Each rider took a turn sitting with Volker while he slept. They ate and drank strong wine after the difficult night they had endured. The queen sat with her young friends, frightened and worried about her people. She could not stop thinking about all the death she felt responsible for.