Chapter 168

**CAY POV**

The three mile ride to the town wasn’t so bad, though it did begin to rain whilst we were still about twenty minutes away. I didn’t mind however, i have always liked the rain, it signals the start of new beginnings. It washes away the pains of the past.

“i can see the lights, we are not far.” i say, looking back at the only family that i have left.

Mother said I'd always be welcomed back home, but I'm not sure that is ever possible anymore, I'm pretty positive my father hates me. I've just destroyed everything he spent years teaching me, and i did it in front of his council and my brothers. I embarrassed him. Perhaps i even humiliated him, either way, i cannot go back, there is nothing for me there.

I always felt as though i have spent my life in a golden prison, it gave the illusion that i was free, but i never was. I always had to live by someone else's rules, and never by what was in my heart.

“I can’t wat for a hot meal.” Says Jamie, yawning into the crease in his arm.

I couldn’t wait either, i was starving.

My mother and i made journeys such at this a few years ago, we did it to help the people who needed us, just as i am trying to do now. But as the war worsened, so did my father’s reign. We were no longer allowed beyond the city walls.

He said it was to protect us, but the contacts i have along the borders say that it is to hide the fact that innocent people are being killed, and my father is ignoring it. He always said that sacrifice was a part of war, but i do not agree. Not when it comes to the innocent lives of children.

I know that he tries to protect them, i have no doubt about that, but he is never in the field anymore, and the reports have mostly been false. They say the people are protected by the army, but they are wrong, the people are dying protecting what little they still have.

I tried to tell him, i tried to show him the letters, but he ignored me. He was more interested in how my tutors were grading me than what i had to say.

I know that he wanted me to do well, i wanted that also, but i could not stand by and watch our people die for reasons they don’t understand.

I stop just before we reach the walls that surround the town, turning to the others, “I have arranged for a small army to meet us here, they will arrive tomorrow, we are going to stay here until they come.”

Darren watches me as though i have grown three extra heads, “You planned for this to be where we stopped all along.” He says, shocked.

“I couldn’t reveal my plan until i was sure none of you were working for my father.” I say, shrugging a little.

They can be offended if that is what they wish, but my father would have stopped me if he knew my plan, i couldn’t take the risk of anyone but myself knowing the details.

“You are not trained for war, princess.” Jamie says, his voice frantic, “I cannot allow you to ride into battle with no training.”

“She has had training.” Kiren interjects, handing me my short sword. “She trained in secret with me and a few others. She is more skilled than even i am.”

“You tricked us.” Derran snaps, furious with me. “All along we though this mission was to help the people, when it is actually just a way for you to prove your father wrong.”

“It’s not like that at all.” I argue, sheathing my sword, “We are going to help the people, we are going to do our best to protect the villagers from harm.” i sigh, not wanting to argue with them, “There is an army marching on this town, it’ll be here within the week, and my father refused to send aid, i had to come.”

“You cannot protect them all, princess, people will still die, whether you and an army are here or not.” Jamie says with a huff of anger, then a second later, he calms. “What army is said to be marching here?”

“The shape shifters.” i say, awaiting another outburst from them.

The shape shifters are the most dangerous race that we face, they can transform into any beast that they wish, and they are impossibly strong and fast.

It will not be an easy battle, but war cannot be won in a day, it takes time, and bodies.

“What are you trying to prove, Cay?” Kiren asks, “If we go up against the shape shifters we are sure to lose.”

I take a long breath in through my nose, “Then we will lose, and possibly die, but there is also a chance that we could win, and save this town.”

Derran pulls his horse closer to mine, “lead to way, princess, i swore to follow you until the day that i die, that has not changed.”

I smile, nodding my head and turning to face the towns massive wooden gates, “Open the gates!” i shout, murmurs coming from inside the walls.

They already knew of my arrival, i wrote to them a week ago, the mayor assured me that i would be welcomed.

It takes a few minutes, but the gates open, and we are greeted by the soldier who are permanently stationed here.

“Princess Cay, we were told of your arrival.” One of them bows, though i cannot see his face past the helmet he wears.

I click my tongue and the horse moves, my guards close behind me as we enter the town, the streets alive with people going about their business as usual. They do not know what is coming for them, telling them would only cause mass panic.

The outer towns such as this one are more alive at night, and they sleep more during the day, the days are shorter out here, and the nights are longer.

“I suspect you can find your way to the inn?” asks one of the guards, “Or would you prefer to have an escort?”

“I’m sure we can find it just fine on our own.” I say with a smile, turning to Kiren, “Lead the way.”

Kiren does as i ask, and we leave the guards behind to shut and lock the gate as we move further into the town, finding the inn on the third street that we venture down.

The inn was called The Tired Vulture. It is one that i remember visiting with my mother all those years ago, when the war wasn’t so bad.

We hand our horses to a stable boy, the wagons that we had brought with us already taken by the soldiers, they will ensure that the contents are safe and well-guarded.

Though no one in this town would steal from me, they all remember what mother and i did for them, and they will know that i am only here for a reason. Whether they know the reason or not.

The inn is alive with people of all shapes and sizes, some round, some tall, some shorter than i. All of them stop and stare when we enter, curious at the outsiders coming into their space.

The round inn keeper steps forward, bowing low, “Princess, we are glad you arrived safely.”

I smile, “As am i.” i say, “I was hoping that you could lead me to my room, it has been a long journey and i am tired.”

The inn keeper smiles back at me, “Of course, i will show you myself, right this way.”

I follow him behind the bar and up the stairs, the round man stopping at the fourth door on the right, unlocking it and handing me the key.

“I’ll have someone bring you some stew and coffee.” The greasy haired man says, bowing as he leaves just as quickly as he had appeared.

I turn to Kiren who followed us, “Can you set my bags by the bed, I'm going to lay down for a while.”

He nods and follows me inside, it wasn't the luxury i was used to, but i didn’t mind, a simple bed and a chest of drawers suited me just fine.

“I’ll knock when the stew arrives.” Says Kiren as he makes his way back out of the room, “Lock the door.”

I do as he says and then quickly remove my riding clothes, and place a hunting knife under my pillow for emergencies. You never know what could happen, it is better to be safe than not.

I slump down on the lumpy bed and look up at the rotting ceiling, if my mother knew my true intentions, she would have never let me leave.

Father couldn’t spare the men for this battle, but i could, i had my own personal army ready to follow my every order, and it was about time i used them.

It was about time i joined this war, it affected every person in this kingdom, not just the low borns.

I'm ready to fight, and if it comes down to it, I'm ready to die too.