Chapter 22 The Cloaked Stranger
My breath came in puffs of fog, trembling hands squeezing Snowdrift’s reins. My horse was just as uneasy; stiff as a statue with ears perked and tail lashing.
It isn’t my imagination. Something is wrong.
But Captain Jackson gave me an order; I must earn his trust.
I swallowed and tugged at Snowdrift’s reins. He refused to move, and I murmured, “Shh, it’s okay, boy. C’mon.”
After a moment, he obeyed and took slow steps forward. The cloaked person didn’t move, and my heart pounded.
What if that’s my murderer…?
One of my hands squeezed the rope dart on my hip. If it is, this is my chance to catch them! I can fight back this time!
I cleared my throat and barked, “Who’s there?”
Silence.
I shouted in a demanding tone. “SPEAK!”
As we got closer, I made out the slim shoulders and slender face of a woman. Half of her face was covered in shadow from her hood, but wrinkles lined the corners of her mouth. Her thin lips stretched into a smile before she pulled her hood back. I halted Snowdrift in front of her. The woman appeared to be in her late 60s, close to my parents’ ages. Her dark hair was pulled back into a low ponytail; silver locks streaked the sides from age. Despite the wrinkles on her pale skin and dark gray patches beneath her eyes, she was beautiful. Her pale green eyes were gorgeous and mesmerizing.
Those eyes look so familiar… wait. Am I going mad, or do they look like Maribel’s?
“Sorry, dame,” she said in a gentle tone. “I was just passing through, and you startled me. Is there something I’ve done wrong?”
I looked her up and down. The woman looked harmless. Though creepy from a distance, she looked like any ordinary traveler.
Then again…
I glanced around. The area was completely deserted, and dusk was hidden behind the dark clouds foretelling rain. More importantly, Snowdrift was still on edge, and my senses were still agitated.
“…Where are you heading, ma’am?” I questioned. “This road leads to Embercrest, and the kingdom is currently on lockdown.”
“It is?” She placed her fingers to her lips, her pale green eyes widening. “Whatever for?”
“That’s classified information,” I said sternly. “Nobody is allowed to pass the border, so you’ll have to be on your way elsewhere.”
“Oh… I see. I’m sorry to trouble you, dame,” she murmured.
I looked her up and down before tilting my head. “Do you have family in Embercrest?”
“Family?” The elderly woman’s smile saddened. “No. No family. I’ve been alone for a very long time now.”
“Oh. I’m sorry, I didn’t…” I hesitated.
“It’s fine, you didn’t know,” she murmured, her smile softening. “You’re a part of Embercrest’s knighthood, aren’t you?”
“How did you…?”
“Embercrest’s knighthood always patrols this part of the border, and you’re wearing their armor. I must say, a dame is rare in the knighthood. You must be quite special.”
I forced my smile. “Thank you, ma’am. Anyway…”
“What’s your name?” she asked, tilting her head.
“Pardon?” My brows furrowed warily.
“Unless that’s private information too,” she said. “I didn’t mean to pry; I just thought there was a more casual way to address you. Who knows, we may cross paths again.”
I frowned, falling silent for a few seconds before lifting my chin, speaking with a strong voice, “My name is Robin.”
Her lips twitched, her breath hitching as if holding back a chuckle.
My gaze narrowed sharply. “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing. That’s a beautiful name,” she said, brushing her wavy hair behind her ear. “My name is Isla. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Robin.”
“What makes you think we’ll cross paths again, Isla?” I queried.
Those words didn’t sit right with me.
“I come from Velvetstone,” Isla explained. “I often travel to Embercrest Kingdom for shopping. The range of merchandise in the market there is well worth the trip. Drakeveil Kingdom is too far away.”
Velvetstone… that place sounds familiar. Where have I heard that name before?
“Dame Robin,” Isla murmured. “It’s growing dark, and this road is a little too close to Moir Forest for my liking. Could you escort me back to Velvetstone? I’d feel safer in the presence of a knight.”
Before I could respond, the memory of Melinda’s words hit me like a boulder. Robin had three friends from Velvetstone, and I encountered those friends.
Robin’s friends didn’t look human.
My blood ran cold as my hands squeezed Snowdrift’s reins.
Shit.
“Dame Robin?” Isla’s brows furrowed. “Are you alright?”
I took a deep breath and lifted my chin. “Of course. It’s a knight’s duty to protect the welfare of those in need.”
Isla’s smile turned into a grin. “My, I’m impressed. You’re nobler than most. Thank you, Robin. You’re a brave woman.”
Okay… That’s a little weird.
“Of course. You can ride—” I gasped as Snowdrift gave a sharp neigh and stepped back. “Snowdrift! Stop, calm down!” I turned to Isla. “I’m sorry, he’s a little nervous.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine.” Isla waved it off. “I can walk. It’s not a problem.”
“If you insist,” I said and tugged at Snowdrift’s reins. My white horse grunted, but obeyed. We walked beside Isla in silence. I peeked at the old woman on the corner of my eye. She appeared to be like any other sweet elderly woman, and I would’ve believed it too if my body wasn't tingling and Snowdrift wasn’t unnerved.
“Robin?” Isla broke the silence.
“Yes, ma’am?”
“How come you joined the knighthood? They’re quite strict if I recall.”
“Well…” My unease lifted with a genuine smile. “Joining the knighthood has been my dream since I was a little girl.”
“Really?” Isla’s brows raised. “So you’re a resident of Embercrest?”
“That’s right. Born and raised.”
“I see…” Isla’s voice trailed off.
“What is it?”
“I mean no offense, but you don’t look like someone who came from a kingdom like Embercrest.”
I winced, glancing away. “…Yeah. I get that a lot.”
“You look more like someone who came from Drakeveil.”
“Pardon?”
“Drakeveil Kingdom is known for having many citizens having a shade of ginger in their hair, whether faint or vivid. Though I don’t mean ginger-haired people aren’t naturally born in Embercrest.”
I fell silent in thought: Drakeveil… Now that I think about it, the royal family had a distinct shade of red hair.
“It’s the same for the Ray royal family,” Isla continued. “They’ve always had a lineage with distinct blonde hair. Whether ash, golden, or platinum.”
I remained silent. Such a thing had never dawned on me, but now that I think about every family portrait, everyone had blonde hair.
And then there was Amina…
For a moment, my chest twisted with pity, but I quickly shook my head. She doesn’t deserve my empathy. Not anymore.
Snowdrift froze again, and I glanced up. My stomach twisted. The road led into Moir Forest.
“Robin?” Isla looked up at me. “What’s wrong, My Dame?”
“Ma’am… where exactly is Velvetstone?”
“On the outskirts of Moir. It’s not far now. You will escort me, right, Robin?”