DayDreamer: Thanks, I'm glad you're enjoying the story. There's nothing wrong with your feedback. Comments like "This is great writing" are always greatly appreciated (of course comments like "this is rubbish why don't you crawl back into the hole you came from and die" are less so). I wouldn't want to make you all frowny so the next part is below.
Strange Quark: I'm glad you're liking Hannah. To be honest she was loosely based on a a character from the book War and Peace. I mean the idea of her being an orphan who's treated like a slave then called ungrateful when she shows any independence. In this part she gets to say the thing that I always wanted that character to.
Chapter 8
Pursuit.
Two's company.
Maurice got Hannah up early the next morning. She was rather dismayed to see that it was still dark. After all she was used to getting up early, but not this early. When she complained about this to Maurice he just said, "We're going to need to ride most of the day, if we're going to have much of a chance of catching up with the princess." He studies Hannah for a few moments then asked, "That is if you are serious about wanting to find her."
"Oh, yes I am."
"Well then you better get ready to set off, I'm not waiting for you." He then turned to check his horse, while Hannah quickly packed everything up. When she was ready they set off, "We should probably ride south to the river Rother, then follow that to the border."
"Um, I'm not sure about that." Hannah said.
"Why not?" Maurice asked, turning towards her.
Fidgeting a little under his gaze, Hannah answered, "Well there was this water sprite that gave me a bit of trouble earlier."
"It's probably gone by now." Maurice reasoned.
"I guess." Hannah said with a shrug.
"Even if it hasn't, I have a charm that will get rid of it."
"Oh well then, that's alright." Hannah said. They headed towards the river.
When they reached the river Maurice looked about, then said, "I can't see any sign of your water sprite."
"Oh, well as you say, it's probably moved on."
"Then I won't need to use this." He held up a chain with a small black lump of rock on the end.
"What's that?" Hannah asked, gazing at it.
"It's the charm I mentioned. Perfect for getting rid of water sprites, or any form of elemental spirit."
"Wow, that must be useful. How did you get it?" Hannah asked.
Maurice gazed at the charm for a few seconds, seemingly not hearing Hannah. Finally he said, "It's not a particularly interesting story." With that he put the charm away and turned back to the road ahead. Hannah wanted to ask him some more about the charm, but the pace he was setting meant she had to concentrate too much on just keeping up to be able to.
***
After getting up Beatrice        went out see what information she could find about the surrounding area, while Morgan went to do some shopping. Given the shortage of funds, she knew she would only be able to get the cheapest provisions. After counting her money again, Morgan decided to get some marching rations. It wouldn't be nice, but it would last them a long time and would be very cheap. After coming to this decision Morgan slipped the silver piece into the heel of her boot, in order to save it for an emergency, and went into the nearest shop. As She entered, Morgan had to brace herself. She still found it amazing that someone as shy as her was so good at haggling.
When Morgan left the shop she was burdened by two reasonably large bags of marching rations. However she had spent the last of their copper coins in order to get it. Meaning the silver piece in her boot was the last of their money. Morgan was just starting to head back to the inn when she sensed something was wrong. After focusing on the sensation for a couple of seconds she realised that there were people coming from the north, coming after the princess.
Bursting into their room, Morgan was relieved to see Beatrice there. "Good you're here." She gasped.
"I'm just packing." Beatrice explained.
"Even better." Morgan said, "We need to leave now."
"What? Why?" Beatrice asked, puzzled.
"There are people coming after you."
"Well, what's the hurry? They still have to get over the great plain."
Morgan shook her head, "They're almost over it."
"How?"
"They're using dogs, to track your scent."
"How did they know where to look for me."
"I don't know." Morgan said, not sounding very convincing.        "Yes you do." Beatrice pressed.
"Okay, I do. I didn't like to say it."
"The letter." Beatrice guessed. Morgan just nodded as she began to pack up her purchases. Beatrice sat down, a look of defeat on her face.
"What's wrong?" Morgan asked.
"Well what's the point. They're going to catch me aren't they?"
"They haven't caught you yet, have they?"
"But if they have tracker dogs then it's only a matter of time."
"Not necessarily." Morgan said, moving round to stand in front of Beatrice, "There are ways to put off dogs."
"But..." Beatrice argued.
"You can't give up now, after we've come so far."
"Alright, I won't. If only to stop you from going on."
"Good." The got their horses as quickly as possible and made their way through to the south exit.
"Do you really think we can get away?" Beatrice asked.
"Well it's going to be harder to track your scent through the town, with all the people. Also this isn't Arenthor."
"I did actually know that."
"What I mean is that the people here aren't going to be happy about the Arenthor royal guard marching into the town with a load of tracking dogs."
"You're right." Beatrice agreed, "There's probably a load of red tape they'll have to go through before they can begin looking for me."
"All of which will buy us time. So did you manage to find anything about the local area?"
"I did better than that. I got us a map?"
"Wow, how did you manage that?" Morgan asked.
"There's no need to sound quite so surprised." Beatrice complained.
"Sorry, it's just people normally expect money for that sort of thing. You didn't steal it did you?"
"What? Of course not. Actually, you know the waitress who guessed you were a witch?"
"Yeah."
"Well she bought it for me, as long as I promised that we'd visit the inn on the way back."
"That was generous." Morgan said, "Just for agreeing to go again."
"Well I might have promised for you to cast a couple of spells on the inn."
"Such as?"
"Well just spells to help strengthen the structure, and keep away thieves, that sort of stuff. You can do that?"
"Yes I can. Well let's have a look at that map." Morgan said. Beatrice handed Morgan the map who looked at it for a few seconds before rolling it up and saying, "Come on, this way." She rode off at a seemingly random direction. After a few minutes the reached a river bank. Morgan then surprised Beatrice by riding into the middle of the river.
"What are you doing?" Beatrice asked.
"If we ride along the river then they won't be able to track our scent." Morgan explained.
"But won't they just know to follow the river."
"Maybe, but it should slow them down. Unless you're worried about getting a little wet."
"Alright I'm coming." Beatrice rode out after Morgan and then continued along the middle of the river. "How far away are they?"
"I don't know." Morgan admitted
"But I thought that you could sense them?"
"I could but it's gone. It does that."
"That's rather inconsistent."
"Yes it is."
"Well I just hope that they're not too close." Beatrice grumbled.
"Oh they're not." Morgan assured her.
"How do you know that." Beatrice said, "They could be just over that hill." Beatrice pointed over at a hill which was a short distance away.
"But then we'd be able to hear the dogs barking." Morgan pointed out.
"Oh yeah, good point." Beatrice said, feeling a little embarrassed.
After they'd been following the river for half an hour Morgan said, "I've got an idea, follow me." She rode to the river bank then got off her horse. Beatrice did likewise, hoping that Morgan knew what she was doing. Morgan led them to a small copse of trees then circled round them a couple of times.
"What are we doing?" Beatrice asked.
"Just making a false trail." Morgan explained. They then headed back to the river.
As they got back on their horses and rode out into the river Beatrice said, "So they'll follow that trail off round those trees?"
"Hopefully yes."
"They'll figure out what we did eventually."
"I know but hopefully it'll slow them down."
"Have you done this sort of thing before, because you don't seem like the fugitive type."
"No, why?"
"Well you seem very good at it."
"Well Hazel taught me a lot of this stuff, she thought it might come in handy, what with my being a witch."
"Oh, in case you're ever being hunted by knights." Morgan just nodded to this, "I guess she never thought you'd be using it to help a runaway princess."
"No, Hazel was a reasonable psychic but I doubt if she ever foresaw me being in this situation."
"Well it's still something of a surprise to me as well."
***
Hannah and Maurice stopped for the night just after it had gotten dark. As they fed the horses Hannah said, "That was certainly a long day."
"Maybe but it was necessary." Maurice said, "Though we seem to have made good progress."
Hannah tried, unsuccessfully, to stifle a yawn then said, "I suppose we did."
"I was going to suggest doing some training tonight, but if you're too tired?"
"What, no. I'm not tired at all." Hannah protested, stifling another yawn.
"Well, we'll only be able to spend about an hour on it."
After they'd been sparring a while they stopped to rest a moment. As they did Maurice said, "I wonder where the princess is at the moment."
"Oh they're about two days ride from the border." Hanna answered, she closed her eyes a moment then went on "South, south west."
Maurice stared at her in shock a moment then said, "You mean you can sense where the princess is?"
"Oh yes. I seem to have developed a link to her."
"Well that'll come in handy, now shall we continue?"
***
After they'd been riding along the river all morning, Morgan and Beatrice started towards a small town that was marked on the map. Since they wanted to put as much distance as possible from their pursuers they continued well after it was dark. When they did stop they were so tired that they went to bed straight after having a quick meal.
***
Beatrice woke up the next morning just as it was starting to get light. As she got dressed, she was a little surprised to see that Morgan wasn't there. Deciding not to worry too much, Beatrice finished getting dressed, then started lighting the fire. A few minutes later Beatrice jumped when a voice said, "Good morning."
Looking up Beatrice saw Morgan a short distance off. "Don't sneak up on me like that." Beatrice complained, "You almost gave me heart failure."
"Sorry." Morgan said, with an apologetic smile.
"So where did you disappear off to?"
"I got us water." Morgan said, holding up a water bottles.
"Oh good." Beatrice threw a few more sticks on the fire.
Sitting down Morgan said, "I think we should stop at that town we saw on the map."
"Have we got enough money?"
"We've got one silver piece. However you gave me an idea when you said about how you got the map. I thought I could offer to do some magic for the owner in exchange for room and board."
"You wouldn't mind doing that?" Beatrice asked.
"Not if it means sleeping in a bed for a night."
"I'll definitely go along with that." Beatrice hesitated a moment then said, "Last night I woke up and I thought I heard someone screaming."
"Sorry." Morgan said, looking embarrassed, "I didn't want to disturb you."
"That was you?" Morgan nodded, "What's up?"
"Nothing. It was just bad dreams."
"Oh, well if you want to talk about it."
"Not really, but thanks for the offer."
"Well okay, How long till we reach this town."
"I'm not certain but it should be around mid afternoon."
"Good, though I have to say this area is a lot less barren than the other one."
"Yes, it's a lot nicer." Morgan hesitated a moment then said "There's something we need to talk about."
"What's that?"
"Well, where we're going. I mean we've being going where the wind blew us up till now, but now we're being followed and we'll get caught if we keep doing it."
"Oh." Beatrice said. She thought about it a while then said, "I wish I could help you but really I don't know. I mean I left the palace basically on a spur. I guess it was only the fact that I was lucky enough to find you that meant that I didn't either get found or give up and go back within a day of leaving. Since then I have just been going where fate's taken me." She finished her drink then suggested, "Shall we finish this on the way?"
Morgan nodded saying, "That's a good idea." They packed their things up and started off again.
"So where was I?" Beatrice asked.
"Going where the fates take you." Morgan offered.
"Right yes. Well for as long as I can remember I've been unhappy. Eventually I knew that I had to get away from the palace if I was to ever know any happiness. I guess I never really planned much beyond that."
"Um..." Morgan seemed to be about to say something, but stopped herself.
"What is it?" Beatrice asked her.
"Well have you considered the possibility that you're being manipulated somehow?"       
"I hadn't until now. Do you think that's what's happening?"
"I don't know. It's just a possibility, that someone is using your feeling of unhappiness to get you where they want you."
"So do you think that I should go back?" Beatrice said.
"No. I mean I don't know that is what's happening and even if it is, they could always try again. Wouldn't you like to find out exactly whose doing this?"
"I guess that would be wise." Beatrice agreed. She thought about it a bit then said more forcefully, "Yes I would like to find out who's behind this, if only so I can tell them what I think of them."
Morgan nodded in agreement, then said, "Unfortunately that doesn't help with where to go."
"Sorry, but I really have no idea."
"Well we'll discuss it more when we reach this town."
"Good idea."
***
As predicted they arrived at the town by about mid day. They then set about finding a suitable inn. After inquiring with the town guard they were directed to an inn called 'The Happy Sailor.'
"So let me get this straight. You want room and board at this inn, and in return you're going to cast certain spells on the inn." The innkeeper said, once they'd explained it to him.
"That's right." Beatrice said.
"What sort of spells? Something to make people drink more?"
"I couldn't do that." Morgan said, "But something to stop the stop the frame from rotting, or to keep thieves away."
"Not much for room and board." The innkeeper said, thoughtfully.
"Well then how about..." Morgan started, then hesitated a moment.
"Did you know that several of these beams are about to collapse." Beatrice interrupted.
"Well some of them could do with replacing."
"I could do something about that." Morgan offered.
"Alright then, I guess it'll be worth it to save having to replace those beams."
While Morgan worked on getting various ointments ready Beatrice asked, "So what were you going to offer to do?"
"I have no idea." Morgan said, "So it's a good thing you noticed those beams."
"Happy to help." Beatrice said.
"How did you know about them, anyway?"
"Lucky guess."
Morgan pointed at one of the bowls she'd prepared saying, "We'll need to paint this on the beams."
"You mean now?"
"It'd be best to do it before the place gets to crowded."
"But how do we know he won't go back on the deal?"
"How does he know we won't undo the spells?"
"Could you?"
Morgan shook her head then said, "But I'm not going to tell him that." They both went into the common room and began dabbing the ointment on all of the beams holding up the next floor. Once they'd finished Morgan went into the middle of the room and chanted a few words. The patches of ointment glowed for a second, then the glow spread to the whole beams, then faded.
"Wow, so was that it?" Beatrice asked.
"Yeah, those beams will stay up for a hundred and one years."
"Right, now to deal with any would be thieves."
"One moment." Morgan went up to the innkeeper and asked, "The order of Galeone don't operate in this kingdom do they?"
"Don't worry, they're not welcome here." Morgan nodded then grabbed the second bowl of ointment.
As Morgan worked Beatrice asked,"What was that about?"
"What would you think if you saw this?" Morgan asked pointing at the pentacle she'd painted.
"Well that a witch had been here, I'd be right too."
"Indeed. Basically if a member of the order of Galeone saw this they'd try to burn everyone staying at the inn."
"Are they really that extreme?"
"They've put whole villages to the torch before."
"Wait a moment, I've just remembered something. It was after they burnt the village of Humbersea that they were banned from my kingdom." Morgan just nodded, "Hey, I did learn something during classes." Beatrice went on happily.
Later that evening they discussed what they were going to do. However neither of them could decide where to go from here. Eventually Beatrice said, "I think we should just continue on the way we're going." She pointed at the map and said, "There's a town further along this road."
"Okay then, Morgan agreed."
***
When Maurice and Hannah stopped for the night, Maurice said, "We should reach Oakholm some time tomorrow."       
"Oh well that's good. We should have caught up with the princess soon enough."
"After we get to Oakholm, it's still a days ride to the border, then two days across the mountains."
"Oh. So we've still got a long way to go."
"Do you still have the link to the princess?"
"Yeah, they're that way." Hannah answered pointing.
"You keep saying they."
"Yeah, there's a woman with the princess."
"Maybe that's the person who kidnapped her."
"I don't think so. She didn't look like the sort." Maurice didn't answer this, instead just drawing his sword.
***
That night Beatrice dreamt that she was walking up a mountain trail. She felt as if she'd been climbing it for hours. Then, just as she thought this trail would never end, she came to a large tower. At first Beatrice thought that it was made of glass but, as she drew closer and realised how cold it was, she realised that it was made out of ice.
Beatrice woke up with a start. In the distance she could hear an all too familiar wailing sound. Morgan was moaning in her sleep. Getting up Beatrice went over and said, "Morgan, wake up." Giving Morgan a shove. Morgan just rolled over and moaned again. Beatrice shoved her again, harder and said, "Morgan wake up."
Morgan's eyes snapped open and she gasped, "But I am Morgan."
Beatrice put her arms round Morgan to comfort her saying, "It's okay, it was just a bad dream."
"What? Where?" Morgan muttered as she tried to figure out where she was. Then as she woke up more fully she said, "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."
"It's okay, I was already awake."
"Is something wrong?"
"No. In fact I think I know where we're going."
"You do? Where?"
"Well firstly we need to get across the border to the east."
"Okay, then where."
"Actually I'm not too sure of that but I do know that we're heading towards a tower made out of ice."
"Really, that sounds..." She thought for a moment then finished "cold."
"I guess but I have to go there."
"Okay but, um, how do you know this?"
"I kind of had a dream about that tower."
"You did?" Beatrice just nodded, "Well that does sort of lend credence to the you're being manipulated theory."
"Really? Well I suppose it does, yet I still have to go, even if it is just to find out who is doing this. Well I'll let you get back to sleep." She thought about telling Morgan about the wailing sound she kept hearing, but decided against. There was something about the sound that scared her to the core of her being.
***
The map indicated that there wouldn't be much grass in the area they would be heading into. So, the next morning, Morgan went out to buy some horse feed, in case they couldn't just let the horses graze. While Morgan stood in the shop waiting to be served the woman in front of her said, "I heard another squad came back with nearly half their numbers missing."
"They just don't seem to be able to reopen the border." The shopkeeper agreed, "But the duke keeps sending men."
"Throwing their lives away, if you ask me. Have you heard the rumours."
"You mean the ones about the dragon?"
"Yes."
"Excuse me, did you say dragon?" Morgan asked her. The woman being served just gave her a sharp look to indicate that it was a private conversation, "Sorry, I didn't mean to intrude." Gazing down at the floor, Morgan wondered if she should just leave.
"Pay no mind to Marcy." The owner said, "She's always been the grumpy sort."
"I'm not grumpy, I just don't like people listening in on my conversations."
"She could hardly help overhearing, and you can't expect a person to not react when we're discussing dragons."
"I suppose not." Macy took her purchases and left.
When the owner turned to Morgan she said, "Okay then what can I do for you?" Morgan asked for some horse feed. As The owner got it she said, "I wouldn't pay too much attention to all this talk of dragons."
"Then, if you don't mind me asking, what is the cause of the problems?"
"Oh it's most likely barbarians trying to cut off our trade routes."
"Oh, well thank you very much." Morgan said, before leaving the shop. Outside she noticed a beggar sitting by the side of the road. Morgan only had a couple of coppers left after buying the feed. Deciding it wasn't going to be much use anyway, Morgan threw them into the beggars bowl with a shrug.
"Thank you mistress." The beggar said, and Morgan was surprised to note that it was a woman, "May the goddess smile on you."
***
Morgan and Beatrice had gotten a couple of miles out of town when it suddenly began pouring with rain. They tried to continued on, but they could barely see ahead and eventually decided to camp for the day. Tying the horses up they quickly set the tent up. They then started trying to get themselves dried off.
"I wish we could have a fire." Beatrice complained.
"Okay if you don't mind the tent filling with smoke."
"Maybe we could cut a hole in the roof to let the smoke out." Before Morgan could respond she added, "Which would, let the rain in. Okay not the brightest of ideas." She looked outside and said, "I wonder how long this is going to last."
"I don't know. There is one good thing about this."
"What's that?"
"It'll make it harder for anyone to track you. Even after the rains stopped."
"I guess that is good. It's just I want to get going."
"Don't worry, we'll get to this ice tower."
"I know, but now I know where I'm going I'm impatient to get there."
***
Maurice and Hannah rode into Oakholm just as they were starting to light the street lamps. Hannah took the horses to the stable, while Maurice sorted out their rooms. She was just taking the saddle and bridle off of her horse when a voice said, "Hannah, what are you doing here?"
Hannah turned to find her step brother there, "Daniel?"
"Yes."
"I'm looking for the princess, like you."
"You must be joking."
"No."
"Then you've got to go back home right now. God knows what mum and dad must be thinking."
"I'm not going back." Hannah said forcefully.
"You ungrateful cow." Daniel said angrily.
"What?"
"Mum and dad didn't have to take you in. But they did and this is how you repay them?"
Starting to grow angry herself now Hannah said, "Damn you. Ever since they adopted me I have done everything your parents wanted. I've been a virtual slave to them and now that I'm doing something that I want, I'm suddenly ungrateful..." She was cut off by Maurice asking
"Hannah what's taking so long, and who is this?"
"He's my brother."
"Step brother." Daniel said, "And I'm taking her home."
"Do you wan to go home?" Maurice asked Hannah.
"No." She answered.
"Well then." Maurice said to Daniel, "I think you should leave."
"What? Not without Hannah."
"Look Daniel, just go." Hannah said .
"No." Daniel said starting to draw his sword, only to find Morice's sword pointing at his throat. "Fine, get yourself killed." He then slunk out.
"Thanks," Hannah said.
"Well I couldn't let him drag you off just when you're starting to get good."
"Well I'm grateful" Then as they were heading to the inn she asked, "Do you really think I'm getting good?"
"Yes, given how little time we've had. Like I said you've got potential"
Hannah smiled at him and said, "Thanks." It then occurred to him that in her own way Hannah was the most beautiful woman he had ever met. Coughing slightly he indicated that they should go in.
***
Staring down at the dinner they'd prepared, Beatrice sighed and said, "We definitely need to get some more money." The rain had finally stopped just as it had started to get dark so they hadn't been able to make any progress, but at least they'd been able to set up a fire.
"What's wrong?" Morgan asked,
"I don't think I can live on this stuff much longer."
"Fortunately you won't have to." Morgan told her.
"I take it it's because we're almost out of food."
"I'm afraid so. We've got enough for another two days, then marching rations for three more days."
"Where has it all gone?"
"Someone's been eating too much, hasn't she?"
"Me? I'm skin and bones. You're the one who keeps having extra servings." Beatrice poked at the fire a couple of times, then asked, "How far is it to the border."
Morgan got the map out and after studying it a moment said, "I think about four days ride."
"And from there we don't know how far it is to the ice tower."
"I could try some hunting." Morgan suggested, "But I'm not sure there's much to catch out here."
"This place is even more desolate than that great plain." Beatrice complained
"At least there's a few tree's to break up the skyline." Morgan pointed out. She suddenly got up and began going through the bags.
"What's up?"
"Have you seen a hemp bag with a small eagle on it?"
"Maybe it's on one of the horses?" Beatrice suggested, "I'll go and check." She went over to the horses, but there was no sign of the bag. "Not there."
"Well we know why we're so short of food." Morgan said, "We left a bag behind."
"Are you sure?" Beatrice asked.
"It's not here. The last time I can remember having it was when we were camped on the mountain."
"You mean when we were attacked by the wraith wolves?" Morgan nodded, "So what was in it?"
"A lot of the stuff I bought at Oakholm. Several sides of dried rabbit meat and a couple of bags of vegetables."
"Oh, that would have come in handy." Beatrice said.
"Sorry."
"Why? It's as much my fault as it is yours." Beatrice laughed and said, "Well a fine couple of adventurers we're making."
"I'm sure all the great explorers had problems like these. Does this mean you regret leaving the palace?"
"Not at all." Beatrice answered without hesitation.
"Anyway, is there anyway you could magic up some food?"        "If I could do that, I would have done so by now."
"Right, I guess so. Your magic doesn't seem to be much use."
"Right, we haven't avoided being caught because of it and it was no use against the wraith wolves or getting across the great plain."
"Okay, I get the point."
"We should reach the next town the day after tomorrow. Maybe I could trade my magic for some money there."
"I don't like you doing all the work." Beatrice protested.
"Then what do you suggest?"
"Well we could both get some sort of work. I mean I was getting quite good at cooking and cleaning wasn't I?"
"Yes. Okay, though it'll mean staying a day there."
"I can last another day. So what is this town called?"
"I don't know the name isn't showing on the map."
"Must be an important town."
I find it kinda funny, I find it kinda sad
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had. - mad world