The last thing I needed was to draw the attention of Custodian's Crown Prince. Curse this beautiful face of mine. Why did Vernom have to be born with such striking features? Every step forward we had taken to build our network, every secret we had carefully guarded all of it is now at risk simply because Ardias saw something in me. I cannot afford to take any more chances, not when so many lives depend on our success and our plans are still only in the beginning stages.
As soon as we reach the next stretch of road, where the trees and rolling hills provide enough cover, I signal for Cael to slip away from the royal carriage once more. We meet in a small grove just off the path, where the sound of the convoy's wheels on stone is muffled by leaves and earth.
"We cannot continue with this part of the plan," I say without preamble, pulling parchment and ink from the hidden pocket of my tunic. "Ardias is far too sharp he has already taken a distinct interest in me, and if he keeps watching closely, he will discover the truth eventually. I have to pull you out of this role. We will drop off at the nearby village of Mear."
Cael's face falls slightly, but he nods in immediate understanding. "I understand, Your Highness. I only wish we had been able to gather more information directly from Soria."
"So do I, but do not worry we already have trusted people planted there," I reply, already writing quickly. "Caution must come first. Our alliance with Soria will still hold; Rondolf and Miolla will ensure that. We simply need to adjust our approach."
I write two letters one for Vonce, one for Rondolf each sealed with a small piece of wax I keep on hand for emergencies.
To my brothers, Vonce and Rondolf,
I am writing to inform you of an immediate change of plan. Crown Prince Ardias of Custodian has taken notice of me, and I cannot risk exposing our true intentions or endangering the safety of the convoy. Cael and I will be leaving the group at Mear village and will not continue on to Soria.
If the Crown Prince asks about my absence, please tell him that Prince Vernom suddenly fell ill and had to be taken to a trusted healer in the village. Assure him there is no cause for concern that I am in capable hands and resting comfortably.
The rest of our plans remain in full motion. Continue with the journey to Soria as scheduled. The supply routes to Meodes are still secure, and our operatives are ready to move at your signal. Do not let this small setback distract you from our ultimate goal.
Stay safe, and trust no one within Custodian's party.
Your brother,
Vernom
Once the letters are sealed, I hand them to Herdas, one of my father's hidden knights who has been following us discreetly.
"Find a trusted guard someone whose loyalty we are absolutely certain of and have them deliver these to Vonce and Rondolf separately. Make sure no one else sees what you are doing."
As Herdas heads off to carry out his task, I begin writing a third letter this one for Father, back in Callibean. It will need to be sent by messenger eagle to reach him quickly, so I keep it concise yet thorough.
To His Majesty King Theron,
I write to you from the road to Soria with news of a change in my plans. I have drawn the attention of Crown Prince Ardias, who has expressed significant interest in me and has even made efforts to recruit me to his service. To avoid compromising our operations or putting our allies at risk, Cael and I have decided to leave the convoy and lay low in Mear village.
Please know that this does not affect our broader strategy all arrangements regarding the supply lines to Meodes, the training of their forces, and the alliance with Soria will proceed exactly as we planned. Rondolf and Vonce have been informed and will oversee these matters in my absence.
I will remain in contact through secure channels and will continue gathering intelligence from the villages along the border. The time to reveal ourselves to Custodian is not yet right, and I will do everything in my power to ensure our preparations are complete when that day finally arrives.
Do not worry for my safety I am well-protected and moving carefully. Our cause is strong, and we will see it through.
Your son,
Vernom
I roll up the letter and tie it securely to the leg of a messenger eagle we brought along specifically for urgent communications. As I release the bird into the sky and watch it soar toward Callibean, I feel a heavy weight lift from my shoulders. Father will understand he has always known that flexibility is the key to any successful plan.
Herdas returns a short time later, nodding to confirm the letters have been delivered safely.
"They understand, Your Highness. Prince Vonce says he will make sure the story about your illness sounds entirely convincing he is already speaking with the healer who travels with the convoy to prepare her."
"Good," I say, gathering our few belongings. "We will wait until the convoy stops for the midday meal before making our move. The bustle and noise will help us slip away unnoticed."
As we make our way back toward the group, I cast one last look at Custodian's carriages in the distance. Ardias is probably still watching, still wondering about the servant who refused his offer. But soon he will hear that Prince Vernom has fallen ill and left the convoy and hopefully, his attention will turn elsewhere.
For now, we must be patient. We must lay low, keep gathering information, and prepare for the day when we can finally face Custodian not as hidden spies, but as enemies determined to end their reign. We will ensure we become a united front of kingdoms, ready to build a better future. The road ahead may have changed direction, but our destination remains the same.
I truly felt as though I had dodged a bullet when we finally parted ways from the main group. As we watched the long line of carriages and wagons disappear around the bend in the road, heading toward Soria without us, a wave of relief washed over me so strong that I had to steady myself against a nearby tree.
"Are you alright, Your Highness?" Cael asks, looking at me with genuine concern as he adjusts the small pack on his back. "You look as though you have been holding your breath for days."
"I suppose I have," I admit, letting out a long exhale I hadn't even realized I was holding. "Every moment we were near Ardias, I felt like I was walking on thin ice over deep water. One wrong step… and everything would have come crashing down."
"I think we really should arrange for a healer to see you once we settle in Mear," Cael said. His voice was firm, and I could tell he wasn't just thinking about maintaining our cover he was genuinely worried about how much stress I had been under.
I simply nod in agreement, knowing it was the right move both for our safety and for my own well-being.
We make our way toward Mear village, following a narrow path through the woods that only locals would know about. The trees are thick here, their branches weaving together to create a canopy that blocks out most of the sun. It is quiet far quieter than the constant noise of the convoy and the only sounds are birds singing and our footsteps crunching on fallen leaves. The peace of this place seeps into my bones, a welcome contrast to the tension that has been coiled tight in my shoulders since we first left Callibean.
"I have never been so glad to be away from royalty and politics," Cael says with a small laugh, stopping to splash cool water on his face from a clear stream we pass. "Though I will admit… playing prince wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Some of the nobles actually listened closely when I spoke about your agricultural plans. Princess Miolla's father even asked for written copies of your notes on crop rotation."
I grin, feeling lighter than I have in weeks. "I told you confidence was key. And besides those plans are good ones. People are bound to listen when you are talking about helping them grow more food and feed their families. Even nobles understand that a well-fed people are far less likely to rise up against their rulers."
As we emerge from the woods, Mear village comes into view a small cluster of stone houses and wooden shops built around a central square. Smoke rises from the chimneys, carrying the scent of woodsmoke and fresh baking bread, and we can hear the sound of children playing in the streets. It is the kind of peaceful place that Custodian's armies would likely overlook too small to be worth conquering, too remote to matter in their grand plans for expansion. Exactly what we need right now.
We make our way to a small inn on the edge of the square, run by a woman named Marta, whom our network has identified as completely trustworthy. She has been helping smuggle supplies to families affected by Custodian's heavy taxes for years, never asking for anything in return.
When we enter, she looks up from wiping down the bar, her eyes meeting mine for just a moment there is a flash of uncertainty before she smoothly turns her attention to Cael.
"Welcome, travelers," she says warmly, her voice carrying just enough to be heard by the few other patrons farmers by the look of them, gathered around a rough table sharing a pitcher of ale. "We have two rooms available upstairs clean beds, warm food, and plenty of hot water for washing. You have come at a good time; I just pulled fresh bread from the oven."
"I will take them," Cael says, pulling out a small pouch of coins. He counts out the payment carefully, making sure to use common currency that wouldn't draw unwanted attention. "We have been traveling for days, and my master here isn't feeling well. The road dust and hot sun have been hard on him."
Marta nods, her gaze flicking to me again she has already been told what to expect, and what story to tell if anyone asks.
"I will have some soup and bread sent up right away. And I know a healer in the village who can come take a look at him, if you would like. She is very good with fevers and exhaustion sees a lot of it this time of year."
"That would be much appreciated," I say, keeping my voice quiet and letting my shoulders slump slightly to fully play the part of a sick man. I even press a hand to my forehead for good measure, making sure to look pale and worn out.
Once we are settled in our rooms small but clean, with straw mattresses that look comfortable enough I collapse onto one of the beds, closing my eyes for a moment. It has been so long since I have felt truly safe that the sensation is almost foreign.
Cael busies himself with opening the window to let in fresh air, then moves to pour water from a pitcher into a basin for washing.
A short while later, Marta brings up our meal bowls of hearty vegetable soup, thick slices of warm bread, and a small wedge of cheese. Tucked discreetly under the bread basket is a folded piece of parchment, sealed with wax that bears no mark or symbol.
I unfold it after she leaves, finding a message written in neat, small handwriting from one of our operatives who remained traveling with the convoy:
All is well with the convoy. Crown Prince Ardias asked about Prince Vernom within the hour of your departure he was told you had fallen ill with a fever and been left in trusted hands to recover. He seemed satisfied, though his eyes narrowed sharply when he heard the news. His men have already been asking questions in nearby villages, so be very careful who you speak to here. The healer who will visit is one of us her name is Tarrama, and she will help you maintain your cover while bringing any news from the border. Meodes reports their forces are ready, but Custodian's armies are moving faster than expected.
I let out another breath of relief, folding the letter carefully and tucking it safely into my tunic. We really had dodged a bullet this time. If we had stayed with the convoy, it was only a matter of time before Ardias's suspicions grew too strong he was the kind of man who never let a mystery go unsolved.
Here, in this quiet village, we can lay low, continue gathering information, and wait for the right moment to make our next move.
Cael sits down across from me at the small table, pulling a bowl of soup toward himself and blowing on it to cool it down.
"What now, Your Highness? Do we stay here until the wedding in Soria is over? Or do we try to make our way to Meodes?"
"Now," I say, smiling for the first time since we left Callibean a genuine and warm expression, not the practiced mask I had worn for the wedding guests. "We wait. We watch. We help where we can this village probably has its own troubles with Custodian's taxes and scouts. And we make sure that when the time finally comes to act, we are absolutely ready. Because Ardias may think he has won this round may think he has scared us off, made us run and hide but he has no idea what is coming."