The gray service record file was still in the lower cabinet in the morning.

Closed.

Known.

Not seen.

The shelf above the desk had a cup.

The left side of the desk had nothing on it.

The office had the heater.

The clock.

My breathing.

The brown folder was at the side of the desk.

The calendar was closed.

The phone was face up.

The door was closed.

The shoes were by it.

The small space was wide.

The service paper was in the gray file.

Name.

Date.

Short sutra.

Bell.

Incense.

I knew that.

I did not open it.

Not yet.

No.

Not yet was already a door.

I did not open it.

I made tea.

I drank it.

Warm.

Then less warm.

Then finished.

The cup went to the sink.

I washed it.

The lower cabinet stayed closed.

After tea, I opened the brown folder.

Only once.

Kanagawa’s I still know was not mine.

Her brother’s no question asked was not mine.

Sato’s touched tape while passing was not mine.

Saitama’s water left was not mine.

Suganuma’s visible tape was not mine.

Takeda’s possible was not mine.

Emiko’s beads were not mine.

Blue roof had no new reply.

Tokyo was still blank.

Full mailbox remained paused / family.

My two cards were still in the back pocket.

Face down.

I did not take them out.

I closed the brown folder.

Use was in yesterday.

No.

Use had been everywhere.

I had noticed it only after proof became too loud.

That was mine.

At 7:18, Kanagawa wrote.

I read it once.

Then again.

Needs.

Map.

I wrote:

She replied:

I waited.

“What drawer?”

“Folded paper?”

“What is being asked?”

Actual.

Small.

Large.

I wrote:

I looked at the sentence.

It answered use.

Maybe.

I sent it.

She replied:

Then:

I opened Kanagawa.

I looked at for the map.

Good boundary.

No.

Boundary.

I left it.

At 7:49, Sato wrote.

I waited.

Then:

I smiled.

No one saw.

I wrote:

She replied:

“Where is paper?”

“One tape?”

“What did you write?”

I opened Emiko.

I did not add betrayal.

Tape could be tape elsewhere.

At 8:03, Mrs. Kudo called.

“The cup was used before water,” she said.

“Used how?”

“For medicine.”

“Resident asked?”

“Aide asked medicine.”

“And resident?”

“Opened mouth.”

“Cup?”

“Water in cup after.”

“What did staff write?”

Mrs. Kudo read:

“What did Mr. Hayashi say?”

“He said, ‘A cup can be for medicine before it is for water.’”

I opened Saitama.

I did not add water.

Cup had work.

At 8:31, Reverend Suganuma wrote.

I waited.

Then:

“What did you do?”

“Why?”

“What did Tanabe say?”

“What did Morita say?”

I opened Suganuma.

I looked at for date.

Clean.

Maybe too clean.

But asked.

I left it.

At 9:02, Father Morita emailed.

Subject:

I opened it.

I read it twice.

Same hand.

Different opening.

Asked to do.

I looked at the lower cabinet.

Closed.

No use yet.

I replied:

Then stopped.

Report.

Maybe okay.

I sent it.

His reply came after a while.

I looked at that line.

Map asked.

Drawer opened.

Important.

I did not answer.

At 9:38, Kanagawa called.

“My brother took the map to the city office,” she said.

“Folded?”

“Yes.”

“Opened?”

“In the car.”

“For the road?”

“For parking.”

Parking.

Exact.

“What stayed?”

“Paper in drawer.”

“Drawer?”

“Closed after map.”

“Who closed it?”

“I did.”

“What did your brother say?”

“He said drawer did not need to stay open for the map to come back.”

I closed my eyes.

Come back.

Map.

Drawer.

“What did you say?”

“I said yes.”

“Did he ask anything else?”

“No.”

I opened Kanagawa.

I looked at for parking.

Best line.

No.

Useful line.

I left it.

At 10:07, Sato called.

“The tape worked on the box,” she said.

“Box closed?”

“Yes.”

“Paper?”

“Table.”

“Did you move the paper?”

“No.”

“Did the tape roll return?”

“Drawer.”

“What did you write?”

“Did using tape make the paper loose?”

She laughed.

“No.”

I opened Emiko.

I did not add lesson.

Tape had gone to work and returned.

At 10:42, Mrs. Kudo called.

“Water was asked after medicine,” she said.

“Resident?”

“Said water.”

“Same cup?”

“Yes.”

“Was it rinsed?”

“Yes.”

“What did staff write?”

Mrs. Kudo read:

“What did Mr. Hayashi say?”

“He said, ‘Rinsed is enough for the cup, not for the morning.’”

I opened Saitama.

I did not add morning.

Cup had been rinsed.

At 11:14, Reverend Suganuma wrote.

I waited.

Then:

“What did they do with the date?”

“What did you do after?”

“What did Tanabe say?”

“What did Morita say?”

I opened Suganuma.

I did not add good.

The file had answered date.

No more.

At 11:49, Father Morita emailed.

Subject:

I read it standing.

Then sat.

Too responsive.

I stayed seated.

Date.

Road.

Water.

Innocence.

I replied:

I sent it.

His reply:

I looked at yesterday.

Date.

Judge.

The gray file remained closed.

I did not answer.

At 12:22, Kanagawa wrote.

I waited.

Then:

I wrote:

She replied:

I sat still.

Heavier than parking.

Good.

No.

True.

“What did you say?”

“What happened after?”

“Not drawer yet?”

I opened Kanagawa.

I looked at for parking again.

Use had reduced weight.

No.

Use had used it.

I left it.

At 12:58, Sato sent a photograph.

Cardboard box.

Tape across top.

Kitchen table behind it.

Paper visible.

She wrote:

I called.

“Did you write that?”

“Yes.”

“Where?”

“Emiko.”

“What about the paper?”

“Table.”

“What did you write?”

I opened Emiko.

Box is box.

Risky.

But Sato’s.

It had earned it maybe.

I left it.

At 1:31, Mrs. Kudo sent:

I waited.

Then:

I called.

“Cup needed?”

“Maybe later.”

“Who decided?”

“Aide.”

“What did Mr. Hayashi say?”

“He said, ‘Maybe later is a staff reason until resident asks otherwise.’”

I opened Saitama.

I did not add staff reason.

Cup remained.

At 2:03, Reverend Suganuma wrote.

I waited.

“Where?”

“What about Hall notices file?”

“Any need to open again?”

“What did Tanabe say?”

“What did Morita say?”

I opened Suganuma.

I did not add clean.

Elsewhere was enough.

At 2:45, Father Morita emailed.

Subject:

I read it twice.

Elsewhere.

Use.

Betrayal.

Rescue.

I looked at the gray service record file.

No use yet.

The service paper stayed in it.

No elsewhere today.

Maybe.

I replied:

Then stopped.

No use sounded too empty.

I deleted it.

I wrote:

I sent it.

His reply:

I looked at unasked.

Good word.

No.

Dangerous.

I did not answer.

At 3:18, Kanagawa called.

“We are home,” she said.

“Map?”

“Passenger seat.”

“Did it come in?”

“Yes.”

“Where?”

“My brother held it.”

“Opened?”

“No.”

“What did he ask?”

“If it goes back to drawer.”

Asked.

Actual.

“What do you think?”

She said, “Yes.”

“Then say yes.”

She moved away.

I heard a door.

Maybe drawer.

She returned.

“He put it back.”

“With the paper?”

“Yes.”

“Drawer closed?”

“Yes.”

“What did he say?”

“He said map went out and came back as map.”

I closed my eyes.

Map as map.

“What did you say?”

“I said yes.”

“Anything else?”

“He said paper did not have to go out.”

I opened Kanagawa.

I looked at paper did not have to go out.

That was the line.

I left it.

At 3:57, Sato wrote.

I waited.

Then:

“Why hallway?”

“When?”

“What did you write?”

I opened Emiko.

Use had taken the box elsewhere.

Paper stayed.

Different objects.

I left them apart.

At 4:22, Mrs. Kudo called.

“Cup removed,” she said.

“Asked?”

“Aide asked cup.”

“Resident?”

“Said done.”

“Water left?”

“Yes.”

“What did staff write?”

Mrs. Kudo read:

“What did Mr. Hayashi say?”

“He said, ‘Done can answer the cup even when water remains.’”

I opened Saitama.

I did not add remains.

It was there.

At 4:51, Reverend Suganuma wrote.

I waited.

Then:

“What did you do?”

“What did you write?”

“What did Tanabe say?”

“What did Morita say?”

I opened Suganuma.

I did not add tragedy.

Tape did the work.

At 5:23, Father Morita emailed.

Subject:

I read it.

Then again.

Unasked.

Useless.

Pity.

The gray file.

The service paper.

I replied:

I sent it.

His reply came after a while.

I closed my eyes.

There.

Still.

I did not answer.

At 5:52, the old priest wrote.

I wrote:

His reply:

I wrote:

His reply:

Then:

I wrote:

His reply:

I began to write nothing.

Then stopped.

I wrote:

His reply:

Then:

I read that twice.

Then:

Before evening, I went to the main hall.

The cloth bag was in its place.

The offering tray was safe.

The doorway was where I stopped.

I bowed once.

No explanation.

The altar was visible.

The beads were in their place.

They had not moved.

They did not need to.

I stood where I usually stood.

No service tonight.

No bell.

No incense.

No record file.

The room did not need to be useful.

No.

Too broad.

The room was not being asked for use tonight.

That was closer.

I returned to the office.

The shelf above the desk had a cup.

The left side of the desk had nothing on it.

The gray service record file was in the lower cabinet.

The brown folder was closed.

The calendar was closed.

The phone was face up.

The small space was wide.

The door was closed.

The shoes were by it.

I opened the brown folder.

Only once.

Kanagawa’s map as map was not mine.

Her brother’s paper did not have to go out was not mine.

Sato’s box hallway for pickup was not mine.

Saitama’s done with water left was not mine.

Suganuma’s notice retaped was not mine.

Takeda’s possible was not mine.

Emiko’s beads were not mine.

Blue roof had no new reply.

Tokyo was still blank.

Full mailbox remained paused / family.

My two cards were still in the back pocket.

Face down.

I did not take them out.

I closed the brown folder.

I did not open the gray file.

It had not been asked.

The service paper had not been asked.

That did not make it useless.

That did not make it lonely.

No.

Lonely was mine.

I left it out.

I did not open the lower cabinet.

I did not open Kanagawa again.

I did not ask if the drawer stayed closed after the map returned.

I did not ask if the folded paper had noticed the map leaving.

Papers do not notice maps leaving.

No.

Too clever.

I stopped.

I did not open Sato again.

I did not ask if the box was still in the hallway.

I did not open Saitama again.

I did not open Suganuma again.

I did not open Father Morita’s message again.

I knew the drawer had opened for the map.

I knew the Hall notices file had opened for the date.

I knew the gray file had stayed closed.

I knew no use was not no worth.

I turned off the desk lamp.

The office did not disappear.

The folder did not need the center.

The phone did not need here.

Use did not need to become worth tonight.

In the dark, I remained sitting.

Near the desk.

Not at it.

The shelf above the desk had a cup.

The left side of the desk had nothing on it.

The gray service record file was in the lower cabinet.

Closed.

The brown folder was closed.

The phone was face up.

My hands were empty.

Available.

Not reaching.

The urn was on the small table.

The map and folded paper were in the drawer.

The map had gone out for parking and returned as map.

The folded paper had not had to go out.

Sato’s box was in the hallway for pickup.

The resident’s cup had left after done.

Suganuma’s notice had been retaped.

The service paper was in the record file.

Unasked.

Known.

I had started with for use.

I did not end by making use into worth.

Tonight, what opened opened for use, and what stayed closed did not become useless.

INTRO

In the dimly lit corridor of the fortress, the energetic sound of a dozen people's footsteps is heard. The footsteps approach one of the doors of the numerous cells. The door opens almost without a creak.

On the floor, lying on its back, is withered body from the wind and hot sunlight, dressed in simple canvas clothing. It is impossible to distinguish the gender: the hair is short-cropped, and the front part of the torso is wrapped in fresh spiderwebs. In the abdomen area, spider cocoons hang on the web that goes deep into the body, and next to them, on this same web, a black female spider bustles with its long legs.

A beam of midday light breaks through a narrow window of the cell.

RUSSIA. PREZENT DAY. SCHOOL IN A PROVINCIAL TOWN.

Teachers and the principal have gathered in the staff room, discussing the allocated budget for school renovations.

One of the teachers takes the floor:

- We can adopt the excellent experience of working with contractors from our colleagues at the lyceum…

Sergey, sitting in the back row, mutters under his breath, but the others hear it:

- Your colleagues with excellent developmental delays can't even close their pockets anymore.

The principal loudly taps the table twice with his palm.

Colleagues, thank you for participating in the discussion. I suggest we wrap up today's meeting. If you haven't handed in your lists to the curriculum coordinator yet, please hurry — you only have a week left.

Sergey, please stay behind.

The teachers get up from their seats and leave the staff room.

NADEZHDA PETROVNA:

- I understand that the students are drawn to you. But I will not tolerate such insolence in my presence from anyone. I have spent nearly thirty-five years within these walls, and I painted the walls of this boarding school with my own hands when you yourself were still running down school hallways.

- Sergey, if you truly want to help, get involved in school affairs. It is easy to stay a saint while sitting on the sidelines.

SERGEY:

- I would gladly get involved, Nadezhda Petrovna. It's just that I don't want to repeat the lyceum's experience. Most of their budget didn't end up as paint on the walls—it ended up as cash in the principal's hands.

NADEZHDA PETROVNA:

- Sergey, that's enough! The summer holidays are ahead. I ask you to consider how valuable your position at our school really is to you. In life, you know, things are not always so black and white, and there come moments when one must make a deal with their conscience.

 

The bell rings.

Rowena knew the adults that fed her were not her parents. Parents didn’t have magical contracts that forced you to use your magical gifts for them, and they didn’t hurt you when you disobeyed. Slavery under magical contracts are also illegal in the Kingdom of Erisdale, which is prospering peacefully after a great continent-wide war.

Rowena’s owners don’t know, however, that she can see potential futures and anyone’s past that is not her own. She uses these powers to escape and break her contract and go on her own journey. She is going to find who she is, and keep her clairvoyance secret

Yet, Rowena’s attempts to uncover who she is drives her into direct conflict with those that threaten the peace and prove far more complicated than she could ever expect. Finding who you are after all, is simply not something you can solve with any kind of magic.

Rowena commands a dangerous fighting retreat with Forlana's assistance...

[The Beginning] [<=The Lost Princess Chapter 43] [Chapter Index and Blurb] [Or Subscribe to Patreon for the Next Chapter]

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My Blusky!

**\*

“A night attack, Your Highness?” Colonel Murdoch asked.

The brigade commanders were having a light breakfast with Rowena as the army prepared to move. Simple pea, oat and boiled salted pork all lumped into a stew seasoned with some herbs and spices that the Erisdalian army used to keep morale up.

“Yes, I received intelligence which indicates that while the Lapanterian Army is not in the best state, the Lapanterian Legion’s commander, Baroness Koralia Naprule, is expecting us to give battle. She intends to use Prince Alastor to bait us,” said Rowena.

Colonel Fisher blinked, “How did you get this information, Your Highness?” she asked.

“That I can’t say, but I managed to have Forlana verify it for us,” said Rowena, glancing at Forlana.

Forlana coughed into her fist. “Baroness Naprule is one of Alastor’s most trusted confidantes and captain of the Lapanterian Legion. She’s also highly intelligent and skilled in military tactics and strategies. I would not be surprised if she identified our objective and considered counter-plans.”

It was not quite true, but Forlana had agreed to help Rowena come up with a convenient story to help them pass off what the princess had seen as intelligence.

Holding his chin, Colonel Murdoch glanced at Forlana, “Begging your pardon, Your Highness, but can we really trust what she has to say?”

Forlana bowed her head. “You are right to have reservations, Colonel Murdoch, and I have little to offer. All I can say is that I’ve surrendered my claim to Erisdale’s throne, and I will recognize King Martin and Ginger as my rightful king and queen.”

That turned the heads of all three colonels who exchanged silent glances.

“We will hold you to that,” said Colonel Moore. Interlocking his fingers behind his back, Moore looked up toward the ceiling. “If we’re to launch a night attack, we’ll have to deny them battle on this day.”

“The intelligence we got also suggested their cavalry will be aiming to skirmish with us, hoping to tire us out. Their infantry will try to close with us and bring us into melee, mostly to avoid having to fight a prolonged musketry duel with us,” said Rowena.

“We could execute a fighting retreat. Have our cavalry support our infantry instead of screening them, and only intervening if there is a threat,” said Murdoch.

Fisher picked at her food, moving the stew around like troops on a map. “We won’t be able to use our cannon except to fortify our next evening’s campsite.”

“We can do that. We’ll need to be rested if we’re to attack them in the night. Is it possible to throw up sufficient field fortifications to deter their attack, though?” Rowena asked.

Moore snapped his fingers. “Wagon-forts.”

Fisher brightened up and grinned, “We’ll need a couple, but that would fortify the position strongly enough they would hold off.”

 “I assume a wagon fort is a fort made of wagons, but how would it work?” Rowena asked.

“It’s an older tactic from the war. In the plains, the Erisdale Expeditionary Force to Lapanteria would use their supply wagons as fortified bases. We don’t have enough wagons to encircle the entire camp, but we have enough to create strong points in our camp, bristling with cannons, so that the enemy can’t advance easily. I’d just have to pick the right spot,” said Moore.

Murdoch arched an eyebrow. “Are you sure, Colonel? I figured you want to get in on the action.”

“Positive, I came up through the surveyor and mapping corps. Besides, you and Fisher should be able to hold them back,” said Moore, smiling.

Fisher flashed a wan smile. “That we can do. So long as you leave us with half of your brigade?”

“Certainly. I’ll need the cavalry, though,” said Moore.

“Deal,” Fisher said.

“Where do you need me?” Rowena asked.

“At a distance and out of—not obstructing military operations, Your Highness,” said Murdoch.

Rowena frowned. “I can fight, Colonel Murdoch.”

“All due respect, Your Highness, you may insist on participating in the night attack, but a field battle is our specialty. Besides, we will need you to observe the battle,” said Colonel Fisher.

The princess suddenly realized all the colonels were looking at her with an expectant gaze and she had an idea as to why.

“What exactly do you mean?” she asked.

“Are you not commanding, Your Highness?” Colonel Moore asked.

Rowena shook her head, “No, letting a sixteen year old to command an army of sixteen-thousand is not a good idea.”

“You have studied, though?” Murdoch asked.

“Yes, and yes I know my mother and father were in command at a young age, but not an entire army,” Rowena said.

“There is no one of sufficient seniority I’m afraid. Even if you designate one of us colonels to command, we have troops we need to oversee. Colonel Fisher and Murdoch will already need to command more soldiers than they are used to with my half brigade,” said Moore.

“I can assist Her Highness,” said a voice.

This time it was Rowena to turn and stare, for Forlana had raised her hand. Looking meaningfully at Rowena, the ex-princess met the stares with a cool smile.

“I can agree to a magical contract to do my best to assist Her Highness in commanding this withdrawal. That should assuage any concerns,” said Forlana.

Once more, an exchange of glances between Erisdale’s commanders ensued. The silence was broken only by Murdoch’s shrug.

“That seems doable. Shall we get to work then?”

 

***

 

Rowena checked the pistols she was given were securely holstered before Georgia helped her mount her horse. A quick call to Morgan and Hattie to consult on the wording of the contract had led to more good news. Her teachers were on their way and should join Colonel Moore this afternoon. That would give them more mages for the night attack ahead.

Forlana had signed the contract without much comment. They hadn’t had much time before they both had to get armored and armed up.

As Rowena rode to join the main column, Lycia and Georgia, along with a company of cavalry, followed her. One of them carried a tall flagpole bearing her father and mother’s sigil, a red shield with a black tower topped with a crown circling a burning heart,

Looking over her shoulder, Rowena suddenly recalled looking up to that flag on the road to Kwent, knowing only that it represented the authority of the nebulous kingdom that she was in. She had no idea that that sigil was also her own.

Jess riding up with her horse tore Rowena from her thoughts.

“I really don’t like this.”

“I know, but I… I have to give Forlana credit for signing that contract,” Rowena said.

Jess huffed and touched her heels to her horse’s sides. “I think you had no other good options, so I’m glad you did what you did, Wena. I just really don’t like this idea.”

“I know. Are Jerome and Tiamara with the supply train?” Rowena asked.

“Yes. They aren’t happy about it, but I didn’t have to insist too hard. They’re both terrified,” said Jess.

Rowena winced. “I really have to thank Jerome for getting here. He didn’t have to.”

Forlana rode up, wearing a heavy leather buff coat, helmet, and breastplate typical of an Erisdalian cavalryman.

The princess took a breath. “Forlana, thank you,” said Rowena.

“I have to do something. This war has to stop.” The former princess took a breath. “Thankfully, for the most part, your commanders have got a good plan. The concern is if we get something unexpected.”

“What do you mean?” Rowena asked.

“I’ll explain when we get to your spot.”

The dawn sun beat down on the long head of the Erisdalian army as its supply wagons marched down the road. Riding beside the soldiers, Rowena waved, smiling at the men and women in formation as they continued down to the middle of the column.

Forlana raised her hand, and the group

“Here’s good. You see our rearguard?” Forlana asked.

Rowena nodded. It wasn’t too easy to see, but in the far distance, she could see several blocks of soldiers covering the rear of their column. Cavalry rode on their flanks. It looked like a line of red uniforms. Beyond that, she could see dust, which must have been kicked up by the Lapanterian soldiers.

“We’re moving at a good clip, and that will make it difficult for the Lapanterians to engage us. It will also, however, mean our rearguard will be constantly outnumbered. Colonel Fisher and the cavalry are supporting Colonel Murdoch, who is commanding the infantry, but there is a good chance they will need reinforcements from the main column,” said Forlana.

“And I will have to authorize those reinforcements,” said Rowena.

“Exactly. Moreover, if the Lapanterians somehow flank our rearguard, you’ll need to request reinforcements from them,” said Forlana.

Rowena looked left and right of the rearguard’s distant formations, noting the dust clouds kicked up by the enemy forces.

“So I’m essentially watching their backs and sides,” said Rowena.

“Yes, and it’s a job that only you can do with Colonel Moore leading the vanguard to set up and secure tonight’s camp,” said Forlana, allowing herself a smirk. “How are you feeling about it?”

Should she lie or tell the truth? Rowena swallowed.

“Not great to be honest,” she said.

Forlana’s smile softened. “That’s fine. Just remember, the rearguard is made up of four regiments of infantry and two regiments of cavalry. Our vanguard has two regiments of infantry, two of cavalry and the rest of the artillery. The main column has two regiments of cavalry and three of infantry.”

“And I can’t just order them all to the rear or else we’ll get cut in two?” Rowena asked.

“Exactly, but I wouldn’t be too worried. Most of this is going to be you watching for something going wrong, which, if your commanders are as competent as I think, isn’t going to happen,” said Forlana.

Jess frowned, “You’re being very optimistic about this, Forlana.”

Forlana snorted, “I am, aren’t I? I don’t know why myself. I’m… I have to admit it’s a bit worrying to think what that says about me.”

Rowena glanced at Jess. Her girlfriend’s sour expression held before she sighed and gave a half-nod.

“For whatever it’s worth, I do mean I’m glad you’re helping us,” said Rowena.

Forlana blinked and managed a smile, “Thank you.”

 

***

 

The retreat was kind of what Forlana had described. Rowena rode with her escort, watching the rear, waiting for any requests for reinforcements and receiving reports on the fighting retreat.

The noise was what Rowena hadn’t expected. Despite how far they were, the discharge of hundreds of muskets drummed against the sides of her head. The soft thump of hooves and feet a dull roar. She couldn’t figure out why they hadn’t bothered her when she’d been fighting in the cavalry battle.

Maybe it was the adrenaline, or the fact she had time to look and process what the sounds meant? Or perhaps it was the fact that she was far enough to know exactly what those sounds represented and the smoke that arose.

“How are the Lapanterians still able to attack us? We’ve been marching for hours,” said Jess.

Rowena was wondering that herself. They’d begun the march shortly after dawn, and now it was noon. Sweat dribbled down her brow as the merciless sun stung at any exposed skin. She dared not wipe away her sweat, however, as the metal of their armor was so hot, she risked burning herself.

Forlana peered through a spyglass she’d borrowed from Rowena. “I think Casswell is rotating their cavalry to keep the pressure. Murdoch and Fisher are using their infantry to help protect their cavalry and alternating between the pair.”

“That explains the casualties,” said Rowena. There’d been a steady trickle of wounded soldiers being ferried by the field ambulances, horse-drawn carriages carrying the wounded to their mobile hospitals on larger wagons.

Rowena had held the hands of some of the wounded or waved them to the surgeons as she and her party had ridden up the line. It’d been all she could do to hold back her tears as they whispered her name on their breaths.

“Rowena, you got this,” said Jess.

The princess shook her head. “I hope so. Forlana, do we have to be concerned about the horses becoming blown?”

Forlana pursed her lips. “Now that you mention it, I believe so. Casswell is not letting up and from the last report we got thirty minutes ago, the Lapanterian infantry is in hot pursuit.”

“I think I want to send a message to Murdoch and Fisher, offering to rotate the center cavalry regiments to the rear and the rearward ones to the center,” said Rowena.

“I’m not sure if I can advise that, Your Highness. If the enemy tries to flank us, we’ll be vulnerable,” said Forlana.

Rowena bit her lip. “Then what do you recommend?”

Forlana frowned, drumming her fingers on her saber’s hilt. “I need some more time to consider.”

“I don’t know if we have time. The longer we delay, the more tired the horses are going to get,” said Rowena.

“Rowena—” Forlana bunched her lips, cutting herself off. “You’re right. We can’t delay. However, when we’re talking about moving thousands of soldiers from place to place, several hasty orders can be more damaging than a late one. What happens if we issue an order and then we change our mind and countermand it?”

The princess winced. “The commanders who have received the orders will then have to send out additional orders retracting their orders. That will cause confusion in the army and its formations.”

“Exactly, and it’ll be especially the case when you have experienced subordinates who have independent action. They may have already taken steps to address the problem,” said Forlana. The former princess pointed at a pair of oncoming riders. “See, they must be here to request reinforcements.”

“How do you know that?” Jess asked.

“I mean, can you see how quickly they got here?” Forlana asked.

Rowena could see the two riders had been pushing their foaming horses very hard and they themselves were panting as they pulled to a halt in front of her.

“Your Highness, Colonel Murdoch and Fisher are requesting reinforcements.  They need both regiments of cavalry and one of the infantry regiments,” said the rider.

“Wait, one of the infantry regiments as well?” Forlana asked, eyes wide.

“The Lapanterians are mounting a major attack with all their cavalry and the infantry in support. Colonels Murdoch and Fisher think they can beat them back, but only if they get those reinforcements,” said the rider.

“They’re certain?” Rowena asked.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Rowena opened her mouth, but Forlana hissed, “Not so hasty, Your Highness. The Lapanterians would have to be crazy to mount an attack in the middle of the day, after they’ve been fighting for hours. It could be a feint.”

Jess snorted, “That both colonels fell for?”

“If we send those forces, we’ll be left with one infantry regiment in the middle of our column. That will not be enough to counter any serious attack,” said Forlana.

“And if our rearguard breaks, we’ll never be able to—to complete our future plans,” said Jess.

Rowena closed her eyes, immersing herself in the cool dark. She could hear Jess and Forlana debate. She knew the eyes of the courier and her own guards were upon her.

“Tell the colonels we’ll send what they are requesting. Forlana, can you issue the orders to the appropriate regiments? Draft an additional order to Colonel Moore to prepare one of his cavalry regiments to double back to our position in case of attack.”

The couriers saluted and rode off as Forlana stared at Rowena, open-mouthed.

“Rowena, we’ll be practically undefended! If they’re wrong, we’re as good as dead!”

“And do you think Fisher and Murdoch are unaware of that?” Rowena asked. She leaned forward, eye fixed on the blinking Forlana. “I understand your reservations, but the colonels swore oaths of loyalty to the crown. They would know very well how dangerous this would be to me and wouldn’t make this request unless it was necessary.”

Forlana took in a deep breath. “I still have my doubts.”

“You’re entitled to them, but I need you to draft my orders, please,” Rowena said.

Forlana nodded. “Yes, Your Highness.”

 
 
***
 
 

The orders were sent out by riders. Forlana had asked Rowena why they didn’t use communication mirrors or magic communicators. Rowena had told her that while they did use those, when in active combat, sometimes it was easier to draft orders and send them rather than having to get on another call.

The princess’s escort watched horsemen and infantry ride and jog past, going in the opposite direction they were. Rowena answered their cheers with a brave smile and constant waving, hoping they could see that she meant what she was trying to put up. That she was proud of them, and so worried for their lives.

Whatever was going on in the rearguard, the noise of battle didn’t seem to stop for hours until quite suddenly, as the sun started to make its way toward the horizon, the gunfire slackened.

In the distance, Rowena could see a hill rising up. Most of the plains they’d been travelling on had consisted of rolling hills, covered with fields and dotted with farmhouses and barns.

It was on this hill that Colonel Moore had begun setting up their camp for the night. Two groups of wagons had formed two wood and canvas forts that faced down the slope of the camp. More wagons were moving up the hill to create two more forts higher to the hill’s summit. All around, soldiers worked to contain their camp with sharpened stakes driven into the ground as an anti-cavalry measure.

“It looks like you were right, Your Highness,” said Forlana.

“A bit too soon to be calling it, I think,” said Jess.

“No, we’re in cannon range of the camp. If you look closely, Moore set up his guns poking out from between the wagons. We’re safe as can be, and the Lapanterians will soon be forced to break off their pursuit,” Forlana said.

“It was just a lucky guess,” said Rowena.

“It was the right decision to trust your subordinates.” Forlana winced. “I suppose I need to learn how to do that.”

“You didn’t trust your followers? I thought you trusted Benjamin,” Jess said.

Forlana fingered her reins. “It’s not like I didn’t trust them. I did, but I didn’t expect success. Your allies were so good at countering us that failure was very much expected. Then you had people like Sylva who would do her own thing.”

“I see.” Rowena turned her horse around to look down at the marching troops and wagons. “Let’s get to camp. We need to rest up for tonight.”