Free Web NovelChapter 192: Chapter 192 Embarrassing Stories
Amber’s POV
We’ve been at this for three days, and today I am riding with the men. We’ve been sleeping in tents for two days, but tonight we’ll reach the first inn. I spoke to Chase and Blaze about building an inn closer to us on the main road, maybe a day’s ride from the city, and then there would still be two days until the next inn. The guys agreed, and sent word to the castle for the builders to get a sketch and plan down while we are away. That’ll give them at least half a year of planning, and if they are not ready, I’ll do it myself. I’ve noticed some of the people we take in from the outside are not as fast as we would like them to be, and if they have to be fast, it’ll be expensive. I roll my eyes internally. freewёbnoνel.com
"Momma, look!" Melody calls from her pony. The girls have been having riding lessons every morning, and I told them if they want to learn to ride, they have to do it all from scratch. They have to take care of the ponies themselves, mucking out, feeding, groom and make sure their saddle and headwear is in tip top shape. The girls have been doing a really good job, asking and running in the heels of the groomers ever since. It makes me smile when I see them, and it makes me proud. They have taken this assignment to heart, and they are working so hard on learning to take care of, and riding their ponies.
"Looking good, darling." I say back, concentrating once again on Ashilia in my arms. She babbles in incoherent baby babble, while Callum does the same in Chase’s arms. Blaze is nowhere to be seen, but I know he’s nearby. I can feel it in our bond, and he’s probably just going ahead to see what we may encounter.
An hour later we are packed and ready to go. Ashilia is in a sling sleeping, and doesn’t even rock an ear when I swing into my saddle on my horse, Aslan. He’s such a gentle soul, and I think he can sense I have Ashilia with me this morning. I need to have her close, feeling so guilty as a mother, that I have to leave her and Callum with their aunts or nannies so much.
"My Queen, it’s an honor to have you ride with us, but are you sure it’s a good idea?" A soldier asks, while the others try not to look in my direction. I raise an eyebrow, locking my eyes on the speaker.
"Your name soldier?" I ask, not answering the question, which takes him aback a bit. His eyes flicker, before he puffs his chest out.
"Sergeant Asmond." He answers, and I smirk.
"Well, Sergeant, I believe you are asking because you are worried about my safety and not because you are trying to insinuate that women cannot ride a horse as long as a man. Am I right?" He swallows, while Tristan comes up beside me with his own horse. "Well?" Tristan is looking between me and his Sergeant, his eyes amused and serious at the same time.
"Of course, my Queen. But you are also here with a baby in a sling, and I.. I’m just thinking of the child and.. It’s tiresome to ride a whole day.." His eyes flicker again. Tristan surly notices the glint in my eyes, because he smirks and turns his head the other way so his men can’t see it.
"So, you are worried for my daughter, and for me because I am a woman and I couldn’t possibly ride a whole day because I am weaker than you. Correct?" He swallows again.
"I... I... I didn’t mean to. We are just worried..."
"We? How many others share your concern, Sergeant?" He shakes his head, not wanting to betray his men. I admire this, but it is absolute nonsense!
"If you just concentrate on your soldier thing, then I will concentrate on the Queen thing, and we’ll possibly both survive another tedious day on a horseback. Or I can switch your duty with someone in carriage or wing duty, if you feel uncomfortable riding with a woman?"
The Sergeant retracts with a head shake, looking down in shame. I sense he is a good man, but he probably is not used to women doing manly things. I can’t wait to have a proper bed and a warm bath tonight and tomorrow I’ll be a whole new woman. This is getting to all of us, well except my girls, who still think of this as an adventure. I smile to myself, as Tristan gets us moving.
We ride side by side, speaking about everything and nothing on the way ahead. I still haven’t seen Blaze, but he mind-linked me when he returned just before we took off. It’s his day with the little ones, and now that I have Ashilia with me, he is probably extremely bored.
"I’m thinking of proposing to Glaciel." Tristan says as I zone into our conversation again. I smile, happiness filling my entire body. Then I feel guilty immediately. How can I be this happy when my brother is in his life’s crisis?
’Amber! You are allowed to be happy!’
’Blaze? How did you?’
’How did I know? I know you, and I felt the shift in you.. Incredibly happiness, and then guilt. What are you doing?’
’You need to keep it down, but Tristan is going to propose to Glaciel.’
’Tell him congratulations, and about fucking time.’ I chuckle, and Blaze is right. I still feel so sorry for Maze, but I can’t put my own life on hold just because he is in pain.
"Blaze says congrats and about fucking time." Tristan laughs.
"I thought someone was mind-linking you. It’s not always easy to tell." I tilt my head. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
"It’s not?" He shakes his head, his eyes on the road ahead, scanning it before looking at me again.
"Sometimes it just looks like you are completely in your own world." I nod, contemplating what he said.
An hour later Ashilia starts fussing, and I ride to the carriage to hand over the sling to Blaze. Aslan keeps a slow and very patient pace, as I hand her over, and Blaze seems like he could use the work in feeding, changing and speaking to his girl. I ride ahead again, speaking to the soldiers, and as the day progresses I feel them relax around me. Their skepticism changes to respect when I keep riding without complaining, even when Tristan says we have to eat lunch in the saddle if we want to reach the inn before it starts raining in the late afternoon. I find Hixton in the early afternoon, and fall into his pace. He seems legit happy so see me, and introduce me to his friends. They also need a little adjustment time, but soon we are laughing, and sharing embarrassing stories from our lives.
