Castle Walls Read Online Free PDF Page B

spent some time in the Dulce kingdom. Ros had diverted from their usual route when word of the Invader's activities had reached them.
    And now we've a blasted royal in our midst! Growling to herself, Ros ducked beneath a flap of canvas, eyes slowly adjusting to the darkened interior. The lack of light reflected her attitude. Again she circled, pushing against poles, noting where more logs could be added for seating, ignoring a handful of her people rigging the backstage area.
    Ilia's comment was not lost on the blonde, though Ros hadn't reacted. The title was an immediate give away. A Dulce princess. And the Invader rabid as a wolf, no doubt.
    Notorious for hunting down all heirs to any throne he stole, the Invader stopped at nothing to attain his goals. Neighboring realms, their leaders already nervous of the potential threat, would now be doubly paranoid until the princess was found or an innocent substitute was executed in her place to appease the tyrant.
    Ros and the circus had had the misfortune of occasional dealings with the Invader in the past. The blonde could still remember the terror of her childhood when this same thing occurred. It was both fortunate and unfortunate that the child had been discovered, her head delivered to a displeased new monarch.
    Sighing in frustration, Ros left the tent and stood in the main entrance, scanning the small encampment. She spotted the women in question, their breakfast finished and returning to Lucinda and Gemma's wagon. I can't very well leave them behind. Hazel eyes lingered on the dark one, a mixture of sorrow, sympathy and dull anger in Ros' heart. Life's never easy, is it?
     
    Dominic awoke, shivering. With a curse, he pulled his cloak tighter and attempted to go back to sleep. Every pebble and root made its existence known as they pressed into him. After an interminable time, the aide yielded to nature with utter gracelessness and rolled out of his makeshift bier. Quiet surrounded Dominic; he heard only his heartbeat, breath steaming in the chill gray of early morning.
    He had been roaming the countryside for two days, irritated apathy his only companion. Remaining within the Dulce capitol was out of the question as long as the Invader was in residence. Still uncertain of his future, Dominic was loath to leave the area. Better to be near. Just in case. In case of exactly what was a mystery.
    With no fire to give away his tiny encampment to roaming brigands, breakfast was a distasteful affair. Dominic sniffed at the meat he'd taken from the castle larder, suspicions confirmed by the faint sweet odor. Grunting in disgust, he tossed it into some nearby bushes and proceeded to nibble at a crust of bread, his thoughts filled with sumptuous royal feasts. Once finished, Dominic brushed uselessly at his travel stained clothing. An internal debate rose - move on or remain here for the day? A check of his water bag solved the dilemma and Dominic hefted his pack onto thin shoulders.
    By now, the light beneath the trees was golden, the sun finally breaching the eastern horizon. Regardless, the air was still cool and Dominic groused as he plodded along, holding his cloak tight about his neck. That bastard will pay for this! he promised himself.
    Just how the Invader would be punished for his infraction was unknown. Dominic was painfully aware of his odds of finding Princess Sabine; if she was giving experienced soldiers and trackers difficulty, there'd be no way he could locate her.
    The sound of running water interrupted Dominic's thoughts. At nearly the same instance, he stumbled upon a tiny game path and froze. Several moments of silence passed before surrounding insects and birds felt comfortable enough to continue their racket. Relieved, the aide turned right and followed the trail, searching for the source of sound.
    A few strides away, the game trail opened up to reveal a small clearing with a creek. Dominic dropped his pack, retrieved his water bag and, after a moment's