Sorcery

"That was an unexpected turn of events, Your Majesty" the doctor commented as he climbed back in the carriage.

"Indeed it was. Nothing ever goes to plan these days, I suppose." Aurora watched the horses canter off to the northeast. She silently wished them well with a sign to the Fates.

"Was your conversation with them a good one, at least?" The physician tried to find the perfect spot in the pillows for his bony rear to sit.

"It was."

"That mysterious man was the same Guardian who was sitting with you at the wedding, was he not, Your Majesty?" the doctor tried to phrase the question innocently, but Aurora knew better.

"What are you implying, doctor?" One eyebrow was clearly raised in challenge.

The physician shrugged. "Only that he must be a good family friend to be traveling with the Princess and her husband."

"Indeed." Aurora would say no more. The doctor could think what he liked. With a lurch, the carriage took off into the uneven road of the countryside. The grey-headed man, uncomfortable with the silence, took up a new line of thought.

"So what is the next plan in our grand deception? When do we transfer to Zan's carriage to continue on our journey?" the doctor asked in a conspiratorial tone.

"All will reveal itself in due course," the Empress answered mildly. She handed Colvyr a rattling toy to keep him occupied now that his sister was gone and he could no longer blow kisses to the onlookers. The young prince squealed his thanks.

The carriages turned off the main road and began a winding trek through the trees. The physician noticed the change in direction, but did not realize its significance.

He continued in his line of thought, "I mean we have fooled those in the palace and in the city of Valiant. I assume Anna is hiding in the other carriage ready to take your place. I do wonder how you got her into the coach without anyone noticing."

"Well you are right about one thing. Anna is certainly hiding…" The Empress hid her smirk.

Just a few moments later, the carriage hit another bump, and the unbalanced prince cracked his head against the handle of the door before Aurora could catch him. The long handle was turned by the force of the boy's skull and the door flung wide open.

"Oh!" Aurora gripped onto the child and pulled him back from the brink of disaster. Her arm protested, but her maternal instinct was stronger. The ground whizzed by them as the door flapped helplessly against the pull and push of the horses.

"Halt!" the doctor called, banging on the roof by the driver's seat. The coach came to a stop as did the carriage behind it. Nurlan came riding alongside and leapt off of his horse.

"Is everything alright?" he asked.

Colvyr, who had just gotten over the shock of nearly falling to his doom, cried out and rubbed his head against his mother's chest. She stroked his thick black hair and could feel a knot beginning to form on the boy's scalp.

"It seems the carriage is not baby proofed. Though it is not Prince Colvyr's fault. That lurch sent him flying into the door handle," Aurora explained as she comforted the child.

"I will mention this to the royal cartwright. Perhaps only having handles outside would be beneficial." Nurlan suggested.

"Yes, well it's a problem for another day..." Aurora kissed the child's injury, and looked to the doctor for assistance.

Nurlan took the cue. "Yes, Your Majesty." He shut the door of the carriage and saluted through the window once it was secure. Then the general beckoned that the tiny caravan continue.

Opening his pack, the doctor searched for medicine to ease the young prince's pain. Aurora peered over Colyvr's head as the man was consumed with finding the perfect remedy. She furrowed her brow.

"Why do you have so much pain ointment in your bag doctor. You haven't been using any on me since that first day, have you?" Aurora watched as the doctor pulled out a small bottle of cream next to the ointments and placed a dab on the child's scalp.

"That should help with the swelling which in turn will help with the pain," the physician commented to the boy.

Colvyr pulled at his hair where the spot was, smearing the cream around with an angry gurgle. He tried to taste the portion that ended up in his hands, but the doctor wiped away the excess from the boy's palms. The man received another angry grunt in response. However, the prince seemed to be feeling better.

Tucking away the medicine, the grey-headed man answered the Empress's question by holding up his bag. "I brought almost the entire pain ointment supply that comes from the pepmynt tree with us. Duchess Ashleigh just raved about my particular mix when she visited last time. She said it did wonders for her aching joints, so I thought I would bring it as a gift."

"Very thoughtful of you..." Aurora felt a tad guilty for not letting the doctor know of their true destination.

"Since I didn't have time to make a new batch, I scrounged around the entire palace to gather all that I could. I even took what was in the nursery, you know, since the prince will not be there to use it anyway..." the doctor rambled on.

"You what?" The Empress paled. "Who did you ask about the ointment?"

"Velia, of course. She is in charge while Nanny is away, is she not?" The doctor watched Aurora stiffen. "Did I do something wrong?"

"Did you tell Velia where we were going?" The woman licked her lips nervously as she awaited the answer. Releasing the breath she had been holding, Aurora was relieved when the doctor shook his head.

"Of course not. I would never do anything like that. Anyway, Velia did not ask why I needed it. She simply handed over the containers. The girl is very skittish if you ask me."

Aurora's muscles relaxed. Although the doctor's behavior was strange, Velia would have to be far more clever than the Empress believed she was to connect those dots. It seemed the secret-within-a-secret was safe for now. The guilt that Aurora had been feeling melted away.

'I am very glad I did not tell the doctor where we were actually going. He could have really aroused suspicion if he prepared for that trip...'

The carriage came to a slow stop even though no order was given. The doctor raised his eyebrows quizzically out the window as Nurlan once again approached the coach on horseback. By Aurora's placid expression, which could be seen even behind her veil, she had anticipated the detour.

Sure enough, Nurlan dismounted and rubbed the back of his neck as he neared. "Sorry for the intrusion, but I think I saw you make our sign."

"I did," Aurora confirmed. "I am quite sorry for the inconvenience, but I cannot wait any longer. Perhaps we should all take a moment to relieve ourselves. Would you assist me, Doctor?" The lovely lady tilted her head toward the child in her lap.

"Excuse me? Oh! Of course, Your Majesty. Allow me," the Doctor took the boy in his arms.

"Wrap this around him, please. It is chilly." Aurora passed over a dark blanket. Once everyone was bundled tightly, the trio exited the carriage.

Zan left the confines of his coach and joined them. His black hood hung around his shoulders as he approached them and bowed.

"I would feel much better if I were able to escort you at least into the trees, Your Majesty." The Chief offered.

"That is very good, because I cannot walk far on my own just now. I think I shall require both your assistance and Nurlan's." The Empress responded with a slight blush and a glance to see if the driver overheard.

Although the coachwoman's face was stoic, it was clear she had registered every word. The woman was a known gossip. Nothing about the encounter would be kept secret.

"Yes, well. Let's hurry before I have an embarrassing moment. We will return," she called to the guards and servants.

Supporting herself on the two strong men, Aurora limped into the dense trees.

"Come along, Doctor. I do not want to lose sight of my son any longer than I have to," the Empress scolded with a click of her tongue.

Confused, the doctor followed with Prince Colvyr in his arms. The group wandered into the trees, losing sight of the caravan and soldiers.

Even with the help, Aurora misstepped and groaned in pain.

"Almost there, Your Majesty," Zan assured her. The men stopped their progress and allowed the Empress to catch her breath.

Aurora gritted her teeth with determination in her eyes. "I'm fine. Carry on."

Nurlan whistled thrice like a bluelark, and cocked his ear, waiting for a response. It was only a moment before an identical call came in response.

"How curious," the doctor muttered as he tried to piece together what was happening. The other three adults looked expectantly toward the source of the sound. Even Colvyr seemed to know what was about to occur as he coped in his best bird interpretation.

"Coast is clear!" The General announced into the thicket.

"Clear for what?" the doctor asked, his senses on high alert.

However nothing could have prepared him for what he saw next. For out of the trees came an Empress, a Guardian and a Doctor holding a child. The physician gasped.

"What kind of sorcery is this?!"