Close Encounters

The exhilaration of having successfully maneuvered out of the castle without anyone noticing surges through me. My three companions and I were all packed uncomfortably tight on the carriage floor.

I caught a glimpse of Alina's worried expression. It was easily seen since we alternated facing forward and backward. Alina and I had the privilege of facing the front of the carriage.

Cali must have noticed it too because she grabbed and held Alina's hand in a gesture of comfort. I wanted to help as well. Cali was squeezed between Alina and myself, making it impossible for me to grab Alina's other hand. I gently took Cali's free hand in a show of solidarity.

A large smile beamed across Alina's face as she looked in Cali's direction. I'm glad Alina received comfort from the both of us. Cali displayed the expression she gets when she's gotten away with something. Like the time she stole the palace bakers' freshly made cookies for us all to share.

That same warmth I felt on the training field that day I grabbed Cali's hand slowly crept from my hand, spreading comfort throughout myself instead of the girls. My anxiousness was gone and I felt I could take on the world. I guess they weren't the only ones who needed comfort.

"John, please take the carriage. I have some more business in the castle before I go home." I heard my father say. We were about to start our journey.

"Certainly," my uncle responded, mounting the driver seat.

"Thank you for all you do," my father said more in the direction of the carriage than toward the driver. I was positive those words were meant for me. It was my father's way of trying to convey how proud he was of me. Maybe, for once, I did something right. The corners of my mouth inched into a smile. My father was proud of me!

My uncle grunted back, affirming that he heard, but not continuing the sentimental moment. Neither of those men were comfortable with maudlin displays.

I could hear the flick of the reins slap against the horses' rears before we surged forward. The movement unsettled Cali from her backward facing position. She let go of my hand to steady herself, catching herself with her palm against my chest.

Cali's generally hard to read demeanor crumbled into a face of shock and embarrassment. She was about to pull back her hand, when I grabbed it with mine, holding her in place. I was trying to convey without speaking that she didn't need to be embarrassed and that I understood.

It was also slightly selfish. The warmth and comfort that her hand gave me while in mine grew tremendously when I thought I was helping her not be embarrassed. I never thought I was such a glutton for philanthropy.

Alina stifled a giggle. We must have been quite the show. Cali pulled her hand from my chest with some force and glared at Alina. She did not like being a joke. Cali shifted toward Alina in protest, giving the Princess less room in the already crowded carriage. Her loss was my gain.

The sun was going down and it was getting harder to see inside the carriage. I caught Carrion's look for the first time. The amount of displeasure on his face was frightening.

I could not tell if he was angry with me for causing Alina to giggle, or angry at Cali for stealing a little more of the floor real estate in our already squeezed predicament. Maybe it was something else entirely. Whichever it might be, my expression sobered quickly.

The carriage slowed. We must be reaching the city gates.

"Sir John, we are just about to close the gates for the night. Are you sure you want to bring passengers into the countryside? " I heard an unfamiliar voice announce.

"Look in the windows, good fellow. No passengers. My brother needed the carriage for something earlier and this was easier than getting out the wagon to take things to the manor," my uncle explained.

My counterparts and I all ducked our heads lower, hoping that the guard looking in the windows would not look too closely.

"It's a bit late to start a trip out to the country," the guard said suspiciously. My breath caught in my throat, hoping to make even less noise. The man could not be far from the carriage door. I could hear the shifting weight of his footfalls.

"Tell me about it. Sometimes that Swordsman brother of mine really throws off my plans!" My uncle threw on a fake anger with a bite in his voice. Nothing throws people off more than you passionately agreeing with them.

"I don't see anything in the windows. Did you say you're taking things to the country?" The guard thoroughly did his job. If only he knew that there was a secret passage that could've gotten us in and out of the palace without facing any guards. I wonder if he would be as thorough then.

"It's all in the bottom of the carriage. Please don't open the door!" My uncle's voice was raised. I could tell this guard must have been reaching for the door handle. I balled my knees tighter to my chest. "It will all spill out and I'll be even later on my way. It took long enough for me to get this far! Please don't delay me longer!"

The guard backed away from the door. "I will allow for someone so noteworthy to leave town. Just know that this behavior is highly suspect and it will be in a report to my superiors and the Swordsmen Council!"

Perfect. They will all know we got out of town successfully. "Please do! Tell my brother he can run his own errands from now on!" My uncle's false anger was almost believable as he flicked the reins again. We were off.

Once we made it to the tree line that would better hide our presence, the four of us got to move from the floor to the carriage seats. With the excitement of the day, I quickly fell asleep with the smooth rocking motion of the journey