Nightmares

Prince Kelton and his knights reached Kit Ridge as evening fell. They paid for rooms then wandered around to listen to the local chatter. News of the masked ball in two months had already reached the ears of the people. He shook his head in disgust, but knew it couldn't be helped. Their prince was finally going to get married. But such a shame that Lady Iredys disappeared. She would have been a fine queen.

He tried his best to ignore the younger ladies who wondered if he would choose to forgo someone of status and marry a commoner. Yes, such occurrences had happened in the past, but not for him. There was only one woman for him. Would only ever be one woman for him. He was going to find her. And the moment he did find her, he would make her his. Make it so his mother couldn't marry him off to someone else. He would find her. He needed to find her.

They walked the streets a little longer before returning to the inn. The majority of the gossip hadn't changed much. A few people had gone missing, but nothing that seemed abnormal. There was nothing about the talk that hinted at the possibility that he was not on a fruitless quest. Prince Kelton played with his food as much as he ate it. He was doing his best not to be discouraged at the lack of news. He would hear something soon, he was sure of it. He just needed to keep searching.

"Another early start, Prince Kelton?" Sir Hamnet asked quietly as his other knights laughed boisterously.

"The more ground we can cover early on the better, I think," he replied with a nod. "Anyone too hungover to saddle his own horse in the morning will return to the castle, no exceptions."

"Think we should tell the others then?" Sir Droyn asked.

Prince Kelton shook his head. He shouldn't have to instruct his knights in every little detail. If they couldn't remain sober enough to make a circuit of the kingdom with him, they weren't worth the time he had spent to train them. He ate one more bite then headed upstairs to his room. Sirs Hamnet and Droyn soon followed. He knew he shouldn't have favorites among his knights, but the two of them always had his back.

He sat on the bed in his room and removed his boots. He loosened the belt that held his sword and propped it up beside the bed. Then he looked out the window to the stars that blinked in the dark sky.

"Where are you Iredys?" he sighed. "Please, tell me where you are."

He blinked back the tears that threatened to form. He drew in a halting deep breath then let it out. Prince Kelton lay on the bed, his back to the door. He closed his eyes and hoped the heavens would bless him with the location of his beloved betrothed.

But his dreams were far from peaceful. He found Lady Iredys in a run down cottage. Her belly largely distended with a second pregnancy. A little girl clung to her course skirt. She had her mother's eyes and long brown hair. But the worst part of all was the lack of recognition in her eyes. The image of her impassive face accompanied by the sound of her neutral greeting looped again and again in his mind. He fought to change it. Fought to find her unmarried, without child, anything! He wanted her. He needed her.

Only when she finally turned to take her daughter inside did Kelton wake. He sat up with a gasp. His breath came in hard and fast. His grief threatened to overwhelm him. His mother's nagging voice to get over her and start looking for another woman to marry, gnawed at his mind. He pressed the palms of his hands against his eyes. He scrubbed away the fatigue he felt before getting up. It was still dark out, but he didn't care. He didn't dare go back to sleep. He needed to find her. Find her today if at all possible.

He walked over to where the pitcher of water and washing bowl sat. He poured the water in the both then splashed his face with the cold water. He raked his wet fingers through this hair before he leaned against the dresser. Did he continue South or did he head East? Shaking his head, Prince Kelton grabbed his sword and buckled it around his waist. He jammed his feet into his boots then left the room. As he descended the stairs, he was surprised to see Sirs Hamnet and Droyn waiting outside with their horses. His own horse had been saddled and stood, with his travel pack attached, ready to leave.

"I didn't expect anyone up," he said as he stepped outside.

"A little hard to sleep for long when we could hear Your Majesty crying in despair next door," Sir Droyn replied softly.

Prince Kelton frowned, but nodded. He accepted the reins from Sir Droyn and mounted his steed. "Let's go. There is nothing more for us here."

Sir Hamnet nodded then jumped up into his saddle. Sir Droyn hoisted himself up as well before the two of them followed Prince Kelton out of town at a gallop.