"Very well. We can take only two men to accompany us, otherwise we would attract too much attention and that is something we need to avoid at all cost." He finished and swiftly returned to the carriage.
Madie nodded and followed him to the prepared carriage, now resembling a wooden cage to her. As the horses moved forward, she waved goodbye to the world she knew and watched the gate closing. Although everyone kept telling her that she will eventually come back, she knew in her heart that it was a merciful lie. But Madie refused to give up - instead, she tried to find a bright side and was ready to embrace new challenges that life brings.
"So, to pass the long journey, can I make up our family history, uncle Berno?" she said cheerfully.
Berno, usually very quiet and serious, sighed.
"Of course, princess. Just don't make us too wealthy, otherwise they may kidnap you for a ransom."
"Hey, uncle, If we want to make this charade work, you can't call me princess."
"That's right, my niece."
"Come on, uncle! We have a close relationship and a touching family history. Hm, let's say I was raised by wild animals and then you've found me by a miracle in the forest playing by a river..." Madie spoke quickly.
"My p...niece, not even children would believe this story. Let's just say you had an official family visit." He replied.
"Come on, uncle, this is boring. What about this: My widowed father married an awful woman that wanted me out of the house. She hexed me to be mute, but you came to help me and open eyes of my father." She continued in one breath.
"If I may ask, where do you get these silly stories from?" Berno frowned.
"Well, let's say I have a very vivid imagination. And older people in the town know many strange tales." Madie giggled.
"I'm afraid that you won't be allowed to act so childish at the court."
"I know, that's why I want to do it while I still can." she repeated sadly. "But to get more serious, let's say that your wife gave birth to a child and I visited you in order to celebrate it. How does it sound, my dear boring uncle?"
"Actually, pretty good and believable." he nodded.
"But now, when we are family, can I ask you a personal question?"
"You can ask, but I can't guarantee that I will reply."
"Since I was a little child, I was wondering where you got your scar from. Is it from an epic battle? Accident? Fight with a wild bear or rival in love?" she asked, genuinely curious.
"I am afraid the story is not as interesting as you think. Maybe I will tell you another time. But I can tell you some stories from your father's youth If you want."
"Yes, that sounds amazing." Madie replied, already plotting a plan how to make Berno reveal the mystery of his scar.
*****************
They'd been travelling for three day straight and although they had short breaks for refreshments, Berno wanted to avoid busy roads and navigated the carriage along dusty and almost empty paths with nowhere to stay overnight. Madie was not used to travel this long in a not very comfortable carriage with only dry food and kept asking her guardian to stay in a guest house for at least one night.
"That is too dangerous. You need to understand that you are our hope in this dark times, many people rely on you." Berno had to once again turn down Madie’s request.
"But it would be just one night! You haven't slept properly for three days now and I can see that guards are tired, as well. I am sure that nothing bad will happen If we have a nice proper diner and sleep in comfortable beds." She insisted in raised voice.
"Soldiers can get drunk and reveal your true identity. I won't take the risk." he finished with a firm tone.
Madie turned her gaze away and frowned. This was the first time she was away from home and the world was at her reach, but she wasn't allowed to touch it. However, the opportunity came later that day, when they met a young farmer on the road and bought some fresh cheese and bread from him. She overheard him talking about a nice tavern and inn down the road, but of course Berno refused an idea of spending night there. On the other hand, Madie saw a great opportunity to meet some people from the outside and started to form a plan. When they moved again, she touched her belly as If it was in pain and tried to form as tortured face as possible. Berno first didn't pay much attention to than, but after few minutes he started to look worried.
"What is wrong?" he asked.
"Don't worry, Berno, maybe I'm just having some problems digesting the cheese we had from the farmer." she said, trying to breathe as heavily as she could.
"I don't think the cheese was wrong, we all ate it and no one seems to have any problems. Maybe it's because you are not used for long travels." he finished dryly. Madie didn't say anything and just kept her pose. After another hour, Berno became worried and his gaze locked on Madie more often that he wanted to. When she saw the building in a distance, it was time for her to go ahead with her plan.
"I didn't want to say anything, but I feel really bad. Can we please just stop at that building to see If they will be able to help me? It really hurts." she finished, with tears in her eyes.
"Fine, but just to see If they have some medicine for you. Damn, I knew I forgot something when we were leaving." Berno finished and waved to one of the soldiers with new orders.
The inn was large and finely built, with few horses and carriages standing outside. Older men seated outside looked at the approaching group very carefully and Madie wasn't sure If they were afraid of them or trying to scare them.
"P..my niece, please, put the hood on and stay quiet. I will go inside while you stay here and don't speak to anyone. Do you understand?" Berno whispered and looked around.
"But wouldn't it be better If I will go inside, as well?" she whined.
"No way. I will take one soldier with me and leave the other one to guard you. Be right back." he finished and walked through low wooden door, waving to one of the guards to follow him.
Madie looked out of the carriage and spotted her guardian observing the inn. But she failed to see that other man was looking at their carriage from the shadow.
"Hey, Kar, please come here." she called on the guard.
"What it is, princess?" he asked, obviously frustrated that he has to stand outside.
"Can you do me a favour, please?"
"Of course. How can I help you?"
"Please bring me some water, I am very thirsty." she said politely.
"I can't leave you here outside alone, Berno gave me an order." he replied, looking at the inn's door.
"You will be away just for few moments, I am sure nothing bad will happen." she whispered.
"I can't." he nervously looked around.
"But..." she started, but couldn't finish the sentence because Berno opened the door and swiftly walked towards them.
"I have some herbs from the innkeeper, they will help you. And now, let's keep moving." He ordered.
"Berno, I really feel bad. Can we please stay here for just this night?" she whispered with heavy breathing.
"I thought we already had this discussion." He replied swiftly.
"But my stomach really hurts..." she said quietly and curled.
Berno stopped for a moment, observed her carefully and then quickly disappeared inside the inn again. The guards gave a confused look to each other and stayed next to the carriage, prepared to follow the instructions. Their master returned to them in a short moment and whispered his commands. Men nodded and quickly took a crate from the back of the carriage, with Berno standing next to them.
“Fine job, little one.”
Madie turned swiftly to see the face of a tall young man standing next to her. His brown hair was messy, but face was cleanly shaved and handsome. She was not used to strangers talking to her directly and didn’t know how to react.
“Oh, don’t be afraid, I don’t bite. You know, I’ve been fighting along many soldiers that used to pretend sickness in order to avoid fighting. And darling, your performance was one of the finest I’ve ever seen.” He winked and walked inside the inn.
“Who was that?” Berno was already standing next to her and frowning at the inn.
“I don’t know. So are we staying here?”
“Yes, we do, but just for this night. You will take the medicine and have a proper sleep. I took one room for us and we will leave early in the morning.” Berno finished, offering his hand to still confused Madie.
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