Free [Books of Bayern 1] The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

tips of his teeth peered through his parted lips.
    "Thank you," she said, smiled graciously, and kicked Falada into a trot to the front of the company. Her hands were shaking and blood rushed into her fingertips, and she nearly laughed out loud. She fingered a corner of the handkerchief. My mother's blood is protecting me, she thought. I have nothing to fear.
    At the next stop, she saw Ungolad, glowering, remove a small stone from his horse's right front hoof.

    ************************************
As they neared Bayern, the road pushed the trees farther away, and at midday there was no shade. The company was weary and sun sick. It was a bright and burning afternoon when they passed a small trading party going toward Kildenree.
    "Ho there, sir," said Talone. "How many days since you left Bayern?"
    "Six days'll take you to the city, if that's where you're going." He lifted his wide-brimmed sun hat as he caught sight of Ani. She smiled at his accent. He spoke his words carelessly, letting each word bleed into the next, his vowels short and consonants ringing out from his throat. She turned to see Selia, wondering if she also remembered that accent from the time the Bayern prime minister visited Kildenree five years ago, but her lady-in-waiting held back by the rear guard. The trader did not see her.
    "And how many since the last town or settlement?" said Ungolad.

    "Oh, two, I'd say, at a good pace."
    Ani saw Ungolad and Selia exchange looks.
    That night at camp, there were two fires. Dano, the cook-man, built the first, and Talone, Ingras, the wagon drivers, and some of the guards gathered around it. Ungolad built the second and drew in Selia and the majority of the guards. Ani turned from brushing down Falada to see the camp split into two parts, and she felt that something definite had been decided. She stood between them and did not know what to do.
    Talone noticed her and walked to her side. "Princess, you look concerned."
    His face was lined with age, his temples graying. He had been faithful to her mother for many years, but did that mean he was faithful to her?
    "What is it?" he said.
    Ani twisted the handkerchief between her fingers and forced herself to look at him directly in the eyes. "Talone, can I trust you?"
    He blinked and looked as though she had wrenched an arrow from his side. "I have failed you if you must ask that question." He put a fist over his heart and said in his strong, solid voice, "I swear fealty to you, Princess Anidori-Kiladra, and promise to shield you to your safety and, if you wish it, will remain your personal guard until my dotage and death."
    She blinked at the force of his pledge, and gratitude and relief filled her. Feeling that the oath required a sign of her acccptance, she looked about her for something to give him. All she had on her person of value were two rings. She slipped one with a ruby droplet from her second finger and placed it in his hand. "Thank you, Talone."
    Talone seemed moved, and lowering his head for a moment so she could not see his eyes, he tucked the ring into his vest pocket. "Thank you, Princess." He led her to his fire, where the conversation was bubbling with unease at the splitting of the group.
    "I don't like their attitude," said Adon, Talone's second in command. He was a young man, eager for action. "Ungolad's friends make it clear they follow him and not you, Captain.
    I swear they grow more insubordinate the closer we get to Bayern. Smells like mutiny."
    "Ungolad seemed interested to know how long it would take us to reach the first town,"
    said Ani.
    "They might have friends there," said Radal.
    "Or plan to do something before we reach witnesses," said Adon.
    "Or they are just eager to sleep in a bed and eat real food again," said Radal. "Aren't we all?"
    "Mmm." Talone eyed the princess. "I don't know what it means. It may be they intend to stay in Bayern and not return to Kildenree next spring. But, Princess, if there is any sign of trouble, you jump on