Free The Queen's Curse by Natasja Hellenthal Page A

Royal Family is excluded from being punished for telling a lie like this, for a lot of things actually we are excused. In fact we are obliged, and sometimes even obligated to lie’
    She had a sudden sad look in her occupied eyes, but smiled at Tirsa who was riding beside her now. ‘Good, this will be a long journey and it will be much nicer if you do not have to look at both my backside and my steed’s all the time.’
    ‘Are you sure it is a good idea to have just me along as a guard? More soldiers to protect you until we reach Dochas wouldn’t have hurt. In fact, if we reach Dochas at all unhurt it will be a small miracle. There are many people who will try to take this opportunity to do you harm – even if that will probably mean the end of their own lives as well.’
    The queen’s expression was sad. ‘I realise that all too well, that is why I have ordered a dozen of my guards to stay close by, at least for today; that is probably what you heard before. Good for you on that one; praise for your good hearing and senses Commander. After today, we shall take a very unlikely route no one will ever suspect, and I have ordered the guards to go back before nightfall. No one may know where we are going.’
    ‘Why couldn’t we have just sneaked away quietly, without the crowd seeing us leave, without an announcement?’
    ‘I wish we could have. The book would not have let us leave; I had to have my intentions announced by law for a longer journey. I was going to tell you.’ And she refrained from telling Tirsa about the punishment the queen herself would have gotten if she hadn’t done so: indescribable pains in her stomach the longer she would have stayed away from Ceartas, from the castle and the book until her return.
    ‘It is a plausible story I made up , even the book cannot deny. Royalty have to marry and finding a husband comes with it. However, our lives will be worth nothing if we do not undertake this quest, Tirsa. To not be able to truly live, to have a book rule your life and everyone in your country, your brother … A little risk is unavoidable. From what I have heard, you are worth ten soldiers anyway; so why should I worry? I feel safe enough. Now keep your voice down, who knows who is listening. Come on.’
    The Book?
    And off they went side by side in a pleasant trot.
    Tirsa almost whispered when she asked after about an hour , never losing sight of the road ahead and the open countryside surrounding them, side glancing at the queen’s stuffed saddlebags, ‘May I see the book later on, My Lady?’
    ‘Oh, I do not have it with me.’
    ‘You don’t? Won’t you need it when we have found this sorceress so she can work on a counter spell?’
    ‘I sincerely hope not; for I can only remove the book two days travel away from the castle; that is about as far as any border with our neighbouring countries, before it will return itself to its special chamber in Tarac. I have tried. Since our journey will be considerably longer, there is no point in bringing it. ’
    ‘But then we have to take a spell back with us. How is that going to work?’
    ‘That is what I’m hoping for, well; if she is that powerful, perhaps she can produce one, or otherwise I shall invite her over to Ceartas and reward her very generously. I have decided I will bestow her anything she asks for in return, within reason. Although I have no clue what that might be; if she is powerful she might not have the need for anything, so we shall see.’ The queen clutched her reins tightly and urged her horse to go a little faster while clearing her mind by taking deep breaths. Tirsa reckoned she didn’t want to discuss it further.
    After some time riding at a monotonous pace, Artride asked her what she had been doing for the remainder of yesterday and early morning that day. In a businesslike voice, Tirsa relayed what she wanted to know. Artride in return told her about her visiting her brother Elimar, who was happy to receive her