Free The Warrior and the Petulant Princess by Maggie Carpenter Page A

something I have to do, but I will be back before the moon’s are high.”
    “No,” she protested, “please, you can’t leave me.”
    “You’re staying with your father until I return. I made a promise and it’s one I must keep.”
    “A promise? A promise to who?” she quivered. “Surely I am more important.”
    “I’ll tell you everything when I return, but I must go. Be brave for me, and do whatever your father says.”
    “I will,” she said, giving up, her face crumpling. “I wish you weren’t going.”
    “I must, but soon I shall come to your father’s chambers for you.”
    “Hurry, and be careful.”
    “I will.”
    Handerah had left the table and was staring down at the bodies of Farris and his coconspirators; Larian moved quickly to his side.
    “I fear there are more,” the King said ruefully.
    “You will soon uncover them,” Larian assured him.
    “Now it has become imperative for you to take Lizbett to your home. I would ask, had you not already requested it.”
    “You’re right, Sire. You cannot have her safety on your mind while dealing with this business.”
    “Exactly.”
    “I must escort Falayla back to her home, along with some soldiers, and make sure her family is safe. She is waiting for me behind the green curtain. I’m sure she is still very frightened. She has no idea what just transpired here.”
    “Yes, quickly. There will be four warriors at the stables, take them.”
    “Thank you, Sire. I told Lizbett I would call upon her at your private apartment when I return.”
    “I will be anxious to know what transpired, so we will both be waiting eagerly for your return.”
    “Thank you, Sire. I will be quick.”
    “Terrible business,” the King muttered as Larian turned quickly away and headed into the chamber to fetch Falayla. “Terrible.”

CHAPTER NINE
    I t wasn’t until the moons were high in the sky that Larian returned to the castle. It had taken some time for him and the four guards to reach the hamlet where Falayla’s family lived, and when they arrived at the small house they found no guards. The family was perfectly safe, and were completely unaware of the drama their precious daughter had endured.
    “You poor child,” her mother cried pulling her into her arms. “What a dreadful man he must have been.”
    “Your daughter did the King a great service tonight, and will be rewarded,” Larian promised. “Just to be cautious I’m leaving two guards here to watch over you. They’ll stay until it is deemed safe for them to leave.”
    “We’re most thankful, Sir,” Falayla’s father said humbly. “Our children are our treasure, and we are so grateful you brought her safely home.”
    As Larian had ridden back to the castle he’d spotted a man fleeing through the dark, obviously one of Farris’s cohorts who had managed to escape. It was a short scuffle and the guards soon had him secured, but Larian wanted to deliver him personally to Lockley to have him thrown in dungeon for questioning.
    The moons had already begun their descent as Larian was finally hurrying through the castle, down the long passageways to the King’s apartment. There were guards everywhere, security was tight, and as he approached the door he was halted before he could reach it.
    “Lord Larian Lobergene. The King is expecting me.”
    They made him wait while another guard disappeared to check, and he was then escorted through the doors into the foyer where he saw more guards standing at attention.
    “Larian, what news?” the King asked eagerly as he strode forward to greet him.
    “The family was fine, there was no-one there. It was clear they knew nothing of the attempt on your life. The poor girl suffered for no reason. On the journey to her home though, she told me Farris did exactly what we anticipated; he took the vial from her and poured it into the gravy boat himself.”
    “How disappointed he must have been when Lizbett sent it flying to the floor,” Handerah