Chapter 16


    Xane had to take a detour from the normal route he and Vaettr always took, because Lady Strom’s horse couldn’t follow the narrow game trails. Almost an hour passed before they exited the forest and entered the clearing that was at the base of the mountain. Looking over his shoulder, he felt more than saw the princess had fallen asleep behind him.


    “We’re here.” He said in a voice just loud enough to wake the girl. Lady Stom slipped out of her saddle and plucked the sleepy girl up from her place behind him. Vaettr shot up the trail as soon as his feet hit the grass, and he motioned for them to follow. Minutes later, he was standing on the rock outcropping, waiting for the door to open. Entering after Vaettr, he moved through the gloom, uncovering his lantern to light the way.


    “This is not what I was expecting when hearing you made a cave your home.” The knight said as her head took in their surroundings. Xane just shrugged as he moved about his home, opening the skylights he had created, letting the sunlight inside. The princess eagerly explored the series of rooms, while the knight came to a stop next to a large hanging bag made of thick leather.


    “Is this how you store water?” she asked, poking the heavy bag.


    Shaking his head as he walked over, he stopped next to the curious knight and spoke. “It’s not for water. It’s a punching bag. I had Charlie’s dad make it for me, and I filled it with sand, then hung it here.


    “Punching bag?” she asked as her gauntleted hand ran over the surface of the leather. Feeling the small depressions and divots in the sand that the leather hid. Motioning for her to step back, he unleashed a flurry of punches, followed by a spinning kick that sent the heavy bag swinging.


    “Ah, it’s for training.” She said, intrigued by the item. “May I?” she asked, to which he only nodded and stepped back. Removing her gauntlets, she took a boxer stance like Xane had done and punched out with her right.


    “Son of a…” The knight shouted as she shook her hand in pain. Xane had to struggle not to laugh at the woman. Still holding her aching hand, Lady Strom moved away from the bag and deeper into his home. Soon enough, the princess’ curiosity was satisfied, and she had left with her guard.


    Watching them disappear into the tree line, Xane let out a breath of relief. While his time with Charlie and Delores had helped him, he still had to struggle to contain his fear around those two. With them gone, he could once again take comfort in his solitude. Grabbing his chair and a handful of half completed arrow shafts, he moved to the outcropping and began his work.


    It had been three days since the princess and her knight had visited and Xane had yet to return to town. He had sent Wraith to deliver a message to his sister saying he was going to be away for a few days. Surprisingly Delores had agreed in the return message and had suggested he do some hunting. She had told him the trip to the capital would take a week and they would be constantly traveling through the day. Unlike the horses that everyone used, Vaettr was a predator and needed meat.


    So that’s what he spent his time doing, just him and his pets hunting and shoring up their supplies for the upcoming trip. Xane was dressing his latest game while Vaettr and Wraith gorged themselves on the discarded offal nearby when from the forest the cracking of a twig was heard. Dropping the knife, he spun, drawing his bow from inventory and knocking an arrow.


    “Xane!” the princess cried happily as she stepped out of the tree line, followed by Delores and Lady Strom. Letting out a Breath, he eased off the string and stowed his arrow.


    “It looks like your hunt has been rather successful.” Lady Strom said as she eyed the two elk and three boar hanging to cool. He could only grunt in reply as the princess squeezed him happily in her embrace, while he did his best not to get blood on the girl. Delores just stood there in her armor with her spear leaning against her shoulder, giving him a warm smile.


    Finally released from the princess’ embrace, he looked over his visitors with a raised brow. He was about to open his mouth to ask what they were doing there when his sister answered him.


    “Her highness escort back to the capital arrived this morning,” she said. Xane could only sigh and give a nod of understanding before he started storing everything away. Thirty minutes later, he was sealing the door of his cave. During that time, the princess stuck to his side, watching him with a smile on her face while Delores and Lady Strom had brought a pair horses into the small clearing.


    The trip back to Stonevale was slow and relaxed as Delores and Lady Strom chatted between themselves. The princess seemed content as she rode behind him on Vaettr, while kept her arms wrapped around him. As they rode, the princess would ask him about his time in the forest. Those questions soon led to her asking him about the night he saved Charlie.


    As he began telling her about that night, he noticed that both his sister and the knight closed the distance on their reluctant horses. Xane began quietly at first, but soon enough, the storyteller within had taken over. The princess oohed and awed at the relevant points of his recounting of the running fight between him and Vaettr’s mother.


    By the end of his story, the princess was shedding silent tears while her knight looked at him with newfound respect. Delores had heard the tale many times in the tavern and still wore the same pleased expression she had when she heard it.


    “Xane I must ask, how did you know to search for the flowers at night?” Lady Strom asked as they entered the clearing surrounding Stonevale.


    He was about to give the excuse of remembering seeing them at night, when shouting from the gate pulled their attention. Three men in armor similar to the princess’ guard were charging towards them, with a group of town guards behind them.


    “You na?ve, unhand her Highness this instant!” The one in the lead shouted as he brandished his sword.


    “Lieutenant Collins, put your weapon away and stand down. That goes for all of you.” The princess’s guard shouted as she moved her horse between them.


    “Lady Strom?” The man with a hint of defiance in his voice.


    “Are you deaf? Put away your weapons NOW!” She said, shouting angrily, causing the man to step back and reluctantly sheathed his weapon.


    “Who is that boy?” asked when the woman guided her horse back next to Xane and the princess.


    “This is Xane, the one her Majesty sent us to collect. You will provide him and his sister with the utmost respect.” She said, with her hand resting on the hilt of her sword and nodding towards him and Delores. A moment later, she clicked her tongue and urged her horse forward, and motioned for them to follow. As they passed, he looked back over his shoulder to see the princess stick her tongue out at the man.


    “My apologies Xane, the lieutenant had no right to treat you that way.” Lady Strom said as they entered the town gate. He just looked over at the woman and gave her a small shrug. The woman gave him a gentle smile. “I would suggest you spend your time procuring anything you may need today. We will be setting out at dawn.”


    The princess gave him one last squeeze from behind, then surprised him with by placing a kiss on his cheek. Sliding off Vaettr’s back, the girl joined her guardian as they left towards a group of waiting knights. Delores came up beside him as she stifled a laugh.


    “It looks like Charlie may have some competition.” She said, letting out a small chuckle. Xane just shot her a scowl as she started laughing. Rolling his eyes, Xane slid out of the saddle and patted the big cat on the side of her neck before she turned and bounded out the gate.


    Charlie found him in her father’s workshop, when he was dropping off his armor and other gear to have it maintained. Clive just smirked knowingly as he watched his little girl hug him fiercely. During his errands, the girl clung to his arm the entire time. Many of the town’s folk gave them gentle smiles when the two of them passed. Xane’s usual fear had become nonexistent around the little girl, and he found himself smiling at her antics.


    When the two of them had finished his errands, Charlie pulled him towards the tavern. He was about to ask her what was going as they passed through the tavern’s door when he was caught by surprise. The cheers of the people inside cause him to jump and reach for his blades before he remembered he left them with the blacksmith earlier.


    “There’s the man of the hour.” Boyd shouted while he walked up and handed Xane a mug. Looking around the large room, he didn’t know what to say. It seemed as if every person in town had gathered inside the aging building. Before he could say anything, the mayor rose from his chair beside the princess. Raising a hand, the man quieted the gathered crowd as he prepared to speak.


    “People of Stonevale, we gathered here tonight to celebrate one who has done much for us. Xane, a year ago when you first came to us, no one knew what to make of you. Over that short amount of time, you have shown us what we have been missing. Selflessness, courage, and generosity, you young man embody them all. Tomorrow you will be setting out towards the capital, So we celebrate you, young hunter and pray for your safe return. To Xane!” The man said raising his mug high in the air.


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    “To Xane!” Everyone present stood and raised a mug, or cup, joining in the mayor’s toast. Xane could only raise his mug in acceptance before taking a drink. A moment later, the princess was at his open side as she and Charlie guided him to a set of open chairs between the mayor and Lady Strom. Across from him, Delores gave him a knowing grin, while Sarah and Clive, sitting beside her, gave him warm smiles.


    Throughout the night, people took turns telling stories of their favorite interactions with him. The most memorable being the old butcher Thomas, describing how Xane had gotten the better of him at their first meeting. Most surprising for Xane was when the mayor’s son approached and silently knocked his mug against Xane’s and gave him a silent nod.


    The next morning Xane rolled out of bed, still sleepy from the late night. As he stretched he heard a low groan come from his sister’s room. Slipping out of bed, he left his room to find Delores still in bed clutching her head, suffering from a hangover.


    “Morning Xane” She said, noticing him, then winced from the sound. Rolling his eyes, he stepped next to her and placed a glowing hand on her head. A moment later, a look of relief came across her face before she gave him a soft smile. Leaving her to get dressed, he moved to the small kitchen to prepare some food.


    Stepping outside with Delores following behind, Xane was greeted by the sight of Vaettr being coddled by the princess as Lady Strom watched a short distance away. Behind her, more armored knights waited as they shot nervous glances toward the three of them. Wraith let out a loud gronk as Delores locked the door behind them causing the knights to jump in surprise.


    Xane could only grin as he fished into his bag for a chunk of smoke meat to feed the bird. The knights’ grumblings were interrupted by Lady Strom as she stepped forward with a heavy bag.


    “Xane, I hope you don’t mind, but I took the liberty of collecting your gear for you.” She said, handing the bundle over to him. Xane dipped his head in thanks before emptying the contents into his inventory, before instantly equipping it. His actions didn’t go unnoticed as the waiting knights began murmuring amongst themselves.


    “Good morning, Xane.” The princess said as she left Vaettr to greet him with a wide smile.


    “Good morning, your Highness.” He said, getting a small pout from the girl and a chuckle from the knight. Lady Strom moved to stand next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.


    “This is Xane, and his sister Delores Cartwright. They are both guests of her Majesty and will be treated with the utmost respect.” She said, giving her subordinates a stern look that ended on the man from last night.


    “Xane, I would like to invite the two of you to join me in my carriage.” The princess stated as she motioned to a well-made carriage a short distance away. Raising a brow, he gave Delores a questioning glance and got a nod in reply. Entering the carriage, he realized how cramp the interior was. Two cushioned bench seats took up both the front and back walls, leaving only a few feet between. Vaettr stuck her head in and chuffed before leaping to the top of the carriage, causing it to rock side to side. One knight tried to admonish the big cat, only to be chastised by the princess and her guard a moment later.


    Delores took a seat beside him while the princess and Lady Strom sat across from them. A few minutes later, he felt the carriage lurch forward, nearly throwing him from his seat. Looking out the window, he saw Charlie and her parents waving to him as the carriage passed by and exited the town’s gate.


    Leaving Stonevale left Xane with the feeling something he had never felt before. Even in during his life as Alex, he had never felt anything like it. Letting out a depressed sigh, he sat back in the seat and attempted to relax as he thought about the strange emotions coursing through him.


    “Are you feeling well?” Delores asked, noticing his unease. Xane nodded to her as he looked out the window toward the receding wall of Stonevale.


    “It would seem Xane is experiencing what it means to be homesick. Though it is strange for it to set in so soon.” Lady Strom said, giving him a curious glance. That’s when he realized that was what he was feeling. For the first time in his two lives, he had found a place he had come to call home. That realization made him smile that widened a bit more when Delores gave him a small side hug.


    Xane lurched awake when the carriage pulled off the road into a small clearing. Looking around, he found he wasn’t the only one that had fallen asleep. Both Delores and the princess were blinking away their drowsiness, Lady Strom, on the other hand was wide awake.


    Outside, the rest of the knights were split between setting up patrolling and breaking for lunch. Stepping out, he was greeted by an eager Vaettr and a noisy Wraith. Tossing the raven some smoke meat, pulled a boar flank from his inventory that Vaettr quickly snatched from his grasp.


    Turning his attention back to the princess and her knights, Xane froze when he noticed the majority were women. He had thought they were men because the armor hid their curves while the helms covered their faces. Now with their helms removed, he could easily see their eyes looking at him with a strange curiosity.


    He was about to step back inside the carriage when the princess wrapped her arms around him and pulled him to the growing fire.


    “Here, sit next to me, Xane.” She said, taking a seat on a log that had a cloth laid over it. Still feeling the eyes of the women on him, he silently accepted her offer. Unable to sit still, he started digging around in his satchel before removing a paper wrapped bundle of jerky. He was about to take a bite when he felt the princess’s eyes boring into him.


    “Would… would you like some, your Highness?” He asked, as he felt his anxiety begin to spike. The girl stared at him for a moment longer before letting out a little huff and snatching a piece for herself.


    “How many times must I ask you to call me by name before you do so?” she asked before taking a bite of the dried meat.


    “At least once more, your highness.” He mumbled while looking away. Beside him, Lady Strom gave him a gentle smile while a few of the lady knights let out soft laughter. Turning, he found the man Lieutenant Collins glaring at him and grinding his teeth. Turning back, he found his sister was seated amongst the women, happily chatting away.


    An hour later, they had finished eating and started getting set to head out. Xane called Vaettr over and was about to climb into the saddle when he felt Delores place a hand on his shoulder. Looking back at her, he gave her a weak smile.


    “Xane, if you are going to be riding on Vaettr, then give me your skinning knife.” She said while holding out her other hand, palm up. His smile fell, and he gave her a deadpan expression as he handed over it over. Delores just gave him a smile and ruffled his hair before heading back to rejoin the princess and her guard.


    Lady Strom gave her a curious look, seeing her stow away the blade. Delores gave the woman a grin and explained. “It’s making sure Xane doesn’t head back to Stonevale.”


    Xane felt the curious eyes of the knights on him as he rode close by. Occasionally one woman would try to guide their horse over to him. Each time he would have the big cat veer off into the trees deep enough so they couldn’t follow. After some time, he decided to stay in the woods and out of their sight.


    Following the group was easy with his map and Wraith able to scout from high overhead. Xane took advantage of that and spent his after gathering herbs. Sadly, his peaceful seclusion couldn’t last as he and Vaettr slunk into camp shortly before sunset.


    Unsure what to do, he watched as the knights erected tents and lay out their sleeping rolls while others prepared dinner. Choosing a spot at the edge of the camp, he created a small domed hut of stone and started a small fire of his own. After feeding both his pets, Xane pulled out a small cauldron and a few tools for potion making and set to work.


    Xane found making potions was soothing to him, much like his writing when he was Alex. He could easily let his troubles and worries slip away as he took his time grinding, mixing and measuring out the individual components. Then there was the satisfaction he felt, as the mixtures would boil and shift in color with the addition of new ingredients and a touch of mana.


    He was bottling the last of the potions when he realized he had gained an audience. One knight approached him, her long brown hair held back in a loose braid. The woman gave him a pleasant smile.


    “You’re a potion maker?” she asked as she squatted down near him. Xane did his best not to tense as he nodded.


    “Do you have something for headaches or soreness?” She asked. Xane thought for a moment before nodding and started digging in his bag. A few seconds later, he pulled out a vial filled with pale green liquid. The knight inspected the potion with a surprised looked and a small smile.


    “How much?” She asked. He thought for a moment, then held up three fingers. The woman shrugged, then fished out three coins from a small pouch and passed them over. Seeing the three silver she had given him. He held back a scowl as he passed her back two of the coins and added seven copper.


    The woman gave him a questioning look before Delores answered for him. “Those are only three copper back in Stonevale.”


    “Oh, my apologies.” She said to him before drinking the potion. The woman must have been good at hiding her discomfort, as a look of relief briefly washed over her face. A moment later, the same smile returned to her face, though this time this was a bit more life in her eyes. Nodding to him once more, she left as Delores stepped past and took a seat next to him.


    “You doing alright?” She asked him. Xane looked up towards the knights, then back his mortar and pestle, giving her a small nod. Delores followed his gazed then gave him a small smirk.


    “Don’t worry, they''re not going to hurt you. Those days are long behind you. I think they just find you interesting. If anything, I’m sure more than one is thinking about cuddling you while they sleep. The scowl he gave her only made her laugh as she ruffled his hair.


    “Don’t look at me like that. You’re a cute kid. Why do you think Charlotte is so enamored with you? It’s certainly not because of your rousing speeches.” She said, getting a glare from him.


    “She’s not wrong, young man. Many of the knights find you interesting. You are a child who can use magic, can survive in the wilderness on your own, and you seem to have a talent as a potion maker. I’m sure a number are thinking of how to bring you into their own families.” Lady Strom said as she walked up and took a seat on his other side. She apparently noticed the questioning glance he sent towards the lady knights and gave a small shudder. The knight let out a small chuckle and spoke again.


    “It’s not what you think. Many of these ladies have sisters or cousins around your age, and I’m fairly certain they are trying to come up with reasons to introduce them to you.” Xane glanced at the woman and shook his head, as he began cleaning his cauldron before starting another batch.


    “Tell me, what do you think of her highness?” the woman asked, watching him out of the corner of her eye.


    Xane sat there for a few moments as he thought how to answer the question without losing his head. “She… seems nice.” Finally, said in a quiet voice.


    That seemed to appease the woman, as she gave him a small smile. Rising from her seat beside him, she was about to step away when she looked back over her shoulder.


    “Do not worry. If her highness wishes for you to call her by name, I will not mind. She could use a friend like you.” She said before heading off towards the rest of her knights. Beside him, Delores bumped his shoulder and gave him a wide grin.