The Rogue Lady

Chapter Fifty One (E R I C ' S P O V)

Here we go. Svana is up to something... what could she possibly be doing? Haha!

**

By the time I woke up, Svana was already gone. I couldn't say that I was surprised; what was a surprise was that the tent next to mine was empty. My magic couldn't find any form of life inside that tent. Both brother and sister must have gotten an early start of the day. Despite their plans though, I thought I could afford to stay right where I was a little longer.

It was still hard to believe that Svana had a brother. Although, it did explain a thing or two about some of the things she had said once. Or rather, what she hadn't said. All the times she had been speaking and cut herself off. It explained the reaction Christopher had gotten when he had mentioned she needed a big brother to look after her. What was even harder to believe was that she was a Princess; I honestly never would have guessed that one. And then, at the same time, it does explain why she knew so many of the nobles at Starryfield. It also explains why she wasn't affected by that magician's magic in Roseacre. Why hadn't I figured it out then? Her archers had figured it out; they had known she was the Princess of our Kingdom almost since the beginning! But how hadn't I put the pieces together then? Or maybe I had and I simply hadn't want to believe it. I still didn't want to believe it, however, that was for different reasons.

Finally deciding that the day had waited long enough for me, I got up and dressed before searching through the entire camp for Svana and Rowan. There wasn't a doubt in my mind that if I found one, I would find the other. If one thing had needed next to no time to get used to, then it would be the fact that they were close. After a while of asking around, someone pointed me in the direction of the King's men camp. From there on out, it wasn't hard to find the two siblings. Everybody seemed to converge towards where they were sitting. I stood a few feet away, not hearing much about what Svana was talking so animatedly about, only that they were battle plans.

When Svana raised her green eyes and saw me, she hushed immediately, sending me a smile at the same time. Then she turned to Rowan and said something, but less loud as she had been before. I frowned, wondering what was going on. Rowan nodded at his sister before pushing himself up to his feet, grimacing when he put too much pressure on his wounded leg.

"Hey Eric," he called as he came closer, limping only a little. "Would it be possible for you to put that spell back on my leg? I think it faded during the night."

Instantly I knew that Svana didn't want me around; the only reason the spell that I had put on Rowan's leg could have faded was if someone wanted it gone. The look they had shared wasn't entirely discreet either. But, deciding to play along for now, I nodded and help Rowan back to camp. Getting him back to the tent he shared with Svana was harder than I had thought it would be; he barely could put any pressure on his knee. Once seated, I told him to roll up his pants' leg again and started repeating what I had done yesterday. Only yesterday I hadn't wanted to utter a word because I had still felt hurt and angry about the secrets she had kept. Today, I was willing to talk to him.

"Who broke the spell? You or Svana?" I asked without beating about the bush.

Rowan looked down at me alarmed, but the longer he looked, the more he seemed to understand that there was no fooling a magician in the matters of magic. So he sighed and said, "Together; we aren't strong enough to do that on our own."

"Why? Did you wanted to suffer more than necessary?"

"No, that's not it."

"Then it must be because Svana didn't want me around," I concluded.

Rowan's silence only confirmed my thoughts. "Look, don't take it personal. Her archers showed up earlier too, and she immediately sent them away with some useless errand to run. You should consider yourself lucky, you get company."