Two weeks was not a long time… but it felt like forever after I’d finished all the battle plans with Keith and had nothing else to do but sit around and wait.

Commander General Rufus and Necromancer Chloe reviewed and gave recommendations but the pre-planning was done and now it was just checking in to see if people were getting into place and had the right supplies.

Everything was going well, at least it had been until I had a sudden surprise guest in the kitchen.

I was making Out of This World: Chai Spice Custard Buns, when a gentle knocking from the door caught my attention. Keith stood there. "Henrietta?"

I had my hair in a bun on top of my head and flour on my face, and I was wearing a very stained apron.

The butter buns were hot out of the oven and I was brewing chai on the stove. It was a lovely blend of spices and tea and cream that smelled amazing. I was supposed to whip eggs into the chai and then pour it into hollowed out butter buns and then bake them for ten minutes until it solidified into custard.

"Keith?" I quickly strained the chai so that it wouldn't oversteep, and set it aside. Then I wiped my hands on a clean towel and joined him at the door, "What brings you to the kitchen?"

"Is now a bad time?" He asked hesitantly.

"No, no!" I assured him. "The buns need to cool down before I add the custard so I'm not in a rush."

I'm often tied to the oven until the baking and dishes were done. But today, I was trying a new Out of This World recipe and I liked to give each recipe my full attention.

"Good, because there's a favour I'd like to ask." Keith broached, "Have you been to Amarinth Glade?"

"No, that's just east of Kith Bog right?" I crinkled my nose in concentration, bringing up a mental map of the Dark Enchanted Forest. Not that it mattered when things were always moving.

"No, it’s moved east of Thistlecrick at the moment," he said, reaching out one hand and grabbing mine. He slowly traced a finger on the palm of my hand as he explained, "I've just got word from my raven automatons that a suspicious group has set up camp in the glade. Since I've finished moving the usual troops stationed there to between us and Gerda's Bridge, I don't want to send them immediately back east. Especially when they are at work building barricades.”

He cleared his throat., "Would you consider popping over? I know it's not the usual sightseeing, but it's best if someone competent–"

"I'd be happy to help." I cut him off, squeezing his hand in assurance… and also to stop him from distracting me with his fingers. I added, "Thank you for trusting me."

"Of course!" He smiled at me and visibly relaxed. "I'm grateful that you're on our side, truly. It's like we suddenly have an extra General Class - though I don't want to pressure you into fighting. You've had enough of that."

"Well, I'm grateful that you're not just locking me up in a castle like any other princess." My Aunt Beatrice was like that. Kept in the castle until she was married off and then kept in her husband's castle - no matter how many times she demonstrated her political prowess. Let’s just say poor cousin Francis took after his father.

I thrust out my jaw in determination. "I might not be the real cause for my father's war, but I'm still a part of it. I want to help."

Keith squeezed my hand back. "Then I'll let everyone know you're on your way. You can travel with the raven, Hubert, and he'll be able to keep us connected on your trip."

"Alright." I agreed. Hubert was a lovely name for a bird. "I'll finish up these buns while Lilith readies my backpack. It shouldn't take longer than an hour. I'll meet you at the front gate?"

"I'll see you there."

—

Usually when traveling long distances, the best option was a strong horse. But I was faster and stronger than your average horse, and mildly allergic to the beasts. It was nice that the Dark Army used alligator-dogs to pull carts and get around as it meant less horrid sneezing for me.

I was a lot faster than an alligator-dog.

The road from the Dark Lord's castle took me straight east, and by early evening I was in the vicinity of Amarinth Glade. As this was the Dark Enchanted Forest, there were no guarantees it would still be there; though Keith had assured me it wouldn't wander far. In fact, it turned out to be only a ten-minute walk from where the raven last saw it.

A scout with the ability to fly was very handy.

The two of us crouched behind some bushes, listening in on a rowdy bunch sitting and drinking around a fire. There were about ten people, four horses and two wagons. Shortly after we arrived, the pot of stew they had going on the fire was ready and everyone gathered round for dinner.

"We're almost home ladies and gents," A happy voice boasted. It belonged to a large woman in a blue vest sitting on a makeshift log. She was eating the first bowl of soup served. "Which means only one drink each and then let's get an early bed."

There was a groan from the other campers but no one argued.

"Hey, we'll all be living like kings when we meet Duke Lector in Servalt." The woman consoled them. "Easiest gold we've ever made."

"Speak fer yerself boss!" A young man missing a great many teeth chimed in. He had a large scroll map out in front of him as he nursed a cup.

"Come off it Warren, you can't expect places to stay still in the Dark woods. You know that."

"And what about those damn bluffs." Another grumbled, he was short and lithe and chewing on hay grass. "You didn't 'ave to climb tha side a friggin' canyon drop to get the goods now didja?"

"We all appreciate you getting the eggs, Darryl." The leader said. "And you didn't die, so it all turned out fine in the end."

I'd heard enough to piece together a picture from one of Madame Pott’s castings. Now I just needed to think about how I should go about this.

To confront or not to confront, that was the question.