Rowena Through the Wall: Expanded Edition by Melodie Campbell

to stand. And I don't know if any would stand with us."
    "If we can call back Cedric, would his southern connections join with us?"
    Ivan's laugh wasn't pleasant. "Cedric will be glad to see me go down."
    "Norland will wait for us to kill each other off and then descend like a vulture."
    So Gareth was recovering well. God help me, I was relieved.
    "We go then," Jon said after a while.
    "And I wait helpless for him to lay his claim?" There was fury in Ivan's voice. "No. I'll not stomach that. I want it out here."
    "We have no other choice," Jon in sisted.
    "We do. I can challenge him outright."
    "Are you out of your mind, Ivan? You can't challenge the king. That's treason. Even if you did win―which is unlikely for he is a master―you would stand trial."
    "I hate this. There must be some way."
    "Of course , if he were to challenge you..."
    They moved down the hall, out of hearing.
    I thought about what I'd overheard. Ivan was right. There was another way. A way that would solve everything.
    I could leave this world and go back through the wall.

Chapter 12
     
    I got up at dawn and dressed in rose muslin. It was a fair day, a good day to make time on a horse. I dashed down the staircase, and left by the side door
    A man I didn't know blocked the door to the stables. He was as big as a bar room bouncer and just as formidable.
    "Orders," he said, without apologizing. "No one to enter until Sargon arrives."
    I turned and ran to the far gate. It had two guards on it.
    Rats, I thought. The blasted man thinks of everything. There would be no escape to the wall today.
    The square was getting busy. Men were piling small animals, boxes of food and weapons on carts. I opened my mind to the animals. The chickens and ducks were squawking and frightened. I tried to sooth them, but it's hard to calm birds because their brains are so small. The horses were in good temper, excited and eager to run.
    But I didn't want to travel on one of those carts. So I ran back up the steps of the castle to find Grandfather.
    "Ah, there you are," a deep voice said. "You see we make arrangements."
    I bobbed a quick curtsey to Sargon and veered past him.
    "Hold on there." He sounded amused. "We need to talk."
    With a resigned sigh, I faced him.
    The king looked good in the morning light―less frightening. I saw he wasn't as old as I had first thought―maybe mid-thirties. He was clean-shaven, which must have been tough with that thick black hair. A scar jagged down the left side of his face from unde r the eye to his mouth.
    "How did you get this?" I murmured, reaching out.
    He seized my arm before I touched him. "The usual way. I was careless."
    "I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me."
    He looked at me with those black eyes. I saw them soften. "Rowena , I―"
    "We're almost ready, Sire," one of his men interrupted.
    Sargon released my arm. "Good. Collect the men." To me, he said, "They tell me you can ride, Lady. I will let you take your horse if you promise to stay close." His hand rested on the hilt of hi s sword. "You are to stay with your grandfather. You must promise."
    "I promise."
    "Good. Now go and pack. I'll see you shortly."
    I rushed up the steps, knowing he watched me all the while.
    Grandfather waited in my room. He held a large satchel.
    "Put your clothes in here, child. Pack everything you have. I don't know what we'll find at the other end. Come to my room when you're done." He kissed me on the forehead, then left.
    There wasn't much to pack. I had one spare day dress and two gowns that were too small for me, plus the turquoise two-piece from home.
    Mustn't forget that.
    I'd pack the good slippers and wear my sandals for the ride. At least they had a short heel for stirrups.
    Darn, what I would give for my cowboy boots back home.
    The soft blue dress I wore now had a full skirt that would do for riding. Over it, I'd wear a split apron made from spare fabric.
    Very clever of me, I thought. I could spread my legs around a horse and tie