The Princess's Revenge Chapter 144

Valencia’s POV

I woke before dawn, just like I had every day since we returned from King's Fang. The room was still dark. Logan's side of the bed was cold and empty.

I got dressed quickly and left the room. The castle hallways were quiet. Most people were still asleep.

My feet carried me to the stone house without thinking. This had become my routine. Check on Logan first thing every morning. Make sure he was still breathing.

Dr. Vance was awake when I entered. He always seemed to be awake, no matter what time I came.

"Good morning, Luna," he said quietly.

"How is he?"

"The same. Stable. His wounds are healing well, but he hasn't woken yet."

I walked to Logan's bedside. His face looked peaceful in sleep. The deathly pallor had faded over the past week. Now his skin just looked pale, not gray.

"I'm going to Ironwatch Border today," I told him softly. "I need to see the situation there myself. Ryan will come with me. And Kai wants to come too."

"The pack is doing well. Everyone is training hard. Thomas has organized drills for all the civilians who can fight. Even the kitchen staff are learning basic sword work."

I squeezed his hand gently.

"Elias sent out the scout groups yesterday. They should reach the nearby territories by tonight. We'll have intelligence soon."

I sat there for a few more minutes, just holding his hand and watching his chest rise and fall.

"I'll be back tomorrow night," I said. "So you just keep resting. Keep healing. I need you to wake up soon, Logan. The pack needs you."

I leaned down and kissed his forehead, then stood and left the room.

Dr. Vance was waiting by the door. "Be careful at the border, Luna. If Aldermere is truly preparing to invade, it could be dangerous."

"I will. Thank you for watching over him."

"It's my honor."

I left the stone house and headed to the training grounds. The sun was just starting to rise, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange.

The training grounds were already full of activity. Warriors were doing morning drills. The sound of swords clashing filled the air.

Ryan saw me approaching and jogged over. "Good morning, Luna."

"Good morning. Are we ready to leave for the border?"

"Yes. I've selected three warriors to accompany us. We can leave within the hour."

"Good. Has Kai been told?"

"Yes. He said he'll meet us at the stables."

I nodded. "Let me check on the training first, then we'll go."

I walked through the grounds, watching the warriors practice. Thomas was drilling a group of younger fighters in defensive formations. They moved in synchronized lines, shields raised, responding to his commands.

"Good!" Thomas shouted. "Hold that line! Don't break formation even if the enemy charges!"

The young warriors held their positions. Some of them were barely sixteen years old. Children, really. But they were training to fight anyway.

My chest felt tight. These were the people I had to protect. These young fighters who should be learning trades or helping their families, not preparing for war.

I moved to another section where Delphine and some other women were practicing with bows. Delphine saw me and waved.

"Luna! Come see! I actually hit the target today!"

I walked over. The target was a straw dummy about thirty yards away. Three arrows stuck out of it, all clustered near the center.

"That's excellent, Delphine," I said with a smile.

I spent another twenty minutes observing the training, offering encouragement and suggestions where I could. Then I headed to the stables.

Kai was already there, standing next to a brown horse. He was dressed in traveling clothes and had a sword belted at his waist.

"Good morning," I said.

He nodded. "Morning."

Ryan arrived with three warriors I recognized. Jeremiah, a tall man with a scar across his cheek. Wyatt, younger but steady. And Finn, who was quiet but reliable.

"Everyone ready?" I asked.

They nodded.

"Then let's go."

We mounted our horses and rode out of Cliffwatch Pack. The morning air was cold and crisp. Our breath made clouds in front of our faces.

The ride to Ironwatch Border would take most of the day. We followed the main northern road, passing through forests and over rocky hills.

For the first few hours, we rode in silence. I was lost in my thoughts, going over everything that needed to be done. The supply inventory. The scout reports that would arrive soon. The message to Soren that still hadn't been answered.

Around midday, we stopped to rest the horses and eat a quick meal. Hard bread and dried meat. Nothing fancy, but it filled our stomachs.

Kai sat a little apart from the group, eating silently. I walked over and sat beside him.

"How are you feeling?" I asked.

"Fine."

"Are you nervous about seeing the border?"

He thought about that. "No. Should I be?"

"Most people would be. It's a dangerous place."

Kai shrugged. "I don't remember being afraid of things."

That was true. Since I'd found him, Kai had never shown fear.

"Do you think your memories will ever come back?" I asked quietly.

"I don't know. Soren said they might, or they might not."

"Would you want them back? If you could choose?"

Kai was quiet for a long time. Then he said, "I don't know. The person I was before died that day. I'm someone different now. Maybe it's better this way."

My chest ached. I wanted my little brother back. The one who laughed and played and loved our parents. But that boy was gone. This calm, emotionless young man was who Kai had become.

"Well," I said softly. "Whatever you decide, I'm glad you're here with me now."

Kai looked at me. "Me too."

It was a small thing, but it made me feel warm inside.

We finished eating and continued riding. By late afternoon, we could see the Grey River in the distance. The water looked dark and cold.

As we approached the border, I saw the military camp spread across the hillside. Hundreds of tents and wooden structures. Smoke rose from cooking fires. Warriors patrolled the perimeter.

A group of guards spotted us approaching and rode out to meet us.

"Luna Valencia," the lead guard said, bowing from his saddle. "Welcome to Ironwatch Border. Captain Carson has been expecting you."

"Thank you. Take us to him."

We rode into the camp. Warriors stopped what they were doing to stare at us. Some bowed. Others just watched with curiosity.

The camp was organized and efficient. Weapons were stacked neatly. The tents were arranged in precise rows. Everything spoke of military discipline.

We reached the command tent at the center of the camp. A tall man with graying hair stepped out. This was Captain Carson, the officer in charge of the border forces.

"Luna Valencia," he said, bowing deeply. "It's an honor to have you here."

"Captain Carson. Thank you for maintaining our defenses."

"It's my duty." He gestured toward the tent. "Please, come inside. We have much to discuss."

We dismounted and entered the command tent. Inside, a large table held maps of the border region. Markers showed troop positions on both sides of the Grey River.

Carson pointed to the map. "This is our current situation. We have two hundred and fifty warriors now, thanks to the reinforcements you sent. They're distributed along the riverbank in defensive positions."

I studied the map. "And what about Aldermere? What are they doing?"

Carson's expression grew serious. "That's what concerns me, Luna. Over the past week, we've observed significant movement on the north side of the river. They're bringing in more troops. More supplies. Building more fortifications."