Chapter Sixteen

I woke alone. There was a lot of noise outside; the camp was breaking up in preparation for our travel to Reknoc. I could hear Ashara instructing servants to move items from the other tent chamber. I sat up and fought back a moment of queasy dizziness.

“Princess,” Ashara opened the tent flap. “Ah,” she said. “I was just coming to wake you. Are you well?” She noted my face.

“Something has disagreed with me,” I told her. “I will be alright in a moment.”

She ducked out and returned with both a bucket and a camp roll. “Here, Princess Liera, eat this slowly.” She set the bucket on the bed beside me.

I ate a few mouthfuls of the bread, and the uneasiness in my stomach gradually subsided enough for Ashara to dress me, after which I sat gratefully at the table and slowly ate the food she had prepared for my breakfast whilst she brushed and braided my hair.

“Aurien?” I asked her