The news of the heavily guarded caravan from Baillon hung in the air around Annelise like a palpable tension. She moved through the castle halls with a heightened sense of urgency, her mind constantly replaying Kaelen's cryptic message. The "unusual route," the "locked chests," the heavily armed men who were not the Duke's usual guard – these details painted a picture far more sinister than mere bridal preparations.
She confided in Lord Elmsworth, her voice barely above a whisper as she shared the contents of Kaelen's note. The old advisor's face grew grim.
"This changes things," he murmured, his eyes narrowed in thought. "A secret caravan… it suggests an attempt to conceal something significant. If we could ascertain its contents…"
"But how?" Annelise asked, her hands clasped tightly. "The Duke's men will undoubtedly be vigilant."
Lord Elmsworth stroked his chin, his gaze distant. "We need someone who can move unseen, someone the Duke's men would not suspect. Someone with… local knowledge and a reason to be on those less-traveled roads."
His gaze sharpened as it met Annelise's. "I have contacts in the nearby villages, individuals who owe the crown certain… favors. Discreet inquiries can be made. But it will take time."
Time, Annelise thought with a growing sense of panic, was a luxury they might not have. The wedding preparations were proceeding at a relentless pace. The date was set, the invitations sent, and the anticipation within the court was palpable. Each passing day brought her closer to a commitment that now felt fraught with danger.
Driven by a desperate need to know more, Annelise sought out Mathilde. Her loyal companion, though not privy to the full extent of the unfolding intrigue, sensed the growing unease that clung to Annelise like a shadow.
"Mathilde," Annelise began, her voice low and earnest, "you know the surrounding countryside well, the paths the common folk use, the routes less traveled by noble carriages."
Mathilde nodded, her brow furrowed with concern. "Of course, my lady. I spent my childhood in the village of Oakhaven, beyond the western woods."
"The caravan from Baillon… it is rumored to be taking an unusual route," Annelise continued carefully. "Away from the main roads. Would you… would you know of any such paths that a heavily guarded group might use?"
Mathilde considered for a moment, her gaze distant as she recalled the geography of the region. "There is the old logging trail that cuts through the Blackwood Forest. It's rough and winding, avoided by most because of its isolation and the occasional bandit. But it would offer a degree of secrecy."
A shiver ran down Annelise's spine. The Blackwood Forest had a reputation for being treacherous. Why would the Duke's caravan choose such a route unless they had something to hide?
"Could anyone… travel that path discreetly?" Annelise pressed. "Without drawing attention?"
Mathilde hesitated. "It would be difficult for a noble. But a common traveler, a woodsman perhaps… someone familiar with the terrain…" Her gaze met Annelise's, a flicker of understanding passing between them.
Annelise knew what she was asking was dangerous, but the need for information outweighed the risk. "Mathilde… would you be willing to help me? To find someone… who could observe this caravan?"
Mathilde's loyalty was unwavering. After a moment of consideration, her expression hardened with resolve. "I will, my lady. I know a man in Oakhaven, a former forester named Gareth. He is skilled in moving unseen and owes my family a debt. If anyone can observe this caravan without being detected, it is him."
A sliver of hope pierced through Annelise's anxiety. With Mathilde's help, they might have a chance to uncover the truth.
Meanwhile, Kaelen continued his own discreet inquiries within the castle walls. He paid close attention to the conversations of the Baillonian guards who had arrived with the Duke, noting their hushed tones and their unusual vigilance around a particular set of locked chests stored in a rarely used storeroom near the kitchens. He learned, through carefully cultivated conversations with the castle staff, that these chests were said to contain "essential supplies" for the Duke's personal use, yet they were guarded with a fervor that seemed excessive for mere provisions.
One evening, as Kaelen stood guard outside the Duke's private chambers, he overheard a tense exchange between the Duke and one of his senior advisors. The voices were muffled, but Kaelen caught snippets of conversation – "...the shipment must arrive before the ceremony..." and "...any delays could jeopardize everything..." The urgency in their tones and the veiled language only deepened Kaelen's suspicions.
He managed to relay this information to Annelise through another surreptitious note. The pieces of the puzzle were slowly beginning to fit together, painting a picture of secrecy and urgency surrounding the arrival of this mysterious caravan.
As the week progressed, a sense of anticipation, tinged with a growing unease, permeated Château Valois. The wedding preparations reached their final stages. Annelise's magnificent gown was ready, the wedding rings had been blessed, and the guest list was finalized. Outwardly, everything proceeded according to plan. But beneath the surface, a clandestine operation was underway, a desperate attempt to uncover the truth before Annelise was irrevocably bound to a man shrouded in suspicion. The unseen road of the Blackwood Forest held the key, and the eyes of a trusted forester were now their only hope.