Grabbing pants and a tunic from the armoire, Reid decided not to argue with the woman. While she couldn’t fight nearly as well as she would like to, she wasn’t helpless. If it came to a life-or-death situation, she would push through the pain.

“No. Put a dress on.”

“Why?” Now was hardly the time to wear something so impractical.

“The dukes need to see you as a lady. Ladies wear dresses. Not pants. Pants will intimidate those idiots.”

Reid pulled on a simple lavender dress, wondering why it was acceptable for Gytha to wear pants. Granted, she was acting as a sentry and wore the uniform all sentries currently did.

The two women made their way out of the palace, across the lawn, and into the compound. After telling Reid not to leave her side, Gytha ran around barking orders to every soldier she encountered. Then she went to the top of the building, proceeding to blow a large horn three times. She waited ten minutes, then repeated the sequence, explaining to Reid it was a warning for the inhabitants of the city.

Next, they went to the armory. Gytha handed Reid several daggers, along with sheathes to put them in. “You need one on each thigh, one on each arm, one on your back, and one on each calf.”

Reid blinked. “If I were to need the one on my thigh, how do you suggest I obtain it given the fact I’m wearing a dress?” She put her hands on her hips, waiting for a response.

Gytha shrugged. “If you’re alone in a room, you can get it. The point is, you’ll have a weapon if you need one.” Picking up a belt, she strapped it around her waist, securing a sword to it.

Reid attached the sheathes, then slid a dagger in each one.

“The compound is in the process of being locked down,” Gytha said. “We need to get out of here before we’re stuck.”

They exited and headed back toward the palace, jogging across the lawn. Axian soldiers moved into position all around the palace. People with bags on their shoulders poured from buildings and made their way out of the city.

“Is that what they’re supposed to do when they hear the horn?” Reid asked.

“Yes. They know to only grab what is necessary and to head south immediately.”

A chill slid over Reid’s skin. “I hope everyone gets out safely.” At least they had a couple of days until the king and foreign army arrived.

“If they hurry, they should be able to get far enough.”

“What are we going to do?” Reid asked. “Are we going to leave as well?”

“No. We’re going to stay and face King Eldon.”

Good. Because that was exactly what Reid wanted to do.

Chapter Twenty-One

The royal family informed the dukes a foreign army had been spotted heading directly for the palace, the king leading the soldiers.