They went over the plan several times. The three of them--Henry, Elysia, and Shade--would hide in the wagon's hidden compartment. It would be a tight squeeze, but they would manage. Meanwhile, Mavis, Wilkin, and the cat, Chlodomer, would steer the wagon up front. That part was simple enough.
The tricky part was what to do once they actually reached the border. Mavis didn't have papers for herself or her brother. So crossing Niebla's border and getting into Lyra was going to be difficult.
Luckily, Mavis had an idea. Her father was friends with one of the patrol officers. If they could find him, they might be able to negotiate a way out of Niebla.
While Henry was pleased to have his sister around, he had a new share of concerns. The more people hiding away in the wagon, the riskier the plan. If one single thing went wrong, Mavis and Wilkin would pay for it with their lives. His stomach was sick with the thought.
He pulled Mavis aside as Shade and Elysia squabbled about something. "Are you certain this is what you want to do? We could always go off on our own, let you cross the border without worrying about keeping us hidden."
Mavis shook her head. "Even if I did that, I might need you to get into Lyra. I still don't have any identification papers. Getting into Lyra is going to be just as tricky as getting out of Niebla."
She made a good point. If it came down to it, she could always tell the Lyran patrol who she had in her wagon. That would make for a great story for the patrol officers. Nothing like finding the missing Prince and Princess of Lyra during your patrol duty.
Wilkin and Mavis took some time alone in the house, knowing they would never come back.
Meanwhile, Shade approached Henry. "I have to ask one more time. Can you really trust these people?"
"With my life," Henry confirmed. There was no doubt in his mind, Mavis and Wilkin were the best people he knew. They would never betray him.
"Alright then," said Shade, moving back over toward Elysia. Henry noticed he kept close to his sister, more than was necessary. Likewise, his sister seemed lost without Shade by her side. It was an odd sight for Henry, though he felt no reason to be concerned. After all, it was only natural to grow connected to someone you spend all your time with.
Once Mavis and Wilkin finished saying goodbye to their family home, they loaded up the wagon. It was a tight fit for three people underneath. When they were settled, Mavis closed the door and secured the latch. He wasn't sure, but he thought he heard Elysia whimper. Henry himself could hardly breathe, there was barely room for his lungs to expand.
The initial take off was startling to say the least. Every bump was amplified for them as they were shifted up and down harshly. Henry's body remained tense the whole way.
After what felt like several hours, the wagon slowed. The three of them remained completely still as they all listened to what was going on beyond the wagon.
The voices were muffled but Henry could discern Mavis's voice from that of a few other men.
"What's your business?"
"I'm actually looking for someone who works with you. His name is Daniel Fields." Mavis' voice was shakier than normal. Perhaps she was finally understanding the enormity of her task. Henry closed his eyes and sent a silent prayer she would gain courage.
"Why do you need to see him?"
"I have a question for him."
The men's voices grew irritated, muttering something Henry couldn't quite hear. Then, "You can state your business with us or you can leave. You don't need to see Daniel so you can bribe him and cross the bord--"
"--Is there a problem?" Another voice appeared, preceded by the sound of hoofbeats.
Henry held his breath, his ear pressed against the wood.
"Daniel." Mavis' voice. "Have you seen my father recently?"
A pause. "No, not since the fall. Is he not home with you?" It sounded as if the other men grew bored and moved on. He hoped Mavis was alone with Daniel. She needed to ask him a favor and couldn't be overheard by the others.
"No," Mavis' voice was so quiet Henry almost mistook it for the wind.
"Are you going to your grandparents' then?"
"Papa has our papers," she said.
A longer pause. "What are you planning to do?" This man, Daniel, would have known about the decree: without papers on their door, their house would be burned to the ground. Yet they also could not cross the border without documentation. It was an unfortunate predicament.
"I was hoping you might help me."
The man cleared his throat. "Mavis you know I can't do that." He was worried about the consequences. Henry wondered if he had a family to think about.
"Please," her voice was desperate. "We won't have a home. Without our home, without our fields, we will have no source of income. With father gone...we have nowhere else to go. If we can't get to our grandparents' house, we'll starve. You know that."
Henry hoped guilt was gnawing at the man. It was true. If Mavis and Wilkin couldn't get to Lyra, they would be out of options. They would have to sell all their belongings and beg on the streets.
The silence was so long Henry started to wonder if they all left. His heart was beating faster with every passing moment.
Finally, Daniel spoke again. "I will let you through. But I don't know how you're planning to get into Lyra without papers."
"Thank you," Mavis said gratefully. "You have truly saved our lives."
Temporary relief warmed Henry as the wagon jolted forward once more, his head hitting the wood above him hard. It was worth it to know they were almost home.
After another ten minutes the wagon came to a halt. The Lyran border.
"Papers?"
"We don't have any papers--"
"No papers, no entry."
Mavis hopped off the wagon. "If you will allow me to explain, I think you will want to let me pass."
It sounded as if a group of men were gathering, wondering what the problem was.
"Step away from the wagon, miss."
Henry's heart stopped. Did they think she was hiding an explosive? Were they threatening her? Were their weapons aimed at her?
"I have someone in my wagon you've been looking for."
"It sounds like a trap!" One of them yelled.
"Don't take another step!" Another ordered.
Henry hoped Mavis was obeying. He wished there was a latch inside so he could escape and show them who he was. But they were trapped, stuck until someone pulled the lever from outside.
A lot of voices were shouting, but Mavis remained silent. Henry was frantic to know what was going on. He almost shouted from inside but stayed quiet.
He could hear people surrounding the wagon. Without warning, the latch was pulled and the three of them tumbled onto the hard ground.
They were all forced to their feet, men yelling and pointing their weapons at them. Henry was a bit dazed. It was difficult transitioning from a claustrophobic, dark space to the open sunlight.
"He's the Prince of Lyra," Mavis informed them, her hands tied behind her back.
Henry tried to smile convincingly. All of the men looked him up and down, their faces skeptical. He bit his lip. He knew he had lost some weight. And his hair was unkempt. The men around him could better pass for a prince than he himself could.
"He doesn't look like a prince to me," Henry's suspicions were confirmed.
Elysia grabbed an object from her guardian, then muttered something unladylike, as she stepped forward and held her index finger out for all to see. There on her finger was one of the royal rings of Lyra, pronounced by its iridescent glow.
One of the men carefully took hold of her hand, inspecting it closely. His eyes caught the engravement, her title etched into its crest. He looked at her face and blushed, bending a knee and bowing before her. "Princess Elysia, forgive us."
Henry rolled his eyes. Had they forgotten about him? Only the future king of Lyra, no big deal. The ordeal would have made him livid months ago; instead he was chuckling to himself.
Mavis caught his eye and resisted a smile. No doubt she found it just as humorous.
Henry didn't care. They had done it. They were safe.