Bogmor seemed like a good choice as he could easily get there with plenty of time to spare. The trail through Bogmor was narrow, so the royal carriage would have to remain centered on the trail at all times. Often carriages sent two riders ahead. One to keep other carriages from trying to pass from the other direction and one to ride back and tell their carriage that the way is clear. It’s only a two-mile stretch, but a mile is a long way to back up a carriage with horses.
Nash woke early and leisurely rode to within visual distance of the entrance of Bogmor. He sat there on his horse and waited. His plan was simple enough, he would wait near the entrance to Bogmor, and when a royal guard appeared to hold other travelers from going in, Nash would move closer and wait with him.
It didn’t take long for Nash’s plan to become a reality. Two armored horsemen burst from the end of the trail and circled around. One returned to the trail and disappeared while the other stationed himself at the entrance. Nash urged his horse forward until the guard noticed him.
“Hold!” the man yelled. “A carriage passes from the west,” he said.
Nash nodded and moved to the side. He waited with the guard as he planned. The smell of jasmine hung thick in the air. It grew wild here in Bogmor and the surrounding area, and it reminded him of the queen’s perfume. His heart sank as a bad feeling crept over him at the recognition.
He could see the first signs of the group after about twenty minutes; they were moving along at a good pace. When the carriage emerged, Nash froze time, but the carriage and its guards kept moving.
Nash waved to the guard he had waited with and began to go into Bogmor. His plans were unraveling, but a pattern was emerging. He had to get to King Rowley’s castle, but now the prince’s entourage was between him and there. He reversed direction once the entourage was out of sight and sped into the woods. Jasmine was everywhere out here, so there was no chance of using his ability. He had to rely on his memory of the map he had seen and his ability to navigate through thick woods. He had to get back before the prince arrived, and he had to get this scent out of his head before he could do anything nefarious. It looked like he was stuck with King Sargus’s original plan unless the fates smiled at him and gave him a second chance at the Prince.