CHAPTER 207

MITCH CHESTER

MITCH GRUNTED AWAKE and looked down at his arm. Anna was cuddled against his side, her face was resting softly against the crook of his arm. He eased her off and stood up. She was going to wake up with a crick in her neck. He stretched and went to the window. He pulled the curtain aside slightly and looked out, it was still dark out, but he could tell that it was almost dawn.

He washed his mouth and grabbed a thick shawl and overcoat, putting them on as he went out of the palace.

"Mornin', Your Highness," The two guards manning the front doors greeted as soon as Mitch stepped out.

He nodded in response. "Cold night, huh," he said.

"Yes, sir," One of them said. "But it's not anything that we can't handle." He said with slight pride in his voice.

"I'm sure of that," Mitch commented. "See anything out of usual?" He asked.

The second guard shook his head. "No, sir." He said. "We also didn't get any news from the patrol scouts. It was a very peaceful night."

Mitch nodded and