"I'm starving." Natalie spoke in a squeaky tone. "My hands are aching. I'll hang on for you, sister. Unlike Darius and Priscilla, you always treated me kindly."
Kyla gave out a little laugh. "After all, you are my sister. The Goddess Emilia advises us to always be nice to others. I give my family members an extra bit of love."
As the injured horse went across the field at a slow pace, the countryside lit up with excitement.
"We should be getting close to the outskirts of Haven's Ville soon," Kyla proclaimed.
"I feel bad pushing this poor creature so hard. It's wounded. Those wounds don't look well." Natalie looked down at the horse's side, where the arrows were still lodged. She massaged the horse gently.
Kyla returned Natalie's worried expression. "We need to get rid of these imperial robes. The town may be taken over, or we could fall into a trap."
"We don't have any clothes. We'll look like prostitutes if we strip down to our underwear. We are royalty," Natalie added sweetly.
"That is correct, but the kingdom has been overrun, and our brother is in charge. We may as well be on the run." Kyla directed her horse to the right. As the early light caressed their faces, the pleasant scent of pine trees wafted against them.
"It's difficult to imagine we're orphans on such a gorgeous morning." Natalie said this while leaning on Kyla's back.
"I've got you covered, sister; you can count on me at any moment," Kyla said.
"Your hair still has a nice honey scent to it." Natalie inhaled once more as her cheeks flushed. "Yes, even after traveling through the night, your hair still smells fresh."
"You're too kind, sister." Kyla looked forward as her eyes traced the tree in front of her. "Oh no!"
"Those unfortunate individuals." Natalie prayed with her hands clasped together.
The trees ahead had individuals dangling from their branches. Some had stab wounds while others had lost half their bodies.
"We should turn around and head somewhere else. This doesn't bode well for us, sister." Natalie hugged Kyla tighter, her cheeks flushed red.
"What savagery is this?" Kyla was reluctant to proceed forward despite Natalie's pleas.
"Please, I'm scared," Natalie bawled slightly, holding her sister.
As her mouth fell, Kyla groaned deeply and turned the horse to the right. "Do you see that, Natalie?" she said.
Natalie leaned very close to her sister's ear. "I do, indeed."
Both of their eyes widened as a man with a noose around his neck struggled to keep from falling.
"We should help," Natalie said, smacking the horse on its butt.
"What if he's a degenerate?" Kyla exclaimed as the horse lunged forward towards the struggling man.
"You fair maidens there," the man said in a whimsical tone. "Can you help a merchant out?" The man held the rope tightly, trying to keep from falling.
Kyla peered at the man's feet that were slipping slightly off the small stub of wood. One wrong slip and he's a dead man.
"He genuinely needs our support," Natalie squeaked. "If he does anything wrong, you can bake him with your fire magic."
Kyla looked back, trying not to smile. "Very well. Okay, you! I am going to cut you down."
The man responded with a quivering voice, "Thank you very much."
Kyla pointed her staff at the top of the rope as a small fireball slammed into the tree, freeing the man from death's icy grasp.
The feeble man coughed loudly and scratched his neck, glancing up at Kyla, who stood there with her arms folded.
"Natalie, keep your crossbow traced on him until I feel satisfied with his answers." Kyla's eyes were clouded with doubt as she stared down at the man.
"First off, thank you." The man bowed on the ground. Your attire reveals that you are members of nobility. I am humbled by being in your presence."
"Spare me the pleasantries. Whatever the case may be, you weren't just hanging there by accident. Either you are a criminal or a victim.
"I am Vincent." The man looked up from the ground. "I am a merchant from the country of Elcid."
As she turned to face Natalie, Kyla's right brow arched slightly. "Continue," she proclaimed, pointing her staff towards him.
Vincent stood up, his small stature unimpressive to the royal duo.
"What is your exact height?" Vincent's dark eyes caught Kyla's attention.
"Uh! For the love of everything that is holy, don't make fun of my height. I'm a little shorter than the average person. Vincent combed his hair with his fingers. If you're curious, I'm 5'5". Thank you again for saving my life. Surely, you can no longer use lethal force against me."
When Kyla lowered her staff, her gaze followed the semi-dark-skinned man up and down. "Please carry on."
His feather hat was tilted in the direction of the young ladies. "With some nasty characters, I was in the midst of a deal, and they thought my goods were not good enough."
"What type of goods?" Natalie interrupted, still keeping her crossbow pointed at the man in front of her.
"Natalie, it's okay. I don't sense any ill intent from this poor soul. I do feel as if there is something amiss though."
Vincent pressed his two thumbs together and looked down at the ground. "Instead of steel, I might have sold them copper swords."
"You think!" Kyla crossed her arms. "What type of merchant are you?"
"I didn't think they were going to test them in a fit of combat in front of me. They were truly unsavory types. You have to believe me," Vincent protested, putting out his arms and waving them wildly.
"Kyla, he is genuinely a helpless soul." Natalie drew back her crossbow, jumping off the injured horse.
"That's rather severe! I'm still a man, and I'm proud of it." Vincent put his fist on his chest, heaving as a result of the impact. "Will you assist me in retrieving my wagon? he said, out of breath.
"Wagon?" Kyla regarded the imploring merchant with caution.
'I believe we should assist, sister," Natlie implored. "You can kill him if it's a trap. To keep him motionless, I'll fire an arrow in his foot."
Vincent coughed as he gazed up at the corpses above. Are you certain you're royalty? You have such loose lips. Nobles should be a little more dignified, in my opinion."
"You could be among the realm of the dead if we did not come along. I don't want to hear any lip." Kyla walked over to the merchant and smacked him on the head.
"Ow! Not so hard." Vincent rubbed his head, looking the princess in the eye. It's not every day I get to travel with royalty."
" Does this wagon you own have a well-kept horse?" Natalie's lips curled into a little grin.
"He's the best steed in all of Artesia." Vincent affirmed. "I had him since I was a young lad. Let's go get him back."
Kyla agreed on one condition. "You will take us everywhere we wish to go without hesitation."
"Your wish is my command." Vincent bowed, a grin on his face.
"I'm delighted we were able to reach an agreement," Kyla said as she smiled cheerfully at him. "I'll burn you to a char if you make one incorrect move."
"I wouldn't dare, Princess Kyla." In an effort to stop himself from shaking, Vincent interlocked his hands while following behind them.
Kyla nodded and turned to Natalie, who was beginning to sweat.
"My hips have been chafing all night. I really need a bath," Natalie murmured looking at her sister.
"Don't worry. We will get a bath soon. First, we need to get this wagon." Kyla walked over to the horse, laying her head on its mane. "You did us well." She went to the back of the horse and smacked it on the rear, sending it into a frenzy.
The horse ran forward at a furious pace, galloping to the northwest away from the current path.
"Why did you get rid of the horse?" Vincent groaned, looking at the two women.
"The horse had mortal wounds," Natalie explained. "My sister released it back to the bosoms of Goddess Emelia."
"All of that mayhem would not have occurred to me if the goddess loved me." Vincent smiled, pointing to the sky.
"I suppose you brought it on yourself," Natalie said, looking down at the ground.
Vincent gave Natalie a disapproving look. "Whatever the case may be, I know which way they traveled." The quick-witted merchant knelt and slammed his palms together, grabbing the dirt in his hands.
"What was the point of that?" Natalie inquired, her head cocked to the side.
Vincent took a step forward, his gaze returning to the two. "My father was a hunter; therefore the motion of kneeling down and soiling my hands indicates that we are getting ready for a hunt. They took this route. Let's make haste through the lush grass."
Natalie turned to face Kyla, who was shaking her head. "I'm exhausted, sister."
"I know, Natalie, but we have to keep pressing." Kyla advanced into the blowing grass behind Vincent, who was still crouching.
"Be careful not to run too fast because this grass can cut you if you are not careful. I will lead the way." Vincent proceeded forward at a steady pace, opening a path for the two princesses.
"For a smaller man, you're quite courageous to go through this thick grass without a weapon," Kyla said softly.
"You forget that I used to be a hunter, even though I despise the sight of blood. For my father, I was constantly tracking the animals. I also have a good sense of smell and am guided by the wind. That, I suppose, is what makes me a good trader." Vincent gave a faint grin as he walked up to a crossroads.
Natalie tried not to glance up at the bent tree branches. "How far do the corpses travel?"
Vincent punched the ground, tears streaming from his eyes. "Havens Ville, as you would expect, was destroyed by the invading troops. According to what I've heard, there were no survivors."
"That's horrible," Kyla stated, looking at the neck of the sly merchant. She noticed a small semi-circle with a number on it. I wonder…
As they marched forward, Vincent saw a tree in the midst of the meadow. "Are you hungry?"
Natalie looked down at the ground, pushing her thumbs together.
"We don't have time," Kyla protested.
In a moment's notice, Vincent shoved a pecan patch in her hand. "Eat that. It will give you some strength."
Kyla almost fell on her buttocks while holding the little pinecone-shaped meal in her fingers.
He responded, "It's food; just eat it," throwing one to Natalie as well.
Natalie whimpered quietly and closed her eyes, extending her hand to prevent being struck by the fruit.
"It isn't clean though,'' Kyla said, looking down at the beige drupe.
"You nobles are constantly terrified of the outside world. Without any genuine survival skills, you're stuck in your castles." Vincent smacked some pecans from the round cone.
Natalie sniffed the cone, taking a small bite.
I should throw this back at his stupid face. This could all be a set up. "We were taught about the outside world." Kyla looked straight at Vincent who was lying on the ground, keeping a lookout for anyone suspicious.
"You lot are taught about the outside world they want you to know. It's one thing training in the confines of the castle and another being out here in the real world. If you all are worried about getting sick, remember our planet has a natural purification system. It's called rain." He chuckled.
"I know that," Kyla snapped.
"We need to keep going if you two are done." Vincent sprang from the ground, still hidden under the foliage.
As the three moved to the long grass and scattered pecan trees, the early light continued to rise.
"These are quite good," Natalie replied as she nibbled on the little brown meal.
"Keep going, you damned creature," from ahead, a voice yelled. "We have a payday coming up." The man smacked the tiny mule across the face.
Vincent clenched his fist. "Hold on." He put his hand out. How dare they touch Mel.
Kyla knelt beside him. "Are they the men that assaulted you?"
"Damn right, they are," Vincent said, looking at her. His teeth clenched as he started to stand up.
Kyla grabbed him before he could run out of the grass. "We need a plan before we just go out there. We have no idea how well trained they are. I am not risking our lives until I know more about them."
Vincent sighed as they followed the four men carefully. "You see the muscular man in the dark brown cloak. He's a competent swordsman. The other three are a bunch of wusses."
Kyla's eyes crossed over, looking at him. "You're a weakling too, you know."
"Ouch! I thought nobility were more tactful," Vincent remarked rolling his eyes at Kyla.
"I call it how I see it," Kyla said sternly.
"Let us rest here." The muscular man stretched his arms. "Perhaps you three can make that creature walk faster before I kill it." The colossal thief sat on a stump, opening a little bag that contained a slice of bread.
The worker stated as he drew various things from the little cart, "Boss, some of these items are worth a lot."
"I bet we'll make a nice haul in the next town over." Another man laughed cockily.
"It's too much for me!" Vincent exclaimed as he yanked his wrist away from Kyla's clutches. He ran into the area and tossed a rock at the slim guy beside the cart. "How dare you hit Mel, you savages!"
That idiot! Kyla started to chant a prayer, looking back at Natalie. She nodded twice as Natalie started to move across the on the other side of the three men.
"Look who it is," remarked the enormous guy, chuckling. "I assumed we had left you for dead." The man yelled, "Get him guys!"
Vincent gulped, his legs shaking.
As a ball of flame struck one of the men in the face, Kyla rose up, the end of her staff burning crimson.
Screaming, one of the thieves fell to the ground and grabbed his face in terror.
With his arms folded, the enormous guy sat still on the stump.
The other man grabbed Vincent who was paralyzed by fear.
Vincent screamed as he felt the body of the man fall limp as he fell on top of him. His gaze remained fixed on the arrow embedded in the skinny man's neck. As he saw the thief's life drain from his eyes, his own eyelids became heavy.
Good job, Natalie! "Get moving, Vincent!" Kyla used her staff to intercept the sword strike coming at her from behind.
"You little whore!" shouted the obese man.
I can get him. He's large, but he is also out of shape. Matilda always told me never judge a book by it's cover. I need to stay cautious. She jumped to her left as the blade came within inches of her.
"Don't murder her, you moron!" stated the leader as he took another mouthful of bread. "We can ravage her later."
"Good call, boss," the man snickered. The man stepped back as an arrow flew past his face, almost striking him in the chest. "Boss, do something about that girl."
"Don't worry! She's not a good shot. I will take care of her soon enough."
I have to do something to help them. That large man is trouble. Think! Think! Vincent sprang up, grabbed a handful of dirt, and hurled it in the chubby man's face. He rammed his foot into his genitals as he charged forward.
"You worm!" the man yelled, keeling over trying to breathe.
Vincent slammed his knee into the man's jaw, knocking him to the ground.
Kyla smiled as she ran up to the obese man, kicking aside his sword. "Don't budge!"
The plump man holding his groin screamed. "Boss, you got to help me!"
"Get behind me, Vincent," the princess said, pointing her staff at the man's neck. The jewel at the end of the staff was a sunset red. "Come out of the wagon, or the last of your lackeys will be slaughtered on the spot."
The leader sprang to his feet, and his great figure could be seen from afar. "You royals constantly have the impression that you have the power to impose your will on others. You've realized that things are shifting." Kyla and Vincent were around twenty feet away from the burly bald guy. His biceps were as big as Kyla's head.
"Take another step, and I'll murder him where he lies, I promise to you!" Kyla screamed, looking down at the man.
"Lackeys come and go! Do with him as you please!" the man bellowed, putting his fists together. The muscles on his neck cracking could be heard from across the dirt crossroads.
Kyla's brow was drenched with sweat. "Go back to the grass, Vincent." She muttered, "I don't want you to become involved in this."
Vincent sighed and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Be careful."
The enormous man's brows furrowed. "Boy, do you know what this is?"
Before he reached the dense grass, Vincent decided to turn back. "It's a gift from my mother. The necklace you stole from me."
The man snickered, looking out of the corner of his eye. "First to get rid of the help." The man moved at breakneck speed towards the grass to the left of him.
Natalie! Kyla slammed her staff downward, hitting the man beneath her in the forehead, knocking him unconscious.
"Oh no!" Natalie started the run back towards Kyla as she shot two arrows out of her crossbow which missed their mark.
"You're dead now, girl!" Natalie was slammed onto the ground by the man's fist as he drew back his hand.
Natalie lay motionless, her crossbow lying beside her.
Kyla unleashed a fireball that almost struck the massive guy in the chest. "Get away from her!" she screamed.
"She wasn't even worth a punch, but you on the other hand, I will take to bed and make you my wife."
"In your dreams," Kyla said, running around, shooting an array of flames towards the man.
The large man ran to the right and to the left to avoid the volley of magic.
He's too fast! Kyla looked up as the large man barreled down at her with his fist. Kyla dove down and ran in between his legs.
"It's no good!" The man grabbed Kyla from behind.
Oh no! As her head smacked against the soil, she saw the sky and the ground twirl around her.
"What a shame!" The lead thief gazed down at Kyla, who was scarcely moving as she reached for her staff. "I hardly used any force in the maneuver."
Move! You have to move to get to Natalie. You can't let it end here Kyla. Father, Matilda, all of you.
"My name is Gillnetter. It's a pleasure to meet you, princess." The man started to bend down as he felt his right arm twitch violently. "What the hell!"
Vincent peered through the grass and dashed towards Kyla, seizing her by the sleeves.
"No, you don't!" Gillnetter yelled! The large man tried to run towards them as he felt his knees buckle. "What is happening?" he screamed.
Vincent pulled Kyla into the tall grass and then sprinted for Natalie, pulling her along with him.
"NO! It isn't possible." The man's muscles began to bleed, and boils sprang all over his body.
Vincent took both princess's weapons. He knelt on the grass, drenched in sweat, watching the man scream in agony.
"It's not supposed to be like this!" Gillnetter yelled. The upper part of his body grew four times in size as it exploded, sending blood and body parts spewing across the open field.
Vincent raised his eyes as he walked towards the man's standing lower half. This wasn't for you. You sealed your own fate. Vincent sank on his knees and grabbed the blue crystal-studded necklace. Mother, I kept my promise once more. He kneeled down, weeping.
Kyle's head felt heavy as her eyes enlarged to comprehend what she had just seen. She felt dizzy looking over at Natalie who was lying beside her. Natalie… Kyla closed her eyes, feeling her concentration slipping away.