At brief intervals that throughout their trek, the two came to this chapel that held an orphanage. The lady that wore a nice red denim skirt and oddly paired with maroon vest visited this place, the nuns were appreciative of her sincerity to help and allowed her to stay awhile playing with the children.

She was in the middle of taletelling when a man in silver armor walked in the room. His damning visage and brooding expression halted the children from listening and showed an expression of a doubt. She dazed behind, shrugging off the intimidating aura.

“I told you wait for me in the cabin.” She coldly said.

“You’re scaring the children.”

The knight clearly has no idea what to do around the children. He quickly changes his bland face and snickers.

“I-I’m sorry… but you know what circumstances we are now. I can’t just let you simply out of my sight. As a knight, it is my duty to protect you, and as your father’s will.”

“I know, I know.” She ignored his retorts, “What are you doing here? And why are you wearing your armor? I thought we’re playing low for now?”

He briefly took a deep breath. “There’s a rumour in town that an assassin intended to kill the fake envoy that our troops carried on the Mistrake mountain. That was last night. The enemy is getting close, my highness. We must leave.”

When she waives her hand, the knight left. He already what she’s going to do and gave her the liberty to bid goodbye. She looked at the children and hold out on the books.

“I might be gone for a while. Sorry, but the story telling will have to wait until next time we meet again.”

One of the children asked, “When will we meet again?”

With a sadness in her face, she replied, “I don’t know. But in the meantime, you must promise me that you will not stop reading and learning from these books. Okay? It may be not look like it, but you’d might find it useful it in the future.”

Choosing not to damn herself with emotions any further, she stood and walk away.

A voice asked her one last time, “Will the boy would be able to smile again?”

She glances, “I don’t know. But we can hope, we can hope.”

Considering that they’re the target, it would be unwise to trek tonight. They must have a clear vision so that the enemies won’t use it as their advantage. But the way the enemy’s moves prove to be difficult to read since it did not hesitate show itself in whilst there’s a whole squadron guarding the fake envoy. Nonetheless, they must remain their steady composure ever since the subject of the matter escalated.

They’ve been stationary in this town for 3 days. The small town was like any others she has seen, reeking smell of pig from the farm, the sizzling meat frying inside the inn and the polluted gas from the chimney. But like any others, it had some gems on it, it may not look like it but the town has an endeavor towards community helping and because of this they’re glad that they chose to stay in this town for a while.

It is a matter of fact they have to remained vigilance, they do not know who’s behind the assassination attempts but should ever she’s fallen to the enemies’ hands, the kingdom would crestfallen and might cause an uproar among the citizens and the nobles. Strolling back in the cabin, the knight pushes the swing table uselessly open. She followed him inside in which, they sat and the knights ordered for the both of them.

“While waiting for the food, let us discuss what will happen from now on. I will hire a group of adventurers to aid us on our journey.”

The knight opens a map. It shows a layout of the entire region. His hands began to trailed a path that is near to a forest and a river.

“Since the enemy made their move in the Mistrake mountain, we should follow a path that would take too much time for them to caught up on us, thus we should head to Castellan Boundary. It is a rocky path but do not worry, the carriage we would use are vehicle, moving into three groups. As long as our plan do not leak, we would likely pass the border and make it back to the country.”

“I believe that won’t be necessary.” A man wearing a tuxedo with cane said. “The enemies already knew your obvious little plan.”

The knight quickly stands up and drew his sword.

“I don’t care who you are, but you have no business here!”

He said with a threatening tone, but the plain, straight-jock face remained unaffected by the knight’s hostile approach.

“Relax.” He said with a condescending tone. “I am no enemy. My name is Mr. Funny Man. I’m one of the Kris Krux. The majesty sent me here to deliver an important message.”

The knight sheathes his sword and gave a wide berth to Mr. Funny Man sitting near to him. The barkeep delivered the ordered foods. Grilled meat, soup with vegetables, and of course the ale won’t be out of the table.

“There’s no need for me tell you about the situation of the kingdom, right?” He asked to her. She nodded. “The opposing faction of nobles are already making their move. With the loss of your father, your sister takes over the throne, but the line she’s walking are becoming thin. The nobles are indirectly forcing her to withdraw the throne on some other ways.”

She raises her brow. “Like what?”

“Proposing her marry to their sons. Aside to that, a graving effort to kidnap you.” He looks at her. “They aim to shift the balance of power into their own accords, something that we Kris Krux and the three generals won’t allow to happen. And that is why, you, sir knight Garafal Lebas must return to the palace.”

“My duty is to protect her. I won’t rest assured until we find whosoever trying to kill her.”

“I understand your reason, but you cannot deny you’re one of the three generals, your duty is to the kingdom. Your presence is gravely needed to show that our majesties remained strong.”

“But—”

“The order came from the majesty herself. The three generals must be present to maintain the balance for a while. The Kris Krux, I, myself will take care of the majesty.” He continued. “You must return promptly to the castle to report to the majesty. She, however, cannot return for now. Not this time. We’ll have to wait for an entrance before she’d have to return. We can’t tell how many enemies we’ll draw out if we get close to the country, that is why we must know the identity of the enemy and the only way to make that possible is to capture it.”

“Are you serious about this?” He asked.

“Garafal.” She intervenes. “If this decision was made by my sister, then I will oblige.”

The knight nodded. After they ate, they waited and watch the knight talking to person that has a vehicle. When the owner agreed, he told to wait for him.

“What happen to your vehicle you use to get here?”

“I sold it. We don’t have the luxury to be flamboyant.”

Mr. Funny Man shakes his head in disappointment. Garafal finally leave them. Mr. Funny Man and the lady went back to the cabin to prepare.

“What path should we take from now on? I doubt that we’re going to the route he discussed.”

“We might take a detour.”

“What for?”

“I’ve enlisted a request from the Glade.”

She raises her brow. “Them?” Obviously, she did not expect that they would resort to such people. She did not know if it’s true or not, but what she heard, the Glade mercenaries are bunch of outcasts that causes an uproar on some countries for the past years, but there also rumors that they have also helped some people, and the latest they were being connected to what happened to Kayon City. Such contrast eludes confusion to some, thereafter, they shouldn’t easily trust them to be part of their conflict.

“Before you say something, remember, we are in dire situation, we have to gather forces as much as possible to protect the lineage of your family and the country that your ancestors fought so hard to enrich to what we know as now.”

“I understand the plights the circumstances we are in, but if the other countries would know that we’ve enlisted their help, then we will be in a world of trouble. We have an alliance with the other 6 nations. That would be a bad idea.”

“Too late. I have made contact with their fixer. We will head to the previous town and wait for them.”

Under the shade of the sunset, the two made their way riding in a horse.