--- Elise

"We won't see each other for a while."

"Don't worry, Annette. There are plenty of people in Lyngard who will take care of me."

It was a beautiful morning in Cassidia, the morning of the departure. Elise had just finished dressing and was almost ready to meet her father and uncle, who wanted to see her off. Since it was formally a military operation, the entire thing was going to take place before dawn, when the city was still mostly asleep. Darius insisted that the life of the princess could be endangered, if news about her joining the defending army would have circulated.

Needless to say, Lady Annette had the same opinion on the matter.

"Your Highness, are you really, really sure about all this?" asked the woman. "To think you will travel near a theatre of war, it's enough to give me shivers. What if the enemy manages to get into the city?"

"Relax. Multiple people have guaranteed that there won't be any risk. There's no way the necromancer can gather the numbers to storm the walls of Lyngard. Even the fact that he aims at besieging it is currently be questioned."

"I can't believe His Majesty agreed to send you. If there's a place you shouldn't go that's-"

"My kingdom?" the girl stepped in. "I have to show what kind of person I am. I care for this country, Annette. I care for my people. In this time of crisis my father can't travel. It's true that I'm young, and maybe I don't have the experience to handle things in his place, but I have to try."

The lady-in-waiting sighed, and glanced out of the window. The sea was still shrouded by the darkness, except for a vague red glimmer on the eastern horizon.

"That's not what I'm saying, princess..." she replied. "In my opinion, it's wrong to put you at any risk. I'm sure your friend Roric wouldn't want you to go, since he cares so much about you."

"You just wanted to talk about him?"

"No, I wanted to be sure you are using your head. This is not a game, Your Highness. I have a bad feeling about this... I've had it since that evening in Norburg. That guy, our enemy... He was cruel and merciless. I don't want him to put his hands on you."

Geez... Everyone is always concerned for me. It's unnecessary, as long as it's for the safety of Cassidia. Just look back at our history. Lynn wouldn't have minded sacrificing himself for the greater good. My life isn't worth more than keeping an enemy away from my people.

However, Elise turned towards Annette and said, "Again, don't worry. As I told you, Father and many others doubt that he has the strength for a full scale attack. I'll stay inside the walls, and reinforcements will come if the situation changes."

That in her opinion would have been enough to satisfy anyone, but the woman began sobbing. Surprisingly, she took a couple of steps forward and embraced her.

"Be careful... Be careful, Your Highness. I will wait for your return... But please, return."

"Hey!" the girl complained. "It's not like I'm running head first into a battle. I'm merely watching from afar. There are many people who will protect me, so no way I'll be let in any place close to the front lines. You can rest assured. Nothing bad will happen."

Father agreed that my presence would boost the morale of the city, anyway. I'm not going to fight.

"I don't care," went on Lady Annette. "I... I've grown attached to you. Call me selfish if you want, but I don't like the idea of you being exposed to the outside like this. I realize it's necessary, but-"

"I'll be back in no time. I promise."

Elise gave her a gentle smile, one to which she couldn't reply. Almost as she had suddenly remembered her place, the woman jumped back and bowed nervously, as the princess of Cassidia left.

***

King Sebastian and his following was going to escort Elise across the city, to see her off at the gates. A huge column of soldiers was already waiting in front of the palace, and it was only a few hundreds.

"Where are the rest of our men?" asked the girl.

"They have been ordered to join us outside the walls, where there's more space to align them," explained general Cremont. "There are many barracks here in the capital, remember?"

"Sure, we studied it together. What about the people of the city? Are they going to watch as we pass?"

Her uncle Darius intervened, from behind. "Word has been given that an army is moving, but we didn't inform the population that you will tag along. If our enemy has any informant here, that would be unwise."

Bah! I'd rather show myself and yell to the entire Cassidia that their princess will defend this land. Imagine how good it would sound.

Those thoughts however had to come to terms with the will of Elise's father. Deep down, despite allowing her to do as she pleased, he wasn't fully convinced by that idea either. She knew him enough to tell. All she had to do was prove to him that his trust was not misplaced.

The column set off, heading down to the market district.

Leaving on my own... I didn't think it would be possible, after becoming a princess. And yet, here I am! Well, I'm not completely on my own, but it's definitely better than hiding in a carriage with Annette. At least my people can look at me as I pass by.

There weren't many bystanders at first, but as they went a curious crowd started forming on both sides of the road. From her horse, Elise felt the weight of the many eyes pointed at her and had a thrill of excitement.

"My dear," said Sebastian, addressing her. "You seem happier than usual."

"Yes," the girl answered. "Finally, our kingdom will see a glimpse of what I am."

"You have grown so much since the day you first arrived."

It's true. I'm getting used to my role, and I'm almost ready to take my responsibilities.

"Still, you must never lower your guard."

"Why do you say that, Father? I care for Cassidia at least as much as you do. I'll never let anything bad happen to our home."

"I wasn't talking about our home, Elise," the man went on. "A ruler must always be prepared, especially when going outside the palace. You have many things left to learn, and this is only the beginning. Don't rush ahead just because you want to show me that you are worthy. It's alright if we make mistakes, every now and then."

The young princess adjusted her posture on the mount, and laughed.

"I'll remember it. Thanks."

She glanced at the multitude of people who kept watching her passage, in awe.

You all are my duty, so don't worry. I won't let you down. I'll turn into a person everyone will trust and follow. A fitting queen for Cassidia!

***

--- Roric

Roric rode to the South, listening to the rhythmic noise of the hooves on the paving.

He had already traveled on the famous road built between Rayol and Cassidia, but it was always impressive to see how many people were on the same path. It was a common itinerary for merchants and messengers, after all.

The sun is setting. I'll stop for the night in a hour or so. As much as I want to get back quickly, my horse needs some rest.

The young warrior had become used to taking care of his mount and was now able to understand when it was nearing its limit. For that reason, he disliked the idea that their days together were almost at their end, yet he had definitely bigger concerns.

He needed to gather some information. He needed to know if Rickhart had made his move. From some merchants walking in the opposite direction, the boy managed to discover that the Kingdom was still fine, but without any doubt that was just a matter of time.

When the shadow thickened a bit more, Roric slowed the pace and started looking for a place to stop.

He was so focused on it that he almost didn't notice that a rider was approaching in the distance. The man seemed in a hurry, and his cloak floundering in the wind revealed the customary attire of a paladin.

I have a feeling that I've already seen that face somewhere... Maybe in Rayol? Yeah, he is the same man I met back then.

The young warrior gulped. Meeting that traveler in particular didn't mean anything good. He remembered vividly how obsessed he was with necromancers and hunting them down, and the same probably applied even to other unusual beings.

When he came closer, all of a sudden, the paladin gave him a look and halted his steed.

"Greetings," said Roric, without letting through any sign of having recognized him.

I don't like his expression. It's... Too serious.

"I'm surprised to see you here," the man replied, coldly. "Roric the Elemental."

Shit. He already knows.

Instinctively, the boy checked if his sword was in reach. He was used to hang it on the left side of his mount when riding, but there was no way to bring it closer without getting noticed.

Speaking of which, my horse is spent. I can't run from him, if he becomes hostile.

He didn't have nothing against the Order, nor he wanted to interfere with their affairs. If that man was passing through there, there couldn't be many reasons why he had traveled that far in the first place. Clearly, he had discovered something about Rickhart. The only problem was if he had problems with Roric's nature.

"Kandros, was it? I'm not searching for trouble."

"You surely aren't."

The paladin moved forward, getting closer and closer to him.

"I knew there was something weird in your story," he continued. "How could a young boy get out of that mess alive? I've visited the battleground, a few weeks after we met. There were residuals of spirit energy everywhere, and the bodies in worse conditions had been left. It must have been horrible."

"I wouldn't have survived if not for Tolwin, if that's what you are implying."

Kandros shook his head. "I'm not implying anything. And I won't even ask how you became so close to the princess of Cassidia. All I'm asking is... You know I should bring you in on the spot, right?"

Yeah, in your dreams. I've more important stuff to do.

"You can try," replied Roric. "But I will fight. There a place I need to reach, and it's not some cell in the Holy City."

"I suspected that," replied the paladin. "Can you tell me the reason why you are so eager to go back, after they let you go in Norburg?"

Going forward as well, the young warrior found himself face to face with Kandros.

I can't understand his game. If he wants to fight, I'll have to be swift. But judging from what he asked, it's more like he...

"I trained to fight Rickhart, and that's what I'm going to do. Will you stop me?"

The man glared at him for a couple more seconds, then his face softened and he let out a big laugh.

"No, I don't think it would be wise," he said. "Just seeing how determined you are. Moreover, to my eyes you have earned some form of trust. I recently realized that there are people who can."

"Then you are letting me go?"

"As much as my superiors wouldn't like this, but... Yes. I have to report to Balinar and will likely not make it back in time. The enemy is way stronger than I anticipated."

Stronger? Wait, this means Rickhart is even better than him.

The two faced each other, on their respective horses, as their ways almost crossed.

"Kandros, did you... Did you fight him, by any chance?" asked Roric.

"I didn't, but I found where he was. Don't waste your time going South, find a boat and cross the river West of here as soon as you can. The necromancer will attack Lyngard, and I don't think the Kingdom has remotely realized how much of a threat he is. They'll need you there."

"Thanks. I... I really mean it."

That information was invaluable for Roric.

Kandros surely hates necromancers. If I hadn't stumbled into him here, I wouldn't have known of this until Cassidia. Damn it! I can't be here. I'll go on for at least a couple of hours more.

"I need to move. Until next time," he stated.

"You should make haste, kid," said the paladin. "That bastard won't wait for you to start."

"What do you mean?"

"With powers like his, there's no way he'll stop after only conquering a city. Just saying. So long."

After those words, Kandros simply shout something to the horse and proceeded to the North. It was a pity that they couldn't meet under more normal circumstances, Roric thought, but then he would have probably been the hunted one.

Great... Now I have a find a crossing point. Let's hope it doesn't take too long.