Jerath woke Tianna before dawn so they had time to prepare. She must have fallen asleep at some point, but she felt like she hadn’t slept at all. Part of her was worried they were rushing right into a trap, but staying behind might be worse.

Tianna kept silent as they had a quick meal and set off. Jerath was muttering plans under his breath on high alert and had Tianna climb into the covered area of the magic cart. The first few hours of travel were tense but peaceful. However, around lunchtime, another traveler showed up on the road.

It was an imposing vehicle with the logo of the Alodan Warriors on it. For a moment, Tianna was distracted by trying to figure out exactly what kind of vehicle it was, then she remembered what her father had told her about the leader of the Alodan Warriors.

“Jerath!” she called to the front, “We are being followed!”

“Just a traveler?” Jerath asked.

“No. It’s the Alodan Warriors.”

Jerath stiffened. “Are you certain?” he asked in a low growl, “If they are following us that could be bad news.”

Tianna backed off slightly at Jerath’s intense expression. “Well, they might not be following us, but they are definitely on the road behind us heading in the same direction.”

“So we have to be careful not to act suspicious in case they aren’t following us, while keeping a good pace in case they are following us,” Jerath muttered.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” Tianna asked, the mood making her feel anxious.

“We are going to have to stop for lunch or the magic reserves in this cart will run dry,” Jerath offered, “I want you to make sure everything is ready so we don’t have to stop for a moment longer than necessary.”

“How long will it take for the cart to recharge?” Tianna questioned.

Jerath sighed. “Fifteen minutes if we are lucky. Up to a half an hour if we are not. If we don’t stop before the reserves run dry it will take hours.”

“I will make sure it is ready quickly,” Tianna promised and got right to work. If they were stuck for hours the warriors would definitely approach regardless of their intentions. After pulling out some simple rations that she had bought in Rayfield, she called up to Jerath. “It’s ready on my end.”

“Then let’s stop here,” Jerath decided and pulled off the road.

When Tianna looked back she saw the strange vehicle with the sigil of the Alodan Warriors pull off the road behind them. They looked to be the same distance as when Tianna had first seen them. For some reason that perfect distance gave Tianna chills.

“They stopped,” she told Jerath.

Jerath frowned and came to look for himself. “I don’t like this. Let’s hurry and eat. After that I need to keep an eye on the level of the magic reserves so we can leave as soon as it is ready.”

Tianna nodded and quickly handed him his portion before biting into her own. The food was cold but it still tasted good. After all, it was festival food. Unfortunately, Tianna was having a hard time focusing on eating and kept looking back to stare at the warriors’ vehicle.

No one had come out, and it almost looked like some kind of metallic boulder now that it was not in motion.

“We need to leave,” Jerath prompted, snapping Tianna out of her reverie. She quickly grabbed her unfinished lunch and settled back into her place in the back of the cart. The slight rumble of the moving wheels was soothing.

As soon as they set off, the vehicle followed them, but it never came any closer. Like this, they reached Belleas around sunset. Once inside, Jerath seemed to relax and began talking again.

“I already reserved a place for us to stay,” he assured, “Since the merchants of Belleas would recognize you on sight because of their connections I informed them of who you are ahead of time and paid for a protection contract. As long as you are here they will not reveal your identity and will protect you from any threats including the Black Wolf.”

“So that’s why Belleas is a safe haven?” Tianna asked.

Jerath nodded. “Belleas merchants would never break a contract unless the other party breaks it first. That being said, they are very careful about what contracts they make. My guess is that they agreed because they see you as a worthwhile investment.”

“A worthwhile investment,” Tianna repeated. The idea seemed foreign to her. “Where are we staying?”

“Belleas has several regular inns and hotels, but we are staying at the resort where the best protection is.”

“Oh,” Tianna replied, “Do… do we have enough money for that?” she managed to ask.

“Your father gave me more than enough. In fact this was a specific request of his. If we run out of the money your father gave me, the Saorsa gave me quite a bit as well.”

While Tianna had known her family was not poor, her father had always been rather frugal, so spending such large amounts of money was beyond her comprehension. The beauty of the resort further served to prove the immense sum it must have cost.

The resort was a shining building with stunning architecture that melded with the beautiful lakeside it rested on. The reddish-pink hues of the sunset glimmered off the windows. It was a magical scene. The simple covered magic cart couldn’t have looked more out of place.

“Are you sure this is the right place?” she asked.

“I am,” Jerath replied and parked the cart before getting down, “Let’s go inside. The staff will take care of the rest.”

“Are you sure?” Tianna asked again as she stepped down.

Jerath chuckled. “This is the kind of treatment the future Queen deserves. I plan to stay in Belleas for at least a week, so let’s take that time to teach you more of the things a Queen ought to know. Silvax said he already got started, though.”

“Got started?” Tianna asked numbly for a second, then remembered all of the intense lessons and the history and cultures her father had always imposed upon her. Her mother had tried to teach her politics and court etiquette as well, but Tianna found them extremely annoying and never thought they would be useful since she didn’t have the magic aptitude to follow her mother down the path of a palace sorceress.

“Welcome, esteemed guests,” the receptionist called as they entered, “It is a pleasure to have you stay in our fine establishment. Please allow me to show you to your suite.”

The inside was just as stunning as the outside, and the moment they entered the entrance hall became busy. Someone darted outside to retrieve their things, someone stepped forward to guide them, someone ran ahead, another person started inspecting the room as if they expected to find something out of place. It was overwhelming, but organized.

Right as they left the entrance hall she heard another receptionist call out a welcome to a guest behind them. “It is an honor for us to house the Weaponsmaster. Please let us guide you to-”

“No need,” a stern female voice interrupted, “This is far from my first time here. I know where my room is. You always give me the same one.”

“Of course,” the receptionist replied.

Tianna glanced back and saw a woman with jet black hair and shining golden eyes entering the hall behind them.

Tianna quickly looked forward again, but she felt the woman’s stare until their paths split and they headed in separate directions.

“Jerath,” Tianna began, “Was that Ruena Alodan?”

“Most likely,” Jerath replied, “Last I heard she currently holds the title of Weaponsmaster as of last year, but I also hear she is undefeated in any duel she has ever entered.”

Tianna nodded. “Do you think she noticed?”

“Worry not. Even if she suspects your identity, she would never cause trouble here,” the guide interrupted, “Ruena is one of our most esteemed patrons. Many of our businesses were able to expand thanks to her inventions and we have a strict contract of partnership for all non weapon items.”

“Oh,” Tianna replied.

The guide smiled and opened a door for them. “This is a two room suite with shared living spaces. Both rooms have locks and the highest level security magic and technology Belleas can provide.”

“Thank you,” Jerath replied and entered.

Tianna followed him but she was deep in thought. The receptionist had spoken of technology as if it was common and natural to think of, but when Tianna had learned about Technology it was only popular in remote areas with severely limited magic and highly criticized and boycotted throughout most of Althaedor.

“I wonder if that strange vehicle was technology,” Tianna muttered aloud.

“It was, now get some sleep,” Jerath ordered, “You can ask whatever you want in the morning.”

“Okay,” Tianna replied through a sudden yawn. She entered the bedroom that Jerath directed her to and fell asleep almost immediately.