A week later,

Saer was surprised the traveler wasn’t mean to him throughout their journey. He didn’t know why he had taken easy on him but he didn’t think it had anything to do with the pearl in his possession. Saer used to fear what he would do if the pearl hatched into another snake looking to sink its fangs on human flesh.

He was making sure he didn’t put it in warmth. Cold was decreasing day by day so it was a struggle for him. He was just glad it hadn’t hatched despite of growing temperature.

Road they had taken had now dried. Dust flew whenever the horse-shoe came in contact with the ground. Mild wind blew off dried grass from the path. Saer had seen some more carts going opposite side to them.

Asking where they were going eased the situation between Saer and the traveler to greater length. Regardless of the time they had spent together, the traveler couldn’t trust Saer enough to tell him his name and where he lived in Nastria. He had told him about his children and the wife he didn’t trust. Adultery was punishable by death in Nastria. Traveler presumed his wife would also be victim of the law someday.

By indirect questioning, Saer had taken out a lot of information from his mouth. His information didn’t serve him anything than a medium to keep his mind occupied. Saer also had filled his ear with lies which the man digested as truth. He had told him an ordinary tale anyways.

But traveler had interesting tales about Nastria and the dynasty ruling it for centuries.

“There was a time when Lacroix Dynasty didn’t let girls, and men who had come with her, once their marriage proposals were rejected.” Traveller said, still hung over from the booze, “Girls had to come here in order to put forward their marriage proposal.”

“Were they imprisoned after rejection?” Saer tilted his head.

“Not imprisoned but they weren’t allowed to leave the city. This is why you will find many people having royal blood here in Winstrova. Most of them are unaware of where they fit in the family tree.”

“Does it happen, at some scale, now?” Saer was eager.

“Not at all. But the damage has already been done. Beings of Ouskerus have declared us as unwelcoming.”

“I am sorry but I have never heard anything bad about Winstrova.” Saer corrected himself, “We don’t hear anything about this place.”

“Maybe your grandfather had lots of ugly things to say about Winstrova.”

“He died before my birth.”

“What did your father speak of this place?”

“Nothing. We North Easterns grew up hearing about Hilcastle and Shiver Fault. Winstrova comes in bottom of legends, just like in the map.”

“Don’t tell me I should do the duty of your grandfather and father.” Traveller chuckled, coming back to insults.

“You could do duty of your own and, perhaps, help the historical facts of Winstrova spread in North East.”

“Then let me start with a good fact.” Traveler didn’t waste a second, “Abolishment of the rejected bride’s captivity reform. This rule came to end four generations ago when Kings started to bear fewer children. Fewer children meant lesser brides to search for.”

“Why didn’t they marry anyone from Winstrova?”

“Because they don’t fall under Lacroix Dynasty’s taste. Neither does Middle Bloods. Princes opt to remain bachelor instead of breaking the generational vow.”

“What about daughters of King?”

“Princesses are allowed to marry anyone because they are bound to leave the palace anyways. Birth of a son is where their breeding ends. King Travys Lacroix also stopped his cock when Queen bore a boy.”

“What is his name?” Saer interrogated.

“Travys Lac-”

“No! His son’s.”

“Prince Tudor.” He slowed the horse when someone whistled. Traveler twisted his neck away from the horse.

One person was waving at them from a tent in Lacroix Crossing.