Chapter 24: Hold on tight.

After Roland had gotten a good idea of what Dorian was asking him to do, he stood still for a few moments and thought about it. It seemed like he had a lot on his mind as he took his time to give them a reply. He seemed hesitant but also happy to do it as he responded.

“Sure, I don’t have anything to do for the rest of the day.” He said with a smile and then looked down at Kalon, who looked like he had something to say.

“What is it, your highness? You never rode on the back of a centaur before? I assure you that we will be there in no time at all.” Roland said reassuringly and then awaited a response.

“Well, no, I haven’t, but I was just wondering if we could stop somewhere first?” Kalon said, It seemed like it was going a little too fast for him, and he wanted to take some time to himself.

Dorian turned his head and then looked down at Kalon, who was fidgeting as they all looked at him with questioning eyes.

“Where is it you want to make a stop?” Dorian asked, a little confused as to what had made him want to stop at all. When he asked him in the treasury, it seemed as though he was ready to do it right away, and Kalon had even said that he wanted to start the job right away. So it made no sense to him that he wanted to stop somewhere.

“I just feel like I need to prepare if I am going to be away from home for a while. I have some things that I left at home that I want to take with me.” Kalon said, clearing up the misunderstanding.

Dorian thought for a few minutes as Roland looked up at him for his response. Even though Kalon was the one who wanted to go home to collect his things, the decision would ultimately come down to whatever Dorian had to say, and Kalon knew that, so he looked up pleadingly as he made his decision.

“That’s fine. Just make sure that you don’t take too long. It would be best if you weren’t out in the wilderness too late at night. Roland won’t be able to take you the whole way, so you will need to walk to the mountain pass from the tree line. If you are out there too late, they might mistake you for someone trying to raid their camp and kill you on the spot.” Dorian warned and then looked back up at Roland.

“Make sure you look after him out there. I don’t want to find out that he didn’t make it to the kingdom of Ysaven because he was mauled by bears, okay?” Dorian made sure that Roland knew what was being asked of him as the plan to take over the human kingdom rested on Kalon’s performance while he was there. If he died before he got there, they would need to develop a new plan.

And that was something that Dorian felt he didn’t have time for. The war had lasted for decades, and his people were growing tired of their loved ones dying in battle. He thought that he could hold out for another ten years, but if it went on for any longer than that, his people might decide to overthrow him.

But it wasn’t something that concerned him for the moment as Penrith had thought of everything for him.

“Yes, your majesty. I will make sure that he arrives there in one piece.” Roland said before turning his head back towards his front door.

“Honey!? Can you bring me my sword? Something has just come up, and I have to go out tonight.” Roland shouted into the house. A few moments went by before the trotting of hooves clacked against the wooden floor of his house, and another centaur came into sight.

She also had long brown hair and was wearing a set of leather armour over her chest, and was covered from head to toe in scars. It was evident by her appearance that she was previously a warrior, but given the large hump in her stomach, it seemed as though those days were behind her.

“Sure, don’t be out too late, or I will worry.” Before handing a long curved sword to Roland, the woman said and then walked away without even acknowledging that the king was there.

“I’m sorry, your majesty. I hope you can forgive my wife for not showing you respect. Our kind has extreme feelings of hate during pregnancy. She didn’t mean to be rude. She just hates the world right now.” Roland said, but Dorian didn’t look like he cared in the slightest about what he had to say. He was too focused on his plan, working to care about someone, not showing him respect.

“I don’t mind it. Just be careful on your journey and make sure that Kalon doesn’t fall off you or get hurt in any other way.” Dorian said and then turned back to Eli.

“Yes, sir,” Roland responded and bowed his head once again before looking down at Kalon.

“I’m ready when you are, your highness.” He said and then kneeled down to the floor to make it easier for Kalon to climb up onto his back.

“You want me to ride on your back?” Kalon asked with caution. He had heard that only the strongest knights were allowed to ride Centaurs into battle because Centaurs didn’t submit to anyone weaker than them, so he thought it strange that he submitted so quickly and did everything the emperor asked of him.

“Of course. How else am I going to take you to the mountain pass?” Roland said bluntly and then apologised for his attitude once again.

“I didn’t mean to be rude.” Roland bowed his head and then looked over at Dorian, who waved his hand dismissively.

“I will leave him in your care then. Kalon, don’t forget that your mother is waiting for you, so make sure that your cover isn’t blown and do say everything that I told you to say earlier.” Dorian instructed before helping Kalon up onto Roland’s back.

“Okay, I will be sure to come back soon and rescue my mom,” Kalon said with a smile while looking at his father as Roland began to stand up to the point where Kalon was now looking down at Dorian.

“Then I will let her know that you will come back soon.” Dorian smiled as Roland began to walk away. Kalon nodded his head and waved at his father as Roland started to pick up the speed and run through the town.

All the while, Kalon struggled to stay on his back as he directed him towards his house.

“I think I know where that is,” Roland said and then turned his head back to look at Kalon.

“Hold on tight.” He stated before picking up the speed and running as fast as he could.