I headed out meeting Queen Daz and my unit outside the castle where the royal carriage waited, pulled by two stunning white horses. The carriage was black decorated with lightning bolt symbols and little versions of my talismans carved into the wood.

“The queen’s royal carriage,” I said staring at it.

“Did you know they carved the talismans of Fang into things to symbolise his eternal protection,” mentioned Larana.

“Is that true,” I wondered.

Raziel nodded. “A sign of grand protection, even though most have forgotten, the tradition carries on.”

“If only they knew,” smiled Queen Daz. “Even now his legacy and power continue.”

“Down to business.” I moved the subject on. “Ibiki, Kiba I want you in the carriage with her highness. Rex driving with Finn and of course Lin and Edge on the top keeping an eye out for danger.”

“And you?” questioned Kiba.

I held my hand out and Raziel rubbed himself against it. “I will be riding Raziel. Now let’s ride.” I ordered and everyone took their places.

“Thank you again for taking me.” Queen Daz spoke her gratitude as she stepped into the carriage.

“Save the thanks for when we return you home safely your highness,” I responded as she sat next to Ibiki. I closed the door. “Move out!”

As the carriage began to move, I thought about the summit which first began in the time of Fang, had he too escorted royalty?

Leaving through the city, the royal carriage attracted more attention than I had hoped, especially being in the queen’s royal carriage, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

As soon as one Feles saw the royal carriage, the whole city saw it, curious as to where their queen may be going. I got just as much attention riding Raziel which to be honest I did not do that often.

I held my head high, even though I was feeling quite embarrassed. Edge was loving the attention. I would have to warn him later to always keep his composure.

Finally, we’d left the city over the twin lion bridges as instructed, as Queen Daz would only give instruction on where we were going when it was needed, was this summit really that important?

The first few hours everyone was on guard, expecting something to happen. I circled around the carriage, watching the focused expression of Finn go to board. Lin and Edge were the same, sat up straight ready, but Edge got so bored he stretched out on the roof. At least I could count on Lin as she stayed alert, she was the harder working one of the two.

“Expected things to be more exciting,” commented Queen Daz.

“Maybe,” responded Ibiki.

“The danger lies near the end, not at the beginning,” she smiled.

“You been talking to my mum.” I rode beside the carriage window.

“I always talk to her, she has told me about many things through her abilities, so I can stay a step ahead,” she said.

“How long has she been giving you hints?” I was curious.

Queen Daz smirked, remembering something. “Her very first prediction for me, I would one day be saved by a prince and become his queen. Being a street performer, I did not believe her, until it happened.” I smiled; I’d seen it. “Your clairvoyance will one day be more powerful than hers.”

“We’ll see.”

“You were a street performer. I find that hard to believe,” said Kiba.

“I was one of the best.” Queen Daz went on to talk about many of her performances. As a little girl she’d travelled to many places with her mother, dancing just to get by, settling in Cathopia where they found the Animalia were more generous, where she met my mum, dad and a shy Prince Alton, who watched her perform as much as he could. Her story had everyone listening and kept us entertained most of the day. I even got distracted by them, but I knew Raziel would warm me if anything happened.

“While I recovered from my injuries.” The harm caused by the loss of her power, but she did not mention that. “Alton hid me in his room, when his father found out he was furious, but Alton handed me the betrothal sword right in front of him. Shortly after we were married, and had Tigra and Hunter on the way, unfortunately the king became ill, passing away and Alton was crowned.”

“You’ve been through a lot,” commented Ibiki.

“Everyone faces their own challenges in life.” She touched Ibiki’s scar. “You must always forge ahead and except the opportunities that come your way.” She smiled. “All your stories have just begun, a new chapter with every change.”

As I gazed at her, I understood why everyone in the city loved her, she was always kind, open to everyone, even those who visited the city she treated as if they were her own family. “It’ll get dark soon, best stop to set up camp.”

I snapped out of the trance Queen Daz’s stories had me in. I focused ahead and Raziel broke into a run, then took off. I was searching for the perfect camp site.

“Over there, master.” Raziel turned to face what he spotted. “By the water.”

Panthera was full of small ponds and lakes said to all connect with the grand lake surrounding Cathopia.

“Perfect,” I nodded flying lower to glide over the carriage. “Follow me.” I headed in the direction Raziel had spotted our camp.

Once there I had my unit set up the perimeter by using Lin’s dagger too make a barrier which would detect anything that walked through it, then determined if it was a threat, this would be the first time in the field we’d be using it.

By the time I had done my checks Queen Daz had already set up the tent, and not just any tent, the royal tent, far bigger than the other tents.

“Whoa,” gawked Edge.

“Edge we’re on duty,” I mentioned.

“Oh, sorry.” He rubbed his head nervously.

“Everything will be fine Fang,” reassured Queen Daz. I was guessing she’d already chatted to mum about this little venture, but I wasn’t taking any chance of anything happening.

“Not taking any chances your highness,” I responded. “Ibiki, Rex hunt.” They both nodded and headed off.

I walked into the tent where I grabbed the food preparation stuff. I did everyone a meal from the muntjac and eggs they found, getting the usual compliments on my cooking, for a second, I imagined being Tigra’s private cook as she’d tried hiring me every time.

“Aw, he’s thinking of Princess Tigra,” laughed Edge, then got jabbed by Lin. “Ouch.”

I glared at them as they all looked at me. “I am not.” I snorted. “I like cooking.”

“With more responsibility comes the absence of spending time with old friends,” smiled Queen Daz. “Work hard, and your dream of becoming her Guardian will come true, but you must also accomplish much more before I make the decision to do so.” I had forgotten Queen Daz had also been put in charge of choosing those to become Tigra’s Guardians.

I heard after Gual’s death, his son Zack had taken his place, beating me to it, perhaps the queen didn’t think it was time, but her words confirmed it was possible and could be on the cards soon.

“Best get some rest your highness,” I said as it got darker.

“Good night,” she bowed to us and headed inside.

“Night.” We all bowed.

“Edge, Kiba, Finn, rest we’ll take first night watch,” I said.

“Oh yeah,” celebrated Edge jumping to his feet and heading into the tent followed by Kiba and Finn.

That was how the rest of the trip went, pretty smoothly which surprised even me. I thought Dumah might try something but was obviously too busy with other things to worry about what the queen was doing. A peaceful journey but I wouldn’t let my guard down, not for a single second, if I did what kind of knight would I be.