Do not read if you had not read the previous parts.
Seventh Crown X
~
After Cage had packed all of the things he had forgotten, he sat down against a wall and was immediately immersed in his thoughts. He wished that he was going on this trip with only the Queen, and without the guards. He did understand the King and his worries. Who knows what may happen during this dangerous journey? He needed to be aware that there would be danger, even if it was a land he did not know about. He had forgotten to take any books from the library even though he wanted to take at least one. That was stupid of him. The basket was full of his stuff and the maid could not carry it up, so he helped her as she actually did not mind and let him do it for her. After leaving the basket on its place, he went back to the big library. He could not stop thinking about Elizabeth. Was she going to be okay? And how would he find out more about her condition or be able to take care of her if he was so far off? Oh well, he thought, I hope she is fine.
Early the next morning, Cage, Rebecca, and the five guards who would accompany them ate a light meal and set off for The North. Rebecca's father had tried to delay the trip even more, but none of the group would allow him to. He sulked a bit but then sent them off with his blessings. The winter prior had been light; the roads were in fair condition and they had no problems. The sweet spring air was fresh and relieving after all those weeks cooped up in the musty castle. The travel was almost as much a vacation as it was a serious strategic visit. The first day went past uneventfully, the guards were pleasent and kept a light conversation going to keep the boredom at bay. Rebecca and Cage particapated little in this conversation, as both of them were totally wrapped up in their own thoughts.
That night they stopped as it got too dark to ride; they pitched camp and made a fire. Two of the guards left to find more wood, one left to water the horses, and the other two left to hunt. Cage and Rebecca were left alone together. At first, neither of them seemed eager to break the comfortable silence, but finally Cage did break it.
"Should we start moving on at daybreak each morning, and then travel into the night? Or should we spend a little less time on the road?"
Rebecca thought about it for a moment, "I think it is a dire situation, we must get to the fort as soon as possible. The war has almost reached the North and I fear that we may be too late if we continue to dawdle along."
Cage nodded his approval and Rebecca realized it had been a test of sorts. "I agree," He started, "The sooner we get there, the better off the fort will be."
Neither of them really had anything to say, and it was a bit of a relief when the guards came back. Before long they had a pot of hare broth bubbling over a small, bright fire. One of the guards brought out a deck of cards and they all sat back and played games with them. Finally the night had fully set in, the Queen retired to her tent, and the guards and Cage took up their positions around her.
~
The next day they set out with the sun, the guards were not used to riding so much and they were stiff and sore. Cage and Rebecca smiled behind hands as one of the men fell as he climbed onto his horse; Rebecca made a mental note to have the soldiers and guards train on horses more. The commrady feeling from the day was still there as they set out, it was quieter today, but they also traveled faster. At the end of the second day, the Queen was very happy with their progress; if it continued to go as it had for the first two days, they would reach The North Fort earlier than they had planned. The next two days passed as the first had; but on the fourth things changed. They reached the first village, and they were not expected. As they neared the outskirts of the large clusters of houses, a group of armed men and women appeared with dogs at their heels.
The man who Cage judged to be the leader of the group approached them, "Who are you?" He asked suspiciously, eyeing their well-bred horses, "And what do you want with our village?"
Cage took charge, "Good sir, I am sorry to disturb the peace of your village. We are just passing through." One of the guards horses stepped forward a pace and the group jumped and hoisted their weapons into a ready position in response. Cage became wary, he wondered what had the townsfolk so riled up and jumpy. He dismounted and unclipped his sword and sheath from his swordbelt. Laying it across his saddle, he approached the group unarmed and helpless.
"Good sir, may I speak to you?" The man nodded and told his men to stand down. He and Cage walked about a dozen paces away from both groups and began to speak in hushed tones."It seems to me that something has your town a bit frightened." Cage spoke softly.
"Ain't nothin can get us scairt!" The man barked, "Them is as brave as they come." he said as he waved towards his motly group of men and women.
Cage understood that he had just injured the proud villager's ego a little by insituating that he may be afraid, "I did not mean to say you may be cowardly. You and your group seem a little jumpy, anything wrong around here?" Cage questioned the man.
The man's face flashed with a few emotions and thoughts, but he finally answered, "Something strange has been going around here. I swear there is a demon or something of the like has been haunting our little village here. People have been disappearing and dying allthe sudden lately."
"Sudden disappearances? I agree that this is not a very normal thing. May my group and I have permission to enter your town? Then we can talk about this, it is getting late and my compatriots will want to rest." Cage looked away towards his group as the man nodded, "Well, looks like I really have no other choice, right?" He began, " We will let you through; but you will still have to explain us why are you trying to pass into our territory. Strangers are not very welcomed here. We want no trouble."
"I understand and thank you for letting us in." Cage replied, "As you are letting us pass, we will give you no trouble. This is the safest way for us and I appreciate your cooperation. I will make sure that you and your town are rewarded for this kindness."
The man answered with his head bent towards the ground, "You do not need to thank me. The ones who will choose whether or not you may move on from our town are the leaders, not me." The young male answered and turned away. Somehow, he could not look at Cage for too long. His redish eyes were strange and frightening, Like two bloody red moons in a clear blue sky.
-to be continued-
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