I looked in the mirror and at the chainmail that now covered my body. The maids were preparing me for the upcoming raid tomorrow as they placed and packed all the needed items in my bag.
For now, we’re supposed to head for the camp that was set up for all the individuals involved to gather.
That was why I was troubled when I had to wear chainmail over my shirt because it is not like we are going to war right away.
“Princess, what do you think?” Keela, one of my maids, asked.
“I feel like all I need now is one of those belts for belly dancing to complete the set.” I said because every time I move, I could hear it rattling.
And it was annoying.
The maids laughed at me and handed me a vest instead to help keep the chainmail in place. It was a big improvement, but now I just feel like I was suffocating.
“Do I even need to wear this? I mean, we’re only going to camp. No fighting. Just going to do a few briefings of the plan.” I said while patting on the vest for good measure. I got my whip from the side table and coiled it around my arm.
“Of course!” It was Yen, the youngest of the maids said. “We cannot be too complacent. You might get attacked on your way there.”
I wanted to tell them that the camp isn’t that close to Tereau just yet, but I can see her point. I was pretty sure that it was either my aunt or Ace who ordered this unnecessary precaution to them.
I looked at my reflection one last time before facing my maids and thanking them. “See you guys when I get back!” I waved at them goodbye as I headed for the door.
“Princess, be careful!”
“Come back safe!”
“I will!” I told them gratefully before I shut the door.
“That was a pleasant farewell.” I turned around as saw Ace leaning on the wall just outside my door. He was wearing a black shirt polo shirt, some dark brown trousers, and some hiking boots.
“You know you are not supposed to follow us until tomorrow, right?” I told him about the plan. No one was supposed to know that Ace would be following us to the battlefield just yet because he would be the one to keep an eye out on the three knights.
And in order to avoid suspicion, we won’t be traveling together.
“Don’t remind me.” He grumbled. “But I can still see you off, can’t I?”
“Ye-”
“Don’t answer. It wasn’t even a request. I am going to see you off.” He says and offered me his arm. “Come on, at least let me walk you outside.”
I took his arm. “Fine. Custard, Viex, come on.” As soon as I called for them, Viex jumped onto Ace’s shoulder while Custard jumped into my arm.
As we walked along the hallway, maids were everywhere walking here and there as they assisted everyone on their departure. I noticed a few of them watching Ace with a flustered look. When I looked at him, Ace was acting like the amnesia boy again as he kept smiling and nodding at them in a pleasant way.
“You’re getting popular. You should smile more often..It makes you look approachable.” I told him.
“I do?” My words somehow seemed to offend him, and now he was frowning at everyone who was looking at him. Some even scampered away when he glared at them for a longer time.
“What are you doing?” I hissed.
“Making sure that they get the message that I do not want to be approached.” He says.
Ace began to let us to the back gate of the palace where Nate and the others were waiting for us. Cloud was also there standing alongside Ryde, Nate’s horse.
As soon as Nate saw us, he beamed. “Hey, you two, ready to break apart?” He snickered when he saw the pissed-off look that Ace was giving him. Since there were too many people around us, Ace couldn’t do anything but grit his teeth in annoyance.
Then, he laughed sarcastically. “KING Nathaniel,” He began. “I do hope that you will have a safe journey and would come back in one piece. I mean, you are going for war where there’s a chance that you might lose a finger or two from both enemies and allies. I SINCERELY hope that you won’t get to experience that.” Then he continued to laugh.
Right now, Nate was confused on whether he should join him or not as he continued to laugh. He looked at me nervously while laughing nervously. “He...He’s kidding, right?”
I looked at Ace and saw the crazy grin and look on his face. He was already in a trance and I could only imagine that he was already planning on assassinating Nate on the battlefield.
I gulped and gave Nate a sympathetic glance. I walked towards him and patted his shoulders. “You brought this on to yourself. Sorry, Nate. It was nice meeting you.”
“Hey!”
“Amy! Amy!” We all turned to the side and saw Stella running towards me with Kellar and Javi following closely behind her. Stella jumped and came crashing into my vest that covered my chainmail. “Ow!” She frowned and rubbed her cheek while glaring at the vest. “What was that?”
“Something to keep me protected.” I told her and pinched her cheek. “What are you doing here?”
“Trying to convince you one last time to change your mind?” She asked hopefully.
“Hmm...Nice try. But not happening.”
She blew out a frustrated sigh before looking at Ace. “If things get out of hand, you will bring her back, right?”
“Of course.”
I looked back and forth between the two of them and crossed my arms over my chest. “Why do the two of you treat me like a kid going on my first school field trip?” Honestly, in a short amount of time, these two are acting more like siblings compared to Stella and I.
“Princess?” It was Kellar who suddenly stepped forward. “Please be safe. And please watch out for...for my older brothers and my father. They will play dirty tricks on you. You cannot leave your eyes from them when you see them.”
Now, this is what a sibling should say and do!
I smiled gratefully at Kellar. The fact that he was worried about me more than his siblings is already enough for me. “Thank you. And while we’re gone, you’ll protect them, alright?”
“I will. To the best of my abilities.” He promised. “And um....” Kellar got something out of his pocket that he handed to me. “A nymph came and jumped at Javi and I while we were training. She wants you to have this at all times.” In his hands is the pendant. The very same one that allows you to see spirits. It was the same one that we lost while we were in the other realm created by them.
‘Serena give you her regards. She says that she and the other nymphs are also preparing to secure their lands in case the war will reach them.’ Javi says. ‘Oh, and she wants to remind you about the Chalice. Keep it safe at all times and to always remember its purpose.’
Now that is a weird reminder. Serena probably didn’t want to be bothered again when I have a question regarding the chalice’s capabilities.
To be honest, I don’t even want the pendant back in the first place. Not when it lets you see ghosts! Being a spirit tamer is enough for me, thank you very much.
Nonetheless, I still took it and immediately placed it in my pocket before I even see anything. “Thanks, Kellar.” I told him. Then I turned t my sister and kissed her cheek.
“See you in a few days.” I told her as I made my way to Cloud. Ace followed me on the way just to inspect that everything was secure. I started to frown at him. “What are you doing?” I furrowed my brow.
Ace didn’t look at me as he was focused on checking the saddles and straps on Cloud. “Just making sure that everything is stable.”
“Ace, you worry too much. What are you, my mom?”
“Nothing’s wrong with being worried. For example, you forgot these.” He handed me the leather pouch that has the vials that my uncle gave us. The pouch that I have completely forgotten.
I smiled sheepishly at Ace as I took the pouch from him. But the moment that I got them in my hands, I noticed that mine was a bit heavy so I opened it. “Um...Ace? There are supposed to be 10 vials in each pouch. Why are there 15…?”
“I placed half of mine in yours. You need it more than I do.” He said and offered me his hand.
“Hey! I have good control over my magic now, thank you very much!” I said while taking his hand.
“Come on. Let me help you up.” Ace smirked as he helped me up.
Once I was on Cloud, Ace looked towards Nate, who was now mounted on Ryde. “Yes, I know. Keep her safe until you reach camp. Sheesh!” Nate grinned before looking at the others who were watching him. Even his father and the other knights were there. “Let’s go! Move.”
At his command, they all started to move. I glanced down at Ace, who was placing both Viex and Custard in their own respective basket at Cloud’s side... “See tomorrow.” I mouthed.
Ace nodded. “Be careful.”
And with that, I followed Nate and rode beside him as the other surrounded us in a protective manner.
***
The camp was an hour’s ride from the castle. When we got there, everything was almost set up. Tents already stood to cater to most of the knights, nobles, and royals who would be joining the raid.
Nate and I got down from our horses and began trudging past the busybodies while pulling Cloud and Ryde.
“Your highnesses.” One of the knights approached us. “Right this way, please. We have a tent prepared for the royals on the other side.”
Nate and I followed the knight to another side of the camp where larger tents were being set up. And on each tent, the flag of each kingdom was raised in each respective tent.
“The raid is literally tomorrow. I don’t see why they have to do all this trouble in setting up all of these.” I whispered to Nate.
“Some of the knights arrived in this place to secure the areas in advance. It’s the royals and some knights who are scheduled to arrive here today.” He says.
Mine and Nate’s tent stood side by side. The flag of Thalia was raised on his tent while the flag of Gija was raised in mine.
“So that’s Gija. It kind of resembles the mark on the pendant, don’t you think?” I told Nate as I grabbed both Custard and Viex in my arms before placing them on the ground.
Then I grabbed my bag from Cloud just before she and Ryde were being taken away to be cared for.
“It kind of is. And this is the first time that I am actually seeing it.” He was looking up at the flag as well. “Rose, settle your things in your tent first. Then we’ll go to the meeting place where the other royals are with their generals to finalize and to brief on the plan.”
“Aye, your highness.” I mocked a salute at him, which made him laugh.
I went inside my tent and closed it behind me. The first thing that I did was look around at what was provided for us. Inside the tent was a small wooden packable bed and a small table where I placed my bag. I also found a single chair where I threw my vest and chainmail so I could stretch my back comfortably.
“Come on, guys. We don’t want to keep the King waiting.” I said when I noticed that Custard and Viex were starting to fight each other on who could sleep on the bed.
From the looks of it, Viex was winning. As always.
‘Aww..’ Custard complained but followed us nonetheless as we headed for the door.
I found Nate just in time as he was exited his tent as well. “You ready?” He asked.
“Are you sure that the other royals are already there?”
He laughed. “I don’t know. We’ll have to see for ourselves now, don’t we?”