We crossed through Europe in only one month. The horses were really fast and didn't need much care. We traveled through the daytime and rested in the night. I preferred to stay in the wilderness away from mortals' eyes, though Tulip insisted that we visit Paris, Greece, and Rome. Although they were not on our route, I still accepted, because it would save me from her nagging.
It took us another two months to reach India. When we crossed its borders, we saw two soldiers holding spears and shields, who approached the moment they laid their eyes on us.
I signaled for Tulip to stop and wait. Once they were near us, they stopped and one of them, stone-faced, said in the common language, although he had a heavy accent, "Who are you? And what is your business here?"
"We are from the Mansion of Night," I started, my voice calm and steady. "We are to go to the Immortal Sun Sect in China to deliver a message. We would be honored if you grant us permission to cross your lands."
"Come with us to the military camp. We shall relay your request to the great Buddha," said the second one. I expressed my thanks, and as they led us to their camp, I glanced at Tulip to see that she wasn't too convinced. I shrugged my shoulders and murmured to her that we had no choice but to follow protocol.
"What if they don't give us permission and decide to attack us? Would we be able to defend ourselves?" She murmured back. She had a point. A mouse wouldn't be willing to walk straight to the cat's mouth.
"Whatever the case, don't let your guard down. Let your wand be ready at any time." I instructed, then turned to the soldiers who were trying to listen to our conversation, "If it is possible, I would like to ask the Buddha myself."
"Don't get your hopes too high," the first soldier said, "Not every person gets to meet the ruler of this land."
"Just..." I hesitated for a second. "Make sure to tell him our origin."
They led us to their camp where the captain welcomed us with good words in the common tongue. He immediately ordered a feast to be prepared.
At the feast, various foods from different parts of these lands were prepared, some I can't even name. The captain introduced us to his wife and daughter, who were staying here for an unknown reason.
He was very friendly. way too friendly that I couldn't help but become suspicious. And I was wrong to think that because he suddenly asked after cracking a joke, "What is in the message you're delivering?"
The smile I had on my face instantly melted and my lips turned to a thin line. I became prepared to get out my wand in case something happened, and I noticed Tulip doing the same.
"Forgive me for being rude, Captain," I said slowly while eying his expression. "It is none of your concern. Even I don't have the right to see what it carries, much less you."
A flicker of anger passed in his eyes that didn't go unnoticed, then disappeared to be replaced with a smile, though it was less friendly.
"I understand, brother," he said while struggling to hide his bitterness and anger from his voice, "Tomorrow morning, I will take you personally to lord Buddha's palace. Today, you shall stay with us for the night. I am sure we can make you comfortable despite this being a military camp."
"We will go right after the feast, Captain," I replied, blandly and impatient. He looked troubled. He considered retorting but he caved, "As you wish, my dear guests. But I was intending to let you have a comfortable night, no more."
I doubted that he truly wanted our comfort, but I had no choice. I had to have the permission of the Buddha, so I can only play this little game for now. After the feast, he led us to the stables where we took our horses and rode with him. He wanted to bring a squad with us but under our protest, the captain decided not to.
Tulip rode on the captain's left side, while I rode on his right. Once the camp was quite a distance behind us, my eyes suddenly turned cold, and I said to him, my tone even colder, "If you're thinking about killing us, I advise you not to!"
"What are you talking about?" he chided. "How dare you slander me, boy? I am an honorable captain of a division under the lord Buddha!"
"Oh, I am sure that you are a captain, but an honorable one? I doubt that. My guess is that your group back at the camp is really a normal army, but your real army is waiting for us some miles from here?"
"How dare-"
"Silence," Tulip said as she cast a silencing spell with her wand, causing his voice to suddenly disappear.
Night quickly fell. We bound the silenced captain, who passed out and made a fire. We sat next to each other while enjoying the sound of nature all around us.
"How did you know that he has bad intentions?" asked Tulip cutting the silence. She didn't question me when I suddenly turned hostile towards our host, I remembered.
"From his behavior," I calmly started explaining, "He acted too friendly like we knew each other for a long time. But when he asked to know about the message, I sensed his true intentions weren't what he showed. And if I am not wrong, once we are a mile before the palace of the Buddha, a group will attack to kill us and send our heads to the palace. They will claim that we tried to rob them and that they killed us for it."
"Are you sure?"
"Sixty percent sure."
"But what if you were wrong? The captain will tell the Buddha about what happened, and the latter wouldn't give us permission."
"Don't worry. Even if I was wrong, I will use a memory spell on him to let him think that nothing happened."
"Are you sure you want to cross that line?" she asked with a hint of hesitation in her eyes. She was right to hesitate...
"Better be safe than sorry."
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Updated on 15/6/2024.