Riordan remained in the dining hall a long time after Jericho and Euri left him. He was meditative about the epiphanies he had only come across. Thoughts of being a royalty troubled him, much more, the heir to the ownership of the Ethyrian Arcanum. He wanted his life to be as peaceful as it was then, and for trade of such simple existence, he would even wish to denounce his bloodline. Within him, there lingered hate and love. There were in-comprehensible emotions that were indefinitely known whether beneficial or not. He did not even know how exactly he felt. In his deeply absorbed status, Riordan almost forgot the affair he arranged with Ranjed.
Fortunately, Ranjed loomed out of the pantry door. She had been there for quite a while and has observed how distracted the young man was. She carefully made her way towards the boy seated alone in the hall aiming not to disturb the fragile tranquility. She stopped right behind him and studied the situation delicately before she finally dared to utter, "Pax, Young Master Riordan."
Regaining his awareness of what was supposed to occur, the lad dismissed other thoughts, straightened in his seat and replied without looking back at her, "Have you finally made up your mind?"
"I have thought about this enough," she answered. "I cannot allow the guests of this house to be disappointed all because of my timidity."
"Do you then make it clear that you approved only to uplift the honor of your masters' household?"
"It is, in a way, but not my primary concern, sir."
"What then drove you here principally?"
"No other than your friendliness, young master."
It was by then that Riordan looked back at her; the eerie feeling that lingered within him was suddenly overpowered by gaiety. He smiled intently as she curtsied before his chair. The boy stood up, bowed and extended his right hand. Understanding what is supposed to be done, Ranjed placed her left hand over his and straightened herself.
"Do not consider me like any other guests of your masters," he told her, "because I am only a baker's assistant – much in a status as yours."
Escorted by a baker's assistant, the youngest of the maidservants in the Adamar mansion began to discover more of the city she had learned to love. Ranjed had always lived a secluded life; however, on that day, she welcomed changes. She dared to overpower her passive self only to gamble her time with the boy who risked parts of himself to strengthen her.
At first, the youths have no idea where they were heading. They strolled along the length of the dike that bordered the avenue while exchanging stories about each other's lives.
That part of Princepolis was known as the boulevard of the rich since wealthy merchants who own fishing companies build their houses there. Opulent apartments soaring up to six stories high stand aside each other facing the magnificent view of the strait separating them from most of Princepolis. Buildings were primarily built not to provide comfort for its homeowners but to impress passersby and to fuel the jealousy of their neighbors. Such is the culture of this expensive street. The entire splendor however remained unnoticed for the two young servants who walked carefree satisfied with each other's presence.
Not long, they came to the harbor from where sailboats transport passengers from that part of Princepolis attached to the mainland to the bustling center on the separate island.
The first thing Riordan noticed was the colorful array of sails attached to the boats. They were decorated to depict different situations with vivid details such that the sails themselves were works of art.
Ranjed, however, familiar with the beauty of the sails, dragged her vista to locate a target. In no time, she saw what she aimed to see – the private sailboat of the Adamar family. It was positioned alongside other private boats docked near the far end of the harbor. Immediately, she led Riordan to the boat and presented the vessel.
Riordan could not stop but wonder why the Adamars chose to decorate their sail with a picture of fairies dancing around in a circle. The exquisite way of connecting every color to compose the entire sail nonetheless was what triggered him to ask the first question, "Are those sails painted?"
Ranjed replied, "No, they are sewn. Each color is made up of a different fabric. Paint will render them weight."
Without further ado, the girl approached the edge of the harbor and called over to three men who populate the private vessel. Then she turned to Riordan and signaled for him to come over.
The baker's assistant responded positively to her invitation. He followed her trail and stood on the edge of the dike aside her. Before them, the waves splashed against the ragged wall of boulders piled above each other. It was the first time Riordan came that near to the sea and he hesitated for a while.
"Are you boarding?" one of the man on the sailboat asked.
"Yes, we are," Ranjed replied.
Almost immediately after the plan was confirmed, the man who asked the question hopped from the bow to the nearby harbor. He picked up a piece of lumber that was laid neatly on top of the boulders. He then reached out the other end of the lumber to the second man on the boat. After which, they both fastened the lumber securely on both ends. The wood was to serve its purpose – a bridge towards the boat.
Assisted by the man on the shore, Ranjed crossed the short distance and soon was standing on the bow of the sailboat, holding firm on the rope that secured the jib. She was waving for Riordan to take his turn.
Riordan had never ridden any sea vessel in his life. He feared what may come of the trip. His feet precluded him from progressing further but the sight of the excited girl calling at him in the boat's bow granted him enough confidence. Carefully, he crossed the temporary bridge and soon was aboard the boat.
The men unanchored the boat. Riordan wondered as he watched them move farther from land. The crew maneuvered the sail such that it will take advantage of the wind for its purpose. A moment later, they were halfway between the western coast and the island.
As their vessel moved over the wavy straight, Riordan could not keep calm. He remained inside the living quarters of the boat resistant to look outside and appreciate the beauty of the blue water. The crew observed his obnoxious attitude with slight smiles.
"Will you really not come out here, Riordan?" Ranjed called out from the stern. She was looking out to the amplifying size of the approaching island.
Riordan responded, "I will better stay here inside, Ranjed. I am not very used to sea voyages and the motion just makes me sick. I do not know how else I would react when I am out there seeing the waves." Then he heard the giggles of the crew who sat with the girl.
It was midafternoon and the heat of the sun was not very gentle. This caused Ranjed to abandon her sightseeing and take cover in the living quarters. When she sat beside Riordan, she told him, "It will not be too long before we reach the island. You see it is not very far from the mainland."
Indeed, she was right. A short while after she made the statement, one of the crew went inside and reported that they have safely reached the harbor on the other side of the straight. Immediately, the teens arranged for their leave.
Once they were on the sturdy ground of the island, Ranjed called over to the crew on the boat, "Should you go back or rather wait for us here?"
"Will you be off for long?"
"I do not think so," the girl told the man. "We will only walk around and see as much as we could of Princepolis."
The man smiled. Then he told the girl: "That will indeed take time."
It was a hot afternoon; however, Riordan and his companion sat comfortably on the shadow of the governor's palace while they were consuming the bread they have bought from one of the many stalls that line the city square. There were many things they have already talked of by then, but their inquisitions never seem to wane. While watching the busy citizens, they mingled about their latest experiences.
Riordan revealed to Ranjed everything that Euri told him that morning hoping he would garner some sort of comfort from her. The girl proved him correct such that when he finished narrating the entire lore of the royal secret, she uplifted him with inspiring messages.
"I vowed never to talk to anybody about all that," the boy told her, "but then it came to pass and here I was, retelling the story in a public space."
"Do not worry, nobody would care," Ranjed replied. "I do not think these busy people will be interested to hear what two young people talk about over bread and tea."
Riordan can only smile. Then, "I never thought I would come across a girl like you," he delivered straightforwardly as though he had only swallowed embarrassment.
There was a moment of silent staring between the two – disturbed only by the noise of the preoccupied square.
Then, Riordan covered his face with his hands and bowed to lay them over the table, ashamed.
Ranjed was aware that such an incident would indeed materialize at one point that day; however, she did not expect it to come sooner. She held her breath and dragged her eyes around before he glued them back on the boy who was hiding behind his cupped hands.
"Me too," was all she can say.
Two words it was but it had an effect on him so tender that he disposed the emotions of embarrassment. He raised his head again and stared at her blankly.
"I did not know there is still a lad such as you," Ranjed added.
"But here I am," he jokingly said. "Or simply that may be because you do not go out so much."
"I do not have the interest for the outdoors."
"Then why did you come out today?"
"Things do not always have to be the same. It was rather strange even for me to realize that I too am willing to embrace the outside world but am only afraid. However, when you came to invite this morning, I felt a kind of confidence that triggered me to accept your invitation – I am not sure, but I think your friendliness and approach made me feel more assured such that I dared to leave behind what I was."
Riordan did not know what to say. He remained speechless staring at the beauty of the girl that sat before him.
A strong wind blew on her blue-dyed hair and she struggled to arrange it immediately.
"What is with me?"
The girl did not understand the question. She let out a questioning face without uttering any word.
"I am sorry," he told her. "I am not used to feeling this way, you know. And I do not think like I understand my own emotions right now."
"You are not alone," she responded.
Riordan considered the city of Princepolis indeed a wonder. Regardless the beauty it already beheld, there still remains the fact that it was there where he became very well acquainted with this similarly wondrous girl.
Ranjed and he had already toured much of the island-city. For several times, they have found themselves staring surprised at the domed, whitewashed edifices. More than once, they came across marvelous palaces built out of corals. Occasionally, they marveled before giant statues of mermaids and mermen located throughout the city. That afternoon certainly was time well spent.
From the introductions given by Euri in their entry to the city, Riordan recalled that Princepolis too was famous for its romantic ambience. Such he had proven when twilight came and the city was flooded with innumerable lanterns. The squares were overcrowded with lovers who stroll beside each other or dine in the many tables spread under the star-filled sky. The streets, which were busy with merchants in the morning, were transformed into sanctuaries of charming couples and serenading minstrels. Love songs echoed through the air moving side by side with the sweet smell of wines.
Riordan and his partner were hypnotized by the heartwarming atmosphere; therefore proving them invulnerable to the cravings of their emotions. Soon, they found themselves seated in the lawn of the city's cathedral staring at its monumental spires and sharing a cup of coffee.
"This is a lovely evening," Riordan commented while he lied on the grass with his hands clasped behind his head. He witnessed how the angelic statues mounting the cathedral spires blend perfectly with the starlit background. "It is like angels are looking at us."
"Indeed they are," Ranjed added. She sharpened her sight to inspect every detail of the figures that stood high above them and then she said, "I suppose the architects thought of that idea when they decided to have those angels atop the spires."
Riordan smiled. He thought the girl misinterpreted his words, yet allowed her to do so.
Then the young woman told: "Those angels remain up there staring down at every person who comes and finds abode under the shadow of the sanctuary, but I found another one who followed me the entire afternoon and became my supposed companion."
Riordan was surprised. He was about to sit up when he realized that Ranjed had only finished the last sip of coffee and was moving to lie down beside him. He observed in silence. Then when she was positioned next to him, he turned his head telling her, "I think I have also found my angel."
The young woman giggled. She turned to face him too and stared at his gleaming eyes.
"I do not suppose you will extremely trust a boy you met only yesterday," he said.
"Certainly, I met you only yesterday but it feels like we have known each other for years," then shyly she turned to the other side. After which she appended, "I do not hope this is that sort of connection I yet do not want to feel."
Confused, Riordan sighed at her statement and wondered what it meant.
"Am I your friend?" Ranjed asked while still looking away.
"What do you mean?" Riordan confirmed almost laughingly. "Of course you are."
"Do you mean me to be only a friend?"
That questioned removed the paradoxical thoughts from Riordan. He knew she was trying to mean something else – something he too sought to understand. Silence overpowered them. The thought of them two being alone in the cathedral lawn disturbed Riordan and he resorted not to make a word. Then, there came soft music carried by the wind from the nearby square.
"Speak, Riordan," Ranjed insisted. "Do not pretend that you do not understand what I am telling you."
Riordan lifted his head and supported his inclined trunk with the strength of his right elbow. He moved near to peep at the woman's face that was obviously looking away.
Ranjed felt the movement and turned to look at him once more. He then had his face over hers. The immeasurably short distance between their two noses attracted them to steal another moment staring blankly at each other's eyes. Then Riordan moved away.
Returning to his former position, while looking up into the sky, the baker's assistant told his companion. "I do not know how to explain this in such a manner that you will not misinterpret my feelings, but from the very first time I came across you – that moment you opened the door of the Adamar mansion – I sought to befriend you more than a friend."
"Befriend more than a friend?"
Riordan had a deep breath and then, "It's complicated."
There was another moment of silence before Ranjed, as though understanding what Riordan referred to as complicated, inquired, "At first sight?"
He turned to look at her and nodded his head. "I never thought I have the ability to inflict such reaction upon a boy foreign to our city."
"And yet you did," he appended.
Tranquility, intermittently disturbed only by sweet music, once more occurred.
"I do not know how long we will be staying here," Riordan initiated another conversation. "I have informed you earlier about the whereabouts of Euri and Jericho. I have not the slightest idea what they both have next for me."
"You can always come back," the girl told him. "Euri lives here in Princepolis and if she wishes for the three of you to find sanctuary, I will not doubt that Princepolis will be her choice."
"But Euri has been known as a gypsy who travelled most of the kingdom in her years. She has survived many trials away from home making me even think she does not need her clan anymore, unless she comes across them by accident."
"Is that how you look at Mistress Euri?"
"She and Jericho are yet new acquaintances for me. I think there are still so much more I have to know about them. It is pretty unmannerly for me to impose such judgment at this hour." Then he zipped his lips. A moment passed and he uttered, "If I leave…"
"You will leave," Ranjed clarified. "Ethyr needs you, Riordan. So far, we came across many people here in Princepolis who are unaware of how significant you may be to our kingdom, but when the time comes, your name will be heard from their every pair of lips. The duty you are given is so much more than anything we both can accomplish here."
"Will you come with me?" Riordan continued his question as if he did not hear what the girl had only said.
The girl sighed and answered: "I cannot."
As if loaded with an enormous predicament, Riordan, with his saddened face, turned to face Ranjed asking, "Why?"
"It is your destiny, Riordan. I am in no position to become a distraction. If you wish us to continue our bond, then allow that your duties be accomplished first, and then we shall reorganize what came between us."
"I hate to look at it this way but the duty you are talking of is doubtlessly fatal. If I fail to accomplish it, then that may mean I will not be able to come back here breathing again."
"Then strive not to fail."
"But…"
"Enough Riordan," she put her fingers on his lips. "I wish we could have more time with each other, but the fates seemed to have arranged occurrences to happen this way. There is nothing we can do now but trying our best in order to survive these times. You are one of those who have the power to control what may come. Heed me, Riordan; do as they wish of you for the sake of whatever is between us. That is all I ask of you."