Iria thought for a while.
"You want me to help you find them?"
"It would be more convenient to trace that sinner's path after he left your clan," the leader said. Iria nodded non-committally.
"We would trouble Clan Princess and ask another boon," said one of the men quickly, exchanging glances with the others.
Iria knew what was coming.
"My sister is not going anywhere,"
"Iria," I countered, "it's my life. I want to go,"
"You must be safe, Nei," Iria looked at me seriously.
"I will," I nodded, and stood up. The Canolitans all jumped to their feet, and I smiled.
"I need to settle some things," I said to them, and they bowed me out.
I went to find Thanos.
"I'm afraid I can't accompany you to Hakorhi. Will you go along without me? I'll arrange for someone to escort you,"
He looked at me like I was spouting nonsense.
"Hey, that Hhamir guy is following you right? And I'll now slunk off to Hakorhi alone? Who doesn't want to see the grand Canolita Empire! I've said it, and I'll say it again: I'm following you wherever you go!"
The Canolitan Delegates came forward to introduce themselves to me formally.
"Royan Saarhash from the First Family greet Imperial Princess," said the leader, who I realized was my aunt, my father's immediate junior. "Dan Kushad from Second Family greet Imperial Princess," the man who had asked that I follow them back to Canolita was next.
"Savitria Olleen from Third Family greet Imperial Princess," the prettiest woman of the lot bowed.
"Nildan Laoren from Fourth Family greet Imperial Princess," the last greeted.
I nodded and asked them to rise. Inwardly, this was something I was starting to detest about Canolita; the excessive show of courtesy.
Savitria seemed to read my mind. With a smile she said:
"These surbordinates will keep in mind not to trouble Her Highness any further,"
Without any one realizing, they had contacted the Imperial City to request for a full troupe of armed soldiers and about thirty transport creatures. I rolled my eyes. Canolitans were so show-offs.
Iria grabbed me from behind.
"I'll relay to your disciples that you've gone on a sabbatical," she said with a mischievous grin.
"I'll only be gone a week,"
"In your dreams. They won't ever let you out of their sight,"
I shuddered.
"No. I'm not some five year old. I'll be back before you know it,"
"Let's hope so,"
Savitria came towards us, arm outstretched.
"If I may help Her Highness?"
I brushed past her and flew onto the most colossal mount. A Flying Phoenix.
The four delegates flew onto the other mounts. I was to ride alone? They has stashed Hhamir and Thanos somewhere, after I'd said they were coming with me.
How the hell was I supposed to direct the transport creature???!
"Her Highness should not worry," Nildan Laoren drew up to the Phoenix his Three Headed Eagle, "the Phoenix knows the way home. Her Highness should make herself comfortable,"
So I settled myself on the Phoenix's smooth back. Turning my head towards the camp, I spotted Iria beside General Zarin and waved to her.
She waved back.
"Is Her Highness ready?" Nildan Laoren called.
"Yes," it was an understatement. I was more than ready.
"Go!" He pointed south. The Phoenix shot forward like a dart. The other transport creatures followed at a triangular formation, the Phoenix leading. I turned my head to watch the Rashar Plains becoming more and more faint.