It was the fourth night.
On the first day after leaving the Tavern, I was restless, but I decided to train with my shooting rather than stay idle as time went by. It was a bit rusty since the last training was five years ago after I left the village. The special arrows that I designed for the blacksmith to make for me were completed.
Kirai has never left my side ever since we left the Guild Tavern. She tried her best to explain to me every time she saw an opportunity, but I never allowed her to speak up. I was annoyed with her way of keeping secrets since the day I met her as a priestess apprentice, and how was that going? She tried her best to avoid my inquiries about almost everything regarding the High Priest Romou.
"That gift was meant for you, and it was valuable," her nagging started the moment we were out of sight from the Guild Tavern. But this part was not what I expected her to say. "We should get back there and get it back."
My tracks stopped and faced her up straight. "No." I firmly rejected her.
"If you don't want to, I will." She looked disoriented and nervous. She walked back and forth while biting her fingernails and mumbling to herself.
"Don't make me regret saving your ass back there." I stared at her hard. I walked past her cautiously towards the hidden pathway in the palace. It was nearly morning, and someone might have spotted them getting inside looking suspiciously. "But, it makes me curious why you behave like it was yours, to begin with? Don't make me mistakenly think you harbour a greedy mind to steal that for yourself."
"Your Highness!?" Her frustration leaked out loud. Realising her mistake, she covered her mouth as she slipped into the slit between the wall. "How can you say that, Your Highness? You don't understand how significant that artefact is," she whispered.
I refused to listen to her nagging any longer. And that made her stick to my side like glue for the rest of the three days trying to get me to see the point. How frustrating!
My days didn't even get any easier when the crown prince appeared at the training ground, watching my training session with the group of volunteered knights. Not many turn up, but it should be sufficient and easy to train them personally.
I couldn't even stand to see them start to voice their excitement and amazement comically every time I finished the demonstration.
The first hit the target. "Wow!" In unison at that.
The second hit. "Yeah!" And nodded in unison.
The third hit. "Ooh!" the crowds clamoured had created unwanted attention to themselves.
It reminds me of the ancient people in chaos when they first found fire. Oh, wait. They are ancient people. I gave my head a light smack.
I gave them the tools they needed for the training that I procured from the blacksmith. I hardly made my way out from the blacksmith workshop without getting my ear stuffed with his nagging. I wonder if he even realised who I was. What my position in the empire is. What a grumpy and nasty blacksmith. A few of the recruits have returned from collecting and prepare the little rocks. And the crowds started their first training.
"Lady Coraine," a voice behind me makes my heart stop. I froze. His approaching steps signalled Kirai to leave me alone with him. "Looks like your training is a success."
I didn't dare to say anything but a nod. This should be a lot of help, and I can leave at ease thinking they are protected.
"I'm surprised you're here today," I asked, observing the crowd get into the group of three to four persons and a target board or dolls.
"I got rejected again." He complained. His face expression filled with disappointment. It was already the third day at the training ground. He is still not visiting Lady Maia. Maybe she is still under the weather. The scene that conspired at the auction night gave me a chill. I rubbed my arms for comfort. "Cold?"
"No. I'm cool with the weather. It seems they are in good care." I picked up my bow and arrow set and headed further towards the end of the training ground. Unaware, he followed me from behind. "Argh!' I leapt a foot up the air in fright. "What are you doing following me!?"
He smiled apologetically. "You looked intriguing with those things," he pointed to my hand with his lips.
"This?" I raised my bow to him. He nodded. "Same as your swords. This is more like what those knights had been training. The difference is the distance."
"And how will this be done?"
Awkwardly being observed by others makes my movements a little stiff and clumsy. I turned away as I grabbed my bow. I gave a little test on the string and the flexibility of the handle. Aye. It was a little stiff and unfamiliar feeling, to begin with, but this is the least I can have with the limited resources here.
The earlier crowds started to gather around as I picked up the arrow from the pile. Unaware of what happened in the background, I got into position and aimed for the target. Then, the best moment of my life was as I held my breath and concentrated on the target board as if it was the next meal I would have tonight. I let the arrow free, and swiftly it hit the target. 'Zap!'
I smiled proudly at the target and turned around to the crown prince. Only to be surprised with the silence of wow from the gathering crowd. I saw the crown prince smile on his face with amazement.
"What was that?" Ephraim beamed with excitement.
The crowds murmured amongst them with the same amazement. They strode towards me and started to ask me to teach them that too.
Upon the balcony, far from the training ground, Emperor Aleq watched the whole scene from the Royal Library's window with the same expression on his face. But, his mind is whirling worriedly. He didn't say anything to it.
He was relieved to see the couple is reconciling with each other. He wished Ephraim had done so before she had planted that idea in her mind. He knew what Rain was trying to do. He appreciates it very much, but her resolve is absolute now.
"Your Majesty, Lord Jacob is here, and he requested for your audience," A vassal from the palace approached him with the news. His mood brightened up at the news.
"Let him in. The Throne Hall." He commanded.
"Understood. As you commanded." The vassal bowed and hurriedly left. Emperor Aleq took a last glance at the happy couple and the surrounding crowds and strode towards the Throne Hall with his train of Officials and Palace maids.
The sudden flickering in the distance made me turn to see a glimpse of the familiar Royal cloak and his train of attendants leaving the balcony of the Royal Library's window. 'Oh, which part did he see what I did, or did he come to observe the training ground?'
It pains me to think that I will be leaving His Majesty behind. Even this man. The crown prince. I stared at his innocent and stubborn profile. He was obviously not the same man in those dreams. I am fervently trying to convince myself. My lips trembling, knowing how my mind tried to convince my heart to let this man go. I looked away and slowly distanced myself from the crown prince. I was planning to do my training in secret. Knowing that the emperor saw it, it didn't feel right to postpone the journey any longer. I should get the information from the Scavengers Guild soon.
I gathered my tools and carefully tied them inside the leather case that the blacksmith generously provided to me even after those nasty complaints since day one I met to start with the greenhouse project. High Priest Romou is not here yet. I don't think I can wait any longer. I will try to convince Kirai to join in on my quest but looking at how she is so sceptical about the teardrop artefact given as a payment, and it might be not easy.
The only option I have now is I should ask brother Jacob to help out on my quest. I wished he was here. I missed him terribly. Maybe I should wait for him to return and I will visit Lady Coriane for the last time. The last conversation with brother Jacob at the greenhouse a month ago doesn't include when he'll be returning or how long the journey will take. And the new year is nearly approaching. The windy, cold air starts to get colder every day.