The next few days were swift and simple. They went out for some of the days, they would spend some time on the bluffs overlooking the ocean, spend hours in the meadow and go for trips through the forest.
This morning was their last morning with Hydrangea's family. The morning light was dim as mist coated the hills with its white tendrils.
As Bastian and Ariston prepared their horses for the journey they both turned when they heard the back door open. Dimitri and Brigitte stood there, unpacked and not ready for the journey.
Bastian had feared this would happen but had sincerely hoped it would not.
Dimitri wrapped his arm around Brigitte's shoulders and said, "Sovereign, Bastian we've decided to stay. We hope that you'll-"
Bastian raised his hand and he silenced, "You may stay, they will be safer with you and you will be safer here." He said in a calm yet strong voice.
"You're staying?" A familiar voice asked and Dimitri and Brigitte parted to reveal Hydrangea, her shoulders wrapped securely with her cloak and her dress was one that she'd worn while they'd traversed the two states.
Brigitte nodded at Dimitri then turned to the flower, "Let's talk inside." They both headed indoors.
Bastian continued to pack the horses, he saddled Hydrangea's white horse and bridled it. After filling the saddle bags with the prepared food and sustenance he climbed atop his horse and waited to begin their trek to Viskogorny.
The door opened and Rose exited, her hands held a basket and her apron was stained with jam and flour.
She smiled as she passed by Dimitri and she walked to Ariston, who had still not mounted his horse. With a bright smile she handed him the basket, "I made these, they won't last the entire journey but I think that you'll still enjoy them."
Bastian watched with amusement as Ariston swallowed and asked, "What are they?"
"Some apple turnovers and mincemeat tarts. They won't keep so you should eat them soon." And with that she stood on her tiptoes and gave Ariston a peck on the cheek then hurried inside.
Bastian and Dimitri both attempted to conceal their laughter at Ariston's face flushing multiple shades of red. He frowned and climbed his horse, placing the basket in front of him.
Bastian sat, patiently waiting for Hydrangea to come out. It looked as though Ariston had already known that Dimitri and Brigitte would stay behind. The group had said goodbye to the other children the previous evening but Dimitri and Brigitte had asked for Ariston in the kitchen.
The door opened and Hydrangea and her maid stepped out, after sharing a hug they said a few words then Hydrangea patted Dimitri on the shoulder and he surprised her with a hearty hug. A happy sound trilled from her lips and Bastian smiled, he wished he could make her laugh like that.
"I trust you'll look after our Sovereign, my Queen?" He said as he released her.
Her eyes flickered to his then fell back to Dimitri, "I will try." She muttered.
After climbing on her white horse the trio waved and said their final goodbyes.
The day was spent riding, they rode through the town of Crescent Port and then onto the main road. Rowan had been right when he'd said that Cadaraman soldiers did not frequent the main roads.
When the sun began to set they decided to settle down for the night.
Ariston tied and watered the horses while Bastian collected some wood to start the fire. Hydrangea took her time making the food, she looked distracted and Bastian wondered if she was thinking about her father. Lowlife that he had been.
Sitting down and eating some mincemeat pies Ariston pulled out a few maps and began to explain their route for the next weeks.
"Alright, so the journey to the capital should take us about a week, maybe less, maybe more. After that we will come to the difficult part," He pointed to a line on the map, "Crossing the Crescent-Viskogorny border. Now we are on peaceful terms with them so it shouldn't be heavily guarded, but the Lords may have instigated a larger force because of…"
Both Hydrangea and Bastian nodded to the unfinished statement, 'Because of them.'
Ariston cleared his throat, "But, once we do cross it we'll be in the Pazhlobak region of Viskogorny, it is similar to northern Crescent but has colder temperatures and…" He shook his head, "There are deep valleys and many lakes and forests among the mountains. Once we finish-"
"Hold on, you were about to say something." Hydrangea interrupted.
Both men shared a glance in which Bastian shook his head. They would tell her at a later time.
"I'm sorry?" Ariston replied.
Hydrangea shook her head, "Never mind." She rested her chin on her arms which rested on her bent knees.
Ariston cleared his throat once more, "Continuing on, once we get through the Pazhlobak region we will be in the Rokirovka region, this is the second most hazardous of regions, the frequent avalanches and snowstorms will cause us plenty of issues. But this is where the Tzar resides. When we arrive there we can ask one of the small villages that line the mountainsides where the capital city, Domkorolei, resides." He then began to roll up the maps and tie them with a string of twine.
"So," Hydrangea began, "When we get to the capital city of Crescent, what will we do there?"
Ariston continued in his work as he watched the other two intently.
Bastian thought before speaking, clearing his own throat, he said, "Search for information on what the Lords have done to this country in my absence and… if my mother is still alive." He said.
She nodded and stood.
"Uh, Sovereign?" They both turned to look in the direction of the horses where Ariston stood with two bundles under his arms, "Where's the third tent?"
"What do you mean, where's the third tent? Do we not have a third tent?" Hydrangea asked worriedly.
"Don't worry, you won't be sleeping without one." Bastian said, slightly aggrieved that she would even think that.
"Yes, it is nowhere on the horse, it must've fallen off at some point." Ariston answered her, still holding the two packs.
"Oh, well," Bastian said clasping his hands together, "Me and Ariston will share a tent and Hydrangea will get one all to herself."
"Oh!" Ariston exclaimed, "I was wondering maybe if I could have some privacy, you see, I am somewhat used to not sharing my space…" He winced internally at his dialogue and excuse. Dimitri and Brigitte had wanted him to somehow make the married couple share a tent. They'd taken the third tent and had given him instructions but, he was not very eloquent to begin with.
Both Bastian and Hydrangea looked and him queerly, "Very well." Bastian said, "We will share a tent." He finished looking at Hydrangea.
Her shoulders sank, 'This journey is off to a great start.' She thought miserably.
The two men set to work at setting up the tents, and when they were finally constructed Hydrangea practically dove in with her bedding.
As Ariston grabbed his own belongings Bastian said in a hushed voice, "Dimitri put you up to this, didn't he?"
Ariston stopped in his movements, "Yes."
Bastian chuckled quietly, "Don't worry, I won't tell her." He ducked into the shelter and found that she was already asleep, or she was pretending. Either way he had some privacy.
He laid his roll down and rested his head on it as he pulled the blanket around himself. He and Hydrangea had shared a bed before, he thought back to all the times that they had; not very pleasant memories.
He sighed and closed his eyes. Sleep soon took him, along with Hydrangea.