A few days have passed since We got back to kale's place. Most of the time was spent just looking for supplies for the trip, something that I accompanied Kale with.
Supplying for a long trip like this was very essential, it was a week long trip to Ozoth and another week to come back. There's five people on this trip, so that's a lot of mouths to feed. Kale bought a big stack of cured meat from the market and some camping supplies for if we need to stay a night in the wilderness. Kale has some experience with sleepi outdoors, so he was able to figure out what we needed for that. A jug of water was bought as well since we were taking a wagon to Ozoth. The wagon was borrowed from King Lucian, it was much bigger than the ones I usually see. It had enough space for all of us, and it had a storage in the back which was where we were putting our supplies into.
Now, there was supposed to be a horse with the wagon. But unfortunately, I wasn't able to see it along with the wagon. I guess today I'll be able to see it as it was the day that we'd leave for Shanford.
Oddly enough, We haven't seen Mandy since the day he attacked us. I spent most of the days being alert about him. I'm still on the edge that he'd just fly in out of nowhere and smack us with his long stick.
Anyways, Griffin, Sura and Tera walked along with us to say their Farewell. It was at the South Gate where we waited for the wagon to arrive, it was heading out of the Castle and passing through the Market district.
Amelia and Claire sat by a nearby tree, talking with each other as Kale was getting some last minute things along with Lilith and Tera, so I took the time to talk with Griffin and Sura before I was leaving. It'd be really weird if I didn't give a proper goodbye to the two people I befriended.
"Stay safe, Kota!" Griffin patted my shoulder. "You are lucky, being able to escape the prison we call University."
Sura gave him a hard chop to the back of his neck for that.
"Ow! Anyways, Hopefully you'll be back in the summer or fall! It's gonna be really boring without you."
I chuckled at him. "Heh, I'm sure you'll live without me. But I'll be back, I mean we kinda have to be back since it's the king's duty."
"Oh yeah…Forgot it was about that. I don't know why I was assuming you were going on a road trip." Griffin scratched his head in an awkward manner.
"We had a whole talk about this a while ago."
"Yeah, yeah…Maybe I was too focused on the book that was thrown at me."
"Excuses." Sura murmured behind him.
Griffin turned around towards her. "Hey! Don't you have a giveaway present for him and Lilith?"
"Yes, I do." Sura pushed Griffin aside and rummaged through her robes. "A parting gift."
Out from her robes, she pulled out a box of sorts that was neatly wrapped with a red ribbon. On the top of the box was an ink drawing of a cat.
"…what is this?" I asked as I was given it.
"It's a food box. You can eat it on the way to Shanford today. I'm sure you'd like to have a good last taste of food before you start eating…whatever kale bought."
Looking at the box more, the cat has the same looks as the one of The cat cafe…Maybe Sura decided to make a box for me since she does work there with Griffin. How sweet of her!
"Thanks! I'll have Lilith eat it!"
"There's eldesche Milk and beef curry in there." Sura explained. "Not sure if you had beef curry, but it was made by this dumbo over here." She then pointed at Griffin, who happily waved at me.
Well knowing my time here, Beef curry wouldn't taste the same way when I ate it in my old life. Still, it's better than anything. Hopefully one day someone out there will revolutionize the food taste in this world.
"It's got a cat face on it! I did that myself!"
"Way to make yourself sound weird, Griffin."
"It's not weird! Decorating your food for customers makes them more satisfied!"
"Whatever."
As I watched the two argue, I heard multiple footsteps from behind me. When I took a look, I saw Tera, Kale and Lilith walking from the outside camp with some supplies. Well, Kale was holding supplies as Lilith held onto a bag of something.
"Back!" Lilith said, smiling.
"Yes, we are."
Tera took glances at Kale for some odd reason. Did something happen in the camp? Kale had a look of disappointment as he made his way towards me.
"This is the last time I'm taking Lilith with me when we go in there. Kota, you'll be coming with me from this point onward."
"W-why?"
"Because you don't mess around and have me pay for things that we don't need for the ride." He placed supplies of what looked to be wood and some charcoal.
"…What'd she get?" I asked.
Kale simply scoffed. "Another bag of pastel! Like the girl needs to be eating the way she is! Hrm…I'm starting to think maybe I should put her on a more strict diet."
I raised my eyebrow at him. "Starting to sound like a dad there."
"Hoooh, indeed he is…" Behind Kale was Tera, who slowly crept up behind him. Her arms slowly wrapped themselves around his shoulder. "What's this about being a father?"
"Uwaah! Get your hands off me!" Kale frantically ripped himself away from her grasp. "I do not sound like one!"
Tera seemed surprised at his sudden reaction, but smugly smiled at him as he paced his way in front of me. "What's this? You're acting as if I didn't hear what either of you two said some nights before."
"I-Huh? You did hear?"
"Of course, Why wouldn't I hear two boys babbling in the hallway? You two didn't even hear me going up the stairs."
I opened my mouth to say something, but decided not to. I mean she was right, we were in the hallway. Anyone upstairs would've heard me and him talk. I'm wondering if she heard all that conversation and decided to wait for a good moment to catch Kale…Damn is Tera a quite lady sometimes.
"Y-you better not say anything to Her." Kale said in a much more quiet voice, he glared past Lilith who was casually sitting on the grass floor. She was munching on some pastels.
"I won't. I found it much more your issue than mine…Although this could be a good chance for you."
Kale raised an eyebrow at her. "Good for me?"
"Remember when I said that we should use this time to figure things out? At first I was just thinking of our sex life, but now I'm starting to see it as more a way for the both of us to really focus on ourselves."
"…Well, it'd be better if you came."
"Perhaps…" Tera hesitated, most likely contemplating her decision. "But I feel this is up to you to fully understand your feelings. I want to watch you grow past these obstacles that you've made for yourself, and this journey is a great opportunity."
Tera then looked at me. "For all of you. Now I'll be watching over the house, cleaning and perhaps decorating…And mostly work."
Kale rubbed his head. "If you really believe that I'll figure things out, then I guess I'll have to try…Also, don't forget to clean up the drawers."
The sound of horses grabbed my attention, I turned my gaze to the gate to see that a carriage had finally made its way through. Guards were walking alongside it, and I noticed a very familiar face that peeked out of the window of the carriage.
"My Escort! My bodyguards!" Rang the voice of Chris. His eyes Zoomed in on Claire and Amelia, who have gotten up to their feet from the tree. "Miss Mallory…And the other Mallory? Who's the small flat chested one?" Chris pointed to Amelia.
Oh…Chris never met Amelia in person, I believe.
"The what?!" Amelia stormed her way towards the Carriage. "Flat chested?! You're about Two seconds from me ramming this damn staff up your a-."
Luckily, Claire came up behind her just in time to stop her from finishing the sentence. With her hand covering Amelia's mouth, Claire greeted Chris.
"Prince Chris! You've arrived!"
"Oooh, Miss Claire!" Chris smiled widely. "I have awaited the next time we'd meet! How nice it is that Father allowed us to travel together!"
When his gaze turned towards me and Kale, he simply waved.
"Ok, the Carriage is here." Kale then began to walk towards the carriage. "Come on! Let's get our stuff into it! Can't waste much time! I'd rather be at Shanford than here!"
We began to store our supplies into the back of the carriage, The guards assisting as well. I heard Kale asking about King Lucian as I was finishing up packing the last bit of food with Lilith.
"Chris, where is your Father?" Kale leaned against the carriage as Chris kept looking at the two Mallory girls, the two were chatting with Tera.
"Oh…He is having a meeting with Richard and the guards. Something about a Noble guy that died in his cell." His gaze turned to kale.
"W-what?! I thought we had him locked up in a cell?" Kale said in a shocked tone.
"Beats me. I only heard a bit of what they were saying before father told me to get ready in the carriage."
"I-Erm…" Kale rubbed his forehead in an annoyed manner. "Why-Who would kill him? Perhaps he had something to say and knew we'd pry it out of him."
As Kale contemplated, I felt Lilith poke my shoulder. She had just finished up putting the last bit of food into the carriage and seemed to be listening in as well.
"The old dude died?" She asked.
"Guess so…You think someone killed him in his cell?"
"Hm…I wouldn't think so. Everyone in the guard wouldn't really do a thing like that." Lilith replied. "Maybe the old dude killed himself? Maybe he had some other information that he didn't want to share…"
"That could be possible…but we already know that he was the one that asked for Claire. What else could he hide?"
"Hmmm…." Lilith hummed to herself as she thought. Her amber eyes squinted as she focused. "Maybe he has other knowledge of other things? Things outside of Prusha that could harm everyone here? I don't know, I'm sorta throwing ideas out now…"
"You're doing fine. Better than what I could think of. " I smiled at her.
"Alright, Everyone get ready! Get into the carriage! I'll be driving this!" Kale yelled as he walked towards the front of the carriage.
"Come on Kota! Let's hop in!" Lilith cheerfully said, hopping her way to one of the carriage doors.
I noticed that Kale was quietly petting the horses in the front, specifically one horse on the left. It was a white horse that had spots of black riddled over it. It also looked somewhat older compared to the other horses we had. Kale gently rubbed the head of it, whispering something to it.
"That is Benjamin." Tera's voice looked behind me. I turned around to see Claire and Amelia alongside her. "He is Kale's horse. Quite odd they bring him with how old he is."
"Maybe kale wanted him to come along?" Claire said.
"Course he would, but I don't think this will be good for Benjamin. He's basically retired."
"He's just giving the old mane one last ride!" Amelia chirped in. "You know, I've never rode a horse before!"
Tera laughed. "Hah, you wouldn't want to ride Benjamin. Short temper, and quite frankly hard to handle. Only Kale is capable of standing up to him."
"Like I'd ride an old wrinkly horse. I'm going in the carriage." Amelia holstered her bag on her left shoulder and stumbled her way towards the carriage, awkwardly opening the door with one hand.
"I…should assist my sister." As Claire said that, she gave Tera a bow before running to aid Amelia, who was desperately struggling to pull her bag up into the carriage.
"Those two girls are quite interesting." Tera said, looking at them. "Reminds me of my younger days….Slightly. Well I should say my goodbyes to Kale before you all head off."
Leaving Tera to that, I walked my way to one of the doors. As I opened it, I saw inside that everyone was adjusting to their seats. Amelia clinging onto her bag that filled up a seat as Claire sat by her. Lilith sat next to Chris, who seemed more pleased with staring at Claire who sat directly in front of him. As soon as Lilith noticed me, she patted at the empty seat that was open.
Hopping in, I planted myself onto the empty seat and looked out the carriage window. I noticed Tera talking with Kale, But also Sura and Griffin.
"Yo!" Sura waved at me. "I have something to ask you! A Request!"
Popping my head out, I answered. "Sure, what do you need?"
"A book."
"…That's it?"
"Yes. The library in Ozoth is vast, and I heard that there might be something there that talks about blessed Children." Sura adjusted her glasses as she said that. "I'm hoping I can find out more about them for…Personal reasons."
"Huh…I'll keep an eye out if I get the chance to get in the library then. I'll make sure to bring something back!" As I began to bring my head back into the carriage, Sura said something else.
"Please be safe out there! For the sake of Me and Griffin!" She eyed me with what I thought was a concerned look.
I gave her and Griffin a gentle wave to reassure her. "We will!"
And just as I finished up my farewell, it seemed Kale did as well. Kale grunted as he hopped onto the front of the carriage. Tera moving off to the side to look at us.
"Ok! We are ready! First stop, Shanford!" Kale yelled. "Let's get it on, Benjamin!"
"Ugh…Hate when he says that." I heard Tera groan loudly. "Stay safe out there, All of you! Don't assume anything on the road will be easy!"
As the carriage began to move, I saw as the guards and everyone else slowly began to move out of our view. Everyone in the carriage gave one final wave to everyone as The trees and dirt road slowly enveloping them as we made our way onto the Prusha bridge.
A/N: The New year has arrived! Hooray! I've been quite busy with family and friends lately, so it's Been hard to push out chapters… luckily I've found time to finish this chapter and start up the next one! Also, it's almost been a year since I've created this WebNovel! That's amazing, and hopefully I'll have a new chapter ready for that day! Hope you guys enjoy this chapter!