Breaking through King Olaf and convincing him to join us was what I had thought would take us Months to do but that seemed to be the easiest thing to do, thanks to his ward's illness. After our confrontation with King Olaf, he trusted us when we told him we were going to get Devon back and so he had 2000 soldiers at our command whenever we wanted. We went back to spend the night with Fabula and make all the herbs that will take care of the sick people of Devon when we were finally gone and the next morning we were on our way to Avalor.
"You lied to me." I said to Dolores on our way out of Torra. King Olaf had given us two of his finest horses to make our journey across the rest of the kingdoms.
"What are you saying Naya?" Dolores asked.
"The waterborne disease. You said it was a disease common in Torra but just before you got to the palace, King Olaf told me this was the first time they ever witnessed such disease. What does that mean?"
"Well, I don't know, maybe it's because… ahm… because… maybe it's because…"
"Because what?"
"Listen Naya, maybe I misplaced diseases but they certainly have a common disease in Torra."
"Wow, how convenient it is for you to lie to me about everything baffles me. You never tell me the truth and yet here I am following you blindly. I don't even know you, and neither do I trust you." The words barely left my mouth when Dolores quickly replied.
"Well, it's a good thing because I don't even trust you either. Trust…" Dolores scoffed before she continued "Naya, trust makes one weak and renders them frail of heart. That was why your mother got murdered like an animal." Dolores said and quickly regretted her choice of words when she saw the hurt and unbelieving look on my face as I halted my horse.
"You should have stopped when you said trust renders one frail of heart. There was no point saying the last part." I said with a teary voice.
"I didn't mean to hurt you or disrespect Cleo." Dolores said. That was her way of saying sorry.
"I may have been a kid when it happened but I still feel the pain. I see my mother every night whimpering in pain. You don't think that's enough nightmare?"
"She was also my sister."
"But you both grew apart a long time before her death."
"That doesn't make her any less my sister."
"I hate to fight with you. I just… I just want to achieve that one thing why my mother was killed and maybe leave her to rest with the gods. I would say we go our separate ways but as much as I hate to say this, I need you more than you need me. And if I go a different way from yours, I might end up getting in trouble again."
I spoke and waited for Dolores to maybe say something but she didn't.
"Come on girl. Let's go." I said to my horse as it sputtered and neighed before we moved.
For some time there was an awkward silence between Dolores and me before I decided to break it.
"What's Avalor like?" I asked Dolores.
"It's another powerful kingdom or Queendom as referred to by some people. Avalor is ruled by a powerful Queen, Queen Penelope. But we don't have to worry about the Queen, she was an old friend of your mother and they always did each other favors. I'm quite certain it would not be difficult to convince her to join our alliance. She'd do Cleopatra a favor even in death. The only thing we will have to be worried about is how to convince her that you truly are Naya Mongolia, daughter of Cleopatra Mongolia and the true heir to the throne of Devon and the golden empire at large." Dolores explained.
"Does she not know who you are?"
"Penelope does know me but she doesn't trust me, and I don't think she ever will."
"Why?"
"You said it yourself. I and Cleopatra were not close. Even Mara did not trust me to take you with me, so what else would you want me to explain?"
"I was only wondering."
"Stop wondering Naya, we're almost here." Dolores said and I followed her gaze to see the tall walls and gate of Avalor.
"Avalor." I muttered.
"We'll head straight to Queen Penelope's Palace."
"Just like that?"
"No, we'll stop by the market and get her a gift then dress like royalties and get some guards to lead us into the palace." She responded sarcastically, "Of course, we are going just like that."
"without a plan? You said we have to convince Queen Penelope that I'm Naya Mongolia."
"We don't need a plan to do that. You are really Naya, it's not like we're going to lie."
"I know but she doesn't know that."
"It's okay, I'll handle it. Come on let's go." Dolores said and we headed into the gates of Avalor.
Avalor was a very beautiful city mostly decorated with waterfalls. The people of Avalor seemed genuinely happy and peaceful. The breath of fresh air there was the best part of it all. I smiled and closed my eyes for a moment of peace. I inhaled and exhaled the fresh breeze that brushed my cheeks and sent sweet shivers down my body.
"You love the ambiance, eh?" Dolores said.
"Much more than anything. I never thought I'd ever visit cities as beautiful as this." I said.
"Wait till we get to Devon." Dolores said.
"You said you visited the Isle of Aspen. What was it like? Why did you go there?" I asked Dolores from absolutely nowhere.
"Let's keep that discussion for another time." Dolores responded and I nodded. I haven't expected an answer from her anyway, she was way too secretive.
We were almost getting to the gates of the palace when some guards halted us.
"Who are you?" One of them asked.
"My name is Dolores and this is Karen. We request an audience with your Queen." Dolores said.
The guards looked at each other and whispered something amongst them before they spoke up to us.
"Sorry Dolores, but Queen Penelope gave us orders to never let you into Avalor again."
"What? Why?"
"If she sees you, you might get executed. Now, which will it be? Are you leaving or getting executed?" The guard asked with a frowny and wicked face...