"Ho! Ho! Ho!" Extremely loud chant resounded from Redhulk military camp. The barrack was a place of fierce training.
Nimo Selburn could feel sweat tickle down her back as she practised her sword moves, some men watched her practice in admiration. When she first joined the Redhulk army, they had been soft on her because of her gender but she had pushed past that steorotype which earned her the praises and admiration of the soldiers.
After training, Nimo wiped her face with a handkerchief a little bit out of breath.
"Swift, the general is asking for you." Kabi, the right hand man of the general communicated immediately he spotted her.
"Okay." Nimo earned her code name 'swift' for her speed and light feet in controlling swords. She walked towards the general's tent to know why she was summoned, his tent was full of armours, a few spears and swords. The general sat at the head of the table with a map spread in front of him.
"General." She greeted saluting in respect.
Rondor Selburn sighed.
"I've told you several times call me Uncle Rondor like you used to." His deep voice sounded.
"Once in the barrack you are general to me." She said with a small smile. Five years ago, Rondor Selburn had led the Redhulk army to victory and was given the title of a general by His Majesty.
"Well let's get to the point. His Majesty asks you to return to Allon city." The general spoke.
"Did he state any reason why?" Nimo asked in surprise.
"He is His Majesty, does he have to state any reason? He says come so you should without question." He paused and thought briefly. "Though I guess he has a misson for you." he finished.
"Alright, I'll set off tomorrow morning."
"See to that."
The sun sets quickly and soon it was dark, Nimo strode to her tent. Being the only woman in the team she had as much luxury as she could get, at least she had a personal tent and a separate bath.
Though it wasn't luxurious like the one at home...
Home. These years she missed her father, her stepsister and surprisingly her stepmother.
Five years, how time flies. It has been five years since she last saw them.
As she spread her mat to sleep, her mind wandered to why her uncle called her.
What could His Majesty possibly want from her?
•°•
Sessa decided to visit the stable to see what was wrong with his horses, his father had given him those horses on his fourteenth birthday.
When the stableman saw the crown prince he stared at him in surprise for the prince rarely wandered around.
"Your highness." He greeted.
"I want to see Roro and Mentris."
"Yes, your highness."
The stableman gave him directions to where his horses were kept.
He stroked the face of Roro and scratched her mane, she snorted in satisfaction but showed no sign of familiarity. He did the same to Mentris and he gave the same reaction.
And then he knew that these horses weren't his.
"Purg!" Sessa called the stableman in alarm. Purg hurried over because his master rarely raises his voice.
"Your highness."
"What is going on here? These aren't my horses."
Purg went closer and mimicked the acts Sessa had carried out earlier.
"But Your highness, how is that possible?"
"Has anything strange happened here lately?"
"No sir." Purg racked through his brain and then he remembered. "Oh, I remember that a week ago both Roro and Mentris began to act strange, they made a big ruckus. I thought they came down with something so I called a doctor, he insisted that they were okay but they just wasn't comfortable. He said after a while they would be okay, and true to his words they became okay."
"Something happened to my horses and you didn't inform me?" Sessa asked annoyed.
"I'm sorry Your highness, it was insensitive of me. I just thought nothing of it."
Purg has been his stableman for years so Sessa found it hard to be angry with him but he was sure of one thing.
That was the day his horses were swapped with these newbies. Though they looked exactly like his horses they weren't his.
These horses weren't trained which was why they were startled when they were brought in a crowded place.
The person who did this knew his horses very well.
Knew him.
Before sunrise, Nimo sets off to Allon city on her horse. From Shaftian to Allon was about five miles, she travelled diligently only stopping at intervals to let her horse rest.
The sun was already shining brightly by the time Nimo got into Allon city the capital of Panirut. She felt wistful as she stared at the bustling city, her stomach grumbled in protest for she had not eaten breakfast yet. She dismantled from her horse and got into the nearest tavern, she ordered for stuffed sweet potatoes and a jar of wine.
"Have you heard?" A man asked from the group of men behind her table.
"About what?" Another answered. Nimo rolled her eyes, these were men who had nothing else to do but to drink and gossip all day. Her stuffed sweet potatoes and wine were placed before her. She poured herself wine and sipped from the cup.
"The crown prince had an accident." Her curiosity perked up immediately. An accident?
"I doubt it was an accident." One of the men voiced.
"If one wants to wear a crown then one must bear it. Everyone must have an eye out for his position after all he is going to be the next king." The mastermind of the gossip finalized before they moved on to another topic.
Could this be related to why she was summoned by the king?
She dropped her charges for the meal on the table and left. Craynon palace looked loomingly before her, she was ushered into the drawing room of the king. He sat at his table dressed in a black long robe and an account book in his hand.
"Your Majesty." Nimo knelt down amd kowtowed before the menancing figure.
"Rise up." Sessa Tressor III ordered. She did as she was told.
"Yes Your Majesty."
"How are things at Shaftian?" He asked. Shaftian was the borders of Panirut.
"For now, Shaftian is safe and stable."
"Thanks to the great Redhulk army."
"We dare not take the credit Your Majesty. It is after all our duty to keep Panirut safe." The king nodded.
"Well spoken, coming to the point about why I summoned you..." The king dropped the account book and rose up, his robe swept after him as he moved. He grabbed his sword and stared intently at it as if remembering those days he fought on the battle field. "You must have heard that my crown prince had an accident."
Nimo knelt. "I heard about it in a tavern and I rushed over quickly." The king helped her up.
"Well how do you feel about becoming his bodyguard to protect him from harm?"