Ice Kingdom:
Clang. Clutching his traveling bag in the night’s dark, Liam left behind the gates of the Ice Kingdom castle. Tonight, his brother, Jensen, became the new king. Another matter is of dire importance- finding the lost Fire Kingdom princess.
His horse moves through the dirt road leading into the outside of the castle grounds. Shadows lengthen along the tall icy trees by the road. The thick forest is the only company until reaching the nearest town one and a half hours later. Few people are out in the street, as it is sleeping hours. Flames from a couple of torches dance from outside of the buildings at sporadic distances from one another. Liam thinks of his warm blankets at home, where he could be right now. He shakes the thought away by focusing on the flames, thinking of a song in his head. A song about travel his father used to sing "... winding roads always lead me home...". Jensen and Liam loved to join King Louis in song. Liam didn't regret telling Jensen about his travel because his brother worried too much about him. Jensen would not have let him go, especially after their parent's death.
After several hours of riding, Liam decides it's time to sleep in the next town. He checks in to sleep under a fake name.
"One bed- please- a night," says Liam.
"Name?" says the attendant, an older man.
"... L- Len..." says Liam, stopping himself from using his real name.
Giving him a brief look from his notebook, the attendant jots down the name and leads Liam into a small bedroom. Liam is thankful for a bed. Even if the mattress is stiff, it feels like clouds to his body. After breakfast, he climbs his horse to traverse the Ice Kingdom border. One has to use an official identification to pass through the Great Ice Gates- a giant ice gate. A large column of ice structures on the Ice Kingdom side turns into wood structures on the Fire Kingdom side. On either side were thick thrones of ice forest. It was the best route, as the guards at the gate will recognize Liam. Leading his horse after himself, Liam took his sword and cut at blue and white branches to make way for the two of them. It was a slow process, but after a day, the horse and Liam made it through the Fire Kingdom with only minor scrapes.
Fire Kingdom:
In unknown terrain, he consults multiple paper maps he stole from the library to find the town of Ruby. He sets out in the morning light after resting the horse toward the eastern portion of the Fire Kingdom toward the Gem district.
After many small and medium cities, Liam reaches a small agricultural town with bright red leaves on trees in the fields. Liam had heard of these fields where the Gem trees of the Fire Kingdom produced gems from their buds. These Gem trees had red leaves wrapped around the shining stones above the ground. Sunlight beats down on the red jewels in the morning. Liam realizes he must be at Ruby.
Entering the town's road, Liam thinks of a way to find the lost Fire princess. It said in the book's letter that she possesses the power of Queen Ruth's magic abilities. He should try asking someone in Ruby without raising suspicion. He found a bar near the outskirts of town. Tying his horse outside a wooden pole, he went inside. Taking a seat at the bar, Liam orders a drink.
"Here you go, sir," says the bartender.
"Thank you. Would you know of anyone who has magic abilities for healing or such?" asks Liam.
"We have healers near the town’s center," says the bartender.
Liam thanks the bartender and heads to the center of town. He spots the healer's building with its sign above the door. Liam knocks two times at the thick wooden door. From within, he hears shuffling. The door opens. Before him is a young woman with brown hair that goes to her waist, but what surprises him is her natural beauty. Nowhere in his kingdom has he seen such a lovely face.
"Hello, can I help you?" asks Rosaline.
"Yes, I'm a traveler who needs healing medicine," says Liam.
"Come in," says Rosaline.
Liam enters the cottage and sits in a chair while Rosaline examines his body. A red and purple light glows from her palms as she scans his body.
"May I ask your name?" asks Liam.
"Rosaline," says Rosaline as she works her glowing palms over his arms.
Rosaline walks to a table in the center of the room. She adds green leaves to a pot. Liam thinks this young woman is the lost Fire Princess. She processes magical powers similar to Queen Ruth. There are similarities in her facial features to Queen Ruth: her long nose and enormous eyes. Liam has often seen Queen Ruth in the library next to her husband.
"Here you go. This should help your aches," says Rosaline, showing Liam a green drink that expels smoke.
"Is it safe to drink?" asks Liam.
Laughing a most cheerful giggle, Rosaline hands the cup to Liam's extended hand.
Liam swallows the drink down in a few seconds. It tastes better than it looks and is cool inside his throat. Liam stands to stretch, full of energy.
"Oh, you feel better?" asks Rosaline with a smile.
"Yes, thank you. I'm new to Ruby and wondered if you could show me around?" says Liam.
Her smile disappears while she thinks.
Liam worries she'll say “No” but she answers instead.
"I can show you around the town’s center," says Rosaline.
"Great," says Liam.
They meet outside the town's large clock tower by 7 pm. Rosaline's cloak billows around her when Liam spots her walk toward him. He leans forward from the clock tower's building.
"Let's look at the shops before they close," says Rosaline.
"Let's," says Liam.
Liam follows Rosaline around the surrounding town center. Baking, jewelry, and clothes shops have open windows. Rosaline points out each shop. They stop at the baking shop. Liam buys Rosaline a donut. Liam takes the time to think of the best way to phrase his words.
"I know this will sound strange, but you don't belong here," says Liam.
"How so," says Rosaline, raising her eyebrows.
"You are the lost Fire Kingdom Princess," whispers Liam, leaning close to Rosaline.
Rosaline's cheeks turn slightly pink.
"Will you follow me to the capital to take your rightful place?" asks Liam.
Liam watches as Rosaline twists her hands in front of the tears in her eyes.
"I will, but who are you really?" asks Rosaline.
"My name is Liam Orleans, Prince of Ice Kingdom," says Liam.