Song recommendation for this chapter: https://open.spotify.com/track/6akwM3md7dzP2LkK8pKk6d?si=7f6e94820b6447db
--
For their plan to work, Amelia had first to convince the trio, Lucius, Julius and Torres. Initially, they weren't thrilled with her request but came around in the end. Lucius wanted to be the one to accompany Amelia, but she persuaded him that someone had to stay back and handle the situation from there. Someone who could keep a cool head in emergencies and, of course, be able to speak, which meant it could only be him.
Although her true reason was another: Julius had seen her yield magic when she fought off the soldiers back in Zeles, and it seemed like he hadn't told anyone about it. That meant he was loyal to her, could keep a secret and was already aware of her magical abilities making him the best partner to join her on such a mission.
It all went very smoothly. After Amelia had pretended to feel sick during dinner, she was asked to rest in her room, and the physician was called in to check on her. During his examination, he confirmed that her illness was contagious and that she should rest in her room for the next few days.
Content about how well it all went, Amelia got dressed in her leather pants and black tunic, took her sword and made her way to the secret passage in the cellar. Her light movements were as quiet as a cat, and it didn't take her long to make it out of the passage into the forest and to the training grounds where Julius was waiting with her horse.
The moon shone brightly in the darkness, making it easy for the two travellers to find their path. It wouldn't take long to reach the border, where they planned to rest before starting their search. Amelia had been there when the wounded soldier had described the way to the cave where he last had seen Nathaniel, which was why she knew where they had to go.
As Julius was mute, the journey was quiet, and Amelia occasionally broke the silence with comments or remarks on their surroundings. For her, it was lovely to be outside the palace on her horse, which she had neglected ever since arriving in Lavia. She loved nature and to be actively doing something, and only now did she realize how hard it had been to keep up the pretences of being a princess.
Wearing heavy dresses every day and looked perfect all the time, all the political conversations and the fake friendly talks with people who pretended to be fond of her. It was all so different to what she had been used to. There was no more daily training making her body sore, no warfare strategy teachings or fight lessons. Her life had changed so much within such a short time that it had been difficult to sustain her sanity.
Patting and looking down on her white stallion, remembering the day her adoptive parents had gifted the animal to her, she knew it all was worth it. Her gut feeling told her that she was on the right track to finding out what had killed them and Aurora. It was up to her to avenge them and make the responsible people pay for their crimes.
Thinking about revenge made an unconscious feeling creep up in her heart - retribution wasn't the only reason anymore. At this moment, she had to admit that protecting the people close to her had become an additional factor in her actions. Although she had only briefly been in Lavia, she started loving the Lavian royal family. Patricia and Lucia reminded her of the former Rodean Queen and Aurora so much that sometimes the holes in her heart were full again. Their way of caring for her and supporting her was genuine.
She had been so adamant about helping Nathaniel because she never wanted to lose anyone close to her again or see them hurt. Nathaniel's death would significantly affect Patricia and Lucia and be tragic for Lavia. Losing their crown prince would mean the succession wouldn't be secure and weaken the country's position.
Furthermore, even if Nathaniel had ignored her for the past week and even had been nice to her in the beginning solely out of politeness, he didn't deserve to die so young. Moreover, she liked him, and respected his dutifulness, admired his attitude and knew he had his heart in the right place.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Julius, who signalled to her that they were close to the tunnel and should camp there. Agreeing with him, they got off their horses, collected wood to start a fire and ate the provisions.
"I know you suspect that I have unusual skills." Amelia blurted out, knowing she had to address this topic at some point, making Julius cough on the food he swallowed wrongly. He looked at her with wide eyes quizzingly.
"You saw my glowing sword back in Zeles, and I don't want to insult your intelligence, so I will not try to talk my way out of it. I acknowledge it now because we don't know what awaits us in the cave, and I need you to trust my capabilities. Meaning do as I say so that we all return safely."
He stared at her blankly. Her revelation was very unexpected for him. Once he absorbed the things she had said, he nodded his head slowly.
"Also, thank you for keeping it a secret and trusting me. I haven't shown you three the same faith you gave me, and that will change once we return to the palace." She smiled at him kindly, and he appreciated her candour.
--
They had only slept for a couple of hours but had to continue their journey to the cave entrance. The Lavian group of soldiers were closing in, and they wanted to be the first to find the prince so that they could avoid misunderstandings.
Leaving the horses behind bushes close by, taking their weapons, provisions and torches, they made their way toward the tunnel entrance. The entrance used to be hidden because of the wild plants which covered it but due to the group who had passed by here before them, it was visible, and the cut plants were lying dead on the floor.
They lit their torches, put on their black scarves to cover the lower part of their faces as masks and entered the pitch-dark, narrow tunnel leading inside the rocky hill part of the Helveda area. Due to their slow and cautious steps, it took them a long while until they arrived at a cave with natural sunlight shining through one of the holes in the ceiling.
It was breathtaking with many colourful flowers, some even glowing in the darker corners, a small pond in the middle and diamond-like looking stones peeking out from various dull spots. The magical appearance took both by surprise. Helveda's surface was a wasteland, yet underneath lay this wondrous place. Amelia looked at Julius. "Did you know places like this existed in this area?"
He shook his head left and right. This was unknown to him as well. "Alright, let's be careful not to touch anything. We shouldn't remove anything from here since the plants and animals contain magic." To which Julius could only nod in agreement.
They advanced further, taking one step at a time, jumping from one stone to another so that they wouldn't touch the pond and get wet. There were several such caves, one more beautiful after another, until another dark tunnel appeared.
They were about to enter the second tunnel when a loud shriek came from behind them.