Chapter 22
Samuel Pov:
The three days until we left passed with a breeze. I had packed up everything I had needed and had gotten ready to go. I am not normally in the Capital since I am normally defending against monsters.
You see, my territory is made up of mostly mountains where monsters are. Taking that into account a lot of adventurers are in my towns, some are only adventurer towns. I also have retired holy knights due to the Hot-springs that people like. I am also one of three territory's of Strike that has a border with jones.
Now my border with jones is only seven miles long in the north and made of mountains. Since there are so many mountains they won't worry about invading through that area. You see Jones loves to invade Territory's and make them their own. They tried in the past to conquer ours and failed miserably. We are still suspicious of them even though we are currently in a treaty. My border to the south is also covered in treacherous mountains around 100 miles long. So I don't have to worry about them invading, but I am still vigilant.
I get my stuff into my carriage and set off for the castle. I arrive and see the Tiger beast-kin, or better known as the soldiers getting ready to leave. I set my carriage to where it goes in the caravan. It goes like this, Aaron's carriage, My carriage, the food carriage, and the storage carriage.
I get off my carriage, nodding to the knights on the way. I head up to the front of the castle and in getting into formation. When ever royalty is leaving the capital, normally there always have to be the king, queen, and if they have an heir there. But the king and queen being a suck up to their daughter, let her out when her brother already is.
Their are knights lined up along each side of the path to the carriage. I get in my spot near the front as I am the one taking her. Honestly what is it with nobility wanting to visit my mountainous home. There are only a few people that are in front of me in line. The one at the front is Darius, the Archduke of the kingdom. Next you have the duke, Barlon Whiteford, a human, he received this title from his father. His father was a great wizard like Barlon is trying to be, his fathers name is, Andi. Sadly he passed away two years ago leaving his titles and states to his son Barlon and his children.
You also have the two other margraves that are bordering Jones. The one to the left, Escawise Aumnor, she's a Human wizard like Barlon. The one to my right, next to the duke, Elmnor Escashot, is a Elf, he is known to be the greatest mage in the country defending the north border with me.
On the opposite side you have a Marquise and a Count. Merlnor Bagnor of the Jamknagia Tribe, is a Marquise, he is a fat human you could say. You also have Escanoya Escanorngu, a female elf in charge of the Avalijia Tribe, the count. That Tribe is the main producer of Wood and Ores.
Finally at the front on the other side you have the Holy knight Grandmaster Meshu Harkdas. Most people don't know much about him, all that is known is that he is a reptilian Beast-kin with wings. Then the Horns sound signaling the royalty's entrance.
The King Rex Strike, his wife the Queen, Pakora Strike, Their daughter the Princess, Aaron, come out the front of the castle. They are also accompanied by a maid, probably Aarons. They walk along the lines, The Archduke, Duke, other Margraves, Marquises, and Holy knight Grandmaster follow. When they reach the carriage they stop and Rex says to Aaron, "Be careful, stay safe." An his wife Pakora says, "Have fun."
After that Aaron gets in their carriage along with the maid. The king dismisses everyone and motions me over. "Keep her safe, also, I sent out a request for some adventurers to be her body guards during the trip. There are four of them and they are all B ranked, but be wary. You never know what someone's true intentions are. They will meet you at the gate," Rex tells me.
"I will, don't worry she will be safe on my watch. I will hire some of the retired Holy knights to help when we get there," I respond.
"Thankyou, and good luck on your journey! Knowing my daughter it will not be easy," Rex tells me before laughing. What on earth does he mean by that?
"Can we go yet?," Aaron calls out the window of the carriage to which we laugh, as good friends I am allowed to.
"Of course, of course, get going. I will see you in a few weeks!," Rex says as we wave him goodbye and set off.
We head out and arrive at gate 'Dawn wood' in around 10 minutes. When we arrive I see four men in armor on horses waiting. Looking closer they are the adventurers, an they don't look friendly. I don't know if that is good or bad.
I get out and walk up to the leader saying, "I assume you are the adventurers assigned to help escort us?"
"Yes, we are escorting you for the eight days there. That is where the request would end," He says to which I nod getting back in my carriage. I don't mention it but the king said they were her body guards till she came back. That can only mean that they are going to do something in the last 40 miles of the journey in my territory or on the way back in my territory.
From that I assume that someone wants to tarnish my name. But why on earth would someone want to do that. I live in the most uninhabitable area of the Tribes.