It was the next morning, before they finally made it out of the trees and back onto the main road. They were cautious for a long time keeping one eye and one ear open for the mercenaries. However, they never encountered them again.
Still, Tate remained very cautious during the rest of their time in the forest and Kilnik was confined to the basket even after they left the cover of the forest. He apologized to Aliya and Kilnik but given what had happened it seemed unwise to even risk anyone seeing him.
In the open wilds they kept their hoods up at all times even though they didn't encounter anyone. Aliya was fascinated by the sprawling landscape and rolling hills. Even from the edge of the forest you could see the Misty Vail on the horizon. The only times it would disappear is when you went down into a valley. This part of the continent was not quite mountainous, but the hills were steep and tall. To preserve the horses, he often walked while Aliya rode.
They talked of many things over their weeks of travel. When they reached the Veil he told her the legends behind it. She had looked up with awe and listened with fascination. They didn't get right up to the veil but the road they took was within a mile of it. The mist towered over them casting a dim pall over the earth at times and at other times when the sun was opposite, the veil was full of dazzling rainbows.
He was glad to have finally seen it, it truly was a stunning sight. After the road traveled away from the veil they went into another forest, this one was different than the one outside the capitol because it was full of incredibly old trees and there was much less undergrowth in it. You could see ahead for long distances despite the trees. There were also inns and villages spread throughout this forest. The people were suspicious if the two hooded strangers but willing to let thier let rooms.
They continued though this forest until they emerged from its other side and then just a few days forward was the sea. The safehouse the Emperor had set them up in was an abandoned fortress on the Cliffs of Dinmier.
As they rode up to it he and Aliya took in the sight of what would be their home for the next five years. To him it wasn't a very inspiring sight, it looked run down and cold. To Aliya it looked like the finest mansion she'd ever seen.
Tate hoped the climate would grow on him, so far, he was cold and wet from the wind and sea tinged air sweeping over the cliffs and onto his cloak and skin.
Aliya stuck out her tongue to taste the air and thought the wind and smell was delightful.
The Castle was seated on a grassy knoll that was nothing but cliffs on one side. Tate could hear the dull roar of the waves crashing against rock from far below.
When they were close to the outer wall the gates swung open for them in welcome and they entered. In two neat but short lines, servants of all shapes, sizes, colors, and dress bowed respectfully to their new masters. An older woman stepped forwards when Tate pulled the horses to a stop and bowed low. "Lord Tate and Lady Aliya, we have been awaiting your arrival. Welcome to the Castle Nourii. We will do everything in our power to serve you well during your time here."
Tate inclined his head to her and swept his gaze around to all the others, he gave them the same nod of affirmation. "Thank you for your warm greeting, as you say, I am Tate Delmont and this," he pulled a suddenly shy Aliya from where she was hiding behind him, "is my ward Aliya."
Aliya didn't know what to do so she copied him, giving them all a little nod. Satisfied the original woman who soon identified herself as the head housekeeper ushered them inside as other servants converged on the horses, pulling of their packs and burdens. Only the wicker basket came with them inside held tightly in Aliyas arms.
They were shown to rooms that were three doors down from each other and told that a dinner was being prepared. In each of their rooms a bath had been prepared, which Tate gratefully accepted. He couldn't get Aliya's nervous glances out of his mind as he soaked in the wonderful warmth. He knew this was going to be a new challenge for her, he could see it in her eyes that she didn't want to go with the kind young maids who had herded her into her own room to help her bathe. He knew she didn't want to be apart from him, after all in all ways that mattered, he was the only person she knew in the world, but it wasn't appropriate for her to come in while he bathed or vice versa. She was going to have to get used to separation.
A man servant was waiting nearby to help him dress even though he'd tried to send the man away. The servant had very obviously pretended not to hear him and had just said "I'll be waiting over here sir."
Tate sighed, this was going to be a big adjustment for everyone. He really hoped that Aliya could learn a lot while here and get to know more people. He hoped she would be able to make some friends.
When he got out of the bath, he was stuffed into some of his nicer clothes and led to the dining hall. His mouth couldn't help but smile when he saw a fresh and clean Aliya dressed in a simple dress sitting awkwardly at the table.
He sat down next to her and gave her a smile. She looked around nervously. "Why is everyone still standing up?"
He looked around to then realized she'd never been in this situation before. How did he explain this? The head housekeeper rescued him by stepping in. "We do not dine with you and the young lord, my lady. We are servants not masters of this residence."
Aliya cocked her head. "I'm not a lady."
The housekeeper shook her head. "In this house you are, we received our instructions directly from the Emperor, you are to be 'my lady' to us and 'a lady' you will be."
Aliya still looked confused and overwhelmed but the food was served, and she was hungry enough to get over her nerves and eat.
"The food was excellent." Tate complimented them as their plates were cleared. He saw a man near the kitchen door smile at his comment and deduced that he was the cook.
He looked at the housekeeper. "Please gather everyone in here for a moment, there is something urgent to discuss before everyone starts their evening duties."
She nodded and soon the dining hall filled up with the few people that were not attendants at the meal. Tate left the room briefly and returned with the large wicker basket. Aliya looked at him in alarm, but he gave her a reassuring glance.
"What were you told about us coming."
The housekeeper's eyes were glued to the basket. "We were told everything, my lord. May we see it?" She asked, looking up with excitement that he was not expecting from her.
He nodded and unstrapped the lid. Kilnik popped out and the whole room gasped, ooohed, and ahhhed. Their grins were infectious as they took in the dragonling. Kilnik scurried over to Aliya after noticing that there were a lot of people present and took up a defensive stance around her shoulders, glaring at everyone as if daring them to hurt his partner.
The servants didn't step closer to him but seemed to know their dragon safety very well. They stayed back from Aliya but continued to marvel at the dragonling. He heard them whispering how cute he was, how beautiful his coloring, and what a nice pair he and Aliya made.
Aliya blushed under all the stares and compliments and after a while Kilnik relaxed too.
"This is Kilnik, and he is the third resident who will be staying here with us. From observing you all just now it seems you've been trained in how to act around dragonlings. Good."
The housekeeper nodded. "We have practiced many times in preparation for your arrival."
"Good, in that case we three are exhausted from our journey and would like to go straight to bed but no matter what the Emperor has said or under what circumstances you all came to be here to serve for the next five years I must say this now. If anyone speaks of us to outsiders, if anyone of you endangers that girl and that dragonling intentionally or unintentionally just know you will not have to wait for the higher judgement of the Emperor because you will already be dead at my hand."
He left those chilling words to dampen the mood that had been all delight and happiness at seeing the dragonling. The servants all gulped, nodded at his back and silently returned to thier duties.