As the sun began to set, they stopped to set up the camps for the night.
"Okay, for safety reasons, we'll set up the camps in pairs so that no one is alone," Tyrion explained.
"I want to pair with Estoria" Aluxio demanded.
"Yeah, there's no chance of that happening," Tyrion flatly refused.
"Come on, Tyrion, what do you have against me today?" Aluxio whined.
Tyrion's patience started to wane as he responded, "Aluxio, we've already decided the pairs. You're with Sebastian. Estoria will be fine with Asher."
"I'm not giving up my position. I'll take on the role of protecting Estoria, and you don't have to worry about a thing. I might even be stronger than you," Asher interjected.
"You really think you're stronger than me?" Aluxio countered speechless.
"I don't just think it; I'm absolutely sure of it," Asher confidently fueled the fire.
"AND CUT! That's enough from both of you. Aluxio, you're not allowed anywhere near my camp. Go to your own," Estoria intervened, stepping in to break up the fight.
"Fine, you're lucky she's taking your side, Asher," Aluxio conceded to Asher.
"Jealous, or something? Why would she even take your side?" Asher questioned.
"And why do you think she's taking your side?" Aluxio asked.
"Because-" Estoria quickly covered Asher's mouth to prevent him from blurting out anything else.
"Just go already," She said to Aluxio as she struggled to keep Asher's mouth shut.
Aluxio finally left, and she released Asher. "Why did you do that?" Asher whined.
"If I hadn't, you might have ended up in a physical fight with him," She explained her reasoning.
"And I would've won!" Asher asserted confidently.
"You can't fight him, especially considering he's a prince. Try to control yourself," Estoria urged, attempting to calm him down.
"Tell him to mind his own business then," Asher also conceded.
"Okay, let's go see our camp now," Estoria tried to direct his attention somewhere else.
After setting up the camps and eating dinner, everyone quickly drifted off to sleep and day two of traveling to the south began.
Everyone packed up their camps, and decided to skip breakfast except for Asher.
"Can't you just wait a few hours? Because of you, we have to start a fire and everything," Aluxio argued with Asher once more.
"Shut it! Why do you keep picking fights with a child? You're a grown-up, so act like it."
"He's still growing, so he needs to eat more," Tyrion reprimanded Aluxio.
"Uncle Tyrion, he's always bullying me," Asher played the innocent angel.
"He's the one bullying me," Aluxio gasped frustratingly.
"Estoria, save me from whatever is going on here," Tyrion complained to Estoria.
"Since Asher wants to eat, I'll cook for him. The rest of you can go do whatever you want," She suggested.
"Thank you, Estoria," Tyrion said before quickly leaving the scene.
"Estoria, do you need any help?" Aluxio looked at her, hoping for a positive response.
"No, absolutely not. Leave," Estoria firmly replied.
He also exited the scene, leaving her to prepare food for Asher.
"I want to eat popcorn," Asher demanded.
"That's what you want first thing in the morning? We went through all this for popcorn?" She expressed her disbelief, looking at him incredulously.
"Yes, please make me popcorn," Asher gazed at her, blinking rapidly with a pleading expression.
"But we don't have any kernels here," She explained, addressing the lack of popcorn-making ingredients at hand.
"Oh, I have them with me," Asher revealed, taking out a pouch full of kernels from his black coat.
"Were you carrying these the entire time?" Estoria asked, amazed by Asher's preparedness.
"Yes, they're quite important. Now, make me popcorn please," Asher insisted.
"Alright, fine, but don't complain if they burn. I can't control the fire," She warned before proceeding to make the popcorn.
***
"I did warn you they might burn, as I can't control the fire," Estoria remarked, looking at the half-burned popcorn.
"It's fine; I'll just eat the ones that aren't burned," Asher said, still enjoying the popcorn.
"Estoria, is that what you're feeding a growing child who needs more meat on his bones?" Tyrion questioned, eyeing the half-burned popcorn disapprovingly.
"It's because I couldn't control the fire, and he really wanted popcorn," She explained, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I'm usually a much better cook than this."
"Yeah, she made them perfectly before. You should try the ones that aren't burned, Uncle Tyrion," Asher defended.
Tyrion tried the popcorn, giving it a taste to see how it turned out.
"It's actually quite tasty. What flavor is this?" Tyrion asked, pleasantly surprised.
"Told you so, but I'm not sharing any more of my popcorn," Asher covered his stash.
"Aluxio, come and try these popcorns that Estoria made; they're delicious!" Tyrion called out to get Aluxio to taste them.
"Why are you sharing this information with him?" Asher asked, disappointed by Tyrion's actions.
"Where is it?" Aluxio asked Tyrion, eagerly awaiting a taste.
Tyrion pointed to Asher, indicating that he's hiding the popcorn.
"Hey, let me have some," Aluxio asked Asher, reaching out for a share of the popcorn.
"No way, it's not happening. You were the one who said, 'Who needs breakfast?'" Asher firmly refused to share.
"Tyrion" Aluxio pleaded, looking at Tyrion who was enjoying his share of popcorn that he got for tasting.
"You got some too; just share one," Aluxio insisted, going after Tyrion instead.
Tyrion doesn't give in, so Aluxio switches his target once more, trying to get a share of the popcorn.
"Apologize to me, and I'll give you one," Asher demanded, holding a popcorn hostage.
"Why just one? Can't you spare more?" Aluxio complained about the perceived unfairness.
"Or forget it," Asher said, continuing to munch on his popcorn.
"Okay, fine. I'm sorry. Now, can you give me one?" Aluxio apologizes for a single piece of popcorn.
"I'm sorry, and also I promise I'll never go near Estoria again," Asher added, becoming a bit more greedy.
"What? That wasn't the deal we had, Asher," Aluxio protested, feeling the changing terms.
"Fine, here's your popcorn," Asher relented, handing Aluxio one piece.
Aluxio ate the piece of popcorn, he was pleasantly surprised by its taste.
"I want more," Aluxio said, craving another piece of the popcorn.
"Get lost," Tyrion and Asher say in unison, making it clear that Aluxio won't be getting any more popcorn.
Estoria felt bad for Aluxio but didn't interfere.
***
They get in the carriage once more, but the instense ratting in the carriage gave Estoria a strong sense of nausea this time.
"I feel nauseous," She blurted out, her discomfort apparent.
"Are you actually going to vomit in the carriage?" Asher inquired, his curiosity evident.
"Stop the carriage," Tyrion urgently requested, "Estoria isn't feeling well, and we don't have spare carriages. I'd rather not have any vomit incidents on board; nobody enjoys that."
"Is everything alright, Estoria?" Aluxio inquired, leaning in through the carriage window.
"Do I appear fine to you?" She grimaced, feeling the nausea rise as she stared at Aluxio's concerned expression.
"You're making it worse, go away," Asher said firmly, shutting the window.
"I can't hold it any longer," Estoria exclaimed urgently.
"Estoria, step out of the carriage and get some fresh air," Tyrion advised, having already exited the carriage.
"I don't think I can, Tyrion," She replied weakly, opening the window and puking out her guts.
After finishing her bout of vomiting, Estoria opened her eyes to find Aluxio's startled expression, now covered in her vomit.
"Why didn't you move? Is your head empty in there?" Asher teased Aluxio, poking fun at the situation while laughing uncontrollably.
"I'm definitely sharing this story with everyone once we get home," Tyrion chimed in, joining the laughter.
"But why isn't he saying anything? Is he that shocked?" Estoria wondered aloud, noticing Aluxio's continued silence.
"I'm sorry, Aluxio. I should've checked if you were still here," she said apologetically, genuinely feeling bad for him.
Unfortunately, she didn't even have a handkerchief to help clean the bits off his face.
"Here, it was supposed to be for you, but the vomit on his face looks gross." Asher handed Estoria a bundle of handkerchiefs.
"Where did you get these from? And why are there so many of them ?" She asked, surprised to find ten handkerchiefs being offered.
"I remember now, you bought these yesterday didn't you?" She recalled.
Asher nodded in response as Estoria gently wiped Aluxio's face."Could you please close your eyes for a moment? I need to wipe your eyebrows, and it might accidentally touch your eye," She politely asked Aluxio.
"But you look so pretty..." Aluxio finally spoke after his initial shock, offering a compliment despite the unusual circumstances.
"Could you please stop with your delusions? Don't you see yourself covered in vomit?" Asher chimed in, looking at Aluxio with a disgusted expression.
"You think this is the time to flirt and shine, Aluxio? Get down from the horse and wash yourself; we've found a river nearby," Tyrion advised, showing his quick thinking in the situation.
"I'm fine right here," Aluxio smiled at Estoria, seemingly content with his current state despite the mess.
"Yeah, right. Get down this instant!" Tyrion insisted, forcefully helping Aluxio off the horse while being careful not to touch the vomit.
"Take the horse with you, Aluxio. It also got some vomit on it," Estoria suggested as Aluxio headed to the river.
"Alright, Estoria," Aluxio said, looking at her as if the vomit incident had never happened.
"If only you listened to me that well," Tyrion complained.
Aluxio left with Sebastian to go to the river for a much-needed clean-up.
"You both get off the carriage too; it also needs to be cleaned," Tyrion insisted, effectively kicking them out to deal with the aftermath of the vomit incident.
"Since we had to stop for lunch anyway, let's have lunch before moving again. And from now on, we won't be skipping breakfast, especially since Estoria probably got sick riding on an empty stomach," Tyrion explained to everyone, prioritizing their well-being.
Tyrion took on a nurturing and responsible role, making sure everyone's well-being was taken care of. It was possible that the king assigned him this task precisely because of his responsible nature and ability to care for others. Just like a mother looking out for her children, he ensures the safety and well-being of those under his care.
"Estoria, how are you feeling now?" Tyrion inquired, while Asher watched, anticipating her reply.
"I'm feeling much better now, thank you," Estoria replied to Tyrion, and glanced at Asher, assuring him that she's alright.
While the royal knights set out to hunt for the lunch, Estoria remained behind with Tyrion and Asher.
"What's occupying your thoughts so deeply?" Asher inquired.
"I shall not share these thoughts."
"So, you have your own secrets as well, I suppose."
"I've been observing our surroundings for a while now, and something seems peculiar. It's as if the sky has come to a standstill," Tyrion interjected.
"Estoria, We're currently ensnared within a mana barricade," Asher whispered to Estoria after observing.
"How did you figure that out?" She asked in a hushed tone.
"Tyrion is correct. Everything has ceased moving, and it's due to the barricade. I have the ability to cast one as well, so I can confirm it," Asher whispered back.
"Asher, we're sharing this information with Tyrion, and we're in this together until we find a way out. Do what's needed, and I'll take care of the aftermath," Estoria spoke loud enough for Tyrion to hear her.
"What are you discussing? Are we in danger?" Tyrion inquired, seeking clarification.
"Yes, and according to Asher, we're inside a mana barricade. The individual who trapped us here might be the assassin sent after Asher, or possibly even you, Tyrion," Estoria explained the situation to him clearly.
"I'm familiar with creating a mana barricade, but I've never attempted to break one, especially from the inside where it's more challenging," Asher admitted.
"Asher, you possess the knowledge of using mana to cast spells?" Tyrion asked, clearly surprised by this revelation.
"Yes, I taught myself how to use it," Asher confirmed, shedding light on his self-taught magical abilities.
"That's truly remarkable, Asher. Even prodigies often struggle to grasp it until they come of age," Tyrion exclaimed, clearly impressed by Asher's talent and determination.
"Asher, do you think you can find a way to break the barricade from the inside?" Estoria asked, seeking his expertise.
"I'm not sure, but I can certainly give it a try," Asher responded, willing to use his skills to attempt breaking the barricade from the inside.
"If there's any way we can assist you, Asher, please don't hesitate to let us know," Tyrion said.
"I'll need to focus entirely on the barricade, so please keep Estoria safe, as I won't be able to defend against any threats," Asher explained.
"I'll do my best to keep both her and you safe while you concentrate on the barricade," Tyrion declared, ready to defend against any potential threats with his drawn sword.
"I don't see anyone around us. Where could they be?" Estoria quickly scaned the area for the plotter, confused by the absence of any immediate danger.
"Mana rush," Asher murmured, his gaze fixed on the barricade as white particles resembling bubbles flowed our from his eyes, gradually enveloping the barricade from the inside.
"Wow," Estoria exclaimed in awe as the bubbles from Asher's mana rush continued to expand and cover the inside of the barricade.
"I apologize, Estoria. I anticipated the knights' swift return and expected Aluxio and Sebastian back by now, so I sent everyone away," Tyrion expressed his concern for their well-being.
"It's okay, Tyrion. You had our safety in mind, and I appreciate that. Let's just focus on a way out of this situation," Estoria reassured him, understanding his concern for everyone's well-being.
"I believe I can break it, but it will likely take an hour or so," Asher explained the current state of the barricade.
"I'll have to blanket the entire barricade with my mana and take control of it. That should allow me to deactivate it," Asher elucidated his strategy for breaking the barricade.
"Take all the time you need. We're not facing immediate danger at the moment, so there's no rush," just as Tyrion finished speaking a voice interupted.
"Oh my, and who said you weren't in danger, Your Highness, Prince Tyrion Enrique?" a suspicious voice suddenly emerged from one of the corners of the barricade.