We were all too tired it turned out to do anything long leg trips.
The time spent on the road and the late night little party really hit us hard on the walk.
First of all, we were very slow, considering the people running, shouting, and peddling their wares energetically.
It was all very annoying, and with Anna half sleepy, we just spent enough on sweets to fill a small barrel.
Once done, we went straight for the wagons. We were more than ready to leave.
Who knew one day the city would lose its charm?
---
The sky above was grey and promised rain.
Each year leading up to winter, it rained more.
Soon enough, I heard the top getting bombarded while Zephyr was getting drenched.
" Stop the wagon a little and come in here."
He looked behind and soon pulled under a large oak filtering the rain. Once, he tied up the horses.
He climbed inside and layed down on me, resting his head on my chest.
Anna was sleeping for hours now, and rain sounded, and his closeness made me very relaxed.
We just sat there listening to the rain showering the outside and the top of the wagon and rested comfortably.
" Yesterday during dinner, we talked a little with Yelena. She mentioned a person called Juan..do you know who it is? "
I felt him tensing up a little. He sat up so he could face me.
" Seriously? ..what an asshole. I knew I didn't like her. "
" Zephyr..?"
He sighed and lay back down and told me.
" His name is Juan Felix Em. Carlos little brother..he disappeared years ago from Dharma. " he finally told more about what only he knew of Carlos and the reason for his stay. " ..Then ended up as slave somehow. "
" He is here in Malai searching? "
"..he doesn't need to. He found him a little over a year ago. King Chensler personal..well something upsetting to even talk about. "
He looked disgusted, and I couldn't blame him. I never visited, but I knew of the slave market in Malai, and ..why people were buying them.
Prisoners or war often sold, towns raided, their women and children in chains, or just being unlucky enough to be alone in this cruel world, and some sinister character noticed it.
" Is that why you two are so interested in the upcoming war? "
" Karta is a warrior nation according to Carlos. Smaller but very well trained, with enough blessed to threaten Chensler. " he laid his plans out he must've worked on with Carlos.
" In a few weeks, we hope he will ride out with most of his army and take his blessed with him. Then..I'll save his brother."
"..So easy. Sounds like you two have it all figured out."
He turned around and looked right at me.
" Tell me.."
" So, so.. just so that is clear. You decided... on your own. That to use the absence of the king to steal his..infiltrate the capital and take a single individual? And it's one of his personal slave? "
He noticed my sarcasm and didn't like it. But answered in a way that just made me more furious.
"..more or less. Obviously, there are a lot more details, but in a nutshell, good one. "
His nonchalance did really send me over.
" One more question."
" Go.."
" Were you ever going to tell me!!? I mean, if Yelena didn't spill it!? "
" Of course I was going to. Lylly...speak your mind already.."
He sat up a little further from me and looked genuinely annoyed.
Very well.
" If that's what you want..I think is too risky. You know next to nothing of Tetra.. no one does. You like to..what!?? " I let my angry thoughts surfaced, and once started, it was hard to stop.
" Cut yourself through everyone? How many kings leave their lovers unattended!? It's a stupid plan!! "
He didn't answer because my loud voice woke Anna up. I went and picked her up as he went outside silently, a minute or so later we were back on the road.
How does he not see it?
I can't believe Carlos would ask him for something like that. Even if the armies won't physically be there..what makes them think the fucking King will leave his harem unattended and just free to be taken?
I kept my eyes on his back as Anna just sat in my lap in silence...Ehlite..she heard us.
The absolute worst was how he planned this for probably weeks now and never mentioned it. Not a a word.
My best guess he would've waited until a day or so before and tell me then, so it would be too late to do anything.It felt like he didn't trust me.
It hurt me. Fuck..it hurts.
---
We didn't speak for so long it was unbearable.
He only interacted with Anna, who 100% heard me screaming like that.
I wanted to say something..but,was just too angry. I needed to talk to someone! Have them confirm that this is indeed insane.
I loved Carlos and Ciren and I understood what it means to him..after all I have a little sister too. But this and that are different.
I believe in his ability..but the tasks is too big, it's too dangerous and from what I heard..no backup of any kind. He said..I'll save his brother, not we.
I other reason I felt bad because he mentioned more more details but, I blown up before he could spill. Now there's no chance..I doubt he would even talk to me.
I never see this cold or distant. Not even when he woke up and scared me to death.
" It's time princess.. go inside and rest. You might even wake up in your own bed."
" Dad?..you angry? "
I looked up from my still full plate and saw how hard he tried to make her at ease.
" No..not anymore. Come here.."
She hugged him strong and when meeting his eyes I almost didn't recognize him. He looked furious for a different reason.
I looked at Anna.. I suppose it's my fault she feels like that.
She is only five but, smart and knew how to listen quietly. I unloaded all that shit on her like a..damn it.
He took her inside the wagon without looking at me..
I wanted to cry from everything but held it back.
Looking up at the night sky. I couldn't believe how it started...and now how it ends.