Sinbad, Flora, and I sit in silence, waiting anxiously for news from the front of the carriage. Flora's nerves are palpable, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her dress. It's only been half a day into our journey, and already we're facing obstacles.
"Take a deep breath, Princess Flora," Sinbad advises, his voice calm and reassuring. Flora follows his instruction, inhaling deeply before exhaling slowly. She repeats the process, her tense shoulders gradually relaxing under Sinbad's gentle guidance.
"How do you feel now?" Sinbad asks, a warm smile gracing his lips.
"Much better," Flora replies, returning the smile. "At this rate, we'll be in Cai in 20 days."
"You're the one who decided we stay overnight at the port," I interject, leaning against the carriage door and opening it slightly.
"I don't think you should go out," Flora cautions, reaching out for my hand.
"I'll be back," I assure her, shooting a stern look at both Flora and Sinbad. I close the carriage door behind me and make my way to the front to assess the situation. As I approach, I see the massive tree that has fallen across our path, blocking our way forward. It's a daunting sight, and I realize we'll need to use all our manpower to clear it.
"Princess," one of the senior guards addresses me as they approach, "you need to go back to your carriage. We don't know what caused the tree to fall."
"I was just trying to assess the situation," I explain.
"We'll let you know when it's safe to get out," the guard assures me. "The scouts are looking around for any potential danger as we try to clear the road."
"Thank you," I respond, turning to leave and head back to the carriage, my mind racing with thoughts of the journey ahead and the obstacles we'll need to overcome.
As I walk up to my carriage, the sun casts long shadows across the landscape, painting the scene with hues of orange and gold. Miss Motan's voice carries through the air from another carriage, her authoritative tone cutting through the tranquil atmosphere.
"Princess," she calls out, her voice echoing faintly, "you better be going to your carriage."
I quicken my pace, the urgency in her voice prompting me to move with greater haste. With each step, I steal a glance at the approaching caravan, its silhouette growing clearer against the backdrop of the setting sun. The sight of the elegant carriages, adorned with intricate metallic details, fills me with a sense of curiosity and intrigue.
As the guard stationed near the caravan steps forward to halt their progress, I notice a sudden movement—a fluffy dog leaping from one of the camels and bounding towards me. My heart skips a beat as I watch the dog's joyful approach, its tail wagging furiously as it closes the distance between us.
Instinctively, I reach out to open the carriage door, the dog's eager demeanour sparking a surge of panic within me. Before I can react, however, the dog has already bounded into the carriage, its furry form now nestled beside me. Despite my initial apprehension, I can't help but notice the dog's exuberant energy, its presence injecting a sense of warmth into the carriage.
With a playful bark, the dog jumps onto Sinbad's lap, showering him with affectionate licks. I watch with a mixture of amusement and unease, unsure of how to react to this unexpected intrusion. As the dog settles in beside us, its tail wagging contentedly, I can't help but feel a twinge of discomfort at sharing our carriage with such an uninvited guest.
"Good girl," Sinbad says, his voice filled with warmth as he rubs the dog's back. Flora appears amused by the interaction, sharing a laugh with Sinbad as the dog rolls onto them, its tail wagging with enthusiasm. They seem to be enjoying themselves, but I can't shake off the unease that grips me in the presence of the furry intruder.
Determined to escape the confines of the carriage, I hastily jump out without looking where I'm going, only to collide with a solid figure. Instinctively, I reach out and grasp onto their clothes, bracing myself for impact.
As I open my eyes, I find myself face to face with those familiar red eyes, the same ones I had encountered in the market last night. Despite the unexpected encounter, I can't help but be mesmerized by the sight of him in the mid-morning light. Before I can gather my thoughts, I hear the dog bark. i jump into his arms, I feel his strong arms wrap around me lifting me effortlessly off the ground.
In that moment of vulnerability, I find solace in his embrace, seeking refuge from the chaos around me. With tears threatening to spill from my eyes, I bury my face into his chest, seeking comfort in his presence. I point towards the dog still lingering in the carriage, its presence a source of distress for me.
Feeling his grip tighten around me, I allow myself to release the pent-up emotions that have been building inside me. Tears stream down my cheeks, dampening his neck as I cling to him, seeking reassurance amidst the turmoil.
Flora's pov
I rush towards Daniella as she clings tightly to the stranger, her expression a mix of fear and distress. The man holding her is dressed in a warrior suit, a common attire in the far north. He's the same person who intervened last night in the market, and today, he seems even taller and more imposing.
"Vider," Sinbad calls out, breaking the tension. The man, whom Sinbad introduces as Vider, turns to face me. His demeanour is respectful but tinged with sadness, adding to the air of mystery surrounding him.
Approaching cautiously, I try to reach out to Daniella, but her grip on Vider remains tight. It's clear that she's terrified, her fear of the dog overriding everything else. I whisper words of reassurance, urging her to let go, but her hold on Vider only tightens.
"The danger is gone, Daniella," I whisper softly, hoping to calm her nerves. But despite my efforts, she remains stubbornly rooted in place, her grip unyielding.
As I glance around at the guards, their drawn weapons only serve to escalate the tension. We need to diffuse the situation quickly before it spirals out of control. But with Daniella's fear holding her captive, it seems like a daunting task.
"Get this," Sinbad says, handing me a blue bracelet.
"What do I do with this?" I ask, feeling a bit irritated by the situation.
"Rub it along her body to absorb negative energy," he explains, attempting to demonstrate with his own movements.
With a sense of urgency, I reach out for the bracelet and begin to massage Daniella's body with it. The guards from both caravans cast us strange looks, clearly bewildered by our actions.
"Daniella," I call out softly, "are you okay?" But I receive no response from her, her grip on the stranger remaining tight as she continues to bury her face in his neck.
It's evident that Daniella's fear of the dog has overwhelmed her, rendering her unresponsive to our attempts to comfort her. As I continue to massage her with the bracelet, I silently hope that it will help to alleviate her distress.
As Miss Motan rushes over to assess the situation, her authoritative voice cutting through the tension, I continue massaging Daniella's body with the blue bracelet. The guards from both caravans watch us with curious and puzzled expressions, unsure of what to make of our actions.
"Daniella, are you okay?" I inquire again, but she remains unresponsive, her grip on Vider unwavering.
Miss Motan strides over to Daniella, her expression stern and commanding. "Get that canine away from the princesses!" she orders, her voice echoing with authority. The dog, sensing the tension, retreats behind Sinbad, seeking shelter.
With determined movements, Miss Motan attempts to pry Daniella's grip from Vider's form. Meanwhile, Vider stands still like a statue, his presence calm amidst the chaos unfolding around him. As I continue massaging Daniella back with the bracelet, the beads gradually turn black, surprising the guards from their caravan. Sinbad, Vider, Miss Mary, and Miss Motan exchange knowing glances, their expressions reflecting a shared understanding.
Miss Motan takes charge, directing Vider towards one of the larger carriages where he can lay down and rest. The situation begins to calm as the guards from both caravans relax, reassured by Miss Motan's authoritative presence. Daniella's grip on Vider loosens slightly, her tense muscles gradually relaxing under the soothing touch of the bracelet.