The carriage ride was going smoothly as it headed in the right direction towards the elven border. So far, it appeared to not be a trap. Lyra had been focused on healing Bea on the trip thusfar with her injuries more internal from the blunt force attack. Lyra had only wrapped up her arm to stop it's bleeding.
"Ly-lyra?" asked a groggy Bea coming to.
"Yes, I'm here." she said finally resting her magic focus on healing.
"Did we win?"
Lyra laughed uneasily as she looked at me.
"Duc won for both of us it seems."
"The duck? Really?" Bea groaned in defeat.
"Quack."
"It seems he's more than just a magic duck. He's something else too. But, he saved us. I know you weren't awake, but it was scary in the moment." Lyra explained.
Oh no! I scared her?! Well… it was scary to me too. A tap of unusual power I can't fully control wasn't something I was prepared for. It's never happened before.
I don't know if Lyra could tell I was feeling uneasy, but she reached out and pet me like normal. It really helped.
An hour or so passed and the soldier stayed true to the prince's word. We had crossed the elven border where shortly after, we came to a halt where a group of elves seemed to be awaiting the princess's arrival. The soldier opened the door to let us out.
A man pushed through the group of elves to get to us.
"Lily baby! Lily where are you?!" he cried out as he came to the front of the group.
A big grizzly man with long white hair and pearl colored armor and crown stepped forward with tears in his eyes.
"What. Have. They. Done!" he yelled after seeing her appearance.
"Father, I'm fine I swear. I did it to myself." said Lyra and he walked up and hugged her close.
Father?! The king?!
"I'm so sorry you went through all of this!" he continued, "I never should have sent you. These stupid negotiation meetings. Unnecessary!"
"King Alastaire," said the soldier, bowing.
"Yes human?" said Alastaire with a huff.
"Prince Wallen awaits me, but informed me you knew all the details. Any questions before I go?"
"The perpetrator?"
"Dead Sire. Prince Wallen made sure of it."
"Good. Perhaps, relations can be mended in the future, but for now, be off."
"Yes sire." said the soldier getting back on the carriage and taking off.
"Wait a minute. Princess?" asked Bea.
"Oh, didn't I tell you that," Lyra said with an uneasy chuckle.
"And who is this one?" asked the king.
"This is Bea. She's a friend. She helped save me and get me here father." Lyra explained.
"Well then, thank you for helping return my daughter."
"N-no problem, uh, sir," stuttered Bea, who for the first time looked a little intimidated.
"Quack."
"What the hell is that thing!" shouted Alastaire jumping backwards at acknowledging me.
"It's, its a duck father. My duck Duc." said Lyra.
"Quack."
"I don't know what that it, but it's definitely not duck. It creeps me out."
What the heck king? You're a creep!
"Quack!"
"You'll have to get used to him. He's my annointed protector."
"What? Impossible." Alastaire went dead serious.
"Look, um, we can talk about this when we get home. They're coming with. Both of them." said Lyra sternly.
"So be it," said the king, giving in rather easily.
We were escorted to more carriages to be transported back to the their castle in the elven kingdom. The elves' carriages were pearl white like the kings armor and being pulled by large white elks. Some of the soldiers were riding their own along side them as well.
As we began another trip for who knows how long, at least we got to see the scenery. The elven lands were quite different from the human ones we had come from, that's for sure. Lush green rolling hills. Purple trees with the softest looking leaves. Paved white brick roads. It was awe-inspiring!
We had barely moved for a few seconds when a blinding golden light flashed around us and we were in front of a gorgeous white castle. The king and his men were dismounting and Lyra opened the carriage door for us to get out.
"Wait, what was that?" Bea asked.
Yeah?! What was that?!
"Quack?"
"Oh sorry. I guess I've just always been used to it when I'm here. My father is the foremost expert on teleportation magic. While it makes him a fierce warrior, it also helps for shortcuts and quick journeys. Although, it does have it's limitations." explained Lyra.
"That's… that's insane!" exclaimed Bea in amazement.
"You're officially where few humans have ever come," said Lyra with a smile.
"No way!" Bea lit up.
"While travelers often visit through cities and trade routes, almost none actually get to the castle. Couldn't put my little Lily in danger." explained King Alastaire walking back over to us.
"Father…" said Lyra pouting, "You're embarassing me."
"Well, I need a moment. Bea, how about you take a look at the city side from that viewpoint," he said pointing to an overlook, "There, you can see the city of Heiselrond, our capital just below, and in the far distance south, the border entrance we were just at."
"Woah! No way!" Bea said as she ran to the overlook.
The king ushered off the carriages and other soldiers so it was just Lyra, him, and me standing there. He looked at me with disdain for a moment, then seemed to shoot some sort of aura out of his hand at me.
It didn't hurt, but something weird did happen. A glowing green symbol floated around my stomach for a second. I hadn't seen it before now.
What the heck is that?!
"What is the meaning of this?" asked the king.
"I was hurt… momentarily," Lyra said instantly getting interupted.
"Hurt?! Those monsters! But this thing! Why this thing?!" he shouted and even Bea looked over.
"Father, Duc protected me! If it weren't for him, I would probably have died during the attack."
"How could Gavin do this? He. He was a great warrior and soldier. Queensgard for 60 years! He knew. He knew that if he were to pass, we would annoint another in the right way." said the king in a furious fit, clenching his fist.
I don't think I quite understand… when Gavin died, the promise I made, was more than a promise? Like a binding pact of some sort?
"I don't think it was a mistake. I think he knew Duc was my best shot. He's special father! Even in the short time Gavin knew him, he had to have thought so too to bind him to me as my new Queensgard!" said Lyra with tears in her eyes.
Her Queensgard?!
"It will at least pass a test, or die, so a proper one can be appointed." said the king storming off.
"Father!"
"Quack?!"
What?!