55/3/331
Three days later I woke up. Not that I had slept for so long...
Aleria told me that I had just fainted after the clash with Meta, and we were taken back to the hospice where we had stayed on the first day. She stayed there to take care of us. Once a day she brought us food and drink. I had vague memories of those days, what I did seemed to me to do automatically, drink, eat, think, look around, it seemed as if someone else was in possession of my body, and I just looked.
After the three days, as soon as I woke up, it was like being born again, totally master of my body and my actions.
♦️
«You have finally risen, king of Triosa.» Aleria whispered to me. I have no idea how to describe it, but I had a strange feeling of security around the royal girl.
«Are you all right? Do you have any injuries?» That was the first thing I thought to ask. If she had serious injuries, the relations between the two nations would probably have been already compromised.
«No, I didn't get any hurt. Who was that man who attacked you? What did he want?» She asked me, and she seemed determined to kill him.
«All we know is that it's called Meta, and that he can do things that a normal human being wouldn't be able to. Nothing else.» I replied.
«Where is Lunim?» I continued.
«He recovered a few hours after the fight. Now he has reached the other members of the League, he called them like that if I don't get it wrong.» Aleria replied.
The wound he had seemed much more serious than mine... I tried not to think too much about it at that moment.
«Do you feel well enough to talk to the king and queen? Your men will be there, too, and they'll inform you about the positioning of Avaloria's army.»
After all, it was three days ago. The three days that would allow the men sent on reconnaissance to understand the right time and place to attack.
«That's fine.» I answered.
In a short time we managed to reach the palace again, this time, fortunately, we were not attacked during the journey, and we would not even have to wait to be welcomed by the rulers, so we entered immediately.
«King of Triosa, we have come to know of the attack by the so-called sorcerer. We thank you from the bottom of our heart for protecting our daughter.» Said the king.
Of all the possibilities I had calculated, the one in which I would be acclaimed was not among them.
«It was my priority at the time. But I did not do it to be praised. I also have a person I want to protect. I just.... Acted on impulse.» I answered trying to divert the conversation.
«When you want, you can ask us for the biggest reward that comes to your mind. Now, however, we have important news to give you. Our soldiers have returned with the results of the reconnaissance.» Said the queen taking a map of the entire continent.
She pointed to the frontier between Cromelia and Triosa.
«As we might have predicted, their next target would be Triosa. Their army is deployed at the borders, about 100,000 men. Making an estimate, they will attack in two days. So we must hurry to attack first. Our army is already at the frontier of our nation and yours. Uniting our warriors along the front line between Cromelia and Triosa we could attack by surprise.
«All right. Then we start moving our armies along the frontier with Cromelia. Tomorrow we will attack.» I replied.
The rulers looked at each other, and made a sign of approval.
«King of Triosa, we thank you again for your noble heart. But you said you wanted to kill the king of Avaloria with your own hands, right?» The king asked me.
«Yes, that's what I want.» I answered.
«Then you better get on a fast transport. We have prepared eight horses. You are sixteen, right? The thirteen remaining members of the League, your strategist, your guard and you, king of Triosa.» Added the queen.
«They are trained, robust and resistant. As soon as we attack the enemy army, you will have already arrived to Avaloria.» Finished the king. I could not do anything but accept, I then headed towards the exit, before doing so I said:
«It was a pleasure to meet you and to learn that Shiitia is governed by people who can be defined as such. The favor I want to ask you is to lead the nation as you have done until today.»
I didn't see their reactions, but I'm sure they weren't negative.
Outside the door I saw the eight horses, Lunim, Claude and the members of the League. Before I approached them, Aleria stopped me.
«King of Triosa. Thank you once again. I promise that your wish will be granted. Shiitia will continue to prosper, and we will ensure a bright future for your sister.»
I looked at Lunim, he was the only one who knew my intentions. However, I did not get angry with him for revealing my weakness.
«Eimin would be very happy to meet you, Aleria. If there will be a chance in the future, I'd like that you two could met. If you'd like to.» I finished.
«I can't say no to the man who saved my life. Thank you, Goldora.» She finished.
I rode on the horse with Claude and, before arriving in Avaloria, we went to Triosa, to my house, to report everything to Eimin. During the trip, Lunim seemed strange. I decided to ignore him for a while, but I had to ask him what was the problem. Perhaps we had just crossed the frontier between the two nations.
«Lunim, how is the wound?» I asked.
«I'm not sure. I feel no pain... The wound is gone.» He replied.
«You are already healed? What's wrong then?» I asked confused. What I was about to see, I never wanted to see. Lunim raised one of the two legs of his trousers, revealing a strange mark on his calf. A rhombus with a vertical diagonal and an X engraved on it. Surrounded by a circle and what looked like laurel.
«Goldora, I feel that slowly I am losing my strength. And this effect does not seem to stop... But I can perceive the presence of Meta, no... I see him clearly. It is in Avaloria, in a remote place, which I have never seen... He's waiting for us, he's been standing there for three days.» He replied.
If it wasn't for Lunim to tell me I would never have believed it. At that moment I saw the whole world collapse. Free Avaloria from war... I was not doing it just for Eimin, even Lunim deserved to live in total peace in his nation.
«I am really sorry. I dragged you into this. You have no duty to protect Eimin. It's all my fault that we are in this situation... that we have risked our lives dozens of times.» I had never apologized to anyone since my parents abandoned us. But, at that moment, I felt weak.
«Don't apologize, Goldora. You didn't drag me in, but I wanted to help you... Risking my life together with my best friend for the sake of his sister and an entire continent... I could not have asked for better from my life. Without you two my life would be empty, devoid of any art form. It is you two who have fomented my desire to live. Never say such a thing again, Goldora. If I must die, I will gladly do it for you and Eimin.» He answered. As we had kindled his spirit, so he kindled mine at that moment. What would be the point of my life if not to live it alongside my best friend for the sake of Eimin?
«You will not die Lunim. You will be told in the history books as the greatest of heroes. And not because I think you are, but because I am sure. We will live forever, Lunim.»
«We will live forever, Goldora.»