Chapter Twenty-One

Simon had spent the last two days preparing the wagon as I was working on my speech for when I speak with the king of the Northern Kingdom. I'm a trader to my family and kingdom convincing them to join me seems almost impossible. This will not be my first time standing in front of a royal family. I wasn't allowed to talk, but I have closely observed the king in these meetings. That is how he made so many enemies, as long as I do the exact opposite that he did, I might be able to get somewhere.

"Your majesty, I apologize for barging in here like this but I have an urgent matter to bring to your attention and I would like you to hear me out," I whispered to myself before shaking my head no.

"There will be plenty of time to prepare on the road," My thoughts whispered in the back of my mind. Taking a deep breath. I marched out the door to meet with Simon and Jupiter by the wagon. Builders within the village have been working day and night on a stone wall surrounding the village with a giant limestone gate in the front.

Simon was hooking up the horses to the wagon as Jupiter was packing in the last few bags into the back. I walked up to him and peered into the back before he closed the doors and locked it up.

"Jeez, is all that necessary? it's not that long of a trip," I said.

"I asked Simon that same question, he said yes before I could finish speaking," He said peaking his head around the corner at Simon.

"He's been a bit stressed lately with everything going on, not to mention he doesn't agree with my decision to take the kingdom back... I'll talk with him," I spoke quietly before strolling over to Simon.

I stood by the side of the wagon waiting for him to finish what he was doing or to at least look in my direction. He gave me a few side-eyes before turning his back and pretending I wasn't there. Pressing my shoulder up against the wagon, I moved my head to one side trying to see what he was doing.

"Simon?" I was only able to get one word out before he loudly blurted out "no!"

"What's no?" I was barely able to finish my question when he lowered his voice and said "I don't like any of this... you are free from him, free from that place and now you are doing everything in your power to go back."

"I've already tried to explain my decision to you and everyone who has asked, there is nothing more that I could say that could make any sense," I attempted to speak in a calming voice, but I don't believe it came out that way.

"It will take four weeks to get to the Northern Kingdom, best find a seat." He spoke softly and I chose not to question why the trip would suddenly be four weeks rather than the six to seven he said it was before.

Climbing onto the wagon I took a seat in the furthest from Simon. Jupiter sat in between Simon and me, he gave me a look as if he could feel the tension flowing around him. With a snap of the reins, our journey has begun.

Weeks had passed since we left the village.

Simon and I had barely spoken a word the entire trip, we had only given each other sideways glances over every meal. I tried to say something but every time I opened my mouth, nothing came out. I wish I had time to say something to him, clear the bridge some would say. But there are some more pressing matters calling for my attention. We have arrived at the Northern Kingdom yesterday night and after panicking all night and a well-needed shower I am now waiting to see the king.

"Princess Kristy of the Knights Kingdom, the high lord Jarrick is ready for you," an older man wearing light blue robes spoke from the doorway of the courtroom.

Standing from my seat I walked over to the man, his robes reminding me of a frozen river the closer I got. Without a word, he guided me into the large, round room with a single throne on top of a pedestal. Sitting upon the throne was the high king of four lands Jarrick, last name unknown. Confidence raged off of him as stared down at me, watching every step I took. Walking into the middle of the room, I turned to face him.

"Your majesty," I said while bowing my head and continuing with "Thank you for seeing me on such short notice."

"Kristina Moran... tell me, why do I own the pleasure of having the princess of the Knights Kingdom standing in front of me?" He spoke loudly, almost as if he was shouting.

"High King, I am not here on behalf of the king nor the kingdom... I do not stand in front of you here today with my title of royalty, I am here as a traitor to the king seeking assistance," I said with the voice of a console woman.

"A traitor? Of the king? I have to say I'm impressed that you still have your head," he said, relaxing his posture.

"I would tell you about my little adventure but unfortunately I didn't come to discuss my journey." He cut me off, speaking louder than before "Yes, you mentioned you were seeking assistance?"

"Although I'm not here on behalf of the kingdom I am here for the people who live within the kingdom, My friends and family are still there, suffering by the king's hands, I am asking for your help overthrowing the king and freeing the people," I straightened my back and looked him straight in his eyes before speaking.

"Why would I get involved in a war between the king and the Wolfren Kingdom?" He stood from his throne.

"The Wolfren Kingdom is afraid of your power, the second they see your army they run back to where they belong and the King's soldiers are inferior to yours, losses will be minimum at best and you will go down in history as the man who brought down the king," My hands begun to shake as he slowly marched down the marble steps.

Standing a few feet away he brought a hand to his chin, making the ugliest thinking face I've ever seen. Waving his servant over, he looked up at me with a curious face.

"Give me some time to speak with my commander, he will show you and your friends around to kingdom while you wait," He said gesturing to his servant.

He led me through halls painted with white and lined with gold. I couldn't help but think about my old home, how the walls were made from bricks that had darkened with time. Without hesitation, I knocked on Jupiter's door not expecting to see Simon whatsoever. To my delight he answered rather quickly, only eyeing me up and down with slight shock.

"Aren't the royal robes for the Knights Kingdom black?" He asked."They are, Blacks not my color," I said, crossing my arms and giving a quirky smile.

The king's servant called his attention quickly "Where is mister Simon?" he asked in the softest voice, sounding as if he was afraid to speak.

Jupiter looked at the man with kind eyes and said "He's meeting if an old friend." My nerves got the better of me and I blurted out "We should probably get started, so there will be no need to keep the king waited when he is finished." It only took one look from his old eyes to see my panic sweating through my skin.

He took us to the roof of the castle, overlooking the four lands the king rules. I could hear Jupiter saying "It's nice to get some fresh air." He's only been inside for less than twenty-four hours. The older man pointed to each land describing its history and how the king became its ruler. As interesting as everything he was saying is, I couldn't bother myself with listening. My worries towered over his words as if he wasn't even there. "What if he says no? How am I supposed to face the king alone?" I thought to myself before to work out a just-in-case plan. It felt like only minutes when the servant tapped my shoulder and guided me back to the king's console room. Walking in, I held back my surprise in seeing a woman dressed in full body armor, standing by the king. She began to bark out questions toward me the second her eyes caught mine. Minutes, maybe half an hour passed by the time I stopped listening to her questions looked straight at the king.

"So, you can't say what the king has been up to in current days," Her voice becoming rough as she spoke.

I chose not to answer her question since I've already answered it seven times. I looked up at king Jarrick making his thinking face again. I waited for him to speak, his words were all I cared to hear now.

"Nothing to say!?" The woman barked.

"Enough Jas, you have made your thoughts known to the floor... Kristina, I have one last question for you, What do I get if I help you?" Jarrick finally spoke.

After thinking a few seconds I responded with "An alliance and the growth of your kingdom, name, and power."

"Jas here, if you couldn't tell is commander of my army, she will lead no more than a thousand soldiers to aid you... but she calls the shots and will report back to me if you go back on your word, are we clear?" He asked in a stern voice.

"Yes your majesty," I bowed my head to him and her before excusing myself from the room.