Chapter Ten.

The journey will be about five days on horseback, it will just be you and I. My brother will stay to keep the bar going." Paying close attention to everything I said the princess crossed her arms and leaned back relaxing a bit.

We sat in silence for a moment before she answered, "sure, we can leave tomorrow morning I don't want you to rush you. Thanks again for the clothes." A small chuckle escaped her lips as she continued, "this might seem strange but if it's not too much to ask, I was hoping that maybe you could tell me what to expect on our way? I still can't remember anything about this place." Taking a deep breath I replied, "how about we go over everything while we get ready to open. I will try my best to tell you everything I know, but you can also speak to my brother, he knows more than I do."

I got up from my chair slipping it back in so that the place stayed neat and waited for the princess to do the same. Walking side by side we made our way to the kitchen when we bumped into my brother carrying another cup of coffee. Paying no attention to me he walked up to the princess, making sure to never drop his smile, and handed her the cup. Looking at the princess, I picked up that although she smiled politely, her eyes always held a hidden agenda. Calculating every move. Returning the gesture she gladly took the cup and thanked him.

I smiled inwardly when she paid no attention to him, she knew how to deal with men putting their charming tactics. Turning her graze back to me saying, "where would you like to start? Maybe I could help, to keep me busy."

Slowing my pace allowing her to walk in front I replied, "come with me."

Khaalida POV:

Dante walked silently behind me as we made our way to the kitchen. Just before we reached the door I waited by the sink while he grabbed the key to unlock the door.

Opening the door he left me to walk out first and said, we need to check the horses from the back and see which two will be most suitable for the journey." Nodding my head I took another sip of my coffee. Admiring the place I realized how big the place was, the building itself was huge but they also had so much land at the back.

The weather here always felt the same, never changing. Today only being my second day in this world, everything still felt the same. The weather was still warm, the plants on the other hand seemed to change color depending on the time of day. When I first came to Resters Valley the sun was just about gone and the plants seemed dull in color but now it still being late morning they seemed to be just as radiant as the plants in the forest. Thinking out loud I whispered, "why do the plants change color. They weren't as vibrant when I first came?" Looking back to Dante just to make sure I didn't get lost I saw him waiting by the door of a stable frowning at me.

Khaalida POV:

The sound of their joyful neighs and hoves echoed through the barn. It brought such calmness over me, I was taken up by each beast. They were all unique, they were so different and yet all the same.

Taking a deep breath I looked back at Dante, opening my mouth I spoke, "his beautiful."

Every one of them was beautiful none could compare to the first one I saw. Looking back at Dante I watched as he pushed himself off the wall he leaned on and walked towards the first horse. His eyes never leaving the horse he said, "this is Casper, he is a Friesian horse you will be taking him. He is one of the best horses I've ever trained. You can trust him." Taking a step back he pointed to the third horse in the barn, "the grey one over there, that's his sister, Ironclad, I'll be taking her.

They are the fastest horses we own." Slowly nodding my head I replied, "how many days till we reach the castle?"

Turning to face me he said, "it depends on what route we take. The longer route will be about fifteen days, if we decide to take the shorter route it will be about four. We'll be taking the longer route since it's less dangerous and you don't know how to defend yourself." After a few minutes of silence, he spoke again, "we have all the equipment we need in the last barn, now all we need to do is pack. I would suggest only packing essentials. We don't want to overload the horses. If you would excuse me, princess, I need to take care of some business but feel free to hang around the bar."

Looking him in the eyes I replied, "sure, I'm just going to stay here for a little while before I head back." With that, he nodded his head and left.

Unknown POV:

Diary entry 20: My hatred for Eric and his family grows more and more with every rising sun, being surrounded by the same stone-covered walls my ancestors once walked through acts as a reminder of the sick and twisted ways the royal family has kept their magic alive. I will not be another one of their castaways for knowing the truth, and I will make sure every living thing knows their secret. There is still no news about the whereabouts of the princess and with every new day my men make their frustrations known, they too have the growing need to put an end to the family's rein. Later tonight we will welcome the sorcerer who will not only provide us with the key to finding a way to end the family's power but also to claim the Elven kingdom as my own.

Later that day:

Taking my free time to sit by the fire, drink in hand I let my mind wander to all the possibilities of how I will be able to rule the kingdom with justice and true equality. Getting up to pour another drink there was a knock on the door, with a heavy sigh I closed the jar of whiskey, fixed my coat, and opened the door. "Let him in Bairrfhionn, and make sure to cater for his every need. I'll be down in a moment." With only a nod he turned and walked away.

Walking down the stairs I welcomed the sorcerer, "Welcome, welcome Great Sorcerer, I trust your journey from the Kingdom of Thera was a pleasant one." At first impression, you would think he was an old frail man that no longer had time for childish games.

Placing his bag down I was greeted with a stern expression, "Good evening my Lord, it was long but manageable, if it pleases my Lord I would like to get started right away." Summoning the servents I ordered them to take his bags to his room while we made our way to the library. Nodding my head I replied, "follow me while my men take your bags to your room, I will ask the cook to prepare some food while we work."

After appointing different servants with work, I motioned the sorcerer to walk beside me. "So tell me, sorcerer, you seem to be quite old and frail to be making such a long dangerous journey with only two guards by your side to protect you. Although to some you might come across as weak to others, I on the other hand admire your will to get justice and seek the truth even though many do not believe." Looking over to the man he replied, "my lord I mean no disrespect but the only reason I have come was to repay a favor to one of my long lost friends. I do not see how any good can come from starting a war over something that can easily be taken care of by having a meeting. Before your parents left this earth I had made them a promise that I will help them with whatever they needed, but unfortunately, I never got that opportunity, that is why I am here and as soon as my work here is done I plan on returning to Thera where I plan on living out the rest of my life."

Listening to everything he had to say I had to keep myself from becoming annoyed with his tone. I remained quiet until we got to the library doors.

As the guards opened the doors I spoke, "the book is in the center of the room on that table. Take all the time you need, and if there is anything you need feel free to ask any one of the guards." He nodded and walked with his hands behind his back, he stopped just before he reached the table when he turned and spoke, "I would suggest you stay here, I will need some information before I cast the spell, and I will need to use you as my source of strength to make sure the spell will be done correctly. There should be no disturbance while we cast the spell and no talking will be allowed."

I nodded my head and instructed the guard that we should not be interrupted. Taking off my coat I placed it on a nearby chair and rolled up my sleeves whilst I made my way to the table when all of a sudden the sorcerer grabbed my arm and stuck a needle inside.

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[Chapter quotes: "Plenty of humans and plenty of monsters know how to play at being human."- V.E. Schwab]