Kingdom of Ruoroa

Pointing out five boxes, Tushin turned back to Savina. "I've readied enough food and water that should be enough to last the three of you until you reach the edge of the Demon Kingdom, after that, I'm not quite sure what you'll do." Walking around the side of the wagon, Tushin lightly patted the horse that had been previously attached to the wagon. "Is there anything else you'll need for the trip?"

Crossing her arms, Savina shook her head. "You've done more than enough, Tushin." Looking back to Rio and Iseul who after having found the ball were making their way to the wagon, rubbing her arm, Savina frowned. "Well then, I guess this is where we part ways."

Following her gaze, Tushin watched the two as Rio held a one-sided conversation. "Do you trust them? It's just if the wrong people learn that you're back. Well, the implications speak for themselves."

Now watching her new friends, Savina nodded, her voice carried a faint grim tone. "Whilst I may have only met them a day or two ago when the slavers took me. I know I can trust these two. Iseul already knows who I am."

Hearing this, Tushin looked surprised. "What, how could he have known that? Did you tell him?"

"He's a Champion… Just like me. The Champion of the Hunt, to be exact. His God informed him about me, and he doesn't seem to care. I plan on telling Rio about who I am when we're on the road. They are competent fighters, Rio has some kind of portal skill that I don't quite understand and Iseul, I don't know the full extent of the abilities his Champion of the Hunt status gives him. But I'm sure I will learn more about them sooner or later."

Tushin slowly nodded. "It looks like you've found yourself a nice party Savina. I hope you all the best." Turning to her, Tushin couldn't help but smile. "When I heard that you had been killed by the Hero Vesh… I was devastated, but seeing you again." Bending his knee, Tushin bent his head before his queen. "I promise I will hold the Beasts at bay until you are ready to make your move on the capital."

Looking at Tushin, Savina lightly hit the top of Tushin's head with a fist. "Tut-tut Tushin. Stop being so serious. It will be the death of you one day." Hugging Tushin's head, Savina took a breath before deeply sighing. "I believe in you, Tushin. I'll make the Demon King see reason."

"Should we give you two a minute?"

Smiling, Savina turned to see Rio and Iseul standing behind them.

Chuckling slightly, Rio smiled. "Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt. Iseul was just wondering if we were ready to depart.

Clearing her throat, Savina nodded. "Yes, yes we are, you two get in the back. I'll take the reins."

"Sounds good," Rio replied. Nudging Iseul, the two climbed into the back of the wagon.

Offering Savina a hand, Tushin helped her to reach her seat. Taking the reins, Savina gave Tushin one last goodbye.

"You better be alive the next time we meet, I want everyone there when I throw my tea party." Savina half giggled as she spoke.

Shaking his head, Tushin smiled back. "You say I'm too series, your largest fault was never being serious enough. You better make it to the Demon King's front door first, or else there won't be a party to attend. Now get."

Lightly slapping the horse's back, the wagon began to move as the horse broke into a trot. As the wagon began to move away, the soldiers began to take notice, a few even waving them off.

Watching them go, Tushin smiled, seeing that Savina, Iseul and Rio waved back to his men.

"Godspeed to all of you." As the wagon left the campsite, Tushin ran a hand down his face. Looking at the men standing around him, Tushin began shouting orders. "What are you all standing around for! We need to get back to the Wildspire and double patrols of the border. Come on, come on!"

~~

As the wagon trundled down the dirt road, Savina put her hand up as she looked up at the sun, watching as it began to dip over the far off mountains.

"How long have we been on the road?" She mindlessly muttered.

Popping his head out of the wagon, Rio answered. "About three hours. You seemed so lost in thought, I didn't want to bother you."

Jumping slightly from Rio's sudden appearance, Savina silently looked away.

That was true, whilst Rio and Iseul had been making plans for their travel north. Savina had been thinking everything over, the current state of the world, the Beast's unusual activities, the Demon King's declaration of war and most importantly. Glancing at Rio as he joined her in the front, Savina furrowed her brow.

How to tell Rio about whom she actually is.

Deciding now was a good time as any, Savina tried to speak. "Rio, there's something I need to tell you-"

Not hearing her, Rio interrupted Savina. "There's something I need to ask before we get any nearer to the Demon Kingdom. I've never been any good with politics, and Iseul well. He's never cared."

Confused, Savina cocked her head to one side. "What's that Rio?"

Twiddling his thumbs, Rio looked over to the sun. "I think I'm quite up-to-date with our kingdom, it's just. I don't know much about other kingdoms. The Beast Kingdom, the Demon Kingdom, or any of the Kingdoms to the east."

"Oh, I see, I can help you with that." Pulling up the system with a flick of her wrist, Savina opened the map function. Zooming out, Savina gestured to the mass of land. "As I'm sure you know. This is Olozia, the continent we live on. It is divided into four pieces of land. The Kingdom of Ruoroa, where we are." Hesitating for a moment, Savina cleared her throat before continuing. "The Kingdom of Ruoroa is led by the royal family of Estia. Largely populated by humans, it also has a large population of Elves. One of the largest Elven populations resides in the Eastern Oaks more formally known as the Great Oaks, a massive forest full of monsters that the Elves have made their home. To the west is the Beast Kingdom, again more formally known as the Wilds."

Quietly nodding along as Savina spoke, Rio perked up, hearing about 'the Wilds'. "I see, so the Wild Guard is called that because they literally guard the Wilds. To stop any Beasts from crossing over and attacking people."

"The Wild Guard was formed by the previous King's second son. He always liked wordplay." Savina added. "The Wilds have basically no laws other than eat or be eaten, the only time the Beasts follow any form of law is when in the presence of Beast royalty. Be that the Beast King, his mate, or the Lineage." Pointing to the northern reaches of Ruoroa, Savina continued. "Our destination, the Demon Kingdom, also known as the Kingdom of Deauri. Deauri is a melting pot of cultures due to all the different kinds of demons that live there. According to the history books, Demons didn't use to live on Ruoroa. They migrated here from their homeland when a mighty creature laid waste to the continent they use to live on. I believe historians have dubbed the event 'The Great Schism', as apparently the creature that made the Demons flee created chasms in the land."

Barely able to believe it, Rio almost shook his head in disbelief. "How could a creature destroy an entire continent? How much power would one need?"

Shaking her head, Savina looked at the reins in her hands as something crossed her mind. "I do not know, nor do I want to know. It hasn't been sighted since and good riddance I say. I quite like my home." Shaking her head, Savina now gestured to a large piece of land on the eastern side of Ruoroa. "This one is interesting, there used to be four kingdoms, but those kingdoms formed together to create one."

"Is that even possible?" Rio questioned.

"Apparently." Savina shrugged. "It happened thirty or so years ago, when.. when the late Queen Savina was appointed Queen of Ruoroa. During that time, it seemed as if the Demon King was planning on attacking the eastern kingdoms. So in answer to the increased aggression, the four kingdoms united all of their land, all of their militaries, all of their resources to create a sort of super kingdom."

Butting into her explanation, Rio snorted. "Super kingdom" He repeated. "That doesn't sound like a very accurate name."

"Well, it's all you're getting out of me." Savina retorted.

As she was about to continue, Savina realized that the sun had set. Savina and Rio were illuminated from the dim light of a lantern above their heads. "I guess we should save the rest of the lessons for tomorrow. There are only a few minor kingdoms left. Savina added.

"It's too bad I don't have a tent stored in my portals," Rio grumbled. "I wonder how much sleep we will be able to get on the hard wagon floor.

Lighting a small violet flame in her palm to brighten her surroundings, Savina gestured to the horse. "I'll just help this one get comfortable, I imagine we have a long day ahead of us."