Chapter 21: Journey

"You are going to see Marley?"

The funeral for the Crown Prince ended after a week and suddenly Vrag told Zils that he is going to see Marley. He obviously has planned this without telling her.

"Juwan will attend to you while I'm gone."

Vrag is fastening his boots. He is wearing normal traveling clothes. A dark brown hooded cape has been prepared too. He is going in commoner disguise to see Marley. The sun has not rise yet, but the night sky has turned light grey. Vrag never tell Zils until last minute, he didn't want her to ask questions, especially about Edmund.

"How long will you be away?"

"You miss me already?" Vrag look at her, teasing.

Zils gave him an irritated look.

"We have to talk about a lot of things but this week you are always busy and..." Zils stop.

Vrag rarely been in his chamber this past week. He came back at night and rise early in the morning. But he never miss out to bed her every night. Being Vrag's woman for few months, Zils knew how intense he can be. She is surprised that she can keep up with him and wondering if he use his harem while he is not with her. The unpleasant feeling suddenly surfaced again.

"What's wrong?" Vrag lifted her chin. Her face seems to giveaway what she is feeling.

"Nothing." Zils hide it and give Vrag her smile.

Vrag cupped her face and kissed her. Zils welcomed the seemingly innocent kiss but then his kisses started to get intense and his tounge is in her mouth. His hands started to explore her body. Zils' hands catch them, making Vrag stop his kisses.

"You need to go, right?" Zils gave him a questioning look. Vrag come back to reality. He shouldn't lust over her now but that smile of hers just make him want to bed her.

"You are right. I should go."

"Your Highness, are you ready?" Vrag can hear Juwan's voice from outside.

"Come in, Juwan."

Juwan came in, give his bow to Vrag and Zils. Zils reply back with a nod.

"Your horse are ready to go."

"Great."

Vrag suddenly embrace Zils, kissed her deep, savoring her lips one more time. Juwan averted his gaze to the floor and Zils gave Vrag disapproving look.

"Juwan is here." she protest.

"And?" Vrag didn't seem to care earning exasperated sigh from her.

"I think you better go?" Zils awkwardly remove herself from Vrag's embrace.

"Alright?" Vrag seems confuse on why she is not happy with his advances on her. Vrag take his hooded cape and proceed to go out. Juwan followed him out.

"Please be careful on your way, Your Highness."

"Take care of her needs while I'm gone."

"Sure, Your Highness." Juwan slightly smiled but Vrag didn't realize that, his attention drawn to outside where Edmund and his two guards waiting.

Vrag saw his black stallion waiting and pet the horse, earning a happy neigh from it. Edmund is in his disguise too. He wore servant clothes and same dark brown hooded cape.

"Are you ready, Ed?"

"Umm... Yes...Yes, Your Highness!"

"You don't need to be so nervous..."

Vrag has prepared their disguise. They are going to call him Ed and he will be the new servant that is going to accompany him in the journey. Klog didn't know that he will bring Edmund out of the Palace, so he lied to him saying he will bring one servant to take care of his necessity during the journey. Juwan has to stay in the Palace to keep an eye on Zils.

They mounted the horses. There are two more guards with them and Edmund saw the gate opened for them. The four of them ride out of the Palace and Edmund saw the Slothia capital for the first time. Slothia is huge and their city seems lively during the day. Pity that it is still dawn, almost no people is on sight.

"Next time I will bring you around." Vrag put his hood up to cover his head.

"I will wait for that day to come." Edmund reply him and hide his face under the hood as well as the four of them ride out of the capital.

***

"Juwan at your service, My Lady."

"Please come in."

Juwan entered the chamber. Zils is sitting on the table with her breakfast.

"Good morning."

"Is there anything that you need today?"

"I'm not sure. I'm being confine here as you see."

"You can consider any indoor activities?"

"Hmm..."

Juwan is a pleasant host, it's not difficult for Zils to like him. He has been taking care of her food personally and she kind of wanted to ask him about Judecca, but it seems what happened there leave deep scars for them.

"Would you like to have books or maybe some handicrafts or music?"

It earned a chuckle from Zils.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to. I have enough of those lessons back in Arethea."

"Forgive me, My Lady. I forgot that you are a soldier."

"Can you help me for one thing?"

"Yes, My Lady?"

"Be my sparring partner then?"

"Pardon?"

"I feel like I become rusty in here. Can you accompany me for some sparring?"

Juwan was surprised, among all request Zils has asked him to become her sparring partner.

"But My Lady, I'm afraid that request is not possible...to bring you to the training ground is..."

"Then let's make a training ground here."

"Here??"

"This chamber is big enough." Zils stand up and measuring the space around the corner.

"If we moved this table a bit over there we have a space."

"Maybe you should request this to Prince Vrag instead..." Juwan hesitate.

"If he is here I won't have time to practice." Zils suddenly felt embarrassed, what is she saying? She is indirectly saying that Vrag always keep her occupied.

Juwan smiled.

"Well, shall we do that? I will bring the wooden swords."

"Great!"

When Juwan back to the chamber, Zils has prepared herself. She tied up her hair and she is wearing brown pants and white cotton shirt.

"I'm ready. Let's start!"

***

"This is what I have gathered so far, Prince."

"Why did that brat leave the palace before morning?"

"I'm not sure, Your Highness. Please forgive my incompetence."

Thyr throw his goblet to the guard.

"Then you should find out more!"

The guard has kneeled down for forgiveness. He is soaked with red wine.

"Find more information and don't come back until you found him."

Thyr then throw some gold coins.

"This is for your service. You may go."

The guard collect the gold coins before he went out.

"Imbiciles."

"Please don't be annoyed, My Prince."

The skinny guy brought another goblet of wine for Thyr.

"I bring a good news for you, My Prince."

"Hmm?"

"Duke Lilla has requested Prince Vrag to take Lady Liliana's hand in marriage after the Crown Prince passed away."

"How is that a good news?" Thyr get angry again.

"Prince Vrag has rejected the request."

"He rejected? I thought he is trying to be the Crown Prince. Everybody knew that Liliana is the future queen."

"This is your opportunity, My Prince."

A smile formed on Thyr's lips.

"Shall we have a talk with Duke Lilla then?"