Chapter 13: Momentary Bliss

The journey from Saladan to the capital of Midland was long and taxing, but there was something invigorating about the trip. The farther they ventured, the more the landscape changed, from the cramped, chaotic streets of Saladan to the open roads flanked by lush fields and dense forests. Prince Belin, Princess Liria, Tia, and the guards moved cautiously, their faces cloaked in hoods to shield their identities from prying eyes. The air was thick with tension, but the promise of reaching the capital kept them moving forward. They needed supplies, food, and rest, but more than anything, Liria was eager for a change of scenery.

The capital of Midland—known as Aralis—was a stark contrast to Saladan. Where Saladan had been a place of squalor and seedy alleyways, Aralis was a city of grandeur. The streets were wide, lined with neatly cobbled stones, and the buildings stood tall and proud, their white facades glimmering in the sunlight. Fanciful banners waved in the breeze, announcing the various merchants' guilds, and the scent of freshly baked bread and roasted meats filled the air. The buzz of busy marketplaces blended with the occasional clop of hooves on the cobbled streets as horses pulled carriages to and fro. The city seemed to pulse with life, and Liria could not help but feel the weight of its grandeur.

"Do you think we'll find what we need here?" Tia asked as they walked down one of the main streets, her voice tinged with uncertainty. They passed a string of merchant stalls, each selling trinkets, fabrics, and jewelry, but the tension that hung in the air made even the seemingly mundane feel surreal.

"We will," Belin replied, his voice steady but low. He glanced at Liria, who had fallen into a quiet reverie. "But we need to keep a low profile. No one can know who we are, not yet. And we'll need to find a place to stay."

Liria nodded, her mind already turning in a different direction. The prospect of finding books—the kind of books that had always soothed her mind—was enough to distract her for a moment from the tension that gripped her chest. Since childhood, she had been an avid reader. The love of books had been nurtured by her mother, Queen Namia, who would read to her every night before bed, starting when Liria was just five years old. They would sit together, curled up by the fire in the warmth of the royal chambers, while her mother's voice wove tales of distant lands, magical creatures, and brave heroes. It was from her mother that Liria had inherited a deep love of stories.

Liria's favorite books back then had always been the tales of ancient heroes—stories that took her to places beyond the walls of the castle, beyond the world she knew. Those books had filled her mind with hope and possibility, teaching her the importance of courage and kindness, and they had made the world feel less like a cage. She would ask her mother to read them over and over again, even when she had already memorized the words.

"Do you think we could find some books?" Liria asked her brother quietly, her voice soft but filled with an eager curiosity. "I would like to visit the library here."

Belin looked at her, his expression thoughtful. "A library? Here in the capital?" He glanced around at the tall buildings. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to look. But we need supplies, Liria. We have to be practical."

"I know," she replied, her eyes lighting up as she spoke. "But books have always helped me think clearly. Please, just for a little while. I won't take too long."

Belin's lips twitched into a reluctant smile. "You always were the bookish one. Fine. We'll make it quick."

They made their way to the central square, where a large stone building stood, adorned with banners of every colour. It was the Midland Library, and it was an imposing structure, with tall, arched windows and a set of grand stone steps leading to its doors. Liria's heart quickened at the sight of it. This was no ordinary library; it was a place of knowledge, a vast archive of the world's histories, stories, and wisdom. She could already imagine the rows upon rows of shelves stacked with books, the scent of old paper and ink filling the air. It was the kind of place she could get lost in for hours.

Inside, the library was just as grand as she had imagined. Long rows of shelves stretched far into the distance, with towering bookshelves carved from dark wood. The air was quiet, save for the faint rustle of pages turning as a few scholars hunched over their work at large tables scattered throughout the room. Liria's eyes darted from one shelf to another, her fingers itching to pull down books and devour the words.

She turned to Belin, her voice soft as she asked, "Do you mind if I look around?"

He gave her a nod. "Go ahead. Just be quick. We'll need to check in with the guards about our next move after this."

Liria smiled gratefully before she disappeared down one of the aisles, her feet light as she moved among the shelves. She ran her fingers along the spines of the books, each one a treasure waiting to be uncovered. She found herself drawn to the sections about history and mythology, the stories of distant lands and ancient kingdoms.

As she explored, she came across an old leather-bound volume titled The Legends of the Sea, and it immediately caught her attention. She had always been intrigued by the sea, having heard countless stories from her mother about the village of Aberdale, where the people lived in harmony with the water. As she pulled the book from the shelf, a strange sense of nostalgia washed over her. Her mother had often spoken of Aberdale and its people—how they were believed to possess a connection to the sea, and how their ancestors had wielded powerful magic.

"Do you think she would like this one?" Liria asked herself quietly as she flipped through the pages. The thought of her mother, Queen Namia, struck her heart with a sharp pain, but it was also a reminder of the world she had once known—a world that felt so far away now.

Meanwhile, outside the library, Prince Belin and Tia had made their way toward a small, discreet infirmary that catered to soldiers and common folk alike. One of the guards, Banrik, had suffered a grievous injury to his hand during their escape from the assassins—a deep, jagged wound where three of his fingers had been severed in the skirmish. Though Banrik had insisted it wasn't anything to worry about, Belin knew better. The injury was serious, and it needed attention.

Inside the infirmary, an elderly healer named Master Tan tended to Banrik's wound with a steady, experienced hand. He had a calm presence, and his eyes were sharp with knowledge. After inspecting Banrik's wound and cleaning it thoroughly, Master Tan nodded in approval.

"It's fortunate," he said, looking up at Belin. "There's no sign of infection. With proper care, he should be able to use the hand again, though the fingers will never fully heal. Still, the worst has passed."

Belin let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "Thank you, Master Tan."

The healer gave him a simple nod. "It's my duty. You'll want to keep it bandaged and clean. No hard labor for a few weeks, and he should heal well enough."

Belin thanked the healer once more before heading back to the library to find Liria. When he arrived, he found her with a book in her hands, her brow furrowed as she read intently.

"We need to go soon," he said gently, not wanting to disturb her too much. "We've got what we came for. Did you find something?"

Liria glanced up, her face lighting up with a mix of excitement and sadness. "I did. I found The Legends of the Sea. It's just a book, but... I think it will help me feel closer to Mother."

Belin's expression softened. "I understand. I think we could all use something familiar right now."

After a brief moment, Liria stood, tucking the book under her arm. "Thank you for letting me come here. Let's go back to the homestead."

With that, they left the library. It had been a good day, one of the few where they could forget, even if just for a moment, the dangers that loomed. But they knew, deep down, that their journey was far from over.