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They would travel by carriage, with horses, because that's how they moved inside their own kingdom. In Quasar, nobody could use a horse, unless it was the King himself or the guards. Any other person, noble or not, had to go by foot or make use of litters.
Once they left the city, Celestia, who was sharing the carriage with Cassie, exhaled in relief.
"I couldn't stand those litters anymore. So slow and those poor people carrying us here and there. At least our horses are strong and very well taken care of."
For each carriage, four strong black horses, to ensure none would be too overloaded. Casie never liked the litters, because just like Celestia, she thought it was very mean and inhuman. Not that she liked the horses having to drag the around, but at least, the animals could share the heavy duty.
Their kingdom was far from Quasar. The next two days, they were traveling by land. When the third day was already ending, the carriage stopped and Cassie, who had been sleeping and her body ached from the discomfort, looked outside the window. A big ship was waiting for them.
"A ship?" she asked Celestia, who frowned at her.
"But of course. We can never arrive safely by land. Also, it would take forever to go all over those mountains. Water is the best and fastest way. Now, we must get going."
The carriage door opened and a hand was offered, which Celestia took and left the small cubicle. Cassie sighed heavily and followed the Queen's actions.
She had never entered a ship and had no idea of what to expect. Her reading was not too extensive, since it was very difficult to be able to get hold of a book. She learned how to read when she was younger, still with the old woman who was raising her, but it was not too fluid.
Thinking about it, she decided she would have to read more whenever she arrived at Rigel. A Princess was someone with knowledge and that could read perfectly. She could not embarrass Zohreh, since no one knew the real Princess was very far from there.
The ship was even bigger when Cassie entered it. The deck was huge and it had many people working around. She didn't want to be in the way and entered the cabin.
"Let me escort you to your room, Princess." A tall man wearing armor said and Cassie nodded, following him. She saw he had a big sword by his side.
"I'm sorry to ask, but what is the name of your sword?" Every swordsman would give a name to their beloved sword. The guard looked at her with his dark eyes and it was clear how confused he was by her question. "I didn't mean to bother."
"No, it is just unusual, Princess." He replied and smiled weakly at her. "Its name is Durendal."
"Durendal… It is beautiful!" She told him and smiled. Of course he couldn't see her expression, since the veil covered her face.
"Thank you. And.. here we are. Have a nice and safe journey, Your Highness." He bowed and left. Cassie entered her room and it was not what she expected for a ship. It was even more luxurious than the room she was using back at Quasar's Royal City!
She didn't stay alone for long, because at least five maids entered her room to help her. It was almost time to sleep, and when she was informed the Queen and King would stay in their room, Cassie felt relieved. She could just stay by herself, eat peacefully and sleep.
The next morning was just fine for Cassie, but she couldn't say the same about the Queen, though. She would stay in her room, due to her nauseous state.
"Your mother is not one to feel fine while sailing." Saros said and drank his coffee. Coffee was a very rare drink. Only indecently rich people, or royalty, could afford that. Cassie, of course, had never tried that and as the King and Queen of Quasar were not fond of the dark beans, she had never even smelled that before.
She was very curious when the maid asked how much sugar she would want in her coffee. She had no idea and decided to try without the sugar. The King made a face and kept looking at her with a strange face. After she took a sip and the bitterness invaded her mouth, he started to laugh.
"Oh…!" She said, putting her cup on the table and covering her mouth.
"Seems like you woke up feeling really bold!"
"I didn't know…" She said,
"I told you before that coffee without sugar was not for someone as delicate as you." The King said and Cassie looked at him and at his cup.
"But you are drinking it as if it is not bitter at all!"
"Ah, when you have lived a lot, this is the last bitter thing you had to swallow, girl." He looked at his cup and shrugged, drinking more.
Three days more until they finally made to Rigel. Cassie thought the journey would have been shorter, since the 'fastest' way was by water. She could only imagine how long it would take by land, then.
When the ship finally stopped and docked at the port, Celestia left her room and she looked terribly pale. Cassie offered her a hand and she accepted it gratefully.
"I'll have to go ahead. You both get the carriage and we shall see each other later." Saros said and got on his horse.
"What happened?" Cassie asked.
"Probably some problem none of the knights could have waited to deal with after we arrived at the castle. You know how they are." Celestia answered and accepted the guard's hand to get on the carriage.
Cassie wanted to say that actually, she had no idea what the Queen was talking about. But she remained quiet, of course. She looked around and the port was too crowded. She couldn't have a real idea of what the city really looked like.
All the way, Celestia wouldn't stop talking and Cassie had no time and space to look at the path they were taking.
"You need to be ready for Oberon when he returns." Celestia finally said and that made Cassie chuckle.
"When?"
"I received news about the war and it seems like it is about to return. His father got sick and he needs to be by the monarch's side."
"Ah… How would you know about it, if we were at the sea?"
Celestia raised her eyebrows at Cassie.
"Carrier-pigeon?"
"Ah… of course." Cassie said and the carriage stopped.
"Finally!" Celestia sighed and smiled. "I love to be at my house!"