13 Chapter 13: In The Plains

The wagon shook at every uneven turn in the road. The open fields were, in many eyes, considered to be beautiful. Even though they already past a few villages, the field never ended. Patches of forest decorated the landscape and Kriemhild could not help but found it breathtaking.

At first Kriemhild was against the idea of taking sa detour. What should've been a twelve hour ride to the capital now turned into a two day journey just to avoid checkpoints as much as possible. Adelaide was rumoured to be dead and she was a princess of Bolsung that fled from her kingdom to join another. They couldn't afford to risk their plan so early on.

And so what she presumed to be a restless journey, was now a gorgeous sightseeing event that she could only experience every so often. The grass almost glistened underneath the sun, with the wind breezing softly in her face.

"You loving the view princess?" A feminine voice called out to her from the front of the carriage. It was quite large, enough to almost fit the road with the Quarter horses unconcernedly striding the path.

"Aye, but please miss Amy, just Kriemhild is fine. No need to be so formal."

Amy laughed. "Why am I not surprised? A princess of Bolsung truly do know the common people well."

Kriemhild heard the playful tone of Amy's voice but she couldn't think of a good response. The irony of her words brought some thoughts of reform that she would like to achieve once all was said and done.

"Oh Kriemhild, don't worry about it. You aren't like those brutes like that uncle of yours. All brawn but no brains I tell you." Amy answered the silent notion of the princess.

Kriemhild merely gave a hollow chuckle, "I wouldn't say he was stupid but more aggressive is the word. When it comes to military matters, he is certainly the one I look up to the most."

She couldn't blame Amy for thinking that way. Bolsung has a notorious reputation to be incredibly bloodthirsty and ruthless, but there was a reason why the were the crux of the military defence against nations outside of Eddan. The same reason why going up against them was as suicidal than it should be at the moment.

The Four Horsemen.

When the order of the Horsemen was established by king Hermann the Bold, it struck fear into the hearts and minds of those who knew their name and affiliation. Valhalla was the one with the richest history but Bolsung had the most powerful army, even moreso than Lombard.

Unlike many other nations in Eddan which relied on their trade like New Venetia with there blossoming businesses and Valencia with their mercenary commodity, Bolsung created the Four Horsemen as a system of governance revolving around conquering countries outside Eddan. The king gave them complete authority in waging war independently across the lands unknown, amassing multiple domains, relationships and armies. Essentially thriving in war and bloodshed and Kriemhild detested her ancestor's tradition.

"Indeed, the might of Bolsung is nothing short of outstanding but everyone has a weakness. We just need to capitalise on it." Adelaide joined in their conversation.

"A king that could wage war by himself is no joke, you should be wise to not underestimate them." Kriemhild was surprised that Allendis gave his thoughts on the matter. He was usually quiet most of the time.

"Whether they be kings or gods, anybody could be killed. King Gunther is no different from a man." Adelaide told him.

"I like your confidence but make sure it does not turn into arrogance." Allendis retorted.

"Alright you two, break it up! We can't have another debate on who's more logically sound. Business will dry up soon if you keep this mood up!" Amy barked at the two of them.

"Let them be miss Amy, it's not like we'll get customers in the middle of nowhere." A young boy told her to which the traveling merchant just grumbled.

"Don't worry about it Tyke. Young ones like them will attract more attention than Amy's good looks. Shame we couldn't use them." The short old man said.

"Sorry about that old man Gort, but we really need this operation to be as quiet as possible." Allendis said while he was looking out at the back of the wagon.

Kriemhild looked over towards her new companions. Before she returned to Allendis and Adelaide, they told her that they needed someone to transport them to Valhalla. It would be one thing to directly travel to the empire but Bolsung already mobilized their generals and so, taking a detour was an optimal choice.

To mask their movements, they hired a traveling merchant group that could take them from Bolsung to Valhalla using their trade routes that each and every business people use for their specific transactions. Amy's company was more than willing to make a deal in exchange for their own safety. A win-win situation.

"How's Cecilia doing? Is she alright?" Amy called from the front.

Kriemhild looked over to the girl who was curled up into a ball. Cecilia said that she had a mild case of motion sickness and so, she was now asleep until they reached the capital.

"The medicine should kick in now, just let the lass rest!" Gort said.

Kriemhild looked over the sleeping woman and gently touched her forehead. At first, her temperature was only slightly hot, but then the temperature kept getting higher and now she felt like a smoldering magma.

"Miss Amy! Cecilia is burning up! Something is wrong with her!"

"What?!" Amy stopped the wagon to come and check on Cecilia. She gently lifted Cecilia's head and gave a feel of her neck then her breathing.

"Gort! Hand me two piece of North Sun, a vial of Fairy Dust and some clean water!" Amy ordered her colleague.

To which Gort followed her instructions as he grabbed all the thing Amy needed from the boxes beside him. Kriemhild admired their synergy in times of crisis but she had no time to think up such thoughts.

Amy grabbed the ingredients and began preparing the medicine. She plucked the blue icy petals of the North Sun, then extracted the essence of it using a mortar and pestle while also mixing in some Fairy Dust and adding some water. After thoroughly stirring the ingredients, Amy slowly placed it in a clean vial before making it drink to the sleeping woman.

"What happened to her?" Adelaide asked the business woman.

"I don't know. Did she tell you anything about her health condition?"

Adelaide shook her head, "Nothing."

"For now, we can't let her condition get any worse. Her mana gate might spike up again, we'll just have to get to the capital as fast as possible. Until then, look after her. " Amy returned to the front to drive the wagon faster than before.

Kriemhild grabbed another blanket to cover Cecilia. She was shivering all over, so the Kriemhild placed her head on her lap and caressed her hair. The Bolsung princess just noticed how soft and silky Cecilia's hair is. Like a well made sheet that royalty used for their beddings.

"Sister..."

She heard Cecilia breathed out a word. It was as if the woman was asking for help, she didn't know. It wasn't the first time that Kriemhild had done this but somehow it felt different when it was her. She leaned in and whispered into her ear that made her stop shivering.

"...Your sister is here. Always."

Kriemhild smiled at the young woman's peaceful visage. It reminder her when her own sisters became tired after a sparring match. They would always cuddle up like a bunch of wild puppies and she couldn't help but laugh at the little carefree time they had all to themselves.

"We have some trouble." Allendis said as he grabbed his sword, ready to draw it.

Kriemhild carefully stood up as to not wake up Cecilia and joined Allendis at the back of the wagon where they could see the tracks that they went through.

"What is it?" Kriemhild asked.

"Look closely. Do you see them now?" Allendis pointed at the edge of their view and saw a group of men in gray coats, heading towards them on horseback.

"Who are they?" Adelaide asked as she joined in on the two. She had her axe ready on both of her hands.

Kriemhild recognised their colours and it seemed like Allendis knew that fact well. "What are the Diafots doing here?!"

"You know the reason, don't you?" Allendis asked her, his tone was laced with sarcasm.

She knew. She absolutely knew why. She just didn't want to believe that her uncle would just call in the help of those people.

"Care to shed some light on the situation?" Adelaide asked her.

"The Diafots are diplomats and agents from the Eastern Citadel, far away from Eddan. Recently, they had been contacting Bolsung."

"What did those bastards want this time?" Allendis asked.

"...I do not know."

"You don't know?" Allendis glared at her. She noticed that he has his sword ready. She couldn't blame him really.

"They may have some business here in Eddan. Maybe my uncle gave them access inside Eddan and in exchange, they want me back."

She should've known that the Diafots would be involved. Facing off against their common men was not the issue, she was sure that both her and Allendis could defeat them. What troubled her was another horrible fact. If the Eastern Citadel was being involved then that could only mean one thing.

The storm will rage.

An old saying she heard when she faced off against one of those monsters. It was the only time, she did not relish combat. It was the first time that she wished that she hadn't held a sword at all.

"Get it together, I have a plan." Her thoughts were broken by Allendis.

She saw his hand were no longer at the hilt of his sword but at her shoulder. This time, she was the one who couldn't stop shivering. Her palms were sweating and her lips trembled at the memory.

"Adelaide, I want you keep them safe. Kriemhild, you're coming with me." Allendis stood up and opened one of the crates in the wagon only to grab a bow and arrow.

"Do you know how to use a bow?" Allendis turned to her and asked. Kriemhild shook her head and in an instant, she was already holding a crossbow.

A deadly weapon that requires no skill to fire. She almost gagged at the thought. It was like it was made to be an insult to warriors like her. To defeat an opponent who trained their entire lives to a weapon of their choice, mastering it to perfection only to be killed by a stray arrow from crossbow. It made her blood boil.

"Use that. Knock an arrow, aim, then pull the trigger. Make sure you aim either at their heads or their horses."

Before she could protest, Kriemhild watched as Allendis pulled the string of the bow and released the arrow with speeds that she wasn't used to. She did not like using such weapons in combat.

The arrow ran straight through between the Diafots's eyes and another one. Their were six trying to chase them and only two remained.

One of the men on horseback pulled out a crossbow with bolt already knocked in. Kriemhild saw this and aimed her own crossbow, shooting it at the same time as the man did, killing him and hitting Allendis, piercing his shoulder.

"Are you alright?!" Adelaide tried to check on him but Allendis stopped her.

"I'm fine. Kriemhild! Cover me!" He clutched his bleeding shoulder.

Gort went to Allendis and assisted him with removing the bolt. She heard a pained grunt from him.

"How are you feeling, lad?" Gort asked.

"A minor annoyance." Allendis stood up and grabbed something inside his coat. A small metal ball, barely the size of an apple. He attached it at the arrowhead and aimed at them.

But before he could let go of the string, an arrow from the side pierced through them with extreme proficiency, hitting two men with one hit.

"What the...?" Allendis breathe out.

Another arrow stabbed through a man's heart and another and just like that, the group of Diafots chasing them were wiped out in a single moment. It wasn't Kriemhild and it definitely wasn't Adelaide or Allendis.

Allendis almost fell down but Kriemhild managed to catch him. "That was something." He said.

"Aye, it was." She helped him sit down and examined the wound. "Are you alright?"

"It's just a bolt. It's a good thing those idiots have shit aim. Thanks."

"Are we good back there?!" Tyke asked them. He was clearly frightened at what just transpired. Kriemhild could tell that the boy was not used to cornering situations like this one.

"There fine! So stop your yapping and keep driving! We have a sick lass and an injured here!" Gort shouted at the young boy.

Allendis looked over to Adelaide and Cecilia. "We're fine. Thanks to you."

"What the hell just happened?" Allendis asked.

"That wasn't you, right?" Kriemhild asked. Her eyes might be playing tricks on her but she was sure that Allendis did not shoot those arrows. The precision was clearly wielded by a master.

"Care to explain to me what is going on? Maybe we should start with the Diafots, Kriemhild." They both turned to the voice of Adelaide. Kriemhild knew that she didn't know much about the world outside Eddan. And while she too knew little about outside the border, she does havde some knowledge about Bolsung's ventures.

"What do you suppose those Diafots agents doing here?" A question that has been asked again yet it was the one thing that lingered in all of their minds. Adelaide looked over to Kriemhild for an answer.

"I do not know. I swear to you that I had nothing to do with this."

Adelaide sighed, "Forget it. Arguing between us will do us no good. There is also the matter of..." Before she could finish her sentence, Allendis placed a finger in her lips.

"Quiet. Do you hear that?"

"Horses?"

He nodded. "But not just ours."

Kriemhild heard the galloping of horses from the sides getting closer and louder. She gripped the hilt of her blade in case these men are bandits, attempting to steal from them. It seemed like everyone in the wagon had the same idea.

"Hello?" A voice came in the right. "Is anybody here? You guys are not dead right?!"

"Was that...a girl?" Gort questioned.

"Is this the way to treat your saviours? Hello?!"

"Amy stop the cart." Adelaide ordered her to which she obliged her client.

The wagon slowly stopped as Amy and Tyke went back to Cecilia while the everyone got out of the wagon to meet their guests.

"Finally! We managed to..." Her sentence was stop with a blade near her neck.

"Who are you and what do you want?" Allendis asked darkly. He was not taking any chances.

"Let that girl go or I will do to you what I did to those poor saps." This time, it was a man's voice that came behind them. He was aiming the bow and arrow with cold look on his eyes even underneath his strangely patterned bandana.

"We came and help you and this is the thanks we get? Fuck off my sister!" The man yelled at Allendis, threatening to loosen his hold of the arrow.

"Sure, after you tell us what you want? Is this a ploy to get our goods? You've got a good eye, I'll give you that one."

"We are not bandits!"

"Paint me impressed."

"Enough! We don't have to fight!"

Surprisingly, it was neither Adelaide or Kriemhild who ordered, but the girl who was being held at the blade.

"Shut up Sakae! This guy's trying to kill you!" The man drew his bow farther aiming at Allendis.

"And we are strangers who helped them out of nowhere! Of course they're gonna react like this!" The girl named Sakae reasoned at the man.

"Trust me. Please, brother?" Sakae pleaded.

His glare soften when he saw the look on his sister's face. He looked like he gave it some thought for a minute but eventually, he dropped his bow to his side. "Fine."

Allendis let go of the girl at the same time as the man calmed down. "Who are you and what do you want?" He asked them.

"My name is Sakae. This is my older brother, Azkusai. We were just passing by when we saw those men chasing you down the road. So we decided to help you guys out."

"Just like that? You decided to help us just because?" Adelaide asked. Her skeptical look was met with a smile from Sakae.

"Yes. This roads are placed in opened fields. It's usually prone to brigand attacks, so we decided to keep this area safe for the time being."

"Awfully altruistic of you." Adelaide's brow raised.

Azkusai chimed in, his arms folded in his chest, "We're nomads. We just travel from place to place, living off of odd jobs."

"You get paid to guard these plains?"

Sakae laughed at her, "We wish! No, most of the time we don't even get a tip from traveling merchants like yourselves."

"...We never said we were travelling merchants."

"Words aren't the only things that could tell the truth. Our mother taught us that."

Kriemhild watched the whole thing unfold. It was strange that these two were at the right spot in the right time. And while they didn't need any help as they could take care of the entire situation on their own, the help was appreciated. Still, all seemed too well that she feared that she overlooked something.

Azkusai clicked his tongue, "This is why I don't want to go, Sakae. Can't even get an ounce of gratitude."

"We might consider it if you tell us what you want from us." Allendis said to him.

"Skin that look in your face. Then maybe we'll talk."

"...We already are." Azkusai glared Allendis for his words.

"If you're not after money then how about a home?" Adelaide offered

"What?" For the first time in their journey, Allendis looked mildly surprised.

"You two are nomads. Probably from the Lohar tribe. The patterns on your clothes say so. I've read about them in the history books. Apparently, they rebelled against the empire during the reign of the second emperor."

That was the first anyone has heard of that fact. They didn't know that the empire and a group of nomads even interacted with each other, even with their limited knowledge of the inner workings of Valhalla.

"Do not take pity on us! Just because our tribe has been wiped out does not mean that we would like your sympathy! We only serve one, and that's the Old Stream. Not some fraud." Azkusai's dark eyes, framed by his brown hair, were flaming with anger. Kriemhild tightened her hold of her sword, striking him if necessary.

"And alas, your upbringing shows itself. But I do not care. That was all in the past and the actions of your people and the Old Stream against the empire is all in the past. We should focus on the here, now and the future." Adelaide offered her hand. If there was one thing everyone could describe her, it was conviction.

"And what gives you the right to make such an offer? Words of a single person who holds nothing in their hand is not worth our time."

"Then how about one who bears the empire on their two hands? The name of Helregin would surely carry some weight, no?" Her posture was straight, most likely perfected through countless practice. Her words were sweet as honey and as unbreakable as a dragon scale.

Azkusai opened his mouth to bite back but Sakae stepped forward with a smile on her face. It was a smile that helped defuse any situation. "We didn't know you were a princess! You could've started with that! If you can give us a home then we would happily accept."

Sakae gave Adelaide no personal space and shook her outstretched hand. Even Allendis, seemed surprised at the sudden acceptance, or at least, the tiny movements of his face said so. Azkusai merely glared at both of them but accepted the offer alongside her sister.

"Well," Adelaide tucked a hair behind her ear, "that's great. With your talents, I'm sure you would be a great benefit to us."

"Thank you for having us. I'm sure, we would not disappoint you in any way."

"If all is settled with, then we should get going. We need to reach Taifa to resupply."

"We'll follow you behind with our horses!"

Adelaide went to the carriage first alongside Gort, who she helped up. Allendis looked over the siblings with a sharp look and entered the wagon, never leaving his hand on his hilt.

Kriemhild followed Adelaide but was stop by a tap on her shoulder.

"Miss Kriemhild!" Sakae tipped her toes to lean in Kriemhild's ear, "we are on your side. We hate that blathering bard as much as you do." She whispered before riding at her wild horse.

Kriemhild was left shook to her core. She sagged, trembled and cold sheet of sweat dripped down her face. Her lilac eyes were wide in horrified realization of her carelessness. She could not fathom what these two nomads could bring into the table.