ORDINARY VISAGE - 23

After I force myself to speak up, Ruel finally tells me that there are two doors each used as access in and out of the Red Territory. The first is the main door in the far north—I've never been to it, then the second is the door that's connected to a big yellow tree. It is said that only people who have my blood can enter the Red Territories. I wonder who else shares the same blood as me, because I couldn't even ask Ruel, since he doesn't know everything.

"We should head for the main door, Ruel."

Ruel nodded. He hoisted me onto the horse while he caught up in front of me, grabbed the reins and began to make the horse ride. There is no talk anymore because I'm still busy thinking. I don't know where the main door will lead us to, but I open the map I stole from Samu, spread it wide while Ruel rides his horse slowly.

"Where are we headed, Your Majesty?"

"I want to see Kaltain first," I said, "after leaving the main door, immediately go to the West area."

Kaltain is a Duke in the West, namely Chaves. Even then, I only heard what people at Samu's palace said. I wasn't really sure if he was there or not but I wanted to try and meet the culprit Kaltain. There's a lot of rambling I want to launch at him.

"Good, Your Highness."

"You better not call me Your Highness in front of other people," I said, "just call me Abby. Trying from now on."

"I dare not, Your Majesty."

"Here's an order."

"Okay, Yang Mu—Abby."

"Good."

There was no other conversation after that, as Ruel was busy riding his horse while I read the map on the back. I keep thinking how I can quickly go to the West Regions since Ruel will turn into a white cat right after we leave the Red Territories. I sighed, most likely I will be desperate to bring a horse even though it will be risky. It's okay, try it first.

"Your Majesty, do you remember that I would turn into a cat when I was outside the Red Territory?"

"Yeah, I remember. That's why I was thinking," I said, "can you still talk even if you're a cat?"

"I can, Your Majesty."

"Then it will be my turn to ride the horse. You can guide me from the bag."

"Your Highness isn't good at riding horses?"

I chuckled. "You've forgotten that I'm not your old Highness, huh?" I said annoyed. "Just follow my orders."

Ruel didn't argue anymore. He nodded understandingly. "Yes, Your Majesty."

Ruel quickened his horse's pace, while I watched the roads we passed carefully, trying to memorize the paths so that in case I wanted to go back alone I wouldn't get lost. We passed a large bridge made of sturdy wood and with an antique brown shine, dividing a giant river which on the right side there was a rushing waterfall from a high cliff. I looked up, feeling that I was nothing but a small speck of dust. The red trees stopped growing before the bridge. Ruel glanced at me. I stared at the dark path in front of me, into the cave covered with red vines. The cave was nearly the size of a plot of a Greek mansion, and even looked like it could fit twenty or more people at a time. I swallowed hard, but didn't want to hesitate.

"This is the main exit?" I muttered.

Ruel responded. "True, Your Highness."

"Then come on, Ruel."

Ruel didn't say much anymore. He immediately shot as fast as light into the cave. Instantly cold air pricked my skin. I grabbed Ruel's clothes without closing my eyes, trying to find out what was in the cave, and I couldn't help but gape at the millions of stars overshadowing me. The cave that we passed is infinitely wide. I'd bet it felt like I was traversing the galaxy. I stared at the road in front of us which started to appear dots of light. Ruel's white hair fluttered rapidly along the main road we were headed for, then suddenly I was thrown forward brutally crashing into a hard tree trunk. I groaned, feeling as if my bones were being ripped from their places. I lay lifeless, watching the black horse we rode casually eating the grass. I looked around for where Ruel had gone, before finally the skinny cat's body fell from the top of my body. I have no energy left but to close my eyes.

"Your—"

"Get some rest, Ruel. You'll get thinner the more you talk."

Ruel drops from the top of my stomach. He sat next to my face in his cat form. I didn't want to say anything just yet because I suddenly felt hungry.

"Your—"

"Since you've met me, I'll make your cat fat," I said without opening my eyes, "you look like a cat that was tortured, Ruel. I don't want to be accused of that while carrying you."

"Good, Your Highness."

"I told you to call me Abby, right?" I opened my eyes, looked at Ruel who also did the same. "I want our relationship to be more than just Master and Servant. You are my friend. My traveling partner. I must accept you as such."

Ruel nodded obediently. There was no further conversation after that, as I began to pull on the horse's bridle as I walked into the forest. I don't want to leave this horse here. Most likely it will be stolen and I will lose my property. I don't want that to happen.

"What should we do now, Abby?"

I smiled at Ruel's words. It seemed he understood now. "We have to eat, of course. We have no other choice."

"I want to eat mashed potatoes."

"Can cats really eat that?"

"Of course you can."

"All right. That's all?"

"One glass of soy milk. Enough."

"Well that's that then."

We walked like fools without riding horses. Finally, I climbed with difficulty onto the horse's back because I felt that the road was still very far and my stomach was already upset. Ruel obediently got into the bag which I opened slightly. He popped his head out to give instructions. "Control the horse with heart. Don't be rough."

I followed his orders. The horse didn't budge. "So what?"

"Pull the reins."

I tugged at his reins slowly. No response. I tried again a second time, but the horse just walked aimlessly. I quickly fired three shots before the horse sped up almost crashing into the trees. I tried to control the horse while screaming, feeling hopeless handling the mad horse. Ruel tried to hold my hand, which ended up being clawed by him instead. I gripped my reins, trying to restrain the horse but it wouldn't stop until finally I was thrown back, bouncing and stuck in the bushes.

"Your—"

"I value help more than words right now, Ruel."

Ruel was silent. I slowly stood up holding my sore waist. The horse stared at us fiercely. I cleared my throat, picked up my bag which was dirty on the ground and carried Ruel. "I'd better not have to take him."

"Honourable,"

"What else is there, Ruel? Just call me Abby, I already told you."

"Sorry, Abby. Let's go quickly."

"Why?" I muttered.

Ruel pointed at something behind me. I turned my head and widened my eyes when I saw a huge, giant snake with white skin and yellow eyes. I swallowed hard, walking slowly while waving at the crazy horse earlier.

"Goodbye, crazy horse. I wish you a happy death." []