East of Gyyza

The soil beneath the horse's legs is turning thin with every step they take. Every gust of the wind is becoming harsh and colder. Mircea can feel the faint change in climate, and the warmth of

Slyve is fading away in the stillness of the growing forest. The birds had stopped chirping an hour ago. The sun is silently saying goodbye for the night.

"It will be better to rest somewhere near the border of Slyve." Everyone agree with Lilith's comment.

"Yes, the sun is going down fast." Mircea points out. The military base camp is secure but far from where they are right now. If they do not settle before dark, things can take an ugly turn.

"The Ruzzi Bay is still two hours away. We should travel a little further towards Kaz Desert to avoid freezing by the frigid wind that travels from the East Sea." Chiron says, inspecting the forest.

There is not one plain ground that surrounds them. The branches of the tall trees have grown in haphazard ways.

"It will be better to freeze for a night than getting killed by some petty swindlers that might cross the border in the dark of the night." Lilith retorts.

Chiron did not understand what problem Lilith had with him. Maybe she liked him, and the sneers and spicy comebacks were just a little trick to get his attention.

He studied her whilst she was busy whispering something to Princess Mircea. Lilith's deep brown eyes suit her caramel complexion. Her eyes sharp, focused on every word Mircea is telling her.

"Where is Athos?" Cosmas questions Orion, who is standing at the far end of the slope. He does not answer her; he seems to be looking at something.

"Orion!" She shouts this time which gets everyone's attention.

"What is the matter, Cosmas?" Mircea inquires. "Yes, Cosmas?" Orion answers, looking at the four members who have their undivided attention on him.

"Where is Athos?" Cosmas asks him again.

"Oh, he is just down there. He just found us a plain ground near the pond."

"There a pond here?" Lilith exclaims

"Well, let us go see what exactly he has found." Mircea lightly kicks her horse and commands Orion to take them to Athos.

When she is close to Athos' horse, she lowly sighs, "Do not wander alone, we will soon be on foreign land. We need to stick together." He first looks at her confounded and then he curtly nods in her direction.

A blanket of bright stars covers the darkness of the night. The moon is providing ample light by shining regally in its three-fourth form. The insects are chirping loudly, the frogs jumping and croaking near the pond.

The small fire Chiron made created thick smoke in the chilly air that has enveloped the forest.

Everyone is sleeping as closely as possible as they can to the fire to keep their bodies warm, except for Mircea.

She is sitting wide awake on the log, watching the small hot flames jump in excitement as she puts more wood in it. She knows she must get at least a little bit of sleep before they move forward when the sun comes up, but her subconscious caged in anxiety caused by her idle mind does not let her.

Mircea hugs the blanket tighter and scoots a little closer to the fire when a light movement catches her eyes.

A trifling sound of leaves shuffling befalls. She stands up, leaving the blanket behind, her hand reaching for the knife near her waist. She scans her surrounding; all five soldiers are sleeping soundly, a small part of the pond shines golden from the reflection of red flames coming from the fire.

Mircea ignites the small lantern and steps into the bushes.

The slow winds make her quiver; Chiron was right about chilly wind travelling from the sea. Maybe they should have brought more supplies, but that would have drastically slowed them down. A low humming sound resonates in the forest; Mircea turns around to see who or rather what it is.

The shuffling sound follows the hum when a stag with quite large antlers traipses closer to her.

"Oh, thank the gods. It was just you." She whispers to the stag as if it can understand her.

The stag stares at her with its big black eyes for a minute for jumping into the bushes.

***

"Your Highness, here are the letters you received today." The secretary arranges the letter stack before keeping it in front of Prince Pyron. Pyron not as much as even peeks at him. He merely waves his hand at the secretary, continuing his work.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but you have a letter from King Diomedes' court." The secretary bows at him before leaving him alone with the information.

It takes half an hour for Prince Pyron to finish his ongoing work. He then leisurely opens the letter from King Diomedes.

The stamp of Gyyza is unlike any other stamp he has seen; he should ask officials to change the material of their stamp once he becomes the King of Slyve.

Your Royal Highness Prince Pyron,

His Royal Highness King Diomedes has read your entreaty. After a colloquy with the higher officials, the Court of Gyyza has concluded that we would like to accept your offer and we must discuss the conditions when King Renomous gets well.

His Royal Highness promises to pray for King Renomous' health. We would receive your troop when the moon is new again. It will be ludicrous if they travel when there is no moon.

Pyron folds the letter, pleased with the response. He very well knows what King Diomedes was trying to warn them about.

Magic can sometimes get dangerous, especially when travelling to a Witch Kingdom with no one to escort.

However, the deed was done, and there was only so much he could do about it, he thought before calling one of his private attendees.

"Tell Princess Faustina I have good news for her. Tell her that I have summoned her to my quarters for breakfast." The servant bows deeply before scurrying off.

He stares at the regal map of five kingdoms that hangs off the wall opposite his mahogany table. Slyve has alliances with one of the strongest kingdoms now.

Princess Mircea and her little soldiery can be worried about later, but right now, he must focus on the new alliance.

"Any news on Mircea?" Faustina closes the door behind her.

"Yes actually, King Diomeded agreed to help us, and he is ready to receive our troop to-morrow itself!" Pyron smiles at her, omitting the most crucial information.