148 Going to Town Part 1

The sun was still high as Clovis sat in his garden going over papers once again. If it wasn't for this tendency to work outside, he doubted he would ever truly see sunlight. His normal workload gave him ample time for to relax but now he had to hunt a wife and consider a familiar. Not to mention start finding supporters. So much to do and so many reports to go over.

"Sir have you noticed there seems to be a influx of reports? Normally the market merchants only provide one folder per merchant guild but it seems each merchant provided their own this time." Vice, Clovis' right hand man offered as he flipped through files. "and most are riddled with mistakes as if they had never written a report before?" he growled and the Prince sighed

"Probably because they haven't. The guild masters always do the report. It's odd that they suddenly are not." Clovis agreed, fairly sure he knew why this was. Only a few people could make something this small so impacting. It was clever and creative and devilishly effective.

"Why don't you go for a walk and talk to the merchants? You could use the exercise and I can get these files in order for you." he offered still staring at the papers in his hand. Clovis sighed sitting back in his chair a moment. It would feel nice to move around. Having made up his mind he rose and stretched.

"Thank you. You will be rewarded for your time. I will see what is going on at the guilds." he agreed leaving the gardens and walking toward the main gate. His sword was by the door and slid into its sheath with ease.

Approaching the gate, he heard arguing that was a bit disconcerting. He could hear the guard and a woman in dispute. With a sigh, he strolled closer listening to their words.

"A escort must be stronger and more skilled than their charge. Beauty Mally is not an escort for a warrior like yourself." the guard chided. His words were a slight bit smug, but it seemed the woman did not intend to back down.

"I have never needed more of a escort than Mally the last few times I have come and gone." The woman replied, a familiar voice that spoke with the tone of a patient woman being pushed beyond her tolerances.

"Emperor's orders." The guard replied and Kyera sighed turning to the post and lightly thudding her forehead against the wood. He couldn't help but chuckle at her expression. There was something adorable about her frustration that was heartwarming.

"Well, did the Emperor leave orders if she was the escort and I was the charge?" Clovis piped up, hoping to spare her pretty face the bruise. She turned seeing him and smiled. The guard however looked disturbed, as though he wasn't sure what to say.

"No Fourth Prince, he did not." the guard replied reluctantly. Though he knew there were no instructions prohibiting such a arrangement he got the feeling it didn't fit his assignment. Allowing her to leave with the fairy prince was almost as bad as leaving alone, if not as bad.

"Then it is settled. Kyera I must trouble you to accompany me to town. Afterall, with all the poisoning going on it might be good to have a medic on hand that understands poison." he explained away any questions that could come up fairly easily. She smiled and ran her hands down the waist of her dress and guided her wintery bangs from her face.

"Then I suppose it is only right I accompany you, Fourth Prince." she agreed curtsying delicately. The guards stated at her for a moment surprised to hear her so obedient when she had just been arguing with them.

"Good, that settles it. If Father had a question he may voice it to me. I will take the blame. Now move aside." the Fourth Prince commanded with nod. The guards opened the gate for him and let both Prince and healer through the door.

Kyera and the prince walked together to the stables, just outside the main gate. The trees swaying gently in the breeze. Birds and other creatures making the soft song of the forest come alive. She almost felt at home to her surprise. If only the man next to her was Verone…