Chapter 59: Long Journey Ahead [Free]

Nikolai pulled the reins of his stallion and trotted towards the exit passageway. He looked left and right to see if anyone was around and was relieved when no one was there, only the guards patrolling in the castle but they wouldn't care enough to notice. He's a prince and whatever he does was not their responsibility anymore.

They were about to move towards the bushes when the stallion nickered in resistance, almost jerking Nikolai to the ground. It was a road his horse wasn't familiar at all. Trees branched to make an arc, glooming the pathway in the process like an entrance to a haunted forest.

Nikolai stroked the side of his neck, "It's okay, Icarus. Nothing will harm you there."

But the stallion wasn't in the mood to be ridden at all. He raised his front hooves and cantered back to the stable. "Woah, woah. Not there." Nikolai directed him to the opposite way, making him go forward in a circle for a minute or two until Nikolai led him to the small passageway with ease. "Good boy."

Connected to the earth by hoof, Nikolai made his way through the forest. There was no better riding companion than his silver stallion. Before, he and Icarus would head into the hills together. He'd listen to the steady hooves, the gentle tail swishes and snorting of the air. It was peaceful. 

The passageway was rough—branches falling on the side of the road, untrimmed grass and huge rocks blocking a part of the path. It wasn't an easy way out but they had to take it nonetheless. The ride was getting boring so to lessen the dullness; he sang his favorite song like a professional troubadour.

"More than honey the words thou speak are sweet,

Honest and wise, nobly and wittily quoth,

Yours are the beauties of Camiola mere,

Of Iseult the blonde and Morgana the fairy maid. 

 If Blanchefleur should'st be added to the group,

Thy loveliness would tower above each pate. 

 Beneath thy brows five beautiful things repose:

Love and a fire and a flame, the lily, the—"

"Rose," someone finished the song for him and the sound of hooves emerged from behind. "Shut it, Nikolai. You sound like a dying whale."

Nikolai turned his head back and saw Markolin trailing just behind him. "What are you doing here?" he asked, his brows snapped together. Markolin was on his chestnut horse, a bag on the side. It looked packed with things, steel clinking from the inside. Did he just bring canned fruits? "Go back," he said. "This is not playtime, Markolin. Mother and Father will come looking for you."

"Oh, Nikolai, stop treating us like kids for the love of the Eternals." Was that Vysela who spoke just now?

He turned to the opposite side and saw Vysela also with her black stallion, "Hello, brother," 

"What on earth are you doing here?" 

"Is there any better thing you'd like to ask us?"

"I told you not to go with me. Why are you two so stubborn?"

Markolin and Vysela were now riding beside him, brown, white and black horses aligned. Nikolai wanted to gallop his horse away but it would be rude to leave them there. He'd blame himself if something terrible happened to his siblings.

Markolin cleared his throat, "Since we're already here. Care to share your plans?"

"Go home."

"We can't go back now. We barely remember the path back to the castle. Right, Vysela?" Markolin said that was clearly a joke.

Vysela nodded, pouting. "Yeah. Please spare us your overprotectiveness and just tell us, Nikolai."

"Go home."

"But we don't want to," she replied.

"Okay," Nikolai said, realizing that no matter what he says, he will never be able to change their minds. "Suit yourself. I never told you this is an easy journey."

"I expected for worst. This isn't so bad at all." That was the last thing she said and paved quietly down the path. If Nikolai wasn't mistaken, it's already four in the afternoon. Five minutes ago, they would have finished training. He's sure the King and Queen know they left the castle by now and are already sending search patrols everywhere to find them which means they had to go faster.

The journey that lay before them was peril on peril. There was no safe way through the badlands. They crossed a narrow bridge with Nikolai almost losing his footing as the wooden bridge cracked. He'd be falling down the river if it weren't for Icarus whom he held on to. The roads seemed endless. 

Nikolai watched the sunset at the horizon, spreading its largess into a grateful sky. Rich hues of red blended with oranges, purples, crimsons. He stared at his reflection in the riverside. The water gleamed in the last rays of the dying sun. It's been so long since he's seen this view outside the castle. He rarely gets an opportunity to be on the outside. As far as he's concerned, he's only allowed to wander during family gatherings or to conduct special programs by the castle. Aside from that, nothing.

"We need to find somewhere to sleep. It's getting dark," Nikolai said. He glanced around, finding any place they can rest on for the night but there was nothing apart from the thick lush of trees. He expected they'd arrive at a market sooner but with the longer route, it would probably take a day.

"I thought you were ready for a long travel, Nikolai," Markolin casted an eye over him, "Sword, two pairs of clothes, an extra pair of shoes. That's the only thing you brought, I'd bet on it."

Nikolai's silence made Markolin snicker, "See? And you said you don't need us. Don't worry, I brought three sleeping bags. Stop crying about it anymore."

"I'm not crying," he opposed.

"Whatever."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Written and edited by ephemery.

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.

Allyria will hunt you down to the ends of Arde Terra and cast you out together with the Undying in the Islands of the Cursed. You've been warned.

[][][][][][][][]

Join our discord server: https://discord.gg/VJQzyek

[Author's note: The song Nikolai sang was Strambotti Siciliani (Sicilian Love Song) from the 12th century translated into old English :'>]