Chapter 10

Nikolai

"I don't understand why you'd let these four masked men take him" Kira says to her father, "I trust them and they're just escorting him" "I still think you shouldn't let these four go along,he already has guards" "I have my reasons, now hush", I don't blame her, she knows every guard in this place, except us, or to her, we're strangers, "but what if they kidnap him?" Kira asks, Jason chuckles at his sister, "I'll be fine Kira, if Father trusts them enough for them to escort me, then I trust them also" "but they look more evil than Arabelle!" "Kira?",she sighed, "okay, but I still don't trust them, but if you insist,have a wonderful journey", that girl is definitely something else.

"How long is this journey?" I ask Butch, he looks over at me, "about five days"he answers shrugging, "five days?" I ask unbelievably "I know, five days with me, horrifying" Sebastian says making me chuckle at him, he's so stupid but that's him. The journey wasn't that bad, apart from being long and boring, Norian looked at me, I knew she was smirking, "what?" Butch asks the both of us, I shrugged in response, "you know these two keeps secrets all the time"Sebastian says, if you're wondering, we're all up front, no one really trusts us, because let's face it, four masked persons who know how to fight better than an army of men, I'd be suspicious too. We reached some very huge rocks, never been here before, the place was silent, the usual, we made it through in one piece.

More trees?, you've gotta be kidding me, why so many trees?. I heard a twig snap from my far left, "stop"I say and everyone stopped, "what?" Norian asks "thought I heard something,maybe it was nothing"I answer ready to move off again, but then the snap, this time, a lot more, I drew my sword quickly, "doesn't sound like nothing"Sebastian says looking around, before we could say anything else, a few men jumped from the trees, seriously?, in the trees?, "Looky here boys!"a voice shouts happily, "it's the four huntsmen, and look who they're escorting, Prince Jason" "Vill"we say in boredom, "it's sure nice meeting you again, I told you if I saw you four in my woods again, you won't like it" "and I remember breaking your arm, rematch?". I now had Vill against a tree with my sword at his throat, "the next time we come through here, you better show some good hospitality, got it?",he nods furiously, "yup" "good", I let him go and he left with his men, rude. "I'm tired"Norian says huffing, "I thought the horses were supposed to be tired"Butch answers, she gave him a look, "okay, I'll talk to the Prince"Sebastian says and we nod.

We camped at a very cozy spot, Norian really needed sleep, but Butch had other ideas, right now, she's chasing him after he threw pebbles at her, cutest couple I've ever seen. "So, don't you four have names?" Jason asks sitting next to me,I shrugged in response, "oh, right, did my father tell you not to talk to me, because you guys seem to be silent very often" he says chuckling, "we don't talk when we're on duty"I answer "why not?" "to keep distractions out" "oh, you're a girl right?" "last time I checked, why?" "nothing, there's something about you, not sure what" "while you think about it, I'm gonna go find a blade to play with", I got up and walked away, leaving him with Sebastian. I ran my finger on the blade then looked up at the person watching me, "do you mind?" Jason asks, "not at all"I answer as he sat, it wasn't weird sitting across from him, it's just been a while since I've really looked at him, he's still the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, I did miss him, just not that much, or at least that's what I tell myself. "So what's your deal?" Jason asks, I look at him slowly, "meaning?" I ask sharpening my blade, "I can see in your eyes that you're not a cold hearted person, but your actions are different, as if you're trying to find yourself" "maybe losing everything I once had, has taken a turn on me, who knows?"I answer, I really wished he'd leave me alone, "you can't let that spoil your future" "I don't have a future, but what about you?" "me?" "yeah, you're gonna choose your bride soon, how's that going?".

Jason sighed in frustration, "not so well" he answers "why not?,you can't tell me that no girl has won your heart already" "actually,there is one,she's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life, I know I have to have her" "so why not take her?" "we're not allowed to see each other" "how long has it been?" "almost a year" "oh" "maybe she's forgotten about me already and found someone",I looked back at the blade I was sharpening and continued, I wish I could remove my mask, but that's not an option, "hey Autumn?" Norian asks "hmm?" I answer not looking up from my work, "do you mind if I go off somewhere?" "nope, just don't wonder off, I hate trouble" "got it", I don't know why she keeps calling me that,ever since we stopped talking with Jason, she's been calling me that,says it makes me sound more special, whatever that means.

"Are you their boss or something?" Jason asks, "nah, they only ask me to do stuff when it involves getting in trouble"I answer shrugging,he nods looking at me carefully, I look at him slowly, "why are you looking at me like that?" I ask "I don't even know, you remind me of someone" "you haven't seen my face and I remind you of someone?, hilarious" "show it to me then" "no thank you, you don't wanna see this face" "why not?" "then I'd have to kill you", he looked surprised but laughed lightly, "come on, it won't hurt" "actually, yes it will, do you know how many things are hidden behind this mask, you're lucky I don't cover my eyes" "how would you see?" "I don't know, I'll try", he got the hint that I didn't want to take it off and smiles, "okay, at least get some rest, we've got a long journey".

We made it to the city and there were men waiting, along with a very beautiful girl in a crown, maybe we're not just here to trade. They greeted each other, she and Jason talked, "want us to kill her and say it was defense?" Norian whispered, I look at her before laughing, "no you crazy girl"I answer, "but she's all over your man" "he's not my man, will you just keep quiet", she shrugged but couldn't help the glares, this girl is something else. "They don't really trust you four"Jason says "and?" Butch asks "you gotta take your masks off", we contemplated for a while, "fine"we answer before pulling them off, Jason's back was turned to us, because he was talking to the girl again, who looked up at us, her eyes settling on me, "why's she looking at you like that?" Sebastian asks softly, "I have no idea"I answer, Jason turned to look at me as the girl looked shocked, "okay, why are you looking at me like that?" I ask "you're just really beautiful,that's all"she answers "oh, thanks......I guess".