Chapter 17: Preparations for the expedition

Little slickers of the candle lights danced with their shadows. The mages tower sat quiet as the sun was setting and the darkness of night beginning to creep over the city. Shir rested her head on her hand, her elbow sat on the desk as the mage went over the translation. With a yawn she spoke softly, "so this volcano trip?" She asked. Causing the mage to look up with a nod.

"Ah yes, we should leave tomorrow morning, the trip to the volcano does take a good day" Toney explained, gesturing to the bags and boxes of his supplies for the trip.

"But if you are going Princess, I suggest bringing a few guards. Just royal safety and all" Toney schooled, Shir rolling her eyes at it. Of course she would bring a guard or two, no matter how comfortable she gets within her forests, there is always an opportunity for danger. Especially with a new alliance, bad blood from ex soldiers wouldn't like the alliance and would take any chance to attack anyone involved. Even if the marriage isn't publicly know yet, it is not a secret either so anyone could know about it. Princess Shir could potentially be a target.

"Yeah, I can always ask for Jayce or Gero to tag along" the Princess shrugged, not seeing the need to think to deeply into it.

"Didn't you say this expedition would be a few days? Wouldn't it be wiser to bring a few more?" Eoviet spoke up. His timidness becoming harder to see as the hours pass, here in the mages tower he seemed to fit perfectly. "I bet Toney is hoping that this boy has been born with magic or at least something" Shir thought. "It is becoming rarer for someone to be born with magical abilities these days though".

"Excellent point" Toney nodded, agreeing with the idea that the Princess should bring more guards. Shir had crossed her arms as her lips strianed into a frown.

"Fine, I'll bring my little training group, Jayce, Marcel, Gero, Norice and Alfric" the Princess sighed as she agreed. Feeling that five full guards would be a bit much for here. Especially since that she herself is considered a Knight.

"Oh and Eoviet" Toney spoke up, turning his gaze on the smaller boy. Eoviet looked up with a small nod as he was reading through the bestiary book, currently on the page of a siren.

As the two spoke, the Princess couldn't help but feel curious of this thing. Having two subspecies by the looks of it, one bird like but with a woman's face and another that looked like the stereotypical mermaid. Only that it can retract fangs and claws. "You seem to know this ancient language, the tower had a few words of the writing. I would like to request for you to come to, as my assistant" the mage gladly held out a hand. A proud grin as he stared at the boy, his greyish green eyes shining. With a nod, Eoviet returned the smile and shook his hand.

"No need to ask, friend, I'm always happy to help" Eoviet responded, a kindness could be felt from him.

A soft chuckle came from the Princess, finding the interaction between the two humours. In its own way. Eoviet gave a somewhat confused expression as his brows furrowed. "Sorry" Shir chuckled out, "just never seen a citizen call, Toney a "friend" before" she explained. Most citizens appreciate his help and work as a court mage but he can come off as insensitive at times. Shir had even caught a few people call him crazy but that's just because they don't know him. But the Princess can also agree that he can be a little insensitive at times, such as when and how he told Eoviet he could have a curse.

"Well, Toney had become a friend of mine" Eoviet nodded shyly, looking back over the bestiary. Reading through the pages on sirens.

"You also seem to be fascinated by these creatures that have their own magic. What did you say was your favourite one?" Toney asked, looking over the smaller boys shoulder to try and see what he was looking at now.

"The hydra, I think" Eoviet answered, he looked over at the other two, a wonder in his eyes.

"I think you mean the false hydra, since the original hydra were slain thousands of years ago" Toney schooled. Flipping through the pages before he could be sure. Shir curiously looked over, seeing a very detailed drawing of a helish beast. With the body that somewhat resembles a crocodile and long snakes for heads, "each head is born when the creature learns a new skill. Each head having a small brain but one head is specialist with the skill it was born from. The oldest recorded sighting reports of a false hydra that lived on a small island, having up to ninety eight heads" Shir read outloud.

"Although this creature resembled the old dragon drawings, their heads are too snake like to be related. Some studies show they are great cousins of draconic beings" the Princess mused over that last point. Not being dragons but related to dragons? It must be powerful, even if it is a debate that dragons even existed to begin with. "I can see why you like this one" Shir patted the boys head. Eoviet mumbling a complaint as he fixes his hair.

"I just think it's interesting" he shrugged, bookmarking where he left off and shutting it.

With a nod, Shir got up herself, "well, I have to inform my guards of tomorrow". With a quick stretch, the Princess opened the old doors before saying her good nights, "sleep well, we have a long day tomorrow".

"Night, Princess" Toney nodded as she began her climb down. Jogging down, Shir walked swiftly towards the trianing grounds. "So I have to inform the guards and- oh yeah! Little Angus wanted me to review his trianing" Shir remembered. With a quick nod she rushed to the other side of the castle, the training grounds at the back courtyard and the opposite side of the mages tower.

Guards bowed as the Princess entered through the smaller arches. Looking around she could see that multiple guards were finishing off their trianing and that Prince Rknom was around. "Your shoulders are too tense" the Prince schooled whoever was in the arena. With a quick glance she could see that he was schooling Prince Angus, Shir rasing an eyebrow at the sight. "If you don't relax your shoulders you can not gain a full control over your movements" the little Prince nodded. He looked ready to try another swing at the target before his eyes landed on his sister.

With a bright smile he ran over in a greeting, "took you long enough!" He scolded. The little Prince booping his sisters nose with a pout, "I felt myself growing bored".

"Sorry, Angus" Shir shrugged, ruffling her brother's hair, "I have a few buissness to get to".

"You just got here! What in the world do you have to do nooowwww" he whined, crossing his arms in a dissaprovel.

"Just a minute" she promised, scanning the courtyard. Her eyes landed on Alfric and Gero, a relief formed as she approached.

The two guards sat up straighter and spoke in a friendly greeting, "Princess, need anything?" Gero asked.

"Tomorrow, me and Toney are going on an expedition, I would like you two, Jayce, Marcel and Norice to accompany us" she quickly explained. The two guards nodded and with a bow they went their way over to the guards chambers. To inform the other three of their new task. As Shir turned to her little brother she heard a throat being cleared and Prince Rknom spoke up. His tone showing he was already upset about something.

"Where are you running off to?" He sighed softly, "we do have a lot of planning to sort out. We can't do that if you're running off on some mage task" the Prince looked the Princess up and down. Shir noting that he seemed to struggle to keep his eyes off the more unusual outfit she put on.

"What kind of planning? And I've almost always tagged along on Tonies expeditions, they're fun and better than sitting around" Shir huffed slightly. With a grumble, Prince Rknom answered.

"Our wedding? Ring any bells? My father had already booked the Montes throne room for the event" he informed, looking down at the Princess. Clearly having had a long day from his tone alone.

Shir paused for a moment, of course she expected to have to plan the wedding out but not this soon! And now she's learning that the wedding was already booked in the Montes kingdom and not hers. With a long sigh the Princess responded. "It can wait, there is no real rush to marry" she responded, remembering the plan her father had. A guilt formed in her heart. "Besides, a longer time to plan, the better quality and care we can put into it, right?" Shir gave the Prince a more playful grin.

Prince Rknom narrowed her eyes at her, giving a quick glance behind him before speaking. His tone surprisingly gentle, almost comforting in nature. "Are you worried? Is it about the wedding night?" He asked, catching the Princess of guard. Shir made a quick glance away before answering, her tone more defensive than she ment it to be.

"That's none of your concern" Shir practically hissed, her tone sharp. But the Prince softened his expression, tilting his head to the side in thought before speaking.

"You know, we don't actually have to do it on the night" he promised.

Putting a hand on the Princesses shoulder as he spoke, an awkward tension between them. The last few glimpses of the setting sun behind them. "I don't want you to... feel rushed or anything" Rknom cleared his throat, not looking too comfortable with the topic. "If you don't want to on the night, I will understand, Princess" he added, turning his gaze to hers. Shir didn't know how to respond, "that was... surprisingly gentle. Did not expect him of all people to understand" she thought. With a timid smirk she responded, attempting to joke, "you sure you are not trying to hold it off yourself?"

The Princess frowned to herself when she heard how mockingly she sounded. Rknom even giving a harsher glare. "I ment that as a joke- sorry" Shir sighed mentally, turning her gaze away. After a moment of silence she heard a chuckle.

"Yeah, but you get what I'm trying to say?" He asked before adding, "no need to run off with the first mage you see if you get nervous".

"I don't run off with mages when I get nervous" the Princess gave a half pout.

"Sure, so what's this expedition or whatever you're going to?" Prince Rknom asked, a slight suspicion in his eyes.

With a quick thought the Princess gave a half lie, "this old tower or something he found on the side of the valley. He said it looked over the old fields, maybe even some old watch tower". Rknom nodded slightly but didn't look too convinced.

"And, may I asked why you are leaving? Especially during such a time?" He asked, again a suspicion in his tone.

"Just-" Shir shrugged, "old time sake? Back when Toney was just an apprentice, his teacher would often let me tag along. Something about how it can be useful for anyone to learn". It wasn't a full lie, sure she and Toney didn't feel any sentimental attachments to expeditions. But it was something that the old court mage would do with them both.

"Ugh! Stop making out and hurry up!" The little Prince Angus whined from the arena. Turning back, Shir could see her little brother lean on the fence, waiting impatiently. Yet another pout on his face, lit up by the flames from the lanterns beside him as he waits for them to finish discussion.

"Just a seconed and I'll be over!" Shir called, making her way over to the armoury. The door just right by her, walking through, Rknom followed.

"Poor kid" the Prince mused, "looked bored out of his mind in trianing, seemed glad to hear my offer in me teaching him".

"I usually teach him" Shir mumbled, grabbing her dulled trianing blade and a shield. "Just that lately I've been having full schedules, all I really have time for is to see his process from Kyree's teachings" she explained. Rknom nodded, setting his gear in the space made for him.

"Yeah times like these, sometimes it just feels like you time for nothing anymore" the Prince agreed. With a nod, Shir left the armoury, looking over to her brother. With only torches and lanterns to light the arena, it was just the two monarchs in the trianing grounds.

"Show me your form" she requested, the little Prince obeying. His footing and balance with the long sword practiced to perfection. "Very good" Shir nodded, getting into her own stance, using a sword and shield. "Make a move" she then instructed, the little Prince not waisting a second. The long sword that was dulled for trianing came hurling down. The young Prince using gravity to have the sword swing with greater force than his arms could. Shir holding her shield to block, feeling the impact she gave her praise. The night spent in an assessment, the Princess guiding her brother through his practices.