The Journey.

**

The ship navigated for six days. Nobody came down to see us. We only heard noises from the other side. They were people's screams. It was what they got from the war. When a particular city is defeated, people and important items are taken. It could be gold, silver, etc.

They were going to offer it to their emperor who will take what he wants and give out what he thinks is best for his people. Most Kings barely spare anything for their soldiers. But I don't know what the Aerendia King would do. He was different. The dude had conquered almost all the cities in the world and ruled with an iron fist.

I also wondered what he looks like. Tall, giant, or a troll. The people said a lot of evil things about him. I knew they were right. Aerendians were very bad people. There was a royal party I attended in Emberfall a few years and I mistakenly bumped into this Aerendia guy. He was handsome and fine like Commander Roland, although his pair of eyes were green and his hair black as charcoal. He walked with so much grace that one would think that he was the emperor that rules not just the earth but the heavens as well.

I later found out that he was just a Minister's son. He has to be. Those delicate hands that grabbed my waist while we danced could not have belonged to the cruel emperor.

After the dance, I wanted to take two glasses for us, but I never saw him beside me again. It seemed like he disappeared into a thin air. I felt bad when I did not see him again.

When the next day, he did not apologize. It was a tea party and he never came to say sorry nor ask how I was doing… definitely not good! He avoided me like a plague and chatted with some women.

I got furious and walked up to him with a tea jug. Yes, there was tea in it and lucky for him, it failed to be hot. I poured on his body and the ladies got up from their mats. They were surprised that I could do such to a stranger. Well, he was an asshole.

He did not uttered a word neither did I. A male servants rushed in towels to mopped the tea off his body.

The young man surprised me. He took the towel and started walking away. My blood boiled faster. It was getting worse now.

"You won't say anything?" I asked as if I did the right thing. I should have approach him and asked why he was doing that. But no! This was princess Arabella.

He was wiping the tea off his arms. He looked up and dropped the towel on the floor "I wont stand this disrespect."

And that was all. He left, leaving me with a shocking expression. The next day, he never show up for the event. The servants told me that he had returned to his estate, which was not around the coastal. I cried like a baby for no good reason that night. I never knew he had such an effect on me. I began to cursed myself for acting so foolish.

Before I left Emberfall, I asked the ladies what they were discussing and if they knew him. Of course, no. He attended only two events before and the one I ruined might be his last.

"We don't know who he is. But he should be from the Aerendia tribe," one of the women said.

"Yes, he should be. They say he is the son of a minister or something…" Another added.

I thanked them followed my mother home. He was a man I will never forget. However, I regretted and found that it was stupid of me to like someone like him. He was an asshole.

"My princess?" Liza shook me, interrupting my deepest thought. I was lost in the past and her touch brought me to present. "Do not tell me you are thinking of him again?"

Liza stared at me. I did not like the eyes. I could not deny it "yes but it's been long. I should have forgotten about him."

She chuckled softly. I ignored that like I did not see nor hear her.

"The ship has stopped. I don't know if we have reached our destination."

I did not noticed. Quickly, I sat upright with my ears closed to the wooden walls . The ship had stopped. People were marching out. I think the soldiers that boarded with us.  Those steps were too loud to belong to remnants of war.

I wanted to check over the window but my legs were tied up. Those stupid Aerendians. They did their very best to make me look a dog instead of the human I was.

Suddenly the door opened, and two soldiers marched in. Beside them, was commander Percival. He ordered them to unlock my legs. Annoying but it was better to have those things taken away from my legs. We were told to move out. Finally, I will see a ray of sunshine, if possible of hope as well.

Outside, I could barely opened my eyes. The light almost blinded me. Since my hands were cuffed, I used my elbow to cover my legs. Walking was difficult. It seems that I have never walked before. My knees hurt and I could tell that they won't hold my weight for long.

"This is not Aerendia," Liza spoke in a low tone as we marched along side other slaves. Her confidence gained my trust as well. She was right. It was not Aerendia. However, we got confused when we saw the flag. The red and white flag belonged to the Aerendians, indicating that the territory was theirs.

"Untie the princess," I heard commander Roland's orders. One of the soldiers, came forward and unlocked the chains on my wrists. I twisted and massaged them one after the other. It was a rRolandef to get it off. I wondered what happened to the wrists of all the prisoners, father kept in the dungeons. They must been swollen my now or run out of shape.

"Do you need anything?"

Was I dreaming? His questions were beginning to baffle me. How can one kidnapped you from your kingdom like a rat and brings you to his territory, acting like all is well. Like it was a mistake to have you kidnapped in a first place. He had a choice and he chose this.

"I will like you to unlock my maid's chain and get a good bath…ummh, good clothes because I certainly do not look like the princess you have been addressing all these while" I spoke like I was still in my father's palace. Come on, Arabella, he was not just an ordinary man but the commander of this army. The same army that destroyed everything in front of you.

"Okay, is that all?" he asked again.

My lips parted but no words came out to describe how shocked I was to hear his question. It seemed like a dream but I had an answer for him "I want same for my maid."

"Anything else?"

Okay this was getting more exciting. Maybe I should demand for something huge and see his reaction. I was about to when commander Percival let out his pain "Maybe you should set her back on the ship and sail home to her family, what do you think Roland?"

I knew he was suggesting. It was a good way to tell Roland that he was losing his brains over some girl.

Roland ignored him. He called the servants to take me away. On my way, I learnt that this was just of the castles that belonged to the wicked emperor of Aerendia. We only stopped here to spend the night. By tomorrow, we will be marching to the main palace.

Before that happens, I made sure I ate and drank well, because I had no idea if the emperor will let me live. He never liked my people. I would be a taboo in his Palace, he might decides to execute me.

I tightened my grip on the large piece of meat in front of me. It's was either now or never. This food might be my last. Whatever it was, I did not want it to come as a surprise. I shall die in honor.