Fool

The first major Udorian road—the famed Dragon's vein, or "Road of Conquest"—was constructed during the Great War in the year 2212 P.S. by King Stefans Zoroaster to serve as a supply route through Ivonne, connecting the capital -Cantoria- with all its major littoral territories.

As their armies blazed a trail through Udoris, the Ivonnians built new highways to link captured territories with Ivonne and establish them as colonies. These routes ensured that the Ivonnian military could out-pace and out-manoeuvre its enemies, but they also aided in the everyday maintenance of the budding Empire.

Appalled by the effectiveness of the transportation systems, other Udorian powers were quick to also adopt this method.

Road systems soon sprang up all across the continent such that even the most isolated parts of the Udoris could expect to be swiftly supplied or reinforced in the event of an emergency, lessening the need for large and costly garrison units at every frontier outposts.

The core of the present-day Udorian transportation network is still based on those surviving roads from the era of the great war. Though they were often worn, due to the lessons learnt from history Udorian rulers sustained varying levels of maintenance of at the very least their major highways.

But given the inevitable damage of weather and use, some portions of the route often fell into disrepair so it was in many ways easier to travel long distances by horseback than by a cart, carriage, or other wheeled vehicles.

In most cases, men, in particular, would only ride in a wagon if old or sick—and a wealthy person who could not ride would likely travel in a litter, borne by two horses. Many who did not have means travelled on foot. Pack animals and luggage carts would slow down a group and create additional trouble and expense.

Only in rare cases, on especially well-maintained routes do Udorians travel by coach or carriage.

Speed depended on many factors, including the quality of roads, weather, and the nature of the travelling party.

One estimate suggests that a small group with good horses could move as much as 30 miles in a single day. On the other hand, a larger group that included pack animals, a cart, or travellers on foot might make only half that distance.

This would not, however, include rest days, bad weather or roads, natural obstacles such as rivers and mountains, and so forth.

Monasteries and other settlements with hospices or hospitals where pilgrims and others travellers could spend the night gradually increased over the century, as did private inns and hostelries. Nobles could also seek hospitality from their peers, and they would often send harbingers ahead to arrange their lodgings for the night to come. Where there was no indoor accommodation, or where the group was too large for the indoor facilities, travellers might sleep in the open air.

Given the dangers of crime, however, individual travellers often sought to join a group, mostly for protection but also for company.

…

Excerpt from Jonas Diane ninth book on Udorian powers -'Veins of a slumbering beast'

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Verum

…

The sky was lively with large plumes of white clouds over the town of Vehmas

A long line of horses and pulled carts stretched through the streets of the duchy, drawing the attention of both the travelling merchants and the resident townsfolk alike.

Far and wide they came to gather by the roadside, watching and curiously chattering as the entourage rode past.

At the centre of the procession, surrounded by supply carts and mounted knights was an elegantly designed carriage pulled by horses of an unknown but exquisite breed.

The vehicle bore on its sides the picture of a seven horned basilisk- an emblem- which distinguished it as property of the Scymasters, the royal family of Verum.

Inside this said carriage,

Princess Alina sat leaning comfortably into the seat, her dainty feet were propped up on a small cushion in front of her.

Her eyes were partly closed and she appeared quite worn out.

With a slack expression she listened as her maid, Monie massaged her feet with a dab of scented oil.

"What do you think about Marquess Joyce, Your Highness?" The maid asked in a soothing tone, her fingers skillfully rubbed and pressed the ball of Alina's right foot.

"What about him?" Alina asked dully, a soothed purr escaped her lips as relished the pleasant feeling in the sloe of feet.

"Well, while he is somewhat silly, he appeared to be quite the charming young man last night at the table."

"I thought you might have also found him somewhat intriguing."

"What do you think princess, if you were not going to marry prince Everhard would you have ever considered him?"

Alina raised a brow and scoffed.

"Consider what? That fool?"

She glanced at the maid and replied in a mildly haughty tone.

"Charming? What use is such a quality in a man to anyone if his brain was that empty."

Looking down at her exposed feet, she wiggled her toes and sighed.

"Besides, does having such fanciful thoughts change anything?" She muttered gloomily as pulled her feet away from Monie's hands.

"Even if I somehow fell for that stupid Marquess what good does that do?"

Alina glanced at her maid and sighed again.

She pouted slightly her expression one of contemplation.

"What is wrong, your highness?" Monie asked noticing the odd look on her master's face.

Alina paused hesitantly before whispering in a tone laden with reluctance.

"Psst, come closer."

Although baffled, the maid leaned closer to the princess.

Alina glanced at both sides of the coach.

After ascertaining that they were no eavesdroppers she spoke in a faint whisper

"We are running away in a few days."

"Huh?" The maid made a sound of surprise.

Alina's hands shot out to block Monie's voice. Her delicate hands dexterously constricted the maid.

Taking another quick sweep at the carriage walls, she slowly unrestrained the maid.

"Really?" Monie asked again the moment she was freed. Although her voice was much quieter, the shock in her eyes was still very visible.

"Yes," Alina replied with a small nod.

"We would be escaping shortly after we cross the border into Hertalese. Although it was hard, I managed to convince some of the knights to assist us so it shouldn't be too much of a problem for us to escape."

"You did?"

"Yes."

Monie paused for a few moments in thought before asking in a hesitant voice.

"B-but…"

"But what? Speak up and stop stuttering, you know how much I hate that." Alina scolded with a frown.

"S-sorry, your highness. But will the knights you convinced be enough?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I am guessing you possibly didn't tell too many people about this."

"Yes?"

"Since that's the case would the knights involved be enough for us to escape, your highness?"

"Oh, that's what you are worried about? Well, don't think too much. The men I spoke with mentioned outsourcing external aid."

"External aid?"

"Yes. I am not sure what they meant since I was not really clear on the details, but I am guessing they probably meant hiring mercenaries or bandits or possibly even seeking aid from some trustworthy noble nearby."

"Hmm." The maid fell into thought again.

"But are you sure that this is ok, princess? I mean, outrightly defying his Majesty's order like this?" Monie asked hesitantly.

She sounded very worried and concerned.

"There is also the issue of people getting hurt during our escape. I don't think this would be very wise, your highness."

"Tch, aren't you being too strung up? This is my life, not some silly state affair for that meddlesome old man to stick his nose in." Alina muttered folding her hands underneath her moderately sized breasts.

"Besides, I think they know what they are doing. They possibly wouldn't cause much damage, so don't think too much about that."

"Ok, your highness. As long as you are happy." Monie sighed.

"So when is it going to happen, princess? It would be best I prepared beforehand so we don't get flustered when it's time to leave."

"I am not sure, but that fool Davis mentioned sometime shortly before we arrive at Rocham county."

Alina yawned heavily and folded her legs into the seat.

She leaned against the coach's side in a fetus position with her eyes slowly closing.

She seemed slightly drowsy.

Snuggling deeper into the seat Alina mumbled to herself.

"Ai, I am worn out. Talking with that stupid Joyce last night was so tiring."

"Men."

"They are all so stupid…"

Monie quietly watched as the princess's breath slowly evened out.

A strange light flashed in her eyes

Sometime later, the entourage halted for the horses to rest.

Monie glanced at Alina one more time, confirming the princess was still asleep.

In thought, she muttered to herself.

"Davis? Rocham? Well, I guess those preparations still have to be made after all."

Carefully, Monie gathered the hem of her dress as she alighted from the coach, closing the door gently behind her.

The door clicked shut.

Seconds later, Alina's eyelids slowly slid open.

She sat up and gently parted the curtains.

Peering out, she watched with a cold gaze as the maid suspiciously walked off.

A mocking smile hung off the corner of her lips.

'Fool.'

She muttered dropping the curtain before returning to 'sleep'.