The Expedition

Elestria had finished saying goodbye to Lusi on her way to the palace. Lusi said nothing but told her to stay healthy and sent letters.

With the backpack, Elestria's feet stepped steadily into the warrior camp. Her stomach churned with burning enthusiasm. She found one of Keir's men.

"Hello, Eles. We're leaving soon. You didn't forget anything?"

"I've been packing since long ago. I didn't forget anything," she replied enthusiastically.

"Good. You'll be with the cook until the expedition is over. You're in group one, leaving early."

Elestria watched the crowd there preparing for departure. She was the only one of small stature. Even the servants were taller than her.

"Put your bag here. You'll board this train." The man approached a cart. It contained dozens of boxes of groceries.

"Get on."

She lifted her right leg, but it wasn't enough to reach the treads of the cart. The man then lifted her large bag so that Elestria was lifted as well.

"Thank you." She smiled.

"Stay here." He walked away. He disappeared into the crowd.

Elestria sat at the front of the cart. She wiggled her legs as she watched the sky begin to lighten. Next, snowflakes fell to the ground. She quickly took out her jacket from her bag and put it on.

She turned her head to the inside of the carriage. The wooden boxes were arranged neatly and tall. "I'll take care of you like I took care of Scarlett," she murmured.

Scarlett replied, "Isn't that upside down?"

Elestria just smiled.

"We haven't left yet, but it's already cold. I want a campfire."

"You do need to be protected."

Scarlett frowned.

Elestria turned around. Her eyes met Keir's instead. Today he was wearing a knee-length dark brown robe. He was indeed cool.

"Is he also in group one?" Elestria spoke softly. She dared to look at Keir because he wasn't looking.

Actually, Keir noticed the little girl who sat down while wiggling her legs. He planned to greet her later.

"He has to be better looking than Keir or I won't," Elestria said.

"Mates aren't made like that, silly... and keep your eyes closed!"

***

When the dry trees have been coated with snow, the first group sets off. The carts moved towards the back gate of the palace just like them delivering food supplies.

Elestria sat at the back of the carriage. She hugged her knees. She glanced to the left. The three women and two middle-aged men there were the cooks, she thought. They were cold at the first meeting.

Elestria straightened her back. She was there to work, so she would focus on guarding the boxes. She nodded while hiding her loneliness.

The three females exchanged glances. They were confused by Elestria's presence. It was hard to believe that the little girl could take care of the ingredients, even herself.

"Did her parents sell her?" whispered one.

The other shook her head. They weren't sure.

Hours later, there was still no conversation. That was natural. Everyone knew what they were traveling for. According to the cooks, this expedition was not just about finding clues to peace.

The rumors of a cold war were stronger than the wind on the mountaintops. Instead, the expedition felt more like spying.

Elestria was bored. So, she peeked through the closed back. Her eyes were dry from the winter wind. She hurriedly retreated.

Then, she yawned.

Scarlett chided, "Wake up, you soldier here."

"I didn't get a uniform."

"Brave knights don't need uniforms."

Elestria took out the jerky. She took a small bite. As she chewed, she hoped they would reach their destination soon.

***

A servant carried the tray to Luna. The servant bent down and placed a cup of warm water. Quietly, she then left the room.

Luna didn't glance at the cup. She also hoped the fireplace fire would die out soon. Her whole skin was hot because she knew the outcome of the expedition.

"I've always seen it. Can't I do something?" She let out a frustrated sigh. "Change destiny...."

"Could it be that I can? What if it's fate?"

Luna looked down. Her eyes became sore. Since morning, she had been standing in front of the window to watch the expeditionary force. 

Going into enemy territory in disguise wasn't appropriate. Instead, come nicely and let them decide. If only it were that easy, she thought.

Luna closed her eyes although she didn't want to. Every time her eyes closed, she would see the events that existed in the future. Her head leaned back against the sofa. A man appeared in her view.

He was pale, standing in the darkness of the forest. He was like an old, lifelike statue in a long, tattered, dirty robe. Luna had no idea what the creature was.

Luna opened her eyes forcefully. Beads of sweat dripped from her temples. She was breathing hard. When she looked out the window, the sky was dark.

She got up. Her body was hotter from the sight of dark clouds moving quickly north. Before her left foot could take a step forward, she fell unconscious.

***

The cart's wheels passed through the gravel. It shook. Elestria woke up. She sat up from her leaning position like an exhausted skunk.

She looked at the door. The grey sky had been replaced by a dark grey. It wasn't snowing, but it felt like a lot of snow was falling.

The cooks were worried. Never before had they seen such a thing.

"Is there going to be a storm?"

"Blizzard? This is strange."

"Maybe the temperature will drop again. Wear your warm clothes."

Scarlett whispered, half fearfully, "It's like the rise of... the vampire king."

"Don't say anything strange," Elestria replied.

"It isn't strange. The fairy tale book on Lusi's bookshelf says so."

Elestria shook her head. She broke off the hearing with Scarlett. She prevented herself from being more frightened.