A Tale of Two Journeys

At the edge of the camp a hundred horses were saddled. Along with their original steeds, new additions, which were generously donated by Chieftain Orhan, were eagerly stomping at the ground.

As creatures of the desert, the lean horses were exceptionally fast and required less water than their Imperial counterparts. While not as good for battle, the equines were more than adequate for a cross-continent trip.

Beside the horses, soldiers were making last minute checks of supplies. When the Empress and her party neared, they snapped to attention and saluted. All of them, except the fairy, who had his hands on his hips.

"Please, Your Majesty, take your time." Reyan's words sounded sweet, but Aurora could see the mocking in his eyes.

The Empress wondered just how long the group had been waiting for her appearance. Nurlan had said she was right on time, but perhaps he was just being polite.

"You hear that, Rory," Brinn bobbed her head. "The fairy said we should go back and enjoy the rest of the wedding."

Reyan's eyes popped out of his head. "I did not! Such a cheeky elf, always putting words in this poor old fairy's mouth. Why it is enough to make a grown man cry!"

"Then it is a good thing that you are not a man," Aurora smiled warmly at the cranky curmudgeon. "Thank you for waiting so patiently."

"Weddings are such a waste," Reyan grumbled. "Everyone gets dressed up all fussy and acts all prim and proper. It's ridiculous."

"It is a wonder that you never married," Devrim patted the fairy on the shoulder.

"Marry! Ha, I'd sooner be tied to a post and starved than married like you sorry boys. No offense," the fairy added with a dismissive wave. "I'm a lone fairy. Ain't no one going to tie me down. My main complaint with weddings themselves is they take so blasted long. Just say 'I do' and leave the rest of us alone."

"What you are talking about is an elopement, and that is exactly what we did," Alvar placed his arm proudly around his wife.

"It was, and the Queen was none too happy about it. Made us have a do-over." Brinn wrinkled her nose. "But I wouldn't change a thing."

Zan, who had walked from somewhere within the company of soldiers, shook his head sympathetically. "You all tease the poor old fairy when really he was probably jilted." 

"WHAT?! Not in a thousand years would anyone leave this charming handsomeness at the altar. I had a line of ladies begging for my hand, I just had no interest." Reyan flipped his head indignantly.

The nearby soldiers, who could hear this exchange, could no longer hold their solemn frowns. It was too much.

"Look at this, my close personal friend," Aurora directed Reyan's attention before he noticed the laughter, "Have you ever seen anything more beautiful in your life?"

"Ha! It's not even real. The land of fairies has far prettier blooms," Reyan rolled his eyes.

"But this one won't bite your face off!" Devrim joined in his wife's enthusiasm.

The fairy pulled at his chin. "That is true. I'll give you that one. For what it is, I would say it is decent then..."

"Great, now that things are settled," Nurlan motioned to a set of unclaimed horses, "We have enough sunlight to get to the edge of the desert before dark. I do think that is the safest course of action based on our experience with the wolves. Elxan will lead us to the narrowest part of the desert to cross. But that should not be for days based on our charted course."

The General had studied the Dunsemen's maps as well as the ones he had brought from the palace. With Elxan's guidance, they should be able to avoid the bulk of the land where the wolves roamed without sacrificing too much time.

"Is everyone ready?" Aurora looked around at all the faces staring back at her.

"I feel like saying I am ready is just asking for trouble." Devrim gave a weary smile.

"Fair point," the Empress winced.

Brinn clicked her tongue and wore a lopsided grin as she slapped Devrim on the back. "Come now, lover-boy. Without any trouble, we would not know what to do with ourselves." She turned to the fiery-haired leader, "We are as ready as we will ever be. Lead on, Rory!"

Aurora shook her head, glad everyone seemed to be in good spirits. Smelling the delicate Silk flower one last time, the Empress tucked the bloom into her pack.

With one last bittersweet look at the celebration, Aurora mounted her new horse and motioned for the others to follow. Shortly after, they were off.

-----------------------

Mairwen, Alaron and the rest of their crew left behind the city of Valiant without any issues. The cross country travel had been chilly but pleasant. And considering the alternative was going through the desert, the group considered themselves quite blessed.

The weather had been fine and after a month of being cooped up in the palace watching people be sentenced to death, the open air was quite freeing. Palace life was nice, but there was something to be said for being out in the world that the Maker had made.

And the company had been exceptionally nice as well. Mairwen had always considered herself a bit of a social butterfly. She liked to dance and mingle. But now that she was married, the princess found the beauty in the quiet solace of a smaller group.

Furthermore, at this leg of the journey, their mission seemed less stressful than when they had gone after Dania. They had not needed to flee any bandits, and the knowledgeable Hanna was with them to keep them on their path.

With the dynamics of the group easily established, there was no push for power or even talk of who was in charge. They were a cohesive unit.

Without a word, Renat tossed Alaron a waterskin. Barely glancing to the side, the Guardian caught it in one hand while the other remained on the reins. Uncorking it with two fingers, Alaron managed to take a swig in one fluid movement.

He sighed contentedly. "Thanks."

Renat shrugged. "I noticed you emptied yours earlier, and I had an extra. We need to stay hydrated."

"I am glad to see your distaste for water doesn't extend to drinking it," Alaron teased. His eyes flashed silver.

Renat smirked. "Well, the alternative is rather unappealing. I kind of like living." His face became solemn. "I have come to think of water as similar to magic. In the right hands in the right amount and used in the right way—it can be life giving. If any of those goes wrong though…"

Alaron knew all too well what happened when magic went wrong. "I see your point." He lifted the waterskin toward Renat. "Thanks for giving life."

"Don't mention it. Maker knows you have saved my hide more than once." Renat lifted his second container of water in response.

The two engaged in an unspoken toast.

Seeing the gesture, the princess flushed with pleasure.

It was encouraging to witness Renat and Alaron get along like friends and brothers. As a child, Mairwen had always envisioned how her husband and twin would get along. But after Alaron died and even as he returned as a Guardian, that future seemed all but lost.

Until now.

Their last trip together had been intense and much of it Renat had been either missing or a wolf. It had brought them to the brink more than once, but in the end the two men, along with Mairwen and Eira, had prevailed and grown closer because of it.

And now they were reaping the fruit of that trial. They were truly a team.

Mairwen heaved a happy sigh.

Certainly later in their mission things would get more tense, but for now, the princess and the others would count their blessings for the small respite.

Just now, the wind was blowing softly against her dark hair, and the snow on the ground seemed filled with bright and glorious sunshine.

The world looked pristine and perfect.

"What are you thinking about?" Renat looked at his wife.

"How I wish this day would never end," Mairwen answered wistfully.

"Things all have a beginning and an end, Princess," Hanna said, her eyes melancholy, "Even time."

As if to punctuate her point, the trees spread wider to reveal a city on the horizon.

Obsequence.