The Alessandrians (2)

I stayed all night inside the quarters given to me by the high priest Radeek. Dinner was served and I ate dinner inside. Once I was finished, Jessie prepared me a warm bath that I took before going to sleep.

After taking a bath, I slipped into my night gown and climbed the bed. I felt drowsy just after the warm bad I had just taken.

"Your highness, the change of clothes that they gave us for traveling are weird." Jessie said. "They gave us pants to wear. And what are these additional clothing?" She asked while holding the garments.

"It is because we will be riding camels tomorrow, Jessie. We cannot ride the camels in our bulky dresses." I replied. "Are you not excited? I am because I have not seen a camel personally." I said

"To tell you that truth, I am not really excited your highness." Jessie replied. "I have never ridden a horse in my entire life and now I am expected to ride a camel." She had a dreaded expression.

"Do not worry, Jessie. I also do not know how to ride a camel. I am sure they will help us with that tomorrow." I said. "It is something to look forward to. I am sure everything will be alright." I smiled.

"I hope so, your highness." Jessie replied. "Then I will retire for the night. Sleep well, your highness." She bowed and exited the room.

Once Jessie locked the door behind her, I made myself comfortable in bed.

"Tomorrow we will travel to the capital of Alessandria." I mutter to myself. "I am sure there will be word from my guild about the information I am asking for."

With the sand storm ranging outside, no messenger falcon can come to deliver a message to me so I need to wait a little longer.

"My dream… when would that happen, I wonder." I contemplated.

The travel time from here toward the capital of Alessandria is three days. The events of my dream could happen in one of those three days.

"I could only be vigilant and careful every time. I need to be sharp and attentive at all times." I said. "Let us start by having a good rest."

I closed my eyes while hearing the strong sounds of the wind outside.

**

It was a clear and sunny day the next morning. Fortunately, the sand storm had stopped and the weather was clear. It is now good to travel on the dessert sands.

Before the sun had risen and when the winds had died down, a messenger falcon found its way to my window. It gently knocked on my window and it woke me up. The falcon was carrying a letter that contained the information that I needed.

In front of the letter, it stated "I found the information that you are looking for. Yours truly, T."

Thankfully, my trusted partner in the guild had found the information that I needed. I tucked the note inside my purse and decided to read it later.

Once the sun had come up, Jessie and I had changed into our riding clothes. The clothes that we are in right now are the ones that could protect us from the harsh sun and wind from the dessert sands.

"Your highness, your escorts are waiting." Radeek said. "They are waiting just at the entrance. Your luggage had been placed on the camels already."

"Thank you for your hospitality, Radeek." I have him my upmost gratitude.

"It is my pleasure to be of service to you, princess." Radeek replied.

We arrived at the entrance of the church and saw a group of men. They were wearing the same outfits like ours. A tall young man came forward to me and bowed.

"Greetings, my lady." The man greeted. "I am Malik, the captain of the imperial guards. And these here are my men. I am sorry if we arrived late." I have counted ten Alessandrian men in total.

Malik was a fine looking Alessandrian man. He had olive tan skin like the rest of the Alessandrians. He has dark brown hair and black obsidian eyes. His jaw line was his most striking feature because of the corners.

Malik's face was familiar and that was because of my prophetic dream. I remember that he was one of the Alessandrians that fought the bandits to keep me safe. I saw him being stabbed by a sword in the stomach.

'Let us make sure that scenario will not happen.' I thought to myself.

"It is nice to meet you Malik." I greeted back. "You need not apologize for being late because the weather was unpredictable."

"Thank you for understanding, my lady." Malik replied. "If you are ready, then we can depart at once."

"Of course." I replied. "I would not want Emperor Romulus to be waiting any longer." Malik flinched with what I said but I did not ponder as to why.

"Thank you for your great hospitality once again, Radeek." I said. "I hope there would be a time that I can visit here once again and repay you."

"You can visit the church whenever you feel like it, your highness." Radeek replied. "I wish you a safe journey."

"I will be off then." I said.

I went to the side of my camel and Malik was just beside me.

"Will you help me ride it?" I asked. "This is my first time riding a camel. I have only learned to ride a horse." I stated.

"Then it would be easy for you to ride, my lady. And I am just by your side to assist you." Malik replied.

Malik helped me climb up the camel. I was a little excited for this nee experience.

"Oh, before I forget…" Malik said. "You need to put this on."

Malik got too close to me that our face were just inches away. I was surprised by the sudden distance.

"Oh, I am sorry my lady." Malik apologized. "I just need to you to put this here. It will help you keep the sand out from your mouth and nose." He put my mask on for me.

Malik blushed with shyness, and it gave his face a nice color to his olive skin.

"T-Thank you." I said getting quite shy myself.

"Hmm." Malik only nodded shyly. He turned around and faced his men. "Prepare to depart! We are going back to the capital with his majesty's wife to be." He shouted.