Chapter 57

Waking in the morning the trio began to pack up their camp as they had the two previous mornings; with the Sovereign standing by a tree as the two women cleaned and packed.

Climbing onto their horses Hydrangea asked, "How long till we reach the capital city?"

"If we ride all day, we should reach it by nightfall." Bastian replied, his hands still resting on his thighs as he sat on the saddle behind her.

"Alright." She breathed, "Brigitte, where's the farmer's path you heard about?"

"This way." Brigitte said as she turned Dahlia and they began to delve deeper into the jungle.

They made their way through the dense jungle, listening to the chittering and clicking of animals. The sun was particularly hot and they continually found that they were in need of water.

Stopping multiple times at small creeks or bodies of water Hydrangea was reminded of her dream where she'd seen the Sovereign dying. Turning her head to look at him where he was drinking from one of the water skins, the dripping water glistening in the sun.

Looking down she finished filling her water skin.

They ate their meal of fruits on the road and continued on at a steady pace making sure to keep an eye out for enemies.

Arriving at a narrow road that looked frequently travelled Brigitte announced that it was the road they were supposed to take. She allowed Hydrangea to lead and they set off at a steady trot.

The wind kissed their faces as the horses sped by the greenery. They were greeted by the scent of wet earth and the ocean.

Smiling, Bastian couldn't help but anticipate piloting a ship. He planned to commandeer one as soon as they reached the massive port in the capital city.

The sun set steadily below the horizon and the stars began to twinkle and cover the sky in a dotted carpet. The moon was not showing today signalling that it had been a week and one day since the coup.

None of them knew how to feel about that.

Coming to the edge of the farmer's path it opened to a hilly area that sloped down and at the bottom was the capital city.

"Oh…" Hydrangea exhaled in awe.

The city spread from the sea and up to the surrounding hills. The lights made the city glow a faint yellow. The ambiance in the dark was alighting in their eyes.

"Let's go." The Sovereign said and they set off down the hill.

"What's the plan?" Hydrangea asked when they were nearing the first of the buildings.

"The maid takes the horses around the city and we enter it to find a boat in the port. After we find a boat I sail it around the coast and find the maid who will be waiting for us." He replied.

Hydrangea's brows rose in surprise at how well thought out his plan was.

Landing on her feet after sliding off of Helle she patted the horse's flank and wished her well. Wishing Brigitte good luck on her trek they nervously separated. Saying goodbye to Brigitte didn't sit well with her as she watched the figure leave on Dahlia, pulling Helle along on a lead.

"Come on, time to go and get me a boat." The Sovereign said and she closed her eyes and shook her head.

They entered the city.

It was similar to the town they'd previously seen but much bigger. The buildings reached up far into the night and the streets were busy despite the late hour. Above the stalls and carts on the streets were strung lanterns glowing yellow and green. Hydrangea smiled and giggled softly when she saw a baby in a carriage.

Bastian meanwhile kept his head up and regularly surveyed his surroundings making sure that no soldiers or posters were around. It was hard to hear over the din of the markets and he continued glancing to his right to see if the flower was still there.

After walking for a long while side-by-side on the narrow walks they finally reached the docks. Bastian sighed happily as he beheld the assortment of ships docked in the port.

Hydrangea merely took in the vastness of the port in contrast to Crescent Port.

Walking down one of the many boardwalks he studied each vessel carefully. Hydrangea stood on the wooden planks and watched.

Hearing loud, abrasive shouts she turned her head and saw soldiers coming. She rushed down the boardwalk, her leather shoes luckily not making too much sound as she did. Coming to where the Sovereign was she grabbed his arm roughly and pulled him to the ground.

"Hydra-" She hastily covered his mouth with her hand and mouthed the word, "Soldiers." To him and though he continued to glare at her he stop wrestling.

Peeling both their heads above a pile of crates they could see the soldiers continue to scout the docks.

"We have to get on one of these ships." Bastian said, seeing all of the enemies that were slowly inching their way towards them he knew that his best shot was to get on one of the ships.

"No, they're searching the entire dock and I'm sure they wouldn't let a boat out without searching it." The flower objected.

He squinted his eyes at her and tried to find a reason to object to her objection but he had none.

"Well then what do you suggest we do?" He questioned as the soldiers were closing in on them. One of them kicked a crate and a loud splash followed.

Both of their hearts began to quicken in pace as they were being cornered.

Bastian gripped his sword hilt while Hydrangea glanced at the dark water, out of nowhere an ear-piercing whistling sounded and the pair covered their ears while the soldiers stared at the sky, their eyes transfixed by the spectacle that had overwhelmed the heavens.

Seeing that they were not dead the two looked up and beheld a rare sight.

The sky was bursting with explosions of orange and yellow, large stars formed and then erupted before their eyes spreading then draping stardust that fell to the earth.

Hydrangea's mouth gaped open at the sight. The cannonball sounds were still continuing but it was the result of the weapon that had her spellbound.

Bastian took the fireworks as an opportunity to flee and began to creep away but when he didn't hear the flower following he turned back. Her grey eyes were watching the display in the dark sky with an expression of pure awe.

He paused as he admired the reflection of the starburst in her eyes but hurriedly snapping out of that daze he grabbed her arm and brought her to her feet.

"Hey!" She yelled and quickly covered her mouth.

But it was too late and the soldiers encircling them turned their attention from the sky and to the Sovereign and Queen.