Chapter 10 (Part 1)

We reached the gates before sundown. As soon as the guards caught sight of Daisy, they saluted and lowered their head but after Daisy and Rascielle passed, they did a complete attitude change and barred our way with their spears or sticks as I see it.

“It’s alright. They’re with me,” Daisy said.

“Yes, sir!” they exclaimed loudly at the same time and then replaced the spears to their side, granting us entrance.

“Follow me closely, Chryisle, Noirxus. As you said, the city is a bit…rowdy,” Daisy said looking for a euphemism for the term ‘dangerously chaotic’. But seriously, if we could defeat a pack of wolves, a few city troublemakers shouldn’t be such a big deal.

But as soon as we entered, we were greeted by a boisterous crowd. Even though it’s almost sundown, people are acting like it is still noon. Vendors were stationed immediately after the gates as if greeting the newcomers with goods, which is a pretty good business tactic. A major city like this one is bound to have a lot of visitors from all over the continent so it’s only natural to post somewhere near the foreigner’s first glance.

I slowed a bit to look at some merchants what they’re selling but my eyes couldn’t focus on the goods. I rubbed my eyes but the blurry image wouldn’t go away.

“What’s the matter Chryisle?” Noirxus asked as his horse flanked mine.

I felt awful. My head was pulsing in pain as if someone was hitting my head rhythmically like hammering a nail. “Nothing,” I finally managed to say as I let one hand release the horse’s reins and massage my temples. “Go on ahead.”

We traversed the whole town and ended up right in front of the castle barbican. I would’ve properly admired the whole thing if I didn’t feel so bad. But at least I could make out the gigantic stone castle beyond us. It was a very big and beautiful fortress and even more beautiful in the inside or so I heard. Frankly, as beautiful as it seems, it’s a waste of tax payer’s money. But these renovations were made ages ago, during the rule of a tyrant I don’t know about not the current king. If the current king was a tyrant, then the town would be dirt poor and no business would flourish. But with all the merchants that greeted us at the door, it’s safe to assume that the king is doing a good job.

After the barbican was a wooden draw bridge that crossed us over the large spike-filled ditch that surrounded the whole building. Which is better than a water filled moat since a lot of people can simply swim across it. After we crossed the castle walls, we were greeted by a brick road leading to two large doors flanked with two lion statues.

The doors slowly opened and a fancily dressed, handsome young man rushed out. He laughed as he ran towards us. Rascielle and Daisy quickly dismounted and knelt down. I looked at Noirxus and we followed suit.

I dismounted my horse unsteadily. Kahel gave a worried whine but I simply smiled, reassuring him that it’s nothing. But in truth it wasn’t ‘nothing’. My head began pounding again, this time harder than before. And I knew Kahel, being a magical wolf, is sensitive enough to see through me. I just hope I could last the whole day.

When the man finally reached us, he quickly yanked Rascielle up and gave her a tight hug. Rascielle was surprised at first but she gently returned the hug. They eventually broke their embrace and instead stared deeply into each other’s eyes. Their actions speak louder than any words – they’re in love. Aw how sweet. Ants could practically crawl all over them. I cleared my throat aloud, breaking the sickly sweet atmosphere. Rascielle and her lover both jerked at the same time and looked at me.

“Oh I forgot,” Rascielle’s lover said. “Thank you for escorting my beloved safely.”

“No need to thank us your highness,” said Daisy before I could even say a word. “I will promptly reward our escorts.”

“Please do, Captain,” he replied then looking at me he said, “Know that I am in your debt.”

“No prob— ,” I was cut off. The world suddenly became unsteady and danced before my eyes. I felt my legs weakening and before I knew it, I felt someone catching me. I don’t know who it was but when I looked up, I saw someone’s eyes. But I wasn’t sure because my vision became blurry again. I could hear voices though asking if I were alright but they were becoming fainter and fainter. Finally everything became black.